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This story about Paul McCartney begins with one of his old bandmates. "I'm not really Beatle George," the ever-philosophical George Harrison once said. "For me, Beatle George was a suit or a shirt that I once wore. And the only problem is, for the rest of my life, people are going to look at that shirt and mistake it for me." On one hand, that's, well, George being George. But his quote does speak to our need to mythologize the Beatles. It's hard not to! The music is so exquisite, influential and timeless that we look for grand stories to tell about it. We want a stronger connection to it, so we pore over biographies, interviews and documentaries. We seek meaning and purpose in their story. Still, it must be surreal to be one of the four protagonists of that story. At some point, the narrative takes on a life of its own that may not reflect your experience. McCartney alluded to that in the 2013 song "Early Days." "Now everybody seems to have their own opinion on who did this and who did that," he sang. "But as for me, I don't see how they can remember when they weren't where it was at." So, I'll try not to mythologize the Beatles too much as I describe my experience photographing Sir Paul McCartney last month. I will, of course, fail spectacularly at that mission. The crowd ranged from seniors to teens in Sgt. Pepper costumes. Will Shanklin for Engadget Months before I watched him play for nearly three hours in front of 15,000 fans (at age 83!) at Albuquerque's Isleta Amphitheater, I sent a press request to his team. A few days before the concert, I learned that my photography pass had been approved. Once it sank in, I screamed and giggled, not unlike the teenagers in Ed Sullivan's audience. (Don't judge those gals until you've been near a Beatle!) But there wasn't much time to soak up the excitement. Without any real cameras on hand - my iPhone 17 Pro certainly wasn't going to cut it - and only a few days to prepare, some quick decisions were in order. After enough internal debate to make my head spin off its axis, I settled on an oddball combination. For the body, I went with the Canon EOS R50, an ultra-compact mirrorless with a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor. Was it the best one available? Not at all. But instead of renting a $3,000 camera, I decided to buy something in my budget that I'll enjoy using for years. I'd already eyed it after handling a display model and reading Steve Dent's review. Plus, it created a fun challenge: How can a sub-$800 consumer-facing camera stand up to the unique demands of concert photography? The lens, on the other hand, is no place to mess around. So I rented the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM, a gargantuan, professional-grade telephoto one. (It's the precursor to this $2,399 one.) This choice was simple: It was by far the most concert-appropriate lens available to rent. It maintains sharpness and contrast across its long zoom range, its autofocus is fast and its f/2.8 aperture is crucial for the unique demands of stage lighting. Put the tiny camera and ginormous lens together (with this $38 adapter), and you get the odd couple you see below. To say this sucker was front-weighted would be an understatement. "She's so heavy..." Will Shanklin for Engadget Camera in hand (and Beatles hoodie equipped), I took my position in the tight press pen. The photography area was about 150 yards from the stage and didn't allow for lateral movement, so ideas for creative compositions were set aside. My only option was to push that glass out to 200mm (or close to it) and fire away. Save those composition ideas for when it's time to crop. When photographing someone like Sir Paul, you ideally want an image that captures not only the man and the musician, but also that larger-than-life myth. It should be something grand that you'd want to hang on your wall. No pressure! Sir Paul's first number was the John Lennon-penned classic "Help!" Until this year's leg of the Got Back tour, McCartney hadn't played the song in full since 1990. We can only speculate about his reasons for pulling it out of his bag now. But I feel like the song's desperate pleas gain new poignancy in 2025. I can't count the times I've wanted to cry out to someone - anyone! - to "Please, please help me" after reading the news. We were huddled close enough together that I was glad I wore these $16 kneepads under my jeans. When the crowd in front of us settled down a bit, I kneeled to give my photographer cohorts more elbow room. My right knee bounced pleasantly onto the cozy leg pillow. Will Shanklin for Engadget With one song already down, the R50's burst mode was getting a workout. The stock Canon battery was still going strong, but I had these two third-party spares stashed in this camera bag to swap out if necessary. (I didn't end up needing them, despite snapping over 600 photos.) McCartney transitioned into his second number, "Coming Up," the first track from 1980's McCartney II. That LP was ahead of its time, embracing synths, drum machines and other studio tricks before they became commonplace. Contemporary critics didn't care much for it, but it later became a cult classic. That combination illustrates something about his solo career: always experimenting, sometimes misunderstood, but ultimately vindicated. Two songs were over in a flash. Macca addressed the crowd, and picture time was over. Off to leave my camera with security, and claim the faraway lawn seat I bought long before I knew I'd have press access. The rest of McCartney's set included a perfect balance of Beatles, Wings and solo numbers. (There was even an old Quarrymen song, "In Spite of All the Danger.") As you can see in the photos, he started on his trademark Hofner bass. But he moved on to piano, acoustic and electric guitars and ukulele. The latter was for his beautiful rendition of Harrison's "Something." That number wasn't the only point that moved me. The most notable was where he teamed with Lennon on "I've Got a Feeling." Present-day McCartney singing with 1969 Lennon, who appeared on the giant screen above (via the restored rooftop concert footage in Get Back), was profound. "I love that one because I get to sing with John again," he said. Will Shanklin for Engadget Sir Paul strikes me as someone who's always looking forward. But the Got Back tour is a chance to look back. It lets us, the romanticizing fans, join him on the long and winding road from the Quarrymen to today. The entire production made me feel like a passenger on his journey. I could go on. But you don't need me to elevate Paul McCartney's musical legacy any more than you need me to explain Michael Jordan's basketball skills or Meryl Streep's acting chops. Listen to the music - and catch his tour if you can - and you'll feel it. As for the photos, my favorite is the one at the top of this article. (I also included a color version in the gallery below.) It's the only one that (to me) captures the man, musician and myth as he plays his Hofner bass. Out of more than 600 rapidly-fired photos, one that feels just right is good enough for me. But even if they all sucked, who cares! Decades from now, I'll tell everyone at the old folks' home that, when I was young (and my heart was an open book), I snapped some pictures of Sir Paul McCartney. The story may grow more inflated by then, and maybe I'll invent new details. But perhaps I can be forgiven for a bit of mythologizing. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/the-gear-i-used-to-photograph-paul-mccartney-133033591.html?src=rss

The last time I used a set of Noble Audio earbuds, the company managed to pack five drivers into the tiny housings. Now it's back with a new model, the FoKus Prestige Encore, and despite only having four drivers this time, the company still took plenty of cues from its line of pro-grade in-ear monitors (IEMs). The biggest downside is that this new set is still plenty pricey, hitting your wallet for $699.Inside, the FoKus Prestige Encore has one 8mm dynamic driver, two balanced armature drivers and one 6mm planar magnetic driver. According to Noble, each of these components have different duties. The dynamic drivers handle bass while the midrange goes to the Knowles balanced armature drivers. Lastly, the planar magnetic driver is tasked with the treble to reveal microdetail." The company says it also designed new triple-vented" nozzles to make airflow efficient and the seal consistent. Noble Audio FoKus Prestige Encore Noble Audio Rather than using plastic or some other affordable material, Noble opted for solid wood for both the earbud housings and the charging case. Since this is the real thing and not a printed plate, each set of the FoKus Prestige Encore will have its own unique grain pattern - no two sets will look the same. What's more, Noble reduced the overall size of the buds, which it says offers a secure, fatigue-free fit."The FoKus Prestige Encore is equipped with hybrid active noice cancellation (ANC) and a transparency mode. The earbuds also support aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive and LDAC for higher quality listening. For calls, dual noise suppression mics won't overly process your voice for the sake of reducing background distractions, which Noble says will keep you sounding clear and natural in all settings.Noble promises up to seven hours of use on a charge with ANC enabled or up to 10 hours with noise canceling turned off. When you factor in the case, you're looking at up to 35 hours of total listening time. A quick-charge features will give you up to two hours of playback. The FoKus Prestige Encore also supports Audiodo for personalized calibration for each user's hearing, and those profiles are stored on the earbuds for use on any device.The Fokus Prestige Encore is available starting today for $699 (649/799).This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/noble-audios-latest-earbuds-have-a-four-driver-setup-and-a-solid-wood-design-090000651.html?src=rss

Canon just barged into the mid-range full-frame hybrid camera arena with a new entry. The 32.5MP EOS R6 III is a dramatic improvement over the EOS R6 II thanks to the higher resolution, faster shooting speeds and better video specs. However, it comes at a relatively high price and lacks a stacked or partially stacked sensor, unlike other cameras in this category. The new 32.5MP sensor provides a big boost in resolution compared to the R6 II's 24MP chip. At the same time, the R6 III offers higher shooting speeds of 40 fps in burst mode with the electronic shutter, or 12 fps with the mechanical or first-curtain shutter. It also supports 20 frames (a half second) of pre-shooting so you won't miss key moments for wildlife or sports shooting. Canon The R6 III uses Canon's fast and dependable Dual Pixel AF system and comes with the company's latest AI tracking algorithms. It can operate in fairly dim conditions down to -6 EV and should be more responsive with Canon's latest Digic X processor, pending our review. It offers subject tracking for people, animals and vehicles, along with an Auto mode that will pick one of those automatically. It also borrowed the "Register People Priority" feature from the R5 II, which lets you keep focus locked on specific subjects that you've previously memorized. The biggest update for the R6 III, though, is with video. Thanks to the higher resolution sensor, it can now capture up to 7K 60 fps RAW light video, 7K 30 fps "open gate" video and 4K at up to 120 fps, all with Canon's C-Log2 and C-Log3 on tap. There's a dizzying array of other video formats available (12 pages worth in the specs), with HEVC S, AVC-S, RAW, RAW Light and others, at resolutions up to 7K. All the AF subject detection features are available (vehicles, animals and people), and Canon is typically among the best for video AF in terms of speed and accuracy. Canon Nobody expects any radical design changes in a Canon camera (the company tried that with the EOS R and it really didn't work), so the R6 III kept the last model's tried and true form factor. That includes two adjustment dials on the top and one on the rear, along with a joystick, photo/video selector, mode dial and a good assortment of programmable buttons. The rear display flips out as you'd expect for vlogging, but it doesn't tilt like Panasonic's S1 II - so it may obstruct the mic or headphone jacks, and isn't as useful for low-angle photo shooting. The viewfinder has 3.69 million dots of resolution as before, the same as Sony's A7 IV but less than Panasonic's slightly more expensive Lumix S1 II. One big change is the addition of a CFexpress card slot that allows RAW video capture and faster burst speeds, along with an SD UHS II slot. The battery is the same as the one for EOS R5 II and allows up to 390 shots (CIPA rating) with the viewfinder enabled. Canon Other features include waveform monitoring that will be much appreciated by pros, plus new focus speed algorithms borrowed from Canon's cinema cameras that offer "natural, professional" behavior, the company wrote. Inputs include 3.5mm mic and headphone jacks, along with high-speed USB-C and a full-sized HDMI port. In-body stabilization has been boosted slight from 8 to 8.5 stops, matching the latest Panasonic models. Along with the EOS R6 III, Canon introduced some interesting new glass. The RF45mm F1.2 STM lens brings very high speeds and shallow depth of field to a much smaller and lighter .76 pound (346 gram) form factor - less than half the weight of Canon's RF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens. It's also shockingly cheap for an f/1.2 lens at $470. The Canon EOS R6 III arrives later this month for $2,799 (body only) or $4,049 with the RF24-105 F4 L IS USM lens. That's a bit more than the Nikon's $2,500 Z6 III, which has a partially stacked but lower-resolution 24MP sensor. Panasonic's S1 II also has a partially stacked 24MP but can shoot at up to 70 fps and costs $3,200. Finally, Sony's A7 IV has a similar 33MP sensor but lacks the RAW video features of the R6 III. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/canons-eos-r6-iii-arrives-with-7k-raw-video-and-40-fps-burst-speeds-060035923.html?src=rss

