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Black Friday deals have come for Sony gear, and that means you can get some of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market for less. The still-excellent WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones are down to $250, which is the lowest price we've seen them. Yes, the latest model, the XM6, have technically replaced these in Sony's lineup. But if the latest flagships are out of your price range, these former Engadget favorites are well worth considering at this heavily reduced price. We awarded the WH-1000XM5 a score of 95 in our 2022 review, praising the supremely comfortable redesign, sound quality and powerful ANC. Battery life is also very respectable at 30 hours. We found the punchy bass an improvement over their predecessors, and the overall sound deeper and more immersive than the M4 headphones. As for noise-canceling, Sony's decision to double the number of microphones and processors used for ANC means an improvement in blocking higher frequency sounds, such as human voices. They aren't entirely baby scream-proof, but then few headphones are. Naturally, the WH-1000XM6 that this year replaced the M5 as Sony's flagship model offers even better sound quality and noise cancellation, while remaining extremely comfortable throughout long listening sessions. But they're also a lot more expensive at $450 - they're on sale now for $398 for Black Friday, so you have the option to upgrade to the latest flagship if you're willing to spend a bit more. However, we still think the XM5 deal is the best value for most people here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/these-noise-cancelling-sony-headphones-are-cheaper-than-ever-for-black-friday-124434578.html?src=rss

The era of holiday shopping is here and there are a lot of great tech gift options for loved ones or as a treat for yourself. That includes the new Apple Watch SE 3, which you can snag for only $200 right now at Amazon and Walmart. We consider this to be the best budget Apple Watch, and arguably the best smartwatch for folks who have never owned one before. The latest version runs on the same chipset found in the new flagship models, and it has most of the same fitness and workout tracking features you'll find in those more expensive devices as well. The SE 3 also now has an always-on display, making it easier to glance down throughout the day to check the time or see activity stats without moving your wrist, and fast-charging support makes it a more viable sleep tracker. Just plop it down on its charger for a bit at the end of the day and put it back on to monitor your sleep overnight. Also discounted is the flagship Apple Watch Series 11, which is $50 off and down to $349. We consider it to be the best smartwatch, period, thanks to its longer battery life, thin and light design, comprehensive health and fitness tracking features and extra perks like gesture control. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/pick-up-an-apple-watch-se-3-for-only-200-with-this-black-friday-deal-133057649.html?src=rss

Ice cream might not be the first dessert that springs to mind in late fall, but there's no bad season for frozen treats, and our favorite ice cream maker is down to $180 for Black Friday. This kitchen gadget, which scored 90 in our review, is guaranteed to make you popular with guests during the holiday season, and at $50 off its regular price of $250 - the lowest price we've seen this year for this particular model - now is a great time to buy. While you'll definitely need a bit of space to accommodate it, the Creami is a more compact ice cream machine than some of its rivals. It works similarly to a food processor, only here you'll be using strictly frozen liquid ice cream as a base. Once you have that (you'll need to give the base around 24 hours in the freezer for the desired consistency) you use Ninja's machine to blend in your chosen flavors. And if you make a mess (and let's face it, you probably will), rest assured that most of the components are dishwasher-safe. It's admittedly a fairly loud machine during use, but as long as you're willing to put up with the noise, you can choose between seven one-touch programs, including milkshake if you're in the mood for a cold drink. And if you're hosting people with allergies, they can be reassured that you have total control about what's going into and coming out of the machine, which is much harder to guarantee when you're buying dessert in a restaurant. This model also includes two pint containers with lids. If you want the latest and greatest, though, the Ninja Swirl is the ice-cream maker to get. It can make regular and soft-serve ice cream, plus a number of other frozen treats. Right now, QVC has it for the best price we've seen, from $350 to $280. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-of-our-favorite-ice-cream-makers-is-down-to-180-for-black-friday-133009181.html?src=rss

