The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are coming up. (Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images) Mattia Ozbot via Getty Images The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place in Italy this year, with all the action taking place in Milan and the Alpine city of Cortina. This year marks the fourth time Italy has hosted the Winter Games; most recently, Turin hosted in 2006. Of the 16 sports that will be featured at the Winter Olympics, there will be 15 returning favorites, including figure skating, Alpine skiing, curling, ice hockey, speedskating, snowboarding, freestyle skiing and ski jumping, and one entirely new sport, snow mountaineering. (Will it be as big a hit as the 2024 Summer Games' new addition, breaking ? It remains to be seen.) Live coverage of every event at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will be available to stream on Peacock though thanks to the time difference between Italy and the U.S., to watch many of the events live, you'll have to wake up (or stay up) until 2AM or 3AM ET. Primetime replays and select live coverage will air on NBC. The games officially kick off with the opening ceremony on Feb. 6, 2026. Here's what else you need to know about watching the 2026 Winter Olympics. How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics Dates: Feb. 6 - Feb. 22 TV channel: NBC Streaming: Peacock When are the 2026 Winter Olympics? The Winter Olympics officially begin with the opening ceremony on Feb. 6, although some events will start as early as Feb. 4). The Milano Cortina 2026 games will run through Feb. 22. The closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics will take place in the Arena di Verona on Feb. 22. Where are the Winter Olympics this year? The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Northern Italy, primarily in Milan and also the Alpine mountain resort town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, where events like bobsled, skeleton, alpine skiing, curling, para snowboard, and more will take place. What channel are the Olympics on? The 2026 Winter Olympics will air on NBC and stream live on Peacock. How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics without cable When is the Winter Olympics opening ceremony? The Milano Cortina 2026 opening ceremony will be held on Feb. 6, 2026. Due to the time difference, the ceremony will kick off around 2PM ET/11AM PT. Winter Olympics time difference This year's Olympic Games are in Italy, which is 6 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time. Meaning that some events will start bright and early for U.S. viewers, and live coverage will likely wrap up around 4PM ET each day. NBC will have primetime replays of the biggest moments each night. 2026 Winter Olympics TV/streaming schedule: All times Eastern. Wednesday, Feb. 4 (early competition starts) Curling (round robin) 2AM (Peacock Live) Curling (round robin) 8AM (Peacock Live) Alpine skiing training 36AM (Peacock Live) Thursday, Feb. 5 Curling (round robin) 2AM (Peacock Live) Curling (round robin) 8AM (Peacock Live) Freestyle skiing qualifications 4AM (Peacock Live) Snowboard qualifications 6AM (Peacock Live) Friday, Feb. 6 opening ceremony Curling (round robin) 2AM (Peacock Live) Figure skating (team event short programs) 6AM (Peacock Live) Snowboard slopestyle qualifications 6AM (Peacock Live) Speedskating (early distances) 8AM (Peacock Live) opening ceremony 2PM (Peacock Live) opening ceremony 8PM (NBC Primetime) Saturday, Feb. 7 Alpine skiing (mens downhill) 3AM (Peacock Live) Snowboard slopestyle finals 6AM (Peacock Live) Speedskating medals 7AM (Peacock Live) Figure skating (team free programs) 8AM (Peacock Live) Hockey (group play begins) 10AM (Peacock Live) Sunday, Feb. 8 Alpine skiing (womens downhill) 3AM (Peacock Live) Freestyle skiing moguls finals 6AM (Peacock Live) Figure skating (pairs short program) 8AM (Peacock Live) Luge (singles runs) 9AM (Peacock Live) Hockey (group play) 12PM (Peacock Live) Monday, Feb. 9 Biathlon sprint 5AM (Peacock Live) Speedskating medals 7AM (Peacock Live) Figure skating (pairs free skate medals) 8AM (Peacock Live) Curling (round robin) 9AM (Peacock Live) Skeleton (heat 12) 11AM (Peacock Live) Tuesday, Feb. 10 Alpine skiing (giant slalom) 4AM (Peacock Live) Snowboard halfpipe qualifications 6AM (Peacock Live) Figure skating (mens short program) 8AM (Peacock Live) Curling (round robin) 10AM (Peacock Live) Wednesday, Feb. 11 Nordic combined 4AM (Peacock Live) Freestyle skiing aerials finals 6AM (Peacock Live) Figure skating (mens free skate medals) 8AM (Peacock Live) Speedskating medals 11AM (Peacock Live) Thursday, Feb. 12 Alpine skiing (slalom) 4AM (Peacock Live) Snowboard halfpipe finals 6AM (Peacock Live) Figure skating (ice dance rhythm dance) 8AM (Peacock Live) Curling (medal round qualifiers) 10AM (Peacock Live) Friday, Feb. 13 Biathlon pursuit 5AM (Peacock Live) Figure skating (ice dance free dance medals) 8AM (Peacock Live) Skeleton finals 10AM (Peacock Live) Hockey (quarterfinals) 12PM (Peacock Live) Saturday, Feb. 14 Alpine skiing (team combined) 4AM (Peacock Live) Cross-country skiing distance race 6AM (Peacock Live) Figure skating (womens short program) 8AM (Peacock Live) Speedskating medals 11AM (Peacock Live) Sunday, Feb. 15 Snowboard cross finals 6AM (Peacock Live) Figure skating (womens free skate medals) 8AM (Peacock Live) Luge relay 11AM (Peacock Live) Hockey (semifinals) 1PM (Peacock Live) Monday, Feb. 16 Freestyle skiing dual moguls 6AM (Peacock Live) Cross-country skiing team sprint 8AM (Peacock Live) Curling (medal games) 10AM (Peacock Live) Tuesday, Feb. 17 Biathlon relay 5AM (Peacock Live) Speedskating team pursuit 7AM (Peacock Live) Hockey (placement games) 12PM (Peacock Live) Wednesday, Feb. 18 Alpine skiing (final technical events) 4AM (Peacock Live) Freestyle skiing big air 6AM (Peacock Live) Curling (gold medal match) 9AM (Peacock Live) Thursday, Feb. 19 Cross-country skiing marathon 6AM (Peacock Live) Snowboard parallel events 8AM (Peacock Live) Hockey (bronze medal games) 1PM (Peacock Live) Friday, Feb. 20 Biathlon mass start 6AM (Peacock Live) Speedskating final medals 8AM (Peacock Live) Figure skating gala 1PM (Peacock Live) Saturday, Feb. 21 Mens hockey gold medal game 12PM (Peacock Live) Womens hockey gold medal game 3PM (Peacock Live) Mens hockey gold medal game 8PM (NBC Primetime) Sunday, Feb. 22 closing ceremony Cross-country skiing final event 6AM (Peacock Live) closing ceremony 2PM (Peacock Live) closing ceremony 8PM (NBC Primetime) More ways to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics on NBC While Peacock is the best way to watch the Winter Olympics, there are other options if you restrict yourself to the NBC broadcasts. As our guide to the best live TV streaming services to cut cable notes, both YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are excellent options, but you'll want to skip Fubo until and unless the service resolves its contract dispute with Comcast, as NBC channels remain unavailable for now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/winter-olympics-how-to-watch-schedule-of-events-and-everything-else-you-need-to-know-about-the-2026-milano-cortina-games-172409424.html?src=rss
Monarch Money's budgeting app is 50 percent off for new users right now
The start of the new year is a great time to get your finances in order, and a good budgeting app can help with that. Instead of laboring over a spreadsheet, you can try one of our favorite budgeting apps for less than usual. Monarch Money is running a sale that gives new users 50 percent off one year of the service, bringing the final cost down to just $50. Just use the code NEWYEAR2026 at checkout to get the discount. Monarch Money makes for a capable and detailed budgeting companion. You can use the service via apps for iOS, Android, iPadOS or the web, and Monarch also offers a Chrome extension that can sync your Amazon and Target transactions and automatically categorize them. Like other budgeting apps, Monarch Money lets you connect multiple financial accounts and track your money based on where you spend it over time. Monarch offers two different approaches to tracking budgeting (flexible and category budgeting) depending on what fits your life best, and the ability to add a budget widget on your phone so you can know how you're tracking that month. How budgeting apps turn your raw transactions into visuals you can understand at a glance is one of the big things that differentiates one app from another, and Monarch Money offers multiple graphs and charts to look at for things like spending, investments or categories of your choice based on how you've labelled your expenses. The app can also monitor the spending of you and your partner all in one place, to make it easier to plan together. The main drawbacks Engadget found in testing Monarch Money were the app's learning curve, and the differences in features (and bugginess) between Monarch's web and mobile versions. Still, for 50 percent off, the Monarch Money is well worth experimenting with if you're trying to save money in 2026, especially if you want to do it collaboratively with a partner. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/monarch-moneys-budgeting-app-is-50-percent-off-for-new-users-right-now-204507443.html?src=rss
Blizzard lines up WoW, Overwatch, Hearthstone and Diablo showcases
While we got a peek at a few Xbox Game Studios projects during last weeks Developer Direct event , neither Bethesda nor Activision Blizzard made appearances. Fans of several Blizzard franchises wont need to wait too long to find out whats next for their favorite games, though, as the publisher has lined up several showcases to help mark its 35th anniversary. The developer-led streams will include major game announcements, according to Blizzard. Theyll all air over the next few weeks. Heres where and when you can watch each stream: January 29. 12PM ET World ofWarcraft State of Azeroth (YouTube and Twitch ) February 4, 1PM ET Overwatch Spotlight ( YouTube and Twitch ) February 9, 12:30PM ET Hearthstone Spotlight on the ( YouTube and Twitch ) February 11, 5PM ET Diablo 30thAnniversary Spotlight ( YouTube and Twitch ) With Blizzard not holding a BlizzCon in either 2024 or 2025, the announcements at these showcases should help fill the gap until the event returns in September . This is only the start of what well share around our games this year, Blizzard president Johanna Faries said. The WoW showcase will take place just over a month before the Midnight expansion arrives on March 2. Among other things, the developers will share their roadmaps for both modern and classic WoW. Overwatch 2 has been teasing a takeover of the game by the villainous Talon faction, and with the next season only a couple of weeks away, well surely hear more about that. Maybe Blizzard will reveal the long-rumored Overwatch mobile spinoff here too (and hopefully an animated series). The second Diablo IV expansion, Lord of Hatred , is set to arrive on April 28 with a new campaign and fresh classes in tow, so expect to learn more during that franchises showcase. Hearthstone fans will also soon get a better sense of what to expect for that game this year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/blizzard-lines-up-wow-overwatch-hearthstone-and-diablo-showcases-154912932.html?src=rss
Apple's new AirTag still doesn't have a keyring hole
Apple has launched its next-generation AirTag for $29 and brought a slew of new features along with it. But, first, it's important to get this out of the way: The new AirTag still doesn't have a keyring hole, so you'll still need a case or secure pocket. Once you get over that, the new Apple AirTag does offer some nice improvements. For starters, it's now powered by Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip the same one used in the iPhone 17 lineup and for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It also uses Precision Finding to reach items up to 50 percent further away than the previous AirTag model. This feature will now work with any Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2 or a later iteration of either. The new AirTag is also 50 percent louder than before and has what Apple calls a distinctive new chime. It still uses the Find My network to bounce off other Bluetooth users and locate the AirTag. Apple Launched in 2021, Apple's AirTag has long stood as our favorite Bluetooth tracker for iPhones . It's convenience within the Find My app is a big help and almost makes up for the fact that it doesn't have a key ring almost . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/apples-new-airtag-still-doesnt-have-a-keyring-hole-150540254.html?src=rss
Resident Evil Requiem gives series fans the best of both action and survival horror
