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We can all be honest and say that carrying around a bulky power bank almost makes it seem like your phone dying isn't so bad. Between the heaviness and any necessary cords, they can just be a pain. So, we were intrigued when Anker debuted a new, very thin power bank this summer: the Anker Nano 5K MagGo Slim power bank. Now, both Anker and Amazon are running sales on it for Amazon Prime Day, dropping the price from $55 to $40. The 27 percent discount a new low for the power bank and available in the black and white models. It's just about a third of an inch thick and attaches right to your iPhone. On that note, it works with any MagSafe compatible phone with a magnetic case. Anker's Nano 5K MagGo Slim is our pick for best, well, slim MagSafe power bank. It took two and a half hours to charge an iPhone 15 from 5 percent to 90 percent. However, it could boost the battery to 40 percent in just under an hour. Overall, though, the minimalist design and easy to grip matte texture, really sold it to us. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-of-our-favorite-slim-anker-magsafe-power-banks-is-down-to-a-record-low-for-prime-day-121512227.html?src=rss

If you've been eyeing a new Dyson vacuum but balking at their typically high price tags, Prime Day is the perfect day to make a move. You can get a Dyson V8 Plus for 44 percent off for Prime Day, bringing the powerful handheld vacuum down to $300, its lowest price to date. The Dyson V8 Plus is the same basic vacuum as the original V8, just with a wider selection of accessories that should ideally make it even more essential to your cleaning routine. The Dyson V8 Plus has 115AW of suction, and a 40-minute run time that should give you more than enough flexibility to clean a small home or apartment. Dyson also says the vacuum's filter can capture 99.9 percent of dust, particles and allergens. Like some of Dyson's other stick vacuums, the Dyson V8 Plus can work in handheld mode when you need to get in the crevices of couch cushions or shelves. It's also designed to easily empty dust and debris directly into a trash can without having to unscrew its filter. In terms of accessories, purchasing the V8 Plus gets you the main "Motorbar" cleaner head, a hair screw attachment for untangling long hairs, a mini soft dusting brush for sweeping off flat surfaces and a crevice tool for getting into small spaces. The Dyson V8 Plus, while good, isn't on Engadget's best cordless vacuums list, but a pick from the list is on sale for Prime Day. You can get the Dyson V15 Detect Plus for $570 during Amazon's sale, a not insignificant discount on a vacuum that's typically sold for more than $800. The Dyson V15 Detect Plus offers 240AW of suction in comparison to the V8 Plus' 115AW, and it can run for 60 minutes on a single charge, giving you even more time to clean. You'll also get more accessories in comparison to Dyson's other vacuum. On top of the usual suspects like the hair screw tool and the mini dusting brush, the V15 Detect Plus also supports the company's "Fluffy Optic" cleaner head, which uses a built-in light to reveal hidden dust and hair. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-dyson-cordless-vacuum-is-44-percent-off-for-prime-day-090036877.html?src=rss

Amazon Prime Day is officially here and bringing all-new low prices on some of our favorite speakers. That includes the Beats Pill, one of our picks for best portable Bluetooth speakers. Right now, you can get the Beats Pill for $50, down from $150. The 67 percent discount brings the speaker to a new record low. Beats released the Pill in late 2024 after nearly a decade without a new portable speaker, and two years since it had discontinued the Pill+. We gave the 1.5-pound speaker an 83 in our review thanks to a huge increase in sound quality and double the battery (24 hours) of previous Beats speakers. It also offers lossless audio over USB-C, a durable build and IP67-rated water and dust resistance. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/prime-day-bluetooth-speaker-deals-include-the-beats-pill-at-a-record-low-price-114554429.html?src=rss

Amazon's October Prime Day gives you the rare occasion to buy a DJI drone at a discount. The company's popular Neo drone is now available for $159, making an already affordable product even more manageable with a $40 (20 percent) discount. That sum will get you a drone that's very friendly for beginners thanks to features like palm takeoff, but also powerful with subject tracking and even support for FPV flying. You can also grab it with two extra batteries and a charger for $229 (21 percent off) - a deal I'd recommend if you plan to fly a lot. The Neo is tiny at just 135 grams so it's exempt from any drone license requirements and small enough to slide into a jacket pocket. At the same time, it's safe around people thanks to the protective propeller guards. Beginners can launch it directly from their palm either by pressing a button or giving a voice command, and it will fly one of six preprogrammed smart shots like Follow, Dronie or Rocket. The Neo can also be controlled using a smartphone via Wi-Fi or DJI controller, including the RC Motion 3 and even the DJI Goggles 3 for acrobatic FPV flying. It has a very respectable 6.2-mile line-of-sight range and can fly at up to 18 mph, or 36 mph with a special controller. Video quality is very good for such a cheap drone, with up to 4K 30 fps video via the 1/2-inch 12-megapixel sensor and software-based Rocksteady stabilization. The main drawbacks are the lack of obstacle detection, relatively short 17-minute battery life and banshee-like noise. However, this is a great first drone for creators and other users, particularly at the Prime Day sale price of $159. As mentioned, you can also get it with three batteries and a charger for $229. There are plenty of other camera and drone deals to consider for Prime Day, too.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/the-dji-neo-drone-drops-to-only-159-for-prime-day-075559142.html?src=rss

