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by Will Shanklin,Devindra Hardawar on (#6X4MM)
Microsoft hasn't secretly raised Surface prices, as earlier reports claimed. Instead, it has removed the base models of the Surface Pro 13-inch and Surface Laptop 13.8-inch from Microsoft.com, according to a statement by Nancie Gaskill, GM of the Surface group. "Customers can purchase base models of Pro and Laptop at the starting price of $999 at other key retailers," she added.Currently, you can still find those models at Amazon and Best Buy, where they're discounted to $800. That's the same price as the smaller (and slower) Surface Pro 12-inch, so potential buyers have to think hard about balancing portability versus power. It's also unclear if those base models are still being produced by Microsoft, the company could be trying to sell through it's existing stock so future customers can only order the more expensive models.Earlier this week, XDA first noticed a potential Surface price change at Microsoft.com. The starting prices of the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop and 13-inch Surface Pro appeared to jump from $1,000 to $1,200 - but it turns out those are just higher-specced models.And despite the confusion around actual Surface pricing, Microsoft has definitely made its accessories more expensive. The 65W Surface power supply shot up from $90 to $120 this week, and the 127W variant went from $125 to $175. (Perhaps consider the many cheaper options from Anker and other companies in our fast charging guide.)Microsoft also increased Xbox prices last week increases. The Xbox Series X is now $80 more expensive, while an Xbox Series X costs an extra $100.Updated 5/8/2025 6:00PM: Added Microsoft's statement about not increasing Surface pricing.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/microsoft-says-it-hasnt-raised-surface-prices-210427376.html?src=rss
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by Anna Washenko on (#6X5J4)
ChatGPT is bringing its Deep Research service directly into GitHub's developer ecosystem. This integration is beginning a beta test this week, with ChatGPT Plus, Pro and Team users the first to receive access over the coming days. Members of the Enterprise and Edu plans will get a chance to try it out "soon." Users can grant the AI assistant access to select code repositories and ask questions about their contents that ChatGPT will answer with cited reports.Programmers have been a notable audience for AI assistants. A tool like ChatGPT can quickly review code and see where you've left a bracket unclosed or explain why a function isn't working, so looping the chatbot directly into GitHub could streamline the process. Plus, Microsoft owns GitHub and the company has made extensive investments into OpenAI.When OpenAI initially announced Deep Research, the analysis-focused application of the AI chatbot required a Pro plan to use. In February, the company opened it up to all paying users of ChatGPT.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/chatgpt-deep-research-can-now-connect-to-github-215909296.html?src=rss
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by Ian Carlos Campbell on (#6X5FF)
If you purchased an Apple device in the last 10 years, you might be able to receive some of the money from the company's recently settled spying lawsuit. The original lawsuit claimed Apple was capturing sensitive information with its Siri voice assistant without users' consent, and sending it to third-party contractors. The company agreed to settle the case for $95 million in January 2025, and thanks to the new landing page for the settlement, there's now a way to file a claim on your own.To file a claim, you you need to have bought an "iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iMac, HomePod, iPod touch or Apple TV" between September 17, 2014 and December 31, 2024, and believe Siri accidentally activated on your device during a private conversation. From the $95 million Apple is paying out, you can receive up to $20 per device you believe called up Siri, provided you swear under oath it happened.You have until July 2, 2025 to file your claim. If you qualify for the settlement, you may have already been notified with information on your Claim Identification Number and Claim Confirmation Code. If you haven't received either but believe the settlement applies, you're free to submit a claim on your own.Apple claims that Siri was designed with protecting users' privacy in mind, and agreeing to share data to improve the voice assistant - through your device's Privacy & Security settings - never uses audio recordings or transcripts for anything other than training. In the case of newer devices, voice data is processed locally anyway, so agreeing to share your data is supposed to be the only way Apple could ever access it.Given the growing focus on AI, and the large amounts of data needed to train it, there's good reason to be skeptical about where companies are getting their training material. Apple prefers to get its customers consent, but the company has turned to new sources to help its AI research along. For example, Apple recently disclosed that it will start using the images captured for its Street View-esque feature in Apple Maps to train its models.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/you-can-now-claim-your-piece-of-apples-95-million-siri-privacy-settlement-213020351.html?src=rss
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by Anna Washenko on (#6X5FG)
CEO and founder of Celsius Network Alex Mashinsky has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by a US District Court. Celsius Network held about $25 billion in assets at its height, but was one of the many cryptocurrency operations to fail during 2022. Prosecutors were seeking two decades for Mashinsky, claiming he defrauded and misled customers about the status of his company's CEL token."His crimes were not the product of negligence, naivete, or bad luck," the attorneys said. "They were the result of deliberate, calculated decisions to lie, deceive, and steal in pursuit of personal fortune."After an initial not-guilty plea to seven criminal counts, the former cryptocurrency leader pled guilty to two of the fraud charges in December. As part of his plea deal, Mashinsky agreed not to appeal any sentence of 30 years or less.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/celsius-ceo-alex-mashinsky-sentenced-to-12-years-for-crypto-fraud-210415388.html?src=rss
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by Karissa Bell on (#6X5FH)
Threads will finally start giving users more visibility into when their accounts are penalized for breaking its rules. Meta is bringing its Account Status" feature to Threads, which will enable people to see when the company has removed or demoted posts or handed out other penalties.The change adds a layer of much-needed transparency to Threads, which already has a recommendation algorithm that can be hard for creators to understand. Earlier this year, Meta reversed course on whether it would recommend political content to Threads users after it tried to limit posts about elections and other social" topics last year.As on Instagram (and Facebook), Account Status allows Threads users to view actions" Meta has taken against their account. It will indicate if a post has been removed, made less visible in other users' feeds or deemed un-recommendable by Meta. It will also show if a user has been blocked from using certain features for breaking the platform's rules.If Meta has actioned" your account for some reason, Account Status is also where you can request an appeal. The company says it will alert users once their report has been reviewed.Account Status is starting to roll out now and is accessible from the account" section in Threads' settings menu.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-will-start-telling-users-when-their-posts-are-demoted-204628224.html?src=rss
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by Will Shanklin on (#6X5FJ)
Nintendo's lawyers have killed another Palworld gameplay mechanic. Pocketpair issued a patch on Thursday that changes how gliding works in the cheeky "Pokemon with guns" satire.You can still glide in Palworld, but you can no longer use your Pal to do so. Starting with patch v0.5.5, you can only soar with a boring, inanimate glider in your inventory. Although Glider Pals can still passively buff gliding, it's no longer as fun as flinging out the creature and using their aerodynamics to cross a ravine.As you'd expect, Pocketpair's decision traces back to its legal defense. Nintendo and The Pokemon Company sued the developer in Japan last year, claiming Palworld infringes on multiple patents. Since then, Nintendo has filed a flurry of patent applications in the US in an apparent scheme to go global with its legal assault."We understand that this will be disappointing for many, just as it is for us," Pocketpair wrote. "But we hope our fans understand that these changes are necessary in order to prevent further disruptions to the development of Palworld."PocketpairToday's update isn't the first to bork the game to try to stave off the Mario maker's legal barrage. In November, Palworld removed the ability to summon Pals by throwing Spheres, one of the game's more Pokemon-esque details. But gliding is a much less established Pokemon gameplay mechanic. On top of that, it's a common one in the industry, found in franchises as diverse as Far Cry, Fortnite and Batman: Arkham.The lawsuit sparks fears that industry behemoths using the courts to snuff out smaller competitors will become more widespread. "Video game patent mechanics has to utterly die given how it's either abused by major companies to cripple any competition or utterly wasted like with the Nemesis system from Middle-earth games," u/DenseCalligrapher219 opined on Reddit.Another way to view Nintendo's move is that it masks the stench of a stagnant franchise. "If Nintendo is going to sabotage other Pokemon-like games, the least they could do is get Game Freak to develop a Pokemon game that isn't garbage," wrote u/VacantThoughts. "The world's biggest franchise with the world's laziest half-ass devs."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/palworld-removes-pal-gliding-as-it-continues-its-legal-battle-with-nintendo-200644597.html?src=rss
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by Engadget on (#5YH9J)
It's getting down to the wire to snag a Mother's Day gift that will arrive on time. But luckily, as of this writing, more than a few of these gifts will arrive before Sunday for Amazon Prime members. Below, you'll find gift ideas we at Engadget think moms will appreciate long after a bouquet of flowers would have died. We've tried these gadgets and subscriptions ourselves, reviewing them for guides or otherwise using them in our everyday lives - so we know they're worthwhile. Be sure to double check shipping windows if you want something to arrive by Sunday. And for truly last-minute shopping, we also included a couple of subscriptions. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-last-minute-mothers-day-gift-gadgets-and-subscriptions-mom-will-love-131533691.html?src=rss
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by Anna Washenko on (#6X5D4)