The ninth mainline Resident Evil is trying to split the difference between the series action-heavy entries and the stress-inducing hide-and-seek episodes. During a four-hour playthrough of some early parts of Resident Evil Requiem , I spent time with both of the two main characters, Grace and series mainstay Leon. They offer distinctly different playstyles, talents, strengths, and weaknesses. While it isn't an entirely new premise for the survival horror series (in the original, playing as Chris Redfield offered more challenge than playing as Jill Valentine) its never been this pronounced. I started playing as Leon, entering a medical facility he seemed to have been invited to. With a cavernous main hall, it feels like yet another iconic Resident Evil hub, immediately reminding me of Raccoon City's Police Precinct and even the original's cavernous manor. Wings to explore? Check. Suspiciously quiet and empty central area that will almost definitely get overrun by zombies at some point? Probably. Both Grace and Leons parts can be played in either third- or first-person perspective, though Leons segments seem better suited to the third-person view, since there's just a lot more shooting. Grace's segments were tense and demanded my full attention, more akin to Resident Evil 7 . During this early part of the game, there is a lot of hiding, plenty of ammo conservation and a lot more learning from dumb mistakes. The parts of the game I played with Leon reminded me more of Resident Evil 4 (or 5 or 6 but lets gloss over those). Once you take control of him, Leon is immediately attacked and has to fend off roughly 15 infected doctors, nurses and patients. Its a significant tone shift from Grace skulking around the facility, hiding behind plants and sometimes just hoping for the best. Leon faces off against a chainsaw-wielding doctor zombie. Best cut that arm off. Capcom Leon, fortunately, arrives with several weapons, including a new melee option, a hatchet. Using this, he can make targeted attacks to lop off limbs and aim at the head to deliver more damage. At least on these basic zombies, I found relentless slashing more effective than more targeted efforts Im sure future enemies will demand more nuanced approaches. A later enemy must be decapitated to kill it. After a set number of swings, you will need to retreat and sharpen the blade, which adds to the jeopardy while not disrupting the chaos. The hatchet can even be used to parry attacks if you get the timing down. Leon even gets to wield a chainsaw during this initial encounter, but only after claiming it from one particularly industrious zombie that seemed to find it inside a hospital. It was crucial to both disarm this zombie and grab the chainsaw before another corpse could take a turn on it. However, just because the chainsaw gets dropped doesnt mean its turned off. I suffered significant damage when I repeatedly rushed into the spinning power tool. The zombies in Requiem are also a little more nuanced compared to previous games if a zombie can have nuance. While nearly all of the zombies will attack you on sight, they can be distracted or delayed based on the person they were before they turned. For example, the chef zombie (a hardy, bigger zombie than the ones youve come across until that point) will only chase you around his kitchen. Step out into the corridor and hell leave you alone. Elsewhere, a zombie (attached to an IV, cute) has his eyes bandaged and will react aggressively to any noise. I used this to my advantage, hurling an empty bottle at another zombie who stood nearby. The IV zombie killed him immediately. Another time, a senior exec whos been turned is firing an employee of his by killing them, moaning Youre fired as he does so. This little vignette gave me enough time to dim the lights and hide when he left his office. In Requiem , players are expected to exploit individual zombie behaviors to outmaneuver them. Its also a welcome dose of humor to the survival horror series, reminding me a little of the camp moments in Dead Rising , another zombie-centric Capcom series. Leon doesnt have to strategize quite as much, arriving with a particularly powerful handgun, the Requiem, that he eventually passes over to Grace. This is capable of stopping pretty much (but not all) enemies you come across, although it initially comes with only a single bullet, so you really have to make it count. During a set-piece battle against a towering, swollen former patient, I got to test Requiem s action-horror controls under pressure. Leon finds a shotgun and has to flank (and outrun) his hungry attacker. The environment in the rafters of the building is designed so its easy to figure out where you need to go and how to stop the giant zombie from cornering you. Ammo, at least during this fight, was scattered around, which was a relief after struggling to find bullets during Graces segment. Despite the lack of traditional weapons, Grace eventually finds a blood injector (and its companion blood analysis system). These turn into Requiems crafting system. Powered by literal buckets and puddles of blood (you have to draw up infected blood from certain parts of the environment and enemies), samples can be combined with scraps, herbs and more to create high-powered first-aid shots, injectable explosive blood, ammunition and a lot of other things. Analysing different blood types (and solving some light puzzles) adds further crafting options. Oh he's not going to help you. Capcom During the preview, the infected blood injector was exclusively for Graces use. Itll be intriguing if only one character gets to benefit from the crafting system, although Capcom teased customizable weapons for Leon, which might better suit his playstyle. Grace might also be handicapped by the typewriter save system popularized in the first few RE games. This could mean youll only be able to save if you have an ink ribbon on you, a very stressful part of inventory management early on in the series she really cant catch a break. However, it appears to be adjustable in difficulty settings. According to Capcoms Resident Evil showcase last week, infected blood will apparently play a strong role in Requiem , touching on both Leons past (hes apparently suffering from a mystery ailment) and the circumstances surrounding the death of Grace's mother. And it wouldnt be a Resident Evil game with mystery, buckets of blood, and a pulpy villain. Capcom has primed another fascinating villain with Requiem s Dr. Gideon, a former Umbrella virologist who was seemingly written for an actor to go full camp baddie if the doctors hooded snakeskin trenchcoat wasnt a giveaway. Resident Evil Requiem will be released on February 27, 2026 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/resident-evil-requiem-preview-150000849.html?src=rss
This 512GB Samsung P9 microSD Express card is 33 percent off
If you're looking to expand the storage on your Switch 2, the 512GB Samsung P9 microSD Express card is on sale right now for 33 percent off, marked down to $80 from $120. With component prices skyrocketing these days, it's getting increasingly rare to see good storage on sale, and 512GB for $80 is a much better deal than you'll currently find directly from Nintendo . The P9 boasts transfer speeds of up to 800MB/s, making moving games to the card that much faster. As for load times, in our testing we found that any microSD Express, the standard the Switch 2 requires, will offer roughly the same performance. This format is pretty new, so there aren't a ton of cards on the market. As such, the P9 makes our list of best microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch 2. The P9 microSD Express is also compatible with the Steam Deck or any other gaming console that accepts the format, as well as cameras and more. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-512gb-samsung-p9-microsd-express-card-is-33-percent-off-143849630.html?src=rss
TurboTax Deluxe has been discounted to $45 ahead of tax season
Tax season is fast approaching, and unfortunately for 2026, Direct File isn't an option anymore . The free, government-provided service was shut down, so you'll need to look to other federal programs, including IRS Free File , to file your paperwork. If you don't qualify for Free File , TurboTax might be your best bet for a relatively cheap, efficient way to file your taxes. While it pains us to suggest you give money to a company that has spent decades lobbying to ensure America's tax system remains a nightmare, we can at least help you save a bit of cash if you've determined TurboTax is a necessary expense for you this year. Right now, Amazon has discounted the deluxe desktop edition of TurboTax by 44 percent. That gets you $35 off software that normally costs $80, which you can use to file both your individual state and federal taxes. For most Americans, that should cover their needs. However, if you're self-employed, you'll need to pony up for the more expensive Business version of TurboTax , which is currently 42 percent off, or $54 off. One last thing to note: you'll need a PC with either Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma to run the software, so an older machine won't do, unfortunately. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/turbotax-deluxe-has-been-discounted-to-45-ahead-of-tax-season-204848732.html?src=rss
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are 35 percent off
It's that time of year where a great pair of headphones double as earmuffs and a current sale will ensure you get a great quality and good looking option. One of our favorite wireless headphones for 2026 is available for 35 percent off. Amazon is offering the first-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones for $279, down from $429. Since coming out last April, they've become our choice for best noise-canceling wireless headphones. Notably, the sale is only available in the headphone's nice limited edition Deep Plum model. We gave the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones an 86 in our review , thanks, in part, to their incredible active-noise cancellation (ANC) an industry-lead Bose has held for years. They also offers improved audio, producing a warmer and clearer sound than other Bose headphones. Plus, they live up to their name, remaining comfortable even after hours and hours thanks to cushioning inside the headband and earpads. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-are-35-percent-off-130020033.html?src=rss
The best gear to upgrade your home theater setup
A good home theater setup goes beyond just having the right TV (although that certainly does help a lot). Getting the right sound for your space, the right lighting and making sure your streaming gear is up to date are all things that can go a long way to making your setup feel premium. And dont think that just because youre not hosting movie night every weekend that a good home theater setup is a waste. Whether your family is full of cinephiles, you love playing video games with your kids or you plan on hosting friends to watch Super Bowl 2026 , the right home theater equipment can make your experience much better. We test a ton of that technology here at Engadget; if youre looking to make some changes to your setup, weve collected some of our favorite home theater gear here to make your shopping list a bit easier to compile. Best home theater gear This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/the-best-gear-to-upgrade-your-home-theater-setup-130000755.html?src=rss
The best kitchen gadgets for 2026
Whether you love cooking already or you want to try to cook more at home to spend less money on takeout, there are tons of gadgets that can make your time in the kitchen even more enjoyable. As food lovers and tech reviewers, the Engadget team has tried out pizza ovens , sous vide machines , air fryers , ice cream makers and more. Here, we gathered all of the best gear weve tested, reviewed and used in our own kitchens for when youre looking to spice things up in yours. Weve also linked to our reviews and buying guides so you can dive deeper into our recommendations for the best kitchen gadgets around. Best kitchen gadgets for 2026 Nicole Lee contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/best-kitchen-tech-gadgets-small-appliances-124515179.html?src=rss
How to watch the 2026 Super Bowl: Patriots vs. Seahawks channel, where to stream and more
The New England Patriots are headed to the 2026 Super Bowl. (Lauren Leigh Bacho via Getty Images) Lauren Leigh Bacho via Getty Images The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will face off in Super Bowl LX . For those of you who just can't with Roman numerals, that's Super Bowl 60, and it's taking place this year at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, on February 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. Like all other Sunday Night Football games this season, the championship game will be broadcast on Super Bowl Sunday on NBC, and will stream live on Peacock. And it's not just the game that we're excited for, either. This year's halftime performer is singer and rapper Bad Bunny, and there will be pre-game performances by Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile, and Coco Jones. It's truly an incredible lineup of talent. Here's everything you need to know to tune in to Super Bowl LX when it airs on Feb. 8. How to watch Super Bowl LX Date: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 Time: 6:30 p.m. ET TV channel: NBC, Telemundo Streaming: Peacock, DirecTV, NFL+ and more 2026 Super Bowl game time The 2026 Super Bowl is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on Feb. 8, 2026. 2026 Super Bowl game channel The 2026 Super Bowl will air on NBC, with a Spanish-language broadcast available on Telemundo. 2026 Super Bowl teams: The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will play in the 2026 Super Bowl. Where is the 2026 Super Bowl being played? The 2026 Super Bowl will be held at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, home of the San Francisco 49ers. What teams are playing in the 2026 Super Bowl? The teams for the 2026 Super Bowl will be determined after the AFC and NFC Championship games are played on Sunday, Jan. 25. You can keep tabs on the post-season playoff bracket here . How to watch the 2026 Super Bowl without cable You can stream NBC and Telemundo on platforms like DirecTV and Hulu + Live TV, both of which are among Engadget's choices for best streaming services for live TV . (Note that Fubo and NBC are currently in the midst of a contract dispute and NBC channels are not available on the platform.) The game will also be streaming on Peacock and on NFL+, though with an NFL+ subscription, you're limited to watching the game on mobile devices. Who is performing at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show? Bad Bunny, who holds the title as the most-streamed artist in the world, will be headlining the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performance. You can expect that show to begin after the second quarter, likely between 8-8:30 p.m. ET. Singer Charlie Puth will also be at the game to perform the National Anthem, Brandi Carlile is scheduled to sing America The Beautiful, and Coco Jones will perform Lift Every Voice and Sing. Where to buy tickets to the 2026 Super Bowl: Tickets to the 2026 Super Bowl are available on third-party resale platforms like StubHub and Gametime. Find tickets on Stubhub Find tickets on Gametime More ways to watch Super Bowl LX This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-watch-the-2026-super-bowl-patriots-vs-seahawks-channel-where-to-stream-and-more-173222330.html?src=rss
