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Meta's smart glasses plans were already one of the worst kept secrets, as there have been more than a year of leaks and reports about its work to add a heads-up display to the product. Now, just days before their unveiling at Connect, a promotional video of the new frames seems to have leaked.The video, reported and reposted by UploadVR, shows the new "Meta Ray-Ban Display" frames as well as a new model of camera-enabled Oakley sunglasses. The clip mainly features the new Ray-Ban glasses, and shows a pair of black frames with clear lenses that look similar to the company's previous Wayfarer frames.Meta is adding two new pairs of glasses to its lineup.ScreenshotThe glasses also include a small display that's able to show info like a map preview, chats with friends and information related to what you're looking at. As reported, it also shows a dedicated wristband for the device. The video briefly shows someone swiping with their fingers in order to type out a reply to a message in a chat app.The clip also shows a new pair of Oakley frames that don't have a display. The sunglasses seem to be based on the company's wraparound Sphaera frames and show a camera in the center directly over the nosepiece. That would line up with prior reporting about the glasses that suggested Meta planned to market the glasses to cyclists and other athletes.The latest Oakley Meta glasses will have a different camera placement.ScreenshotA separate promotional video of the Sphaera sunglasses also cropped up on Monday. That video more clearly shows the placement of the camera in the center of the glasses, but doesn't reveal what, if any, new features might be arriving with the device.UploadVR reports that both videos briefly appeared on Meta's official YouTube channel as unlisted clips but were later removed. We've reached out to the company for comment.In the meantime, you can read more about the company's new smart glasses lineup and what to expect at Connect here. Engadget will be reporting live from the event beginning September 17.Update, September 15, 2025, 2:56PM PT: Added info about a second video showing the Oakley sunglasses.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/video-of-meta-ray-ban-display-glasses-surfaces-ahead-of-connect-194713365.html?src=rss

Listen up, iPhone owners! iOS 26 is finally available to download, as well as all of Apple's other new operating systems. The first thing you'll notice after the install is a new clear design language Apple dubs Liquid Glass. The translucent look can be found within apps as well as your lock and home screens. The overhaul is one of several big changes that come with iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS and the rest of Apple's software suite.You'll also see multiple useful additions in the Phone and Messages apps. For instance, the ability to weed out spam texts or unknown senders and an option to hold your spot on a phone call when you've been waiting for a representative to pick up. And for fun, you can now create polls in group texts. Other new improvements coming include a confirmed AirPods live translation feature, and a new bouncy animation on the passcode screen and in the Control Center.If you don't have a compatible phone but plan to upgrade, Apple unveiled several new models at its iPhone 17 event - that includes the new iPhone 17 lineup and the all-new ultra-thin iPhone Air. If you missed the keynote, you can catch up on everything Apple announced here or rewatch the full iPhone 17 launch. The company rounded out its announcements with three new Apple Watch models, as well as the brand-new AirPods Pro 3.Most newer iPhone models are eligible to download iOS 26. We've rounded up a full list of new features you'll have to check out.What is iOS 26?Instead of releasing iOS 19, Apple skipped its naming convention ahead to iOS 26. The company has decided to line up its iOS version numbers with a year-based system, similar to car model years. So while iOS and its sibling operating systems were released in 2025, they're all designated "26" to reflect the year ahead.Apple also released iOS 18.7 alongside iOS 26 to address security issues - great news if you don't have a phone that's eligible to run the latest OS.It's official, we're moving to iOS 26. (Apple)What is Liquid Glass design?Let's be honest. Out of everything announced at WWDC this year, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the show. The iPhone's home and lock screens have looked pretty much the same year after year - the last exciting thing (in my opinion) was the option to add your own aesthetic to your home screen by customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the home and lock screens' new facelift is refreshing.So what exactly is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a "new translucent material" since, well, the apps and widgets are clear. However, the screen can still adapt to dark and light modes, depending on surroundings. You'll also notice buttons with a new floating design in several apps, like Phone and Maps. They're designed to be less distracting than the current buttons, but are still easy to see. While the design overhaul has proven to be controversial since its announcement, some - including Engadget's Devindra Hardawar - like the new direction, even if it's somewhat reminiscent of Microsoft's translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from nearly twenty years ago.That said, while in beta mode, Apple incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing back the transparency in at least some places. And while it will continue to evolve, Apple users won't be able to escape it: The company says Liquid Glass was designed to make all of its platforms more cohesive. Here's a look at how the translucent aesthetic looks with the new macOS Tahoe 26 on your desktop.What are the new and notable features of iOS 26?iOS 26 has a laundry list of new features. Among the most worthwhile:Phone app redesign: You can now scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music and continue on with other tasks.Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 brings the ability to have a conversation via phone call, FaceTime or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translation uses Apple Intelligence and it will translate your conversation in real time, which results in some stop-and-go interactions in the examples Apple shared during its presentation.Polls in group chats: Tired of sorting through what seems like hundreds of messages in your group chat? You and your friends can now create polls in group messages to decide things like which brunch spot you're eating at or whose car you're taking on a road trip.Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you haven't received spam texts about unpaid tolls or other citations, you're lucky. For those of us who have, those annoying messages will soon be filtered away in a separate folder.Visual Intelligence: Similar to a reverse Google image search, this new feature will allow you to search for anything that's on your iPhone screen. For instance, if you spot a pair of shoes someone is wearing in an Instagram photo, you can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to find those shoes (or similar ones) online.Photos tabs are back: For anyone who's been frustrated with last year's changes to the Photos app, you'll be happy to know that your tabs are back. Library and Collections have their own separate spaces so you don't have to scroll to infinity to find what you're looking for.Camera app updates: Navigating the Camera app should be simpler in iOS 26, as all the buttons and menus are in convenient spots - less swiping, more photo taking. Plus, there's a new feature that tells you if your lens needs to be cleaned.FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature: A newer addition to iOS 26 appears to be the FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The feature appears to be a child safety feature that uses on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privacy issues.New lock screen options: The iPhone lock screen is more customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more widgets and better focus mode options.New alarm setting: You'll no longer be stuck with the 9-minute snooze setting in your alarms. Instead, you now have the option to change your snooze time from one to 15 minutes.Screenshots look different: You'll notice several new features when you take a screenshot, including "highlight to search," the option to search your image on Google and ChatGPT is there for any questions you have about the image.Apple's Hold Assist will be nifty for those pesky services that put you on hold for 10 or more minutes. (Apple)New changes with iPadOS 26Your iPad isn't getting left behind when it comes to big updates. Here's what to look for.Multitasking and real windowing: When you download the newest update, you'll be able to have multiple apps running on your screen at the same time. Once you open an app, it'll appear on your screen as normal but you'll be able to resize and move it across your screen to make room for other apps. This feature is optional so you can turn it off if you don't like it.Visual update: Along with the other new OSes, iPadOS 26 also has the Liquid Glass aesthetic. This new look appears on the lock and home screens, as well as the drop-down menus.New menu bar: When you swipe down on your screen, the new menu bar will appear with options like File, Edit, Windows and more. There's also a search option if you're looking for something specific.There's more beyond that, so be sure to check out our first impressions of iPadOS 26.What about AirPods?AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Here are some of the more notable functions.Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this "studio-quality" audio recording, and with it, you'll notice more clarity while in noisy environments.Camera remote control: Using this, you can take a photo or start and stop video recording with just one press on your AirPods. When taking photos, you'll get a three-second countdown before your iPhone or iPad snaps the picture.Live translation feature: Live translation is available on AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC when paired with iPhones running iOS 26. Apple says that when someone speaks to you in a different language, you can use your AirPods to translate what they're saying.Heart rate monitoring: Apple introduced new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds this month, which include heart rate monitoring. It will work with Apple's Health app and other fitness apps that track heart rates.Did Siri get an update?Siri is in a holding pattern. Apple has previously specified that its smarter voice assistant - first promised at WWDC 2024 - is delayed until some point "in the coming year," so you shouldn't expect any major changes right now. But there are reports that Apple is aiming to give Siri a bigger brain transplant by basing it on third-party artificial intelligence models like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude, which could make 2026 a pivotal year. The company is also reportedly working on a "stripped-down" AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT.Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26?A few iPhone models that run the current version of iOS - iPhone XR, XS and XS Max - aren't compatible with the latest upgrade. But any iPhones from 2019 or later will be eligible for iOS 26:

Meta Connect, the company's annual event dedicated to all things AR, VR, AI and the metaverse is just days away. And once again, it seems like it will be a big year for smart glasses and AI.This year, the event will take a slightly different format than in the past. Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to kick things off with an evening keynote at 5PM PT on Wednesday, September 17. A developer keynote with other executives will take place the next morning on September 18, beginning at 10AM, with more talks and developer sessions to follow.It's not clear why Meta changed things up this year, but it is shaping up to be a particularly eventful year for Connect. We're expecting two new models of smart glasses, including Meta's first to have a display, as well as new Meta AI and metaverse updates. As usual, Engadget will be reporting live from Zuckerberg's keynote at Meta HQ, but until then, here's a closer look at what's coming and what to keep an eye on.New and updated smart glassesThe biggest news of the day will be Meta's next-generation of smart glasses. The frames, often referred to by their reported internal name "Hypernova," will be the first consumer-ready glasses from Meta that have a display. We already know quite a bit about these thanks to more than a year of leaks.While the frames are expected to have a small display on one side, they won't offer the kind of immersive augmented reality experience we've seen on Meta's Orion prototype. Instead the display will allow you to view things like notifications and photo previews. The glasses will also come with a dedicated wristband, similar to what the company showed off with Orion, that allows the wearer to control specific features through hand gestures.The EMG wristband that's part of the Orion prototype.Karissa Bell for EngadgetThe glasses, which are expected to go on sale later this year, will likely cost around $800, according to reports. And while there was previously some suggestion the glasses may be sold under a different EssilorLuxottica brand, it now seems they will indeed be Ray-Ban branded. On Monday, just days ahead of Connect, a promotional video for "Meta Ray-Ban Display" glasses surfaced online. The video showed glasses with clear frames, a heads-up display and a wristband.The video doesn't show a price, but given the likely higher price tag - most of Meta's other Ray-Ban-branded glasses cost around $300 - it seems the company is positioning this as a higher-end product that will have a more limited appeal. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested Hypernova will have a "negligible" share of the overall smart glasses market.The video also seemingly confirms a new version of Oakley sunglasses, based on the brand's Sphaera glasses. It shows a pair of the familiar wraparound frames with a single camera in the center near the nose. Those glasses, which have been previously reported, aren't expected to have a display. Previous leaks have also hinted at new versions of non-display Ray-Ban glasses too, with leaked renders showing a pair of sunglasses and a version with clear frames.EssilorLuxottica's Chief Wearables Officer, Rocco Basilico, has also teased that it will be an "extra special" year at Connect. In a post on Threads tagging Meta, he wrote that he was "proud to share what we've built together."We could also see new third-party glasses integrations. As UploadVR recently pointed out, early versions of the Connect schedule for developers seemingly confirms that Meta is getting ready to give developers access to its smart glasses. Up to now, the Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley glasses have mostly been limited to apps within Meta's ecosystem (with a few exceptions like Spotify and Audible). Allowing more developers to start experimenting with the platform could bring even more functionality to the existing lineup of glasses.Meta AIAs with other recent years, AI will be a major theme throughout. Meta AI has a billion monthly users (something Zuckerberg will surely remind us of) and I'm expecting to see new features for Meta AI both on the company's glasses and within its apps. Business Insider reports the company has been working on new lineup of non-English speaking "character-driven" bots for its apps. (Meta's character-centric chatbots have also faced scrutiny, with the company recently blocking teens' access to many user-generated characters amid growing safety concerns.)Outside of Meta's chatbots, I'm hoping Zuckerberg will talk more about his vision to create "superintelligence." As I wrote in July, his initial manifesto that outlined his vision was confusing at best. The CEO has recently reorganized Meta's AI teams around the idea, and has been on a very expensive hiring spree to recruit executives and researchers for the effort.At the same time, Zuckerberg could use Connect to shore up expectations around its Llama models. The company's larger Llama 4 model has been delayed and reports suggest Meta's engineers have been struggling to improve it. There are other signs that Zuckerberg may be backing away from open-source AI.What about the metaverse?While the metaverse has taken somewhat of a backseat to AI in recent years, it wouldn't be Connect without some VR-related news. In a recent Instagram post, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth teased "metaverse software" updates related to Horizon Worlds at Connect. The company recently offered a preview to developers of its plan to bring AI-powered NPCs to the metaverse, and I expect we'll hear more about how generative AI could help shape the metaverse.And while there are no new Quest headsets expected, we could hear more about those third-party VR headsets that will run Meta's VR software. Last year, the company announced that ASUS, Lenovo and Xbox were working on Meta Horizon OS headsets. We haven't heard too much about these devices since, but there was a leak earlier this year that suggested ASUS would be the first to launch, and that it would include face and eye tracking features.