Snap and Perplexity AI have struck a $400 million deal that will bring the AI search engine directly to Snapchat sometime in "early 2026," the two companies announced. With the partnership, Perplexity's AI search engine will be a prominent part of Snapchat's "chat" interface so users can "ask questions and get clear, conversational answers drawn from verifiable sources, all within Snapchat."The news was announced alongside the company's third-quarter earnings. The company said that revenue from the deal - Perplexity is paying Snap $400 million for the integration - is "expected to begin contributing" to the company's bottom line in 2026. In a letter to shareholders, CEO Evan Spiegel also hinted that Snap could pursue similar partnerships with other AI companies. "This collaboration makes AI-powered discovery native to Snapchat, enhances personalization, and positions Snap as a leading distribution channel for intelligent agents, laying the groundwork for a broader ecosystem of AI partners to reach our global community," he wrote.Snap, like its peers, has been leaning into generative AI in recent years. The company has its own LLM-powered chatbot, called MyAI, which uses models from OpenAI, Google and, soon, Perplexity AI. Snap has also introduced AI-powered lenses and creation tools, which have helped boost its Snapchat+ subscription service.Spiegel also teased other AI-powered updates coming to Snapchat. He said the company is working on a new AI video generation feature called "AI Clips" that "will allow creators to generate short, shareable videos from simple prompts." He didn't say when the feature might launch.Outside of Snapchat, Snap is also planning on launching a new version of its AR glasses, called Specs, sometime next year. Spiegel didn't offer any new details about the device, which he has previously promised will be lighter-weight than the current version. He did, however, suggest the company was considering working with potential hardware partners. He said Snap would be putting Specs into their own standalone, 100% owned subsidiary" to give the company more flexibility to pursue such arrangements.Update, November 5, 2025, 3:08PM PT: Added more details from Snap's earnings call.

Hilarious co-op video game Overcooked is making the move to the real world. A24 has acquired the rights to the popular indie hit and Deadline reports that the company is working with Netflix to develop the concept into an unscripted competition reality TV series. I adore this idea, and with the right people behind it, I think it could be a masterwork of reality TV. According to the reports, this is the first time independent film and TV studio A24 will make a reality show, but Netflix has already had some success with food and cooking programs, such as with the absolute gem that is Nailed It!The often ridiculous antics of Overcooked are a wonderful match for that type of lighthearted competition show. In the game, one to four players work together to cook customers' food orders as quickly as possible while the environment creates silly, unexpected obstacles. Unfortunately, there's no way the Netflix legal team will green light challenges where contestants might fall into actual lava, and recreating the space travel levels would probably blow the budget. But I can see all sorts of Overcooked-style mayhem from sliding on icy floors or suddenly moving countertops. I'm also imagining a lot of dashing between inconveniently placed kitchen appliances and occasionally plunging the contestants into total darkness. There's no timeline given in Deadline's report, but I cannot wait for this to exist.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/co-op-game-overcooked-may-become-a-competition-reality-tv-show-on-netflix-222406920.html?src=rss

A familiar face will be helping Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani set up his new administration before he takes office in 2026. Lina Khan, former Federal Trade Commission Chair under President Joe Biden, has been officially announced as one of Mamdani's transition co-chairs, alongside Grace Bonilla, Maria Torres-Springer and Melanie Hartzog.Mamdani's platform is focused on affordability, with fighting corporate corruption a key way he hopes to lower prices for New Yorkers. Mamdani's proposed policies include working to ban hidden fees and non-compete clauses, while funding challenges to utility company rate hikes. It's not surprising that Khan and Mamdani would be aligned. As Chair, Khan is best known for trying to rebuild the FTC's anti-monopolist backbone, but she was similarly interested in banning non-compete clauses and hidden junk fees. Khan has also publicly expressed her appreciation for the Mamdani campaign's focus on small businesses in The New York Times Opinion section."I think what we saw last night was New Yorkers not just electing a new mayor, but clearly rejecting a politics where outsized corporate power and money too often end up dictating our politics," Khan said at a press conference announcing her new role. "And a clear mandate for change, where New Yorkers can get ahead and where all workers and small businesses can thrive, not just get by."While Mamdani has served as a New York state assemblyman, his relative lack of experience has been used as a consistent criticism of his candidacy for mayor. Clearly, that didn't matter to voters, but Mamdani's chosen transition team members suggest he plans to surround himself with people who are experienced. In the case of Khan, that includes a transition co-chair who's willing to be openly critical of corporate power. The Trump administration has effectively remade the FTC in its image, but there's more than one place the influence of big businesses can be checked.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/former-ftc-chair-lina-khan-will-help-zohran-mamdani-build-his-new-administration-220304723.html?src=rss

When Apple introduces its more capable version of Siri in 2026, it increasingly sounds like it'll have Google to thank. Bloomberg reports that Apple is finalizing plans to use a custom version of Gemini to power the new Siri and plans to pay Google handsomely for the privilege.The new Siri will still use some of Apple's homegrown models, but will also rely on a version of Gemini running on the company's Private Cloud Compute servers to "handle Siri's summarizer and planner functions," Bloomberg writes. Those functions "help the voice assistant synthesize information and decide how to execute complex tasks." Since using apps on people's behalf is core to Apple's pitch for its updated assistant, Gemini appears to be playing a critical role.Apple will reportedly pay $1 billion annually to use Google's technology, a fraction of what Google has reportedly paid the company to make Google Search the default search option on Apple's devices. The partnership will likely not be advertised, though, and Apple plans to eventually replace Google's model with its own. Specifically, with "a one trillion parameter cloud-based model that it hopes to have ready for consumer applications as early as next year," according to Bloomberg.Siri can use ChatGPT for specific requests as part of Apple Intelligence, and Gemini was rumored to be added as another AI option in March 2024. After Apple delayed Siri a year later in 2025, though, the need for more substantial help reportedly became necessary. The possibility of Siri being backed by Gemini was first reported in August, when Google was asked to create a version of its model that could run securely on Apple's servers. The iPhone maker was previously rumored to have explored deals with both Anthropic and OpenAI before that.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-will-reportedly-use-a-custom-version-of-gemini-to-power-the-new-siri-203046995.html?src=rss

Foursquare founder Dennis Crowley has unveiled his latest venture and yes, it's another location-based social app. But, rather than the check-ins Crowley first popularized more than 15 years ago, "BeeBot" has a very 2025 take on the concept. Instead, the app is an AI-powered "DJ" that can deliver contextual audio updates to your ears as you move through your day.Crowley describes BeeBot as an "app for AirPods," though it will work with any type of headphones, as well as smart glasses with audio capabilities like Meta's. "Whenever you put your AirPods in, it turns on," Crowley explains in a post on Medium. "Whenever you take your AirPods out it turns off. And when it's 'on' it'll push you snippets of audio about the people, places, and events that are nearby.'To do this, you'll need to give the app access to your location and share a handful of "keywords" about your interests. You can also share your contacts to get updates from friends who are using the app. The BeeBot "DJ," which of course has an AI voice, will then be able to talk to you as you throughout the dat and alert you to interesting events, landmarks or updates from friends who happen to be nearby.In some ways, it sounds like Crowley is trying to re-create some of the serendipitous IRL social interactions enabled by the original version of Foursquare. BeeBot doesn't have "mayorships," badges or any of the gamification features that helped popularize FourSquare, but it's meant to have some of the "same playful spirit," of OG Foursquare, according to Crowley. (Foursquare shut down its city guide app of the same name earlier this year, though its check-in app, Swarm, lives on.)And, because it's 2025, there's also a whole bunch of AI thrown in, including "a mix of different LLMs" and "synthetic voices." The app is "powered by a TikTok-style algorithm," Crowley says, "but one that's focused on what's happening nearby and IRL."There also seems to be a bit of DNA from Marsbot, the short-lived (and IMO very underrated) chat-based app Foursquare launched in 2016 that could proactively provide personalized restaurant recommendations. While BeeBot isn't as heavily focused on neighborhood recommendations as Foursquare, it is meant to proactively let you know about nearby happenings you might be interested in or even a bit of gossip from friends. In addition to friends' status updates, the app will draw on local Substacks and newsletters for relevant info about a given area.Crowley says the DJ's audio cues may "occasionally" interrupt your music or podcast to give an update, though users should expect to hear these only a couple times throughout the day. BeeBot won't interrupt voice or video calls.BeeBot, which is the inaugural project of Crowley's new company Hopscotch Labs, is out now in the App Store, though it's still "very much a work in progress," according to Crowley. "I feel like the version of the product we're sharing with folks today is kind of where Foursquare was when it launched at SXSW in 2009 - an interesting vision, a good-enough execution, but something that still needs to be shaped by the people using it to fully blossom."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/the-foursquare-founders-new-app-is-an-ai-powered-dj-for-neighborhood-updates-202326296.html?src=rss

DAZN, a sports streaming service that covers everything from MMA to golf, is now available as an add-on subscription through Amazon Prime Video in the US and UK. The streaming service was previously available in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and Canada.Subscribing to DAZN requires an additional $30 a month subscription on top of what users already pay for Prime Video ($9 a month for a standalone plan or the cost of an Amazon Prime subscription). The service includes access to a mixture of live sports coverage including "more than 185 fight nights per year" and "over 300 live soccer games from Italy's Lega Series A," according to Amazon.While it costs extra, the service makes for a nice complement to the sports content that's already available through Prime Video for no additional fee, like Thursday Night Football, select NBA games, the NASCAR Cup Series and the Masters golf tournament in 2026.Access to live games is increasingly the defining feature of most video streaming platforms. Amazon has its carveouts, YouTube TV has NFL Sunday Ticket and Apple continues to hold down MLS and now, F1 racing.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/dazn-is-available-through-amazon-prime-video-in-the-us-and-uk-195348836.html?src=rss

Apple just launched a redesign of the popular song-identifying app Shazam, which was spotted by 9to5Mac. This update takes full advantage of the company's recently-launched Liquid Glass visual language.The company promises a "sleek" new look, but that's not the only change. This visual redesign should make it much easier to quickly glance at recent songs you've identified via the Home tab. They now appear directly on the home screen.

