OpenAI bans Chinese accounts using ChatGPT to edit code for social media surveillance
OpenAI has banned the accounts of a group of Chinese users who had attempted to use ChatGPT to debug and edit code for an AI social media surveillance tool, the company said Friday . The campaign, which OpenAI calls Peer Review, saw the group prompt ChatGPT to generate sales pitches for a program those documents suggest was designed to monitor anti-Chinese sentiment on X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other platforms. The operation appears to have been particularly interested in spotting calls for protests against human rights violations in China, with the intent of sharing those insights with the country's authorities. This network consisted of ChatGPT accounts that operated in a time pattern consistent with mainland Chinese business hours, prompted our models in Chinese, and used our tools with a volume and variety consistent with manual prompting, rather than automation, said OpenAI. The operators used our models to proofread claims that their insights had been sent to Chinese embassies abroad, and to intelligence agents monitoring protests in countries including the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. According to Ben Nimmo, a principal investigator with OpenAI, this was the first time the company had uncovered an AI tool of this kind. Threat actors sometimes give us a glimpse of what they are doing in other parts of the internet because of the way they use our AI models, Nimmo told The New York Times . Much of the code for the surveillance tool appears to have been based on an open-source version of one of Meta's Llama models . The group also appears to have used ChatGPT to generate an end-of-year performance review where it claims to have written phishing emails on behalf of clients in China. Assessing the impact of this activity would require inputs from multiple stakeholders, including operators of any open-source models who can shed a light on this activity, OpenAI said of the operation's efforts to use ChatGPT to edit code for the AI social media surveillance tool. Separately, OpenAI said it recently banned an account that used ChatGPT to generate social media posts critical of Cai Xia , a Chinese political scientist and dissident who lives in the US in exile. The same group also used the chatbot to generate articles in Spanish critical of the US. These articles were published by mainstream news organizations in Latin America and often attributed to either an individual or a Chinese company. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-bans-chinese-accounts-using-chatgpt-to-edit-code-for-social-media-surveillance-230451036.html?src=rss
Coming at us through its official Amazon storefront, UGREEN is now offering its Nexode 20,000mAh 130W 3-Port Power Bank for $63.99 shipped. Youd normally have to hand over $100 for this device at full price, with discounts often lessening the cost every month usually keeping things above $65. While we have seen it fall slightly lower to $60, mainly in the form of short-term Lightning deals, youre still looking at the second-lowest rate we have tracked, putting $36 back in your pocket while equipping you with a solid way to keep your devices topped off throughout the day. more
Can somebody let this robot down?
It's not clear that anyone was asking for a company to build a muscular, sinewy robot or to see a video of it dangling, helpless from a hook, but life is full of surprises and this YouTube video of Clone Robotics' Protoclone is here all the same. The Protoclone appears to be a prototype version of the Clone robot the aptly named Clone Robotics is working to build. The video shows the Protoclone flexing its arms and legs, with visible artificial muscle fibers moving underneath its white skin. Based on Clone Robotic's video description, the impressive part here is that fact that the Protoclone has over 200 degrees of freedom, over 1,000 Myofibers, and over 200 sensors, and also that the robot is faceless, for some reason. The end goal for the startup is to build an android that's anatomically correct, with synthetic nervous, skeletal, muscular and vascular systems powering its movement. The Myofibers included in the Protoclone are a custom Clone Robotics creation with he desirable qualities of mammalian skeletal muscle. For the eventual Clone robot's purposes, those qualities are the ability to espond in less than 50 ms with a bigger than 30 percent unloaded contraction and at least a kilogram of contraction force for a single, three gram muscle fiber, according to Clone Robotics' website . That the Protoclone is dangling in the video rather than roaming around of its own accord is a reflection of its prototype nature. Robots are often hung or propped up with a support arm until they can support their own body weight, something that can be hard to achieve without all of the right materials. Clone Robotics is not unique in pursuing a human-like robot that could theoretically replace human workers. Figure is exploring a similar idea, minus the muscles. Tesla started off on the wrong foot with a person in a spandex suit , but it's serious about robots , too. Even the largest of tech companies have turned their attention to robots: Both Meta and Apple are reportedly exploring robotics as a future product category. It's fair to say Clone Robotics is winning when it comes to posting videos of muscular robots, though. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/can-somebody-let-this-robot-down-222011506.html?src=rss
Macworld The old trope that old people are hopelessly illiterate when it comes to technology is somewhat unwarranted. The home computer revolution is decades old at this point, and smartphones have been around for over 16 years. Seniors may not operate their smartphones as adroitly as their grandkids, but they arent just sitting around pining for the days of rotary dial phones. Seniors need iPhones, too, but they may have unique needs. Theyre often on fixed incomes and may have difficulty reading small text, suffer from arthritis, or have other accessibility needs. The best iPhone for seniors is one that wont cost an arm and a leg and will continue to be updated for at least a few years. Beyond that, were going to make two recommendations: a small iPhone for seniors who find large phones difficult to carry and manipulate, and a large iPhone for those who need larger text and images. Right now buying an iPhone for an older person is a little less simple than usual. We previously recommended the iPhone SE because it has a Home button, which simplifies the iPhone interface for the less tech-minded and is cheaper. However, Apple discontinued the iPhone SE in February 2025 and no longer offers iPhones with Touch ID and a Home button. If thats what you want, check third-party retailers and see if they have any in stock. Also note that Apple Intelligence features are only supported by Apples newest phones, the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, and 16e. Apple sells the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus for $699 and $799, respectively, but they dont support Apple Intelligence, so if you want those features, you need to get an iPhone 16. 1. Apple iPhone 16: Best for seniors Pros Excellent battery life Great processing and graphics performance Camera Control is a boon for users who frequently shoot photos Cons No always-on display May not be small enough for those who prefer small phones Price When Reviewed: $799 Best Prices Today: New Refurbished Retailer Price $829 View Deal $829.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 16 128GB Black Unlocked eSIM $717 View Deal iPhone 16 128GB Ultramarine Unlocked eSIM $749 View Deal iPhone 16 128GB Pink Unlocked eSIM $750 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket $829 at Apple $829.99 at Best Buy We recommend the iPhone 16 as the top choice here primarily because it represents the best value for money right now. At $799/799., it offers a dual camera system with a Camera Control button. It can also shoot 4K video at 60 fps. The iPhone 16 also offers Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash Detection, Roadside Assistance via satellite, and Messages via satellite. That A18 processor is more than fast enough for email, checking social media apps, taking pictures, making FaceTime calls, and everything else a senior wants an iPhone for. And itll still get several years of iOS software updates. Face ID might take a little getting used to if the user is used to Touch ID and the Home button, but could prove to be an easier way to secure an iPhone for those with arthritis. Read our full Apple iPhone 16 review 2. Apple iPhone 16e: New $599 option Pros Small size Support for Apple Intelligence Long battery life Cons No MagSafe support Old set of Photographic Styles Price When Reviewed: From $599 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $599 at Apple The iPhone 16e is Apples newest affordable option that replaces both the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE. Starting at $599/599, you get an iPhone with the same A18 processor but with fewer GPU cores (4 vs 5). It has a single 48MP camera, but as weve seen on other iPhones its quite good with features like Deep Fusion for better low-light photography. Apple calls it a 2-in-1 camera since its high-resolution photos allow it to zoom at 2X without any noticeable degradation. Apple no longer offers a Home button and Touch ID. The iPhone 16e uses Face ID, and you swipe up from the bottom of the screen to get to the Home screen. Some seniors will find Touch ID easier to deal with than Face ID (especially if their previous smartphone was an older iPhone). The iPhone 16e isnot as small as the iPhone SE it replaced, but it is among Apples smallest phones in the current lineup. Despite its size, battery life is rated by Apple to last 26 hours, which is the longest ever for a 6.1-inch iPhone. The iPhone 16e supports 5G and comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities. If you decide on the 128GB model, you can opt for an iCloud subscription plan if you find yourself needing additional storage. Well update this with our full review but if you cant wait, the iPhone 16e should be a solid option for users looking to spend a little less. Learn more about the iPhone 16e . 3. Apple iPhone 16 Plus: Big-screen iPhone Pros Large 6.7-inch screen Lightest large-screened iPhone Cons Bulky and heavier than smaller iPhones Price When Reviewed: $899 Best Prices Today: New Refurbished Retailer Price $924.97 View Deal $929 View Deal $929.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 16 Plus 128GB White Unlocked eSIM $799 View Deal iPhone 16 Plus 128GB Black Unlocked eSIM $840.43 View Deal iPhone 16 Plus 128GB Teal Unlocked eSIM $888 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket $924.97 at Amazon $929 at Apple $929.99 at Best Buy The large display of one of the Plus-sized iPhones will be much easier for old eyes to see clearly. Excluding the iPhone 16 Pro Max, there are two choices with a 6.7-inch screen here: the iPhone 16 Plus, and iPhone 15 Plus. Again, you can save $100/100 by buying the iPhone 15 Plus (at $799/799) instead of the newer iPhone 16 Plus (at $899/899). This time we recommend spending the extra money if there is a budget available because the iPhone 16 generation is a leap ahead of the iPhone 15 in terms of processor and camera. Another reason to choose the iPhone 16 Plus: it supports Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 15 Plus does not. The Apple Intelligence features may not appeal to you now, but they turn out to be useful in the future. If you want Apple Intelligence and a larger iPhone then the best option is the iPhone 16 Plus. For more advice about accessories for your Mac, iPad or iPhone see all our Best Picks .
ECOVACS Winbot robots cover every inch of your tall windows cleaning needs starting from a $300 low
Amazon is giving folks with high windows another shot at the ECOVACS Winbot W1 Pro Window Cleaning Robot for $299.99 shipped. This robot normally carries a $400 price tag in full, which weve been seeing more frequently fall to the $300 low since November. If you missed out on this deal back at the start of the month, its getting the same $100 markdown again today, giving you a safer way to clean those high-reaching windows at the lowest price we have tracked. more
We have scoped out some particularly notable refurbished deals courtesy of the world-class Bose renewal program as of late, and next up is its flagship Smart Ultra Soundbar . Regularly $899 and currently fetching as much over at Amazon, the official Bose site is now offering refurbished units with the same warranty as a new model down at $599 shipped thats a straight up $300 in savings and one of the lowest prices we have tracked all-time. more
Streamline your Mac setup with Ankers 8-in-1 100W USB-C Docking Station at $40 (20% off)
Anker 8-in-1 100W USB-C Docking Station Buy for $40 (Reg. $50) What we love You dont have to use up all the ports on your MacBook when you add this handy 8-in-1 device to your setup, which even offers pass-through charging at up to 85W. This is achieved via USB-C power delivery, while also findingan additional USB-C port, three USB-A ports, dual HDMI, and a VGA port for any legacy devices with a 1080p output. more
Mario Day 2025, or MAR10, is just around the corner now, and it looks like this years bundle has already leaked at Best Buy. In fact, you can already buy it right now . While this years Mario Day celebration might be a touch underwhelming for some considering its going to land roughly a month before the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct showcase and subsequent pre-orders for the next-generation console, but Nintendo clearly thinks its current-generation OLED console still has some fire left in it as the new Super Mario Bros. Wonder bundle is now up for sale at $349 . more
Fortnites new season leans heavily on heist mechanics
Fortnite just announced the availability of Chapter 6: Season 2, which has been dubbed Lawless . As the name suggests, this update is all about being a criminal and performing robberies. Fortnite hasnt dabbled in this kind of GTA-esque tomfoolery since Chapter 4: Season 4 , which also included heists. Starting today, players will be able to perform all kinds of nefarious activities, like robbing banks, stealing armored cars and breaking into luxury locations. The popular battle royale will even let players rob the train that services the island. Oh yeah. Theres also a giant pickle that raps named Big Dill. It has a song on Soundcloud . There are a handful of new locations to accompany this update, including an urban area called Crime City. Other updated game mechanics include gold water that provides stat boosts, black markets for high-end weapons, and a scanner that detects where enemies are. Theres also a new in-game crypto currency called Dill Bits coins, which can be used to buy gear. This automatically makes it more useful than the vast majority of actual crypto coins out there. Players that pick up this seasons battle pass will have access to several new playable characters, including the aforementioned vinegar-soaked rapper Big Dill. Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat is also included in this roster for some reason. Epic Games A series of Cowboy Bebop quests will also appear in the game beginning on March 1. To accompany these quests, players will be able to dress like the characters Spike Spiegel and Faye Valentine. Lawless runs from today until May 2. This is just the latest wild and wacky Fortnite update. The game has dabbled with post-apocalyptic locales in the past, in addition to Greek gods , vampires and just about everything else. Most recently, Epic introduced Godzilla as a playable character . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnites-new-season-leans-heavily-on-heist-mechanics-201542184.html?src=rss
Is this really a no-brainer deal for wine youll actually drink? Absolutely. Imagine your cabinet stocked with a diverse mix of premium wines, hand picked for palatability.Score 18 bottles for $69 today, down from the regular $270 combined list price. more
With Split Fiction, your Friends Pass goes cross-platform
Split Fiction's Friend's Pass will let you play with a friend, even if you're on PlayStation 5 and they're on Steam.
Apple is adding tens of thousands of recipes to News+
Apple is set to give News+ subscribers more than a soupon of fresh material. When iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 arrive in April, the company will add a Food section to News+. This will include tens of thousands of recipes, along with stories curated by Apple News editors about healthy eating, restaurants, kitchen essentials and so on. Apple says he world's top food publishers including Allrecipes, Bon Apptit, Food & Wine, Good Food and Serious Eats will supply the recipes and stories. One notable omission from that list is The New York Times , which has a separate subscription for its famed Cooking app. As such, it seems Apple is trying to go toe-to-toe with one of the country's papers of record on another front after it added games for News+ subscribers . Of course, there are plenty of other places you can go on the web for recipes and cooking tips . Non-News+ subscribers will have access to a limited number of stories and recipes. An appetizer, if you will, to encourage folks to sign up for the full buffet. New recipes will be added to the Recipe Catalog every day. You'll be able to browse, search and filter the library. Apple says the format makes it easy to review the lists of ingredients and directions. There's an option to view step-by-step instructions in full screen mode (which looks a bit like a lyrics screen in Apple Music). You can also save recipes for offline access, which could be useful for meal planning if you like to go off-grid once in a while. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-is-adding-tens-of-thousands-of-recipes-to-news-194518874.html?src=rss
You can play the Fallout-inspired Chernobylite 2, but its demo is 100GB
Chernobylite 2 is part RPG, part survival game, and you can play a demo now assuming you have enough storage space available.