A regulator has accused NVIDIA of violating China's antitrust laws over its acquisition of chipmaker Mellanox. In its preliminary findings of an investigation it commenced in December, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) claimed that the company breached both national regulations and the conditional terms China outlined when it rubberstamped the $6.9 billion takeover. The SAMR hasn't announced any penalties yet, as the investigation will continue.The SAMR is said to have determined its preliminary findings several weeks ago. According to Financial Post sources, the regulator held off from releasing its statement until now, as trade talks with the US take place in Madrid, with the idea of giving Chinese officials more leverage. (Those talks have so far resulted in a framework agreement for TikTok.)NVIDIA and Mellanox announced the buyout back in 2019. China approved it in April the following year on the condition that NVIDIA continued to supply GPUs and interconnect products to the country and adhere to fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory principles," per the South China Morning Post.Last month, it was reported that China was discouraging companies in the country from buying NVIDIA's H20 chips pending a national security review. Officials were said to have taken offense at remarks from Howard Lutnick, the US commerce secretary. After the US allowed NVIDIA to start offering chips to China again in July following a three-month ban, Lutnick said the company wasn't going to be selling its most cutting-edge tech there."We don't sell them our best stuff, not our second best stuff, not even our third best. The fourth one down, we want to keep China using it," he told CNBC. "The idea is the Chinese are more than capable of building their own. You want to keep one step ahead of what they can build, so they keep buying our chips. You want to sell the Chinese enough that their developers get addicted to the American technology stack."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/china-says-nvidias-mellanox-acquisition-violated-antitrust-law-200409929.html?src=rss

Last year, New York joined the wave of states passing legislation aimed at protecting minors using the Internet, particularly social media. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act in June 2024. Today, the state's Attorney General Letitia James released more specifics about what the SAFE for Kids Act will entail in practice. Public comment is open until December 1 and the rules must be finalized within a year from that date.In particular, the rule will require online platforms to confirm the ages of users before showing them algorithmically-curated feeds or sending them notifications at night. The Attorney General's approach allows sites to choose their method of age verification, as long as the approach "are shown to be effective and protect users' data." New York will also require an age confirmation method that does not rely on having a government-issued ID.There is also a component of parental consent in the SAFE for Kids Act. Minors must request a social media network to seek parental permission for accessing algorithmic feeds or receiving nighttime notifications. If parental consent is not granted, the platforms may not block minors from generally accessing their service or content. Both the minor and their parent may revoke their consent at any time."The proposed rules released by my office today will help us tackle the youth mental health crisis and make social media safer for kids and families," James said in the announcement. "This is an issue that affects all of us, and I encourage parents, educators, young people, industry groups, and others to review the proposed rules and submit a comment during the public comment period."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/new-york-details-its-plans-for-online-age-verification-rules-195223379.html?src=rss

Valve has apparently updated its Steam Early Access policy to no longer accept games with what the company deems to be "mature themes." As first reported by Gamesmarkt earlier this month, gaming studio Dammitbird, which develops the adult adventure game Heavy Hearts, was not allowed to put the title on Steam Early Access because of its content.Payment processors like Mastercard and Visa have been mounting a pressure campaign on video game marketplaces Steam and Itch.io to remove certain adults-only content since early summer. After taking down a game called No Mercy in April at the behest of payment processors and an Australian anti-porn organization, there has been a steady expansion in the application of these new policies.Steam, for its part, made some incredibly vague policy changes to appease the payment giants, adding a sweeping clause that promises to ban certain kinds of adults-only content before proceeding to remove hundreds of games. Itch.io made similar changes before removing more than 20,000 titles from its marketplace. Steam has removed hundreds of titles that we know of.The apparent scope creep is of particular concern to small independent developers whose fairly innocuous games like VILE: Exhumed were banned from Steam and delisted from Itch.io. Exhumed is a mostly text-based game whose limited imagery and innuendo is worlds away from the sort of adult games that were first banned when this whole saga kicked off.Part of the problem is how card payments are policed. Stores like Steam and Itch.io don't contract with Visa or Mastercard directly but with acquiring banks and processors that must enforce the card networks' brand-safety and anti-trafficking rules. This can end up influencing how companies like PayPal work with Steam across different regions, depending on how banks in those areas are responding to the pressure exerted by Visa and Mastercard.The confusion will continue to cause consternation among developers and consumers alike until policies on these platforms are made clearer, or payment processors relieve some of the pressure by clarifying their own standards.Engadget has reached out to Valve for comment and will update if we hear back.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/early-access-is-the-latest-place-where-steam-is-restricting-games-with-mature-themes-190806818.html?src=rss

LG just announced two new earbuds in its xboom line of audio products, following the launch of the xboom Buds in January. The xboom Buds Plus and Buds Lite (which seems like a relatively confusing name to beer drinkers) both hit store shelves sometime this month.The Buds Plus earbuds are filled with high-tech bells and whistles. These premium headphones boast adaptive EQ that continuously adjusts the sound profile in real time. This should ensure "optimal audio quality regardless of how the earbuds are worn." The company says the design compensates for changes that would lead to signal degradation with other earbuds.LGThey include ANC and a trio of microphones for making phone calls and the like. The charging case sanitizes the earbuds after each use with UV rays, with the company claiming that the process eliminates 99.9 percent of bacteria from the surface. This case also doubles as a Bluetooth transmitter, which is useful when enjoying some in-flight entertainment. It supports wireless charging, which is nice, with up to ten hours of playback per charge on the buds and 30 hours with the case.The Buds Lite earbuds have one advantage over the standard Buds and the Buds Plus. The battery lasts up to 11.5 hours per charge, with the case bringing that up to 35 hours. Otherwise, these are standard earbuds that offer "clear, balanced audio for music, calls and more."They offer ANC, though a more streamlined version than with the Plus, and four customizable EQ modes. This allows users to "fine-tune their sound profile to match their preferences." The Buds Lite ship with several different ear tips to accommodate multiple ear canal sizes.LGLG hasn't revealed any pricing info on these products, but the original xboom Buds cost $109. It's a safe bet the Buds Plus will cost more than that. Hopefully, the Buds Lite will cost a bit less.These are just the latest xboom-branded audio products. The company announced a trio of speakers at CES this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/lg-expands-its-line-of-xboom-earbuds-with-two-new-models-182220615.html?src=rss

We've been talking about it for months and now it's finally here. You can officially download iOS 26 on your phone - iPadOS 26 is also available, as well as Apple's other operating system updates - assuming you have an eligible device.If your device is compatible with the latest OS, you'll notice substantial changes when you install the new update. You may have already heard about "Liquid Glass," which (intentional or not) is sort of like Apple's take on the old Windows Vista design language. That's the most notable change, but we spent two weeks test-driving many of the other features included in the update - you can check out our hands-on iOS 26 preview for more impressions.Not sure if you have an eligible smartphone or tablet but also don't want to upgrade? No worries, we'll help you find out if your devices will be able to run iOS 26.While Apple didn't nix any iPhones from its eligibility list last year, that's not the case for 2025, as a few models are getting the axe this time around. All iPhone 8 models and the iPhone X were the last to receive the boot in 2023, and this year, iPhones released in 2018 will be left behind. If your device is ineligible, Apple also released iOS 18.7 alongside iOS 26 to address security issues, so you can at least download that.You can find a full list of iPhones and iPads that support iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 below. To see everything you get with the latest OS updates, you can check out our big rundown of what to expect from iOS 26. Additionally, here's everything Apple revealed at the iPhone 17 launch event, including the all-new iPhone Air. (Check out Engadget's liveblog of the event for full details.)These three iOS 18 iPhones aren't compatible with iOS 26Unlike last year, a trio of iPhones won't be eligible to download the newest iOS. These three models that were first released in 2018 won't be coming to the iOS 26 party:

After a summer of beta updates, iOS 26 is here. As long as you have a compatible iPhone, you can install the new software right now. Head to Settings > General > Software Update, and get ready for a Liquid Glass makeover.iOS 26 offers Apple's biggest visual change to its software since iOS 7. (That was when Jony Ive's flat design replaced Scott Forstall's skeuomorphic one.) This time around, the software adopts a translucent material theme: Liquid Glass. Although it isn't a return to skeuomorphism, it does reincorporate a sense of depth, simulating a pleasantly refractive glass. Expect colors and visual effects that respond to their onscreen surroundings.AppleApple has taken flak from industry pundits for not rushing headfirst into AI. (Or, at least it hasn't with the same manic frenzy as its competitors.) The company is taking a more measured approach, gradually incorporating it into its software. This year's Apple Intelligence additions include live translation in messages, FaceTime and Phone. Visual Intelligence also expands beyond the camera and into screenshots. And your Genmoji and Image Playground creations might look less... strange than last year's versions.Even Apple Music gets a new AI feature. Its new automix generates transitions between songs, aiming for DJ-like progressions. I find that it works best with danceable genres like EDM or hip-hop. It usually won't bother trying to mix less beat-driven singer-songwriter-type stuff.AppleArguably handier than new AI features is Apple's revamp of its communication apps. Call screening lets you gather info from callers before deciding whether to pick up. Hold Assist saves you from having to listen to the Muzak. And the Messages app adds new screening options and filters. You can also add custom backgrounds and even conduct polls in your messaging threads. Finally, the Phone app cleans up its interface, unifying its tabs into a single list.There's much more on tap, of course. For that, you can check out Engadget's iOS 26 preview.It isn't all about the iPhone. Apple's other software updates are here today, too. iPadOS 26 gives the tablet its most Mac-like productivity boost to date. watchOS 26 adds sleep scores and an AI coach. And macOS 26 Tahoe adds a Phone app and souped-up Spotlight search. All of those (along with visionOS 26 and tvOS 26, which still exist) adopt the new Liquid Glass aesthetic. You can download each via Settings > General > Software Update.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/ios-26-is-now-available-heres-how-to-install-it-on-your-iphone-171233434.html?src=rss

The Apple Mac mini M4 desktop computer is on sale via Amazon right now. This brings the price of the entry-level version, with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, down to $499. The model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is down to $689, which is a discount of $110. You can also pick up one with 24GB of RAM for $904. This is the model that came out at the tail-end of 2024 and represented the first major redesign of the product in ten years. We reviewed a version of this computer and called it "shockingly small" and "incredibly powerful." It truly is teensy, resembling an Apple TV streaming box more than a desktop computer. All told, it's five-inches by five-inches across and two inches tall. There are two front-facing USB-C ports, which is extremely handy. The back of the computer boasts even more ports, including Thunderbolt, HDMI and Ethernet. As indicated by the name, this thing features the speedy M4 chip. The processor can easily handle garden variety computing tasks, like watching content, but also excels with creative pursuits like making music and editing videos. This desktop doesn't include an SD card reader, which could be a dealbreaker for those looking for an easy way to add more storage. We also found that the fan got loud every once in a while when dealing with heavy workloads. Otherwise, this is a near-perfect (and adorable) computer. 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-up-to-110-off-right-now-163438417.html?src=rss

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that the United States and China have reached a framework deal on TikTok. Speaking to reporters in Madrid after two days of talks with his Chinese counterparts, Bessent said, It's between two private parties, but the commercial terms have been agreed upon." President Trump said in a Truth Social post that he will be speaking with Xi Jinping this Friday regarding the potential deal, among other things.This breakthrough comes after the Trump administration extended the TikTok ban for a third time earlier this summer, giving the company until September 17 to undergo a sale or face a ban in the United States. The short-form video content app faced increasing scrutiny over national security concerns due to the Chinese ownership of its parent company, ByteDance.President Trump issued an executive order in August 2020 banning the app in the United States unless it was divested from ByteDance, though courts halted enforcement of the order. In 2024 the United States Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA) which was signed into law by then-President Biden. The Trump administration has repeatedly delayed the enforcement of that law in hopes a deal could be made for a US-based acquisition, leaving the app online in the meantime.As it stands, this appears to be a framework for how TikTok could come under some level of US control, and not a signed final deal. Companies from Oracle to Microsoft have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok, and the president is on record as saying he would be OK if a "very American company" buys it. It's unclear if the September 17 deadline will be pushed once again, but US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Monday that another delay may be needed in order to get the deal signed.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/a-tiktok-deal-may-finally-be-happening-160448732.html?src=rss

Finding the best wireless earbuds can make a huge difference in how you experience music, podcasts, calls and even daily commutes. Whether you're tuning out distractions on the train or taking work calls on the go, today's wireless earbuds pack impressive audio quality and convenience into tiny, pocket-friendly forms. Many now offer excellent noise cancellation, smart ambient noise modes for staying aware of your surroundings and reliable noise isolation to help keep you focused - all without the hassle of wires.