Instagram's Threads app began testing advertisements for its users at the start of this year, and the social platform is already ramping up its monetization efforts. Meta announced at IAB NewFronts that it will start testing video ads on Threads. The company didn't get specific about the size or scale of this preliminary test, but said that a "small number" of advertisers will trial 19:9 or 1:1 video ad creatives placed between typical posts in users' feeds.At the NewFronts event, where social media companies can pitch themselves to advertisers, Meta also said that it is trying out a new ad option centered around Instagram Reels. It is developing Reels trending ads that will be shown next to some of the service's most popular videos.Basically, Meta is following the same trajectory with its Instagram networks that it did with Facebook: making it less and less enjoyable to actually socialize with your connections.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-will-test-video-ads-on-threads-192213050.html?src=rss
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by Engadget on (#6S79Z)
We don't speak for all moms, but a brief and unscientific survey has confirmed one gift most moms will love across the board: Time. Unspoken for, unstructured, zero-obligation time. While we couldn't find extra hours on sale anywhere online, we did find some gadgets and gizmos that help save time and others that make precious down time more enjoyable. Our recommendations include some of the gifts we've given to the moms in our own lives as well as what the moms on staff would want for themselves. Most have a tech bent, because we are who we are, but all should appeal to any mom who wants to make the most of their time. Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-tech-gifts-for-mom-that-shell-appreciate-for-the-rest-of-2025-130044756.html?src=rss
by Karissa Bell on (#6X3J0)
Meta is facing its biggest existential threat in its history. Years after the Federal Trade Commission first sued the social network in an attempt to unwind its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, the trial that will shape its future is finally underway. FTC v. Meta began last month when CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand, and is expected to last for several weeks.The FTC is hoping to prove to US District judge James Boasberg that Meta's acquisitions of its one-time rivals were anticompetitive and hurt US consumers. Meta, meanwhile, has argued that Instagram and WhatsApp were only able to grow to the billion-user services they are because of its investment into them over the last decade or more.While the case is unlikely to be fully settled anytime soon, the trial has successfully uncovered tons of new details about the inner workings of Meta and its approach to potential competitors. And testimony from former execs like Instagram cofounder Kevin Systrom and longtime COO Sheryl Sandberg have shed new light on the company's past.Instagram's former CEO speaksFacebook's 2012 acquisition of Instagram is a central part of the FTC's case against Meta. The government has argued that Mark Zuckerberg bought Instagram in order to neutralize it as a competitor and is trying to force Meta to divest it. So it was more than a little eyebrow raising when Instagram's cofounder and former CEO Kevin Systrom took the stand and didn't exactly come to Meta's defense.While Zuckerberg had testified that Meta had helped Instagram grow, Systrom testified that Zuckerberg saw Instagram as a threat" to Facebook's growth and intentionally withheld company resources as a result. As the founder of Facebook, he felt a lot of emotion around which one was better, meaning Instagram or Facebook," Systrom said.Sheryl Sandberg thought Zuckerberg overpaid for InstagramFacebook's decision to pay $1 billion for Instagram - an app that had no revenue and just a handful of employees - seemed like an incredible sum to many onlookers at the time. Among them, though, was Zuckerberg's former top lieutenant. The trial unearthed an exchange between the two from 2012 in which Zuckerberg asked if $1 billion was too much to pay. She replied that yes, of course it's way too much."On the stand, however, Sandberg said that she had been wrong. I don't think anyone today would say we paid too much for Instagram," she said, in testimony reported by Bloomberg.Zuckerberg knew the company could face a breakupIn one notable email exchange, Zuckerberg speculated that the company could one day face antitrust action that would force the company to divest Instagram. "I'm beginning to wonder whether spinning Instagram out is the only structure that will accomplish a number of important goals," Zuckerberg mused in a 2018 email. "As calls to break up the big tech companies grow, there is a non-trivial chance that we will be forced to spin out Instagram and perhaps WhatsApp in the next 5-10 years anyway."Zuckerberg considered nuking friend lists to boost engagementIn 2022, facing rising competition from TikTok, Zuckerberg apparently was growing concerned that Facebook's cultural relevance is decreasing quickly." To address this, he suggested deleting users' friends lists as often as once a year in an effort to get people to start again." Bizarrely, he referred to this plan as double down on friending," as Business Insider noted.Zuckerberg, apparently aware that the plan was somewhat risky, even suggested that Facebook could test out the idea in a smaller country" first in order to gauge the effect it might have on users. However, Tom Alison, who oversees the Facebook app for Meta, quickly shot him down, according to The Verge, telling Zuckerberg the plan was not viable."When asked about it directly on the stand, Zuckerberg simply stated that we never did that." Still, the fact that he even considered such a drastic move is telling. Zuckerberg floated the idea in 2022, at a time when TikTok's popularity among US teens was surging and Meta was becoming increasingly alarmed at TikTok's dominance. In the same email, Zuckerberg also questioned Alison about whether Facebook could move to a follow model."Just how threatened they were by TikTokZuckerberg has previously talked about how Meta was slow" to recognize the threat posed by TikTok. But the FTC trial has unearthed new details about Meta's response to the app's rise. In her testimony, Sandberg said that Meta was already feeling pressure from TikTok in 2018. By 2020, the company had invested more than $500 million into building its competitor, Reels, according to an internal email noted by The New York Times. That effort saw the company hire more than 1,000 new employees to bolster the company's video efforts.Zuckerberg also touched on TikTok, saying that the app quickly became a highly urgent" threat to Meta. We observed that our growth slowed down dramatically," Zuckerberg said, referring to TikTok's rise. That may sound surprisingly candid for Zuckerberg, but his remarks were also strategic for Meta's defense. The company has argued that TikTok is an even bigger threat to its business than Instagram or WhatsApp ever was, and has slammed the government for claiming that TikTok isn't a direct rival.Europeans aren't buying Meta's ad-free subscriptionsAs the European Union has adopted stricter tech regulations over the last few years, the new laws have forced tech giants to change their products in sometimes meaningful ways. For Meta, one such change has been the addition of ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram that are only available via subscription in the EU. The company began offering it in 2023 and has slashed the price of it more recently following legal scrutiny.But even with a price cut, it seems ad-free subscriptions to Facebook and Instagram are unpopular. On the stand, Meta's Chief Revenue Officer John Hegeman testified that there has been very little interest" in the plan with only about .007 percent" of users opting in, according to testimony reported by The Verge.Threads almost didn't get its own appMeta's X competitor was almost relegated to a feature within Instagram. That's according to Instagram and Threads chief Adam Mosseri who testified (per The Verge) that Meta's original plan was for Threads to live inside Instagram itself. However, it ended up being too confusing" so they ultimately opted to break it out into its own service. Mosseri said the move was contentious" at the time.Now though, it's hard to argue that Meta didn't make the right call. Threads has passed 350 million users and Zuckerberg has predicted it will be the company's next billion-person app. It's nearly impossible to imagine Threads reaching that level of success if it was merely yet another Instagram feature.Update, May 8, 2025, 12:15PM PT: This story has been updated to reflect testimony from Instagram's Adam Mosseri.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/what-weve-learned-from-ftc-v-meta-antitrust-trial-162048138.html?src=rss
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by Steve Dent on (#6X51M)
Nintendo is throwing some cold water on Switch 2 sales estimates even though launch demand seems to be off the charts. In its latest earnings report, the company projected sales of 15 million Switch 2 units in its first year on sale to March 2026, fewer than analyst predictions of 16.8 million. It didn't explain the number but it's likely due to uncertainty around US tariffs and the fact that Nintendo is usually cautious with its forecasts.Switch 2 sales opened with a bang as resellers immediately sold out and the company said Nintendo Switch 2 pre orders may not arrive until after the June 5th launch. That shows there's a lot of pent-up demand for the new model following the Switch's eight year run, but last month Nintendo delayed pre-orders due to concerns over Trump's tariffs on electronic goods. Despite its fears (and buyer complaints about the $450 price tag), the company received 2.2 million applications for pre-orders in Japan alone, a number that Nintendo said "far exceeds our expectations."Speaking to investors after the earnings report was released, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furakawa cautioned that US tariffs are one area the company does not have control over. According to Yahoo Japan, Furakawa explained that Nintendo's current policy is to recognize the tariffs as a cost, but if additional tariffs necessitate a price increase in the US then demand in the country may fall. He also highlighted that rising prices of daily expenses and food could negatively impact customers' budgets for games. At present, the company expects 45 million Switch 2 games to be sold through the financial year.Nintendo has sold over 150 million Switch consoles to date, including 17.79 million in the first 13 months - so the Switch 2 is on a similar pace, even with the conservative estimates. In any case, it needs to have a great year as sales have fallen off a cliff (down 30.3 percent over last year), as one would expect with a new console imminent.Update, May 8, 2:30PM ET: This story was updated after publish to include comments from Nintendo president Shuntaro Furakawa on the potential future impacts of tariffs on Switch sales.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendos-switch-2-sales-forecast-predicts-15-million-consoles-in-its-first-fiscal-year-120044034.html?src=rss
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by Andre Revilla on (#6X5AE)