Outside Parties is the creepiest Playdate game yet, and I'm kind of obsessed
Never underestimate the chilling powers of grainy grayscale imagery and ethereal whooshing sounds. Outside Parties asks, What if I Spy , but in an alien hell dimension?, and it is impressively unnerving despite the fact that nothing's really happening at any given time. It goes all in on atmosphere, to great effect. This is the Playdate horror game that I've been waiting for. Adams Immersive's Outside Parties is a sort of scavenger hunt across a massive image of a realm called the Outside, which can only be visited by astral travel, according to the lore. There are lots of unknowns about what or where it really is, though explorers have mapped it fairly extensively through out-of-body excursions and they've encountered thousands of different entities there, including the spirits of the dead. As the player, you have come across a Hellscryer K5 the communication device, psychic camera and recorder used for these trips and now you're combing through the mission logs, getting sucked into the mystery of it all. Think of the K5 as your Playdate, except powered by blood and runes. At the center of Outside Parties is a 1.44 gigapixel, 360-degree panoramic HDR image which has dozens of eerie scenes hidden within it: skeletons of human, animal and paranormal origin; scary robed figures and occult symbols etched all around; what appear to be fountains and rivers of blood; a Stonehenge of teeth. These are the targets you're meant to track down, and as you hone in and check them off your list, voice signals attached to each one will reveal more and more of the explorer's spellbinding story. But this isn't a straightforward find the object puzzle game by any means. When you first look at the zoomed-out photo, it's akin to a strip of TV static with some heavily shadowed areas throughout. You can zoom to up to 64 times magnification to get a better look at specific zones, but you also have to adjust the image brightness using the crank to improve the clarity of the objects. Making it brighter or darker will reveal more objects in certain spots while simultaneously obscuring others. There are 150 targets according to the developer, which should take players somewhere from 10-20 hours to complete. I've been at it for hours and still have plenty left to find. (If you're stuck, you can turn to the helpful target lookup page, which provides hints with varying degrees of specificity.) All the while as you're hunched over your Playdate, laser-focused on the screen to find targets that are buried in a sea of fuzz, unsettling audio transmissions are cutting in and out, disturbing images are flashing on-screen at random and a constant atmospheric whooshing is playing in your ear. The sound design of this game is seriously brilliant it's worth playing for that alone, not to mention all the other cool stuff. From the startup page to the menus where you'll find bits of a background story, to the creepy clips of people wailing and ominously reciting numbers, the sounds of Outside Parties make for a truly immersive, disconcerting experience that I previously wouldn't have thought possible on a Playdate. It's really something special. Outside Parties also comes with a screensaver that once again makes me yearn for the Playdate Stereo Dock . Pop on the Void Monitor, sit back, and enjoy the horrifying sights and sounds of the Outside. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/outside-parties-is-the-creepiest-playdate-game-yet-and-im-kind-of-obsessed-213142541.html?src=rss
Microsoft releases second emergency Windows 11 update to fix Outlook crashes
Microsoft issued another out-of-band update to fix a bug that caused Outlook to crash for Windows 11 users. This second emergency patch addresses issues seen with Outlook and files stored in the cloud following Microsoft's January 2026 Windows security update. According to Microsoft, this update fixes a bug where some apps that open or save files stored in cloud-backed locations became unresponsive or displayed error messages. Some users also experienced Outlook crashing or not opening when PST files are stored in cloud-based options like OneDrive. This is the second time this year that Microsoft had to issue a last-minute fix for bugs related to its January security update. Last week , some Windows 11 devices couldn't shut down or hibernate, while other devices running Windows 10 or 11 couldn't log in through remote connections. For more context, Microsoft only issues out-of-band updates when there's a serious issue that can't wait until its regular update cycle. Fortunately, the latest out-of-band update is cumulative, so you only need to download and install this one to fix the issues seen with the January update. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/microsoft-releases-second-emergency-windows-11-update-to-fix-outlook-crashes-192012812.html?src=rss
Apple reportedly plans to reveal its Gemini-powered Siri in February
A new and improved Siri may finally make an appearance, but this time, it could be with a Google Gemini glow up. According to Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman, Apple wants to announce a new Siri in the second half of February that will show off the results of its recently announced partnership with Google and offer demonstrations of the Gemini-powered capabilities. After this reveal, Gurman reported that the new Siri will make its way to iOS 26.4, which is also slated to enter beta testing in February before its public release in March or early April. Apple has been meaning to launch its next-gen Siri ever since its announcement at WWDC 2024, but now we know that this Gemini-powered Siri will behave more like an AI chatbot , similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT, thanks to another Bloomberg report from last week. Following the reported demo that's scheduled for late February, Gurman said Apple will have a grand reveal of the new Siri, which is currently codenamed Campos, at its annual developer conference in the summer. After that, the latest Siri and the accompanying Gemini-powered Apple Intelligence features are expected to arrive with iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, which are expected to be available as beta releases in the summer. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-reportedly-plans-to-reveal-its-gemini-powered-siri-in-february-174356923.html?src=rss
If your Gmail inbox is all out of whack today, you're not alone. Gmail users have been encountering issues with the automatic filters that keep their main inbox free from the clutter of promotional emails and non-urgent updates, and some have reported seeing notices that emails have not been scanned for spam. Google confirmed to Engadget and in an update on its Workspace status dashboard that it's aware of the problems, and is currently working on a fix. On social media and DownDetector , some Gmail users have also reported delays in receiving messages, leading to issues with two-factor authentication logins. Google noted that the problem has resulted in the misclassification of emails in their inbox and additional spam warnings, including a banner that says, Be careful with this message. Gmail hasn't scanned this message for spam, unverified senders, or harmful software. In a statement to Engadget, a Google spokesperson echoed the message from its status dashboard, saying, We are actively working to resolve the issue. As always, we encourage users to follow standard best practices when engaging with messages from unknown senders. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-says-its-working-to-fix-gmail-issue-thats-led-to-flooded-inboxes-and-increased-spam-warnings-183358654.html?src=rss
US Congress members call for 'thorough review' of EA's $55 billion sale
Before Electronic Arts goes private in a groundbreaking sale, some US lawmakers are pleading for some federal oversight. Democratic members of the US Congress, as part of the Congressional Labor Caucus , penned a letter asking the Federal Trade Commission to thoroughly review the $55 billion acquisition of EA. EA confirmed the sale to the Public Investment Fund, or the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners in September, but the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027. Before the official change of ownership, the 46 House Democrats who signed the letter to the FTC are calling for more scrutiny into the impacts of the deal. The letter noted some of the most consequential effects, including the worsening of an unstable industry, the potential for more layoffs and increased market dominance for EA. We respectfully urge the Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the labor market consequences of this proposed acquisition, including EAs existing wage-setting power, the likelihood of post-transaction layoffs, the degree of labor-market concentration in relevant geographic and occupational markets, and the role of cross-ownership in shaping labor outcomes, the letter read. The letter already earned support from the Communications Workers of America union, who also supported a petition from the United Video Games union. As spotted by Eurogamer , the petition calls on regulators and elected officials to scrutinize this deal and ensure that any path forward protects jobs and preserves creative freedom. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/us-congress-members-call-for-thorough-review-of-eas-55-billion-sale-175851429.html?src=rss
NTSB will investigate why Waymo's robotaxis are illegally passing school buses
Waymo has caught the attention of the National Transportation Safety Board as the federal agency launched an official investigation into the company for its robotaxis improperly passing school buses in Austin, Texas. The NTSB said on X that it would examine the interaction between Waymo vehicles and school buses stopped for loading and unloading students. The latest federal probe stems from a preliminary evaluation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that looked into how Waymo reacts to stopped school buses in the Texas city. That report led to Waymo's voluntary software recall in December. However, the school district said in a memo that the robotaxis were seen repeating the same offense days after the software update. As for the NTSB investigation, an agency spokesperson told the Austin American-Statesman that its investigators will travel to Austin to gather information on a series of incidents in which the automated vehicles failed to stop for loading or unloading students. According to an NTSB spokesperson, a preliminary report will be out within 30 days, but the final report will take anywhere between 12 and 24 months. In response, Mauricio Pea, chief safety officer for Waymo, said in a statement to multiple news outlets that there have been no collisions in the events in question, and we are confident that our safety performance around school buses is superior to human drivers, adding that the investigation will be an opportunity to provide the NTSB with transparent insights into our safety-first approach. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/ntsb-will-investigate-why-waymos-robotaxis-are-illegally-passing-school-buses-160943613.html?src=rss
How to use Google Photos' new Me Meme feature
Google has started rolling out a new feature for its Photos app that can turn your images into memes. The feature, called Me Meme, uses Google Gemini to take meme templates and recreate them with the photo you use from within the app. Its still in its experimental stages and will only be available for users in the US in the English language. In addition, it seems to be rolling out for Android users only at the moment, and Google warns that the generated images may not match the original photo at times. If you do get access to the feature soon, check out the instructions below on how to use it. Open your Photos app. Go to the Create tab at the bottom and find the Me Meme option. If its not showing up even though youre an Android user in the US, youll have to wait for it as it continues rolling out. Google told TechCrunch that it will reach iOS users over the coming weeks. Youll see onscreen instructions the first time you use it. The next time you access the feature, youll go straight to the meme creation process. You can browse and choose one of the preset templates Google provides, but you can also upload a meme or any other image as a template. You then have to upload a photo that you want to insert into the meme. Google advises using a selfie or a photo where your face is clearly visible. After you tap Generate, you can save the meme if youre satisfied with the result or share it directly to social media platforms online. You can also tap Regenerate to see a different output. Android Authority spotted the feature in October 2025 and was able to try it out before its limited release. You can see an example of Me Memes output below. The Me meme feature which I spotted back in October 2025 is finally announced by Google. This is an experimental feature which will be available first for users in US only Here is the announcement forum posts- https://t.co/7P2JgJhoBk https://t.co/E60prcqcie pic.twitter.com/sFICxzVIPU AssembleDebug (Shiv) (@AssembleDebug) January 23, 2026 This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/how-to-use-google-photos-new-me-meme-feature-140000157.html?src=rss