Google and Epic Games have reached a settlement that would bring their years-long court battle to a close. The companies have filed a proposal in the federal court of San Francisco, asking US District Judge James Donato to approve a modified version of the order he originally imposed on Google when it lost the case. "Together with Epic Games we have filed a proposed set of changes to Android and Google Play that focus on expanding developer choice and flexibility, lowering fees, and encouraging more competition all while keeping users safe," said Sameer Samat, the President of Android Ecosystem at Google, on X.Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney praised the proposal for "genuinely [doubling] down on Android's original vision as an open platform to streamline competing store installs globally, reduce service fees for developers on Google Play and enable third-party in-app and web payments." Epic Games sued Google in 2020, accusing it of an illegal monopoly on app distribution and in-app billing services for Android devices.The court sided with Epic Games in late 2023, and Google lost its appeal in July this year. Google tried to ask the Supreme Court to block the injunction Donato handed down, which required the company to make major changes to the Play Store, while it appealed the case again. But the Supreme Court denied its request. That means Google will be prohibited from paying manufacturers and app developers to exclusively install and distribute on the Play Store, respectively. It will also be prohibited from forcing developers to only use its payment system, and it will have to allow third-party app stores to be installed on Android devices.Google will still have to follow most of Donato's orders under the proposal, but the companies made some modifications. To start with, they've worked out how to "allow developers and users to seamlessly use alternative payment mechanisms," both in-app and via external links, while adhering to Google's security and safety standards. They've also specified the maximum fees Google can charge for both in-app and linked transactions, which are 9 percent or 20 percent, depending on the type of transaction. This fee cap also depends on when the app in question was installed. Specifically, the commission caps on third party in-app payment systems would only apply to new app installs.The companies have identified "reasonable, neutral criteria" that third-party stores would be required to meet, as well. Users will easily be able to download stores that meet those criteria so they can compete against the Play Store and each other around the world.Samat said that the companies are meeting with Judge Donato on Thursday, and if he approves of the proposal, it "would resolve [the] litigations."Update, November 5, 2025, 2:22PM ET: This story has been updated with more details on how the fee caps for in-app purchases and linked transactions work.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-and-epic-games-reach-settlement-for-antitrust-lawsuit-120019374.html?src=rss

Sony AI released a dataset that tests the fairness and bias of AI models. It's called the Fair Human-Centric Image Benchmark (FHIBE, pronounced like "Phoebe"). The company describes it as the "first publicly available, globally diverse, consent-based human image dataset for evaluating bias across a wide variety of computer vision tasks." In other words, it tests the degree to which today's AI models treat people fairly. Spoiler: Sony didn't find a single dataset from any company that fully met its benchmarks.Sony says FHIBE can address the AI industry's ethical and bias challenges. The dataset includes images of nearly 2,000 paid participants from over 80 countries. All of their likenesses were shared with consent - something that can't be said for the common practice of scraping large volumes of web data. Participants in FHIBE can remove their images at any time. Their photos include annotations noting demographic and physical characteristics, environmental factors and even camera settings.The tool "affirmed previously documented biases" in today's AI models. But Sony says FHIBE can also provide granular diagnoses of factors that led to those biases. One example: Some models had lower accuracy for people using "she/her/hers" pronouns, and FHIBE highlighted greater hairstyle variability as a previously overlooked factor.FHIBE also determined that today's AI models reinforced stereotypes when prompted with neutral questions about a subject's occupation. The tested models were particularly skewed "against specific pronoun and ancestry groups," describing subjects as sex workers, drug dealers or thieves. And when prompted about what crimes an individual committed, models sometimes produced "toxic responses at higher rates for individuals of African or Asian ancestry, those with darker skin tones and those identifying as 'he/him/his.'"Sony AI says FHIBE proves that ethical, diverse and fair data collection is possible. The tool is now available to the public, and it will be updated over time. A paper outlining the research was published in Nature on Wednesday.Update, November 5, 2025, 2:01 PM ET: This story has been updated to clarify that the participants were paid, not volunteers.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/sony-has-a-new-benchmark-for-ethical-ai-160045574.html?src=rss

Fitbit is holding an early Black Friday and there are plenty of noteworthy deals. The Charge 6 fitness tracker is on sale for $100, which is a nice discount of $60 and 38 percent off. The deal applies to multiple colorways. The Charge 6 topped our list of the best fitness trackers, and for good reason. It features built-in GPS, which means it doesn't have to be tethered to a phone when doing some cardio. The heart rate monitor is much more accurate when compared to the Charge 5 and the battery lasts a full week before requiring a trip to the outlet. All told, it tracks 20 exercise types, in addition to sleep. The Charge 6 features a full-color AMOLED display that's easy on the eyes and a relatively thin design. This makes it feel fairly premium, especially when compared to rival devices. On the downside, there's no real integration with Apple Health. This could be a dealbreaker for some. Also, some health data is hidden behind a Fitbit Premium paywall. That service costs $10 each month. This isn't the only Fitbit product on sale right now. The Inspire 3 fitness tracker is available for $70, which is a discount of 30 percent.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/fitbit-black-friday-deals-are-here-early-and-one-of-our-favorite-fitness-trackers-is-on-sale-for-100-185704387.html?src=rss

Direct File, the free, government-provided alternative to services like TurboTax, won't be available for the 2026 tax season, Bloomberg Tax reports. That's based on a letter sent from the Internal Revenue Service to participating states that says that "no launch date has been set for the future."A Biden administration project, Direct File was designed to be an easy way for eligible taxpayers to file taxes online, without having to pay for a service like TurboTax or H&R Block to do it on their behalf. The IRS began piloting Direct File for the 2024 tax season, and opted to make it a permanent option later that year. Direct File was available for the most recent 2025 tax season in 25 states in the US.Despite the service's success, the Trump administration appears to opposed to offering Direct File in its current form. The "Big Beautiful Bill" passed in July 2025 includes funding for the IRS to research "the cost to replace any direct e-file programs run by the Internal Revenue Service" and "the cost of developing and running a free direct e-file tax return system." Whatever the results of that research, later in July, former IRS Commissioner Billy Long seemed to suggest the e-filing option had been eliminated. "You've heard of Direct File, that's gone," Long said at a tax professional summit. "Big beautiful Billy wiped that out."Engadget has contacted the IRS to confirm that Direct File won't be offered in 2026. We'll update this article if we hear back.While the IRS has yet to formally announce that Direct File is going away outside of Long's comments, the tool is currently unavailable through the IRS website. Additionally, the position to lead the Direct File project inside the IRS is currently vacant under acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-irs-free-tax-filing-tool-reportedly-wont-be-offered-in-2026-185430716.html?src=rss

The outlook for future generations isn't looking so great. The UN released its annual Emissions Gap Report on Tuesday, and the news is mostly bad. The world's projected climate path falls far short of the Paris Agreement targets. Although the 2025 projections are slightly better than last year's, some of that improvement is due to the report's methodological changes. The UN also notes that the upcoming US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will basically cancel that out.The UN measures progress based on projections of rising temperatures (relative to pre-industrial levels) by 2030. The Paris Agreement's goals are to limit that to 2 degrees Celsius (while pursuing a path to 1.5 degrees C). The current projections are well above both numbers: 2.3 to 2.5 degrees C.Those numbers compare to 2.5 to 2.8 degrees C in last year's report, but the improvement is partially chalked up to methodological changes. The report states that the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in January 2026 will wipe out around 0.1 degrees C of progress.WildfiresMatt Palmer / UnsplashGetting the temperature rise down to 1.5 degrees C by 2100 is still possible, but it appears increasingly unlikely. To get there, the world would need to cut emissions by 55 percent by 2035. Meanwhile, to achieve 2 degrees C of warming by 2030, those cuts would need to reach 35 percent. As the report bleakly puts it, national pledges and the current geopolitical situation "do not provide promising signs that this will happen.""Given the size of the cuts needed, the short time available to deliver them and a challenging political climate, a higher exceedance of 1.5 degrees C will happen, very likely within the next decade," the UN says. The best hope for reaching the long-term goals now lies in reversing that change after the fact. However, that carries the risk of crossing "irreversible climate tipping points," such as the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet.Of course, rising temperatures alone aren't the only things to worry about. Cascading effects would include crop losses (and food insecurity), water scarcity, wildfires, coastal flooding and coral reef collapse. You also can't ignore the geopolitical implications, as desperate migrants flee uninhabitable regions, crowding the more livable ones.A small silver lining is that solar and wind energy development has exceeded expectations, making their expansion easier and cheaper. The UN notes that CO2 removal tech could eventually help supplement policy changes, but that approach is "uncertain, risky and costly."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/un-emissions-report-the-planet-is-falling-well-short-of-its-climate-targets-184255639.html?src=rss

Reddit won't escape Australia's child social media ban. The Guardian reports that Communications Minister Anika Wells announced Reddit's addition on Wednesday. The nation's law, which blocks children under 16 from major social media sites, is scheduled to go into effect on December 10.Alongside Reddit, Wells said Australian streaming site Kick would also be included. They join the previously announced Facebook, X, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Australia considers the list to be a starting point for the ban and won't rule out adding more.YouTube was initially excluded because it was considered an educational tool. But after protests from other companies on the list, Australia ultimately added it.The ban passed in late 2024. The legislation puts the onus on the platforms, rather than parents, to police underage use. Companies that don't take reasonable steps to prevent under-16 users from accessing their platforms can face penalties of up to AU$49.5 million (around $32 million)."There's a time and place for social media in Australia, but there's not a place for predatory algorithms, harmful content and toxic popularity [meters] manipulating Australian children," Wells said. "Online platforms can target children with chilling control. We are mandating they use that sophisticated technology to protect them."Update, November 5 2025, 1:09PM ET: A previous version of this story indicated that Australia was considering banning under 16s from using Discord, GitHub and Roblox. This is not the case, as Australian officials do not plan to treat those as age-restricted social media platforms. We regret the error.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/reddit-will-be-included-in-australias-looming-under-16-social-media-ban-213052856.html?src=rss

Discord has been trying to strike a balance between affording teen users their privacy and allowing for parental oversight. Over the next week, the platform is rolling out some updates for its Family Center with the aim of helping parents gain more understanding of what their teens are doing on Discord, while giving them the ability to manage certain settings.Parents and guardians were already able to see an overview of some of their teens' Discord activity. Now, they'll be able to view all purchases for the previous seven days; exactly how long teens have spent in voice and video calls across direct messages, servers and group DMs; and the five users and servers that a teen has called and messaged most often over the last week.Teens will have the option to notify a guardian when they report another user or a piece of content to Discord. The guardian will receive an email telling them that their teen filed a report but not the details. The idea behind that is to have a conversation about the report and for the guardian to lend their support.In addition, Discord is adding guardian-managed settings to Family Center. These include the ability to determine who can DM a teen and if sensitive content filters are enabled. Guardians will have access to some data privacy controls too.Discord said it designed the updates with teens in mind and to make sure they can maintain their independence while having the parental support they might need. Guardians can't see the content of messages that their teens send. Teens can also view the same information as their guardians in Family Center.To use Family Center, guardians and teens need to link their accounts. They can do so by going to User Settings > Family Center in the Discord app.As with other social platforms, Discord is under the spotlight when it comes to the safety of young users. Earlier this year, New Jersey's attorney general sued Discord, claiming that it "misled parents about the efficacy of its safety controls and obscured the risks children faced when using the application."Update, November 5, 2025, 1:01PM ET: A previous version of this story indicated that Australia was considering banning under 16s from using Discord. This is not the case, as Discord will not be considered an age-restricted social media platform by Australian officials. We regret the error.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/discord-gives-parents-more-insight-into-their-teens-activity-through-family-center-170000419.html?src=rss

Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is a fascinating journey through the history of Atari, but that timeline couldn't be truly rounded without the inclusion of some Namco classics like Pac-Man and Galaga. To remedy that, Atari and developer Digital Eclipse are releasing another paid expansion for the retro collection. It's called The Namco Legendary Pack and it will be available on November 13 on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and Steam for $8.The DLC adds a new interactive timeline that will take you through the history of Namco games on Atari systems, with the help of video interviews with developers and archival materials including photos and other documents. The expansion features versions of Pac-Man for Atari 2600, Atari 5200 and Atari 8-bit. Pac-Man was the best-selling game on Atari 2600, but it's safe to say that version doesn't exactly hold up.The Namco Legendary Pack also includes the US arcade versions of Dig Dug and Xevius. In addition, you'll get home console versions of those two games, Galaga and Galaxian.The DLC will make Atari 50 even more of a comprehensive overview of the company's history. An expansion that arrived last November charted the rivalry between Atari and Intellivision, aka the first console war. Atari finally brought that to a decisive end when it bought the Intellivision brand last year.