No gaming mouse will magically stop you from getting destroyed in Counter-Strike or Call of Duty, but the right pick can give you a greater sense of control while making your downtime more comfortable. In truth, which one is best" for you comes down to preference: Shape is king, as the mouse nerd adage goes, and everyone's hands are different. But to make things a little easier, we've tested dozens of well-regarded gaming mice over the past couple of years and picked out a few options that have glided above the rest. After playing countless hours of CS2, Overwatch 2, Halo Infinite, Final Fantasy XIV and more PC games, here are our picks for the best gaming mice you can buy, broken down by shape and use case. We've also included some general advice to keep in mind during your search. The best gaming mice Other gaming mice we've tested The Lamzu Maya X. Jeff Dunn for Engadget Note: The following is a selection of especially noteworthy mice we've tested, not a comprehensive list of every single model we've ever put through its paces. Lamzu Maya X The Lamzu Maya X is a great symmetrical mouse and a close competitor to the Razer Viper V3 Pro. It'd be next in line for an honorable mention, as it has most of the things we like about the Hitscan Hyperlight and Pulsar X2 CrazyLight: a smooth matte finish, a sturdy frame, easy-gliding feet, accurate performance, a tight scroll wheel and a lightweight design (46g). It's close in size to the Viper V3 Pro, but it's cheaper at $120, plus it uses the superior Omron optical switches we praised for the Hyperlight above. Its configuration software is also entirely accessible over the web (for Chromium-based browsers at least), so you don't have to download anything extra to your PC. However, we think the Viper's longer frame and ever-so-slightly more concave sides keep it just a little comfier for larger hands and palm grips. Its side buttons are still more satisfying to press and its finish provides more grip. The Maya also follows the leave the entire bottom of your mouse exposed" trend to reach its lower weight. And though the software being web-based is great, it is very much a Chinese Gaming App with grammatical errors and weird formatting quirks. The reality is that fine margins separate high-end gaming mice nowadays - the Maya X is good, but we prefer the Viper at this size, while the Hitscan and CrazyLight are better for smaller hands. Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 is a close rival to the Razer Viper V3 Pro for those who want a no-frills, high-end wireless gaming mouse. It has a similar potato"-style shape, its tracking is similarly tremendous and its optical-mechanical switches have a distinct feel. Unlike the first Superlight, it also charges over USB-C. But the Viper's main clicks are crisper and more pleasant-sounding, its side buttons aren't as mushy and its scroll wheel is both firmer and grippier. It's also slightly lighter. The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2. Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX The G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX is the ergonomic version of the Superlight 2, packing the same sensor and hybrid switches in a chunkier, right-handed shape. We found its right side to flare out a little too much, though, often leaving our pinky finger in a less-than-comfortable position. Those with average-sized hands may find its center hump to be too aggressive for consistent aiming as well. The DeathAdder V4 Pro's main buttons are still more invitingly curved and consistent to press beyond that, while its coating isn't as slippery. The DEX's scroll wheel is tighter, and all of its internal tech is great, so by no means is this a poor choice. But at $180 after a tariff-related price hike, there are better values out there. Razer ViperV3 HyperSpeed Much like the DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed, Razer's Viper V3 HyperSpeed is a lower-cost variant of the top-end Viper V3 Pro. (Confusing, we know.) At $70, it's a solid value. Its symmetrical shape and soft-touch finish are virtually identical to the more premium model, and though it technically has a worse sensor, the drop-off is hardly noticeable. The main trade-off is that it's heavier (about 82g), as it requires a AA battery for power. That doesn't make it outright hefty, but you can feel the difference in twitchier games. It uses older mechanical switches and smaller PTFE feet, too, plus it lacks a port for connecting a cable. So it's not as close to its big sibling as the mid-tier DeathAdder. Some may prefer that its DPI button is located on the top of the mouse, though, and its simpler on-off switch is nice. Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed The Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed is a more affordable wireless version of the Basilisk V3 with the same comfortable shape and layout, plus a quieter scroll wheel. Because it requires a AA battery for power, though, it weighs around 115g. That's not great for fast-paced games. The scroll wheel can't tilt left or right, either, nor can it switch between a ratcheted and free-spin mode. It also uses less durable mechanical switches and only supports one onboard profile. All that said, it's a decent value at $70. Left to right: the Logitech G309 Lightspeed, the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed and the Pulsar X2 V2. Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget Pulsar X2 V2 The $100 Pulsar X2 V2 is another decent option if you want a high-performing symmetrical mouse for less than the Viper V3 Pro. It's available in mini and standard sizes: The former is a technically weightier (51 grams) version of the X2 CrazyLight, while the latter is that but bigger. Both have sturdy plastic frames, though they're still meant for claw or fingertip grips first. They also have cutouts across their undersides. As with the Xlite V3, Pulsar now sells a newer model called the X2 V3, though that's a minor refresh with an updated sensor and 8K polling rate support. The latest model is worth getting instead when the X2 V2 isn't discounted, but we prefer the Hitscan Hyperlight and its more pleasing clicks to both in this price range. Pwnage Stormbreaker The Pwnage Stormbreaker is a superlight (51g), exceptionally sturdy and premium-feeling wireless mouse that's largely made from magnesium alloy instead of plastic. It performs about on par with our top picks, which is excellent, while its right-handed, medium-sized shape should suit palm and claw grippers well. (If you know BenQ's Zowie EC line, the shape is basically that.) However, the extensive cutouts all over the sides and top shell are noticeable in the hand and make the device more susceptible to debris buildup than the DeathAdder V4 Pro. While the buttons and scroll wheel are impressively tight, the main clicks are a bit too stiff and high-pitched for our liking. We also noticed more connection stutters than usual on our test PC, and its $169 MSRP is expensive. BenQ Zowie U2 Speaking of BenQ, its Zowie U2 is a perfectly decent alternative to the Viper V3 Pro that costs about $30 less. It tracks great, it's lightweight (60g) and its mechanical clicks feel fine. It also comes with two receivers, one of which doubles as a handy charging dock. It has a symmetrical shape with sides that curve inwards and a decently-sized hump at the back; BenQ says it's designed for claw grips, and it is indeed good for that, but it should also work for fingertip grippers with larger hands or palm grippers with smaller ones. Alas, the scroll wheel is gratingly loud, and the plastic coating picks up smudges and hand oils like it's its job. There's also no configuration software, which can make adjusting settings a little cumbersome, though some may prefer not having to install any extra bloat on their PC. This mouse also maxes out at a 1,000Hz polling rate - that's not a big deal in practice, but it's technically behind many other mice in this price range. The Pwnage Stormbreaker (left) and BenQ Zowie U2 (right). Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget Logitech G309 Lightspeed There isn't much wrong with the Logitech G309 Lightspeed in a vacuum. It's built like a tank, its sensor is accurate and its egg-like shape should feel OK, if not superlative, in most hand sizes and grip types. It uses the same hybrid switches as the G Pro X Superlight 2, so the clicks don't sound great but are fast. It also has a supercapacitor inside, which gives it effectively infinite battery life if you own Logitech's (costly) PowerPlay charging mat. That's neat! Most people, though, will need to pop in a AA battery, which pushes the weight up around 85 grams. As most of that weight is felt toward the back, the mouse can feel relatively clunky to fling around in FPS games. We're not fans of the ugly recess across the middle of the device, either, as it creates a space for dust to collect. At a $90 MSRP after a recent price hike, the G309 is still OK for casual types who'll only buy from a name brand. But unless you use PowerPlay, it doesn't do much to stand out from other options around the same price. HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is a decent wired model for those who want a flatter ambidextrous shape. It performs well for competitive play, and it's plenty light (53g) thanks to a clever design with cutouts on the bottom that are covered by the mouse's label. But the Endgame Gear OP1 8K V2 is better-built and more comfortable, so we think it's worth the extra cash. The Razer Viper 8KHz was another solid (albeit heavier) option with a similar shape, but that mouse has been discontinued. A few more gaming mice we've tested. Left to right: the Glorious Model I 2 Wireless, the Razer Cobra Pro, the Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed and the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2. Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless is a budget-friendly wireless variant of the Haste 2. It may be OK if you must go wireless and only have $50 to spend, as its shell feels sturdy and its low-profile shape is well-suited to claw or fingertip grips. It's a little weightier than the wired Haste 2 (about 70g) since it runs on a AAA battery, but that's nowhere near heavy. That said, its main buttons feel somewhat mushy, and we observed a few sensor hiccups and inconsistencies, particularly when we had HyperX's Ngenuity software open. HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro We had persistent, debilitating connection issues with the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro on both Windows 11 and macOS over multiple days, so we can't recommend it. Logitech G502 X The Logitech G502 X has a generally similar shape as the Razer Basilisk V3, with a lower weight (84g) and more side buttons. However, its main buttons are noisier, it's a slightly more awkward fit for most hands and its rubber cable isn't as flexible. It's also more expensive after Logitech's round of price increases earlier this year, plus it lacks RGB. The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro. Jeff Dunn for Engadget Logitech G203 Lightsync The Logitech G203 Lightsync is our former budget pick. It's often available in the $20 to $30 range these days, and at that price it's still fine if you want a competent gaming mouse for as little money as possible. You can feel the cost cutting in its rubbery cable and mushy scroll wheel, however, and its shape is a bit too small and flat for larger hands. The Logitech G305 Lightspeed is a wireless model with more or less the same shape, but it requires a AA battery to work and thus weighs just over 100g. It, too, feels somewhat outdated in 2025. Razer Cobra The Razer Cobra is another value-oriented wired mouse with a compact shape. It's much lighter (58g) than the Logitech G203, with a more flexible cable and optical switches instead of mechanical ones. It's usually priced between $35 and $40, though, so the G203 typically costs less. The Endgame Gear OP1 8K V2 still feels higher-quality across the board, but if you have smaller hands, use a fingertip grip and want a cheaper symmetrical mouse, go for it. The Logitech G203 Lightsync Jeff Dunn / Engadget Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse tracks well, glides smoothly and weighs just under 60 grams without having any holes in its outer shell. It's shaped like a Logitech G Pro X Lightspeed 2 with wider sides, so it should be comfortable for palm or claw grippers with large or medium-sized hands. Its matte finish is a touch too slippery, however, and its main buttons aren't as consistent or satisfying to press as our top picks (despite using Omron optical switches). Clicking them toward the top is too soft, clicking them toward the back is too stiff. The back side button sounds hollow beyond that, and Alienware's configuration software chews up far too much memory. All of this is overpriced at $150. Glorious Model I 2 Wireless There's a fair amount to like about the Glorious Model I 2 Wireless: an ergonomic shape that's reminiscent of the Basilisk V3/G502 X but lighter at 75g, four customizable side buttons, the ability to connect over a USB receiver or Bluetooth, a smooth scroll wheel and tasteful RGB lighting, all for a list price of $100. However, its honeycomb-style design and mechanical switches both raise concerns about its long-term durability. Glorious Model D 2 Wireless The Glorious Model D 2 Wireless also has holes all over its shell yet doesn't perform or feel significantly better than other mice around the $100 mark. Other reviews say it has latency issues as well. Glorious Model D 2 Pro + Model O 2 Pro The ergonomic Model D 2 Pro and symmetrical Model O 2 Pro aren't loaded with cutouts, meanwhile, but their main buttons are relatively loud and sticky-feeling. The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse. Jeff Dunn for Engadget What to look for in a gaming mouse Wired vs. wireless Buying a wireless gaming mouse used to mean sacrificing a certain level of responsiveness, but thankfully, that's no longer the case. Over the last few years, wireless connectivity has improved to the point where the difference in latency between a good wireless model and a tried-and-true wired gaming mouse is barely perceptible. Note, however, that we're strictly talking about mice that use a 2.4GHz connection (over a USB dongle), not Bluetooth. Many of the best wireless gaming mouse models support both connection options, which is great for travel, but Bluetooth's latency is generally too high to be reliable for gaming. Going wireless still has other trade-offs, too. Battery life is improving all the time, but with their higher performance demands and RGB lighting, most wireless gaming mice usually don't last as long as "normal" wireless models. You shouldn't expect more than a few days of power from a rechargeable gaming mouse you use regularly. Some gaming mice offer wireless charging too, which makes things easier. Good wireless gaming mice usually come at a much higher cost than their wired counterparts as well. That's not to say the premium is never worth it: Who wants yet another cable on their desk? You may need a wireless model if you hate the feel of cable drag" or if your gaming PC is located in an awkward spot. Many wireless gaming mice come with a cable you can hook up in a pinch as well. But if price is your primary concern, a good wired mouse may be a better value. Comfort and grip types Everyone's hands are different, so at the end of the day, calling one mouse more comfortable" than another is mostly subjective. Ensuring your comfort is the most essential step when buying any mouse, though, so we've done our best to consider how each device we tested works with smaller, average-sized and larger hands alike. We also considered how each peripheral accommodates the three grip styles most people use while holding a mouse: palm, fingertip and claw. As a refresher, a palm grip is when your whole hand rests on the mouse, with your fingers resting flat on the main buttons. A fingertip grip is when you steer the mouse solely with the tips of your fingers, with your palm not in contact with the device at all. A claw grip is when your palm only touches the back edge of the mouse, with your fingers arched in a claw-like shape toward the buttons. In general, most people use a palm grip, which tends to offer the greatest sense of control - though, depending on the size of your hand, you may need your mouse to be a specific length to use it comfortably. A fingertip grip can allow for more rapid movements, while a claw grip is something of a balance between the two. Switch and Click has a good breakdown if you'd like more detail, but we've noted above if a mouse isn't well-suited for a particular grip style. For what it's worth, yours truly is a claw gripper most of the time. Jeff Dunn for Engadget Build quality and design A good gaming mouse feels sturdy and won't flex or creak when used strenuously. We valued mice without any overly sharp angles or grooves that could be awkward for most people to hold. And while most gaming mice have plastic exteriors, not all plastic is created equal, so we looked for finishes that were smooth, not too slick and capable of withstanding the sweaty palms that often come with competitive gaming sessions. The gaming mouse market is mostly split between two design styles: ergonomic and ambidextrous. Ergonomic mice are almost always made with right-handed users in mind and often feature dedicated thumb rests. Ambidextrous mice are more symmetrical and designed to be used with either hand (though they may not have extra buttons on both sides). Whether an ergonomic or ambidextrous gaming mouse works best for you is largely a matter of personal preference. A gaming mouse's feet, meanwhile, should provide a consistent glide and reduce the friction between your mouse and mouse pad beneath it as much as possible. For the best performance, look for feet made from PTFE (aka Teflon). All feet will eventually wear down, but many mice come with spares, and most manufacturers sell replacements if needed. As for flashy RGB lighting, it's a nice bonus, but little more than that. Still, if you've already kitted out your setup with RGB, having a mouse with adjustable lighting effects can add to the gaming experience (and more consumer tech could stand to do things for pleasure's sake). More practically, some mice let you assign custom lighting settings to separate profiles, which can make it easier to see which one you're currently using. Weight Gaming mice have gotten lighter and lighter over the years, with some recent releases weighing less than 30 grams. Your mouse doesn't need to be that feathery - anything under 80g is still reasonably light, and it's not like a 100g mouse feels like a total anchor. Regardless, a lightweight mouse makes it easier to pull off fast movements repeatedly, with less inertia. That said, some players still enjoy a little bit of bulk in their gaming mouse (relatively speaking), especially with games that aren't as reliant on twitchy reactions. To reach those lightest weights, some manufacturers have released gaming mice with honeycomb"-style designs, which feature an array of cutouts in the outer shell. These mice can still perform great, but having a bunch of holes that expose the internal circuit board to possible sweat, dust and detritus isn't the best for long-term durability. If a mouse must have cutouts, it's better if they're relegated to the bottom of the design, where debris is less likely to enter the frame. Jeff Dunn for Engadget Switches, buttons and scroll wheel A growing number of gaming mice use optical switches instead of mechanical ones. Since these involve fewer bits making physical contact, they should generally be more durable and less prone to unwanted double-clicks" over time. Many gamers still find good mechanical switches more satisfying to press, so it's not like you should avoid mechanical mice altogether. They just carry a little more long-term risk in a vacuum. Since most people will use their gaming mouse as their mouse-mouse, you may want main buttons that have a softer feel when pressed, with enough travel to make inadvertent actuations less frequent. But even that is a matter of preference: You may want lighter buttons if you play games that call for constant clicking. We also looked to testing from sites like Rtings to ensure each mouse we recommend has a sufficiently low click latency, meaning your clicks will register with minimal lag. Beyond the standard click panels, a good gaming mouse should also have programmable buttons for quick macros or shortcuts. For most games, shoot for at least two extra buttons on the thumb-side panel that are easy to reach and difficult to press by accident. Many mice have more buttons, which can be a plus, but not if they force you to contort your fingers to avoid hitting them. For MMO mice, having at least 12 side buttons is preferable in order to access as many hotbar commands as possible. As for the scroll wheel, it should have distinct, ratcheted steps" that aren't too resistant but make it clear when you've actually scrolled. Its texture should be grippy, and it shouldn't make a distracting amount of noise when used. The wheel should also be clickable, giving you another input to customize for certain games (e.g., to control the zoom on a sniper rifle). Sensors and performance Some are more proficient than others, but generally speaking, the optical sensors built into most modern gaming mice are more than fast and accurate enough for most people's needs. While shopping for gaming mice, you'll see a number of terms related to sensor performance. To be clear, a gaming mouse's responsiveness doesn't come down to just one spec. But for clarity's sake, here's a rundown of the more noteworthy jargon:

