Hardware

Skateboarding train game Denshattack! is out on June 17

Denshattack! , the skateboarding game that manages to mix an anime-inspired narrative with Tony Hawk Pro Skater -style grinding and wall-riding, is coming out on June 17. The game's publisher Fireshine Games announced its launch date alongside a new trailer at Nintendo's recent Indie World event . If it wasn't clear from previous trailers, Denshattack! remains stylish as hell, filled to the brim with bright colors and over-the-top animation. The new trailer doesn't offer much more in terms of what the story of the game will be, but it does highlight its fast-paced gameplay, which will have you flipping and grinding a tiny train through settings like a futuristic cityscape, jungles and a snowy mountain region. Among the other charms of Denshattack! , the game also features original songs from composers Tee Lopes ( Sonic Mania ), Ryo Nagamatsu (Splatoon series), Richard Jacques (Jet Set Radio series) and Takenobu Mitsuyoshi ( Daytona USA ). If you're at all curious to try Denshattack! before it comes out this summer, demos of the game are available to download right now for PC and Switch 2 . Denshattack! will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S when it launches June 17. The game will also be available to play via Xbox Game Pass. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/skateboarding-train-game-denshattack-is-out-on-june-17-210314631.html?src=rss

Drinkbox Studios' Blighted will be out for Switch 2 and PC this fall

During today's Nintendo Indie World presentation , we got a narrower time frame for when and where we'll be able to play the next project from Drinkbox Studios. The team announced that Blighted will be coming out in this fall for both the Nintendo Switch 2 and for PC.Itll arrive on the same date for both platforms, but we dont have any more specific timeline than the season. We first heard about Blighted during last year's Summer Games Fest. With past credits such as Guacamelee! , Guacamelee! 2 and Severed , the studio is now turning its eye toward a 3D Metroidvania-RPG. It may be a new direction in genre, but Drinkbox's signature moody, eerie vibes do seem to be returning in heaps for Blighted . The core premise of the game revolves around the player regaining lost communal memories and also eating brains, so its definitely heavy on the surreal and slightly macabre. Blighted will also have options for both solo and co-op play of its story. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/drinkbox-studios-blighted-will-be-out-for-switch-2-and-pc-this-fall-203638261.html?src=rss

Downdetector and Speedtest have been sold for over $1 billion

The next time you check your internet speed or whether your favorite site is down, another company may be profiting. On Tuesday, Ziff Davis announced that it sold its Connectivity division, which includes Ookla's Speedtest and Downdetector, to Accenture. The deal is worth $1.2 billion in cash. According to Reuters , the deal will allow Ziff Davis to focus on its core brands, including IGN , Mashable and Everyday Health . Brand consolidation appears to be the name of the game, as the company recently laid off some of Eurogamer 's most experienced editors and its entire video team. That followed a rotation of editorial staff among Ziff Davis's other gaming publications, which reduced VG247 to a small, two-person gaming guides site. Ziff Davis bought Ookla for $15 million in 2014. Reuters notes that the division seized on the 5G rollout and a surge in pandemic-driven bandwidth demand to boost its impressive return on the investment. (Connectivity generated a whopping $231 million in 2025.) Accenture is a global technology consulting company headquartered in Dublin. The company views the acquisition as a key step in building end-to-end network intelligence services essential for AI-based transformation. (Can someone who speaks corporate translate, please?) The deal may take a few months to be finalized, and Ziff Davis will continue to operate Speedtest and Downdetector in the meantime. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/downdetector-and-speedtest-have-been-sold-for-over-1-billion-201741894.html?src=rss

Musical adventure game Mixtape will be ready to rock out on May 7

Time to dust off your boomboxes and your walkmans: musical coming-of-age game Mixtape is due out this spring. At its reveal , this next title from game developer Beethoven and Dinosaur was targeting a 2025 release, but as happens to the best laid plans, the game's arrival got pushed back. Today's trailer announced that the new launch date for the narrative- and music-focused adventure game is May 7, 2026. Despite the new date, Mixtape will still be coming to the usual array of current gaming platforms: Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and the Nintendo Switch 2. Johnny Galvatron, game director for the project, spoke with Engadget recently about the process of conveying that familiar feeling of restless teenage ennui in this medium. Idleness is hard to explore as a video game, and one of the interesting things about being a teenager is you just hang out a lot, and sometimes it just sucks, Galvatron said. So I love that we made a game that shows that idleness. As the name suggests, the soundtrack is core to the experience of this game about three friends at the end of high school. Expect to hear tracks by iconic punk and alternative artists such as DEVO, Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Smashing Pumpkins and Iggy Pop. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/musical-adventure-game-mixtape-will-be-ready-to-rock-out-on-may-7-200500458.html?src=rss

Elgato's Stream Deck + XL adds a touch strip and dials to an already massive array of buttons

Elgato's Stream Deck helped popularize using a macro pad among aspiring livestreamers and regular desk jockeys, so it's only natural for the brand to continue to expand on its lineup. After announcing a suite of new Stream Deck devices last year, Elgato is kicking off 2026 with the Stream Deck + XL , a larger version of the already big Stream Deck XL , and a collection of new audio accessories that should help improve sound mixing in and out of livestreams. The Stream Deck + XL not only expands on the number of buttons on the regular Stream Deck XL (from 32 customizable buttons to 36 customizable buttons), but also introduces multiple new control options, including a touch strip and six dials. All the controls on the new Stream Deck are customizable, and the presence of the touch strip means you can receive visual feedback about adjustments you're making while you're making them. The new macro pad should still work well as a way to quickly end a live stream or queue up a transition, and Elgato says that paired with its new Wave XLR Pro audio interface, the Stream Deck + XL could also become a straightforward tool for sound mixing, too. The XLR Dock MK. 2 adds an XLR input to the Stream Deck +. Elgato The Wave XLR Pro integrates two fully independent XLR inputs with 80 dB of clean gain each, Elgato says, along with multiple headphone outputs and a built-in Maximizer effect that can maintain consistent loudness. When you're livestreaming, Elgato's says the Wave XLR Pro's per-channel ducking can also automatically lower other audio sources when you speak. The XLR Pro is one of several Wave audio products Elgato is announcing alongside the Stream Deck + XL, a lineup which also includes a new condenser microphone and a new way to connect XLR microphones to the company's smaller Stream Deck. The XLR Dock MK. 2, exclusively compatible with the Stream Deck +, lets you connect professional XLR audio devices directly to your Stream Deck. The Dock adds 80 dB of clean gain, 48V phantom power, onboard DSP effects, and low-latency VST Insert support, and can be entirely managed through the Stream Deck's buttons and dials. Elgato says both the Stream Deck + XL and the XLR Dock MK. 2 are available to pre-order today for $350 and $130, respectively. The Wave XLR Pro will cost $350 when it launches at some point in Q2 2026. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/elgatos-stream-deck--xl-adds-a-touch-strip-and-dials-to-an-already-massive-array-of-buttons-195200129.html?src=rss

The long-delayed The Division Resurgence hits iOS and Android on March 31

Ubisoft is finally releasing The Division Resurgence on March 31 for both iOS and Android. This game was first announced all the way back in 2021 and has suffered from delays in recent years. This is a free-to-play mobile game set in the universe of The Division, complete with an MMO-style shared open world and both co-op and solo gameplay. It also features an original story that's set during the early days of the pandemic in NYC, making it a sequel to the first game but a prequel to the second one. It's a third-person action RPG with PvP. The loop looks fairly similar to the mainline games. Players should expect plenty of combat and loot to collect, which in turn can be used to upgrade gear. Pre-registration is already open for the game at the iOS Store and the Google Play Store. Ubisoft has also announced some perks for The Division 2 players. Franchise veterans will receive some loot upon booting up Resurgence , including gear and clothing. Those who dip into The Division 2 after trying the mobile game will get other perks, including Resurgence -themed gear. Today's launch date announcement was part of a 10th anniversary showcase for the franchise. Ubisoft also revealed an anniversary-themed season for The Division 2 , which includes global events inspired by the original game and an in-game hoodie. The company is also making the Warlords of New York expansion free during this period, which has received a new update focused on realistic combat. The Division 1 and The Division 2 are both on sale right now, with massive discounts up to 90 percent on PC and 85 percent on PlayStation and Xbox. Today's update, however, didn't give us any new information regarding the recently-announced Survivors DLC for The Division 2 . We don't know much about this, except that it's being described as an updated take on the survival extraction experience. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-long-delayed-the-division-resurgence-hits-ios-and-android-on-march-31-193905948.html?src=rss

MacBook Air M5 vs. MacBook Air M4: What's changed beyond the Apple silicon

Apple unveiled a new MacBook Air today, and apart from the new M5 chip, things dont look remarkably different. Sure, its getting a mild refresh, but maybe not in the way most people would want. Namely, its more expensive a $100 price bump across all models. In exchange, the MacBook Air M5 does get faster performance and double the storage. If you placed the MacBook Air M4 and the M5 in front of me, I wouldnt be able to tell which was which. The M5 offers an overall CPU/GPU performance boost, along with some extra storage and double the file transfer speeds. Still, I didnt expect a radical change, but I wish we got more for that extra $100. Its not worth jumping to the MacBook Air M5 if youve got the M4 unit already, but if youre working with an older model, then it may be worth the switch, especially if youre a professional. Like the rest of Apples new suite of products, pre-orders start at 9:15AM ET on March 4. Id wait until full reviews are published before committing to spending money, though. Still, if all you care about are the specs and what they mean, weve got a pretty good idea of all that. MacBook Air M5 vs. MacBook Air M4: Performance and battery life Naturally, the biggest difference between the MacBook Air M5 and the MacBook Air M4 is their chipsets. While the price did go up, we also got double the storage in the MacBook Air M5, jumping from 256GB to 512GB at the base configuration for both sizes. Upgraded configurations start at 1TB. According to Apple, the MacBook Air M5s unified memory is 28 percent faster than the M4s, and the AI performance is 4x faster. Casual users likely wont feel the impact of the overall performance gains. (You could potentially get more use out of it compared with an M4 chip.) But Apple claims that folks who are rendering 3D in Blender will see a 50 percent increase in speed. Thats pretty significant if youre a professional looking for a relatively affordable premium laptop with some oomph. The MacBook Air got double the storage, but what you might overlook is that it also got double the speed. In theory, the read and write performance should be much faster. In real-world use, you wont have to wait as long when youre copying files, importing photos or videos and doing AI-enabled tasks. It could also potentially decrease boot times, meaning your MacBook might be faster at waking up after shutting down, but if so, the improvement may be negligible. The MacBook Air M5 is also equipped with Apples new N1 chip. This enables the latest standards in connectivity, like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Unless youre a power user, its unlikely youll be using this chip to its full capacity, which can take up 46 gigabits per second of internet speed. If youre paying your ISP for those rates, you can probably afford a MacBook Pro, which might better suit your needs (you speed demon). The battery life of the MacBook Air M5 remains the same as its predecessor. In my experience reviewing laptops, Apple has been killing it with its battery life scores (with the M4 lasting over 18 hours on Engadgets battery test ), so I wouldnt be too shocked if its claims are accurate. Those are: 18 hours of video streaming and 15 hours of wireless web surfing. Ive also tested the MacBook Air M4, and that latter time is on point. MacBook Air M5 vs. MacBook Air M4: Design, display, audio Similar to the iPad Air M4 announcement this week, the MacBook Air M5s design, display and audio remain unchanged despite the overall price increase. Apart from being frustrated by the higher cost, I was satisfied that everything thats here is already pretty solid. Theres a decent array of colors, with the MacBook Air available in either blue, silver, beige and black. Although, I will always advocate for more, and brighter, colors especially since these hues are so tame. The MacBook Air M5 continues to live up to its name with a thin and light design. The 13-inch model comes in at 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches and 2.7 pounds, while the 15-inch stacks up to 13.4 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches and 3.3 pounds. Unfortunately, since theres no change in design, were stuck with only two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack. Id like to complain that the MacBook Air still doesnt have an OLED panel, but I cant, since even the Pro MacBooks still have yet to feature one. (There are laptops, like the ZenBook 14, that cost around the same as the MacBook Air and manage to sport an OLED display, so its not unreasonable.) Despite that, the MacBook Airs displays are plenty vibrant. Both models come with a Liquid Retina LED panel at 224 ppi, and emit up to 500 nits of brightness. It makes working outdoors possible, but since its a glossy panel, Id still recommend staying inside (or finding shade). The MacBook Air 13 has a 13.6-inch, 2,560 x 1,664 panel, while the 15 is equipped with a 15.3-inch, 2,880 x 1,864 screen. Ive seen both the 13-inch and 15-inch versions of the MacBook Air M4 in person and theyre pleasantly bright. The speakers on both the MacBook Air M4 models produced loud and clear sound, albeit with middling bass. The MacBook Air M5 features the same speaker system, with the 13-inch supporting four speakers and the 15-inch carrying six, so it stands to reason the new laptops will deliver similar experiences on sound. macOS Tahoe and Apple Intelligence No changes to macOS Tahoe here. Everything you get with the MacBook Air M4 youll get on the M5. That includes the controversial Liquid Glass design and Apple Intelligence features like Live Translation in Messages. Speaking of Apple Intelligence, like I said earlier, you will likely benefit from faster processing thanks to the M5 chip. Apple claims AI tasks will be 4x faster, so even those who casually use AI may notice the difference. If youd like to compare for yourself exactly what changes the MacBook Air M5 brings over its predecessor, weve compiled this table to make it easier on your eyes. MacBook Air M5 vs. MacBook Air M4: Specs at a glance Spec MacBook Air M5 MacBook Air M4 Price $1,099 (13-inch), $1,299 (15-inch) $999 (13-inch), $1,199 (15-inch) Processor M5 M4 Display 13.6-inch: Liquid Retina, LED, 2,560 x 1,664, 224 ppi 15.3-inch: Liquid Retina, LED, 2,880 x 1,864, 224 ppi 13.6-inch: Liquid Retina, LED, 2,560 x 1,664, 224 ppi 15.3-inch: Liquid Retina, LED, 2,880 x 1,864, 224 ppi RAM 16GB, 24GB, 32GB 16GB, 24GB, 32GB Storage 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB Battery 18 hours (video streaming), 15 hours (wireless web) 18 hours (video streaming), 15 hours (wireless web) Dimensions 13-inch: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches 15-inch: 13.4 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches 13-inch: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches 15-inch: 13.4 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches Weight 13-inch: 2.7 pounds 15-inch: 3.3 pounds 13-inch: 2.7 pounds 15-inch: 3.3 pounds This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/macbook-air-m5-vs-macbook-air-m4-whats-changed-beyond-the-apple-silicon-185256565.html?src=rss

X to require AI labels on armed conflict videos from paid creators, citing times of war

X will suspend creators from its revenue sharing program if they post AI-generated videos depicting armed conflicts without disclosing they were made with AI. Head of product Nikita Bier announced the policy change on March 3, saying first-time violators will be cut off for 90 days and repeat offenders would be permanently removed from the program. Today we are revising our Creator Revenue Sharing policies to maintain authenticity of content on Timeline and prevent manipulation of the program. During times of war, it is critical that people have access to authentic information on the ground. With todays AI technologies, Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) March 3, 2026 The policy is notably narrow, applying only to creators enrolled in the platforms revenue sharing program and only to AI-generated videos of armed conflicts, not AI content in general or non-monetized accounts. Violations will be flagged through Community Notes, X's crowd-sourced fact-checking system, or by detecting metadata from generative AI tools. Bier framed the change as necessary during times of war, though the current conflict unfolding between the United States, Israel and Iran has not been formally, or at least not legally, declared a war. Of course, the US has not formally declared war since 1942 . The quality of AI video generation has progressed at a rapid pace, and generated content has become almost indistinguishable from real footage for most viewers. X already watermarks images and videos generated by its Grok chatbot but has not previously required users to disclose AI-generated content. The platform is separately testing a broader AI labeling toggle that would let users mark any post as containing synthetic content, as first reported by Social Media Today , though X has not shared a timeline for that feature. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-to-require-ai-labels-on-armed-conflict-videos-from-paid-creators-citing-times-of-war-183631400.html?src=rss

Two fantastic indie games not named Blue Prince also just arrived on Switch

Sure, Blue Prince has the most name recognition among the indie games that had a surprise debut on Nintendo Switch 2 today. However, I implore you not to overlook two other wonderful indies that hit Nintendos consoles in the wake of this mornings Indie World showcase. Minishoot Adventures from SoulGame Studio and co-publisher IndieArk is a game I absolutely loved when it first emerged on Steam in 2024. Its an RPG that adopts the format of top-down Legend of Zelda games. At the same time, its a twin-stick bullet-hell shooter. The two-person team at SoulGame blended those genres to great effect. Here, you play as a ship. Exploration is key, as youll need to find upgrades for your ship in order to access new areas. SoulGame injected a ton of personality into Minishoot Adventures as well. Errant apostrophe in the name aside, its a real gem. Minishoot Adventures is out now on Nintendo Switch , Nintendo Switch 2 , PlayStation 5 , Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S for $16. Its also available on Game Pass Ultimate and Premium, as well as PC Game Pass. Im perplexed as to why Nintendo only showcased oo in the Japanese version of the Indie World stream. Its utterly brilliant and by far the best new game I played in 2025 . Its so exquisitely designed by Nama Takahashi ( ElecHead ) that a 20-second trailer is all thats needed to show how this puzzle platformer works. You play as a caterpillar who has a bomb and later a second one that can be used to blow stuff up. The bombs are also used to hold down buttons and to propel the caterpillar upwards or sideways. There are no instructions here. Takahashi (who made the game with the help of Tiny Cactus Studio and Tsuyomi) helps you figure out what to do solely through intelligent level design. The puzzles arent overly difficult, but they got my brain matter working just enough that I smiled whenever I found a solution. The visuals, music and sound design are supremely charming too. This is a truly wonderful game. It doesnt outstay its welcome either, as it can be completed within a couple of hours. oo is available now on Switch for $11 . Its coming to PS5 on March 11 and Xbox Series X/S later this month. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/two-fantastic-indie-games-not-named-blue-prince-also-just-arrived-on-switch-182648197.html?src=rss

AI data centers could reduce power draw on demand, study says

Apparently, AI data centers are capable of sucking less (power, that is). A recent UK trial demonstrated that they can adjust their energy demands dynamically without disrupting critical workloads. This contrasts with data centers' current approach of always-on power draw, which can strain grids and drive up prices for everyone . Over five days in December 2025, more than 200 simulated grid events tested a London data centers ability to adjust its energy use on the fly. The trial used software from Emerald AI, which was involved in the study. Other partners included NVIDIA, National Grid, Nebius and the nonprofit Electric Power Research Institute. In each simulated grid event, the data center successfully adjusted its energy use to the requested level. It reduced power draw by up to 40 percent, while critical workloads continued to run as normal throughout the trial. The data center successfully reacted to spikes in demand during soccer match halftimes. In one case, it reduced its power draw by 10 percent for up to 10 hours. It also managed to cut its demand quickly: One event saw the data center reduce its load by 30 percent in only 30 seconds. The study will serve as a blueprint for a 100MW power-flexible AI factory that NVIDIA plans to operate in Virginia. This trial proves that NVIDIA-powered infrastructure can act as a grid-aware asset, modulating demand in real-time to support stability, Josh Paker, NVIDIA's sustainability lead, wrote in a statement. By making AI workloads responsive, we accelerate deployment while reducing the need for costly grid upgrades. The organizations involved in the study say they'll share their data with the AI industry, regulators and policymakers to try to influence their approach. Fortunately, we dont need to hope that data center operators altruism (ha) will lead to their cooperation. Agreeing to curb usage during peak demand could be good for their balance sheets and lead to faster approvals for new data center grid connections. We would love to get to a point where we can get customers on the network in two years, and this is part of that, Steve Smith, president of National Grid Partners, told Bloomberg . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/ai-data-centers-could-reduce-power-draw-on-demand-study-says-180628982.html?src=rss

Audible's new plan is $9 a month and still includes an audiobook credit

Audible just launched a new budget-friendly Standard plan that costs $9 each month. Despite the lower price, this plan still includes a monthly audiobook credit. These credits allow users to download pretty much any audiobook from the library, including most brand-new releases. This was a perk previously locked to the Premium Plus plan, which is $15 per month. Subscribers also get access to a curated library of content sourced from the Audible Originals library and Wondery+. All of this will be available without ads. There are some caveats, especially when compared to the pricier Premium Plus subscription. That plan lets subscribers keep downloaded audiobooks forever, but the same isn't true of the Standard plan. Audiobooks will float into the ether once a subscription has been cancelled. This is only a big deal, however, for those who like to re-listen to their favorites. Audible The Premium Plus plan provides some other perks not available to Standard users. Subscribers get regular access to sales and discounts, and there's a library of audiobooks and podcasts to peruse. This is sort of like Kindle Unlimited, but for audiobooks. It's not a comprehensive catalog, but it works in a pinch. Amazon says the new plan is projected to bring millions of new consumers into the Audible experience over the next year. It's available right now in the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, France and Australia. The company says it's currently testing the tier in additional marketplaces throughout the world. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/audibles-new-plan-is-9-a-month-and-still-includes-an-audiobook-credit-174641878.html?src=rss

