Hardware

Taiwan issues arrest warrant for Pete Lau, CEO of OnePlus

Taiwanese officials have issued an arrest warrant for OnePlus CEO Pete Lau on allegations of illegally employing workers in Taiwan. Two Taiwanese citizens who worked for Lau have also been indicted. The China-based smartphone company has been accused of illegally recruiting more than 70 engineers from Taiwan. Members of the Shilin District Prosecutors Office claim that OnePlus reportedly set up a shell company in Hong Kong with a distinct name, then launched a branch in Taiwan in 2015 without government approval. The branch reportedly worked on research and development for OnePlus mobile phones. Taiwanese officials claim these actions by OnePlus violated the Cross-Strait Act , which is designed as a guide for relations between Taiwan and mainland China. One of the acts provisions requires Chinese companies to obtain permission from the Taiwanese government to hire workers from Taiwan. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/taiwan-issues-arrest-warrant-for-pete-lau-ceo-of-oneplus-185400997.html?src=rss

EA delays Battlefield 6 Season 2 to February 17

The second season of Battlefield 6 is being pushed back based on community feedback. On Tuesday, EA and Battlefield Studios said Season 2 will now arrive on February 17. Season 2 of Battlefield 6 had previously been scheduled for January 20, so we're looking at a delay of almost a month. As a consolation, the team is extending Season 1 through the start of the next season. During our ongoing development, we've continued to review community feedback and, in order to keep our promise, determined that our best path forward is to extend Season 1 and give ourselves extra time to further polish and refine Season 2, EA wrote in a blog post . The game came out of the gates hot following its October launch, selling over seven million copies over its first three days . But recent Steam reviews provide a glimpse into the community feedback that sparked the delay. The Battle Pass is extremely predatory and very FOMO, while the season itself doesn't give a lot to offer, one review with over 450 helpful votes said. They called out the title for having so much FOMO stuff that it becomes more stressful than fun. The Season 1 extension will include some bonus content. The Frostfire Bonus Path will give players the chance to unlock new free and premium customization rewards, including a Weapon Package and a Soldier Skin, as well as XP Boosts, by advancing through the tiers of the Frostfire Bonus Path. The extension update arrives on January 20. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ea-delays-battlefield-6-season-2-to-february-17-180306743.html?src=rss

NBA League Pass is up to 55 percent off right now

NBA League Pass, the streaming service that lets you catch hundreds of out-of-market NBA games, is on sale right now for up to 55 percent off. The League Pass Premium subscription is on sale for $75, down from $160, while League Pass Standard is marked down to $50 from $110. We're almost halfway through the season at this point, so it makes sense for a service like League Pass to start offering some discounts. The Standard plan includes commercials and support for only one device at a time, while the Premium tier offers no commercials, in-arena streams during breaks in the game, offline viewing of full games and concurrent streams on up to three devices at once. Last year, League Pass added multiview , which allows you to view up to four games at once on a single screen. This is included across both subscription tiers. The service also added a smart rewind tool that automatically selects key highlights and plays from each game. Outside the US and Canada, League Pass carries every single NBA game live, but within these countries a bevy of restrictions apply. In the US, any games being shown on your regional sports network will be blacked out as the service is meant for out-of-market games only. Also, any nationally broadcast games will not be available live, but instead will be available for on-demand viewing at 6AM ET the following day. The service is only for regular-season games. If you're an avid NBA fan that follows multiple teams then the League Pass almost certainly carries dozens of games you can watch even with the restrictions in the US. Subscribers can get a list of applicable blackouts by entering their ZIP code before signing up. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/nba-league-pass-is-up-to-55-percent-off-right-now-163421218.html?src=rss

reMarkable E Ink tablet bundles are up to $90 off right now

E Ink tablet maker reMarkable is running a bundle deal right now that can save you between $80 and $90 when buying a reMarkable 2 along with a Marker stylus and a folio case. The savings vary depending on the bundle you configure, but this can bring your out-the-door cost down to $449 from $529 for the tablet, Marker stylus and polymer weave book folio. The company also sells a newer stylus called Marker Plus that lets you erase by flipping it around just like a real pencil, but that will cost you an extra $50. If youve been eyeing a dedicated writing tablet for work, school or just jotting down notes without the distraction of endless apps, this bundle deal is an ideal opportunity to pick one up. The reMarkable 2 earned our top pick for best e-ink tablet . In our review , we said the tablet was prettier than ever with a 10.3-inch display and a handsome aluminum frame. The tablet is only 4.7mm thick and weighs less than a pound, helping it feel lean and portable. The display can detect over 4,000 different levels of pressure with the Marker stylus, allowing for precise shading when sketching and the latency between the stylus and the screen is just 21ms. reMarkable fitted the display with a resin layer on top of the glass to make writing on it feel more realistic. We didn't think this passed muster, but we found writing on it was a joy nonetheless. The tablet supports PDFs and ePUBs, which can be added via the companion mobile app or a desktop computer. You can also pair the reMarkable 2 with Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or Dropbox to access files. The battery is rated for an impressive two weeks between charges. The reMarkable Paper Pro, a higher-end model with a richer feature set like a full color display and a built-in reading light, is our pick for best premium e-ink tablet. The pricier tablet also has bundle deals right now with savings up to $80 depending on configuration. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/remarkable-e-ink-tablet-bundles-are-up-to-90-off-right-now-150242312.html?src=rss

Meta refocuses on AI hardware as metaverse layoffs begin

As we expected , Meta has begun laying off more than 1,000 employees from its Reality Labs division, which focused on virtual reality and metaverse products, Bloomberg reports . The company will refocus on developing wearables, like its recent batch of AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses, according to a memo from CTO Andrew Bosworth. The news isnt too surprising. Reality Labs has lost more than $70 billion since the beginning of 2021, and while Meta has done a solid job of delivering desirable consumer VR headsets and smart glasses, that business hasnt been nearly profitable enough to justify the cost. And of course, Mark Zuckerbergs huge gamble on the metaverse, which involved renaming the company from Facebook to Meta in 2021, has gone nowhere. According to Bloomberg, Metas metaverse plans will now focus on mobile devices, which could mean a combination of its future wearables as well as existing mobile apps. With the larger potential user base and the fastest growth rate today, we are shifting teams and resources almost exclusively to mobile to continue to accelerate adoption there, Bosworth wrote in a memo to staff this morning. Meta isnt dumping its VR headset plans entirely, but according to Bosworth the VR divion will operate as a leaner, flatter organization with a more focused road map to maximize long-term sustainability. Basically, dont expect a Quest 3 follow-up anytime soon. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/meta-refocuses-on-ai-hardware-as-metaverse-layoffs-begin-145924706.html?src=rss

Apple bundles creative apps such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro into a single subscription

Apple has been putting more onus on its services for the past several years the company makes tens of billions of dollars in revenue from that side of the business, which it claimed had a record year in 2025 . Apple is nudging a little more in that direction with a new subscription bundle called Apple Creator Studio . This allows creators to pay a single fee ($13 per month or $129 per year) to use Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro , Motion, Compressor and MainStage. Subscribers will get access to premium content in Pages, Keynote and Numbers (as well as in Freeform later this year). Of course, there are AI features too. Apple Creator Studio will be available starting on January 28 and you can try it out at no cost through a one-month free trial. College students and educators can subscribe to Apple Creator Studio for $3 per month or $30 per year. Up to six people can access all of the plans features if one person in a Family Sharing group subscribes. Apple noted that Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor and MainStage will still be available as one-time purchases for Mac through the Mac App Store. Given that those can be pretty pricy (going up to $300 for Final Cut Pro), the subscription could be enticing to many burgeoning creators. This seems like Apples attempt to muscle in on Adobes territory , especially now that its bringing AI features to many of these apps. Adding new features to productivity apps like Numbers and Keynote means Apples taking a shot at the likes of Microsoft 365 Copilot (yeeeeah, thats what Office is called now) and Google Workspace as well. On Mac and iPad, Final Cut Pro has a new feature called Beat Detection. Apple suggests this makes editing video to the rhythm of music fast and fun. It uses an AI model from Logic Pro to analyze music tracks and display a Beat Grid. The idea here is to visualize song parts, beats and bars to help editors align their cuts with the music. The Montage Maker tool in Final Cut Pro on an iPad. Apple An AI-powered Montage Maker tool can stitch together a dynamic video based on the best visual moments within the footage. Youll be able to tweak these montages and use an Auto Crop tool to reframe the clip into a vertical format to make it a better fit for social media. Final Cut Pro has transcript and visual search functions too. Logic Pro, MainStage, Pixelmator Pro (which is coming to iPad with Apple Pencil support) and Motion will all have AI-powered features as well. As you might expect, youll need an Apple Intelligence-capable device to use some of these. Apple is also introducing something called the Content Hub. This media library includes curated, high-quality photos, graphics and illustrations. As for Keynote, Pages, and Numbers, youll be able to access premium templates and themes in those otherwise-free apps with a Apple Creator Studio plan. Subscribers will be able to try beta versions of new features, such as a way to generate a draft of a Keynote presentation text based on an outline, and a Magic Fill tool to generate formulas and fill in tables in Numbers. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-bundles-creative-apps-such-as-final-cut-pro-and-logic-pro-into-a-single-subscription-145210038.html?src=rss

Tesla launches a seven-seat version of the 2026 Model Y

Tesla's 2026 Model Y is now available on the company's site and it comes with a new (and old) option: a seven-seat version via a third row. The extra seating costs $2,500 and is only available if you order the Premium All-Wheel-Drive Long Range model. Tesla first teased the option last year via an email to prospective buyers with the promise of seating for up to seven and enough room for everyone's gear, Electrek reported at the time. The new seats appear to be designed mainly for children as they don't offer much legroom, according to images on Tesla's configurator. Tesla notes that the seven-seat interior features fold-flat second-row and third-row seats, though it's not clear if those seats fold down electrically like the second row. Tesla Tesla is facing increased competition , especially in the crossover/SUV category, and saw another sales decline last quarter. The company previously sold a seven-seat version of the Model Y in the US for a short time before it was refreshed early last year. Since then, though, it has only been available with five seats. Tesla launched a six-seat Model YL version in China in August 2025 with a six-inch wheelbase extension that the US model lacks. Elon Musk said that model would come to the US market in late 2026 or maybe never. Otherwise, changes to the Model Y lineup are minor and confined to the Premium version. Those include a 20-inch dark-grey Helix wheel option, a new black headliner, a bigger, higher-resolution 16-inch display and darker rear badging. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-launches-a-seven-seat-version-of-the-2026-model-y-130039385.html?src=rss

Star Wars Outlaws developer Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft Stockholm face layoffs