Amazon has a press event scheduled for September 30 at 10AM ET. Panos Panay, who leads the company's Devices & Services team, will be on hand. This strongly suggests that Amazon will announce some new hardware.We don't exactly know what the company will reveal, but we do have a giant clue. The press invite also included a composite image of various Amazon devices. These appear to include a Kindle ereader, a Fire TV of some kind and an Echo speaker. Those are three of the company's biggest product categories.AmazonIt's been a while since we've gotten a new entry-level Kindle, though Amazon did recently refresh both the Scribe and the Colorsoft. It's also possible the company will announce a refresh of the Paperwhite ereader.It's a similar story with Echo speakers. The company recently refreshed the Echo Dot and the Echo Pop, along with the Echo Show 8, but it's been nearly five years since it redesigned the standard Echo speaker. It's possible the company's speakers will be getting some kind of new integration with the Alexa+ smart assistant.It's been a couple of years since we've gotten a big influx of new Fire TVs and related streaming sticks, so those could also be on the docket. However, that part of the invite image is a bit fuzzy and might be advertising an upcoming tablet and not new TVs. In any event, we only have a couple of weeks before finding out.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/amazon-may-be-announcing-new-echo-and-kindle-devices-on-september-30-152044048.html?src=rss

Sometimes, rising prices for streaming services feels as inevitable as death and taxes. So when a serious discount is available, we tend to sit up and take notice. For a few weeks, you can get a whopping half off an annual subscription to Paramount+. A year of the Paramount+ Essential plan, which is ad-supported, will cost $30 compared to the usual $60. Paramount+ Premium, which is ad-free except for live tv programming, will cost $60 for a year instead of $120. This is a substantial deal that both new and returning subscribers can take advantage of; it's not uncommon for this type of serious discount to only be offered to a first-timer. Anyone who signs up for a year-long subscription to Paramount+ from now through September 18 will be able to get this pricing. The only real caveat with this deal is that you have to pay for the full year in advance; month-to-month subscriptions will still cost the usual rate. Paramount+ has some great programming options, particularly if you're a fan of anything involving RuPaul. It's also the home of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks, which are arguably the best modern additions to the sci-fi show's canon, as well as the other past and present Star Trek series. The platform offers a solid lineup of sports as well. And if you opt to go for the Premium plan, you'll also be granted access to Showtime titles such as Yellowjackets and the rebooted Dexter: Resurrection. Check out our coverage of the best streaming 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/this-paramount-deal-ends-soon-annual-subscriptions-are-50-percent-off-212655021.html?src=rss

Apple's Awe Dropping event started with dramatic health testimonials from Apple Watch users, then revealed a key new feature for the new Watch Series 11: hypertension alerts. The function had yet to receive FDA clearance at the time, but that has now been granted, as first reported by Bloombergand confirmed by Apple. As a result, it will reportedly be available to users in 150 countries when the Watch 11 and Ultra Watch 3 ship starting on September 19.Hypertension alerts can help detect hypertension (high blood pressure), a potentially dangerous condition that affects over a billion people. The feature relies on the Watch's optical heart sensor, but now uses new machine learning algorithm that also draws from a study involving more than 100,000 participants to look for high blood pressure. It works in the background a month-long period to seek patterns associated with hypertension. Unlike devices that measure your specific blood pressure, it only tells users that there may be a danger.Last year, Apple received FDA clearance for its over-the-counter Hearing Aid function that transforms the second-gen AirPods Pro into OTC hearing aids for people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Another recently approved feature is sleep apnea detection. However, the company is currently facing a lawsuit over the Apple Watch's redesigned blood oxygen monitoring feature.Correction, September 15, 2025, 10:27AM ET: This article and its headline originally stated that the Apple Watch received FDA approval for the new hypertension alerts feature. It received FDA clearance, which is a lower level of authorization compared to FDA approval. We apologize for this error.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/apple-watch-series-11-receives-fda-clearance-for-hypertension-alerts-120046138.html?src=rss

If you've been on the fence about getting a new iPad then now might be the time to hop off it. Apple's iPad Air M3 is down from $599 to the record-low price of $450. The 25 percent discount applies to the 11-inch Wi-Fi model. We gave the iPad Air M3 an 89 in our review, thanks, in part, to its new chip. The M3 chip gives this generation's iPad Air a big boost over the M2 model - despite coming out less than a year apart. Plus, even without the discount, it's a more affordable option across Apple's iPad range. In fact, we named the iPad Air M3 as our choice for the best iPad for most people. Unless you plan to use your iPad as a substitute computer or really want a top notch screen, then you probably don't need the iPad Pro. The iPad Air M3 strikes a great balance of features for a lot less money. 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-ipad-air-m3-is-back-on-sale-for-150-off-133334170.html?src=rss

Whether you you intend to pick up the new iPhone Air or just need some extra juice for your existing iPhone, a MagSafe power bank is an essential accessory. Luckily, Anker both makes some of our favorites and has great sales going on right now on just this kind of gear. One of the most affordable is the Anker 622 Magnetic Battery, which is 42 percent off and down to $28 right now. This steep discount is also available at Anker's online store with a coupon code that the company provides. This model has a 5,000 mAh capacity, strong magnets and a slim design that even includes a foldable stand built in. Anker says the 622 Magnetic Battery can recharge a dead iPhone 16 or 16 Pro to just over 80 percent, and an iPhone 16 Pro Max to just over 60 percent. In our hands-on review of the portable charger, we liked the magnetic stand that folds out into a 30-degree angle. Users can rotate their phone to either portrait mode or landscape mode while charging. The Anker 622 is an older charger, so it outputs a maximum of 7.5W when charging wirelessly. If you need to refill your battery faster than that, you might want to pick up one of the newer Qi2 power banks. Though a Qi2 power bank will, of course, cost more, some of our favorites are having great sales right now. The Anker Ultra-Slim 10,000mAh battery pack can charge an iPhone 16 Pro to 50 percent in just 26 minutes, thanks to its Qi2-certified 15W of wireless charging. Right now it's 25 percent off, priced at $60 down from $80. It's got a bare-bones design, opting for a slim profile instead of a stand. If you prefer one with a stand and you like the idea of a display that tells you how much charge your power bank has left, then check out the Anker 10,000mAh battery pack with smart display and foldable stand. In our rundown of the best power banks, this was our top pick for iPhones. Not only does this battery pack offer Qi2 wireless charging at 15W, it also offers 27W when using USB-C for fast charging. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/pick-up-an-anker-magnetic-battery-pack-while-they-are-up-to-42-percent-off-133451553.html?src=rss

There must be something in the water at Spotify HQ. Less than a week after delivering long-promised lossless audio, the company has another treat. Free listeners can finally listen to any track they want. After enhancing Premium, perhaps Spotify figured it could add a free perk without shedding subscribers.Spotify accounts on the free plan can now choose any track and immediately listen to it. Previously, that was paywalled for Premium subscribers. Non-paying ones had to shuffle through an album or playlist until the song they wanted to hear came up. And the free tier's limited skips meant you might have to wait a while to get to it.Now you can choose any track you want by searching, selecting it in an album or playlist or tapping a shared one. The feature rolls out globally beginning today. However, the free plan's other limits haven't changed, so you'll need to listen to ads and choose your limited skips wisely.Pre-existing features of Spotify's free tier include personalized recommendations, AI playlist covers and "daylists." If you can live without hi-fi audio, offline playback or ad-free listening, the view from the cheap seats is better than ever.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/free-spotify-users-can-finally-listen-to-any-track-immediately-130013081.html?src=rss

Snap is upgrading the software that powers its augmented reality glasses as it gets ready for the first non-developer version of its "Specs" next year. The latest update to Snap OS includes an improved web browser, as well as the ability to browse Spotlight videos in AR.The company has long said that one of its goals for AR glasses is to enable people to spend less time staring at their phones. Snap hasn't quite accomplished that yet, but Snap OS is starting to get more features that could help the company get there.The company has redesigned the browser in Snap OS to make it easier to switch between sites and resize windows to different aspect ratios. It's also faster and more power efficient, with the ability to watch around 40 minutes of continuous video playback. (The current version of Spectacles tops out at around 45 minutes of battery life.) Speaking of video, Spectacles is also getting a dedicated lens for browsing Spotlight, Snapchat's short-form video platform. There's also a new gallery lens that allows you to preview photos you've snapped with the glasses' onboard camera and quickly scroll through them with hand gestures.The update arrives one year after the company first showed off its somewhat goofy-looking AR glasses. Since then, hundreds of developers have been experimenting with the device and creating their own AR lenses for the platform. But those experiences have so far had a very limited reach as the company has only made its AR Spectacles available to developers willing to pay a pricey subscription. That's set to change sometime in 2026, though, when Snap says it will start selling a smaller, lighter and more capable pair of glasses.The company has yet to divulge details about the redesigned form factor or what powers "Specs" will have. But the new version of Snap OS shows the company is trying to make its AR platform more useful.Jim Lanzone, the CEO of Engadget's parent company Yahoo, joined the board of directors at Snap on September 12, 2024. No one outside of Engadget's editorial team has any say in our coverage of the company.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/snaps-ar-glasses-are-getting-a-better-browser-and-support-for-spotlight-video-130009244.html?src=rss

If you want a powerful phone charger in the smallest size possible, Apple has the answer - but there is a tradeoff. The company's new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter is the first charger to support the USB PD 3.2 AVS (adjustable voltage supply) protocol so it can hit up to 60W, but only for a limited time. It was designed to work the company's new iPhone 17 models with faster charging speeds than previous iPhones. Lugging heavy chargers is a particularly bugbear of mine so the Dynamic Power Adapter stands out with a footprint not much bigger than the smallest 40W chargers. With AVS, it can provide a specific power level that's ideal for what a given device needs at specific times in its charge cycle. To that end, it can hit up 60W but only for a limited time period of around 18 minutes, according to one tester. "With Dynamic Power, you get many of the same benefits of higher-wattage chargers in a compact, pocket-size form factor," the Apple explains in the product description. "For faster charging, pair [it] with iPhone 17 models (50 percent battery in around 20 minutes) or iPhone Air (50 percent battery in around 30 minutes)." With its fold down prongs it'll easily slide into a pocket and not weigh you down like regular 60W chargers. For instance, Anker's popular Nano II 65W GaN charger is one of the smaller options available but is still about twice the size of Apple's new model. However, due to the limited time at higher wattages, it won't be suitable for charging laptops like some third-party models. The other rub is the price: The 40W Dynamic Power Adapter costs $40, almost twice as much as Anker's 65W charger. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apples-new-iphone-charger-dynamically-switches-between-40-and-60w-123053563.html?src=rss