How to use Workout Buddy with Apple Watch and iOS 26
Apples iOS 26 and watchOS 26 introduced a new fitness companion called Workout Buddy. This feature uses Apple Intelligence to provide spoken feedback during workouts and give motivation based on your activity history. Workout Buddy analyzes your pace, heart rate, distance and other metrics to deliver real-time encouragement and performance insights directly through connected Bluetooth headphones. It works in conjunction with the Workout app on Apple Watch and is partially controlled through the Fitness app on iPhone . This guide walks you through everything needed to set up and use Workout Buddy effectively during workouts. What Workout Buddy does Its important to note that Workout Buddy is not a full coaching program. Instead, it adds to your workout with spoken cues that reflect how your session is going. Workout Buddy can remind you of your weekly activity totals, alert you to personal bests or performance milestones and provide an overview when youre finished. It is designed to feel like a supportive training partner rather than a strict coach. The feature operates in English by default and uses a text-to-speech model trained on voices from Apple Fitness+ trainers. It is available for a subset of workout types, including running, walking, cycling, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength training. It requires on-device Apple Intelligence, which means youll need to keep one of the latest iPhones running updated software nearby during workouts. Supported models include iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and any iPhone 16 model. Youll also need an Apple Watch running watchOS 26. Requirements before you begin Before Workout Buddy appears in your Fitness app or Workout app you must ensure a few things are in place. First, your Apple Watch must be running watchOS 26 or later and paired to an iPhone with iOS 26 installed. Second, your iPhone must be capable of on-device Apple Intelligence, meaning you must own one of the supported iPhone models we mentioned above and have Apple Intelligence enabled in the phones settings. Youll also need Bluetooth headphones paired with either your iPhone or your Apple Watch. Workout Buddys audio feedback cannot play through the watch speaker so headphones are essential. Lastly, your device language must be set to English, at least initially. If any of these things are missing, the option to enable Workout Buddy may not appear. How to turn on Workout Buddy from iPhone While much of the interaction with Workout Buddy happens on Apple Watch during workouts, you can enable it and choose voice options from the Fitness app on iPhone. Open the Fitness app on your iPhone and tap the Workout tab at the bottom. Scroll through the list of workout types until you find one you plan to use with Workout Buddy. Tap the waveform bubble icon associated with that workout. This will bring up settings where you can turn on Workout Buddy. Flip the toggle to enable it and choose a voice from the available options. Once you have selected a voice, close that screen and your choice is saved. When you start this workout type on Apple Watch, Workout Buddy will activate. Enabling Workout Buddy for a workout type on iPhone means you do not need to toggle it on separately on Apple Watch each time for that specific workout. However, you may still adjust it from the watch interface for more granular control. How to turn on Workout Buddy on Apple Watch To use Workout Buddy during a session, open the Workout app on your Apple Watch. Turn the Digital Crown to scroll through and select the workout you want to do, such as Outdoor Run, Outdoor Walk, Outdoor Cycle, HIIT or Strength Training. If you want to see all available workouts, tap the Add button at the bottom. Once the workout type is selected, look for the Alerts button on screen. Tap Alerts then scroll until you see Workout Buddy. Tap Workout Buddy and flip the switch to on. You will then be asked to choose a voice if one is not already selected on your iPhone. After selecting the voice, return to the previous screen and tap Start. Workout Buddy will begin working as soon as the workout does. Using Workout Buddy during a workout Once you start an exercise on your Watch or iPhone, Workout Buddy will speak to you through your connected headphones. The feedback is designed to be encouraging and relevant to your pace, performance or milestones. It may mention your current progress toward activity goals, pace, splits, personal bests or other highlights from your fitness data. At the end of your session Workout Buddy will offer a summary of key metrics like duration distance and calorie burn. While a workout is active, you can temporarily mute the audio if you need silence. On Apple Watch during the session, swipe right to reveal controls then tap Mute . This pauses Workout Buddys spoken commentary without disabling the feature entirely. Customizing and managing Workout Buddy settings Workout Buddy is enabled on a per-workout-type basis. If you prefer voice feedback for running but silence for strength training, you can enable it for one and leave it off for the other. The Fitness app on iPhone allows you to set a default voice preference for each workout type. On Apple Watch you can quickly toggle the feature on or off before starting a session. If Workout Buddy does not appear as an option for a particular workout type, you may need to check compatibility. Apples documentation indicates that only certain types* are supported initially and that the option will not appear for unsupported workouts. *Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Ultra 3 Troubleshooting common issues If Workout Buddy fails to activate make sure your devices meet the requirements outlined above. Confirm that your iPhone with Apple Intelligence is nearby and that Bluetooth headphones are connected. If audio feedback is missing, ensure headphones are paired correctly and that the language is set to English. Some users have reported that if the headphones are paired only to the Watch rather than the iPhone, it can interfere with feedback. Switching to the iPhone often resolves that issue. For workout types where Workout Buddy previously worked but suddenly does not appear, you may try toggling the feature off and on again in the Fitness app or rebooting both devices. In rare cases removing and re-adding the workout type on Apple Watch can refresh the settings. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/how-to-use-workout-buddy-with-apple-watch-and-ios-26-130000922.html?src=rss
Engadget review recap: Valerion VisionMaster Max, Canon EOS R6 III and Samsung Bespoke Fridge
Our reviews team is rested up after the CES grind and were back to business. This week we reviewed the latest devices from Valerion, Canon, Samsung and Sony, covering a wide range of product categories in the process. Grab yourself a beverage and cozy up with all the reviews you mightve missed. Valerion VisionMaster Max The weeks leading up to the Super Bowl are a popular time to upgrade home theater setups before the big game. One way to do that is Valerions VisionMaster Max if youre willing to splurge. The Valerion VisionMaster Max is a highly capable indoor projector that offers the best image quality Ive seen thanks to the dynamic iris and Enhanced Black Level features, contributing reporter Steve Dent discovered. However, its also a lot more expensive than rival models at $5,000. Its pretty hard to justify that extra money, unless youre really fussy about picture accuracy and gaming performance, or need other features like the 1Gbps ethernet port. Canon EOS R6 III If youre primarily shooting video these days, contributing reporter Steve Dent just wrapped up testing with the Canon EOS R6 III . While he said its great for video, the photo quality isnt the absolute best you can get right now. If its mainly photography youre interested in, though, Sonys $2,900 A7 V is a better choice, he said. It matches the R6 IIIs resolution, price and autofocus but offers superior dynamic range and lower rolling shutter distortion. Samsung Bespoke Fridge with AI We dont often review appliances here at Engadget, but Samsungs AI-infused refrigerator caught the attention of senior reporter Sam Rutherford. You may not think you need a 32-inch display in your kitchen or cameras in your fridge, but Sam argues once you try them you may never go back. You may not agree or want to pay this much for features like this just yet, but Samsung's Bespoke AI 4-Door French Door refrigerator has convinced me there's a happy home for smarter iceboxes, he concluded. Sony LinkBuds Clip Clip-on earbuds have been constantly popping up over the last few years. Many of the key players in headphones have tried their hand at the open-wear form factor with Sony being the latest to jump on board. While the company embraces the inherent perks of these designs, the LinkBuds Clip doesnt do enough to rise above the competition. Subpar bass performance and the omission of some of Sonys more attractive features (and even some basic ones) mean the company hasnt done enough to distinguish the Clip from the competition in an obvious way, I wrote. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-valerion-visionmaster-max-canon-eos-r6-iii-and-samsung-bespoke-fridge-123000849.html?src=rss
More Cult of the Lamb, a World War II computer mystery and other new indie games worth checking out
Welcome to our latest roundup of what's going on in the indie game space. Its been a very busy week of fun game releases (next week will be too!), so lets get into some of them after a quick reflection on gaming while traveling. I love my Steam Deck. I really truly do. Its a fantastic machine. And yet when I brought it with me on a five-week trip over the holidays, I used it for barely an hour the entire time. That doesnt really justify the space and weight it takes up in my bag. The same holds true for my Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation Portal. Ill be leaving them all at home next time. Ill take a small controller (probably OhSnap's MCON ) so I can play the odd game on my laptop or phone. Ill bring my Playdate as well. I adore that little yellow console, and I havent spent nearly enough time using it. I have a lot of neat-looking indie games to catch up on there ( Diora looks particularly interesting). Im more likely to play something on a flight if its on a device I can pull out from my pocket. I just wish Panic had put a backlight in the Playdate. New releases Massive Monster and publisher Devolver Digital gave Cult of the Lamb fans a whole bunch of reasons to jump back into the game this week with the arrival of the Woolhaven expansion . You'll need to get close to the end of the base game (though you don't need to beat the final boss) before you can experience what the DLC has to offer. It includes weather effects, a new mountain area with a pair of fresh dungeons, a ranching system (which allows you to raise animals as pets or for food) and much more. Folks who dig Cult of the Lamb seem to get really into the game. After a few years of free updates from Massive Monster, Woolhaven is a major expansion that's similar in scope to the base game, so it should keep fans busy for quite a while if they want to try everything. The DLC is out now on PC , Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. It costs $17 if you already have the base game. Inkle, the studio behind Overboard! and the wonderful A Highland Song is back with TR-49 , a puzzle game with a World War II computer at its core. Over five decades, an array of books, letters and journals were fed into the machine as part of an effort to crack the code of reality. But now you're tasked with finding and destroying one specific book before a timer runs out. It all seems rather mysterious. To give you a sense of what's going on here, Inkle says it drew inspiration from narrative deduction games like The Roottrees are Dead, The Return of the Obra Dinn and Her Story , as well as audio dramas. I can't see myself having the time or patience to figure out the enigma of this particular machine (I imagine many players will need a notebook for this one), but I'm intrigued enough to at least watch a Let's Play at some point. You can experience this mystery for yourself on Steam (normally $7, but there's a 10 percent launch discount until January 28). Another week, another Metroidvania, but MIO: Memories in Orbit has a more striking art style than most. This game from Douze Diximes and publisher Focus Entertainment debuted to positive reviews this week. After the AI caretakers on a forgotten spaceship stop working, you'll have to help the robot MIO explore the spacecraft to revive its lost memories and save it from doom. Naturally, you'll discover some new abilities along the way, including a grappling hook and air gliding. MIO: Memories in Orbit is available on PS5 , Xbox Series X/S , Nintendo Switch , Switch 2 , Steam , the Epic Games Store and the Microsoft Store for $20 (with a 10 percent launch discount on some platforms). You can also check it out via Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Perfect Tides: Station to Station is a pixel-art point-and-click narrative adventure and a sequel to Three Bees' Perfect Tides . Over the course of an in-game year, you'll help 18-year-old Mara explore the big city and find her place in the world. The early 2000s vibes of the trailer are immaculate, so I'm going to have to try to play this at some point. Perfect Tides: Station