We aren't even two weeks into the new year and Ubisoft is already looking to carry out its second round of layoffs in 2026. The company has informed workers at Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft Stockholm of a proposed organizational restructure that could affect around 55 roles across its two Swedish studios. Workers at Massive (the developer of The Division series, Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora ) were offered voluntary buyouts late last year as part of Ubisoft's ongoing cost-cutting efforts . This restructure follows the completion of the Voluntary Leave Program launched during the fall of 2025, a finalized long-term roadmap and a completed staffing and appointment process, which together have provided clearer visibility into the structure and capacity required to support the two studios work and sustainably over time, Ubisoft told IGN in a statement. These proposed changes are forward-looking and structural, they are not related to individual performance, recent deliveries or the quality of the work produced by the teams. Ubisoft claims that the long-term direction for the studios remains unchanged. Massive will continue working on projects that include The Division 3 . Ubisoft Stockholm, meanwhile, is beavering away on a new franchise that's still under wraps for now. That project is harnessing the studio's Ubisoft Scalar cloud computing tech, according to Game Developer . Earlier in January, the company said it was shutting down Ubisoft Halifax , resulting in the loss of 71 jobs. Workers at that studio unionized just 16 days earlier. Ubisoft said its decision was part of company-wide actions to streamline operations. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/star-wars-outlaws-developer-massive-entertainment-and-ubisoft-stockholm-face-layoffs-134234968.html?src=rss

AirTags are back on sale, with a four-pack going for $65

Most Apple products are pretty expensive, but some of the most affordable (and useful) ones are AirTags . The Bluetooth trackers are priced pretty reasonably even when not on sale, but they can be a steal if you can get them on a discount like right now. A four pack of AirTags is on sale for $65 at Amazon, which is only a few dollars more than the record-low price we saw during Black Friday this year. AirTags can be useful for people who travel frequently, helping you to keep track of essentials like your passport as well as a way to keep tabs on luggage while you're on the go. If you do purchase some AirTags, we have some recommendations for useful accessories to go along with them, such as different styles of cases to best attach the trackers to different types of items. These are worth looking over and adding to your shopping cart in order to make the most of the product. AirTags have an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and their replaceable batteries should last for about a year. They can also support Precision Finding, which gives more exact directions to a lost item, when paired with most models after the iPhone 11. Up to five people can share an AirTag's location, which is helpful for families or large travel groups. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/airtags-are-back-on-sale-with-a-four-pack-going-for-65-202333994.html?src=rss

Insta360 releases AI-powered follow-up to its Link webcams

Insta360, a company most known for its action cameras , has released two new AI-powered 4K webcams, the Link 2 Pro and Link 2C Pro, aimed at creators, educators and remote professionals. The company's goal with these models is a webcam experience that looks and sounds remarkably close to a professional camera and microphone setup. Both models use a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor with dual native ISO for improved low-light performance over the previous generation , and both support HDR. Insta360 says the audio on both models leverages beamforming technology as well as AI noise canceling to help voices sound clearer in noisy environments. Users can choose from four pickup modes designed for different sound sources like Focus that isolates a single voice or Wide if there are multiple speakers. Video resolution on both models tops out 4K at 30 fps, and Insta360 says its updated True Focus system uses phase-detection autofocus to lock onto subjects, keeping them in focus while they move. There's also a Natural Bokeh mode meant to mimic the shallow depth-of-field look of a traditional DSLR camera, for users who enjoy that look. As for what sets them apart, the Link 2 Pro sports a 2-axis gimbal for AI-assisted tracking, which offers single or group-mode framing, while the Link 2C Pro is static and designed for fixed-position setups. Both models offer gesture control features, allowing users to control certain functions hands-free. These include starting or stopping tracking and zooming in or out. Both models also include a magnetic mount for easy placement on metal surfaces. Several different modes are offered that aid in teaching and presenting. Among them are Smart Whiteboard mode, which will automatically detect a user's whiteboard and keep it clearly in frame, and DeskView mode, which captures an overhead view of a user's desk. There's also a green screen mode, a portrait mode and support for virtual backgrounds. The new webcams also support Insta360 InSight, the company's subscription AI-powered meeting assistant. InSight can record meetings, generate transcripts, create summaries and more. The Link 2 Pro will retail for $250 while the Link 2C Pro will go for $200. Both models are available for purchase now . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/insta360-releases-ai-powered-follow-up-to-its-link-webcams-130003572.html?src=rss

The Morning After: Apple will use Gemini to power Siri AI

Apple and Google have confirmed that Geminis models power the new version of Siri and other generative AI features. CNBC broke the news, but Apple and Google soon followed up with a lengthy joint statement. Heres part of it: Apple determined that Googles Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apples industry-leading privacy standards. In June, it was reported that Apple was considering partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic for Siri (the voice assistant can currently tap ChatGPT for certain queries as part of Apple Intelligence). Two months later, Google emerged as a contender. Another report suggested Apple might build the new Siri using a custom version of Gemini and that it would pay Google around $1 billion a year for the privilege. However, no official deal numbers were shared. Its also notable that current iPhones have direct access to OpenAIs ChatGPT. But how long for? Mat Smith The other big stories this morning Engadget Podcast: Best of CES 2026 and a chat with Pebbles founder Meta closes 550,000 accounts to comply with Australias kids social media ban The best winter tech to get you through the coldest months Meta appoints ex-Trump and Bush official as its new president and vice chair Netflix wins 7 awards at the Golden Globes Adolescence and KPop Demon Hunters picked up several each. Netflix Netflixs hit show Adolescence received four awards, including best limited or anthology series. It also won best actor (Stephen Graham), supporting actor (Owen Cooper) and supporting actress (Erin Doherty) in a miniseries or television film. KPop Demon Hunters which my nieces refuse to stop talking about won best animated feature and best original song. I just want to say this award goes to people who have had doors closed on them, and I can confidently say rejection is redirection. So never give up. Its not all good news. Netflix also won best performance in stand-up comedy on television for Ricky Gervais: Mortality. Apple and HBO Max each won three, and Hulu got one award on the night. Continue reading. NASA makes final preparations for its first crewed moon mission in over 50 years The agency is targeting a February launch date for Artemis 2. A few years ago, NASA announced it was pushing the Artemis 2 mission back to April 2026. The agency now says it could launch as early as February. NASA is finalizing preparations for the mission and will soon roll out the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft to the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis 2 is the first crewed mission to the moon since the Apollo programs final flight in 1972. The 10-day mission will have four astronauts, wholl test whether Orions critical life-support systems can sustain human passengers on future longer-duration missions. They will first orbit the Earth twice before making their way 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the moon. Continue reading. Legos first Pokmon sets are now available for pre-order Pikachu, Eevee, Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise will ship February 27. Lego Pre-orders for the first three Lego-Pokmon kits are open now. One of the debut pocket monsters is, of course, Pikachu. You can build the 2,050-piece kit to show Pikachu either at rest or leaping out of an open Pok Ball into battle. It costs $200. Theres also a 587-piece model of Eevee, for $60. On the bigger side is a set featuring a trio of Pokmon: Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise. This kit has 6,838 pieces and can show the group together in battle formation or separately in their own mini environments. It retails for $650 and is a bit much. Continue reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-151521620.html?src=rss

Proton's Lumo AI chatbot now has an encrypted space for your projects

Protons latest update for Lumo , its privacy-focused chatbot, introduces a feature called Projects. Its a dedicated and encrypted space for tasks that you know youll access again and again over an extended period of time, such as papers youll have to work on the whole semester or plans for a big trip youre taking later this year. Lumo will remember and keep all the information and all the files you upload for every project you create. Any document you upload or resources you add to the chat will sync across devices, so you dont have to repeat yourself every time you access a task. Projects are also integrated with Proton Drive, allowing you to easily link documents and other files in your chats. Proton says you can use the feature for just about any topic you want and give the chatbot tailored instructions for every project you create. It also said that each project is its own encrypted environment and that it will not use your chat histories to train AI models. To be clear, Lumo uses open source AI models, including Nemo, OpenHands 32B, OLMO 2 32B and Mistral Small 3. The latest version of Lumo is now available to all users, but youre only limited to one project if youre on a free account. To be able to created an unlimited number of projects, youll have to subscribe to Lumo Plus, which costs $10 a month. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/protons-lumo-ai-chatbot-now-has-an-encrypted-space-for-your-projects-110000298.html?src=rss

The best streaming devices for 2026

With the dominance of smart TVs, streaming sticks and boxes may seem redundant but if your smart set is slow or has a frustrating user interface, a streaming device will let you bypass your TVs built-in OS and use Google TV, Fire TV, Apple TV or something else instead. There are a lot of streaming gadgets out there, all with different operating systems, memory capacities, video resolutions and bonus features, such as headphone connections and ambient modes that fill your screen with stills when youre not watching. We tested options from the major brands and broke down exactly what each device gives you so you can pick the best streaming device for your TV. Table of contents The best TV streaming devices for 2026 What to look for in a TV streaming device How we tested and picked the best streaming devices Best streaming devices for 2026 What to look for in a TV streaming device Operating system and interface Googles TV Streamer, the Apple TV 4K, Amazons Fire TV Sticks and Roku devices are the most popular players in the space. Three of those brands also come built into TVs, such as Fire, Google and Roku TVs, but the Apple TV 4K doesn't come pre-loaded on any set. Each one has a unique operating system and interface. This may be the biggest deciding factor for many people, as it determines how the home entertainment you want to watch is arranged and presented. We go into detail for each platform below, but all of them come with home screens that, to varying degrees, gather your apps in one place, present the movies and TV shows youre currently watching and give you suggestions of other media streaming options. Nearly all streaming devices come with a remote that lets you search and do other operations using your voice, eliminating the need to hunt and peck at on-screen keyboards. They all offer universal search, in which searching for a title takes you to whichever app has it available. If you want to watch Wicked but dont know where its playing, just push the voice button on the remote and say Wicked. (We found simply saying the title or the genre you want sometimes works better than saying Show me or Search for) From the search results, hit the play button and the correct app will open and start playing assuming youve previously logged into that app and, in most cases, have an active subscription. Connectivity Most streaming sticks connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, with the majority of them supporting Wi-Fi 5 or 6 protocols. Set-top boxes can also have Ethernet ports, so you can hardwire your internet connection to the device, which is typically faster than wireless. Streaming media players connect to your TV through an HDMI port, and most sticks hide behind the screen, while set-top boxes sit on a surface nearby. Nearly all units also plug into an AC outlet for power. Some sticks used to work by pulling power from a USB port on the TV, but increasingly, these devices are designed to plug into the wall. Video and audio features If your home theater setup has a screen that can display 4K content with Dolby Vision and HDR10, youll want a streaming device that supports those high-end formats. Of course, even the most top-shelf streamer cant make a 1080p TV stream 4K. The series or movie also has to be transmitted in 4K and, increasingly , companies restrict higher-quality streaming to more expensive subscription plans. In short, every element needs to support the video or audio feature, otherwise the highest quality youll get will be the lowest of any component in the chain. Remotes Most remotes that come with streaming devices will allow you to control the power and volume of your TV. Some of the less expensive devices, however, don't have that feature, so you'll need to use your TV's remote control to turn it on, then use the streaming remote to navigate the streamer's interface. If your streamer's remote does offer power and volume controls, the setup process will usually calibrate your remote to your TV. If you want to use a soundbar, such as from Sonos or other brands, for audio you may also have to take the additional step of pairing your remote to the speaker. Voice control In addition to helping you find stuff to watch, streaming devices from Apple, Google and Amazon can answer questions about the weather, sports scores and general facts using built-in voice assistants. They can also act as smart home controllers to turn off connected smart bulbs or plugs and show feeds from smart cameras. Just remember, as with all smart home devices, compatibility is key. Fire TV devices work with Alexa-enabled smart home equipment; the Google TV Streamer lets you control Google Home devices; and Apple TV 4Ks play nice with HomeKit and other Apple devices. Rokus grant power over Rokus smart home products, but also work with the other ecosystems. How we tested and picked the best streaming devices Like every gadget we test, we start by researching whats worthy of reviewing. Then we get a hold of the devices ourselves and see how well they work. We dont have a central Engadget lab; we test things in our own living rooms, on our own TV sets. We also figure thats a better approximation of your own TV experience anyway. We began testing streaming devices as far back as 2007 with the first Apple TV device . Since then, weve tried out most of the major new releases to come along from the Roku Stick back in 2014 to the 2024 Google TV Streamer 4K . A few years ago, we decided to compile the streaming devices we reviewed into this guide. Since then, weve updated our top picks using verdicts from our reviews, as well the testing we perform just for this guide. As new devices come out, we try them and, if something is worthy, we add it to our top picks on this list. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/best-streaming-devices-media-players-123021395.html?src=rss

