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Managing subscriptions directly from your iPhone is one of the simplest ways to prevent unwanted charges and keep track of active services. Whether you're looking to cancel a streaming platform, cloud storage plan or any other recurring charge that you signed up for through Apple, doing so only takes a few steps.If you download an app from the App Store, you may find the app unlocks additional features through a subscription. It's easy to manage your subscription and app directly through your iPhone, allowing you to keep an eye on what you're paying out. Some apps might tempt you with a free trial, so if you don't want to pay a monthly subscription fee or you've had enough of your subscription, you can cancel or renew on your iPhone. Here's how to find and cancel your subscriptions on iPhone.How to cancel a subscription using your iPhoneApple allows you to manage and cancel App Store subscriptions pretty easily. Subscriptions tied to your Apple ID include services such as Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud+ and third-party offerings purchased through the App Store.To cancel a subscription:

If you want to get the most out of your tablet or laptop, a USB-C hub can help. Using a single USB-C slot on your portable computer, a hub gives you back missing connections like HDMI, USB Type A and C, Ethernet, memory card slots and more. After testing more than a dozen models, we think the UGreen Revodok Pro 109 is the best USB-C hub for most people. But we have a recommended budget model and a premium pick to give you more options. We also break down port types, power delivery capabilities and design considerations to help you make the right choice before you buy. Table of contents

TikTok recently began experimenting with an in-app meditation feature that encouraged teens to "wind down" after 10PM. Now, the company is making the feature official for all users and turning it on by default for all teens under the age of 18.With the change, teens will hit a full-screen "guided meditation exercise" when attempting to scroll after 10PM. The prompt is apparently something you can opt to ignore, but teens who do will encounter a second "harder to dismiss" prompt. TikTok's adult users will also be able to access the in-app meditations via the app's screen time controls (the feature will not be on by default for adults).The company notes that its initial tests of "Sleep Hours" were successful, with 98 percent of teens opting to keep the late-night meditation settings on. Previous attempts by TikTok to limit screen time have a somewhat different track record. Documents that surfaced as part of a lawsuit against the company showed that teens were spending about 107 minutes a day in the app even when screen time was set to a 60-minute limit.Since then, TikTok has beefed up some of its safety features, including its parental controls, amid increasing scrutiny of the company. TikTok's fate in the US is still, officially, in limbo as President Donald Trump signed off on another extension of a deadline to ban the app last month. Terms of a final deal that will allow it to remain in the country permanently have yet to be announced, though there are a number of interested buyers.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktok-will-try-to-force-teens-to-meditate-after-10pm-231118942.html?src=rss

Last month, Meta hosted LlamaCon, its first ever generative AI conference. But while the event delivered some notable improvements for developers, it also felt a bit underwhelming considering how important AI is to the company. Now, we know a bit more about why, thanks to a new report in The Wall Street Journal.According to the report, Meta had originally intended to release its "Behemoth" Llama 4 model at the April developer event, but later delayed its release to June. Now, it's apparently been pushed back again, potentially until "fall or later." Meta engineers are reportedly "struggling to significantly improve the capabilities" of the model that Mark Zuckerberg has called the highest performing base model in the world."Meta has already released two smaller Llama 4 models, Scout and Maverick, and has also teased a fourth lightweight model that's apparently nicknamed "Little Llama." Meanwhile, the "Behemoth" model will have 288 billion active parameters and "outperforms GPT-4.5, Claude Sonnet 3.7, and Gemini 2.0 Pro on several STEM benchmarks," the company said last month.Meta has never given a firm timeline of when to expect the model. The company said last month that it was "still training." And while Behemoth got a few nods during the LlamaCon keynote, there were no updates on when it might actually be ready. That's probably because it could still be several months. Inside Meta there are apparently questions "about whether improvements over prior versions are significant enough to justify public release."Meta didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. As the report notes, it wouldn't be the first company to run into snags as it races to release new models and outpace competitors. But the delay is still notable given the Meta's lofty ambitions when it comes to AI. Zuckerberg has made AI a top priority with Meta planning to spend as much as $72 billion on its AI infrastructure this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/metas-behemoth-llama-4-model-might-still-be-months-away-221240585.html?src=rss

A team of doctors and scientists have successfully treated a rare genetic condition with the first-ever personalized gene-editing therapy. Results of the groundbreaking treatment have been published in The New England Journal of Medicine, with an accompanying editorial by a doctor who had previously overseen the FDA's gene-therapy regulation efforts.The patient in this historic case was KJ, an infant born with CPS1 deficiency, which has about a 50 percent mortality rate within the first week. Patients that do survive can experience severe brain disease, mental and developmental delays, and potential liver transplants. His care team developed a personalized gene-editing treatment based on CRISPR, a technology for modifying human DNA.The successful gene repair for KJ combined years' worth of previous federally-funded medical research, including the discovery of CRISPR and human genome sequencing that allowed the mutation to be identified.This approach to gene editing could potentially be used in the future to aid patients with other genetic disorders, such as sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, Huntington's disease and muscular dystrophy. A pair of CRISPR-based drugs have already received FDA approval for sickle cell disease treatments, but there is still a lot to potentially be explored in this field.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/doctors-successfully-treated-a-baby-with-the-first-ever-personalized-gene-editing-therapy-202307902.html?src=rss

X has once again been accepting payments from people associated with terrorist groups and other entities subject to US sanctions, according to a new report from the Tech Transparency Project (TTP). According to the report, X has not only accepted payments in exchange for its premium service, but in some cases has provided an "ID verified" badge.The report once again questions whether X is complying with US sanctions that restrict companies' ability to do business with individuals and entities that have been deemed a security threat. Last year, the TTP published a similar report that identified more than two dozen verified accounts that were affiliated with sanctioned groups, including leaders of Hezbollah and accounts associated with Houthis in Yemen. Many of those checkmarks were subsequently revoked, with X promising to "maintain a safe, secure and compliant platform."But some of those accounts simply "resubscribed" to X's premium service or created fresh accounts, according to the report, which is based on research between November 2024 and April 2025. "TTP's new investigation found an array of blue checkmark accounts for U.S.-sanctioned individuals and organizations, including several that appeared to simply re-subscribe to premium service or create new accounts after their old ones were restricted or removed by X," the report says. "Moreover, some of the accounts were 'ID verified,' meaning X conducted an additional review to confirm their identity."The report once again highlights verified accounts associated with members of Hezbollah, including one of its founders, as well as Houthi officials who "are making heavy use of X for messaging and propaganda." The son of Libyan dictator Muammar Gadhafi, whose account was previously suspended, also currently has a blue check, as does Raghad Saddam Hussein al-Tikriti, one of Saddam Hussein's daughters. Both have been under sanctions for more than a decade.X didn't respond to a request for comment on the report. In response to last year's report, the company said it would "take action if necessary." However, it's unclear if the company changed any of its practices regarding who can pay for premium subscriptions.If a small team can use X's public facing search tools to identify these accounts, it's unclear why a multi-billion-dollar company cannot do the same," Michelle Kuppersmith, the executive director for Campaign for Accountability, the watchdog group that runs TTP said in a statement. It's one thing to allow terrorists to have a voice on the platform; it's another entirely to allow them to pay for a more effective megaphone."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-is-once-again-selling-checkmarks-to-us-sanctioned-groups-report-says-194352896.html?src=rss

It's been over two years since Sony had a new pair of headphones in its 1000X lineup, but the newly announced WH-1000XM6 seem worth the wait. From the outside, the new ANC headphones look similar to the streamlined WH-1000XM5 from 2022, with the only major change being the return of ear cups that rotate and fold flat. Inside, though, Sony's packed in improvements that put the WH-1000XM6 ahead of the competition in terms of both sound quality and active noise cancellation.That's mostly thanks to the new QN3 processor on the inside, the addition of four new built-in microphones (from eight on the 1000XM5 to 12 on the 1000XM6) and an updated system for adapting ANC performance around fit and pressure. All three combine for noticeably better ANC. Those changes haven't led to shorter battery life either - you'll get the same 30 hours with ANC activated on the WH-1000XM6 that you were able to get on the WH-1000XM5.The WH-1000XM6 is not only able to play spatial audio tracks like the WH-100XM5 and AirPods Max can, the headphones can also convert any stereo track you throw at it into 360-degree audio. For most people, though, the more immediately useful new feature will be the ability to keep using the headphones while you charge them, something oddly missing from previous models.At $450, the WH-100XM6 are a good $50 more expensive than WH-1000XM5 and tiptoeing closer to the exorbitantly priced AirPods Max. The best way to know if Sony's new headphones are right for you is to read Engadget's review and ideally, try them for yourself. Until then, we've put together an overview of how the WH-1000XM6 compare to the WH-1000XM5 and the AirPods Max.WH-1000MX6WH-1000MX5AirPods MaxPricing (MSRP)$450$400$549Active noise cancellationYesYesYesTransparency modeYesYesYesAdaptive audioYesYesYesMultipoint connectivityYesCan switch between 2 Bluetooth connectionsFast Pair with Android devicesSwift Pair with Windows 11 and Windows 10 devicesYesCan switch between 2 Bluetooth connectionsFast Pair with Android devicesSwift Pair with Windows 11 and Windows 10 devicesNoAutomatic device switching between Apple devices onlyBattery life (rated)Up to 30 hours with ANC onUp to 40 hours with ANC offUp to 30 hours with ANC onUp to 40 hours with ANC offUp to 20 hours with ANC onUp to 20 hours with ANC and Spatial Audio onUp to 20 hours of talk timeWired chargingUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CWater & dust resistanceNoNoNoSize & weight8.96 oz8.82 oz13.6 ozChip(s)Sony QN3Sony QN1 + V1Apple H1BluetoothBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.2Bluetooth 5.0Bluetooth codecsSBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3SBC, AAC, LDACAAC, SBCSpatial audioYes360 Audio360 Spatial Sound Upmix for converting stereo audioYes360 AudioYesControl typeTouch controls for playback and volumeNC/AMB button for ANCTouch controls for playback and volumeNC/AMB buttonDigital Crown dial for playback and volumeNoise control button for ANCMics & sensors12 microphones total: six microphones for callsTouch sensorsAccelerometerGyroscopeEight microphones total: four microphones for callsTouch sensorsAccelerometerGyroscopeNine microphones total: eight ANC mics, three mics for voice pickup (two shared for ANC)Optical sensorPosition sensorCase-detect sensorAccelerometerGyroscopeThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/heres-how-the-sony-wh-1000xm6-compare-to-the-wh-1000xm5-and-airpods-max-193706730.html?src=rss

Whether you're listening to playlists on your daily commute or zoning out with a podcast at home, wireless headphones can make your audio experience much more comfortable. With no cords to untangle or get caught on your bag, they're a great pick for anyone who wants convenience without compromising on sound quality. If comfort and immersive audio are high on your priority list, over-ear wireless headphones are often the way to go - they wrap around your ears to help block out the world and deliver rich detailed sound that earbuds can sometimes miss.