The Wikimedia Foundation, hosts of the free online encyclopedia Wikipedia, is challenging an aspect of the United Kingdom's Online Safety Act (OSA). The law aims to protect users from harmful online content by imposing restrictions and fines on large internet platforms such as social media companies. While the law was originally passed in 2023, enforcement and categorization of companies subject to the law are only taking shape now.The law sorts online platforms into categories that are then met with varying levels of restrictions and enforcement. Wikimedia is specifically challenging the categorisation regulations" under the law, arguing that Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, is using a flawed and vague system of metrics to judge what category a platform falls into.Under the current definition, metrics like number of UK users and the ability to forward or share content make it more likely that Wikipedia would be considered a higher-risk Category 1" platform. This would put Wikipedia in the same bucket as Facebook, X, YouTube and other enormous social platforms.The Wikimedia Foundation's lead counsel Phil Bradley-Schmieg shared in a blog post that the foundation had been working with UK regulators for years in an attempt to clarify the rules in a manner the foundation felt would be more fair.Platforms that are recognized as Category 1 are held to more stringent requirements governing how quickly they remove harmful content, ensuring proper age verification, preventing cyberbullying and more. The Wikimedia Foundation is arguing that Wikipedia should not be lumped into Category 1, as it is a nonprofit, ad-free and mostly volunteer-operated service.In another blog post, the Wikimedia Foundation lays out its concerns, saying that these restrictions would be a substantial challenge to our resources to meet the strict reporting and compliance obligations," and that the fines threatened by Category 1 classification could lead to disempowering users who wish to keep their identity private."The foundation made clear that they ultimately support regulations that could improve online safety. Given that the OSA intends to make the UK a safer place to be online,"Bradley-Schmieg wrote "it is particularly unfortunate that we must now defend the privacy and safety of Wikipedia's volunteer editors from flawed legislation."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/wikipedias-owner-challenges-categorization-rules-under-uks-online-safety-act-175128560.html?src=rss
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by Avery Ellis on (#6X5AF)
So a professional dominatrix specializing in foot worship signs into her YouTube account for the first time in seventeen years and compiles over 900 playlists, including the debut LP of progressive math-rock band 90 Day Men, an album from hyperpop/chiptune darling Saoirse Dream and portions of the original soundtrack from early 2000s anime Chobits. There's no punchline to that one. Let me explain.Despite an entirely separate paid product - YouTube Music - vanilla YouTube's sometimes spotty enforcement of copyright has made it a goldmine for music, especially the kind that's niche, and possibly unavailable on legal streamers. Dedicated channels for screamo, doom metal or acid jazz, for instance, are regularly uploading rare releases, and searching for nearly any artist and "full album" will typically return the desired result no matter how obscure. In some cases, albums are uploaded as a single, lengthy video with timestamps indicating where one track ends and the next begins; in others, individual tracks are uploaded and compiled as playlists.In recent months, however, countless tainted playlists have cropped up in YouTube search results. Engadget compiled a sample of 100 channels (there are undoubtedly many, many more) engaged in what we'll refer to as playlist stuffing. These had between 30 and 1,987 playlists each - 58,191 in total. The overwhelming majority of these stuffed playlists contain an irrelevant, nearly hour-long video simply titled "More."EngadgetThe robotic narration of "More" begins: "Cryptocurrency investing, when approached with a long-term perspective, can be a powerful way to build wealth." You'd be forgiven for assuming its aim is to direct unwitting listeners to a shitcoin pump-and-dump. But over the next 57 minutes and 55 seconds, it meanders incoherently between a variety of topics like affiliate marketing, making a website and search engine optimization. (Here's the entire transcript if you find yourself pathologically curious.) What's odd is there's no link to any scam page, no specific business the video directs a listener to patronize. Its description simply reads "Other stuff I've recorded and edited that I hadn't released until now, a special for my biggest fans with footage never seen before!"For all its supposed advice on making easy money online, its best example isn't anything said in the video, it's that "More" has amassed nearly 7.5 million views at the time of this writing - and it's monetized.It's far from the only video of its kind. Many longer albums, like Mal Blum's You Look A Lot Like Me, Titus Andronicus's The Most Lamentable Tragedy and Slugdge's The Cosmic Cornucopia are appear as stuffed playlists with "More," "Unreleased" and "Full Album." Both are similar marketing slop; they have 3.7 and 3.5 million views, respectively.Unscrupulous artists also seem to engage, on a smaller scale, in a less obtuse sort of playlist stuffing. The channel Ultra Sounds has garnered 4.1 million views on its song "The Pause," after inserting it into - among other places - the Nine Inch Nails album Add Violence. Anastasia Coope's Darning Woman and 1991, an album by shoegaze pioneers Drop Nineteens, are not made better for the inclusion of Murat Bakaya, an apparent Turkish rapper. Electronic dance group The Daring Ones have added a few hundred thousand views to several of their tracks by stuffing them into a variety of playlists, including one of last month's new Viagra Boys record. Engadget attempted to contact these musicians on their content strategy but has not heard back."More" takes advantage of a very simple UI quirk. Besides there being no easy way to tell how many playlists a YouTube account has made (it loads them 30 at a time on scroll), search results show only the first two tracks of a given playlist. "More" is almost invariably inserted as track three. Unwitting listeners who click and tab away are greeted with irrelevant marketing jargon around seven minutes later -a scenario reflected in the often bewildered comments beneath the video.Playlist stuffing would seem to contravene YouTube's policies on playlists and deceptive practices, which proscribe "playlists with titles or descriptions that mislead viewers into thinking they're about to view videos different than what the playlist contains." A glance at the channel to which "More" was uploaded provides a hint that something more insidious is at play than just playlist stuffing for ad revenue."More" is not the only video on the channel Hangmeas. The channel description states "I produce my own custom music videos with footage I record around East Asia where me and the locals sing and dance to traditional music from their cultures," and sure enough its other two uploads are songs from Cambodian musicians - uploaded 18 years ago. The army of channels posting stuffed playlists containing "More" are all similarly ancient. One, kcnmttcnn, was created on December 26, 2005, only a few months after YouTube itself first launched. It now hosts over 900 playlists. The vast majority of channels engaged in this activity were created in 2006, and the youngest was claimed in February of 2009. In all likelihood, these accounts were abandoned long ago and have since been compromised, either by whoever is behind "More" or by a third party which sold access to these accounts to them.Just like Hangmeas, several of these possibly compromised accounts have their channel descriptions, links -like the Myspace account for the aforementioned dominatrix - and old uploads intact. Viewing them in aggregate triggers a strange kind of melancholy, like finding the photo album of someone else's family in a thrift store. Here's two friends go-karting down a stretch of farmland; here's a girl sledding down a very short hill; here's 11 minutes off an online game of Uno; here's two girls trying on hats in a department store; here's Muse playing "Time Is Running Out" in Paris, 2006, rendered in such poor quality it could be literally any show at all. This one's just called "David." Its description reads "I'm cool."Unfortunately none of these channels had extant contact information. It's impossible to know how the subjects of these videos feel about their old digital selves being leveraged for playlist stuffing. We can't even know how many of these people are still alive.Somehow, a raft of accounts old enough to vote logged back in, probably from very different parts of the world than where they originated, and churned out playlists at a rate no human being could possibly hope to achieve. YouTube, it seems, did not find this suspicious. We reached out to YouTube for comment and did not receive comment by time of publication.Yes, amateurish, nearly two decade-old footage harkens to a simpler time, when being able to upload a video that the whole world could see - though much more likely it would be viewed by a couple of your friends, and then one reporter 18 years later - was still exciting. But the history of the internet seems to be contained here: The simple joy of connection, neglected on a megacorp's servers, slowly co-opted by anyone trying to make a quick and dishonest buck.Author's note: I've included a list of the potentially compromised accounts here; if you happen to be the owner of one of them, I'd love to hear from you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/the-enshitification-of-youtubes-full-album-playlists-172934629.html?src=rss
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by Jeff Dunn on (#6BJ5V)
The transition from high school to young adulthood is usually as overwhelming as it is exciting. If you know a recent graduate and want to celebrate this milestone, the right gift can make their next chapter a little more manageable. Below we've compiled a few of our favorite gadgets, gear and other gift ideas that should help them out, whether they're off to college or heading straight into the workforce. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-high-school-graduation-gifts-130013153.html?src=rss
by Lawrence Bonk on (#6X575)
Ireland has pitched a law to force tech companies to vet ads before publishing them, according to reporting by Financial Times. This is part of a larger push by the EU Commission to make tech entities responsible for financial fraud that occurs on their platforms. It also comes as President Trump has begun pushing the EU to scale back regulation of big American tech companies.While a proposal by the EU Commission would indeed put companies on the hook for financial fraud, Ireland's plan hopes to get ahead of all that. It looks to stop fraudulent ads before they are even published. The Irish finance ministry submitted an amendment to the current EU proposal that would force tech platforms to check the legitimacy of advertisers before posting their ads.