Framework increases Desktop prices by up to $460 due to RAM crisis

Computer brand Framework has hiked the prices on RAM for its Desktop systems and Mainframes in response to rising costs with its suppliers. Compared with when the Desktops were announced , the 32GB and 64GB options each cost $40 more, but its 128GB variation now costs an extra $460. The current pricing for machines is $1,139 for 32GB, $1,639 for 64GB or $2,459 for 128GB. Since the company began altering its pricing structure last month, it committed to remaining transparent with customers about the changes happening to RAM prices. Framework also said it would reduce prices again once the market calms down. The original prices will be honored for any existing pre-orders. One of the big takeaways from CES 2026 was that RAM is going to be an expensive commodity this year. The rising costs are largely in response to artificial intelligence projects, such as the rush to build data centers. As a result, buyers who take the modular approach may want to upgrade less costly components for better specs without making the increasingly hefty investment in memory. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/framework-increases-desktop-prices-by-up-to-460-due-to-ram-crisis-234827145.html?src=rss

Lego's first Pokmon sets are now available for pre-order

We learned last March that Lego and Pokmon would be joining forces and the first results of their partnership are here. Pre-orders for all three kits are open now, with an expected ship date of February 27. As one might have guessed from the lightning bolts on the previous promotional image, one of the debut pocket monsters getting the brick treatment is Pikachu , complete with a Pok Ball. The 2,050-piece kit can be built to show Pikachu either leaping out of the open Pok Ball into battle or at rest staring up at the builder, closed Pok Ball between his paws. The Pikachu kit costs $200. There's also a 587-piece model of Eevee , which goes for $60. On the bigger side is a set featuring a trio of Pokmon: Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise . This kit has 6,838 pieces and can show the group together in battle formation or separately in their own mini environments. It retails for $650. Lego Before you leap to pre-order pages, however, here's a word of caution. In Lego form, our little friends lookkinda strange? I'm not the biggest Lego builder, but I am a rather accomplished architect in Minecraft , so I am well aware of the innate challenge in constructing a rounded shape from square blocks. Take Pikachu, for instance. Part of his appeal is his chubby little cheeks. There are bricks with more rounded sides in this collection that hint at his usual rotundness, but the proportions of his face just feel a little off to me. I had the same reaction to the other figures as well, although Eevee seems to have fared a little better than the others. They're all sort of cute, but not nearly so cute as they are in other formats. But like I said, Lego is not my personal block of choice, so perhaps I'm in the minority here! If you love these bricky pocket monsters, then roll on over to Lego's website and snap up these kits faster than a Mewtwo. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/legos-first-pokemon-sets-are-now-available-for-pre-order-205527102.html?src=rss

Dell revives its XPS laptops after a boneheaded rebranding

Last year, Dell killed off all of its PC brands , including the iconic XPS lineup, and replaced them with a simplified naming scheme. It was a move meant to make it easier for people to discern between the company's many brands, but in reality, it just just made the company's lineup even more confusing. We called it an unforced error at the time, but after seeing how much Dell's PC market share fell over 2025, it's fair to say that rebranding was an absolute marketing disaster. So, with its tail between its legs, Dell has returned to CES some welcome news for its fans: XPS lives ! And the company plans to double-down on the brand in ways it never did before. Today, Dell revealed the new XPS 14 and 16 notebooks, which feature a more practical design than the previous models. There's a new function row with traditional keys, instead of the odd capacitive buttons that disappeared in sunlight. And while the company is sticking with its invisible trackpad, which sits flush alongside the wrist rest, there's now a light border around the edges that lets you feel exactly where the trackpad begins and ends. So, in short, Dell seems to have solved most of our recent complaints about the XPS lineup. To signify its commitment to the brand, it's also emblazoning the XPS logo on all of these new machines, replacing the previous Dell name. Thats something I could never imagine a less humbled Dell doing. The redesign also gave Dell room to shave off some weight and thickness from both machines. The XPS 14 weighs around three pounds now, a half-pound lighter than the previous generation, while the XPS 16 weighs 3.6 pounds, a whole pound lighter than before. The new cases make both machines look a lot more like Microsofts extra-subtle Surface Laptop, but thats not necessarily a bad thing. Both systems are powered by Intels new Panther Lake Core Ultra Series 3 chips, and they also offer tandem OLED display options. Dell also briefly teased the return of a new XPS 13 later this year, which is set to be the companys thinnest and lightest notebook ever. Dell says itll be cheaper than the XPS has been in the past. The new XPS 14 and 16 will be available on January 6, starting at $2,050 and $2,200, respectively. A Dell representative tells us these arent entry-level configurations, instead we can expect to see cheaper prices with lower specs in February. Update 1/6/26, 12:30p: Pricing updated to reflecrt new numbers from Dell. Originally, we were told they would start at $1,650 and $1,850. Update 1/12, 3:00p: Added a mention of lower entry-level configurations coming eventually. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/dell-revives-its-xps-laptops-after-a-boneheaded-rebranding-001028029.html?src=rss

The Disney+ Hulu bundle is on sale for $10 for one month right now

The peak time for deals on streaming services the holiday shopping season has come and gone, but Disney is back with a fresh offer for the new year. New and eligible returning subscribers can get one month of the ad-supported Disney+ Hulu bundle for just $10. That's $3 off the usual monthly rate for the bundle, and more than 58 percent off if you consider the prices for each service individually (Disney+ at $12 per month and, separately, Hulu also at $12 per month). We'd be remiss if we didn't mention that this isn't quite as good as the Black Friday deal we saw last year, which offered the same bundle for $5 per month for one year. However, if you missed that offer or just want to try out Disney+ and Hulu for a brief period of time, this is a good way to do so. Disney+ and Hulu make one of the most balanced streaming pairs available, blending family-friendly favorites with acclaimed originals and network TV staples. Disney+ brings a vast library of animated classics, blockbuster franchises and exclusive content from Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and National Geographic. Its the place to stream nearly every Star Wars film and series, plus the full Marvel Cinematic Universe lineup and Disneys most recent theatrical releases. Hulu balances things out with a more adult-oriented lineup of current TV shows, next-day network episodes and a growing roster of award-winning originals. The platform hosts series like The Bear, The Handmaids Tale and Only Murders in the Building , alongside comedies, thrillers and documentaries that regularly feature in awards conversations. Its also the home for next-day streaming of ABC and FX shows, making it especially useful if youve already cut the cable cord but still want to keep up with primetime TV. The Duo Basic bundle ties these two services together under a single subscription, offering a simple way to expand your library without juggling multiple accounts. This tier includes ads on both platforms, but the trade-off is significant savings compared with paying for each service separately. For many households, thats an acceptable compromise when it means access to such a wide range of content. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-disney-hulu-bundle-is-on-sale-for-10-for-one-month-right-now-192814784.html?src=rss

Mark Zuckerberg announces new 'Meta Compute' initiative for its data center and AI projects

On the heels of Mark Zuckerberg announcing that Meta's former board member, Dina Powell McCormick, would be formally joining the company as president and vice chairman, the CEO has shared new details about her purview at the company. The executive will play a key role overseeing Meta's sprawling infrastructure investments as part of a newly announced initiative called Meta Compute. Meta is planning to build tens of gigawatts this decade, and hundreds of gigawatts or more over time, Zuckerberg said in an update . How we engineer, invest, and partner to build this infrastructure will become a strategic advantage. Zuckerberg said that Meta's head of global engineering Santosh Janardhan will lead the top-level initiative and that recent hire and former Safe Superintelligence CEO Daniel Gross will lead a new group responsible for long-term capacity strategy, supplier partnerships, industry analysis, planning, and business modeling. McCormick is expected to work on partnering with governments and sovereigns to build, deploy, invest in, and finance Meta's infrastructure. Meta has been investing heavily in infrastructure to fuel its AI superintelligence ambitions . The company also recently announced three agreements to buy massive amounts of nuclear power to help power its data centers. Zuckerberg has previously said he expects Meta to spend $600 billion on AI infrastructure and jobs by 2028. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/mark-zuckerberg-announces-new-meta-compute-initiative-for-its-data-center-and-ai-projects-192100086.html?src=rss

Paramount won't quit, files suit against Warner Bros. Discovery over rejected bid

Paramount Skydance just does not want to take no for an answer. After having multiple bids to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) rejected, including a recent hostile bid that the WBD board recommended that shareholders reject , Paramount is turning to the courts and mounting a proxy fight. In a letter to shareholders on Monday, Paramount CEO David Ellison said the company has filed suit in Delaware Chancery Court seeking more disclosure about WBDs pending Netflix deal and the process that led to its acceptance. Paramount argues WBD hasnt provided basic information shareholders need to evaluate competing offers, including how WBD valued the planned cable-networks spinout Discovery Global (or Global Networks, depending on the filing). The Netflix acquisition would leave Discovery Global to become its own publicly traded company, while the Paramount offer included these assets. Paramount is also escalating the corporate pressure campaign, with Ellison saying it intends to nominate a slate of directors for election at WBDs 2026 annual meeting. The end goal would be installing a board that would engage on Paramounts offer under the terms of WBDs merger agreement with Netflix. If WBD were to call a special meeting to approve the Netflix transaction before the annual meeting, Paramount says it will solicit proxy votes against the deal. It also plans to push a bylaw change requiring shareholders to approve any separation of Discovery Global. This change seems like Paramount stoking the flames (whether real or imagined) surrounding shareholders having their WBD shares bought out without the value of Discovery Global built-in under the Netflix merger. Paramount remains convinced that its offer is superior to that of Netflix, while WBD maintains Paramount's bid offers insufficient value and that Paramount has failed to submit a true best proposal despite clear direction from WBD on both the deficiencies and potential solutions. The lawsuit now aims to force WBD to spell out exactly how it arrived at recommending the Netflix deal over Paramount's bid. WBD expressed concerns over whether a potential Paramount deal would even reach closing, citing the substantial debt the smaller studio would have to take on to pull off a leveraged buyout. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/paramount-wont-quit-files-suit-against-warner-bros-discovery-over-rejected-bid-175317166.html?src=rss