The Motion Picture Association doesn't share Meta's view that the content people under the age of 18 might encounter on an Instagram Teen Account is comparable to what you might find in a PG-13 movie. The MPA has reportedly hit Mark Zuckerberg's company with a cease-and-desist letter that objects to Meta's use of the term "PG-13."To rewind, Meta revamped its teen-specific accounts - which were first introduced last year - last month, claiming that going forward the account content would be guided by PG-13 movie ratings. In a blog post explaining the change, it said: "Just like you might see some suggestive content or hear some strong language in a PG-13 movie, teens may occasionally see something like that on Instagram - but we're going to keep doing all we can to keep those instances as rare as possible."As Engadget's Karissa Bell pointed out at the time, while Meta openly acknowledged that no system is without its flaws, the analogy is a bit vague and confusing, especially as the company has tightened up some of its rules so that teens are no longer supposed to see any "sexually suggestive" content on the app. This is despite content of that nature often being present in a PG-13 movie.In the cease-and-desist letter that The Wall Street Journal claims to have seen, the MPA has called Meta's use of its ratings system in describing how the new teen account restrictions work "literally false and highly misleading." It said that the established movie-ratings system is not comparable to Meta's system, which it added appears to "rely heavily on artificial intelligence." It also warned that potential issues with Meta's classification metrics would "inevitably cause the public to question the integrity of the MPA's rating system."Meta did also directly reference the PG-13 ratings system in its blog post when discussing its AI experiences, where it said that teens interacting with chatbots would not receive "age-inappropriate responses that would feel out of place in a PG-13 movie." Meta told the WSJ that the changes were intended to make it easier for parents to understand its content policies by measuring them against something familiar, and that it was aware that "social media isn't the same as movies." Responding to the cease-and-desist letter, it said that it never tried to claim or imply any official PG-13 certification from the MPA.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-mpa-tells-meta-to-stop-using-pg-13-to-describe-teen-accounts-174251843.html?src=rss

Teenage Engineering just revealed the EP-40 Riddim sampler. This reggae-inspired groovebox is another redesign of the pre-existing EP-133 KO II sampler. It has the same square body and button-based workflow, but there are several changes here.First of all, the entire exterior has been redesigned to make that reggae theme really pop. It's green and off-white, with fun fonts aplenty. The thing just screams "play me," much like the original KO II.Perhaps the biggest internal feature is the addition of an actual synth engine called Supertone. The previous models in this series were just samplers. The company promises that this engine can deliver thick bass sounds and classic leads. It also offers access to a dub-inspired siren mode that's pressure sensitive. It oscillates faster the harder you press it.The machine also boasts double the storage and an additional main effect. All told, there are seven main effects and 12 punch-in effects. These have all been inspired by reggae tunes. It comes pre-loaded with hundreds of samples which have also primarily been pulled from the genre.This isn't just for reggae, as sounds are sounds and people can do whatever they want with them. Also, it's really easy to load your own samples into this machine via a web tool. I've used the tool often with the original KO II and it truly is drag-and-drop.Teenage Engineering There's one final fascinating element here. The sampler ships with something called the EP-2350 Ting microphone. This handheld mic resembles something out of a CB radio and is "lo-fi by design." It features four voice-changing effects, including one that combines echo and spring reverb. This is an essential effect for dub reggae vocals. In theory, this microphone could be used with other devices, but it's only available as a combo pack with the Riddim.Everything else is in line with the KO II. It has a speaker that'll likely be pretty crappy, but also plenty of inputs and outputs. It operates via AA batteries and there are 12 buttons to trigger samples.The Riddim is slightly more expensive than its counterparts, at $329. However, this does include the aforementioned Ting microphone. It's available right now for purchase.This is the second off-kilter rebrand of the KO II. Teenage Engineering already released the EP-1320 Medieval, which is filled with samples of screaming peasants, flutes and Gregorian chants. The menus were also completely in Latin which, dear readers, made it very hard to use for this dumb American.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/teenage-engineering-made-a-reggae-inspired-sampler-complete-with-a-weird-microphone-for-vocals-173812774.html?src=rss

The Bose QuietComfort headphones (the non-Ultra variety) are on sale. Best Buy's early Black Friday sale has the comfy cans for 45 percent off, knocking their price down to $199. That matches their record low from Prime Day. Bose's headphones have top-notch comfort and active noise cancellation (ANC). For the latter, you can choose between "Quiet" (full ANC) and "Aware" (hear your surroundings) modes. There's also a wind-blocking feature. The headphones' audio, while not quite on par with the $449 Ultra variant (and missing spatial tricks), far surpasses what you'll typically find for $199. The company estimates 24 hours of battery life. It also supports quick charging: Plug in its USB-C cable and get up to 2.5 hours of charge in only 15 minutes. This model doesn't include an option to turn off ANC altogether, which some people may have appreciated. (That would have led to even more battery life, desirable for frequent travelers.) But if you're like me and always listen in ANC or aware modes, this is as solid a pick as you'll find for the sale price. Best Buy has a bunch of other headphones on sale for Black Friday. Of note are the Bose Ultra open-ear buds for $100 off, and the Beats Studio Pro for $150 off.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/the-bose-quietcomfort-headphones-drop-to-199-in-best-buys-black-friday-sale-124501906.html?src=rss

Well, I suppose it was only a matter of time, but Google is making AI Mode harder to avoid. In the US, the company has begun rolling out an update for Chrome on Android and iOS that adds an AI Mode shortcut to the browser's new tab page. It's predominantly featured, appearing right below the browser's signature search bar."This will let you ask more complex, multi-part questions, and then dive even deeper into a topic with follow-up questions and relevant links," the company said of the update. In the near future, Google plans to bring the shortcut to 160 additional countries, with support for other languages - including Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese - on the way as well.Google introduced AI Mode at the start of March when it previewed the feature through its Labs program. Since then, it has been aggressively rolling out AI Mode in nearly every market it operates, beginning this past May at I/O 2025 May when the company made the chatbot available to all US users.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-adds-an-ai-mode-shortcut-to-chrome-on-mobile-170042622.html?src=rss

Google has been replacing Assistant with Gemini across all its apps, and Maps is the latest one getting an upgrade. The AI assistant will let you interact with the app using natural conversation while you navigate the roads hands-free. You can, for instance, ask it: "Is there a budget-friendly Japanese restaurant along my route within a couple of miles?" And after it has responded, you can keep on asking it follow-up questions, such as if a specific restaurant has a parking space and what dishes are popular there. Once you've decided on a place, you can simply tell Gemini: "Okay, let's go there," to start navigating to it.You'll also be able to ask Gemini to do random tasks while it's navigating and without leaving the Maps app, such as adding events to your Calendar if you allow it to connect to the app. In addition, Gemini will let you report traffic disruptions, simply by saying "there's flooding ahead" or "I see an accident." Gemini in Google Maps is rolling out over the next few weeks to Android and iOS in all regions where Gemini is available. It's also coming to Android Auto in the future.In the US, Maps is getting more capabilities powered by the AI assistant. You can now get directions that mention landmarks that are easy to spot. Instead of saying "turn left in 500 feet," for example, Gemini will say "turn left after the Thai Siam Restaurant." The landmark will also be highlighted in Maps as a visual cue. This feature is now rolling out to both Android and iOS devices. Maps will now proactively notify you of road disruptions on Android, as well, even if you're not actively navigating. Finally, you'll be able to use Lens with Gemini within the Maps app when it starts rolling out later this month to Android and iOS. You simply have to tap on the camera in the Maps search bar, point to an establishment and ask it questions about the location, such as "What is this place and why is it popular?"This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-maps-gemini-integration-will-make-hands-free-navigation-more-conversational-140009629.html?src=rss

Slowly but surely, Sony has been transforming the initially limited PlayStation Portal into a viable handheld for PS5 gamers, albeit only those with a solid internet connection. What launched as a strictly remote play device eventually got unlocked for cloud streaming, with PS Plus Premium members able to play select Game Catalog games without needing to connect to a PS5. And from today, you can also stream select digital PS5 games that you own.Again, you'll need to have a PS Plus Premium membership to take advantage of the new features, but once signed up to the most expensive tier of Sony's subscription service you'll be able to stream the likes of Astro Bot, Borderlands 4, Final Fantasy VII Rebirthand Ghost of Yotei, which are among the the thousands of games supported at launch.You could, of course, already play all of these games on the Portal over remote play from your PS5. But now that the device has been untethered from the main console, it gets a bit closer to the dedicated go-anywhere PlayStation handheld everyone wants. That's provided you have a decent enough Wi-Fi connection to get a good quality stream.Alongside the new cloud streaming functionality, the Portal has a new home screen that adds a search tab for quickly finding games that are available to stream. The latest update also adds 3D audio support for supported games on both remote play and cloud streams when using wired headphones or one of Sony's proprietary PlayStation Link headsets. You can also now add a passcode lock to the device, while a new network status screen is available in the Quick menu.Sony now allows you to make in-game purchases while streaming games over the cloud without leaving a session, and if you have a friend playing the same game you're streaming, you can receive invites and join their game from the Quick menu.Sony seems intent on the PlayStation Portal plugging the gap between now and and the arrival of the PS6, which could reportedly arrive in the next two years alongside a powerful complementary handheld device that might beat out the ROG Xbox Ally X in the specs department.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/you-can-now-stream-ps5-games-you-own-over-the-cloud-on-the-playstation-portal-135025829.html?src=rss