The well-reviewed Stellar Blade will be available for PC players on June 11, after launching for PS5 in April of last year. This release coincides with a system update that brings new outfits and "exciting additional content." The update will be available for both PC and PS5.The PC version of the game includes some graphical upgrades. It supports NVIDIA DLSS 4 resolution scaling and frame generation, NVIDIA DLAA image enhancement and NVIDIA Reflex latency reduction. It also supports AMD FSR 3 and offers the ability to unlock the frame rate to better suit the needs of a particular PC. It can handle both 21:9 and 32:9 ultrawide resolutions.Stellar Blade was formerly a PS5 exclusive, so the PC version works with the iconic the DualSense controller. This allows for haptic feedback and adaptive trigger features. For everyone else, the game offers customization options for gamepads, keyboards and mice.As for specs, Sony recommends at least 16GB of RAM, an Intel Core i5 processor and a GeForce GTX 1060. However, that's for playing on the lowest setting.We now live in a post-exclusive world. Sony has been releasing tons of its first-party games for PC. These include Marvel's Spider-Man and the sequel, God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Zero Dawn, to name a few.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/stellar-blade-heads-to-pc-on-june-11-185536164.html?src=rss

TikTok may have run afoul of European regulators over advertising transparency, in the latest bout between EU regulators and big tech companies. The European Commission has formally warned TikTok that its advertising transparency tools don't go far enough, falling short of EU rules requiring online platforms to maintain a publicly available repository of all paid ads being shown to users.Regulators are taking issue with the data, or lack thereof, being provided in the repository that TikTok has curated. They claim that TikTok has failed to provide information on who paid for ads, what audiences they are targeting and the precise product or service those ads are promoting.This information is all used by regulators and researchers to help weed out harmful content like scams, disinformation or coordinated influence campaigns. These rules fall under the Digital Services Act (DSA), an EU regulation adopted in 2022 that governs illegal content, transparent advertising and disinformation. Enforcement for Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) like TikTok began in the summer of 2023, and the Commission opened formal proceedings to assess whether TikTok had violated the DSA in February of 2024.In a statement, European Commission Tech VP Henna Virkkunen said, Transparency in online advertising - who pays and how audiences are targeted - is essential to safeguarding the public interest.Whether we are defending the integrity of our democratic elections, protecting public health or protecting consumers from scam ads, citizens have a right to know who is behind the messages they see."In a statement to the press, a TikTok spokesperson disagreed with the findings, saying "While we support the goals of the regulation and continue to improve our ad transparency tools, we disagree with some of the Commission's interpretations and note that guidance is being delivered via preliminary findings rather than clear, public guidelines." This isn't the first time that TikTok has found itself in hot water with internet safety regulators in Europe.Under the rules of the DSA, TikTok parent company ByteDance could be fined as much as 6 percent of its total worldwide revenue and be subjected to an enhanced supervision period where regulators ensure that any required changes are being made.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/eu-tech-chiefs-believe-tiktok-is-breaking-ad-transparency-rules-181706441.html?src=rss

Ministers in the UK House of Commons have blocked an amendment to a data bill that would require AI companies to disclose their use of copyrighted materials, according to The Guardian. This transparency amendment was stripped out of the text by invoking something called financial privilege, an arcane parliamentary procedure that suggests that any new regulations would require a new budget.The official site of the UK parliament says this procedure "may be used by the Commons as grounds for overruling any House of Lords proposal that has cost implications." It looks like that's exactly what happened here, with those in favor of removing the amendment bringing up the cost of a potential regulatory body. There were 297 MPs who voted in favor of removing the amendment, with 168 opposing.Chris Bryant, data protection minister, said that he recognized that this could feel like an "apocalyptic moment" for the creative industries, but that he thinks the transparency amendment requires changes "in the round and not just piecemeal."The amendment was passed in the House of Lords earlier this week. Baroness Beeban Kidron of the Lords responded to today's move by saying that "the government failed to answer its own backbenchers who repeatedly asked if not now then when?'" She also said it was "astonishing that a Labour government would abandon the labor force of an entire section," referring to the plight of creative workers whose jobs have been or at risk of being replaced by AI. Lady Kidron went on to accuse the government of allowing "theft at scale" and cozying up "to those who are thieving."Across the creative and business community, across parliament, people are gobsmacked that the government is playing parliamentary chess with their livelihoods," she concluded.As expected, Kidron will introduce a rephrased amendment before the bill's return to the Lords next week. This sets up yet another showdown when the bill returns to the Commons for another pass.Owen Meredith, the chief executive of the News Media Association, told The Guardian that it's "extremely disappointing that the government has failed to listen to the deep concerns of the creative industries, including news publishers who are so fundamental to uploading our democratic values." He accused the government of using parliamentary procedure to "dismiss industry concerns, rather than taking this timely opportunity to introduce the transparency that will drive a dynamic licensing market for the UK's immensely valuable creative content."The government's preferred plan includes the reliance on an opt-out clause. This would give AI companies free rein over any and all content, except in the cases when a creator has explicitly opted out.

There's a new Persona game coming very soon, but sadly it isn't time for the next mainline entry just yet. Rather, Persona 5: The Phantom X is a spinoff in a similar vein to Persona 5 Strikers. Like that game, The Phantom X is set in the same universe as Atlus' incredibly successful RPG, Persona 5, but unlike Strikers, this one features a new cast of characters, including a talking owl named Lufel that presumably takes the place of Morgana.First announced in 2023, Persona 5: The Phantom X is a free-to-play live service game from Chinese publisher Perfect World, which released the game in open beta in its native country in April last year. It introduces a fresh team of Phantom Thieves and seems to be aiming for the classic Persona blend of high school drama, social interaction and dungeon crawling with impossibly stylish turn-based battles. There's a new Synergy" system that develops as you form bonds with NPCs, new mini-games and a PvE mode called The Velvet Trials.Underpinning the whole experience will be a free-to-play model, the exact nature of which is not yet clear. Time will tell if gacha tactics will get in the way of a good time, and how well the familiar Persona gameplay loop translates to your phone, but the game's official website says it's intended for both Persona 5 fans and newcomers.Atlus will be hoping that P5X tides fans over until it has any news on Persona 6. Its most recent release was last year's Metaphor: ReFantazio, and the studio is currently saying nothing about the follow-up to Persona 5, which launched in its original pre-Royal state way back in 2016. Persona 5: The Phantom X launches June 26 on PC, iOS and Android.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/persona-5-the-phantom-x-is-coming-to-pc-and-mobile-next-month-170837106.html?src=rss

The third season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds finally drops on July 17. It's been around two years since the Paramount+ exclusive was last on the air. It's a two-episode premiere, so that's something.We've already gotten a juicy trailer for the upcoming season and Paramount+ just unveiled a cool poster to advertise the release date. It shows all of the main characters wandering through, well, a strange new world.

Toyota is on a tear unveiling new EVs for the American market, announcing a new model for the third day in a row. After debuting the bZ SUV and the C-HR crossover, Toyota is adding the bZ Woodland SUV to the lineup, yet another fully electric vehicle built on the company's e-TNGA platform. This more rugged version of the bZ is aimed at adventurous drivers, akin to the Subaru Outback, with marketing images depicting the electric SUV over rocky terrain.The bZ Woodland will feature all-wheel drive as a standard option and boasts 375 combined horsepower from its dual-motor setup. At 260 miles of estimated range, this model has the lowest range of the three new electric models announced so far. Like the other models, it comes equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) outlet as standard and supports DC fast charging, which can take it from 10 percent to 80 percent charge in around 30 minutes.While the two models share bZ" in the name, the bZ Woodland is not just a different trim of the bZ. The body of the Woodland is 6 inches longer and about 1 inch higher in the back. This gives it more than 30 cubic feet of rear cargo space.Toyota has designed the bZ Woodland to be off-road and all-terrain friendly with details like 8.3-inch ground clearance, standard roof rails, a Panoramic View Monitor with Multi-Terrain Monitor and a 3,500-pound towing capacity. All-terrain tires are also available as an option when buying the Woodland. The AWD SUV also has the Toyota X-Mode system, which modulates the power delivered to each motor to improve grip when off-road.Toyota expects the bZ Woodland to arrive in early 2026. Pricing has not yet been announced.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/toyota-announces-the-bz-woodland-a-rugged-all-terrain-electric-suv-161925373.html?src=rss