Federal government reportedly plans to shut down its EV charging infrastructure
The General Services Administration plans on shutting down federal EV charging infrastructure in the coming weeks and offloading EVs purchased by the previous administration, The Verge reports . Since the GSA oversees government buildings, shutting down chargers will impact personal electric vehicles owned by government employees and government-owned EVs. As GSA has worked to align with the current administration, we have received direction that all GSA owned charging stations are not mission critical, an email viewed by The Verge reads. There were a a steadily increasing number of federally-owned EVs after President Biden ordered the government agencies to electrify their fleets in 2021 . Part of the Inflation Reduction Act signed in 2024 also included funding to build EV chargers for the growing number of vehicles used by the government. The shutdown will take place over the coming weeks and will coincide with the removal of GSA EVs purchased by the Biden Administration, either by selling them or placing them in storage, according to the report. Engadget has reached out to the GSA for confirmation of this plan and will update this article if we hear back. Shutting down federal charging infrastructure fits with both the Trump administration's stance on EVs and the transportation goals of Project 2025 , the plan written by The Heritage Foundation that's been guiding recent policy decisions. Since taking office, Trump has reversed Biden's order to electrify government vehicles and cancelled a project to install high-speed EV chargers along highways. It wouldn't be surprising if he signed a bill eliminating the federal EV tax credit entirely, if presented with the chance. While not a magic bullet for global warming, EV adoption has been pushed because of its potential to reduce carbon emissions. Moving from manufacturing gas vehicles to EVs has not been cheap for car companies, though. Imposing tariffs and removing the incentives to buy EVs is one reason automakers are reportedly trying to lobby the Trump administration to reconsider its current stance. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/federal-government-reportedly-plans-to-shut-down-its-ev-charging-infrastructure-191314767.html?src=rss
As the Kernel Turns: Rust in Linux saga reaches the Linus in all-caps phase
Torvalds: You can avoid Rust as a C maintainer, but you can't interfere with it.
Todays Android app deals and freebies: Lovecrafts Untold Stories, 911 Operator, more
We are ready to cap off the work week in Android app deals courtesy of the latest Google Play price drops. Just be sure to stop by the deals we are tracking right now on SanDisks new 2TB 2,000MB/s Creator Pro portable SSD as well as GameSirs X3 Pro see-through mobile game controller , even lower pricing on Galaxy Tab S9 FE , and some sweet Galaxy Watch 7 deals $60 off plus a FREE $70 band or from just $68 with an S25 purchase . As for the apps, highlights include some freebie icon packs as well as Lovecrafts Untold Stories, 911 Operator, BE-A Walker, Breaking Gates, and more. Hit the jump for a closer look. more
What to expect at Mobile World Congress 2025: Nothing, Samsung, Xiaomi and more
On March 3, Mobile World Congress will kick off in Barcelona, Spain. While its not the premier show it once was, many of the smartphone industrys leading players still attend the conference and frequently launch new devices there. Typically, we hear from companies like Lenovo, Arm, Xiaomi, Dell and more at the conference, as well as standards organizations like the GSMA on developments in areas like 5G or SIM technology. And judging by the event agenda on the MWC website , we will be seeing at least some kind of presence from Meta about Whatsapp , though it's unlikely anything major gets announced at that event. Below, youll find a list of the more notable devices we expect to be launched at MWC 2025. Nothing Phone 3a series At MWC 2022, Nothings Carl Pei showed off a prototype of what would become the companys first handset, the Nothing Phone 1 , behind closed doors, and at last years event, Nothing announced the Phone 2(a) . This year, were definitely getting at least one new device from the company at MWC, with Nothing teasing something for March 4, the second day of the show. I say at least one device because Nothings invite says Phone 3a Series. To add to that, recent reports suggest the company is preparing to announce a Phone (3a) Pro alongside a regular offering. Why would Nothing release a Pro version of a midrange device, you ask? Im not sure, but this is Nothing we're talking about and the company has frequently done things a bit differently from the rest of the pack. Phone (3a) Series. Power in perspective. 4 March 10 AM GMT. pic.twitter.com/auesJycJQy Nothing (@nothing) January 30, 2025 Xiaomi 15 Ultra Xiaomi In 2024, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra made its global debut ahead of MWC , and its looking like history will repeat. Before the start of this month, there was some evidence to suggest Xiaomi would launch its new flagship at MWC 2025, but more recent rumors suggest the company plans to announce the 15 Ultra on February 26. In any case, Xiaomi is listed as an exhibitor at MWC 2025, so if the phone does debut before the end of this month, theres a good chance it will be on the show floor for people to try out. Like the 14 Ultra before it, it looks like the 15 Ultra will be a photography powerhouse, with the phone rumored to feature a 1-inch main sensor and 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. HMD Global Since 2017, HMD Global has been a mainstay at MWC. First, with its Nokia-branded phones, including retro throwbacks like the 8110 Reloaded , and now more recently with devices carrying its own name . Given that history, it seems a safe bet the company will have something to announce at the show. What that could be is more of a mystery, though its possible the sub-$100 HMD Key could get a global release. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Samsung After Samsung teased the Galaxy S25 Edge at Unpacked last month , you might think it would be fitting for the company to launch the phone in Barcelona next month. After all, MWC was the venue where, up until the Galaxy S10 in 2019 , Samsung announced every S series phone beginning with the S2 back in 2011, and the companys presence at MWC was the highlight of the event. Unfortunately, it doesnt seem Samsung is feeling nostalgic for and the sunny boulevards of Barcelona, with little in the way of rumors suggesting we could see the S25 Edge at MWC 2025. Still, never discount the chance Samsung may have a surprise up its sleeve. Everything else As Engadgets resident AI reporter, Im obligated to mention a lot of companies will probably have AI-related announcements to share at MWC 2025. Dont expect anything from the big players like OpenAI the company isnt registered as an exhibitor but with artificial intelligence being the trendy thing in the industry right now, everyone will be trying to cash in on the hype; in fact, AI+ is one of the main themes of MWC 2025. Update, February 21 2025, 1:45PM ET: This story has been updated to add more context in the intro, calling out a few more companies that typically present at MWC, as well as some additional info pulled from the MWC agenda page. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/what-to-expect-at-mobile-world-congress-2025-nothing-samsung-xiaomi-and-more-140057306.html?src=rss
iOS 18.4 beta begins with huge Apple Intelligence expansion but no new Siri
Macworld iOS 18.4 is destined to be a big release. The headline feature of iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, and the various AI features have been rolling out piece by piece. After getting no major new AI features in iOS 18.3 , Apple is bringing Apple Intelligence to many more countries in iOS 18.4 as well as a new deviceVision Pro. However, the anticipated Siri update has to wait. There are several big Siri updates coming, including personal context, app intents, and screen reading, but theyre missing from the first iOS 18.4 beta. Instead, Apple says Apple Intelligence will receive additional features in the coming months, including expanded capabilities for Siri. That likely means the whole update has been pushed to iOS 18.5. The iOS 18.4 beta began on February 21 and we expect the final release in early April . Whats new in iOS 18.4 Well update this section with the features and changes found in the latest iOS 18.4 beta, as they are found. Apple Intelligence languages: Including Simplified Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanishalong with localized English for Singapore and India. Apple Intelligence regions: With iOS 18.4, iPhone and iPad users in the EU will gain access to Apple Intelligence features for the first time. Prioritize Notifications: Apple Intelligence will attempt to show notifications that may be important in a separate section on the lock screen. Go to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications to enable. Apple Intelligence for Vision Pro: Apple is bringing Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro for English-speaking users in the U.S. with the visionOS 2.4 update. Apple Vision Pro app: iOS 18.4 brings a new iPhone app that offers users a new way to download Vision Pro apps and games from the App Store on your iPhone, as well as browse Apple TV content and access your library of spatial photos and videos. It only shows up if you have a Vision Pro associated with the same Apple ID. Food in News+: A new section in Apple News+ for curated recipes, restaurant reviews, and curated stories about food and dining. iOS 18.4: How to install the developer beta Youll need to be registered as an Apple developer. Beginning with iOS 18.4, you dont need to be in the $99 per year developer program to access the developer beta. A free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Heres how to do it via the Apple Developer app: Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store. Open the app. Tap on Account. Sign in using your usual Apple ID. Registered developers can choose to get the Public Beta instead by selecting iOS Public Beta in the Software Update screen. It may take a little time after registering as a developer for the option to appear in Software Updates. iOS 18.4: How to install the public beta If you want to be among the first to test iOS 18.4, you can sign up for the public beta test, which should arrive in late February. The process for installing a beta has changed in iOS 16.4. Heres how the new process works now: Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID. Log in to the Beta Software Program. Click Enroll your iOS device . Open the Settings app, tap General , then Software Update . In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta. It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update. Find out everything you need to know about iOS 18 in our iOS 18 superguide .
Meta approves massive bonuses for executives after broad layoffs
Meta has offered up a lucrative new executive bonus plan, according to a company filing released Thursday . Under the new plan, executives could earn a yearly bonus of 200 percent of their base salary, which is up from 75 percent. This comes just after Meta announced sweeping layoffs impacting five percent of its workforce . A committee for Metas board of directors approved the change on February 13, on the grounds that the target total cash compensation for its executives was at or below the 15th percentile of the target total cash compensation of executives holding similar positions at rival companies. Its worth noting that the new bonus plan doesnt apply to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Dont worry about his bottom line, however, as hes worth nearly $250 billion. Meta has also decided to slash its annual distribution of stock options by around ten percent for thousands of its regular employees, according to a report by The Financial Times . The exact reduction could differ depending on where the employees live and what they do, but Meta hasnt commented further on the decision. As previously noted, Meta is in the process of laying off five percent of its global workforce. This is despite the fact that company shares are up nearly 50 percent over the past year, with a current stock price of around $687 per share. Also, it recently announced that its fourth-quarter revenue grew 21 percent year-over-year to more than $48 billion. The company has cut more than 20,000 jobs in the past couple of years. A leaner org will execute its highest priorities faster. People will be more productive, and their work will be more fun and fulfilling, Zuckerberg said at the tail-end of last year. Nothing says fun and fulfilling more than watching your co-workers get laid off while the executives get massive bonuses. If youre a current or former Meta employee with thoughts on this new executive bonus structure, hit me up on Signal at LawrenceBonk.96. Ill ensure that things are kept anonymous. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-approves-massive-bonuses-for-executives-after-broad-layoffs-183222951.html?src=rss
Lululemons We Made Too Much refreshes with unbeatable deals starting at $9!
lululemon refreshes its We Made Too Much section with spring essentials starting at just $9 . Prices are as marked. Plus, lululemon always offers free delivery. Inside this sale you can find deals on t-shirts, shorts, spring layering pieces, shoes, and more. One of our top picks from this sale is the Metal Vent Tech Short-Sleeve Shirt thats marked down to $39 and originally sold for $78. This shirt features lululemons signature tech fabric, which is made to be lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking to promote all-day comfort. It also has anti-odor properties and subtle reflective details for visibility in low-light conditions. You can choose from several color options and rated 4.4/5 stars from lululemon customers. Score additional deals by heading below, or you can shop the entire section here . more
Grab a pack of four AirTags for the lowest price ever
Macworld If youre always losing your keys and wallet, want to make sure you know where your luggage is when youre at the airport, and so on, then this four-pack of AirTags will make your life so much easier. Theyre pretty inexpensive normally, but this Amazon sale makes them a downright bargain: You can get a 4-pack of AIrTags for $70 today , a savings of $29, and the lowest price weve ever seen. We love these tiny Bluetooth trackers and gave them a four-star rating when we reviewed them a while back. We found they have an excellent design and theyre super easy to set up and track with the Find My network. Another thing we really appreciate is the fact that you can swap out the battery to change it up when its time. When these trackers are within range, you can track their location on the map. If you have an iPhone with an ultra-wideband chip youll be able to pinpoint the location or you can get them to make a sound when youre nearby. When out of Bluetooth range, your items can still be tracked as long using the vast FindMy network. Since the tags are IP67 water- and dust-resistant, it wont even matter if you drop your keys in the park. And with separation alerts, your phone will get you know when youre about to leave something behind. So go get yourself some peace of mind with four AirTags for $70 at Amazon because this deal wont stick around forever. That's $17.5 for an AirTag Buy now at Amazon
We are now tracking a deal at Amazon that drops Belkins BoostCharge Pro 15W 2-in-1 MagSafe dock down to $95.99 shipped. This comes in Sand and Black colorways, and theyre both down to $96 today. Regularly $120, youre now looking at a solid 20% discount which takes $24 off the chargers sticker price. Todays deal lands this model back to the lowest price we have tracked for it to date, making it a great time to snag a premium and reliable charger from a brand that we feature a lot around here. The BoostCharge Pro dock comes with a color-matched charger and a cable, and you can learn more about it below. more
You can now grab Govees latest 2-pack of Matter RGBIC wall sconces at $140 (Reg. $170)
Govees official Amazon storefront is offering the first chance at savings on its 2-pack of new Matter RGBIC Wall Sconces for $139.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page $30 off coupon. This combo package just hit the scene a little over a week ago, with todays deal bringing you the first chance at cash savings at $70 per light. We have seen the single-packs hit $70 twice since releasing in November, so youre basically getting the lowest rate weve seen there in a two-light bundle. Considering the single pack is only discounted to $85 right now, this makes a far better deal to get two at $70 each. more
Apple Intelligence is headed to the Vision Pro in April, dev beta available today
The rumors are true : Apple confirmed today that the Vision Pro will get Apple Intelligence features in April with the arrival of visionOS 2.4. A developer beta is also rolling out today for the less patient. As we've seen on other devices, Apple is starting out the Vision Pro's AI rollout with basic features. Those include Writing Tools, which can help you summarize, rewrite and proofread text, as well as generate text with ChatGPT; Image Playground for creating AI imagery; and Genmoji for building custom AI generated emojis and stickers. It really was only a matter of when Apple would bring Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro. It's available on current Macs running the M1 chip, so the spatial headset's M2 hardware is clearly more than capable. Apple Intelligence on VP only supports English for now, but the company says more languages and AI features will be coming throughout the year. As for other minor Apple Intelligence capabilities, the Vision Pro will also be getting Priority Notifications and summaries, Smart Reply in Mail and Messages, and the ability to create Memory Movies in Photos. Arguably more useful to Vision Pro users, Apple is also introducing several apps and tweaks to make the headset a bit more useful. There's a new Spatial Gallery app exclusive to Vision Pro that will highlight spatial videos, photos and panoramas from Apple. Think of it as another way to enjoy the VP's immersive capabilities without waiting for another big budget Immersive Video to drop. The company says the Spatial Galllery app will include stories and experiences from brands like Red Bull (which is well known for making 360-degree videos for VR), as well as behind the scenes material from Apple shows like Severance and Shrinking . (Let's hope we can actually sit inside the creepy Lumon offices.) Apple Additionally, a new Apple Vision Pro app for iPhone will let users better manage their headset experience. They can remotely add apps and games to the Vision Pro, as well as explore content to check out later. The app will also serve as a way to owners you know when new content drops for the Vision Pro (like a new Arctic Surfing episode of the Boundless Immersive series, which arrives today), as well as explore other videos for the headset, including a library of nearly 300 3D movies. A standalone mobile Vision Pro app also makes sense, especially since Meta has offered something similar for its headsets for years. It's a sign that Apple is slowly making the Vision Pro platform a bit more consumer friendly, instead of just being a testbed for developers working in spatial computing. I don't think Apple will be lowering the Vision Pro's price anytime soon, but whenever we get a cheaper headset from the company, it'll be helpful to have content discovery features like the Spatial Gallery and the Vision Pro iPhone app. And speaking of user-friendly tweaks, Apple is also improving Guest User mode with visionOS 2.4 Now headset owners will be able to start guest sessions with their iPhone and iPad, remotely choose which apps are available to guests wearing your Vision Pro, and also kick off AirPlay mirroring remotely. Previously, that process involved putting on the Vision Pro first, enabling Guest User mode, and then passing it to someone else to test out. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/apple-intelligence-is-headed-to-the-vision-pro-in-april-dev-beta-available-today-181014106.html?src=rss
Anker debuted a pair of new display-equipped chargers at CES this year (reviews on the way for those), but neither of them offered up the versatility I was after in the way its latest Prime Power Bank does. It is also a more compact solution, providing both entirely portable power bank functionality while also doubling as a wall charger this is exactly what I needed for my EDC, so lets find out what this thing is like in hand and what its like to actually use. more
Google's Pixel 9 Pro is $200 off, plus the rest of the week's best tech deals