2026 is seemingly going to be the year that Netflix gets aggressive with podcasting. We already knew that the streamer will start licensing video podcasts from Spotify Studios and The Ringer in the new year, and according to a new report, agents at leading talent agencies are being sounded out ahead of a Q1 push.Sources have told The Hollywood Reporterthat Netflix has sent dozens of requests" to agents at WME, UTA and CAA as it looks to add more video podcasts to the platform. The plan is that the company launches its video podcast offering in early 2026, by which time it wants to have a library of shows with existing audiences.This comes after Bloombergreported this week that Netflix is also in licensing talks with iHeartMedia, which is one of the largest podcasts publishers in the world and makes shows like Stuff You Should Know and The Breakfast Club. According to Bloomberg's sources, Netflix wants an exclusivity deal that would mean featured shows would no longer be uploaded to YouTube. The latter is Spotify's biggest rival in the space, and passed one billion monthly active podcast viewers at the start of 2025.The Spotify deal Netflix penned last month includes nine sports podcasts at launch, among them The Bill Simmons Podcast and The Zach Lowe Show. Other video podcasts coming to the streaming service include Serial Killers and The Ringer's The Rewatchables.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-is-reportedly-going-big-on-video-podcasts-for-2026-133025499.html?src=rss

Putting AI in space may sound like a sci-fi nightmare, but Google is thinking about the idea with a research endeavor called Project Suncatcher. The idea is to put power-hungry data centers into orbit on solar-powered satellites, so they can be powered by unlimited, clean energy available 24 hours a day. That would mitigate the nastiest aspects of AI cloud computing, like the use of power plants that spew huge amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.Project Suncatcher is a literal moonshot of the type that Google used to do more often. The search giant wants to put its AI chips, called Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), into orbit aboard solar panel-equipped satellites. In the future, space may be the best place to scale AI compute," wrote Google senior director Travis Beals. "In the right orbit, a solar panel can be up to 8 times more productive than on Earth, and produce power nearly continuously, reducing the need for batteries."Suffice to say, the idea poses numerous challenges. That proximity to the sun would expose the TPUs to high levels of radiation that can rapidly degrade electronic components. However, Google has tested its current chips for radiation tolerance and said they'd be able to survive a five year mission without suffering permanent failures.Google's Tensor Processing UnitGoogleAnother challenge is the high-speed data links of "tens of terabits per second" and low latency required between satellites. Those speeds would be hard to achieve in space, as transmitting data at long distances requires exponentially more power than on Earth. To achieve that, Google said it may need to maneuver TPU-equipped satellites into tight formations, possibly within "kilometers or less" of each other. That would have the added benefit of reducing "station keeping" thrust maneuvers needed to keep the satellites in the right position.The determining factor, though, is money. Launching TPUs into space may not seem cost-efficient, but Google's analysis shows that doing so could be "roughly comparable" to data centers on Earth (in terms of power efficiency) by around the mid-2030s.While it's currently only a preliminary research paper, Google is planning to put Project Suncatcher through some initial trials. It has teamed with a company called Planet on a "learning mission" to launch a pair of prototype satellites into orbit by 2027. "This experiment will test how our models and TPU hardware operate in space and validate the use of optical inter-satellite links for distributed ML [machine learning] tasks," Google wrote.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-contemplates-putting-giant-ai-installations-in-low-earth-orbit-123025256.html?src=rss

After launching it in China earlier, DJI has unveiled its flagship smartphone gimbal, the Osmo Mobile 8. The new model looks much like the Osmo Mobile 7P and has the same Multifunctional tracking module with a built-in light. However, it adds a bunch of useful new functionality including Apple DockKit support, 360-degree panning and pet tracking.The lack of Apple DockKit support was an issue with the Osmo Mobile 7P, as it made tracking yourself trickier with some apps. It also put DJI behind Insta360's Flow 2 Pro, which does support DockKit. That's no longer an issue with the Osmo Mobile 8, though. You can now do subject tracking within the native iPhone camera app or any of the 200-plus iOS applications compatible with DockKit.At the same time, full tracking is available via the Multifunctional Module. That attaches to the side of its updated, more secure magnetic phone mount, letting you track yourself or other subjects automatically with any camera app. It includes a surprisingly powerful LED fill light and works as a receiver for DJI's wireless microphones, including the Mic Mini, Mic 2 and Mic 3. On top of humans, the module now supports dog and cat tracking as well. As before, it also supports gesture control.DJIAnother key feature is a pan axis that supports 360 degree horizontal rotation that no longer hits a stop as before. That means when you lock onto moving subjects with intelligent tracking, it'll keep following them even if they go all the way around the camera. The updated, more comfortable grip (and 0.8 pound weight) also makes it easier to take low angle shots, something that that will be handy when trying to follow your cat around.When using DJI's Mimo app, you also get access to DJI's advanced ActiveTrack 7.0.1 tracking tech. It comes with a feature called Dual Lens Boost 2 that uses your phones wide-angle and telephoto lenses to make sure a subject isn't lost, even if they move quickly or within a crowded scene. Another feature, Smart Capture, makes it easy to switch between subjects, even in complex environments, according to DJI.The OM8 uses DJI's latest three-axis stabilization tech to smooth even jarring movements without hurting quality like a smartphone can do. Other features include an integrated tripod, easy switching between front and rear cameras (along with the ability to flip the camera 180 degrees for rear camera selfies), an integrated tripod and a built-in extension rod. DJI's Osmo Mobile 8 gimbal is now available in Europe for 159 euros, with US pricing and availability to be announced shortly.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/djis-osmo-mobile-8-gimbal-adds-pet-tracking-and-apple-dockkit-support-120032512.html?src=rss

Getting a solid Android phone doesn't necessitate spending a small fortune. The best budget models strike a great balance between price and performance, giving you smooth everyday use without cutting too many corners. Whether you're scrolling social media, streaming your favorite shows or snapping photos of a night out, there's an affordable Android phone that can handle it all.

When you search for a MagSafe power bank on Amazon, among the top recommendations are outdated banks that max out at 7.5-watt wireless charging. Now that Qi2 and Qi2 25W technology have arrived, iPhones can refill much faster. In our tests, older-gen batteries got a phone to 50 percent in just under two hours on average. Our pick for the best Qi2 25W power bank did that in about a half hour. You may also be tempted by Apple's iPhone Air MagSafe Battery, but we found a better (read: cheaper) choice. We used more than a dozen batteries for this guide and continue to try out new models so you can buy the best MagSafe power bank - that someone actually tested first. The best MagSafe power banks for 2025 What to consider before buying a MagSafe power bank Choose the right capacity. Most portable MagSafe chargers have either a 5,000 milliamp hour (mAh) or 10,000mAh capacity. Obviously, the larger capacity batteries are physically bigger, but thanks to an iPhone's magnetic attachment points, you can still use the phone comfortably as it charges. If you're worried about overall bulk, you may prefer the slimness of a 5,000mAh battery. Just note that a 5K battery pack won't deliver its entire capacity to your phone due to energy loss from voltage conversion and heat dissipation. Over the years, I've measured around a 60-percent delivery rate for wireless banks. For example, that means an iPhone 16 with its 3,561mAh battery will get about 85 to 90 percentage points from a 5K battery. A 10K bank will charge that same phone fully once, with enough for a 50- to 60-percent boost next time. Understand MagSafe versus Qi2. All iPhones model 12 and later have MagSafe technology, which rely on embedded magnets to align the phone with a wireless charger and can support charging speeds of up to 15 watts. The MagSafe name is owned by Apple - third-party chargers can't freely use the term and instead call their accessories magnetic," or apply a branded name like Anker's MagGo or UGreen's MagFlow. Be sure to check the product details before buying: anything that works with Apple's technology will be listed as MagSafe-compatible. Qi2 is a standard from the Wireless Power Consortium (of which Apple is a member) and has the same stipulations as MagSafe (15W charging and magnetic alignment). Any company can submit their tech for this certification. iPhones 13 and later are Qi2 compatible. The newest standard, Qi2 25W (also called Qi2.2), bumps wireless charging speeds up to 25W. The WPC says a certified smartphone using a certified charger can wirelessly go from dead to half full in about 30 minutes (keep in mind that both the charger and phone need to be certified to get those speeds) and that aligns with our testing. Accessories, like power banks that support the new standard are starting to hit shelves now. As for phones, Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL, Apple's iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max all support the standard as well. iPhone 16 models (except the 16e) support the standard after an update to iOS 26. Remember travel restrictions. You may have seen news reports of flights being grounded because a power bank caught fire in the cabin. Currently, the TSA allows them in your carry-on luggage as long as they're rated at 100 watt-hours or lower (about 27,000mAh for lithium ion batteries). But some airlines have enacted further restrictions. Southwest, for example, requires you to keep power banks out of the bag and visible while charging. Even if your airline doesn't make such demands, keeping a power brick out in the open while it's in use is a good idea - it'll keep it cooler and you'll be more likely to notice if it starts to overheat. Most, if not all, MagSafe battery packs come in at under the 100-watt-hour limit, so traveling should be easy with one. Consider the extra features. You may not need them, but the little extra perks of a MagSafe power bank can come in handy. Some have stands so you can watch your phone while it refills. Some have LED displays that tell you how much charge is left, which can be a little more precise than the lighted pips other banks use. Some also have straps to make the bank easier to carry around or fish out of your bag. What about the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery? When Apple introduced the iPhone Air, it announced the new $99 iPhone Air MagSafe Battery in the same breath. It's now the sole Apple-branded MagSafe power bank - but it only works with the iPhone Air. It's a pretty divisive battery. In his review of the new phone, Engadget's Sam Rutherford appreciated that the accessory keeps with the sleekness of the iPhone Air design and liked that it can also charge the new AirPods 3 wirelessly. But Valentina Palladino called out its dismal price-to-capacity ratio. Anker's Nano MagGo Slim is probably a better bet for all but the most devoted iPhone user. It has the same minimalist look and pocketable thinness as Apple's proprietary battery, but it'll attach to other phones in addition to the Air. Plus it's $35 cheaper. Other MagSafe batteries we tested Mophie Powerstation Slim 5K The Mophie Powerstation Slim 5K, too, has a super slim design that nearly disappears into the back of the phone as it charges. It makes excellent use of its 5K capacity, delivering a 90 percent refill to an iPhone 15. But it's a little more expensive than the our top slim pick, Anker's Nano MagGo Slim, and the squared off design makes it feel bulkier than it actually is. Neither of those make it a bad choice; the MagSafe battery playing field is just terribly competitive right now. Belkin BoostCharge Pro 10K Belkin's BoostCharge Pro is Qi2-certified and was only a touch slower than other models in terms of charging speeds, boosting an iPhone 15 from 5 percent to full in about two and a half hours. The feel is premium and the stand is sturdy, but it got quite hot during charging, took overly long to refill itself and is pricer and a bit bulkier than similar models. Baseus Picogo 5K The Picogo 5K from Baseus is teensy but still packs a stand and a 5,000mAh capacity. It's Qi2-certified and delivered a 43 percent bump to our tester iPhone 15 in 42 minutes, ultimately charging it to 91 percent. The slim slab of the Anker Nano battery is sleeker. But that one doesn't have a stand - so if you want to prop up your phone while it charges, go for this one. MagSafe power banks FAQs What does MagSafe do? MagSafe is Apple's own technology that supports up to 25W wireless charging speeds and incorporates embedded magnets to align the phone with chargers and other accessories. Which iPhones support MagSafe? iPhones 12 and later support 15W MagSafe technology, though only iPhones 13 and later can reach the 15W charging speed with third-party Qi2 accessories. The iPhone 12 maxes out at 7.5W with non-Apple accessories. The new iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max support up to 25W charging speeds with Qi2 25W-certified chargers. iPhone 16, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max should also support those speeds after an update to iOS 26. The iPhone Air supports MagSafe charging at a max speed of 20W. Can you use MagSafe batteries with a case? In most cases (heh), yes. The wireless charge can travel across a distance of a few millimeters. If the case is more than 5mm thick or contains metal components, the wireless charge can be blocked. Many iPhone cases are marketed as MagSafe-compatible, which means the case itself has complimentary magnets inside and should not interfere with charging accessories. We tested a MagSafe power bank on an iPhone 15 with and without a MagSafe case and got the same charging speeds and amounts in both tests. How much power do MagSafe batteries provide? That depends on the power bank. If it is Qi2-certified, it can provide up to 15 watts of wireless power. Qi2 25W-enabled chargers can deliver up to 25 watts to a compatible handset. Non-Qi2 batteries typically deliver around 7.5 watts. The amount of charge delivered depends on the capacity. Most MagSafe portable chargers are rated at 5,000mAh or 10,000mAh. The former can get a standard iPhone 15 from five percent to around 90 percent. The latter can fill the phone completely with enough left over for another half charge.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-magsafe-power-banks-120015338.html?src=rss