Dyson is holding its Black Friday sale on vacuums and related products. To that end, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum is a whopping $600 off and down to $400 right now. That's $100 less than its previous all-time low and the cheapest we've seen it. Dyson was pretty late to the robot-vacuum party, but its entry was (and remains) one of the strongest in the category. It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles like a self-emptying base or mopping capabilities, but it makes up for that by having probably the best suction power of any robovac we've tested. All kinds of debris will fall in its path: dirt, dust, food crumbs, pet hair and more. It also has excellent obstacle avoidance, so you'll rarely - if ever - have to dislodge it from getting stuck on the edge of a carpet or wedged in between furniture. Dyson's mobile app is easy to use as well, so if you're looking for a robot vacuum that does its main job incredibly well and you don't mind skipping on some extras, the 360 Vis Nav is a great option. Cordless vacuums are also a part of the sale. Take the Dyson V9 Motorbar cordless vacuum on sale for just $270 at both Dyson and Amazon, which is a discount of $330. That's more than half off. Dyson devices are all over our list of the best cordless vacuums, and for good reason. The company makes effective products. The V9 Motorbar has been designed to clean all floor types, in addition to upholstery. It's also been engineered to squeeze into tight spots, which is great for hitting those oft-neglected parts of the home. The suction power is on point and the battery lasts for 40 minutes before requiring a charge. That's just enough time to vacuum a standard-sized home if you don't stop for too many breaks. The V9 is getting a bit long-in-the-tooth. If you want a newer model, the V11 Extra is on sale for $400, which is a discount of $260. This one boosts the suction power and increases the battery life to 60 minutes. More Dyson Black Friday deals

Amazon is selling three months of Audible for just $3 in honor of Black Friday. The company typically reserves this sale for Prime Day, so it's nice to see the deal make an unexpected return. This breaks down to $1 per month for the first three months, which is a boon for audiobook fans. Just make sure to cancel before the 90 days are up, as the subscription will auto-renew at $15 per month. That's not the worst deal in the world, given the vast number of titles available on the platform, but still. Audible has a diverse catalog that goes beyond audiobooks. It also hosts podcasts and Audible Originals. Subscribers get to choose one audiobook each month to keep in their collection for free, including best-sellers or new releases. Users also get unlimited access to the Plus Catalog, which houses thousands of audiobooks. Finally, active members get discounts on many audiobooks when looking to purchase. Winter is coming and this is a good way to make sure you have plenty to listen to throughout the next three months. This deal does have a time limit. It expires on December 16.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/audible-black-friday-deal-get-three-months-of-access-for-only-3-140010926.html?src=rss

A VPN subscription can make for a good holiday gift. Everyone could do with having a VPN to help protect their online activity from prying eyes (and, perhaps, access more things to watch from their favorite streaming services). It's something useful that a gift recipient may have never realized they needed. Of course, you may be looking for a great deal on a VPN yourself, and the Black Friday discount for Proton VPN is nothing to sniff at. You can get two years of access to the VPN Plus tier of the service for $59.76, which works out to $2.49 per month.That's a discount of 75 percent compared with the regular price of $10 per month. Overall, you'd save $180.Proton VPN is our pick for the best VPN overall because it checks all of the boxes it needs to. There is a free plan with unlimited data, but with that you can only connect to servers in a few countries and the connection might not be fast enough for you to watch anything from your preferred streaming service's library in that locale. The VPN Plus tier unlocks a lot more options, such as the ability to connect to 15,000 servers across more than 120 countries and simultaneous protection for up to 15 devices.The apps are well-designed - Proton has clients for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android - and it's easy to find a feature or setting you're looking for. In our testing, Proton VPN Plus had a relatively small impact on browsing speeds. Our download speeds dropped by 12 percent and uploads by 4 percent, while the global average ping remained below 300 ms (which is especially impressive if you're connecting to a server on the other side of the planet).Perhaps, most importantly, though, it's Proton's commitment to privacy that helps make its VPN an easy recommendation. There's a no-logs policy, meaning it does not log user activity or any identifiable characteristics of devices that connect to the VPN. Proton's servers use full-disk encryption to bolster privacy as well.Proton VPN is not the only service to offer a Black Friday VPN deal this year, of course. There are plenty of others available on services we like. Here are the best of the bunch if you're looking for an alternative to Proton VPN.

EcoFlow is hosting a Black Friday sale on portable power stations. This drops prices by up to 42 percent on many of its well-regarded products. For instance, the Delta Pro 3 is on sale for $2,099. This is a discount of 43 percent, as the typical cost is $3,699. That's a significant drop in price. Amazon's matching the sale price as well. The Delta Pro 3 topped Yahoo's list of the best portable power stations, and for very good reason. This thing is a beast. It boasts a 4,096Wh capacity, so it can power an average 500-watt refrigerator for over 24 hours. That's with continuous use. It can be stretched out to two or three days by only running the appliance during daylight hours. There's even a discounted bundle that includes an extra battery for $3,279. It includes four standard 120V AC outlets and a single 240V outlet. It could potentially be a temporary hub of a whole-home battery backup. There are numerous charging options here, including a standard AC outlet, solar panels and, interestingly, a cigarette lighter. The only potential downside here is the Delta Pro 3 really pushes the boundaries of what can be considered portable. It weighs 113 pounds, though it does have wheels and a telescoping handle. The Delta Pro 3 is just one of the products on sale right now. Another Yahoo top pick, the Delta 2 Max, is $1,000 off and down to $899. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/ecoflow-black-friday-deals-include-up-to-52-percent-off-portable-power-stations-130041488.html?src=rss