While Apple's new iPhone 16e may be the big tech news of the week, it's one of Google's Pixel phones that leads our latest weekly deal roundup. More specifically, the Pixel 9 Pro our pick for the best Android handset is down to $799 at several retailers, a $200 drop that represents the lowest price we've tracked for an unlocked model. If you don't need a new phone, a few other gadgets we recommend are also on sale, including Crucial's X9 Pro portable SSD, Apple's AirTag trackers, ASUS' ROG Zephyrus G14 gaming laptop and Ultimate Ears' Wonderboom 4 speaker. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still buy today. Spotlight deal The rest of the best tech deals this week Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 for $70 at Amazon ($30 off MSRP) : We've previously recommended the adorably compact Wonderboom 3 in our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers . The Wonderboom 4 is more or less the same device, only it charges over USB-C instead of microUSB and adds a Podcast Mode that better tunes the sound profile for, well, podcasts. Otherwise, it still sounds punchy and spacious for a speaker that's only four inches tall, and its IP67-rated design is both rugged and easy to control. The battery typically lasts more than 10 hours on a charge as well. Just don't expect super-high volume or bass response. The speaker fell to $60 for a week back in December, but this discount ties its lowest price outside of that. Also at B&H and Best Buy . Crucial X9 Pro (1TB) for $70 at Amazon ($31 off) : This deal has popped up a few times in recent months, but it matches the lowest price in a year for the 1TB version of our favorite portable SSD . While the drive itself isn't the absolute fastest model out there, it's quick enough for most needs at a more reasonable price, it stays cool with extended use, and its rugged design is shorter than a credit card. Also at B&H and Best Buy . The Crucial X9 Pro portable SSD. Jeff Dunn for Engadget JLab Go Air Sport for $13 at Amazon ($17 off) : This is the lowest price we've tracked for the budget pick in our guide to the best running headphones . You should see the full discount at checkout. The catch is that the offer only applies to the neon yellow model, which, let's say, won't be for everyone. This pair's boomy sound isn't the best, either, and it's light on features, with no active noise cancellation, multi-device pairing, wireless charging or automatic wear detection. Still, its sweat-resistant design stays secure during workouts, and its battery life is solid at roughly eight hours per charge. For $13, it's hard to complain if you just want a cheap set of beater headphones for the gym. LG C3 OLED TV (65-inch) for $1,197 at Amazon ($303 off) : The LG C3 was released in 2023, but it's not a huge downgrade from last year's LG C4, so it's worth considering when it's discounted to this extent. While it can't quite match the brightness and color volume of a QD-OLED set like the Samsung S90D , it still gets you the usual benefits of a good OLED panel: excellent contrast, vibrant colors, wide viewing angles and minimal blurring from objects in motion. It's also equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports that support a fast 120Hz refresh rate, so it can make the most of a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. This discount ties the lowest price we've seen for the 65-inch version outside of a handful of in-store-only and eBay coupon deals. LG will release a new C5 TV in the coming months, but we doubt it'll be available at this price anytime soon. The LG C3 OLED TV. LG Alan Wake 2 (PC) for $25 at Epic Games Store ($25 off) : This matches the lowest price to date for the surreal survival horror game Alan Wake 2 , which we recommend in our guide to the best PC games . The PS5 version is also on sale for $30, which is an all-time low for that platform. You shouldn't go into this one expecting tons of action, and the story definitely isn't immune to navel-gazing, but it's delightfully tense and voice-y in a way most high-production games are not nowadays. It's graphically gorgeous, too. Baseus Blade Laptop Power Bank for $48 at Amazon ($52 off, Prime only) : The Baseus Blade is the budget pick in our guide to the best laptop power banks . At 20,000 mAh, it doesn't have enough juice to completely refill larger notebooks, but it can deliver a relatively speedy 100W charge from either of its two USB-C ports. There are two USB-A ports and a battery status display on top of that, and its tablet-like shape is fairly easy to tuck in a bag. This deal is only for Amazon Prime members, but it comes within a couple bucks of the lowest price we've seen. To see the full discount, click the 10 percent coupon on the product page and use the code BGAEY8HX at checkout. The Baseus Blade power bank. Amy Skorheim for Engadget PlayStation Plus Premium (12-month) for $100 at PlayStation ($60 off, new and returning subscribers only) : Through February 24, new and lapsed subscribers can get a year-long PlayStation Plus Premium subscription for $100. That's $60 less than usual. As a refresher, this is the top-end tier of Sony's online service. It gets you the core benefits of any PS Plus subscription online play, cloud saves and a selection of free titles every month plus access to a Game Pass-style catalog (including several retro PlayStation games ), time-limited game trials and cloud streaming support. Most people will be fine without it, and Sony has only jacked up the service's price over time, but any sort of discount should be welcome if you're interested in the retro catalog and want to stream games remotely . Just remember to cancel before the subscription ends if you don't want to be auto-renewed at the standard rate. Apple Music (6-month) for $3 at Apple ($52 off, new subscribers and select devices only) : Apple is running a promo that gives six months of Apple Music for $3 total. Normally, a solo subscription costs $11 per month after a 30-day free trial (or a three-month trial if you recently bought an Apple device). This offer comes with a few caveats, though: You must be new to Apple Music, not eligible for the aforementioned three-month trial and able to redeem the offer through an iPhone, iPad or Mac. If you meet all of that, however, this is a nice way to get a half-year of music streaming for cheap. We praise Apple Music in our guide to the best music services for its lossless streaming quality, ease of use with Apple devices and emphasis on letting actual people introduce you to new music. This deal runs through February 27, but remember your subscription will be set to auto-renew until you cancel. The ASUS ROG Ally. Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget ASUS ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) for $450 at Best Buy ($200 off) : The original ROG Ally isn't as powerful, ergonomic or long-lasting as the newer ROG Ally X , and all Windows gaming handhelds are stuck with clunkier software than Valve's Steam Deck , which remains the top pick in our buying guide . But when it's discounted to this extent, the older Ally is worth considering if you really want a handheld PC that can play games from any client, be it Steam, the Epic Games Store or the Xbox app. It's still a touch more powerful than the Deck, too, and its 120Hz VRR display does wonders to keep games looking smooth. And for as sloppy as Windows can be, ASUS has made its Armoury Crate app at least a little easier to navigate over time. Just don't expect more than a couple hours of battery life, and don't bother using the microSD slot. This deal ties the all-time low for the model with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) for $1,074 at Best Buy ($525 off) : Here's the lowest price we've seen for this configuration of the ROG Zephyrus G14, which includes a Ryzen 9 8945HS chip, a GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD and a 14-inch 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Be aware that this is last year's model; ASUS has already announced an upgraded version for 2025 that should arrive in the coming weeks. That said, the current G14 is the top pick in our gaming laptop buying guide , and it remains a decent buy at this price if you want a gaming machine that's premium-feeling and long-lasting enough to delight as an everyday laptop. The main downsides are that the memory isn't upgradeable and the design can get toasty under load. You'll also have to turn down graphics settings to get some games to run well at the display's native resolution. Still, that OLED screen is gorgeous, and there's enough power to play many titles just fine. We gave the ROG Zephyrus G14 a score of 91 in our review last year. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14. Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget Chipolo One (4-pack) for $68 at Chipolo ($32 off) : The Chipolo One tops our guide to the best Bluetooth trackers . While it doesn't have the enormous crowd-sourcing network of Apple's AirTags, we've found it send separation alerts faster when you've left an item behind and ring louder when you're back in the vicinity. It also has a hole for attaching to key rings, unlike Apple's tracker. It may not be the safest choice if you're worried about losing your luggage on a long-distance trip, but as a security blanket for keys, wallets or handbags, it's convenient. This discount on a four-pack isn't the lowest price we've seen, but it's still a bit lower than its usual street price. Use the code ENGADGET10 at checkout to get the full deal. If you do want a set of AirTags, meanwhile, a four-pack of those is also on sale for $70 at Amazon and other retailers. ThermoWorks Thermapen One for $79 at ThermoWorks ($30 off) : The Thermapen One is a buttonless instant-read meat thermometer that we highlight in our guide to the best grilling gear . It reads temperatures quickly and accurately, its backlit display is easy to read and the whole thing sleeps and wakes automatically. It's definitely not the cheapest option, but its faster readings may be worth the extra cost for frequent grillers. While not an all-time low, this Engadget-exclusive deal marks the lowest price we could find in the last couple of months. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/googles-pixel-9-pro-is-200-off-plus-the-rest-of-the-weeks-best-tech-deals-180041864.html?src=rss
UGREENs 3-port 130W car charger packs a punch at $20 Prime shipped (Reg. $30)
UGREEN 130W USB-C Car Charger Buy for $20 (Reg. $30) Clip the on-page $10 off coupon. What we love When I think of powerful car chargers, three offerings come to mind, this one, Ankers 167.5W model, and LISENs 170W unit. A quick look at all of them has UGREEN winning in terms of price. At $20, youre getting a charger that can handle everything from smartphones to tablets, a MacBook Pro, and more. more
Elon Musk's DOGE reportedly cuts staff at agency that regulates Elon Musk's Tesla
Elon Musk's chainsaw has been swinging through the federal government over the last few weeks, with his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chopping down budgets and excising staff at a number of agencies. Among those affected is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is said to be losing about 10 percent of its relatively small headcount through buyouts and firings. According to The Washington Post , between 70 and 80 people are departing the agency, which is responsible for road safety in the US. Those ex-employees are said to have worked in a number of areas, such as safety grant funding and crash test dummies. The DOGE cull also impacted three people from a very small team that was working on the safety of autonomous vehicles, such as those from Alphabets Waymo, Amazons Zoox and hey, look at that! Elon Musk's Tesla. It's probably just a coincidence that an organization headed by the same person who is CEO of a prominent company that's working on self-driving cars has cut federal employees that are evaluating the safety of such technology. Probably. If the question is, will this affect the federal governments ability to understand the safety case behind Teslas vehicles, then yes, it will, one of the fired engineers told The Post . The amount of people in the federal government who are able to understand this adequately is very small. Now its almost nonexistent. The NHTSA expanded from around 600 workers to 800 or so during the Biden administration. The autonomous vehicle oversight team was formed as part of that growth. Since several of its seven or so members were new to the federal government, their employment status was at risk due to a DOGE initiative to cull probationary employees from the federal workforce, as The Post notes. Other agencies that have been impacted include the Federal Aviation Administration, which last week cut around 400 probationary employees. Musk and President Donald Trump pledged in an interview this week that the former, who has been designated as a special government employee, wouldn't be involved in decisions that would mark a conflict of interest with his businesses. The NHTSA has issued numerous recalls for Tesla vehicles over the years (including a recall of more than 2 million vehicles to fix Autopilot safety controls ). In April 2024, the agency released the results of an investigation into 14 deaths linked to driver misuse of the company's Autopilot feature. Last month, Musk said that Tesla will roll out a paid autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin this June. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/elon-musks-doge-reportedly-cuts-staff-at-agency-that-regulates-elon-musks-tesla-173618858.html?src=rss
Enjoy more sophistication at home with this whiskey carafe decanter and glass set for $45 (Reg. $67)
NutriChef 37-ounce Barrel Whiskey Carafe Decanter Set Buy for $45 (Reg. $67) What we love Any lover of whiskey is well aware that a decanter takes things to the next level, for both taste and style. Youll get a unique glass decanter with a glass ship inside, complete with a wooden base, a spigot, a stopper, and two glasses with etchings of the world map on them all of it bringing some sophistication to your bar setup. more
Apple disables iCloud's Advanced Data Protection feature in the UK
Apple users in the UK can no longer access one of the company's most powerful data protection tools, as first reported by Bloomberg . The feature, Advanced Data Protection (ADP), allows iPhone users to add optional end-to-end encryption to a variety of iCloud data. The move comes amid an ongoing dispute between Apple and the UK over a government order that would require the company to build a backdoor to allow British security officials to access the encrypted data of users globally. ADP protects iCloud data with end-to-end encryption, which means the data can only be decrypted by the user who owns it, and only on their trusted devices, Apple told Engadget. We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the UK given the continuing rise of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy. Mathew Smith / Engadget Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection (ADP) in the United Kingdom to new users, a notification explains when users go to enable the feature on their iPhone, iPad or Mac following Apple's decision. If you live in the UK and have ADP enabled, you will need to manually disable the encryption to keep your iCloud account. Apple told Engadget it will provide customers with a grace period to comply, though the company has yet to say how much time it will give. The company added it would share additional guidance in the future. Due to the nature of end-to-end encryption, Apple cannot automatically disable ADP on behalf of its users. Apple's decision to disable ADP in the UK does not mean the company is removing end-to-end encryption for many of the other services it offers in the country. When it comes to iMessage, passwords , health data and more, those are still protected by end-to-end encryption by default. Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever before, Apple said. Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and are hopeful that we will be able to do so in the future in the United Kingdom. As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will. News of the UK's backdoor request broke last week when The Washington Post reported that government officials issued a technical capability notice to the company under the country's Investigatory Powers Act. Last year , the UK government made changes to the law to ensure the intelligence services and law enforcement have the powers they need to keep pace with a range of evolving threats from terrorists, hostile state actors, child abusers and criminal gangs. The order reportedly demands Apple give security officials the capability to view all of a user's fully encrypted material whenever the government wants and wherever the target is located. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-disables-iclouds-advanced-data-protection-feature-in-the-uk-173016447.html?src=rss
SanDisks brand-new 2TB 2,000MB/s Creator Pro portable SSD is already 31% off at $180
Amazon is now offering the very first chance to save on SanDisks new 2TB Creator Pro portable SSD down at $179.99 shipped. This is a new model that hit the scene towards the end of last year as a part of the brands latest Creator Pro series carrying a $260 price tag. Todays deal lands as the first deal were tracking on this model since it debut, and it shaves a solid 31% off its usual going rate to mark a new best price to beat. This new drive lands as an upgraded model of the older, similar-specced 2TB Extreme PRO portable SSD thats currently going for $199.99 shipped, and you can also score a discount on the 1TB and 4TB variants of this unit from $139.99 shipped . more
Coinbase says Trumps SEC has ended its enforcement case against the crypto company
Coinbase says that the SEC has agreed to end an enforcement case that accused it of illegally running an unregistered securities exchange. This could signal a major change in how the US government will enforce the crypto market now that Trump is in office. The lawsuit, which was filed during the Biden administration , has long-been considered an attempt to bring the crypto industry under the same investor-protection rules that govern stocks and other securities. Coinbase had been fighting the lawsuit on the grounds that it didnt run a securities company, likening the commodities it sells to baseball cards. That appeal will soon be moot, assuming the SEC officially votes to dismiss the suit. This should happen next week . Its a great day for Coinbase and for crypto, Paul Grewal, Coinbases chief legal officer, told The Wall Street Journal . We were committed to defending it to the gates of hell, for as long as it took and for as much money as it took. Coinbase co-founder and CEO Brian Armstrong went on CNBCs Squawk Box and said that the company will not be paying a fine of any kind. He also said the agreement to end the case marks a huge day for Coinbase and that it will cause a domino effect for the rest of the industry. He also blamed the original suit on a small group of activists in this prior administration. https://t.co/0iY0E7Mc9q pic.twitter.com/hVsGpnpNZd Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) February 21, 2025 This move doesnt come as a huge surprise, given President Trumps recent embrace of crypto. He even has his own digital coin. To that end, the SEC has already started to break up the special enforcement unit that was devoted to investigating crypto organizations. Coinbase and its rivals spent millions of dollars throughout the last election cycle to help elect crypto-friendly lawmakers. It looks like that investment is paying off. Acting SEC Chairman Mark Uyeda recently said that the organization would now deploy enforcement resources judiciously when investigating crypto companies. He also said that a new task force would be moving away from the commission's previous approach toward the crypto market. Republican House and Senate lawmakers are working on legislation that would reclassify cryptocurrencies as commodities, according to The Wall Street Journal . This change would likely hand oversight of crypto assets to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which is a much smaller agency than the SEC. The CFTC is actually smaller than ever right now, given that the Trump administration laid off a bunch of employees earlier this week. The crypto market is certainly responding favorably to all of this news. Coinbases stock price is up, and the same goes for Robinhood. Rival market Binance even restored fiat deposits and withdrawals this week, which were suspended in 2023 after the SEC sued the company for violations of securities laws. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/coinbase-says-trumps-sec-has-ended-its-enforcement-case-against-the-crypto-company-171331785.html?src=rss
Ankers P3 Wi-Fi smart scale that measures 16 body metrics returns to the $55 low (Reg. $100)
Through its official eufy Amazon storefront, Anker is now offering its P3 Wi-Fi Fitness Tracking Smart Scale for $54.99 shipped. Normally youd be shelling out $100 to add this device to your home, with the majority of discounts weve seen keeping things above $60, though recently weve seen falls to the $55 low, which is returning here today. Youre looking at a 45% markdown that puts $45 back in your pocket and lands the cost back at the lowest price we have tracked. more
Spring is coming, embrace it with two outdoor chaise lounge chairs at $60 each
2-pack of Greesum Outdoor Chaise Lounge Chairs Buy for $120 (Reg. $144) What we love I dont know about you, but I start itching to head outdoors once February hits, but the weather is far from conducive where I live. At any rate, it wont be long before spring is officially here and you can be ready to embrace it with this set of outdoor chaise lounge chairs. more
Is Split Fiction cross-platform
Split Fiction is yet another game from Hazelight that requires you to play in co-op. The last games were not crossplatform, but will Split Fiction also be?