Robot vacuums have gone from novelty gadgets to everyday helpers. The best robot vacuum keeps your floors tidy without you needing to drag out a bulky upright or spend time sweeping. Today's models map your space, avoid obstacles and even empty themselves, making them a solid addition to any home. If you've got pets, kids or just a busy schedule, a robot vacuum takes care of the little messes that build up fast.

Google has been rapidly expanding the availability of AI Mode in Search ever since it previewed the feature with testers in its Labs program in the beginning of March this year. Now, the company has announced that it has started rolling out the dedicated AI chatbot within Search to 40 new regions and has made it available in 35 new languages. The newly supported languages include Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, German, Greek, French, Malay, Russian, Thai, Vietnamese and more. Google says the advanced reasoning and multimodal understanding of its custom Gemini model for Search allow it to grasp the subtleties of local languages, so it doesn't misunderstand inquiries or generate stilted answers.In May, two months after Google started testing the feature, the company rolled it out to everyone in the US. At the time, it said that it will "graduate many features and capabilities from AI Mode right into the core search experience in AI Overviews" as it gets more feedback. In early September, Google opened up AI Mode to more languages, namely Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and Brazilian Portuguese. More and more users in the new regions will see AI Mode responses in their Search page and will be able to interact with the feature in their preferred language over the coming weeks.The company plans to add more capabilities to AI Mode and recently released an update that made it better at understanding visual prompts. It's worth noting that, while AI Mode results could be useful for quick inquiries, online publishers attribute declining web traffic to the summaries. A Pew Research Center study found that users are less likely to click on website links and are more likely to end their browsing session if they see an AI Mode summary at the top of their results page.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-search-ai-mode-is-now-available-in-more-languages-and-regions-043540278.html?src=rss

Believe it or not, October Prime Day is actually a good time to save on Dyson devices. Plenty of cordless vacuums are on sale this year, as well as a few viral hair stylers. But, none of those top my trusty AM09. Dyson's Hot+Cool AM09 heater and fan is on sale for $300 right now - that's 40 percent off and one of the best prices I've seen. My love for the AM09 is well documented. At this point, I've had it for more than five years and I bought it when it was $280 on super-sale at QVC. Previously, I had a Dyson tower fan that worked well until it kicked the bucket after a few years of use. I took the plunge with the AM09 because I generally had a great experience with the tower fan, and at the time, I had been living in apartments that were consistently chilly during wintertime and downright stifling during the summer months. Now, my house is not all that much different than my apartments of yesteryear - and my original AM09 is still kicking. It does a great job circulating air in the summer (it's not an air conditioner, to be clear) and it cuts the chill in my particularly icy office during the winter. I love its handy fan, which attaches magnetically to the top of the fan so you don't lose it and lets you control the fan speed and heater temperature with just a few presses of a button. But the real kicker with the AM09 is how lightweight it is: at just under six pounds, it's incredibly easy to pick up and tote upstairs, downstairs or in the other room, wherever you need it the most. It has literally gone from my home office upstairs down to the main floor of my house and down again into our basement all in the same day for different purposes. Am I a little miffed that, in my impatience, I bought a discounted Dyson heater/fan/air purifier over the summer because I desperately wanted another AM09 and it wasn't on sale at the time? Yes - but at least you, dear reader, can learn from my shopping woes and get the AM09 instead.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/my-beloved-dyson-am09-heater-and-fan-is-40-percent-off-for-prime-day-223428328.html?src=rss

Sennheiser hasn't debuted a premium set of wireless headphones since the Momentum 4 arrived in 2022. Sure, there were two sets of Accentum cans, but those offer more mid-range performance in the $180-$250 range. Instead of a Momentum 5 for its latest release, the company has revealed the HDB 630: a $500 set of wireless noise-canceling headphones that offer lossless listening via wired connection. If you're thinking the HDB 630 looks an awful lot like the Momentum 4, you're correct. Sennheiser says this new model inherited" the chassis from those 2022 headphones, but there's a new acoustic system inside for focused listening." That setup includes 42mm dynamic drivers what were designed for purity, not hype." As such, the company promises you'll hear the vibe that left the mastering studio" thanks to careful attention to the midrange, vocals and overall dynamics. Those drivers are supported by a high-resolution digital audio engine that works for both wired and wireless listening. Via either the USB-C or 3.5mm ports, you can expect to hear tunes in up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution. The HDB 630 also comes with a USB-C transmitter dongle for phones, tablets and other devices so that you can harness higher-quality listening with aptX Adaptive - even if your gadgets don't support it natively. With only an estimated 16 percent of smartphone hardware supporting native wireless high-res sound, the included dongle brings this capability to 80 percent of smartphone models in an instant through their USB Type-C port," Sennheiser explained in a press release. There are several audio features available on the HDB 630 for an audiophile" experience. First, Sennheiser employs the Crossfade feature from its HE 1 headphones that blends the left and right channels to make it seem like you're listening to speakers. There's also a new Parametric Equalizer for more granular EQ control, complete with bandwidth, filter and A/B settings. The company says any settings tweaks are then applied to the HDB 630's advanced processing system" so listeners determine the tuning rather than the content or app providing it. Lastly, users will soon have the ability to share presets via QR code. Another item Sennheiser retained from the Momentum 4 is long battery life. Like that model, the HDB 630 will last up to 60 hours with ANC enabled, so you won't be reaching for a charging cable often. What's more, a 10-minuted top up will give you seven hours of use. And when it's time to travel, there's an airline adapter included in the box. The HDB 630 is available for pre-order starting today for $499.95. Shipping is scheduled to begin October 21 from Sennhesier and other retailers. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sennheisers-hdb-630-headphones-combine-wireless-convenience-with-wired-lossless-audio-220000711.html?src=rss

Tesla has been promising less expensive versions of its electric vehicles for several months, and today the company introduced two 'standard' models. The Standard Model 3 sedan will retail starting at $36,990 and the Standard Model Y SUV will start at $39,990. While these price tags make Tesla EVs available for less than $40,000, the cost is still not down to the $35,000 level that the company once briefly had for the Model 3.Although the price tags seem lower, the US ended its federal tax incentive for EVs on September 30. That offered buyers a savings of $7,500 on purchases of electric vehicles. These Standard models effectively cost about $2,000 more than the old spec, now called 'Premium,' would have retailed for last week.Both have an EPA estimated range of 321 miles on a full battery. However, these Standard versions will also have fewer features than their counterparts. They're only available with rear-wheel drive, and they won't offer the Autopilot or the Autosteer driver assistance programs. The trims have also been stripped back, with only the first row of seats containing heaters, no second-row touchscreen and no AM/FM radio.On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tesla updated the higher-end Performance version of its Model Y last week.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/teslas-stripped-back-standard-models-bring-the-model-3-and-y-back-under-40k-205012564.html?src=rss

Prime Day is a good time to consider picking up one of Amazon's own devices, particularly Kindle ereaders. Amazon typically saves the best discounts for its shopping events, and this year is no different. One of the standouts is the Kindle Colorsoft, which is on sale for $200. That's $50 off and a record low for the 16GB model. The cost was one of the only real detractions we found in our review of Amazon's long-awaited color screen ereader, which has a bunch of nice features. The warm light of the screen is adjustable so that you can read easily in different lighting conditions, and there are no ads on the lock screen. If you're reading a lot of comics or manga, you'll likely appreciate both the color screen and the Colorsoft's pinch-to-zoom feature. Amazon says the Colorsoft can last up to eight weeks on a single battery charge, and it's waterproof in case you want to bring it to the beach or the pool (or if you just don't want to risk ruining it if you knock over your water bottle). Colorsoft isn't the only Amazon ereader that's on sale for Prime Day. The standard Kindle model is currently available for $85, down from its usual $110 cost. You can also pick up a Kindle Paperwhite for $125, discounted from $160. Both of these options made our ranking of the best ereaders, with the Kindle winning our recommendation for an entry-level option and the Kindle Paperwhite impressing us as the best premium pick. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/prime-day-kindle-deals-include-the-colorsoft-for-a-record-low-200-093010883.html?src=rss