If you're not already wearing a pair of AirPods all day, Apple's latest suite of features may convince you to do so. The company's latest model, the AirPods Pro 3 ($249), is Apple's most comprehensive update to its best set of earbuds. Flashy new features like Live Translation and heart-rate sensing will garner the bulk of the attention, but upgrades to active noise cancellation (ANC) and a significant boost in sound quality shouldn't be overlooked. And with a notable improvement in battery life, the company now provides enough power for you to use these AirPods for an entire work day. Importantly, Apple managed to do all this without raising the price. The AirPods Pro 3 also carry many of the same features that made the AirPods Pro 2 such a compelling option for iPhone users. Those include the robust hearing health tools, hands-free access to Siri, gesture-based notification interactions, audio sharing with another set of AirPods, simplified setup and more. Since I've gone over all of these at length before, and because there's a long list of updates on the AirPods Pro 3, I've chosen to focus primarily on the new tools in this review. But you shouldn't overlook the exhaustive set of features that the AirPods Pro have amassed over the years, especially when you consider how Apple continues to find new ways to deploy its H2 chip. Design changes on the AirPods Pro 3 With a cursory glance, you likely won't notice the design changes on the AirPods Pro 3. The company altered the shape of these smaller earbuds to align with the geometry of the ear canal for a more comfortable and secure fit. Of course, you'll also notice the newly installed heart-rate sensor upon closer inspection, covering a previously blank surface of the AirPods Pro 2. Once you remove the new foam-infused ear tips from the latest model though, you'll see the most obvious variation between the second- and third-generation versions. On the AirPods Pro 2, the grille protecting the driver sat flush with the surface of the main housing. Now, it's extended out from the rest of the earbud, with a nozzle-like component similar to what much of the competition uses. Apple also revised the angle of the drivers, so sound beams more directly into your ears rather than bouncing as much off of the sides. As such, a side-by-side comparison of the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2 will show you that the ear tips are pointing in slightly different directions. There are also some visual differences on the AirPods Pro 3's charging case. Like it did for the AirPods 4 last year, Apple has removed the Bluetooth pairing button entirely. You'll now double tap on the front of the case near the LED to activate that function while the AirPods Pro are in their case. Additionally, just like AirPods 4, the LED is now hidden, so you don't see the dot when it's not illuminated. It's a small thing, but as I noticed on last year's models, it makes the surface of the case look cleaner. A quick word about fit Billy Steele for Engadget Thanks to the AirPods Pro 3's revised curves and foam-filled ear tips, Apple is calling this model the best-fitting AirPods ever." While I do think that's true, I also believe that the new fit will take some getting used to - especially if you've worn the AirPods Pro 2 before. First, the new tips feel very different and seal off your ear canal in a more complete way than the Pro 2's silicone-only tips. If you've used foam ear tips before, you know they provide better passive noise isolation than their silicone counterparts, and that remains true here. In fact, you may need to go down a size to find the most comfortable fit with the AirPods Pro 3. For example, I typically wear medium ear tips, but those felt too tight here. After swapping them out for the small ones, I began to understand why Apple won't stop bragging about the updated fit. Upgraded ANC and its impact on other features Across the first two generations of the AirPods Pro, Apple had already made big strides in active noise cancellation. But with the AirPods Pro 3, the company ramped up its efforts several notches. Ultra-low-noise microphones combine with advanced computational audio to silence even more background noise. The new foam-infused ear tips play a major role here too, since they offer increased passive noise isolation. This trio of improvements allowed Apple to cover more of the noise spectrum, including higher frequencies like human voices. In the last week, there have been several times when I had the AirPods Pro 3 in and I couldn't hear someone talking right next to me. In fact, Apple says the latest model cancels twice as much noise as the AirPods Pro 2 and four times more than the original AirPods Pro. Obviously, I don't have a way to quantify that, but I can tell you the ANC performance on this new model was noticeably stronger than before. The improved seal the AirPods Pro 3's ear tips offer helps make Apple's ANC setup more precise. This allows the active noise cancellation system to be the foundation for several of the company's other features like the Hearing Test, Live Translation and more. For the Hearing Test, you can now be in slightly louder environments without Siri asking you to relocate to a quieter place. And with Live Translation, ANC will lower the voice of the person you're speaking to so you can focus on Siri playing the role of interpreter. Live Translation on the AirPods Pro 3 Billy Steele for Engadget At WWDC, Apple announced that Live Translation would be coming to Phone, FaceTime and Messages in iOS 26. There was no mention then that it would come to AirPods. Skip ahead to the iPhone 17 event and Live Translation was easily one of the most exciting new features announced for the AirPods Pro 3, because it will allow the wearer to translate in-person conversations with Apple's earbuds. Google has been offering real-time translation on Pixel Buds for years, so Apple is very late to the game here. However, the AirPods Pro 3 uses its H2 chip in different ways, and now combines Voice Isolation, ANC and the beamforming mics to enable Live Translation. What's more, you can activate it on the earbuds themselves (press and hold on both stems), ask Siri to start it or set the iPhone's Action Button to carry out the task. When Live Translation begins, ANC kicks in to muffle environmental noise and to reduce the volume of the person you're speaking to. Both are done so you can clearly hear Siri's translation through your AirPods. Siri will warn you when ambient sound levels are too high, asking you to move to a quieter spot so that it can hear the speaker better. Live Translation worked well, at least for my Spanish-to-English and French-to-English tests. Plus, a real-time transcription is visible in the Translate app so you can show it to the person you're chatting with - an element that'll be useful for international travel. Just know that if you're looking at your phone too, you'll see the translation there before the audio comes through your AirPods. This isn't surprising since the processing is being done by the connected iPhone, but seeing the English version right before I heard it was slightly confusing. You will need to enable Apple Intelligence on a compatible iPhone for Live Translation to work. The tool leverages Apple's AI to translate the meanings of phrases so that sentences have the proper context. The feature will also be available on any AirPods that have the H2 chip inside, which includes the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC. You'll have to download the different language models before you get started, too. Apple explains that the downloads would be required for offline use, but Siri prompted me to do so to use Live Translation even when I was was connected. Lastly, only five languages are supported at launch: English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. Apple says Italian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese (simplified) are coming later this year. Heart-rate tracking finally arrives Billy Steele for Engadget After initially debuting heart-rate sensing capabilities on the Powerbeats Pro 2, Apple is now bringing it to the AirPods Pro 3. Like with the Powerbeats model, heart rate data from the AirPods can be accessed by Apple's own Fitness app in addition to other workout apps like Nike Run Club, Runna, Ladder and Peloton. Basically, if an app works with the Powerbeats Pro 2, it should work with the AirPods Pro 3, and it should do so by the time those earbuds ship. As always, I expect even more integrations will be announced in the future, so don't panic if your go-to app has worked with Apple gear in the past but doesn't yet support the AirPods Pro 3. I exclusively tested the new heart-rate sensing tech on the AirPods Pro 3 with Apple's Fitness app. I'm an Apple Watch owner and that's where the bulk of my stats already reside. Speaking of the Watch, you don't have to worry about conflicting streams of heart rate info if you're using it as well as the AirPods Pro 3 during a workout. Apple explained that its devices will work together to provide multiple streams of data for better coverage of your activity. What's more, if you don't wear your Apple Watch during a session, the Fitness app will use data gathered from the AirPods Pro 3 to still log your stats for your Move, Exercise and Stand rings. During this review, I used the AirPods Pro 3 to monitor my heart rate primarily during outdoor walks. The earbuds actually support 50 different workouts in the Fitness app though, with HIIT, yoga and paddling among the available options. You can even track a session at the archery range. You'll see live heart rate metrics on the workout screen alongside stats like time and distance, and your average heart rate will be displayed in the workout summary when you're done. Heart rate info is also displayed with Live Activities on the lock screen and is a tap away on the icon in the Dynamic Island. So far, I haven't encountered any issues leaving my Watch at home and relying solely on the AirPods Pro 3. The earbuds provided a constant stream of data to the Fitness app. The AirPods Pro 3's sound quality The AirPods Pro 3 (left) vs. the AirPods Pro 2 (right). Billy Steele for Engadget The improvement to sound quality on the AirPods Pro 3 isn't exclusively due to its new drivers/transducers. Although those components were revised this generation, Apple's biggest strides in the audio department are also thanks to increased air flow inside the earbuds. The company developed a new multiport acoustic architecture for better control of the air that delivers sounds into the ear. This allowed Apple to significantly improve bass response while providing a wider soundstage and increased vocal clarity. With all of that air to move around, Apple had to tweak its drivers for the task, but also make sure its tuning covered all the needed frequencies adequately. But those transducers remain the same size as the AirPods Pro 2. As I mentioned, Apple also reconfigured their angle so they now beam sound more directly into the ear canal. You might recall that an angular adjustment was also part of the company's strategy for improving audio quality on the AirPods 4. The improvement you hear first will depend on the style of music you choose. Pick something with big, bombastic drums like Deftones' my mind is a mountain" and you'll immediately notice the warmer, boomier bass. Opt for a track like Hayley Williams' True Believer" and your initial impression will likely be the enhanced vocal quality. And if you go for a song like Sleep Token's Dangerous" that's more atmospheric, you'll get a great sense of the expanded soundstage. Oftentimes audio companies make claims about sound quality improvements that don't translate to what I actually hear. With the AirPods Pro 3, all of Apple's proclamations not only hold true but are obvious, observable improvements. Call quality and voice performance Apple's best-in-class transparency mode has been one of my favorite things about AirPods for years. No other company manages to handle ambient sound in a way that's so clear it's almost as if you aren't wearing earbuds at all. With the AirPods Pro 3, Apple says it took things even further, making your voice and the voices of those around you sound more natural and vibrant." The company points specifically to Hearing Aid and Live Translation as areas where this fine-tuned transparency mode will help, but it will also be a boost to voice and video calls, too. Since Apple does such a good job of feeding your voice back through the AirPods Pro 3 and other transparency-enabled AirPods models, you never feel the need to talk louder to hear yourself on calls. It lets you relax and speak normally, and makes a day's worth of Zoom calls much less exhausting. The AirPods Pro 3 support Apple's newly introduced studio-quality voice recording as well. Arriving with iOS 26, the feature allows you to capture higher-quality vocal clips in apps like Camera, Voice Memos, Messages, FaceTime and any CallKit-enabled software. And when you're recording video with an iPhone, you can now quickly select AirPods as the main audio source. The earbuds can act as a lavalier microphone with voice pickup that's closer to your mouth. The AirPods Pro 3's battery life Billy Steele for Engadget Even with all of the new features, Apple still managed to extend the AirPods Pro's battery life. With ANC enabled, you can now expect up to eight hours of use on a charge - two hours longer than the AirPods Pro 2. This means you could be able to wear the new model for a full day of work without having to charge them. Additionally, Apple says that if you're using transparency mode with the Hearing Aid feature, AirPods Pro 3 will last up to 10 hours. So far, I have no reason to think Apple has overstated battery life on the AirPods Pro 3. I haven't conducted a straight battery rundown test yet as I've been focused on trying all of the new features at various times over the last few days. I will update this review later this week with the results of my battery test though. If you find the promised eight hours still isn't enough, a five-minute rest in the case will be enough to give you an hour of use. That's long enough to get you through a quick workout or a call when you need to keep things hands-free. There is an important caveat with the case though. Despite the extended use time on the earbuds themselves, the total battery life including the case is reduced to 24 hours from the previous 30. There's also a new ultra wideband chip (U2) in the charging case that Apple says has increased the distance for Precision Find My by one and a half times compared to the previous version. The competition Since the regular" AirPods now offer ANC, Apple's primary competition for the AirPods Pro 3 comes from within its own product lineup. The AirPods 4 with ANC offer an open-type fit even though they have impressive noise-blocking abilities, so they may be more comfortable for those who don't like buds sticking into their ear canals. You'll get Live Translation there too, but you won't be able to access heart-rate tracking and Apple's suite of hearing health tools. That might not matter to those who want to save some money though, as the AirPods 4 with ANC are $179 versus $249 for the AirPods Pro 3. All AirPods are really a conduit for Apple's ecosystem, so if you don't mind missing some iPhone integrations and special features, there are worthwhile alternatives. Sony's WF-1000XM5 remains a jack of all trades, offering a set of features that perhaps only Apple can rival. The difference being that Sony's tools will work with both iOS and Android, of course. The second-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are your best bet for pure noise-canceling abilities, and if you demand pristine sound, consider Noble Audio's FoKus Rex5. Wrap-up The AirPods Pro 3 is the biggest update to Apple's earbuds lineup in years. The sum of the company's upgrades here are more significant than the choice to finally bring ANC to the regular" AirPods last year. The combination of more precise ANC, improved sound quality, heart-rate tracking, Live Translation and longer battery life is a lot to explore. And that's not even counting the redesign and new ear tips that offer a more secure fit, two items that directly address one of the main criticisms of previous AirPods models. If recent history is any indication, the company will continue to add new features to this third-generation version. I highly doubt that Apple is finished exploiting the power of the H2 chip, so it's just getting started with what the AirPods Pro 3 can do. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/airpods-pro-3-review-a-significant-update-to-apples-best-earbuds-120028170.html?src=rss