Apple's Siri AI will be powered by Gemini

Apple and Google have confirmed reports that it will use Google Geminis models to help it power the new version of Siri and other generative AI features. CNBC first reported the news ; Apple and Google subsequently released a joint statement which reads: Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year. After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google's Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users. Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apple's industry-leading privacy standards. Apple first demoed a genAI version of Siri back at WWDC 2024 . In March 2025, the company said it was delaying a major Siri update until this year, but it appears that Apple is not quite ready to publicly release a more capable version of the voice assistant. In June, it was reported that Apple was considering partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic for Siri (the voice assistant can currently tap ChatGPT for certain queries as part of Apple Intelligence). Two months later, Google emerged as a possible contender. Those rumors intensified in November, when it was reported that Apple might build the new Siri using a custom version of Gemini that runs on its Private Cloud Compute servers and that it would pay Google around $1 billion a year for the privilege. Update, January 12, 2026, 12:03PM ET: This story has been updated with a full joint statement from Apple and Google. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apples-siri-ai-will-be-powered-by-gemini-153636649.html?src=rss

ExpressVPN deal: Two-year plans are up to 78 percent off

If you're looking to up your privacy game on the internet in the new year, you can do so for a little less than usual thanks to ExpressVPN's latest deal. Its two-year plans are up to 78 percent off right now: the Advanced tier is on sale for $101 for two years, plus four additional free months. That works out to $3.59 per month during the promotional period. Weve consistently liked ExpressVPN because its fast, easy to use and widely available across a large global server network. In fact, it's our current pick for best premium VPN . One of the biggest drawbacks has always been its high cost, and this deal temporarily solves that issue. In our review we were able to get fast download and upload speeds, losing only 7 percent in the former and 2 percent in the latter worldwide. We found that it could unblock Netflix anywhere, and its mobile and desktop apps were simple to operate. We gave ExpressVPN an overall score of 85 out of 100. The virtual private network service now has three tiers. Basic is cheaper with fewer features, while Pro costs more and adds extra perks like support for 14 simultaneous devices and a password manager. Advanced sits in the middle and includes the password manager but only supports 12 devices. The Basic plan is $78 right now for 28 months, down from $363, and the Pro plan is $168, down from $560. That's 78 percent and 70 percent off, respectively. All plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users, so you can try it without committing long term if youre on the fence. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/expressvpn-deal-two-year-plans-are-up-to-78-percent-off-180602243.html?src=rss

India is proposing another far-reaching security rule for smartphones

India is considering new smartphone security rules that would require device makers to allow government access to source code for vulnerability analysis. It would also require companies to notify the government of major software updates and security patches before rollout, according to Reuters . This is the latest in a raft of unprecedented proposals by the Indian government under the guise of security, as it weighs making a package of 83 security standards drafted in 2023 legally binding in the worlds second-largest smartphone market with nearly 750 million smartphones. Under the proposals, any source code review would be analyzed and potentially tested at designated labs in India. Major phone manufacturers have reportedly warned the Indian government that such a move risks revealing proprietary information. The source code proposal comes alongside a series of additional recommendations such as restrictions on background permissions for apps and the option to remove all preinstalled apps. Reuters also reports the package would mandate periodic malware scanning and require phones to store system logs for at least 12 months, requirements that industry groups told the publication would drain battery life, run into storage limits and slow the rollout of necessary security updates. The nations IT ministry told Reuters it refutes the statement that it is proposing manufacturers hand over their source code. This was despite a review of internal government and industry documents as part of the reporting. Government officials and industry executives are reportedly due to meet Tuesday for more discussions. Last month, India was set to require a state-owned cybersecurity app be preinstalled on every smartphone in the nation before backpedaling after intense backlash. Just two days later, there was reportedly a proposal to require that smartphones keep location services on at all times with no way to turn them off. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/india-is-proposing-another-far-reaching-security-rule-for-smartphones-155204829.html?src=rss

Meta appoints ex-Trump and Bush official as its new president and vice chairman

Meta has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a banking executive and former Republican White House official, as its new president and vice-chairman. The company said McCormick will help guide its overall strategy and execution as a part of the management team. Dinas experience at the highest levels of global finance, combined with her deep relationships around the world, makes her uniquely suited to help Meta manage this next phase of growth as the companys president and vice chairman, said Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. McCormick was a partner at Goldman Sachs and ran its Global Sovereign investment banking business. She was most recently vice chair, president and head of global client services at merchant bank BDT & MSD Partners. McCormick was also deputy national security advisor to President Donald Trump during his first term and held several roles during the George W. Bush administration, including assistant secretary of state for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She is married to Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA). Metas new president joined the companys board last April, but she resigned in December. Just a few weeks later, McCormick has taken on a higher-profile role at Meta. McCormick is the second former Trump official that Meta has appointed to a prominent role this month. Last week, the company hired Curtis Joseph Mahoney, who was most recently a corporate vice president and general counsel at Microsoft, as its chief legal officer. Mahoney was a deputy US trade representative during the first Trump administration. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-appoints-ex-trump-and-bush-official-as-its-new-president-and-vice-chairman-151048263.html?src=rss

Audible deal: Get three months of access for only $3

One way to read more in the new year is to incorporate audiobooks as part of your reading habit. Audible is having a sale right now that makes that easier and cheaper to do: you can get three months of access for only $1 per month, or a total of $3. The promotion runs through January 21. An Audible subscription grants one audiobook per month to keep. This can be selected from a massive catalog of new releases and bestsellers. The collection here has just about everything. However, it's easy to plow through a single book in a month. Users also get streaming access to thousands of curated titles. Think of it like Netflix for audiobooks. The catalog is limited, but it gets the job done in a pinch. Subscribers do get access to all Audible original content and they will receive discounts on purchasing audiobooks outright. In other words, it's a neat little service and well worth a buck. The regular price is $15, so make sure to cancel at the end of that three months if you aren't enjoying the platform. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/audible-deal-get-three-months-of-access-for-only-3-193859213.html?src=rss

Apple's Mac mini M4 is back on sale for $499

The holiday season is fully in the rear view mirror and real life is here to stay. But that doesn't mean the time for gifts is over especially ones for yourself. You can still take advantage of great January sales on some awesome tech products . Take the Apple Mac mini M4 , which is down to $500 from $599. The 17 percent discount gives you 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD for only about $20 more than the computer's Black Friday sale . Its beefier models are also on sale: opting for 512GB of SSD will cost you $690, down from $799, while also upping your RAM to 24GB is available for $890, dropping from $999. We gave the Apple Mac mini M4 a 90 in our review thanks in large part to its powerful chip. The M4 works very fast despite being in such a small device. It also offers front-facing headphone and USB-C ports. You can further upgrade to the Apple M4 Pro chip for $1,270, down from $1,399 a nine percent discount. The Pro model also has Thunderbolt 5 support. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-mac-mini-m4-is-back-on-sale-for-499-141615231.html?src=rss

Netflix won seven awards at the Golden Globes with Adolescence and KPop Demon Hunters

The 2026 Golden Globes took place on Sunday and it was another big night for streamers. Netflix took home seven awards, Apple and HBO Max each won three and Hulu got one. Netflix's hit show Adolescence received four awards alone, including best limited or anthology series. It also won for best actor (Stephen Graham), supporting actor (Owen Cooper) and supporting actress (Erin Doherty) in a miniseries or television film. KPop Demon Hunters the sensation which became Netflix's most-watched title won for best animated feature and best original song. I just want to say this award goes to people who have had doors closed on them, and I can confidently say rejection is redirection. So never give up. It is never too late to shine like you were born to be, singer-songwriter EJAE said in her acceptance speech for the song, Golden . Netflix also won for best performance in stand-up comedy on television for Ricky Gervais: Mortality . Apple TV took home two awards for The Studio : best television series musical or comedy and best performance by a male actor in a television series for Seth Rogen. The streamer also won for best performance by a lead actress in a television series drama thanks to Rhea Seehorn in Pluribus . The Pitt gave HBO Max two of its three awards, with trophies for best television series drama and best performance by a lead actor in a television series drama to Noah Wyle. Jean Smart rounded out the streamer's awards with best performance by a lead actress in a television series musical or comedy for Hacks . Hulu's award came through best performance by a lead actress in a limited or anthology series for Michelle Williams in Dying For Sex . This year also brought a first to the Golden Globes: the best podcast category . Amy Poehler won for Good Hang with Amy Poehler , a podcast that has featured interviews with everyone from Tina Fey to Quinta Brunson since debuting in March last year. Fellow nominees included Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy and Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-won-seven-awards-at-the-golden-globes-with-adolescence-and-kpop-demon-hunters-140006510.html?src=rss

Get Apple's 25W MagSafe charger for only $30 right now

One way you can reduce the number of cables you have to deal with on the regular is by investing in a few wireless chargers. Those with iPhones should consider Apple's own MagSafe charger not only because of its sleek and effective design, but also because it's on sale right now at Amazon. The Qi2.2-rated MagSafe charger is down to $30 for the one-meter version, or $40 for the two-meter version. If you have an iPhone 16, iPhone 17 or iPhone Air, this cable can charge your device at 25W as long as it's connected to a 30W power adapter on the other end. While you'll need a more recent iPhone to get the fastest MagSafe charging speeds, the charger can wirelessly top up the battery of any iPhone from the last eight years (iPhone 8 and later). With older iPhones, the charging speed tops out at 15W. The cable works with AirPods wireless charging cases too it's certified for Qi2.2 and Qi charging. The MagSafe charger is one of our favorite iPhone accessories , and would pair quite nicely with your new iPhone if you're picking up one of the latest models. If you're on the fence about that, be sure to check out our reviews of the iPhone 17 , iPhone Pro/Pro Max and iPhone Air . Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-apples-25w-magsafe-charger-for-only-30-right-now-141707104.html?src=rss

This ElevationLabs 10-year extended battery case for AirTags is on sale for only $16

ElevationLab makes a battery case for your AirTag that can power it for 10 years and the accessory is on sale now for 30 percent off. Normally retailing for $23, you can pick one up for $16. The TimeCapsule case uses two AA batteries to offer up to 14 times the lifespan of the CR2032 battery that powers an AirTag. The company based those estimates on Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries, so your mileage may vary. Once an AirTag is seated inside the case, which is a compact 4.45 x 1.57 inches, it is sealed shut with four screws at the corners. The case is fiber-reinforced, according to Elevation Lab, and rated IP69 waterproof. The company says its intended for use cases where you might place an AirTag for long periods of time, like in a vehicle, a piece of luggage or a work bag. We've already got a couple of Elevation Lab products on our list for best AirTag accessories , so while we haven't reviewed the battery case, we tend to like this company's products. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-elevationlabs-10-year-extended-battery-case-for-airtags-is-on-sale-for-only-16-162308983.html?src=rss

Meta closes 550,000 accounts to comply with Australia's kids social media ban

To comply with Australia's under-16 social media ban , Meta said on Medium that it has shut down nearly 550,00 accounts. That number includes 330,000 Instagram, 173,000 Facebook and 40,000 Threads accounts deemed to belong to children. Ongoing compliance with the law will be a multi-layered process that we will continue to refine, though our concerns about determining age online without an industry standard remain, the company wrote. Australia's minimum age social media ban, the first of its kind in the world for a democracy, went into effect on December 10. The ten platforms affected, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Reddit and Twitch, must bar underage users or face a fine of up to $AUD 49.5 million ($33 million). Platforms are using a variety of means to determine age, including age inference based on activity and selfies. Some of those platforms aren't taking the ban lying down. Reddit, which launched a lawsuit against the Australian government, argued that it shouldn't have been included in the ban since it isn't a social media site, while adding that it comes with some serious privacy and political expression issues for users. Meta also expressed its opposition to the ban, citing a number of factors. It says taking social media out of the hands of teens can isolate them from getting support from online communities, and that the ban is only driving them to less regulated parts of the internet. It also sites inconsistent age verification methods and a lack of interest in compliance from teens and parents. However, the fact that Meta has removed almost 550,000 accounts just a month after the ban took affect shows that it is also affecting the company's bottom line. And Meta doesn't have a sterling record when it comes to teen safety, having previously downplayed the frequency of harm to children. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-closes-550000-accounts-to-comply-with-australias-kids-social-media-ban-130041356.html?src=rss

