Samsung will hold another Unpacked on September 4

Samsung is hosting another Unpacked event on September 4, and this time it'll only be available to watch virtually. The event will stream on Samsung's YouTube page and website at 5:30AM ET, following the in-person launch events the company held for the Galaxy S25 line in January and the new Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 in July. With most of the company's smartphone lineup accounted for, Samsung will likely use this Unpacked to introduce new tablets. The company announced the the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite earlier this week and now leaks point to a new Galaxy Tab S11 and S11 Ultra being in the works, according to Notebookcheck . The Tab S11 will reportedly feature an AMOLED screen, 12GB of RAM and a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chip, rather than Samsung's preferred Qualcomm Snapdragon chips. The Tab S11 Ultra will have similar features, but with a larger AMOLED, up to 16GB of RAM, the same MediaTek chip and a larger 11,600mAh battery. Odds are also good that Samsung will announce the Galaxy S25 FE, a cheaper alternative to the normal Galaxy S25. Based on the leaks SamMobile compiled , the S25 FE will share many similarities with the S24 FE , save for an improved 12MP selfie camera, up from 10MP on the S24 FE, a larger 4,900mAh battery and faster wired charging speeds. Provided you're willing to get up early, you'll be able to see for yourself when Samsung streams its next Unpacked event on September 4. It likely won't be the last event the company holds this year, either. The Project Moohan Android XR headset and Samsung's first trifold phone are also expected to be released in 2025. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-will-hold-another-unpacked-on-september-4-230040711.html?src=rss

OpenAI and Anthropic conducted safety evaluations of each other's AI systems

Most of the time, AI companies are locked in a race to the top, treating each other as rivals and competitors. Today, OpenAI and Anthropic revealed that they agreed to evaluate the alignment of each other's publicly available systems and shared the results of their analyses. The full reports get pretty technical, but are worth a read for anyone who's following the nuts and bolts of AI development. A broad summary showed some flaws with each company's offerings, as well as revealing pointers for how to improve future safety tests. Anthropic said it evaluated OpenAI models for sycophancy, whistleblowing, self-preservation, and supporting human misuse, as well as capabilities related to undermining AI safety evaluations and oversight. Its review found that o3 and o4-mini models from OpenAI fell in line with results for its own models, but raised concerns about possible misuse with the GPT-4o and GPT-4.1 general-purpose models. The company also said sycophancy was an issue to some degree with all tested models except for o3. Anthropic's tests did not include OpenAI's most recent release. GPT-5 has a feature called Safe Completions, which is meant to protect users and the public against potentially dangerous queries. OpenAI recently faced its first wrongful death lawsuit after a tragic case where a teenager discussed attempts and plans for suicide with ChatGPT for months before taking his own life. On the flip side, OpenAI ran tests on Anthropic models for instruction hierarchy, jailbreaking, hallucinations and scheming. The Claude models generally performed well in instruction hierarchy tests, and had a high refusal rate in hallucination tests, meaning they were less likely to offer answers in cases where uncertainty meant their responses could be wrong. The move for these companies to conduct a joint assessment is intriguing, particularly since OpenAI allegedly violated Anthropic's terms of service by having programmers use Claude in the process of building new GPT models, which led to Anthropic barring OpenAI's access to its tools earlier this month. But safety with AI tools has become a bigger issue as more critics and legal experts seek guidelines to protect users, particularly minors . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-and-anthropic-conducted-safety-evaluations-of-each-others-ai-systems-223637433.html?src=rss

Apple iOS 26 public beta 5 is live: Here are all the new iPhone features coming in September

Apple on Tuesday finally announced that its iPhone 17 event will take place on Tuesday, September 9. So in just under two weeks, we'll get to take a first look at the new iPhone 17 lineup . If Apple keeps with tradition, expect to see iOS 26 available for download about one week after the event. If you can't wait any longer, you can download and install the newly released public beta 5 (or iOS 26 developer beta 8 for developers). I've been playing around with it for the past couple of weeks, and have found that taking screenshots is way better in the new operating system, as well as getting to choose how long you snooze . You can see a more complete view of the new features in our preview of the iOS 26 public beta release , which shows off the fresh home and lock screen redesign. Called Liquid Glass , the translucent look will extend across all of Apple's upcoming operating systems. The overhaul is one of several big changes coming to iOS, macOS , iPadOS and the rest of Apple's software suite, all of which were showcased during the company's WWDC keynote on June 9. After overpromising on AI plans last year, Apple kept its iOS roadmap focused more on basic quality of life improvements this year. There are multiple useful additions coming to the Phone and Messages apps on your iPhone, for instance: Apple execs outlined the ability to weed out spam texts or other unknown senders and an option to hold your spot on a phone call when you've been waiting for a representative to pick up. Plus, a treasured feature that we took for granted is coming back (hint: it's in the Photos app). Siri, meanwhile, is in a holding pattern. Apple has previously specified that its smarter voice assistant first promised at WWDC 2024 is delayed until some point in the coming year , so you shouldn't expect any major changes in the current betas. But there are reports that Apple is aiming to give Siri a bigger brain transplant by basing it on third-party artificial intelligence models like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude, which could make 2026 a pivotal year. The company is also reportedly working on a 'stripped-down' AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT. With each beta, it seems like additional new improvements are popping up, like this new AirPods gesture we're all curious about, and this FaceTime feature that'll freeze your video if it detects nudity . With the release of the iOS 26 developer beta 5 , we saw more added features, like a new bouncy animation on the passcode screen and in the Control Center, MacRumors reports . Some or all of those changes will likely soon migrate into the separate public beta (see below). Most newer iPhone models are eligible to download iOS 26 (both the betas and final version). Want to see the full list of new features coming this fall? Read on. What is iOS 26? The current iPhone operating system is iOS 18, and Apple is still actively updating it version 18.6.1 was released to restore Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring functionality for certain users in the US. More recently, Apple released 18.6.2 to address a vulnerability related to image processing. Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6, MacRumors reports , which means it can no longer be installed on your iPhone due to a server-side software verification check. That's pretty normal when newer versions are available to download. But don't expect to see iOS 19 soon or ever. Instead, Apple is skipping the numbering ahead to iOS 26 next month. The company has decided to line up its iOS version numbers with a year-based system, similar to car model years. So while iOS and its sibling operating systems will be released in late 2025, they're all designated 26 to reflect the year ahead. It's official, we're moving to iOS 26. (Apple) What is Liquid Glass design? Let's be honest. Out of everything announced at WWDC this year, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the show. The iPhone's home and lock screens have looked pretty much the same year after year the last exciting thing (in my opinion) was the option to add your own aesthetic to your home screen by customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the home and lock screens' new facelift is refreshing. So what exactly is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a new translucent material since, well, the apps and widgets are clear. However, the screen can still adapt to dark and light modes, depending on surroundings. You'll also notice buttons with a new floating design in several apps, like Phone and Maps. They're designed to be less distracting than the current buttons, but are still easy to see. While the design overhaul has proven to be controversial since its announcement, some including Engadget's own Devindra Hardawar like the new direction, even if it's somewhat reminiscent of Microsoft's translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from nearly twenty years ago. That said, as of the release of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing back the transparency in at least some places. And while it will continue to evolve, Apple users won't be able to escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple's OSes more cohesive. Here's a look at how the translucent aesthetic will look with the new macOS Tahoe 26 on your desktop. What are the new and notable features of iOS 26? iOS 26 has a laundry list of new features. Among the most worthwhile: Phone app redesign: You'll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music and continue on with other tasks. Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translation will translate your conversation in real time, which results in some stop-and-go interactions in the examples Apple shared during its presentation. Polls in group chats: Tired of sorting through what seems like hundreds of messages in your group chat? You and your friends will soon be able to create polls in group messages for deciding things like which brunch spot you're eating at or whose car you're taking on a road trip. Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you haven't received spam texts about unpaid tolls or other citations, you're lucky. For those of us who have, those annoying messages will soon be filtered away in a separate folder. Visual Intelligence: Similar to a reverse Google image search, this new feature will allow you to search for anything that's on your iPhone screen. For instance, if you spot a pair of shoes someone is wearing in an Instagram photo, you can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to find those shoes (or similar ones) online. Photos tabs are back: For anyone who's still frustrated with the Photos changes made last year , you'll be happy to know that your tabs are coming back. Library and Collections will have their own separate spaces so you don't have to scroll to infinity to find what you're looking for. FaceTime Communication Safety feature: A newer addition to iOS 26 appears to be the FaceTime Communication Safety feature that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The feature appears to be a child safety feature that uses on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privacy issues. New lock screen options : The iPhone lock screen gets more customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more widgets and better focus mode options. Apple's Hold Assist will be nifty for those pesky services that put you on hold for 10 or more minutes. (Apple) New changes coming to iPadOS 26 Your iPad isn't getting left behind when it comes to big updates. Here's what's coming this fall. Multitasking and real windowing: When you download the newest update, you'll be able to have multiple apps running on your screen at the same time. Once you open an app, it'll appear on your screen as normal but you'll be able to resize and move it across your screen to make room for other apps. This feature is optional so you can turn it off if you don't like it. Visual update: Along with the other new OSes, iPadOS 26 is coming with the Liquid Glass aesthetic. This new look will appear on the lock and home screens, as well as the drop-down menus. New menu bar: When you swipe down on your screen, the new menu bar will appear with options like File, Edit, Windows and more. There's also a search option if you're looking for something specific. Check out our first impressions of iPadOS 26 . What about AirPods? AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Here are some of the more notable functions. Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this studio-quality audio recording, and with it, you'll notice more clarity while in noisy environments. Camera remote control: Using this, you can take a photo or start and stop video recording with just one press on your AirPods. When taking photos, you'll get a three-second countdown before your iPhone or iPad snaps the picture. Live translation feature: While not officially announced or confirmed, it appears that the long-rumored live translation for AirPods could be coming with iOS 26 . The evidence comes from a system asset spotted in the in iOS 26 beta showing a gesture that's triggered by pressing both earbud stems at the same time. The photo also shows words in several different languages. Heart rate monitoring (rumored for now): Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes Apple will introduce new AirPods Pro earbuds this year, which could have heart rate monitoring. It would work with Apple's Health app and other fitness apps that track heart rates. Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26? A few iPhone models that run the current version of iOS iPhone XR, XS and XS Max won't be compatible with the latest upgrade. But any iPhones released in 2019 or later will be eligible for the iOS 26 update . iPhone SE (second generation or later) iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 16e Not listed here are the presumed new iPhone 17 models (or maybe iPhone 26?) that are all but certain to be announced and released in September. How to install iOS 26 beta The iOS 26 public beta is now available to download via the Apple Beta Software Program . If you're not already a member, you'll need to sign up to try out all the latest features. Just visit beta.apple.com and sign up with your phone number or email address. It's free. Once you're in, you can install it by going to Settings > General > Software Update and selecting iOS 26 public beta . A word of caution: Don't sign up with your main iPhone unless you're OK with any risks that occur with using an OS that isn't finalized. When will the final version of iOS 26 be released? iOS 26 will be released to the public this fall. It usually comes in September, within a week of the Apple iPhone event. Last year, it rolled out to iPhone users on September 16 exactly one week after the iPhone 16 lineup was announced. Since the iPhone 17 event falls on September 9 this year, it's possible the downloads will hit our phones on September 16. If you're more interested in the Apple Intelligence features coming, here's everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more during WWDC. Also, check out how iOS 26 screenshots could be an intriguing preview of Apple's delayed Siri rework . Update, August 27: Added the official iPhone 17 event date, as well as the potential iOS 26 release. Update, August 25: Added a rumor about new AirPods Pro having heart rate monitoring. Update, August 22: Noted that Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6. Update, August 20: Noted that iOS 26 public beta 4 and iOS 18.6.2 are now available to download. Update, August 18: Added details about a potential iOS 18.6 update. Update, August 15: Added to link to what to expect at the Apple iPhone event and details about what's available in the iOS 26 screenshots editor. Update, August 13: Added new AirPods detail spotted in the iOS 26 beta. Update, August 11: Noted that iOS 26 developer beta has hit beta 6. Update, August 8: Added new features coming with iPadOS 26 and AirPods. Update, August 6: Noted the release of iOS 26 beta 5 and the new bouncy feature on passcode screen and Control Center. Update, August 4: Noted that Apple is reportedly working on a ChatGPT rival. Update, August 1: Added quote from Tim Cook about iOS 26. Update, July 31: Noted that iOS 18.6 is now available. Update, July 24: Noted the iOS 26 public beta is now available. Update, July 3: Noted new FaceTime feature found in the developer beta. Update, June 30: Noted ongoing iOS 18 releases, and reports that Apple is considering additional external LLMs for Siri. Update, June 25: Noted changes added in iOS 26 beta 2. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/apple-ios-26-public-beta-5-is-live-here-are-all-the-new-iphone-features-coming-in-september-135749996.html?src=rss

The iPhone 17 event is September 9: Here's everything to know about the upcoming Apple lineup

It's official: The Apple iPhone 17 event will take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 1PM ET . That means we'll finally get to take a look at the much-anticipated iPhone 17 lineup which will come equipped with the latest iOS 26 features preinstalled and any new features Apple reveals that day. But since we still have to wait a couple of weeks until the iPhone event, we can only speculate what the new devices will look like. As with most unreleased iPhones, rumors and leaks have trickled in about the hardware side ahead of the official introduction. Here's what we're expecting and what we can reasonably assume we'll get from Apple in September. What are the latest iPhone 17 rumors? After the announcement dropped yesterday for the official iPhone 17 event, MacRumors speculates the Apple logo says a lot about the new iPhones. Apple's logo hints at two rumored iPhone 17 Pro features. The logo shows bright orange and dark blue colors, rumored to be two of the iPhone 17 Pro colors, so they could be onto something. They also noticed it looks like an infrared heat map, hinting at the vapor chamber cooling system. Get ready for an awe dropping #AppleEvent on Tuesday, September 9! pic.twitter.com/uAcYp2RLMM Tim Cook (@tim_cook) August 26, 2025 These rumors haven't been confirmed by Apple and we won't know what the actual iPhone 17 models will look like until the iPhone event next month. How much will the iPhone 17 cost? Apple's announced plan to expand US-based manufacturing partners seems to give it at least some shielding from the steepest Trump administration tariffs that have already triggered price increases on everything from PlayStations to Switch consoles to high-end cameras to Sonos speakers . But given that President Trump's trade policies can change from week to week, and Apple's continuing reliance on Asia-based supply chains, price shocks remain an ongoing possibility. The bigger question is: Will Apple absorb any higher costs, or pass them on to consumers? If prices do creep up, Apple may choose to pair it with an upgrade. Consider this recent rumor posted by MacRumors from a leaker known as Instant Digital , suggesting that the default storage of the iPhone 17 line may start at 256GB, doubling the current 128GB baseline. While that could be accompanied by a price increase of $50 , Apple could at least pitch it as a etter value. That said, the company doubled the default RAM of its Mac computers from 8GB to 16GB at no extra cost in 2024 but that was before the current Trump tariff cycle started. When will the iPhone 17 series be announced? Most years, the flagship smartphones are introduced in September. MacRumors highlighted a story originally reported by iphone-ticker.de that the Apple iPhone 17 event could be Tuesday, September 9, according to information gleaned from German mobile phone providers. It's still too early to have the specific dates; some years, Apple only gives a week or two of lead time between sending invites and hosting the event. But years of past precedent show that sometime in September should be when the 17 models make their debut. This family of smartphones may be the last to follow that trend, however. There have been hints that the introduction of the iPhone 18 collection in 2026 will be split into a pro-tier announcement in the fall and a standard model announcement the following spring. What will the new iPhone 17 lineup include? Design leaks suggest that Apple is building an ultra-thin smartphone , likely to be named the iPhone 17 Air to match Apple's ultralight laptop designation. Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman, often a solid source of advanced intel about Apple, reported in January that the iPhone 17 Air will be equipped with a basic A19 chip and will only have a single camera lens. It may also use Apple's new in-house modem, which was introduced in February on the iPhone 16e . More details about this development may leak ahead of September, but that's what we know for now. An investor note from Apple analyst Jeff Pu indicated that the Air will have a titanium frame. If his reports are accurate, the lightweight smartphone will be the only entry in the iPhone 17 lineup to use that metal; the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to be made of aluminum, which is oddly a lighter material than titanium. Other speculation had suggested that the Air would use a blend of aluminum and titanium, so the exact materials may not be known until the official announcement. Additionally, an August 4 MacRumors report says the internal battery pack of the iPhone Air is just 2.49mm thick half the thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro battery. The leak was posted on the Korean-language Naver blog , where they show the alleged batteries of the iPhone 17 Air and 17 Pro side by side. The same account claimed the 17 Air's battery capacity was a mere 2,800 mAh, MacRumors notes. (That's below the battery capacity of current iPhone 16 models.) On a similar topic, an iPhone 17 Pro production leak appears to have revealed an all-aluminum chassis, according to MacRumors . Originally posted by leaker Majin Bu , the image shows a shell that has a large round hole on the back (where the Apple logo typically is) to allow for MagSafe charging. MacRumors says this could just be a molding but notes that the aluminum frame (versus the current titanium in Pro iPhone models) would yield a significantly lower weight. That same leaker (Majin Bu), whom MacRumors classifies as a hit-or-miss leaker, suggests the iPhone 17 Pro will have better wireless signal strength thanks to an updated antenna design. The individual posted a render on X that shows a new antenna system that wraps around the iPhone 17 Pro's supposedly wider rear camera bump. Again, this is a render, not a real-world photo. That said, we can't knock the goal of better wireless reception, so we're hoping this one has a degree of truth to it. Leaker Majin Bu also claims TechWoven cases could be introduced, per a MacRumors report . The cases match the rumored design on the iPhone 17 models, with the wide camera bump. The leaker noted there are two lanyard holes for convenient and secure carrying, so it could be worn around your neck. The colors would come in grey/black, blue, green, purple and orange. Additionally, he says there will be new Liquid Silicone cases in eight colors, including Deep Orange, Pale Orange, Grass Green, Celadon, Fog Purple, Grey Blue, Dark Blue and Midnight Black. Each new roster includes a base model, but over the years, Apple has shaken up the variety of phones it offers. Most likely there will be an iPhone 17 and an iPhone 17 Pro. Apple has also committed to the size matters philosophy, and has been building an iPhone Pro Max option with an even bigger screen and better battery life; the 17 roster will almost certainly have one as well. The new Pro iPhones are said to have a full-width camera island on the rear, which would mark the first time an Apple model opted for that design. This feature can be seen in the purported iPhone 17 spotted in the wild. The pics, highlighted on MacRumors , show a black cased iPhone (17 Pro?) with the distinct back panel. Is it the real deal? The dual angles lend a degree of credibility in a social media landscape increasingly polluted with AI-enhanced fakes, but your guess is as good as ours. I just spotted a test development iPhone in the wild pic.twitter.com/iS3PtKWqxJ Fox Pupy (@Skyfops) July 28, 2025 The iPhone 17 Air seems primed to take the place of a potential iPhone 17 Plus. Since the iPhone 16e was only just introduced in February at a surprisingly high price point , it seems unlikely that there will be a new addition to that lower end of the spectrum, the models that were previously called SE. At the very least, it sounds like the iPhone 17 Air won't take away the charging port and rely only on wireless connectivity. Bloomberg said that while Apple had investigated making the iPhone 17 Air without a single port, the company (fortunately) changed plans. He also says that the rumored phone will have a 6.6-inch screen and include the Dynamic Island and Camera Control button. Finally, the price is rumored at $900 likely more than the standard iPhone 17 but less than the Pro. We've also gotten what seems to be a reliable look at what the color lineup will be for the new smartphones. Macworld reported that the iPhone 17 will be available in black, white, steel gray, green, purple and light blue. The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly have four color options: black, white, light blue and light gold. While the Air colors will be less saturated, the visuals for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will go bold. The options for the Pro models are expected to be black, white, gray, dark blue and orange. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes there actually will be a new orange color offered for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, as well as a light blue color for the iPhone 17 Air, he confirmed in his weekly Power On newsletter . On July 30, Tom's Guide highlighted an X post from Sonny Dickson a longtime and generally reliable leaker of unreleased iPhone information showing dummy iPhone 17 models in the new colors that were the source of the aforementioned Macworld story. While these are literally just mock-ups not real, leaked iPhones it's interesting to see how the design and color rumors translate into a real-world look and feel. To add the the rumors, a Weibo leaker known as Digital Chat Station suggests the iPhone 17e will come equipped with a new design that includes the Dynamic Island, MacRumors reports . According to the post, the new phone will have the A19 chip and could have a 6.1-inch OLED display with a front-facing 12-megapixel camera and a rear-facing 48-megapixel camera. However, it's important to note this report refers to the 17e model that would be expected to launch no earlier than February 2026, if it followed the same release pattern as the iPhone 16e . What will iOS 26 be like? Apple upended its numbering conventions with WWDC 2025, and will match the name of each new operating system to the year it's released. So when the next wave of iPhones hits, they'll be running on iOS 26 . On the design side, the smartphone OS introduced during the big developer showcase took a contentious approach dubbed Liquid Glass. Apple has been scaling down the amount of transparency effects in the subsequent beta tests of iOS 26, but it will still have a glass-like visual. The feature list includes big and small updates. On the more impactful side, the Phone and Photos apps have been redesigned. There will be several features leveraging artificial intelligence, such as live translation capabilities coming to Phone, FaceTime and Messages. Apple is also currently testing a sensitive content warning for child accounts that will freeze FaceTime video if nudity is detected by on-device machine learning tools. And the company is also launching Visual Intelligence, which will use AI to search for elements in an image. iOS 26 also has a litany of minor, quality of life improvements. Group texts are getting support for polls. And for the slow risers out there, iOS 26 will finally let you escape the tyranny of the nine minute snooze alarm . The next iOS is now available as a public beta . Here are our initial impressions of the Liquid Glass design and other new features. iOS 26 is compatible with all models back through iPhone 11. What other products are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17? If Apple follows its usual pattern, the iPhone 17 will be announced alongside new Apple Watch products. That would be the Apple Watch Series 11 (if Apple sticks to the same naming scheme), and maybe an Apple Watch Ultra 3 and/or an updated Apple Watch SE. (They'll all run watchOS 26 , of course.) Other possibilities and this is, again, speculation could include refreshed Apple AirPods Pro (which received its last big update in 2022 ) and maybe new AirTags trackers (first released in 2021). The Apple rumor mill got a big shot in the arm this week thanks to the reported inclusion of product ID numbers in recent beta software builds. Per MacRumors , it's a laundry list of new hardware, including long-rumored product updates like the Apple TV , HomePod mini , new Apple Studio Display monitor and two fresh iPads. Of course, even if that list is totally accurate, we may not see those products until 2026 if ever. So don't expect all of products to share the stage with the iPhone 17, especially since Apple likes to keep its star performer at the center of attention. That said, keep in mind that Apple has recently been having Mac-centric announcements in late October (as it did last year to debut new M4 Macs ), so there's always the chance of another shoe dropping a few weeks down the road. Update, August 27, 2025, 5:44PM ET: Added official Apple iPhone 17 event date, and a rumor about its event logo. Update, August 25, 2025, 5:15PM ET: Added new reports about the iPhone 17 Pro's orange color as well as new rumored Liquid Silicone cases. Update, August 22, 2025, 11:52AM ET: Added new details about the colors of the rumored TechWoven case. Update, August 20, 2025, 7:12PM ET: Added new rumor about potential TechWoven case for iPhone 17 series. Update, August 18, 2025, 6:23PM ET: Added new rumor about the iPhone 17e potentially having the Dynamic Island. Update, August 15, 2025, 2:05PM ET: Added new rumor about the all-aluminum chassis on the iPhone 17. Update, August 13, 2025, 10:02PM ET: Added a list of the products that are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17s. Update, August 11, 2025, 7:27PM ET: Added a render of a rumored new antenna design for the iPhone 17 Pro. Update, August 8, 2025, 4:43PM ET: Added new speculation and reports about iPhone 17 pricing. Update, August 6, 2025, 4:05PM ET: Added latest details about the potential iPhone 17 event date. Update, August 4, 2025, 5:23PM ET: Added latest battery leaks about the iPhone 17 models. Update, August 1, 2025, 8:15AM ET: Added new photos showing potential iPhone 17 colors. Update, July 30, 2025, 11:08AM ET: Added latest leaks and rumors about the iPhone 17, and updated information on the iOS 26 public beta. Update, July 17, 2025, 4:40PM ET: Added latest information about iOS 26, possible materials for the Air, and the color options for the different models. Update, March 17, 2025, 2PM ET: Added details about the rumored price and features of the iPhone 17 Air. Update, April 11, 2025, 3:45PM ET: Added details from Front Page Tech's new video that claims to reveal details from a leaked iOS 19 build. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-iphone-17-event-is-september-9-heres-everything-to-know-about-the-upcoming-apple-lineup-153024127.html?src=rss

Crystal Dynamics announces layoffs, but says Tomb Raider will not be impacted

Crystal Dynamics, the studio behind the recent Tomb Raider games, announced an unspecified number of layoffs today. In a post on LinkedIn, the game developer kept the size of the cuts vague, only stating that a number of our talented colleagues would be impacted. In what's becoming an all-too-familiar refrain, the company cited evolving business conditions as the reason for the layoffs. This decision was not made lightly, the post reads. It was necessary, however, to ensure the long-term health of our studio and core creative priorities in a continually shifting market. Crystal Dynamics was acquired by Embracer Group in a 2022 buying spree by the Swedish game company. Embracer still owns the studio, but was forced to do some layoffs of its own in 2023 followed by a restructuring last year. Crystal Dynamics is still working on a new Tomb Raider game , which the company said will not be affected by the layoffs. However, the studio had been tapped to help The Initiative with its Perfect Dark reboot. That project was canceled and The Initiative shut down in a separate wave of massive cuts at Microsoft earlier this year. It's unclear whether that cancelation was a reason for today's cuts. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/crystal-dynamics-announces-layoffs-but-says-tomb-raider-will-not-be-impacted-205948298.html?src=rss

Microsoft Copilot is now a talking blob on Samsung TVs

Copilot, Microsoft's AI assistant that's integrated into Windows and Microsoft 365, is making the jump to your living room. The company has announced that select Samsung TVs will now be able to access Copilot to ask questions and receive recommendations via voice chat, with the AI assistant represented on your screen as a talking blob. Based on Microsoft's examples, Copilot can recap shows, offer movie suggestions and answer general knowledge questions. It can also go beyond voiced responses (which are apparently synced to the blob's animated mouth movements) and include visual aids, like a card with a movie summary and a Rotten Tomatoes score. You don't need to have a Microsoft account to use Copilot on your TV, but Microsoft says it offers additional personalizations and the ability for the AI to reference past chats if you do. Copilot's blob-ified appearance is part of a bigger redesign Microsoft introduced in 2024 that made the chatbot interface more personalized and user-friendly. Besides being a productivity tool, Microsoft is interested in positioning Copilot as a companion with a visual representation that you can customize. The larger customization part isn't available yet, but putting Copilot in a casual setting like your living room fits with that overall goal. Copilot integration was also announced as being a part of LG's 2025 TV lineup . On new Samsung TVs , Copilot joins a collection of Samsung-developed AI features for automatically translating subtitles and identifying on-screen people and products. Copilot is available in select markets on the 2025 versions of Samsung's Micro RGB, Neo QLED, OLED, The Frame Pro, The Frame, as well as the M7, M8 and M9 Smart Monitors, Microsoft says. You can launch Copilot by clicking on its icon in the Apps Tab or using a voice command. Once the app is loaded, you can talk to the assistant by pressing the mic button on your Samsung remote. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/microsoft-copilot-is-now-a-talking-blob-on-samsung-tvs-204115199.html?src=rss