by Sarah Fielding on (#6WKZN)
There are some great keyboard attachments for the iPad, but sometimes, you just want to physically write things down with a "pencil." While Apple's stylus lineup can be confusing, it's clear that the Apple Pencil Pro is the most advanced model of the bunch. If you've been looking to grab one, whether it's for note-taking or more intricate drawing, the device is back down to $99 at Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. That's $30 off Apple's list price, and while it's $10 more than the all-time low we saw last October, it matches the largest discount we've tracked in 2025. Apple released this top-end model last year. It offers features such as pressure sensitivity, a squeeze gesture to see menu options and a built-in gyroscope that improves the process of changing your pen's orientation and brush tools. The hardware is as comfy to hold as the older second-gen Pencil, plus it works with Apple's Find My network, so you can easily locate the tool at any time. The catch is that it's only compatible with select iPads: You'll need an iPad Pro with an M4 chip, an M2 or M3 iPad Air or the most recent iPad mini to take advantage. If you don't want to spend quite that much, the USB-C Apple Pencil is technically on sale for $69 as well. That's $10 less than buying from Apple direct, though it's a price we've seen at third-party retailers fairly often over the past several months. This model has most of the basic features, including tilt sensitivity, the ability to attach to an iPad magnetically and a "hover" feature that lets you preview inputs before you make them. It also works with a wider range of iPads, including the base iPad (A16). However, it lacks pressure sensitivity - so it won't make darker marks when you press down harder - and it can't recharge while it's magnetically attached. 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-apple-pencil-pro-falls-back-to-its-lowest-price-this-year-134027593.html?src=rss
by Lawrence Bonk on (#6X576)
Mafia: The Old Country will be released on August 8 after being revealed at last year's The Game Awards. The title will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam and NVIDIA GeForce Now. Fans of organized crime simulators can preorder the game right now.This is a prequel to other titles in 2K Games' Mafia franchise. It's set in Sicily in the early 1900s and explores the origins of organized crime. This reminds me of the iconic young Vito Corleone scenes from The Godfather Part II, which begin in Sicily in 1901.Mafia: The Old Country is a linear, narrative-driven game with stealth and gunplay mechanics. There's a new protagonist called Enzo who has the opportunity to join Don Torrisi's crime family."As usual with modern releases, there are a couple of versions to choose from. The Standard Edition just includes the base game and costs $50, which is a bargain in today's gaming landscape. The Deluxe Edition offers a bunch of bonus items, like new weapons and outfits. It also comes with the digital score and a digital art book. This one costs $60.The Mafia series started in 2002 and offered a serious take on the GTA formula. There have only been three real games in the franchise in all of that time, with Mafia III being released in 2017.2K Games has a lot on its plate right now. Borderlands 4 comes out on September 12 and there's likely to be a new NBA 2K edition this year. Of course, it's also helping to publish the long-awaited GTA 6, which has been delayed until May 26, 2026.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/mafia-the-old-country-arrives-on-august-8-150025179.html?src=rss
by Lawrence Bonk on (#6X54B)
Alienware just dropped a pair of new laptops under its Aurora brand. They are relatively budget-friendly and look like an excellent alternative to the pricier Area 51 line. These are the first Aurora laptops the company has released in nearly two decades, as the brand has primarily been reserved for desktops.There's the Alienware 16 Aurora and the 16X Aurora. The base 16 laptop starts at just $1,150, which is a good price for a dedicated gaming laptop. The entry-level specs include an Intel 5 Core processor, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU and 8GB of RAM.Alienware/Dell However, the laptop can be outfitted with up to the Intel Core 9 processor, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, 32GB of RAM and 2TB of internal storage. All configurations are certified for Dolby Audio and feature the company's proprietary Cryo-Tech cooling technology. The 16-inch screen offers a 240Hz refresh rate and a 2560 x 1600 resolution.Alienware/Dell The Alienware 16X Aurora laptop line is a bit beefier, as these models all include Intel Core Ultra processors. The max RAM shoots up to 64GB and the max storage extends to 4TB. The GPU options, however, remain the same. The same goes for the overall design. We don't have pricing on this line just yet.These new Aurora laptops join Alienware's revived Area 51 line. Those models are more powerful and more expensive, as they start at $3,200. They do have a glass bottom that lets users see the cooling fans in action, so that's something.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/alienware-just-launched-a-new-line-of-more-affordable-laptops-130007657.html?src=rss
by Mariella Moon on (#6X51K)
Apple has filed an emergency motion, asking a federal appeals court to put a pause on orders that would significantly change how the App Store works. Those changes, the company argued in its motion, will cost the company "substantial sums annually" and are based on conduct that hasn't been "adjudicated to be (and is not) unlawful." It said those orders were made to punish Apple for "purported non-compliance" to previous orders.If you'll recall, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers recently ruled that Apple had violated her 2021 ruling on the lawsuit Epic Games filed against Apple. In her original decision, the judge told the company to allow developers to direct users to other payment systems that would let them bypass the 30 percent commission fee Apple collects. But Apple still collected up to a 27 percent cut for external purchases, and it also showed users a "scare screen" warning them that paying outside the App Store would mean they wouldn't have the company's protection.In her new ruling, Gonzalez Rogers ordered Apple to stop collecting fees for external payments immediately. She also prohibited Apple from creating rules that would prevent developers from presenting customers with buttons and links for external payments. Apple changed its guidelines to remove prohibitions on buttons and external links that direct customers to non-App Store purchasing mechanisms. However, it also appealed Gonzalez Rogers' decision and is now asking the court to put a stay on those two particular orders while its appeal is ongoing.Apple insisted in its motion that it is unlawful to prevent the company from taking a cut on linked transactions, because the original decision didn't say anything about commissions or pricing. It also argued that it's unlawful to prevent the company from setting conditions for link placement and language as the original injunction didn't say anything about it. That provision violates the First Amendment, Apple said, by forcing it to "accommodate messages it would prefer to exclude." The company accused the court of punishing it because, in its view, Apple "flouted the court's order.""Without a stay, these extraordinary intrusions into Apple's business will cause grave irreparable harm. Depriving Apple of control over core features of the App Store is, standing alone, sufficient to warrant a stay," the company wrote. "The district court acknowledged that compliance will cost Apple 'hundreds of millions to billions' of dollars annually... which Apple can never recoup. Consumers would suffer from the destabilizing effects of the new injunction, while Epic would not be harmed by a stay."Epic Games called Apple's motion a "last ditch effort to block competition and extract massive junk fees at the expense of consumers and developers." In addition to the video game developer, other companies are also keen to offer external payments that would allow them to bypass Apple's commission. Spotify, for one, already submitted an update that would let users pay outside the App Store for customers in the US.
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by Kris Naudus on (#5YTN7)
With school behind them and summer ahead, the new graduate in your life is going to have a lot more free time for playing games, so why not indulge them with a few choice items to add to their gaming collection? Whether they're a console owner or are building the ultimate PC rig, we have items that will make their days a whole lot brighter without breaking the bank. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-gaming-gifts-for-graduates-150047802.html?src=rss
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by Will Shanklin on (#6X4ZY)
Lenovo's 10th-generation Legion 9i has a novel wrinkle that complements its powerhouse specs. The 18-inch gaming laptop can be fitted with a 2D / 3D screen that switches between standard (flat) graphics and glasses-free 3D. It's available first in China and will come to the US "sometime this fall." To be fair to Lenovo, that vague-ass window is about as much clarity as an overseas company could realistically offer in this tariff-infused climate.The Legion 9i has an 18-inch display that supports up to 4K resolution in 2D. But through a combination of eye-tracking and lenticular lenses, the optional configuration supports 2K 3D without any need for special glasses. The effect works with side-by-side and top-down arrangements and supports 30 (as yet unnamed) games. Although it supports viewing video, images and streaming in three dimensions, Lenovo is pitching the machine to designers who work with 3D modeling.For 2D viewing, the laptop's screen has a dual-mode feature that switches between a 240Hz refresh rate at up to 4K and a 440Hz one at 1080p. The Legion 9i has a 93-percent screen-to-body ratio.LenovoThe laptop's chassis is made from eight layers of aviation-grade carbon fiber. Lenovo says this makes it lighter and stronger than aluminum, and the forging process makes each one unique. (Just like you, champ!)Elsewhere, the specs include up to an NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPU, Intel Core Ultra 275HX processor, 192GB of dual-channel DDR5 RAM and an 8TB SSD. Its cooling system combines a vapor chamber and a quad-fan system. Although Lenovo hasn't announced pricing yet, its specs (and the 9i's history as a top-of-the-line device) leave no room to doubt that it will cost at least several thousand dollars, even before accounting for whatever tariff madness we're caught in come fall.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-18-inch-lenovo-legion-9i-can-switch-between-2d-and-3d-without-glasses-100002661.html?src=rss
by Jeff Dunn on (#6RSWB)
Justified or not, Apple's AirPods have become the default choice for most iPhone owners in the market for new wireless earbuds. If you're shopping for an Android phone, however, the options aren't so obvious. That's where we can help: We've tested dozens of wireless earbuds over the years, so we've broken down our top recommendations for Android users below. Whether you want powerful noise cancellation, a pair that'll survive in the gym or just something that works particularly well with a Galaxy or Pixel phone, here are our favorite AirPods alternatives for Android. Table of contents
by Mariella Moon on (#6X4RF)
Tesla has scrapped its plans to sell a range extender for the Cybertruck, the automaker has notified customers who have previously paid a $2,000 reservation fee for the $16,000 add-on. Based on copies of the email people have been posting on social networks and forums, Tesla will be refunding their deposits in full. It didn't say why it's no longer planning to sell the accessory, but the emails come a month after the company quietly pulled the option to add it to the vehicle from its website configurator.The range extender is a battery pack that was supposed to be installed on the bed of the Cybertruck. It was Tesla's answer to releasing vehicles that had shorter ranges than it originally promised. When the company first unveiled the model, it said different versions would have different ranges, including one that has a 500-mile range. Instead, the long-range Cybertruck, which has the longest range, can only last for 350 miles on a single charge. As Electrek noted late last year, the battery pack was supposed to start shipping in early 2025, but Tesla pushed back its release to mid-2025 and also reduced its promised range from 470 miles to 445 miles.Elon Musk previously said that he expects Tesla to sell between 250,000 to 500,000 Cybertrucks a year. However, a recent recall showed that the automaker sold fewer than 50,000 units over a 15-month period. It's unclear whether the company decided to pull the plug on the range extender because it's not worth manufacturing a new product for a model that's performing far below expectations, or if it has another reason altogether. Either way, the Cybertruck's battery add-on has been cancelled and won't be seeing the light of day.
by Lawrence Bonk on (#6X4PW)
Samsung will host a virtual Unpacked event on May 12 at 8PM ET. It streams live at the Samsung Newsroom and on the company's official YouTube page.The company promises a look at "the next evolution of Galaxy" devices and that it'll unveil "more about the latest addition to the Galaxy S series." This means we'll get more juicy tidbits about that slim Galaxy S25 Edge smartphone that was first teased at an Unpacked event in January.What to expect: Samsung Galaxy S25 EdgeThe company has confirmed via a blog post that the event will shine a light on the Galaxy S25 Edge, which was a long-rumored device before the official tease a few months ago. Samsung did give us a bit of information regarding specs. It offers a slimmer form factor than the standard S25 and includes an impressive 200MP wide camera lens.The company also boasts that the phone will integrate with Galaxy AI to help the camera transform "into a smart lens that helps recognize what matters to create new memories." We don't know if that translates to brand-new camera software or if the company's referring to the pre-existing suite of AI tools available with its newer handsets.