Motorola just announced the Edge 70 smartphone, which is an ultra-thin handset that could rival the recently-launched Apple iPhone Air. It's a bit thicker than the Air, at 5.9mm compared to 5.6mm, but the camera bump is less noticeable.As for that camera bump, the Edge 70 features a trio of 50MP camera sensors. The main camera can capture 4K video and there's also a front camera, an ultrawide with a macro lens and a dedicated light sensor. Like most modern smartphones, there are AI tools available for photo editing.The frame is made from "aircraft-grade aluminum," which is a good thing because my uncoordinated fingers will absolutely be dropping this thing within three days of owning one. Other durability features include Corning Gorilla Glass 7i and IP69 water protection.MotorolaThe phone will also have access to the company's proprietary moto ai2 chatbot. This can do all of the usual stuff like create images and answer queries. However, Motorola also boasts that the AI can understand what's on the screen and can point users to the correct course of action. We'll have to wait and see how that works in real life.This skinny handset somehow includes a massive 4800mAh battery that allows up to 50 hours of continuous use. That's over two full days of doomscrolling without ever heading to the power outlet. As a comparison, the iPhone Air lasts anywhere from 22 to 27 hoursThe Edge 70 ships with a magnetic case that can handle wireless charging and includes a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 Mobile chipset. Motorola promises active software support and security upgrades all the way until 2031.Given the form factor and specs, the price is actually fairly reasonable. The Edge 70 starts at 700, which breaks down to around $910 USD. It's available for purchase right now, but there's a spot of bad news. It's launching in the UK and there's no current information as to when it'll cross the pond.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-motorola-edge-70-is-another-ridiculously-thin-smartphone-080009244.html?src=rss

It can be challenging for us humans to wrap our brains around really massive numbers. Even the scale of a million or billion is pretty hard for most people to really comprehend. So prepare yourself to think big, because scientists have recorded the largest and most distant black hole flare to date, and the numbers around it are pretty staggering.The event occurred at an active galactic nucleus, also known as an accreting or feeding black hole, that they predict is 500 million times more massive than our sun and is located 10 billion light years away. The researchers suspect that this flare was caused by a tidal disruption event, where the gravity of the AGN may have pulled a nearby star closer and consumed it. The team estimates that the star eaten by the black hole had a mass 30 times that of our system's own sun. And according to the layperson blog post from Caltech about the event, "at its brightest, the flare shined with the light of 10 trillion suns.""This is unlike any AGN we've ever seen," said Matthew Graham, who was a co-principal investigator on the study as well as a research professor of astronomy at Caltech and project scientist for the Zwicky Transient Facility, which first observed the black hole in question in 2018 along with the Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey. The research about the AGN and its bonkers flare appeared in the journal Nature Astronomy.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/scientists-observed-a-black-hole-flare-that-shined-with-the-light-of-10-trillion-suns-235414438.html?src=rss

Valve is bringing a helpful update to the Steam Deck, adding an option for downloading content while the screen is off. The company is calling it a display-off low-power mode. It will be enabled by default when the Steam Deck is plugged in. The handheld's power settings can also allow it to be active while on battery power, although it will automatically revert to full sleep mode if the battery drops below 20 percent. If a user hits the power button while the Steam Deck is downloading content, a dialogue prompt will appear asking if the download should continue with the display off. A Steam Deck that reaches an idle timeout will also automatically go into the display-off low-power mode.In practice, this is similar to the rest mode modern consoles have that allows for downloads while the machine isn't being actively used. This feature can be really useful if you're playing an online competitive game and don't want a big download infringing on your bandwidth. (I speak from experience here.) Nice for the Steam Deck to offer a similar convenience to its players.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/steam-deck-adds-a-standby-mode-for-screen-off-downloads-230334579.html?src=rss

Amazon has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity that demands that the AI startup prevents its Comet browser from making purchases on Amazon, Bloomberg reports. In a blog post responding to Amazon's letter, Perplexity claims Amazon is "bullying" the company and that its demands pose "a threat to all internet users."In Amazon's eyes, Comet's agent violates its terms of service, degrades the Amazon shopping experience and introduces privacy vulnerabilities, Bloomberg writes. Amazon's "Conditions of Use" for Amazon.com specifically prohibit "any downloading, copying, or other use of account information for the benefit of any third party" and "any use of data mining, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction tools." Depending on your definition, the agentic capabilities Perplexity offers through Comet could violate both clauses. The browser securely stores log-in credentials for websites locally, and uses them to make purchases for customers on Amazon with a simple command.Perplexity and Amazon agreed to pause agentic shopping on Amazon in November 2024, according to the report, but when Comet was released, Perplexity allowed it again. By representing the Comet agent as a Chrome browser user rather than a bot, the company allegedly tried to get around the agreement, until Amazon found out and sent its cease-and-desist letter.Amazon posted the statement below on its blog, openly acknowledging the issues it has with Perplexity:

In a case of deja vu, Stellantis is once again recalling two models of its Jeep brand plug-in hybrid SUVs. The company has recalled at least 320,000 of its Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Jeep Wrangler 4xe cars in the US over concerns of fire risks while driving and while parked. Stellantis is also recalling 20,753 of the Jeep vehicles in Canada, 2,653 in Mexico, and 32,238 outside of North America. A statement from Stellantis said an internal investigation discovered 19 fires.Jeep also recalled these same two 4xe models in October 2024. The issue then and now was with the EV batteries produced by Samsung SDI. Stellantis has been unable to address the fire risks with software updates and is expected to notify drivers when a remedy for the issue is ready. Until then, the owners of Grand Cherokee 4xe models from 2022 to 2026 and Wrangler 4xe models from 2020 to 2025 are being encouraged to park outside away from buildings and not to plug in their vehicles. So basically these cars are relegated to being very large sculptures until Stellanis can fix the battery problems.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/stellantis-recalls-more-than-375000-jeep-hybrid-suvs-for-fire-risk-215341226.html?src=rss

Google is bringing live lane guidance to Google Maps in cars with the company's built-in infotainment system, starting with the Polestar 4. Using the vehicle's front-facing camera, Google Maps will be able to "see" the road just as the driver does. It will then create more detailed depictions of which lane a driver should be in and guide them using visual and audio cues.Google says the new feature uses AI to analyze lane markings and road signs, which it then integrates in real time with Google Maps' navigation system. Google paints a picture of fewer missed exits, as its navigation system reminds drivers in the left lane that their exit is coming up on the right side of the highway.Details are scarce on where exactly this will function. In Google's blog post announcing the feature, the company says it will expand live lane guidance to "more road types" in the future. We've reached out for clarification.Live lane guidance with Google Maps will be rolling out on the Polestar 4 in the US and Sweden over the coming months. Google says it will expand to include more cars in partnership with other automakers.Update Nov 4 3:39 PM EST: Google says the feature will only work on highways for now.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/google-maps-is-adding-live-lane-guidance-for-the-polestar-4-192705050.html?src=rss

Every year for as long as I can remember, my mother has gifted me a wall calendar featuring photos of my hometown. It's a lovely thing, and I use it often to keep a note of all the concerts I have coming up. For 2026, though, I'm going to need something different: a Balatro wall calendar that features actor Ben Starr as the game's mascot, Jimbo, in a variety of scenarios.You'll see Jimbo as Santa Claus and a vampire. There's a photo of him in baseball garb and another of him eating ice cream. There's even a shot of Jimbo with carefully placed bananas (a nod to the game's handy banana cards) akin to that one shot of Mena Suvari in American Beauty. Starr is a logical pick for this as he previously dressed up as Jimbo to promote the game and accept a BAFTA on behalf of developer LocalThunk.

Dolby unveiled Dolby Vision 2 in September, and Samsung has already fired back with its own upgrades to its image quality format. The company is a key player in the consortium behind the HDR10 and HDR10+ standards, and this week it announced that the group is developing a version called HDR10+ Advanced. Amazon Prime Video has already signed on to support this format when it becomes available.Forbes reported on the six upgrades that are in the works with HDR10+ Advanced. The revised standard is expected to have an increased brightness range, genre-based options for tone mapping and picture processing, intelligent motion-smoothing options, a mode for cloud gaming, more zones for local tone mapping, and more advanced and accurate color performance. According to the publication, HDR10+ Advanced will likely debut on Samsung's 2026 TV lineup. If that is the case, we can expect to hear more about HDR10+ Advanced in January at CES 2026 when the company usually unveils the year's TV models.Samsung is also collaborating with Google on an audio project that would be a counterpart to Dolby Atmos called Eclipsa Audio, but the details on that have been a little sparse since a brief announcement at CES 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsung-is-working-on-hdr10-advanced-to-take-on-dolby-vision-2-202410665.html?src=rss

After a delay, Apple has announced that it's bringing its AI-powered Live Translation feature to the European Union in December. The expansion is notable, not only because Live Translation was a key selling point of the recently released AirPods Pro 3, but also because the company warned in September that complying with the EU's Digital Markets Act could delay the feature.When Live Translation becomes available in the EU on AirPods Pro 3, Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC next month, the feature will automatically translate a speaker's voice between English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional Mandarin), Japanese and Korean. Live Translation can also seamlessly translate between pairs of AirPods, intelligently lowering a speaker's voice so the translation is easier to hear.In September, Apple blamed a potential delay on "additional engineering" that was required to make sure translated conversations stay private, with the company specifically trying to "make sure [conversations] won't be exposed to other companies or developers." The wait for the feature should be worth it, though. In Engadget's review of the AirPods Pro 3, we found Live Translation to be a handy addition to what was already a solid pair of wireless earbuds.If you're looking to try the feature before its official release, Apple Intelligence-capable iPhones running the iOS 26.2 developer beta can already use Live Translation on supported AirPods in the EU. A public beta of the software update will also be available soon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/apples-live-translation-feature-is-finally-coming-to-airpods-in-the-eu-201352038.html?src=rss