Ooni Black Friday deals are here, and they'll be tempting for anyone who loves homemade pizza. The company has discounted most of its pizza ovens including the Karu 2 pizza oven, which is on sale for $359. That's 20 percent off the regular $449 price tag. The Karu 2 didn't make our list of the best pizza ovens, but most of the list is populated by Ooni products. The company makes good stuff. The Ooni Karu 16 topped our list and the Karu 2 is basically a smaller version of that one. This is a 12-inch multi-fuel model that can cook with wood or gas. It's intended for outdoor use and it's on the lighter side, at 33 pounds. This should make it easy when moving it around the backyard or when taking it to a friend's house for an impromptu pizza party. To that end, the company sells a luggage-like cover for the oven. The interior reaches temperatures up to 950F. This can cook a pizza in around a minute. The only downside here? This is an oven that's only for outdoor use and, well, winter is coming. Ooni has discounted plenty of its other models for Black Friday, but not the indoor Volt 2 pizza oven. These deals last until December 2.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/ooni-black-friday-deals-get-20-percent-off-pizza-ovens-for-the-holiday-season-130544485.html?src=rss

Now's the time of year you might be reconsidering how you budget your finances, or establishing a plan if you don't have one already. While it's possible to do it all yourself, budgeting apps can automate some processes and make it easier to see where your money is going and patterns, both good and bad, that might be occurring. For Black Friday, you can get 50 percent off our favorite budgeting app, Quicken Simplifi. The Quicken Simplifi app is down to $3 monthly from $6 monthly, adding up to $36 for the year. Quicken Classic, the company's "original desktop software" for "experienced investors" is also half off at $6 monthly, down from $12 monthly. The sale starts today and is available until Wednesday, December 3. One of the many things that sets Quicken Simplifi apart from its competitors is its sleek, easy to use interface. The setup is pretty straightforward and it allows for your spouse or financial advisor to act as co-manager of the account. It also clearly shows figures like net worth, recent spending, upcoming recurring payments and more. Plus, there's an option to say if you're expecting a refund. Quicken Simplifi unfortunately doesn't offer a free trial so testing it out with a discount means less money invested if it's not for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-budgeting-app-has-50-percent-off-subscriptions-right-now-for-black-friday-160025119.html?src=rss

Google made its final arguments in a longstanding case against the US Department of Justice on whether it has to split up its ad tech practices. However, the judge presiding over the case may be looking to wrap up the case before Google has a chance to appeal, according to a report from Reuters.On Friday, both sides made their closing statements in the lawsuit where the Justice Department accused the tech giant of illegally monopolizing the ad tech market. While the US District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled in April that Google held a monopoly in the online adtech space, the judge recently asked the Justice Department how quickly an anticompetitive measure could go into effect, adding that "time is of the essence."Google's attorney, Karen Dunn, argued that forcing Google to sell its advertising tech subsidiary would be extreme and hurt customers in the process, according to the report. Google is also reportedly planning to appeal the latest decision. According to Reuters, Brinkema noted that any sort of remedy "most likely would not be as easily enforceable while an appeal is pending," meaning that Google could delay the forced sale until the appeal is concluded. At the same time, Google is facing a $3.5 billion fine for violating the European Union's antitrust laws within the adtech industry.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/a-decision-about-breaking-up-googles-adtech-monopoly-is-on-the-horizon-184409011.html?src=rss

Amazon has Black Friday savings on its most potent streaming stick. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is 41 percent off, bringing it close to its record low. You can get it now for $35. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is one of Engadget's favorite streaming devices. The stick supports a solid mix of advanced technologies for its price: Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, 4K and HDR10+. As long as the rest of your entertainment setup can handle it, you'll get a high-quality picture and sound. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E, enabling better, faster connectivity with compatible routers. The 4K Max has the fastest processor of any Amazon Fire TV Stick, so expect zippy navigation. It also supports Amazon's Ambient Experience. This mode displays art (like on Samsung's The Frame) while the device is in standby. It's also a solid choice for gaming: It supports Xbox cloud streaming and works well as a retro game emulator, too. The UI is where Amazon appears to be subsidizing the device's low cost. Expect to see loads of Prime Video content promos, along with other ads. But for $35 (compared to its MSRP of $60), you may find it easier to justify that tradeoff. Also on sale is Amazon's Fire TV Stick HD, our pick for the best budget streaming stick. This model doesn't support 4K; instead, it limits you to 1080p at 60 fps. At $18 for Black Friday, it's certainly cheap. But if you have a 4K TV (or plan to soon), you may want to consider the slightly more expensive model. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazons-fire-tv-stick-4k-max-drops-to-35-for-black-friday-132100886.html?src=rss