Malaysia and Indonesia are the first to block Grok following CSAM scandal

Malaysia and Indonesia are the first countries to block Grok, claiming that Xs chatbot does not have sufficient safeguards in place to prevent explicit AI-generated deepfakes of women and children from being created and disseminated on X. Indonesia temporarily blocked access to Grok on Saturday, as did Malaysia on Sunday, the Associated Press reports.Meanwhile, UK media regulator Ofcom has opened a formal investigation into X under the Online Safety Act. The government sees non-consensual sexual deepfakes as a serious violation of human rights, dignity and the safety of citizens in the digital space, Indonesias Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said in a statement. Officials in the country said initial findings showed that Grok lacks effective controls to prevent users from creating and sharing sexually explicit deepfakes based on photos of Indonesian residents. The country's director general of digital space supervision, Alexander Sabar, said generating deepfakes can violate individuals' image and privacy rights when photos are shared or manipulated without consent, adding that they can lead to reputational, social and psychological harm. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission cited repeated misuse of Grok to generate explicit and non-consensual deepfakes , some of which involved women and children. The regulator said Grok will remain blocked in the country until X Corp and parent xAI establish strong enough safeguards. Ofcoms investigation will focus on whether X has has complied with its duties to protect people in the UK from content that is illegal in the UK. That includes whether X is taking appropriate measures to prevent its UK users from seeing priority illegal content, such as CSAM and non-consensual intimate images; if the platform is removing illegal content quickly after becoming aware of it; and whether X carried out an updated risk assessment before making any significant changes to the platform. The probe will also consider whether X assessed the risk that its platform poses to UK children and if it has highly effective age assurance to protect UK children from seeing pornography. The regulator said it contacted X on January 5 and received a response by its January 9 deadline. Ofcom is conducting an expedited assessment of available evidence as a matter of urgency and added that it has asked xAI for urgent clarification on the steps the company is taking to protect UK users. Reports of Grok being used to create and share illegal non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material on X have been deeply concerning, an Ofcom spokesperson said. Platforms must protect people in the UK from content thats illegal in the UK, and we wont hesitate to investigate where we suspect companies are failing in their duties, especially where theres a risk of harm to children. Well progress this investigation as a matter of the highest priority, while ensuring we follow due process. As the UKs independent online safety enforcement agency, its important we make sure our investigations are legally robust and fairly decided. If Ofcom deems that a company has broken the law, it can require platforms to take specific steps to come into compliance or to remedy harm caused by the breach. The regulator can additionally impose fines of up to 18 million ($24.3 million) or 10 percent of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever of the two figures is higher. It can also seek a court order to stop payment providers or advertisers from working with a platform, or to require internet service providers to block a site in the UK. The UK government has said it would back any action that Ofcom takes against X. Reports over the weekend suggested that the UK had held discussions with allies over a coordinated response to Grok-generated deepfakes. Regulators elsewhere, including in India and the European Union, are also investigating X. Last week, Grok started telling X users that its image generation and editing tools were being limited to paying subscribers. But as of Monday it was still possible for non-paying users to generate images through the Grok tab on the X website and app. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/malaysia-and-indonesia-are-the-first-to-block-grok-following-csam-scandal-120000534.html?src=rss

Google's new commerce framework cranks up the heat on 'agentic shopping'

To further push the limits of consumerism , Google has launched a new open standard for agentic commerce that's called Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP). In brief, it's a framework that combines the power of AI agents and online shopping platforms to help customers buy more things. Thanks to the introduction of UCP, Google is offering three new online shopping features. To start, Google's AI mode will have a new checkout feature that allows customers to buy eligible products from certain US retailers within Google Search. Currently, this feature works with Google Pay, but it will soon add PayPal compatibility and incorporate more capabilities, like related product discovery and using loyalty points. On the merchant side, the UCP also established the Business Agent feature, which Google said will be a virtual sales associate that can answer product questions in a brands voice. The Business Agent will launch tomorrow with early adopters including Lowes, Michaels, Poshmark, Reebok and more. Also for retailers, the UCP is responsible for the new Direct Offers feature, which lets companies advertising with Google to present exclusive offers for shoppers who are ready to buy, directly in AI Mode. The Direct Offers feature will work in tandem with the ads in AI Mode that Google is testing. With UCP, Google Search, retailers and payment processors are joining forces to make online shopping even easier, whether it's figuring out what product to buy, completing the purchase or offering post-purchase support. According to Google, UCP is compatible with existing industry protocols, like Agent2Agent, Agent Payment Protocols and Model Context Protocol. UCP was even co-developed with industry giants like Shopify, Etsy and Walmart, and was endorsed by even more companies in the commerce ecosystem, including Macy's, Stripe, Visa and more. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/googles-new-commerce-framework-cranks-up-the-heat-on-agentic-shopping-212433122.html?src=rss

California's governor plans to set aside $200 million for state EV tax credits

The loss of the federal EV tax credits may have been a huge blow to prospective buyers, but California wants to fill that gap for its residents. Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed budget for 2026-2027, which was released on Friday, includes a light-duty zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) incentive program that details a one-time infusion of $200 million. According to the budget summary , this incentive program is a critical part of the Administration's strategy to keep ZEVs affordable and accessible for all. The proposed budget still has to make it through the state's legislature later this year, but if passed, the new incentive would help continue the momentum of EV adoption across California. In the third quarter of 2025, the state saw almost 30 percent of auto sales being EVs, according to the California Energy Commission. There are no details in the budget summary outlining how exactly the $200 million would break down on a per-vehicle basis, but USA Today reported that the rebate would be an on the hood instant discount for EVs. Previously, buyers would get up to $7,500 back in federal tax rebates on new EV purchases and up to $4,000 on used EVs. For California's proposed incentives, the chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board, Lauren Sanchez, told USA Today that the state is still trying to figure out if it will offer tax credits for those who buy used EVs. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/californias-governor-plans-to-set-aside-200-million-for-state-ev-tax-credits-194446449.html?src=rss

Wing's drone deliveries are coming to 150 more Walmarts

Don't be surprised if you see even more drones delivering groceries across the US since the Alphabet-owned Wing announced another service expansion with Walmart over the next year. The partnership said that drone delivery services will be available at 150 more Walmart locations in Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Miami and more metros that have yet to be announced. According to Wing, its top 25 percent of customers have ordered its delivery drones up to three times a week. To meet growing demand, Wing and Walmart said it will serve up to 40 million US customers and build up a network of 270 delivery locations by 2027. The partnership launched its service in August 2023 with the inaugural deliveries offered to the Dallas-Fort Worth customer base. In June 2025, Wing and Walmart increased drone delivery coverage to 100 more stores across Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando and Tampa. Last month, the two companies launched their delivery service in Atlanta and are planning to kick off deliveries in Houston on January 15. Before Walmart, Wing broke into the US market by working with Walgreens to deliver health and wellness products in April 2022. Since then, the Alphabet subsidiary has partnered with DoorDash and Apian, a London-based healthcare logistics company. Besides its commercial partnerships, Wing has been working on a larger delivery drone that will be able to fly at up to 65 mph and carry up to five pounds, or double its current capacity. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/wings-drone-deliveries-are-coming-to-150-more-walmarts-180708189.html?src=rss

Instagram says accounts 'are secure' after wave of suspicious password reset requests

If you received a bunch of password reset requests from Instagram recently, you're not alone. Malwarebytes , an antivirus software company, initially reported that there was a data breach revealing the sensitive information of 17.5 million Instagram users. Malwarebytes added that the leak included Instagram usernames, physical addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and more. However, Instagram said there was no breach and that user accounts were secure. We fixed an issue that let an external party request password reset emails for some people. There was no breach of our systems and your Instagram accounts are secure. You can ignore those emails sorry for any confusion. Instagram (@instagram) January 11, 2026 In Malwarebytes post, the company added that the data is available for sale on the dark web and can be abused by cybercriminals. Malwarebytes noted in an email to its customers that it discovered the breach during its routine dark web scan and that it's tied to a potential incident related to an Instagram API exposure from 2024. The reported breach has resulted in users receiving several emails from Instagram about password reset requests. According to Malwarebytes, the leaked information could lead to more serious attacks, like phishing attempts or account takeovers. In response, Instagram posted on X that users can ignore the recent emails requesting password resets. We fixed an issue that let an external party request password reset emails for some people, Instagram's post on X read. There was no breach of our systems and your Instagram accounts are secure. While Instagram said this isn't a data breach, its parent company has been in hot water for data breaches in the past. If you haven't already, it's always a good idea to turn on two-factor authentication and change your password. Even better, you can review what devices are logged into your Instagram account in Meta's Accounts Center. Update, January 11, 2026, 11:10AM ET: This story and its headline have been updated with Instagram's statement that was posted on X. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/instagram-says-accounts-are-secure-after-wave-of-suspicious-password-reset-requests-192105188.html?src=rss

Elon Musk says X's new algorithm will be made open source next week

X may soon provide more insight into how its algorithm works. On Saturday, Elon Musk posted on the platform to say that the company will make the new X algorithm, including all code used to determine what organic and advertising posts are recommended to users, open source in 7 days. X's recommendation algorithm has been the subject of investigations by France and the European Commission , the latter of which recently extended through 2026 a retention order that it sent to the company at the beginning of last year. And scrutiny into the platform, along with demands for accountability, have only increased after its chatbot, Grok, was caught generating CSAM at users' requests and continues to be used to digitally undress women nonconsensually. Elon Musk's X post about open-sourcing the algorithm. Screenshot/X Musk has been making promises of open-sourcing the algorithm since his takeover of Twitter, and in 2023 published the code for the site's For You feed on GitHub. But the code wasn't all that revealing, leaving out key details, according to analyses at the time . And it hasn't been kept up to date. Of the making the new algorithm open source, Musk said in his post, This will be repeated every 4 weeks, with comprehensive developer notes, to help you understand what changed. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/elon-musk-says-xs-new-algorithm-will-be-made-open-source-next-week-225721656.html?src=rss

GameStop reportedly shuts down more than 400 US stores

Your neighborhood GameStop might be on the chopping block, along with more than 400 other retail locations across the US. As first reported by Polygon , the retailer is pursuing a severe cost-saving measure by closing up several hundred physical locations. According to a blog that keeps track of GameStop closures, there are 410 locations that are confirmed to be closing or are already closed, along with another 11 that are reportedly also on their way, as of January 10. As Polygon indicated, these closings aren't much of a surprise considering GameStop's SEC filing for December 2025 indicated that it would anticipate closing a significant number of additional stores in fiscal 2025, which ends on January 31, 2026. The same filing detailed that the company's board would pay out the GameStop CEO, Ryan Cohen, up to $35 billion in stock options, given that he increases the retailer's market cap to $100 billion. While the blog covers only closures in the US, the SEC filing also noted that GameStop is planning to reduce its presence in several other European countries and Canada. Even though GameStop saw a historic spike in market value in 2021, it has struggled with the brand's direction, as seen with failed attempts at offering a crypto locker and an NFT marketplace . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/gamestop-reportedly-shuts-down-more-than-400-us-stores-210632743.html?src=rss