To say I'm familiar with Sony's 1000X line of headphones would be an understatement. I've tested every pair thus far, except the OG: the MDR-1000X. With each successive model, the company managed to add new features, develop better technology and expand the sonic capabilities of its flagship headphones. And with each new release, Sony kept its spot atop our best wireless headphones list. This time around, Sony made us wait longer than usual. The first three sets of 1000X headphones each arrived a year apart. Then it was two years between the WH-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM4, perhaps delayed in part by the COVID pandemic, and then nearly two more before the redesigned WH-1000XM5 debuted. We're three years out from that last model and today Sony is finally revealing the follow-up: the WH-1000XM6 ($450). The extended interval is understandable once you consider the number of updates Sony has included to overhaul its pride and joy. There's a new processor, more microphones, improved active noise cancellation (ANC), refined design and a retuned sound platform. Those changes join the long list of features Sony has amassed on the 1000X line over the years, a number of which automatically adapt when enabled, and many that provide great convenience in daily use. Other companies may have surpassed Sony in audio quality (at least until now), but none of the competition offers a collection of tools that even comes close to the WH-1000XM6. Design updates At first glance, the WH-1000XM6 might not look much different from the M5, but there are some notable tweaks that improve comfort and storage. First, there's a wider, asymmetrical headband that makes these headphones even easier to wear for long periods of time. The previous model was already lightweight, and that continues here. Together with the new headband, it provides a comfy fit that beats every other wireless headphone. Next, Sony returned to its folding design that older 1000X models used to have. With recent models, the company opted to just let the ear cups rotate before the headphones went in the case. They still do that, but they also fold in for easier storage. Due to this change, the company designed a smaller case, and instead of a zipper, Sony chose a magnetic closure. One complaint I have about the design is how the ear cups rotate. When you take the WH-1000XM6 off, the cups rotate inside up to lay flat. To me, it should be the opposite, with the ear pads flipping down, because that's how you're going to put them in the case. This is a change from the M5, where the ear cups turn in what I'd consider the correct way, which makes this switch an even more confounding choice for this new model. Sony mostly kept the controls on the WH-1000XM6 the same, save for a couple of small revisions. First, the company still uses a mix of physical buttons and touch panels on the outside of each ear cup. With the former, the only two options there are power (which doubles as Bluetooth pairing) and the noise control button that cycles through ANC, ambient sound and off. That power button was redesigned so it's now larger, round and concave. This makes it easier to find by touch and differentiates it from the noise control button. What's more, Sony has added the ability for users to mute/unmute the microphones on the M6 during calls by double pressing the noise control button. This is handy when you don't want to reach for your phone or keyboard during a voice or video chat. Improved sound quality Billy Steele for Engadget The 1000X line has never been a slouch when it comes to sound quality, and Sony has made strides to continually improve audio performance over the years. With the WH-1000XM6, the company made changes in three areas to further boost the sound profile. First, Sony developed new drivers for the M6, which it says deliver richer details and clearer vocals." That's due to what the company describes as smoother, extended high frequency reproduction created by perforations in the driver's voice coil. And there's better overall balance in the sound too, thanks to a more rigid dome for these components. The company also enlisted mastering engineers from three recording studios to help tune the sound profile of the 1000XM6. They all contributed various quotes praising the audio quality of these headphones, but the general goal here was to deliver results that were closer to the artist's intention. That includes more immersive sound and finer details. To further aid this, Sony also added 360 Spatial Sound upmixing for stereo content on the M6. Essentially, this feature can turn regular content into spatial audio. It's something similar to what Bose does on its QuietComfort Ultra headphones, and it's separate from both 360 Reality Audio support and DSEE Extreme compression upscaling. On Sleep Token's Even In Arcadia, the WH-1000XM6 provides boomy bass when tracks call for it, like the loud, crunchy guitars and thundering drums in Look To Windward." Throughout the album, treble and mid-range cut through cleanly, providing ample separation so you can hear all of the elements clearly. And that's no easy feat, given the genre-bending production the band employs. Plus, the big, soaring, loud parts of these songs seem to completely surround you with sound. The recently remastered The Musings of Miles by Miles Davis exhibits a different side of the M6. Here, the textures of the instruments are what stand out, where you can hear the subtle nuances of the trumpet, piano, bass and drums. I'm not sure there would be much more clarity if you time-traveled back to Rudy Van Gelder's home studio in 1955. The audio is pristine here. There's a similar vibe given to Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton's Live At The Legion, where the two bluegrass virtuosos lend only two acoustic guitars and their voices to the show. Listening to this album with the M6, I might as well be sitting between them. New chip, more mics and a dash of AI Billy Steele for Engadget Inside the WH-1000XM6, the star of the show is the new QN3 processor. Sony says it's seven times faster than the QN1 used in the M5, a chip that first debuted on the WH-1000XM3 in 2018. Given that's the main power behind noise cancellation, it was definitely time for an update. With the QN3, Sony was able to add four additional microphones for its ANC setup, bringing the total on the 1000XM6 to 12. More mics means the company can more effectively detect and block noise. Alongside the new hardware,, Sony upgraded the Auto NC Optimizer on the M5 to what it now calls the Adaptive NC Optimizer on the M6. This technology accounts for changes in fit and air pressure, automatically adapting the ANC coverage as needed. What's more, the company says the M6 can block more mid-to-high-range frequencies than the M5, putting all of that power to good use. There's a noticeable improvement in ANC performance on the M6 - it's not just marketing hype. I can easily tell the headphones are blocking more background noise than their predecessor, which isn't always the case across 1000X generations. Particularly with human voices, this model does a better job of reducing the sound of chatty neighbors in the office than much of the competition. Even though it doesn't entirely silence them, this still constitutes an upgrade in performance. The company has been giving Bose a run for its money for a while now, and the M6 further cements the fact the noise-cancelling arms race is closer than ever. Like it did on the M5, Sony employs AI-based noise reduction on the M6 to reduce background noise during calls. The company says it trained its model on 500 million voice samples so the system can properly extract the user's voice. What's more, Sony now utilizes two additional microphones for voice performance (with a smidge more AI on them) that are better positioned for speech pickup. In practice, call performance is a mixed bag. First, the M6 does an excellent job of blocking background noise. It rendered a loud fan completely silent during one of my tests. However, that processing impacts overall clarity, so you won't sound nearly as good as you do in quieter locations. Plus, the results in noiseless conditions aren't pristine, but it's good enough to get the job done for most call scenarios. Sony brought back the convenient automation features that have made its flagship headphones the best option for years. Adaptive Sound Control can automatically adjust settings based on activity or location, like when you arrive at the office or when you're out for a walk. Ambient sound still has pleasant, natural quality and is helpful to have on during calls. Speak-to-Chat continues to reduce the volume and activates that transparency mode when it detects your voice, though it's still far too easily duped by coughs and when you clear your throat. You can also use head gestures to accept (nod) or reject calls (shake). There's plenty more, but suffice it to say Sony is still ahead of the pack for the sheer volume of features it packs into its 1000X headphones. Battery life Billy Steele for Engadget One of the few things that's unchanged on the WH-1000XM6 is battery life. Just like the M5, this model offers up to 30 hours of use with ANC on or up to 40 hours with it off. The quick charge function is also the same: three minutes gives you three hours. I had no problem hitting these stated figures during my tests, which were primarily conducted with ANC on as well as Sony's DSEE Extreme audio upscaling enabled. I would occasionally switch to transparency mode for calls, but 80 percent of the time I was in noise-blocking mode. After 25 hours of use, I still have 50 percent left in the tank. There is one item Sony tweaked when it comes to battery and charging performance. On the M6, you'll be able to listen to music while the headphones are charging. This functionality wasn't available previously, and it's sure to provide some added convenience in a pinch - like when you're waiting for your flight in a raucous airport terminal. The competition Whether it's Bose, Bowers & Wilkins or Sennheiser, there are a number of companies that inch closer to Sony's crown with each product cycle. I'm convinced Sony has surpassed Bose in terms of pure noise-cancelling performance, but the QuietComfort Ultra headphones are still plenty good and can regularly be found for less than their $449 suggested retail price. I don't care for the design of Sennheiser's Momentum Wireless 4, but the headphones have nearly double the battery life of the M6 with plenty of audio and ANC performance to boot. And they do so for less money than the WH-1000XM6. This leads me to the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3. The company's Px7 S2e had been my pick for best sounding headphones for a while, and were only recently bested by Noble Audio's pricey FoKus Apollo ($649). The S3 edition supposedly offers improvements to sound and ANC performance, but I haven't tested them yet and there's no clear indication how much they'll cost or when they'll arrive. Still, if you're not in a hurry, the Px7 S3 may be worth waiting on as they should be slightly more affordable than the M6 and Bowers & Wilkins has a strong track record for sound quality. Wrap-up With the WH-1000XM6, the three-year-long wait was well worth it. The company has made significant gains in both sound quality and noise-canceling performance, thanks in part to a powerful new chip. Subtle, but impactful design tweaks increase comfort, while spatial audio upmixing further expands the sonic abilities of the 1000X line. The only real downside is the price continues to go up: the M6 is $50 more than the M5 was at launch. When you combine their performance with Sony's ever-growing list of features, the 1000XM6 are the best headphones you can buy right now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sony-wh-1000xm6-review-the-best-headphones-just-keep-on-getting-better-160058170.html?src=rss

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), and, as in years past, many tech companies are marking the occasion with the announcement of new assistive features for their ecosystems. Apple got things rolling on Tuesday, and now Google is joining in on the parade. To start, the company has made TalkBack, Android's built-in screen reader, more useful. With the help of one of Google's Gemini models, TalkBack can now answer questions about images displayed on your phone, even they don't have any alt text describing them."That means the next time a friend texts you a photo of their new guitar, you can get a description and ask follow-up questions about the make and color, or even what else is in the image," explains Google. The fact Gemini can see and understand the image is thanks to the multi-modal capabilities Google built into the model. Additionally, the Q&A functionality works across the entire screen. So, for example, say you're doing some online shopping, you can first ask your phone to describe the color of the piece of clothing you're interested in and then ask if it's on sale.Separately, Google is rolling out a new version of its Expressive Captions. First announced at the end of last year, the feature generates subtitles that attempt to capture the emotion of what's being said. For instance, if you're video chatting with some friends and one of them groans after you make a lame joke, your phone will not only subtitle what they said but it will also include "[groaning]" in the transcription. With the new version of Expressive Captions, the resulting subtitles will reflect when someone drags out the sound of their words. That means the next time you're watching a live soccer match and the announcer yells "goallllllll," their excitement will be properly transcribed. Plus, there will be more labels now for sounds like when someone is clearing their throat.The new version of Expressive Captions is rolling out to English-speaking users in the US, UK, Canada and Australia running Android 15 and above on their phones.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/androids-screen-reader-can-now-answer-questions-about-images-160032185.html?src=rss

Following a series of leaks, Sony's much anticipated WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones have officially arrived. The new model has to follow the WH-1000XM5 that was among the best-sounding we've ever tested. To that end, Sony has updated them in nearly every way, from sound to noise cancellation to call quality. The WH-1000XM6 has largely the same design as the previous model, but there are subtle tweaks. The case is smaller and now has a magnetic lock, while the headphones have a new asymmetric headband that's wider than the one on the XM5 for increased comfort. The power and mute buttons were also redesigned for improved usability. Sony was able to make some major updates in the noise cancellation (ANC) thanks to the new QN3 chip that's seven times faster than the QN1 from the XM5. It now carries 12 ANC microphones instead of eight to better detect surrounding noise and uses adaptive ANC optimization rather than auto optimization before. The latter allows the XM6 headphones to push noise levels down across a wider range of frequencies. Sony On the sound quality side, Sony worked with "world-renowned mastering engineers" to tune audio for improved realism and deeper bass. New driver units supposedly allow for "richer details, clearer vocals [and] improved balance thanks to more rigid dome," along with smoother and more extended high frequency reproduction via a new voice coil design. And a new feature can upmix regular stereo to spatial audio using Sony's 360 Spatial Sound technology for a surround sound effect with any music or audio. Finally, Sony improved call quality with updated noise reduction that uses "AI beamforming" and six mics instead of four as before. Battery life is the same at 30 hours with ANC on and 40 hours with it disabled, and you can still get up to three hours of life with just three minutes of charging. All of this new tech comes at a price, as the WH-1000XM6 costs $450, a price that's $50 higher than the XM5 was at launch. Still, if it lives up to Sony's claims and follows the footsteps of other WH-1000 models, it's bound to be among the best wireless ANC headphones you can get at any price. Read our full review of the WH-1000M6. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sonys-flagship-wh-1000xm6-headphones-arrive-with-updated-sound-and-more-robust-anc-160005817.html?src=rss