to Station is out now on Steam for PC and Mac for $20. Cozy cafe sim Tailside debuted in early access on Steam (normally $11, but there's a 10 percent discount until January 28) this week. I'm bummed I haven't had a chance to try this one from Coffee Beans Dev yet, because it looks lovely. Along with serving snacks and drinks to your furry customers, you can learn more about the visitors to your cafe by reading stories about them in the newspaper (hopefully nice ones!). You can play at your own pace as you draw latte art and decorate your cafe. Eventually, you'll be able to visit other players' cafes and open a flower shop. Like I said, it looks lovely. Upcoming BALL x PITs first FREE major update, The Regal Update, launches on January 26th on all platforms! Adding: 2 new characters - The Carouser & The Falconer 8 new balls New passives Plus a nice surprise youre going to love! pic.twitter.com/t0tYlwjOXk BALL x PIT OUT NOW (@BALLxPIT) January 19, 2026 One of my favorite games of last year is getting a free update on January 26. Just when I thought I was out of Ball x Pit , Kenny Sun and friends (along with publisher Devolver) are pulling me right back in to check out two new characters, eight fresh balls with their own abilities, more passives and some kind of surprise. I adore Ball x Pit and this update is going to be a drop everything and play immediately deal for me. The Regal Update will be available on all platforms: Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Ball x Pit costs $15. It's available via Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass too. I'm interested to check out the demo for Vampire Crawlers , a Vampire Survivors spin-off. Poncle will release it on February 23 at Steam Next Fest as well as on Xbox. Your progress will carry over into the full game, which will be on Game Pass on day one. As a rule, turn-based games aren't really my jam, and nor are roguelike deckbuilders. But I'm a big fan of Vampire Survivors , so I'm definitely willing to give this a shot. It helps that Vampire Crawlers seems to be fast-paced and that it draws from the chaotic visuals of the original game. Vampire Crawlers is coming to Steam, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android later this year. Speaking of interesting demos, one for Ratcheteer DX is available now on PC ahead of the full game's release on Switch , Steam (PC and Mac) and the Mac App Store on March 5. It'll normally cost $13, but a limited-time discount will reduce the price to $9.75. If the game's name sounds familiar, that's because this is a color version of the Playdate season one title Ratcheteer . This take on the pixel-art action-adventure has multiple visual filters, a CD-quality stereo soundtrack and support for more languages. Playdate creator Panic is publishing Ratcheteer DX , whose developers are Shaun Inman, Matthew Grimm and Charlie Davis. Let's wrap things up for this week with a cinematic trailer and release date for Aethus , a story-driven survival-crafting and base-building game from a solo developer at Pawsmonaut Games. It's coming to Steam on March 6. Aethus is a game about carving out a future from the ruins of corporate greed in a dystopian sci-fi world. As ex-mining engineer Maeve, you start with basic gear and a drone companion by your side. You'll explore what's left of a failed science expedition and abandoned facilities as you try to establish your own mining claim after leaving a company that drains planets of their resources. Of course, you'll upgrade your gear and build out your base as you progress. You can modify settings like the base's air supply, how quickly your hunger and thirst needs change and how much you can carry to fine tune the experience. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/more-cult-of-the-lamb-a-world-war-ii-computer-mystery-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-120000807.html?src=rss
Google Photos can now turn you into a meme
In Big Tech's never-ending quest to increase AI adoption , Google has unveiled a meme generator. The new Google Photos feature, Me Meme , lets you create personalized memes starring a synthetic version of you. Google describes Me Meme as a simple way to explore with your photos and create content that's ready to share with friends and family. You can choose from a variety of templates or upload your own funny picture to use in their place. The feature isn't live for everyone yet, so you may not yet have access to it. (A Google representative told TechCrunch that the feature will roll out to Android and iOS users over the coming weeks.) But once it arrives, you can use it in the Google Photos app by tapping Create (at the bottom of the screen), then Me Meme . It will then ask you to choose a template and add a reference photo. Theres an option to regenerate it if you dont like the result. Google says Me Meme works best with well-lit, focused and front-facing portrait photos. This feature is still experimental, so generated images may not perfectly match the original photo, the company warns . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-photos-can-now-turn-you-into-a-meme-213930935.html?src=rss
Retro handheld maker Anbernic has a new gamepad with a screen and heart rate sensor
File this one under Things that make you go, 'Hmmm' Retro handheld maker Anbernic is launching a new controller with a screen. But unlike Nintendo's Wii U controller, there's no second-screen gaming capability here. Instead, the display is designed to make customization intuitive and effortless. Oh, and the controller also has a heart rate sensor. Because, hey, if you're going weird, I say fully commit! The Anbernic RG G01 has a 2.5-inch HD display that the company describes as an HD smart screen. The idea is to remap buttons, program macros and change other settings without requiring software on a connected device. You, too, can monitor your heart rate while gaming. Anbernic Meanwhile, Anbernic says the heart rate detection helps you monitor your well-being during intense sessions. I would hope that folks with heart conditions would use something other than a gamepad to monitor their pulse. And I dont know why anyone else would be worried about that while gaming. (Too many Red Bulls?) Regardless, Anbernic seems to be leaning into the novelty / curiosity space here, so at least it fits the motif. The RG G01 connects in three ways: Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4Ghz wireless and over a wire. It supports onboard calibration for the triggers, joystick and 6-axis gyroscope. There are four programmable buttons (including macro support) on the backside. The company promises a 1,000Hz polling rate in wired and wireless modes. The gamepad is compatible with PC, Switch, Android and iOS. We don't yet know when this glorious oddity will arrive, other than coming soon. We also don't know how much it will cost. But you can watch the launch video below and see if it's your type of strange. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/retro-handheld-maker-anbernic-has-a-new-gamepad-with-a-screen-and-heart-rate-sensor-201651899.html?src=rss
Apple will begin showing more App Store ads starting in March
More ads are coming to App Store search results starting in March, Apple shared on an advertising help page . The company first said that it would increase the number of App Store ads last month, and this new rollout of search ads will begin on Tuesday, March 3, according to a developer email viewed by MacRumors . Search is the way most people find and download apps on the App Store, with nearly 65 percent of downloads happening directly after a search, Apple says. To help give advertisers more opportunities to drive downloads from search results, Apple Ads will introduce additional ads across search queries. Up until this point, ads for related apps have appeared at the top of search results, but now they'll also appear further down in search results, according to Apple. App Store activity makes up a significant portion of what Apple calls its services business . The company makes money on every App Store transaction, whether it's an app download or an in-app purchase, and increasingly, by selling ad space to companies looking to reach users. App Store ads are hardly new, but the number of ads has steadily increased over the years. Apple added ads to the Today tab in 2022 a space that's already home to editorial curation that doubles as marketing and in 2025, Bloomberg reported the company planned to bring ads to Apple Maps. Apple's decision to rebrand its advertising business from Apple Search Ads to Apple Ads in April 2025 was maybe the best indication that the company was interested in expanding the number of places it would help partners try and reach customers. And it makes sense: the company's billions of devices, each pre-installed with default apps, are some of the most valuable real estate it owns. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-will-begin-showing-more-app-store-ads-starting-in-march-192031226.html?src=rss
TikTok finalizes deal for its US entity
After years of uncertainty over TikTok's future in the United States, a deal for the app's US business has been finalized . The new US entity is called TikTok USDS Joint Venture . ByteDance has retained a 19.9 percent percent stake in the new business, with the rest controlled by a group of non-Chinese investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX, an Emirati-state owned investment firm, all of which have a 15 percent stake. Dell CEO Michael Dell and other investors have smaller stakes in the new company. The terms of the deal were first leaked last month, after TikTok CEO Shou Chew reportedly told employees in a memo that TikTok and ByteDance had agreed to a group of investors. This ends a lengthy saga and months of slow progress as the agreement was being worked out, ensuring that the app will remain available in the US after years of being on the verge of a ban in the country. President Donald Trump, who had tried to ban the app during his first term in office, praised the deal in a post on Truth Social. It will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World, and will be an important Voice, he wrote .I only hope that long into the future I will be remembered by those who use and love TikTok. According to TikToks announcement, the joint venture will protect American users data with Oracle's secure US cloud environment. It will also retrain TikToks algorithm on US users data and will be in charge of content moderation in the US. The entity promises interoperability, as well, promising that users will still get international content and, if theyre a creator, viewers. The safeguards provided by the Joint Venture will also cover CapCut, and Lemon8 and a portfolio of other apps and websites in the US, TikTok said. The new entity will be overseen by a seven-member board of directors, most of whom are Americans. It includes, Shou Chew, the Chief Executive Officer of TikTok, Silver Lake co-CEO Egon Durban, Oracle Executive Vice President Kenneth Glueck and MGX Chief Strategy and Safety Officer David Scott. Adam Presser, who had previously been head of operations and trust and safety at TikTok, is the CEO of TikTok USDS Joint Venture. Exactly what the new joint venture means for US users of TikTok is unclear. Shortly after the deal was announced, TikTok introduced new terms of service for US users. As the BBC notes , the new terms include provisions relating to use of the app by kids under 13 (they are limited to the Under 13 Experience) and that the TikTok USDS Joint Venture does not endorse any content in the app. The company hasnt announced specific changes to the apps algorithm or other core features. Update, January 23, 2026, 10:58AM PT: This post was updated to add a statement from President Trump, and with additional information about TikToks new terms of service. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/tiktok-finalizes-deal-for-its-us-entity-010543484.html?src=rss
Vimeo lays off most of its staff just months after being bought by private equity firm
Vimeo just got hit by a brutal round of layoffs, according to a report by Business Insider . Staffers are posting on various social media sites that the layoffs have impacted most of the company , including the entire video team. Vimeo is a video-hosting platform, so that sounds bad. Yesterday, following Vimeos recent acquisition by a private equity firm, I learned that I, along with a large portion of the company, was impacted by layoffs, wrote the companys former vice president of Global Brand & Creative, Dave Brown. He is referring to a firm called Bending Spoons that bought Vimeo for $1.38 billion in the latter half of 2025 . We don't know why parent company Bending Spoons conducted such a massive round of layoffs, but the equity firm is known for purchasing tech companies and aggressively cutting costs via layoffs. It did the same thing to Evernote back in 2023 and WeTransfer in 2024 . Engadget has reached out to Vimeo to inquire about the exact number of employees that were laid off and will update this post when we hear back. I can confirm that a layoff was announced at Vimeo on January 20, 2026. To respect the privacy of those departing, we cannot provide additional details at this time, a Bending Spoons spokesperson told Gizmodo in an emailed statement . Going forward, Bending Spoons remains committed to growing Vimeo to meet the needs of its diverse user base. Reviving this account to say: Almost everyone at Vimeo was laid off yesterday, including the entire video team. If you're looking for talented engineers, there are a few on the market. Sucks to see something I built killed by private equity in a technology company skin suit. Derek Buitenhuis (@daemon404) January 21, 2026 It's good to know the company remains committed to growing Vimeo after firing just about everyone that works there. One former employee said on X that it sucks to see something I built killed by private equity in a technology company skin suit. Vimeo has been around a long time. The platform was founded a full year before YouTube and has positioned itself as being a premium alternative for hosting creative and business-adjacent videos. We have no idea what it'll look like with a minimal staff and no video team. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/vimeo-lays-off-most-of-its-staff-just-months-after-being-bought-by-private-equity-firm-184556023.html?src=rss