An Instagram data breach reportedly exposed the personal info of 17.5 million users

If you received a bunch of password reset requests from Instagram recently, you're not alone. As reported by Malwarebytes , an antivirus software company, there was a data breach revealing the sensitive information of 17.5 million Instagram users. Malwarebytes added that the leak included Instagram usernames, physical addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and more. The company added that the data is available for sale on the dark web and can be abused by cybercriminals. Malwarebytes noted in an email to its customers that it discovered the breach during its routine dark web scan and that it's tied to a potential incident related to an Instagram API exposure from 2024. The reported breach has resulted in users receiving several emails from Instagram about password reset requests. According to Malwarebytes, the leaked information could lead to more serious attacks, like phishing attempts or account takeovers. Meta hasn't released an official statement about the latest incident, but it's not the first time Instagram's parent company has been in hot water for data breaches . If you haven't already, it's always a good idea to turn on two-factor authentication and change your password. Even better, you can review what devices are logged into your Instagram account in Meta's Accounts Center. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/an-instagram-data-breach-reportedly-exposed-the-personal-info-of-175-million-users-192105616.html?src=rss

Dont count on Baldurs Gate 3 coming to Switch 2, as least for now

Nintendo Switch 2 owners can forget about seeing Baldurs Gate 3 in the Nintendo Store, at least as of now. In a Reddit AMA , Larian Studio's CEO, Swen Vicke , said that the team would have loved to bring the title to Switch 2, but it wasn't our decision to make. As cryptic as that may sound, Vicke's response hints that either Wizards of the Coast, which owns the Dungeons and Dragons IP that Baldur's Gate 3 is set in, or Nintendo is behind the lack of a port. When it comes to Wizards of the Coast, rumors have circulated that the game studio and Wizards of the Coast may have a strained relationship. On the other hand, Larian Studios' technical director, Bert van Semmertier , revealed in a response to another AMA question that the studio just released Divinity: Original Sin 2 on the Switch 2, adding that we love the platform and we will certainly consider Switch 2 for the next Divinity game. There's still a chance that Wizards of the Coast decides to hire another studio to pursue a port in the future, but there's been no indication yet. As for why Larian Studios won't be behind a potential Switch 2 port, the developer said in a statement last year that it would no longer develop any major content updates or expansions for Baldur's Gate 3 , nor work on a sequel. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/dont-count-on-baldurs-gate-3-coming-to-switch-2-as-least-for-now-180538969.html?src=rss

The CES companies hoping your brain is the next big thing in computing

At every CES Ive ever been to, theres been one or two gadgets promising to boost your mental health. In recent years, the number of companies making forays into this space has grown, and will likely continue to do so in the future. Could it be, much like the number of people wearing heart-monitoring wearables today, everyone will be strapping an EEG to their skulls a decade or so down the line? Its more likely than you think, so its worth asking what these devices are good for, what benefit they could bring, and where does the science end and the hype begin. An Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a clinical tool to monitor the electrical activity of our brains. Put very simply, our minds are constantly moving ions around, and when they reach the scalp, its possible to measure those ions. By placing electrodes on the scalp, you can record the changes in voltages pushed out by our brains more or less in real time. These voltages are commonly grouped into categories, which are often described as brain waves . Each one represents a different state of mind: Gamma (hard thinking), Beta (anxious or active), Alpha (relaxed), Theta (creative, or dreaming) and Delta (asleep). Professor Karl Friston at University College London is one of the worlds most influential neuroscientists and an expert in brain imaging. He explained that these technologies can be used to diagnose issues both in the structure and function of the brain. And while there are many technologies which can look at how our brains work, were a long way away from understanding the brain like we understand the heart. Broadly speaking, EEGs are a fairly simple tool for looking at how our minds work, but they have one benefit over more complex methods such as fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging), since they work in real time. Consumer-use EEGs are nothing new in 2011 I tested the Zeo Mobile , a small device which you stuck to your forehead and wore overnight. It monitored how well you slept and sounded an alarm when you were at the top of a sleep cycle, so you woke up pretty easily. It worked well but with one downside: Its hard to sleep with a hard plastic puck stuck to your forehead. EEGs are more recently used as part of brain computer interfaces, or for neurofeedback tools to help you calibrate the quality of your meditation. InteraXon, for instance, makes the Muse headbands which will monitor your brain waves, telling you when you shift states. Last year, EEG startup Neurable partnered with Master & Dynamic to launch the MW75S Neuro , a pair of high-end headphones designed to track your focus levels. When your attention starts to wane, the system will alert you, advising you to take a rest with the hope of alleviating burnout. Neurable Daniel Cooper for Engadget At CES this year, Neurable announced a partnership with HPs gaming arm HyperX to produce EEG headsets with specific benefits for gamers. As gamers are looking for any way to improve their performance, the company has developed algorithms and training programs to help. You might already know that being in a place of high stress isnt great for your concentration and focus. Consequently, Neurable research scientist Dr. Alicia Howell-Munson walked me through a system that encourages you to reach a state of calm focus with demonstrable improvements in reaction time and accuracy. Its a system that was initially designed in partnership with Singapores Air Force to help ensure pilots remain in a state of calm focus. I sat through this demo myself, initially testing my skills in Aimlabs (a tool people use to test their reflexes) where my accuracy and reaction times were measured. Then, while wearing Neurables headset, I had to practice focusing my attention on a galaxy of dots, the greater my focus, the slower and closer together the dots got. That wasnt an easy process, and it took me nearly five minutes to reach the point where I could push all of the dots to coalesce into a single point on the screen. But, when I had, I retook the shooting gallery, and saw dramatic spikes in my performance. My accuracy increased from 91.3 to 99.1 percent, while my reaction time fell from 623ms to 532ms. Neurable HyperX headset Daniel Cooper for Engadget Neurable believes that its systems, which are designed to integrate with any manufacturers gear, has the potential to dramatically increase a persons brain health and productivity. For instance, by taking a break when a persons focus started to wane, they were able to bounce back and function for far longer than if theyd simply pushed harder. Similarly, the company can advise on your cognitive speed and brain age and guide you toward making healthy choices. The company says that this isnt just about wellness, either, as being able to identify loss of focus is vital, for instance, to help reduce auto accidents when truck drivers feel fatigued. Co-founder Adam Molnar explained that the benefits of this technology compound over time, so the more practice a user has in finding that mental state of calm focus, the easier it will be to maintain it for longer. CEO Ramses Alcaide added the companys aim is to enable people to visualize the often invisible symptoms of cognitive stress to ensure theyre looking after themselves. He added that one thing that separates Neurable from other companies is that its looking at far finer-grain detail from its EEG data. MyWaves Daniel Cooper for Engadget There are plenty of companies at CES that are using EEGs for more specific goals, such as MyWaves . It uses an EEG as part of its broader offering to use sound patterns to make it easier to go to sleep. It sells you a pricey forehead-worn EEG which you wear for a few nights over the course of a year. From there, the system produces a half hour audio file that will mirror the pattern of your delta brainwaves. It claims that, if you listen to the track before you go to bed, the experience of hearing your delta waves will help you fall asleep faster and experience more REM sleep. And there are plenty of companies which are building EEGs for you to wear to keep an eye on your mental health. Brain-Life, for instance, showed off an early prototype of Focus+, a headband EEG with a companion app that can offer feedback on your cognitive load. It can also tell you how long you can sustain your attention and how well your mind relaxes and recovers. The company didnt have details on when the hardware would be available or how much it cost, as its still early days. BrainEULink. Daniel Cooper for Engadget There is broad potential to use an EEG as a brain computer interface, such as the one worked on by Braineulink. That company has combined an EEG with an AR headset to enable people to interact with the world just with their brains. For instance, in a demonstration in the show floor at CES, I was able to turn a light on and off by focusing on it, although its hard to know how useful that would be in, for instance, creating an assistive device for folks with limited mobility. Like Brain-Life, its early days, and so theres no product that we can point to, but its clear were going to see more startups looking to enter this world. Brain-Life Daniel Cooper for Engadget As EEGs become more commonplace, its likely theyll be packaged in smaller devices which fit more seamlessly into our lives. One such example is NAOX, a French startup which has built a wearable, clinical-grade EEG into a pair of earbuds for the sort of longitudinal testing required to diagnose conditions like epilepsy. But the company is also planning on incorporating the technology into a pair of true wireless earbuds.These headphones wont be arriving until the end of 2026, but Naox says the tech is small enough that it can be integrated with other companies earbuds. Consequently, its certainly plausible we could see plenty of earbuds that will keep an eye on our brain health as a side hustle. Naox Daniel Cooper for Engadget NAOX was co-founded by Dr. Michel Le Van Quyen who, at a talk in London in December 2025 , talked about the rationale for creating an in-ear ECG. Essentially, he was looking to build a brain equivalent to the Apple Watchs continuous heart rate monitoring (and ECG). I was curious about the science behind an ear-mounted EEG given they commonly use the scalp. Professor Friston said that an ear-mounted EEG is potentially more useful as you can get slightly closer to the sources of activity. And that it makes a lot of sense for a consumer-grade EEG to be added to wireless earbuds given their utility in practices like meditation. Naox's prototype TWS earbuds sensors. Daniel Cooper for Engadget One downside of the proliferation of wearable EEGs is that it could lead users to jump to the wrong conclusions about their mental health. For instance, if someone is to be diagnosed with a condition such as epilepsy, they need to undergo a 24-hour perambulatory EEG. As Professor Friston explained, the recording of that 24 hour EEG would be carefully scrutinized by experts who are able to run a differential diagnosis ... to specify what further investigations are required. He, like a lot of clinicians, is concerned about ill-informed consumers using these devices to make medical interventions without consulting a professional. Friston added that people shouldnt expect wearable EEGs to be magic bullets for their brain health or cognition. He said the best way for a consumer to approach them is by treating them with the same level of reverence as a household thermometer. Are thermometers useful in managing the wellness of my children?, Yes, he explained, can your thermometer tell you what particular virus you have? Absolutely not. In the context of well-being and to augment or validate practices such as mindfulness and meditation, they can be fun and useful quantitative devices. But, fundamentally, that is all he feels they can be, especially right now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-ces-companies-hoping-your-brain-is-the-next-big-thing-in-computing-175048601.html?src=rss