Noise-cancelling headphones are essential tech if you travel often or even have a lengthy commute. Bose is one of the top players in this space, and you can save on some of its high-end wireless headphones for Prime Day. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are $100 off right now and down to $329. Note that this deal applies to the previous generation QuietComfort Ultra, rather than the refreshed second-gen model Bose has just announced. These offer improved battery life, ANC and audio performance, and they also support lossless audio over a wired USB-C connection for the first time. However, these headphones also cost $449 out of the gate, which is considerably more than the heavily slashed price of their predecessor. If you don't have to have the latest and greatest in every product line, the first-gen QuietComfort Ultra will be more than enough for the vast majority of people. They still offer exceptional noise-canceling, very good sound and a comfortable design. Bose's Immersive Audio" spatial sound feature can be a bit hit and miss, but with the right content it can be incredible. And while $329 is still a lot of money, $100 is a big saving on what were very recently the best Bose headphones you can buy. Click here for our rolling coverage of the best Prime Day 2025 deals, which we'll be updating as the event rolls on.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-are-100-off-for-prime-day-123043790.html?src=rss

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded Google's Chief Scientist of Quantum Hardware the Nobel Prize in Physics alongside former Google employee John Martinis, and University of California, Berkeley professor John Clarke. This is the second year in a row that current or former Google employees have been awarded the prestigious prize: In 2024, a former Google vice president was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was shared by researchers from Google DeepMind.This year's Nobel Prize in Physics is being awarded in recognition of "the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantization in an electric circuit." Google puts it more plainly in its blog, writing that Devoret, Martinis and Clarke "created a superconducting electrical circuit" with a feature called a Josephson Junction "that can be used to create and manipulate... quantum phenomena."

Fast chargers have become essential as phones, tablets and even laptops demand more power to keep up with daily use. Many new devices no longer include a charger in the box, so finding the best fast charger for you is important if you want reliable speed without damaging your battery. A good charger saves you time, keeps your devices powered during busy days and often supports multiple gadgets at once.

Steam went down on Tuesday. Steamstat.us indicated earlier that the Steam Store, Steam Community and Web API were all down. But it's been all systems go for the better part of the past hour.Engadget staffers' experience matches that. Earlier, when trying to access the Steam Store on Steam Deck and in the mobile app, only the UI loaded as an empty wrapper. Now everything appears to be loading normally.At the peak of the outage, Steamstat.us showed over 1.5 million page views in the previous hour. That typically means lots of annoyed gamers are trying to find out why they're having problems. PC Gamer reports that APIs for Valve's first-party games (including Counter-Strike 2 and Deadlock) were also offline earlier.We'll keep an eye on the situation and update if the problems return.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/steam-is-back-online-after-outage-170514965.html?src=rss

California has passed a law to ban loud commercials on streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu.This is great news for people who don't want to wake the neighborhood up when a streaming show suddenly turns into an aggressively loud ad for migraine medication.Governor Gavin Newsom just signed the law and the ban goes into effect on July 1, 2026. On that date, streaming services won't be allowed to transmit the audio of commercial advertisements louder than the video content the advertisements accompany."

The sequel to 2022's surprisingly engaging first-person clean-em-up, PowerWash Simulator, finally arrives on October 23.If you enjoyed the first game (along with the other 17 million people it got its hooks into), it looks like you're in for even more shockingly dirty locations on which you can unleash your trusty power washer.A new release date trailer shows off a variety of tools you can use to get the job done, as well your own customizable home base that you're free to decorate, cover in muck and clean to your heart's content. There are also cute cats to play with, a very knowing reference from the developers to this being a 2025 video game, which means you must be able to pet an animal of some description.The latest trailer doesn't focus on it, but PowerWash Simulator 2 also introduces split-screen co-op. The original quickly cemented itself as the ultimate chillout game, so you can now kick back and clean twice as effectively with the help of a buddy. You can also share campaign progress when playing online with friends.PowerWash Simulator 2 hits the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2 and PC on October 23, and it's coming to Game Pass, for those still hanging around those parts after Microsoft's recent price hike. Here's hoping for an eventual DLC add-on as good as the first game's (slightly random) Shrek tie-in.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/powerwash-simulator-2-arrives-on-october-23-154854867.html?src=rss

OpenAI has disclosed that a now-banned account originating in China was using ChatGPT to help design promotional materials and project plans for a social media listening tool. OpenAI says that this work was purportedly done for a government client. The tool was a "probe" that could crawl social media sites like X, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, TikTok and YouTube for specific political, ethnic or religious content as defined by the operator. The company said it cannot independently verify if the tool was used by a Chinese government entity. OpenAI disrupted similar efforts earlier this year.The company also says it banned an account that was using ChatGPT to develop a proposal for a tool described as a "High-Risk Uyghur-Related Inflow Warning Model" that would aid in tracking the movements of "Uyghur-related" individuals. China has long been accused of alleged human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims in the country.OpenAI began publishing threat reports in February 2024, raising awareness of state-affiliated actors using large language models to debug malicious code, develop phishing scams and more. The company's latest blog post serves as a roundup of notable threats and banned accounts over the last quarter.The company also caught Russian-, Korean- and Chinese-speaking developers using ChatGPT to refine malware, as well as entire networks in Cambodia, Myanmar and Nigeria using the chatbot to help create scams in an attempt to defraud people. According to OpenAI's own estimates, ChatGPT is being used to detect scams three times as often as it is to create them. .This summer, OpenAI disrupted operations in Iran, Russia and China that were using ChatGPT to create posts, comments and to drive engagement and division as part of online influence campaigns. The AI-generated content was used on various social media platforms in both the originating nations and internationally.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-has-disrupted-more-chinese-accounts-using-chatgpt-to-create-social-media-surveillance-tools-142538093.html?src=rss

It's been nearly four years since Vampire Survivors debuted in early access and developer Poncle is still adding new features to the hit game. A fall update will introduce an online co-op mode to the PC and console versions. The studio brought couch co-op to the auto-shooting roguelike back in 2023, and soon you and your buddies will be able to lay waste to thousands of enemies together without needing to be in the same room.Online co-op will use a system where you create a lobby and share a code with friends so they can join, or vice-versa. You can go monster hunting with up to three of your buds, or even let them take care of the dirty work while you roam the map in search of secrets.Poncle says there are four more announcements to come over the next several weeks. The studio teased that, next week, it might finally answer a burning question that has been asked thousands of times." My money is on that being will you ever add vampires?"This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/vampire-survivors-will-soon-offer-online-co-op-141430146.html?src=rss

Most of what Nintendo uploads to its Nintendo Today app is fairly predictable; think a screenshot or trailer for an upcoming game or the latest soundtrack being agonisingly drip-fed onto Nintendo Music. But today's surprise drop is more mysterious than usual. If you opened up the app this morning, you'll have been met with a decidedly Pixar-like animated short, with virtually no context.Titled "Close to you," the almost four-minute video focuses on a baby playing with what appears to be an enchanted pacifier. In the child's attempt to catch the flying soother, they start to walk for what seems to be the first time, given the reaction of the mother when she walks into the room. The whole thing is accompanied by some typically pleasant piano music, but ends without Nintendo telling us what any of it means.Could this be a teaser for the recently-announced The Super Mario Galaxy Movie? Is the child in the short a young Rosalina, perhaps? They certainly seem to have a relationship with magic. There's also already some speculation that Nintendo could be teasing a Pikmin film. Anyway, the short is now all over Nintendo's various social media platforms too, so hopefully we'll find out more soon. For now, it's a perfectly nice (albeit unexpected) way to spend a few minutes.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/nintendo-just-released-a-mysterious-animated-short-140749774.html?src=rss

Google has failed to convince the Supreme Court to block the injunction requiring the company to make major changes to the Play Store after it lost its case with Epic Games. The Verge and Reuters have reported that the Supreme Court has denied the company's request for a partial stay on the injunction while it prepares to appeal. In a tweet, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said that developers "will be legally entitled to steer US Google Play users to out-of-app payments without fees, scare screens and friction" starting on October 22.

You've probably been tempted to jump on the air-fryer bandwagon in recent months and, if you have not yet taken the plunge, we're here to help. Like the ubiquitous Instant Pot that came before it, air fryers have surged in popularity as of late, promising extra crispy foods of all kinds without the mess and danger of a big vat of hot oil. These small appliances come in all shapes and sizes now and they can be a versatile addition to your kitchen, so long as you know what they are (and aren't) capable of. For those who are still deciding on which kind of air fryer is right for them, our guide can demystify the space for you and highlight some of the best air fryers you can get right now. Our current favorite is the Instant Vortex Plus air fryer, but there are a number of others we like that may better suit your lifestyle. Table of contents

The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is on sale for almost half off and is at the lowest price we've ever seen for this model. Normally retailing for $150, the smart doorbell is on sale for $80, a discount of 47 percent. This aggressive sale is part of another Prime Day that runs October 7-8. The Battery Doorbell Plus offers a 150-by-150-degree "head to toe" field of vision and 1536p high-resolution video. This makes it a lot easier to see boxes dropped off at your front door since it doesn't cut off the bottom of the image like a lot of video doorbells. This model features motion detection, privacy zones, color night vision and Live View with two-way talk, among other features. Installation is a breeze since you don't have to hardwire it to your existing doorbell wiring. Most users report that the battery lasts between several weeks and several months depending on how users set up the video doorbell, with power-heavy features like motion detection consuming more battery life. With most video doorbells today, you need a subscription to get the most out of them, and Ring is no exception. Features like package alerts require a Ring Home plan, with tiers ranging from Basic for $5 per month to Premium for $20 per month. You'll also need a plan to store your video event history. Ring was acquired by Amazon in 2018, and now offers a full suite of home security products including outdoor cameras, home alarm systems and more. This deal is part of a larger sale on Ring and Blink devices leading up to Prime Day.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/prime-day-deals-include-this-battery-powered-ring-video-doorbell-for-80-154508903.html?src=rss