by Ian Carlos Campbell on (#6X4PX)
The US Patent and Trademark Office has refused one of Tesla's initial attempts to trademark the term "Robotaxi" because it believes the name is generic and already in use by other companies, according to a filing spotted by TechCrunch. Tesla was hoping to trademark the term in connection to its planned self-driving car service, but now it'll have to reply with more evidence to change the office's mind.The main issue outlined in the USPTO decision is that "Robotaxi" is "merely descriptive," as in its an already commonly used term. A robotaxi typically refers to the self-driving cars used in services like Waymo. As long as Silicon Valley has believed money could be made selling autonomous vehicles (and the rides you can take in them), the term has been in use. That means Tesla can't trademark "robotaxi" because the "term is used to describe similar goods and services by other companies," the USPTO writes. Like, Zoox, an Amazon subsidiary mentioned in the filing, which already refers to its product as a "robotaxi."The application the USPTO refused was for "land vehicles; electric vehicles, namely automobiles; automobiles; and structural parts therefor." As TechCrunch notes, Tesla has trademark applications out for other names, like "Robobus," that might get a different response. The company is also apparently facing difficulties locking down trademarks for "Cybercab," the name of the self-driving car designed to be used in Tesla's robotaxi service.The company formally introduced the Cybercab and the loose outline of its robotaxi service at an event in October 2024 called "We, Robot." The Cybercab has no steering wheel or pedals, and is supposed to rely on inductive charging for power in between rides. The event also featured the introduction of the Robobus and another appearance from Tesla's in-development Optimus robot.Tesla needs to provide "fact sheets, instruction manuals, brochures, advertisements and pertinent screenshots of [its] website" to help make the case for how it'll use the "robotaxi" trademark, should the USPTO change its ruling. Considering the difficulty of pulling off a self-driving car service, though, not being able to trademark names seems like the least of Tesla's challenges.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/teslas-robotaxi-brand-might-be-too-generic-to-trademark-220429561.html?src=rss
by Anna Washenko on (#6X4MK)
The Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court's ruling that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard did not violate antitrust laws. The Federal Trade Commission had sued to block the merger of these large gaming brands on claims that the new entity would fall afoul of antitrust laws. In the court's ruling, released today, the FTC failed to prove that Microsoft would have blocked access to popular titles such as Call of Duty on hardware owned by other gaming brands. The appeals court was also unswayed by the FTC's arguments that the deal would have lessened competition in gaming subscription services and cloud streaming.The issue of platform-exclusive titles was one of the core tenets of the FTC's latest charge against this acquisition. However, the opinion written by Judge Daniel P. Collins observed that "all major manufacturers have engaged in this practice." And as Microsoft has been making more and more of its once-exclusive titles available on new hardware, this may mean that the competition agency will finally accept the deal as done.The $68.7 billion deal for Microsoft to buy Activision Blizzard closed in October 2023, but the acquisition has faced multiple challenges from the FTC at varying stages of the process. In fact, this isn't the first time the Ninth Circuit Court has rejected the agency's efforts to block the merger. The competition agency also raised alarms about layoffs after the merger closed.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/appeals-court-once-again-upholds-microsofts-acquisition-of-activision-blizzard-211008049.html?src=rss
by Ian Carlos Campbell on (#6X4MN)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned the National Weather Service of possible attacks from an armed conspiracy group targeting Doppler radar stations, according to a report from CNN. The group, Veterans on Patrol, is going after government radars because it believes they're being used as "weather weapons."CNN learned of the possible attacks through NOAA emails warning NWS staff that Veterans on Patrol was planning to conduct "penetration drills on NEXRAD sites to identify weaknesses," with the ultimate goal of destroying NEXRAD. Despite its cooler-than-average name, the NWS uses NEXRAD or "Next Generation Weather Radar" for a fairly mundane purpose: detecting precipitation in the atmosphere. NEXRAD plays a vital role in locating thunderstorms and tornados, making it easier to evacuate vulnerable communities before disaster strikes.It's not clear what Veterans on Patrol sees as threatening about radar - the group was previously focused on white nationalism and Pizzagate-style government conspiracies - but concern over the effects of being exposed to radio waves is a common bugbear for conspiracy-types. For example, groups set fire to cell towers early in the COVID-19 pandemic because of a belief that 5G somehow spread the virus. Viewing radar as a weapon could originate from some similar misconceptions.NWS staff have been advised to use the buddy system when working at remote radar sites and report anything suspicious to the authorities. Even without the threat of physical violence, though, the NWS and NOAA at large have already been devastated in 2025. Hundreds of weather forecasters were fired because of the cuts made by the Trump administration, just one of many attempts to dismantle government services.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/noaa-warns-staff-a-militia-group-thinks-its-radars-are-weather-weapons-202236953.html?src=rss
by Will Shanklin on (#6X4MP)
Diminished tech privacy appears to be another ripple effect from Trump 2.0. The Information reported on Wednesday that Meta has changed its tune on facial recognition. After considering but ultimately bailing on the technology for the first version of its smart glasses, the company is now actively working on wearables that can identify nearby faces. Remember when being a "Glasshole" was considered a faux pas?According to The Information, Meta has recently discussed adding software to its smart glasses that scans bystanders' faces and identifies people by name. The company has also reportedly considered adding the tech to future AI-powered earphones with built-in cameras.Facial recognition tech would be part of a Meta feature dubbed internally as "super sensing." The feature would build on the glasses' live AI feature, which can only remain active for around half an hour (thanks to its battery). But in future devices, expected in 2026, it could run for hours.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetThe Information says the super-sensing mode wouldn't likely be the default mode for the glasses. The glasses owner would have to opt in. But the person's nearby company - those having their faces scanned and named - wouldn't.Making matters worse, bystanders might not even know they're being scanned. The current Ray-Ban Meta glasses turn on a light while recording. It's a privacy-focused feature likely spawned from Big Tech's lessons from the Google Glass social backlash.But Meta is reportedly questioning whether future glasses should activate the light when the device is "super-sensing" them. Uh oh.Putting on a pair of glasses that gives you AI-powered superhuman memory might sound pretty cool. No need to remember things - just let the AI scan your environment and remind you! But the tech sounds a lot less fun when you think about the poor souls in proximity to one of these, uh, Metaholes.Karissa Bell for EngadgetAlongside the revival of facial recognition, Meta has updated its privacy policies. In April, the company changed its terms so that its current smart glasses will activate AI by default. The only way to opt out is to deactivate the "Hey Meta!" trigger phrase. Adding to the fun is a change that no longer lets glasses owners opt out of allowing the company to store and train on their voice recordings.The Information draws a line from Trump's reelection to Meta's ethically dubious changes. The current Federal Trade Commission (FTC) isn't keen on regulations that slow big businesses' profits. Last month, FTC Commissioner Melissa Holyoak promised a "flexible, risk-based approach to privacy enforcement." The agency has also stopped using labels like "surveillance advertising."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/meta-is-reportedly-working-on-facial-recognition-for-its-ai-glasses-195502788.html?src=rss
by Anna Washenko on (#6X4JB)
Google is once again crossing the great divide between rival tech giants, at least with artificial intelligence. The company has launched a dedicated iPad app for its Gemini AI assistant. In addition to natively running on Apple hardware, Gemini's iPad app can take advantage of the tablet's split view, so that the AI assistant is open on the screen at the same time as another program for easier use. The app is available today from the App Store in all countries where Gemini is currently available.Gemini has been a huge focus for Google's recent announcements as it works to put its service in front of more and more potential users. iPhones got their first native Gemini app last November. The company recently introduced a program for children to explore the AI assistant and it opened the Deep Research capability to all Gemini users. With Google I/O 2025 right around the corner, it's a safe bet that we'll be hearing about more features and integrations for the AI assistant later this month.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-launches-a-gemini-app-for-ipad-194047388.html?src=rss
by Ian Carlos Campbell on (#6X4JC)
AI services like Perplexity or OpenAI's SearchGPT could be search engine options in a future version of Safari, Bloomberg reports. The tentative plans were shared by Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of services, while on the stand for Google's ongoing search antitrust case. Cue was called to testify because of the deal Google and Apple have to keep Google Search as the default search engine on the iPhone.Cue claims Apple has discussed a possible Safari-integration with Perplexity, but didn't share any definitive plans during his testimony. It's clear that he believes AI assistants will inevitably supplant traditional search engines, though. "Prior to AI, my feeling around this was, none of the others were valid choices," Cue said. "I think today there is much greater potential because there are new entrants attacking the problem in a different way."Whatever AI search Apple ultimately adds likely won't be the default at first, according to Cue, but "there's enough money now, enough large players, that I don't see how it doesn't happen." There's some evidence to back up the idea that things are changing, too. According to The Verge, Cue shared that the number of Google searches in Safari fell for the first time last month, something "that has never happened in 22 years." It's entirely possible those missing searches went to ChatGPT or Gemini.Google pays Apple $18 billion or more a year to keep Google Search as the default, possibly on top of other financial incentives. Cue's threading a very fine needle acknowledging the popularity of AI without suggesting that Google's deals have gotten in the way of other search options growing. Clearly, both companies would like their mutually beneficial relationship to stay the same.Of course, Apple's also had its own public issues with AI in the last few months. After presenting big plans for how Apple Intelligence would work in 2024, Apple had to delay its updated Siri, the centerpiece of its pitch, until later this year. The company ultimately made the decision to work with third-party AI models because its systems weren't up to snuff. That change could be how conversations about adding AI search engines to Safari came about in the first place.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-is-considering-adding-ai-search-engines-to-safari-180502229.html?src=rss
by Will Shanklin on (#6X4FS)