If you've been thinking about jumping on the smart glasses bandwagon, Black Friday deals could help you do so for less. Xreal has discounted its One Pro smart glasses by $50 for Black Friday, bringing them down to $599. The sale applies to both sizes. These glasses are the real deal. We praised them in our official review, saying they offer similar functionality to the Apple Vision Pro, but at a much friendlier price point. Wearing these glasses allows access to a massive 222-inch virtual display that can be used for just about anything. The glasses connect to laptops, gaming consoles and smartphones, among other gadgets. The 1080p Micro-OLED screens are surprisingly bright and sharp, which makes this device great for both work and consuming content. The frames even darken to give the illusion of wearing sunglasses. The glasses are light and comfortable, especially when compared to the Vision Pro. However, the comfort does come at a price. These oversized glasses are not as immersive as Apple's product, because they don't completely block out light and cover the entire face. They offer a 57-degree field of view. This is squarely an augmented reality product and not a virtual reality product. The company has also discounted its Xreal One AR glasses to $399, which is a discount of around $100. These offer smaller virtual screens than the Pro, with a 50-degree field of view. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-deal-get-50-off-the-xreal-one-pro-smart-glasses-113032924.html?src=rss

Microsoft will not release a diversity and inclusion report for 2025 like it has been doing every year since 2019, Stephen Totilo from Game File has reported. Totilo asked the company if it was skipping this year after it failed to publish a report from October to early November like it had done so the previous years. We are not doing a traditional report this year as we've evolved beyond that to formats that are more dynamic and accessible - stories, videos, and insights that show inclusion in action," said Microsoft's chief communications officer, Frank Shaw, in a statement. Our mission and commitment to our culture and values remain unchanged: empowering every person and organization to achieve more."As Totilo notes, the Trump administration made it very clear early on that it was against government and corporate diversity, equality and inclusion programs. Trump signed executive orders directing government agencies to roll back DEI initiatives and encouraged the private sector to do the same. Meta reportedly ended its DEI programs earlier this year, while Google reportedly announced that it will no longer set hiring targets to improve representation in its workforce."Totilo previously reported that Microsoft didn't mention anything about its diversity programs in two shareholder reports for 2025, signifying that the company wasn't highlighting its DEI initiatives anymore like it did the previous years. Based on its statement, Microsoft isn't completely dropping its DEI efforts. Without a report, however, we can't keep an eye on its progress when it comes to things like pay equality and workforce diversity.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/microsoft-isnt-releasing-a-diversity-report-for-2025-180000401.html?src=rss

It's a good idea to look for Black Friday Apple deals this time of year if you're thinking about upgrading an aging laptop or picking up a pair of AirPods or an Apple Watch as a gift. One of the best discounts we're tracking at the moment is on the M4-powered Mac Mini desktop - it's $120 off right now, down from $599 to $479. That applies to the 16GB of RAM/256GB SSD model, and it's pretty close to its all-time-low price. We gave the Mac mini M4 a 90 in our review, in part, because it packs an incredible amount of power into such a small design. It also has front facing USB-C and headphone ports, a first for the Mac mini lineup. Plus, it starts with 16GB of RAM, an upgrade from its predecessors. However, if you want more memory or storage, the other Mac Mini M4 models are also on sale. You can get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD for $719, down from $799. Then there's the option for 24GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD at $889, down from $999. Plus, if you want to bundle in three years of AppleCare+, each model ends up being about $100 cheaper than normal. If you're looking to build a desktop setup from scratch, there's a small but notable discount on Apple's Magic Trackpad as well. It's down to $120, which is only seven percent off its usual price but it's the cheapest we've seen it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-120-off-apples-mac-mini-m4-for-black-friday-150749316.html?src=rss