It has been just over a month since 8Bitdo released its Pro 3 controller. While the new model is a great option, its predecessor shouldn't be kicked to the wayside - especially when it's on sale. Right now, Prime members can get the 8Bitdo Pro 2 wireless Bluetooth controller and a travel case for $40, down from $60. The 34 percent discount solves our biggest gripe about the device: that it's too big to carry around sans case. Plus, it gives you a cheaper option that's also compatible with the new Nintendo Switch 2. However, this Amazon deal is strictly available for Prime members. Despite launching in 2021, the Pro 2 was still our choice for best PlayStation-style mobile gaming controller this year. It works well with Android and iOS systems and has extensive customization options when you use your phone. Plus, the design is comfortable to hold and available in multiple colors. If you're interested in upgrading to the Bitdo Pro 3 instead, now is a good time. Amazon is offering a 10 percent discount at checkout for the $70 wireless Bluetooth controller, bringing it down to $63. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/8bitdos-pro-2-controller-with-travel-case-is-on-sale-for-40-for-prime-members-115247180.html?src=rss

Streaming platforms once again dominated the 2025 Primetime Emmy awards (77th edition), while network TV was shut out of the the major filmed categories. Apple TV+ came out on top with seven total wins including four for The Studio: Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor (Seth Rogen), Outstanding Directing (Rogen and Evan Goldberg) and Outstanding Writing. "I've never won anything in my life," Rogen said during his off-the-cuff acceptance speech. "When I was a kid I bought a used bowling trophy."Apple+ also garnered two acting awards for Severance, including Britt Lower (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series) and Tramell Tillman (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series). However, HBO Max's medical drama The Pitt surprisingly pipped Severance for the Best Outstanding Drama Series, while also earning Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa drama series awards for Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Supporting Actress, respectively. HBO Max also scooped awards for its comedy series Hacks with Jean Smart taking the Outstanding Lead Actress trophy and Hannah Einbinder winning for Outstanding Supporting Actress.Netflix took the prize for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series with critical darling Adolescence, with that same show earning Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty Emmys for lead actor and supporting actor and actress, respectively (at 15, Cooper is the youngest-ever male winner of a Primetime acting Emmy). That show also won Emmys for outstanding directing and writing for a limited or anthology series or movie.The Emmys showed again how prestige and money continue to shift from networks to streamers. CBS's only Emmy was for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a show it canceled in August. NBC won for the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special, while cabler HBO took prizes for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (Outstanding Scripted Variety Series and Outstanding Writing) along with The Penguin (Cristin Milioti for Outstanding Lead Actress) and Somebody Somewhere (Jeff Hiller for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series).This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/apple-tv-won-big-at-the-primetime-emmys-with-severance-and-the-studio-093051329.html?src=rss

It's been over one year since Intuit shut down the popular budgeting app Mint. I was a Mint user for many years; millions of other users like me enjoyed how easily Mint allowed us to track all accounts in one place and monitor credit scores. I also used it regularly to help me track spending, set goals like pay my mortgage down faster and with general money management.

A great mobile phone doesn't need to cost a fortune. In 2025, features once exclusive to high-end devices - big batteries, multi-camera arrays, high refresh rate OLED displays and more - have trickled down to more affordable models. Sure, you'll still need to buy a flagship smartphone to get the best camera or fastest processor, but you don't need to compromise nearly as much anymore if you're looking for a great handset at a reasonable price. If you have less than $600 to spend, let us help you figure out what features to prioritize when trying to find the best midrange smartphone. Table of contents

Another day, another adorable game that I've become completely obsessed with. I came across Roly-Pony this weekend during a particularly soul-sucking bout of doomscrolling, and it's turned out to be the perfect little temporary respite from the horrors. (Shoutout to Alice Ruppert of The Mane Quest for always keeping us informed about the latest in horse games).Roly-Pony is a Suika-style game, meaning it involves dropping and stacking round objects in order to create matching pairs that combine to become different, bigger objects. That'll also clear up space on the board in the process, which is important because, similar to Tetris, you can't allow the objects to pile too high. In this case, you start with horse treats and keep building on them until you've unlocked a bunch of different horses. It's very simple and very cute, with peaceful music going in the background and a lot of little details that people who love horses will really appreciate.The game is free and playable on both the web and mobile, with a leaderboard so you can see how you rank. I naively thought I would just quickly check this game out (because, horses) and move on after a few minutes, but have instead spent hours this weekend trying to crack the top 10. I've now got it bookmarked on both my laptop and my phone, so at this point there's no end in sight. Roly-Pony is free, but there's an option to send a few dollars the developers' way on itch.io if you want to support their work.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/this-horse-themed-browser-puzzle-game-is-an-absolute-delight-and-i-cant-stop-playing-it-214313395.html?src=rss

The Stop Killing Games campaign is continuing to gain momentum after hitting more than a million signatures in July. After a July 31st deadline, the movement secured around 1.45 million signatures, which the organizers are currently in the process of verifying. The initiative aims to enact legislation that preserves access to video games, even when developers decide to end support, as seen with Ubisoft when it delisted The Crew and revoked access to players who already purchased the game. There were some early concerns about the potential for falsely-submitted signatures, but the latest update from organizers said that early reports show around 97 percent of the signatures are valid.According to the European Commission's website, EU authorities have three months to verify the signatures once they are submitted. After that, the organizers said they will personally deliver the petition to the European Commission. With initial estimates clearing the threshold of one million verified signatures, the following steps involve getting meetings with both the European Commission and the European Parliament.From the date of the initiative's submission, the European Union will get six months to decide what to do regarding the Stop Killing Games movement. There is the possibility of the governing bodies not taking any action at all, but the organizers said they are "preparing to ensure our initiative cannot be ignored." To prepare for the meetings, the organizers said they will be reaching out to members of Parliament and the Commission, while also trying to counter any misinformation or industry lobbying. For now, the campaign will post more frequent updates on its Discord community and social media channels.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-stop-killing-games-movement-is-nearing-an-official-meeting-with-eu-lawmakers-191535413.html?src=rss

It's been quite the wait, but the fourth season of The Witcher is almost here. In a teaser shared this weekend, Netflix finally revealed the release date: October 30. The video also provided an extended look at Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia - a casting change that fans naturally have a lot of feelings about after Henry Cavill won their hearts with his take on the character in the first three seasons. The minute-and-a-half-long clip doesn't give away too much about season four, but we now have a proper sense of what our new Geralt looks and sounds like.This season will also see Laurence Fishburne join as Regis, Sharlto Copley as Leo Bonhart and James Purefoy as Skellen. It's the second to last season of the Netflix adaptation, and the streaming company has said that the two final seasons will cover the last three books in the series: Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow and Lady of the Lake. But, fans still have more Witcher content to look forward to yet outside of the show. The Witcher 4 (the game) is on the way, though we don't yet have a release date.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-witcher-season-4-will-hit-netflix-in-october-with-its-new-geralt-183241887.html?src=rss

Fortunately for Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 owners, the FOMO from Apple's announcement of its AirPods Pro 3 last week was short-lived. After introducing the latest Beats ear hook style headphones in February, Apple is introducing new features and updating the heart rate tracking functionality of the Powerbeats Pro 2 with the upcoming release of iOS 26.With the latest iOS upgrade, Powerbeats Pro 2 integrates better with Apple's Fitness app, giving users more accurate data and the choice of up to 50 different workout types. For Apple's Fitness+ users, the Beats earbuds will also show the heart rate, calories burned and "Burn Bar" metrics in real time. Outside the Fitness app, iOS 26 will bring smaller improvements like being able to use a single earbud for heart rate monitoring, better accuracy when counting steps even when your iPhone isn't on you and a new algorithm that churns out faster heart rate readings. To make your life easier, the updated Powerbeats Pro 2 will send you a notification to get a better fit for more accurate heart rate monitoring and can sense if you nod or shake your head in response to Siri asking you to answer an incoming call or hear a text.All of these iOS 26 upgrades for the Powerbeats Pro 2 will mostly put it in line with the AirPods Pro 3 features when the update releases on September 15. However, in our review of the Beats earbuds, we found that they offered mediocre ANC performance. It's worth noting that Android users for the Powerbeats Pro 2 won't get many of the Apple-branded features that come with iOS 26.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/some-much-needed-upgrades-are-coming-to-powerbeats-pro-2-with-ios-26-181716994.html?src=rss

Even though Google's AI Overviews were introduced with a comically rocky start, it's about to face a far more serious challenge. Penske Media, the publisher for Rolling Stone, Variety, Billboard and others, filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming the tech giant illegally powers its AI Overviews feature with content from its sites. Penske claimed in the lawsuit that the AI feature is also "siphoning and discouraging user traffic to PMC's and other publishers' websites," adding that "the revenue generated by those visits will decline."The lawsuit, filed in Washington, DC's federal district court, claims that about 20 percent of Google searches that link to one of Penske's sites now have AI Overviews. The media company argued that this percentage will continue to increase and that its affiliate revenue through 2024 dropped by more than a third from its peak. Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said that the tech giant will "defend against these meritless claims" and that "AI Overviews send traffic to a greater diversity of sites."Earlier this year, Google faced a similar lawsuit from Chegg, an educational tech company that's known for textbook rentals. Like Penske Media, this lawsuit alleged that Google's AI Overviews hurt website traffic and revenue for Chegg. However, the Penske lawsuit is the first time that Google has faced legal action from a major US publisher about its AI search capabilities.Beyond Google's legal troubles, other AI companies have also been facing their own court cases. In 2023, the New York Times sued OpenAI, claiming the AI company used published news articles to train its chatbots without offering compensation. More recently, Anthropic agreed to pay a $1.5 billion settlement in a class action lawsuit targeting its Claude chatbot's use of copyrighted works.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-faces-its-first-ai-overviews-lawsuit-from-a-major-us-publisher-162333462.html?src=rss

Apple Music is running a promo in which new subscribers can get three free months of the Family Plan tier. That's a savings of $51, which is nothing to sneeze at. After this lengthy free trial is up, it costs $17 per month. The Family Plan allows six different users to access the platform. It offers cross-device support and each user is tied to an Apple ID, so their favorite music won't mess with anyone else's algorithm. Apple Music actually topped our list of the best music streaming platforms, and for good reason. It sounds great and it's easy to use. What else is there? All music is available in CD quality or higher and there are plenty of personalized playlists and the like. The platform also operates a number of live radio stations, which is fun. The service is available for Android devices, but it really shines on Apple products. To that end, the web and Windows PC apps aren't as polished as the iOS version. It doesn't pay artists properly, but that's true of every music streaming platform. Apple Music does pay out more than Spotify, but that's an incredibly low bar. Offer for new subscribers redeeming on eligible devices. Auto-renews at $16.99/mo until cancelled. Requires Family Sharing. Terms apply. 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/this-apple-music-promotion-gives-new-subscribers-three-free-months-of-the-family-plan-151240879.html?src=rss