Tesla paywalls lane centering on new Model 3 and Model Y purchases
Tesla just objectively decreased the value of the Model 3 and Model Y. On Thursday, the company said its paywalling its lane-centering feature, Autosteer, for new purchases of the two EVs in the US and Canada. This was previously a standard feature. Lane centering is now part of the Full Self-Driving Supervised (FSD) package , which costs $99 per month. Speculating on why Tesla would do this doesn't require much imagination. Remember the pay package Tesla shareholders approved for Musk in November? One of his requirements for receiving up to $1 trillion is reaching 10 million active FSD subscriptions. One of Musk's stipulations for receiving $1 trillion is reaching 10 million active FSD subscriptions. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) ANGELA WEISS via Getty Images As for the details, Tesla killed the Basic Autopilot feature that was standard on the Model 3 and Model Y. That package included both Autosteer and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC). Now, the latter will remain a standard feature, but Autosteer now requires that $99-per-month FSD subscription. The change applies only to new purchases, not existing owners. The move comes ahead of FSD's switch to a subscription-only service . After February 14, you'll no longer be able to buy the package for a one-time $8,000 upfront fee. If you want FSD (or just lane centering) from now on, your annual cost will be $1,188. Making matters worse, Musk warned that FSD won't remain at $99 monthly forever. I should also mention that the $99/month for supervised FSD will rise as FSD's capabilities improve, the Tesla CEO posted on X. He didn't indicate when that might happen or what the increase would be. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-paywalls-lane-centering-on-new-model-3-and-model-y-purchases-184000707.html?src=rss
Meta is temporarily pulling teens' access from its AI chatbot characters
Meta will no longer allow teens to chat with its AI chatbot characters in their present form. The company announced Friday that it will be emporarily pausing teens access to existing AI characters globally. The pause comes months after Meta had said it was working on chatbot-focused parental controls following reports that some of Meta's character chatbots had engaged in sexual conversations and other alarming interactions with teens. Reuters reported on an internal Meta policy document that said the chatbots were permitted to have sensual conversations with underage users, language Meta later said was erroneous and inconsistent with our policies. The company announced in August that it was re-training its character chatbots to add guardrails as an extra precaution that would prevent teens from discussing self harm, disordered eating and suicide. Now, Meta says it will prevent teens from accessing any of its character chatbots until he updated experience is ready. Those updates will include parental controls, according to a Meta spokesperson. The new restrictions, which will be starting in the coming weeks, will apply to those with teen accounts, as well as people who claim to be adults but who we suspect are teens based on our age prediction technology. Teens will still be able to access the official Meta AI chatbot, which the company says already has age-appropriate protections in place. Meta and other AI companies that make companion characters have faced increasing scrutiny over the safety risks these chatbots could pose to young people. The FTC and the Texas attorney general have both kicked off investigations into Meta and other companies in recent months. The issue of chatbots has also come up in the context of a safety lawsuit brought by New Mexico's attorney general. A trial is scheduled to start early next month; Meta's lawyers have attempted to exclude testimony related to the company's AI chatbots, Wired reported this week. Correction, January 23, 2026, 11:18AM PT: This post was updated to clarify that Metas planned chatbot parental control features have not yet rolled out. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-temporarily-pulling-teens-access-from-its-ai-chatbot-characters-180626052.html?src=rss
You can now create AI-generated coloring books in Microsoft Paint
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently went on record saying that AI still needs to prove its worth if society is to adopt it long-term, but he presumably thinks his company has cracked it with its latest innovation: AI coloring books. A new Microsoft Paint feature currently rolling out to Windows Insiders allows you to generate coloring book pages based on the text prompt you enter. The example Microsoft uses is a cute fluffy cat on a donut, to which the AI tool will spit out a set of slightly different options based on your prompt. You can then choose which image you want, add it to your current workspace, copy or save it. Presumably you can also print it out for the purpose of entertaining your kids. No doubt the kind of real-world impact the Microsoft chief was alluding to. The coloring book feature is exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, and Microsoft is also adding a fill tolerance slider that lets you adjust the precision with which the Fill tool adds color to your canvas. As well as Paints new Coloring book feature, Microsoft has also improved its Write, Rewrite and Summarize AI functionality in Notepad , which integrates with GPT to fine-tune your writing and summarize complex notes. Youll need to sign into your Microsoft account to use cloud features, but results will now appear more quickly and let you interact with the preview without having to wait for its full response. Again, youll need to be Windows Insider in the Canary and Dev channels on Windows 11 to take advantage of the updates initially. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/you-can-now-create-ai-generated-coloring-books-in-microsoft-paint-163512527.html?src=rss
NBA League Pass is up to 55 percent off
Basketball fans can save on NBA League Pass right now, which lets you catch a bunch of out-of-market NBA games via streaming. The League Pass Premium subscription is on sale for $75, down from the usual $160, and League Pass Standard is marked down to $50 from $110. Considering we're almost halfway though the season, the discount makes sense and is a good deal for anyone who wants to keep a close eye on the rest of the games to be played this year. The Standard plan includes commercials and support for only one device at a time, while the Premium tier offers no commercials, in-arena streams during breaks in the game, offline viewing of full games and concurrent streams on up to three devices at once. Last year, League Pass added multiview , which allows you to view up to four games at once on a single screen. This is included across both subscription tiers. The service also added a smart rewind tool that automatically selects key highlights and plays from each game. Outside the US and Canada, League Pass carries every single NBA game live, but within these countries a bevy of restrictions apply. In the US, any games being shown on your regional sports network will be blacked out as the service is meant for out-of-market games only. Also, any nationally broadcast games will not be available live, but instead will be available for on-demand viewing at 6AM ET the following day. The service is only for regular-season games. If you're an avid NBA fan that follows multiple teams then the League Pass almost certainly carries dozens of games you can watch even with the restrictions in the US. Subscribers can get a list of applicable blackouts by entering their ZIP code before signing up. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/nba-league-pass-is-up-to-55-percent-off-163421368.html?src=rss
Get the 512GB Samsung P9 microSD Express card for 33 percent off right now
MicroSD Express cards are still a little hard to find, considering they're pretty new and only really started becoming popular last year once the Switch 2 came out. These upgraded versions of microSD cards are the only ones compatible with the Switch 2 for expanding its storage, so if you're already starting to feel the crunch on your console, it's worth picking one up. Samsung's P9 microSD Express card is on sale right now you can grab the 512GB version of $80, which is 33 percent off and one of the best prices we've seen. The P9 boasts transfer speeds of up to 800MB/s, making moving games to the card that much faster. As for load times, in our testing we found that any microSD Express, the standard the Switch 2 requires, will offer roughly the same performance. This format is pretty new, so there aren't a ton of cards on the market. As such, the P9 makes our list of best microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch 2. The P9 microSD Express is also compatible with the Steam Deck or any other gaming console that accepts the format, as well as cameras and more. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-the-512gb-samsung-p9-microsd-express-card-for-33-percent-off-right-now-143849920.html?src=rss
Ring can now verify if a video has been altered
Ring has launched a new tool that can tell you if a video clip captured by its camera has been altered or not. The company says that every video downloaded from Ring starting in December 2025 going forward will come with a digital security seal. Think of it like the tamper-evident seal on a medicine bottle, it explained. Its new tool, called Ring Verify , can tell you if a video has been altered in any way. Even adjusting a video clips brightness or trimming a few seconds off will break that seal, and the tool will tell you that it cannot be verified. All you have to do is visit the tools web page and upload the video you want to check. In the era of AI, you can also use the tool to make sure youre looking at a real Ring video instead of something generated by artificial intelligence models. OpenAIs Sora , for instance, can easily create Ring video doorbell footage with just a prompt or two, leading to a lot of fake security cam footage on social media apps. The company suggests asking the owner of the camera to share videos straight from the Ring app to make sure theyre unaltered. It also doesnt matter what camera it is: All of the companys models now embed digital security seals to downloaded videos and videos shared from Rings cloud storage. However, the tool can only tell you if a video has been tampered with or cant be verified at all. It cant tell you what has been edited or if its AI-generated. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/ring-can-now-verify-if-a-video-has-been-altered-140000140.html?src=rss
Samsung Bespoke Fridge with AI review: All the bells and whistles
At their core, refrigerators are relatively simple devices. If you're the type of person to view every extra feature as a component that could potentially go wrong, basic iceboxes are probably the kind you go for. But for those on the other end of the spectrum, Samsung's latest Bespoke Refrigerators with AI inside have more bells and whistles than you might think possible including an optional 32-inch screen. Editor's note: The model we tested for this review came out in the second half of 2025 and will continue to be on sale throughout 2026. Hardware will remain the same, the only changes will come in the form of an OTA software update slated for later this year that will add support for Google Gemini, improved food recognition/labeling and more. Design: As sleek as a fridge can be If you're into faux vintage appliances like Smeg's retro-inspired models , Samsung's offerings might not be for you. For everyone else, the Bespoke family does minimalist design better than practically any other line of fridges on the market. Granted, the counter-depth French Door AI model I tested is a bit of a departure thanks to a huge 32-inch screen embedded in its right-side door. That said, there are a ton of configurations, including the choice of a smaller 9-inch panel or models without a display at all. The latter looks like a big rectangle, but in a way that Dieter Rams would probably appreciate (I'm just guessing, I don't have his contact info). Other options include setups ranging from four-door models to side-by-side two-door variants or even a single-panel upright model. Glare is one of the tiny downsides of a fridge with a glass front. Sam Rutherford for Engadget On my review unit, the fresh food section is a touch smaller (16.5 cubic feet) than you might expect from a fridge this size, though I've never really felt limited by the amount of available storage. Samsung does a good job of optimizing interior space by providing a number of adjustable shelves, including a sliding one on the right side that makes it easy to store taller items without completely sacrificing flat space for others. The shelves are also spill proof and made out of tempered glass, so they resist scratches and just look a bit nicer than those made from lower-quality materials. I also appreciate how Samsung found a spot between the two crisper drawers for the water filter, instead of just sticking it in the top corner like a lot of competitors. Even with the FlexZone drawer stealing some space, the main section of this Bespoke model still features 16.5 cubic feet of storage. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Meanwhile, in exchange for a slightly smaller main cabinet, this model has what Samsung calls a FlexZone drawer, which might be my second favorite thing about this fridge. It's perfectly designed for storing things like 12-ounce cans and juice boxes, and as someone who always likes to keep a couple of chilled Coke Zeros on standby, it's super convenient. That said, taller bottled drinks may need to be stored on their sides, which doesn't feel quite as efficient. But really, you can put anything you want in there and if you have young children like me, it's an excellent place to keep refrigerated kids' snacks. My four-year-old can go in there on his own without needing help from an adult to reach stuff higher up. Samsung even gives you the ability to set a different temperature for the FlexDrawer, which is a nice touch. The optional FlexZone drawer is amazing for stashing drinks or having a refrigerated section that's easy for kids to reach. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Additionally, along with some rivals from LG, this fridge also has touch sensors at the bottom of each door that let you open them with a light tap. While I still prefer to just grab the built-in handles (which are located both above and below each door), this is a nice inclusion, particularly on a fridge that doesn't have giant handgrips bolted to the outside. My one small gripe with Samsung's exterior design is that its top isn't completely flat as it dips down in back. Admittedly, this hasn't stopped me from storing stuff like sheet pans and roasting trays above the fridge, but it would be nicer if things were fully level up there. Water and ice dispensing: Samsung's Beverage Center reigns supreme I've already gone on record about how Samsung's Beverage Center is the best new feature to land on any fridge in years, so without belaboring the point, but I'll happily wax poetic about it again. Instead of having a water dispenser installed smack dab on the outside of the door, Samsung opted to hide things behind an exterior flap on the left side of the fridge. This accomplishes several things. Not only does it feel a bit more hygienic because the spigot isn't subjected directly to all the germs swirling around the kitchen or a cough or sneeze from anyone passing by, it also simplifies the fridge's exterior design. This might sound a bit weird, but I've always thought that putting water dispensers on the outside of a fridge was kind of like installing a shower in the middle of a room. It's just kind of awkward. Furthermore, by opening the Beverage Center's door, you also have access to one of the fridge's interior shelves, which makes it quick and easy to grab things like ketchup, mustard or any other sauces you might need for a meal. My wife stashes her matcha there, so it's readily available first thing in the morning. Samsung's Beverage Center is one of the best fridge innovations and years. It includes both a water dispenser and a built-in pitcher that refills itself automatically. Sam Rutherford for Engadget But the most important thing is that right next to the spigot, there's also a built-in water pitcher that automatically refills itself after every use. This means there's pretty much always 40+ ounces of ice-cold water (depending on the specific model) that you can pull out and pour. This allows you to fill up everyone's cup in seconds like a server at a restaurant, instead of blocking the entire fridge while you slowly top off each glass individually. To me, it's the difference between an active process where you can dictate your own pace versus having to stand there while the machine takes its sweet time. Plus, if you like infusing your water with fruit or tea, there's a built-in basket filter for that too. The Beverage Center is a truly useful innovation and one of Samsungs biggest advantages over its rivals, and because the company patented it , it'll be years before competitors can come up with copies. The top shelf in the freezer also contains the ice maker, which comes with an included scoop and the ability to make two difference kinds of cubes. Sam Rutherford for Engadget As for ice, the model I'm testing can produce two different types: regular cubes and smaller pebbles. There's also an included scooper and a dedicated shelf for storing it. Now I will admit that the smaller pebbles aren't quite as good as what you get from a standalone nugget-style icemaker, but in my experience they're more than good enough for anyone who likes variety in their frozen water. My small critique for Samsung is that I've heard the ice trays on other models come with sliders that have actual ball bearings instead of plastic rails and I wish the latter were a standard inclusion on every model. There's never so much friction that anything would get properly stuck, it would just be nice if things slid a bit more smoothly. The screen: A welcome addition to a digital lifestyle The fridge's 32-inch display can be used to write memos or draw, along with a ton of other functions. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Of course, one of the biggest potential objections about Samsung's latest fridges may also be one of its biggest strengths: their optional displays. With the continued intrusion of screens into our daily lives, I'm not here to tell you that you need one more. However, even though I was skeptical at first, I've grown to really appreciate having one on the fridge and I'd argue that unless you're skipping the feature entirely, the larger 32-inch panel is what you want. The main reason is that, at least for my family, so much of what we do is already digital. Things like calendars, shopping lists, recipes and family photos already live on my phone and being able to share all of that with the fridge directly via Wi-Fi is a major plus. Frankly, it's easier to upload a picture to the fridge's display than it is to print one out and post it, which goes double for Samsung's Bespoke line since its glass front means magnets don't stick. Even though I already have a smart display in our kitchen, the size of Samsung's screen, along with support for a handful of important apps, have turned the fridge into a better family hub than anything else we own. Because there's so much space, there's room for photos, memos, the weather, filter status and a full 30-day calendar the latter of which has significantly improved my family's planning and coordination. You can even watch TV or YouTube videos right on the fridge's display. Sam Rutherford for Engadget The fridge runs Samsung's Tizen OS, which is basically the company's lightweight take on Android, so it's super easy to use. You can swipe left and right to add additional widgets to your screen, play music or even watch videos (YouTube, Samsung TV Plus, etc.) if you're so inclined. That said, sometimes I wish the screen was a bit more responsive, because even though I don't think it's a dealbreaker, after having reviewed several generations of the company's phones, I know Samsung can do better. There are also some settings from its handsets that I wish would get ported over to its fridges like a dedicated dark mode. When I grab a glass of water later at night, the last thing I need is the entire display blasting my kitchen like a pair of hi-beams. AI Inside: A work in progress with benefits today With seemingly every tech company trying to shoehorn AI into its latest products, it's easy to roll your eyes at the idea of adding that into a fridge as well. And I think even Samsung would admit that its efforts to integrate machine learning into the Bespoke line are a work in progress. I've found that while it certainly isn't essential, the AI features found here can be a handy bonus in the right situations. Bespoke models with AI feature a camera mounted to the top of the fridge that can recognize and take pictures of the food you put inside. Sam Rutherford for Engadget AI Vision is the headline feature in Samsung's package, which uses machine learning and a camera mounted to the roof of the fridge to automatically recognize and record items you put inside. However, there are some limitations. Currently, Samsung's AI can detect 37 different food items like fresh fruit and veggies, along with an additional 50 kinds of packaged goods like yogurt. Furthermore, the camera only records what goes into the fridge's main cabinet, so anything you put in the FlexZone drawer, freezer or either door won't get recorded. Regardless of whether an item is recognized or not, the fridge will then take a photo of the item (and tag it with the name of the food if it can be properly identified). You can then view a list of everything in the fridge via a dedicated tab on its screen (assuming your model has one) or from your phone via Samsung's SmartThings app. From there, you can do things like set names for anything uncategorized or add an expiration date, though I wish the fridge would do that last part on its own. The fridge uses AI to automatically track food that it can recognize and applies labels to the corresponding photo. Sam Rutherford for Engadget In practice, this means you just put items in the fridge like you would normally and let the AI sort things out on its own. You can always go through the main list to see if you have a specific item or let the fridge automatically delete things when you take them out. That said, the AI doesn't get things right every time, because while Samsung's programming does clear things out after a certain amount of time, you will still need to delete food manually from time to time. Thankfully, for items in the door, the fridge can show you a live feed of what's there, so if you're at the store and can't remember if you have milk or not, you can simply pull out your phone and see for yourself. Because the camera is mounted to the top of the fridge, you might not get the clearest picture or you may end up with your hand covering part of the food as the fridge takes a picture as you put items inside. Even so, that's still more than enough for me to be able to tell what something is just by looking at a small icon. I've found that Samsung AI Vision legitimately makes it easier to grocery shop by allowing me to see what food I have at a glance, regardless of whether I'm at home or at the store. Samsung also uses AI to suggest recipes based on ingredients you already have in the fridge. You can even specific things like food preferences and dietary restrictions. Sam Rutherford for Engadget On top of that, the fridge also has built-in meal planning capabilities. This means you can ask the fridge to come up with a dish based on ingredients you already have, and it's surprisingly good. Not only do you have the ability to specify preferences and dietary restrictions, there's a wide variety of recipes it can choose from. On several occasions, I even found that when asked to suggest a recipe, the fridge came up with dishes I already had in mind. Alternatively, it will highlight when you're missing items for a potential dish, so you can grab them the next time you're at the store. This is one of the most helpful features, because often at the end of the week, I find myself with a handful of leftover ingredients. So when the fridge uses that info to suggest recipes that use those items, it helps reduce food waste. Sadly, the weakest part of Samsung's AI is Bixby. In addition to being overeager when listening for voice prompts, which ended up causing a lot of inadvertent triggers, Samsung also put the Bixby icon near the bottom left corner of the screen. That's right next to the sensor and handle for the door, resulting in even more unwanted summons. After using this fridge for four months, I wish Bixby would just go away, and it seems Samsung agrees. Sometime later this year, the company is adding support for Google Gemini, which should deliver a massive upgrade to the fridge's voice-controlled capabilities. A word on ads You can disable ads that show up on the fridge's cover screen, though that will also get rid of the news and weather widgets. Thankfully that doesn't impact that widgets on the fridge's main home screen. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Last fall, to the dismay of many, Samsung announced that it was adding ads to its Family Hub fridges , including Bespoke models with built-in displays. Now no one likes being taunted with commercials, especially when they're on expensive appliances located in the busiest room of their home. Thankfully, I've found that these ads only show up on the Cover Screen, which only appears after no one has used the fridge in a while, kind of like a screensaver on a desktop. Furthermore, you can disable these ads entirely. The downside is that doing so also gets rid of the rotating news and weather widgets that appear on the home screen. But in my experience, that's just fine, because I don't need what is effectively the fridge's lock screen to have that much going on. Plus, when you open the fridge or touch its screen, it instantly reverts to the main home menu, which includes its own set of widgets that you can customize how you like. Some quick notes and observations For some reason, the door to the Beverage Center doesn't soft close like the rest of the doors do. Sam Rutherford for Engadget The Bespoke fridges screen does collect smudges, but so does stainless steel, and it doesn't really impact viewability. And on white glass models like my review unit, the simple design makes it easier to clean and maintain than typical metal-clad rivals. The door to the Beverage Center doesn't soft-close like you'd normally expect on a fridge. It's more of a clack, which isn't a bad thing on its own, though I hope Samsung changes its design to match the other doors on future models for consistency's sake. Because the fridge runs Tizen and not full Android, there aren't nearly as many choices for widgets. For example, there's a widget for Spotify and Amazon Music, but not YouTube or Apple Music. There's also only a single option for weather and a widget for pinning your favorite websites, but very little choice when it comes to dedicated news options. In my testing, the SmartThings integration worked better on Samsung phones compared to standard Android handsets, but your experience may vary. If you are so inclined, you can create shopping lists directly on the fridge and then order them from partners including Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Walmart and others. Wrap-up AI in a fridge might sound ridiculous, but it allows for some genuinely useful features, even if the tech suffers from growing pains. And while this might sound preposterous, I think Samsung should actually double down on the tech by adding even more cameras, so the fridge has more angles and viewpoints to choose from as its algorithms evolve. The ability to automatically track what goes in and out of the fridge makes it easier to both shop and plan meals, and this is just in the early stages of the tech. That said, obsessing over AI is sort of besides the point because even without it, Samsung's Bespoke French Door fridge is a first-class icebox. For tech-savvy people, its big screen helps simplify and organize our digital lives while simultaneously allowing the fridge to be helpful in ways you might not have even considered. It's also well-built and exquisitely designed to fit in seamlessly with other modern devices, which feels refreshing considering how often appliances feel like they are lagging years or decades behind gadgets like phones and laptops. And I can't overstate how much I like Samsung's Beverage Center, which in my opinion, is so good it's worth going with a Bespoke fridge just for that one feature. In the end, the two biggest factors you'll need to consider are price and your appetite to digitize your kitchen, and by extension, your life. Starting at $3,500 for AI-equipped Bespoke models, Samsung's top-of-the-line fridges are far from cheap. Thankfully, versions without machine learning can be had for much less. But more importantly, you have to be willing to embrace technology's role in your home. You may not agree or want to pay this much for features like this just yet, but Samsung's Bespoke AI 4-Door French Door refrigerator has convinced me there's a happy home for smarter iceboxes. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/samsung-bespoke-fridge-with-ai-review-all-the-bells-and-whistles-140000099.html?src=rss
TurboTax Deluxe is on sale for only $45 ahead of tax season
With the spring approaching, it's time to start thinking about how you'll file your taxes. Unfortunately, with the recent demise of Direct File , there isn't a free, government-provided alternative to TurboTax in 2026, and you'll need to look to other federal programs, including IRS Free File , to file your paperwork. If you don't qualify for Free File, chances are you'll need to dish out cash for Intuit's software. And while we hate to suggest you give money to a company that has spent decades lobbying to ensure America's tax system remains a nightmare, we can at least save you some money if TurboTax is your only option. Right now, Amazon has discounted the deluxe desktop edition of TurboTax by 44 percent. That gets you $35 off software that normally costs $80, which you can use to file both your individual state and federal taxes. For most Americans, that should cover their needs. However, if you're self-employed, you'll need to pony up for the more expensive Business version of TurboTax , which is currently 42 percent off, or $54 off. One last thing to note: you'll need a PC with either Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma to run the software, so an older machine won't do, unfortunately. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/turbotax-deluxe-is-on-sale-for-only-45-ahead-of-tax-season-204848111.html?src=rss
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 drop back down to a record-low price
AirPods Pro 3 have returned to an all-time-low price. You can pick them up for $200 right now, which is $50 off and the best discount we've seen since the earbuds came out at the end of last year. We gave these AirPods a score of 90 out of 100 in our review and we consider them the best wireless earbuds for iPhone users. The third generation model is a substantial update to an already impressive product, bringing new features like live translation to the table. The AirPods Pro 3 also offer heart-rate tracking, allowing them to stream live data to Apple Fitness and other third-party workout apps. This lets you track your fitness and close activity rings similarly to when using an Apple Watch. Apple also improved the sound quality of this generation thanks in large part to a redesigned acoustic architecture that improves how air is delivered into the ear canal. Additionally, the company changed the angle of the drivers to help more sound get where it needs to go instead of bouncing off the sides of your ear. We felt the jump in audio quality from the last generation to this one was substantial. The ANC on the AirPods Pro 3 has also been improved. Apple claims this model filters out twice as much noise as the AirPods Pro 2 and four times as much as the original AirPods Pro. We found the noise cancellation to be top-notch. Live Translation is as neat as it sounds, leveraging the AirPods' noise cancellation tech, Apple's AI and beam-forming mics to help you understand a speaker in a different language. Right now, this is limited to a handful of languages with more being added over time. It's not often you see one of Apple's best and most recent products on sale for 20 percent off, so if you're in the market for an upgrade or your first set of AirPods, consider taking advantage of this deal. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-airpods-pro-3-drop-back-down-to-a-record-low-price-140752588.html?src=rss
Engadget Podcast: Why would Apple want to make an AI pin?
Apple is reportedly working on an AI pin of its very own to compete with OpenAI's non-existent pin. No, it doesn't really make much sense to us, either . In this episode, Devindra and Engadget Managing Editor Cherlynn Low discuss why Apple might be quick to jump on the AI pin trend, even before it jumps into smart rings. Also, we dive into Sonys Bravia TV deal with TCL, and the aftermath of Verizons massive service outage. Subscribe! iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Podcasts Topics TCL is taking over Sonys Bravia TV business in a new joint venture 0:58 Last weeks Verizon outage was resolved after 10 hours, no official word on what caused it 8:39 Youtube CEO promises more AI video tools for creators while also denouncing deepfakes 12:19 The FTC isnt giving up on its Meta antitrust case 14:22 Trump family earnings from crypto may total $1.4B in 2025, but likely much more 19:00 Adobe Acrobat can now generate presentations and podcasts from your documents 21:12 Why the heck would Apple make an AI pin?? 25:15 Around Engadget: Sony LinkBuds Clip review, Volvo EX60 and Canon EOS R6 III reviews 43:14 Pop culture picks 46:34 Credits Host: Devindra Hardawar Guest: Cherlynn Low Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence OBrien This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/engadget-podcast-why-would-apple-want-to-make-an-ai-pin-130732754.html?src=rss
The Morning After: Apple might be making its own AirTag-sized AI wearable
Its been a while since rumors and reports suggested Apple is exploring a new divisive product category, and its been several years since the Apple car. Unfortunately, the new challenger is a wearable AI pin with cameras, mics and zero interest from me . According to a report from The Information , itll resemble a slightly thicker AirTag with an aluminum and glass exterior. The report suggests itll have two cameras (standard and wide-angle) for photos and video. It may also have three microphones and a (swoon) physical button. I love a physical button. TMA Apple How is Apple going to pitch it? What is the non-creepy, not-nefarious selling point of a tiny listening device with cameras? As Engadgets Devindra Hardawar puts it: Why attempt an unproven wearable? Especially when its own Watch and AirPods could already deliver a lot of whats being rumored here. The Information says Apple could release its AI pin as early as 2027, but its reportedly only in the very early stages and could still be canceled. Even if the Vision Pro and Watch eventually happened, the Apple Car and the Apple TV never did. Mat Smith TikTok finalizes deal for its US entity A group of non-Chinese investors will own 80 percent of it. TikTok owner ByteDance has finalized a deal for its US entity. The majority of its stake is held by a group of non-Chinese investors. The deal was closed just before the Trump administrations latest deadline to ban the app in the US unless it was divested from ByteDance. TikToks new investors will own 80 percent, with Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX, an Emirati-state owned investment firm, taking 15 percent each. According to TikToks announcement, the joint venture will protect American users data with Oracles secure US cloud environment. It will also retrain TikToks algorithm using US users data and will be responsible for content moderation in the US. The new US TikTok also promises interoperability, ensuring users still get international content and, if theyre creators, viewers. Continue reading. Bungies Marathon arrives on March 5 Another extraction shooter to distract. TMA Bungie Bungies long-awaited Marathon will arrive on March 5. The 3v3 extraction shooter has a lot riding on it but it looks pretty damn cool. You might remember Sony, Bungies parent company, previously committed to a September 2025 release. However, it delayed the game indefinitely last June after a mixed reception to its alpha and partially plagiarized visual assets. Its a very important game for both Bungie and Sony. The latter said Destiny 2 had not lived up to its expectations. It wants another hit like Helldivers 2 , not another Concord . Continue reading. How to find an affordable GPU during the great RAMageddon It sucks out there. If youre thinking about getting a new graphics card this year, your window for doing so at a typical retail price has closed. What do you do if you want to upgrade to a new graphics card this year? If youre sitting on an older GPU, the best advice we can give is to stick with your current hardware. On the other hand, if your current GPU is not up to running the games you want to play, consider buying a card with at least 12GB of VRAM. Then, well, read on for more tips and our top recommendations. Continue reading. The biggest stories you might have missed One year of access to Monarch Moneys budgeting app is down to $50 right now Fable will let you be a heartless landlord this fall Grok generated an estimated 3 million sexualized images including 23,000 of children over 11 days This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-apple-might-be-making-its-own-airtag-sized-ai-wearable-121500060.html?src=rss
Apple accuses Europe of 'delay tactics' following alternative app store collapse
Following the shutdown of an alternative app store, Apple has accused the European Commission (EC) of using political delay tactics as an excuse to probe and fine the company, Bloomberg reported. Apple issued the statement preemptively as commission is reportedly preparing to blame Apple for the shutdown of third-party app store Setapp due to what the developer called still-evolving and complex business terms. As part of an EU ruling, Apple was forced to allow third-party marketplaces for apps once the Digital Markets Act (DMA) took effect in 2024. Apple agreed to allow such stores, but implemented fees of 0.50 per installation if the number of downloads exceeded one million, among other rules. In April 2025, the EC found Apple to be in non-compliance with the DMA over rules on steering users to alternative payments and levied a $500 million fine . In June last year, Apple said it would change its pricing for third-party App Stores to a five percent revenue share called the Core Technology Commission (CTC). However, Apple said that the EC has so far refused to allow those changes. In the meantime, a developer called MacPaw shut down its fledgling Setapp store, saying Apples terms dont fit Setapps current business model due to the complexity. As a result, the EC will reportedly rule that Apple hasnt addressed the key issues it raised regarding business terms, including their complexity. The European Commission has refused to let us implement the very changes that they requested, Apple said in a statement to Bloomberg . In October, we submitted a formal compliance plan and they have yet to respond. The EC is using political delay tactics to mislead the public, move the goal posts, and unfairly target an American company with burdensome investigations and onerous fines. In reply, the EC told Engadget that its in constant contact with Apple with the aim of finding a DMA-compliant solution. The Commissions main objective is that gatekeepers operate in full compliance with the DMA. The Commission is available to discuss and work with gatekeepers to achieve full compliance. In this context, the Commission has been in a constant dialogue with Apple to solve all pending issues, while also listening to developers from all over the world. We remain committed to this exchange to find a DMA compliant solution. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-accuses-europe-of-delay-tactics-following-alternative-app-store-collapse-124701591.html?src=rss