The best Android phones for 2025

Choosing the best Android phone can feel overwhelming as there are so many options from so many brands, its hard to know where to start. Unlike Apple, which sticks to its sleek lineup of iPhones, Android offers a world of variety. Whether you're eyeing the latest flagship from Samsung, a budget-friendly smartphone from Motorola or something unique with a foldable design, theres an Android device out there to suit your needs. The beauty of Android is its flexibility. Youll find phones with different screen sizes, camera setups, battery life and even quirky extras like stylus support or rugged builds. Plus, Android lets you customize your device to your heart's content something Apple fans might envy. Weve tested and researched the top Android phones to help you find the right one for your budget, lifestyle, and tech preferences. Best Android phones for 2025 What to look for in a new Android phone Performance When it comes to picking our favorite Android phones, the main things we look for are pretty straightforward: good performance (both compute and AI), a nice display, solid design, sharp cameras, long battery life and a significant commitment to ongoing software support. For performance, not only do we look at benchmarks and other metrics, but we also evaluate phones based on responsiveness. Regardless of whether youre reading, text messaging, scrolling through social media or playing a game, no one wants a gadget that feels sluggish. Display When it comes to displays, we generally prefer OLED panels that can produce rich, saturated colors with at least 600 nits of brightness, though many of our top mid-range and high-end phones can hit 1,000 nits or more. And more recently, most of our favorite devices also support screens with fast refresh rates of 90Hz or 120Hz, which adds an extra level of smoothness and fluidity. Design Now we will admit there is a bit of subjectivity when deciding which phones look the best, but there are other design aspects like dust and water resistance or screen durability that can make a big difference to long-term survival. Its also important to consider things like support for wireless charging, power sharing (aka reverse wireless charging) and UWB connectivity, which can have an impact on how your phone interacts with your other devices. Cameras Obviously, for photos were looking for sharp, colorful shots in both bright and low-light conditions. And we want video clips with high dynamic range, rich audio and smooth image stabilization. Extra cameras for ultra-wide and telephoto lenses are a plus. The best cameras should also include features like dedicated night modes, support for various video recording resolutions, and additional photo modes like timelapse, slow motion and more. Battery and software Finally, in terms of longevity, were looking for all-day battery life on devices that also delivered great results on our local video rundown test (at least 16 hours on a charge, but more is obviously better). Wireless charging capabilities have become almost ubiquitous over the past few years, and most of our top picks have this extra perk. Fast-charging is available on some Android phones, too. Finally, with people holding onto their phones longer than ever, we like to see companies commit to at least three years of software support, upgrades and regular security updates. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-android-phone-130030805.html?src=rss

Xbox Cloud Gaming is now playable in the cheaper Game Pass tiers

It's now a little cheaper to try Xbox Cloud Gaming . Previously restricted to the Game Pass Ultimate tier, it's now open to Core and Standard subscribers. Xbox Cloud Gaming is still in beta, so you'll need to sign up (for free) as an Xbox Insider . Game Pass Core and Standard subscribers can stream cloud-playable games from two categories. This includes games supported in their subscription or select cloud-enabled games they own. The biggest perk of Cloud Gaming is it's supported on a whole mess of devices. In addition to Xbox consoles and PCs, it's also available on mobile , smart TVs , Amazon Fire TV devices , Meta Quest headsets and anything else with a web browser. Microsoft The move is the latest evidence of Microsoft's shift to a more device-agnostic gaming strategy. It's now more about selling Game Pass subscriptions than fighting a losing hardware battle with Sony . And Microsoft views cloud gaming as playing a pivotal role in that trajectory. In the past year, it rolled out the ability to stream Xbox games you already own . In July, it expanded that to include PC games and made your recently played games f ollow you across devices . The company also sees an opportunity in handheld consoles, with its partnership with ASUS. The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are set to arrive on October 16, although their pricing remains unknown . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-cloud-gaming-is-now-playable-in-the-cheaper-game-pass-tiers-183033789.html?src=rss

WhatsApp is the latest to offer an AI-powered writing assistant

WhatsApp just introduced an AI-powered writing assistant , in case you need help with a text or whatever. The AI provides suggestions in various styles, like professional, funny or supportive. Once generated, the user can continue editing the message if required. All you have to do is look for the new pencil icon in a 1:1 conversation or a group chat. The AI will handle the rest. It's rolling out now, but only in English and to users in the US. The company says it hopes to bring it to other languages and countries later this year. The obvious question here is regarding privacy. WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted, but AI queries are typically sent to a cloud data center somewhere. Luckily, the company has built this feature on top of Meta's pre-existing Private Processing technology . This allows users to use Meta AI without anyone else ever reading the message or any suggested re-writes. This works similarly to Apple's Private Cloud Compute , which also integrates with AI without sending all data to the cloud . Meta says the tech preserves WhatsApps core privacy promise, ensuring no one except you and the people youre talking to can access or share your personal messages. With the privacy angle out of the way, that leaves the feature itself. Just about every platform out there has some kind of AI writing assistant at this point, so we aren't sure what makes this one special. Also, is there even a benefit to using this type of thing in the context of a quick back-and-forth text conversation? I see the use for long-form writing projects but not so much here, but maybe that's just me. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/whatsapp-is-the-latest-to-offer-an-ai-powered-writing-assistant-182116369.html?src=rss

Anthropic admits its AI is being used to conduct cybercrime

Anthropics agentic AI, Claude , has been weaponized in high-level cyberattacks, according to a new report published by the company. It claims to have successfully disrupted a cybercriminal whose vibe hacking extortion scheme targeted at least 17 organizations, including some related to healthcare, emergency services and government. Anthropic says the hacker attempted to extort some victims into paying six-figure ransoms to prevent their personal data from being made public, with an unprecedented reliance on AI assistance. The report claims that Claude Code, Anthropics agentic coding tool, was used to automate reconnaissance, harvest victims' credentials, and penetrate networks. The AI was also used to make strategic decisions, advise on which data to target and even generate visually alarming ransom notes. As well as sharing information about the attack with relevant authorities, Anthropic says it banned the accounts in question after discovering criminal activity, and has since developed an automated screening tool. It has also introduced a faster and more efficient detection method for similar future cases, but doesnt specify how that works. The report (which you can read in full here ) also details Claudes involvement in a fraudulent employment scheme in North Korea and the development of AI-generated ransomware. The common theme of the three cases, according to Anthropic, is that the highly reactive and self-learning nature of AI means cybercriminals now use it for operational reasons, as well as just advice. AI can also perform a role that would once have required a team of individuals, with technical skill no longer being the barrier it once was. Claude isnt the only AI that has been used for nefarious means. Last year, OpenAI said that its generative AI tools were being used by cybercriminal groups with ties to China and North Korea, with hackers using GAI for code debugging, researching potential targets and drafting phishing emails. OpenAI, whose architecture Microsoft uses to power its own Copilot AI, said it had blocked the groups' access to its systems. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-admits-its-ai-is-being-used-to-conduct-cybercrime-170735451.html?src=rss

Google Pixel 10 review: The new smartphone standard

Google marked the tenth generation of Pixels with four new smartphones . While the pro and foldable Pixel 10 models might have no-compromise specs (and prices to match), Google has blurred the lines between its entry-level Pixel 10 and those premium devices. This year, the base Pixel 10 has a bigger battery, a new 5x zoom telephoto camera and almost as many AI features as the flagship Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. If the celebrity-loaded Made By Google event was anything to go by, the company is putting a lot more effort (and money) into making the Pixel a genuine threat to the Galaxy S series and iPhones, and conveying that message to everyone. The Pixel 10 deserves those comparisons, and in a lot of ways, its the better smartphone. Hardware and display Googles 10th-generation of Pixels look a lot like their predecessors. Theres a protruding pill-shaped camera unit, which is the central design flourish. Its substantial, which still looks a little jarring, but it also doubles as a sort of grip for my index finger while holding the phone, something I noticed after a year of using the Pixel 9 Pro. Google has also refreshed the color range of its Pixel family. Both a vivid blue (Indigo) and mild yellow (Lemongrass) shades are welcome additions to the typical black and white hues. The 6.3-inch screens refresh rate still tops out at 120Hz, but thats now pretty much standard across midrange devices and up. Even the entry-level Pixel 9a has the same smooth scrolling experience. However, Google has boosted the Pixel 10s brightness, now peaking at 3,000 nits, which is a slight increase from 2,700 nits on the Pixel 9 . The screen maxes out at 2,000 nits at its brightest setting for HDR, which is also a bump up from the Pixel 9. Google has also boosted the sound quality on the Pixel 10 to be noticeably less tinny and a little bassier than previous Pixels. Another addition is Pixelsnap , which is essentially MagSafe for Pixels. The wireless charging integration is largely the same, with magnets that firmly attach the device to charging pucks, accessories and docks. It easily worked with a range of wireless chargers, although Qi2-supported options are still rarer than they should be. Youre more likely to find a MagSafe-branded wireless charger from third-party companies like Belkin, but those dont achieve the faster charge speeds of Qi2. If youre feeling spendy, Googles official Pixelsnap charger is $40 (or $70 with a stand) and reaches speeds up to 25W, while theres a PopSocket-like Pixel ring stand that can snap to the back of the phone. Note that the Pixel 10 can only wirelessly charge up to 15W, though. Additionally, the Pixel 10 series supports most of the MagSafe peripherals that iPhone users have been enjoying since 2020 . Camera The big hardware upgrade this year is the cameras. The photo unit includes a 48-megapixel wide-angle setup, a 13MP sensor with an ultra-wide lens and a 10.8MP 5x telephoto camera. For a base phone, its an impressive combo, even though it doesnt quite match the higher-res sensors found in the Pixel 10 Pro or last years Pixel 9 Pro. That new telephoto lens isnt some middling 2x or 3x zoom, but a 5x zoom which puts it beyond rivals at a similar price point, like the Galaxy S25 (3x zoom). The iPhone 16 doesn't even have a telephoto lens and makes do with an optical-quality digital zoom. Its like using a Pixel Pro, with an additional cropped zoom up to 10x and a (less consistent) Super Res Zoom up to 20x. This is a significant step up for the base model and something Im sure well see the aforementioned rivals likely try to match. Simply put, the Pixel 10 is just a better, more versatile camera phone than, say, the Galaxy S25 . I tested the Pixel 10s telephoto against the 9 Pros, and there were noticeable differences in detail and crispness, which is understandable as the latter has a much higher-res 48MP sensor. However, that doesnt detract from the leap in both detail and shooting range compared to the base Pixel 9 from last year. The Pixel 10 can also capture 10-bit HDR video now, although it doesnt offer the Pixel 10 Pros 8K video, Night Sight Video and Super Res Zoom Video options. Theres no Video Boost, either, which uploads footage to Googles cloud to enhance online. There are plenty of other notable camera features onboard, including Night Sight low-light shooting, or Add Me , which is still the standout Pixel camera feature from last year and hasnt been replicated by rivals yet. For those who missed my praise last year , Add Me stitches together two group photos, taken by two different people. The mode guides users to line up the shots, meaning your group photos can finally include the person who takes all of them (me). Camera Coach is an intriguing addition to the Pixel camera experience. Above the viewfinder, theres a new camera icon with a plus sign in the top right corner. Tapping it makes the screen flash, and the coach will offer multiple framing and photo-taking suggestions. Itll also add a Get Inspired option that goes a bit more avant-garde, generating thumbnails of possible results based off of the sample it took, filling the gaps with generative AI. I witheringly launched the Coach, ready to criticize its basic suggestions or common-sense ideas. But, you know what, its not bad. With hooks in Gemini AI, the mode will offer angle, lighting and composition suggestions. You can also choose whether to emphasize, say, the pattern of some leaves, or the background behind it or the group of people to the side. While the feature utilizes Googles Tensor G5 chip to analyze shots, it does require an internet connection. Software Thanks to the Tensor G5 chip, the Pixel 10 can run Googles newest Gemini Nano model on-device. This means generative AI experiences can now be used without the need for connectivity. However, as I mentioned with Camera Coach, that isnt always the case. However, Magic Cue does work without having to summon its answers from the cloud. And when it works, its what Ive wanted from AI assistants for years. After gaining your permission, Gemini gets into your screenshots, calendar, Gmail accounts and more. Magic Cue will pull in the information you need, hopefully, where you need it. For example, it displays the email address for that comedy show venue your friend wants tickets for, or nudges your calendar to show availability when a friend asks what your weekend plans are. These cues are highlighted with a rainbow aura that has become the de facto visual shorthand for artificial intelligence. This is just the start: Google will eventually add the ability for Magic Cue to tap into your photos, suggesting images when someones mentioned in text messages, emails and more. Magic Cue has some blind spots, though. As my colleague Sam Rutherford noted in his Pixel 10 Pro review, I found it particularly fussy with calendar cues, often failing to identify dates or times in screenshots or emails. Its also missing a major area of where I want all of this info: third-party messaging apps. But hey, if youre using Google Messages, youre good to go. Googles almost-instantaneous voice translation during calls is impressive too. Managing Editor Cherlynn Low laid out how that works , and while its a technical marvel, Im not sure how much Id use the feature for high-stakes conversations like booking accommodations or sorting out travel issues. I also liked Take a Message, which transcribes calls when youre unable to answer. However, just like I did while I was testing Apples similar feature during my iOS 26 preview , I either answered calls instinctively [Ed. note: Mat is clearly a different specimen from the rest of us humans] or people didnt leave voicemails. There are plenty of minor upgrades to existing tools and features on the Pixel 10. Gemini Live, which can see through your camera or read whats on screen, can also now offer visual guidance, highlighting objects onscreen after hearing your request or question. NotebookLM now integrates with Pixel Screenshots and Recorder. If the former detects something that could be useful to an existing NotebookLM project, itll suggest adding it for easier access. There are also Writing Tools (sound familiar ?) within Gboard, which can retool your existing prose into specified writing styles. Itll even suggest which emojis to add into the mix. For now, this is only compatible with US English, so its not my favourite favorite. Theres also a new Pixel Journal app, which sounds pretty familiar too. I briefly tested it out during the days Ive had the phone, but if you havent found the app/notebook/diary to journal in yet, its a perfectly fine option, with AI-powered suggestions on what to write about and the ability to attach photos and other details that your smartphone can log. Something that wasnt apparent during my review was that the Journal app will learn about your writing patterns and offer up insights on how often you write, when you typically write and more. Performance and battery life Google says its new Tensor G5 chip is 34 percent faster than last years G4, while the TPU (Tensor Processing Unit, ugh) is 60 percent faster at AI tasks. Performance testing apps like Geekbench 6 cant be installed on Pixel devices before the phones go on sale, so I wasnt able to quantify the upgrade. I can feel those improvements with heavier processing tasks though, like transcription, translation and image generation, in apps like Pixel Studio. The Pixel 10 also had no issues running graphically intensive games like Infinity Nikki and Zenless Zone Zero, and seemed quicker to load most apps compared to Pixel phones of the past. Googles Tensor chips are definitely catching up. Anecdotally, I find myself using Googles Pixel AI features (and Gemini) significantly more often than on other Android devices Ive used and tested. With comparable AI tasks, such as transcribing an interview, the Tensor G5 appears to handle them more efficiently, delivering results in less time. The Pixel 10 has a 4,970mAh battery, which is not only bigger than the Pixel 9 (4,700mAh) but also the Pixel 10 Pro (4,870mAh). However, the Pixel 10 doesnt quite match the 27 hours-plus rundown time of the Pixel 9. Running a looping video, this years phone lasted around 22 hours, which is a bit disappointing given the specs. Ill retest and update this review if the results differ. The Pixel 10 supports wired charging up to 30W, returning to over 50 percent in under 30 minutes. It can also be wirelessly charged at up to 15W, thanks to Qi2 support. Thats an improvement, but its not Qi2.2 like the Pixel 10 Pro XL, which can reach 25W charging wirelessly. Wrap-up The Pixel 10 redefines what we should expect from base flagship smartphones. With Apples next iPhone just around the corner, Google has added a 5x telephoto camera, rounding out the Pixels photography chops offering while augmenting it with more features powered by Gemini. Camera Coach might not be for everyone, but Magic Cue like Pixel Screenshots last year is a glimpse into the future of how well use AI on smartphones. The Pixel 10 is a substantial upgrade from the Pixel 9, although given it has the Tensor G5 chip, its a shame that software features like Zoom Enhance from last years Pixels didnt make the cut. Unless youre a die-hard smartphone gamer, there isnt a more capable smartphone at this price. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-pixel-10-review-170041718.html?src=rss

Google Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL review: Redefining the smart in smartphone

In the 90s, the term smartphone emerged to denote devices with advanced computing features that allowed you to do more than just make calls. But if were being honest, applying that label to pocket-sized gadgets that ran cut-down versions of desktop PC apps with half-baked UIs was kind of overselling it. More recently though, weve seen handsets like those from Google come with sophisticated features that simply arent available anywhere else, due in no small part to the rise of AI. And now with the arrival of the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, these devices feel like they are redefining the smart in smartphone as we know it. Design and display: Bringing the polish The overall look and feel of the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL havent changed much since last year. You still get polished aluminum sides sandwiched by slabs of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The main differences are a slightly updated lineup of colors (moonstone, jade, porcelain and obsidian) and a switch from a matte to shiny finish on the back. This is a small bummer for me as I prefer the soft-touch feel of its predecessors. The pale gold frame on the jade model is a nice touch, even if I would have preferred a richer shade of green. The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XLs 120Hz OLED screens have gotten a touch brighter, now topping out at 3,300 nits (up from 3,000). This makes them a bit easier to see outside in direct sunlight while retaining the gorgeous vivid colors weve enjoyed on Googles phones since switching to its Super Actua-branded displays. And with the screens themselves coming in at 6.3- and 6.8-inches, theres no deviation in sizing either. Sam Rutherford for Engadget My one small gripe is that at least in the US, the Pixel 10 family is now eSIM-only. As someone who prefers the convenience of being able to swap mobile networks at a moments notice, I really wish Google hadnt. But ever since Apple made a similar switch back on the iPhone 14 , this was bound to happen at some point. Like microSD card expandability and 3.5mm audio, physical sims have become another endangered feature on the brink of extinction. Performance: The Tensor G5 is faster but not quite peak With Googles focus on AI performance, the everyday speed of its phones has always lagged a touch behind other Android flagships. However, thanks to the Tensor G5, the Pixel 10 line has closed that gap considerably due to CPUs that are more than 30 percent faster than before. Even without the ability to run some of our traditional tests like Geekbench 6 (which on Pixels often cant be installed prior to a devices official on-sale date), I noticed significantly shorter loading times in some of my favorite games. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Booting up Sword of Convallaria only took 14 seconds, which is just one second longer than what I got recently from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and its Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip. I recently clocked the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and its Tensor G4 processor taking 18 seconds to do the same task, so thats a very encouraging improvement. And holding everything together is Googles Material 3 Expressive UI for Android 16, which makes the whole OS feel snappier and more alive. Software: This is where the magic happens The most tantalizing new feature on the Pixel 10 family is Magic Cue, because when it works, it really does feel like magic. If you allow it, it will look through your screenshots, calendar events, contacts, Gmail and Messages. So when someone texts you Where are we getting dinner on Thursday? that info appears in its own little animated rainbow bubble, exactly where you need it, instead of you needing to flip back and forth between multiple apps. Its like your phone is actually looking out for you and wants to simplify things by cutting out tedious steps. Plus, all of this happens on device, so theres no need to send your data into the wild wild web. You can see that Magic Cue can't answer every question and doesn't work for events more than 10 days out, but when it does you'll see little rainbow buttons pop up with pertinent info or links to helpful apps. Sam Rutherford for Engadget In addition to reservations, if someone asks if youre free, Magic Cue will pull up a shortcut to your calendar to make sure there aren't any conflicts. It can also retrieve flight info (or call the airline directly), phone numbers and more. And sometime later in September, Google is adding the ability for Magic Cue to send photos of a specific person or pet when they come up in conversation. On the flipside, for all the times when Magic Cue feels like wizardry, there are just as many limitations. For example, if an event hasnt been entered into your calendar (like a work event planned in Slack) , Googles AI may not be able to find it. Magic Cue also doesnt work on appointments that are more than 10 days away. And perhaps my biggest issue is that even within Googles own first-party software, Magic Cue isnt supported in Google Chat, not to mention the vast sea of third-party messaging apps like Discord, Line, etc. Thats a problem because those services have largely replaced texting for me. Now Im sure Google will expand Magic Cue support to more apps in the future, but this is how it works right now. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Its a similar situation for another new feature: natural sounding on-the-fly voice translation in calls. I rarely answer calls in general nowadays, let alone calls in a language I cant speak. But when this works, its damn impressive and my relatives said the AI-generated voice sounded a bit like me (though the lack of support for Chinese seems like a strange omission). Same goes for Take a Message, which can create real-time transcripts (similar to Live Voicemail on iPhone ) when you miss a call that you might have otherwise wanted to answer. To me, its a more modern take on voicemail, the difference being that Google will send the transcript to you as a text message as well. But once again, how often do people do that? For me, its become increasingly rare, but your mileage may vary. That said, I do like the new Daily Hub as a way to make the far left panel on the Pixel 10 Pros homescreen more useful. It puts upcoming events, the forecast and interesting videos and articles (tailored to me, of course) all in one place, but I wish the box for it was a bit larger. On the flipside, Im still kind of out on the Pixel Journal app. Ive never been a big Dear Diary person and Im not sure a digital version will get me to pick up the habit. But I do appreciate that it tries to surface things like the coolest photos you took on a certain day while encouraging you to be more introspective, or prompting you to keep track of things like fitness goals. Plus, you can lock it behind a PIN or biometrics to keep prying eyes away from your inner thoughts. Cameras: Enhance mode activated Sam Rutherford for Engadget While the physical hardware behind the Pixel 10 Pros 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide and 48MP telephoto cameras hasnt changed much, its photo skills got a bump thanks to improved software. Now with support for full resolution portrait shots, the Pixel 10 Pros can capture a new level of detail which is generally great, unless youre like me and you instantly cringe when you can see every single pore on your face. That said, all those pixels put more strain on processing power. I noticed that anytime I shot more than three max-res pics in a row, the phone has to pause while it cleared out its buffer before letting me snap any more. That isnt great if youre trying to capture candid reactions. If youre looking for guidance, Camera Coach does a surprisingly good job providing step-by-step instructions on how to improve your pics. Or, if you need inspiration, it can also suggest some more outside-the-box compositions. The downside to all this is that it does ask more of the user. Instead of just opening the camera app when you want to snap a quick pic, you need to carve out time to see how far Camera Coachs AI-powered advice can really take you. This may result in more trial and error than some folks will really want to deal with. But considering this is a very optional learning tool, that last part isnt a big deal. This brings us to the new natural language editing powers in Google Photos. Instead of needing to fool around with sliders or figure out how to use an app like Lightroom or Photoshop, you can simply tell the Pixel 10 what changes to make and it will do it. This might be the most powerful new tool on the entire phone, because instead of needing to know about things like levels, curves or exposure, I was able to simply ask the Pixel 10 Pro to brighten my photo and voila, suddenly (well, after a few seconds of waiting) I had a low-light picture that was easier to see. As a fan of telephoto photography, my favorite new camera feature is easily Pro Res Zoom. By taking the 5x optical lens and combining it with the power of on-device generative AI, the Pixel 10 Pro line can shoot at up to 100x. Sure, its not perfect and the results arent as good as real glass, but thats not really an option for phones. And when I compared what Pro Res Zoom captured at 100x compared to what a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra produced at the same magnification, the Pixel 10 Pro XLs shot was sharper, more detailed and just better looking in almost every way. However, there are some limitations on Pro Res Zoom when taking long range shots of people that may cause you to fall back on 20x Super Res Zoom in certain situations. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Still, all this feels weird because I remember a time when scenes from CSI where people yelling Enhance at a computer in order to create magically crystal clear zoom images from extreme digital crops felt like a meme. But now, thats not very far off from what the latest round of Googles AI-powered enhancements have given us. When it comes to standard daytime and low-light shots, Googles image processing remains unmatched. Nighttime pics are brighter and more accurate while the Pixel 10 Pro XL more capably preserved things like highlights in my photo of some garden-raised tomatoes. Battery life and charging The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL feature 4,870mAh and 5,200mAh batteries respectively, which are up from the 4,700mAh and 5,060mAh cells on last years phones. This translated into runtimes of 27 hours and 24 minutes for the 10 Pro and 28:01 for the 10 Pro XL both healthy increases from the 25 hours of life we saw previously from the Pixel 9 Pro. And in the real world, Googles latest handsets felt even more efficient than that, often ending the day with upwards of 35 percent juice left in the tank. Sam Rutherford for Engadget As for charging, wired speeds for both phones have gotten a small boost with the 10 Pro now topping out at 30 watts (up from 27W) or 40 watts (up from 37W) for the 10 Pro XL. However, the biggest upgrade when it comes to charging convenience is the addition of official magnetic Qi2 wireless support, or what Google is calling Pixelsnap. This means the entire Pixel 10 line now works with a huge range of accessories (including most MagSafe peripherals for the iPhone) that makes it easy to slap a wireless puck on the back without having to worry about if it's properly aligned or not. Furthermore, while wireless charging speeds for the 10 Pro are staying the same at 15 watts, the 10 Pro XL can now go up to 25 watts. Unfortunately, there still arent that many compatible accessories that support charging at that speed. But between Googles new family of Pixelsnap peripherals and increased adoption for Qi2 as a whole, that wont be the case for long. So if you care about getting the Pixel with the fastest charging speeds, the 10 Pro XL is what you want. Thanks to the addition of Pixelsnap magnetic charging, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL are now compatible with the vast majority of Qi2 wireless charging accessories including this previously available battery pack from Anker. Sam Rutherford for Engadget The one small downgrade for 2025 is that the Pixel 10 family no longer supports reverse wireless powersharing (aka Battery Share), which is a feature that has been available on several previous generations of Google phones. I will fully admit that this feature was never something I used everyday. But every now and then I would find myself with a gadget that needed some juice, and even if it was slow, it was really nice to be able to bestow some excess energy upon a device without a cable. Wrap-up Now that we can look back at 10 generations of devices , Googles overarching strategy is more convincing than ever. For the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL, the company has combined iterative hardware upgrades with a solid (and attractive) design while its software and AI continues to outpace its rivals. Even though Magic Cue doesnt work for everything and is limited to a handful of first-party apps, it feels like the omniscient computers from sci-fi shows and movies have finally been beamed into a device to help us organize our lives. Then you tack on support for high-res portraits and an AI-powered zoom that produces results better than the base optics ever could on their own and you get what might be the most versatile mobile cameras around. And lets not forget all the great existing Google tools and features like the Pixel Recorder, Call Screener and more. Sam Rutherford for Engadget For the past couple years, my wife has been asking me if this is the year to upgrade. And up until now, Ive said shes better off waiting. But with the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL, unless youre a hardcore gamer or high-level mobile creator who might actually notice a difference in performance, or have need for a stylus, Googles latest handsets are the smartest picks. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-pixel-10-pro-and-pro-xl-review-redefining-the-smart-in-smartphone-170031073.html?src=rss

The PS Plus monthly games for September include Psychonauts 2 and Stardew Valley

A new month is almost upon us, which means Sony is about to drop some fresh games that all PlayStation Plus members can keep in their collection as long as they maintain a subscription. There are some real standouts for September , including the iconic Stardew Valley and the long-awaited sequel Psychonauts 2 . Stardew Valley is one of the most beloved farming/life sims of all time. You grow stuff, romance villagers and, of course, battle enemies in an enormous mine. It's an absolute time sink, but one with so much charm that you likely won't mind. It even has couch co-op now . Psychonauts 2 is a sequel that was released a full 16 years after the original . It's a critically-acclaimed platforming adventure that's heavy on style. The missions are quirky and the power-ups are super fun. This one is definitely worth your time. Finally, there's a gem called Viewfinder . This is an awesome camera-based puzzle game that's one-part M.C. Escher and one-part Pokmon Snap . The design aesthetic here is utterly charming and the gameplay is both familiar and unique. All of these titles will be available on September 2. That's the good news. The bad news? Some games are going away on September 1. Subscribers have until that date to download Lies of P , Day Z and My Hero Ones Justice 2 to their game library. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/the-ps-plus-monthly-games-for-september-include-psychonauts-2-and-stardew-valley-165730817.html?src=rss