A California bill that would require operating system and app store providers to verify users' ages before they can download apps has cleared the Assembly 58-0, and will now move on to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Politico reports. The Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043), introduced by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, does not require photo identification for verification, but puts the onus on the platforms to provide tools for parents to indicate the user's age during a device's setup, and use this information steer kids toward age-appropriate content and screen time.It comes after Utah and Texas both adopted app store age verification laws earlier this year that have been criticized as posing potential privacy risks, and faced opposition from the likes of Google and Apple. The California bill has been received more positively by Big Tech, with Google, Meta and others putting out statements in support of it in the leadup to a Senate vote on Friday. Kareem Ghanem, Google's Senior Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy, called the bill "one of the most thoughtful approaches we've seen thus far to the challenges of keeping kids safe, recognizing that it's a shared responsibility across the ecosystem." Gov. Newsom now has until October 13 to sign or veto the bill, according to Politico.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/californias-age-verification-bill-for-app-stores-and-operating-systems-takes-another-step-forward-214339759.html?src=rss

Following her son's suicide, Becca Dallas filed a potentially groundbreaking lawsuit against Roblox and Discord, accusing the platforms of wrongful death. As first reported by The New York Times, the lawsuit recounts the events leading up to Ethan Dallas' death, detailing his interactions with a player named Nate. According to the report, Nate was likely a 37-year-old man named Timothy O'Connor, who was previously arrested on charges of "possessing child pornography and transmitting harmful material to minors." The report added that Ethan opened up about these incidents to his mom before committing suicide four months after the confession.The lawsuit could be the first of its kind against Roblox, according to NYTimes, considering it attributes some blame to the gaming platform that's home to tens of millions of underaged players. In a statement responding to the report, a Roblox spokesperson said that child safety issues are seen across the industry and that the company was working on new safety features, while also complying with law enforcement.This isn't the first time Roblox has faced complaints of being a dangerous place for underage players. In August, Louisiana's attorney general, Liz Murrill, filed a lawsuit that claimed Roblox doesn't "implement basic safety controls" to protect its underage user base. That lawsuit follows a similar investigation launched by Florida's attorney general James Uthmeier, who demanded answers to the reports of Roblox reportedly exposing kids to "harmful content and bad actors." Roblox has taken steps to combat these allegations, including tightening restrictions on its Experiences, and more recently, expanding its age estimation tool to all users.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/roblox-hit-with-wrongful-death-lawsuit-following-a-teen-players-suicide-201501296.html?src=rss

Kodak has shrunk a camera to fit onto a keyring, but it still manages to shoot both photo and video. It's hard not to compare the Kodak Charmera to the ubiquitous Labubu craze, considering the highly collectible nature of Reto Pro selling these officially licensed mini cameras as a single blind box for $29.99 or a full set of six for $179.94. The keyring cameras, which only weigh 30 grams, are already sold out on the Reto Pro website, but are expected to be restocked.The blind box can be unwrapped for one of seven designs, including one secret version that has a transparent shell to show off the tiny camera's internals. According to the website, the basic style odds are one out of six, while the secret edition has a probability of one out of 48. Whichever design you get, each Charmera comes with a keyring to Labubu-bify it to your belt loop or bag and a USB-C cable to export your photos or videos to other devices.Inspired by Kodak's first single-use camera from the '80s called the Fling, the Chamera sports a throwback design that can shoot 1.6-megapixel images with a 1,440 x 1,080 resolution and videos at 30fps. Nobody should expect any ultrasharp images, but you can customize your shots with Kodak frames, vintage filters and a date stamp. We're not expecting the Charmera to deliver the highest-quality images, but just like the Gameboy Camera, that won't make it any less fun to use.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/kodaks-mini-camera-fits-on-your-keyring-and-is-smaller-than-an-airpods-case-184227505.html?src=rss

The rear-wheel drive trim of the Tesla Cybertruck lasted about five months before it was unceremoniously removed from online sales. The Long Range model represented the most affordable Cybertruck option with its starting price of $69,990, but visitors to Tesla's online configurator can now only choose between the all-wheel drive model that starts at $79,990 and the Cyberbeast trim, which goes for at least $114,990.Tesla launched the Long Range version of the Cybertruck in April, which arrived at $10,000 more than originally expected. Along with an elevated price tag, Tesla removed several features, including the power tonneau cover, adaptive suspension, a touchscreen for the back row, the rear lightbar and outlets in the truck bed. The RWD version also came with less towing power, a lower payload capacity and only one motor. While unrelated, the federal tax credit for EV buyers in the US is coming to a close at the end of the month, making the purchase of a Long Range model even less of a bargain.Tesla didn't officially offer any explanation about the removal of the Long Range option from its website, but it could be attributed to low Cybertruck sales overall. According to a report from Cox Automotive, the parent company of Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, Tesla only sold 4,306 Cybertrucks in the second quarter of the year, which is a more than 50 percent drop in sales during the same time period last year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/teslas-most-affordable-cybertruck-gets-scrapped-after-a-whopping-five-months-164322445.html?src=rss

Snapchat has introduced a couple of new features it says are "highly requested" by its users. The first is "Infinite Retention," which as its name implies will allow you to keep a chat history like you could on a messaging app and prevent your messages from disappearing. "We've often heard from our community that Snapchatters want to save their chats forever and wish they could build streaks with their favorite groups," its announcement reads.The app has been testing the feature since 2024, and now it's being rolled out broadly. You could already save messages in the app by tapping on them inside the chat, but this one makes things easier. It's a setting you'll just have to switch on or off for each conversation. If you enable the setting, the other person in the conversation will get a notification that you did, and they will be able to switch it off if they want. You can, for instance, switch Infinite Retention on for a close friend but keep it off for acquaintances.In addition, Snapchat is rolling out Group Streaks that will let you contribute to a collective Streak with your friends. To keep up individual Streaks, you'll have to send and receive at least one photo or video Snap with a friend every day. Group Streaks are easier to keep going, since several people can participate. You can also restore a Group Streak within a week in case it ends.Jim Lanzone, the CEO of Engadget's parent company Yahoo, joined the board of directors at Snap on September 12, 2024. No one outside of Engadget's editorial team has any say in our coverage of the company.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/snapchat-rolls-out-group-streaks-and-infinite-retention-for-chats-150048128.html?src=rss

The Anker Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds are back on sale for a record-low price of $45 a 44 percent discount. These earbuds remain our top pick for best budget wireless earbuds. The most significant feature on the A40 earbuds is the inclusion of active noise cancellation (ANC), which is almost unheard of at this price point. It's not the most sophisticated ANC, but it does sufficiently reduce constant rumbling background noise like on a plane. The built-in mic that's used for transparency mode and phone calls is a bit subpar, especially when used in noisy areas. These are budget-friendly, so while they can't be expected to compete on audio quality with flagship headphones that cost hundreds of dollars, the sound is still impressive given their low cost. The sound profile is warm, with a strong upper-bass, while some of the higher frequencies lose finer details. For those wanting to fine-tune the sound on the A40s, the earbuds can be paired with the Soundcore app, which includes an EQ. The small, round earpieces help make the A40s comfortable to wear for extended periods, and the charging case extends the already solid 10-hour battery life by another 50 or so hours. The Anker Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds are already one of the best value options on the market, and this sale makes them even more appealing. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-budget-wireless-earbuds-are-back-on-sale-for-45-152704145.html?src=rss

xAI has laid off at least 500 workers from its data annotation team, the company's largest, according to Business Insider. The annotation team is in charge of categorizing and contextualizing raw data used to train Grok so that it can understand the world better. Business Insider says the laid off employees were informed via email on the evening of September 12, Friday, that it was going to downsize its team of general AI tutors. They were reportedly told that they would be paid their salaries until the end of their contracts on November 30, but their access to xAI's systems had been cut off after they received the notice.When Reuters asked the company for a comment, it referred to a post on X wherein it posted a call for specialist AI tutors instead. xAI said that it will "immediately surge [its] Specialist AI tutor team by 10x" and that it's hiring across STEM fields. As specialist tutors, the new hires will be "enhancing [the company's] AI technologies through high-quality inputs, labels and annotations using specialized software." They'll gather data and provide their own, not only in text format, but also through audio recordings and video sessions.As Reuters has noted, the layoffs come after several high-profile departures from xAI, including the company's chief financial officer Mike Liberatore. The company launched Grok 4 in July, calling it the "smartest AI in the world." Elon Musk claimed during the model's reveal that if you make Grok 4 take the SATs and the GREs, it would get near perfect results every time and can answer questions it's never seen before. He also proclaimed that Grok is going to invent new tech maybe later this year, and that he would be shocked if it doesn't happen next year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/xai-reportedly-laid-off-at-least-500-ai-tutors-working-on-grok-130059624.html?src=rss

Welcome to our latest recap of what's going on in the indie game space. This week, the revived Acclaim held a very fun showcase (and we'll get to some of the games from that). But on Friday, Nintendo soaked up all the attention with an hour-long Direct. Sure, it included some first-party games, such as Mario Tennis Fever, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and a Donkey Kong Bananzaexpansion. But Nintendo highlighted several indie games in the newsy showcase, too.Hades 2 is arguably the highest-profile name among those, and the full version isn't far away at all - it'll hit Switch, Switch 2, Steam and Epic Games Store on September 25. Stardew Valley, Human Fall Flat, Overcooked 2 and PowerWash Simulator 2 are getting Switch 2 versions as well.It wouldn't be a Nintendo Direct without a shadowdrop. Sure enough, Lynked: Banner of the Spark landed on Switch and Switch 2 on Friday, with mouse control and GameShare support on the newer system. This is an action RPG from FuzzyBot and publisher Dreamhaven that looks a bit like a cross between Hades and Hi-Fi Rush.I'll be honest, I've had Lynked: Banner of the Spark sitting on my PC for months. I'm definitely interested in checking it out, but it's just one of those things that's unfortunately slipped further and further down my to-play list. I'm still hoping to carve out time to properly check it out before it's time to start putting together our games of the year list.Popucom (which debuted on Steam earlier this year) also looks pretty intriguing. From Hypergryph and publisher Gryph Frontier, this is a multiplayer-only adventure platformer in which you take out enemies with match three-style shooting.Here's the twist: each player only has two colors, so you'll need to work together to fire the correct blobs at bad guys and obstacles. Popucom is coming to Switch this holiday season.New releasesLittle Problems: A Cozy Detective Game is a new title from the small team at female-led Indonesian developer Posh Cat Studio and publisher Amplified Games. As the name suggests, it's a slice-of-life detective game that sees you getting to the bottom of misunderstandings and minor inconveniences.You play as freshman student Mary, and one of the first mysteries you'll have to solve involves finding the location where her study group is supposed to meet after she forgets where to go on her first day of school. The game has 10 cases overall and each has a set of puzzles to solve. It's said to have "simple mechanics that grow into playful twists and surprising solutions."Little Problems seems quite charming and just the kind of low-fi puzzle game that I might vibe with. It's out now on Steam and it usually costs $10, but there's a 10 percent discount until September 23.Disc golf feels like it would be a fun sport to get into and while there are a few courses near me, they're not exactly easy to get to without a car. So I might just have to make do with Disc Golf City, which came out of early access on Steam for PC, Mac and Linux this week. The action takes place in a colorful city, and you can bounce your disc off of objects in the environment to pull off trick shots and try to land it in the basket.Disc Golf City, which is from Agapo Games, costs $13. There's also a demo you can check out.Another game that came out of early access on Steam and GOG this week is Beyond Sunset. This is a cyberpunk (not that one) first-person shooter with RPG elements from Metacorp / Vaporware and publisher Movie Games.I love when a vaporwave color palette is put to good use and the lo-fi visuals here just feel right. The fast-paced movement looks pretty interesting too - it's not hard to tell that the developers took inspiration from the Doom series. Beyond Sunset costs $10.It feels like I can't go on the internet for five minutes without learning about a new sidescrolling Metroidvania game. Still, Katanaut is one I've had my eye on for a while. You'll be facing the horrors that have taken over a space station using an array of weapons, skills and perks.This is a roguelite from Voidmaw in which there are new pathways to explore on each run. There is some permanent progression here, as you'll pick up memory fragments during your journey through the station's gore-soaked corridors. It was also revealed this week that Acclaim is the publisher of Katanaut, which is available on Steam.UpcomingPacific Drivewas one of the more interesting-looking games from last year that I just haven't gotten around to checking out yet. It's a driving sim and survival horror game set in a supernatural version of the Pacific Northwest, in which you scour the landscape for parts to upgrade your car and, hopefully, stay alive.Ironwood Studios and publisher Kepler Interactive this week announced the Whispers in the Woods expansion for Pacific Drive. Slated to arrive later this year, the DLC adds around eight to 12 hours of gameplay with new characters, dangers, mysteries and anomalies to encounter. Other updates include route modifiers and garage cosmetics to find.The rest of this week's upcoming games are all from Acclaim, since I found just about everything in that showcase intriguing. The first game that the publisher showed off was GridBeat from Ridiculous Games.Blending together puzzles, tactics and dungeon crawling, GridBeat will see you infiltrate a corporate computer network and try to escape with valuable data while security programs and malware attempt to stop you. You'll find more abilities and power-ups along the way. Crucially, you need to move in time to the music, since it's a rhythm game as well. There's a lot going on here! GridBeat is coming to Steam, but there's no release window as yet.One thing I was really hoping to see during Acclaim's showcase was the return of NBA Jam. We didn't quite get that, but I'll absolutely take Basketball Classics in its place. Acclaim has taken over publishing duties for this retro, NES-style arcade basketball title from Namo Gamo. It features 5-on-5 sidescrolling action with simplified controls, hundreds of teams, more than 1,000 players and multiple modes (including couch multiplayer).I hadn't heard of Basketball Classics until now, but it's been out on Steam for several years. Acclaim is helping to bring it to consoles sometime soon.I do love PowerWash Simulator and am looking forward to the sequel. Pixel Washer looks like a different flavor of that format.As a cute lil' piggy with a power washer, you'll be cleaning just about everything in sight. The trailer suggests that things might get weird, and it even seems like there are boss fights. Valadria is the developer behind Pixel Washer, which is coming to Steam down the line.HyperYuki: Snowboard Syndicate looks like the offspring of SSX and Jet Set Radio, and that's enough to sell me on the game. An easy addition to my wishlist.Wabisabi Design is making this snowboarding game that pits you against NPCs and/or human players in races. In the main game mode, you'll need to complete a certain number of challenges in each level before you can move on, which is very much keeping in with the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater format. There's also a relaxing endless mode, where you can just hang out and explore or, like, whatever.HyperYuki: Snowboard Syndicate supports split-screen play and online multiplayer for up to eight people. Again, there's no confirmed release date or window as yet, this one is coming to Steam.Acclaim notes that it is "actively exploring console releases" for its games. "Our goal is to bring these experiences to as many players as possible, and we'll have more updates to share as development progresses," the publisher added.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/cozy-detectives-urban-disc-golf-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-110029695.html?src=rss