"We welcome the addition of body-worn cameras and appreciate the enhanced transparency and assurance they provide," a then-DEA official wrote in a 2021 press release. So much for that. ProPublica published an investigative report on Tuesday that details how the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) under the Trump administration has abandoned its bodycam program.The DEA announced the change internally through an email, viewed by ProPublica. However, the agency never made a formal announcement or any public acknowledgment of its about-face.The DEA's email said it made the change to be "consistent" with Trump's "Initial Rescissions Of Harmful Executive Orders And Actions" order, signed on Inauguration Day. The action rescinded 78 Biden-era executive orders, including the one that expanded federal law enforcement's use of body cameras.ProPublica notes that the "consistent" rationale for bailing on the program is questionable. Although Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) beat the DEA to the punch in abandoning bodycams - shocker! - other DOJ agencies still use them. These include the US Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).AxonThe common sentiment is that bodycams' sole purpose is to keep law enforcement officers from abusing power. But that's only part of the equation. It also protects them. "The vast majority of times I viewed body camera footage is based on allegations from a defense attorney about what a cop did," David DeVillers, a former US attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, told ProPublica. "And I would say 95 percent of the time it absolves the cop of wrongdoing."Studies have consistently found that body cameras correlate with reduced complaints against officers. However, it isn't clear whether that's from people filing fewer frivolous complaints or because officers with cameras behave better. Regardless, the DEA's positive framing of the devices from four years ago is backed by data.The DOJ began requiring federal agents to wear bodycams in 2021. At that time, George Floyd's murder and the resulting protests were still fresh on people's minds. "Law enforcement is at its most effective when there is accountability and trust between law enforcement and the community," then-Attorney General Merrick Garland wrote that September.Meanwhile, a lucrative contract suggests the DEA's abandonment flies in the face of one of the Trump administration's stated priorities. In 2021, the DOJ inked a $30.4 million deal with Axon to use its cameras and software for the federal program. Axon says the contract is still active, and around five-sixths of the sum is still due. Funny how selective one can be in pursuing "government efficiency."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/the-dea-abandons-bodycams-after-only-four-years-172843162.html?src=rss
by Andre Revilla on (#6X4FT)
It's earnings season, and automakers are warning investors about the impact tariffs will have on vehicle pricing. As first reported by Reuters, the cost of Ford's Mustang Mach-E, Ford's electric SUV, could rise by as much as $2,000 on some models.Ford manufactures the Mach-E as well as other non-electric models in Mexico, which are now tariffed when sold in the United States. Aside from the Mach-E, Ford estimates that it will take a $1.5 billion hit from current tariff policy.The Trump administration has long insisted that tariffs are not paid for by the American consumer, and while the company made clear it was absorbing some of the increased cost, it could not absorb all of it.A Ford spokesperson told Reuters that the price increase is partly due to typical mid-year repricing "combined with some tariffs we are facing. We have not passed on the full cost of tariffs to our customers."Despite the administration's partial acquiescence to automakers last week in softening the blow on auto tariffs, EV makers Rivian and Lucid have said higher costs are coming. Rivian's CEO shared that he expects vehicle pricing to rise by "a couple of thousand dollars," while Lucid's interim CEO said the company was expecting an 8 to 15 percent increase in overall costs due to tariffs.While EVs have not specifically been the target of these tariffs, this administration has been unusually hostile towards them, and has worked to reverse government-funded EV initiatives, like subsidized expansions to charging infrastructure. Making matters worse, Speaker of the House Brian Johnson all but confirmed to Bloomberg recently that Congress is likely to end the EV tax credit saying, I think there is a better chance we kill it than save it, but we'll see how it comes out."It's been posited by industry analysts that Tesla may have the least to lose (and could perhaps even gain) from the current administration's anti-EV stance, with Elon Musk even saying as such. This is in part due to the outsized effect tariffs will have on competing EV manufacturers like Ford, while Tesla's substantial domestic production keeps the company mostly insulated.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/ford-will-raise-mustang-mach-e-prices-in-part-due-to-tariffs-164323546.html?src=rss
by Lawrence Bonk on (#6X4FV)
A four-pack of Samsung SmartTag 2 Bluetooth trackers is available for just $52 at Woot. That's a record low price and a discount of 38 percent. This pack includes two white and two black trackers. There's a limit of two packs per customer. This particular model made our list of the best Bluetooth trackers, and this is particularly true for those already tied into the Samsung ecosystem. We love the design. It's an oblong fob with a big hole for attaching directly to keys and the like. This is something that Apple AirTags don't offer out of the box, as you need a case for the purposes of attaching. These Samsung trackers are also louder when pinged than the AirTag or the Tile Pro. This makes it a bit easier to find something when the time comes. You can also change the tag's ringtone or double squeeze it to ring the handset, both things that aren't possible with AirTags. Setup is simple and we came away impressed with how easy it was to locate lost items out in the wild. The companion app, SmartThings Find, offers an intuitive Google Maps-based interface. We found that alerts triggered reliably when we got around three to eight blocks away from the lost item. These may be the best trackers for Samsung users, but they are also exclusively tied to the company's ecosystem. Don't buy these if you use an iPhone. The finding network isn't as vast as Google's Find My Device or Apple's Find My, but it gets the job done. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/a-four-pack-of-samsung-smarttag-2-bluetooth-trackers-is-down-to-52-at-woot-164134673.html?src=rss
by Matt Tate on (#6X4FW)
Electronic Arts has confirmed that the next Battlefield game will be revealed this summer, ahead of a launch date some time before April 2026. The news was shared in the company's Q4 and and financial year 2025 results, published this week.EA CEO Andrew Wilson called the latest installment in the long-running first-person shooter series a pivotal step in delivering on our next generation of blockbuster entertainment" and recommitted to a previously announced FY26 release window for the currently untitled game. That means it can't launch any later than March 2026, when EA's fiscal year ends.A launch date before April next year would mean the new Battlefield game will get a bit of room to breathe before the recently delayed Grand Theft Auto 6, which is supposed to arrive on May 26, 2026. Like every other publisher on the planet, EA has likely factored GTA 6 into its own upcoming launch plans for a number of titles. Eurogamerreported earlier this year that Wilson had admitted a willingness to delay games in order to get out of the way of the (unnamed, but heavily implied) competition.The most recent Battlefield game was 2021's Battlefield 2042, to which EA has steadily added new content. Back in February, EA launched Battlefield Labs, a community testing initiative that allows registered fans to playtest and give feedback on series fundamentals such as combat, destruction, vehicles and map designs.EA also confirmed in an investor call that it currently has no plans to increase the price of its games, following the recent Xbox price hike and Nintendo making the decision to charge a whopping $80 for Mario Kart Worldon its upcoming Switch 2.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-next-battlefield-game-will-launch-sometime-before-april-2026-161521602.html?src=rss
by Kris Holt on (#6X4CA)
The Golden Globes is expanding beyond film and TV with a new category. It will dole out an award for the best podcast of the year starting at next January's ceremony. Organizers told Varietythat the idea was to recognize the influence and reach of podcasts within the spectrum of entertainment.Six finalists will be selected from the 25 most popular podcasts across audio and video formats (sorry, middle-aged dads who spent hundreds of dollars on recording gear to grouse about their team in their basement studios). So it's likely that more celebrities could appear on the show.Amy Poehler and Trevor Noah have podcasts that are among the 25 largest in the US on Spotify. SmartLess - the show hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes - is on the list too. As such, the best podcast award feels like a ploy by the Golden Globes to get more stars on the show, which would make it quite funny if, say, The Daily won instead.It feels like an odd move for the Golden Globes (which started handing out an award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement last year) to wade into the podcasting world. Still, it's nice to see a mainstream awards ceremony shining a spotlight on podcasts. There are dedicated awards shows for podcasts, but the Golden Globes is putting them on a bigger stage.Other awards shows have been refining their category lineups. We'll soon start seeing a long-overdue category for stunt work at the Oscars. On the other hand, it was a little disappointing to see the Emmy for short-form animated program being cut last year due to a drop in submissions.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/the-golden-globes-will-start-giving-an-award-to-the-best-podcast-of-the-year-154905589.html?src=rss
by Matt Tate on (#6X49F)
Netflix has been gradually culling its library of interactive content for a while now, but Black Mirror's Emmy award winning Bandersnatchwas one of the few survivors. Until now. As spotted by What's on Netflix, the choose-your-own-adventure film set in a fictional game development studio will be leaving the service globally on May 12.At the beginning of December 2024, only four of Netflix's Interactive Specials" remained, of which Bandersnatch was one. As of today there are only two left. The other is Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend, which first debuted back in 2020 and is also being removed imminently.Netflix's first interactive effort was 2017's Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale, but Bandersnatch, which arrived the following year,was the first to be targeted at an adult audience, and arguably the company's most successful of these experiments. Set in the UK in the mid-80s, it follows a young programmer who sets out to adapt a dark fantasy novel into a story-driven video game, before things inevitably take a dark turn. The film featured multiple endings and branching paths based on the decisions you made, and went on to win two Primetime Emmy Awards.Which probably leaves you wondering why Netflix is getting rid of it. Back in December, company spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher told The Vergethat the technology had served its purpose, but is now limiting as we focus on technological efforts in other areas."Actual video games still feature prominently in the overhauled Netflix TV app, which the company has been working on since last year and will roll out over the coming weeks and months. It is also experimenting with a vertical video feature on mobile that will include clips and trailers, presumably to appeal more to the native TikTok audience. Just don't expect to see Bandersnatch in there.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/black-mirrors-bandersnatch-is-leaving-netflix-for-good-144518207.html?src=rss
by Kris Holt on (#6X49G)