The Ray-Ban Meta glasses are getting an upgrade to better help the blind and low vision community. The AI assistant will now provide "detailed responses" regarding what's in front of users. Meta says it'll kick in "when people ask about their environment." To get started, users just have to opt-in via the Device Settings section in the Meta AI app.The company shared a video of the tool in action in which a blind user asked Meta AI to describe a grassy area in a park. It quickly hopped into action and correctly pointed out a path, trees and a body of water in the distance. The AI assistant was also shown describing the contents of a kitchen. I could see this being a fun add-on even for those without any visual impairment. In any event, it begins rolling out to all users in the US and Canada in the coming weeks. Meta plans on expanding to additional markets in the near future.It's Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), so that's not the only accessibility-minded tool that Meta announced today. There's the nifty Call a Volunteer, a tool that automatically connects blind or low vision people to a "network of sighted volunteers in real-time" to help complete everyday tasks. The volunteers come from the Be My Eyes foundation and the platform launches later this month in 18 countries.The company recently announced a more refined system for live captions in all of its extended reality products, like the Quest line of VR headsets. This converts spoken words into text in real-time, so users can "read content as it's being delivered." The feature is already available for Quest headsets and within Meta Horizon Worlds.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/metas-smart-glasses-will-soon-provide-detailed-information-regarding-visual-stimuli-153046605.html?src=rss

Folks who are starting to build out their smart home security systems could do a lot worse than going with Nest's cameras. The Google brand offers an accessible entry point into home security (especially if you already have a Google account for Gmail, YouTube or the company's other services). As such, the Google Nest Security Cam (Wired) is our pick for the best security camera for smart home newbies. That model is currently on sale for $70, which is $30 off and a record-low price. The camera is a cinch to set up and get working the way you want it to. You can manage it through the Google Home app, which is smartly designed, clean and easy to navigate. The app takes you through the setup process with step-by-step directions, and the plain language helps make it a breeze to do things like customizing routines. The camera supports features like location-based triggers on both Android and iPhone - you can set things up so that you're only notified of a detected incident when you're away from home. Along with viewing your camera feed in the Home app, you can also access it from a Nest Hub, Google TV or Streamer. You should get a decent look at whatever's going on as the camera captures 1080p HD video with what we felt were accurate colors. Infrared images captured at night are smooth as well. The Nest Cam has a fairly sleek, modern design featuring two half-orbs, one acting as the base (which can be wall-mounted) and another as the camera module. The arm that connects the two allows for a 90-degree range of vertical movement and full 360-degree horizontal rotation. That's especially useful as the camera has a 135-degree field of view, which is decent enough but not exactly the widest among home security cameras. Google gates some of the Nest Cam's more useful features behind subscriptions. If you opt out, you'll only get access to three hours of the most recent event history. That might not be long enough, especially if you're away on a trip and something notable happens that your camera picks up. With an $8-per-month Nest Aware subscription, you can access the past 30 days of recorded activity. Upgrade further to the $15 per month Nest Aware Plus plan and you can call up 90 days of recorded activity and store up to 10 days of round-the-clock recordings. A subscription isn't required for the people, animal and people detection features, or customizing alerts for any of those. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-security-camera-for-smart-home-newbies-is-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-152534663.html?src=rss

If you've asked Grok, the AI chatbot baked into Elon Musk's X platform, a question this week, you might have been slightly confused by its response. In what appears to have been some kind of bug that has since been addressed, the AI model was giving responses to users that repeatedly referred to claims about a "white genocide" in South Africa, even when it had nothing to do with the question it was given.X users have been posting screenshots of various responses they have received from Grok when asking about, for example, HBO's recent name change, or Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Schertzer's recent earnings, in which the chatbot seems a lot more interested in talking about the contentious nature of claims that white farmers in South Africa are being discriminated against.

If you're active on Threads, you've probably noticed that posts with links don't do very well with the app's recommendation algorithm. This is especially noticeable if you're a publisher, creator or, yes, a journalist who depends on social media to share your work.Threads' ambivalence to links isn't an accident. Instagram and Threads boss Adam Mosseri has confirmed that "we don't place much value" on links, though the company doesn't intentionally downrank them. That may be starting to change, though. As Meta has made winning over creators a bigger priority for Threads, the company is now taking steps to make links a more prominent part of the service.To start, the app will now allow users to add up to five links to their Threads bios. More importantly, Threads posts with links will now be surfaced more often in the app's recommendations. And Meta is adding link-specific insights to its built-in analytics tool so creators can track how often people are interacting with the content they share. "We want Threads to be a place that helps you grow your reach - even outside of Threads," Meta notes in a blog post.Meta will show how many people are clicking on links you share on Threads.MetaWhile that will be welcome news for anyone hoping to turn their Threads account into a reliable traffic source, it's unclear just how dramatic of a shift users should expect. The app's algorithm is still a black box, even for power users. And Threads' emphasis on recommended posts means that even users with large numbers of followers tend to get more interactions from non-followers.Publishers have also reported mixed results when it comes to Threads. Last year, several publishers reported that Bluesky, despite being far smaller than Threads or X, was a far more reliable traffic source than its larger counterparts. More recently though, some publishers have reported spikes in referral traffic from Threads following the company's reversal of a policy to not recommend political content. On the other hand, Meta's past is filled with numerous examples of why publishers and creators shouldn't rely too heavily on the social network. Still, it may be a good time to at least start experimenting with more links on Threads.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-is-finally-embracing-links-150012499.html?src=rss

The next generation of Apple's CarPlay interface is finally here, available exclusively for Aston Martin drivers in the US and Canada initially. Over the next few weeks, existing Aston Martin vehicles equipped with the automaker's latest infotainment system will be able to access CarPlay Ultra through a software update, while anyone ordering a new Aston Martin from today will have it pre-installed. You'll also need an iPhone 12 or newer model running iOS 18.5 or later to take advantage of the new features.CarPlay Ultra (before it had a name) was first teased at WWDC nearly three years ago, and later previewed by both Porsche and Aston Martin, showing off how the new CarPlay could connect with every display in a vehicle, as opposed to just the central infotainment screen. That deeper iPhone-ification of your vehicle is at the heart of CarPlay Ultra, effectively letting you swap the factory-installed instrument cluster displays with a distinctly Apple UI, complete with customizable widgets and real-time information from apps installed on your iPhone.AppleApple says its own software seamlessly integrates with the car while "reflecting the automaker's look and feel." You can have Google Maps and Apple Music running alongside vehicle-specific information like driver assistance and tire pressure, all tied together with custom themes that Apple has worked on with Aston Martin's own design team. As with your iPhone, you can personalize the experience with your own choice of colors and wallpapers.AppleYou can opt for onscreen controls, physical buttons, or Siri for basic tasks like adjusting radio volume and temperature management, as well as more advanced features like configuring your audio system or performance settings. Apple does not specify how CarPlay Ultra will work at launch with the latest version of Siri, which integrates with ChatGPT, but it says the same privacy measures that it uses on your iPhone apply to CarPlay Ultra.Beyond its initial rollout in the US and Canada, Apple says CarPlay Ultra will expand to include vehicles worldwide in the next year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/apples-carplay-ultra-finally-arrives-but-its-exclusive-to-aston-martins-right-now-132516946.html?src=rss

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revealed that it's making some big changes to the first nationwide drinking water standard set by the Biden administration. Last year, the agency had finalized the standard, which aims to regulate the presence of "forever chemicals" called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water across the country. There are thousands of different types of PFAS, but the rules specifically set limits for five: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA. Now, the agency has revealed that it was only going to keep the Biden-era nationwide limits for PFOA and PFOS.Exposure to forever chemicals has been linked to a variety of health issues, including cancer, liver damage and asthma. Under the rules set by the US government last year, the maximum levels of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water should be 4 parts per trillion only. PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA (also known as GenX chemicals) were supposed to have a max limit of 10 parts per trillion. However, the agency is rescinding the regulations for those last three chemicals. To be fair, PFOA and PFOS are the two most common types of PFAS. The agency said that its "actions are designed to reduce the burden on drinking water systems and the cost of water bills" while still "continuing to protect public health."In addition to rescinding the limits for three out of the five forever chemicals, the EPA said it also intends to extend water utilities' compliance deadline from 2029 to 2031 in order to give them more time to develop a plan that would allow them to meet the standard. This extension "will support water systems across the country, including small systems in rural communities, as they work to address these contaminants," said EPA Administrator Zeldin.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/the-epa-is-rolling-back-biden-era-clean-water-rules-130029921.html?src=rss

Archer has been selected as the official air taxi provider for the 2028 LA Olympic and Paralympic Games. If everything falls into place (a very big "if"), the company's Midnight eVTOL aircraft will transport VIPs, fans and stakeholders to and from key venues, while also providing support for emergency services and security, Archer wrote in a press release.Archer is one of the more serious players in the fledgling air taxi arena, being one of just two companies along with Joby Aviation to receive the FAA's final airworthiness criteria (but not final certification) for its Midnight aircraft. It just unveiled routes for a potential service in New York City, and previously announced proposed air taxi networks in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago.The fact that Archer had already announced plans for an LA hub probably helped its cause. Its proposed network already included key LA28 venues including the Stadium in Inglewood and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, along with the LA International Airport, Hollywood, Orange County and Santa Monica.Midnight is a piloted electric air taxi designed to carry up to four passengers while producing less noise and fewer emissions than a regular helicopter. With 12 tilting rotors plus a wing and tail, it takes off like a helicopter then transitions to an airplane-like cruise mode, with the rear rotors continuing to provide some lift. It features "redundant, fault-tolerant systems" that Archer hopes will allow it to gain FAA certification with the same safety level as commercial airliners.It's also received backing from major aviation players including Fiat Chrysler and United Airlines, plus fixed base operators (FBOs) like Signature Aviation and Atlantic Aviation. With all that, the company is possibly the best-positioned among all air taxi players to receive its FAA "type certificate" to carry passengers. However, getting that approval for an all-new aircraft is already difficult and expensive, let alone one that's in an entirely new category.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/the-la-olympics-optimistically-names-an-official-air-taxi-partner-123048252.html?src=rss

Getting a new phone might leave you wondering what to do with your old one. Trading it in, particularly for credit towards your new handset, is ideal and could make a future refurbished shopper happy. But if the trade-in value isn't worthwhile to you and you've been wondering what else your retired pocket computer can do, we have a few ideas. One suggestion is to turn it into a dedicated alarm clock. Yes, you can absolutely use your new phone for that purpose - you probably already do. But there are clear advantages to using your decommissioned device instead. Here's how to upcycle your old iPhone into an alarm clock.What's the point?Stuffing a retired gadget in a drawer does nothing - except make you half-heartedly contemplate doing something with it each time you open said drawer. Recycling is a valid option, but even if your old handset isn't as speedy as your new one, it's almost assuredly more powerful than any sleep machine or smart alarm clock on the market. And with the setup tips detailed here, it can actually perform more advanced functions, too.Plus, using your current phone when you're trying to sleep is perilous. I've never picked up my phone without getting distracted. Finally, with on-again, off-again tariffs making electronic gadgets harder to come by for a good price, rethinking what an existing device can do is intelligent alchemy.First, delete everythingOK, not everything. But the idea is to make your phone as unexciting as possible - no Instagram, no Monument Valley, no Photos memories from last year's road trip. Your iPhone won't let you delete certain apps, such as Phone, Messages, the App Store and others - but you can hide them from your home screen so they'll only pop up if you search for them.You'll still need a few apps to create your alarm clock, so don't delete or hide the following:

These days, charging your gadgets shouldn't feel like a chore - it's about speed, efficiency and convenience. With so many devices supporting fast charging over USB-C, the right accessories can make a huge difference in keeping your gadgets juiced up without long wait times. That said, power bricks fall into a lot of different categories. Depending on the situation, you may only need an extra adapter for your nightstand. Alternatively, larger multi-port options are better for keeping a bunch of devices topped up when traveling, and bigger laptops may require adapters with higher outputs. The best fast chargers take advantage of the latest charging technology to deliver the quickest possible power-ups. With Apple having finally fully transitioned its devices over to USB-C, it's easier than ever to have a small handful of adapters (or even a single brick) that cover all of your gadgets. To help you find the right fast charger for your needs, we've rounded up the best fast chargers available right now, so you can spend less time waiting and more time using your devices. Best fast chargers for 2025 What to consider before buying a fast charger Before you start looking at specific chargers, it's critical to determine three things: how many devices do you need to charge, how much power do they require and whether or not you're planning on traveling with any of them. The reason for the first question is simple. If you only need to charge a single device, like a phone, it's cheaper and usually more space-efficient to get a lower-wattage adapter with one port instead of two or three. Next, it's critical to figure out how much electricity your gadgets need because it doesn't make sense to buy a power brick that pushes out more juice than your device can actually use. This may sound a bit tricky, but most major manufacturers will list a product's max charging speeds in its tech specs, which is typically denoted by a specific wattage (15W, for example). Unfortunately, very powerful or large laptops like gaming notebooks can suck a ton of juice (more than 140 watts), which means they may rely on more traditional power adapters with barrel plugs. This may result in them not being compatible with universal chargers. Some of these PCs may also support charging over USB-C, so even if a specific adapter can't deliver its full power draw, it can still send over some energy - but it will do so at a slower rate compared to the laptop's included charger. For frequent travelers, size and weight are often important considerations, because the bigger and heavier a charger is, the more annoying it will be to lug around. You'll also want to think about other factors like support for international plugs, which can be a big help to anyone who regularly visits other countries. Finally, you'll want to figure out if your smartphone uses a proprietary charging standard or if it's compatible with the USB Power Delivery spec (USB PD). For example, the OnePlus 13's included SuperVOOC power adapter can send up to 100 watts to the phone. However, if you use a generic USB-PD charger, speeds top out at 45 watts. That's still pretty quick, but not nearly as fast as OnePlus' brick. What is GaN? When looking for chargers, you may notice that some are marked as GaN, which stands for gallium nitride. This is an important distinction because, when compared to older adapters that use silicon switches, GaN-based devices support increased power efficiency and output, allowing manufacturers to create more compact bricks that run cooler and support higher wattages. Depending on the specific power output, GaN adapters can be 30 to 50 percent smaller and lighter than silicon-based alternatives. That might not sound like much, but when they're sitting in a bag alongside a laptop and a half dozen other accessories you might have, cutting down on excess bulk and weight goes a long way.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-fast-chargers-140011033.html?src=rss

Update May 14, 6:38PM ET: Valve has confirmed that Steam systems were not breached and identifying user data has not been stolen or accessed by hackers. The company provided clarification in a Steam blog post:"We're still digging into the source of the leak, which is compounded by the fact that any SMS messages are unencrypted in transit, and routed through multiple providers on the way to your phone. The leak consisted of older text messages that included one-time codes that were only valid for 15-minute time frames and the phone numbers they were sent to. The leaked data did not associate the phone numbers with a Steam account, password information, payment information or other personal data. Old text messages cannot be used to breach the security of your Steam account."Our original story follows.Steam has allegedly suffered a data breach in the past week. Details are scant and difficult to confirm, but a known hacker has claimed to be selling a database of more than 89 million user records for the gaming platform with one-time access codes obtained from a third-party vendor used by Steam. If accurate, that would include information about more than two-thirds of Steam's audience.The original LinkedIn post identifying a breach suggested that the leaked information came from cloud communication company Twilio. However, a Steam rep said the platform doesn't use Twilio, so if there has been a breach, it may be through a different vendor providing SMS codes for access.While we're genuinely not sure what's happening at this stage, the whole kerfuffle is a timely reminder to check in on your online security practices. In the case of Steam, Valve has a mobile authentication program called Steam Guard that can help keep your account secure. It's also a good practice to make sure you're regularly changing your pass codes, especially when it's possible that some component of Steam Guard was at the root of this week's security drama. A password manager can streamline that process. Since phone numbers appear to have been compromised, be extra alert to possible phishing attempts via text.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nows-a-good-time-to-check-in-on-your-steam-account-security-205807479.html?src=rss

The Belgian Court of Appeal ruled today that the Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) currently used as the foundation for most online advertising is illegal in the EU. This decision upholds the findings of the Belgian Data Protection Authority from 2022 that the technology underpinning online ads violates several principles of the General Data Protection Regulations, an EU digital privacy law that took effect in 2018.Engadget's Daniel Cooper wrote a thorough explainer of the different systems that support the current online advertising ecosystem, which is valuable reading for anybody spending time online. The very simplified version is that advertisers participate in real-time bidding (RTB) to show their content online. Currently, those bids are based on information gathered from tracking individuals' activities online with cookies. The TCF was created by the Interactive Advertising Bureau as a way to standardize how websites ask users for permission to be tracked. The original 2022 decision determined that both the consent collected by the TCF and the data collected in the RTB process were illegal under the GDPR."Today's court's decision shows that the consent system used by Google, Amazon, X, Microsoft, deceives hundreds of millions of Europeans," said Dr Johnny Ryan, director of Enforce at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, who has been leading the legal charge against the current approach to ad tech. "The tech industry has sought to hide its vast data breach behind sham consent popups. Tech companies turned the GDPR into a daily nuisance rather than a shield for people."The reaction from IAB Europe, which filed the appeal, seems to mostly be relief that it hasn't been found responsible for the data collected by TCF. "The Market Court has rejected the APD's view that IAB Europe is a joint controller together with TCF participants for their own respective processing of personal data, for instance for the purpose of digital advertising," the organization's statement says. IAB Europe notes that it has already suggested changes to the TCF that better reflect the "limited controllership" and submitted them to the Belgian Data Protection Authority. The group faced fines and was ordered to rebuild its current ad-tech framework as a result of the original decision.We've also reached out to some of the major advertisers that use the RTB technology for comment on the ruling.While this does seem like a big win for privacy advocates and internet users in the EU, it's unclear exactly what the next steps will be for advertisers and for ad tech systems. Most likely, regulators will oversee changes the IAB Europe makes to the TCF, so consent pop-ups may not yet be a thing of the past.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/appeals-court-confirms-that-tracking-based-online-advertising-is-illegal-in-europe-223714124.html?src=rss

Star Search, a reality competition series that's featured a shocking number of musicians and comedians before they were famous, is coming back as a Netflix show. The streaming platform announced that it's bringing Star Search back as a live show with interactive elements, building on Netflix's expansion into live TV and events.Like the original, the new Star Search will focus on "emerging performers in music, dance, comedy and kids' acts," Netflix says. The company didn't share who would host or judge these acts, and doesn't have a premiere data as of yet, but Netflix did claim that the new Star Search will be "more interactive than ever." Past seasons of the show allowed the at-home audience to rate each performance before their scores were read live on air. It's not hard to imagine Netflix rigging something similar inside its own apps.Reality competition shows are a dime a dozen in 2025, particularly on Netflix, but Star Search is notable for the sheer number of famous people who competed on it. Like American Idol, not many of them actually won, but it's rare to see a competition show that's featured everyone from Christina Aguilera to Sinbad.Star Search is just one part of Netflix's growing ambitions for live TV, which now includes everything thing from alternative talk shows to WWE. The company streamed its first NFL game on Christmas Day 2024, and has continued to expand into other live events, like award shows. At the same time, Netflix's plans for gaming have seemingly diminished - the company closed its AAA game studio and has removed interactive shows like Bandersnatch from its catalog.Casting has already begun for the new version of Star Search. You can head to Netflix's website for more information and to apply to be on the show.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-is-bringing-back-star-search-as-it-continues-to-expand-into-live-tv-214022695.html?src=rss

SoundCloud is updating its Terms of Use again after angering users with language around AI that even the company now describes as "too broad." The details of the change were shared in an open letter from SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton affirming the company's commitment to artists.Specifically, SoundCloud's Terms of Use now forbids the company from using content uploaded to SoundCloud to train generative AI that replicates an artist without their consent. As it's phrased in the new terms SoundCloud is rolling out in the next few weeks:

OpenAI is making GPT-4.1, the latest addition to its collection of AI models, available to all of its paid users. The rollout to ChatGPT Plus, Pro and Team members begins today, while Enterprise and Edu subscriptions will have to wait a few weeks to get access. Once available, GPT-4.1 can be chosen from the "more models" dropdown menu in the model picker.This version of the ChatGPT AI chatbot rolled out to the company's developer API last month, offering upgrades in speed and efficiency over the GPT-4.5 model that it replaced (yes, that is a slightly convoluted numbering system). OpenAI is iterating models at a breakneck speed this year; GPT-4.5 just debuted in February and is already being outpaced in stats by a new version.The company also has a GPT-4.1 mini option that will replace the current small model of GPT-4o mini. That upgrade will happen for all tiers, including the free one. GPT-4.1 mini will be the fallback option for free users once they reach the cap on their access to the heftier GPT-4o model.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-rolls-out-gpt-41-to-all-chatgpt-paying-subscribers-200049384.html?src=rss