Refresh old detectors with meross interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide units at $23 (Save $15)
meross Interconnected Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Buy for $23 (Reg. $38) Clip the on-page 40% off coupon. What we love When it comes to interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors like this one, $40+ is a common price point. meross usually undercuts this by a few bucks even when at its list price. Todays Steal takes another $15 off to make this a value-packed option certainly worth considering. more
GEs smart indoor smoker lets you enjoy BBQ without setting off alarms at new $499 low (Reg. $999)
Amazon is currently cutting the price in half on the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker that is now down at $499 shipped . This model released at the top of last year carrying a $999 price tag, with most of the discounts weve seen in the time since keeping things above $700, though we did see it drop as low as $599 during Black Friday and Christmas sales and one single period of it down at $550 in July. You can upgrade your kitchen today with a larger-than-ever 50% markdown, which saves you $500 at a new all-time low price. more
ORIA 130-in-1 Precision Screwdriver Set Buy for $16 (Reg. $25) Clip the on-page 20% off coupon. What we love If you dont have a precision set like this around the house, I cannot recommend one highly enough. I use mine all the time and it feels like I lean on it more and more over time. This 130-in-1 solution comes with just about every bit youll wind up needing down the road, making it a solid, long-term option that wont break the bank. more
My Friend Pedro follow-up Shotgun Cop Man is Celeste with guns
Shotgun Cop Man is the latest game from the creator of My Friend Pedro, and it's about going to hell to arrest Satan.
Safeguard your new iPhone 16e display with this 2-pack of screen protectors for just $6 (40% off)
iPhone 16e pre-order day has arrived , we have already detailed new magnetic case collections from Spigen , CASETiFY , ESR , and others starting from $10 , and now its time to make sure that new screen doesnt get scratched up. The official TechMatte Amazon storefront is now offering its 2-pack of amFilm Auto-AlignmentScreen Protectors for just $5.99 when you apply code 5PIM3OFI at checkout. Shipping is free for Prime members or in orders over $35. This is 40% off the going rate and delivers a price at just $3 per screen protector. More details below. more
The best PS5 Pro games for 2025
The PS5 Pro is a powerful piece of hardware that can improve visuals and performance in some great games. Here are the best games to show you everything it can do.
VOLTME 100W 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger Buy for $19.50 (Reg. $41.50) Clip the on-page 20% off coupon. What we love Youre looking at what I consider to be a head-turning price for a powerful 100W wall charger. Its outfitted with three ports in total, which it distributes across two Type-C ports and a single USB-A, ensuring you can hook up your devices no matter which kind of cable you have around. more
Joes New Balance Flash Event takes $30 off orders of $100 or more + up to 50% off sitewide
Joes New Balance takes $30 off orders of $100 or more and up to 50% off sitewide . Prices are as marked. Customers receive free delivery on orders of $99 or more. One of our top picks from this sale is the Fresh Foam X 1080v13 for men that are currently marked down to $110 , which is $55 off the original rate. The Fresh Foam X midsole promotes a soft, supportive ride and offers superior cushioning for a comfortable running experience. It also has a breathable knit design that promote comfort and a sock-like fit that stays put throughout runs. Find even more deals by heading below, and be sure to check out our fashion guide for additional sales today. more
Prime members can bag two Anker 6-in-1 USB-C outlet extenders for just $8 a pop (47% off)
2-pack of Anker 6-in-1 20W USB-C Outlet Extenders Buy for $16 (Reg. $30) Prime-exclusive discount What we love These outlet extenders from Anker clock in at roughly the size of a tennis ball. Despite the compact form factor, they each deliver three AC outlets, two 12W USB-A ports, and one 20W Type-C output. Its a great way to add more power to an area where you never seem to have enough outlets. more
Lectric cuts prices on XP 3.0 long-range e-bikes to new $1,139 low along with $563 in free gear
As its Presidents Day sale continues through March 1, Lectric has made a slight change to things by cutting the price on its XP 3.0 Long-Range e-bikes to $1,139 shipped along with the $563 in free bundled gear. All-in-all, this package would normally cost you $1,762, with this being up towards the higher end of bundle sizes weve seen. The additional $60 being cut off the bikes price is also a nice surprise, dropping things to a new all-time low price. Along with your e-bike, youll be getting a wider saddle, a suspension seat post, steel-encased front and rear baskets, an Elite headlight, an accordion-style bike lock, a 40L storage bag, and a cargo net. more
Twelve Souths latest Butterfly SE 2-in-1 15W MagSafe travel charger is now 20% off at Amazon
Amazon is now offering Twelve South Butterfly SE 2-in-1 15W MagSafe Travel Charger down at $79.99 shipped. Regularly $100, this is a straight up 20% price drop and the lowest we can find it is still up at the full $100 via the online Apple Store of course. After debuting last summer as a more affordable alternative to the standard model with more or less the same specs (2-in-1, 15W charging, and so on), youre looking at the second-best price to date, having only ever dropped any lower to $70 at Amazon during a Black Friday sale event. more
FlexiSpot 48- by 24-inch Electric Standing Desk Buy for $90 (Reg. $180) Clip the on-page 50% off coupon. What we love At $90, youre looking at one of the best values weve tracked for a standing desk like this. Its no wonder that stock is slipping, with just 10 left in stock at the time of publishing this Steal. A couple of notable features include three memory presets and a built-in USB charging port. more
3 new Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (February 21-23)
There's one major game hitting Game Pass this week, but if Avowed isn't your style we have plenty of other excellent new Xbox games you can play this weekend.
Moroi preview: A grimdark action game that's actually pretty funny
The most surprising thing about Moroi is its sense of humor. Moroi is a top-down, dual-stick action and puzzle game set in a dungeon of surreal horrors, where each cell contains a unique and grotesque vignette. In the first area of the map, theres a cell containing a sentient meat grinder that craves human flesh. In another, a dead man is strapped to a feeding tube thats still pumping slop into his bulbous, pulsing stomach. The next room over, you meet a talking duck with far too many human teeth in its mouth. One tooth would be too many, but this duck has a full, smiling set. And then he rips them all out for you, leaving behind a bloody, empty bill. And this moment makes me laugh out loud. The gore in Moroi is so ridiculous that it turns the corner into hilarity, tapping into the gruesome absurdity that makes b-horror movies so charming. You dont expect the duck to have human teeth, but whats even more surprising is their sudden removal and the ducks leftover, blood-smeared smile. These shocking moments of levity appear in Moroi at a rapid-fire pace, twisting the vibe from brutality to bizarreness and back until it feels like youre trapped in a Francisco Goya fever dream directed by Sam Raimi. Its pretty awesome. Moroi comes from creator Alex Stanescu and his independent studio, Violet Saint. Though hes now based in Switzerland, Stanescu is Romanian and Moroi is filled with grimdark takes on his homegrown fairy tales. The games name refers to a vampire in Romanian folklore, even. Stanescu was also inspired by David Lynch, Heironymous Bosch, H.R. Giger and Little Nightmares , with a dash of Robert Sheckley and Douglas Adams for humor. But at its core, Moroi is a completely original world of creepiness, Stanescu explained during a media briefing hosted by the games publisher, Good Shepherd Entertainment. There's a big pool of things in my subconscious from which I pull, he said. General grotesquery, maybe carnival art, Bosch and early medieval art, and caricature. I always try to find my own style. Stanescu later clarified further, saying, Creepy things. Like, for example, in a puzzle, you have to vomit blood into the mouth of someone else. And you will find reality shifting in some places, like in a room you find someone else than you expect to find, and so on. Let's say dream logic. Violet Saint Its more like nightmare logic, really. Each of the cells in Moroi is connected get the severed hand from the autocannibal so the meat grinder can make bone dust, which you can then give to the creepy wizard, who turns it into salt for the witch, whos then devoured by her own potion, and so on. Eventually in the introductory level, you find a sword, break down a door and continue your quest to escape, but the prison only grows more strange. Every now and then, a voice interrupts your progress, whispering for you to find it. The creatures in the cells seem to know who you are, even though you have no memory of this place. Theres way more going on in Moroi than meets the eye. I tell a lot of it through the lore and collectibles, so those will carry a lot of storytelling, Stanescu said. The storytelling given by the characters and by the gameplay is pretty cryptic. You have to find and pay attention to what's happening. There are no branching storylines in Moroi , but your choices throughout the game will affect how it ends, according to Stanescu. He said the full experience should take about nine hours to complete, but this can be extended if you hunt down all of the secrets. Violet Saint Combat in Moroi is fast and fun, and heavy metal replaces the games moody dungeon music at the beginning of each fight, setting an appropriate tone of chaos and carnage. Dungeon guards are the main enemies and they appear in waves of five or so at a time, some with more powerful moves than others. I ended the hour-long demo with an enhanced sword and a gatling gun in my arsenal. With a sword, you have basic and heavy attacks, plus a finishing move that builds up as you deal damage. The gun doesnt require ammo but it runs on a cooldown mechanic, and it has a basic shot and a finisher. Dodge rolls round out your moveset in the early game, and the balance in these battles feels just right. On top of dodging and attacking, there are fiery cores scattered around the environments that you can explode for AOE damage but be warned, if youre too close to the boom, youll get hurt, too. The end of each battle is marked by piles of intestines and busted corpses hopefully not yours littering the cobblestones. The amount of blood-soaked surrealism, frantic combat and body horror in Moroi s first hour is impressive, and Im amped to discover all of the secrets in the full game, no matter how many exploded corpses I have to dig through. Or maybe even because of all the exploded corpses. Moroi is due to hit PC pretty soon early 2025. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/moroi-preview-a-grimdark-action-game-thats-actually-pretty-funny-150009465.html?src=rss
3 new PlayStation Plus games to play this weekend (February 21-23)
PlayStation Plus is giving subscribers to the Extra and Premium tiers a treat to close out the month with a day one addition. Here's what to play this weekend.