Instagram fixed a bug that caused the reach of some users' Stories to shrink when they posted more than one Story a day, Instagram head Adam Mosseri shared on Friday. The fix addresses a common complaint shared by creators in the last year that they were disincentivized to use Stories because of how regularly using the feature impacted the number of people who actually saw their posts."People were complaining about getting less reach with their Stories if they posted lots of Stories in the same day," Mosseri said in a video announcing the change. "That is not at all the intended behavior of Instagram." Fixing the bug doesn't mean every Story you add will be watched, but Mosseri says posting multiple Stories a day won't negatively impact the reach of your Stories overall, especially your first Story.

Fans will have to wait a little bit longer for the hotly-anticipated Balatro 1.1 update. Developer LocalThunk just announced it will not be coming out in 2025, despite previously promising a release this year. Instead, it'll come out "when it's done."It's worth remembering that Balatro was created by a single person, and the same goes for this update. The lone developer also made the original balance patch and the well-regarded mobile port. He says he's "well and truly burned out."LocalThunk apologizes for the delay and says "it has become clear now that it won't happen by the end of the year." It's actually nice to let us know now instead of forcing us to wonder where the update is for the next several months."I still consider this my hobby," he wrote. "The prospect of rushing the work and going back into crunch mode to get it out this year just felt terrible."Now for some good news. The update is definitely coming, just not right now. It'll be free for all players on all platforms. The developer also hinted that this update would not be the final DLC drop for the game.For the uninitiated, Balatro is a deckbuilding roguelike that's loosely based on poker. Consider it the highly addictive sequel to poker we never knew we needed. It has proven to be a bona-fide phenomenon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/balatros-big-2025-update-wont-be-coming-out-this-year-after-all-183511401.html?src=rss

An iPad might be the most versatile Apple device you can buy. They can run apps and games like your phone yet they're as powerful as some laptops. You can use them to read books like on an ereader or watch shows like its a mini TV. But they're not the cheapest tablets out there, so it's wise to look for sales when you can find them. You won't see discounts directly from Apple, but Amazon, Target, Best Buy and B&H Photo often offer discounts on Apple's slates. All week long, we keep an eye out for deals on tech and we've rounded up the best iPad deals we could find right here. (We also threw in a few deals on other Apple gear that were too good not to mention.) Best iPad deals Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, M4) for $899 ($100 off): The iPad Pro is much more tablet than most people need, but it's the ultimate iPad for those who can stomach its price tag. It's wonderfully thin, its OLED display is one of the best we've seen on a consumer device and its M4 chip can handle virtually anything you'd ever do on an iPad. It's also the only Apple tablet with Face ID and it has a better speaker setup than the iPad Air. We gave it a score of 84 in our review, with the only real drawback being its price. Also at B&H, or BJ's for $20 less if you have a membership there. Best Apple deals Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $199 ($50 off): Now that the AirPods Pro 3 is open for pre-orders, the Pro 2 model isn't likely to be around much longer. But there's no telling when the new version will see a discount. The third-gen earbuds do have a bunch of new features, but if you don't need the latest model, you may be perfectly happy with the second-generation buds. We gave them an 88 in our review and they held a top spot in our best earbud guide for years. Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS only, 46 mm) for $429 ($70 off): This is another Apple device that's soon to be gone from the shelves - but it's worth noting that the new Series 11 and this model have the same hardware design (though the new one has a tougher screen) and both use the same processor chip. We named the Series 10 the best smartwatch you can buy (just expect it to be usurped by the new generation) and gave it a 90 in our review. But if you want the latest watch, the Apple Watch Series 11 is open for pre-orders now. Apple EarPods for $16 ($3 off): Some people prefer a wire with their earbuds. If that's you, you can snag these for just $16, which makes it one of the cheapest Apple-branded items you can get. They don't have the bells and whistles of the new AirPods Pro 3. But they're far more affordable. Apple AirTags (4-pack) for $75 ($24 off): We may see an updated model by the end of 2025, but the current AirTags are the best Bluetooth trackers for iPhone users thanks to their vast finding network and accurate ultrawide band features that make it easy to locate things that're close by. Just note that you'll need a separate AirTag holder to attach them to your keys, wallet or bag. This isn't a great deal for a four-pack - the bundle was available for $70 last week and $65 during Amazon's Prime Day - but it's still a bit lower than the four-pack's list price. Also at Best Buy and Walmart. Apple 35W Dual USB-C Port adapter for $39 ($20 off): It's always good to have a few extra ports around. This is the adapter that ships with the M4 with 10core GPU MacBook Air, and it can quickly charge iPads, iPhones and anything else powered by USB-C, too. Walmart is also selling Apple's 2-meter fast charge cable for $23 ($6 off). Read more Apple coverage:

Whenever there's a Nintendo Direct in September, you can be pretty sure that it'll be a major edition of the showcase. Given that Friday's one was scheduled to be about an hour long and that Nintendo has a whole new console to put games on, it was already likely that there was going to be a lot of news.Even then, it managed to be a jam-packed Direct. Let's take a look at all the biggest announcements from the showcase, including what's obviously the most important one: a Switch 2 version of Overcooked 2.Mario's 40th anniversarySeptember 13 is the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. in Japan, which is a big reason why this Direct took place on a Friday (a highly unusual day for Nintendo to hold one of its showcases). Following news of Mario-related updates for the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, the company revealed the title for the next Mario movie. It's called The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and it's coming to cinemas in the US on April 3. We'll have to wait a little longer for a trailer, though.There was no announcement of an upcoming 3D Mario game today, unfortunately, but there was still plenty of other news. Mario Tennis Fever is coming to Switch 2 in February as the first new Mario Tennis game since 2018. Yoshi's getting another adventure of his own with the Switch 2 platformer Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, which is set to arrive next spring. A Switch 2 version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder with fresh multiplayer modes will drop around that time too.Before all of that, though, Nintendo is bringing the wonderful Wii games Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 to Switch on October 2. They'll be available separately or as a bundle on the eShop and as a combined edition on a $70 physical cartridge. On Switch 2, you'll be able to play these two classics in 4K.Two Mario Galaxy Amiibo figures are coming in April as well. Even though I'm not typically an Amiibo collector, I really want those because Luma is just adorable. In addition, Nintendo plans to release a physical collectible of the Talking Flower from Super Mario Bros. Wonder next spring.Donkey Kong Bananza DLC out todayIf you've already smashed everything to smithereens in Donkey Kong Bananzaand have been yearning for more to do in one of the biggest Switch 2 exclusives to date, you're in luck. Nintendo revealed a paid expansion for the platformer during the Direct. It's called DK Island & Emerald Rush and it's out today for $20.You'll be able to barrel around Donkey Kong's home island and meet up with some familiar faces. After you've beaten the story in the main game, you'll be able to try the Emerald Rush mode. This will see you undertaking timed runs in DK Island and the main game's layers to collect emerald ore, smash fossils and collect Banandium Gems.Meanwhile, Nintendo has released a demo for the main game. So, if you have a Switch 2 and haven't played Donkey Kong Bananza yet, you'll be able to find out for yourself why the other cool kids are saying "ooh, banana!" all the time.Pokemon PokopiaQuite a few people were expecting/hoping for news of a new Animal Crossing during the Nintendo Direct. While that didn't happen, Nintendo had arguably something even more exciting to announce - especially if you're both an Animal Crossing and Pokemon fan.Pokemon Pokopiais the first Pokemon life simulation game. You'll play as a Ditto who has been transformed to look like a human and turn empty land into a cozy paradise for both yourself and Pokemon. Ditto can learn abilities from Pokemon, such as using Squirtle's Water Gun to give life to flora.It looks utterly lovely. Pokemon Pokopia is coming to Switch 2 in 2026.Fire Emblem: Fortune's WeaveNintendo used this Direct to seriously start filling out its Switch 2 slate for 2026. One of the games it's publishing for the system next year is a new entry in the Fire Emblem series. It announced Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weaveduring the showcase.As ever, this will be a turn-based tactical RPG. The debut trailer touched on the story and characters in the upcoming game.Metroid Prime 4 and Hades 2 release datesWe had a feeling these were coming soon, but release dates for both Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Hades 2 were both major announcements during the Direct. Samus has a rad, Tron-esque bike in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which will arrive on Switch and Switch 2 on December 4.Hades 2, meanwhile, will arrive on Switch and Switch 2 on September 25. The full game will be available on Steam and Epic Games Store on the same day as it will exit early access on PC. There were be cross-save support across PC and Switch/Switch 2. The Switch 2 version will support 120fps gameplay when the console is docked. That Hades 2 and Hollow Knight: Silksongare dropping in the same month is pretty wild. Apologies to any designs you had on getting some sleep in September.Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment release dateNintendo announced Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment during a dedicated launch direct for Switch 2 back in April, and now there's a release date for this hack and slash game. It's coming to the console on November 6.Age of Imprisonment, which was developed by Koei Tecmo's AAA Games Studio, sees Princess Zelda traveling back in time and meeting Rauro and Sonia, the first king and queen of Hyrule. You'll try to take down Ganondorf (yes, again) in what's known as the Imprisoning War. Zonai devices will be at your disposal. According to the trailer, you'll "uncover ancient truths that were only glimpsed in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom."There's two-player co-op support via split-screen and GameShare. Zelda, Rauru and Sonia are among the playable characters, and you'll be able to swap between them. You can also play as a Korok for a change instead of torturing the poor creatures, you monsters.AAA third-party games coming to Switch 2Nintendo confirmed during the Direct that Resident Evil Requiem is coming to Switch 2. It'll arrive on February 27, the same day the next entry in Capcom's classic survival horror series debuts on other platforms. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village will also land on Switch on on February 27.We learned back in April that the first installment of the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy was bound for Switch 2 and now there's a release date for that. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is coming to the system on January 22.Switch 2 versions of indie classicsThe Nintendo Switch was such an important platform for indie games, and several that became huge hits are getting Switch 2 versions. Overcooked 2 (the ultimate relationship test, in my opinion) will have support for 4K visuals, 60fps gameplay, GameShare and CameraPlay - the feature that allows you to see you and your teammate's faces on screen as you play -in its Switch 2 version. That's on the way this holiday season.Stardew Valley will also support GameShare for co-op play on Switch 2. Mouse controls will be available, as well as four-player splitscreen and eight-player online action. Those who have the game on Switch already will get a free upgrade when the Switch 2 version arrives this fall.Human Fall Flatis headed to Switch 2 in Spring 2026. That will also have support for mouse controls, GameShare and eight-person multiplayer.It's far too early to say whether Powerwash Simulator 2 will become an indie classic, but the original game was terrific and its sequel is getting a Switch 2 version as well. There's no exact release date for Powerwash Simulator 2 as yet, but it's still slated to arrive this fall.Suika Game gets a sequelSuika Game was a huge hit, and the sequel promises to soak up even more of my time. Suika Game Planet adds an extra dimension to the puzzle action. Instead of dropping fruit into a bucket and trying to combine two of the same items into a larger one, this time there's a circular stage. That might be a fun wrinkle for anyone (me, hi) who gets frustrated about not being able to reach large fruit at the bottom of the container.Suika Game Planet is coming to Switch and Switch 2 this winter and I might not be able to do anything else with my time after it drops. The Switch 2 version will support a GameShare mode that allows up to four players to work together.Virtual Boy is backLast but not least, Nintendo had an absolute shocker when it came to Switch Online + Expansion Pack. No, it's not adding Super Mario Sunshine to the Gamecube app just yet. The company is bringing Virtual Boy games to the service, which is more bananas than anything you'll find in Donkey Kong Bananza.To play those games from a system that was notoriously undercooked (partly because Nintendo was placing much more focus on the massively more successful Nintendo 64 around that time), you'll need an accessory. A $100 plastic tabletop one that looks just like the original Virtual Boy and a $25 cardboard version are on the way. They're compatible with the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 and, if it's an authentic Virtual Boy experience, probably some eye strain.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/mario-metroid-virtual-boy-and-more-all-the-biggest-announcements-from-todays-nintendo-direct-165722897.html?src=rss