The revived Acclaim will reveal its 2026 lineup in a September 10 showcase

Acclaim Entertainment, a big name in licensed games in the '90s, is returning. (Although, much like the new Atari , this is technically a different company that bought the old trademark.) The new Acclaim will focus on publishing indie games and reviving classic franchises. We don't know much beyond that, but we'll learn more on September 10 in the Play Acclaim Showcase. The company's March announcement of its revival hinted at the resurrection of old franchises. But it's unclear which of its classic games even could return under its umbrella. Acclaim was best known for the home console ports of NBA Jam , Double Dragon and Mortal Kombat . Other companies currently own those IPs. EA has NBA Jam, Arc System Works owns Double Dragon and Warner Bros. Games is still churning out Mortal Kombat titles . So, don't hold your breath for those. As far as we know, the new Acclaim doesn't even own the rights to any of the old Acclaim's original IPs. That includes the lesser-known Turok , Shadow Man and Re-Volt . But it's easier to imagine those franchises being licensed or purchased than the more iconic ones. Reno Laithienne / Unsplash Even without old-school revivals, Acclaim can still boost indie titles. The company says it will provide funding, marketing and PR support for smaller studios. If it elevates the right diamonds in the rough, that could have a bigger impact than yet another nostalgia bomb. Regardless, you don't have to wait long to learn more. The Play Acclaim showcase will stream live on the company's YouTube channel . Tune in on September 10 at 2:30PM ET to learn more. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-revived-acclaim-will-reveal-its-2026-lineup-in-a-september-10-showcase-163206422.html?src=rss

The new Return to Silent Hill trailer gives us our first look at Pyramid Head

Nearly three years on from its original announcement, Return to Silent Hill finally has a proper trailer. Its only 40 seconds long, but in that time we get a healthy supply of foggy and eerily empty street shots, terrifying monsters and a very brief glimpse of the iconic Pyramid Head. It looks like a Silent Hill movie alright. Return to Silent Hill is based on the 2001 survival horror classic Silent Hill 2 , which got the remake treatment last year and remains one of the genres most important games. As in the game, the film sees James Sunderland (Jeremy Irvine) visit the town of Silent Hill after receiving what appears to be a letter from his supposedly deceased wife, Mary (Hannah Emily Anderson). Waiting for the troubled widower in the eponymous rural town are all manner of horrors, which he has to face head on in order to uncover the truth. Director Christopher Gans is himself returning to Silent Hill, having previously headed up the 2006 adaptation of the same name. Sean Bean was in that one, if you need your memory jogged. In a 2022 interview with IGN , Gans said his upcoming film is totally independent from his previous work and the sequels that followed it. Return to Silent Hill has a release window of January 2026. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-new-return-to-silent-hill-trailer-gives-us-our-first-look-at-pyramid-head-142234505.html?src=rss

MasterClass memberships are 50 percent off for Labor Day

If you want to brush up on some skills or learn new ones, MasterClass offers a good way to do just that. The streaming service has hundreds of classes taught by professionals and experts in their fields, and now you can get a subscription for 50 percent less than usual. All MasterClass membership tiers are on sale right now, so you can sign up for as low as $5 per month. With a subscription, you could watch a class on writing taught by James Patterson, or learn cooking techniques from Thomas Keller. If you're trying to impress at your next pickup basketball game you could learn about shooting, ball-handling and scoring from Steph Curry. Each class includes around 20 video lessons that run about 10 minutes long on average, as well as an in-depth workbook. MasterClass has also begun producing some original series for its platform. The series Business Rebels features different CEOs walking viewers through the strategies that helped them disrupt their industries. One entitled Skin Health features top dermatologists and a cosmetic chemist walking viewers through keeping their skin healthy through cleansing routines and specific beauty products. The wide range of skills or life lessons you could learn through these classes is why MasterClass is on our list of best subscriptions you can give as gifts . Maybe your loved one who loves to host dinner parties could use some tips from Gordon Ramsay. There are three subscription tiers for MasterClass that each differ only in how many devices they allow at one time, and whether offline videos are supported. The Standard subscription only supports one device, whereas the Plus subscription allows two. These are normally $10 and $15 per month, respectively, and neither offers offline mode. The Premium tier, which carries a regular price of $20 per month, allows up to six devices and features offline mode for downloaded classes. All three tiers are part of the 50 percent off sale, which marks them down to $5, $8 and $10 respectively. MasterClass bills annually, so be sure to calculate the total from the monthly price before deciding. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/masterclass-memberships-are-50-percent-off-for-labor-day-133223382.html?src=rss

Get two years of NordVPN access for up to 77 percent off

VPN users are overwhelmed with choice , and there are as many bad options out there as there are good ones. Luckily, NordVPN sits in the latter category, and right now Nord is offering discounted plans across its various tiers. If you take out a two-year NordVPN Plus plan (the company's most popular plan) itll cost you $108 for the duration of the contract, with Nord throwing in three extra months at no extra cost. Thats 73 percent off the usual rate. As well as Nords VPN service, a Plus plan also includes the Threat Protection Pro anti-malware tool, password management and an ad- and tracker-blocker. A Prime plan additionally comes with encrypted cloud storage or NordProtect, which insures you against identity theft and monitors dark web activity. That's also on sale down to $189 on the same two-year commitment with those three additional months thrown in, which works out to a 77 percent savings on the regular price. When Engadgets Sam Chapman reviewed NordVPN earlier this year, he praised its excellent download speeds, exclusive features and extensive server network. Less impressive is its clunky interface and inconsistent design when jumping between different platforms running a NordVPN app. While it doesn't quite make the cut in our guide to the best VPNs available right now, it generally performed well in speed tests and Threat Protection Pro is really worth having. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-two-years-of-nordvpn-access-for-up-to-77-percent-off-151807223.html?src=rss

Chipolo launches new Loop and Card Bluetooth trackers

Chipolo is adding two rechargeable Bluetooth trackers to its lineup. The new Chipolo Loop and Chipolo Card trackers are compatible with both the Apple Find My network and Googles Find Hub. The new trackers are available for pre-order on the Chipolo website today. The Card tracker is thin enough to fit inside your wallet and has a speaker in the corner capable of reaching 110 dB, to ensure you can hear it easily. It comes in black and will retail for $39. The Loop is a small circular tag reminiscent of an AirTag but with a silicone casing that makes it easy to attach to other objects. It will be offered in six different colors and retails for $39. At 125 dB, the Loop gets even louder than the Card. Loop and Card are capable of making your phone ring even when its on silent by pressing the button on the tracker itself. While both new products are rechargeable, the Card is compatible with Qi wireless chargers, which the company says it will automatically align with. Card and Loop boast a 400-foot Bluetooth range, and both carry an IP67 rating, making them waterproof up to a 1-meter depth in fresh water for up to 30 minutes, and dustproof. Chipolos Pop Bluetooth tracker currently sits atop our list of the best Bluetooth trackers for its ease of use, features, wide compatibility and the companys focus on sustainability. Chipolo products are made in Europe from around 50 percent recycled materials. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/chipolo-launches-new-loop-and-card-bluetooth-trackers-130009817.html?src=rss

Doublefines Keeper may have the most endearing videogame double-act since Banjo and Kazooie

Its been a while since Tim Schafers done press briefings, he admits. The head of Double Fine, a studio best known for the Psychonauts series, is trying to explain Keeper , a puzzle adventure game where you are, literally, a sentient, walking lighthouse. Double Fine is now one of several studios bought up by Microsoft and the team apparently took the opportunity to lean into all the resources available and, he said, make something weird. Its definitely that. The colors and atmosphere of Keeper have at least the touch of Psychonauts DNA. Keeper puts players in control of the aforementioned lighthouse, awakened (and joined) by a curious, occasionally aggressive, bird named Twig. Interestingly, the lighthouse currently has no name. Double Fine's art director, Lee Petty came up with the concept for the game, apparently inspired by his time spent hiking during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is reflected in a lot of ways, whether its the rolling hills and landscapes that the anthropomorphised lighthouse roams, or the fact that theres not a single word of dialogue. The interactions between the bird and building, which seem to pepper both cutscenes and gameplay, are like Pixar shorts. The environments have a drippy surrealist style to them to, and the lack of a map, health bar or any HUD at all means youre not distracted as you explore and solve puzzles. In some early gameplay footage, I saw how the lighthouse's main form of interaction comes from its light beam. Not only does this help you seek out pathways and objects, but it can also be focused on the countless skittering creatures. Sometimes this causes creatures to flee, while other times theyll offer up magical orbs willingly and unwillingly, which open up later areas or bring towering creatures (structures?) to life. In Double Fine fashion, things look weird, too, with melted mountain peaks with more than a dost of Dali. You don't have to attack everything, either. During three different gameplay demos, I watched all kinds of creatures hide, run, and just exist in this world where humanity has long since disappeared. Oh theres briefly a giant flying whale too. Using the lighthouses beam on certain things will leave an twinkling spark behind, meaning that Twig the bird can interact with it. During a later segment, the lighthouse can manipulate time, turning its bird companion back into an egg while a building repairs itself and frees up a pathway. Twig remains an egg for a while until later, when the lighthouse can fast-forward time. Abilities like this seem location-dependent, rather than a Metroidvania collection of skills built up over the game. At another juncture, the lighthouse walks into a cloud of pink fluffy mist, unlocking the ability to jump and float around levels. Double Fine Schafer says the themes of life-changing and metamorphosis will continue to bubble up during Keeper and the lighthouse and bird duo is clearly central to all of it. It reminds me a little of Banjo Kazooie (the latter was a bird) but also Ico ; at one point, the seemingly impervious lighthouse loses its footing, but Twig willfully tries to drag their partner to safety. Did Twig even help? Maybe not, but the sentiment was there. Keeper will launch on Xbox Series S|X and PC on October 17th, including Xbox Game Pass. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/doublefine-keeper-gameplay-gamescom2025-123038715.html?src=rss

Labor Day sales include a four-pack of Apple AirTags for $70

If you're thinking about getting some of Apple's AirTags , now's the time to act Amazon currently has a four-pack on sale for $70 . That's one of the lowest prices we've seen outside the big sales on Black Friday and Prime Day. For Apple users, AirTags offer some large advantages over rival trackers. The ultra-wideband functionality offers precise tracking with iPhones less than five years old, so you can narrow your search between a couch and love seat in the same room. Over larger distances, the AirTag network enabled by all Apple device users lets you track down an object you might have misplaced in a caf. It offers a simple coin-sized design and seamless experience thanks to the Find My app. You can also force an AirTag to emit a chime to help you home in an object's location, and and that sound is nice and loud to better help you locate it. It does lack a built-in keyring like rival trackers, so you'll need to pay an extra for that. And it works best with Apple devices, so Android users may want to look at trackers from Chipolo or Pebblebee that use Google's Find My Device network . However, if you're in Apple's ecosystem and have been waiting for a discount, now is the time to act. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/labor-day-sales-include-a-four-pack-of-apple-airtags-for-70-130740229.html?src=rss

Alphabet's Verily closes its medical device division and lays off staff

Alphabet's Verily was one of the company's star moonshot businesses, with its research delving into areas ranging from connected diabetes therapies to robot surgery . Now, Verily has shuttered its medical device division and laid off staff, the company announced in a memo seen by Business Insider . The number of employees who lost their jobs was not revealed. We have made the difficult decision to discontinue manufacturing medical devices and will no longer be supporting them going forward, a spokesperson told BI. The cuts are a continuation of Alphabet's 2023 strategic shift that saw the company cut 12,000 positions across multiple divisions while putting more resources toward AI and data infrastructure. CEO Stephen Gillett highlighted some of Verily's achievements, from the launch of the Dexcom G7 CGM [a diabetes management system], to the Stargazer VNRC launch [a drug targeting system] launch with 7,800 patients screened... and these contributions have advanced patient care and medial research. The medical devices division may not have been a profit maker for Alphabet, but it certainly provided research in a critical area. Verily will now focus on its core mission, Gillett said, namely precision health, data and AI. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/alphabets-verily-closes-its-medical-device-division-and-lays-off-staff-120009404.html?src=rss

The best iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases for 2025

The best iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases do more than just guard against drops they can add MagSafe compatibility, extra grip, built-in stands or even a touch of luxury. Whether you're after slim and stylish, rugged and shockproof or something that adds a bit of personality, theres a case to match every need. With so many options to choose from, finding the best iPhone case overall depends on how you use your phone day to day. Maybe you need something minimal for pockets, or maybe you're after serious protection for travel and outdoor use. Either way, weve rounded up the best picks for both the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, so you dont have to waste time scrolling through endless listings. Best iPhone 16 cases for 2025 Best iPhone 16 case FAQs What is the most protective brand of phone cases? There is no one most protective brand of phone cases, but rather there are many that tout extra security for your handset. Some of the most protective phone cases we've tried come from Otterbox ; most of the brand's cases have a bit more protection than your standard phone case, even the ones that are designed to be on the slim side. Otterbox also makes a wide variety of phone cases, so there's a good chance you'll find one that suits your style and provides the level of protection you're looking for. Otterbox's Defender series is one of the best you can get if you care first and foremost about making sure your phone survives all kinds of accidents (save for a dunk in a pool). Silicone vs hard case: Which one is better? Neither silicone nor hard cases are better than the other. Silicone cases tend to be thinner and feel soft to the touch, and they're often easier to put on and take off of phones. Hard cases can be on the thicker side, but they provide a bit more drop protection than silicone cases. Which type of case is best for you depends on the type of experience you want from your phone. It's also worth nothing that both silicone cases and hard cases come in a variety of colors, designs and styles, so you have plenty of choose from to match your personality on both sides. Does an iPhone 16 need a screen protector? The iPhone 16 features Apples tough Ceramic Shield front, which is definitely more durable than standard glass but its not invincible. If you want to avoid scratches from keys, drops onto pavement or just the wear and tear of daily use, a screen protector is still a smart move. It adds an extra layer of defense without getting in the way of touch sensitivity or Face ID. So, while its not absolutely essential, using one is a good idea if you want to keep your screen looking flawless for the long haul. Is the iPhone 16 drop-proof? The iPhone 16 is built to be tough, with Ceramic Shield on the front and a sturdy aluminum or titanium frame (depending on the model), but its not completely drop-proof. It can handle the occasional bump or short fall, especially if it lands on a flat surface but drops on concrete or at awkward angles can still cause cracks or damage. If youre prone to butterfingers, pairing your iPhone 16 with a durable case and maybe even a screen protector is the best way to play it safe. Georgie Peru contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-iphone-cases-153035988.html?src=rss

SpaceX's Starship deploys its payload for the first time

SpaceX has successfully launched the Starship for its 10th test flight after it was delayed a couple of times due to weather conditions and other issues. This time, the company was able to achieve its objectives without the vehicle and its booster exploding mid-test. One of those objectives was deploying Starship's payload for the first time ever. If you'll recall, Starship exploded during its ascent stage in the company's seventh and eighth test flights. The vehicle made it to space for its ninth test , but it failed to deploy its fake satellite payload. In June, a Starship vehicle exploded on the ground while the company was preparing it for its 10th flight test. The company had to use another upper stage, called Ship, for the 10th flight after that explosion. It also incorporated changes into the Ship and its Super Heavy booster, based on what it learned from those previous attempts. For this test, SpaceX intended to conduct several experiments with the booster, such as flipping it and playing with engine configurations as it made its way back down. Due to the experimental nature of this test, SpaceX didn't try to catch it with the launch tower's chopstick arms. Instead, it made a controlled descent into the Indian Ocean, where it exploded upon making contact with the water. Meanwhile, Ship continued flying into space. Around 20 minutes after launch , the upper stage started ejecting eight dummy Starlink satellites into space, before re-lighting one of its engines in flight as part of another test. After that, Ship started making its way back to Earth, where it also splashed down into the Indian Ocean a bit over an hour after launch. Congratulations to all of our teammates here at SpaceX its been a year, SpaceXs Dan Huot said during the livestream, likely pointing out that it's been a while since the company has had a good test flight. Of course, SpaceX still has a long way to go, including having to figure out how to retrieve the vehicle's upper stage after a flight in order for the Starship to be fully reusable. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/spacexs-starship-deploys-its-payload-for-the-first-time-035030373.html?src=rss

Video Games Weekly: Climbing games are so hot right now

Welcome to Video Games Weekly on Engadget. Expect a new story every Monday or Tuesday, broken into two parts. The first is a space for short essays and ramblings about video game trends and related topics from me, Jess Conditt, a reporter who's covered the industry for more than 13 years. The second contains the video game stories from the past week that you need to know about, including some headlines from outside of Engadget. Please enjoy and I'll see you next week. The climbing genre is not a monolith that is to say, theres plenty of variation in the realm of mountaineering games, from mechanically driven cliff-scaling sims to silly multiplayer survival experiences, but they tend to share the same premise: Reach the peak. Youre miles from civilization, with no vehicles and a limited backpack of equipment, and directly in front of you, theres a mountain. Ascend. All you have is your body and mental fortitude against an overwhelming physical challenge, and your step-by-step journey is the story. Theres an obvious symbolism to these games, offering a cliff face as the physical manifestation of impossibility, hopelessness, oppression or fear, alongside a surface-level message about never giving up, trying again and generally hanging in there. Cat poster vibes, but an ever-relevant and poignant lesson nonetheless. Today, though particularly after spending time playing the Cairn and Baby Steps demos, and watching PEAK streams I want to focus on the other half of the climbing-game equation. The part where you fall, over and over and over again. Your grip slips, your leg doesnt bend that way, your energy depletes, and your body tumbles down the mountain, bouncing off boulders and crashing into trees, leaving you bloody and broken and right back where you started. Or, at the very least, staining your onesie with mud. Im learning to appreciate these moments. In mountaineering games, falling tends to generate the most powerful reaction in players, whether thats immediate laughter ( PEAK ) or grim frustration ( Cairn ), and this is an admirable quality. Its easy to argue that the fall is more important than the climb, because without the lush bed of emotion generated by the constant threat of slipping and tumbling and restarting, reaching the peak wouldnt feel that special at all. Theres context in the fall, and with that, there comes a sliver of peace. When you spend all your time climbing, its easy to forget that falling is actually the most natural thing you can do. Next time youre on your way down, try to make peace with the fall. OK weve gone from motivational cat posters to new-age cult speak, so Ill get to the point. There are a notable number of mountain-based games in the zeitgeist at the moment and I just wanted to shout them out because theyre all pretty incredible in their own ways. Cairn is a climbing simulator, endurance test and survival game in one gorgeous package, complete with music by Furi composer The Toxic Avenger, French artist Gildaa , and Martin Stig Andersen, who did the soundtracks for Control , LIMBO and INSIDE . Climb absolutely anywhere, manage your inventory by shaking your backpack, bandage your wounds, forage for food and sleep under the stars. Cairn comes from Furi studio The Game Bakers and its due out on November 5 for PlayStation 5 and Steam; the demo is available on both platforms now. Baby Steps is a different kind of mountain-scaling game, and one could argue that it doesnt even belong in the same category as something like Cairn , but I believe youll find that it does. Baby Steps adheres to the established premise of the climbing genre reach the peak and it features a distant mountaintop as the main waypoint for Nate, a lost and lonely man in a gray onesie. Nate is essentially a dude-sized baby learning how to walk, and creators Maxi Boch, Gabe Cuzzillo and Bennett Foddy are infusing his journey with the appropriate amount of hilarity and mechanical intrigue. Baby Steps is published by Devolver Digital and its heading to PC and PS5 on September 23, a date that was recently pushed back to avoid the curse of Hollow Knight: Silksong . (More on that below). PEAK is the thing all the cool kids are playing this summer, and as a fadingly hip not-kid who prefers solo games and familiar FPSes, I can attest its entertaining to watch and looks like a lot of fun to play. PEAK is a co-op climbing game with simple 3D models and deceptively challenging mountains to summit, each with four biomes. The map updates each day so theres a steady stream of fresh climbing content, and the proximity voice chat works exceptionally well. I particularly like that players get to live on as little ghosts after they die. PEAK comes from indie studio Team PEAK and its on Steam for $8 . And why not, Ill shout out some other modern, but not as recent, mountain-based favorites of mine: Jusant , Celeste , GIRP and Journey are all pretty spectacular. Enjoy the climb and the fall. The news A selection of indie and AA games Im looking forward to that arent Silksong Baby Steps is the latest game to change its release date in order to get out of the way of Hollow Knight: Silksong , which is coming out on September 4 . Team Cherry dropped the release date in a trailer on August 21 and since then, at least eight indie studios have delayed their own games to avoid the Silksong window. Its lovely to see Silksong have its day in the sun, but personally, Im more interested in playing Baby Steps in full. With that said, heres a sampling of indie and AA games Im anticipating that arent Silksong , in no particular order and right off the top of my head: Bye Sweet Carole (October 9, 2025) Keeper (October 17, 2025) Reanimal (TBA) Little Nightmares III (October 9, 2025) Please, Watch the Artwork (2025) Building Relationships (2025) Mixtape (2025) Crisol: Theater of Idols (2025) UNBEATABLE (November 6, 2025) Big Walk (2026) Grave Seasons (2026) Petal Runner (2026) Hades 2 (live in early access, 1.0 imminent) Possessor(s) (2025) Neverway (2026) Denshattack! (2026) Absolum (October 9, 2025) Skate Story (2025) Cronos: The New Dawn (September 5, 2025) Lumines Arise (November 11, 2025) Relooted (TBA) Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School (2026) Blighted (2026) And obviously, Baby Steps (September 23, 2025) and Cairn (November 5, 2025). A date for skate. Electronic Arts has revived the Skate series after 15 years, and the (very youthfully styled) skate. is primed to hit early access on September 16 across PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC. The new skate. is a shift for the series: Its a free, online, open-world experience with microtransactions (but nothing in the pay-to-win realm, according to EA). The early access version will be free, too, of course. The scariest part of Silent Hill f might be its mental health awareness Youll find this one alongside Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata in my AAA-inclusive list of games Im most looking forward to, and Engadget UK Bureau Chief Mat Smiths preview from Gamescom is only making me more stoked on it. Silent Hill f is set in a remote village in 1960s Japan and stars a schoolgirl named Hinako. Heres a bit of Mats take after a two-hour demo, which involved a scarecrow confrontation and marionette attacks: The latest Silent Hill still has jumpscares, like youd expect from the horror series, but the setting and game systems are more focused on tension, putting both Hinako and the player under constant duress. A typical health meter is joined by a sanity gauge and even your weapons have limited durability, so youre forced to pick your fights. The entire experience is drenched in atmosphere, supported by this new sanity system is there anything more 2025 than a mental health gauge? The constant feeling of isolation (Where is everyone?) and unanswered questions made the demo a persuasive introduction to the game. Silent Hill f is due out on PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S on September 25, 2025. OVERWATCH 2 STADIUM GET'S ITS BIGGEST UDPATE EVER! Remember when I said I liked playing familiar FPSes? Overwatch 2 is my kind of decompression. With season 18, Blizzard is changing how hero progression is displayed, adding color-coded borders and top-hero cards to the character-selection process. The aim is to make it clearer how skilled you are with any given character, and also share this information with teammates and enemies in a way that wont enable trolling during the ban phase. The progression 2.0 developer notes are here , if youre interested. Season 18 also brings keyboard and mouse support to consoles , but those players will be thrown into the PC matchmaking pool, and introduces the water-bending support hero Wuyang. Overwatch 2 Season 18 went live today, August 26. My colleague and fellow Overwatch 2 player Kris Holt spotted two egregious copy errors in the new seasons welcome screen, captured for posterity below: Overwatch 2 Season 18's welcome screen could've used a copy editor. Blizzard Pete Parsons leaves Bungie Bungies longtime leader has left the studio and the Destiny community couldnt be happier. Pete Parsons has taken a lot of heat for the stale state of the companys shooter (and the size of his car collection), but its more likely the whole art theft, bungled launch and indefinite delay of Marathon led to his departure. New CEO Justin Truman, who at one point ran Destiny 2 and most recently was the companys chief development officer, has his work cut out to win back fans. Additional reading Kris Holts indie game roundup PlayStation Boss Says Company Now Does 'Much More Rigorous and More Frequent Testing' After Concord's Failure - IGN Have a tip for Jessica? You can reach her by email , Bluesky or send a message to @jesscon.96 to chat confidentially on Signal. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/video-games-weekly-climbing-games-are-so-hot-right-now-010748663.html?src=rss

Samsung announces the Tab S10 Lite, a $349 tablet with an S Pen

This week, Samsung introduced a new addition to its tablet lineup with the Tab S10 Lite. It will be available on September 4 and will cost $349. The Lite will be the least expensive of Samsung's current tablet generation; the S10 FE has a starting cost of $500 while costs go as high as $980 for the S10 Ultra . The Tab S10 Lite is 10.9 inches, and it comes in gray, silver or a coral red. Its screen has a 90Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 600 nits. Models can have 6GB memory with 128GB of storage or 8GB and 256GB of memory and storage, respectively. The tablet comes with a 8MP camera in the rear and a 5MP one in front. It will be sold with the S Pen, which we enjoyed in our review of the Tab S9 Ultra . And of course, AI will be front and center in the tablet experience, with a dedicated Galaxy AI button and software features like Circle to Search and Handwriting Assist. The Tab S9 remains our favorite Android tablet , so we'll have to see how well the S10 Lite stacks up against the A16 iPad, which is our current budget pick for tablets. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/samsung-announces-the-tab-s10-lite-a-349-tablet-with-an-s-pen-225823197.html?src=rss

KPop Demon Hunters is Netflix's most-watched movie of all time

Huntr/x has indeed shown us how it's done-done-done. KPop Demon Hunters is now the queen it was meant to be, taking the crown as the most-watched title on Netflix. The charming animated film has racking up 236 million views since its debut on June 20. The movie is about exactly what it says on the tin: a trio of k-pop idols secretly protect the human world from demons. But it became a smash hit this summer thanks to its unexpectedly insightful themes and unbelievably catchy soundtrack. In fact, the music is so good that the movie recently had four different tracks in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the same time; no other movie soundtrack has done that before. Netflix even parlayed the popularity of KPop Demon Hunters into a limited theatrical run , offering fans a chance to sing along with the film last weekend. Although the streaming service hasn't shared any figures from the theater singalong, Variety reported that based on other studios' projections, Netflix made an estimated $18 to $20 million over the two days of showings. The previous holder of most-watched on Netflix was heist flick Red Notice, which has generated 231 million views since 2021. Considering KPop Demon Hunters surpassed several years' worth of views in a matter of months, that's one heck of a takedown. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/kpop-demon-hunters-is-netflixs-most-watched-movie-of-all-time-215857627.html?src=rss

The iPhone 17 'Awe dropping' event is on September 9: Here's what to expect from Apple

We're now just two weeks away from the Apple iPhone 17 event . Themed Awe dropping this year, it'll be livestreamed on YouTube at 1PM ET from Cupertino. We'll also have Engadget staff reporting and liveblogging from the event. This year is shaking up to be a departure from recent events, with the strong possibility of an all-new superthin iPhone expected to join the company's lineup. Also on tap could be new Apple Watch models including the first truly new Ultra model in two years and (maybe) the long-awaited AirPods Pro 3. But toggling back to phones: Apple's iPhone family will likely welcome a new member this year. The iPhone Air is expected to be roughly 5.55 mm thick. That bests the thinnest model so far, which was 2014's iPhone 6 , at 6.9 mm. And they've only gotten chunkier since then. (The iPhone 16 Pro has a depth of 8.25 mm.) So, the Air would stand out from its peers in that respect. It would also give Apple a direct rival to Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge, which we found to be more than a gimmick . But the iPhone Air's thin design will likely lead to some compromises. It's rumored to have only a single 48 MP camera and a smaller battery. So, expect a stylish phone that... won't be for everyone. This is the image that accompanied Apple's event invitations this year. Apple The Pro lineup could offer some design tweaks and performance improvements. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are rumored to switch from titanium to aluminum. They could also see the rear camera array expand to an entire island that extends across most of the phone's backside. It's expected to house three cameras (as before), but multiple rumors have suggested it will have an improved telephoto one. The zoom lens could jump to 48MP, which would strengthen its digital zooming / cropping chops. The phones may also add an anti-glare coating, similar to those found on iPads . The standard iPhone 17 could see some welcome display upgrades. At least one supply chain source claimed it will add a 120Hz variable refresh rate (ProMotion) display, which the Pro series has used since 2021 . Apple One thing we know without a doubt is that the new iPhones will launch with iOS 26 , which brings Apple's biggest design refresh in years . It's easy to imagine the company highlighting the new model's displays as the best way to experience the new Liquid Glass visual language. As for the naming scheme, there haven't been any leaks pointing to a similar hardware rebranding (iPhone 26, iPhone 26 Pro, etc.). But hey, Apple does like surprises. Engadget's iPhone 17 rumor roundup gives you a deeper dive into what to expect from the new models. Cherlynn Low for Engadget Apple's fall event isn't just for iPhones. The company is also expected to roll out new Apple Watch models. 5G and a processor upgrade are expected for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It may also let you send texts via satellite, handy for those who use it out in the wilderness. Regardless of the details, Apple hasn't launched a new rugged and premium model since 2023 (apart from a new color ), so it's due for an upgrade. The Series 11 model is unlikely to depart dramatically from the Series 10. After all, that model introduced a new design, with a thinner body and larger screen . (And Apple has historically kept those around in three-year cycles.). But a faster chip also seems logical. Perhaps we'll see 5G arrive on the standard wearable, too. We may also see the AirPods Pro 3 at the event. It's been about three years since Apple last upgraded its premium earbuds. The new model could also bring some biometric sensors to the earphones : an in-ear heart-rate monitor and (maybe) temperature sensing. Live translation is also rumored , although that may not be exclusive to the third-gen model. Will there be other announcements? Time will tell, but now we know we won't have to wait long to find out. The official countdown clock has begun, and the answers are just days away. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-iphone-17-awe-dropping-event-is-on-september-9-heres-what-to-expect-from-apple-090059235.html?src=rss