Engadget Podcast: Best of CES 2026 and a chat with Pebble's founder

Thats a wrap for CES 2026! In this episode, Devindra and Cherlynn chat about their favorite aspects of the show, as well as Engadgets best of CES awards lineup. Also, Cherlynn chats with Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky about his Pebble smartwatch revival, as well as an intriguing new AI ring thats built entirely around notetaking. Subscribe! iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Podcasts Topics TVs at CES 2026: all eyes on Micro RGB and LGs super thin OLED 1:48 L'Oral debuts LED/Infrared face masks seem cool but needs some development 5:46 Engadgets official Best of CES 2026: Legos Smart Brick, Lenovos rollable laptop screen, a super quiet leafblower and more 9:55 Health Tech at CES 2026: Eyebots 30-second vision exam, Wheelmove makes manual wheelchairs motorized 11:41 Interview with Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky 20:43 Credits Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Cherlynn Low Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence OBrien This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/engadget-podcast-best-of-ces-2026-and-a-chat-with-pebbles-founder-160000762.html?src=rss

The robots we saw at CES 2026: The lovable, the creepy and the utterly confusing

CES always has its share of attention-grabbing robots. But this year in particular seemed to be a landmark year for robotics. The advancement in AI technology has not only given robots better brains, its enabled new levels of autonomy and given rise to an ambitious, if sometimes questionable, vision for our robot-filled future. From sassy humanoids to AI-powered pets and chore-handling assistants, we sought out as many cute, strange and capable robots as we could find in Las Vegas. These are the ones that made the biggest impression. Agibot Humanoids Agibot's X2 humanoid robot. Karissa Bell for Engadget Of all the humanoids we saw at CES, Agibot's made the biggest impression . The company was showing off two models: the larger A2 and the smaller X2 (pictured above). The latter impressed us with its dance moves the company told us it can learn surprisingly complex choreography but the A2 turned out to be surprisingly capable at chatting up CES goers. Later in the show, we came across the A2 at IntBot's booth, where the company had custom versions of both Agibot humanoids running their booth. I spent several minutes talking with Nylo and was genuinely impressed by its conversational skills, even if its roasts could use a little work. Karissa Bell, Senior Reporter Dreame's robo vac arms and legs Dreame was back this year with some wild robot vacuums. The company showed of the Cyber 10 Ultra , a robot vacuum with a multipurpose extendable arm. The arm, which we got a glimpse of at last year's show, can pick up stuff, but it also has its own cleaning attachments, allowing the robot to clean hard-to-reach corners and other spots that wouldn't otherwise be accessible. Dreame also brought its latest wild concept, the Cyber X , which has legs that propel it up and down full-size staircases. The legs are somewhat unsettling they look alarmingly similar to mini chainsaws but watching it glide up and down stairs was impressive all the same. KB OlloBot The long neck version of OlloBot. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget OlloBot is one of those semi-ridiculous CES robots that's just impossible not to smile at. It has the goofiest face, with top-sitting frog eyes slapped onto a tablet where its mouth is displayed. Then, on top of that, it has a patch of soft fur on its neck and nowhere else on its body, which is penguin shaped and complete with flappy little arms. There are two versions of OlloBot , one that's short with a fixed neck and another where the neck can stretch out to make it much taller. And of course, it can be dressed up in silly outfits. It's a family-focused robot that responds to voice commands and touch, and is meant to capture memories as they happen, snapping pics and videos for its diary of notable moments. It can be used to make calls and control smart home devices. Everything is stored locally in its removable heart module, and there's a companion app for additional interactions. Cheyenne MacDonald, Weekend Editor Rovie A robot with a dust pan like appendage dumps toys into a bin. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget Sure, we've seen multiple robots (particularly robovacuums) that can pick objects up off the floor and put them away to make homes tidier, but this one is cute and has a little face . Instead of using an arm to grab one thing at a time, Clutterbot's Rovie has a dustpan-style tray with two sweepers that fold out from its front. It drives around and, using computer vision, identifies toys that have been left on the floor and scoops them up. Then, it dumps them in a designated bin where they're consolidated and out of the way. It's still in the R&D phase, a team member said when I visited the booth, but this is one I'm hoping to see become a real, purchasable product soon. For parents of small children who are constantly leaving their toys around, it would be pretty convenient to have a tiny robot picking up after them. Also for me, who doesn't have children but a very sweet and hardworking cat who loves to steal socks and then deliver them as if they're her kills, leaving socks scattered all over the house. Clutterbot team, if you're reading this, please add socks to the list of items Rovie can sweep up. CM Saros Rover Not to be outdone, Roborock also brought a stairclimbing robot vacuum to CES, Saros Rover. And, unlike Dreame's prototype, the Roborock can also clean the stairs while it climbs. No word on when it will be available or how much it might cost (probably a lot!) but the company says it is a real product in development. -KB CLOiD CLOiD folded laundry at LG's CES booth. Karissa Bell for Engadget LG's CLOiD was definitely the most ambitious robot we saw at CES 2026. The company showed its home helper concept (slowly) folding and sorting laundry , fetching drinks from the fridge, putting food in the oven and retrieving a set of lost keys. But while the 15-minute demo gave us a tantalizing look at the appliance maker's vision for a zero labor home, it's unlikely to be anything more than a slick demo anytime soon. The company has made no commitment to actually make a version of CLOiD people can actually buy. KB Allex WIRobotics' Allex robot makes a heart sign with its hands. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget WIRobotics brought its new humanoid, Allex, to CES, and the robot was really hamming it up when we stopped by the booth, striking poses and engaging with visitors. It's a waist-up robot with articulated parts, from its arms to its fingers, and is meant to be a general purpose tool that could be used in manufacturing, the service industry or even households. Each hand can hold objects of up to about 6.6 lbs, and the robotic hand has 15 degrees of freedom. The company's website shows the robot's fingers are dexterous enough to do the Gen-Z heart sign, but when it looked at Karissa and me it threw a millennial heart up. Did Allex lowkey call us unc? CM Poketomo Poketomo in one of the many outfits Sharp brought to CES. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget Sharp's Poketomo is an improbably adorable tiny meerkat . Well, technically it's an AI companion shaped like a fuzzy, portable meerkat. It might look like a toy, but the company says it's actually to be a companion for adults. Its small enough you can carry it around with you throughout the day (Sharp even makes a tiny Poketomo-sized clear backpack). Like a lot of AI companion devices we saw at CES, its equipped with a small camera and microphone that enables it to constantly interact with you. The camera also enables its memory so the pet can recognize and deliver personalized updates to its person. Poketomo launched recently in Japan, but sadly Sharp says it has no current plans to sell it in other markets. KB Bibo Moony bibo (I-Type). Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget It seemed like everyone was trying to cash in on Labubu hype at CES 2026. There were Pop Mart-style bag charms all over the place and countless products that looked suspiciously like the now ubiquitous toy monster. We even got one pitch for a a labubu-like robot that talks to you that, in fact, did not look like a Labubu in any way, shape or form. But there was one truly Labubu-like tiny robot that managed to stand out from the rest and kind of stole my heart, even though I'm not particularly into Labubus. (Please don't make me say Labubu ever again.) Bibo is a cute-as-hell AI toy that's meant to be a companion you bring with you everywhere. It has a little camera on its head that it uses to see the world around it, and can recognize its owner's face and tone of voice, so it can respond to interactions in an emotionally appropriate way. It'll keep a daily diary of its activities, and while the toy comes in two starting personality types Sunny bibo (E-Type), the bubbly extrovert, and Moony bibo (I-Type), the gentle, sensitive one they'll develop more unique personalities over time. Their fur is soft and warm, so it feels like you're petting a kitten. Why is it even cuter like this? Cheyenne MacDonald At the booth, the team had several of them on display wearing various outfits, in little dioramas showing them in classroom and camping scenes, and even deconstructed with the fur removed, which somehow made it look even cuter. Bibo isn't available to purchase yet, and when it is, it'll launch first in China before potentially expanding depending on its success at home. CM Sharpa Sharpa's humanoid robot is seen playing ping-pong. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget Sharpa's booth had a lot going on and was definitely one of the bigger crowd-pullers. There was a humanoid robot playing ping-pong, another taking selfies with people and another dealing blackjack, along with a disembodied robotic hand that could mirror visitors' finger movements. The autonomous demos showed off what that highly dexterous hand can do, and it was pretty impressive especially seeing it draw individual cards from the deck. CM Zeroth Zeroth's W1 robot. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget Chinese robotics startup Zeroth brought two adorable home robots to CES: a pint-sized humanoid companion bot and a rolling robot that looks like Wall-E, with tank-style tracked treads so it can ride around outside. We didn't see these guys doing too much, but they sure were cute. The one that resembles Wall-E, called W1, kind of melted my heart just looking at it. (Don't get attached, you can't afford it.) The tiny humanoid, M1, costs $2,400 while W1 costs $5,000. Both are expected to ship this spring, with a tentative date of April 15. CM Sweekar Sweekars in their little outfits. Karissa Bell for Engadget Takway's Sweekar pocket pet was something I looked at and immediately thought, sigh, I'm going to buy that. It's a Tamagotchi-like virtual pet with AI smarts so it can form a personality based on your interactions with it and the activities you do together. The idea is that it grows with you. Like a Tamagotchi, it will require more frequent care in the younger stages of its life cycle. But after it reaches the adult level, it autonomously cares for itself, and it never dies. It can eventually keep itself entertained, and go off on its own virtual adventures and bring you back tales of its travels. Sweekar is super cute as is, and it can be dressed up in little outfits for more personalization. The device comes in light yellow, pink, and blue, and we saw it sporting a snowboarder outfit and a full cowboy getup. CM Realbotix One of Realbotix' robots. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget Realbotix is a company we've seen a lot at CES over the years, and it was at the show again for 2026 with several of its highly customizable, realistic humanoid robots. As always, it was among the most unnerving exhibits we saw. New for this year, Realbotix was demonstrating its Robotic Vision System, which allows its robots to see and react to their surroundings more naturally, tracking faces to look directly at whoever is talking and better reading emotion from facial expressions. Damn, it can sense my fear now CM Onero H1 Onero H1 had an endearingly blank stare. Karissa Bell for Engadget Switchbot surprised us with its own chore-handling robot, Onero H1, which also won Engadget editors' pick for best robot of CES 2026 . We were immediately taken by its weirdly long body and endearingly blank stare as it slowly wheeled around picking up laundry and depositing the items in a washing machine. Like a lot of robot demos we saw at CES, we only saw Onero performing a small part of what Switchbot says it's actually capable of. But Onero also seemed much more realistic in terms of the type of robot helpers that people might actually see outside of CES, and the company told us it does plan to sell Onero (albeit in limited quantities) by the end of the year. KB Cocomo Ludens AI Cocomo robot. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget Another robot pet that won us over immediately was Cocomo . Created by Japanese startup Ludens AI, Cocomo is an autonomous robot friend that yes, uses AI to respond to voice and touch and is meant to bond with its owners over time. The egg-shaped creature can scoot around on a wheeled base, or you can carry it around with you. But what we loved about Cocomo is that it's not trying to be yet another AI assistant, give out life advice or perform tasks. Its goal is to provide companionship and well, be your friend. And while it can respond to voice input it doesn't exactly have a voice of its own: it communicates via cute humming sounds, which is a lot less creepy than some of the talking robots we saw. KB Yonbo Yonbo at CES. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget Yonbo is a kids' AI companion robot that totally charmed us. It kind of looks like a dog, and when we visited its booth at Unveiled, there were four of them playfully bopping their heads to a pop song and cycling through different cute facial expressions and emoji eyes (including bowls of ramen). It's designed to be an intelligent playmate that can tag along for activities, talk with a child and read them stories, and even help them work through emotions, like getting frustrated during a game. Yonbo's movement is controlled by a wristband, so it doesn't require a phone to play with. It can also be used as an extra pair of eyes for parents around the house. In Parental Monitor mode, which the team says is the only time its camera will be able to stream and store video, parents are able to see what Yonbo sees. The robot costs $800 and is available now. CM MFO MFO in a glass case at CES. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget If we're being completely honest, the pitch for will.i.am 's MFO (yes, MOFO, like motherfucker) had us a bit, um, perplexed for a hot second. We read it and all the accompanying materials over and over trying to figure out what, exactly, this thing does. Some of the claims that added to this confusion: the agent 'octopuses' across your digital ecosystem through its eight USB-C connections; it converts moments into objects; it turns life notes into a life operating system. We get it now, (we think): It's agentic AI hardware, kind of like a Rabbit R1 or AI Pin but in the form of a teddy bear. Sadly, we didn't get to see MFO up close or watch it do anything, but we are nonetheless intrigued, if still a bit confused, by this strange teddy bear. CM and KB This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-robots-we-saw-at-ces-2026-the-lovable-the-creepy-and-the-utterly-confusing-153537930.html?src=rss