Six months of Apple Music is on sale for only $3
Deals on music streaming services tend to be few and far between. But right now, you can snag one of the best deals we've seen, period, on Apple Music . Six months of access is down to just $3 right now and no, that's not a typo. The cost is typically $11 per month, so this sale represents a savings of more than $60. The usual caveats apply. This is an enticement to bring in new subscribers, so current members are out of luck (myself included.) Its also not available for those who currently qualify for a three-month free trial of the service. Finally, this deal must be redeemed on an Apple device, and only iPhones running iOS 16 and later, Mac computers running MacOS 13 and later and the Vision Pro headset are applicable here. Apple Music is a fine little streaming platform . The audio quality is on point, with lossless streaming available at no charge, and the UI is easy-to-navigate. It may not allow exclusive access to Joe Rogan episodes , like Spotify, but thats because Apple Music seems dedicated to, well, music. To that end, the app places a heavy emphasis on curation. There are all kinds of playlists that were created by actual humans, and they receive regular updates. Many artist pages include playlists of deep cuts, essential hits and more. Albums are often accompanied by a review or synopsis, which is a nice touch. The app also gives access to several live radio stations that are hosted by actual DJs, and not AI simulacrums . Apple Music still uses an algorithm for many of its custom playlists unique to each user, but the human touch is still appreciated. The Spotify algorithm for discovering new music is a bit more adventurous, but the Apple algo gets the job done. On the downside, the service works best on Apple devices. Theres also no free tier, which is something of a bummer. To that end, make sure you cancel before the six months runs out, if its not your bag. Otherwise, youll start getting charged $11 each month. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/six-months-of-apple-music-is-on-sale-for-only-3-130027057.html?src=rss
AirTag 4-pack back to Black Friday pricing at $70 ($17.50 each), single for $23
Update: After jumping back up to near full price, both of the deals we were tracking earlier this week on Apples AirTags have returned at Amazon. Amazon is giving folks another shot at Black Friday pricing on the 4-pack of Apples AirTags today. Regularly $99, you can score the 4-pack down at $69.99 shipped to land on par with last years holiday pricing. Thats roughly $17.49 per AirTag and among the lowest prices we have ever tracked. The single AirTag listing is still down at $22.99 from the usual $29, or within $4 of the short-lived Black Friday price at $19. more
Todays best iOS app deals and freebies: Streets of Rage 4, Retro City Rampage, more
Friday mornings roundup of the best App Store price drops are now up for grabs down below. On your way down, be sure to scope out the deals we have today on Apple Watch Series 10 just about all configurations are back at Black Friday pricing from $329 alongside a $210 price drop on the 16GB M4 MacBook Pro with a 1TB SSD and, while iPhone 16e pre-orders are now live, you you can now score this unlocked MagSafe iPhone 15 for $100 less ($299 off) . As for the apps, highlights include titles like Streets of Rage 4, Dungeon and Puzzles, Retro City Rampage DX, and more. Head below for a closer look. more
We have secured 9to5 readers an early savings pre-sale offer at Wellbots on the new 58L Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 Electric Cooler for $809 shipped . This all-new model is hitting the market today carrying a $1,099 price tag, with shipping not slated to begin until next month. This deal ensures youll be getting the latest piece of portable smart coolers while putting $290 back in your pocket. Whats more, youll also be getting free Road Trip accessories along with the cooler, including a cup holder, a knife holder, and a fishing rod holder that seems to attach to the body of the device ($60 value). more
Grab a physical copy of Black Myth: Wukong on PS5 today down at $55 Prime shipped, more
Alongside a massive list of ongoing Switch game deals youll find below and right here , Woot is now offering the wonderful Black Myth: Wukong on PlayStation 5 down at $54.99 Prime shipped (a $6 delivery fee will apply otherwise). Regularly $65, and still rarely ever on sale outside of these Woot offers, todays discount is the second-best price we have tracked on the award-winning action adventure title and a notable chance to add a physical copy to your PS5 library. This deal comes within a few bucks of the limited all-time low we tracked as well. Currently just over $60 at Amazon, only once have we seen it for any less there and that was a brief one-day offer at $57 in mid-January. If youre a fan of action games, this one is a must-try if you ask me, striking a nice balance between adventurous mysticism and not-quite-Soulsborne, it is both approachable and challenging, and completely epic as well. more
The 16GB M4 MacBook Pro with a 1TB SSD is now back at the $1,589 all-time low ($210 off)
Update: This deals is now live once again. Details below in the original post. Amazon has now dropped the price on Apples new M4 MacBook Pro with the 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD back down to its best price ever. We are indeed still tracking some notable price drops on the M4 Pro machines, but you can now indeed land the 16GB/1TB M4 MacBook Pro down at $1,589 shipped in Space Black right now. more
Here's how to pre-order the new Apple iPhone 16e
Earlier this week, Apple's cheapest iPhone got a refresh and an unexpected name change. Instead of the widely anticipated iPhone SE 4, the company unveiled the new iPhone 16e , which shifts to a full-screen design with Face ID while putting Apple Intelligence on an entry-level model for the first time. It also sports the Action button, which debuted on the iPhone 15 Pro . Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e are now open, with models starting at $599 , and the phone will be more widely available on February 28. Here's everything you need to know about pre-ordering the latest iPhone. The best place to get an unlocked iPhone 16e is, unsurprisingly, direct from Apple. The iPhone 16e comes in only two colors, black and white, with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage configurations to choose from. Ordering an unlocked iPhone means you can take it to nearly any carrier of your choosing. As usual, wireless carriers are also selling the iPhone 16e now, with various perks attached to purchases. Here are all of wireless carrier specials we currently know about for the iPhone 16e. Verizon : New customers can save $420 when you order the iPhone 16e and sign up for a new plan. Existing customers can also save $420 if they add a new line when buying the iPhone 16e. AT&T : All customers can get the iPhone 16e for $5.99/month with any unlimited plan. No trade-in required. Walmart also carries the iPhone 16e for AT&T customers, with monthly payments starting at $15.25. T-Mobile : Get an iPhone 16e on us (or up to $830 off) when trading in an eligible device on Magenta Max, Go5G Plus/Next or when trading in and adding a line on Go5G or most plans. You can also get $500 off the iPhone 16e when trading in an eligible device on Go5G or most plans. Boost Mobile : Get the new iPhone 16e for just $200 when you switch to Boost and sign up for the Unlimited Premium plan ($60/month). The iPhone 16e looks much like the iPhone 14 , one of Apple's 2022 models. The new phone has a much larger screen than previous iPhone SE a spacious 6.1 inches along with Face ID and swipe-based multitasking gestures. (The model it replaces had a Touch ID home button.) It has a notch at the top of the screen, not the floating Dynamic Island from higher-end iPhones. Apple Intelligence is increasingly central to the company's strategy, so don't be surprised to see Apple's iPhone 16e marketing center around it. In addition to zippy performance, the phone's A18 chip enables features like generative AI writing tools , Genmoji , Image Playground , Visual Intelligence , ChatGPT integration and notification summaries . The phone is the cheapest entry point into Apple Intelligence by hundreds of dollars. The phone has a 48-megapixel Fusion 2-in-1 camera with a 2x telephoto system. Compared to the more expensive iPhone 16 and 16 Plus , the SE's lack of extra rear cameras is one of the most noticeable things you'll miss out on. At $599, the iPhone 16e is also $150 more than previous iPhone SE models, which typically cost around $429. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 starts at $799 , and the additional $200 gets you a better camera system and a more modern design. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/heres-how-to-pre-order-the-new-apple-iphone-16e-162258012.html?src=rss
ChatGPT's AI agent Operator is now available for most Pro users
Operator is now out in Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UK and most places where ChatGPT is also available, OpenAI has announced. The company launched Operator in the US back in January, introducing it as an agent that can go to the web to perform tasks for the user. Operator can handle various browser-based tasks for users, such as filling out forms, making restaurant reservations and ordering groceries. At the moment, it's still a research preview in its early stages that comes with limitations, but the company said it hopes to roll out improvements based on user feedback. Operator is now rolling out to Pro users in Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and most places ChatGPT is available. Still working on making Operator available in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein & Icelandwell keep you updated! OpenAI (@OpenAI) February 21, 2025 The tool is powered by a model called Computer-Using Agent (CUA) that's trained to see and interact with the buttons, menus and text fields people see when they visit a website. It can click buttons, type on text fields and basically interact with those elements using all the actions a mouse and keyboard allow. In its announcement, the company said it's still working on launching Operator in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. Operator is still only available for subscribers paying $200 a month for ChatGPT Pro, but the company plans to expand its availability to Plus, Team and Enterprise users in the future, before ultimately integrating its capabilities into ChatGPT. When that happens, it could be doing tasks for hundreds of millions of people around the world: ChatGPT recently surpassed 400 million weekly active users, twice as many as the user count OpenAI reported in August 2024. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/chatgpts-ai-agent-operator-is-now-available-for-most-pro-users-133050651.html?src=rss
NYT Mini Crossword today: puzzle answers for Friday, February 21
The NYT Mini crossword might be a lot smaller than a normal crossword, but it isn't easy. If you're stuck with today's crossword, we've got answers for you.
NYT Strands today: hints, spangram and answers for Friday, February 21
Strands is a tricky take on the classic word search from NYT Games. If you're stuck and cannot solve today's puzzle, we've got help and hints for you here.
NYT Connections: hints and answers for Friday, February 21
Connectionsis the new puzzle game from the New York Times, and it can be quite difficult. If you need a hand with solving today's puzzle, we're here to help.
NYT Crossword: answers for Friday, February 21
The New York Times crossword puzzle can be tough, even if it isn't the Sunday issue! If you're stuck, we're here to help you out with today's clues and answers.
As we have previously reported, the Samsung Presidents Day (more like week at this point) sale is still in full swing with solid offers across its range of Galaxy tech and more. This sale is ushering in straight up $150 price drops across the latest Galaxy Tab S9 FE configurations with pricing at $299.99 shipped on the 128GB model and $369.99 shipped on the 256GB. You just need to scroll down to the trade-in section and choose No, Get$150Samsung Instant Savings to redeem the sale prices. These deals are available on all configurations and colors, but you can score select models for a touch less at Amazon right now. Details below. more
This Anker 6-in-1 100W USB-C hub with 4K HDMI is now 50% off at $12.50 (All-time low)
Ankers official Amazon storefront is currently offering its 6-in-1 USB-C hub for $12.50 with free shipping for Prime members or in orders over $35. Though this particular hub has a $13.59 listed price, its been fetching $25 in recent months. That means you are looking at a 50% discount today, which lands it $2 below its previous all-time low. This is the lowest price we have tracked for this versatile USB-C hub, and you can learn more about it below. more
Engadget Podcast: Hello $599 iPhone 16e, RIP iPhone SE
Well we didn't get the iPhone SE fourth-gen this week instead Apple debuted the iPhone 16e, a $599 model based on the iPhone 14's design. It has a 6.1-inch OLED screen and the A18 chip for Apple Intelligence, but should we really consider it a cheap iPhone? In this episode, Devindra and Cherlynn dive into the iPhone 16e and how it compares to the rest of the iPhone 16 family. Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News ! Subscribe! iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Podcasts Topics Apple unveils its SE successor, the iPhone 16e for $599 1:22 Trump administration planning on 25 percent tariffs on auto and semiconductor imports 32:02 Acer to raise prices by 10 percent following tariff talk 34:26 Humane AI sells to HP, pin will go offline February 28 36:42 Microsofts new quantum computing chip runs on topological qubits 41:14 Working on 47:28 Pop culture picks 50:06 Credits Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Cherlynn Low Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/engadget-podcast-hello-599-iphone-16e-rip-iphone-se-123035392.html?src=rss
Pre-orders on the new iPhone 16e go live today , but we have just spotted a notable opportunity to save on an iPhone 15 for even less. While the iPhone 16e does have a few things going for it, mainly that A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, if you dont care about many would argue the iPhone 15 is actually a more powerful device and you can now score a Renewed Premium model over at Woot for $499.99 Prime shipped with a 1-year warranty (a $6 delivery fee will apply) thats $299 under the original price the iPhone 15 launched at. more
The Morning After: Apple reveals its new cheapest iPhone. Whats missing?