Microsoft has announced its latest batch of games coming to Xbox Game Pass in November. Monthly subscribers have a lot to look forward to, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on day one of its release.Kicking off the release slate is Dead Static Drive on November 5. This indie survival-horror game takes players on a 1980s-style road trip across the country. Dead Static Drive will share its date with Sniper Elite: Resistance, a tactical third-person combat game with rich sniper mechanics that sports a co-op campaign for playing with friends.The very next day will feature the real star of this month's Game Pass releases, and no, I don't mean COD. I'm talking about Egging On, the platformer where you play as a literal egg trying to escape your hen house. You'll have to traverse harrowing obstacles and terrifying heights armed with little more than your fragile shell. Whiskerwood, a strategy and worldbuilding game where mice must build and manage colonies at the behest of a feline overlord, will be available on the same day.The games keep coming over the following days with Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris and Pigeon Simulator available on November 11. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 drops on November 14 and will feature 16 6v6 maps and two 20v20 maps at launch.Microsoft recently raised the price on the highest tier of the Xbox Game Pass subscription to $30 per month from $20 per month. That made Game Pass Ultimate 50 percent more expensive than previously. The tiers also underwent some rebranding as well, but the big thing to note is that you'll need that $30/month Ultimate tier to play games on release day. This came after price increases in 2024 as well.See the full list of Xbox Game Pass additions below, as well as a list of games leaving on November 15. The list also specifies which tier of Game Pass you'll need for each title.November 5

Sora is now available to Android users on the Google Play Store. The iOS version of OpenAI's text-to-video generative AI app is still only available in select markets and requires an invitation, but people are still extremely excited about making slop of their own; the app reportedly reached more than 1 million downloads in less than five days. And it didn't take long for the company to land in hot water over users creating disrespectful clips of Martin Luther King Jr. and drawing censure from the Japanese government over copycats of famous manga and anime.Those aren't the only legal issues Sora has been skirting. OpenAI was sued by Cameo on claims of copyright infringement, and the very next day, the company released a feature called "cameo" for putting existing entities into Sora's gen-AI videos. Whatever it winds up being named, some form of licensing personas looks like it will be part of OpenAI's eventual monetization plans for Sora.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-sora-app-is-now-available-on-android-191722821.html?src=rss

Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind Fallout: New Vegas and the recently released The Outer Worlds 2, has announced that it's revisiting an RPG it released over a decade ago for a new update. Pillars of Eternity, a throwback isometric RPG, is receiving a turn-based mode as part of a new public beta on PC.The new mode slows the game's "real-time with pause" combat down, building on the optional turn-based mode the developer included with Pillars of Eternity: Deadfire, a sequel from 2018. The game's director Josh Sawyer digs into the thinking behind the update in a trailer Obsidian released alongside the update announcement, but in brief, the mode attempts to faithfully adapt characters' stats for turn-based combat, while making it easy to switch from real-time to turn-based modes on the fly.Obsidian last returned to Eora, the setting of Pillars of Eternity, in the excellent Avowed from earlier this year. That game translated the series' world and combat systems into a first-person RPG in the style of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Besides releasing The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian is also actively developing Grounded 2 in early access.Pillars of Eternity's turn-based mode will be available in a public beta for PC starting on November 5. Obsidian is looking for feedback on the new mode ahead of a planned update to the game at some point in the future.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pillars-of-eternity-to-receive-surprise-turn-based-mode-in-new-update-191221448.html?src=rss

Samsung just announced the P9 Express series of microSD Express cards, which are primarily intended for use with the Switch 2 console. This is a good thing, as Nintendo's latest console only works with microSD Express cards and, to be honest, there aren't that many options out there for consumers. The company boasts that these new cards feature maximum sequential read speeds up to 800MB/s, which is a mighty fine metric and in league with some of our other favorite cards for the Switch 2. The cards also include the company's Dynamic Thermal Guard (DTG) technology, which was originally developed for SSDs. This should help things stay cool while you're out there catching Pokemon or rampaging around as a cartoon gorilla. Samsung Of course, these cards aren't tied to the Switch 2. That's just the most common use case scenario. They'll work with just about anything, like tablets, drones, cameras and rival portable gaming consoles. Samsung's P9 Express microSD cards are available now, and the price is in line with similar offerings. The 256GB model costs $55 and the 512GB version costs $100. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/samsung-has-a-new-line-of-microsd-express-cards-for-the-switch-2-190933303.html?src=rss

There's a lot more riding on Amazon's latest batch of Echo hardware than usual. After all, these are the first devices arriving alongside Alexa+, the AI-powered revamp of the company's signature voice assistant. And unlike the $220 Echo Studio, the new Echo Dot Max is a more affordable ($100) and compact entry point into using Alexa+. It's also another example of how confusing Amazon's hardware lineup can get: the older Echo Pop ($40) and Echo Dot ($50) are also getting Alexa+. The Echo Dot Max isn't the cheapest Echo, nor is it the best-sounding speaker Amazon sells. So, where does it fit?The best way to think about this new speaker is that it occupies the same spot in Amazon's lineup as the venerable and discontinued device simply named Echo." For years, the Amazon Echo was the company's main speaker, but it no longer sells one with that pleasantly concise name. The Echo Dot Max steps in at the same price point, though. And while my testing has shown that Alexa+ is a solid step forward, the Dot Max hardware itself isn't as good as what it replaces.DesignThe Echo Dot Max feels immediately familiar if you've seen any of Amazon's spherical smart speakers from the last five years or so, but there are numerous design changes here. The 2020 Echo and current Echo Dot have buttons on top for adjusting volume and muting the speaker's microphone. Those buttons are now on a front-facing panel that is surrounded by the Echo's signature light ring. While I liked how the light ring encircled the bottom of the Echo, it's definitely easier to see in this new front-facing position and it's particularly better at displaying the volume now. Overall, it's a fairly refined and subtle device, which is exactly what you want from a smart speaker. I tested the graphite model, but you can also get it in white or a much bolder purple. I prefer the fully spherical, globe-like appearance of the Echo Dot, but there's little to complain about here visually. Amazon's Echo Dot Max speaker. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget I do have some quibbles about the front-facing volume and mute buttons, though. The Echo Dot Max is simply so light that if I press the controls I'll push the speaker around the shelf it's on. This is easily solved by putting your hand around it and pressing the buttons with your thumb, but if you reach out to it with your index finger it probably won't stay in place. I guess you're supposed to primarily interact with the Echo Dot Max with your voice, but top-mounted buttons would've avoided this problem. I imagine this isn't as much of a problem with the similarly-designed Echo Studio, simply because it's much larger and three times heavier.Audio qualityI'm a pretty big music nerd and I've listened to many smart speakers over the years. I've come away impressed with the Echo devices I tested in 2018 as well as the 2020 Echo I spoke about earlier. At $100, that Echo punched well above its weight and sounded notably better than the identically-priced HomePod Mini and Nest Audio.Unfortunately, the Echo Dot Max does not match that older speaker's bonafides. Don't get me wrong, it sounds just fine -better than a standard Echo Dot and in line with what I'd expect from a $100 speaker. It's a good bit louder than my HomePod Mini, with plenty of volume to fill a medium-sized room on its own. If you're looking to really pump music through a bigger room, though, you're better off looking at the Echo Studio or something like the Sonos Era 100. You can also pair two Echo Dot Max speakers together for stereo playback and increased volume, but I didn't get to test this so can't say how it'll perform in a larger space. Side view of Amazon's Echo Dot Max speaker Nathan Ingraham for Engadget My biggest complaint with the Echo Dot Max is that frequencies often felt a bit smushed together, without a solid bass thump separating itself from the clarity in the mid- and high-range frequencies. It doesn't provide the most dynamic listening experience. When you look at the difference in the Echo Dot Max's speaker components compared to the fourth-generation Echo, that's not a surprise. That older speaker paired a 3-inch woofer with dual 0.8-inch tweeters, while the Dot Max makes do with just one tweeter and a smaller 2.5-inch woofer.I want to reiterate that the Echo Dot Max still sounds good! The various beats, electronic glitches and vocals of Lorde's What Was That" came through clearly for the most part, and the modern disco vibes of Jealous" by The Aces had a nice thump and the instruments were plenty punchy. The heavier, guitar-driven fury of albums like the new Deftones release Private Music and the 33-year-old Dirt by Alice In Chains came through loud and clear, while turning up the volume on the rave-esque vibes of As Alive As You Need Me To Be" by Nine Inch Nails had plenty of life. But while the overall sound was pleasant enough, further listening made me realize that details like a good snap of a snare could get lost amidst a storm of guitars.It's a disappointment that Amazon took an undeniable step backwards here. Much like the Echo Studio that we just reviewed, the Echo Dot Max isn't bad - it's just underwhelming. It's a little easier to forgive here, since the Dot Max is more of an all-purpose speaker rather than something designed to provide an exceptional listening experience. Again, it sounds totally fine for a $100 smart speaker, but given Amazon's past success in providing surprisingly excellent audio, I was hoping for a lot more here. Amazon's Echo Dot Max smart speaker. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Alexa+The other piece of the puzzle is, of course, Alexa+, Amazon's long-awaited update to its digital assistant. Somehow, it's already been two years since Amazon first showed off the improvements it was working on delivering with Alexa+. But with these new devices, early access" to the service is pretty easy to come by now.I'll admit that I'm not much of a voice assistant guy. I think a lot of that comes from not having a very smart home. I've been renting for the last eight months after owning a home for almost a decade, and there just hasn't been much to do with Alexa (or any voice assistant) at the moment.But even without home-based routines to run, lights to control or a smart thermostat to adjust, it was evident how much more conversational and context-aware Alexa+ is now. I did a lot of testing during the World Series and I made it a habit to ask Alexa what was going on in the series. We had several conversations" about what happened in the previous night's game, when the next game was happening, who the starting pitchers were and so forth. It was probably the most natural experience I've ever had using a voice assistant, even though using my natural language with a speaker still feels awkward. (I definitely said please to Alexa more than once.)Once you're set up with Alexa+ Early Access, you can use the same updated assistant in the Alexa app on your smartphone, either with your voice or in a chat interface. The chatbot-style Alexa experience is fine, but I actually prefer using my voice, because I felt like it was easier to have a conversation with it and just ask things as they popped into my head.Another good thing about Alexa+ is that it felt fast and responsive. There are short pauses while it thinks about a response, but it usually got back to me quickly enough that continuing that natural language conversation didn't feel stilted or awkward. Speed is a crucial factor towards making a voice assistant feel responsive, and Alexa+ on the Echo Dot Max hits on that point. Some combo of Amazon's AZ3 chip and whatever is happening up in its cloud is getting the job done here.As with any voice assistant, Alexa+ is, of course, not perfect. Most basic tasks like setting reminders, checking the weather and playing music all work reliably. But asking for specific songs or albums can sometimes go badly. Occasionally, Alexa wouldn't be able to find a specific album I was looking for but it would play other songs by the artist; other times it would come up with completely unrelated music. This is an issue I've had with all assistants, but I was hoping Alexa+ might be smart enough to avoid getting too far off base.I asked it to play the latest release by the band Now, Now." It's an EP entitled 01 so I had a feeling Alexa might struggle with that. Sure enough, it said sure, here's new music from Now, Now" and played one of the songs from that release. Not bad, but not quite right. I then followed up and said can you play this entire album?" That did not work. Instead, I ended up with the song Ain't it Funky Now" performed by legendary jazz guitarist and composer Grant Green. An outstanding recording, sure, but not remotely close to what I was looking for. Even asking play the album 01 EP' by the band Now, Now" got me Drake's Laugh Now Cry Later." Sigh.Worse than that were the times when Alexa+ just made things up. The Alexa app provides you with little suggestions for things to ask about, like iconic music duets." I tapped it, curious to see what it provided, and it pulled up a list of iconic music duets that have left an indelible mark on the music industry."Among those was Smells Like Teen Spirit" performed by the late Kurt Cobain and his wife Courtney Love. This happened? News to me! I followed up and asked for more details and got a response noting that there isn't a formal duet of Smells Like Teen Spirit.'" Best I can tell, it popped up because Love sang some unused lyrics from the legendary song on an episode of the 60 Songs That Explain the 90s podcast, back in 2023. This is a perfect example of the random inferences AI often draws, and it's a good reminder that Alexa+, like all AI assistants, can make things up sometimes. This didn't happen often, but it's still something you'll need to look out for. Amazon's Echo Dot Max smart speaker. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Wrap-upThe Echo Dot Max more or less delivers on Amazon's promises. It sounds better than smaller speakers like the Echo Dot or Pop, and it's significantly cheaper than the Echo Studio. If you're at all interested in music, it's worth stepping up to the Dot Max over the standard Dot. Beyond just better audio, it's also significantly newer (the Dot was last updated in 2022). Its more modern processor means it should have a longer lifespan than the standard Dot, making it a better option for people who are eager to try out Alexa+.That freshly updated hardware is a reason to consider the Echo Dot Max over similarly priced speakers like the Nest Audio and HomePod Mini, both of which are five years old. And despite Alexa+ dealing with some growing pains, it's a better option at this moment than the unproven Gemini for Home Google that is rolling out or the old, limited Siri that the HomePod Mini is still stuck with.But the Echo Dot Max still feels like a bit of a missed opportunity to me. The old Echo sounded so good, and this speaker is just not as exciting in comparison. It's a fine way to interact with Alexa+ and enjoy some tunes, I just wish it sounded a little bit better.