One of the best streaming devices you can get today is deeply discounted on Amazon ahead of Black Friday. The Google TV Streamer is going for just $75 right now - the lowest price we've seen it hit yet. The device normally costs $100. The Google TV Streamer is our top pick for an all-in-one streaming device. It has a faster processor than Google's previous streaming devices (22 percent faster, according to the company), so you can switch between apps and different media without lagging. It also has more storage and memory, at 32GB and 4GB, respectively. Google TV streamer has an intuitive interface and keeps all of your favorite content from different streaming apps organized in one menu. It also seamlessly integrates Google Home, allowing you to control your smart home devices from a slideout panel on the TV. The 4K streamer comes in a set-top wedge design, rather than the dongle of Chromecasts past, but you'll have to pick up an HDMI cable separately if you don't already have one you can use. It comes with a small remote that you can ping by pressing a button on the streamer for when you inevitably misplace it. In her review of the device, Engadget's Amy Skorheim called the Google TV streamer "a full-featured, competent device with an interface that's better than most at pulling together all the disparate threads of a streaming experience." One of its only downsides is the relatively high cost at $100, so don't let this deal go to waste. In addition to the streaming device, Google has a bunch of other tech on sale for Black Friday. The entry-level Nest thermostat is on sale for $85 right now, and the Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E router has dropped to $120 for a single-pack; that's 40 percent off. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/pick-up-the-google-tv-streamer-4k-for-only-75-this-black-friday-173858497.html?src=rss

The GoPro Hero 13 Black action camera is down to $310 as part of an early Black Friday sale, which is a record low price. That's a discount of 23 percent or $90. This model topped our list of the best action cameras, and for good reason. It's a fantastic device with all kinds of bells and whistles. It's the most versatile Hero camera that GoPro has ever made. There's a new family of modular lenses and it can shoot up to 5.3K and handle 2X optical zoom. The battery is bigger than ever before and offers around 90 minutes of continuous shooting in 4K/30FPS. The camera is waterproof up to 10 millimeters, so don't worry about puddles. The full-color front screen is vivid and makes it easy to review footage without getting a computer involved. There's no internal storage here, but it accepts microSD cards. There's a camera bundle on sale right now that includes a 64GB microSD, three batteries, a dual charger and a case. That pack costs $349, which is a discount of 30 percent. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-action-camera-drops-to-a-record-low-for-black-friday-160154703.html?src=rss

Black Friday might still be a few days away, but there's no need to wait if you're in the market for a new air fryer, as one of our longtime favorite models is currently $50 off. The Ninja DZ401 is $180 right now, which is a saving of 22 percent on its usual price. Admittedly, we have seen this model a bit cheaper in the past, but if you're on cooking duty for Thanksgiving, you might not have the option of waiting until what could be a deeper discount on Black Friday. And the DZ401 is the perfect air fryer for the holiday season, owing to its trademark dual baskets, which allow you to cook up two completely different foods simultaneously. It takes up a fair amount of space, but it's worth it if you have a lot of hungry mouths to feed. This 10-quart fryer includes a smart cook thermometer and six cooking modes, including air broil, roast and dehydrate alongside the default air fry mode. The spacious baskets are quick and easy to clean, and you're safe to throw the plates into the dishwasher if they're particularly messy after cooking up chicken wings or some brownies for dessert. The Ninja DZ401 has had the title of best dual-zone air fryer in our buying guide for a long time for a reason. An air fryer like this isn't for everyone, especially those with smaller kitchens, but for a Thanksgiving dinner you'll struggle to find better. A number of other Ninja devices are on sale for Black Friday right now. If you don't need quite as big of a machine, the Ninja Crispi glass air fryer/multicooker could be a better option. It's down to $160 right now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-deal-get-22-percent-off-one-of-our-favorite-ninja-air-fryers-170959949.html?src=rss

The California DMV has approved Waymo's request to conduct driverless testing and to deploy its robotaxis in more locations in the state. As CBS News reports, Waymo now has the permission to operate across the whole Bay Area, Sacramento and most of Southern California up to the border of Mexico. It's a huge expansion, based on the maps the state DMV has provided. In the images below, you'll see Waymo's old areas shaded in a darker color, while the locations with a lighter shade indicate areas added in the expansion.Waymo's new operation map in California. California DMVWe're officially authorized to drive fully autonomously across more of the Golden State," Waymo said in an announcement on X. It didn't say when it'll start testing and offering rides to the public in the new areas, but it said the company's next stop" in California after this is San Diego. Waymo will start offering rides in the city sometime in mid-2026. It will also deploy robotaxis in Las Vegas, including the Strip with plans to expand to the airport, and Detroit next year. In addition, it recently announced that it's coming to Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando in 2026.On the Waymo and San Francisco subreddits, people pointed out that Waymo robotaxis could become a hit in Wine Country. People could call them for transportation, for instance, if they're doing wine tasting.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/waymo-gets-california-dmvs-approval-to-test-robotaxis-in-more-areas-170000104.html?src=rss