There are few things as simple yet exceedingly annoying as having to get up and turn off a light. Whether you're already comfortable in bed or live with mobility limitations, smart plugs can be a great option - especially when they're on sale. Right now, you can pick up an Amazon Smart Plug for a record-low price of $13, down from $25. The 48 percent discount comes as part of Amazon Prime Day sales. You can also pick up a two-pack of Amazon's Smart Plugs for $24, down from $50 - a 52 percent discount. The Amazon Smart Plug is our pick for best smart plug if you have an Alexa-enabled home. You can tell Alexa to turn off the lights or control it with the Alexa app. It's compatible with most plugged in devices, from lamps and fans to even kitchen appliances. You can also set it to turn on lights or devices at a certain time each day.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-amazon-smart-plug-drops-to-only-13-for-prime-day-130446520.html?src=rss

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days is here, and you can save on all sorts of tech this time around. A mainstay of Prime Day sales, a pair of Blink Mini 2 cameras is on sale for only $35. That's 50 percent off, a record low and less than what you'd usually pay for one. It's also Engadget's pick for the best budget security camera. This budget-friend, wired camera is well-suited for nighttime video: It has a built-in LED spotlight, color night vision and a low-light sensor. Day or night, it records in sharp 1080p resolution. It also has a wider field of view than its predecessor. The Blink Mini 2 is primarily designed for indoor use. But you can use it outdoors, too. You'll just need to fork over $10 for a weather-resistant adapter. Wherever you use the camera, it works with Alexa and supports two-way audio. ("Hello, doggy, I'll be home soon.") It also supports person detection. (That's a neat feature that differentiates between people and other types of movement.) However, the feature requires a Blink Subscription Plan. They start at $3 per month or $30 per year for one device. The camera is available in black or white. Both colors are available for the $35 Prime Day deal, but they can't be mixed unless you buy each separately. It's worth noting that this deal is open to anyone - no Prime subscription necessary. Amazon recently announced an upgraded version of this camera that supports 2K video, but it won't be available until later in October. You can also save on a bunch of other Blink (and Ring) security gear for Prime Day. The Blink Outdoor 4 cameras are some of our favorites, and most configurations are on sale for Prime Day, including bundles like this three-camera system that's 61 percent off. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-a-bundle-of-two-blink-mini-2-cameras-for-only-35-for-prime-day-201049013.html?src=rss

The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is on sale for just $24. That's a discount of 40 percent and the lowest we've ever seen it. Roku has held the top spot in the TV OS market for years thanks to its user-friendly interface, an affordable range of streaming devices and its own lineup of TVs. We picked the Streaming Stick Plus as the best streaming device for free and live content, thanks in large part to The Roku Channel app that accompanies it. The Roku Channel features over 500 free TV channels with live news, sports coverage and a rotating lineup of TV shows and movies. In our hands-on review of the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, we thought it was perfect for travel thanks to its small size and the fact that it can be powered by your TV's USB port, nixing the need for a wall adapter. Menu navigation and opening or closing apps won't happen at quite the same speeds as more expensive streamers, but it's quick enough for what is ultimately a pretty low-cost option. The Wi-Fi range on this one is also weaker than Roku's pricier devices, but unless you are placing it exceedingly far from your router, it shouldn't be an issue. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus supports both HD and 4K TVs, as well as HDR10+ content. It doesn't support Dolby Vision, however; for that you'll need to upgrade to Roku's Streaming Stick 4K or Roku Ultra. It comes with Roku's rechargeable voice remote with push-to-talk voice controls. Roku's remote can also turn on your TV and adjust the volume while you're watching. If you've been thinking about getting a Roku device, or you already love the platform and want a compact and convenient way to take it with you when you travel, then this sale provides a great opportunity. If you'd prefer a more powerful and slightly more stationary device, the Roku Ultra is on sale for $69 right now, too. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-roku-streaming-stick-plus-is-cheaper-than-ever-for-prime-day-134656043.html?src=rss

Fall Prime Day has arrived and there are a good number of deals on tech we love. Case in point: Shark robot vacuums. Shark makes some of our favorite robovacs and a few of them are already discounted for Prime members ahead of the sale. The Shark AV2501S AI Ultra robot vacuum is one of them, with a whopping 58-percent discount that brings it down to $230. This discount marks a record low for this model. Shark offers several variations of its AI Ultra robot vacuums. There are small variations between them, and a different model is our pick for the best robot vacuum for most people. In general, you can expect solid cleaning performance from these devices, along with accurate home mapping and an easy-to-use app. The model that's on sale here is said to run for up to 120 minutes on a single charge, which should be enough to clean an entire floor in a typical home. The self-emptying, bagless vacuum can store up to 30 days worth of dirt and debris in its base. Shark says it can capture 99.97 percent of dust and allergens with the help of HEPA filtration. If you'd rather plump for a model that's able to mop your floors too, you're in luck: a Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 vacuum is on sale as well. At $300 for Prime members, this vacuum is available for $400 (or 57 percent) off the list price. Its mopping function can scrub hard floors 100 times per minute. You can also trigger the Matrix Mop function in the app for a deeper clean. This delivers 50 percent better stain cleaning in targeted zones, according to Shark. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-prime-day-deals-include-up-to-58-percent-off-shark-robot-vacuums-171836162.html?src=rss

Audiobook fans can get three months of Audible for $3 for a limited time ahead of the fall edition of Amazon Prime Day. Users will be charged $0.99 per month for the first three months, after which it will auto-renew at $14.95 per month. Audible features thousands of titles in its catalog, including podcasts and Audible Originals. Subscribers will also get to choose one audiobook each month to keep in their collection for free, including best-sellers or new releases. Amazon Prime members will receive two credits the first month of their trial. Amazon has been bringing Prime Day back in the fall for a few years now, and this year it returns October 7 and 8. Great deals tend to start rolling out in the days ahead of the event and this year is no exception. There are already sales on Apple devices, smart doorbells and most importantly, Lego sets. If you're a book lover but don't have the time to sit down and read a hard copy, or you just prefer listening to the latest novel while on the go, then take advantage of this sale. It's a limited-time offer and will only be available through December 16.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-three-months-of-audible-for-only-3-with-this-prime-day-deal-090052863.html?src=rss

There's good and bad news coming from Yacht Club Games, the studio behind Shovel Knight. The bad news is that the company's upcoming game, Mina the Hollower, has been delayed from its planned October 31 release date. But the good news is that it doesn't seem like this will be a lengthy wait.There's no new launch date given in the post on the developer's website, but Yacht Club says that it won't be much longer before the game is ready. "The entire crew has been working tirelessly day and night to finish development for release on Oct 31st, but we're just not quite there yet," the post states. "This isn't a major delay, it's just a stretch of time to apply some final polish and balancing to make the game truly shine." Mina the Hollower is coming to life thanks to a successful Kickstarter by the team during 2022. It's an action-adventure game with nods to the Game Boy Color's aesthetics.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mina-the-hollower-from-the-makers-of-shovel-knight-has-been-delayed-222817866.html?src=rss

After several silent months, Bungie has opened applications for players interested in participating in a closed technical test of Marathon. It's an invitation-only limited-time test, lasting just October 22-28. Those who are chosen to participate can only do so under a non-disclosure agreement, so don't expect to hear any juicy details or insights about the game's status later this month once the event wraps.While it's not a new public look at Marathon, news of a fresh round of testing marks a small step forward for this team extraction shooter. The game was originally slated for a September 2025 release, but in June, Bungie said it was indefinitely delaying the project. The pause was meant to give the studio time to address player feedback from the closed alpha test it conducted earlier in the spring. Considering the language used for this testing phase, we'll still have a while to wait before getting a new launch window.Whenever it does arrive, Marathon will be Bungie's first new title since the company introduced Destiny 2 back in 2017.Before the delay, the studio had also drawn raised eyebrows with Marathon after the alpha build used stolen artwork, which has been a repeat issue for Bungie.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/bungie-will-conduct-technical-testing-on-marathon-later-this-month-213422857.html?src=rss

You'll soon be able to interact with some of your favorite apps, including Spotify and Canva, right inside of ChatGPT. OpenAI announced the integration, which is enabled by the company's new Apps SDK, during its DevDay presentation. As of today, ChatGPT can connect to a handful of apps, with more to come over time and OpenAI working on submission guidelines that will allow developers to monetize their work.As a ChatGPT user, you can any access available third-party app by referencing it in your conversations with the chatbot. In the case of Spotify, for example, you can write Spotify, make a playlist for my party this Friday." The first time you mention an app in this way, you'll be prompted to connect your account to ChatGPT. When working with Spotify, ChatGPT can make recommendations based on a mood, theme or a topic. The interface will eventually lead you to Spotify itself, where you can listen to what ChatGPT has created.It's early days, so while we might not be able to deliver on every request just yet, we'll continue to build, refine, and improve the experience over the coming weeks and months," Spotify says of the integration.OpenAI showed off other apps working inside of ChatGPT. For instance, an employee demoed Canva creating a few posters for a dog-walking business that they had talked to ChatGPT about starting. With today's announcement, ChatGPT can connect to Canva, Coursera, Figma, Spotify and Zillow. In the coming weeks, DoorDash, OpenTable, Target and Uber will also work with the chatbot. And later this year, OpenAI says it will begin accepting app submissions for review and publication.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/spotify-canva-and-other-apps-can-now-connect-to-chatgpt-194830116.html?src=rss

The reaction to iPadOS 26 has been mostly positive, but some users have bemoaned the absence of the decade-old Slide Over multitasking feature. Well, Apple just announced that it's coming back as part of iPadOS 26.1. It's actually already available, though just as part of the beta build.For the uninitiated, Slide Over is a multitasking tool that lets users quickly reveal and hide an app that slides in and out from the side of the screen. This is great for quickly revealing and hiding an app without permanently rearranging your workspace.Apple also got rid of Split View with iPadOS 26, but the new windowing system can easily do something similar. There has been no way with the new OS to mimic Slide Over, which has become a source of frustration for tablet fans.