Nintendo's lawsuit against Palworld just hit a snag. The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has ordered a reexamination of a key Nintendo patent expected to be wielded in the case. Games Fray reports that the office is reviewing the Switch maker's patent regarding "summon subcharacter and let it fight in 1 of 2 modes." If we view Nintendo's Palworld lawsuit as a test bed for monopolizing game mechanics, the development can only be seen as a good thing.Several factors make the reexamination unusual. First, Nintendo's patent in question (No. 12,403,397) was just granted in September. The review was personally ordered by newly sworn-in USPTO Director John A. Squires. The Trump appointee has historically sided with patent holders, making it harder to contest them. Stranger still, Games Fray says this may be the USPTO's first patent reexamination in over a decade.PalworldPocketpairThose ingredients suggest widespread blowback may be the driving force. Although Palworld developer Pocketpair is Nintendo's immediate target, it's easy to see the case opening a Pandora's box where developers fear using well-established game mechanics. Indie developers would be particularly vulnerable. The "slippery slope" commentary practically writes itself.If Nintendo's patent is ultimately invalidated, we may be able to thank Konami. A 2002 patent application from the maker of Metal Gear and Castlevania was cited as prior art, casting doubt on Nintendo's claim. A separate Nintendo patent, published in 2020, was also listed as possible prior art. Games Fray's report dives much deeper into the legal weeds.Nintendo now has two months to respond. During that period, third parties can come forward with additional prior art references. As a nervous industry eyes Nintendo's case as a potential test bed for monopolizing game mechanics, don't be shocked if gaming lawyers search far and wide for more examples.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendos-patent-on-summoning-fighting-npcs-is-being-reexamined-180949135.html?src=rss

Stability AI has partially succeeded in defending itself against accusations of copyright infringement. As reported by The Guardian, Stability AI prevailed in a high-profile UK High Court case, following Getty first suing the company in 2023 for allegedly using its copyright images to train its Stable Diffusion AI art tool without permission.Getty's original claim was that Stability AI had unlawfully copied and processed millions of protected images for training purposes, therefore abusing the rights of the original creators. However, the Seattle-based company eventually withdrew its claims of primary copyright infringement as it reportedly could offer no evidence that unauthorized copying for the training of Stable Diffusion had taken place in the UK.Today's ruling concerns claims of secondary infringement, to which the High Court judge, Justice Joanna Smith, ruled that "an AI model such as Stable Diffusion which does not store or reproduce any copyright works (and has never done so) is not an 'infringing copy'" under UK law. This was despite the ruling finding some evidence of Getty's images being used by Stability, as evidenced by the presence of the former's watermark. While the judge sided with Getty on some of its claims, she said that the evidence was "both historic and extremely limited in scope."The High Court ruling likely won't fill companies and creators concerned about AI-related copyright infringement with a huge amount of optimism, but unsurprisingly, both Getty and Stability AI have been quick to celebrate their respective victories. Getty's statement reads, in part:

It seems Apple is preparing to debut a low-cost Mac laptop in the first half of 2026. According to Bloomberg, such a system is in early production at the company's overseas suppliers and Apple is testing the devices internally.Apple's aim with this laptop, per the report, is to draw people away from the likes of Chromebooks and cheap Windows PCs and into its own ecosystem. The company is said to be making the system with casual users, students and businesses in mind - the kinds of folks who use laptops for tasks like web browsing, light media editing and working on documents. Apple is also reportedly planning to aim the system at potential iPad buyers who'd still rather have a traditional laptop.The laptop is said to have a new design with a lower-end LCD display" and it's expected to run on an A-series iPhone processor that's said to deliver better performance than the M1. It's also likely to have a smaller display than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air.Performance is important, but the price point will be crucial if Apple wants to really compete with the proliferation of Chromebooks and entry-level Windows devices. The company is said to be ready to sell this Mac for well under $1,000." Chromebooks and Windows laptops often sell for just a few hundred bucks. Higher-end Chromebooks cost around $600, so Apple would likely have to sell this laptop for $700 or less for it to make a real splash.Apple has traditionally focused on making premium devices, but would be a smart time for the company to enter the lower end of the market. Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10, including on devices that don't support Windows 11 and owners of such systems (including businesses) may need to buy new laptops in the near future to have the latest security updates.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/apple-may-release-its-first-low-cost-mac-laptop-in-early-2026-174143869.html?src=rss

Choosing the best VR headset for you is the first step into some of the most immersive gaming, entertainment and virtual work experiences available today. Whether you're exploring new worlds, working out in virtual gyms or collaborating in 3D environments, a great headset can make all the difference. The latest models offer high-resolution displays, improved FOV (field of view) and ergonomic head strap designs that keep things comfortable during extended sessions. Many also support Bluetooth for connecting external accessories like controllers or earbuds.

Since being placed on a Department of Commerce entity list in 2020 over national security fears, China's DJI has faced the threat of a US ban on its hyper-popular drones. After exhausting its appeals and losing a lawsuit last month, DJI products like the Mini 4 Pro, Avata 2 and Neo may disappear from US shelves starting December 23.The situation could be even worse than initially expected. The FCC just gave itself the power to retroactively cut off products from companies on its covered" list, including DJI. That gives the government the right to not just halt sales of future products, but enact rules preventing people from using drones they've already purchased.DJI dominates the consumer US drone market, so a ban would be terrible news for hobbyists and creators, along with industrial and public safety operators. However, the government's concerns about the company's drones as potential spying tools are very real.A brief history of DJIDJI, or Da-Jiang Innovations, is based in Shenzhen, China and introduced its ready-to-fly, now-iconic Phantom drone in 2013. It was $629 and offered a more user-friendly experience than other drones at the time, opening up aerial photography to creators and cinematographers.DJI Mavic 4 ProSteve Dent for EngadgetThe company followed with increasingly sophisticated products like the Mavic Pro, Mini 3 Pro and Avata, along with larger commercial drones. It continued to expand its range with the small but powerful Air 3, Neo and Flip. As of 2020, DJI had an estimated 77 percent of the US drone market (which accounts for 40 percent of its sales), leaving rivals to fight for scraps.Most observers attribute DJI's dominance to its engineering-first culture. To give an idea of its technical progress, the latest 2025 Mavic 4 Pro can be flown from 25 miles away, compared to just 0.62 miles for the 2015 Phantom 3. Nearly every DJI drone feature, including video quality, battery life, range, tracking and obstacle detection, is superior to rivals.Catching the eye of the US governmentBy 2016, the company had caught the attention of US regulators concerned about Chinese camera-equipped drones flying over sensitive facilities. While no one has uncovered a smoking gun proving that DJI drones spy for China, they undoubtedly pose a potential national security risk. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) laid out the dangers last year in a guidance sheet:

We've seen a whole bunch of Vampire Survivors clones arrive over the last few years in the wake of the roguelite's success. Poncle has released crossover DLC based on the likes of Castlevania and Balatro for its game as well. Now, the studio behind Vampire Survivors and Warhammer parent Games Workshop have given the green light for an officially licensed game that smushes the two together.Warhammer Survivors has a formula that is very similar to Vampire Survivors. Developer Auroch Digital even used Poncle's engine to make it. Warhammer Survivors is a run-based game in which the aim is to take down hordes of enemies using an array of weapons and powerups that you can combine and evolve into more powerful tools. You'll unlock more characters and items as you play and there are lots of secrets to discover.The characters, weapons, powerups, bad guys and level settings are all derived from Warhammer. You'll be able to play as characters from both the 40K and Age of Sigmar universes, such as Malum Caedo, who appeared in Auroch's first-person shooter Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun. Weapons and items such as the Boltgun, Astartes Chainsword, Whirlwind Axes and Citadel Nuln Oil paint will be at your disposal too.There are some neat little touches in the trailer. The gems that you collect to gain experience and level up are pill-shaped in Vampire Survivors. But here, they're shaped like skulls.Auroch has worked on Warhammer projects (including typing game Boltgun - Words of Vengeance) for over a decade. It plans to reveal a whole lot more about its latest endeavor in the coming months. Warhammer Survivors is set to land on Steam sometime in 2026.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/vampire-survivors-and-warhammer-join-forces-in-a-new-roguelite-game-161352281.html?src=rss