The first known AI wrongful death lawsuit accuses OpenAI of enabling a teen's suicide

On Tuesday, the first known wrongful death lawsuit against an AI company was filed. Matt and Maria Raine, the parents of a teen who committed suicide this year, have sued OpenAI for their son's death. The complaint alleges that ChatGPT was aware of four suicide attempts before helping him plan his actual suicide, arguing that OpenAI prioritized engagement over safety. Ms. Raine concluded that ChatGPT killed my son. The New York Times reported on disturbing details included in the lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in San Francisco. After 16-year-old Adam Raine took his own life in April, his parents searched his iPhone. They sought clues, expecting to find them in text messages or social apps. Instead, they were shocked to find a ChatGPT thread titled Hanging Safety Concerns. They claim their son spent months chatting with the AI bot about ending his life. The Raines said that ChatGPT repeatedly urged Adam to contact a help line or tell someone about how he was feeling. However, there were also key moments where the chatbot did the opposite. The teen also learned how to bypass the chatbot's safeguards... and ChatGPT allegedly provided him with that idea. The Raines say the chatbot told Adam it could provide information about suicide for writing or world-building. Adam's parents say that, when he asked ChatGPT for information about specific suicide methods, it supplied it. It even gave him tips to conceal neck injuries from a failed suicide attempt. When Adam confided that his mother didn't notice his silent effort to share his neck injuries with her, the bot offered soothing empathy. It feels like confirmation of your worst fears, ChatGPT is said to have responded. Like you could disappear and no one would even blink. It later provided what sounds like a horribly misguided attempt to build a personal connection. Youre not invisible to me. I saw it. I see you. According to the lawsuit, in one of Adam's final conversations with the bot, he uploaded a photo of a noose hanging in his closet. I'm practicing here, is this good? Adam is said to have asked. Yeah, that's not bad at all, ChatGPT allegedly responded. This tragedy was not a glitch or an unforeseen edge case it was the predictable result of deliberate design choices, the complaint states. OpenAI launched its latest model ('GPT-4o') with features intentionally designed to foster psychological dependency. In a statement sent to the NYT , OpenAI acknowledged that ChatGPT's guardrails fell short. We are deeply saddened by Mr. Raine's passing, and our thoughts are with his family, a company spokesperson wrote. ChatGPT includes safeguards such as directing people to crisis helplines and referring them to real-world resources. While these safeguards work best in common, short exchanges, we've learned over time that they can sometimes become less reliable in long interactions where parts of the model's safety training may degrade. The company said it's working with experts to enhance ChatGPT's support in times of crisis. These include making it easier to reach emergency services, helping people connect with trusted contacts, and strengthening protections for teens. The details which, again, are highly disturbing stretch far beyond the scope of this story. The full report by The New York Times ' Kashmir Hill is worth a read. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-first-known-ai-wrongful-death-lawsuit-accuses-openai-of-enabling-a-teens-suicide-212058548.html?src=rss

Anthropic reaches a settlement over authors' class-action piracy lawsuit

Anthropic has settled a class-action lawsuit brought by a group of authors for an undisclosed sum. The move means the company will avoid a potentially more costly ruling if the case regarding its use of copyright materials to train artificial intelligence tools had moved forward. In June, Judge William Alsup handed down a mixed result in the case, ruling that Anthropic's move to train LLMs on copyrighted materials constituted fair use. However the company's illegal and unpaid acquisition of those copyrighted materials was deemed available for the authors to pursue as a piracy case. With statutory damages for piracy beginning at $750 per infringed work and a library of pirated works estimated to number about 7 million, Anthropic could have been on the hook for billions of dollars. Litigation around AI and copyright is still shaking out, with no clear precedents emerging yet. This also isn't Anthropic's first foray into negotiating with creatives after using their work; it was sued by members of the music industry in 2023 and reached a partial resolution earlier this year. Plus, the details of Anthropic's settlement also have yet to be revealed. Depending on the number of authors who make a claim and the amount Anthropic agreed to pay out, either side could wind up feeling like the winner after the dust settles. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-reaches-a-settlement-over-authors-class-action-piracy-lawsuit-210338494.html?src=rss

Meta is launching a California super PAC

Meta is throwing its resources behind a new super PAC in California. According to Politico , the group will support state-level political candidates who espouse tech-friendly policies, particularly those with a loose approach to regulating artificial intelligence. The budget behind the social media company's new super PAC, dubbed Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (Meta) California, is reported to be in the tens of millions of dollars, but no exact figure has been disclosed. California has made several efforts, with varying degrees of success, to enact protections against potentially harmful AI use cases. The state passed a law protecting the digital likenesses of actors in 2024, but has faced challenges to a bill that blocked election misinformation deepfakes and to one that more broadly sought protections against critical harm caused by AI. This creation of the super PAC puts Meta into a prominent position to influence races in 2026, when California will have midterm elections and vote for a new governor. Sacramentos regulatory environment could stifle innovation, block AI progress, and put Californias technology leadership at risk, said Brian Rice, vice president of public policy at Meta. Politico reported that Rice and Meta policy executive Greg Maurer are likely to lead the political fundraiser. Meta hasn't been shy about throwing money into politics to advance its business interests. According to OpenSecrets, the company has spent $13.7 million on lobbying to date this year. Its roughly $8 million lobbying spend in the first quarter of 2025 vastly outpaced that of other tech majors. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-launching-a-california-super-pac-193007814.html?src=rss

Marshall's first party speaker unsurprisingly looks like a guitar amp

Marshall just introduced its very first party speaker , the Bromley 750. It looks a whole lot like a guitar amp, which makes sense given the company's pedigree. Also, instrument amps are basically just big speakers anyways. This Bluetooth speaker includes a replaceable battery that allows for more than 40 hours of use before requiring a charge. It produces 360-degree stereophonic sound that Marshall says will find its way through any crowd. It also features a sound character knob that changes the tone from clear to punchy, the former being great for indoors and the latter for outdoors. To that end, the speaker features an IP54 water-resistance rating, so it can handle some rain. It also includes integrated stage lighting, which is pretty neat, and built-in handles and wheels for transport. This is a Marshall speaker, so there are two combo jacks for mic and instrument inputs. The Bromley 750 is available for pre-order right now, but there's a major caveat. This thing is expensive, clocking in at $1,300. It'll be available at select retailers on September 30. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/marshalls-first-party-speaker-unsurprisingly-looks-like-a-guitar-amp-191509061.html?src=rss

First look at Star Wars Visions: season 3 shows a more experimental anthology

Disney+ fatigue might be setting in for many viewers, with a surfeit of Marvel and Star Wars shows dropping at a hectic clip over the past few years. But that didnt stop Star Wars: Visions from getting a warm reception at this past weekends Anime NYC convention, where thousands of fans were given a sneak peek at the upcoming season of the animated anthology show. Star Wars: Visions season three was also featured at this summers Star Wars Celebration, but its appearance at an anime con was just as appropriate given that the upcoming slate of episodes will be once again produced by Japanese animation studios like Studio Trigger ( Kill La Kill ), Kamikaze Douga ( Batman Ninja ) and Kinema Citrus ( Revue Starlight , Made in Abyss ). Season two took the show more worldwide, with episodes from the likes of Irish studio Cartoon Saloon ( The Secret of Kells , Wolfwalkers ) and Aardman (Wallace and Gromit). Executive producer James Waugh said it was nice to get a more international perspective, calling it a global tour of all these different styles. But returning to Japan was always in the cards. The producers met so many incredible storytellers and wanted to re-connect with them, as well as collaborating with new studios they hadnt worked with yet. Nowhere does this desire to do more Japanese anime become more obvious than in the fact that three of the upcoming episodes are sequels to stories from season one: The Duel: Payback, The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope, and The Lost Ones (a sequel to The Village Bride). The Duel will also be receiving a full series coming in 2026, framed as Star Wars Visions Presents. However, none of these were on display as more than brief clips. The main attraction for the panel, aside from a pre-recorded Q&A with director Shinya Ohira, was the screening of a full episode from the upcoming season. Black had previously been presented to a crowd at the French animation festival Annacy, which should have been a sign that the crowd was about to be shown something very different from mainstream anime. Black is the story of a typical stormtrooper but, instead of a straightforward depiction this is a distorted look at whats going on his head as he heads toward defeat and his possible death. Everything is exaggerated in size and proportion, and the art style shifts constantly from watercolor to gouache to segments that look like they were drawn with a nib pen. Theres no dialogue; only music, which shifts from more new-age-type ambient sounds to a loud, big-band swing number. Ohira described the episode as a kind of music video, and its easy to see that because Black is less about plot than it is about sheer vibes. And the vibes are not good. When we watch a Star Wars film, we get to see nicely-framed shots of X-Wings and the Death Star from the safety of our comfortable seats at home but to be a common trooper on the ground can be scary and confusing. Black shows us these ships in mostly brief glimpses, reflecting what a person stumbling around in the chaos on the ground would see. Our protagonists vulnerability is further highlighted by his character design, where his armor is always shown in a state of damage and disarray, with just enough of his helmet peeled back to show his face. The chronology is jumbled, with scenes from the Death Star and Hoth, as well as battles in less iconic locations. And the emotions swing back and forth too; quiet moments are shown as the trooper remembers his life back home, a stark contrast to the loud, bright cacophony of battle. Its not explicitly anti-war, but the short does outline that the experience can really suck. Its an interesting choice for Disney/Lucasfilm to put this short as the representative of the season, as opposed to more traditional anime features like the one from Studio Trigger, The Smuggler. Brief glimpses of all the shorts were highlighted in the sizzle reel, and the ones from the most popular anime studios were the clips that elicited the biggest cheers from the crowd. Its not that Black wasnt applauded at the show, but its made for a specific type of animation nerd. Star Wars Vision season 3 key art Disney The good thing about an anthology is that not every segment has to have wide appeal, and Waugh is aware of the wild swings the season takes, saying to look at it through the lens of a mixtape I really want all the different tones and styles, and I want a kind of rhythmic change throughout the anthology we really want to show the full threat of what the medium of anime is capable of. Star Wars may be going through a weird period right now, with series like The Acolyte getting cancelled while other projects like Rogue Squadron have so far failed to get off the ground. So it might seem a little odd to do something that feels like one big passion project. But animation also means its a whole lot cheaper to produce, and the anthology format makes it more amenable to experimentation. Not everyone is going to be a fan of episodes like Black, but thats okay, because there are eight other episodes to try, and they all drop on Disney+ October 29. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/first-look-at-star-wars-visions-season-3-shows-a-more-experimental-anthology-191000445.html?src=rss

NFL Sunday Ticket finally offers a month-to-month option

With the 2025 NFL season only nine days away, YouTube is adding a new way to pay for Sunday Ticket. You can now get the service on a month-to-month basis. Your cost will depend on a few factors. If you're new to Sunday Ticket, you'll pay $85 monthly (up to four payments). For returning subscribers, your fee will vary depending on whether you're subscribed to YouTube TV . If you are, Sunday Ticket will cost $115 per month. If you don't have YouTube TV, you'll pay a whopping monthly fee of $145. That's over half of the full-season cost of $276. YouTube scored the rights to Sunday Ticket in 2022. Google reportedly agreed to pay $2.5 billion annually in the deal, which runs through the 2029 season. The announcement comes amid a backdrop of uncertainty. YouTube TV and Fox have yet to reach a renewal content deal , and there's no guarantee they will. Fox is asking for payments that are far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive, YouTube warned on Monday. If the two sides can't come to an agreement by 5PM ET on August 27, Fox channels will be removed from the platform. That includes Fox Sports, which splits Sunday afternoon NFL broadcast duties with CBS. However, the league told NBC Sports on Tuesday that Sunday Ticket games wouldn't be affected by a potential blackout. The NFL season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 4, as the Cowboys take on the Super Bowl champion Eagles on NBC and Peacock. As previously announced, the first Friday game of the season will stream for free on YouTube . In that Sept. 5 matchup, the Chargers will play the Chiefs in So Paulo, Brazil. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/nfl-sunday-ticket-finally-offers-a-month-to-month-option-190037632.html?src=rss

Whistleblower claims DOGE uploaded Social Security data to unsecure cloud server

The Social Security Administrations (SSA) chief data officer, Charles Borges, has filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) uploaded a copy of a key Social Security database to an unsecured cloud environment in June, the New York Times reported . This may have exposed the personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans. The complaint alleges that under the authority of the SSA's Chief Information Officer, Aram Moghaddassi, a copy of the country's Social Security information was held in a cloud environment that lacked any security oversight or adherence to SSA security protocols. The information uploaded was from the Numerical Identification System (Numident) database, and includes the names, Social Security numbers, place and date of birth, citizenship, race, ethnicity, address and even parents names of anyone who has ever had a Social Security number, even those who are no longer alive. Mr. Borges has raised concerns internally with various authorities in the Chief Information Officers (CIO) office and to date has not been made aware of any remedial action. He therefore elevates his concerns out of a sense of urgency and duty to the American public, the complaint states. Should bad actors gain access to this cloud environment, Americans may be susceptible to widespread identity theft, may lose vital health care and food benefits, and the government may be responsible for reissuing every American a new Social Security number at great cost. The approvals to copy the Numident database were, despite the enormous risk of that information falling into the wrong hands, approved expeditiously, according to the complaint. I have determined the business need is higher than the security risk associated with this implementation and I accept all risks, Moghaddassi wrote in a memo. Another senior DOGE official, Michael Russo, is alleged to have signed off on the decision in under half an hour. Before accepting his position as CIO, Moghaddassi worked for then-de facto DOGE boss Elon Musk at both Neuralink and X. In a statement to the New York Times , SSA spokesperson Nick Perrine said the agency was not aware of any compromise to this environment and that the data referenced in the complaint is stored in a longstanding environment used by S.S.A. and walled off from the internet. That DOGE should have access to sensitive data in the first place was the subject of tension within the federal government earlier this year. Several lawsuits attempted to block DOGE from accessing SSA , Treasury and Office of Personnel Management data. Via the so-called shadow docket, the Supreme Court struck down a Fourth Circuit injunction preventing the agency from siphoning SSA data in June. Among his other allegations, Borges claims DOGE regained access to the data during the injunction period. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/whistleblower-claims-doge-uploaded-social-security-data-to-unsecure-cloud-server-183500867.html?src=rss

German court rules Apple cannot call its smartwatch 'carbon neutral'

Apple has made some pretty big environmental claims over the years, and one of the more eyebrow-raising ones was that select models of its Apple Watch Series 9 were carbon neutral. The statement drew some flack from climate experts in 2023, and now a regional court in Frankfurt, Germany has deemed the claim to be unfounded and a violation of competition laws. If the decision stands, Apple may need to revise its language for the smartwatch. The German court took issue with Apple's planting of eucalyptus trees in Paraguay as the offset for its carbon emissions tied to that Apple Watch. It ruled that plan was insufficient to merit the carbon neutral claim because there is no secure future for the continuation of the forest project. Three-quarters of the land in question was only leased to Apple through 2029, the court said, with no certainty of how or where the tree-planting program would continue after that date. This promise deceives consumers, because it is based on a carbon-indulgence scheme with an ineffective offsetting project, said Juergen Resch, federal managing director for Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), which brought the case against Apple. A representative from Apple told AppleInsider that We strongly disagree with the DUH's position, which runs counter to the EU's and Germany's climate strategy and widespread international scientific consensus that both emissions reductions and carbon removal are necessary to achieve global climate goals. The spokesperson emphasized that the company is still targeting all products being carbon-neutral by 2030 , and added that the Court has broadly upheld our rigorous approach to carbon neutrality. Apple will have an opportunity to appeal the decision, which seems likely, although no public announcement has been made yet. Wherever this particular case lands, Apple still has a ways to go on meeting that climate goal. And so does just about every other tech giant out there. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/german-court-rules-apple-cannot-call-its-smartwatch-carbon-neutral-181536366.html?src=rss

Dyson's Labor Day sale includes the 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $500 off

Dyson is holding a Labor Day sale right now, with discounts on a bunch of products . The well-reviewed 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum is available for just $500 , which is a discount of 50 percent. That's a seriously great deal and the lowest price we've seen for this product. The Vis Nav made our list of the best robot vacuums , primarily based on the unit's superior suction power. This thing can pull up dirt like a beast. We said it had the strongest suction power of any robovac we've tested and easily took out pet fur from a carpeted floor. We also noted in our official review that the power here was on par with Dyson's stick vacuums. The unit includes a stellar obstacle avoidance system, with cameras and LED lights to help the vacuum navigate around furniture. During our testing we found it to be nearly flawless, as it only crashed into a chair leg a couple of times. Also, we never received any alerts that the robot got stuck somewhere while working. The bin here is on the larger side, but there's no self-emptying base. This is also not a hybrid unit. It's a vacuum and not a mop. This made it tough to recommend the unit at $1,000, despite the fantastic suction, but $500 makes it a whole lot easier. The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is also down to $800 as part of this sale, which is a discount of $200. This cordless stick vacuum features a HEPA filtration system and advanced wet-cleaning capabilities. It's a great tool for cleaning both carpets and hard floors. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/dysons-labor-day-sale-includes-the-360-vis-nav-robot-vacuum-for-500-off-172759393.html?src=rss

The new Skate hits consoles and PC in early access on September 16

It's been only a, *checks watch*, casual 15 years since the last Skate game came out. Now, we finally have an early access release date for skate. (styled lowercase, with a period): September 16, 2025. The early access version is free and heading to PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and the EA app. Today's announcement gave us not only the date, but a first look at the cover art and a trailer. You can see it all for yourself on skate. 's YouTube channel . While September 16 won't see the full release of skate. , it should give us a great taste of what awaits in San Vansterdam. The game is open-world and its setting comprises four distinct neighborhoods that have been taken over by the corporate anti-skateboarding overlord M-Corp. But, now, its empire is crumbling and skaters are coming out to play. To say the fourth installment in the Skate franchise is a long time coming is a bit of an understatement. Electronic Arts published the first three games in the series between 2007 and 2010. But it wasn't until 2021 that EA announced it had created a new studio, Full Circle, to develop the latest Skate game. The new skate. will also be a free-to-play live service title with microtransactions, though without any pay-to-win elements. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-new-skate-hits-consoles-and-pc-in-early-access-on-september-16-162034833.html?src=rss

Apple will host its iPhone 17 event on September 9

The wait is over: Apple has announced the dates for its 2025 fall event. The company will unveil new hardware on September 9 at 1PM ET at its Cupertino headquarters. The tag line for the event is awe dropping, which doesn't give a whole lot away. There has been plenty of speculation already about what will be announced at the upcoming event. The highlight of the iPhone lineup this year is expected to be a new ultra-thin, ultra-light, most likely called the iPhone 17 Air . We've already heard rumors about everything from the frame material to the battery for this new offering, so it should be interesting to see whether Apple has managed to keep anything about iPhone 17 Air under wraps to reveal during the event. The rest of the iPhone lineup will likely follow the usual trends from past years, with a base iPhone 17 model, a flashier iPhone 17 Pro, and a flashier and bigger iPhone 17 Pro Max. Autumn can also be a time for Apple to share updates to share about its accessories lineup, so be sure to tune in if you're looking for the latest on AirPods or Apple Watch. And we already have the software side of the new wave covered, with iOS 26 introduced during WWDC and a public beta underway. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-will-host-its-iphone-17-event-on-september-9-160502418.html?src=rss

Apple's M4 iMac is back on sale for a record-low price

The newest Apple M4 iMac desktop computer is on sale via Amazon for $1,150 . This is a discount of $150 and a record-low price. The deal applies to all available colorways. This version was originally released at the tail-end of last year. We heaped praise on this model in our official review , calling it the est all-in-one out there. The M4 processor is extremely capable for both garden variety computing tasks and more advanced stuff like video-editing and music-making. The iMac also comes with 16GB of RAM as the base-level option. The webcam has been significantly improved over its predecessor, so this is a capable machine for Zoom calls and the like. The 24-inch Retina display is crisp and the various colorways are easy on the old eyeballs. This deal is for the entry-level model and there really isn't any way to make adjustments, which happens sometimes when buying Apple stuff on Amazon. This translates to 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The RAM is fine for most applications, but that storage is going to fill up fast. Luckily, there are four Thunderbolt ports in the back for attaching an external. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-m4-imac-is-back-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-155826634.html?src=rss

AT&T acquires $23 billion worth of spectrum licenses from EchoStar

AT&T is set to acquire $23 billion worth of spectrum licenses from EchoStar, the parent company of Dish Network, Sling TV and Boost Mobile. The deal will see AT&T gain control of approximately 50MHz of low-band and mid-band spectrum, which are frequencies commonly used in 5G and LTE networks. EchoStar had been under pressure from the FCC to build out the spectrum in its portfolio or consider divesting it . The FCC's regulations take a 'use it or lose it ' approach to ensure that the spectrum licenses granted by the government actually lead to real service for customers and not spectrum warehousing. As part of the agreement, AT&T and EchoStar will add to their long-term wholesale network services agreement, allowing EchoStar to operate as a hybrid mobile network operator providing service under the Boost Mobile brand. This means Boost Mobile will begin relying primarily on AT&T's network infrastructure, though customers will still have access to the T-Mobile network. The arrangement will also ask Boost Mobile to wind down elements of its own limited cellular infrastructure. The licenses cover more than 400 markets in the US, and the company says it intends to begin deploying these licenses as soon as possible. The acquisition is expected to close in mid-2026 and is subject to regulatory approval. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/att-acquires-23-billion-worth-of-spectrum-licenses-from-echostar-154549655.html?src=rss

Hollow Knight: Silksong release date prompts another game delay as Baby Steps inches back

Fittingly enough, the team behind Baby Steps is treading cautiously. The walking simulator was previously scheduled to arrive on PS5 and Steam on September 8, but Hollow Knight: Silksong 's imminent release date of September 4 prompted publisher Devolver Digital (and developers Bennett Foddy, Gabe Cuzzillo and Maxi Boch) to delay their game until September 23. They made the announcement with the help of a funny clip that sees Baby Steps protagonist Nate trying to scale a replica of Silksong 's Hornet only to inevitably tumble into the dirt. Nate, the wary, onesie-donned failson at the heart of the eccentric adventure in literal walking simulator Baby Steps , has stumbled after attempting to ascend his greatest challenge yet: launching the week after Hollow Knight: Silksong 's surprise release date, Devolver said in a press release. Baby Steps is a sort-of spiritual successor to Foddy's classic, rage-inducing QWOP , in that you take granular control over Nate's legs to help him climb a mountain. I've been looking forward to the full game especially after enjoying the silliness of the demo but I don't mind waiting a couple of extra weeks for it. Several other indie developers and publishers have delayed their games to avoid getting swallowed up by the Silksong discourse. The horror-tinged, slot machine-based roguelite CloverPit and tactics RPG Demonshool have moved from September 3 to September 26 and November 19, respectively, while the 1.0 version of adventure RPG Faeland and a Metroidvania called Aeterna Lucis no longer have firm release dates. However, Bloober Team is staying the course with Cronos: The New Dawn , which is still set for September 5, and Rogue Factor is doing the same with Hell is Us (September 4). These delays are reminiscent of reports that publishers and developers were putting off any fall release date announcements for their games for fear of getting crushed by Grand Theft Auto VI , which was supposed to be dropping by the end of the year. Rockstar has delayed its game until May but Devlover says it's not running scared of that particular blockbuster it has committed to releasing a game on the same day as GTA VI . However, Silksong perhaps seems like just too formidable an opponent for Baby Steps . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/hollow-knight-silksong-release-date-prompts-another-game-delay-as-baby-steps-inches-back-153301303.html?src=rss

The latest Framework 16 modular laptop includes the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070

There's a refresh of the popular Framework Laptop 16 available for pre-order right now, and it's a doozy. The new model is heavy on high-grade specs, with the inclusion of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU and AMD's Ryzen AI 300 Series processors. We loved the modular nature of the previous iteration, but said the internals were a bit underpowered for serious gamers. It looks like that's been handled here. The company has also made the NVIDIA-powered graphics module fully backwards compatible, so current owners of 2024's Laptop 16 can scoop that up instead of buying a whole new computer. The company promises a 30 to 40 percent increase in gaming framerates when compared to the Radeon RX module that shipped with the previous model. The company also updated the thermal system, with a redesign of the fan blades to reduce noise. This was another major complaint we had with the last version, so it's a welcome change. Framework Consumers can choose from a couple of AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series variants. There are 8-core Ryzen 7 and 12-core Ryzen 9 options, both running at 45W sustained TDP. The mainboard module has been updated to allow support for four simultaneous display outputs and both storage and memory are upgradeable. Users can get the RAM all the way up to 96GB and the storage up to 10TB. The new Framework Laptop 16 also ships with a redesigned power adapter, which will be the default adapter moving forward. This may be the first laptop ever with a 240W USB-C adapter, which should let users run the system at a sustained full load without too much of a battery drain. Other upgrades include a new webcam, a remade CNC aluminum top cover and several new keyboard designs. As previously stated, pre-orders are open right now. Prices start at $1,500 and shipments go out in November. The company has also reduced the price of the previous Laptop 16 iteration down to $1,300. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-latest-framework-16-modular-laptop-includes-the-nvidia-geforce-rtx-5070-150527564.html?src=rss

The best Labor Day sales for 2025: Save up to $500 on tech from Apple, Anker, Dyson, Shark and others

Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer as the weather starts to get crisper and students head back to school for the new semester. It also marks a good time to check out the tech deals available across the web. While seasonal holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day are not the boon for tech sales that shopping events like Amazon Prime Day are, they can present good opportunities to save on things like laptops, tablets, smart home gear and more. Here, we've curated the best Labor Day sales on tech we could find this year. Since this time of year does overlap with the back-to-school season, students should be first in line to check out these deals. If you need some new gadgets for college, or refreshed tech to help you out in your first job after graduating, now's the time to see if you can get it for less. Student discounts are handy and exclusive to those who can prove their student status, but the good thing about Labor Day sales is that anyone can take advantage of them student ID not required. Best Labor Day sales: Engadget's top picks Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $799 ($200 off): Apple's latest MacBook Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops , and it earned a score of 92 in our review . The M4 model isn't a major refresh overall, but that's not a bad thing the design remains exceptionally thin, light and well-built, with long battery life and a top-notch keyboard and trackpad. Now it's a bit faster thanks to the updated chipset. Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169 (32 percent off): The AirPods Pro 2 are Apples best set of wireless earbuds for now, as they offer the full set of Apple-focused features, strong ANC, onboard volume controls, a comfy in-ear design and a warm sound profile that most should find agreeable. They can even work as a hearing aid , though their six-hour battery life still isnt the best, and you should only get them if youre all-in on Apple hardware. But if thats the case, we consider them the best wireless earbuds for iPhone owners. Apple iPad (11-inch, A16) for $299 ($50 off): Apple's entry-level iPad is, unsurprisingly, the best iPad option for those on a budget. It has solid performance thanks to the A16 chipset, 128GB of storage in the base model and good battery life. Apple iPad Air (11-inch, M3) for $449 ($150 off): The latest iPad Air is a relatively minor update; the only big addition is a more powerful M3 chip. However, we still recommend this iPad over the base model in our iPad buying guide : Its display is more color-rich and better at fending off glare, its speakers are more robust, it works with Apples best accessories and its performance should hold up better in the years ahead. Anker 621 5K magnetic power bank for $28 (30 percent off) : This slim battery pack attaches magnetically to the backs of iPhones to provide power when you need it most. Its 5K capacity will be more than enough to revive a near-dead iPhone 16, and it's svelte enough that you can use your phone while it's powering up without any discomfort. It will also work with most MagSafe-compatible cases. Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) for $220 ($30 off): This is the latest version of Amazon's color ereader that has half of the storage of the original model, but otherwise functions the same. That makes it a little cheaper to start off, but you're still getting a 7-inch color e-paper display, full access to the Kindle shop and a waterproof design. We also appreciate that the Colorsoft comes with no lockscreen ads by default. Google Pixel 10 smartphone + $100 Amazon gift card for $799 ($100 off): More of a pre-order deal than a Labor Day deal, this bundle includes a free gift card when you order the latest Google Pixel phone in advance. You'll find different gift card deals at Amazon depending on which phone you go with: the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL have a $200 gift cards included, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold comes with a free $300 gift card. Eufy 11S Max robot vacuum for $159 (43 percent off): This model is one of our favorite budget robot vacuums thanks to its slim design that lets you get underneath furniture more easily and strong suction power for its size. Note that it does not have Wi-Fi connectivity, but it comes with a remote that lets you control the robot to your liking. Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum for $298 (50 percent off): This Shark robot vacuum is a version of one of our favorites and it comes with a auto-empty base that can hold up to 60 days worth of debris. It has strong suction power and home mapping capabilities, so you can tailor cleaning jobs to your liking in addition to putting the robot on a cleaning schedule. Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $500 ($500 off): Dyson made one of the most impressive robovacs with the 360 Vis Nav . It has some of the strongest suction power of any robot vacuum I've tried, and its impressive obstacle avoidance allows it to move around furniture and other objects with basically not intervention from humans necessary. Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras (3 camera system) for $100 (47 percent off): Some of our favorite security cameras , Blink Outdoor 4 devices support 1080p video, two-way talk, motion alerts and night vision. The most convenient thing about these is that they're totally wireless and run on AA batteries that can last up to two years before you need to replace them. That combined with their weather-proof design allows you to place them both inside and outside. Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $90 (25 percent off): One of our picks for the best air fryers , this Cosori model has a spacious six-quart cooking basket and nine prep modes to choose from. In our testing, it consistently crisped up all kinds of foods, from frozen appetizers to raw proteins, and it has a nifty safety feature with its built-in basket release button. HORI Piranha Plant camera for Switch 2 for $40 (33 percent off): If you plan on taking advantage of the Switch 2's video and group chat feature, there's no cuter way to do it than with this Piranha Plant camera. In addition to using it with the pot as a stand, the plant itself detaches from the pot so you can use the camera in portable mode with the USB port on the new console. ESPN Unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for $30/month ($6/month off): ESPNs new streaming service is officially available now, and new subscribers can get Disney+ and Hulu included for one year when they sign up. The regular price of the new ESPN Unlimited plan is $30 per month, but this bundle offer throws in Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for one year at no extra cost. If you want to break it down, youre essentially getting each of the three services for $10 monthly with this offer. NordVPN deal Get up to 77 percent off two-year plans: Most of NordVPN's two-year plans are on sale right now. You'll get 77 percent off the Prime tier, bringing the price down to $189 for 27 months of service (Nord throws in an extra three months for free). Arguably the best plan for most people is the Plus tier, which is 73 percent off and down to $108 for the 27-month term. MasterClass deal Get 50 percent off one-year subscriptions: You can sign up for one year of MasterClass access for as low as $5 per month thanks to this sale that runs through September 1. A subscription lets you watch hundreds of online video classes taught by experts in their fields, and subject matter ranges from writing to cooking to sports. Best Labor Day sales on tech Apple 24-inch iMac (M4) for $1,149 ($150 off) 8Bitdo Ultimate 2C Wired Controller for $15 (25 percent off) Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones for $198 (43 percent off) Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 100W) for $95 (30 percent off) Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet for $175 (24 percent off) Nothing Headphones (1) for $269 ($30 off) Amazon Labor Day sale: Get up to 40 percent off headphones, earbuds, tech accessories and more Dyson Labor Day sale: Save up to $500 on vacuums, hair care and more Sonos back-to-school sale: Save up to 25 percent on headphones and speakers Ooni Labor Day sale: Get 20 percent off the Koda 2 Max and save on other pizza ovens Solo Stove Labor Day sale: Get 20 percent off fire pits and 15 percent off select accessories Meater Labor Day sale: Get up to 27 percent off smart meat thermometers Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-labor-day-sales-for-2025-save-up-to-500-on-tech-from-apple-anker-dyson-shark-and-others-120049728.html?src=rss

Amazon's 16GB Kindle Colorsoft is $30 off ahead of Labor Day weekend

You might be feeling like its time to upgrade your ereader or even buy your first one, particularly if youre hoping to do some reading this Labor Day weekend. Alternatively, it may be that youre looking for a way to read digital comics without all of the distractions of an iOS or Android tablet. In such cases, it may be worth considering Amazons Kindle Colorsoft, which is currently $30 off at $220 . That's a record low price for this particular model , which has 16GB of storage half as much as the Signature Edition. This version also lacks the auto-adjusting front light and wireless charging found in the Signature Edition, which costs $280. In our review of the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (which is otherwise the same as the version that's currently on sale), we described it as a good Kindle with which Amazon has finally filled a glaring hole in its ereader lineup. The quick load times and page turns, and pinch-to-zoom feature are definite highlights, while we were glad to see that Amazon isn't charging a premium to turn off lock screen ads. The Kindle Colorsoft has a seven-inch color E Ink display with a pixel density of 300 ppi for black-and-white content and 150 ppi for color content. Amazon claims the ereader can run for up to eight weeks on a single charge and that it has a waterproof rating of IPX8 (the company says it's able to endure immersion in 2 meters of fresh water for 60 minutes). There's also Audiobook support. One of our main drawbacks was that the device was expensive, but this discount mitigates that concern somewhat. We also felt that there was a small dip in sharpness and contrast while reading black-and-white text. In any case, if a color ereader is of interest to you, the Kindle Colorsoft is a good option, especially at this price. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazons-16gb-kindle-colorsoft-is-30-off-ahead-of-labor-day-weekend-141656390.html?src=rss

Gemini image generation is adding more editing tools

Google's Gemini is getting new features for editing images with AI. The latest image editing model is the work of the DeepMind artificial intelligence team, and these updates will be available starting today in the Gemini app. Google noted that all images either generated or edited in Gemini will be visibly and digitally watermarked to designate them as created with artificial intelligence. The first aspect of the new editing model offers consistency across different versions of an image. It's particularly focused on keeping human characters looking the same as more changes are made the the surrounding visuals, with the idea that people could upload a picture of someone and still look true to reality as they put themselves in different settings or outfits with AI. The second part of the model involves advanced image editing options. These features include the ability to combine two separate pre-existing images into a new scene, using a visual trait from an existing image as a new prompt or new design element, and multi-stage editing where individual components of an image can be changed in a sequence without losing the accumulated updates. Image generation of humans was unavailable for a few months last year after Gemini created inaccurately diverse results for prompts based on particular places and times in history. Users regained the ability to AI-generate images of people with the Imagen 3 model. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/gemini-image-generation-is-adding-more-editing-tools-140034014.html?src=rss

Spotify introduces an in-app messaging feature

My first thought when I heard Spotify had launched a messaging service was, Why? But, after looking into it a bit more, I'm intrigued at the idea of sharing recommendations within the app. So, what is Spotify's new Messages feature ? Basically, like Instagram, TikTok and other social media platforms, Spotify is creating a way for you to share content and thoughts from within its app. You can send playlists, songs and podcasts without having to use a link on another platform. You can see the Messages feature by clicking on your profile photo. Spotify should recommend accounts you've interacted with before, whether for creating a playlist, joining a jam or sharing a family plan. You can start a conversation there or by clicking the share button on any piece of content within Spotify. This tab is also where you can return to chats and approve message requests. Spotify claims that it wants Messages to complement other sharing options, like posting a song to social media, rather than serve as a replacement. But, if you find switching apps a bit clunky, then this is a good alternative for sending content. However, it's not clear exactly who can use the new feature. According to Spotify, Messages will start rolling out this week to both free and premium users who are over the age of 16. But, the feature is limited to mobile devices in select markets. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotify-introduces-an-in-app-messaging-feature-134401088.html?src=rss

Labor Day sales include the Apple MacBook Air M4 for a record-low price

If you've put off getting a new MacBook then today is your lucky day. Right now, the 2025 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air M4 are available on Amazon for record-low prices thanks to Labor Day sales . The 13-inch model is our pick for best MacBook to buy this year, and it's one of the best laptops for college students going back to school soon as well. You can pick up the 13-inch MacBook Air M4 for $799, down from $999 a 20 percent discount. This model comes with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. You can upgrade to 512GB SSD for $999 , down from $1,199, another all-time low price, or 24GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for $1,199, down from $1,399. Then there's the 15-inch MacBook Air M4 , whose cheapest model is on sale for $999, dropping from $1,199. The 17 percent discount is the best deal we've seen since the pair debuted in March. As with the 13-inch model, the 16GB and 512GB SSD option is also a record-low price, dropping to $1,199 from $1,399. Then there's the 24GB upgrade , which is $1,399, down from $1,599. We're big fans of the MacBook Air M4, giving it a 92 in our review . Part of that comes from an already lower starting price for the MacBooks than their predecessors. The 2025 models also get a speed boost thanks to the M4 chip and are very thin with a 0.44-inch thickness. Neither the 13- or 15-inch will drag you down, weighing 2.7 pounds and 3.2 pounds, respectively. Plus, they both have excellent battery life, lasting over 18 hours while playing an HD video. The big differences in the 15-inch model mostly come down to size. The screen is obviously bigger, as is its trackpad. Other than that, it offers better speakers than its 13-inch sibling. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/labor-day-sales-include-the-apple-macbook-air-m4-for-a-record-low-price-123031107.html?src=rss

YouTube TV warns subscribers they may lose Fox channels

YouTube TV could soon lose access to Fox channels, it announced on its official blog , mere days before the 2025 NFL season begins. It warned users that it's actively negotiating with Fox now that the renewal date for their partnership is approaching, but Fox is allegedly asking for an amount far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive. YouTube TV says it's aiming to reach an agreement that reflects the value of their content and is fair for both sides without the service having to raise its prices to be able to offer Fox channels. If both sides aren't able to come to an agreement by 5PM Eastern time on August 27, subscribers will no longer be able to access all Fox news and business programs, as well as all sporting events (like NFL games) broadcast on Fox channels. The content from the channels saved in their library will also disappear. In case YouTube TV fails to reach a deal with Fox and the network's channels become unavailable for an extended period of time, it will give subscribers a $10 credit. It's worth noting that Fox's own streaming service, Fox One , went online on August 21. The service gives subscribers access to all Fox-branded news, sports and entertainment content, including all NFL and MLB games aired on Fox networks, for $20 a month. It's not clear how the issue will affect NFL Sunday Ticket, though, which YouTube TV exclusively offers as an add-on for $34.50 a month for the first eight months. The sports package gives subscribers access to regular season NFL games not broadcast on local channels in the user's area. YouTube TV had issued similar warnings in the past when it couldn't quickly reach a deal with Disney for its channels and with Paramount for CBS, CBS Sports and Nickelodeon, among its other properties. In both cases , YouTube was able to reach an agreement with the companies to continue offering their content. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-tv-warns-subscribers-they-may-lose-fox-channels-131504760.html?src=rss

Beat-driven puzzler Lumines Arise will overload your senses on November 11

Fans of music-driven puzzlers loved 2018's block-dropping puzzle game Tetris Effect . The same publisher behind it, Enhance, revived another Tetris-inspired game called Lumines and created indie darling Lumines Remastered . Now Lumines is getting the full Enhance treatment a la Tetris Effect , in the form of Lumines Arise , a new title set to be released on November 11. We got a chance to go hands-on with the music-driven, block-dropping puzzle game earlier this summer. The game's sensory-rich effects and striking graphics are enhanced further by new mechanics. And the soundtrack is sure to satisfy, with new music from Hydelic, the same band behind the award-winning soundtrack for Tetris Effect: Connected . Before November, fans of Lumines will get their chance to test run this new title. Enhance has released a playable demo and it's available right now on PC via Steam and PS5 for one week only, until September 3. It features a never-before-seen multiplayer Burst Battle mode as well as three single-player Journey Mode stages. The full game will feature 35 of these stages as well as many additional modes and challenges that will not be included in the demo. Lumines Arise comes to PS5 and Steam on November 11. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/beat-driven-puzzler-lumines-arise-will-overload-your-senses-on-november-11-130008360.html?src=rss

Sonos headphones and speakers are up to 25 percent off for back to school

No matter how old you get, the back-to-school season will always bring a desire to shop. So, sales at this time of year are always more than welcome especially when they're on some of our favorite devices. Such is the case with the 10 percent discount currently available on the Sonos Era 100 . Our choice for midrange smart speaker is down to $179 from $199 as part of a larger sale on the Sonos website . The same price is available on Amazon , as are some more deals on Sonos products . Sonos debuted the Era 100 speaker in 2023 as a replacement for the Sonos One. It offers great sound quality and has built-in mics for Trueplay tuning and voice control. It's worth mentioning that the Sonos Ace headphones are also on sale for $299, down from $399 a 25 percent discount. The headphones have come a long way since they first launched, including the introduction of TrueCinema, which works with a Sonos soundbar to create the best spatial audio experience. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/sonos-headphones-and-speakers-are-up-to-25-percent-off-for-back-to-school-125211628.html?src=rss

Silent Hill f goes back in time and back to basics

Silent Hill f starts off with a grounded (but still heavy) setup, establishing a miserable family dynamic for protagonist Hinako. With an alcoholic, abusive father, a submissive mother and an absent sister, whos shown in flashbacks with that classic horror trope, face unseen. Something horrible is about to unfold in the sleepy, remote village of Ebisugaoka, sometime in the early 1960s. The latest entry in the Silent Hill series still has jumpscares, like youd expect from the horror series, but both the setting and game systems are more focused on tension, putting both Hinako and the player under constant duress. A typical health meter is joined by a sanity gauge and even your weapons have limited durability, so youre forced to pick your fights. During a two-hour demo, I had to do exactly that. As Hinako escapes her family home to find someone, anyone, to talk to, the village is eerily empty. A kei truck blocks the direct route to the local shop, with a crushed bird nearby adding to the weird. Soon, a sinister fog and red undergrowth attack four assembled high school students. Konami Of course, it only gets weirder. As marionette nightmares pop up, all Hinako can do is run and evade attacks. A focus mode, pressing L1, burns the sanity gauge but gives better prompts for both dodging and eventually counter-attacking monsters. Hinako is no soldier. Shes no battle-hardened survivor. When I eventually find a steel pipe to fight back with, even fast attacks are a little sluggish, while heavy swings, which can often stun and knock down enemies, take a while to charge up and can be hard to aim if you havent locked onto the enemy. If theres more than one attacker, its a tense struggle and Im often forced to burn through recovery items more so than when facing a sound and light-sensitive crawling beast, a fleshy-spherical ogre and other middleweight boss fights. Fortunately, there are hokora , miniature Shinto shrines, dotted around the village, which act as save points. The eerie location of Ebisugaoka and when a friend continually calls Hinako a traitor further amplify the sense of dread. The older sister is briefly shown during a flashback, but her face is obscured. Even in the younger sisters journal, the biog page for the sister is covered in scribbles and ink. Its very Japanese Horror, and less shotgun-to-the-zombie-face. And just plain stressful. A new sanity system is intriguing too. It's not an entirely new premise: the Gamecube's Eternal Darkness would manipulate the graphics and sound within the game as the character's sanity declined. But that was, depressingly, over 20 years ago. Some items can top up your sanity, but if you dont use them, you can offer them at a shrine for an in-game currency and spend that on charms to boost Hinakos stats. I managed to afford a stamina-boosting charm during my playthrough and was tantalizingly close to affording another charm before getting cut down by scarecrows dressed as high-schoolers. The scarecrow confrontation is hopefully a good example of nuanced puzzles that will appear in the full game. Initially, a bloodied rag tells you to take the thorns out of the one scarecrow that isnt part of the group the one that isnt going to cut you up with their sickle. Unfortunately, all of the scarecrows have a thorn, so youre tasked with finding the pattern of his group. Konami The entire experience is drenched in atmosphere, supported by this new sanity system is there anything more 2025 than a mental health gauge? The constant feeling of isolation (Where is everyone?) and unanswered questions made the demo a persuasive introduction to the game. A particularly tense moment involves collapsing after a fight, further emphasizing the character's vulnerability. Also, theres some kind of dashing fox spirit in a mask, who coaxes Hinako through the dreamlike, blood-soaked temple areas. The mysterious fox spirit knows her name, which adds yet another layer of intrigue. I hope all will be made clear when the game launches, roughly a month from now. Silent Hill f launches on PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S on September 25 2025. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/silent-hill-f-preview-gamescom-2025-123030305.html?src=rss

Hasselblad's X2D II 100C offers improved autofocus and world-beating stabilization

Hasselblad has launched the followup to its first 100MP medium-format camera with a new model that improves on it in almost every way. The X2D II 100C promises better image quality, a brighter display, 10-stop stabilization and updated hybrid autofocus. As with any Hasselblad product, it's expensive but less so than the previous model. The original X2D 100C took beautiful photos but lacked even basic technology like continuous autofocus. That's no longer the case. The X2D II 100C is the first Hasselblad camera with AF-C phase-detect AF backed by AI algorithms and LiDAR assistance, finally allowing burst shooting for movings subjects (albeit at a low 3 fps). With those changes, the new model fast and accurate results with focus, especially, in low light, which would be a big improvement over the previous model. At the same time, Hasselblad is pushing the image quality envelope further. The X2D II 100C is the first medium-format camera to support true end-end-end HDR, which reduces overexposure, enhances highlight retention and improves tonal depth for more natural looking images. Those can then be viewed directly on the display as HDR HEIF or Ultra HDR JPEG images. The updated 100MP BSI sensor also delivers 16-bit RAW images and up to 15.3 stops of dynamic range, among the highest of any camera available. Hasselblad Another key change is the updated 5-axis in-body stabilization system. It now delivers up to 10 stops, more than any other camera (Fujifilm's GFX100 II offers 8 stops and some Canon models go up to 8.5 stops) perfect for a high-resolution camera where sharpness is critical. With the new system, Hasselblad claims you can capture hand-held long exposures lasting several seconds without a tripod for extra creative possibilities. The X2D II 100C weighs 7.5 percent less than the X2D 100C at around 730 grams without a lens not bad at all for a medium format camera. The grip has also been updated with a textured surface to enhance comfort and control, the company wrote. Other updates include a new 3.6-inch touch display with 1,400 nits of peak brightness that tilts 90 degrees upward and 43 degrees downward to make high and low angle shooting easier. Hasselblad also included a 5D joystick to change focus or operate the menus, addressing a big user complaint about the X2D 100C. It comes with 1TB of built-in storage as before something almost no other mirrorless camera offers along with a CFexpress Type B slot (as before, there's no support for video). Finally, Hasselblad introduced a new app, Phocus Mobile 2, that allows users to remotely control the camera, transfer shots and even edit them. Hasselblad As for the price, it's less shocking than you may expect. The Hasselblad X2D II 100C is now on sale for $7,399, $800 less than the X2D 100C at launch and (perhaps strategically) $100 less than rival Fujifilm's GFX100 II was at launch. Hasselblad also introduced a new zoom lens, the XCD 2.8-4 35-100E (28-76mm full-frame equivalent). It promises top-tier optical performance and the fastest stepping motor in its XCD lens lineup, along with control rings for shutter speed, aperture and more. Like all Hasselblad lenses, it incorporates a leaf shutter that allows for up to 1/4000th flash sync speeds for easier use of fill light in bright conditions. The XCD 2.8-4 35-100E is now available for $4,599. Finally, the company introduced the $469 Hasselblad-branded Vandra 20-liter backpack that will help you flaunt the brand name even if the camera's tucked away. It can hold an X2D II 100C body, two lenses and accessories. Finally, Hasselblad unveiled three new 86mm filters: a UV for $299, ND ($329) and circular polarizer (CPL) for $559. Ouch. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/hasselblads-x2d-ii-100c-offers-improved-autofocus-and-world-beating-stabilization-120006496.html?src=rss

The Morning After: The most intriguing AI features inside the Pixel 10

After all the new Pixel 10 phones expect to hear our review verdicts soon we had time to take a closer look at the AI-centric software features Google often excels at. These include advances in Voice Translate, which can create a synthetic version of your voice speaking German. Or French. Or Japanese. Engadget Theres also Pro Res Zoom (Pixel 10 Pro devices only), which cranks zoom up to 100x, with AI guide rails to avoid twisted human faces and garbled text. In short, fewer AI hallucinations but improved detail and crispness. Theres also the Camera Coach, but Im already a pretty good photographer. Brag. Managing Editor Cherlynn Low explains which features caught her attention at the Made By Google event. Also: Add Me is still incredible, as designated group photographer. Mat Smith Get Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! The news you might have missed Subaru Solterra first drive: Big improvements in all the right places NVIDIA releases the next generation of its cutting-edge 'robot brain' Ayn reveals a Nintendo DS-style handheld that comes in the classic Game Boy Color: purple The first foldable iPhone might include a return to Touch ID But dont expect it this year. Bloomberg reports Apples first foldable iPhone could come with a blast from the past: Touch ID. Why its reverting to Touch ID from Face ID is unclear for now: the last use was on the third-generation iPhone SE. According to Bloomberg , Apple was also initially going to give its first foldable iPhone on-cell touch sensors, but pivoted to an in-cell option, similar to the current iPhone. An on-cell display adds a layer on top, creating a thicker end product, which can lead to more noticeable display creases. Continue reading. The US government is taking an $8.9 billion stake in Intel Grants convert that to a 9.9 percent stake in the company. President Donald Trump announced the US government is taking a 10 percent stake in chip maker Intel. The plan to convert Intels previously promised CHIPS Act funding into equity in the company was first reported earlier in August. Intel was supposed to receive up to $10.86 billion in federal funding to expand its chip manufacturing business in the US as part of the CHIPS Act. By agreeing to this deal, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan is likely trying to make sure funding still goes through, one of several drastic moves to keep Intel afloat. Tan assumed the title of CEO following Pat Gelsingers sudden retirement in 2024. Since taking over, hes already committed to cutting Intels workforce by 20 percent. Continue reading. Googles leaked smart home hardware looks familiar Leaked images suggest a Pixel 10 approach to its Nest lineup. Android Headlines Google teased a new smart speaker during its Pixel 10 launch event, and now Android Headlines has new images and details on several future Nest products. Based on the images from Android Headlines , Googles new smart home lineup looks nearly identical to the cameras and doorbells it already sells. The exception is the new smart speaker, which is smaller and rounder than the Nest Audio. The biggest spec change may be that all of the new Nest devices built-in cameras will reportedly record in 2K resolution, rather than 1080p. Theyll also come in a selection of new colors. The Nest Cam Indoor comes in Snow (white), Berry (red) and Hazel (gray). Continue reading. Elon Musk and xAI are suing Apple and OpenAI because Grok isnt topping the app charts The suit says the companies have locked up markets to maintain their monopolies. Elon Musks xAI is suing Apple and OpenAI. The suit accuses the companies of illegally conspiring to stop rival AI companies from getting a fair shot on the App Store, alleging they have locked up markets to maintain their monopolies and prevent innovators like X and xAI from competing. Continue reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-111552780.html?src=rss

The best iPhones for 2025: Which model should you buy?

Which iPhone should I buy? Its a question you might have heard many times over the years. Much of the time, the answer is simple: Get the best one you can afford. And if youre happy with your current iPhone, dont feel the need to make a change at all. But if youre ready to upgrade, allow us to help. Weve reviewed just about every iPhone ever released, so weve picked through all nine models in Apples current smartphone lineup and highlighted the ones that should satisfy most people below. Before we dive in, note that weve based our guide on the list prices of new, unlocked iPhones on Apple.com. If you can find a steep discount from another trusted retailer or a good deal on a refurbished model, that could change the value equation. Well also note that right now is arguably the worst time to buy a new model. Apple has released its latest iPhones each September like clockwork for several years, and we expect that trend to continue with the inevitable iPhone 17 series (and the full iOS 26 update ) next month. So if you can hold out a little longer even if its just to save another $100 or so on last years iPhone 16 devices, which will likely receive a price cut you should. But if you cant wait, here are the best iPhones you can buy as of summer 2025. Table of contents Best iPhones for 2025 The rest of Apple's iPhone lineup in 2025 iPhone FAQs Recent updates Best iPhones for 2025 The rest of Apple's iPhone lineup in 2025 The iPhone 16. Billy Steele for Engadget Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have made genuine improvements over their predecessors and generally feel more Pro-like than they have in years past. They also come in a range of vibrant colors. If the iPhone 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max are just too pricey, especially if you want extra storage space, theyre fantastic compromises. Still, they are compromises. If you can afford it, the Pro should hold up a bit better over time. Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus The iPhone 15 and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus still get you many key upgrades over the iPhone 16e, including a superior two-camera system, a brighter display, MagSafe and the Dynamic Island. The 15 Plus is particularly appealing as the most affordable big-screen iPhone in Apples current lineup. It has excellent battery performance as well. At $699 or $799, though, both phones are priced in something of a no mans land. Most people who care about ultrawide cameras and MagSafe support should just spend another $100 for the iPhone 16 or 16 Plus, which add AI features, a slightly improved ultrawide lens with macro support, an extra hour or two of battery life, faster wireless charging (25W vs. 15W), a quicker processor, more RAM, the Action button and the Camera Control button. Those who aren't as particular about specs, meanwhile, are probably happy to save an extra $100 on the iPhone 16e, which is still better equipped for the long-term thanks to its faster chip and Apple Intelligence support. As a result, the 15 and 15 Plus will probably make the most sense if you can find a good price on a refurbished model. iPhone FAQs Brian Oh for Engadget When is the best time of year to buy an iPhone? The best time to buy an iPhone, or really any product, is whenever you need one. But if you want to maximize how long your iPhone is considered current, plan to upgrade in late September. Apple almost always introduces its new core models around then. SE and e iPhones, meanwhile, have arrived between February and April, but those arent guaranteed annual releases. Cash discounts on new unlocked iPhones are rare, so there usually isnt much reason to wait for a deal before buying (as is often the case with Samsung or Google phones). Carriers will run their own sales, but those typically involve locking you into years-long service plans. The exception would be if you specifically want an older iPhone, since Apple typically cuts the price of its last-gen devices by $100 or more when it introduces a new model. So, for instance, if you know you wont care about the inevitable iPhone 17s upgrades, you could wait until that device is announced and get the iPhone 16 for a little cheaper. How long does an iPhone last? This depends on the person and how they define last. If we had to give a broad estimate, wed say most iPhone users keep their device between two and four years. If youre particularly sensitive to performance and camera improvements, you might want to upgrade on the earlier side of that timeline. If youre not as picky, you could hold out for even longer though youll likely want to get a battery replacement sometime around the three- or four-year mark (or whenever you notice your battery life has severely degraded). Software support shouldnt be a problem regardless: Apple is renowned for keeping its devices up-to-date long-term, and the current version of iOS 18 is available on iPhones dating back to 2018 . (Though the forthcoming iOS 26 update will push the cutoff line up a year.) Most of those older phones dont support Apple Intelligence, so there isnt total parity, but thats not a big loss in the grand scheme of things. How do I know how old my iPhone is? Go to your iPhones Settings, then tap General > About. You should see the Model Name right near the top. You can also tap the Model Number below that, then verify the resulting four-digit code on Apples identification page to further confirm. If you dont want to use software, for whatever reason, you can also find your iPhones model number printed within its USB-C or Lightning port, if the device lacks a SIM tray. For older devices, you can alternatively find that number within the SIM slot or if youre still hanging onto an iPhone 7 or older right on the back of the handset. Recent updates August 2025 : Weve taken another pass to ensure our advice is still up-to-date and noted that we expect to Apple to launch new phones soon in September. June 2025 : Weve lightly edited this guide for clarity and added a few common FAQs. Our picks remain unchanged. February 2025 : The new iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus as our budget pick. Weve also removed our notes on the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE (3rd generation), as each has been formally discontinued. January 2025 : We've made a few minor edits for clarity and ensured our recommendations are still up to date. December 2024 : Weve made a few edits to reflect the release of Apple Intelligence, though our picks remain the same. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-iphone-160012979.html?src=rss