You'll soon be able to see more information about X accounts, including where they're based and how many times they've changed their usernames. X is rolling out a new feature called "About this account" that displays more information about user accounts. Not only will it display the country a user is located in and username changes, the feature will also make public which country the account was created in and whether it's connected via the web or a specific app store.X began testing this feature out last month, but more recently, users have been posting screenshots of the new feature being rolled out. X is following in the footsteps of other social media platforms, as already seen with Facebook's Page transparency and Instagram's own About this account. As detailed by Nikita Bier, X's head of product, the upcoming "About this account" feature is meant to verify the authenticity of content posted on X.You can currently see your own info by clicking on the "Joined" button underneath your X bio, but you may not be able to see others' info yet since the feature is still being rolled out. In your own profile, you can choose to display either your country or region/continent, with the exact country being the default option. Bier previously said that there will be "privacy toggles," which will be highlighted on your profile if you opt in. On top of that, users accessing X through a VPN may have a disclaimer on their profile that says, "Country or region may not be accurate," as spotted by some internet sleuths.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-rolls-out-about-this-account-feature-that-displays-a-profiles-country-of-origin-and-more-160617187.html?src=rss

Sling TV is one of the best live streaming streaming services out there right now, giving you the option to watch a number of traditional cable channels without the traditional, locked-in price of a cable subscription. For Black Friday, you can save on Sling TV's newly announced $5 Day Passes. That $5 price is the regular cost - for a limited time through November 30, a Day Pass for Sling Orange is only $1 and that includes access to 34 channels like ESPN, ESPN 2 and ESPN 3. Besides ESPN, the Sling Orange Day Pass includes access to TNT and TBS, which makes it a solid option if you're trying to watch the NBA, NFL or college sports. The pass also includes children's channels like Disney Channel and Nick Jr., CNN for news and HGTV and Food Network for purer forms of lean back entertainment. Sling TV is Engadget's pick for the best customizable live streaming service for a reason: You can add on extra premium channels when you buy a pass, and their price will be prorated for whatever length you choose. That way even if a dollar isn't getting you all the channels you need, you don't need to pay that much more to get them. It's worth noting, while this promotion runs during Thanksgiving in the US, a Sling Orange subscription won't get you access to the football games scheduled for that Thursday. To watch those, you'll need at least a Sling Blue subscription, which includes FS1 and NFL Network, but isn't available as a day-long pass. A Sling Blue subscription currently starts at $46 a month. Still, for your $1, around $4 off the price Sling TV normally charges, you're getting a deal. Dozens of popular channels, access to Sling TV's DVR feature, and the ability to use your subscription from a smartphone, tablet, the web or your TV. Plus, Sling TV's interface is easy to navigate, which is what you want when you're likely subscribing with one game or show in mind.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/black-friday-streaming-deal-get-a-sling-orange-day-pass-for-only-1-231208566.html?src=rss