If you're like me, it's probably been a hot minute since you've thought about Evernote. For years, the note-taking app, once a darling of the App Store, faced declining popularity and profitability. The last time it grabbed headlines was in 2022 when it was sold to Milan-based developer Bending Spoons. Approximately nine months later, Bending Spoons laid off nearly all of Evernote's US workforce, and relocated what remained of the company's operations to Europe. Now, Evernote wants to be in the conversation again.Since taking over the app, Bending Spoons has released more than 200 improvements, culminating today with the release of Evernote v11. The company is touting the update, which is the first major release for Evernote since its poorly received v10 release back in 2020. The new version brings a handful of new AI features to Evernote, including one that Bending Spoons collaborated with OpenAI to develop."My wish for v11 is that people give it a try and see how fast and reliable it is, how complete it is in what it offers," Federico Simionato, Evenote's product lead, said over a video chat. "I think people have an outdated opinion of Evernote that used to match reality, when Evernote was slow and unreliable."The first of the new features Bending Spoons is introducing today is called AI Assistant. Simionato describes it as having ChatGPT inside of Evernote. No surprise since the company collaborated with OpenAI to make it. As you can probably guess, you can use AI Assistant to search through your notes and notebooks, but the tool's utility goes beyond that. It allows you to interact with your documents and ask follow-up questions. AI Assistant can also generate new content, and you can decide how what it creates is integrated within your existing notes and notebooks. In my demo, Simionato used AI Assistant to add a flight ticket number to a note he had dedicated to an upcoming trip to Spain. Over time, Bending Spoons plans to make AI Assistant more powerful, with the company working on making it possible for the chatbot to assign tags to notes and perform bulk actions across multiple documents, among other capabilities.By default, Bending Spoons will enable AI Assistant for all paid users. A set of granular controls will allow people to decide what content AI Assistant can access. The agreement Bending Spoons has with OpenAI means the company can't train its models on data from Evernote users. Additionally, any data sent to the cloud for processing will only be held as long it takes to complete the user's request.Part of the reason Bending Spoons is taking a more forward approach with AI Assistant is due to user feedback. In 2023, the company released a tool called AI Search. Simionato says his team was "extremely careful" to add friction to the experience to ensure people felt Evernote was respecting their privacy. To that end, you had to dig into the app's settings to enable AI Search before it would work. According to Simionato, users found that setup was "too cumbersome," and with most people becoming more comfortable with AI tools, the company decided to make AI Assistant visible from the jump.The other new feature Bending Spoons is introducing today is one some Evernote users have been waiting for a decade: Semantic Search. Instead of trying to find a note using an exact word or phrase you used inside of it, Semantic Search allows Evernote to filter through your documents using context. Simionato demonstrates the feature in action by typing "Barcelona trip" into the new interface, and Evernote surfaces a note he created about a trip to Girona. If you're not familiar, Girona is a city about 62 miles northeast of Barcelona and part of Catalonia. The document Evernote pulled up had no mention of Barcelona in it, but that didn't prevent the tool from finding it. According to Simionato, this is the most requested feature of longtime Evernote users and one Bending Spoons is happy it can finally deliver on.Lastly, the company has expanded the app's built-in recording and transcription capabilities. Building on AI Transcribe, which Bending Spoons first introduced in 2024, Evernote can now record audio from both in-person and online meetings and automatically transcribe and summarize what's said. This feature should work in every language that Evernote currently supports.As mentioned, Evernote's new AI features are available to all paid users. The features will roll out to desktop and web first starting this month, with mobile to follow. Simionato said Bending Spoons is working on making a trail available to free users sometime in the next few months. For now, the price of Evernote's paid plans isn't going up, but Simionato noted the company plans to adjust pricing in the coming months, mostly to account for the fact there aren't many notable differences between the Personal and Professional tiers.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/evernotes-biggest-update-since-2020-goes-all-in-on-ai-180000340.html?src=rss

Instagram is launching its own awards program, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This is sort of like the Oscars, but for short-form social media content. There isn't an awards ceremony, a comedian host or anything like that. Instead, the 25 winners will get physical rings.These rings will be designed by fashionista Grace Wales Bonner. Maybe they'll be worth a few bucks, as the recognition doesn't include a financial payout of any kind. However, winners will get a digital replica of a ring to put on their Instagram profile and stories.InstagramHonorees also receive the ability to customize the background color of their profiles, creating a unique gradient. Eva Chen, the head of fashion partnerships at Instagram, says this kind of customization is "something that we haven't really ever done before." Myspace let people do this more than 20 years ago and Friendster before that.Instagram has three billion monthly active users and there are only 25 recipients of the aforementioned ring. Judges will whittle down the list down to thousands and then hundreds before settling on the winners. These judges include platform head honcho Adam Mosseri, along with folks like Spike Lee and actress Yari Shahidi.

More than two years after the release of Assassin's Creed Mirage, the 13th major installment in the franchise gets a substantial content update for free. The story expansion, called Valley of Memory, is set to release on November 18 and adds six hours of additional gameplay. According to Ubisoft, the DLC follows the protagonist, Basim, into ninth-century AlUla as he tries to find his long-lost father.Along with the new region and map, the Valley of Memory DLC adds new assassination targets, side quests and contracts. Ubisoft is also teasing a "unique twist" on the franchise's classic black box missions, which allows players to carry out a main assassination quest however they want. The new main questline pits Basim against a "dangerous band of robbers," but players will get several gameplay improvements to help complete the story. These changes will even be applied to the base game.The DLC introduces several parkour improvements, including a toggle for manual jumping, a smoother way to transition between rooftops and the ability to customize side and back ejects. Ubisoft adds replayable missions and challenges that allow for specific parameters, like killing only your main target or avoiding using Eagle Vision. Returning players will also find a new skill called Engineer 2, a new level 3 mod for all tools and two more difficulty levels.The free content comes as a welcome surprise for Assassin's Creed Mirage players, but the setting offers a clue as to why. Valley of Memory's AlUla location is closely related to modern-day Saudi Arabia, which lines up with a previous report that claimed that the DLC was made possible thanks to a partnership between Ubisoft and an esports group that has backing from the Saudi government. In September, Ubisoft employees brought up serious concerns about working with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, who also recently made a massive $55 billion acquisition of EA, alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/assassins-creed-mirages-free-dlc-valley-of-memory-drops-on-november-18-163024978.html?src=rss

Last week, Amazon announced two new Echo Show devices during its fall hardware event. From the stage, Amazon execs repeatedly used the phrase blend into the background." Amazon hardware chief Panos Panay told a personal story, recounting how Alexa+ was able to shift the balance" at his dinner table, supplying his family with facts to settle their mealtime debates, no phones required. He praised the fact that Alexa+ can help "without distracting you" or taking you away from what's most important." Laudable sentiment, for sure. It's jarring to be ripped away from a moment by uninvited tech.So if the folks at Amazon really believe Alexa-enabled tech should fade into the background, they may agree that when I'm in my kitchen slicing an apple for my kid and I glance up at my Echo Show cycling through family photos, it's really frickin distracting when the shot of the forested field just outside my old house is replaced by a full-screen advertisement for Dewalt drill bits. It sure as heckfire takes me out of the moment. My Echo Show does not fade into the background;" it sticks ads in my face.I don't remember it always being this way. I can recall a time, maybe a year or so ago, when my Echo Show 15 happily cycled through my photos with no billboard pop-ups. An Amazon rep I spoke with assured me that advertising has always been a part of the Echo Show experience, though they were less clear as to whether or not there may have been a change to the way ads were served on the home screen and photo carousel.That year-or-so-timeline jibes with what I'm seeing on Reddit and Amazon's help pages. From one to two years ago, complaints started popping up. People were suddenly confronted with ads and hoping, in vain, that someone could explain how to turn them off. The posts ranged from confusion to disbelief, to irritation and infuriation - exactly the emotional range I experienced when a cereal ad popped up (coincidentally?) while I was making breakfast.I, like those hopeful redditors, wondered whether there was a secret setting, some buried menu option that would offer escape from the march of commerce while I washed the dishes. So I double checked with the Amazon rep and had it unequivocally confirmed: There is no way to turn these ads off.I get it. From the printing press to AI chatbots, ads have always been inseparable from technology. My very paycheck depends, in part, on that airline/insurance/PC banner over there on your screen. I accept that I must first close the Old Spice pop up to read an article on Deadline. I tolerate the pillow commercial on YouTube so I can watch Josh Johnson ruminate. I begrudgingly agree to these things; They're part of the contract. But a billboard in my kitchen? Family vacation pics interspersed with Moen faucet promos? That's not something I agreed to. I shouldn't have to suffer through an ad so I can watch content if the content is my own damn pictures and the home page of a machine I paid hundreds of dollars to own. Built-in ads don't even subsidize the cost of an Echo Show like they do with Kindles - buying one of Amazon's ereaders with lockscreen ads at least knocks $20 off the price.If, as we were told last week, Alexa+ and its vessels are supposed to fade into the background, if we're meant to invite this AI into our homes, into our kitchens, to our dinner tables, as a distraction-free helper, then un-opt-outable ads on the Echo Show home screen are not aligned with that goal. I've unplugged my Echo Show 15. Soon I'll delete my data from it and stick it on the sidewalk with a big free sign on it. If you're in the neighborhood, you're welcome to pick it up.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/dont-buy-an-echo-show-you-can-have-mine-155730401.html?src=rss