Sony has expanded its PlayStation Studios roster with teamLFG, which spun out from Bungie and is working on an "ambitious" incubation project. The studio is based in Bellevue, Washington (where Bungie's HQ is), though some team members work remotely elsewhere in the US and Canada. The crew includes a mix of industry newcomers and veterans who have worked on the likes of Destiny, Halo, League of Legends, Fortnite and Roblox.The focus of teamLFG will be on immersive multiplayer games. That's perhaps not too much of a surprise given the veterans' experience and that "LFG" stands for "looking for group," a phrase used by players who are seeking teammates for multiplayer games.Its first project takes place in "a lighthearted, comedic world set in [a] brand new mythic, science-fantasy universe." The studio is taking inspiration from platformers, MOBAs, life sims, fighting games and elsewhere for its team-based action title. Since it's an incubation project, the game is likely quite some time away from seeing the light of day.Bungie went through a restructuring process last summer, which included 220 people being laid off as it narrowed its focus on Destiny and Marathon. To that end, the company spun out an incubation project to be housed under Sony's umbrella, which turned out to be this.The new studio aims to make "action games that players can learn, play and master for countless hours." That certainly sounds like a live-service game, an area where Sony hasn't had much luck over the last few years despite trying to focus on such titles. The company has canned several live-service games that were in development, including The Last of Us Online. And then there was the whole Concord disaster. Here's hoping, for the sake of the workers at teamLFG, things go more smoothly this time around.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/new-playstation-studio-teamlfg-is-working-on-a-multiplayer-action-game-143020198.html?src=rss
by Karissa Bell on (#6X49H)
LinkedIn is still on a mission to persuade job hunters to apply for fewer roles. But the company is rolling out a new set of AI-powered upgrades to its job-searching features it hopes will make that prospect more appealing.The company is introducing a revamped search tool that aims to make it easier for job seekers to find relevant roles. Up to now, LinkedIn's job search feature relied mostly on matching keywords. With the update, though, LinkedIn is ditching the keywords in favor of AI so its system is able to understand job listings on a much deeper level. This should, according to the company, allow job hunters to search postings using more natural language.Search used to be [a] very specific couple of boxes, and the box that really mattered was the box that said, show me a title or a keyword or skill,' and you basically had to hope that you will find a title or keyword or skill that the system understands," LinkedIn product manager Rohan Rajiv explains. Now, though, he says, job searchers should be able to just say what you want and the system will understand you."That may sound like a subtle change but it's a potentially powerful one because it allows people to get much more specific with their queries. Users can still search for roles based on job tiles like product manager" but LinkedIn will also be able to understand more complex searches like "business development roles in the video game industry."As an extra layer of transparency, LinkedIn will also surface indicators when the company behind a given posting is actively reviewing applications. Premium subscribers will also get access to AI-powered job coaching," with the ability to practice interview questions, pitches and other tasks.LinkedInStill, AI-powered tools can only go so far. The reality is that we have a marketplace where the number of job seekers year-over-year is growing faster than the number of jobs year-over-year," Rajiv says. And he's aware that his pleas that job hunters stop applying to as many open roles as possible isn't the kind of advice many people want to hear, though he stands by it.The truth is that volume is not your friend in the job search," he tells Engadget. It's only one extra apply, but you multiply that with 500 people, and suddenly the poster has got 500 new applicants that they are going to need to screen. That's only making it worse."He does, however, think that LinkedIn can do even more to guide people to the right" roles. You can imagine the possibilities of this: for us to say, hey, this job probably [is] not a fit, but based on your skills, let me construct a search that will help you find what you are looking for.' And I think that that is the future."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/linkedin-wants-you-to-tell-its-ai-about-your-dream-job-133046457.html?src=rss
by Mariella Moon on (#6X49J)
Harman International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung, is purchasing the audio business of health technology company Masimo for $350 million in cash. The deal is expected to finalized by the end of 2025, though it's still subject to regulatory approvals. Samsung purchased Harman International back in 2017 for $8 billion, though it allowed the company to operate as an independent subsidiary. Harman's brands include JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Mark Levinson, Arcam and Revel. If and when the acquisition pushes through, Masimo's audio brands under Sound United will be added to the list, including Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz and Polk Audio.It is unclear if the purchase will lead to layoffs, but it sounds like Harman is taking on Sound United's employees. "Built on a shared legacy of innovation and excellence in audio technology, this combined family of brands, together with the talented employees of both companies, will deliver complementary audio products, strengthen our value proposition and offer more choices to consumers," said Dave Rogers, the President of Harman's Lifestyle division.As noted by The Verge, Samsung published a press release, where it briefly talked about the history of the brands it's acquiring. It mentioned some of Bowers & Wilkins' most iconic products, such as the Nautilus loudspeaker (pictured above) and its Zeppelin wireless speaker, as well as Denon's history as an early adopter of the CD player. Harman had a 60 percent market share in portable audio devices last year, and the company is looking to maintain that position with this purchase. "By combining the audio business of Masimo, which is being acquired this time, with Harman's lifestyle business division, the company plans to solidify its global No. 1 position in the consumer audio market," Samsung said. Samsung also plans to apply the new brands' audio technologies to its smartphones, TVs, wireless earphones, soundbars and other devices in the future.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/samsung-is-paying-350-million-for-audio-brands-bowers--wilkins-denon-marantz-and-polk-131514754.html?src=rss
by Sarah Fielding on (#6X49K)
Sonos and IKEA are ending their partnership and phasing out existing products. The duo collaborated on the Symfonisk lineup, which included lamp speakers, picture frame speakers and bookshelf speakers. Software updates will still be available for Symfonisk products.Over the past eight years, we've had the pleasure of working closely with IKEA and are proud of what we've achieved," Sonos told Engadget. "Although our work together has largely wound down and we won't be releasing new products as partners, we'll continue to support every existing SYMFONISK product so customers can keep enjoying great sound in their homes for many years to come."The Symfonisk lineup offered Sonos technology at a cheaper price point than buying its speakers outright. The cheapest speaker directly from Sonos is just under $200, with other models easily doubling or tripling that. Symfonisk speakers, however, are available for as low as $120, while a floor lamp with a speaker - and IKEA's classic bamboo top - is the most expensive item at $300. Items could become even more discounted now that they're being cleared out.Sonos has struggled recently, canceling the release of its streaming video device in March and launching a simply terrible new app in Spring 2024. The latter led to CEO Patrick Spence's ousting and hundreds of workers being let go.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/sonos-and-ikea-end-their-partnership-130052348.html?src=rss
by Mariella Moon on (#6X46W)
Tesla has started offering a cheaper configuration of its refreshed 2025 Model Y electric vehicle in the US. As first noticed by Electrek, you can now get a Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive Model Y in the US with prices starting at $37,490 if it's with $7,500 in tax credits. Without tax credits, prices start at $44,990. The automaker was only previously offering the Long Range All-Wheel Drive version in the country for at least $48,990 without tax credits.The updated Model Y retains the old version's proportions, but it has rounder edges and smaller headlights, as well as taillights bookending a redesigned lightbar. It has ambient lighting wrapping around most of the car inside, and it also comes with ventilated seats and a 15.4-inch touchscreen display in the front. Passengers in the backseat have access to a Bluetooth-enabled 8-inch display. The new rear-wheel drive model has an EPA-estimated range of 357 miles on a single charge, 30 miles longer than the all-wheel drive's 327-mile range. They have the same top speed of 125 mph, but the all-wheel drive has a faster acceleration rate and can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. It will take the rear-wheel drive 5.4 seconds to reach 60 mph.Delivery for the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive Model Y in the US starts in the next three to five weeks. As Electrek noted, the automaker has already started deliveries in China and Europe. Tesla's sales continue to plunge across Europe, however, and have plummeted to their lowest in years for certain regions, including the UK and Germany. Elon Musk's politics and his backing of far-right political candidates in the continent have sparked backlash and inspired protests against the company. In addition, Tesla is facing increasing competition from Chinese rivals, such as BYD, which is the best-selling EV car brand from the country.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-starts-selling-cheaper-model-y-evs-in-the-us-124506011.html?src=rss
by Steve Dent on (#6X46X)
New photos leaked from the FCC appear to confirm that an Xbox-branded handheld gaming console is coming soon. A listing shows two versions of ASUS's ROG Ally 2 handheld, a dark model with a dedicated Xbox labeled button at the top left and a white version with the same button blacked out. The latter could carry a different function or be removed altogether from the production model, according to the leak (related to Wi-Fi modules) from Videocardz seen by The Verge.The models otherwise look identical but carry different specs, according to other parts of the listing. Both have 7-inch 120Hz displays, but the ROG Ally 2 Xbox version (RC73X1) will come with an AMD 8-Core 36W Ryzen Z2 Extreme and 64GB LPDDR5X memory, while the regular model (RC73YA) will pack an AMD 4-core 20W AMD Aeirth Plus chip (memory unknown). Compared to the ROG Ally, the Rog Ally 2 has a thicker design and more rounded grips. It also offers a pair of USB-C controllers, along with HDMI and 3.5mm connectors, according to the rear view.It's not yet known what the Xbox button will do, but Microsoft is expected to add features like support for the Xbox Game Bar, Play Anywhere functionality and Game Pass Ultimate. It could go even deeper, possibly launching the Xbox app on Windows, according to Videocardz. Some peripherals like the Backbone One already carry an Xbox button to open up the Xbox guide, show available games and more.We'll have to wait and see more details, but as Engadget's Sam Rutherford put it, "the case for an Xbox handheld seems so obvious it's kind of surprising Microsoft didn't announce one years ago."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/asus-and-microsofts-xbox-branded-handheld-appears-in-leaked-fcc-photos-123021510.html?src=rss
by Kris Holt on (#6X46Y)