The Mission: Impossible film franchise has always dabbled in the, well, impossible. We've seen Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt climb his way up the Burj Khalifa, have a motorcycle joust to prevent the spread of a bioweapon and hang off the side of an airplane. Even the most grounded entry, Brian DePalma's 1996 Mission: Impossible, featured Cruise leaping off of an exploding helicopter onto a train in the Chunnel. But with the previous film, Dead Reckoning, and this year's follow-up Final Reckoning, the series has jumped completely into science-fiction territory with an AI villain called The Entity. It has the power to control anything that touches the internet, manipulate digital information to suit its needs and potentially wipe out humanity through a global nuclear annihilation.Stopping the Entity is a mission Ethan Hunt has no choice but to accept. But as a fan of this series from the start - hell, I even like John Woo's gloriously operatic Mission: Impossible 2 -I can't help but see the move into true sci-fi as a huge mistake. It makes both Reckoning films far too plot-heavy and impenetrable (Final Reckoning clocks in at three hours!), and they also just don't have much to say about AI beyond a Terminator-esque extinction scenario. But perhaps worst of all, the shift towards sci-fi inadvertently (or perhaps purposefully) turns Ethan Hunt into some sort of Messiah. Apparently, only Scientology's greatest son can save us.The best M:I films are the ones that don't get bogged down in the intricacies of plot mechanics. That's a trend that truly kicked off with the JJ Abrams-directed Mission: Impossible 3, which relied on a standard MacGuffin (the "Rabbit's Foot") and a powerhouse Philip Seymour Hoffman villain performance to send Ethan and his team gallivanting around the world. With Ghost Protocol, director Brad Bird used his experience in animation and love of silent film to turn Cruise into a modern-day Buster Keaton, hopping from one elaborate set-piece to another.Paramount PicturesThe series found a new life when writer/director Christopher McQuarrie hopped aboard for Rogue Nation, which introduced Rebecca Ferguson's enigmatic Ilsa Faust. McQuarrie has previously likened his approach to the franchise as something like action film jazz, wherein he and Cruise would develop some set piece ideas and build a narrative around that. At the same time, they also sought to develop Hunt's inner-life and team dynamics more than previous films. Plot, once again, was mostly a vehicle to reach those spectacular action set pieces and character-defining moments (which were often one and the same).McQuarrie mostly repeated his formula for success with 2018's Mission: Impossible - Fallout, which was notable for featuring a real-time high altitude skydiving sequence. But with 2023's Dead Reckoning, he faced the limits of trying to improvise a movie as it was being shot. Production was significantly delayed by the pandemic, and the film also had to go through several reshoots. Perhaps not surprisingly, it also became increasingly more complex and plot-heavy.Paramount PicturesThat movie couldn't just treat The Entity's AI like another plot MacGuffin, instead it practically became an anchor for the film's momentum. We had to learn what the Entity was, why it could be bad and also introduce new characters who were devoted to its ambitions. The final film feels like a hodgepodge of ideas trying to string together a few notable action sequences, like that aforementioned motorcycle jump. The prolonged production also led to the departure of Ilsa Faust, who was immediately replaced by Hayley Atwell's Grace, an expert thief who's so thinly sketched she doesn't even get a last name.I had hoped that McQuarrie, Cruise and co-writer Erik Jendresen would learn from the sloppiness of the last film and refocus on the characters and action we love in The Final Reckoning, but unfortunately things get even more convoluted. We're presented with a world where the Entity has already taken over most information systems, can easily reshape digital reality at will and is in the process of taking over nuclear weapons systems around the world. There is no hope but Ethan Hunt, who must seek out the Entity's source code in a sunken Russian submarine and try to stop it from annihilating humanity (while also trying to survive the apocalypse in an underground data bunker). And if that all sounds tiring as you read it, it's even harder to swallow as you sit through the film's three-hour runtime.Paramount PicturesOnce the film actually starts moving around the half-way point, it delivers some of the most complex set pieces we've seen yet. Hunt's dive into Arctic waters feels as claustrophobic as some of the best scenes from The Abyss, and it's still thrilling to see Cruise hang onto bi-planes during the climactic chase. I just wish it actually did something interesting with the AI at the center of the story, instead of giving us a basic-ass Terminator/Wargames scenario. We're told that the Entity has inspired a cult-like following, and that it can completely reshape the idea of truth, but we don't actually see how it affects people around the world.That's a particular shame since the Mission: Impossible series' has always been about genuine human effort, you'd think McQuarrie and crew would actually have more to say about the impact of AI. Fans want to see practical stunt work being accomplished by a movie star who's desperate for attention. Now with real-world AI threatening to dumb down the act of creativity and recycle existing content, turning the film's AI into a simplistic villain just seems like a total waste.Paramount PicturesThe Final Reckoning also wastes far too much time extolling Ethan Hunt's virtues as humanity's savior. No government can be trusted, no elected leaders - just one man who never follows orders. The one man who has given up love and bled for an ungrateful world. Even the people whose lives he has ostensibly ruined can't help but love him.The Mission: Impossible franchise has always been a vanity project for Cruise, but he also balanced out his ego by working with talented directors who pushed him and the series in new directions. Now, in his fourth film with McQuarrie, and possibly his last as the main character, Cruise can't help but remind us how much he's suffered. And it's as dull as yet another world-ending AI villain.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/mission-impossible-should-never-have-gone-full-sci-fi-200043337.html?src=rss

OpenAI has launched a new web page called the safety evaluations hub to publicly share information related to things like the hallucination rates of its models. The hub will also highlight if a model produces harmful content, how well it behaves as instructed and attempted jailbreaks.The tech company claims this new page will provide additional transparency on OpenAI, a company that, for context, has faced multiple lawsuits alleging it illegally used copyrighted material to train its AI models. Oh, yeah, and it's worth mentioning that The New York Times claims the tech company accidentally deleted evidence in the newspaper's plagiarism case against it.The safety evaluations hub is meant to expand on OpenAI's system cards. They only outline a development's safety measures at launch, whereas the hub should provide ongoing updates."As the science of AI evaluation evolves, we aim to share our progress on developing more scalable ways to measure model capability and safety," OpenAI states in its announcement. "By sharing a subset of our safety evaluation results here, we hope this will not only make it easier to understand the safety performance of OpenAI systems over time, but also support community efforts to increase transparency across the field." OpenAI adds that its working to have more proactive communication in this area throughout the company.

A successful co-op shooter feels like a bottomless tub of popcorn, hot and smothered in golden butter, built for bite-sized consumption and impossible to resist. Smooth mechanics and a satisfying, repeatable loop should draw you in for one more bite, one more round, over and over again. FBC: Firebreak, Remedy Entertainment's co-op shooter set in the universe of Control, almost hits these marks. It just needs a little more salt. Remedy is a AA studio best known for crafting single-player games like Alan Wake and Control, which feature Lynchian mysteries and hellish twists, and Firebreak is the studio's first attempt at crafting an online, cooperative, first-person shooter. Firebreak supports up to three players at a time, and it pits your team against hordes of otherworldly Hiss monsters in the bowels of The Oldest House, the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Control. The building was locked up with a bunch of Hiss inside at the end of Control, and Firebreak takes place six years later. You're a government employee who's volunteered to eradicate the Hiss in The Oldest House - or try to, at least - and you're sent inside with some improvised weapons, no extra training and a hearty pat on the back. Remedy Entertainment We broke down the specifics of Firebreak's gameplay loop and upgrade cycles after the developer walkthrough in March, but here are the basics:

Uber is introducing a few new options for riders that it claims will save you money. These choices include Route Share, which can only be described as if Uber Pool and buses had a love child (though Uber has already tried to reinvent shuttle buses a few times). It offers pickups in certain spots "along busy corridors" every 20 minutes - though only during weekday rush hours.Basically, you can save "up to" 50 percent off UberX by treating Uber like a bus, walking to a pickup location and then getting dropped off at another designated spot near your destination. The Pool bit is that there might be up to two other riders with you.Route Share will let you book a seat between seven days and 10 minutes before you need it. The option is now available from 6AM to 10AM and 4PM to 8PM on weekdays in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, and Baltimore, with more cities coming.UberUber is also rolling out two different ride passes, a price lock and a prepaid option. The price lock pass lets you pay $3 to reserve a set cost for a specific ride. It seems to be pretty low risk, as if the ride ends up being cheaper when you use it, Uber won't charge you the difference. You can use a price lock pass on up to 10 different routes each month. This pass is now available in cities like Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami and San Francisco - but should roll out to the rest of the US soon.Then there's the prepaid pass, which lets you pay for multiple trips at a time. So, say you take an Uber to work or your partners place regularly, you can buy a set of trips along that route. The passes will work for 30 days or up to $50 in savings, whichever you hit first. You do have to buy either five, 10, 15 or 20 rides at a time, so Uber gets a guarantee you'll use their service and you get a discount in return. Both types of passes will also be available on teen accounts this fall.Update, May 14 2025, 2:17PM ET: An earlier version of this article's headline referred to Uber's new offering as "Ride Shares" instead of "Route Share."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-introduces-route-share-a-rush-hour-version-of-pool-161059274.html?src=rss

The PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for May includes some heavy hitters like Sand Land and Battlefield V. All of the following games will be available to play on May 20.First up, there's the gorgeous Sand Land. This is an adaptation of an Akira Toriyama manga, the guy who created the Dragon Ball franchise. He also designed many of the monsters and characters in Chrono Trigger and the Dragon Quest series. The game is, more or less, a beat-for-beat recreation of the manga, wrapped up in a fast-paced action RPG package. There's also an emphasis on vehicular combat. The game will be playable on PS4 and PS5.Battlefield V brought the long-standing franchise back to WWII. The FPS also features a battle royale mode that can handle up to 64 simultaneous players. It's a fun time, particularly for those sick of Call of Duty. It's only available for PS4.Soul Hackers 2 is a turn-based RPG developed by Atlus, who most recently made the absolutely fantastic Metaphor: ReFantazio. If you've played that, along with every Persona and Shin Megami Tensei game, this could scratch a very particular dungeon-crawling itch. It's just for PS5.The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy is also getting a remaster that drops on May 20, so this will be a day one release for PS Plus. The trilogy features updated graphics, keyboard and mouse support and gameplay modes specifically for PS5 Pro. The games will be playable on both PS4 and PS5.Other titles for the month include Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, Humankind, Gloomhaven and Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. That's a pretty stacked lineup. Again, these will all be available on May 20.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/ps-plus-game-catalog-additions-for-may-include-sand-land-and-battlefield-v-180504708.html?src=rss

Toyota has announced the return of the C-HR to the United States, but this time as an all-electric model built on its e-TNGA platform. The crossover electric vehicle will now be the second Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) model sold by Toyota in the United States, along with the new bZ, which was also announced this week.The reimagined C-HR will offer up to 290 miles of range and will offer crossover utility with 60/40-fold-flat seats and over 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.The C-HR will lean toward performance in some aspects, sporting 338 horsepower, standard all-wheel drive, and a 0 to 60 time of around five seconds. The wheel will also feature paddle shifters that control the regenerative braking.Like the recently announced bZ, the C-HR will come equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug type, first developed at Tesla and now open source to other EV manufacturers. In the press release for the vehicle, Toyota said the NACS-equipped vehicle would allow it "access to thousands of DC charging stations nationwide," though it does not specify if this means access to Tesla's Supercharger network.The C-HR will be available in SE and XSE trims, though both will feature a 14-inch touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster, power liftgate, wireless phone chargers, and Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 driver assistance system.Toyota expects the C-HR to arrive at US dealerships in 2026, though further specifics, including pricing, have not been announced.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/toyota-is-bringing-the-c-hr-back-to-the-us-as-an-all-electric-crossover-170728601.html?src=rss