It was only a few weeks ago that NVIDIA pledged a $100 billion investment in OpenAI. Now, OpenAI has come to another agreement, this time with NVIDIA's competitor, AMD. OpenAI has announced a deal to use AMD's chips to create six gigawatts worth of AI infrastructure. AMD expects to make "tens of billions of dollars" from this agreement.According to OpenAI, AMD will act "as a core strategic compute partner to drive large-scale deployments" of its technology. OpenAI will use AMD's Instinct GPUs, with plans to deploy the first gigawatt of the Instinct MI450 GPUs during the second half of 2026"AMD's leadership in high-performance chips will enable us to accelerate progress and bring the benefits of advanced AI to everyone faster," Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, said in a statement.The deal will also give OpenAI the chance to purchase 160 million AMD shares at a penny each. These shares will vest over time as different milestones are reached - starting with that first one gigawatt deployment. Ultimately, these shares would give OpenAI up to a 10 percent stake in AMD.Agreements between major AI players are popping up everywhere. In its recent deal with NVIDIA, OpenAI plans to use the former's chips to make at least 10 gigawatts of AI data centers. The $100 billion investment will come in waves timed to each new gigawatt of power. This process should also start during the second half of 2026.OpenAI is also working with Microsoft on ways to share technology, with the latter having invested over $13 billion in the former - for 49 percent of its profits. Meanwhile, Nvidia recently invested $5 billion in Intel to "seamlessly" connect "the strengths of NVIDIA's AI and accelerated computing with Intel's leading CPU technologies and x86 ecosystem." Intel has also been tasked with creating NVIDIA-custom x86 CPUs for the market and AI infrastructure platforms.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-agrees-to-buy-tens-of-billions-worth-of-amd-chips-134816630.html?src=rss

Amazon may have announced new Echo Show devices recently, but it didn't touch the humble Echo Spot. The smart alarm clock remains the smallest Echo device with a display, but it's one that's really best just for showing the time, weather and other quick bits of information. You can grab one now for only $45 thanks to Prime Day deals; that's 44 percent off its usual price. The latest incarnation of the diminutive Spot was introduced in July 2024, and this matches its record-low price. For that you get a comfortably bedside-sized device with a sharper display than its predecessor, as well as superior sound. The front face is divided into two halves, with a speaker positioned below the hemispherical display. What screen you do have is more than enough to display the time and weather information, plus it can show you the song or album title and accompanying artwork when you're listening to music on those improved speakers. It can naturally be used to boss around your other connected smart devices, too. Alexa might be baked in, but the Echo Spot is intended to be a fairly bare-bones smart alarm clock, so don't expect as many features as you'll find on something like the Echo Show 5. But a lot of people just want a modern alarm clock, and arguably the biggest selling point for the Echo Spot is its total lack of a camera. While that means it can do less than the original 2017 Echo Spot, which Amazon did put a camera in, the decision to remove it from a device that lives right next to your bed was probably for the best. Amazon's Prime Day sale returns on October 7, so you can expect a range of deals on its various Echo devices. For our guide to all of the best early deals, head here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazons-echo-spot-alarm-clock-drops-to-only-45-in-this-prime-day-deal-142550522.html?src=rss

Logitech released its newest mouse less than a week ago but you can already grab it for a discounted price. Right now, the Logitech MX Master 4 is available at Best Buy for $90, down from $120. The 25 percent markdown is the first deal we've seen on the device. The MX Master 4 comes three years after its predecessor (and our pick for best wireless mouse of 2025), the MX Master 3S. We tested the latest iteration for a few weeks and it still has all the comfort of the 3S, despite being slightly heftier. Plus, it has a lightly textured plastic on top, rather than the rubber on the 3S. The main difference between the two is the MX Master 4's haptic feedback. It's built into the thumb rest panel and you can change the intensity or turn it off through Logitech's Options+ software. You'll feel it at times such as when pairing the mouse, the battery is low or you've perfectly lined up a graphic in Photoshop. However, on that note, right now haptics only work with apps like Photoshop, Lightroom and Zoom, with Adobe Premiere Pro coming soon. If you plan to use Photoshop, Lightroom and the like, then buying the mouse from Best Buy is a good choice. The store is exclusively offering customers two complimentary months of an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription when you buy the MX Master 4. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/logitechs-brand-new-mx-master-4-is-already-25-percent-off-130030050.html?src=rss

The story of the Rabbit R1 is a cautionary tale. The AI gadget stole CES 2024, thanks in large part to its cutesy design and Rabbit's promise that it could do nearly everything a smartphone could without being a distraction. At least that was the pitch.When it finally arrived a few months later, with buggy software and a laundry list of features that simply didn't work, the backlash was swift. Engadget's Devindra Hardawar called the R1 "a $199 AI toy that fails at almost everything." In a video with nearly 9 million views, YouTuber Marques Brownlee said the R1 was barely reviewable. That same backlash extended to Humane, Rabbit's one-time rival, which this past February effectively went out of business after selling its intellectual property to HP for $116 million and discontinuing support for the much-maligned AI Pin.Nearly two years later, Rabbit is still here, having recently released its most significant software update yet with RabbitOS 2. "We want to take this opportunity to ask people for a second chance," Jesse Lyu, the CEO of Rabbit.Having used the R1 in its original state, RabbitOS 2 is a significant improvement. At launch, the touchscreen didn't work like it does on a smartphone. This made doing something simple like accessing the settings menu an absolute chore.With OS 2, Rabbit has redesigned the device's interface around colorful cards, making it much easier to see what it can actually do. The display now finally functions like a regular touchscreen, allowing you to navigate the interface with taps and swipes, instead of a complicated series of presses involving the side button. Other quality of life tweaks also make the device feel more useful. For example, the R1 can now transcribe voice memos without an internet connection.Then there's the update's marquee feature: Creations.Creations are an evolution of Teach mode, a tool Rabbit introduced toward the end of last year. They allow you to vibe code your own apps to use with the R1. The process of making Creations feels a lot less clunky than it did with Teach mode. To start, you describe the app you want R1 to create, then your device will ask a series of clarifying questions to get a better idea of what you want.Intern, the AI agent that handles coding the apps, has a comprehensive knowledge of R1's hardware, so there's no need to get bogged down in technical details. With Lyu's help, I made a tuning app for my guitar. The entire process took about five minutes, and the result, I'll admit, felt novel in a way I hadn't experienced in a while. The tuner not only worked, but I was able to tell the coding agent exactly how I wanted it to look and function, with the AI offering helpful suggestions to guide the process.Did I want the app to use a needle interface? Yes, I said. What color should the interface be? The R1's signature orange, I told it. Granted, there are countless tuning apps out there, but it felt cool that I had some hand in deciding how this one should look and work. I also appreciate some of the Creations others have made. There's one that offers an interactive map of Hollow Knight: Silksong's Pharloom that has been my companion through the latter parts of the game.As far as Lyu is concerned, Creations are the killer feature the R1 has been missing since launch, offering something no smartphone on the market can quite yet match. He's particularly excited about the system Rabbit has devised for distributing them. There's no traditional app store like you might find on an Android or iOS device; instead, users can share their apps through Rabbithole (Rabbit's online R1 hub) or using a QR code.Still, Lyu admits there are things Rabbit needs to figure out before it can convince people to throw out their phones. "The biggest barrier [to R1 adoption] is no one wants to carry around two devices. We know that, and there are a lot of things on the phone, whether you're using an iPhone or Android, that users don't trust an AI to handle," he said. Here, Lyu is primarily thinking of banking apps. Banking regulation being what it is, there's probably no future where you'll be able to vibe code an app to access your Chase account, but Lyu is hopeful consumer demand will eventually lead to financial institutions embracing Rabbit and the R1.Either way, he's adamant that Creations are the way forward for the company. "This is still the right thing for us to do," he tells me. "If you look at how you built your tuner app versus how somebody would build and sell their tuner app on the App Store, that's a completely different generational experience. You did zero coding. You just talk to your R1 and distribute."I wonder if that's enough. The ability to create your own apps will be compelling to some people, but I imagine most just want software that works without the hassle of making it themselves. Besides, there's more to software development than just putting an app out into the world. Arguably the more difficult (and important) part of the job is maintaining an app, ensuring it works for you and other people. AI systems are getting better at coding every day, but they still make mistakes, and having some coding knowledge makes it a lot easier to fix those errors.Some smartphone experiences will also be harder to replicate than others. One Creation allows you to stream music to the R1 from YouTube Music, but the software is so basic compared to the official app on Android and iOS. Rabbit has shared documentation on GitHub to help program Creations that can access other third-party services, but I wonder how quickly people will lose interest in vibe coding all but the most basic apps.And for all its faults, the app store model offers a way for developers to earn a living off their work. People can upload their Creations to Rabbit's website, but the only party making money on the concept is Rabbit - at the moment there's no infrastructure in place to charge money for Creations, assuming anyone would want to. Creations also consume Intern tasks, and those aren't exactly cheap. You can buy three for $30 or pay $70 per month for a monthly allowance of 30.Of course, the question most people have is the same one that has dogged Rabbit and the R1 from the start: "Why can't this just be an app?" Lyu contends Creations are one part of the answer."I don't think we're going to see an iPhone-like moment this year or next year. Starting in 2027, that's when the generational shift will happen. In that sense, we're not in a rush to do something major." When I asked why 2027, Rabbit declined to share more, but something Lyu said about the prospect of competing against OpenAI gave me a hint of the company's plans.If you need a refresher, OpenAI announced in May it was buying former Apple design chief Jony Ive's hardware startup for $6.5 billion, with the ambition of releasing its own AI device. "From what I know about Jony and OpenAI, I don't think they're going to be interested in a second gadget like R1," Lyu said (he knows Sam Altman personally, having gone through Y-Combination when Altman was president of the startup accelerator from 2014 to 2019). "I think they're going to focus on a phone-like factor. That's a much bigger audience. But by 2027, everyone is going to be making phones."When I later asked if a phone was in Rabbit's future, a company spokesperson declined to elaborate on Lyu's comments. "We've been working on many different prototypes and form factors, but don't have any specific details to share." For now, the company appears to be squarely focused on improving its software. "The focus this year is on rebirth," Lyu told me. "And to keep pioneering things no else is doing in the industry."The challenge for Rabbit will not only be staying ahead of OpenAI, but all the existing phone manufacturers adding AI features to their devices. Just earlier this week, Nothing, a smaller player in the space, announced Essential Apps, a tool people can use to vibe code apps for the company's phones. If Nothing is successful, how long will it be before Samsung and Google do the same?This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/rabbit-plots-its-redemption-arc-120000271.html?src=rss

A good webcam makes a big difference whether you're jumping on work calls, streaming gameplay or catching up with friends across the country. Built-in laptop cameras often fall short, so investing in one of the best webcams gives you sharper video, better colors and features like background control or low-light correction.