Game Pass additions for March include Cyberpunk 2077 and F1 25

Microsoft has revealed the first wave of Xbox Game Pass additions for March. Cyberpunk 2077 and F1 25 headline the batch; the former is coming to both Ultimate and Premium tiers. Hollow Knight: Silksong, which launched about six months ago, is also on the way to Premium. Final Fantasy III and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II had been previously announced and are both available starting today. Both games can be played straight from the cloud or downloaded to the Xbox Series X/S as well as PC across all Game Pass tiers. F1 25 joins Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on March 4. For Ultimate subscribers, the game is already available through EA Play. F1 fans should know that EA used LiDAR to map the tracks for F1 25 . Also arriving March 4 is To a T , an adventure game from the creator of Katamari Damacy about a teen navigating small-town life with their cute dog companion. Your character takes on these adventures while stuck in a permanent T-pose, for reasons. The sci-fi adventure Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf launches as a day-one Game Pass release on March 5 across cloud, console, handheld and PC. Fan favorite Cyberpunk 2077 hits Game Pass Ultimate and Premium on March 10 across cloud and console. The Witcher 3 , also from developer CD Projekt RED , returned to Game Pass just a couple of weeks ago . Hollow Knight: Silksong drops on March 12 across cloud, console, handheld and PC. The highly-anticipated follow-up to the 2017 action-adventure was a day one release on Game Pass Ultimate, and will now be available on the lower Premium tier. Construction Simulator and DreamWorks Gabbys Dollhouse: Ready to Party round out the first half of the month on March 10 and March 17, respectively. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/game-pass-additions-for-march-include-cyberpunk-2077-and-f1-25-171433874.html?src=rss

Blue Prince is out on Switch 2 today, complete with mouse control

The unique and highly addictive roguelike Blue Prince is now available for Switch 2 , as announced at today's Nintendo Indie World Showcase . This version allows for mouse control, via the underutilized Joy-Con feature . This is a wonderfully designed puzzle game that oozes atmosphere . The game tasks players with exploring a gigantic mansion, but there's a twist. You actually build this mansion as you explore, room by room. This is done by placing what can only be described as magical blueprints. The goal is to fully explore the mansion and solve its many, many mysteries. However, there are only so many blueprints and too many obstacles. This is where the roguelike part comes in. When you build yourself into a dead end, you go to sleep and end the run. All of the rooms reset, but you may have learned a thing or two for the next run. Rinse and repeat. It's a very nifty gameplay loop, which is why it easily found a spot on Engadget's list of our favorite games from 2025 . We even called it a masterpiece, which is deserved. In other words, this is a fantastic addition to the Nintendo eShop. I only have one small gripe. This is a gorgeous game, but that's primarily due to the art direction and overall vibe. Why is it a Switch 2 exclusive? It seems like the OG Switch could handle it. In any event, this version is priced at $30 but has been discounted to $20 for launch. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/blue-prince-is-out-on-switch-2-today-complete-with-mouse-control-162242506.html?src=rss

Apple's cheap MacBook could be called the MacBook Neo

MacBook Neo appears to be the name of Apples long-rumored cheap MacBook, based on a regulatory posting on Apples website, MacRumors reports . The gaffe was quickly removed from Apples site (pour one out for the poor soul who posted it). Previous rumors didnt attach a name to the low-cost MacBook I figured Apple would just revive the clean and simple MacBook branding. The name MacBook Neo sounds like something wed see from ASUS or Acer, its just trying a bit too hard to seem cool. To recap, Apple is expected to unveil its first low-cost MacBook laptop tomorrow (and personally, I think it has a good shot at peeling away disgruntled Windows users ). Its rumored to be powered by one of the companys A-series mobile chips, instead of the M-series hardware in its laptops and desktops so far. Apple reportedly isnt skimping on the case its expected to be all metal, except with plenty more colors than the companys existing lineup. In many ways, the MacBook Neo sounds like a revival of Apples cute and colorful iBook laptops, except for far less money than those machines, with no handle for toting around. Apple kicked off its week of spring announcements with the iPhone 17e and iPad Air M4 yesterday, both of which are relatively modest upgrades. (Still, its nice to have MagSafe on the iPhone 17e.) This morning, Apple unveiled the MacBook Air M5 and MacBook Pro M5 Pro/Max systems , both of which are slightly more expensive than the previous models. We also got a new addition to Apples monitor lineup with the 5K MiniLED Studio Display XDR . Along with the MacBook Neo, we may also see an upgraded Mac Studio desktop announced tomorrow. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/apples-cheap-macbook-could-be-called-the-macbook-neo-153800133.html?src=rss

Everything Apple announced this week: iPhone 17e, new MacBooks, M4 iPad Air and more

Apple has promised a big week for the company, which includes an in-person event for press and creators on March 4. But it didnt exactly wait until Wednesday to get things started. The news started on Monday with the announcements of the iPhone 17e and M4-powered iPad Air . The company followed up on Tuesday with the reveal of the M5 MacBook Air , the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips , MacBook Pro models that use said chips, a refreshed Studio Display and a brand-new 27-inch Studio Display XDR . Heres our recap of everything Apple has announced so far this week: iPhone 17e Apple Apple has spruced up this years entry-level iPhone with some pretty solid upgrades, though it's keeping the starting price at $599. The iPhone 17e has double the base storage of the iPhone 16e at 256GB. It also has MagSafe support with Qi2 wireless charging speeds of up to 15W, double that of the iPhone 16e. Design-wise, Apple hasn't exactly rocked the boat. The iPhone 17e looks pretty much identical to its predecessor. It appears that Apple is sticking with the same 48MP Fusion camera system as it used in the iPhone 16e too. That said, the 6.1-inch Super Retina display has Ceramic Shield 2. According to Apple, this provides 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation and reduced glare. The company slotted its C1X cellular modem into the iPhone 17e as well. It says this is up to two times faster than the C1 that was in the iPhone 16e. The device has the same A19 chip as the iPhone 17, so it supports Apple Intelligence AI tools, and it runs iOS 26. In addition, the iPhone 17e has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, as well as the promise of all-day battery life. It also supports satellite-powered features including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages and Find My. Pre-orders for the iPhone 17e open on March 4 and it will be available in black, white and soft pink. The device will hit shelves in more than 70 countries and regions on March 11. iPad Air M4 Apple The latest iPad Air boasts Apples M4 chip. That means the mid-range iPad is effectively remaining a year behind the iPad Pro. The M4 is almost two years old at this point, while the top-end model has the newer M5 chip. Still, if you only use an iPad for casual tasks like watching shows, web browsing, email and so on, the M4 will be more than powerful enough.It will be more adept at handling resource-intensive tasks like video editing than previous iPad Air models too. Apple has also bumped up the RAM from 8GB from the last-gen model to 12GB. Given the sharp increase in RAM prices in recent months, its slightly surprising that Apple is sticking to the same prices for the iPad Air. The 11-inch M4 iPad Air starts at $599 while the 13-inch version starts at $799, each with 128GB of storage. There's a $50 discount for those buying it for educational use. Apple claims the M4 delivers up to 2.3 times faster performance compared with the M1 iPad Air and over 4x faster 3D pro rendering with ray tracing performance. Of course, the new iPad Air runs iPadOS 26. Apple gave the iPad Air other internal upgrades by including its N1 and C1X connectivity chips. As such, this is the first iPad Air with Wi-Fi 7 support. As you might expect, 5G cellular connectivity is available as well. The design of the M4 iPad Air doesn't seem to have changed, as it appears to have the same LCD display Apple used in the last two iterations of the tablet. The company has stuck with the same rear-facing camera and dual-speaker setup as well. As with the iPhone 17e, pre-orders for the M4 iPad Air open on March 4. The tablet will hit retailers in 35 countries and regions on March 11. It will be available in blue, purple, starlight and space gray. M5 MacBook Air Apple A year after Apple upgraded the MacBook Air with an M4 chipset, the company pulled the same trick by swapping in an M5 chip. The company also boosted the base storage from 256GB to 512GB, with an SSD that it claimed can provide 2x faster read/write performance compared to the previous generation. While the MBA still has 16GB or RAM as standard, Apple also upgraded the memory to have 153GB/s of bandwidth the company said thats a 28 percent improvement over what the M4 MBA offered. Alas, with those upgrades comes a tradeoff. Apple has bumped the starting price of the latest MacBook Air back up to $1,099 after cutting it to $999 for the M4 model. Thats for the 13-inch variant. The 15-inch M5 MacBook Air starts at $1,299. The latest MacBook Air is available in sky blue, midnight, starlight and silver. You can pre-order one on March 4. It will hit stores in 33 countries and regions on March 11. This story is developing; refresh for updates This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/everything-apple-announced-this-week-iphone-17e-new-macbooks-m4-ipad-air-and-more-155617625.html?src=rss

The MacBook Air M5 starts at $1,099, up $100 from the M4

Reports had suggested that Apple wasnt going to reveal a refreshed MacBook Air with an M5 chip during its week of announcements , but whaddyaknow? Apple just went ahead and did that exact thing . Lets deal with the bad news first: Apple is reverting a price cut from last year. It dropped the M4-powered MBAs starting price down to $999 , but for the M5-equipped model, youll need to shell out at least $1,099. The company claimed the M5 MacBook Air will be able to deliver four times faster performance in AI tasks than the M4 MBA. Compared with the M1 MacBook Air, youll get up to 9.5 times faster performance, the company said. Along with swapping in a more powerful chip, Apple has upgraded the starting storage by doubling it from 256GB to 512GB. The company says the SSD has 2x faster read/write performance compared to the previous generation. You can kit out the MacBook Air with 4TB of internal storage if you have the will and the means. Youll also get 16GB of RAM for starters. The memory has 153GB/s of bandwidth, which Apple said is a 28 percent improvement over the M4 MBA. The latest MacBook Air can be equipped with up to 32GB of memory. Just like it did with the latest iPad Air , Apple has upgraded the connectivity hardware. Thanks to the inclusion of the companys N1 wireless chip, the M5 MacBook Air supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. As youd imagine, the M5 MacBook Air runs on macOS Tahoe and it supports Apple Intelligence features. It has a Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, a sound system with Spatial Audio support and a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, which allows the laptop to support up to two external displays. Apple claims the M5 MacBook Air will run for up 18 hours on a single charge. The M5 MacBook Air is available in 13-inch and 15-inch models, with the latter starting at $1,299. Its available in sky blue, midnight, starlight and silver. Pre-orders start on March 4 at 9:15AM ET. The laptops will be available in stores in 33 countries and regions on March 11. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-macbook-air-m5-starts-at-1099-up-100-from-the-m4-141612909.html?src=rss

Apple unveils the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, which feature new, faster 'super cores'

As part of its big week of announcements, Apple has unveiled a new pair of M5 chips alongside two new MacBooks. The new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips will power the new MacBook Pro that was just announced today, while the new MacBook Air comes with the base M5 . According to the companys press release , the M5 Pro and M5 Max come with an advanced GPU with Neural Accelerators and higher unified memory bandwidth for a massive increase in AI compute. At the heart of the M5 Pro and M5 Max are what Apple is calling a new Fusion Architecture that combines two dies into a single system on a chip (SoC). The chips both feature a new 18-core CPU, six of which Apple is now calling super cores, that are the words fastest CPU core. The other 12 are all-new performance cores, optimized for power-efficient, multithreaded workloads. Altogether, Apple says these CPU changes improve performance by up to 30 percent for pro workloads. Meanwhile, the GPU is a jump over the next-gen design we saw in the M5, as it goes to up to 40 cores. Each GPU core has a Neural Accelerator in it, and together with the higher unified memory bandwidth, the company says the M5 Pro and M5 Max offer over 4x the peak GPU compute for AI compared to the previous generation. Apple added that graphics performance is also getting a substantial boost, by up to 35 percent for apps using ray tracing compared to the M4 Pro and M4 Max. To be clear, this isnt the first time Apple has claimed it has the worlds fastest core. According to our resident Apple Silicon expert Devindra Hardawar, the benchmarks have proven the companys claims true. Its also worth noting that the two-die design isnt novel or unique, as companies like Intel and AMD have been doing similar. The M5 Pro and M5 Max will first show up in the new MacBook Pro, which is available for pre-order starting March 4, and will arrive on Wednesday, March 11. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/apple-unveils-the-m5-pro-and-m5-max-chips-which-feature-new-faster-super-cores-141533420.html?src=rss

Apple brings its M5 Pro and Max silicon to the next MacBook Pro generation

It happened much later than we expected, but Apple's announcement of MacBook Pros with its M5 Pro and M5 Max chips has finally arrived. These more powerful variants on Apple's silicon will be available in the 14-inch and 16-inch models of the laptops. Pre-orders will open on March 4 with an expected ship date of March 11.Youll want to save some extra coin this time, though, as prices have gone up compared to the prior generation. The new 14-inch MacBook Pro can be kitted out with either an M5 Pro or M5 Max. The Pro option for the chip boasts a CPU with 15 or 18 CPU cores and 16 or 20 GPU cores. For the M5 Max, users will have 18 CPU cores along with 32 or 40 GPU cores. The base model with an M5 Pro has either 24 or 48GB of RAM and now starts with 1TB of storage, up from 512GB as was standard before. If you're eyeing the 16-inch MacBook Pro, it starts with the M5 Pro with 18 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores. You can also get the same two M5 Max configurations as you can on the 14-inch model. Perhaps most significantly, Apple has raised prices on its entire MacBook Pro lineup. The 14-inch M5 model previously started at $1,599; its now priced at $1,699. At least youre getting something for that cash, as Apple has doubled its base storage to 1TB. The same goes for the new M5 Pro and Max options. The 14-inch with the M5 Pro now starts at $2,199 instead of $1,999, while the 16-inch starts at a whopping $2,699 instead of $2,499. That 16-inch model comes with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage now as standard; thats again double the storage space from the prior model. The M5 Max model starts with 2TB of storage and 36GB of RAM for $3,599 (14-inch) or $3,899 (16-inch). Running down the rest of the specs: Apple says the storage in the new MacBook Pro is twice as fast as the prior generation so youre getting more, faster storage than before for the extra cash. The laptops also include the Apple-designed N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity, and Apple says the MacBook Pro is rated for up to 24 hours of battery life. It has the same excellent Liquid Retina XDR display as weve seen for multiple years now, as well as a 12-megapixel Center Stage front-facing camera. It's a little unusual for these heavy-duty upgrades to Apple's MacBook Pros to be announced so much later from the news of its latest silicon updates. The company debuted the M5 chip last fall as usual, but spent several months before it revealed these major hardware additions for housing it. And the M5 MacBook Pro that was announced in October shortly after the M5 chip news came with zero fanfare. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/apple-brings-its-m5-pro-and-max-silicon-to-the-next-macbook-pro-generation-141553279.html?src=rss

Apple reveals its new 5K mini-LED Studio Display XDR

Apple continues its gradual unveiling of new products this week with the launch of the Studio Display and an all-new 27-inch Studio Display XDR. The latter is a higher-end model aimed at content creators with a 27-inch 5K Retina XDR display that features a mini-LED display with 2,000-plus dimming zones, up to 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness and a wider color gamut for improved accuracy. It looks like a replacement for the expensive, nearly seven-year-old 32-inch 6K Pro XDR Display , which is no longer for sale on Apple's website. The Studio Display XDR also has a 120Hz refresh rate, addressing complaints about the relatively anemic 60Hz refresh rate of previous models. At the same time, it comes standard with a new tilt- and height-adjustable stand, with a height range of 105mm. Apple Apple calls the Studio Display XDR the world's best pro display for things like HDR video editing and medical displays. Brightness levels are certainly outstanding at 1,000 nits SDR and 2,000 nits HDR, and the 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 80 percent Rec.2020 coverage are also top-notch. The new model should even be fine for some light gaming thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate and Adaptive Sync support, though many buyers may want a 32-inch or larger display like the now-discontinued Pro XDR model. Other features include a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View support and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity with a second port for downstream high-speed accessories or additional daisy-chained displays. It can also act as a Thunderbolt hub, while offering up to 140W of charging power through the included Thunderbolt 5 Pro cable, enough to fast-charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro. Apple Along with the Display XDR, Apple also announced a new version of the standard Studio Display. As before, it comes with a 27-inch 5K Retina display with up to 600 nits of brightness and P3 wide color, either with standard or optional nano-texture glass (a $300 option). However, it now includes an improved 12MP Center Stage camera along with Desk View to show your face and an overhead view of your desk at the same time. You also get a studio-quality three-microphone array and six speaker sound system with Spatial Audio. That display now supports Thunderbolt 5 connectivity as well, providing higher-speed connections for accessories and the ability to daisy-chain displays. However, max charging power on this model is limited to 96W, still enough to fast-charge a 14-inch MacBook Pro. The Studio Display comes standard with a tilt-adjustable stand, but you can get it with a tilt- and height-adjustable standard for $400 more as before. The Studio Display XDR will be available tomorrow for pre-order starting at $3,299 , while the new Studio Display also goes on pre-order on March 4 starting at $1,599 without the nano-texture display or heigh-adjustable stand. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/apple-reveals-its-new-5k-mini-led-studio-display-xdr-141515587.html?src=rss

Shure's next-gen DAI adds mobile support

XLR microphone owners, rejoice: Shure's successor to the MVX2U Digital Audio Interface (DAI) brings the adapter into the mobile era. The compact MVX2U Gen 2 adds more advanced onboard audio processing. But its most notable upgrade is mobile device compatibility, so you're no longer limited to desktop use. The single-channel MVX2U Gen 2 provides up to +60dB of gain and 48V phantom power. On the processing front, the adapter includes an auto-level mode. Theres also a real-time denoiser to minimize background noise and a pop filter (Popper Stopper in Shure marketing-speak) to soften those harsh plosive sounds. Shure says the new model improves the noise floor, headphone amp and DAC. The adapter stores your last-used audio processing settings. That way, you don't have to worry about your settings getting wiped out when switching between devices or software. The Shure MVX2U Gen 2 includes a 1m (3.3 ft) USB-C to USB-C cable, so you can get it up and running quickly on your phone, tablet or PC. The adapter is now available for $139 from the company website . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/shures-next-gen-dai-adds-mobile-support-140000205.html?src=rss

Meta's AI display glasses reportedly share intimate videos with human moderators

Users of Meta's AI smart glasses in Europe may be unknowingly sharing intimate video and sensitive financial information with moderators outside of the bloc, according to a report from Sweden's Svenska Dagbladet released last week. Employees in Kenya doing AI annotation told the journalists that they've seen people nude, using the toilet and engaging in sexual activity, along with credit card numbers and other sensitive information. With Meta's Ray-Ban Display and other glasses with AI capabilities, users can record what they're looking at or get answers to questions via a Meta AI assistant. If a wearer wants to make use of that AI, though, they must agree to Meta's terms of service that allow any data captured to be reviewed by humans. That's because Meta's large language models (LLMs) often require people to annotate visual data so that the AI can understand it and build its training models. This data can end up in places like Nairobi, Kenya, often moderated by underpaid workers. Such actions are subject to Europe's GDPR rules that require transparency about how personal data is processed, according to a data protection lawyer cited in the report. However, Svenska Dagbladet's reporters said they needed to jump through some hoops to see Meta's privacy policy for its wearable products. That policy states that either humans or automated systems may review sensitive data, and puts the onus on the user to not share sensitive information. Meta declined to comment directly on the story, and simply said that when live AI is being used, we process that media according to the Meta AI Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. To find out more, check out Svenska Dagbladet 's detailed reporting on the subject. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/metas-ai-display-glasses-reportedly-share-intimate-videos-with-human-moderators-135939855.html?src=rss

Charlie Brown now works for Sony

Sony Music Entertainment Japan and Sony Pictures Entertainment now officially own 80 percent of the Peanuts franchise. The companies have closed the deal, which was officially announced in December 2025 when it was still subject to regulatory approvals, for $460 million. Sony Music Japan has owned 39 percent of Peanuts since 2018, so the Sony subsidiaries are essentially buying 41 percent of the franchise from Canadian firm WildBrain with this transaction. Now that the acquisition is done, Peanuts is officially a consolidated Sony subsidiary. The Peanuts universe started as comic strips by Charles M. Schulz back in 1950. Its characters, especially Charlie Brown and his pet dog Snoopy, have become household names since then. One cannot say Good grief! without associating it with Charlie Brown. The franchise has grown massively since Peanuts inception, spawning a bunch of animated series, cartoon musicals and movies, such A Charlie Brown Christmas and Snoopy The Musical . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/charlie-brown-now-works-for-sony-125619518.html?src=rss