Warner Bros. Discovery announced today that its streaming service is undergoing yet another branding change. This would mark its second name change in three years, and even more if you count the days of HBO's subscriber-exclusive streamer. The streamer previously known as HBO Max (2018-2022), then as Max (2022-2025), will henceforth be known as... checks notes ...HBO Max, again.The rebrand will take place this summer and is part of a push by Warner Bros. Discovery to grow subscriber counts globally. The company's statement shares its belief that returning the HBO branding to the Max streaming service will help signal to its customers the type of quality content they can expect from their subscription. The new (see: old) name makes more pointed use of the brand's iconic name. It reads in part: "This evolution has also been influenced by changing consumer needs, and the fact that no consumer today is saying they want more content, but most consumers are saying they want better content."Bullish on the brand power of HBO, Zaslav said, "The powerful growth we have seen in our global streaming service is built around the quality of our programming. Today, we are bringing back HBO, the brand that represents the highest quality in media, to further accelerate that growth in the years ahead."Warner Bros. Discovery reported earnings last week and mentioned the Max platform nearly 30 times in its nine-page letter to shareholders, touting subscriber and profitability milestones. The company clearly sees HBO Max as a core component to future growth, and HBO as the most valuable branding asset in its expanded portfolio since AT&T's merger with Discovery, Inc. in 2022. Look, as long as you keep making White Lotus, I don't care what you call it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/max-which-was-once-hbo-reverts-to-hbo-max-154149241.html?src=rss

Marvel's long-awaited Ironheart series premieres June 24 on Disney+. We also finally have a legitimate trailer, which looks gritty and fun. This should come as no surprise, as Black Panther and Sinners director Ryan Coogler is on board as an executive producer.The show follows Riri Williams, who was first introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She's a mechanical genius in the vein of Tony Stark who also builds her own armored suit. Iron Man. Ironheart. Get it? In the comics, it's an AI version of Stark that suggests the name, but we doubt Robert Downey Jr's new contract extends to vocal work on a Disney+ series.The footage suggests a season-long battle against an underrated villain in the comics called The Hood, who is a magic user with loose connections to the Dr. Strange villain Dormammu. We can look forward to plenty of tech vs. magic tomfoolery.Ironheart stars Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Alden Ehrenreich, Lyric Ross and Anji White, among others. Chinaka Hodge is the head writer, who penned scripts for Snowpiercer and Mike Flanagan's The Midnight Club.We get three episodes on June 24, followed by installments each Tuesday. Ironheart runs for six episodes. The show's followed by the premiere of the animated anthology series Eyes of Wakanda on August 6.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/marvels-ironheart-series-now-has-a-trailer-152824616.html?src=rss

We know Cassian Andor is doomed. 2016's Rogue One makes clear he will meet an untimely death in a massive explosion. That sense of inevitable destruction lingered in the background of the first season of Andor,the prequel series that follows his journey from a low-rent criminal to a rebel spy. But his fate is even more crushing in Andor's second (and final) season, where the cost of fighting against the seemingly all-powerful Empire chips away at his soul."Rebellions are built on hope," was an iconic line from Rogue One, first uttered by Andor and then repeated triumphantly by that film's lead, Jyn Erso. In the streaming series' second season, we see how that idea is formed and inspires many people. Rebellions aren't just about massive space battles, and Death Star trench runs. They don't rely on an untrained kid hopping into a spaceship and scoring a major victory thanks to the Force and destiny. Rebellions start with small decisions by normal people, and through collective action they evolve into something powerful enough to take down empires. Read into that what you will.Lucasfilm LtdaAndor always seemed like an odd series for Disney, which spent the last decade milking the Star Wars franchise for all it's worth. Created by Tony Gilroy, the Bourne Identity screenwriter who reportedly swooped in to save Rogue One at the last minute, Andor has no lightsabers and minimal references to the Force. While it's filling in the gaps for a storyline that leads to A New Hope, the series also feels refreshingly free of the stifling mythology that has plagued shows like The Mandalorianand Ahsoka(and Boba Fett, and Obi-Wan Kenobi). Andor takes its time, building up its characters and laying out complex ideas, instead of rushing between action set pieces. It's Star Wars for grownups, something I never thought we'd see for a franchise so devoted to kids.In season one, we're introduced to Andor as he's searching for his sister, who disappeared years ago. After being targeted by two local police officers, he ends up killing them both and is forced to hide out in his home planet of Ferrix. There he meets up with his friend Bix (Adria Arjona), who is working for Luthen Rael, a mysterious man who has devoted his life to taking down the Empire. It doesn't take long before Luthen sees potential in Andor, and begins to court him for his rebel cause.Lucasfilm LtdaMinor spoilers ahead for Andor season two.Taking place over the course of a few years (and counting down to the Battle of Yavin, where the Death Star was destroyed in A New Hope), season two follows Andor and Bix as they delve further into the rebellion. Bix is still recovering from the events of the first season, where she was imprisoned and tortured. And Andor splits his time caring for Bix and going on spy missions to help rebels on other planets.I won't say too much about what happens in the season specifically, but in general it builds on everything that made Gilroy's first stab such a refreshing Star Wars entry. We see how the heartless machinations of the Empire affect real people, and how it can push entire populations to fight against tyranny. Small moments, like a hotel bellhop revealing his true thoughts about the Empire to Andor, can lead to more profound acts of rebellion.Lucasfilm LtdaStar Wars has always been about the battle between good and evil. But Andor breaks down what that means for ordinary people, not hyper-powerful space wizards with laser swords. An average citizen could be killed on the spot if they decide to speak up against the Empire. Or, with self-preservation in mind, they could keep their heads down or even volunteer to be a cog in the fascist machine. Not everyone can be Han Solo (though Andor himself is a bit close). But when living under an authoritarian regime, there comes a time for everyone to draw a line. Resist, or lose your soul.Andor also spends plenty of time on Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) before she eventually becomes the leader of the Rebel Alliance. We see her dealing with the difficulty of funding Luthen's rebel activities, especially as they lead to explosive outcomes. But after the Empire massacres thousands of civilians on the planet Ghorman, an event that's been referenced in recent Star Wars books, Mothma and other rebel leaders conclude that violent rebellion is the only way to fight back against the fascist Empire.Lucasfilm Ltda"The Empire has been choking us so slowly, we're starting not to notice. The time has come to force their hand," Luthen tells Senator Mothma in Andor's first season. When she notes that people will suffer, he replies "That's the plan. You're not angry at me. I'm just saying out loud what you already know. There will be no rules going forward. If you're not willing to risk your conscience, then surrender and be done with it."Even though this is Andor's final season, I have a feeling this series will live on in viewer's minds far longer than whatever the hell happened in The Book of Boba Fett. It forces you to think about how the Empire directly affects everyone, from civilians on remote planets to the bureaucratic stooges devoting their lives to fascism. In many ways, it's practically a blueprint for rebellion. And not to put too much on a Disney TV show, but that feels like something we could use right now.Update, May 14: This review has been slightly updated since its original April 21 publish date and republished to coincide with Andor's season two finale.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/andor-season-2-review-a-star-wars-miracle-worth-binging-190057284.html?src=rss

There's about to be a new online movie rental site in town. Letterboxd is introducing a transactional video-on-demand service for its users, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The social media platform for movie lovers announced the news during the Cannes Film Festival.The Letterboxd Video Store will have curated rental categories such as up-and-coming filmmakers, under-appreciated movies and more on demand. There will also be areas that highlight the movies premiering at different film festivals, many of which will be available for a set amount of time. Plus, the rental service could offer some movies that only have a limited distribution, getting them in front of a wider audience.Letterboxd pitches its Video Store it as a natural next step for the company. Every day, we see members recommending films to each other, adding to their watchlists and hungry to discover more," Letterboxd CEO Matthew Buchanan stated. Letterboxd Video Store is our way of delivering for those film lovers, creating a dedicated space for films that deserve an audience."However, while we know it should be coming, that's about all the logistical information we have. Letterboxd has yet to release pricing, launch dates or countries where rentals will be available. These finer points should all arrive in the upcoming months.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/letterboxd-will-launch-a-curated-online-rental-service-for-films-145056220.html?src=rss

We already know that Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto are working away on the sequel to the absurdly successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Now we might also know its title, even if we aren't supposed to.According to The Verge, NBCUniversal (parent company of Illumination via Universal Pictures) name-dropped the upcoming movie in a press release regarding its 2025 and 2026 content slate, before swiftly removing it. Super Mario World was reportedly included in a section that listed a number of films that will stream on Peacock following their theatrical release in the next year.Other films mentioned include M3gan 2.0, Nobody 2, The Bad Guys 2 and the upcoming live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. The original post also listed the next Shrek and Minion movies, but like Super Mario World, they're absent from the amended version.Of course, there's always a possibility that NBCUniversal used the wrong name, or that Super Mario World is just a working title. But it does seem like an obvious choice. For one, the "World" part suggests a larger-scale adventure for Nintendo's mustachioed mascot this time around, and (spoilers for the first film) the post-credits scene in The Super Mario Bros. Movie hinted at Yoshi's involvement in the sequel. Nobody who owned a Super Nintendo Entertainment System in the 90s will need reminding which game the little green dinosaur made his debut in.The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which Engadget's Devindra Hardawar called "a fun but safe Mushroom Kingdom romp" when it released in 2023, made over $1.36 billion at the global box office, and is currently the highest-grossing movie based on a video game of all time. A release date of April 3, 2026 was confirmed last year for the officially as-yet untitled sequel.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-next-mario-movie-may-share-its-name-with-an-snes-classic-141146941.html?src=rss

Eight Sleep has launched a new sleep system called the Pod 5, which uses the power of artificial intelligence, as one would expect from a lot of new products these days. The Pod 5 system consist of a cover, a hub, a blanket and a base that works with any mattress you already have. Its cover and hydro-powered blanket cool down or heat up from 55 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit across your whole body, adjusting their temperatures based on the biometric reading from the cover's embedded sensors.If the system detects that you're snoring through vibrations, the base automatically but gently elevates your head in response, which had been clinically proven to reduce snoring. The base is supposed to go in between your mattress and the bed frame, but it can also be used freestanding with an optional leg kit. Pod 5's base comes with a built-in surround-sound speaker that plays audio, which the company says was designed to support relaxation and recovery. The company has added a guided meditation technique to its audio options, as well as a curated selection of white noise and calming sounds. Finally, the Hub contains the water that the system uses to regulate the cover's and blanket's temperatures. It also contains tech like the WiFi that connects the Pod 5 to the internet.The company says the whole experience is powered by its proprietary AI engine Autopilot that's trained on almost 10 million hours of sleep data. It also learns from your own biometrics and sleep patterns, so it can adjust the system as needed. In addition, Eight Sleep has launched a set of AI-powered algorithms called Health Check that monitors your heart and respiratory rates while you sleep through the sensors in the cover. If your heart rate or breathing shows some abnormality, for instance, you'll see a report in the system's accompanying app notifying you of the reading.The Pod 5 system is now available for purchase in the US, the EU, the UK, Canada, Australia, the UAE, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Monaco and Switzerland. Prices begin at $2,849, and you can get up to a 30-night trial and free returns in case you change your mind.Eight SleepThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/eight-sleep-launches-the-ai-powered-pod-5-sleep-system-130014472.html?src=rss

Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxi service is making its debut in Europe later this year, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Chinese company is reportedly negotiating with Switzerland's PostAuto, a Swiss Post subsidiary that offers rural bus services throughout the country, to start testing Apollo Go in Switzerland. To be able to test its technology in Switzerland before the year ends, Baidu is setting up a local entity in the coming months.Back in March, the company announced that it was deploying 100 fully autonomous cars in Dubai, with plans to expand its fleet to 1,000 vehicles in the city by 2028. It's also expanding its trials in Hong Kong and reportedly has plans to test its vehicles in Turkey in the future. Baidu launched Apollo Go in all "first-tier" Chinese cities, including Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai, in 2022. As The Journal notes, Baidu, like its Chinese competitors, is likely looking to expand in Europe instead of the US, because Chinese companies could be subject to more scrutiny in the country.One of the companies Baidu will be competing with in Europe is Uber, which signed a deal with Chinese self-driving startup Momenta earlier this month. Uber and Momenta are launching robotaxi services in the continent sometime in 2026. When Baidu does start testing its vehicles its Switzerland, they'll most likely have drivers behind the wheel before the company progresses to fully driverless trials.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/baidu-could-start-testing-its-apollo-go-robotaxi-service-in-europe-this-year-123054998.html?src=rss

If you've been waiting to pick up Apple's latest MacBook Air M4 then your patience has paid off. Right now, the 13-inch model is down to $849 from $999 - a 15 percent discount. It's an all-time low for the 13-inch MacBook Air M4, and the deal is available for the laptop in Starlight, Midnight and Sky Blue. Note that this price applies to the entry-level model with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. If you're willing to pay extra for more storage space, a version with a 512GB SSD is also $150 off at $1,049. If you want more memory, a variant with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is similarly discounted at $1,249. Both of those deals represent all-time lows as well. Apple only released the MacBook Air M4 in mid-March and we've since named it 2025's best MacBook overall. We gave it in a 92 in our review, as it still packs an accurate (albeit 60Hz) display and excellent keyboard in a slim, sturdy build that weighs 2.7 pounds and measures 0.44 inches thick. But it's the M4 chip that really gives the Air a boost; the 13-inch model has a 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine, all of which are more than fast enough for most everyday tasks. Battery life is another plus: The notebook lasted over 18 hours while playing HD video in our testing. If you're looking for something a little bigger, then it might be worth getting the 15-inch MacBook Air M4. That one is also $150 off in several configurations, starting at $1,049 for 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD and moving up to $1,449 for 24GB of RAM and double the storage. Again, each of these deals mark new lows. Apart from its larger display, the 15-inch MacBook Air has a larger trackpad and better speakers than its 13-inch counterpart but is largely identical otherwise. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-m4-macbook-air-drops-to-a-record-low-price-144625537.html?src=rss

As people continue to move away from sedans to larger vehicles, the distinction between SUVs, crossovers and MPVs has become even blurrier. But make no mistake, if you're looking for a big car with tons of power, excellent handling and a true seven-person capacity, the Lucid Gravity might be the coolest three-row EV on sale today. Just don't call it a minivan.Not that you would be incorrect. Between its extra-long dimensions (198 inches, three inches longer than a LWB VW ID. Buzz), a smooth, sloping front end and an emphasis on aerodynamics, the Gravity certainly looks more like a Chrysler Pacifica than a brawny Rivian R1S. But as one Lucid representative told me, minivans have gotten a bad rap in recent times, due to their focus on basic practicality while eschewing anything in the way of engaging driving dynamics. This makes slapping the minivan tag on a car feel almost like a death sentence, even if the biggest difference between the Gravity and some of its cross-category rivals is the lack of sliding doors.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetWith the Gravity's Grand Touring spec (which starts at $94,900) packing a whopping 828 horsepower along with fancy features like standard air suspension and optional rear-wheel steering, this thing is anything but pokey. And that's before you consider a 0 to 60 time of just 3.4 seconds, which puts most sports cars (especially gas-powered ones) to shame. So despite how it looks, there's no doubt the Gravity offers better performance than any minivan on the planet.The speed continues when it's time to charge. Thanks to its 926 volt architecture, the Gravity can suck down up to 400 kW of juice, which makes this the fastest charging EV outside of China. Lucid's charging tech is also capable of adding 200 miles of driving distance in under 11 minutes. When combined with up to 450 miles of range, this vehicle is almost single-handedly upending the idea that electric cars are bad for long road trips.The sky was cloudy that day.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetMeanwhile, for those who want to travel in luxury, the Gravity has more creature comforts than minivans too, even for a class of vehicle that can often be judged by its number of cupholders. Not only are the front and second row seats heated, Lucid's glass panoramic roof runs nearly the entire length of the car. That means unlike most rivals where the driver is stuck without a view, all you see is sky when you look up from behind the wheel. There's even a screen for second row occupants to control music and climate (among other things).Lucid also makes great use of the Gravity's length. While I wouldn't want to ride back there as an adult all the time, it has one of the most spacious third rows I've ever sat in. Alternatively, if you need extra cargo space, the rearmost seats fold into the floor, providing you with a flat load space featuring 56.2 cubic feet of room (and that's with the second row still up). And while it's not something you'll use all the time, I love the company's optional folding cushion that transforms the frunk into a loveseat - complete with cupholders on each side. It's a fun little feature that makes me sad that drive-in movie theaters are becoming extinct.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetThe most enchanting contradiction about the Gravity is what it feels like to drive. After getting into the pilot's seat, you're greeted by a massive 34-inch 6K OLED display. And unlike some of its competitors, it's not two or three screens sandwiched together. It's all a single panel that's an absolute treat to look at. This expansiveness is only reinforced by Lucid's squircle-shaped wheel. It's a touch smaller than you might expect on a vehicle this size, but it also gives you increased visibility at its giant infotainment system.The hard thing to wrap your head around though, is that for a long SUV with three rows of seats, it doesn't drive like a big car. The cabin is spacious and airy and it feels like you could fit a pickleball court between its mirrors. And yet, thanks to features like the optional rear-wheel steering on my demo vehicle, it almost felt petite during a quick drive around New York City.Now, I will admit that my route down the West Side Highway wasn't the best place to really test out its driving dynamics. But there were a few spots where I got a sense of how good the Gravity will be on the open road. For example, I had to make a U-turn down near Battery Park and I thought there was no way I was going to make it without committing to a three-point maneuver. But to my delight, it just darted around the divider in a way that defies its dimensions.Lucid's suspension is also a work of art. For a car that weighs around 6000 pounds (depending on spec), it doesn't lumber or bounce when it goes over bumps. It just kind of floats. You can still feel the road, but it's just more of a gentle reminder that its surface texture is constantly changing rather than a jolt up your backside. Granted, my test vehicle was equipped with Lucid's Dynamic Handling Package, which includes three-chamber air suspension instead of the standard two. But, honestly, that extra $2,900 feels well worth it, especially when that option also adds the rear-wheel steering.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetI also appreciate how the car automatically hunkers down when you set it to sport mode to improve performance. Even without room to get it up to top speed, it's impossible to escape the feeling of immense power the car gets from its dual motors (a single-motor RWD is slated to come out later). The Gravity might just have the best ride quality of any EV SUV currently on sale.However, I do have some complaints. The most obvious one is that this thing ain't cheap at just shy of $95,000 for the initial Grand Touring version. And even when the base model eventually comes out at around $80,000, that's still a far cry from mainstream affordability. It really makes me wonder why Lucid didn't jump straight to making its rumored (and almost certainly more affordable) mid-size SUV.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetI don't love Lucid's current color options either, which seem aimed more at boomers than younger, more EV-friendly drivers. (Though I guess that's where the money is.) The most vibrant paint choice is either a brownish bronze or a faded olive green. I was hoping that the company had learned something from the stunning blue it uses on the Air Sapphire and carried over some of that styling to the Gravity. But here we are.Finally, Lucid won't have its version of Dream Drive 2 Pro hands-free driving tech available at launch. Furthermore, the company is running into issues sourcing components for its HUD system, which means you'll have to wait a bit longer for that option. The good news is that when (or if) Lucid eventually figures out its hand-free tech, all the hardware needed to support it will already be in the Gravity, so all you'll need is an OTA update to turn it on.Regardless, as Lucid continues ramping production throughout the year, the Gravity already feels like the coolest big EV SUV on sale today and an immediate top contender for anyone looking for a luxurious three-row people carrier.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/the-lucid-gravity-is-the-coolest-three-row-ev-on-the-market-120024089.html?src=rss

Sony has sold 77.8 million PlayStation 5s since the console first went on sale in 2020 after shipping 2.8 million units in its latest quarter, the company announced. That figure lines up remarkably well with PlayStation 4 sales which hit 79.1 million units in approximately the same amount of time. However, Sony's full year fiscal 2024 PS5 sales of 18.5 million were down compared to the 20.8 million it sold in 2023.Game sales more than made up for that though, rising nine percent and helping push the division's operating income up 43 percent year over year. That was largely due to third-party sales, as first-party sales actually fell a bit. Sony has only released one first-party game so far this year with key titles like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Ghost of Ytei still to come.Sony doesn't expect this growth to continue, though. The company is predicting a 100 billion ($700 million) hit to sales next year due to tariffs, given that most of its sales occur in the US - and the company had already forecast flat revenue for 2025. Another key blow was the delay of Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto VI launch that was just pushed back to May 2026.During its earnings call, Sony said that it was considering "passing on" tariff hikes to consumers, though it didn't mention the PS5 or US specifically. The company has already raised the price of the console in other territories including Europe, but US increases are extremely rare. Sony CEO HIroki Totoki also brought up the possibility of building the PlayStation 5 in the US, saying it's something that "has to be considered going forward."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-has-sold-778-million-ps5s-to-date-but-expects-a-downturn-due-to-tariffs-120013001.html?src=rss

Smartwatches do more than just track your steps and deliver phone alerts to your wrist. The best smartwatches go even further, giving you the ability to pay for a cup of coffee, take calls and connect to apps like Spotify all without whipping out your smartphone.

If you buy a TV today, it'll almost assuredly be a smart TV. But there are still a few reasons you may want a streaming device. Some cheaper and older smart TVs have pretty dismal built-in operating systems that are slow, laggy or otherwise tedious to use. In that case, a streaming device can help you navigate more quickly and give you an interface that's more pleasant to deal with. Streaming devices come in handy when you travel, too. As long as the TV at your Vrbo or hotel has an HDMI port, you should be able to plug in the streamer and watch your shows (without having to type in a bunch of passwords).