NASA makes final preparations for its first crewed moon mission in over 50 years

Back in 2024, NASA announced that the Artemis 2 mission was going to be pushed back to April 2026. Now, the agency says it could launch as early as February, with the first flight opportunity being on February 6. NASA is currently making the final preparations for the mission and will soon roll out the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft to their launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft systems four-mile journey from the assembly building to Launch Pad 39B will take up to 12 hours. NASA is targeting a date no earlier than January 17, with the exact day depending on the weather and on the possible need for additional time to address technical issues. Artemis 2 is the first crewed mission to the moon since the Apollo programs final flight in 1972. The 10-day mission will have four astronauts on board wholl be testing if Orions critical life support systems can sustain human passengers on future longer duration missions. They will first orbit the Earth twice before making their way 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the moon. If the SLS and Orion system is rolled out as planned, NASA intends to conduct a wet dress rehearsal at the end of January. The agency will load cryogenic propellants into the rocket and will do a full launch countdown during the rehearsal to prepare for the real event. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasa-makes-final-preparations-for-its-first-crewed-moon-mission-in-over-50-years-150000825.html?src=rss

How to change location with a VPN

Chances are that you're here because you've heard a virtual private network (VPN) can change your virtual location, and want to know what that means. If you know already, head over to my best VPN list to learn which services I recommend for changing your location. But if you're clueless, read on. Whenever any device connects to the internet whether it's a laptop, a phone or a smart Lego brick it's assigned a unique IP address that other devices can use to identify it. Think of the name you give the barista at a coffee shop, except instead of a hot beverage, youre being served websites and digital audio and video. That's the upside. The downside is that a device's IP address can be used to find its location in the real world. That means service providers can show you local weather reports as well as targeted local ads. More ominously, however, it means service providers can restrict what you see online based on where you are physically. That impacts everything from the fun (what Netflix has available to stream) to the serious (what information gets censored on the government's behalf). A VPN gets around that downside by running all your online activity through a middleman server before sending it to its destination. Instead of your real IP address, everyone sees the address of the VPN server, along with its geolocation. That means you can subvert any local restrictions getting in your way: Youre actually in Houston, but so far as the website youre viewing is concerned, you seem to be coming from Amsterdam. Here's how to do it. How to change your virtual location with a VPN With so many excellent commercial VPNs on the market, changing your virtual location is a lot easier than it sounds. You don't need to be a hacker just find a good VPN app and connect to a server in your desired location. On almost any VPN, this is a simple matter of opening the app or desktop client and choosing the server location from a list. On Proton VPN, for example, you can switch locations by clicking the name of any country in the list on the left. Sam Chapman for Engadget However, as with any technology, there are some potential pitfalls. For reference, I've laid out the steps below for both desktop and mobile devices. How to change location on Windows or Mac Use these steps to change the virtual location of any desktop or laptop device running macOS or Windows. There may be slight variations, but in general, this process works for any top VPN. Select a VPN provider. You can rely on Engadget's best VPN list or, if you're unable to pay for a new subscription right now, our list of the best free VPNs . My personal choice is Proton VPN , but there are other good options. Look for a service with fast speeds, modern encryption and a long, non-controversial record in the industry. Create an account with the VPN and save your username and password. Unless it's a forever-free service, this is when you'll be asked to pay for a subscription. If you're sure about your provider, you can save a lot by going with a long-term deal. See our list of the best VPN deals for ideas. Download the VPN app. It's best to go through the VPN's website, even if you're on Mac in rare cases, the App Store versions can be outdated or short on features. Look for a download center on the site, and make sure you enter it while logged in. Install the VPN app. Most VPNs have an installation flow built in, so all you have to do is follow the steps. If the VPN asks you to change your settings or grant it permissions, do it; this installs the tools it needs to do its job. Open the VPN app and find your way around the user interface. At a minimum, make sure you know how to connect, disconnect and open the location selection menu. Connect to a server in the location where you want your internet connection to appear to originate. If you're trying to get around local restrictions, you can just pick any nearby country without that censorship for example, if you're in China, then Japan, South Korea or Singapore will work. If you're after content from a specific country, choose a server in that country. Get online through a browser or connected app as you normally would. To make sure your location has actually changed, use a site like WhatIsMyIPAddress to check where you're coming from. When you want to use your real location again, disconnect from the VPN or choose a server in the county you're in. It's not necessary, but I also recommend activating your VPN's kill switch if there is one. VPN servers aren't perfect, and they do drop connections from time to time. If this happens, an active kill switch also cuts off your internet connection so your real location isn't visible for a millisecond. How to change location on iPhone or Android The process for using a VPN to change your virtual location on mobile is pretty similar to how it's done on desktop. Again, while individual installation flows have their own quirks, the following steps are broadly applicable to any iOS or Android VPN. Pick a VPN provider you like. The best VPNs also tend to be the best for mobile, including Proton VPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark . On mobile, you can use app store reviews and comments to research. Make sure you're getting the real version of your chosen VPN and not a similarly named one trying to piggyback. Download the VPN from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. At this point, if you haven't paid yet, you may be able to take advantage of a free trial by opening the app and proceeding through the setup flow. This is a good time to test if the VPN is changing your location in ways that can't be seen through. Follow the VPN's instructions to create an account, including paying for a subscription if necessary. Take some time to learn to use the VPN app. Mobile interfaces have to pack more features into a smaller space, usually relying on tabs. Try and find the tabs for picking server locations and toggling VPN settings. Connect to a server in your desired location. Make sure the VPN is actually active before you proceed (most of them make it pretty clear, but it's still easy to forget). Get online through a browser or another internet-capable app. When you're finished, disconnect from the VPN to return to using your real location. One more note: on both mobile and desktop, I recommend using either a paid VPN or a free VPN supported by a paid subscription. Entirely free VPNs come with risks , and some popular apps secretly share problematic connections . Why change your virtual location? Changing your virtual location isn't hard, but it's still an extra step between you and the internet. However, the benefits of location masking far outweigh the small amount of extra work. Hiding your IP address and your location along with it is one of the most impactful steps you can take to stay safe online . Concealing your IP address has massive benefits on its own, even if you use one close to your real location (which gets you shorter loading times). Lots of web services track you without your consent, frequently for advertising purposes. Some of this is done through third-party cookies, but a lot of it starts with building profiles about your IP address. Illicit actors can also take advantage of your IP address and its geolocation. A hacker can track you down to within your ZIP code though an IP address can't pinpoint your location to the square foot, it makes it much easier to narrow down where you live. Even with just your IP address, hackers can launch DDoS attacks against you, use the IP to make fake social media accounts in your name or even call in SWAT teams to your location . By changing my location to the UK using ExpressVPN, I can see shows on Netflix that aren't listed in the US. Sam Chapman for Engadget Although masking your virtual location can be vital to staying safe online, there are other practical and even fun reasons to do it. For one thing, when traveling abroad, you might want to use a site only available in your home country. Simply connect to a server located near home and you can use your bank account and local streaming libraries as normal. If you're home, there are lots of benefits to being virtually in another region. You can see a foreign country's streaming libraries and shop for deals that may only be available in its currency. You can also get around any nationwide online censorship and potentially download banned apps. Just be sure to be aware of your local laws to know if doing so is merely frowned upon, or if its truly against the law. Can a VPN change your GPS location? There's one more critical point to remember when changing location with a VPN. The VPN server only changes your IP address and the physical location associated with it. It does not change the GPS location your device might be broadcasting. GPS data can leak out in a few ways. Tablets and phones have location services turned on by default, and as anyone who's heard a true crime podcast knows, they can also give away your location by contacting cell towers. Web browsers often have similar features. Websites can also use HTML5 geolocation to access your GPS provided you give permission, but that's easy to do without thinking. Some VPNs, including Surfshark and Windscribe, do have features designed to fool GPS, but they're not standard. When you're changing your location with a VPN, make sure to turn off location services and avoid granting any permissions that might reveal where you really are. You can also run a separate GPS spoofing app alongside your VPN. How to troubleshoot a VPN that's not changing your location If you've found that browsers are still seeing your old IP address while you have a VPN active, or that websites show you the same content when you're supposed to be virtually abroad, there's a chance your VPN isn't actually changing your location. To test if your real position is leaking, start by checking your IP address (with a search engine or WhatIsMyIPAddress). If it matches your home location, something has gone wrong. Note that it's not necessarily a problem if it doesn't match your home location or the stated location of your VPN server. VPNs use virtual server locations to reach a lot of locations where brick-and-mortar servers aren't practical Windscribe, for example, does not have a physical data center in Antarctica. If you find that your VPN is leaking your real IP address, try these troubleshooting steps in order. I've arranged them roughly from least to most time-intensive. Disconnect from your VPN and reconnect to the same location. This should hook you up with a different server in that same place. Test your IP again there's a good chance the problem was isolated to the first server you tried. Try a new location (skip this step if you need a server in a particular country). Try a different VPN protocol. If you're using WireGuard, switch to OpenVPN or IKEv2. Make sure location services are turned off. Clear your browser cache and cookies to get rid of any saved information. Test for DNS leaks. Your VPN might accidentally be sending your IP address to a public server to resolve DNS requests. IPleak.org is a good tool for catching this. Try a different VPN. Use a free service like Proton or Windscribe and test for leaks. If the problem reoccurs, it might be coming from inside your network. Contact the helpdesk for your original VPN and inform them about the problem. Get screenshots of the VPN connected to the leaky location next to IP address data confirming the leak. I've already mentioned several VPNs that do a good job of changing your location, but in case you're here for product advice, here are all my recommendations in one place. My favorite VPN is Proton VPN, which is so far the only service to receive full marks on my location-change test. I used 15 of its servers in five different countries to access Netflix. Each time, I saw the destination country's full content library like I was really there. Surfshark is a close runner-up in this category. It passed 14 out of 15 tests, only slipping up once in Japan and a quick disconnect and reconnect was enough to fix that. I got equally great results from ExpressVPN , only having to retry one server in the UK. NordVPN performed perfectly in every location except Nigeria, and that still didn't leak my real IP address. The problem only seemed to exist on Netflix. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-change-location-with-a-vpn-140000339.html?src=rss