Meta starts testing its AI shopping assistant

Meta has started rolling out an experimental AI shopping tool to some users in the US, according to Bloomberg . At the moment, its reportedly only showing up on desktop browsers when select users visit Meta AI on the web . Theyll know if they have access to the feature if they see the Shopping research button inside the query text box. The company has confirmed that it was testing the feature, Bloomberg said, but it didnt say when a wider release will happen. When users ask for product suggestions, the chatbot will show them a carousel with product images and their pricing, along with a link to the e-commerce website and information about the brand. Meta AI will also include a short explanation why it recommended the item. If Meta AI can see a users information, such as their gender and location data, it can tailor responses for them. Bloomberg said it replied with a selection of womens puffer jackets from shops that ship to New York, based on the testers profile. Users cannot check out from within the Meta AI interface, but they can click on the links it provides to shop online. Mark Zuckerberg previously told investors that Meta is launching agentic shopping tools during an earnings call earlier this year. It doesnt come as a surprise that the company is working on them, when rival AI companies already offer the same tools. OpenAI rolled out a dedicated shopping assistant for ChatGPT just before Black Friday last year, shortly after Google launched its own shopping tools for Gemini . Perplexity also released an AI shopping assistant at the same time. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-starts-testing-its-ai-shopping-assistant-120148124.html?src=rss

Google's Home's latest feature is Gemini-powered 'Live Search' for cameras

Google Home has some significant new quality-of-life updates and a new AI-powered feature, the division's head honcho Anish Katturkan announced on X . Many of them, including a function called Live Search, are powered by the company's Gemini for Home service launched in October 2025 as the official replacement for Google Assistant on smart devices. We launched Gemini for Home in Early Access specifically to learn from real-world usage, Katturkaran said. With millions of you now testing and shaping this experience every day, we're pushing regular voice improvements to address your feedback. The Live Search feature does just what it says, letting you query Gemini about the current state of your home based on what the cameras see. For instance, you can ask things like Hey Google, is there a car in the driveway? However, the feature is only available for Google Home Premium advanced subscribers who pay a $20 per month ($200 per year) fee. Gemini for Home now uses updated models to improve the quality and accuracy of answers too and will more reliably play newly-released songs. Other key updates include better targeting for smart home devices by room, house and device, reduced instances of cutting off a speaker prematurely, better reliability for user-created automations by voice and more. Too see all those changes, check out Google Home's latest changelog , Finally, Google Home announced enhanced support for the Nest x Yale lock , including comprehensive passcode management (including for guests), a more robust activity history, real-time notifications for lock events and enhanced lock settings like single touch locking. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/googles-homes-latest-feature-is-gemini-powered-live-search-for-cameras-112216551.html?src=rss

MWC 2026s most bizarre phone can start fires (on purpose)

This isnt a Galaxy Note 7 debacle . Oukitel's WP63 is a ruggedized smartphone thats meant to set things alight. It has a built-in electric igniter, aimed at emergency response and camping, helping to start fires when you forgot matches, but you brought this beastly phone along for the adventure. Its got several other notable features, like a 20,000mAH battery, a loudspeaker, and even its own built-in USB-C cable for charging other devices. Still, the igniter was why I was here. The WP63 has an electric coil that heats up, similar to cigarette lighters in cars circa 1987. This is hidden away behind a protective cover at the top of the device, and once it pops out, you activate it using an app. An Oukitel spokesperson was able to light some rolled-up paper, and I was surprised how gentle and seemingly in control it was. (The paper looked like a cigarette, too.) Unfortunately, another spokesperson told me that it cant be used to light candles, although I cant understand why. I dont start campfires, but I do light candles. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget The phone will be priced around $500, and completely ignoring the tendency for thinner and thinner phones, its 27mm thick. Another outdoor use? If a bear decided to attack you in the woods, you might be able to concuss it with the WP63. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/oukitel-wp630-mwc-2026-smartphone-igniter-101046023.html?src=rss

The best keyboards for 2026

A keyboard is one of those pieces of gear you interact with constantly, yet its easy to overlook how much it affects your day-to-day comfort. From firing off emails to long coding sessions or late-night gaming , the right keyboard can make everything feel smoother, faster and less fatiguing. Some setups call for slim, quiet boards that disappear into a workspace, while others benefit from chunky mechanical keyboards with satisfying switches and durable frames. Youll also find wireless models that cut down on desk clutter, compact layouts built for travel and ergonomic keyboards aimed at reducing strain during long stretches of time. No matter how you use your computer, upgrading your keyboard is one of the simplest ways to improve the experience. Weve tested a wide range of options to find the best keyboards for different needs, budgets and typing styles. Best keyboards for 2026 What to look for in a keyboard Design Size The first thing youll want to consider when it comes to your next computer keyboards design is size. There are a number of different keyboard layouts to choose from, but the most common are full-sized, tenkeyless and those smaller than tenkeyless. Full-sized keyboards, or 100 percent, include a function row at the top and a complete numpad with arrow keys on the right side, along with all of the rest of the alphanumeric keys youd expect on a standard QWERTY layout. Tenkeyless, or 80 percent, removes the number pad but keeps the arrow keys and the function row, reducing the overall width measurement of the board by a decent amount. Compact keyboards keep things ultra simple by including only the alphanumeric keys and modifiers like Alt, Shift, Ctrl and others and they come in different sizes like 60 percent, 65 percent and more. These are the most popular sizes out there, but you can find plenty of other designs that include different mixes of keys along with the standard letters and numbers all should have. Aside from size, there are two other big categories that you could use to define a keyboard: ergonomic and mechanical. Ergonomic keyboards are designed with, you guessed it, better ergonomics in mind, taking into account where you should position your fingers, hands and forearms to maintain proper posture. Separately, mechanical keyboards use mechanical switches (of which there are many types) that differ greatly from the membrane or scissor-switch keyboards youll find dominating most wired and wireless options widely available today. We have guides to the best ergonomic keyboards and best mechanical keyboards, but well summarize what you need to know about both here. Ergonomic keyboards If you deal with discomfort from working at a computer all day, ergonomic keyboards can help. These specially designed boards re-orient the keys, allowing you to hold your elbows farther apart and maintain a straighter line from your forearms to hands. Some people find this subtle change more comfortable. Ergonomic keyboards typically fall into two categories: Alice and split keyboards. The former is a single unit with an A-shaped gap in the center of the keys. Split models come in two separate pieces which you can arrange as you like on your desk. Additional ergonomic features like tenting and negative tilt can make typing feel even more comfortable, and are often available on both Alice and split boards. Tenting raises the middle of the keys up so your hands take on more of a handshake position. Negative tilting lowers the top of the keyboard to keep your wrists angled downward instead of back towards your forearms. The way the keys are arranged on the keyboard may make typing easier as well. Traditionally, keyboards are staggered, with one row of letters slightly offset from the row beneath it. Columnar keyboards arrange the keys in a grid of rows and columns. This style takes a little getting used to, but some people find it allows them to type faster. You can also make the keys of some keyboards do more than just produce letters. Programmable boards let you map shortcuts and other functions, including macros, which may keep you from reaching for the mouse quite so often, saving you time and possibly strain as well. Mechanical keyboards Mechanical keyboards have blown up in popularity as more people have been thrust into creating their own workspaces at home. Its easy to see why: Compared to a traditional membrane keyboard, a good mechanical board is more durable, more satisfying to press and, most importantly, infinitely more customizable. The best of them usually come with a price premium, but even some cheaper models let you hot-swap between keycaps, switches and other materials, letting you tinker with different typing sensations and sound profiles until you find a combination that best expresses your preferences. Do you want each press to feel deep and full or fast and light? Do you need them to sound loud and clacky or almost totally muffled ? Do you prefer your keycaps to look subdued and professional, stuffed with RGB lights or written in an Elvish language from The Lord of the Rings for some reason? With the right new keyboard, its all up to you the only things really holding you back are your imagination and your wallet. We have a dedicated buying guide that digs deeper into the key aspects to consider when buying a mechanical gaming keyboard, so we encourage you to look at that for a full rundown. To keep things high-level, the most influential part of your purchase is your keyboards switch type. These little mechanisms slot underneath the keycaps and generally have the biggest effect on how your keyboard feels and sounds as you type away. You can broadly separate mechanical switches into three buckets: linear, tactile and clicky. Linear switches feel smooth all the way down; theyre often popular with gamers since they tend to be light and fast to actuate. Tactile switches create a tangible bump sensation partway through a press; many people who spend all day typing prefer them because they clearly confirm each press without (always) being all that loud. Clicky switches are functionally similar to tactiles but make an audible click sound to match the bump; your coworkers may hate them, but others love the full-throated sense of feedback they provide. To be clear, just because two switches fall within the same bucket doesnt mean they feel or sound exactly the same. The only way to figure out which switch works best for you is to do your research and, preferably, try some out for yourself. Other keyboards have a mechanical-style feel but are built on different mechanisms entirely. The hot new trend in gaming-focused keyboards, for example, is Hall effect switches, which use tiny magnets to register keystrokes and let you customize the sensitivity of each press. Optical switches, meanwhile, offer similar functionality by replacing the physical contact point of a typical mechanical switch with a beam of infrared light. More recently, weve seen a couple keyboards launch with inductive switches, which can work like magnetic switches but use inductive coils in the keyboards printed circuit board (PCB) to cater to all switches collectively and dont require a sensor for each individual switch. We touch on a couple of magnetic-switch keyboards in our picks below, but for a fuller breakdown of this sort of tech, we recommend you check out our dedicated buying guide to the best gaming keyboards . Connectivity Youve got two options here: wired or wireless. Wired keyboards typically have an attached cable that plugs into a USB-A or USB-C port on your computer (or docking station), although some come with cables that can be removed. Wireless mechanical keyboards connect to your machine either via Bluetooth or a wireless receiver dongle. Theres always the chance of some latency with wireless keyboards, so keep that in mind if youre picking one up to use primarily with a gaming PC. Of course, youll only have to worry about battery life with Bluetooth keyboards. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-keyboard-120000018.html?src=rss

OpenAI will amend Defense Department deal to prevent mass surveillance in the US

OpenAIs Sam Altman said the company will amend its deal with the Defense Department (or the Department of War) to explicitly prohibit the use of its AI system on mass surveillance against Americans. Altman has published an internal memo previously sent to employees on X, telling them that the company will tweak the agreement to add language to make that point especially clear. Specifically, it says: Consistent with applicable laws, including the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, National Security Act of 1947, FISA Act of 1978, the AI system shall not be intentionally used for domestic surveillance of U.S. persons and nationals. For the avoidance of doubt, the Department understands this limitation to prohibit deliberate tracking, surveillance, or monitoring of U.S. persons or nationals, including through the procurement or use of commercially acquired personal or identifiable information. Altman has also claimed in the memo that the agency affirmed that its services will not be used by its intelligence agencies, including the NSA, without a modification to their contract. He added that if he received what he believed was an unconstitutional order, he would rather go to jail than follow it. In addition, the OpenAI CEO has admitted in the memo that the company shouldnt have rushed to get the deal out on Friday, February 27, since the issues were super complex and demand clear communication. Altman explained that the company was trying to de-escalate things and avoid a much worse outcome but it looked opportunistic in the end. If youll recall, OpenAI announced the partnership shortly after President Trump ordered all US government agencies to stop using Claude and any other Anthropic services. To note, Anthropic started working with the US government in 2024. The Defense Department and Secretary Pete Hegseth had been pressuring Anthropic with to remove its AIs guardrails so that it can be used for all lawful purposes. Those include mass surveillance and the development of fully autonomous weapons. Anthropic refused to bow down to Hegseths demands and in a statement said that no amount of intimidation or punishment will change its position on mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. Trump issued the order as a result. The Defense Department had also taken the first steps to designate Anthropic as a supply chain risk, which is typically reserved for Chinese companies believed to be working with their countrys government. Altman said that in his conversations with US officials, he reiterated that Anthropic shouldnt be designated as a supply chain risk and that he hoped the Defense Department would offer it the same deal OpenAI agreed to. In an AMA session on X over the weekend, Altman clarified that he didnt know the details of Anthropics agreement and how it differed from the one OpenAI signed. But if it had been the same, he thought Anthropic should have agreed to it. After the news broke out about OpenAIs deal, Anthropic climbed its way to the number one spot of the App Store's Top Free Apps leaderboard, beating out both ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Anthropic , capitalizing on Claudes sudden popularity, launched a memory import tool to make switching to its chatbot from another companys easier. Meanwhile, uninstalls for ChatGPTs jumped by 295 percent day-over-day, according to Sensor Tower. Here is re-post of an internal post: We have been working with the DoW to make some additions in our agreement to make our principles very clear. 1. We are going to amend our deal to add this language, in addition to everything else: Consistent with applicable laws, Sam Altman (@sama) March 3, 2026 This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-will-amend-defense-department-deal-to-prevent-mass-surveillance-in-the-us-050637400.html?src=rss

Australia will consider requiring app stores to block AI services without age verification

Australia's government may take a strict stance on ensuring younger users cannot access AI chatbots. Reuters reports that Australian regulators may require app storefronts to block AI services that do not implement age verification for restricting mature content by March 9. eSafety will use the full range of our powers where there is non-compliance, a representative for the commissioner said in a statement to the publication. Those paths could include action in respect of gatekeeper services such as search engines and app stores that provide key points of access to particular services. A review by Reuters found that of 50 leading text-based AI chat services in the region, only nine had introduced or shared plans for age assurance. Eleven services reportedly had blanket content filters or planned to block all Australians from using their service, according to the report, leaving a large number that had not taken public action a week ahead of the country's deadline. Failure to comply could see AI companies face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($35 million). The question of which parties are responsible for keeping children from accessing potentially harmful content is being debated around the world. In the US, for instance, Apple and Google have been lobbying to have the task delegated to platforms rather than app store operators. The language from the Australian regulators about all stores is hardly definitive at this stage, but given the breadth of its sweeping ban on the use of social media and some highly social digital platforms for citizens under age 16 enacted last year, an aggressive stance seems to align with leaders' priorities. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/australia-will-consider-requiring-app-stores-to-block-ai-services-without-age-verification-221714252.html?src=rss

Anthropic brings memory to Claude's free plan

Anthropic is bringing another paid feature to Claude's free tier. The next time you chat with Claude, you'll have the option to have it reference your previous conversation to inform its outputs. Anthropic first made its chatbot capable of remembering past interactions last August , before giving it the ability to compartmentalize memories in the fall . Making memory a free feature is well-timed; earlier today Anthropic made it easier for users to import their past conversations with a competing chatbot to Claude.If after enabling memory you decide to turn it off, you can either pause the feature, preserving Claudes memories for use down the road, or completely delete them so theyre not saved on Anthropics servers. Claude is enjoying new-found popularity, having recently jumped to the number one spot in the App Store's free app charts. This comes while Anthropic is engaged in a high-stakes contract dispute with the US government over AI safeguards. On Friday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled the company a supply chain risk after it refused to sign a contract that would allow the Pentagon to use Anthropic models for mass surveillance against Americans and in fully autonomous weapons. Following Hegseth's announcement, Anthropic vowed to challenge the designation. As of right now, were waiting to see how things play out, and what it might mean for Anthropic. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-brings-memory-to-claudes-free-plan-220729070.html?src=rss

Call of Duty will add Black Ops Royale, a new free game mode coming March 13

Call of Duty is getting a new battle royale mode later this month. The popular first-person shooter will introduce Black Ops Royale as a free game mode on March 13. Black Ops Royale pays homage to Blackout, the series' first foray into a battle royale game mode back in CoD: Black Ops 4 . Matches will have 100 players dropping in as four-person teams. The mode takes place on the massive Avalon map, but there will be no familiar Warzone features like loadouts, the gulag, or buy stations. Instead, it's all about the scavenging the weapons from the recent Black Ops 7 game and upgrading them. According to the team's announcement, there will be other familiar features from the Blackout days such as the weapon handling and bullet drop that have been reimagined for modern-day Warzone players. You'll also be able to further customize your play style with an open-ended perks system, another nod to the original Call of Duty BR perk mechanic. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/call-of-duty-will-add-black-ops-royale-a-new-free-game-mode-coming-march-13-211733205.html?src=rss

X adds Paid Partnership labels so users can more easily identify ads

X is rolling out a built-in Paid Partnership label that creators can apply to sponsored posts, replacing the hashtag workarounds theyve had to rely on until now. The feature, announced by the platforms head of product Nikita Bier, adds a toggle that places a disclosure label directly below a posts content. It can also be applied retroactively. The label is meant to help creators comply with years-old FTC regulations requiring clear disclosure of sponsored content. The agency sent out letters reminding influencers about this requirement in 2017, and Instagram added a disclosure feature that same year. Without a native tool, X creators had been left to use hashtags like #ad and #paidpartnership. X has been trying to court creators for some time with tools like ad-revenue sharing and creator subscriptions , but the platform still struggles with major image issues following a string of scandals like Grok creating CSAM . The Elon Musk-owned platform is under investigation both domestically and abroad for the AI agents behavior. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-adds-paid-partnership-labels-so-users-can-more-easily-identify-ads-183528227.html?src=rss

iPad Air M4 vs. iPad Air M3: The few new things in Apple's midrange tablet

The iPad Air, the middle child in Apples tablet lineup, has been upgraded to the M4 chip with increased RAM and Well, theres not a whole lot else if Im being honest. At the very least, the new iPad Air M4 models remain at the same price as the iPad Air M3 , with the 11-inch version starting at $599 and the 13-inch at $799. I would give Apple more credit if it had increased the starting storage or added literally anything else. If you put them side by side, you might not be able to tell the difference, but this upgrade would benefit creatives and professionals more than anything. Theres a significant performance bump from the M3 to the M4, and the increased RAM is doing a lot of work, especially if youre taking advantage of Apple Intelligence. If youre using an M1-powered iPad Air or something even older, though, the new iPad Air M4 should be a compelling upgrade. Pre-orders start at 9:15AM ET on March 4, with the units arriving a week later. We expect full reviews will be published by then. But in the meantime, lets dive into what the performance gains might look like and what were missing out on in this years iteration of the iPad Air. iPad Air M4 vs. iPad Air M3: Performance and battery life The most significant difference between the two iPad Air generations is their chipsets. The latest iPad Air launches with the M4 chip versus its predecessors M3 chip, and it gets a bump in RAM from 8GB to 12GB. I dont give much fanfare to incremental chip increases because the performance gain is usually minimal. However, the M4 is up to 30 percent faster than the M3, according to Apple. That might be noticeable to even casual users, especially as the years go on and iPadOS becomes more demanding. For power users, itll mean more demanding work like video editing will be noticeably quicker. For those in need of the fastest internet speeds, the new iPad Air is also equipped with Apples N1 chip, which enables Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, the latest connectivity technology. However, I really dont imagine the average user needing up to 46 gigabits per second of internet speed compared to the iPad M3s 9.6 Gbps on Wi-Fi 6. If you do, youre in the tax bracket for an iPad Pro. Now, despite the increase in speeds, the battery life between the M4 and M3 models remains the same. Apple claims all four models get up to 10 hours of battery life surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video (up to 9 hours on cellular). No complaints here. iPad Air M4 vs. iPad Air M3: Design, display, audio and cameras For better or worse, were not getting any changes in any of these departments, which is why Im lumping them together. The iPad Air comes in blue, purple, beige and gray. The 11-inch option measures 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches and the 13 comes in at 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inches. As their names suggest, theyre both rather light, at 1.01 pounds (1.02 pounds for M4) and 1.36 pounds, respectively. My only wish was that we got new colors that popped a bit more. Then theres the displays. All four versions of the iPad Airs sport a Liquid Retina LED display at 264 ppi. The 11-inch supports a 2,360 x 1,640 resolution with a peak brightness of 500 nits, while the 13-inch offers a 2,732 x 2,048 resolution at 600 nits. It wouldve been nice to see an OLED or even Mini-LED panel make its way to the iPad Air, which couldve made the screen more vivid and vibrant. But its more disappointing that were stuck at 60Hz unlike the Pro models that offer 120Hz, making their visual experience smoother. Both products feature landscape stereo speakers. The iPad Air M3s audio quality couldnt live up to the iPad Pro, so I doubt the M4 model will. You wont catch me taking photos with an iPad, but for those of you who do, the iPad Air M4 features the same 12MP cameras on the front and back as its predecessor. iPadOS 26, Apple Intelligence and Apple accessories Nothing huge is happening to iPadOS or the Apple accessories in the iPad Air refresh. The revamped Magic Keyboard from last year still works with these new models, as does the Apple Pencil Pro. iPadOS 26, released last fall, was a major update but will still be familiar enough to anyone who has used an iPad before. The new iPad Air M4 is getting a significant boost in AI processing speeds, though, thanks to its new chip and 50 percent increase in RAM. However, unless youre an AI power user, you probably wont notice a difference there. All that said, if your love language is spreadsheets, the full specs are helpfully laid out below: iPad Air M4 vs. iPad Air M3: Specs at a glance Spec iPad Air M4 iPad Air M3 Price $599 (11-inch), $799 (13-inch) $599 (11-inch), $799 (13-inch) Processor M4 M3 Display 11-inch: Liquid Retina, 2,360 x 1,640, LED display at 264 ppi 13-inch: Liquid Retina, 2,732 x 2,048, LED display at 264 ppi 11-inch: Liquid Retina, 2,360 x 1,640, LED display at 264 ppi 13-inch: Liquid Retina, 2,732 x 2,048, LED display at 264 ppi RAM 12GB 8GB Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB Battery Up to 10 hours (Wi-Fi), 9 hours (Cellular model) Up to 10 hours (Wi-Fi), 9 hours (Cellular model) Cameras 12MP Wide (rear), 12MP Center Stage (front) 12MP Wide (rear), 12MP Center Stage (front) Apple accessories Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard Folio Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard Folio Dimensions 11-inch: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches 13-inch: 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inches 11-inch: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches 13-inch: 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inches Weight 11-inch: 1.02 pounds 13-inch: 1.36 pounds 11-inch: 1.01 pounds 13-inch: 1.36 pounds This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/ipad-air-m4-vs-ipad-air-m3-the-few-new-things-in-apples-midrange-tablet-182701520.html?src=rss