Wireless charging has become one of those small but satisfying conveniences of modern smartphones. You drop your device on a pad and watch the battery percentage climb without fiddling with cables or ports. Yet for many users, that effortless charge doesn't always come at the speed they expect. Sometimes the phone warms up, the percentage barely rises or charging takes far longer than it would if you plugged it in.Getting the fastest possible wireless charge requires more than just setting your phone on a pad. It depends on using the right equipment, like one of the best wireless chargers or the best multi-device wireless charging pads, plus the latest standards and a setup that makes the most of your phone's capabilities. Here's everything you need to know about getting the maximum wireless charging speeds for your smartphone.How wireless charging actually worksWireless charging relies on electromagnetic induction. When you place your phone on a compatible pad, electricity flows through a coil inside the charger, creating an electromagnetic field. Another coil inside your phone captures that energy and converts it back into electricity to refill the battery. It sounds simple, but efficiency depends on how precisely those two coils align, how much power the charger can deliver and how well the phone can handle the heat that builds up during the process.For years, the Qi standard from the Wireless Power Consortium defined how most wireless chargers worked. Nearly every major smartphone brand supports Qi, and you can mix and match chargers and phones from different manufacturers with little trouble.But the new Qi2 standard, which began rolling out in 2024 and has expanded in 2025, changes how well that power is transferred. Qi2 uses magnetic alignment to snap the phone and charger into the ideal position automatically, reducing wasted energy and heat. It also allows for higher charging speeds, with Qi2 chargers now supporting 15 to 25 watts of output depending on the device.Understanding what max power" really meansEach smartphone has a built-in limit to how much power it can receive wirelessly. The iPhone 12 models and later, for instance, support up to 15 watts with MagSafe, and Samsung's S25 Galaxy series can handle similar speeds through Qi2. If you use a charger that delivers less power than your phone's maximum, it'll charge slower. For example, if you use a 10W wireless charger on an iPhone 17, the max speeds will top out at 10W. But even if you buy the most powerful pad on the market, you won't get results beyond what your phone's receiver can manage.The phone's software also plays a role. Some Android models include a Fast Wireless Charging" setting that must be enabled to reach full speed. Others may automatically adjust charging rates to prevent overheating, especially if the phone gets too warm. Checking your device's specifications and settings is an easy way to make sure it's configured to draw the most power possible.Picking the right charger and adapterWireless chargers vary widely in quality and performance. Qi2 certification is the best way to ensure that a product meets the latest safety and efficiency standards. Certified chargers have been tested to deliver power consistently and to protect against overheating and overcharging. While uncertified or budget pads may still work, they often fall short of their advertised wattage.The wall adapter that powers the charger is just as important. Many people plug their charging pad into an old 5-watt or 10-watt power brick, which limits the output before the phone ever sees it. To achieve maximum speed, use a high-output USB-C adapter rated at 20 watts or higher, ideally one designed for fast charging like any of those included in our guide to the best fast chargers.The cable connecting the adapter to the charger matters too. Short, high-quality cables help minimize resistance and power loss, while longer or cheaper cables can slow things down noticeably. Most of the newest USB cables will also list a max wattage they support in their specs; generally, the higher the better when you're picking up a new one, so it can support charging as many of your devices as possible.Will Lipman Photography for EngadgetSetting up for maximum efficiencyEven with the right hardware, proper placement and environment make a big difference. Wireless charging works best when the phone's coil is perfectly aligned with the coil in the charging pad. If the two are slightly off-center, energy transfer drops and more heat builds up which slows charging further.Qi2's magnetic alignment largely fixes this issue by snapping the phone into the right position, but older Qi chargers still rely on manual placement. Taking a second to make sure the phone is centered can shave minutes off of the total charge time.Cases and accessories can also interfere with charging. Thick protective cases, wallet covers or anything with metal components can block or weaken the electromagnetic field. Even magnets not designed for Qi2 alignment can throw off the connection. A slim, wireless-compatible case or no case at all will help maintain the strongest link between the coils. It's also worth keeping the charging area clean and free from dust or small metal objects, which can disrupt the signal or cause heat spots on the pad.Heat management plays another critical role. Wireless charging generates more heat than wired charging, and if the phone gets too warm, the charging system automatically slows down to protect the battery. Placing the charger on a flat, hard surface in a well-ventilated area helps prevent overheating. Avoid charging on soft fabrics or in enclosed desks that trap heat. Some of the best Qi2 chargers now include small fans or heat-dissipating materials to maintain stable temperatures during fast charging sessions.Troubleshooting slow speedsIf your phone still charges slower than expected, it's worth double-checking each part of your setup. Confirm that your charger and phone both support the same standard - Qi2 chargers work best with Qi2 phones, though older Qi devices can still connect at lower speeds. Make sure the power adapter provides enough wattage to match your phone's maximum wireless rate. If the charger uses a replaceable cable, try swapping it for a certified USB-C cable rated for high power output.Software updates can also influence performance. Manufacturers often fine-tune charging algorithms through firmware updates, improving heat control or overall efficiency. Keeping both your phone and charger up to date ensures you benefit from those refinements. And if your phone still feels unusually hot or the charging indicator blinks on and off, removing the case or cleaning the pad can often resolve the issue.The future of faster wireless chargingThe arrival of Qi2 has narrowed the performance gap between wireless and wired charging. While a cable will still be faster in most cases, a properly configured Qi2 setup can now come surprisingly close to a wired one. The technology has matured from a slow, convenient novelty into a reliable daily solution for many users. As more devices adopt the new magnetic alignment, and as charger manufacturers refine their designs, wireless charging at maximum power is becoming easier to achieve without any extra effort.Wireless charging has always promised convenience, but it now delivers real speed too. With the right combination of a Qi2-certified charger, a capable power adapter, good alignment and smart heat management, it's possible to get close to your phone's peak charging speeds every time you place it on the pad.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-wirelessly-charge-your-phone-with-max-power-130013170.html?src=rss