If you couldnt stomach $800 for a new iPhone with Apple Intelligence, dont worry: Apple just announced the iPhone 16e . At $599, it strikes a balance on specs, which is the soft and cosy way to say it doesnt have everything. It has a lot, though. With a 6.1-inch screen, its a much bigger device than the 4.7-inch iPhone SE, with a notch for FaceID (no more TouchID), USB-C (adios, Lightning) and the companys A18 processor. Theres also an action button , which arrived with the iPhone 15 series, but no Camera Control. Apple Thats the same processor as the $800 iPhone 16, so youve got access to what seems to be the full gamut of Apple Intelligence. That includes generative AI writing tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence and ChatGPT integration. So yeah, a mixed bag. The notable hardware standout might be the single 48-megapixel Fusion camera, at a time when 'pro' iPhones have three. The last time I tested a single-camera smartphone was the Pixel 4a back in 2020. Oh, and the last iPhone SE. Apple has dropped both wireless charging and MagSafes magnetic ring for the iPhone 16e too, which is a surprise. Im not a huge fan of wireless charging. Its slow, inefficient and confusing. Having said that, I hope this isnt the beginning of the end for Apples wireless charging feature. I love the mag part of MagSafe, which has introduced far more elegant tripods and phone mounts that lock iPhones in place without needing a clamp or a plug. In recent years, weve got unofficial MagSafe cases for other smartphones, so I can do the same with my Android phones. The iPhone 16e lands on February 28 in black and white, but dont worry, there will be fizzy color cases. Even if they dont have MagSafe. (And kudos to this hilariously timed discount on the Pixel 8a, now only $399 . I love a good troll deal.) Mat Smith A $599 iPhone 16e is a cruel joke Great cameras, not Apple Intelligence, is what people want from an iPhone 16e The iPhone 16es lack of MagSafe doesnt make sense Get this delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! Humanes AI pins will stop working in 7 days HP has bought the companys IP, but it doesnt want the pins. Engadget The company behind the widely ridiculed AI assistant badge/thing has sold all its assets to HP for $116 million not the billion-dollar buyout it hoped for. In a note to its customers, the company said AI Pins will continue to function normally until 12PM PT on February 28, less than a week from now. Customers still within the 90-day return window (why did you buy it?!) will get a refund. Continue reading. The Humane AI Pin is the solution to none of technology's problems After its reputation went up in flames, Humane warns users its charging case may too Oppos Find N5 is a very thin foldable with a giant battery And a price tag to match the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Engadget Oppos Find N5 is thinner than a headphone jack when unfolded and weighs only 229 grams. Thats just a few more than a typical flagship phone. Despite that footprint, it packs a 6.62-inch outer display and an 8.12-inch inner screen, with a seven-core Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a 5,600mAh battery, which supports 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. Its technically impressive, but theres no word on when the device will make it to the US. Typically, the devices hit the US under OnePlus branding, but that company says there will be no OnePlus Open 2 this year, so you may have to go out of your way to get your hands on one. Also, expect to pay just shy of $2,000. Continue reading. The biggest tech stories you might have missed Lenovo Legion Go S (Windows version) review: Not so fast DJIs Osmo Mobile 7P gimbal can track you around on any Android or iOS camera app xAI launches Grok 3 AI, claiming it is capable of human reasoning You can now apply for the opportunity to purchase an RTX 5090 or 5080 from NVIDIA This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121944067.html?src=rss
As part of its Presidents Day sale , Samsung is still offering up to $300 in FREE storage upgrades on its new Galaxy S25 , S25+ , and Galaxy S25 Ultra devices, not to mention the massive trade-in values up for grabs. However it has also brought back the Galaxy Watch 7 deal that includes a FREE $70 extra band with purchase. While we did see this same deal recently, it very quickly went out of stock but it is now back on the 44mm Galaxy Watch 7 option. Details below. more
Logitechs G502 X Plus Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse with RGB is down to its lowest price at $105
We just spotted a deal at Amazon that drops Logitechs G502 X Plus LIGHTSPEED gaming mouse in black down to $104.99 shipped. Dont forget to clip the on-page $10 off coupon to see the discounted price during checkout. This particular unit has fetched as much as $160 in recent months, but it has mostly been sitting at the $140 mark. By clipping the on-page coupon, however, you can shave a solid $55 off its usual going rate today, returning it back to the lowest price. You can also get this in white , though its currently going for $129.99 shipped with a lighter 19% discount. Head below for more details. more
Just about every Apple Watch Series 10 config is now back at Black Friday pricing from $329
After seeing a number of band options and case color/sizes go out of stock, Amazon seems to have refreshed its selection of Apple Watch Series 10 configs at the discounted prices. While not every single band option is back there is a good selection now live once again starting down at $329 across both the 42mm and 46mm size options this is matching the Black Friday and holiday pricing from last year, landing on par with the best deals we have tracked at Amazon in brand-new condition since release. more
The best foldable phones for 2025
Foldable phones are no longer a gimmick theyre here to stay, and theyre better than ever. Whether you love the nostalgia of a flip phone or want the versatility of a near tablet-sized display that fits in your pocket, todays new foldable devices are packed with cutting-edge tech. Brands like Samsung, Google and Motorola are leading the charge, pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone can do with sleek designs, powerful AI features and seamless multitasking. Unlike traditional smartphones, foldable phones give you the best of both worlds: a compact form factor when you need portability and a big screen when you want to stream, game or get work done. Plus, with advancements in durability, better outer screens and flagship-level specs, these phones are more practical than ever. Whether you're eyeing the latest Samsung phones or curious about whats next for foldables, weve rounded up the best options to help you decide. Note: For this guide, were focusing on devices that are widely available in North America and Europe. Thats because while there are even more options for people who live in Asia (especially China), they are often difficult to buy from abroad and may not support your local carriers. Table of contents Best foldable phones for 2025 How we test foldable phones Are foldable phones worth it? A note on durability Best foldable phones for 2025 How we test foldable phones When evaluating new foldable phones, we consider the same general criteria as we do when were judging the best smartphones . Devices need to have good battery life (at least a full days use), bright inner displays (peaks of at least 1,000 nits), sharp cameras and responsive performance. That said, foldable phones come in different shapes (and sizes); there are varying designs that may appeal to different types of people. For those who prefer more compact and stylish devices, flip phone-style foldables resemble old-school namesakes but with flexible interior displays (typically six to seven inches diagonally) and smaller outer screens, often referred to as the cover display. Alternatively, for power users and people who want to maximize mobile productivity, there are larger book-style foldables (with seven to eight-inch main displays) that can transform from a candy bar-style phone to essentially a small tablet when opened. Are foldable phones worth it? A note on durability Aside from their displays, the biggest difference between foldable phones and more traditional handsets is durability. Thats because while some models like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsungs foldables offer IPX8 water resistance (which is good for submersions of up to five feet for 30 minutes), their flexible screens which are largely made from plastic present some unique challenges. Most foldables come with factory-installed screen protectors. However, unlike regular phones, users are instructed not to remove them without assistance from approved service centers. Thankfully, Samsung phones do offer one free screen protector replacement for its foldables, while Google charges between $29 and $129 depending on the warranty status of your device. That said, while we cant do long-term testing for every new foldable phone on the market, after personally using the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 each for a year, Ive found that Samsungs pre-installed screen protector tends to start bubbling nine to 12 months after purchase. So youll probably want to factor in that your foldable may need some sort of servicing after about a year unless you plan on removing the screen protector entirely (which is possible, but goes against most manufacturers' instructions). Furthermore, foldable phone owners need to be mindful about keeping sharp objects away from their flexible displays, as rocks, keys or even pressing down very hard with a fingernail can leave permanent marks. In the event that you need to get a flexible screen serviced, youre potentially facing a much higher repair bill when compared to a typical phone (up to $500 or more depending on the model and the severity of the damage). In short, while the ruggedness of foldable phones has improved a lot, they're still more delicate than traditional handsets, which is something you need to account for. However, foldables continue to evolve, with better AI features, improved specs and a more refined form factors that makes them even more practical. Whether youre after a flip phone for nostalgia or a big screen device for multitasking, todays foldable phones offer exciting possibilities you just have to decide if theyre the right fit for you. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-foldable-phones-160030013.html?src=rss
How to migrate your Apple purchases from one Apple Account to another
Macworld One of the most common questions asked of Mac 911 is, How do I merge or transfer purchases from one Apple ID/Account to another? The answer for over 20 years has been the same: You cant. Until now. Way back in the mists of timethe year 2000Apple created iTools, its first cloud-hosted service, about six years before cloud computing even existed as a term. As part of iTools, you registered an account name paired with an @mac.com address. iTools later morphed into .Mac (2002) and MobileMe (2008, @me.com) before settling into iCloud (2011, @icloud.com). The iTunes Music Store first appeared in 2003. It also required you to set up an account, one that was separate from your iTools/.Mac account. Thus began the great sundering for old-school users. We had iCloud on one Apple Account and purchases on another. (Apple changed the Apple ID name to Apple Account in September 2024, so Ill use that to avoid confusion.) It wasnt until a few years later that a new user could register a single Apple Account that handled everything: email, cloud-stored data for synchronization, access to Apple websites services, and purchases. Apple didnt provide a way for people with an iTools/.Mac/MobileMe account and an iTunes Music Store account to merge them, even when both became effectively an Apple Account. Then, with no fanfare, Apple posted a set of support notes on Feb. 11, 2025, that explained how to use a new migration feature that allows you to transfer all purchases from one Apple Account to another. The process is straightforward, and Apple even offers an option to back out of the migration, or un-migrate your files. You can find the support notes at: Migrate purchases from one Apple Account to another Apple Account About migrating Apple Account purchases between accounts Undo a migration of Apple Account purchases between accounts The way Apple presents the information can be overwhelming. Ive simplified and reorganized into a more understandable set of preparations and processes for you. Heres what you need to know. What Apple migrates Apple defines the two accounts youre migrating purchases to and from as the primary Apple Account, which has iCloud information associated, is the main account you use on your devices, and will receive the purchases; and the secondary , which has purchases and limited other information which is migrated to the primary account. Ill use those terms extensively below. Your primary account will appear at Settings / System Settings > your name at the top of the screen below your name. Your secondary, purchases account appears in the same location when you tap or click Media & Purchases . The primary Apple Account appears at the top of System Settings/Settings > your name . Migration moves all your purchases of apps, books, movies, music, and TV shows from the secondary to primary account. It also moves five other sets of information, each with its own peculiarities: Payment methods: All payment methods associated with the secondary account move to and replace payment methods stored for the primary account. Subscriptions: The secondary accounts subscriptions merge with the subscriptions on your primary account. Music library: If the secondary account has a music library, migration replaces all music-related items on the primary account with the secondarys: the music library data, personalization profile, social profile, and Apple Music Replay. If theres no secondary library, the primary accounts music data is untouched. Podcasts: The same is true for podcasts: secondary data replaces primary unless theres no podcast information in the secondary account. Up Next queue in TV app: If you use the Up Next queue in the TV app, the secondary accounts list replaces the primary accounts. Migration leaves behind: iCloud data: I recommend exporting iCloud data before migration for easier access. This column should help. Reviews: Any reviews you created with the secondary account can no longer be edited. Personalized recommendations: Your personalized recommendations in the App Store, Books, Podcasts, and TV apps are abandoned. If youre part of any beta test programs that rely on Apples TestFlight app, the migration process is currently broken for that as of mid-February 2025. You cannot use your primary or secondary accounts email address to log in. Contact the developer for information about obtaining an interim URL that you can use in lieu of a login. After you migrate purchases, the account you migrated from can no longer be used as an iCloud or purchases account on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. However, its still reachable via iCloud.com. Get ready to migrate Migration comes with a large number of requirements you have to meet before you can begin. Account information: Both accounts have to be active and unlocked and both must have two-factor authentication enabled. If you deleted or disabled a purchases account in the past, its not eligible. Neither account can previously have been part of a migration: its a one-time operation in one direction for the future lifetime of the account (as of now). You cant, for instance, roll two purchases-only accounts into one iCloud account. (The exception is that you can undo the migration, which resets that status; see later in the article.) Location: Both accounts must be set to the same country and region for purchases. Apple currently excludes the European Union, India, and the United Kingdom from migrations. Family Sharing: If youre part of a Family Sharing group, the secondary account must be in the same group as the primary or in no group at all. A child account created through a Family Sharing group that is still in child status cant be used for either side of a migration; as one consequence, youre prevented from migrating a childs purchases into your own account. The secondary account must have Purchase Sharing disabled if its in a Family Sharing group. Purchases: Even though the primary account should be the one you use for iCloud, it must have at least one purchase or free download associated. If youve never used the primary account this way, you need to buy or download something free using that account before starting. The secondary accounts payment method must be available for active use, so check that you have an up-to-date card associated. The secondary account cant be migrated from until 15 days following its last purchase. Further, all pre-orders and rentals must be fulfilled. For rentals, you can just start watching to run down that clock. You can cancel pre-orders; see this support note . Miscellaneous: Two miscellaneous requirements might trip you up. Its possible to have an Apple One account and designate its storage for a third Apple Account, neither primary nor secondary. If thats the case, you cant migrate the secondary account. You will need to unwind that association before starting. And if your Apple Account has access to special apps or content, such as that via Apples Volume Purchase Program (VPP) for schools and companies, it cant be used either as a primary or secondary account. Start the migration Start the process on an iPhone or iPad that has the primary account logged in as the iCloud/main account: Go to Settings > your name > Media & Purchases . Tap View Account . Authenticate with Touch ID, Face ID, or a password if required. Tap Migrate Purchases . Enter passwords and other authentication for the primary or secondary accounts as prompted. The first Migrate Purchases screen identifies which account is being treated as primary and which as secondary and provides additional information. Tap Continue to proceed. A second Migrate Purchases screen appears with an extensive description of what data will migrate, how it will replace primary data or be merged with it, and what categories of purchase-related information will be left behind and unusable. Tap Continue to move forward. A final screen labeled Finish Migration makes one final set of declarations, including that you cant sign into the secondary account in the future, though it means just from an Apple device as an iCloud or purchases account. Tap Migrate . Purchases Have Been Migrated will appear and both Apple Accounts will receive confirmation via their respective emails. On each of your devices, sign out of the secondary account under Media & Purchases and sign into the primary account. Left: The Migration Purchases screen is the first step in making sure you have the right accounts in play for migration. Right: The top half of a lengthy screen informing you of the myriad migration actions. IDG You may experience errors in this process if you havent met some of the requirements documented earlier. Apple should provide details on what remains to be done in order to migrate successfully. Reverse migration If you experience problems or decide the merged Apple Account doesnt meet your needs for some reason, you can reverse the process. Reversing migration rolls back time in some ways and not in others: Payment methods: All payment methods are removed from both accounts. You have to add them back. Purchases after the migration: All purchases made after the migration remain with the primary account. All purchases on the secondary account prior to the migration move back. Subscription cancellation: Except for iCloud+, all other subscriptions are canceled and have their expiration date set to their next renewal. However, you can resubscribe on either account. Music and podcast migration: Music-related data that was migrated from the secondary account, like a music library or social profile, will migrate back; the same is true for podcasts. If the secondary account had no music-related or podcast data besides purchases, that stuff remains on the primary account. Up Next queue reverts: The Apple TV apps Up Next queue reverts to where it was for each of the primary account and secondary account before the migration. To undo the migration, follow this process: Go to Settings > your name > Media & Purchases . Tap View Account . Authenticate with Touch ID, Face ID, or a password if required. Find the section labeled Secondary Account and tap Undo Migration . Follow the explanatory steps about what reversing the migration entails and tap the necessary button at each step to continue. Undo Migration Complete appears and both Apple Accounts will receive a confirmation via their email addresses. On all your devices, sign out of the primary account in Media & Purchases and sign back into the secondary account. Ask Mac 911 Weve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, were always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to mac911@macworld.com , including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered; we dont reply to emails, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.
Everything new in Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2 Lawless
Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2 has finally arrived and brings a crime-ridden island where players can run Lawless with new weapons and much more. Here's everything new that has been added.