The Analogue Pocket will be back in stock this week, but there's a tariff-related price increase

The Analogue Pocket handheld retro console has proven to be extremely popular, as initial runs have sold out. The company just announced the system will be back in stock this week , along with the dock accessory. Preorders open up on March 4 at 11AM ET, with shipments going out this June. Analogue Pocket & Analogue Dock - restock. A tribute to portable gaming. Out of the box, Pocket is compatible with the 2,780+ Game Boy, Game Boy Color & Game Boy Advance game cartridge library and more. Available March 4th, 8am PST. Ships June 2026. pic.twitter.com/8XZ3fbh87a Analogue (@analogue) March 2, 2026 That's the good news. The bad news? The little console is getting slapped with a price increase. It's shooting up to $240 from the recent price of $220, with the company placing the blame squarely on President Trump's neverending tariffs. The device is assembled in China and Trump just hit the region with even more tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down the old ones. We love to suddenly pay more for gadgets that have been out in the wild for nearly six years, don't we folks? For the uninitiated, the Pocket isn't an emulation machine. It plays actual Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges. It also integrates with various Game Boy accessories, like the camera and printer. The console can even handle Game Gear, TurboGrafx-16 and Atari Lynx games, but those require separate adapters. We praised the Analogue Pocket in our official review , calling it a clever little thing that is sure to light up the nostalgia center of your brain. It even made our list of the best handheld consoles , which is notable given competition included stuff like the Steam Deck. In any event, this drop will likely sell out quickly. We recommend parking a browser on the company website just prior to 11AM ET if you can stomach the new price. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-analogue-pocket-will-be-back-in-stock-this-week-but-theres-a-tariff-related-price-increase-182226016.html?src=rss

The Supreme Court doesn't care if you want to copyright your AI-generated art

As AI-generated artwork becomes more commonplace, it still won't be able to be copyrighted, according to US courts. On Monday, the US Supreme Court declined to hear a case about whether an artwork generated with the help of AI can be copyrighted. The refusal means that a lower court's decision to reject the copyright request will stand. The case dates back to 2018 when Stephen Thaler applied for a copyright of an artwork called A Recent Entrance to Paradise . Unlike using ChatGPT or Midjourney , Thaler, a computer scientist, created an AI system that generated the artwork in question. However, the US Copyright Office rejected his application in 2022 on the grounds that it wasn't made by a human author. Thaler sought appeals at higher courts, but ultimately had to escalate the case to the Supreme Court after both a federal judge in Washington and the US Court of Appeals ruled against him. With a refusal from the highest court in the US, it's unlikely Thaler's case can continue. The US Supreme Court could always hear a related case in the future, but Thaler's lawyers said, even if it later overturns the Copyright Offices test in another case, it will be too late, adding that the decision will have negatively impacted the creative industry during critically important years. It's worth noting that Thaler also filed applications to the US Patent and Trademark Office for AI-generated inventions, which were rejected for similar reasons. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-supreme-court-doesnt-care-if-you-want-to-copyright-your-ai-generated-art-171849407.html?src=rss

Nintendo just announced an Indie World Showcase for tomorrow at 9AM ET

Nintendo has scheduled an Indie World Showcase livestream for tomorrow, March 3, at 9AM ET. The company says this event will include roughly 15 minutes of news and updates on indie games coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. That's not a whole lot of time, but indie trailers tend to be on the shorter side. We really don't know anything about what Nintendo and its partners could reveal tomorrow. It's entirely possible we'll see something big, like the previously announced Sea of Sorrow DLC for Silksong . More than likely, however, we'll get trailers and updates regarding a spate of unexpected indie games. The previous Indie World Showcase took place in August and it gave us trailers and announcements for stuff like the excellent Ball x Pit and the upcoming Mina the Hollower . To that last one, Yacht Club Games said it would be launching the title for consoles this spring so we could get a release date announcement tomorrow. Scott Pilgrim EX will be available for download tomorrow , so a launch trailer is almost certain. This is a new side-scrolling fighter with four-player co-op and music by Anamanaguchi. My personal white whale is Witchbrook , the long-gestating life-sim set in a magical school. It's being published by Chucklefish, the company that originally published Stardew Valley . There's some stuff we absolutely shouldn't expect. This is an Indie World Showcase, and not a Nintendo Direct. There will likely be no appearances by Mario or Zelda, unless a character pops up in an indie game as DLC or something. The stream is also unlikely to spotlight Pokmon Pokopia , despite the life-sim launching on March 5. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-just-announced-an-indie-world-showcase-for-tomorrow-at-9am-et-164706666.html?src=rss

Paramount+ and HBO Max could be merging into a single streaming service

Paramount Skydance plans to combine Paramount+ and HBO Max into a single streaming service following the completion of its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. CEO David Ellison confirmed the plan on an investor call Monday, saying the combined platform would serve over 200 million subscribers and position the company to compete with the biggest players in the streaming space. We think the combined offering, and given the amount of content and what we can do from the tech side, really will put us in a position to be able to compete with the most scaled players in DTC, Ellison said. Its not yet clear whether the apps two libraries will be fully integrated, or whether one will exist as a standalone service within the other. Ellison signaled that the HBO brand will operate with independence during the call. Also unclear is what the newly combined app would cost subscribers. The last year has seen nearly across-the-board increases in the cost of streaming services, including HBO Max . The planned merger would unite Paramounts CBS, MTV, Comedy Central and BET with Warners CNN, HBO, TNT and Food Network, along with franchises including Game of Thrones , Mission: Impossible , the DC Universe and SpongeBob SquarePants under one roof. The combined entity is expected to carry roughly $79 billion in net debt, according to Reuters , and could be considered the largest leveraged buyout in history . The deal is expected to close in the back half of 2026, pending regulatory approval. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/paramount-and-hbo-max-could-be-merging-into-a-single-streaming-service-163439653.html?src=rss

iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16e: What's new on Apple's latest $599 handset

Apples most affordable iPhone just got an upgrade, but how does the new iPhone 17e compare to the iPhone 16e ? Well, thankfully the price remains the same at $599, which is good news in our current economic climate. An immediate difference you might notice is that one of them now comes in a third color: pink. Thats at least one win for me because I am all for putting more color into tech. There are a few differences under the hood as well, namely that the iPhone 17e is arriving with the A19 chip and double the storage. Weve already seen whats possible with an A19 chip in the standard iPhone 17 its not a super exciting upgrade, but it is a boost nonetheless. Pre-orders start at 9:15AM ET on March 4, and while we work on a full review, lets take a deeper dive into what has changed on this years model and what that might mean in the real world. iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16e: Design and display Of course, the biggest difference in the design for the iPhone 17e is the shiny new pink color. Ive long complained about how many major tech companies stick to the safety of black, white or gray colorways. Thankfully, the iPhone 17es pink hue is a departure from that approach. Its also an understated shade thats elegant, compared to the typically brighter and louder tones reserved for cheap(er) phones. Both the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e measure 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches. However, the iPhone 17e did get a bit heavier at 5.96 ounces compared to the iPhone 16es 5.88 ounces. Its very unlikely youll notice the 0.08 ounce difference, though. (And if you do, you have a gift.) In terms of durability, the iPhone 17e is outfitted with Ceramic Shield 2, which is a glass face that Apple said is three times more scratch-resistant than the iPhone 16es original Ceramic Shield. Ideally, itll survive falls to the ground (within reason) and spare you a scratched up display from casual wear and tear. There doesnt seem to be any change in the display whether that be in its brightness or color rendering capability but that isnt too shocking. Both the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a 1,200-nit peak brightness. Thats bright enough to combat the ambient glare from the sun, so you should be able to read it outside relatively easily. Theyre also specced out with a 2,532 x 1,170 resolution at 460 ppi meaning text and lines will be clean and sharp. iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16e: Cameras I didnt expect a huge bump in camera technology, especially if Apple intended to keep the price the same. Weve got upgrades in other categories for sure, but it wouldve been nice to see an extra camera on the back. Like the iPhone 16e, the iPhone 17e is kitted out with Apples 48-megapixel Fusion 2-in-1 camera with a 12MP 2x Telephoto setting. You also get digital zoom up to 10x. Take a look at our iPhone 16e review to see exactly what that looks like in practice, but to sum up our experience: its solid. Theres a great level of detail and vibrancy, but like I said, its limited. Without a potential ultrawide camera, you cannot capture as much of your surroundings because youre not getting that 0.5x zoom option. One major upgrade, however, is that the iPhone 17e is now capable of recognizing dogs and cats in Portrait mode. It also saves depth information so you can turn regularly captured photos into portraits after the fact. This might be a noteworthy upgrade, considering the iPhone 16e struggled in Portrait mode, incapable of capturing non-human faces and objects. Theres also the 12MP TrueDepth camera on the front, which we didnt have many complaints about, and dont expect to disappoint on the iPhone 17e. iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16e: Processor, battery life and charging Apart from the color, the biggest differences between the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e is their starting storage and overall performance. The new iPhone is packed with an A19 chip, while the latter comes with an A18 chip. Yes, youre getting a performance bump with the A19 chip, but casual users are unlikely to feel the difference. If youre a power user trying to get the most out of an affordable iPhone and want to get crunchy about it, theres roughly a 5 percent difference in CPU speed and over 10 percent in GPU performance (according to CPU Monkey ). Despite that bump, the battery life hasnt changed. With both devices, Apple says youre getting up to 26 hours of video playback and up to 21 hours streamed. The company doesnt typically share specifics on battery sizes, but GSMArena is reporting that both models come with a 4,005mAh battery. What has changed, however, is being able to receive double the wattage from wireless charging. The iPhone 17e can now take up to 15W for Qi2 fast wireless charging compared to 7.5W from the Qi support on the iPhone 16e. iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence At a glance, there does not seem to be any difference in what the iPhone 16e and iPhone 17e offer in terms of iOS and Apple Intelligence capability. However, its relevant to note that you will likely get better performance out of the iPhone 17e with regards to AI features because of its superior A19 chip. In case you wanted to do the numbers comparison yourself, weve compiled a nifty table here so you can eyeball them with ease. But for a sense of how the iPhone 17e holds up in the real world and whether its worth the money, stay tuned for our full review. iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16e: Specs at a glance Spec iPhone 17e iPhone 16e Price $599 $599 Processor A19 chip A18 chip Display Super Retina XDR, 6.1inch, 2,532 x 1,170, OLED display at 460 ppi Super Retina XDR, 6.1inch, 2,532 x 1,170, OLED display at 460 ppi RAM 8GB 8GB Storage 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB Wireless charging Up to 15W Up to 7.5W Rear camera 2-in-1 camera 48MP Fusion main, 12MP 2x Telephoto, digital zoom up to 10x 2-in-1 camera 48MP Fusion main, 12MP 2x Telephoto, digital zoom up to 10x Front camera 12MP selfie cam 12MP selfie cam SIM Dual SIM (two active eSIMs) Dual SIM (two active eSIMs) Connectivity Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3, NFC Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3, NFC OS Launched with iOS 26 Launched with iOS 18 This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/iphone-17e-vs-iphone-16e-whats-new-on-apples-latest-599-handset-162009364.html?src=rss

Everything Apple announced today: iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air

Apple has promised a big week for the company, which includes an in-person event for press and creators on March 4. But it didnt exactly wait until Wednesday to get things started. The news started on Monday with the announcements of the iPhone 17e and M4-powered iPad Air . Well be updating this roundup throughout the week as we learn exactly what Apple has in store for everyone (though we have a decent idea of what to expect , such as new MacBooks). For now, though, heres our recap of everything Apple announced on Monday: iPhone 17e Apple Apple has spruced up this years entry-level iPhone with some pretty solid upgrades, though it's keeping the starting price at $599. The iPhone 17e has double the base storage of the iPhone 16e at 256GB. It also has MagSafe support with Qi2 wireless charging speeds of up to 15W, double that of the iPhone 16e. Design-wise, Apple hasn't exactly rocked the boat. The iPhone 17e looks pretty much identical to its predecessor. It appears that Apple is sticking with the same 48MP Fusion camera system as it used in the iPhone 16e too. That said, the 6.1-inch Super Retina display has Ceramic Shield 2. According to Apple, this provides 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation and reduced glare. The company slotted its C1X cellular modem into the iPhone 17e as well. It says this is up to two times faster than the C1 that was in the iPhone 16e. The device has the same A19 chip as the iPhone 17, so it supports Apple Intelligence AI tools, and it runs iOS 26. In addition, the iPhone 17e has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, as well as the promise of all-day battery life. It also supports satellite-powered features including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages and Find My. Pre-orders for the iPhone 17e open on March 4 and it will be available in black, white and soft pink. The device will hit shelves in more than 70 countries and regions on March 11. iPad Air M4 Apple The latest iPad Air boasts Apples M4 chip. That means the mid-range iPad is effectively remaining a year behind the iPad Pro. The M4 is almost two years old at this point, while the top-end model has the newer M5 chip. Still, if you only use an iPad for casual tasks like watching shows, web browsing, email and so on, the M4 will be more than powerful enough.It will be more adept at handling resource-intensive tasks like video editing than previous iPad Air models too. Apple has also bumped up the RAM from 8GB from the last-gen model to 12GB. Given the sharp increase in RAM prices in recent months, its slightly surprising that Apple is sticking to the same prices for the iPad Air. The 11-inch M4 iPad Air starts at $599 while the 13-inch version starts at $799, each with 128GB of storage. There's a $50 discount for those buying it for educational use. Apple claims the M4 delivers up to 2.3 times faster performance compared with the M1 iPad Air and over 4x faster 3D pro rendering with ray tracing performance. Of course, the new iPad Air runs iPadOS 26. Apple gave the iPad Air other internal upgrades by including its N1 and C1X connectivity chips. As such, this is the first iPad Air with Wi-Fi 7 support. As you might expect, 5G cellular connectivity is available as well. The design of the M4 iPad Air doesn't seem to have changed, as it appears to have the same LCD display Apple used in the last two iterations of the tablet. The company has stuck with the same rear-facing camera and dual-speaker setup as well. As with the iPhone 17e, pre-orders for the M4 iPad Air open on March 4. The tablet will hit retailers in 35 countries and regions on March 11. It will be available in blue, purple, starlight and space gray. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/everything-apple-announced-today-iphone-17e-and-m4-ipad-air-155617174.html?src=rss

What to expect at Apple's product launch event on March 4

Apple has scheduled a product launch event, dubbed an Apple Experience, for March 4 at 9AM ET . The company is reportedly holding this event in NYC, London and Shanghai . Everyone loves shiny new products, so what can we expect to see at Apple's first launch event of 2026? We don't know anything for certain, but we have plenty of educated guesses that have been sourced from industry reports and speculation from analysts. Editor's Note (on March 2 at 9:45AM ET): Apple has officially announced the iPhone 17e and iPad Air (M4) . It's expected to continue to unveil new hardware in the following days, per the rest of this article. Budget-friendly MacBook There have been rumors swirling that Apple is preparing to launch a cheaper alternative to the MacBook Air. Bloomberg reported on this all the way back in November. Industry rumors indicate that Apple will be stuffing this laptop with an iPhone processor, the A18 Pro, to keep the price down. Worth pointing out the three colors from the invite are light green, blue and yellow -- which just so happen to be the colors Apple has tested the low-cost MacBook with, as I wrote yesterday. Coincidence? We shall see. https://t.co/1FFVkfw9JZ pic.twitter.com/ssKDDzdJsw Mark Gurman (@markgurman) February 16, 2026 It's also been suggested that this laptop will only include 8GB of RAM, which kind of flies against the company's recent stance to outfit all Macs with at least 16GB of RAM . However, that would certainly help with the cost. You might have heard about a little thing called AI that chomp chomps on all RAM it can find . TechRadar has reported that this could be Apple's biggest laptop launch in years , with potential initial shipments hitting 8 million units. The price is likely to be somewhere in the $699 to $799 range, which is pretty nifty. However, I'd still go for an Air at $999. They are absolute workhorses . MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and Max chips It's likely that Apple will release more powerful MacBook Pro models this year and the timing seems to match up. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested a March launch and the event is on March 4. The company has already released a MacBook Pro with an M5 chip , but both the M5 Pro and Max are likely on the horizon. We could be getting new laptops outfitted with these chips in various display sizes. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget There have also been reports that both of the higher-end M5 chips are getting a redesign to help improve heat dissipation and reduce defective chip rates. Additionally, the new chiplet design would allow the M5 Pro and Max to raise the total number of CPU and GPU cores. The Max is expected to have more cores than the Pro. This idea is helped along by the fact that MacBook Pro M4 Max orders are currently delayed . This is typically the case with an outgoing model as stock dries up to make room for new releases. Also, the Pro and Max variants typically get announced in the Fall, so we are due. New iPads Rumors have been circulating that we are about to get new iPads , including an update to the base model and the Air. The standard model, which would be the 12th-gen release, is expected to upgrade the A16 chip to an A18. This should also allow for the integration of Apple Intelligence tools, if that's your bag . Nathan Ingraham for Engadget As for that iPad Air, rumors suggest an upgrade to the M4 chip from the M3. An extremely light tablet with an M4 would be fairly notable in my estimation, as only the newest iPad Pro has that chip . iPhone 17e It was almost exactly a year ago that Apple announced the iPhone 16e , so you know what that means. It's time for a refresh. Recent reports have suggested that an announcement regarding the iPhone 17e is imminent , so this launch event seems like as good a place as any to reveal the latest budget-friendly smartphone. As for specs, Mark Gurman has suggested that it'll be getting an upgrade to the A19 chip , which is nice. Also, it could be getting MagSafe support. That sounds like an iterative upgrade, but the price is expected to remain steady at $599. Other Possibilities The following stuff is less likely, though certainly possible. There have been rumors that Apple is currently preparing a revamped Studio Display and Mac Studio desktop. The reports suggest a release sometime in the first half of the year, and March is right in the middle of that timeframe. It's also possible that the company will reveal an upgrade to the MacBook Air with the M5 chip . Reports indicate that this is unlikely to happen during this event, but it is worth noting that the M4 Air came out in March of last year. In other words, it's a toss up. The inclusion of Shanghai essentially rules out Siri, as expected, given the delays. https://t.co/mgNLR4qCYy Mark Gurman (@markgurman) February 16, 2026 What's not a toss up? You shouldn't expect anything regarding the long-anticipated Siri refresh . This looks to be a hardware event, so any software updates will likely have to wait until WWDC this summer. In any event, Engadget will be on hand to report on all of Apple's new products. Update, March 2 2026, 9:45AM ET: This story has been updated to add an Editor's Note with the latest news from Apple this week. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/what-to-expect-at-apples-product-launch-event-on-march-4-173612816.html?src=rss

The Samsung Wallet can now hold your house keys

Samsung's newest feature turns your phone into your house keys. The company has created the Digital Home Key , a feature inside of the Samsung Wallet that should let you unlock any compatible smart door with your phone. The Samsung Wallet already offered digital car keys . As we continue to evolve Samsung Wallet, delivering trusted mobile experiences remains at the core of our innovation, Woncheol Chai, EVP and head of Digital Wallet Team, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, said in a statement. Through close collaboration with our partners and in alignment with the Aliro standard, Digital Home Key brings the same level of security and ease Samsung Galaxy users expect from Samsung Wallet to their homes. Created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), Samsung calls Aliro an industry-standardized communication protocol. The Digital Home Key will also get support from smart lock brands like Nuki and Schlage. It's also designed to meet EAL6+ security certification. According to Samsung, you'll also need biometrics or a PIN to use the Digital Home Key. You should be able to remotely manage or remove the tool through Samsung Find if you lose your phone. Samsung is rolling out the Digital Home Key in select regions starting this month. It plans to expand its range as compatible smart lock brands become available in more locations. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/the-samsung-wallet-can-now-hold-your-house-keys-142944132.html?src=rss

Apple introduces the $599 iPhone 17e with MagSafe and twice the storage

Apple has just announced the addition of the iPhone 17e to its smartphone lineup. This model is kitted with the same A19 chip that powers the base iPhone 17, and it will support the Apple Intelligence suite of AI tools. As the rumors suggested, the iPhone 17e will indeed be priced at $599, same as last years iPhone 16e . The base model will come with 256GB of storage, and also be available in a new pink color. The iPhone 16e was missing a few elements that are now being added to the 17e, most notably MagSafe charging at Qi2 speeds.This means it can charge wirelessly at 15W compared to the 7.5W on last years model. Apple also gave the iPhone 17e its C1X cellular modem, which it said is up to 2x faster than C1 in iPhone 16e. This years entry-level iPhone also has Ceramic Shield 2 on its 6.1-inch Super Retina display, which Apple says offers 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation and reduced glare. Most of the other specs appear similar to the iPhone 16e, including the 48-megapixel Fusion camera that uses one single hardware sensor to provide two dedicated camera pipelines. Its not yet clear whether there are specific changes here, but to use Apples words in its press release, [The Fusion camera] also enables an optical-quality 2x Telephoto like having two cameras in one. The iPhone 17e is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance, and will also support Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages and Find My via satellite. From the outside, the device looks very similar to its predecessor, with the same shape, notch and buttons as before. Well of course have to wait for a review unit and more information to know for sure, but Apple continues to state that the iPhone 17e delivers all-day battery life, though adding this time its aided by the C1X modem and the advanced power management of iOS 26. Apple unveiled most of its iPhone 17 roster back in September, but its budget models usually are introduced a few months later. We're also still waiting on the official news of whats colloquially being calling the iPhone Fold , which is rumored to arrive in the back half of this year. The iPhone 17e will be available for pre-order on March 4, and will start arriving in stores on March 11. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-introduces-the-599-iphone-17e-with-magsafe-and-twice-the-storage-140612085.html?src=rss