Vlogging used to be a niche camera category, but it's now at least equal to (if not dominating) the photo scene. All the major camera companies now have multiple creator models with new ones arriving nearly every month, including Nikon's awesome new ZR hybrid creator camera built in collaboration with cinema company RED.

OpenAI and Jony Ive could still have some serious loose ends to tie up before releasing their highly anticipated AI device. According to a Financial Times report, the partnership is still struggling with some "technical issues" that could ultimately end up pushing back the device's release date, which is expected to be sometime in 2026.One of those lingering dilemmas involves figuring out the AI assistant's voice and mannerisms, according to FT's sources. The AI device is meant to be "a friend who's a computer who isn't your weird AI girlfriend," according to a FT source who was briefed on the plans. Beyond landing on a personality, OpenAI and Ive are still figuring out potential privacy concerns stemming from a device that's always listening. On top of that, the budget could reportedly be a challenge due to the increased computing power necessary to run these mass-produced AI devices.Outside these latest struggles, we still know very little about the upcoming product. Sam Altman, OpenAI's CEO, reportedly offered some clues to employees that it could be pocket-sized, aware of its environment and sans display. There are still plenty of questions about what OpenAI's first hardware project will amount to, but the company could be exercising more caution since similar devices, like the Humane AI Pin, were discontinued after failing to deliver on sales.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-first-device-with-jony-ive-could-be-delayed-due-to-technical-issues-182226416.html?src=rss

Anker's latest Prime charging devices are already on sale thanks to some handy coupons. The best deals include the laptop-compatible Prime Power Bank (26,250mAh, 300W), which is 20 percent off and down to $184 when you clip the on-page coupon on its Amazon page. This portable charger delivers a whopping 300W of total output between its two USB-C ports and single USB-A port. Anker says that, thanks to its 140W output (and if you're using a 5A cable), you can top up the battery of an M4 Pro MacBook Pro to 50 percent in 27 minutes and an iPhone 17 Pro Max to 50 percent in 22 minutes. You can keep tabs on what's happening on each port using the display. This is also the first Anker power bank that supports up to 250W of input recharging by using both USB-C ports simultaneously. This faster charging can top up the powerbank's own battery to 50 percent in just 13 minutes, according to Anker. This model has a capacity of 26,250mAh (99.75Wh), which is very close to the FAA's limit of 100W. It's TSA-approved, so you'll be able to take it on flights. It's capable of taking an M4 MacBook Pro from fully dead to an 80 percent charge. The power bank weighs 1.3 lbs - the same as about three iPhones, Anker says. Other Anker Prime devices are on sale too. A new 3-in-1 MagSafe charger - which can top up the batteries of your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods with wireless charging case simultaneously - also gets a 20 percent discount to $184 when you use a clippable coupon. While there are certainly less expensive 3-in-1 MagSafe options out there, this one includes Qi2 25W support for faster charging, as well as TEC active cooling. Anker suggests this can help speed up charging times and help guard against iPhone battery degradation over time. A three-port GaN Prime Charger that plugs into an outlet is 20 percent off too, at $120 with a clippable coupon. Anker says it's as compact as an AirPods Pro 3 case and can provide a total output of 160W, with up to 140W via a single USB-C cable. The charger is said to offer smart power distribution, and you can monitor what's happening and adjust modes via an onboard display and controls. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/ankers-latest-prime-charging-devices-are-already-20-percent-off-152040336.html?src=rss

California governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Friday that grants rideshare drivers in the state the right to unionize. It's the second state to grant organizing rights to rideshare drivers, who are independent contractors, following the passage of a similar law in Massachusetts in 2024. There are over 800,000 rideshare drivers in California, and the bill that was just signed into law "establishes a clear legal framework for union certification, bargaining processes and enforcement," according to a press release from the office of Assemblymember Buffy Wicks.This means drivers working for companies like Uber and Lyft will be able to collectively bargain for better pay, benefits and working conditions. Under the terms of the law, driver organizations will be able to apply for union recognition starting in May 2026 as long as they have support from at least 10 percent of active rideshare drivers in the state. The organization would then need support from at least 30 percent of active drivers to begin bargaining on their behalf.As part of a deal made in September, Newsom also signed a measure that reduces the insurance coverage requirements for Uber and Lyft in the case of accidents caused by uninsured drivers, Associated Press reports.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-and-lyft-drivers-in-california-are-able-to-unionize-under-new-law-171309594.html?src=rss

Robot vacuums are great items to look for during events like October Prime Day. They're usually hundreds of dollars off, so you can save a ton if you're buying one as a gift or you want to upgrade an aging robovac you have at home already. One of the best deals this time around is on the iRobot Roomba 104, which is 40 percent off and on sale for only $150. This is a newer version of the unit that topped our list of the best budget robot vacuums. It's an entry-level robovac that gets the job done. The cleaning motor is fairly powerful and it ships with a multi-surface brush and an edge-sweeping brush. The vacuum uses LiDAR to map a home and to help it avoid obstacles when cleaning. It's also been equipped with specialized sensors to prevent falling down stairs. Steps are the natural enemy of all robot vacuums, except maybe this one. The Roomba 104 integrates with the company's proprietary app, which allows for custom cleaning schedules and the like. The robot can also be controlled via voice assistant and boasts compatibility with Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant. The vacuum will automatically head to the charger for some juice when running low, which is nice. The battery lasts around 200 minutes per charge, which is a decent enough metric for a budget-friendly robovac. The only downside here? This is just a vacuum. It doesn't mop and it doesn't come with a dedicated debris canister.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-roomba-robot-vacuum-is-on-sale-for-150-for-prime-day-164953753.html?src=rss

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has plans to build out a 24/7/365 surveillance team that focuses on scouring social media for case leads, as revealed in documents first discovered by Wired. According to public records, ICE has put out a request for information - which allows the agency to detail its preliminary scope of work to gauge any interest from contractors - that details using social media platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit and YouTube to develop leads on wanted individuals.For "urgent cases," the team is expected to work on leads with ICE's Top 10 Most Wanted within a 30-minute timeframe. However, the breadth of work ranges all the way to low-priority cases, like those involving someone convicted of a non-violent misdemeanor or "has no convictions but has a significant arrest history," with a more generous eight-hour window to generate leads.According to the documents, ICE wants at least 12 full-time staff to work at its National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center in Williston, Vermont, which will require three staffers on duty at all times. On the other side of the country, ICE is looking for a minimum staff of 16 full-time contractors for its Pacific Enforcement Response Center in Santa Ana, California, that will also have a duty rotation of at least two staffers on for "after-hour requirements and emergency situations."While the plans are in the very early stages, ICE's plans are aggressive and even ask how prospective contractors would use artificial intelligence to achieve its goals. The federal agency is no stranger to controversial tech though, as it has previously been accused of using facial recognition.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/ice-is-planning-to-create-a-surveillance-team-that-hunts-for-leads-on-social-media-163743143.html?src=rss

Your Apple Account is the key to everything you do on your iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro. It keeps your purchases, subscriptions and personal data secure. If you think your account has been hacked, if you've logged in on a shared device or if you haven't updated your password in a while, it's a good idea to update it. Apple officially rebranded Apple ID as Apple Account in 2024, but your login details work the same way. We'll walk you through how to reset or change your Apple Account password on your iPhone, iPad, Mac or the web.How to change your Apple Account password on your iPhone or iPadThe fastest way to update your password is through your device's settings. This method works for iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro devices, and can also be started on Apple Watches if you have Stolen Device Protection enabled.

Redemption Road's absolutely bonkers-looking medieval shooter, Kingmakers, was slated to launch in Early Access on October 8, but now its release has been pushed back with no new date in sight. The developers posted an update on Steam to say that the scheduled launch, just days away, "will no longer be possible," going on to explain that they need "a bit more time on content polish before we feel good about charging money for it."A statement posted by the developers of Kingmakers announcing that the game is delayedRedemption Road GamesKingmakers has generated a fair amount of hype since it was announced last year, and it sits among the top wishlisted titles on Steam. The game sends players "back in time to a war-torn medieval era with a vast arsenal of modern weapons," from guns to tanks. And if you've seen the trailers, you know it's not just the concept that's bananas - the gameplay we've been shown so far is completely over the top. In its statement about the delay, the team said that Kingmakers is "an incredibly ambitious, uncompromising game, and we don't want to cut any planned features, for the sake of getting it out the door earlier.""With Kingmakers, we set out to push the Unreal Engine 4 codebase to its absolute limits, while still providing true 60fps to midrange PCs, without the need for fake frames," the team wrote. "We are an 80% engineering team, who got into this business to push technological barriers. We currently have tens of thousands of soldiers, each with AI and pathfinding that rivals what you'd expect from a AAA third person shooter. When you walk away from a battle, it continues to play out. Nothing is faked."The developers haven't provided any update on what the timeline looks like now beyond the fact that the game won't be ready for October 8. But, they added, "We will be presenting a half hour long deepdive on Kingmakers gameplay very soon, with a comprehensive overview of everything we've been working on."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/kingmakers-the-medieval-battle-game-with-modern-weapons-has-been-delayed-211935670.html?src=rss

Just a day after dethroning SpaceX as the most valuable private company in the world, OpenAI has acquired another startup. This time, the AI giant acquired Roi, an app that offers a one-stop shop for all your financial portfolios and an AI chatbot that provides personalized investing advice. Details of the acquisition weren't made public, but TechCrunch reported that Sujith Vishwajith, the startup's CEO and co-founder, will be the only one joining OpenAI's team.It might come as a surprise for OpenAI to venture into the personal finance space, but this latest acquisition offers some hints at what the company could have in store for the future. OpenAI could be leaning into an AI chatbot that provides more than just responses to general queries and offers more personalization as a "proactive assistant," as detailed in its blog post introducing Pulse.OpenAI is also no stranger to acquiring smaller companies that offer something that could advance ChatGPT. In May, the company acquired io, an AI hardware startup cofounded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, for $6.5 billion. OpenAI followed up that major purchase by spending another $1.1 billion to acquire Statsig, a startup that focused on product testing, in September.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-acquires-an-ai-powered-personal-investing-app-192339271.html?src=rss