The best microSD cards in 2025
Most microSD cards are fast enough for boosting storage space and making simple file transfers, but some provide a little more value than others. If youve got a device that still accepts microSD cards whether its a gaming handheld , a dash cam, a drone or an Android tablet weve scoured the market and put more than a dozen top contenders through a number of benchmark tests. You can find our top recommendations below, alongside some general shopping advice before you grab one. Table of contents Best microSD cards of 2025 What to look for in a microSD card How we test microSD cards Other notable microSD cards Recent updates Best microSD cards of 2025 What to look for in a microSD card Capacity The first thing to figure out when buying a microSD card is how much storage space you need. Modern cards are usually available in sizes ranging from 32GB to 512GB, with several models now available in 1TB or 1.5TB capacities as well. The first 2TB cards from major brands have started to arrive in recent months as well, which is exciting, but those are still fairly rare (and very expensive) by comparison. For most, a 128GB or 256GB model should be a sweet spot between price and storage space. But if you need more room say, for stashing a bunch of games on a Steam Deck a 512GB card or greater could make more sense and often provides a better cost-per-GB ratio. These days, you can find a decent 128GB card for around $15 or less, a good 256GB card for less than $30 and a solid 512GB card for less than $40 (with faster models priced a little higher). Theres a starker increase when you go up to 1TB cards, which often cost closer to $100, though weve seen some fall into the $70 to $80 range within the last year. The first wave of 2TB cards are an even bigger leap: the 2TB SanDisk Extreme, for example, is priced at $200. Note that a microSD cards performance may differ depending on what capacity you buy. SanDisk says its 128GB Extreme card delivers sequential write speeds up to 90 MB/s, for example, while the higher-capacity models in the same line offer up to 130 MB/s. When we talk about microSD cards today, we usually refer to cards that use the microSDXC (eXtended Capacity) standard , which have a capacity between 32GB and 2TB. Your device needs to support this for it to work with a microSDXC card. This will almost never be an issue these days, but some older devices (a Nintendo 3DS , for instance) are only compatible with microSDHC (High Capacity) cards, which range from 2GB to 32GB. Read and write speeds MicroSD cards are primarily judged on their read and write speeds, which are usually measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). Generally, most microSD cards have faster read speeds than write speeds. These metrics can then be broken down into sequential and random performance. Sequential read and write speeds matter when youre trying to access or save long, constant streams of data, such as opening a large video or copying a big batch of files from a PC. If you want to use a microSD card for media storage, this is particularly important. Random performance, meanwhile, is about how quickly a card can read and write small files scattered throughout the device. Since random read/write speeds are much lower than sequential ones, storage device makers tend not to advertise them as loudly. But theyre important if you use a card with a gaming device or a single-board computer like the Raspberry Pi , where it often has to rapidly save and access small bits of data in random locations. Speed ratings If you look at a microSD card, youll see a buffet of numbers, letters and symbols. Most of these refer to the cards speed class and performance ratings, which are determined by the SD Association . A cards Video Speed Class, or V-rating, details its minimum sequential write speed, which is especially important when recording video from a camera. It ranges from V6 to V90. Most of the cards we tested had a V30 rating, so they have a sequential write speed of at least 30 MB/s. This should be enough to support up to 4K video at lower bitrates. Higher-rated V60 and V90 cards are usually better for capturing 8K, but they come at a much higher cost. The UHS Speed Class, or U-rating, also refers to a cards minimum sequential write speed. It comes in two varieties: U3, which mandates a minimum of 30 MB/s, and U1, which is rated for 10 MB/s. The older Speed Class rating overlaps with the other two systems. Its signified by a C symbol and goes from Class 2 to Class 10, with the number (again) indicating minimum sequential write speed. This rating is less relevant nowadays, but you may still see a C10 logo on some cards. The Application Performance spec, marked by an A symbol, is an indicator of random read/write speeds. This is measured in IOPS, or input/output operations per second, rather than MB/s. There are two categories here: A1 cards offer a minimum random read speed of 1,500 IOPS and a minimum random write speed of 500 IOPS, while A2 cards bump those up to 4,000 IOPS and 2,000 IOPS, respectively. Both ratings also guarantee sequential write speeds of at least 10 MB/s. To keep it simple, most people should look for a card with V30, U3 and A2 ratings. Its totally possible to get a solid card without those: A U1 card might be worth it if you just need a cheap, high-capacity option, for example. V60 and V90 cards are worth a look if youre serious about shooting high-resolution photos and video as well. But overall, cards with the certifications above should provide the best blend of price and performance today. Its important to emphasize that these ratings are baselines. Most V30 cards offer significantly higher write speeds than 30 MB/s, for instance, and some A1 cards can outperform some A2 models in practice. The speeds advertised by manufacturers arent always 100 percent accurate, either: Sometimes the card will be slower in real-world use, other times it may actually be a bit faster. UHS bus speeds The other spec to note is the cards bus interface. Most microSD cards available today are UHS-I, which have a theoretical maximum speed of 104 MB/s. There are also UHS-II cards, which have an extra row of pins on the back and can reach up to 312 MB/s. (A UHS-III standard technically exists as well but hasnt seen wide adoption.) These are labeled on the card with a Roman numeral I or II. UHS-II cards are usually the ones with those higher V60 or V90 ratings. If you shoot lots of 4K to 8K video or frequently use burst mode to capture ultra high-res photos, the performance gains of a good UHS-II card can save you time. However, these are much more expensive than UHS-I cards: This 128GB Lexar Professional Gold model, for instance, is a relative bargain at $40. While that's less than many UHS-II models weve seen in the past, it's still more than double the typical price of our top pick mentioned below. You need a device thats compatible with the UHS-II interface to see any benefits, too, and stock for UHS-II cards is generally spottier. For now, the higher speeds arent worth the price premium for most people, so we stuck mostly to UHS-I cards with our recommendations. The absolute fastest microSD cards you can buy right now, though, are based on a different interface called SD Express . This has technically been around for several years and now includes its own subset of speed classes , but the gist is that it's much faster than UHS-I or UHS-II: SanDisks recently released microSD Express card , which is the first commercially available model weve tested, advertises sequential read speeds up to 880MB/s. For context, thats quicker than some older SSDs. Its a substantial upgrade that spoiler alert has largely held up in our testing, but just about zero popular devices natively support SD Express right now, and again, SanDisks card costs much more than the best UHS-I options. Its still possible to take advantage of the boosted performance with a dedicated SD Express card reader, but that adds even more to the final cost. Its also worth noting that SD Express cards are not backwards compatible with UHS-II (or UHS-III), so if you try to plug one into a device with a UHS-II slot, itll be limited to UHS-I speeds. Still, the tech should have plenty of appeal if more gadgets that support the interface do arrive. Besides SanDisk, Samsung has said it plans to release an SD Express card as well. A note on card readers and reaching advertised speeds While the UHS-I interface has a theoretical maximum of 104 MB/s, some UHS-I cards can exceed that speed through proprietary extensions. However, you need a compatible card reader and host device to take advantage of that extra performance. If you find a UHS-I card advertising speeds higher than 104 MB/s, this is whats going on. You can see these limits in action with a Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck: Both of those gaming devices support the UHS-I interface but dont go beyond its official speed, flattening any sequential gains some cards may have elsewhere. (Differences in random read and write speeds can still matter, though.) The same thing will happen if you plug a more powerful UHS-II or SD Express card into a device that doesnt accept those interfaces. The takeaway: Your microSD card will only be as fast as the slowest link in your chain. Warranty Many microSD cards are designed to be durable, with protection from water, extreme temperatures, X-rays and drops. Still, in case of catastrophe, a long warranty is always good to have. Many manufacturers offer lifetime or 10-year limited warranties, though weve noticed that endurance cards marketed to withstand more hours of writing are usually covered for a shorter period of time. For example, Samsung's Pro Endurance , a model aimed at security cameras and other monitoring devices, comes with a five-year warranty. Avoiding counterfeits The memory card market has had a particular problem with scammers selling fake products. To guard against this, only buy from a known brand and a reputable retailer such as Best Buy, B&H Photo or Adorama. If you shop at Amazon, only buy if the shipper and seller is Amazon.com. (That said, a handful of users have reported receiving counterfeits even from Amazon directly in the past.) Remember: If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of any retailer offering significantly a lower price than others. Once you receive a card, check its packaging for any irregularities. You can run benchmark tests like CrystalDiskMark or BlackMagic Disk Speed Test to verify its speeds arent drastically lower than whats advertised (or possible, given its specs). You can also use software thats designed to verify the true capacity and performance of your card, such as H2testw and FakeFlashTest . How we test microSD cards We've put close to 20 microSD cards through a series of tests to verify their sequential and random performance. These included benchmarks like CrystalDiskMark , BlackMagic Disk Speed Test , ATTO Disk Benchmark and AJA System Test , as well as a few real-world tests. We copied and pasted a small folder of photos about 1.15GB in size to and from each card, then did the same with a larger 12.2GB folder containing multiple file types and subfolders, timing the process each time. We also checked how each card performed on the Steam Deck, downloading games of varying sizes including Stardew Valley , Aperture Desk Job , Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Apex Legends then timing how long it took to launch each game and load save files. Where applicable, we used a Kingston USB 3.2 UHS-II reader to test each card on both Windows 11 and macOS Sonoma. However, if a card could be bundled with (or is specifically advertised to use) a proprietary reader, we mainly tested with that, since we figure thats the one most interested buyers will end up using. For Windows testing, we used an Alienware gaming PC with an Intel Core i9-10900F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. For macOS, we used a 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro with an Apple M1 Pro chip, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. If a reader couldnt connect over USB-C, we used CalDigits TS4 dock to test the corresponding card on the MacBook. We tested the 128GB version of each card wherever possible, though for a few cards SanDisk's Extreme and Samsung's Pro Plus and Pro Ultimate we were only able to test higher-capacity models. We also reformatted each card before testing with the SD Associations Memory Card Formatter tool . Other notable microSD cards The Samsung Pro Ultimate. Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget Samsung Pro Ultimate The Samsung Pro Ultimate was the closest competitor to the Lexar Professional Silver Plus across our benchmark tests, but it's tangible worse in terms of sequential write speeds, typically costs more and doesnt offer a 1TB option. The Samsung Pro Plus is a bit slower for sequential reads, but its close enough otherwise and usually easier to find at a lower price. Kingston Canvas Go Plus The Kingston Canvas Go Plus is a fine card and worth buying over the Samsung Evo Select if the two are ever available for the same price, but its sequential write speeds lagged well behind the Lexar Silver Plus and, to a slightly lesser extent, Samsung Pro Plus. The SanDisk Extreme and PNY Elite-X. Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget Delkin Devices Power We haven't used it ourselves, but if youre willing to pay for a more powerful UHS-II card built for heavy-duty video recording, the Delkin Devices Power has tested well elsewhere and should deliver significantly faster sequential write speeds than our picks above. Its one of the few UHS-II cards we could actually find in stock, but it costs a ton, with a 128GB model normally priced around $80. SanDisk Extreme The SanDisk Extreme effectively matched the Pro Plus in a few of our sequential tests, but that was partly due to us only being able to secure the 256GB model, which is higher-rated than the 128GB version. Its a fine choice if you see it on sale at a reputable seller, but its broadly slower than our top pick and often costs more. The SanDisk GamePlay and SanDisk Pokmon. Jeff Dunn for Engadget SanDisk GamePlay The SanDisk GamePlay performs similarly to the SanDisk Extreme but costs a good bit extra as of our latest update. We couldnt get it to reach its advertised speeds with the companys own Pro card reader or other third-party options, so it fell short of our top picks. SanDisk Pokmon The SanDisk Pokmon does outperform its advertised read and write speeds, but not by enough to outpace the Lexar Silver Plus or Samsung Pro Plus. It essentially charges extra for having a picture of Pikachu (or Gengar , or Snorlax ) on a product youll never look at. The Lexar Professional 1066x. Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget Lexar Professional 1066x The Lexar Professional 1066x is another OK alternative to the Samsung Pro Plus if our main picks are unavailable, but its sequential reads and random speeds arent on par with either Samsungs card or Lexars own Silver Plus. That said, its worth getting over the Samsung Evo Select if you see it for a lower price, as its sequential write speeds are much faster. It also comes with a lifetime limited warranty. SanDisk Extreme Pro The SanDisk Extreme Pro is a close analog to the Samsung Pro Ultimate but, as of this writing, is either unavailable at most trusted retailers or priced too high by comparison. The Lexar Professional Silver Plus has faster sequential write speeds as well. PNY Elite-X The PNY Elite-X often goes for cheap and wasnt too far off the random read/write performance of Samsung's Pro Plus in CrystalDiskMark, but its sequential speeds were well behind our top picks. Recent updates February 2025 : Weve updated this guide with a new top pick: the Lexar Professional Silver Plus. The Samsung Pro Plus, our previous recommendation, stays as a runner-up. Weve also added SanDisks recently released microSD Express card as a pick for those who want the absolute fastest card possible, albeit with heavy caveats. This is one of the first microSD cards to use the SD Express bus interface, so weve included more details on what that entails in our what to look for in a microSD card section. Lastly, weve removed our write-up for SanDisks Apex Legends card , as it appears to have been discontinued, and included testing notes for a couple of the companys more recent releases. November 2024 : We've checked back with this guide to ensure our recommendations are still accurate and made light edits for clarity. August 2024 : Weve updated this guide to note the recently released 1TB models for three of our top picks: the Samsung Pro Plus, the Kingston Canvas Go Plus and the Samsung Evo Select. Weve also made sure all pricing details are as up to date as they can be. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-microsd-card-130038282.html?src=rss
Dropbox wishes 10TB of cloud storage was this cheap
Macworld Between Dropbox, iCloud, and Google Drive, cloud storage often feels like just another bill to pay every month. But it doesnt have to be. Internxt offers a secure cloud storage solution with a lifetime plan, no recurring payments, and no strings attached. Right now, you can get 10TB of storage for a one-time payment of $244.99 (regularly $2,999). Dropbox is done Internxt puts your privacy front and center with end-to-end encryption . Nobody can access your files without your permission, but if you do want to share, its really easy. You can access your files on virtually any modern device, whether youre on your MacBook, a PC, iOS, Android, or Linux. Prefer an app? Theyve got you covered. Like using a browser? That works too. For those in regions with strict data protection laws, Internxts GDPR compliance adds an extra layer of reassurance. Internxt is the perfect example of the buy once, cry once principle. Yeah, its more expensive than a month of DropBox, but its a whole lot cheaper in the long run. Use code STORAGE30 by February 23 to get a 10TB Internxt lifetime subscription on sale for $244.99. Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB Plan $349.99 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.