Apple updates the iPad Air with an M4 chip

Apple is kicking off multiple days of product announcements this morning with a new iPad Air . Unsurprisingly, its more or less like the iPad Air Apple announced one year ago , except it now has an M4 chip instead of last years M3. Apple is also including its in-house networking chips, the N1 and C1X, which will cover Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread and cellular connectivity. This means the iPad Air supports the Wi-Fi 7 standard for the first time. The Air also now has 12GB of RAM standard, up from 8GB in the prior model. The rest of the iPad Air appears unchanged at this point. It has the same display that the 2023 and 2024 models sported either an 11- or 13-inch LCD that tops out at 500 nits of brightness and a 60Hz refresh rate. Storage options start at 128GB and go up to 1TB, same as last year. The dual stereo speaker configuration and both front- and rear-facing cameras are unchanged, as well. For those keeping track, its been less than two years since Apple redesigned the iPad Air, adding a 13-inch model that had an M2 chip. I remain surprised the company is committed to releasing chip updates for the Air so frequently even the M2 model is more than powerful enough for the target audience. But, getting a faster chip for the same money is hard to complain about. Naturally, the iPad Air M4 is running iPadOS 26, which was released last fall. It was, without a doubt, the biggest iPadOS update weve seen, bringing a far more robust multitasking system than the iPad has ever had before. Its most noticeable and useful on the larger 13-inch screen, but having greater freedom with window management and more robust background tasks is a huge step forward even if the Liquid Glass visual redesign is a bit divisive. Pre-orders for the new iPad Air M4 open on Wednesday, March 4, and the tablet will be fully available on March 11. As before, pricing starts at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for a 13-inch display. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/apple-updates-the-ipad-air-with-an-m4-chip-141117569.html?src=rss

At MWC, Tecnos super-thin modular concept phone doesn't even have a wired charging port

On its own, at 4.9mm thin, Tecno's modular phone concept barely feels like a smartphone. It has a screen, a basic camera module, four low-profile pogo-pin connectors and that's about it. From there, you can seemingly build your conceptual phone however you want. At its booth at MWC 2026, Tecno had two families of modular components in two different colorways, which is surprising at this concept stage. The chunky telephoto lens and housing must weigh over three times as much as the base phone, adding up to 20x zoom capabilities, even if it was a little glitchy during my hands-on. The barrel also offers manual focus, which is always a nice touch. The lens itself is huge, though, making even Vivo's latest 400mm telephoto lens peripheral look reasonable by comparison. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget There are more subtle camera modules, including ultrawide options and a more streamlined periscope telephoto. There's even an action cam that can attach through Wi-Fi and be used on its own. Depending on the module, transmission is also done through Bluetooth and even mmWave. One module has an antenna that folds out, turning the phone into a walkie-talkie messenger thing that can communicate without cell service or Wi-Fi. There were also lanyard connectors, grip clips, and several that I may have forgotten. Sadly, the game controller mod wasn't on the stand, though I'm not sure how you'd use it blindly on the back. It's a lot of fun to swap out and even stack the modules, most of which were functionally working. There are plenty of questions left to answer, and I'm concerned about how rigid the magnetic connection would be when pulling this kind of phone out of your pocket repeatedly. Also, who's going to carry around an attach case filled with all these things? Who doesn't love an aerial? Image by Mat Smith for Engadget Naturally, due to its thickness, the phone has a tiny battery cell (I don't know the capacity), but you can add 3,000mAh battery packs to the back. And another. And even another, topping out at around 10,000mAh, beating the capacity of most mainstream smartphones. It was only then that I realized it lacked any traditional USB-C charging port. Instead, a charging module can be attached to either of the two pairs of connectors. (And you can add further modules on top of that.) Tecno often has thrilling concepts and one-off devices at trade shows, so we can't vouch that this will eventually make its way to consumers. Modular phones are a tricky sell, as they can often lose the efficiencies that come from unified components. Google ended its Project Ara modular concept over 10 years ago, while Motorola's Moto Mods just weren't very good and even I struggle to remember LG's G5 modules . Adding to that, the company also rarely sells its phones in Western Europe and the US. Judging by the moves being made by other Chinese phone manufacturers in the last year, that could change. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/at-mwc-tecnos-super-thin-modular-concept-phone-doesnt-even-have-a-wired-charging-port-123129135.html?src=rss

Sony faces a $2.7 billion antitrust lawsuit in the UK

Another major antitrust lawsuit has launched in the UK. This time its against Sony, which could be on the hook for almost 2 billion ($2.7 billion) for overcharging PlayStation users. A class action case for about 12.2 million users argues that Sony occupies a dominant position in relation to the digital distribution of PlayStation games and in-game content and that it has been unfairly charging its UK customers too much for digital games and in-game content purchased through the PlayStation Store. It argues that Sony has a near monopoly on add-on content and digital games through the PlayStation store, allowing it to set the prices and take a 30 percent commission. The class action encompasses anyone in the UK who owned a PlayStation console and purchased digital games or made in-game purchases through the PlayStation store between August 19, 2016 and February 12, 2026. It's being run as an opt-out lawsuit, so anyone meeting the criteria can qualify without taking any action. If the lawsuit is successful then each person could receive about 162 ($217). Sony has argued that allowing downloads from third-party stores could bring security and privacy risks, according to the Financial Times . It further states that the digital sales commission makes up profits lost for selling their consoles with minimal profit. This lawsuit follows the success of a similar class action decided in October. The UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal found that Apple had been abusing its dominant market position and overcharging App Store users. In December, Apple filed an appeal against the 1.5 billion ($2 billion) fine. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/sony-faces-a-27-billion-antitrust-lawsuit-in-the-uk-114113889.html?src=rss

Vivo's X300 Ultra goes global and gets a huge 400mm Zeiss telephoto lens

Vivo barely has a presence outside of China but that seems to be changing with the company's next flagship phone. At Mobile World Conference 2026, the company unveiled the X300 Ultra smartphone that comes with a 200MP sensor along with two accessories designed for pro photographers and content creators: a SmallRig video cage and 400mm Zeiss telephoto extender lens. Vivo didn't go into detail about the phone's specs, but you can likely expect a high-end processor, screen, battery and other internal components when it's fully unveiled later on. Vivo did say that like the X300 Pro , the X300 Ultra will have an impressive 200MP main camera sensor, and is likely to offer features like 4K 120fps Dolby Vision HDR recording. Mat Smith for Engadget Another thing Vivo revealed is that you'll be able to get the Vivo X300 Ultra with a 400mm equivalent lens accessory called the Vivo Zeiss Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra. That will allow about an eight times zoom compared to the native field of view, plus a lot more when combined with the high-quality digital zoom. It will also offer gimbal-grade optical image stabilization and motion-tracking focus technology, Vivo says. Along with the lens, Vivo is introducing a pro-grade camera cage designed by the well-known accessory company SmallRig. It's expandable and offers multiple cold shoe mounts and quick-release ports so you can easily add things like handles, lights and microphones. It also comes with dedicated physical buttons for tactile shutter and zoom adjustment, plus a multi-level cooling fan to keep the phone running cool. You also get an External Lens Expansion Frame to accommodate the X300 Ultra Telephoto Extender. Mat Smith for Engadget Vivo showed off the phone at MWC 2026 in Barcelona to a fair amount of enthusiasm. The company emphasized that the X300 Ultra will come to international markets, but it didn't say which for now or at what price (the X300 Pro costs about 1,400 in Europe ). That decision, it said, signals Vivo's more proactive and confident approach to expanding its presence in the global premium smartphone segment. Given the likely price, though, it's debatable if pro creators will want to buy this instead of, say, a pretty nice mirrorless camera and lens . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/vivos-x300-ultra-goes-global-and-gets-a-huge-400mm-zeiss-telephoto-lens-105058478.html?src=rss

The best Xbox Series X and Series S accessories for 2026

The Xbox Series X and Series S are built for fast load times, smooth performance and expansive game libraries, but the right accessories can make a noticeable difference in how you play day to day. From storage solutions that help you manage growing installs to headsets that make it easier to catch subtle audio cues, the best Xbox accessories are about removing friction and improving comfort as much as boosting immersion. Whether youre setting up a new console or refining an existing setup, theres a wide range of add-ons worth considering. Many accessories designed for previous Xbox generations still work with Microsofts current hardware, which makes it easier to upgrade gradually rather than all at once. Weve tested and selected the best Xbox Series X and Series S accessories to help you get more out of your console, no matter how or where you play. Best Xbox accessories for 2026 This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/best-xbox-series-x-series-s-accessories-140035165.html?src=rss

TCL is upgrading its easy-on-the-eyes glare-free NXTPAPER display tech with AMOLED

TCL has been making smartphones and tablets at an impressive clip for years. While most companies have focused on foldable display tech and TCL has dabbled the focus has been on its NXTPAPER screens. Aimed at being friendlier on the eyes, and pitched as a device somewhere between e-ink slates and traditional tablets, NXTPAPER has gradually been upgraded and refined, reaching an apex at CES 2026 earlier this year with the Kindle Scribe-alike, the Note A1 NXTPAPER and its latest smartphone, the NXTPAPER 70 Pro . At MWC, just a couple of months later, it's preparing for a major leap forward on future phones and tablets. It's been announced (and backed up with tech demos) that it's developing AMOLED NXTPAPER displays, aiming to combine the eye comfort benefits of TCL's current displays with flagship visual performance. This involved fundamentally redesigning and re-engineering the display architecture. Still, it should address the biggest problems with current LCD-based NXTPAPER, such as mediocre brightness, poor outdoor performance, and dull colors. This NXTPAPER AMOLED screen, well, it looks like AMOLED: Image by Mat Smith for Engadget On the showfloor at CES, the company had several demo devices showcasing the new screen technology's brightness. While still photos don't really do it justice, it's impressive, and the anti-glare effect seems premium compared to third-party anti-glare protective films. TCL says its incoming AMOLED display it hasn't announced a device yet will reach 3,200 nits of brightness. For reference, TCL's 70 Pro topped out at a mere 900 nits. TCL says it will also feature 120Hz refresh rates, 100 percent color gamut coverage, and blue light reduction that can go as low as 2.9 percent, which is 15 percent less than existing NXTPAPER displays. The company plans to launch an AMOLED NXTPAPER smartphone before the end of the year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/tcl-is-upgrading-its-easy-on-the-eyes-glare-free-nxtpaper-display-tech-with-amoled-085736065.html?src=rss

Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite chip is made for smartwatches and AI devices

Qualcomm's Snapdragon Elite chips are reserved for the best Android phones and laptops , and now the company has introduced the first in the Elite series for wearables. The Snapdragon Wear Elite processor is designed for smartwatches and AI devices like pendants and promises up to a fivefold increase in single-thread CPU performance, Qualcomm announced . The new processor is built on a 3nm process to improve speed and efficiency over previous models, while boosting the number of cores to five (one big core at 2.1GHz and 4 little cores at 1.9GHz). With those changes, the company is promising up to five times faster single-threaded performance, with GPU speeds boosted up to seven times. Qualcomm The Snapdragon Wear Elite is also equipped with a new NPU that allows low-power AI use cases like keyword recognition along with noise cancellation. It's also the first Snapdragon wearable processor with a dedicated Hexagon NPU supporting AI models with two billion parameters. That will allow new personal AI experiences, the company said, like context-aware recommendations, natural voice interactions, life logging and AI agents that can orchestrate tasks on your behalf. Wear OS devices with the chip should see up to 30 percent improved battery life and charging speeds of up to 50 percent in ten minutes. It also allows for more types of connectivity, including 5G reduced capability, micro-power Wi-Fi, NB-NTN for satellites, Bluetooth 6.0, GNSS and UWB. However, manufacturers will be able to source versions of the chip without some of those wireless features. Whether the Snapdragon Wear Elite will give Wear OS watch manufacturers a better chance to chip into the 50-plus percent market share of Apple's Watch remains to be seen. The first devices using the chip will start to ship in the next few months, Qualcomm said. Leading global partners are supporting the platform including Google, Motorola and Samsung. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/qualcomms-snapdragon-wear-elite-chip-is-made-for-smartwatches-and-ai-devices-080744412.html?src=rss

Motorola Razr Fold hands-on at MWC 2026: Bright screens, inside and out

After briefly announcing its new foldable at CES, Motorola is now ready to debut its first book-style foldable in full at MWC 2026. There are several features we already knew, including support for Motorolas new Pen Ultra stylus and no fewer than five cameras. However, many specs were still unknown. There are some pleasant surprises. Motorola decided to make both screens brighter than any of its rivals by quite a margin. The main 8.1-inch foldable display of the Razr Fold has a peak brightness of 6200 nits, while the external screen almost matches it with 6000 nits. For comparison, both screens on the Pixel 10 Fold Pro have a peak brightness of 3000 nits and other foldables internal screens typically have substantially lower brightness levels. Inside Motorola's demo room, filled with windows and Barcelona sun, I had no trouble reading either screen. The main display is a 2K (2,484 x 2,232) LTPO display that can reach a peak refresh rate of 120Hz, while the external display has a 2,520 x 1,080 resolution and peaks at 165Hz. Both screens also support Dolby Vision. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget With those high-brightness levels, Motorola has opted for a silicon-carbon 6,000mAh battery, another leading specification among foldables at the time of writing. Itll be interesting to see how battery life fares, powering those big, bright screens. The Razr Fold also supports fast charging at up to 80W with the companys own (sold separately) TurboPower charger and up to 50W wireless charging. With a silicon-carbon battery that offers higher energy density, Motorolas biggest foldable yet remains surprisingly svelte, despite its huge battery. The Razr Fold is 4.6mm (0.181 inches) thin when open and 9.9mm (0.39 inches) when closed. Yes, Samsungs latest Z Fold is thinner (4.2 mm; 8.9 mm), but it has a substantially smaller 4,400mAh battery. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget The Razr Folds hardware continues with many of the design touches found on recent Razr phones. I spent most of my time with the Blackened Blue iteration of the Razr Fold, with a woven piqu design that felt both easy to hold and didnt seem to hold onto fingerprints. There will also be a Lily White color that doesnt have the piqu design, but a more satin finish. The Razr Fold has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, the de facto flagship Android processor at this point. The foldable also has its own liquid-cooling system to maintain consistent performance during tougher tasks and gaming sessions. The Razr Folds cameras will have to do more than what were used to seeing on the flip-style Razr smartphones, which have underwhelmed in the past. Fortunately, it looks like it could be a very capable smartphone camera. The main 50-megapixel sensor has a f/1.6 lens and 3.5 degrees of optical image stabilization. Itll also work alongside a multi-spectral 3-in-1 light sensor to improve color accuracy. The Razr Folds ultrawide camera has a 50MP sensor, a 122-degree field of view, and support for macro photography. The 50MP periscope telephoto camera can reach up to 3x optical zoom and 100x SuperZoom, through image cropping and AI-boosted image processing. And finally, there are two selfie cameras: a 32MP internal camera that can record up to 4K video and a 20MP external selfie cam, both with a f/2.4 lens. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget Motorola is already claiming this is the best camera on a foldable smartphone, with the highest DXOMARK score among foldables. If you havent heard of DXOMARK before, its a benchmarking website and lab in France that offers professional image quality testing for smartphones, camera lenses and cameras. It also offers a consultancy service to help manufacturers improve their devices camera performance. Its too early to tell whether this is objectively a better cameraphone than Samsungs Z Fold 7, but I was particularly impressed by the Razr Folds telephoto camera results. Similarly, Im intrigued by Motorolas decision to support its newest stylus, the Moto Pen Ultra. It warrants further testing when the foldable lands for review. Motorola hasnt announced pricing and availability for the Razr Fold. Itll be coming to North America in the coming months. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/motorola-razr-fold-hands-on-mwc-2026-050027092.html?src=rss

Everything announced at MWC 2026: Lenovo's wild foldable gaming handheld, Honor's Robot Phone, and more