Netflix is giving its TV user interface a major overhaul. Alongside a fresh, cleaner look, you'll see recommendations that adapt to your activity as Netflix tries to better gauge what you might be in the mood to watch. The company plans to roll out the update over the coming weeks and months.It seems that the aim here, as has long been a goal for Netflix, is to help you find something you want to watch faster. That way, you won't spend an eternity scrolling through the various options while struggling to figure out what to start streaming.Netflix originally designed its TV user interface for shows and movies, but it had to evolve to better handle new entertainment offerings, such as live events and cloud gaming. The company has been working on the new TV experience since last year, according to Eunice Kim, Netflix's chief product officer. "Our redesigned TV home page is simpler, more intuitive and better represents the breadth of entertainment on Netflix today," Kim said on a call with reporters.The new tiles for each show, movie and so on are much larger. Rather than having information about a highlighted title appear at the top of the screen, the redesign brings everything together.Each tile includes more at-a-glance contextual details as to why you might want to watch something. It might indicate that a show or movie was recently added, is in Netflix's top 10 list of the most-watched titles, has won awards or is leaving the service soon. Otherwise, Netflix might believe that you'll love the suggestion.As you move between tiles, the animations will look snappier and more fluid than at present, Kim said. The new UI also makes it easier for Netflix to highlight live events - such as Christmas Day NFL games, WWE programming and Everybody's Live with John Mulaney - at the top of the home screen.The main navigation bar is now at the top of the screen, with tabs including including home, shows, movies, games and My Netflix (where you'll find your "continue watching" row, My List, reminders and so on). The search function, which is where you can still browse through categories, is up there too. Handily, you'll be able to switch to the top navigation bar by simply tapping the back button on your TV remote.As you browse, Netflix will adapt its recommendations on the fly. So, if you happen to give Squid Gamea double thumbs-up to indicate you love the show, Netflix might on the fly add a row filled with similar titles a little further down the home screen. Trailers you watch and your searches will affect these responsive recommendations too. This all happens behind the scenes in the hope of making everything feel seamless.Netflix has long integrated factors like viewing habits into personalized suggestions. "What's new about the responsive recommendations is active browsing behavior," Elizabeth Stone, the company's chief technology officer, said. "It could also include things like time of day, as one example. It may also, over time, include situations where a member's able to give an explicit input in terms of what they're looking for."NetflixElsewhere, Netflix recently started testing a generative AI search feature powered by OpenAI. The idea here is to let you search for titles depending on your mood. So, you might ask for something that's both a little scary and a little funny, but not too much of either (horror comedy is the best film genre after all), and you'll get some relevant suggestions. Some users in Australia and New Zealand were the first to get access to this tool. Netflix is rolling it out to more subscribers starting this week as an opt-in beta.The company will also start a global test of a vertical video feature on mobile in the coming weeks. The feed will include clips and trailers, and it will be accessible from a row on the app's home screen. You'll be able to tap to watch the show or movie right away or add it to My List. There's an option to share the clip too. Netflix has tried similar feeds of comedy clips and snippets from kids shows over the last few years.Meanwhile, when asked if Netflix will follow the likes of Spotify in allowing signups from its iOS app after Apple was forced to change its App Store payment policies, Kim said the company is keeping a close eye on the situation but didn't have any updates to share for now. In the meantime, Netflix will "continue to abide by the App Store policies until we hear more about how to best implement any changes going forward."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-overhauls-its-tv-app-with-a-fresh-ui-and-responsive-recommendations-121511958.html?src=rss
by Sarah Fielding on (#6X46Z)
Amazon has deployed over 750,000 robots to its fulfillment centers over the last decade or so, but now there's a new, shall we say, more sensitive addition. The company has announced Vulcan, its first robot with a sense of touch. It's one in a series of new robots introduced today at Amazon's Delivering the Future event in Germany.Vulcan uses force feedback sensors to monitor how much it's pushing or holding on to an object and, ideally, not damage it. In the past, when industrial robots have unexpected contact, they either emergency stop or smash through that contact. They often don't even know they have hit something because they cannot sense it." Aaron Parness, Amazon director, applied science, stated in the release. "Vulcan represents a fundamental leap forward in robotics. It's not just seeing the world, it's feeling it, enabling capabilities that were impossible for Amazon robots until now."Of course, there's an AI component, with Amazon training Vulcan's AI on physical data around touch and force. Vulcan also uses algorithms to determine what it can handle, identify different products and find space in the fulfillment center. The machine has "tackled thousands" of objects and tasks, like moving electronics and picking up socks. The system can also learn from its mistakes, with Amazon stating the robot will become more capable as time goes on.Amazon, which has faced continual reports of endangering worker safety, also claims it's introducing Vulcan for efficiency and worker safety. The robot should focus on inventory in the top rows of storage pods, about eight feet in the air, and just above floor level. Theoretically, this means less time employees need to spend on ladders or crouching down, and more time working with product at their level. Amazon says the robot is already in use in Spokane, Washington and Hamburg, Germany.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazons-newest-fulfillment-robot-has-a-sense-of-touch-120050449.html?src=rss
by Amy Skorheim on (#6BKGK)
Making your first apartment after college a little smarter doesn't have to cost a ton of money - and it shouldn't take a lot of effort, either. If you're just getting settled in your new place or are ready to give your long-term digs some automated tricks, this list can help.
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by Jeff Dunn on (#66CW9)
We've long considered Apple's iPads to be the best tablets on the market, but determining exactly which model you should buy isn't always straightforward. Do you just want a big screen for streaming and web browsing? Do you want to use it like a pseudo-laptop? Do you care about Apple Intelligence at all? If you're not sure, allow us to help. We've tested every iPad available today and broken down which ones should best fit your needs below. Table of contents
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by Anna Washenko on (#6X3VH)
Minecraft is no longer (officially) available on virtual and mixed reality platforms. The change was confirmed in today's patch notes for the game's Bedrock edition following an announcement from developer Mojang in October. Those fall patch notes suggested that the platforms would be removed in March, so players who favored VR wound up getting a few extra weeks to fully immerse themselves in their blocky worlds.Removing entire platforms isn't a choice game devs make lightly. Especially when Minecraft's player base still numbers in the hundreds of millions at any given time, it seems unlikely that Mojang would take away virtual and mixed reality unless it wouldn't cause a serious disruption for its many fans. There are still plenty of critically received games that make VR ownership worthwhile (Beat Saber, anyone?), but a title as major as Minecraft abandoning the hardware isn't a great look.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/minecraft-ended-virtual-reality-support-today-224649126.html?src=rss
by Anna Washenko on (#6X3VJ)
Bungie laid out its plans for the next year of Destiny 2 content, and the back half of 2025 could be particularly exciting for Star Wars fans. The studio teased an expansion titled Renegades that draws inspiration from the sci-fi universe. Destiny has always featured classic space opera themes about battles between the light and the darkness, so maybe it was inevitable that the game would one day pay homage to Star Wars.If you fear that there will suddenly be Skywalkers and Fetts running around your game a la Fortnite or Call of Duty, that does seem like a possibility. The teaser video features a guardian wielding an iconic green light saber, and there are some recognizable nods to the Imperial alarm sounds and uniforms in a few close-up shots. And if you really want to embrace the dark side, the most expensive pre-order option for this year's content includes armor ornaments that can turn your guardian into Darth Vader, Kylo Ren or General Grievous.BungieMore information about the Renegades expansion will be announced on September 9 ahead of the update's arrival this December.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/destiny-2-will-get-a-star-wars-expansion-this-december-220446525.html?src=rss
by Karissa Bell on (#6X3SW)
A jury has ruled that the company behind the infamous Pegasus spyware must pay Meta more than $167 million in damages for spreading malware via WhatsApp. The ruling is a major victory for Meta after a years-long legal battle with NSO Group.Meta sued the NSO Group in 2019 over its Pegasus spyware. Meta said at the time that more than 1,400 people in 20 countries had been targeted, including journalists and human rights activists. The company said that the highly sophisticated cyber attack" spread malware via video calls even when the calls went unanswered. Last year, a judge sided with Meta and found the Israeli company had violated the US Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Tuesday's verdict followed a week-long jury trial to determine just how much NSO should pay in damages to Meta.The jury ultimately awarded Meta $444,719 in compensatory damages and $167,254,000 in punitive damages. In a statement, WhatsApp's VP of Global Communications Carl Woog called the verdict a critical deterrent to this malicious industry against their illegal acts aimed at American companies and the privacy and security of the people we serve."NSO Group, which describes itself as a cyber intelligence" firm, has said that it's not possible to use Pegasus on US phone numbers. In court, lawyers for the firm argued that WhatsApp wasn't harmed in any way by Pegasus, according to Courthouse News Service.In a statement, NSO's Gil Lainer said the verdict was another step in a lengthy judicial process" and said it would pursue further proceedings" or an appeal. We firmly believe that our technology plays a critical role in preventing serious crime and terrorism and is deployed responsibly by authorized government agencies," Lainer said. This perspective, validated by extensive real-world evidence and numerous security operations that have saved many lives, including American lives, was excluded from the jury's consideration in this case."WhatsApp's Woog said Meta knows it has a long road ahead" to collect damages from NSO. Ultimately, we would like to make a donation to digital rights organizations that are working to defend people against such attacks around the world," he said. He added that Meta plans to pursue a court order to prevent NSO from targeting WhatsApp in the future.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/meta-wins-more-than-167-million-in-damages-from-spyware-maker-that-targeted-whatsapp-215459438.html?src=rss
by Anna Washenko on (#6X3QE)
Zoox, the Amazon-owned robotaxi company, announced a voluntary software recall for 270 of its vehicles. The company had paused its driverless vehicle operations for a review following an incident last month where a Zoox car and a passenger car collided in Las Vegas. According to the report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the crash did not cause any injuries. CNBC reports that Zoox has resumed usual operations following the software update."After analysis and rigorous testing, Zoox identified the root cause," the company said in a blog post today. "We issued a software update that was implemented across all Zoox vehicles. All Zoox vehicles on the road today, including our purpose-built robotaxi and test fleet, have the updated software."Last year, the NHTSA investigated issues with Toyota Highlander cars equipped with Zoox's automated driving system exhibiting unexpected braking. Car models retrofitted with the Zoox system recently began testing and mapping in Los Angeles.Update, May 6, 2025, 4:54PM ET: Revised to state exact number of vehicles impacted by the recall.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/zoox-issues-software-recall-for-all-robotaxis-following-las-vegas-collision-195501061.html?src=rss