Stock up on these ANYCUBIC Resin Pro 2 1kg bottles starting from $17 + Buy 6 get 1 FREE
ANYCUBIC ABS-Like 3D Printer Resin Pro 2, Grey 1kg Buy for $17 (Reg. $22) What we love With everyone getting into 3D printing these days, its always a smart move to stock up on resin so you never find yourself running low in the middle of things. Not only does this Resin Pro 2 provide stronger finished models, but several of these color options are offering a buy-6-get-1-free promo too. more
Netflix hops aboard Sifu movie adaptation, assigns a screenwriter
We learned in December 2022 that a production company had signed on to turn Sloclap's excellent martial arts game Sifu into a film. Today, the news dropped that Netflix is involved with the project, which seems to have caused some personnel shuffling behind the scenes. The initial announcement saw Story Kitchen, which has since amassed a huge catalog of video game adaptations, securing a treatment of Sifu with John Wick creator Derek Kolstad attached as the writer. Story Kitchen is still working on the film, but Kolstad is no longer serving as the screenwriter and T.S. Nowlin has instead been tapped for that role. Nowlin's past credits include the screenplays for the Maze Runner adaptations and most recently he was a writer for Netflix's splashy Ryan Reynolds vehicle The Adam Project . However, there is still a John Wick connection with Sifu . The director for all four John Wick films, stunt performer Chad Stahelski, has joined the producer team, as have members of Stahelski's 87Eleven Entertainment company. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/netflix-hops-aboard-sifu-movie-adaptation-assigns-a-screenwriter-225324526.html?src=rss
Jackerys official Amazon storefront is offering its Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station for $999 shipped. Normally costing you $1,499 at full price, if you missed out on the brands recent Tax Season sale, this is your chance to score it at the same rate we saw there. Its only fallen lower during Black Friday and Cyber Monday when things hit $899, though we havent seen those same rates reappear since. Todays deal gives you the second-lowest price we have tracked, giving you one of the brands latest releases while saving $500 in the process. You can even find it matching in price direct from Jackerys website right now too. more
Cozy Lord of the Rings game Tales of the Shire is delayed to July
Samwise Gamgee said, It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish. But then, he hadn't been exposed to the world of video game development. Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game , a cozy take on the most idyllic pocket of Middle Earth, has been delayed. The new launch date is July 29. According to a post from the devs at Wt Workshop Game Studio, this delay is about ensuring that all the project's supported platforms can enjoy the same cozy experience. It is currently slated to launch on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Steam and Xbox Series X. Tales of the Shire needs a bit more simmering... Now coming July 29th, 2025. Thank you for your support and patience. #TalesOfTheShire #LOTR #cozygaming pic.twitter.com/8afaLnGfFL Tales of the Shire (@talesoftheshire) February 20, 2025 This project has taken a couple tough hits over the past several months. The release date had already been pushed back in September, and it was axed from Netflix's planned game lineup earlier this month. Will there be more hurdles before we can finally enjoy our happy hobbit alternate lives? As a wise wizard once said: Who knows? Have patience. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/cozy-lord-of-the-rings-game-tales-of-the-shire-is-delayed-to-july-213500109.html?src=rss
Elon Musk wants to 'fix' Community Notes on X
Elon Musk has a problem with Community Notes, the crowdsourced fact-checking feature that started as Birdwatch , and launched at scale after he purchased Twitter . Unfortunately @CommunityNotes is increasingly being gamed by governments & legacy media, Musk posted . Working to fix this... Based on the rant his tweet descends in to afterwards, his issue appears to be with how X's Community Notes contributors have been treating misinformation about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the war in Ukraine. Musk quotes a post from an X account that claims polls showing Zelenskyy has a 57 percent approval rating in Ukraine are ot credible. Information like that being challenged on X doesn't jive with President Trump's description of Zelenskyy as a dictator or Musk's desire to use the platform as an unofficial arm of the current administration. Unfortunately, @CommunityNotes is increasingly being gamed by governments & legacy media. Working to fix this It should be utterly obvious that a Zelensky-controlled poll about his OWN approval is not credible!! If Zelensky was actually loved by the people of Ukraine, he https://t.co/gy0NjtPwiq Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 20, 2025 What fixing Community Notes will look like remains to be seen, but Musk uncritically quoting a post that cites no sources beyond an image with small text that says Accuracy Confidence: Normal is hopefully evidence enough that Community Notes are the bare minimum needed. Ragging on the feature of course fits the larger pattern of Musk's tenure at X, which has been characterized by him manipulating the platform's algorithm and eliminating features that helped determine credibility, like verification . If he thinks you can't even trust crowdsourced fact-checks, there's really no source of truth left on the platform. The concept of Community Notes is no longer unique to X Meta recently opened up the waitlist to use the feature on its platforms but how long Community Notes exists its current form is apparently now an open question. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/elon-musk-wants-to-fix-community-notes-on-x-212310412.html?src=rss
The official Bose site is now offering a sweet deal on its flagship QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds in refurbished condition. And for the record, Bose has one of the best refurbishment programs around, delivering units with the same warranty as a new set (details below). The flagship, current-gen QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds in question carry a $299 list price and are currently now down at $179 shipped via the Bose site. more
Say goodbye to dry winter air with Govees 6L Smart Humidifier 2 at $70 (Reg. $100), more from $35
Coming through its official Amazon storefront, Govee is helping folks combat the dry air of winter by dropping its latest Smart Humidifier 2 to $69.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page 30% off coupon. Normally this new model would cost you $100 since releasing back in December, though we did spot two building discounts back around New Years that started things at $65 before falling to a short-lived $60 low. Its coming back here today with a $30 markdown that puts a nice chunk of change back in your pocket while giving you the means to make any dry spaces much more comfortable. Its even beating out Govees direct site where things are sitting $10 higher . more
An iOS update will give iPhone 15 Pro owners Visual Intelligence
iPhone 15 Pro owners will soon have one less reason to consider upgrading to an iPhone 16 series handset. Visual Intelligence , Apple's equivalent to Google Lens , is coming to the 2023 Pro-series flagships, according to Daring Fireball . Owners of the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro can trigger Visual Intelligence with a long press of their dedicated camera button. But like the recently announced iPhone 16e (which also supports the feature), the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max don't have a physical camera button. So, all three phones will have to assign it to the Action button or use a Control Center shortcut, which will arrive in an upcoming software update. Apple hasn't said which iOS version will bring the Apple Intelligence visual search feature to the iPhone 15 Pro series. However, Daring Fireball 's John Gruber suspects it will be in iOS 18.4, which could arrive any day now for beta testers. Cherlynn Low for Engadget Part of the Apple Intelligence suite of AI features , Visual Intelligence lets you point your camera at something and use AI to analyze it in real time. It does a few things on its own, but it gets more useful with info from its persistent onscreen shortcuts to ChatGPT or Google Image Search . So, say you find a set of towels in your closet with a unique pattern. You really like those dang towels and want to buy more, but you can't remember where you got them. Activate Visual Intelligence, choose the Google search shortcut and see if your beloved rags are among the web results that pop up. Alternatively, you could use ChatGPT to ask it about the product and where to order it. Visual Intelligence can also do a few things without the help of Google or OpenAI. You can interact with text: translate, read aloud and summarize. Or learn about a business you point your phone toward: view its hours, menu and services or buy something from it. So, iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max owners should get a taste of that before long. And perhaps even sooner for those willing to brave the (sometimes rough) waters of beta software. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/an-ios-update-will-give-iphone-15-pro-owners-visual-intelligence-205030298.html?src=rss
This trackable, RFID-blocking Apple Find My MagSafe wallet is on sale for $30 today
Youve found the best deal on the wallet you cant lose with 25% off the Folding MagSafe Wallet for $29.99 (reg. $39). Directly integrated tech connects this wallet to Apple Find My app so you can track it, find it, and always know where its at without the added bulk of products like AirTags. Great for busy people on the go or travelers, this slim wallet adds an extra layer of safety to your finances and phone. more
ChatGPT reaches 400M weekly active users
ChatGPT has surpassed 400 million weekly active users. We feel very fortunate to serve 5 percent of the world every week, OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap said on X about the new audience stat. This figure is twice the weekly active user count reported by the company in August 2024 , which was double the figure it posted in November 2023. The latest milestone for the AI assistant comes after a huge uproar over new rival platform DeepSeek earlier in the year, which raised questions about whether the current crop of leading AI tools was about to be dethroned. OpenAI is on the verge of a move to simplify its ChatGPT offerings so that users won't have to select which reasoning model will respond to an input, and it will make its GPT-4.5 and GPT-5 models available soon in the chat and API clients. With GPT-5 being made available to OpenAI's free users, ChatGPT seems primed to continue expanding its audience base in the coming months. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/chatgpt-reaches-400m-weekly-active-users-203635884.html?src=rss
Govee Smart Light Bulbs 10-Pack Buy for $55 (Reg. $80) Clip the on-page $5 off coupon. What we love An affordable way to bring ambient smart lighting into your home, youll get 54 preset scene modes and over 16 million DIY color combinations all controlled via the Govee app, or you can go hands-free through Alexa or Google Assistant. It even has music syncing that allows the lights to dance along when any sound is picked up through your phones microphone. more
CASETiFY launches new iPhone 16e Impact MagSafe Case collection with hundreds of design choices
The new CASETiFY iPhone 16e cases have surfaced . CASETiFY is one of the more popular smartphone case brands out there, and one that has been so for more than a few years now. Its success is largely hinged on delivering higher quality covers, attractive branding, offering up collections for just about every major smartphone release, and, perhaps even most of all, its massive selection of designs you can choose from. The iPhone 16e models have arrived and they are now available purchase starting from $70 on the eve of pre-orders going live for the new, more affordable iPhone release. more
A $599 iPhone 16e is a cruel joke
The $599 iPhone 16e is many things, but don't you dare call it a budget phone . I hesitate to even call it cheap. As a successor to the $429 iPhone SE, it's hard not to see the 16e as a disappointment. Sure, it's $200 less than the vanilla iPhone 16 (which I argued was a great deal at launch ), and the 16e also packs in the latest A18 chip with support for Apple Intelligence. But it's no longer a small phone, and it pushes Apple's cheaper iPhone option well beyond $500. That's something we'll likely never see again. (And it's potentially terrible news for future iPhone pricing, as well.) Given the sheer amount of new hardware in the iPhone 16e including a larger 6.1-inch OLED screen, Apple's first in-house C1 modem and that aforementioned A18 chip it's easy to make excuses for the price. The 16e is certainly far closer in specs to the iPhone 16 than the third-gen SE was to the iPhone 13. But I'd argue that Apple didn't exactly need an OLED screen for this model, and there are likely other ways to cut down costs. (It's even stranger Apple kept out MagSafe and fast wireless charging , which would have been cheaper to implement, and arguably more useful, than a large OLED display.) Apple And while it's nice to have the A18 chip (albeit with one less GPU core) and full Apple Intelligence support, I agree with my colleague Igor Bonifacic that users aren't exactly clamoring for those AI features. If we had to blame one culprit for the iPhone 16e's pricing, though, it's likely Apple Intelligence. After all, Apple is still fighting to prove it isn't too far behind Microsoft, Google and OpenAI. In any other year, Apple might have been able to justify throwing an older chip in the 16e, but that's not possible when it's in the middle of an AI hype war. Mostly, I'm just sad that Apple is once again raising the price of admission to its walled garden without much justification. There's something special noble, even about sub-$500 smartphones. They're a reminder of a saner era of smartphones, when prices were being driven down by phones like the Moto G . These days you're left with Android phones like the Pixel 8a (and potentially the upcoming Pixel 9a ), as well as the $400 Samsung Galaxy A35 and $499 Galaxy A55 . Apple Now that the dream of a sub-$500 iPhone is well and truly dead, it feels like Apple is just setting the stage for future price jumps. A $600 or $650 iPhone 17e will certainly look like a deal compared to a $850 or $900 iPhone 17. And just wait for the inevitable $2,000 iPhone foldable, which could potentially be specced beyond $3,000. Of course, you could be a smart Apple shopper and opt for used or refurbished iPhones. I recently picked up a refurbished iPhone 14 Plus as an early Mothers' Day gift for $420, and Amazon currently has listings for iPhone 14 Pros right under $500 . Those devices won't support Apple Intelligence, but I'd argue sticking to the used market is simply a more useful form of intelligence. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/a-599-iphone-16e-is-a-cruel-joke-200507275.html?src=rss
Among Us VR is being transformed into a traditional 3D game for PC
Among Us VR has proven itself to be a major hit since first being released back in 2022 . Now, developers Innersloth and Schell Games have announced they are rejiggering the virtual reality title for traditional PC players . Among Us 3D is playable without a headset and will be available via Steam in the near future. This title keeps the core gameplay loop from the original, but shifts to a first-person perspective. It's basically a new way to keep sabotaging your friends and family. Among Us 3D is for four to ten players and includes native proximity voice chat, with no need for a third-party platform. All of the minigames are returning, though theres also some new ones coming down the pike. Innersloth is holding off on those details for now. It features crossplay with Among Us VR , but not with the original game. That's a bummer, but understandable. There will be, however, an expanded costume selection to offer an endless number of cosmetic customization combinations. There's a new in-game currency called Stardust that will, presumably, be used to purchase some of those outfits. There's no release date yet, other than soon. However, a demo will be available to US players as part of Steam Next Fest from February 24 to March 3. Preorders for the full game are already live on Steam. This is just the latest cool thing that developer Innersloth has announced. The company recently revealed a publishing arm called Outersloth . There's also an Among Us cartoon coming sometime in the near future. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/among-us-vr-is-being-transformed-into-a-traditional-3d-game-for-pc-194545497.html?src=rss
How to make the most of the iPhone's Action Button
The Action button is available on nearly every iPhone Apple sells, offering a quick way to access a feature, app or shortcut on your phone, just by pushing a button. It can be a flashlight, activate a smart home routine or let you access any number of custom shortcuts without having to unlock your phone and pick through apps. Apple added the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro as a replacement for the iPhone's original Ring / Silent switch, and it was an acknowledgement of sorts that lots of people keep their phones on silent anyway. Having a reassignable button was pitched as a Pro feature at the time, but much like the Dynamic Island, it came to all of Apple's other phones in short order, even the entry-level iPhone 16e . How to use the Action Button Apple You can use the Action Button for yourself on an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16e just by pressing or holding down the small button above the volume up and down buttons on the left side of your phone. By default, the Action Button will mute or unmute your text and ringtones. This fills the same role as the old Ring / Silent switch. Heading into the Settings app will let you reassign it to another task and you can silence your phone via the Control Center. How to reassign the Action Button to Flashlight Ian Carlos Campbell for Engadget Out of the box, Apple lets you assign the Action button to several different controls: Silent Mode (Ring / Silent), Focus (either a specific Focus or a menu that lets you pick each time), Camera (a specific mode like Photo or Video), Flashlight, Voice Memo, Recognize Music, Translate, Magnifier, Controls (a specific control from Control Center like Airplane Mode), Shortcut, Accessibility (toggling a specific accessibility feature) or do nothing at all. If you wanted to switch from the default, Silent Mode, to the Flashlight, you need to first unlock your phone. Then: Open the Settings app. Tap on Action Button. From there, swipe through the different options until you land on Flashlight. To test that it worked, try pressing on the Action Button. You can use this same process to reassign the Action Button to any of the built-in actions Apple provides. How to make the Action Button open an app Ian Carlos Campbell for Engadget If you'd like to get a little more adventurous, you can also have the Action Button open a specific app on your phone. Let's say, for example, your go-to game on the iPhone is Balatro. You can have the Action Button automatically pull up Balatro whenever you press it. To set it up, you'll need your iPhone unlocked. Open the Settings app. Tap on Action Button. Swipe through the options until you reach Shortcut. Tap on Choose a Shortcut... Then tap on Open App... Then scroll until you find your chosen app and tap on it. This process works for any app on your phone, including features of specific apps, like if you wanted to jump directly into ChatGPT's Voice Mode or a new note in the Notes app. How to make the Action button activate a shortcut Ian Carlos Campbell for Engadget The Shortcut action works for more complicated Apple Shortcuts , too. Technically, any shortcut designed to be triggered by you choosing to activate it (as opposed to a time or location-based shortcut) works. There's a lot of interesting shortcuts out there, and plenty of custom ones you can make on your own, but to use a simple example, here's how you'd set the Action Button to start a Pomodoro timer. Open the Settings app. Tap on Action Button. Swipe through the options until you get to Shortcut. Tap on Choose a Shortcut... Tap on whatever shortcut you want activate. Press and hold the Action Button to make sure it works. In the case of the Pomodoro timer, you'll be prompted to choose how long you want the timer to last, and then you can tap Done to start it. Between lock screen widgets and app shortcuts, home screen widgets, and the Action Button, there's now multiple ways to check information inside of an app, adjust a specific setting or use specific functionality from the apps on your iPhone. It's confusing, but a good rule of thumb is that the Action Button works best for actions that you only need to enable once or binary, on / off features. Plenty of others things work, but at a certain point you'll want to be spending time in an app instead of futzing with the buttons on your phone. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-make-the-most-of-the-iphones-action-button-193038089.html?src=rss