MWC 2026 officially gets underway on March 2 and will continue through March 5, but the announcements are already pouring in ahead of its start. We can always count on the annual tech event to bring tons of new phones, laptops and tablets, and we're expecting to see some robots and other gadgets too plus plenty of AI news, of course. In addition to the announcements, MWC is our chance to get hands-on time with some of the most interesting new devices, like the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Honor's Robot Phone . Engadgets Mat Smith is on the ground in Barcelona, and we'll be updating this story as the week goes on to keep you in the loop on everything that caught our attention. Keep checking back here for the latest MWC news. Lenovo How silly does this look when its flexible display is fully extended in portrait mode? Sam Rutherford for Engadget Lenovo pulled up to MWC with a bunch of new products and concepts, but if there's one thing everyone's going to be talking about, it's the Legion Go Fold. (Check out Sam Rutherford's coverage of the Legion Go Fold here ). In short, the Legion Go Fold is a concept foldable gaming handheld with a flexible display that can unfurl to a massive 11.6 inches. Or, it can be folded in half to become a 7.7-inch display. It has detachable controllers, and there are multiple mounting points along the tablet so you can switch things up between landscape and portrait mode. The left and right gamepads can also be combined into one controller with an accessory, and the display can be propped up kickstand-style with the folio cover. You think we're done here? We're not. The Legion Go Fold can go laptop mode too, with a strip of pogo pins where a wireless keyboard can be connected. Its right gamepad can serve as a mouse, thanks to the inclusion of a little scroll wheel and a hidden sensor. That gamepad also features a tiny circular OLED display below the buttons, which can both show widgets such as the time and be used as a touchpad. It is a concept, though, so don't get your hopes up too much about this one going into production. And if it does ever become a real, buyable product, it'll no doubt be expensive. The Lenovo Modular AI PC concept is an ambitious mashup between a traditional clamshell and a dual-screen notebook with hot swappable ports. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Lenovo also announced its Modular AI PC concept a laptop with two displays and a detachable keyboard. As Sam Rutherford, who got a chance to check it out in person, explained, This allows you to move its keyboard and secondary display around at will, so the system can better adjust to its environment or workload. Perhaps even more exciting is that it has hot swappable ports. Lenovo demonstrated it with USB-C, USB-A and HDMI connectors, but said others could be possible too. Still, while everything looked pretty polished in the demo, Lenovo says this one will remain a concept. The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition Gen 11 Lenovo It hasn't all been concepts at MWC. Lenovo also refreshed some of its existing tablet and laptop lineups for 2026. The company introduced the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition Gen 11 (with the new Canvas Mode configuration), starting at $1,949, and the new 15.3-inch Yoga Pro 7a, which starts at $2,099. It's updated its more affordable IdeaPad Slim 5i Ultra laptop ($799) as well. All of those new laptops come with Copilot+ features. For students, Lenovo is launching the 13-inch Idea Tab Pro Gen 2, starting at $419, with its Quira AI assistant and AI tools. You can find all the specs and release dates for those here . Upgrades are here for Lenovo's ThinkPads too, along with the Yoga-like ThinkBook 2-in-1. And, Lenovo announced a $499 industrial tablet, the ThinkPad X11. Lenovo's 8.8-inch gaming tablet is getting a spec boost with the latest version announced at MWC 2026, the $849 Legion Tab Gen 5 . The tablet has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB storage. It also has a 9,000mAh battery to support longer gaming sessions, and two USB-C ports. The Legion Tab Gen 5 comes in three colors: Eclipse Black, Glacier White and the lime-green Surge. It launches in May. That'll be followed shortly after in July by the launch of the new 15-inch Legion 7a Gen 11 gaming laptop, starting at $2,299. Honor The Robot Phone. (Image by Mat Smith for Engadget) Honor teased its Robot Phone this past fall and we just finally got a proper look at it at MWC. And it's pretty freakin' cute. The phone is equipped with a camera that's mounted on a highly mobile 4-degrees-of-freedom gimbal, which tucks away into a compartment on the back when it's not in use (making for a pretty beefy camera bump). In a demo at MWC, the camera, which behaves like a little robot head, bobbed along to music and showed off some of its gesture skills, like cocking its head and nodding in agreement. Honor didn't reveal too much spec-wise, but the company says the primary camera uses a 200-megapixel sensor. The gimbal will offer three-axis stabilization, which will be coupled with camera modes such as Super Steady Video and AI Object Tracking. The Robot Phone isn't quite ready for release at the moment, but the company says it will launch later this year. Be sure to check out Mat Smith's writeup on the Robot Phone for a more in-depth look. Honor's humanoid robot. (Image by Mat Smith for Engadget) Image by Mat Smith It's not a humanoid robot reveal without some backflips and a choreographed dance performance. Honor introduced its robot at MWC with all the spectacle we've come to expect (though the bot didn't do any talking).Its simply called the Honor Robot, and the company has plans for it to be used in both industrial and domestic settings. Honor Magic V6 (Honor) The Robot Phone isn't the only phone Honor showed off at MWC. The company also announced its Magic V6 smartphone , which it says is the thinnest phone in its category, measuring 8.75mm folded and 4.0mm open in the white colorway. The other three colors black, gold and red are slightly thicker, at 9mm folded and 4.1mm open. Not too much has changed from the V5, though, which only came out in August 2025. It does however have the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with 16GB RAM and 512 GB storage. As for the cameras, there are two 50-megapixel lenses and a 64-megapixel telephoto, plus a 20-megapixel f/2.2 selfie lens on the cover and internal display. The international version of the Magic V6 will have a 6,660mAh battery with 25 percent silicon content, while the version sold only in China will boast a battery with a rated capacity of more than 7,000mAh and 32 percent silicon content. Honor hasn't yet shared details about pricing and availability. Honor MagicPad Honor Ahead of MWC, Honor also announced what it claims is the thinnest Android tablet in the world: the 4.8mm thick MagicPad 4 . We're expecting to hear more about this at Honor's press conference on Sunday, but so far we know it features a 12.3-inch 165Hz OLED display and weighs just 450g. It comes with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. The thinness doesn't count the camera bump, Honor notes. The MagicPad 4 has 13MP rear and 9MP front cameras. It also boasts spatial audio, with eight speakers. Just as the display is slightly smaller than the previous MagicPad, the MagicPad 4 has a smaller battery at 10,100 mAh. It comes with a 66W fast charger. The MagicPad 4 will run Honor's MagicOS 10. We don't yet know how much it will cost, but we'll update this after Honor's press conference (where we're also expecting to see the company's robot) with any new details. Xiaomi x Leica Mat Smith for Engadget Xiaomi kicked off MWC this year by announcing the global launch of its 17 Ultra smartphone, which debuted first in China back in December. It's unclear if the phone will ever come to the US, but it's now rolling out in Europe. Xiaomi teamed up again with Leica to make a photography-focused smartphone, and the 17 Ultra sports a 1-inch 50-megapixel camera sensor with a f/1.67 lens, a telephoto setup with a 200MP 1/1.4-inch sensor, and a 50MP ultrawide camera. There's also a manual zoom ring around the camera. Check out our hands on for our first impressions of what it's like shooting with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra . And there's more to it than just the camera. The 17 Ultra has a 6.9-inch OLED 120 Hz display that peaks at 3,500 nits of brightness, and a 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at 1,299 (roughly $1,750). Leica also announced a new phone made in partnership with Xiaomi at MWC. It looks a whole lot like Xiaomi's 17 Ultra, but isn't the 17 Ultra, exactly. Leica Leitzphone by Xiaomi hands-on at MWC 2026 Image by Mat Smith for Engadget Like the 17 Ultra, Leica's Leitzphone by Xiaomi has a 1-inch camera sensor and physical controls for zoom and other settings, using a mechanical ring around the camera unit. It features a Leica-designed intuitive camera interface with the option to show just the essentials when you're shooting, hiding all the modes and labels. There's a monochrome shooting mode and Leica filters. The Leica branding is splashed all over it in design and wallpapers, but it's otherwise pretty similar to the 17 Ultra, with the same specs. Like the 17 Ultra, it has a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and a 6.9-inch 120Hz display. This one's priced at 1,999 (roughly $2,362). The Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Xiaomi In addition to the 17 Ultra, Xiaomi announced two new tablets at MWC this year: the Xiaomi Pad 8 and Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro . There's nothing revolutionary here, but they're lightweight and thin, with both being 5.75mm thick and weighing 485g, and have a 9,200mAh battery. The Pro model is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, while the regular Pad 8 uses the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset. Xiaomi also unveiled a new 5,000mAh powerbank, the UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank 5000 15W . The 6mm thick power bank comes in three colors with an aluminum alloy shell: orange, silver and charcoal gray. Along with that, the company introduced the Xiaomi Tag , its own take on the Bluetooth item tracker. The Xiaomi Tag has a built-in hanging loop so it can be attached directly to a keyring, and the company says it will work with both Apple Find My and Google's Find Hub for Android. Tecno Tecno We can always expect to see some wild phone concepts at MWC, and this year we're starting with one from Tecno . The company unveiled a modular concept smartphone design that can be as thin as 4.9mm in its base configuration. Thered be 10 modules to choose from based on the announcement, including various camera lenses, a gaming attachment and a power bank, relying on magnets to keep it all together or Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology, as Tecno is calling it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/everything-announced-at-mwc-2026-lenovos-wild-foldable-gaming-handheld-honors-robot-phone-and-more-172442814.html?src=rss

Lenovo's robot concept can help you digitally sign documents (and maybe annoy coworkers)

Lenovo can make a robot, too. Alongside proof-of-concept foldable gaming PCs and modular laptops, it introduced the AI Workmate Concept at MWC 2026 . With its own Intel Core Ultra processor, 64GB of memory and its own Pico projector, its an AI-laced workmate meant to streamline office tasks and collaboration. And it has an LCD face. For now, its a proof of concept, musing on how to integrate voice commands and LLMs (large language models) into workplace settings. It's meant to sit on your desk, but preferably also near a wall more on that later. Voice commands aside, the concept bot supports writing, voice and gestures with on-device AI processing. While it can answer the usual voice assistant questions, it can also scan and summarize documents (both digitally and physically) and even assist with creating a PowerPoint presentation though you might want to check its work. Mat Smith for Engadget The 3.4-inch 480 x 480 screen doesnt seem to offer any data visualization or numbers. During my demo, it only seemed to show the bot's eyes and facial expressions: itll sip coffee as it listens (with a moustache), cup a floating hand to the side of its face when it needs you to repeat a command, or twinkle when its processing more complicated tasks, like that fictional PowerPoint presentation. With its articulated head, which houses the projector, cameras and LCD face, you can ask it to project images or documents on either the desk in front of it or a wall nearby. No need to flip around your monitor or laptop to share with colleagues. In one example, a spokesperson asked for a postcard. The Workmate then projected a (Lenovo-branded) image of Barcelona onto the desk. The rep laid paper down, then signed the postcard and got the robot to scan it (with two downward-facing 5-megapixel cameras), and then send the file to a nearby printer. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget In theory, this sort of flow could transition to document signing or adding notation to images and files. However, one caveat here is whether those of us who work in offices want the extra workplace noise of a chatty robo and the person barking orders at it. Lenovo says this concept (and it has a few at MWC) is meant to demonstrate the companys exploration of spatial and physical AI experiences that integrate seamlessly into professional environments. Hopefully, further evolutions offer a text-based way to make using it a little less noisy. Lenovo was also showing a simpler AI work device, the AI Work Companion Concept. Its a completely different premise, despite the name being a little too close to the AI Workmate Concept. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget The AI Work Companion is not a robot, but a handsome chunky desk clock, with a solid, satisfying dial on the top and programmable buttons. The front is almost entirely display, able to show calendars, task lists and other work-centric dashes. It runs independently, plugging into a USB-C port for power and pulling data down wirelessly, while also acting as a port hub for charging other accessories and devices. Its certainly not as high-concept as the robot, but there are some AI smarts inside. The Work Companions Thought Bubble uses AI to sync a users tasks and daily schedule across devices, synthesizing a daily action plan. It will even suggest times to break up bursts of work and attempt to monitor screen time to better manage burnout. According to the press release, Lenovo says it also has playful interactions with the user and will, kind of bleakly, offer an end-of-week celebration report of tasks completed. Its lucky its a good-looking desk clock. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/lenovo-concept-robot-ai-workmate-mwc-2026-230159746.html?src=rss

Lenovo unveils the 2026 refresh of its Yoga 9i 2-in-1 convertible laptop at MWC

Lenovo has given the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition a refresh for 2026 and launched the new device at this years Mobile World Congress . The convertible laptop comes with a new Canvas Mode when the Yoga Pen Gen 2 case its bundled with is attached to the A-cover. When you lay the device down on a flat surface with the case attached, youll get a slight elevation on the display, which may make it easier to sketch or draw. The Copilot+ laptop is powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors with integrated graphics, has up to 32GB in memory and runs Windows 11. Its 14-inch screen has a resolution of 2,880 x 1,800 pixels, has a variable refresh rate of 120 Hz and supports multi-touch. In addition to the new Canvas Mode, the device also supports Tablet, Tent, Stand and traditional Laptop Modes like its predecessors do. The Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition Gen 11 will be available in May, with prices starting at $1,949. Lenovo has also launched the new Yoga Pro 7a at MWC 2026. This Copilot+ laptop is powered by AMD Ryzen AI Max+ Series processors and comes with up to 128GB of RAM, so it can be used for heavy AI tasks. It has a 15.3-inch 2.5K PureSight Pro OLED display and is equipped with a big Force Pad trackpad that doubles as a drawing tablet. You can get the device starting in August this year for at least $2,099. For a more affordable option, theres the new IdeaPad Slim 5i Ultra laptop, which also has Copilot+ features. Its powered by Intel Core Ultra processors and comes with either a WUXGA OLED or a WQXGA IPS LCD 14-inch display that has a VRR of 120 Hz. The device was designed for portability, with its thinnest part measuring just 11.9 mm in depth, and weighs 2.5 lbs. It will be available starting in October for at least $799. Another affordable option is the new Idea Tab Pro Gen 2, which is specifically targeted towards students. Its powered by theSnapdragon 8s Gen 4 Mobile Platform and has a 13-inch 3.5K display. The Tab Pro Gen 2 is Lenovos first tablet to ship with its Qira AI assistant and the companys AI tools. It will be sold with a Lenovo Tab Pen Plus included for $419 starting in July. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/lenovo-unveils-the-2026-refresh-of-its-yoga-9i-2-in-1-convertible-laptop-at-mwc-230100644.html?src=rss

Lenovo's ThinkPads get a spec bump at MWC 2026

Lenovo is updating its business-focused laptop lineup at MWC 2026. The best-selling ThinkPad T-series is getting a full refresh, and there's an updated ThinkBook 2-in-1 and an all-new Android tablet. The ThinkPad T-Series, the backbone of Lenovo's business PC lineup, now (optionally) ships with a 5MP camera that supports computer vision and vHDR. The 2026 versions of the laptops have larger speakers and a new color (cosmic blue) on some models. The ThinkPad T14 Gen 7 and ThinkPad T16 Gen 5 (each starting at $1,799) are the all-around workhorses of the ThinkPad lineup. Lenovo touts the 2026 models' 10/10 iFixit repairability score. They ship with either an Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (with Intel vPro) or an AMD Ryzen AI Pro 400 Series processor. ThinkPad T14s Gen 7 Lenovo Meanwhile, the T14s Gen 7 ($1,899+) is an even lighter version of Lenovo's slim ThinkPad variant. The 2026 model weighs 2.45 lbs (1.1kg), making it the lightest T-series model to date. The T14s Gen 7 is powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (with Intel vPro) or AMD Ryzen AI Pro 400 Series processors. Rounding out the T-Series is the second-generation of the 360-degree-folding ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1. The 2026 model ($1,849+) is ever-so-slightly lighter than its predecessor, now weighing in at 3.06lbs (1.39kg). The new version includes a garaged pen, with its storage slot living above the screen. ThinkPad X13 Detachable Lenovo The ThinkPad X13 Detachable is the lineup's take on the Surface Pro . The tablet has Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and up to 64GB of RAM. Its 13-inch display supports up to 500 nits of brightness. It has a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, and its keyboard has full-sized keys with 1.5mm of travel. It ships with a full-size ergonomic pen that you can stash (and charge!) in a dedicated slot on the keyboard. The X13 Detachable starts at $1,999. The $499 ThinkPad X11 is a rugged Android tablet for industrial environments. Powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform, it has a 10.95-inch display with 2,560 x 1,600 resolution and 600 nits of brightness. It's MIL-STD-810H certified, meaning it passes stringent military testing for durability. ThinkTab X11 Lenovo Finally, there's the ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 6 ($1,754+). This Yoga-like folding device has a 14-inch WUXGA touch display. It runs on an Intel Core Ultra 7 (Series 3) processor and supports up to 32GB of RAM. Most of the devices start shipping in Q2 2026. (That includes the ThinkPad T14, T16, T14s, T14s 2-in-1, ThinkTab X11 and ThinkBook 14 2-in-1.) The lone exception is the ThinkPad X13 Detachable, which is slated for Q3 2026. You can learn more about the new business-focused devices on Lenovo's website. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/lenovos-thinkpads-get-a-spec-bump-at-mwc-2026-230100419.html?src=rss

Lenovos latest gaming tablet goes big on battery

Lenovos buzziest gaming-related MWC announcement is undoubtedly its foldable Legion Go handheld-cum-laptop hybrid, which you can read all about here. But that wasnt all the company showed off. Were also getting an updated Legion Tab, Lenovos powerful gaming tablet. Like the Gen 4 and 3 models before it, the latest Legion Tab features an 8.8-inch LCD display with an 165Hz refresh rate. The 3K panel can get up to 600 nits of brightness. The notable spec boosts come in the form of a jump up to a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset and a larger 9,000mAh battery, which should help you power through those long-haul flight gaming sessions. The 360g Gen 5 Legion Go Tab is equipped with 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. It also features what looks like an RGB light ring next to the rear camera cutout (just in case anyone needs reminding that youre a capital G on-the-go gamer), and two USB-C ports. The latest Legion Go Tab also supports Lenovo AI Engine+, which uses AI for audio enhancement and noise cancellation. Available in Eclipse Black, Glacier White and Surge, it will be available to buy in May, with prices starting at $849. Lenovo also unveiled a new 15-inch variant of its Gen 11 Legion 7a gaming laptop, after announcing an updated 16-inch model at CES in January. It features a slightly smaller version of the same PureSight OLED display and is powered by a Ryzen AI Max+ 392 processor with integrated Radeon 8060S graphics. Weighing in 1.65kg, the Legion 7a is a slimline laptop designed to be easily portable without compromising too much on power, and its 84Whr battery is good for the size. It will be available with up to 2TB of storage in July, starting at $2,299. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/lenovos-latest-gaming-tablet-goes-big-on-battery-230017436.html?src=rss

The Lenovo Modular AI PC concept is a remixed dual-screen laptop with hot swappable ports

The potential of modular laptops has never fully translated to the real world. While companies like Framework have made major strides in recent years, there's still quite a bit of room for improvement. At MWC, Lenovo is looking to address that with its Modular AI PC concept. It features not one but two displays and a detachable keyboard to create something that strains the definition of a laptop, thanks to an innovative and very adaptable design. Compared to Framework's gadgets, which primarily use modularity to make upgrading the system and extending its lifespan easier, Lenovo's concept is based around a 14-inch chassis with hot swappable components. This allows you to move its keyboard and secondary display around at will, so the system can better adjust to its environment or workload. By default, its bonus screen is mounted on its lid, allowing you to do easy face-to-face sharing with someone sitting opposite you. However, without even needing to turn the system off, you can yank away the notebook's keyboard and put the display in its place to provide additional real estate. The Lenovo Modular AI PC concept's second screen can be attached to its lid or moved off to the side like a traditional dual monitor setup. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Or if you prefer a more traditional dual-screen setup, you can move it off to the side, prop it up via a built-in kickstand and connect to the laptop over USB-C. You even get the flexibility to arrange the display in vertical or landscape orientation, which is nice if you're doing stuff like coding or writing in a word doc (I feel targeted, but in a good way). And because the keyboard can connect to the notebook using pogo pins or Bluetooth, you have the freedom to position it practically anywhere you want. Meanwhile, Lenovo borrowed one aspect of Framework's modularity by including the ability to swap ports on the fly. During my demo, the company showed off modules featuring USB-C, USB-A and HDMI connectors, though I was told there are a ton of additional possibilities for those who might need things like a proper Ethernet jack or additional ports for audio. The Lenovo Modular AI PC concept's keyboard and be completely removed at a moment's notice and positioned anywhere you like thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity. Sam Rutherford for Engadget But what impressed me the most was that despite being a concept device, the whole setup felt quite polished. That almost suggests that this thing might be closer to becoming an actual retail product than some of the company's other demo gadgets . Build quality felt really sturdy and I had no issues changing out ports or moving the secondary display around without needing to troubleshoot or reboot the system. Everything just kind of worked. And while Lenovo isn't sharing details about what processor it's running or how much memory it has, its performance felt snappy too. My only question is that I'm not quite sure where AI fits into all of this. I was able to break down and reconfigure the system without any help from machine learning or a digital assistant. That said, I'm not complaining, because even with a lot of moving parts, its modular design is very approachable and easy to use. Ports on the Lenovo Modular AI PC concept can be hot swapped between to add USB-C, USB-A and HDMI connectors as needed. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Unfortunately, Lenovo isn't planning on turning this concept into a true retail device. But even so, I hope the company will at least consider bringing some of the modular laptop's features like its hot swappable ports to future products. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-lenovo-modular-ai-pc-concept-is-a-remixed-dual-screen-laptop-with-hot-swappable-ports-230000158.html?src=rss

Best Buy Canada seemingly just leaked Sonos' next portable speaker

A product briefly posted on the Canadian Best Buy website this weekend suggests Sonos may soon announce a new portable speaker called the Sonos Play. The speaker offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, AirPlay 2 support, Trueplay to tune the sound based on wherever you've placed it and voice controls, according to a page that's since been removed. Best Buy Canada had it listed for $399.99 CAD (or a little under 300 US dollars), and put the release date at March 31. The listing may have been taken down, but not before it was spotted and reposted on Reddit . The product page for the Sonos Play also showed that it comes in two colors, White and Black, and it has a little carrying strap for added convenience. It's IP67 rated dust- and waterproof. Sonos hasn't officially made any announcements about it yet, but we wouldn't be surprised to see one soon. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/best-buy-canada-seemingly-just-leaked-sonos-next-portable-speaker-215601978.html?src=rss

Anthropic's Claude grabs top spot in App Store after Trump's ban

Anthropic may have lost out on doing business with the US government , but it's gained enough popularity to earn the number one spot on the App Store's Top Free Apps leaderboard. At the top, Claude beat out both ChatGPT and Google Gemini, which respectively sit at the second and third spots on Apple's free apps charts. The sudden surge in user downloads isn't random. It follows news that President Trump has barred any federal agency from using Anthropic's Claude or other AI tools after the AI company refused to concede on certain guardrails. After declining to have its AI models be used for mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons, Anthropic was also threatened with a supply-chain risk label by the Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The very public spat led to a wave of user support that finally allowed Claude to dethrone OpenAI's ChatGPT on the App Store as the most downloaded free app. While OpenAI has stepped into Anthropic's shoes after agreeing to a deal with the Department of Defense, the CEO still offered up some thoughts about the debacle during an AMA on X. Even though Claude is a competing model, Sam Altman said that Anthropic's supply-chain risk designation was a very bad decision that he's hoping gets reversed. On top of that, OpenAI's CEO called Anthropic's blacklisting an extremely scary precedent, but he's still hopeful for a much better resolution. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/anthropics-claude-grabs-top-spot-in-app-store-after-trumps-ban-193610130.html?src=rss

The US reportedly used Anthropic's AI for its attack on Iran, just after banning it

In a lengthy post on Truth Social on February 27, President Trump ordered all federal agencies to immediately cease all use of Anthropic's technology following strong disagreements between the Department of Defense and the AI company. A few hours later, the US conducted a major air attack on Iran with the help of Anthropic's AI tools, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal . The president noted in his post that there would be a six-month phase-out period for agencies like the Department of War who are using Anthropics products, so federal agencies are still expected to eventually move away from using Claude or other Anthropic tech. It's also not the first time that the US used Anthropic's AI for a major military operation, as the WSJ previously reported that Claude was used in the capture of the now-removed Venezuelan president Nicols Maduro. Moving forward, the Department of Defense may begin transitioning towards other AI options, especially after reaching deals with both xAI and OpenAI to use their models within the federal agency's network. However, the WSJ reported that it would take months to replace Anthropic's Claude with other AI models. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-us-reportedly-used-anthropics-ai-for-its-attack-on-iran-just-after-banning-it-172908929.html?src=rss

Everything announced at MWC 2026: Honor's Robot Phone, the new Leica Leitzphone by Xiaomi, and more