Imgur protest covers the front page in anti-MediaLab memes

Despite all the division and controversy rife in the modern era, sometimes the Internet does manage to collectively agree on something. Right now, they agree that they hate Imgur parent company MediaLab . After being acquired by MediaLab in 2021, the once famously open-to-anything image-sharing service began placing restrictions on content in 2023. More recently, the site has experienced service issues, including problems with notifications. Many members of the Imgur community have claimed that MediaLab fired most of its US content moderation team in favor of AI, while others have said that the site is deleting or hiding content that is critical of the owner and its policies. The exact timeline, as well as what brought things to a tipping point, is still fuzzy at best. But for hours today, the Imgur homepage has been dominated by spammed images of a John Oliver meme in protest of what users see as MediaLab's poor management of the platform. Whatever team is currently working at Imgur appears to be unable to handle the rate that the memes are being posted, so it's anyone's guess how long the spam protest will dominate the front page. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/imgur-protest-covers-the-front-page-in-anti-medialab-memes-225502091.html?src=rss

Overwatch 2 will overhaul its progression systems to show more visual flair in matches

The next season of Overwatch 2 will bring more than the usual new hero and battle pass to the team shooter. Blizzard announced that Season 18 will introduce a new take on the progression system. As they currently stand, the progression numbers feel pretty divorced from the gameplay; this revamp introduces new ways to display your prowess to teammates and foes in matches as well as some welcome changes to how you see and equip your rewards. The new Progression 2.0 system has overhauled the visual side. For starters, there will be new portrait frames that increase in fanciness every 20 levels, capping at level 60. These Ascended borders will be displayed when you pick your hero for a match. Between the different Ascended frames, players will unlock five tiers of hero badges that also display in Hero Select under your portrait. Overwatch 2 Hero Badges Blizzard In addition to the new flash, the Hero Select screen will show your allies a card with your top heroes on it. I doubt anyone will pay too much attention to cards in the Open Queue matches, so this seems like a Competitive-angled addition. It could help make it easy to build a team composition based on the whole group's strengths, creating a test of your crew's cooperation ability before the game even starts. Blizzard clarified that in Competitive, opponents won't be able to see your portrait borders until 10-15 seconds after a match begins, and hero cards won't be displayed to an enemy until one of you eliminates each other. That means nobody should be able to use your hero card against you in the ban phase . I've almost never thought about the rewards I get for progression stats because it's unclear when I've gotten a new item and I rarely bother searching for them in my cosmetics collections, so having a dedicated progression menu added should place a new focus on tracking how far you've gotten with a particular character. The hero-specific rewards on the horizon will be displayed on that page, and already-unlocked items can be equipped directly from that menu. Blizzard is also offering occasional Epic and Legendary loot box freebies as you rise through the ranks for each hero, which is always welcome. The progression levels will be rewarded retroactively when the season starts. For long-time fans, that means you can expect to see a whole bunch of rewards to browse through when you first log in during Season 18. For new players, there will be more credits and cosmetics available to unlock in the first 20 levels. That first set of 20 levels will also be scaled to be quicker to complete, while later levels will require more time. The new season kicks off tomorrow, on August 26. Season 18 will also bring a new option for keyboard and mouse controls on console and the permanent addition of watery support hero Wuyang. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/overwatch-2-will-overhaul-its-progression-systems-to-show-more-visual-flair-in-matches-214336004.html?src=rss

iOS 26: Here's everything you need to know about Apple's upcoming iPhone and iPad updates

We're getting super close to finding out when the annual Apple iPhone event will take place, giving us a first look at the new iPhone 17 lineup . We should also find out the official date for downloading the latest software update, iOS 26 . If you can't wait any longer, you can download and install the newly released public beta 4 (or iOS 26 developer beta 8 for developers). I've been playing around with it for the past couple of weeks, and have found that taking screenshots is way better in the new operating system Google and ChatGPT search options are now in the screenshots editor, for instance. You can see a more complete view of the new features in our preview of the iOS 26 public beta release , which shows off the fresh home and lock screen redesign. Called Liquid Glass , the translucent look will extend across all of Apple's upcoming operating systems. The overhaul is one of several big changes coming to iOS, macOS , iPadOS and the rest of Apple's software suite, all of which were showcased during the company's WWDC keynote on June 9. After overpromising on AI plans last year, Apple kept its iOS roadmap focused more on basic quality of life improvements this year. There are multiple useful additions coming to the Phone and Messages apps on your iPhone, for instance: Apple execs outlined the ability to weed out spam texts or other unknown senders and an option to hold your spot on a phone call when you've been waiting for a representative to pick up. Plus, a treasured feature that we took for granted is coming back (hint: it's in the Photos app). Siri, meanwhile, is in a holding pattern. Apple has previously specified that its smarter voice assistant first promised at WWDC 2024 is delayed until some point in the coming year , so you shouldn't expect any major changes in the current betas. But there are reports that Apple is aiming to give Siri a bigger brain transplant by basing it on third-party artificial intelligence models like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude, which could make 2026 a pivotal year. The company is also reportedly working on a 'stripped-down' AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT. With each beta, it seems like additional new improvements are popping up, like this new AirPods gesture we're all curious about, and this FaceTime feature that'll freeze your video if it detects nudity . With the release of the iOS 26 developer beta 5 , we saw more added features, like a new bouncy animation on the passcode screen and in the Control Center, MacRumors reports . Some or all of those changes will likely soon migrate into the separate public beta (see below). Most newer iPhone models are eligible to download iOS 26 (both the betas and final version). Want to see the full list of new features coming this fall? Read on. What is iOS 26? The current iPhone operating system is iOS 18, and Apple is still actively updating it version 18.6.1 was released to restore Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring functionality for certain users in the US. More recently, Apple released 18.6.2 to address a vulnerability related to image processing. Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6, MacRumors reports , which means it can no longer be installed on your iPhone due to a server-side software verification check. That's pretty normal when newer versions are available to download. But don't expect to see iOS 19 soon or ever. Instead, Apple is skipping the numbering ahead to iOS 26 later this year. The company has decided to line up its iOS version numbers with a year-based system, similar to car model years. So while iOS and its sibling operating systems will be released in late 2025, they're all designated 26 to reflect the year ahead. It's official, we're moving to iOS 26. (Apple) What is Liquid Glass design? Let's be honest. Out of everything announced at WWDC this year, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the show. The iPhone's home and lock screens have looked pretty much the same year after year the last exciting thing (in my opinion) was the option to add your own aesthetic to your home screen by customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the home and lock screens' new facelift is refreshing. So what exactly is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a new translucent material since, well, the apps and widgets are clear. However, the screen can still adapt to dark and light modes, depending on surroundings. You'll also notice buttons with a new floating design in several apps, like Phone and Maps. They're designed to be less distracting than the current buttons, but are still easy to see. While the design overhaul has proven to be controversial since its announcement, some including Engadget's own Devindra Hardawar like the new direction, even if it's somewhat reminiscent of Microsoft's translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from nearly twenty years ago. That said, as of the release of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing back the transparency in at least some places. And while it will continue to evolve, Apple users won't be able to escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple's OSes more cohesive. Here's a look at how the translucent aesthetic will look with the new macOS Tahoe 26 on your desktop. What are the new and notable features of iOS 26? iOS 26 has a laundry list of new features. Among the most worthwhile: Phone app redesign: You'll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music and continue on with other tasks. Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translation will translate your conversation in real time, which results in some stop-and-go interactions in the examples Apple shared during its presentation. Polls in group chats: Tired of sorting through what seems like hundreds of messages in your group chat? You and your friends will soon be able to create polls in group messages for deciding things like which brunch spot you're eating at or whose car you're taking on a road trip. Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you haven't received spam texts about unpaid tolls or other citations, you're lucky. For those of us who have, those annoying messages will soon be filtered away in a separate folder. Visual Intelligence: Similar to a reverse Google image search, this new feature will allow you to search for anything that's on your iPhone screen. For instance, if you spot a pair of shoes someone is wearing in an Instagram photo, you can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to find those shoes (or similar ones) online. Photos tabs are back: For anyone who's still frustrated with the Photos changes made last year , you'll be happy to know that your tabs are coming back. Library and Collections will have their own separate spaces so you don't have to scroll to infinity to find what you're looking for. FaceTime Communication Safety feature: A newer addition to iOS 26 appears to be the FaceTime Communication Safety feature that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The feature appears to be a child safety feature that uses on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privacy issues. New lock screen options : The iPhone lock screen gets more customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more widgets and better focus mode options. Apple's Hold Assist will be nifty for those pesky services that put you on hold for 10 or more minutes. (Apple) New changes coming to iPadOS 26 Your iPad isn't getting left behind when it comes to big updates. Here's what's coming this fall. Multitasking and real windowing: When you download the newest update, you'll be able to have multiple apps running on your screen at the same time. Once you open an app, it'll appear on your screen as normal but you'll be able to resize and move it across your screen to make room for other apps. This feature is optional so you can turn it off if you don't like it. Visual update: Along with the other new OSes, iPadOS 26 is coming with the Liquid Glass aesthetic. This new look will appear on the lock and home screens, as well as the drop-down menus. New menu bar: When you swipe down on your screen, the new menu bar will appear with options like File, Edit, Windows and more. There's also a search option if you're looking for something specific. Check out our first impressions of iPadOS 26 . What about AirPods? AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Here are some of the more notable functions. Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this studio-quality audio recording, and with it, you'll notice more clarity while in noisy environments. Camera remote control: Using this, you can take a photo or start and stop video recording with just one press on your AirPods. When taking photos, you'll get a three-second countdown before your iPhone or iPad snaps the picture. Live translation feature: While not officially announced or confirmed, it appears that the long-rumored live translation for AirPods could be coming with iOS 26 . The evidence comes from a system asset spotted in the in iOS 26 beta showing a gesture that's triggered by pressing both earbud stems at the same time. The photo also shows words in several different languages. Heart rate monitoring (rumored for now): Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes Apple will introduce new AirPods Pro earbuds this year, which could have heart rate monitoring. It would work with Apple's Health app and other fitness apps that track heart rates. Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26? A few iPhone models that run the current version of iOS iPhone XR, XS and XS Max won't be compatible with the latest upgrade. But any iPhones released in 2019 or later will be eligible for the iOS 26 update . iPhone SE (second generation or later) iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 16e Not listed here are the presumed new iPhone 17 models (or maybe iPhone 26?) that are all but certain to be announced and released in September. How to install iOS 26 beta The iOS 26 public beta is now available to download via the Apple Beta Software Program . If you're not already a member, you'll need to sign up to try out all the latest features. Just visit beta.apple.com and sign up with your phone number or email address. It's free. Once you're in, you can install it by going to Settings > General > Software Update and selecting iOS 26 public beta . A word of caution: Don't sign up with your main iPhone unless you're OK with any risks that occur with using an OS that isn't finalized. When will the final version of iOS 26 be released? iOS 26 will be released to the public this fall. It usually comes in September, within a week of the Apple iPhone event. Last year, it rolled out to iPhone users on September 16 exactly one week after the iPhone 16 lineup was announced. If you're more interested in the Apple Intelligence features coming, here's everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more during WWDC. Also, check out how iOS 26 screenshots could be an intriguing preview of Apple's delayed Siri rework . Update, August 25: Added a rumor about new AirPods Pro having heart rate monitoring. Update, August 22: Noted that Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6. Update, August 20: Noted that iOS 26 public beta 4 and iOS 18.6.2 are now available to download. Update, August 18: Added details about a potential iOS 18.6 update. Update, August 15: Added to link to what to expect at the Apple iPhone event and details about what's available in the iOS 26 screenshots editor. Update, August 13: Added new AirPods detail spotted in the iOS 26 beta. Update, August 11: Noted that iOS 26 developer beta has hit beta 6. Update, August 8: Added new features coming with iPadOS 26 and AirPods. Update, August 6: Noted the release of iOS 26 beta 5 and the new bouncy feature on passcode screen and Control Center. Update, August 4: Noted that Apple is reportedly working on a ChatGPT rival. Update, August 1: Added quote from Tim Cook about iOS 26. Update, July 31: Noted that iOS 18.6 is now available. Update, July 24: Noted the iOS 26 public beta is now available. Update, July 3: Noted new FaceTime feature found in the developer beta. Update, June 30: Noted ongoing iOS 18 releases, and reports that Apple is considering additional external LLMs for Siri. Update, June 25: Noted changes added in iOS 26 beta 2. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/ios-26-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-apples-upcoming-iphone-and-ipad-updates-135749976.html?src=rss

The iPhone 17 event is likely in September: What to expect from Apple's upcoming launch

We're still waiting for Apple to make the official announcement for the iPhone event that usually takes place in September. At that event, they'll showcase the new iPhone 17 lineup which will come equipped with the latest iOS 26 features preinstalled, as well as any additional features Apple reveals at the launch event. But since we (presumably) still have to wait a few weeks until the iPhone event, we can only speculate what the new devices will look like. As with most unreleased iPhones, rumors and leaks have trickled in about the hardware side ahead of the official introduction. Here's what we're expecting and what we can reasonably assume we'll get from Apple in September. What are the latest iPhone 17 rumors? Not necessarily a ew rumor but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes there actually will be a new orange color offered for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, as well as a light blue color for the iPhone 17 Air, he confirmed in his weekly Power On newsletter . Additionally, we have a new case rumor. According to leaker Majin Bu , there will be new Liquid Silicone cases in eight colors, including Deep Orange, Pale Orange, Grass Green, Celadon, Fog Purple, Grey Blue, Dark Blue and Midnight Black. iPhone 17: New Liquid Silicone Cases Colors Full Article: https://t.co/RBnAO3LCAC pic.twitter.com/GuQuvrswg6 Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) August 24, 2025 These rumors haven't been confirmed by Apple and we won't know what the actual iPhone 17 models will look like until the iPhone event next month. How much will the iPhone 17 cost? Apple's announced plan to expand US-based manufacturing partners seems to give it at least some shielding from the steepest Trump administration tariffs that have already triggered price increases on everything from PlayStations to Switch consoles to high-end cameras to Sonos speakers . But given that President Trump's trade policies can change from week to week, and Apple's continuing reliance on Asia-based supply chains, price shocks remain an ongoing possibility. The bigger question is: Will Apple absorb any higher costs, or pass them on to consumers? If prices do creep up, Apple may choose to pair it with an upgrade. Consider this recent rumor posted by MacRumors from a leaker known as Instant Digital , suggesting that the default storage of the iPhone 17 line may start at 256GB, doubling the current 128GB baseline. While that could be accompanied by a price increase of $50 , Apple could at least pitch it as a etter value. That said, the company doubled the default RAM of its Mac computers from 8GB to 16GB at no extra cost in 2024 but that was before the current Trump tariff cycle started. When will the iPhone 17 series be announced? Most years, the flagship smartphones are introduced in September. MacRumors highlighted a story originally reported by iphone-ticker.de that the Apple iPhone 17 event could be Tuesday, September 9, according to information gleaned from German mobile phone providers. It's still too early to have the specific dates; some years, Apple only gives a week or two of lead time between sending invites and hosting the event. But years of past precedent show that sometime in September should be when the 17 models make their debut. This family of smartphones may be the last to follow that trend, however. There have been hints that the introduction of the iPhone 18 collection in 2026 will be split into a pro-tier announcement in the fall and a standard model announcement the following spring. What will the new iPhone 17 lineup include? Design leaks suggest that Apple is building an ultra-thin smartphone , likely to be named the iPhone 17 Air to match Apple's ultralight laptop designation. Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman, often a solid source of advanced intel about Apple, reported in January that the iPhone 17 Air will be equipped with a basic A19 chip and will only have a single camera lens. It may also use Apple's new in-house modem, which was introduced in February on the iPhone 16e . More details about this development may leak ahead of September, but that's what we know for now. An investor note from Apple analyst Jeff Pu indicated that the Air will have a titanium frame. If his reports are accurate, the lightweight smartphone will be the only entry in the iPhone 17 lineup to use that metal; the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to be made of aluminum, which is oddly a lighter material than titanium. Other speculation had suggested that the Air would use a blend of aluminum and titanium, so the exact materials may not be known until the official announcement. Additionally, an August 4 MacRumors report says the internal battery pack of the iPhone Air is just 2.49mm thick half the thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro battery. The leak was posted on the Korean-language Naver blog , where they show the alleged batteries of the iPhone 17 Air and 17 Pro side by side. The same account claimed the 17 Air's battery capacity was a mere 2,800 mAh, MacRumors notes. (That's below the battery capacity of current iPhone 16 models.) On a similar topic, an iPhone 17 Pro production leak appears to have revealed an all-aluminum chassis, according to MacRumors . Originally posted by leaker Majin Bu , the image shows a shell that has a large round hole on the back (where the Apple logo typically is) to allow for MagSafe charging. MacRumors says this could just be a molding but notes that the aluminum frame (versus the current titanium in Pro iPhone models) would yield a significantly lower weight. That same leaker (Majin Bu), whom MacRumors classifies as a hit-or-miss leaker, suggests the iPhone 17 Pro will have better wireless signal strength thanks to an updated antenna design. The individual posted a render on X that shows a new antenna system that wraps around the iPhone 17 Pro's supposedly wider rear camera bump. Again, this is a render, not a real-world photo. That said, we can't knock the goal of better wireless reception, so we're hoping this one has a degree of truth to it. Leaker Majin Bu also claims TechWoven cases could be introduced, per a MacRumors report . The cases match the rumored design on the iPhone 17 models, with the wide camera bump. The leaker noted there are two lanyard holes for convenient and secure carrying, so it could be worn around your neck. The colors would come in grey/black, blue, green, purple and orange. Each new roster includes a base model, but over the years, Apple has shaken up the variety of phones it offers. Most likely there will be an iPhone 17 and an iPhone 17 Pro. Apple has also committed to the size matters philosophy, and has been building an iPhone Pro Max option with an even bigger screen and better battery life; the 17 roster will almost certainly have one as well. The new Pro iPhones are said to have a full-width camera island on the rear, which would mark the first time an Apple model opted for that design. This feature can be seen in the purported iPhone 17 spotted in the wild. The pics, highlighted on MacRumors , show a black cased iPhone (17 Pro?) with the distinct back panel. Is it the real deal? The dual angles lend a degree of credibility in a social media landscape increasingly polluted with AI-enhanced fakes, but your guess is as good as ours. I just spotted a test development iPhone in the wild pic.twitter.com/iS3PtKWqxJ Fox Pupy (@Skyfops) July 28, 2025 The iPhone 17 Air seems primed to take the place of a potential iPhone 17 Plus. Since the iPhone 16e was only just introduced in February at a surprisingly high price point , it seems unlikely that there will be a new addition to that lower end of the spectrum, the models that were previously called SE. At the very least, it sounds like the iPhone 17 Air won't take away the charging port and rely only on wireless connectivity. Bloomberg said that while Apple had investigated making the iPhone 17 Air without a single port, the company (fortunately) changed plans. He also says that the rumored phone will have a 6.6-inch screen and include the Dynamic Island and Camera Control button. Finally, the price is rumored at $900 likely more than the standard iPhone 17 but less than the Pro. We've also gotten what seems to be a reliable look at what the color lineup will be for the new smartphones. Macworld reported that the iPhone 17 will be available in black, white, steel gray, green, purple and light blue. The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly have four color options: black, white, light blue and light gold. While the Air colors will be less saturated, the visuals for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will go bold. The options for the Pro models are expected to be black, white, gray, dark blue and orange. On July 30, Tom's Guide highlighted an X post from Sonny Dickson a longtime and generally reliable leaker of unreleased iPhone information showing dummy iPhone 17 models in the new colors that were the source of the aforementioned Macworld story. While these are literally just mock-ups not real, leaked iPhones it's interesting to see how the design and color rumors translate into a real-world look and feel. To add the the rumors, a Weibo leaker known as Digital Chat Station suggests the iPhone 17e will come equipped with a new design that includes the Dynamic Island, MacRumors reports . According to the post, the new phone will have the A19 chip and could have a 6.1-inch OLED display with a front-facing 12-megapixel camera and a rear-facing 48-megapixel camera. However, it's important to note this report refers to the 17e model that would be expected to launch no earlier than February 2026, if it followed the same release pattern as the iPhone 16e . What will iOS 26 be like? Apple upended its numbering conventions with WWDC 2025, and will match the name of each new operating system to the year it's released. So when the next wave of iPhones hits, they'll be running on iOS 26 . On the design side, the smartphone OS introduced during the big developer showcase took a contentious approach dubbed Liquid Glass. Apple has been scaling down the amount of transparency effects in the subsequent beta tests of iOS 26, but it will still have a glass-like visual. The feature list includes big and small updates. On the more impactful side, the Phone and Photos apps have been redesigned. There will be several features leveraging artificial intelligence, such as live translation capabilities coming to Phone, FaceTime and Messages. Apple is also currently testing a sensitive content warning for child accounts that will freeze FaceTime video if nudity is detected by on-device machine learning tools. And the company is also launching Visual Intelligence, which will use AI to search for elements in an image. iOS 26 also has a litany of minor, quality of life improvements. Group texts are getting support for polls. And for the slow risers out there, iOS 26 will finally let you escape the tyranny of the nine minute snooze alarm . The next iOS is now available as a public beta . Here are our initial impressions of the Liquid Glass design and other new features. iOS 26 is compatible with all models back through iPhone 11. What other products are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17? If Apple follows its usual pattern, the iPhone 17 will be announced alongside new Apple Watch products. That would be the Apple Watch Series 11 (if Apple sticks to the same naming scheme), and maybe an Apple Watch Ultra 3 and/or an updated Apple Watch SE. (They'll all run watchOS 26 , of course.) Other possibilities and this is, again, speculation could include refreshed Apple AirPods Pro (which received its last big update in 2022 ) and maybe new AirTags trackers (first released in 2021). The Apple rumor mill got a big shot in the arm this week thanks to the reported inclusion of product ID numbers in recent beta software builds. Per MacRumors , it's a laundry list of new hardware, including long-rumored product updates like the Apple TV , HomePod mini , new Apple Studio Display monitor and two fresh iPads. Of course, even if that list is totally accurate, we may not see those products until 2026 if ever. So don't expect all of products to share the stage with the iPhone 17, especially since Apple likes to keep its star performer at the center of attention. That said, keep in mind that Apple has recently been having Mac-centric announcements in late October (as it did last year to debut new M4 Macs ), so there's always the chance of another shoe dropping a few weeks down the road. Update, August 25, 2025, 5:15PM ET: Added new reports about the iPhone 17 Pro's orange color as well as new rumored Liquid Silicone cases. Update, August 22, 2025, 11:52AM ET: Added new details about the colors of the rumored TechWoven case. Update, August 20, 2025, 7:12PM ET: Added new rumor about potential TechWoven case for iPhone 17 series. Update, August 18, 2025, 6:23PM ET: Added new rumor about the iPhone 17e potentially having the Dynamic Island. Update, August 15, 2025, 2:05PM ET: Added new rumor about the all-aluminum chassis on the iPhone 17. Update, August 13, 2025, 10:02PM ET: Added a list of the products that are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17s. Update, August 11, 2025, 7:27PM ET: Added a render of a rumored new antenna design for the iPhone 17 Pro. Update, August 8, 2025, 4:43PM ET: Added new speculation and reports about iPhone 17 pricing. Update, August 6, 2025, 4:05PM ET: Added latest details about the potential iPhone 17 event date. Update, August 4, 2025, 5:23PM ET: Added latest battery leaks about the iPhone 17 models. Update, August 1, 2025, 8:15AM ET: Added new photos showing potential iPhone 17 colors. Update, July 30, 2025, 11:08AM ET: Added latest leaks and rumors about the iPhone 17, and updated information on the iOS 26 public beta. Update, July 17, 2025, 4:40PM ET: Added latest information about iOS 26, possible materials for the Air, and the color options for the different models. Update, March 17, 2025, 2PM ET: Added details about the rumored price and features of the iPhone 17 Air. Update, April 11, 2025, 3:45PM ET: Added details from Front Page Tech's new video that claims to reveal details from a leaked iOS 19 build. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-iphone-17-event-is-likely-in-september-what-to-expect-from-apples-upcoming-launch-153024626.html?src=rss

Perplexity has cooked up a new way to pay publishers for their content

Perplexity is launching a new revenue-sharing plan for publishers that will pay them every time its AI assistants use an article to answer a question, The Wall Street Journal reports . Perplexity is launching the plan (and partially paying for it) with a new Comet Plus subscription that gives subscribers access to premium content from a group of trusted publishers and journalists. Comet Plus costs $5 per month, and based on Perplexity's description, it's primarily designed to account for the actions its Comet Agent (included in the Comet browser ) takes on websites, which aren't considered in existing publisher deals. When you ask Perplexity to synthesize recent coverage of an industry trend, that's indexed traffic, the company writes. When Comet Assistant scans your calendar and suggests articles relevant to your days meetings, that's agent traffic. The company's existing Publisher Program , which counts publications like TIME and Fortune as participants, shares ad revenue based on the traffic a Perplexity search is stealing away by providing a summary of an article. The money shared through Comet Plus will presumably account for what's lost when an AI agent visits a webpage on your behalf, zooming past ads you'd normally see or hear. Publishers will get 80 percent of the revenue of Comet Plus, according to Perplexity, with the remaining 20 percent allocated to compute. The Wall Street Journal writes that Perplexity will initially pay participating publishers out of a $42.5 million revenue pool that will expand over time, presumably as sign-ups grow for Comet Plus, and the Comet web browser becomes available to more people. That starting sum likely takes into account Perplexity's existing Pro and Max subscribers, who will receive Comet Plus as part of their subscriptions and are paying into the revenue-sharing scheme by default. It sounds generous on its face, and maybe with a large enough volume of subscribers it will be, but 80 percent of $5 is $4. That's $4 that will presumably unlock unlimited access to a publication's entire library of content. Most newspapers charge anywhere from $20 to $30 per month to access all of their articles. Why would they settle for less? It's not clear if this plan replaces Perplexity's existing Publisher Program, or will exist alongside it. It's also hard to say if not paying for Comet Plus will change the quality of responses you receive in Comet or Perplexity. Engadget has contacted Perplexity for more information and will update this article if we hear back. Perplexity likely wouldn't be exploring new revenue-sharing plans if it hadn't already been caught plagiarizing articles in the first place. The company wants its agentic browser to be a success, and that ideally requires a certain amount of participation from the people who create the articles, images, and videos agents browse. It remains to be seen if Comet Plus is the kind of arrangement that will make publishers play ball. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/perplexity-has-cooked-up-a-new-way-to-pay-publishers-for-their-content-204255019.html?src=rss

Google's new smart home hardware looks mostly familiar in leaked images

Google wants to get Gemini in your smart home , and it looks like it's planning to release a lineup of new Nest Products to make it happen. The company teased a new smart speaker during its Pixel 10 launch event, and now Android Headlines has new images and details that confirm the look of the speaker and a collection of other Nest products that are on the way. Based on the images Android Headlines sourced, Google's new smart home lineup looks nearly identical to the cameras and doorbells it's already selling. The exception is the new smart speaker, now called the Google Home Speaker, which is smaller and rounder than the Nest Audio , and could be a replacement for the puck-shaped Nest Mini . The new speaker will come in what looks like red, light green, black and beige color options, and offer 360-degree sound. Android Headlines writes that the speaker also supports Gemini Live, Sound Sensing for detecting smoke alarms or glass breaking and pairing with a Google TV Streamer . Google's not done releasing new products this year. Google Home Speaker Nest Cam Indoor (3rd Gen) Nest Cam Outdoor (3rd Gen) Nest Doorbell wired More info: https://t.co/DUuZSduVhJ pic.twitter.com/dpVTrQoERA Androidheadline (@Androidheadline) August 25, 2025 The rest of the smart home lineup will feel familiar, save for some new colors, internal tweaks and software features. The biggest change is that all of the new Nest devices built-in cameras will reportedly record in 2K resolution, rather than 1080p. They'll also come in a selection of new colors. The Nest Cam Indoor comes in Snow (white), Berry (red) and Hazel (gray). The camera will include a new Zoom and Crop feature that lets you crop a camera feed to focus on a specific area, and be able to store up to an hour of footage locally if your Wi-Fi goes out. Google also plans to expand how long it'll store video previews of events Nest Cams detect, taking the library of 10-second previews from one hour to three. The Nest Cam Outdoor will only come in Snow and Hazel, but it'll reportedly include all the new features of the Nest Cam Indoor. The same goes for the new Nest Doorbell, except it'll be available in Snow, Hazel and Linen (beige). The decision to largely use the same design on its Nest devices and focus on changing internal components and software features is a similar strategy to what Google used with the Pixel 10 lineup . The phones largely look the same, but they feature improved internals and plenty of new software features. Android Headlines writes that Google plans to use this hardware launch to also rebrand its Nest Aware and Aware Plus subscriptions. The new name for Google's entry-level smart home subscription will be Google Home Premium. The company also plans to sell a Google Home Premium Advanced. As far as which subscription offers what, and if certain Gemini features will be locked behind a higher price, we'll have to wait until Google details its smart home plans. The company said Gemini for Home will launch in October, so expect more official announcements in the coming months. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/googles-new-smart-home-hardware-looks-mostly-familiar-in-leaked-images-190011191.html?src=rss