It's official. The Switch 2 is getting the next entry in the long-running Fire Emblem series. Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave will be available sometime in 2026, though we have nothing more specific than that.We do have a trailer and it looks gorgeous. It showed off the game's tactical combat, which is a mainstay for the franchise, and teased the story. It involves some sort of gladiator-like contest called the Heroic Games. There are plenty of new combat units and many of them boast gladiatorial flair of some kind.It also looks to take place in the same universe as the immensely popular Fire Emblem: Three Houses, which came out for the original Switch console. There are some visual similarities and one character seems to be a grown-up version of someone from Three Houses.This makes a certain kind of sense, given that Three Houses is the most financially successful game in franchise history and considered by critics to be a stone-cold classic. The more recent Fire Emblem: Engage wasn't nearly as popular, despite being a solid entry.For the uninitiated, this series is all about tactical turn-based combat, factional rivalries and robust storylines involving numerous characters. It was a niche franchise here in the USA until the 3DS era and the release of Fire Emblem: Awakening and Fire Emblem: Fates.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/fire-emblem-fortunes-weave-comes-out-for-the-switch-2-in-2026-162127483.html?src=rss

The Federal Trade Commission is investigating whether Amazon and Google misled advertisers regarding the pricing and terms for their ads. As first reported by Bloomberg, the investigation is being conducted by the agency's consumer protection unit, and centers around the auction-style sale of advertising space by the companies.Google sells ads using automated auctions that run after a user enters a search query. These auctions take place in less than a second. Amazon uses real-time auctions to place ads within its listings, which users would recognize as "sponsored listings" or "sponsored ads" when searching for specific products.The investigation questions whether Amazon disclosed so-called "reserve pricing" for some of its ads, which is a price floor that advertisers must meet before they can buy an ad. For Google's part, the FTC is looking at certain practices by the search giant including its internal pricing process and whether it was surreptitiously increasing the cost of ads in ways that advertisers weren't privy to.The FTC isn't the only federal agency keeping a close eye on big tech. Earlier this year, a federal judge ruled that Google held a monopoly in online ad tech after the Department of Justice (DOJ) sued to break up the giant's ad business. Google also recently escaped mostly unscathed from a Department of Justice monopoly case involving its Chrome browser.FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson has previously said that big tech is one of the agency's top priorities. These investigations move forward against a backdrop of top tech CEOs continuing to try to curry favor with President Trump via lavish personal gifts and sweeping (if potentially unrealistic) promises of investment in the US economy.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ftc-investigating-ad-sale-practices-at-google-and-amazon-160236895.html?src=rss

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade comes out for the Switch 2 on January 22, 2026, which was revealed at today's lengthy Nintendo Direct livestream. This is the first entry in the remake trilogy and primarily takes place in the opening city of Midgar. You'll have to wait until Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to explore the overworld map, and there's no Switch 2 release date for that one yet.This release does include the Episode Intermission DLC, which involves the ninja Yuffie on a mission to steal powerful items from the evil Shinra corporation. That story takes place after the main campaign.There's a trailer and it looks gorgeous, so the Switch 2 should be able to handle this one. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade originally came out back in 2021. The long-awaited title was more of a reimagining than a straight remake of the iconic JRPG. The game still managed to garner critical acclaim, despite drastic changes from the original.It was followed by Final Fantasy VII Rebirth in 2024, with a third game on the way to close out the trilogy. There's no name for this final entry and we don't have a release date, as it's still in active development.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/final-fantasy-vii-remake-intergrade-hits-the-switch-2-on-january-22-152559995.html?src=rss

A square camera sensor may sound like one of those things only nerds would appreciate, but as part of the new front-facing 18-megapixel "Center Stage" camera on the iPhone 17 lineup, it could have massive implications for Apple's users. They'll no longer need to turn their phones to take a landscape selfie, especially if they need to fit a large group of people, as that's all handled automatically by Center Stage. It's the sort of "Why didn't I think of that?" feature that other phone makers will likely copy, simply because it's immensely practical. Those square camera sensors could help make Apple a selfie pioneer, once again.We've come a long way from when the iPhone 4 and HTC Evo 4G introduced the idea of modern front-facing cameras in 2010. Earlier cellphones in Japan and Europe had low quality selfie cameras, and you could argue that the Game Boy Camera also toyed with the idea when it arrived in 1998. But in 2010, we finally had powerful phones on relatively speedy mobile connections that could easily share photos and let users hop on video chats on a whim. (It still stings that it took Apple two more years to release the LTE-capable iPhone 5, which made FaceTime much more useful.)iPhone Air selfie cameraSam Rutherford for EngadgetDuring the iPhone 17 launch event, Apple revealed that its customers took 500 billion selfies last year, a massive figure that shows just how normalized the practice has become. Selfies were often mocked when they were deemed the purview of Instagram-obsessed teenage girls, but these days it's not unusual to see everyone from seniors to a gaggle of sports bros gathering around a single phone like an object of worship. And, on a personal note, they're really the only way to get decent photos of your entire family, especially when you're juggling two rambunctious young kids.We take photos to preserve memories, but selfies feel distinctive for their intimacy. You're not just capturing where you were, but you're also documenting yourself in the moment, along with the people around you. By making it easier to take selfies, it follows that you'll start to take even more of them, ultimately tying yourself into Apple's ecosystem even further. That leads to needing an iPhone with more storage and potentially more iCloud backup space down the line. You're also not going to jump over to an Android phone if you have to turn your phone sideways for a landscape selfie, or if you lose access to all of the cherished memories in your Apple Photos library.The square camera sensor keeps you loyal.It'll also change the way iPhone users take front-facing videos. Center Stage automatically keeps you in the center of FaceTime calls, so you don't have to worry so much about framing yourself up. And while I haven't seen this particular feature in action, it should also help alleviate the headache of turning your phone during a FaceTime call to match the recipient's device. (Or maybe I'm just tired of telling my parents to flip their phones when their FaceTime chats have huge black borders.)This may be a stretch, but I could see the Center Stage front camera making it more common to record video with your front and rear cameras at the same time. While it's new to iPhone as Dual Capture," we've seen variants of it from Samsung and Nokia (remember #bothie?) Android devices, but they've never really taken off. TikTok's dual-camera live streaming mode has been more successful, and there are also vlogging apps like MixCam built around dual recording.With Dual Capture on iPhone 17, Center Stage's ability to keep you in the middle of the action with the front camera should let you focus more on getting the best shot with the rear lenses.While I'd love to see Apple cram more pixels into the 18MP Center Stage camera, moving to a square sensor will honestly be more impactful for all of the reasons above. It's easy to throw in a higher resolution sensor, it's tougher to fundamentally rethink how you can improve upon something as simple as taking a selfie.

In one of the most unexpected announcements of today's Nintendo Direct, Game Freak revealed Pokemon Pokopia, a game that is clearly inspired by the Animal Crossing series. When Pokopia is released sometime next year, you'll assume the role of a Ditto determined to make a comfortable home for their friends. This Ditto has assumed the form of a human, and as they meet new Pokemon, they'll learn abilities they can use to transform their community. In turn, this work will lead to more Pokemon coming to live in your home. The game features a beautiful tilt-shift art style that is reminiscent of Pokemon's third generation of games that debuted on the Game Boy Advance.No word yet on an exact release date, but the game will be a Switch 2 exclusive.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/pokemon-pokopia-looks-like-animal-crossing-for-pokemon-fans-and-im-here-for-it-141239467.html?src=rss

Nintendo had a truly wild surprise up its sleeve for Switch Online + Expansion Pack during its Direct event on Friday. The company is bringing back the Virtual Boy as a physical device into which you can slot your Switch or Switch 2. A plastic replica of the mid-90s tabletop system will soon be available for Switch Online members to buy. The company will sell a cardboard version of the accessory too. No need to rub your eyes in disbelief (but if history is any indication, you might have to for relief after using this thing).You'll need either accessory to play Virtual Boy games, which will start hitting Switch Online + Expansion Pack on February 17. Mario's Tennis (a pack-in game for the original system), Galactic Pinball, Teleroboxer, Space Invaders and Tetris are among the 14 stereoscopic 3D Virtual Boy games that Nintendo will bring to the subscription service over time.That means most of the Virtual Boy games that were ever released are coming to Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Nintendo only released 22 of them, since the Virtual Boy never took off. The company ended production of the device and stopped making games for it in 1996, only a year after the Virtual Boy hit shelves. Here's hoping the latest version of the accessory doesn't give players too many headaches.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-is-bringing-back-the-virtual-boy-as-a-switch-and-switch-2-accessory-140037508.html?src=rss

Donkey Kong Bananza, probably my favorite game of the year, is getting a paid expansion today called DK Island & Emerald Rush. As the title implies, you'll get to explore the island where Donkey Kong hails from and visit a whole host of his friends while you're at it. Naturally, there is more to explore and find there, but there's also a whole new set of challenges once you've finished the main game story. That's the titular Emerald Rush.The timed missions involve you running around the island smashing as much green ore as you can get. As you go, smashing fossils you find unlocks various perks, which in turn help you amass more emeralds. Some of those perks act as multipliers on how much emerald you collect; others do things like make more treasure chests (that are naturally loaded with emeralds) appear. In somewhat roguelike fashion, your perks and skill reset after every run - but the location of things like fossils and Banandium Gems stay the same. So as you learn the levels, you'll be able to further maximize your collection.Emerald Rush mode isn't limited to the new DK Island layer, either - it'll be integrated into other layers in the main game. As with everything else in Donkey Kong Bananza, it looks like a pretty delightful time. The DLC is set to go live today, but it's not up in the Nintendo eShop yet so its price remains a mystery.If you haven't played the main game yet, Nintendo also released a demo that you can try later today, as well.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/donkey-kong-bananza-is-getting-a-dlc-expansion-today-140016430.html?src=rss