MWC 2026 officially gets underway on March 2 and will continue through March 5, but the announcements are already coming ahead of its start. We can always count on the annual tech event to bring tons of new phones, laptops and tablets, and we're expecting to see some robots and other gadgets too plus plenty of AI news, of course. In addition to the announcements, MWC is our chance to get hands-on time with some of the most interesting new devices, like the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Honor's Robot Phone . Engadgets Mat Smith is on the ground in Barcelona, and we'll be updating this story as the week goes on to keep you in the loop on everything that caught our attention. Keep checking back here for the latest MWC news. Honor The Robot Phone. (Image by Mat Smith for Engadget) Honor teased its Robot Phone this past fall and we just finally got a proper look at it at MWC. And it's pretty freakin' cute. The phone is equipped with a camera that's mounted on a highly mobile 4-degrees-of-freedom gimbal, which tucks away into a compartment on the back when it's not in use (making for a pretty beefy camera bump). In a demo at MWC, the camera, which behaves like a little robot head, bobbed along to music and showed off some of its gesture skills, like cocking its head and nodding in agreement. Honor didn't reveal too much spec-wise, but the company says the primary camera uses a 200-megapixel sensor. The gimbal will offer three-axis stabilization, which will be coupled with camera modes such as Super Steady Video and AI Object Tracking. The Robot Phone isn't quite ready for release at the moment, but the company says it will launch later this year. Be sure to check out Mat Smith's writeup on the Robot Phone for a more in-depth look. Honor's humanoid robot. (Image by Mat Smith for Engadget) Image by Mat Smith It's not a humanoid robot reveal without some backflips and a choreographed dance performance. Honor introduced its robot at MWC with all the spectacle we've come to expect (though the bot didn't do any talking).Its simply called the Honor Robot, and the company has plans for it to be used in both industrial and domestic settings. Honor Magic V6 (Honor) The Robot Phone isn't the only phone Honor showed off at MWC. The company also announced its Magic V6 smartphone , which it says is the thinnest phone in its category, measuring 8.75mm folded and 4.0mm open in the white colorway. The other three colors black, gold and red are slightly thicker, at 9mm folded and 4.1mm open. Not too much has changed from the V5, though, which only came out in August 2025. It does however have the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with 16GB RAM and 512 GB storage. As for the cameras, there are two 50-megapixel lenses and a 64-megapixel telephoto, plus a 20-megapixel f/2.2 selfie lens on the cover and internal display. The international version of the Magic V6 will have a 6660mAh battery with 25 percent silicon content, while the version sold only in China will boast a battery with a rated capacity of more than 7000mAh and 32 percent silicon content. Honor hasn't yet shared details about pricing and availability. Honor MagicPad Honor Ahead of MWC, Honor also announced what it claims is the thinnest Android tablet in the world: the 4.8mm thick MagicPad 4 . We're expecting to hear more about this at Honor's press conference on Sunday, but so far we know it features a 12.3-inch 165Hz OLED display and weighs just 450g. It comes with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. The thinness doesn't count the camera bump, Honor notes. The MagicPad 4 has 13MP rear and 9MP front cameras. It also boasts spatial audio, with eight speakers. Just as the display is slightly smaller than the previous MagicPad, the MagicPad 4 has a smaller battery at 10100 mAh. It comes with a 66W fast charger. The MagicPad 4 will run Honor's MagicOS 10. We don't yet know how much it will cost, but we'll update this after Honor's press conference (where we're also expecting to see the company's robot) with any new details. Xiaomi x Leica Mat Smith for Engadget Xiaomi kicked off MWC this year by announcing the global launch of its 17 Ultra smartphone, which debuted first in China back in December. It's unclear if the phone will ever come to the US, but it's now rolling out in Europe. Xiaomi teamed up again with Leica to make a photography-focused smartphone, and the 17 Ultra sports a 1-inch 50-megapixel camera sensor with a f/1.67 lens, a telephoto setup with a 200MP 1/1.4-inch sensor, and a 50MP ultrawide camera. There's also a manual zoom ring around the camera. Check out our hands on for our first impressions of what it's like shooting with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra . And there's more to it than just the camera. The 17 Ultra has a 6.9-inch OLED 120 Hz display that peaks at 3,500 nits of brightness, and a 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at 1,299 (roughly $1,750). Leica also announced a new phone made in partnership with Xiaomi at MWC. It looks a whole lot like Xiaomi's 17 Ultra, but isn't the 17 Ultra, exactly. Leica Leitzphone by Xiaomi hands-on at MWC 2026 Image by Mat Smith for Engadget Like the 17 Ultra, Leica's Leitzphone by Xiaomi has a 1-inch camera sensor and physical controls for zoom and other settings, using a mechanical ring around the camera unit. It features a Leica-designed intuitive camera interface with the option to show just the essentials when you're shooting, hiding all the modes and labels. There's a monochrome shooting mode and Leica filters. The Leica branding is splashed all over it in design and wallpapers, but it's otherwise pretty similar to the 17 Ultra, with the same specs. Like the 17 Ultra, it has a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and a 6.9-inch 120Hz display. This one's priced at 1,999 (roughly $2,362). The Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Xiaomi In addition to the 17 Ultra, Xiaomi announced two new tablets at MWC this year: the Xiaomi Pad 8 and Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro . There's nothing revolutionary here, but they're lightweight and thin, with both being 5.75mm thick and weighing 485g, and have a 9200mAh battery. The Pro model is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, while the regular Pad 8 uses the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset. Xiaomi also unveiled a new 5000mAh powerbank, the UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank 5000 15W . The 6mm thick power bank comes in three colors with an aluminum alloy shell: orange, silver and charcoal gray. Along with that, the company introduced the Xiaomi Tag , its own take on the Bluetooth item tracker. The Xiaomi Tag has a built-in hanging loop so it can be attached directly to a keyring, and the company says it will work with both Apple Find My and Google's Find Hub for Android. Tecno Tecno We can always expect to see some wild phone concepts at MWC, and this year we're starting with one from Tecno . The company unveiled a modular concept smartphone design that can be as thin as 4.9mm in its base configuration. Thered be 10 modules to choose from based on the announcement, including various camera lenses, a gaming attachment and a power bank, relying on magnets to keep it all together or Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology, as Tecno is calling it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/everything-announced-at-mwc-2026-honors-robot-phone-the-new-leica-leitzphone-by-xiaomi-and-more-172442140.html?src=rss

A closer look at Honors Robot Phone

While Honor has already made plenty of product announcements, with tablets, foldables and more, its most interesting device at MWC 2026 is the Robot Phone and maybe the humanoid robot that came alongside it. After briefly showing off a model at CES, Honor isn't quite ready to launch its Robot Phone. However, we got more specs, tech demos and a closer look following the company's MWC press event in Barcelona. The Robot Phone is currently set to launch later this year. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget Honor has put a lot of effort into ensuring its camera gimbal is highly mobile, to the point of creating a tiny personal robot that is, dare I say, adorable? The Robot Phone's pop-up camera can cock its head, shake to say no, nod to agree, and even flip or at least rotate 360 degrees. According to Honor's presentation, it can even bop along to songs. A spokesperson told me that it's got five songs in its repertoire, so it's not clear whether they're programmed for these kind of demos, or will be a feature of the final retail device. Another demo here at MWC showed how you could make the Robot Phone sleep by covering its gimbal eye, though it's odd that the camera is still exposed rather than folded away. My main concern with the Robot Phone is the robustness and durability of its robotic mechanisms. We've lived through several waves of smartphones that attempted much simpler mechanical camera functions and the threat of dust or heavy-handed users can't be ignored. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget The company says it's taken what it learned from foldables, regarding high-performance materials and simulation accuracy, and applied it to shrinking the camera module. On stage, Honor CEO James Li revealed what he calls the industry's smallest micro motor, much smaller than a 1-euro coin and, he added, 70 percent smaller than existing micro motors. As this component has been reduced substantially, the Robot Phone's gimbal will be the industry's smallest 4-degrees-of-freedom gimbal system. That's a spec we finally got a spec! It'll also offer three-axis stabilization in this tiny camera package, with the primary camera using a 200-megapixel sensor. The fold-away panel that the primary camera tucks into also reveals more typical cameras, so you're not forced to use the gimbal if you don't need it. Still, that's one very thick camera unit: Image by Mat Smith for Engadget Honor has already started building out camera modes and features, with a Super Steady Video mode that enhances stability while swinging the Robot Phone around to capture video. AI Object Tracking will apparently intelligently follow subjects, while AI SpinShot supports intelligent 90-degree and 180-degree rotational movement for more cinematic transitions. We've seen these sorts of pre-programmed movements and functions in full-size phone gimbals and action cams. If Honor can nail it in such a tiny form, it'll be impressive. Other specifications during Honor's press event were sparse, although the company announced a collaboration with ARRI Image Science to bring its cinematic smarts to the Robot Phone's gimbal camera. In a press release, Honor's Li said the collaboration would bring ARRI's cinematic standards and professional workflows into mobile imaging. It's apparently the first time elements of ARRI Image Science are being integrated into a consumer device. Dr. Benedikt von Lindeiner, VP at ARRI, said the goal is to bring a true cinematic aesthetic, such as natural color, gentle highlight roll-off, and a sense of depth, to shooting with an Honor smartphone. Image by Mat Smith Honor also made a humanoid robot companion for its Robot Phone. The bot took to the stage alongside the Robot Phone, danced alongside human dancers, did a backflip and shook hands with CEO James Li. It didn't say a thing, but fortunately, during some on-the-rails banter between the robot, Robot Phone and Honor's CEO, the Robot Phone was particularly chatty. Like the many humanoid robots we've reported on and seen in person, Honor hopes to put it to work in both industrial and domestic settings, pitching it as a central part of the company's multi-million-dollar push into AI. For now, it's being called Honor Robot. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/a-closer-look-at-honors-robot-phone-145935198.html?src=rss

Honors Magic V6 doesnt have a new rabbit to pull out of its hat

Honor launched the Magic V5 in August 2025 and yet its successor is being announced just seven months later. Speak to Honors representatives, and you can imply that its racing to push the envelope against both its real competition (Samsung) and its anticipated one (Apple). With so little time between launches, youll be unsurprised to learn that little has changed. The only other real reason this device has been pushed out so swiftly is because itll help Honor retain the title of making the worlds thinnest foldable. Ill leave you to decide if you think thats a valid enough reason to release a whole new smartphone so soon. Last year, just one of the four Magic V5 colorways measured in at 8.8mm folded and 4.1mm open while the rest clocked in at 9mm and 4.2mm respectively. This year Honor is marking its own homework with a similarly generous spirit, with the white version of the Magic V6 measuring 8.75mm folded and 4.0mm open. The black, gold and red colorways will have to settle for the indignity of measuring 9mm folded and 4.1mm open. Now, I appreciate the engineering savvy necessary to make a device this slim, but this push for more thinness needs to stop. Last years Magic V5 crossed the millimeters-wide rubicon from slender to dainty , to the point where, while holding it, I was worried about how durable it was. After all, foldables are regularly put through mechanical stresses that regular phones never have to deal with in normal duty. Honor says the phone is well built to withstand the rigors of normal life, including a scratch-resistant display cover. The screen is impact-resistant, theres a far stronger hinge and its rated for IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance. Claims that, Im sure, will be tested to its limits by sceptical reviewers when the device goes on sale. The company has also been scraping away at the V6s weight, with the white model weighing in at 219 grams, while the other three colorways are 224 grams. Thats lighter than an iPhone 17 Pro Max (233 grams), and you can bet Honor mentioned that fact in its briefings to the press more than once. Honor has also seen fit to make some massive design changes to the inside of the V6 to help shrink many of its components. This redesigned internal structure includes a new antenna, speaker chamber, vibration motor, NFC module, SIM card slot and USB-C housing. All of the space vacated by those components has been filled by a new 6,660mAh battery with 25 percent silicon content. Honor says you should expect to be able to play a video on the primary display for 24 hours with that beefy battery. Its worth noting only the international version is equipped with this 6,660mAh cell, while the China-only variant gets an even better model. Honor said its domestic edition will have a CATL-manufactured battery with 32 percent silicon content and a rated capacity of more than 7,000mAh. Honor And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain he wept, seeing as he had no more worlds to conquer. The quote comes from Die Hard although its an urban myth that film coined the phrase entirely but the sentiment applies to much of the rest of this handset. The rest of the spec sheet is more or less the same as found on the Magic V5, which itself was a modest revision of its predecessor. Essentially, there arent too many more worlds to conquer even at the highest end of smartphone components, so grab your weepin tissues. Dab at the corners of your eyes when you see the cameras are more or less identical both in the main setup and for selfies. There are two 50-megapixel lenses paired with a 64-megapixel telephoto, and up front on both the cover and internal display, theres a 20-megapixel f/2.2 selfie lens. Youll find similarly-meager fare in the list of changes made to the displays, since the primary screen remains the same size and resolution as before. The bezels on the cover screen have been trimmed, so it now measures in at 6.52-inches, up from the 6.43-inch on the V5. But in most of the other ways in which it matters, youll find that here its business as usual. The V5 shipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, and that was plenty fast enough. The V6 can boast that its the first foldable to ship with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (paired with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage). While it is an upgrade on the older SoC, its not transformative. Lets be honest, its hard not to see Honors desire to shuffle a new handset out the door with some marketing claims comes at the cost of any meaningful substance. On the software side, its business as usual, although one thing caught my eye enough to be worth comment. At several points during Honors briefing, the company went hard on the idea that its devices play wonderfully well with Apples. If you install Honor Connect onto your iPhone and Mac, youll be able to share files, extend your desktop and even control your AirPods. This was something the company has been pushing for a while now, but it surprised me how much it was brought up here. On one hand, it makes sense that any would-be Apple challenger would offer a friendly way in for iPhone diehards. Tell them that your Android handset will integrate with your existing devices and then hope to show them what youve got to offer. On the other, if youre so eager to tag your gear onto another companys ecosystem, it doesnt suggest a lot of confidence in your own. Especially when youre marketing your pricey, ultra-premium flagship foldable as an ideal macOS companion in your own marketing materials. Still, being able to use the V6 as an extended display for your Mac is a cool idea, no matter the broader narrative. At first blush, Honors Magic V6 looks like a phone that exists to satisfy a marketing demand rather than out of necessity. (Im sure someone will point out thats the case for a lot of new phones these days, but Im sure you take my meaning.) To stay ahead of its rivals, its nipped and tucked every corner of this phone to within an inch of its life, and the end result is more or less the same handset we saw less than a year ago. Thats not to say its a bad phone, the V5 was a lovely piece of kit, but I cant help but wonder if holding this device back until Honor had more meaningful improvements wouldnt have been better. At the time of publication, Honor hasnt shared pricing and availability information, which we will update here when its announced. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/honors-magic-v6-doesnt-have-a-new-rabbit-to-pull-out-of-its-hat-130048729.html?src=rss

How to share your location via satellite on iPhone

Apples satellite features are designed for situations where cellular and Wi-Fi coverage are unavailable. In supported regions, compatible iPhone 14 or later models can connect directly to a satellite to send messages, access Emergency SOS and share location data. Location sharing via satellite is particularly useful when traveling in remote areas, hiking or driving through regions with limited network coverage. This guide explains what is required to use location sharing via satellite on an iPhone, how to prepare the feature in advance and how to send your location when no signal is available. How to share your location via satellite When there is no cellular or Wi-Fi signal available, open the Find My app. If satellite connectivity is possible, the app will prompt you to connect to a satellite. Onscreen instructions will guide you to point the iPhone toward the sky and adjust its position to maintain a connection. Once connected, select the option to share your location . The iPhone will record your current location and send it via satellite to the selected contact. During this process, it is important to keep the device steady and follow the visual guidance until the transmission is complete. After the location is sent, the contact can view it in their Find My app. The shared location represents a specific moment in time rather than ongoing movement. What you need before using satellite location sharing Location sharing via satellite is available on iPhone 14 models and later that are running iOS 18 or newer. The feature is supported only in specific countries and regions , and its availability may vary by local regulations. Satellite services also require a clear view of the sky, which means dense tree cover, buildings, mountains or being indoors can interfere with connectivity. Apple offers satellite features free of charge for two years with the activation of an iPhone 14 or later, although this policy may change over time. It is important to confirm that satellite services are active on the device before relying on them in a remote setting. Location sharing via satellite works through the Find My app. Unlike Emergency SOS, it is not intended for urgent situations and does not contact emergency services. Instead, it allows trusted contacts to see your current location when standard connectivity is unavailable. Preparing your iPhone for satellite use Before heading somewhere with limited coverage, it is important to confirm that location services and Find My are properly configured. On the iPhone, open the Settings app and tap Privacy & Security , then select Location Services and ensure the feature is turned on. Scroll down to Find My and confirm that location access is set appropriately. Next, open the Find My app and make sure location sharing is enabled. If location sharing has not been set up, the app will prompt you to choose contacts who are allowed to view your location. Only contacts added in advance can receive location updates via satellite. If you are somewhere without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, youll need to use Apples Connection Assistant. Open Settings , then tap Satellite and choose a satellite feature. Apple also recommends reviewing the satellite connection demo, which is available within the Find My app and other satellite features. This demo shows how to hold the iPhone and move it to maintain a satellite connection. Practicing this step ahead of time can make the process quicker and less stressful when it is actually needed. Viewing shared locations and managing access Contacts who receive a satellite location update can see it in the same way as standard Find My location sharing. The location appears on the map with a timestamp indicating when it was sent. If additional updates are needed, the process must be repeated, provided satellite connectivity is still available. Location sharing permissions can be managed at any time. In the Find My app, users can add or remove contacts and adjust how long location sharing remains active. These settings apply to both standard and satellite-based sharing. How location sharing via satellite works When an iPhone loses access to cellular and Wi-Fi networks, the Find My app can switch to satellite mode. This allows the device to send limited data packets to a satellite, which then relays the information to Apples network and on to the selected contact. Because satellite bandwidth is limited, location updates are not continuous the iPhone sends a snapshot of the users location rather than live tracking. Updates may take several minutes to send, depending on conditions and satellite availability. Battery level can also affect satellite performance. Apple recommends ensuring the iPhone is sufficiently charged before relying on satellite features, especially during extended outdoor activities. Important limitations to keep in mind Satellite location sharing is not a replacement for Emergency SOS. In situations involving immediate danger, Emergency SOS via satellite should be used instead, as it connects directly with emergency services. Environmental factors can significantly affect satellite connectivity. Cloud cover, terrain and obstructions can slow or prevent successful transmissions. The feature also works best outdoors with a clear view of the horizon. Finally, satellite services are designed for occasional use rather than frequent messaging or tracking. Location updates may take longer than expected and should not be relied on for real-time navigation or coordination. Sharing your location via satellite can provide peace of mind when traveling beyond the reach of traditional networks. By setting up the feature in advance and understanding its limitations, iPhone users can make better use of Apples satellite tools when they matter most. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-share-your-location-via-satellite-on-iphone-130000085.html?src=rss

Alaska could be the next state to crack down on AI-generated CSAM and restrict kids' social media use

Alaska's House of Representatives unanimously passed HB47 , a bill that imposes sweeping limits on when and how minors use social media apps, along with bans on generating or distributing harmful deepfakes of children. The bill's original form was focused on prohibiting the possession and distribution of sexually explicit images of children using AI, but Alaska lawmakers decided to add amendments that would impose social media restrictions. The proposed limitations include a statewide curfew on using social media between 10:30 PM and 6:30 AM, banning addictive design features and requiring social media platforms to verify user ages and get parental consent if they are minors. While the House bill saw 39 votes in favor and zero against, the amendments offered some hints at potential upcoming revisions. Before the bill went to a vote, some of the House representatives expressed concern about adding such broad rules on social media without consulting the companies behind them first. The bill still has to make its way through the Alaska State Senate, which already has presented a companion bill , and the governor. Alaska is following the footsteps of many other states , and the House even modeled its social media amendments in the HB47 bill after Utah. While Utah was the first to propose social media restrictions for kids, it was later met with a preliminary injunction . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/alaska-could-be-the-next-state-to-crack-down-on-ai-generated-csam-and-restrict-kids-social-media-use-190506366.html?src=rss

Shuttered studio Bluepoint reportedly pitched a Bloodborne remake, but it got shot down by FromSoftware

Bloodborne fans may not be happy to hear that a remake was reportedly rejected, but that doesn't mean it's completely off the table. Bluepoint Games , Sony's closed-down studio behind many PlayStation remakes, pitched remaking the classic Gothic horror RPG in early 2025, but was blocked by the game's developer, FromSoftware, according to a Bloomberg report. As Bloomberg reported, Bluepoint pitched a Bloodborne remake after several years of working towards a live-service title in the God of War franchise that was ultimately canceled. Looking for the next project, a modern-day version of Bloodborne made a lot of sense, considering the title came out in 2015 and Bluepoint was responsible for the successful Demon's Souls remake in 2020. However, Bloomberg 's sources said that FromSoftware was against it, but didn't offer a concrete reason why. With some digging, Bloomberg 's Jason Schreier pointed to an interview from Kinda Funny Games with PlayStation exec Shuhei Yoshida, which aired last year. In the video, Yoshida mentioned that FromSoftware's president, Hidetaka Miyazaki, wanted to pursue a Bloodborne remake, but was too busy to do it himself and doesn't want anyone else to touch it. After failing to get the Bloodborne remake greenlit, Bluepoint wasn't able to secure another project for more than a year, according to the Bloomberg report. Now that Bluepoint has been shut down , we're likely even further away from a remake. That's not to say a remake will never happen, but when it does, it'll have to get a stamp of approval and likely a lot of oversight from FromSoftware . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/shuttered-studio-bluepoint-reportedly-pitched-a-bloodborne-remake-but-it-got-shot-down-by-fromsoftware-173744228.html?src=rss