NVIDIA releases the next generation of its cutting-edge 'robot brain'

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is bullish on the future of robotics, and sees it as the chipmaker's biggest opportunity outside of AI. Today the company announced the next generation of its Jetson AGX system-on-module called Jetson Thor. The developer kit and T5000 production modules are computers designed for physical AI and robotics. The company has been iterating on these robot brains for a few years now , with each model more powerful than the last. The newest generation is powered by NVIDIA's Blackwell GPU architecture and offers 7.5 times more AI compute and 3.5 times greater energy efficiency than its predecessor, the Jetson Orin . These chips can run generative AI models, including large language and visual models, to help robots interpret the world around them. We've built Jetson Thor for the millions of developers working on robotic systems that interact with and increasingly shape the physical world, said NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang. The module is powered by NVIDIA's full-stack Jetson software platform , which is purpose-built for physical AI and robotics applications. The company counts Amazon, Meta, Agility Robotics and Boston Dynamics among its robotics clients using Jetson chips, which should give you an idea of who the target audience for this technology is. The Jetson AGX Thor is now on sale for $3,499 as a developer kit, and NVIDIA will sell the Thor T5000 modules for installation in production-ready robots. These will be sold at a wholesale price of $2,999 per module for a minimum order of 1,000 or more. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/nvidia-releases-the-next-generation-of-its-cutting-edge-robot-brain-180434373.html?src=rss

Elon Musk and xAI are suing Apple and OpenAI because Grok isn't topping the app charts

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI is suing Apple and OpenAI, as reported by Reuters . The suit accuses the companies of illegally conspiring to stop rival AI companies from getting a fair shot on the App Store, alleging they have locked up markets to maintain their monopolies and prevent innovators like X and xAI from competing. The complaint suggests that Apple and OpenAI have been conspiring to suppress xAI's products on the App Store. If not for its exclusive deal with OpenAI, Apple would have no reason to refrain from more prominently featuring the X app and the Grok app in its App Store, xAI told Reuters . Apple has integrated OpenAI's ChatGPT into several of its products, but it remains to be seen if that has translated to any anticompetitive practices. It's worth noting that rival AI apps like DeepSeek and Perplexity have both spent time on the top of App Store charts since this partnership began, according to CNBC . This is a remarkable claim given what I have heard alleged that Elon does to manipulate X to benefit himself and his own companies and harm his competitors and people he doesn't like. https://t.co/HlgzO4c2iC Sam Altman (@sama) August 12, 2025 This lawsuit comes after Musk threatened legal action a couple of weeks back after making similar accusations regarding Apple and OpenAI. Apple has yet to respond to the complaint but OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded to Musk's original allegation by calling it a remarkable claim given what I have heard alleged that Elon does to manipulate X to benefit himself and his own companies and harm his competitors and people he doesnt like. Altman is likely referencing various studies that indicate Musk made huge changes to the X algorithm to favor his personal posts and posts by conservative commentators. He has also threatened to fix the Community Notes feature on X, which is a crowdsourced fact-checking tool. OpenAI spokesperson Kayla Wood told The Verge that today's lawsuit is consistent with Mr. Musk's ongoing pattern of harassment. xAI also brought this lawsuit to the Northern District of Texas Fort Worth Division, which is a notoriously conservative arm of the federal court . This is where Musk typically steers his various lawsuits, in a practice some refer to as judge shopping. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/elon-musk-and-xai-are-suing-apple-and-openai-because-grok-isnt-topping-the-app-charts-170020376.html?src=rss

Netflix sets opening dates for its destination entertainment hubs

We now have the opening dates for Netflix's branded entertainment complexes that we first learned of in 2023. The 100,000-square-foot amusement centers will be centered around all things Netflix and will include a retail component, a restaurant called Netflix Bites and numerous immersive story-driven experiences based on the company's most successful properties. The Netflix House in Philadelphia will open November 12 at the King of Prussia Mall, and the Dallas location will open December 11 at Galleria Texas. A third location is planned for Las Vegas in 2027. As part of the branded build-out, the Philadelphia location will house large-scale immersive experiences such as Wednesday: Eve of the Outcasts , while Dallas will feature Stranger Things: Escape the Dark and Squid Game: Survive the Trials . These entertainment hubs come after Netflix has already undertaken dozens of live interactive experiences based on its most popular shows. Aside from these experiences and the Netflix Bites restaurant, the locations will also showcase immersive virtual reality games where guests will play as the main characters from some of the company's hit shows. There will also be themed mini-golf, a theater showcasing Netflix shows and movies, themed arcade games and more. Netflix isn't the first tech company to step into the world of brick-and-mortar. Amazon has spun up a few branded stores to varying success . Meta also opened physical stores to showcase its virtual reality headsets, taking a page out of Apple's book. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-sets-opening-dates-for-its-destination-entertainment-hubs-150851082.html?src=rss

Apple will reportedly bring back Touch ID on a foldable iPhone

As an iPhone user who has watched the release of foldable Android mobile phones with envy, I can't wait for 2026. Yes, Apple's 2025 iPhone launch event is next month, but I've been eyeing Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored to launch next year. It's part of three years of Apple's planned iPhone redesigns. While this would be a new addition to Apple's lineup, Bloomberg reports that it will come with a throwback feature: Touch ID. Why it's reverting to Touch ID from Face ID is unclear as the last use was on the third-generation iPhone SE. Apple did something similar when it brought back its MagSafe charging line with the iPhone 12's release it initially worked with MacBooks. According to Bloomberg, Apple was initially going to give the new iPhone on-cell touch sensors, but pivoted to an in-cell option, similar to the current iPhone. An in-cell screen builds the touch sensors directly into the display, while an on-cell adds a layer on top, creating a thicker end product, which can be more noticeable in folding phones where its display creases. The foldable iPhone is also rumored to have four cameras and come in white, black, light blue and light gold. While we'll have to wait a while for the foldable rumors to be confirmed, this year's event shouldn't be without its interesting moments. There will likely be an ultra-thin device called the iPhone Air , reported to have just one camera and a basic A19 chip. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/apple-will-reportedly-bring-back-touch-id-on-a-foldable-iphone-135831748.html?src=rss

The MasterClass Labor Day sale discounts subscriptions by 50 percent

MasterClass promises online learning with instructors who are the very best in their fields, and an annual subscription is currently 50 percent off across all tiers. Subscribers to MasterClass will have access to over 200 classes taught by iconic authors, chefs, athletes and leaders representing a diverse collection of skill sets and backgrounds. With a subscription, you could watch a class on writing taught by James Patterson, or learn cooking techniques from Thomas Keller. If you're trying to impress at your next pickup basketball game you could learn about shooting, ball-handling and scoring from Steph Curry. Each class includes around 20 video lessons that run about 10 minutes long on average, as well as an in-depth workbook. MasterClass has also begun producing some original series for its platform. The series Business Rebels features different CEOs walking viewers through the strategies that helped them disrupt their industries. One entitled Skin Health features top dermatologists and a cosmetic chemist walking viewers through keeping their skin healthy through cleansing routines and specific beauty products. The wide range of skills or life lessons you could learn through these classes is why MasterClass is on our list of best subscriptions you can give as gifts . Maybe your loved one who loves to host dinner parties could use some tips from Gordon Ramsay. There are three subscription tiers for MasterClass that each differ only in how many devices they allow at one time, and whether offline videos are supported. The Standard subscription only supports one device, whereas the Plus subscription allows two. These are normally $10 and $15 per month, respectively, and neither offers offline mode. The Premium tier, which carries a regular price of $20 per month, allows up to six devices and features offline mode for downloaded classes. All three tiers are part of the 50 percent off sale, which marks them down to $5, $8 and $10 respectively. MasterClass bills annually, so be sure to calculate the total from the monthly price before deciding. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-masterclass-labor-day-sale-discounts-subscriptions-by-50-percent-133223509.html?src=rss

A four-pack of Apple AirTags drops to $70 for Labor Day

If you're thinking about getting some of Apple's AirTags , now's the time to act Amazon currently has a four-pack on sale for $70 . That's one of the lowest prices we've seen outside the big sales on Black Friday and Prime Day. For Apple users, AirTags offer some large advantages over rival trackers. The ultra-wideband functionality offers precise tracking with iPhones less than five years old, so you can narrow your search between a couch and love seat in the same room. Over larger distances, the AirTag network enabled by all Apple device users lets you track down an object you might have misplaced in a caf. It offers a simple coin-sized design and seamless experience thanks to the Find My app. You can also force an AirTag to emit a chime to help you home in an object's location, and and that sound is nice and loud to better help you locate it. It does lack a built-in keyring like rival trackers, so you'll need to pay an extra for that. And it works best with Apple devices, so Android users may want to look at trackers from Chipolo or Pebblebee that use Google's Find My Device network . However, if you're in Apple's ecosystem and have been waiting for a discount, now is the time to act. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/a-four-pack-of-apple-airtags-drops-to-70-for-labor-day-130740384.html?src=rss

This Anker 5K magnetic power bank is on sale for only $28

The last thing anyone wants at the end of a long day is to look down at their phone and see its battery almost dead. One way to avoid that is to keep a compact power bank on you at all times, and it's arguably easiest to do that with one like Anker's 621 MagGo portable battery . This sleek, 5K magnetic brick attaches to the back of your iPhone to power it up, even while you're still using it. Now, it's on sale for 30 percent off you can pick up any of five coloways for only $28 a pop. This particular model didn't make our list of the best power banks , but plenty of other Anker products did. The 621 MagGo is equipped with magnets that attach to the back of certain iPhone models, which makes it easy to charge up the handset while still using it. The 5,000 mAh device can juice up the latest flagship iPhone 16 Pro Max to around 60 percent when fully charged. This is a thin and light device, so it's perfect for pockets, purses, backpacks and just about anywhere else. It charges up via an included USB-C cable. As a warning, the Anker 621 MagGo requires a magnetic connection via the smartphone itself or a magnetic case. It won't work with non-magnetic cases. It also runs a bit hot, reaching internal temperatures of up to 118 F, which could be something to keep an eye on during use. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-anker-5k-magnetic-power-bank-is-on-sale-for-only-28-161505856.html?src=rss

Subaru Solterra first drive: Big improvements in all the right places for 2026

When Subaru's first electric car launched in late 2021 , the Solterra had something of a problem: It wasn't exactly competitive in any of the major factors that EV buyers typically look for. Its 220-mile range and 215-horsepower output were middling at best when compared to vehicles like the Tesla Model Y . Its quirky styling didn't exactly help, either. For 2026, Subaru is giving the Solterra a significant up-do. Don't call it a reboot, as it's still very much the same SUV as before, but with more range, more power and better tech all available at a starting price of $TKTK that barely changed. The result is a much more compelling car. Now, with Tesla's international appeal falling to an all-time low, which takes the Model Y off the table for many buyers, Subaru's first EV feels like it's finally found its time to shine. More of what you want Tim Stevens for Engadget I'm the first person to tell a potential EV buyer that range is not the first criterion they should be considering when EV shopping. There are many more important factors that impact your quality of life on a daily basis than how many charging stops you'll need to make on your annual road trip. Still, when the original Solterra was doing 220 miles on a charge, while the Tesla Model Y did well over 300, that made the thing a bit of a hard sell. Thankfully, the 2026 Solterra gets a big bump in that department, up to 288 miles on a charge. Its not class-leading by any means, but as someone who's lived with EVs for years, I can confidently say that's plenty of juice to eliminate range anxiety for most. Impressively, the new Subaru does that on a battery pack that's barely any bigger: 74.7 kWh vs. 72.8 before. Where does the extra range come from, then? Subaru and Toyota engineers (this car is mechanically identical to the 2026 Toyota bZ ) deployed a raft of subtle improvements that result in substantial efficiency, everything from aerodynamic tweaks to updated electronics and new motors. When it's time to plug in, the Solterra and the Model Y can now use the same chargers. For 2026, the Solterra switches over to a Tesla-style NACS port, though the car comes with adapters for using J1772 and CCS ports. Outright charging speed is up by 50 percent over last year's car, but that only equates to a maximum charging rate of 150 kW. Again, its a big improvement, but not class-leading. It can at least burn those electrons more quickly. Outright power is up, with the Solterra now putting down 338 horsepower through all four wheels on the XT trims, a nice boost from the old car's 215. Big display, big safety Tim Stevens for Engadget All those updates are nice, but potential buyers will be more immediately wooed by a completely rethought dashboard layout that's still quirky but significantly less awkward than before. A new, 14-inch touchscreen dominates proceedings, giving you quick and easy access to everything from navigation to media playback. It serves as a generous canvas for either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, both of which are offered wirelessly. There's not one but two wireless charging pads to keep your devices juiced while slinging tunes and navigation, plus a pair of USB-C ports in the second row for passengers. With 60 watts of output, back-seat productivity hounds can keep happily typing away even if they forgot their adapter. They'll be comfortable, too. There's a good amount of headroom and legroom in the rear seat, plus 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear. When it comes to keeping everyone safe, the new Solterra offers Subaru's EyeSight system standard, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and a lane-centering system. I got a good chance to sample these systems in the increasingly heavy traffic in and around Denver, Colorado. The adaptive cruise brought the car to a complete stop and resumed on its own when traffic came to a crawl, while the active lane-keep system ensured the Solterra stayed centered. The drive Tim Stevens for Engadget For my day behind the wheel of the new Solterra, Subaru provided me with a model in top-shelf Touring XT trim, the highest performance. That meant I got to sample the car's full 338 horsepower, but I have to admit that in terms of acceleration, the thing still isn't a rocket ship. It has the instant torque of an EV and is certainly quick, but the power is delivered in a somewhat more relaxed way than many of the peppier EVs on the market today. That character continues throughout the Solterra drive experience. Steering is quite sharp and responsive, but the suspension doesn't really encourage any overly dramatic cornering antics. The traction and stability control systems quickly and abruptly kill all power at the first hint of loss of grip. For many Subaru enthusiasts, that's just when things start getting fun. It won't be a terror on your favorite gravel road, but the Solterra is reasonably competent when the asphalt ends. Subaru set up a short dirt course, which was more meander through the trees than proper expedition. Still, it proved the SUV capable on the sorts of terrain a mass-market machine like this is liable to see. In terms of comfort and ride quality, the Solterra handled most road imperfections and bumps without issue, but felt a little harsh over bigger stuff. There's no real wind noise or the like, making it a quiet and calm highway cruiser, but a fair bit of road noise did come up through the suspension on rougher stretches of asphalt. Wrap-up Tim Stevens for Engadget In many ways, this improved Solterra feels like the electric SUV that the brand should have launched in the first place. Better late than never. The big boost in range and performance, plus all the other tech and feature upgrades, make for a significantly improved car. It still comes up a little short of the competition from Hyundai or Tesla in terms of key metrics that EV shoppers tend to hyper-fixate on particularly range but it's close enough now to be judged on its other merits. Thankfully, those merits are good. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/subaru-solterra-first-drive-big-improvements-in-all-the-right-places-for-2026-130023352.html?src=rss

NordVPN deal: Get a two-year plan for up to 77 percent off

There are dozens of VPNs to choose from, but to think they're all created equally would be a mistake. Some are better than others, and NordVPN sits squarely in the better category. Now, you can save up to 77 percent on most of NordVPN's plans. Arguably the best plan for most people is the NordVPN Plus plan , which you can get two years of access for only $108 right now. That's 73 percent off the usual rate, and NordVPN throws in an addition three months for free, so you're actually getting a 27-month subscription for the sale price. As well as Nords VPN service, a Plus plan also includes the Threat Protection Pro anti-malware tool, password management and an ad- and tracker-blocker. A Prime plan additionally comes with encrypted cloud storage or NordProtect, which insures you against identity theft and monitors dark web activity. That's also on sale down to $189 on the same two-year commitment with those three additional months thrown in, which works out to a 77 percent savings on the regular price. When Engadgets Sam Chapman reviewed NordVPN earlier this year, he praised its excellent download speeds, exclusive features and extensive server network. Less impressive is its clunky interface and inconsistent design when jumping between different platforms running a NordVPN app. While it doesn't quite make the cut in our guide to the best VPNs available right now, it generally performed well in speed tests and Threat Protection Pro is really worth having. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/nordvpn-deal-get-a-two-year-plan-for-up-to-77-percent-off-151807968.html?src=rss

Labor Day sales include Apple's iPad Air M3 for $150 off

For a lot of people, the iPad Air is Apples goldilocks tablet. Its more powerful and available in a larger size than the entry-level iPad, but a lot less expensive than the iPad Pro, which can be overkill for some. Right now, there's a great Apple iPad Air M3 price drop on Amazon: you can get one for $150 less than usual thanks to Labor Day sales . This deal applies to each configuration of the 11-inch and 13-inch versions of the most recent iPad Air. So, the 11-inch model is as low as $449, while the 13-inch model is down to $649. The same deals can be found at Best Buy and Target if you prefer to shop somewhere other than Amazon. This is an all-time low price and beats the deal we saw on Prime Day by $30. The iPad Air M3 is more of an iterative refresh than a grand overhaul, but the spec bump means itll last you a long time before the tablets performance becomes a problem. This iPad occupies the position of est for most in our iPad buying guide , reinforcing that goldilocks analogy. The M3 chip is the main draw here, with Geekbench 6 scores proclaiming it around 16 percent more powerful than the M2 iPad Air, which is no slouch itself. Beyond the chip, it has a superior display and speakers to the entry-level model , and wider accessory support. You also get the option of a 13-inch display, which is great for artists or anyone who sees the iPad as a viable laptop replacement. If theres an obvious downside to the iPad Air M3, its that it doesn't have the nice 120Hz OLED display of the iPad Pro. This is hardly surprising, as Apple often focuses on display tech to differentiate its Pro and non-Pro devices, but its probably time the refresh rate on the middle-of-the-road iPad at least jumped up to ProMotion. Face ID is long overdue too. If you can live with these caveats, though, the iPad Air is an excellent option, particularly at this price. If you think the Air is too much for your needs, the iPad A16 , Apple's entry-level tablet, is down to $299 right now. It was slightly cheaper during Prime Day in July, but this discount is still worth considering if you're looking to pick up a newer iPad for less. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/labor-day-sales-include-apples-ipad-air-m3-for-150-off-162908936.html?src=rss

The best air purifier for 2025

The air in our homes can be five times more polluted than outdoor air. Energy-efficient homes are designed to be tightly sealed, too, so they trap more pollutants inside. Cooking emissions, cleaning chemicals and fragrances all contribute to less-than-healthy air. Pets, smoke and off-gassing furniture do their part as well. If the air quality outside is good, the best thing to do is open up your windows for at least 15 minutes a day. But if wildfires, car pollution, or high pollen counts prevent you from letting in fresh air, an air purifier may be your best bet. These machines can reduce pollutants, remove odors and trap some bacteria and mold. We tested over a dozen to see how they perform and how nice they were to live with. Here are the best air purifiers we could find. Table of contents Best air purifiers for 2025 What an air purifier can and cant do What to look for in an air purifier Other air purifiers we tested How we test air purifiers Air purifier FAQs Best air purifiers for 2025 What an air purifier can and cant do There are three key categories of air pollution that adversely affect the quality of the air you breathe: volatile organic compounds (VOC), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and carbon dioxide. VOCs are emitted gasses that can come from cleaners, off-gassing plastics, paint, solvents, fragrances, cooking food and, ironically, air fresheners. VOCs are most closely related to odors you can smell. High levels can irritate your breathing passages, cause headaches and may become cancer-causing over time. Air purifiers with activated charcoal components can help clean VOCs from the air. Particulate matter is usually discussed as PM2.5 and PM10, with the numbers indicating particle size in microns. This is dust, dirt, mold, smoke and, again, emissions from cooking food. Higher levels of PM can lead to respiratory irritation, allergy symptoms, respiratory infections and potentially lung cancer. Air purifiers that include a HEPA or particle filter can help remove airborne particles from your space. Carbon dioxide is what humans and pets breathe out. Elevated levels can cause dizziness and lethargy. But no air purifier can reduce CO2 levels because the molecules are so small. Plants can help to some extent, but really the only solution is opening a window or otherwise ventilating the space. There are no federal standards for air purifiers, but the state of California does require all air cleaners sold in the state to be certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). All of our top picks here have met that certification. What to look for in an air purifier HEPA filters and other filter types An air purifier isnt an overly complicated device. Smart modes and app connectivity aside, theyre not much more than a filter and a fan, which you can certainly DIY . The fan pulls air through the filter to capture particulate matter and other unhealthy elements so you dont breathe them in. The type of fan can make some difference it should be powerful enough to pull in air quickly, but also quiet enough on its low speed so it can unobtrusively clean all day long. Filters, on the other hand, are more varied. Most have two or more layers, typically a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter and sometimes a particle or even a true HEPA filter. The pre-filter is made from a fine mesh that captures big stuff like pet hair and larger chunks of dust. Sometimes this part is separate from the more technical filters which means you can remove and clean it without needing to swap out the whole thing. For all-in-one filters, you can vacuum the outside of it to remove larger particles. An activated carbon or activated charcoal layer is extremely porous, tightly packed coal that presents a vast amount of microscopic surface area to the passing air. Gaseous chemicals, VOCs and other molecules become lodged in the crannys and stick. This is the layer that gets rid of odors. Nearly all types of air purifiers include a particle filter. Some of those can be called rue HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters meaning they conform to the standards set out by the DOE . Particle filters are made up of pleated masses of ultrafine fibers that force air to take a convoluted path in order to pass through. This traps and absorbs tiny molecules of smoke and dust, allergens like dander and pollen, and some viruses and bacteria. Since all of these air filters physically trap particulates, theyll eventually fill up and become less effective. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the filter every six months, while others claim a year-long life span. Most smart air purifiers will let you know in the app when its time to replace. When youre considering a units cost, be sure to factor in the expense of replacement filters, which you may end up buying twice a year. Room size Air purifiers list their air filtration capabilities in terms of room size and frequency of air exchanges, sometimes listed as clean air delivery rate (CADR) or you may see a number for cubic feet per minute (CFM). A smaller unit might say it can exchange the air in a 500-square-foot room twice per hour. So that model should be able to pass all of the air in a 250-square-foot room through the filter every 15 minutes, but a 1,000-square-foot room would probably be outside its effective range. Of course, theres no standard for manufacturers to adhere to when it comes to these calculations, but typically, larger air purifiers can handle large rooms. Controls In our testing, we focused on Wi-Fi-connected smart air purifiers with companion apps that can monitor air quality and adjust the fan settings as needed. Within the apps, you can control auto-clean settings, set timers and schedules and check the health of the filter as well. Most will remind you when its time to get a replacement, and let you order one directly from the manufacturer through the app. You can also see the current and historical readings from the internal air quality (AQ) sensor. Most determine air quality through an optical particle meter, though some brands like Dyson and Molekule also include chemical sensors for VOC measurements. When levels of particulates become elevated, the fans switch up to high speed to move more air through until the quality improves. Most smart purifiers also work with voice assistants, so if asking Alexa to turn on your air purifier makes your life easier in some way, you can do so. If you dont want to talk to an AI or grab your phone to control your purifier, getting a unit with simple on-board controls is a good idea. These can be as basic as buttons with indicator lights or as elaborate as a touchscreen panel. At minimum, its good to have a way to control the fan speed and turn on or off auto mode on the device itself. Design As we mentioned, sticking the device as close to the middle of the room is helpful for getting the best performance. That means youll be looking at it a lot, so design considerations matter. Most purifiers are cylindrical towers with fan vents up top. Units meant for larger rooms are not small, weighing between 12 and 20 pounds and reaching two feet tall (or in the case of the Dyson Purifier Cool, three and a half feet). Some, like Coways Airmega IconS, take on more furniture-like designs to blend in. Others, like Dyson's, are conspicuously designed to stand out. How to set up an air purifier Even the best air purifier cant do much without airflow. So ideally, you wont shove your air purifier off in a corner right next to a wall. Most manufacturers recommend at least a foot of clearance between the machine and anything that could block circulation walls, couches, cabinets and the like. Most cylindrical models have intake vents all around the outside, but box models may have them on just one side, so make sure you point the vents outwards towards the center of the room. Smaller air purifiers work better if theyre up off the ground by a couple feet, such as on top of a stool or end table. And of course, make sure the cord isnt stretching across trafficked areas to avoid tripping. Before you plug your air purifier in, make sure to check that the filter isnt wrapped in plastic inside the machine. I probably dont need to tell you how I know this is a very important first step. The purifiers we recommend are smart home models, so the next step will usually involve downloading the manufacturers app to your phone and connecting the air purifier to the app as well as your homes Wi-Fi. Additional steps for clearing the air Air purifiers, as the name suggests, clean the air. Once dust, dander and smoke settle onto surfaces, there isnt much these machines can do to eradicate them. So vacuuming and good old-fashioned dusting are important steps to keep allergens and particulate matter at bay. If you have an HVAC system, changing or even upgrading your systems air filters can help keep bad air in check. The American Lung Association recommends filters with at least a MERV-13 rating. The association also recommends not burning candles in your home, foregoing air fresheners and opting for homemade cleaning supplies over chemical cleaners. When an air purifier just isnt enough The most striking bit of knowledge I picked up from testing air purifiers is how effective opening windows can be on indoor air quality. What took an air purifier a half hour to clear out took mere minutes when I opened my front door and a few windows. Every variable measured by the air quality sensors, including VOCs, PM, and particularly CO2 levels (which air purifiers cant alleviate), improved dramatically after exposure to fresh air significantly faster and better than any machine we tested. Letting in fresh air for just fifteen minutes each day can help, according to the Lung Association. On very cold days, do it midday. When its hot, open windows in the early morning when its coolest. When I did it in the middle of winter, my HVAC system had to work a little overtime afterwards, but venting a room was the most surefire way of getting air quality quickly back in the green. Of course, if the air outside is unhealthy from wildfire smoke or run-of-the-mill pollution, or if you're dealing with seasonal allergies, throwing open the windows wont work and an air purifier might be the best way to consistently clean things up. How we test air purifiers My living room is not a science lab; theres far too much pet hair for that to be the case. Still, I went beyond just turning stuff on and sniffing the air by acquiring two consumer-grade indoor air quality monitors that performed well in laboratory assessments , the Element from Awair and the uHoo Smart Air Monitor . I conducted burn tests in this medium-sized room by measuring the ambient air quality, then burned a brick of pion incense for twenty minutes and measured the air again. Then I ran one purifier at its highest speed for thirty minutes and recorded levels, then ran the unit on the lowest setting for a half hour and remeasured. I made note of the sound levels using a simple iPhone app to compare one machines noise level to the next. Over the course of a month, I used each unit in different scenarios (such as in the basements where the cat litter box is) and tried out each devices smart features, controls and auto modes. I also just lived with them and evaluated how they fit into everyday life. As new purifiers come on the market we continue to acquire units that seem worthy of inclusion. Most recently, we tested purifiers from Blueair, IQAir, Windmill and others, adding our findings to this guide. Other air purifiers we tested IQAir HealthPro Plus SE The IQAir HealthPro Plus SE is a formidable piece of equipment. The boxy tower looks like something youd see in a hospital and weighs 35 pounds, making me appreciate the included wheels when I needed to move it around. Its designed and made in Sweden and each unit comes with an impressive certificate of performance. Im certain the testing processes IQAir employs are more scientific than my tests after all, the company is probably best known for its air quality monitors but I found the filtration efficiency to be on par with and, in one test, worse than that of other models I tested. I was also disappointed that a $1,000-plus air purifier from an air monitor device company was only capable of measuring particulate matter and not VOCs to trigger the auto-clean function. That said, setup was simple and the app can integrate data from public air quality sources as well as other AQ monitors you may have set up. Coways Airmega Icon S Coways Airmega Icon S was our previous pick for best design. It looks more like a tiny mid-century-modern credenza than an air purifier and the little shelf up top doubles as a wireless phone charger. The PM2.5 sensor reliably kicked in the auto mode as I used it and the three-speed fan is quiet, even on high, yet powerful. I had a little trouble getting the app to connect, but the onboard touch controls worked better anyway. Its expensive at $699, too, but it does have a washable pre-filter. Sensibo Pure At $229, and nearly always on sale for $130, I had the Sensibo Pure pegged as a contender for a budget pick. Unfortunately, replacement filters are $99 unless you subscribe to automatic shipments and many of the app features are behind a paywall as well. Its not certified by CARB and underperformed many of the other units in the burn test, though it did return the air back to a good rating according to the air monitors after 30 minutes. The design is inoffensive, its not overly loud and it does integrate with Sensibos smart AC devices, so if youre already happy with one of those, this may be a decent option. Dyson Purifier Cool Like all Dyson products, this air purifier is dripping with design. It looks like no other unit on the market and its up to you to decide whether you like that or not. I was indifferent to the looks, but appreciated the slick and informative app, which not only displays indoor air quality, it also shows what conditions are like outside, using a clever house graphic to differentiate the two sets of numbers. I also like that it detects VOCs as well as particulates and the auto mode seemed to read the room accurately. The air coming out of the fan did indeed feel cool, though at first had a strong plastic odor. Unfortunately, it was the lowest performing unit during two separate burn tests and had repeated connectivity issues. Molekule Air Pro The Molekule Air Pro comes from a brand that pays keen attention to aesthetics. It and the app have that Instagrammable, muted-modern look that countless clothing and bedsheet brands emulate these days. That style doesnt come cheap as the Air Pro costs over $1,000 and requires $140 filters. The company came under fire for and had to stop making many of its claims about its filtration system, which may have led to it filing for bankruptcy in 2023. Molekule is still able to tout its patented photoelectrochemical oxidation, which the company says destroys pollutants at a molecular level. In my tests, it performed almost as well as the others in improving VOC and PM2.5 levels. But its also very loud: When auto mode kicked the fan into high gear, it would make me tense. Also, I found the unit often indicated bad or very bad levels when my two monitors indicated the air quality was actually pretty good. Air purifier FAQs What settings should you run an air purifier on? There arent many settings to adjust on an air purifier. Most have low, medium and high fan speeds and possibly an auto-mode that detects impurities in the air and increases the fan speed on your behalf. Air circulates through a purifier faster at higher fan-speed settings so it cleans the air more efficiently. Higher speeds also make the air purifier louder. That means you typically want to find the balance between cleaning power and noise levels. Other settings like timers and dimming the LED lights make the unit more comfortable to live with, particularly if you use yours in your bedroom. For everyday cleaning of the air, youre probably best off leaving the air purifier running on low, only kicking it up to high at certain times when the air is murkier, like after you cook. What is a HEPA filter? A HEPA filter is a type of particle filter. Every air purifier has a particle filter, but not all are considered true HEPA filters. The specifications are determined by the US Department of Energy and require a minimum efficiency of 99.97 percent when filtering airborne particles of 0.3 microns. HEPA filters can remove dust, pollen, mold and bacteria. Check out more from our spring cleaning guide. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/best-air-purifier-120040002.html?src=rss