Everything announced at MWC 2026: The new Leica Leitzphone by Xiaomi, Honor's ultra-thin MagicPad 4 and more

MWC 2026 officially gets underway on March 2 and will continue through March 5, but the announcements are already coming ahead of its start. We can always count on the annual tech event to bring tons of new phones, laptops and tablets, and we're expecting to see some robots and other gadgets too plus plenty of AI news, of course. In addition to the announcements, MWC is our chance to get hands-on time with some of the most interesting new devices, like the Xiaomi 17 Ultra . We'll be updating this story as the week goes on to keep you in the loop on everything that caught our attention, so keep checking back here for the latest MWC news. Xiaomi x Leica Xiaomi kicked off MWC this year by announcing the global launch of its 17 Ultra smartphone, which debuted first in China back in December. It's unclear if the phone will ever come to the US, but it's now rolling out in Europe. Xiaomi teamed up again with Leica to make a photography-focused smartphone, and the 17 Ultra sports a 1-inch 50-megapixel camera sensor with a f/1.67 lens, a telephoto setup with a 200MP 1/1.4-inch sensor, and a 50MP ultrawide camera. There's also a manual zoom ring around the camera. Check out our hands on for our first impressions of what it's like shooting with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra . And there's more to it than just the camera. The 17 Ultra has a 6.9-inch OLED 120 Hz display that peaks at 3,500 nits of brightness, and a 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at 1,299 (roughly $1,750). Leica also announced a new phone made in partnership with Xiaomi at MWC. It looks a whole lot like Xiaomi's 17 Ultra, but isn't the 17 Ultra, exactly. Leica Leitzphone by Xiaomi hands-on at MWC 2026 Image by Mat Smith for Engadget Like the 17 Ultra, Leica's Leitzphone by Xiaomi has a 1-inch camera sensor and physical controls for zoom and other settings, using a mechanical ring around the camera unit. It features a Leica-designed intuitive camera interface with the option to show just the essentials when you're shooting, hiding all the modes and labels. There's a monochrome shooting mode and Leica filters. The Leica branding is splashed all over it in design and wallpapers, but it's otherwise pretty similar to the 17 Ultra, with the same specs. Like the 17 Ultra, it has a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and a 6.9-inch 120Hz display. This one's priced at 1,999 (roughly $2,362). Honor MagicPad 4 Honor Ahead of MWC, Honor announced what it claims is the thinnest Android tablet in the world: the 4.8mm thick MagicPad 4 . We're expecting to hear more about this at Honor's press conference on Sunday, but so far we know it features a 12.3-inch 165Hz OLED display and weighs just 450g. It comes with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. The thinness doesn't count the camera bump, Honor notes. The MagicPad 4 has 13MP rear and 9MP front cameras. It also boasts spatial audio, with eight speakers. Just as the display is slightly smaller than the previous MagicPad, the MagicPad 4 has a smaller battery at 10,100 mAh. It comes with a 66W fast charger. The MagicPad 4 will run Honor's MagicOS 10. We don't yet know how much it will cost, but we'll update this after Honor's press conference (where we're also expecting to see the company's robot) with any new details. Tecno We can always expect to see some wild phone concepts at MWC, and this year we're starting with one from Tecno . The company unveiled a modular concept smartphone design that can be as thin as 4.9mm in its base configuration. Thered be 10 modules to choose from based on the announcement, including various camera lenses, a gaming attachment and a power bank, relying on magnets to keep it all together or Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology, as Tecno is calling it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/everything-announced-at-mwc-2026-the-new-leica-leitzphone-by-xiaomi-honors-ultra-thin-magicpad-4-and-more-172442426.html?src=rss

Xiaomi 17 Ultra hands-on: Incredible cameras, but maybe hard to get

Chinas biggest phone makers continue to relentlessly forge ahead with high-spec phones that you may never see in the US. With the Xiaomi 17 Ultra this year, the company has continued its pattern from previous iterations by focusing on powerful camera sensors, huge batteries and being selective about global availability. Xiaomis 17 series is launching across multiple European territories months after its Asia debut, but at the time of writing, no word yet on US availability. Another logistical point of interest? When we last checked out Xiaomis devices, it was the 15 series, and the company has decided to skip 16 and leap straight to 17, conveniently matching Apples latest number. Storied camera brand Leica has been involved with Xiaomis phones for a few years and its newest flagship doesnt disappoint in that regard , because this is another Xiaomi device dedicated to photography. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget The 17 Ultra has a huge 1-inch 50-megapixel main camera sensor with a f/1.67 lens, and a telephoto setup with a 200MP 1/1.4-inch sensor and going up to 4.3x optical zoom. Xiaomi claims its capable of up to 17x optical-level zoom, but quality doesnt measure up to, say, the Oppo Find X9, with its dedicated telescopic lens add-on. Theres also a 50MP ultrawide camera to round things out. The main camera is very impressive, delivering plenty of detail and performing incredibly well in low light, seemingly before any computational photography kicks in. A new Light Fusion 1050L sensor features LOFIC HDR technology, delivering stronger control over highlights and more detail in darker areas of your shots. I've been impressed by the balanced color tone and contrast, without having to edit or add one of the (many) Leica camera filters. If anything, the slightly heavy-handed algorithms can sometimes ruin parts of a shot. For instance, by scrambling lettering or capturing blurry, AI-mutated faces where computational photography takes a swing (and a miss) at people in the distance. Mat Smith for Engadget The telephoto camera alone is also technically interesting in a few ways. It offers continual optical zoom across the 75-100mm range without in-sensor cropping. This means the lenses physically move to deliver lossless zoom across a range of distances, without jarring leaps between camera sensors and crops. This doesnt run across the full gamut, but it does roughly cover the 3-4x optical zoom range, which is often used in portrait photography. The APO (apochromatic) lens design on the telephoto is more immediately useful and effective. An APO lens significantly reduces chromatic aberration by focusing three wavelengths of light (red, green and blue) onto the same focal plane. This lens design means it can correct color fringing and improve image sharpness. At full optical zoom, this light fitting at Soho Theatre Walthamstow doesn't bloom or fringe to the extent that most smartphone zooms suffer from. Mat Smith for Engadget At higher zoom levels, fringing and lighting bloom often hamper telephoto photos on smartphones, and Xiaomis solution has some appeal. I noticed less fringing than on other zoom-capable Android phones from Samsung, Oppo and Google. It also supports macro photography, but is hindered this time by a minimum focal distance of 30cm (11.8 inches). Most smartphone cameras macro modes let you get much closer. The 17 Ultra can capture up to 8K video (at 30 fps), 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps, and 4K 120 fps Log video, ensuring you can make the most of that huge 1-inch sensor in video, too. That said, it seems to struggle with stabilization at times, while its low-light performance doesnt match its prowess in still photography, lagging behind flagship phones from Apple, Google and Samsung. There's also a special Leica edition of the 17 Ultra, which is largely the same, specification-wise, but with a manual zoom ring around the camera unit. It's a cool gimmick, but felt oddly loose on a few devices I've handled. Xiaomi made a few design changes to its Ultra line this year, with a new, entirely flat display, and flattened edges that look like a certain family of devices . In fairness, its not the only company using imitation as flattery . Theres also IP68 protection against dust and water. While cameras may be the highlight, this is a flagship device by any specification metric. With a 6.9-inch display, this expansive OLED display has variable refresh rates (1-120Hz) and peaks at 3,500 nits of brightness. At that size, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is in the territory of devices like the iPhone 17 Pro Max and S26 Ultra. A phone this size isnt for everyone, but it is the thinnest Ultra phone from Xiaomi to date, with a profile measuring 8.29mm. Xiaomi has also reduced the camera units diameter and raised it on the device, making it easier to use and helping keep fingers out of your shots. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget Also, Id be remiss if I didnt mention the huge 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, with support for Xiaomis 90W HyperCharge (if you have the right charger) and 50W wireless HyperCharge (which also requires Xiaomis own dock) speeds. Other phone makers: Please put a battery this huge in your flagship. At MWC 2026, the company announced the global launch and rollout of the device across Europe, including the UK where the Ultra will start priced at 1,299 (roughly $1,750). We're still waiting to confirm US availability and pricing. While the specs are powerful, launching a flagship device thats already been in the wild for a few months even if elsewhere in the world reduces the spectacle. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/xiaomi-17-ultra-global-launch-hands-on-leica-camera-143006810.html?src=rss

Leicas Leitzphone by Xiaomi has a huge 1-inch camera sensor and a stylish new design

Alongside a global launch for Xiaomi's 17 Ultra (read about that right here), the company announced a further deepening of its relationship with Leica . The CEO of Leica, Mattias Harsch, took to the stage to announce a new Leitzphone, which appears to be an even deeper collaboration than 17 Ultra by Leica, which is a different phone. Confused? That's fair. Design-wise, Leica has shifted back to a single tone body color, which looks more Leica to this camera dilettante's eyes. And if youre thinking youve heard of the Leitzphone before, you probably have: it was a series of phones made by Sharp that launched in Japan in 2021. They all had a 1-inch camera sensor and yes, as does Xiaomis first Leitzphone. It also gets a customizable ring to control camera settings. The camera interface is also designed by Leica. with the aim of being as intuitive as possible, with a new Essential mode within the camera app for stripping away all those modes and labels, showcasing whatever you're looking to shoot. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget The regular Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Leica edition have a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and a 6.9-inch 120Hz display that can reach up to 3,500 nits of peak brightness. While cameras are the focus, its a flagship device by pretty much any metric and the Leitzphone seems to have a very similar specsheet. Well be taking a closer look at whats different when we get to test it out very soon. After years of collaboration (and cute little badges), this may be the first pure Leica phone manufactured by Xiaomi but sold directly by both companies. It's priced at 1,999 (roughly $2,362), but it's not known yet whether this phone will launch in the US. This is a developing story... This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/leica-leitzphone-xiaomi-mwc-2026-135744417.html?src=rss

Steam Next Fest, a different flavor of The Witcher and other new indie games worth checking out

Welcome to our latest roundup of what's going on in the indie game space. It's Steam Next Fest week, with literally thousands of demos for upcoming games for us to dive into. I'm trying to check out as many as I can before the event wraps up on Monday. However, I made a near-critical error in my planning: I opted to try the Raccoin demo first. I could and would have happily played that all week. This is a coin-pushing roguelike deckbuilder that adopts the format of Balatro . To progress, you need to earn a certain number of points and the target increases each round. Every three rounds there's a sort-of boss a few coins that negatively impact your game until you can get rid of them. After every round, youll go to a shop to buy and sell special coins and other upgrades. As you might expect with this type of game, finding ways to boost the points you can score from each coin is how to win. On my first successful run, I found a way to electrify the coins (which boosts their score) by charging them and use passive abilities and special coins to spread and amplify the effect. Then I was able to replicate a special coin that pulls all other nearby coins into a cyclone having the water-based coins in there helped to spread the electrical effect between other coins. There were a few rounds in which I didn't even have to do anything. The cyclones just dumped enough coins over the edge for me. This was only the first way I've figured out how to break the game. Six hours in, I'm eager to find many more. Raccoin from Doraccoon and Balatro publisher Playstack will hit Steam on March 31. The demo is currently still available . I've had The Eternal Life of Goldman on my wishlist since we first learned about it a couple of years ago. I'm very glad that was one of the demos I've tried. This is an utterly gorgeous platform adventure with hand-drawn art. As Goldman, an elderly gentleman, you'll swap parts of your cane on the fly so you can hook onto floating rings or pogo off springs. The platforming is challenging enough that I had to focus to get through the demo, which lasts about 75-90 minutes. There's almost always something going on in the background or foreground too. This game from Weappy Studio is shaping up to be quite something. I can't wait to play the full thing when The Eternal Life of Goldman hits PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, hopefully later this year . Of course I had to check out the Next Fest demo for Vampire Crawlers , which is also available on Xbox . The latest game from Poncle is a turn-based deckbuilder roguelite. Oh, and it's also a Vampire Survivors spin-off. Instead of passively firing your weapons at surrounding enemies, you have a bit more control here. It plays a bit like those first-person maze games from the '90s. You'll walk around each level with the help of a map that shows where enemies, chests and bosses are located. When you encounter enemies, you'll play cards in a certain order to deal damage or boost your stats for that particular battle. You can play all your available cards in one go, but you might want to rearrange them first so that you, for instance, use a card that boosts your damage before firing any weapons. Each card has a mana point value you can only play a full hand if you have enough mana. And yes, there are weapon evolutions. Turn-based games usually aren't my bag, but sometimes they just hit right. The Vampire Crawlers demo hits right. I can already tell I'm going to spend dozens of hours with the full game, which is coming to Steam, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android this year. I tried a few other demos so far, including one for John Carpenter's Toxic Commando , a co-op shooter in the vein of Left 4 Dead . It's a little rough around the edges right now, but it seems enjoyable enough. There are a bunch of other Next Fest demos I'm hoping to try over the weekend, including precision platformer Croak , PvE pirate game Windrose , cyberpunk platformer Replaced , record store sim Wax Heads , match-three/tower-defense game Titanium Court and Dragon Care Tarot . I read that you can pet dragons in the latter, so I'm sold. New releases If you can't get enough of The Witcher and are impatiently waiting for CD Projekt Red to unleash The Witcher IV , here's one way to keep your thumbs busy in the meantime. Reigns: The Witcher is the latest installment of the Reigns series from Nerial and Devolver Digital for Steam , Android and iOS ($6). You still play as Geralt of Rivia. However, this is a narrative-focused game in which you make choices by swiping. It's something a little different for Witcher fans. It might just pull some long-time Reigns players into that fantasy universe for the first time too. Bread and Fred is the cutest thing. The co-op platformer from SandCastles Studio has been available on PC ( Steam , GOG and Epic Games Store ) and Nintendo Switch for a while, and this week it landed on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S , PS4 and PS5 . It normally costs $15 and there's a 20 percent launch discount on those consoles. You'll need to be a PS Plus subscriber to get those savings on PlayStation, though. You and a friend take control of a pair of adorable penguins that are tethered together. The aim is to ascend a mountain, sometimes by swinging each other to get to hard-to-reach places. But if you miss a jump, you can plummet back down and erase a chunk of your progress. There is a single-player mode in which one of the penguins is replaced by a rock. The pixel art aesthetic here is super charming. Here's another co-op game. This one is a sidescrolling RPG brawler. After several months in early access/game preview, the full version of Stoic's Towerborne arrived on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox on PC , Steam and PS5 . It costs $25, though there's a 20 percent launch discount on Xbox. Its on Game Pass Ultimate and Premium as well. After the 1.0 update, the game has a full campaign that you can play offline by yourself or online with friends. Stoic has added fresh biomes, enemies and bosses, and there are said to be hundreds of missions, side quests and bounties. I really dig the fluidity of the animations in the trailer, though the action is a bit hard to parse at first glance. Still, I'm curious enough to try out Towerborne . Ive been a little too occupied with other Next Fest demos (plus Overwatch challenges, Ill admit it) to play Dice A Million yet, but this roguelike deckbuilder looks pretty interesting. The aim is to find the right combination of dice and rings (i.e. passive abilities) to roll a million points in one go. As with the likes of Balatro , it's all about figuring out powerful synergies between dice and rings to break the game and rack up ridiculous scores. I did quite enjoy a line on the Steam page that reads, Cutting edge next-gen graphics (not really, I drew all of them on paint). Dice A Million from Countlessnights and publisher 2 Left Thumbs is also available on Itch and Xbox on PC . It's on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Otherwise, it costs $13, but there's a 20 percent discount on Steam until March 11. There's a demo available on Steam too. Upcoming MOUSE: P.I. For Hire will now launch on 16 April 2026. pic.twitter.com/gwD3QW5Vyt MOUSE: P.I. For Hire (@mousethegame) February 23, 2026 Let's start this section with a news roundup. Mouse: P.I. for Hire continues to look rad, but unfortunately we'll have to wait a little longer to play it. Fumi Games and publisher PlaySide have delayed it by a few weeks until April 16 to polish the game up. I do love voxel-based heist game Teardown , so I'm jazzed for the online multiplayer update. Tuxedo Labs revealed it will go live on Steam on March 12. It will add a co-op campaign option (for up to 12 players!). There'll be hundreds of other multiplayer modes created by the studio and the community, including prop hunt, battle royale and floor-is-lava modes. There's going to be so much carnage. The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of Teardown will get the multiplayer update later this year. ConcernedApe (aka Eric Barrone) marked the 10-year anniversary of Stardew Valley by showing off some very early gameplay footage, some stories from his time of working on his all-time-great indie game and revealing the two additional characters that players will be able to marry when the 1.7 update goes live . Sandy's cool, so it'll be nice to have her as an option, but Clint? That guy sucks. Here's hoping Barrone will finally focus more of his attention on Haunted Chocolatier once this Stardew update is done and dusted. Also as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations, it was revealed this week that an orchestra will deliver a one-night-only performance of music from Stardew Valley at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on October 25. I missed my chance to see the Symphony of Seasons tour in person when it stopped near me, because I don't always make the wisest decisions in life. At least we can now watch an official recording of a previous concert. Minimap, a social platform for gamers, ran its first indie game showcase this week. Among the highlights: Thrifty Business (Spellgarden Games), a cozy thrift-store management sim that's coming to Steam this year. A demo's available now . Another look at Please, Watch The Artwork , an anomaly-spotting game without jump scares or monsters from Please, Touch The Artwork developer Thomas Waterzooi. Lilys World XD , a psychological horror game from SonderingEmily in which you'll investigate a teenage girl's laptop in the early 2000s. The trailer brings to mind screenlife films like Searching and Unfriended . Coming-of-age adventure Ikuma - The Frozen Compass from Mooneye Studios. You'll play as both cabin boy Sam and husky Ellie (or have a friend take control of one of them) as you try to make your way home from the Arctic. This should hit Steam later this year. Tombwater was originally supposed to arrive in November , but Moth Atlas and publisher Midwest Games delayed it for further refinement. It's now set to arrive on Steam on March 31.A Next Fest demo is available now. This is a 2D Soulslike with a Western setting and 2D pixel art that's inspired by Bloodborne and early Legend of Zelda games. You'll face off against horrific eldritch creatures as you search for a missing friend. You'll have seven playable classes to choose from and the ability to wield more than 50 firearms and melee weapons, and more than 20 spells. Tombwater is said to have around 20 hours of gameplay. There's no release date for Solarpunk as yet, but I found this trailer quite soothing. It offers a first look at co-op gameplay for this base-building and exploration game from the two-person team at Cyberwave and publisher rokaplay. Up to four players will be able to explore floating islands, gather resources and build out a homestead together. As the title suggests, there's a technology-driven element to Solarpunk . You can use renewable energy sources to power tools that can automate things like resource harvesting and watering plants. The airships you use to travel between islands look cool too. Solarpunk is set to hit Steam later this year. A demo is available now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/steam-next-fest-a-different-flavor-of-the-witcher-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-120000900.html?src=rss

OpenAI strikes a deal with the Defense Department to deploy its AI models

OpenAI has reached an agreement with the Defense Department to deploy its models in the agencys network, company chief Sam Altman has revealed on X. In his post, he said two of OpenAIs most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems. Altman claimed the company put those principles in its agreement with the agency, which he called by the governments preferred name of Department of War (DoW), and that it had agreed to honor them. The agency has closed the deal with OpenAI, shortly after President Donald Trump ordered all government agencies to stop using Claude and any other Anthropic services. If youll recall, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously threatened to label Anthropic supply chain risk if it continues refusing to remove the guardrails on its AI, which are preventing the technology to be used for mass surveillance against Americans and in fully autonomous weapons. Its unclear why the government agreed to team up with OpenAI if its models also have the same guardrails, but Altman said its asking the government to offer the same terms to all the AI companies it works with. Jeremy Lewin, the Senior Official Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom, said on X that DoW references certain existing legal authorities and includes certain mutually agreed upon safety mechanisms in its contracts. Both OpenAI and xAI, which had also previously signed a deal to deploy Grok in the DoWs classified systems, agreed to those terms. He said it was the same compromise that Anthropic was offered, and rejected. Anthropic, which started working with the US government in 2024, refused to bow down to Hegseth. In its latest statement, published just hours before Altman announced OpenAIs agreement, it repeated its stance. No amount of intimidation or punishment from the Department of War will change our position on mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons, Anthropic wrote. We will challenge any supply chain risk designation in court. Altman added in his post on X that OpenAI will build technical safeguards to ensure the companys models behave as they should, claiming thats also what the DoW wanted. Its sending engineers to work with the agency to ensure [its models] safety, and it will only deploy on cloud networks. As The New York Times notes, OpenAI is not yet on Amazon cloud, which the government uses. But that could change soon, as company has also just announced forming a partnership with Amazon to run its models on Amazon Web Services (AWS) for enterprise customers. Tonight, we reached an agreement with the Department of War to deploy our models in their classified network. In all of our interactions, the DoW displayed a deep respect for safety and a desire to partner to achieve the best possible outcome. AI safety and wide distribution of Sam Altman (@sama) February 28, 2026 This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-strikes-a-deal-with-the-defense-department-to-deploy-its-ai-models-054441785.html?src=rss