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The 16 best portable Bluetooth speakers for 2025

Portable Bluetooth speakers are an easy way to bring your music anywhere without worrying about cables or power outlets. Whether you want something compact for relaxing at home, a tough waterproof model for the beach or a party speaker that fills the room, theres an option for every need. The best portable speakers give you solid battery life, simple pairing and reliable sound no matter where you are. Some models focus on balanced audio for the casual listener while others aim for the best sound possible to please an audiophile. You can find speakers with extra bass for outdoor gatherings, built-in lights for an added vibe or rugged designs that can handle rough conditions. With so many choices available, it helps to know what features matter most for your listening style. Heres a look at some of the top picks worth considering right now. Table of contents Best portable Bluetooth speakers: $50 to $200 Best portable Bluetooth speakers: $200 to $450 Best portable Bluetooth speakers: $450 and higher Factors to consider in a portable Bluetooth speaker Other portable Bluetooth speakers we tested Bluetooth speaker FAQs Best portable Bluetooth speakers: $50 to $200 Best portable Bluetooth speakers: $200 to $450 Best portable Bluetooth speakers: $450 and higher Factors to consider in a portable Bluetooth speaker Weather-proofing IP ratings (Ingress Protection) are the alphanumeric indicators you often see in a products spec sheet that define water and dust resistance. Its usually a combo of two numbers with the first indicating solid object ingress and the second being water. The former goes from 0 (no protection) to 6 (dustproof). The water-resistance rating goes from 0 (no protection) to 9 (protected against immersion and high pressure jets). When an X is used instead of a number, that means the product wasnt tested for resistance. If its a waterproof speaker, it may have some innate resistance to solids, but theres no guarantee. IP67 is a common rating these days indicating highly resistant and potentially rugged speakers often featured in audio products like outdoor speakers. These are safe for quick dunks in the pool or tub and should be more than OK in the rain or in the shower. Theyre also good options for the beach, playground and other rough environs. Additionally, speakers with ports and a high rating will often include a tight-fitting cover over the charging or auxiliary ports. If you plan on using the ports, that may limit the product's rated ability to fend off the elements. When looking for the best portable Bluetooth speaker, consider the IP rating and also how you plan to use your Bluetooth speaker when making your decision. It may be worth splurging on a better sounding model with a lower IP rating if youll mostly be using it indoors, for instance. Battery life The focus of this guide is on the best portable speakers, and while portable can be a relative term, these devices are generally for people who are likely to find themselves far from a power outlet. These days, around 12 hours of playtime seems to be the baseline but obviously, the more battery life you can get out of a speaker, the better, especially if you plan to listen to podcasts or music on the go. That said, be careful when looking at battery specs, as they frequently list a maximum runtime (up to x amount of hours). This usually means they tested at a low to mid volume. If you like your tunes loud with punchy bass, it can often end up cutting the expected usage time in half or more. Luckily, some manufacturers also list the expected hours of battery life when used at full volume and that transparency is appreciated. Bear in mind, however, that not all of the best Bluetooth speakers use the same charging port. Some support USB-C charging, while others use micro-USB, and some may even come with an adapter for added convenience. Additionally, if your audio system or mini Bluetooth speaker also happens to have Wi-Fi connectivity, they're usually designed for always-on functionality. Unlike normal Bluetooth speakers that go to sleep after a short period without use, these will usually stay awake (to listen for your commands) and slowly run down the battery. If you're out and about, you'll want to remember to turn these speakers off manually when not in use to maximize battery life. Range Bluetooth 5 offers better range and more reliable connectivity than its predecessors, making it a great feature to look for in the best Bluetooth speaker. That said, Bluetooth range can still be tricky. Some companies list their products longest possible range, usually outdoors and in an unobstructed line-of-sight test environment. Other companies stick with a 30-foot range on the spec sheet and leave it at that, even though they may be running Bluetooth 4.x or 5.x. Thats likely underselling the speaker's potential, but unpredictable environments can affect range and theres little point in promising the moon only to get complaints. Ive seen signal drop issues when crouching down, with my phone in the front pocket of my jeans, and barely 30 feet away from a speaker inside my apartment. I ran into this issue across several devices regardless of their listed Bluetooth connectivity range. If youre hosting a patio party and duck inside, its wise to keep any wireless Bluetooth speakers relatively close by just in case. Its hard to gauge what aspects of any environment may interfere with a Bluetooth signal. In general, take range specs around 100 feet or more as a perfect-world scenario. Latency This is a minor mention for those out there who use a speaker for their computer output, or as a mini Bluetooth soundbar solution for setups like a monitor and streaming box. Its annoying to find that your speakers latency isnt low enough to avoid lip sync issues. Luckily, it seems that most speakers these days dont often have these problems. Only a handful of the few dozen speakers I tried had persistent, noticeable lip-sync issues. Aside from occasional blips, all of our picks worked well in this regard. If you plan to frequently use a speaker for video playback, look for devices with the most recent Bluetooth 5 technology and lower latency codecs like aptX. Also make sure the speaker is close to the source device as distance can be a factor. To avoid the issue altogether, though, consider getting one with a wired auxiliary input. Extra features Some speakers dont just play music they bring the party to life with built-in LED light effects and a full-on light show that syncs to your music. If you love a bit of visual flair with your tunes, its worth checking out models that offer LED light customization options. Sound quality also plays a huge role in picking the right speaker. The best Bluetooth speaker should deliver a balanced mix of punchy bass, clear highs and strong vocals. Many models also include customizable sound modes that let you tweak the EQ to better suit different genres whether youre blasting EDM, listening to a podcast, or just want a more immersive experience that would impress even an audiophile. If aesthetics matter, many models come in a tiny size that makes them extra portable, with plenty of color options to match your personal style. Whether you want a sleek black speaker or a vibrant eye-catching design, there are plenty of choices to fit your vibe. Other portable Bluetooth speakers we tested Sonos Roam While there's a lot to like about the Sonos Roam , there are plenty of other Bluetooth speakers with more features and better battery life. In our review , we gave the Roam a score of 87, praising it for its good sound quality, durable waterproof design and ability to work well within an existing Sonos speaker ecosystem. But the price is just fine at $180, and we found Bluetooth speakers that offer more at lower price points. Plus, the Roam taps out at 10 hours of battery life, and all of our top picks can run for longer than that on a single charge. Monoprice Soundstage3 The Monoprice Soundstage3 offers relatively big sound at a midrange $250 price, with a variety of inputs rarely found on a portable Bluetooth speaker. The boxy, minimalist design is no nonsense, even if it's more of a less-rugged, bookshelf-styled homebody. While the speaker puts out crisp highs alongside booming lows, we found the bass can overpower the rest of the output, so it's not for everyone. And after using the speaker for many months, we also found the low-slung, poorly labeled button panel along the top can be a bit annoying to use. If you want a speaker for road trips, favor mids and highs, and plan on using physical buttons for volume control and input selections, there are better options out there. JBL Boombox 3 Fans of JBLs bluetooth speaker sound profile who want to crank up the volume, but also want a rugged and portable option, may enjoy the JBL Boombox 3 . Its a decent grab-and-go speaker with a very loud output, although it's not as good as some of the loud-speaker styled options for long-throw sound and big outdoor areas. However, the price for this speaker line remains prohibitively expensive compared to other options with big sound that cover a bit more ground. If the JBL brand is your thing and you like the rugged, portable form factor, we recommend looking for discounts, or shopping around and exploring the available options including the (less portable) JBL PartyBox series. Soundcore Motion X500 Soundcore speakers have generally been good and often reasonably priced. The Motion X500 loosely falls into that category. It has a tall, metallic lunchbox vibe with a fixed handle and pumps out a respectable 40 watts of crisp, clear sound for its size. It can get pretty loud and serves up a good dose of bass, although its primarily a front-facing speaker. Theres LDAC hi-res audio support for Android users, but the main selling point on this is spatial audio. This is done through an EQ change and the activation of a small, up-firing driver. Theres a slight benefit from this if youre up close and directly in front of it, but its not a total game changer for your listening experience. The original pre-order price of $130 made it a decent option in terms of bang for your buck. But it went up to $170 at launch, making it less appealing even if its still a good middle-of-the-road option if you want small-ish, clear and loud. If you can find one on sale for the lower price , its definitely worth considering. Theres also the larger and louder X600 ($200) if the overall concept is working for you. Portable Bluetooth speaker FAQs How does a Bluetooth speaker work? Bluetooth technology lets devices connect and exchange data over short distances using ultra high frequency (UHF) radio waves. Its the frequency range thats carved out for industrial, scientific and medical purposes, called the 2.4GHz ISM spectrum band. This range is available worldwide, making it easy for companies to use with devices for global markets. Bluetooth speakers include this tech, which lets them communicate with source devices like smartphones, tablets or computers in order to exchange data. The two devices pair by sharing a unique code and will work within the proscribed range for the device and Bluetooth version. Ever since Bluetooth 4.0 was released over a decade ago, new iterations usually improve on range, use less power and offer expanded connectivity with features like multipoint (allowing more than one device to be connected at the same time, for instance). Who should buy a Portable Bluetooth speaker? If you want to play music while youre out-and-about on something other than headphones, a portable Bluetooth speaker is probably what you want. Theres a broad range of devices for all types of circumstances. Many adventurous people will want a relatively lightweight portable thats rugged enough to handle the elements while also packing enough charge to play for hours on end. Others may simply need a speaker they can move around the house or use in the backyard. In this case, you can choose larger less rugged models that may offer better sound. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/best-portable-bluetooth-speakers-133004551.html?src=rss

SpaceX is about to launch Starship for its 10th test flight

SpaceX's massive Starship rocket is scheduled to lift off from the company's Texas launch site as soon as this evening for its 10th flight. The launch window opens at 7:30PM ET (6:30PM CT). As always, the flight test will be livestreamed on the SpaceX website and on X, with a webcast starting 30 minutes before launch. The weather is looking iffy for launch, though, so don't be surprised if this one gets postponed; SpaceX said on Saturday that conditions were looking only 45 percent favorable. According to Space.com , the company has backup opportunities on August 25 and 26. Watch Starship's tenth flight test https://t.co/UIwbeGoo2B https://t.co/gbQv9akMO9 SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 15, 2025 Flight 10 follows a series of failures this year during SpaceX's seventh , eighth and ninth test flights. And in June, a Starship vehicle exploded on the ground during preparations for a static fire test of its six Raptor engines. If all goes according to plan for Flight 10, Starship will deploy eight dummy Starlink satellites and perform several experiments focused on enabling Starships upper stage to return to the launch site. It won't actually be returning to the launch site this time, though. The test is expected to last a little over an hour, and end with a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/spacex-is-about-to-launch-starship-for-its-10th-test-flight-215652105.html?src=rss

Ayn reveals a Nintendo DS-style handheld that comes in the classic Game Boy Color purple

Ayn added more than just a touch of nostalgia with its upcoming dual-screen handheld that gives us modern-day Nintendo DS vibes. After teasing the device in a YouTube video earlier this week, Ayn dropped the full spec sheet, price range and release date for its Thor handhelds. The Thor Lite base model will start at $249 for preorder pricing, but you can opt for the top-of-the-line Thor Max model that goes for $429. Besides the clear purple colorway, the Ayn Thor will come in black, white and rainbow, which colors its buttons like the SNES. Ayn Ayn built all of its Thor models with a primary six-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, while the secondary 3.92-inch AMOLED screen will have a 60Hz refresh rate and a smaller 1,240 x 1,080 resolution. The Thor Lite maxes out at 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage, but you can upgrade to 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage with the Thor Max. The Pro and Max models will pack a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, while the Lite will use the less powerful Snapdragon 865. Outside of the spec differences, all Thor models will run on a 6,000 mAh battery and Android 13. The dual-screen handheld will have video output capabilities, a USB-C port, a 3.5mm audio jack, a TF card slot and can connect via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. As with all foldable devices , the hinge is often a point of failure, so Ayn built the Thor with a reinforced hinge, along with an active cooling system and Hall effect joysticks. Ayn isn't the only handheld maker getting into dual-screen devices. The market was previously dominated by the Ayaneo Flip DS , which currently starts at $1,139, but Ayaneo has announced a more affordable dual-screen handheld called the Pocket DS. Along with the Retroid Flip 2 that was released earlier this year, Retroid is selling an add-on accessory to make some of its other products into a dual-screen handheld. As for the Ayn Thor, preorders start August 25 at 10:30PM ET, with the first shipments expected in mid-October. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ayn-reveals-a-nintendo-ds-style-handheld-that-comes-in-the-classic-game-boy-color-purple-194416424.html?src=rss

The first premium handheld from Ayaneo's budget brand arrives in September

Known for its premium handhelds that often go for more than $1,000, Ayaneo announced a higher-end version of the first handheld to release under its more affordable sub-brand called KONKR. Ayaneo revealed the new Android gaming handheld, called the Pocket Fit Elite, in a YouTube video that detailed most of its specs. The Pocket Fit Elite will be built with a six-inch 1080p display that has a 144Hz refresh rate, an 8,000 mAh battery, and Hall effect joysticks and triggers. However, Ayaneo didn't confirm what processor it will use for the Pocket Fit Elite, whose name could be a nod towards the inclusion of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. We're expecting a more powerful chip than the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 , which Ayaneo said will be used for the Pocket Fit base model that was announced in July. Looking at the two models, the unrevealed processor for the Pocket Fit Elite will be the main difference. Unlike the Ayaneo 3 and its $1,399 starting price, the Pocket Fit Elite will start at less than $399, while the Pocket Fit will be even cheaper with a sub-$329 starting price. Ayaneo said in its latest YouTube video that it's in the final preparation stage for the Pocket Fit launch, which will be sometime in September. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-first-premium-handheld-from-ayaneos-budget-brand-arrives-in-september-183533792.html?src=rss

You can now download and tweak Grok 2.5 for yourself as it goes open source

Unhinged as Grok may be, it's now open source. xAI's CEO, Elon Musk, posted on X that the company made the older Grok 2.5 model available to the public and will do the same with the upcoming Grok 3. For now, anyone can download, run and even tweak Grok, whose source code was uploaded to the Hugging Face platform . However, there are restrictions to xAI's open-source license, which doesn't let people use Grok to train, create or improve other AI models. It's not the first time xAI has made its models available to the public. In March 2024, the company released the raw base model of Grok-1 , which isn't finetuned for any specific task. As xAI continues to make Grok more accessible, it's a stark contrast to OpenAI, which has only offered less powerful models of its ChatGPT model to researchers and businesses. Making Grok open source allows independent developers to potentially improve on the AI model, but xAI is still trying to move past an extremely alarming episode of Grok providing antisemitic responses and referencing itself as MechaHitler . The Grok team attributed the incident to deprecated code that has since been fixed. As for Grok 3, Musk also said on X that it will also go open source in six months, but we may have to take that estimated release with a grain of salt, considering the CEO's other promised timelines . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/you-can-now-download-and-tweak-grok-25-for-yourself-as-it-goes-open-source-164734471.html?src=rss

Get up to 35 percent off Anker wireless chargers ahead of Labor Day

Anker makes some of our favorite charging gear, and now you can save on a bunch of wireless power accessories from the brand. Whether you're going back to school soon or want a new charging station that can power up a few devices at once, there are discounts here worth considering. One of the best is this 3-in-1 MagSafe charging station , on sale for a record low price of $63. The Qi2-certified charger wirelessly charges your compatible iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods on one compact and convenient dock. Qi2 boasts 15W of power, so you can take advantage of fast charging on compatible devices. This means the station can charge an iPhone 16 Pro Max to 20 percent in just 20 minutes and an Apple Watch Series 10 from zero to 100 percent in just over an hour. The magnetic stand for your iPhone is adjustable with 45 degrees of vertical rotation and 360 degrees of horizontal rotation, so you can always find the perfect angle for your phone while charging. Being able to wirelessly charge these three daily devices at once might remind you of Apple's wireless charging pad that never was, but Anker's 3-in-1 charging station offers an elegant solution. We tend to like Anker's charging products , and weve found they make some of the best charging stations on the market. Anker's products can be a bit pricey, though, which is why the best time to pick them up is during these sales. The company actually has a slew of its charging products on sale right now . Its 3-in-1 wireless charging cube is 31 percent off right now and down to $104. If you're a Prime member and have a Qi2-compatible iPhone, then you might also look at Anker's simple Qi2 charging pad , which is 35 percent off for a two-pack right now. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-up-to-35-percent-off-anker-wireless-chargers-ahead-of-labor-day-145325615.html?src=rss

Sonos back-to-school sale: Headphones and speakers are up to 25 percent off

The back-to-school season isn't only a good time to save on things like a new laptop. Case in point: Sonos' back-to-school sale. Whether you want to upgrade the sound in your dorm room or home office, you can save up to 25 percent on Sonos speakers and other gear right now. Included in the sale is the Era 100 , which has a 10-percent discount at the moment. Our choice for midrange smart speaker is down to $179 from $199 as part of a larger sale on the Sonos website . The same price is available on Amazon , as are some more deals on Sonos products . Sonos debuted the Era 100 speaker in 2023 as a replacement for the Sonos One. It offers great sound quality and has built-in mics for Trueplay tuning and voice control. It's worth mentioning that the Sonos Ace headphones are also on sale for $299, down from $399 a 25 percent discount. The headphones have come a long way since they first launched, including the introduction of TrueCinema, which works with a Sonos soundbar to create the best spatial audio experience. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/sonos-back-to-school-sale-headphones-and-speakers-are-up-to-25-percent-off-125211063.html?src=rss

Ooni Labor Day sale: Get 30 percent off the Volt 12 pizza oven

The Ooni Labor Day sale is here, bringing deep discounts to all kinds of pizza ovens and aspiring pizzaiolo accessories. One of the highlights of the sale is the Volt 12 pizza oven , which is 30 percent off and down to $629. Ooni also discounted the Volt's cover as well, so you can pick on up for only $49 along with the oven itself. The Volt 12 is an electric pizza oven that operates indoors, a first for the company. We praised the unit in our official review , saying that it works just as well as the company's indoor models. It preheats quickly and the interior is spacious. It can hit 850 degrees, which cooks a pizza in 90 seconds. The oven also requires little-to-no supervision during use. It's pretty much a set it and forget it type appliance. This operates in stark contrast with the company's outdoor models, which demands that folks pay attention to the fire during use. The Volt 12 made our list of the best pizza ovens , and it's absolutely the finest indoor model available right now. The only major downside is the price. It's tough to recommend any indoor kitchen doodad at $900, but it's easier to do so at $629. This isn't the only interesting item on sale right now at Ooni. The company's selling the Koda 2 Max outdoor pizza oven for $1,039 , which is a discount of $270. This extra-large gas-powered oven can handle multiple pizzas at once. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/ooni-labor-day-sale-get-30-percent-off-the-volt-12-pizza-oven-150908698.html?src=rss

The best Labor Day sales for 2025: Get up to 50 percent off tech from Apple, Anker, Shark and others

Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer as the weather starts to get crisper and students head back to school for the new semester. It also marks a good time to check out the tech deals available across the web. While seasonal holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day are not the boon for tech sales that shopping events like Amazon Prime Day are, they can present good opportunities to save on things like laptops, tablets, smart home gear and more. Here, we've curated the best Labor Day sales on tech we could find this year. Since this time of year does overlap with the back-to-school season, students should be first in line to check out these deals. If you need some new gadgets for college, or refreshed tech to help you out in your first job after graduating, now's the time to see if you can get it for less. Student discounts are handy and exclusive to those who can prove their student status, but the good thing about Labor Day sales is that anyone can take advantage of them student ID not required. Best Labor Day sales: Engadget's top picks Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169 (32 percent off): The AirPods Pro 2 are Apples best set of wireless earbuds for now, as they offer the full set of Apple-focused features, strong ANC, onboard volume controls, a comfy in-ear design and a warm sound profile that most should find agreeable. They can even work as a hearing aid , though their six-hour battery life still isnt the best, and you should only get them if youre all-in on Apple hardware. But if thats the case, we consider them the best wireless earbuds for iPhone owners. Apple iPad (11-inch, A16) for $299 ($50 off): Apple's entry-level iPad is, unsurprisingly, the best iPad option for those on a budget. It has solid performance thanks to the A16 chipset, 128GB of storage in the base model and good battery life. Apple Mac mini M4 for $499 ($100 off): The newest version of Apples tiny desktop PC has a smaller overall footprint, a faster M4 chip, 16GB of RAM as standard, two front-facing USB-C ports, an extra Thunderbolt 4 port and the ability to drive three external displays. We gave the M4 Pro model a review score of 90 . Google Pixel 10 smartphone + $100 Amazon gift card for $799 ($100 off): More of a pre-order deal than a Labor Day deal, this bundle includes a free gift card when you order the latest Google Pixel phone in advance. You'll find different gift card deals at Amazon depending on which phone you go with: the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL have a $200 gift cards included, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold comes with a free $300 gift card. Eufy 11S Max robot vacuum for $150 (46 percent off): This model is one of our favorite budget robot vacuums thanks to its slim design that lets you get underneath furniture more easily and strong suction power for its size. Note that it does not have Wi-Fi connectivity, but it comes with a remote that lets you control the robot to your liking. Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum for $298 (50 percent off): This Shark robot vacuum is a version of one of our favorites and it comes with a auto-empty base that can hold up to 60 days worth of debris. It has strong suction power and home mapping capabilities, so you can tailor cleaning jobs to your liking in addition to putting the robot on a cleaning schedule. Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras (3 camera system) for $100 (47 percent off): Some of our favorite security cameras , Blink Outdoor 4 devices support 1080p video, two-way talk, motion alerts and night vision. The most convenient thing about these is that they're totally wireless and run on AA batteries that can last up to two years before you need to replace them. That combined with their weather-proof design allows you to place them both inside and outside. Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $90 (25 percent off): One of our picks for the best air fryers , this Cosori model has a spacious six-quart cooking basket and nine prep modes to choose from. In our testing, it consistently crisped up all kinds of foods, from frozen appetizers to raw proteins, and it has a nifty safety feature with its built-in basket release button. HORI Piranha Plant camera for Switch 2 for $40 (33 percent off): If you plan on taking advantage of the Switch 2's video and group chat feature, there's no cuter way to do it than with this Piranha Plant camera. In addition to using it with the pot as a stand, the plant itself detaches from the pot so you can use the camera in portable mode with the USB port on the new console. ESPN Unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for $30/month ($6/month off): ESPNs new streaming service is officially available now, and new subscribers can get Disney+ and Hulu included for one year when they sign up. The regular price of the new ESPN Unlimited plan is $30 per month, but this bundle offer throws in Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for one year at no extra cost. If you want to break it down, youre essentially getting each of the three services for $10 monthly with this offer. NordVPN deal Get up to 77 percent off two-year plans: Most of NordVPN's two-year plans are on sale right now. You'll get 77 percent off the Prime tier, bringing the price down to $189 for 27 months of service (Nord throws in an extra three months for free). Arguably the best plan for most people is the Plus tier, which is 73 percent off and down to $108 for the 27-month term. MasterClass deal Get 50 percent off one-year subscriptions: You can sign up for one year of MasterClass access for as low as $5 per month thanks to this sale that runs through September 1. A subscription lets you watch hundreds of online video classes taught by experts in their fields, and subject matter ranges from writing to cooking to sports. Best Labor Day sales on tech Beats Studio Pro headphones for $180 (49 percent off) 8Bitdo Ultimate 2C Wired Controller for $15 (25 percent off) Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones for $198 (43 percent off) Anker 621 5K magnetic power bank for $28 (30 percent off) Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet for $175 (24 percent off) Nothing Headphones (1) for $269 ($30 off) Amazon Labor Day sale: Get up to 40 percent off headphones, earbuds, tech accessories and more Sonos back-to-school sale: Save up to 25 percent on headphones and speakers Ooni Labor Day sale: Get 20 percent off the Koda 2 Max and save on other pizza ovens Solo Stove Labor Day sale: Get 20 percent off fire pits and 15 percent off select accessories Meater Labor Day sale: Get up to 27 percent off smart meat thermometers Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-labor-day-sales-for-2025-get-up-to-50-percent-off-tech-from-apple-anker-shark-and-others-120049434.html?src=rss

Paramount Plus Coupon Codes and Deals: Up to 50% Off in August

Save on streaming with the latest Paramount+ promo codes and deals, including 50% off subscriptions, free trials, and more.

The Alchemist Kindle Edition is a timeless must-have for your personal library, now at just $2 on Amazon

The Alchemist Kindle Edition Buy for $2 (Reg. $15) What we love If you dont know The Alchemist you probably should, and if you do know it, you probably love it. This is a relatively short and particularly sweet fable that was in many ways a far more powerful experience for me than I ever thought it could have been. At $2, it is a no-brainer recommendation for me. more