Square Enix has been on a tear in recent years remastering and outright remaking many of its landmark role-playing games. Along with Final Fantasy, the developer has given the Dragon Quest series such attention as well, and the next game on deck is a remake of the PlayStation 1's Dragon Quest VII. Commonly regarded by fans as one of the most challenging and lengthy games of the series, the developers building Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined - the second remake of the game following the 3DS release in 2013 - are aiming to reshape DQVII with a striking new visual style and a refocused adventure.I recently got to spend a couple of hours with Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined, seeing its new interpretation of the 2000 classic JRPG and some of the more noteworthy updates to its combat. So far, the remake is making some intriguing choices that not only aim to give the sprawling time-travel plot a better sense of direction but also streamline some of the original's more exhaustive and challenging beats.The original Dragon Quest VII carried the familiar conceit of earlier entries, focusing on a party of high-fantasy adventurers embarking on an epic adventure filled with dungeons to explore and powerful monsters to fight. But DQVII deviated from the traditional Dragon Quest storyline by focusing on the party's adventures through time. As the Hero and his friends uncover the lost history of their world, they'll step back into previous eras to explore bygone kingdoms and continents that will reveal a larger conspiracy in the present. Along the way, they'll build their bonds of friendship that will stretch across time.Reimagined does well to capture that sense of adventure that the series does so well. Even as the series has evolved with new entries, it still strikes a balance between old-school, turn-based JRPG gameplay and modern storytelling flair. What's especially novel about the remake of Dragon Quest VII is its sharper, visually expressive 3D art style. Using diorama models and real doll versions of the party as reference material for the look of the game, the new 3D visuals really capture the whimsical and emotive style of the late Akira Toriyama's distinctive art, which has given the series its unique look. But with the move to a new 3D style, Reimagined sets itself apart from the previous games by feeling more like an animated adventure film.Dragon Quest 7 ReimaginedArmor Project/Bird Studio/Square EnixAlong with the visual style, the developers also focused on reshaping sections and the overall storytelling of DQVII to offer a more satisfying experience. According to game producer Takeshi Ichikawa, one of the larger goals of remaking Dragon Quest VII was to improve the flow of the game, which ultimately made for a more satisfying sense of adventure."The 'reimagined' elements of the narrative allude to improvements in the game's overall framework, which offers a much deeper and more compelling experience," Ichikawa said. "In our effort to streamline the overall story progression and provide a more engaging narrative, we decided to cut subplots that have little or no direct relevance to the main scenario. While some content has been removed, entirely new scenarios have also been introduced. Our goal was to build upon the strengths of the original game while striving to deliver a deeper, more immersive story experience for modern players."During my hands-on time, I got to explore two separate sections of the game. These focused on the early-game Emberdale dungeon, where townsfolk committed themselves to a volcano ritual to pacify a fire demon within. The other section focused on the Wetlock scenario, which had the party confront a mysterious magic user who whisked away townsfolk to a mysterious tower in a flooded land.My memories of the original and 3DS remake came back while playing Reimagined, which made it easy to slide back into that dungeon-crawling flow. Much like the original, Reimagined still sticks with traditional turn-based combat, and the new visual style really helps emphasize the sense of impact and tactics at work in battle - more so than in other games in the series. I especially liked how unique each character felt, particularly the wolf-riding bandit Ruff, who is fun to use in battle.Dragon Quest 7 ReimaginedArmor Project/Bird Studio/Square EnixDuring the Wetlock section, I generally found the challenge to be fair, and I even discovered a good leveling spot fighting golems and Metal Slimes that popped up on occasions. But things can easily kick into high gear when taking on the elite enemies and the end boss of the questline. I had to carefully assess the available skills and employ a range of offensive and defensive abilities to survive. The remake is not so much about removing the sense of challenge from the original, but rather about maintaining it while offering more options to help with battles.One of the larger innovations to Reimagined combat is the Moonlighting system, which allows each party member to equip two vocations at once. The original game allowed each character to only have one vocation at a time, and switching classes reset your level. This created a lot of busywork in the original game, so with this new two-class approach, it cuts down on grinding significantly and keeps you feeling empowered. But on a more strategic level, it also adds a lot more utility and variety to each character's loadout. It also does well to make a party with more diverse skills, which adds a lot more charm to the group.Dragon Quest 7 ReimaginedArmor Project/Bird Studio/Square EnixThere's so much thought put into the top-down rework of the original game for Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined, and I found the changes to be a very charming and personable approach to remaking it. Even back in 2000, the original game was a very ambitious take on the series. Not just being the first 3D entry, but also in how it actually utilized many of the different locations and characters from across the sprawling story in a more meaningful way. The original is still a great entry in the series, but it's one that feels a bit tough to revisit. That makes the developer's intent on streamlining and refocusing to feel quite appropriate, and I quite dug the changes I saw during my hands-on time.So far, Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined looks to maintain the ambition and scope of the original, but hone it into a more focused and satisfying JRPG. It adds a seriously impressive visual style that brings it to life. According to the remake's producer, Reimagined and its new approach to remaking Dragon Quest is about adding a new sense of energy to the series, and it's so far doing just that."We believe that existing fans will find the game satisfying. At the same time, since this title has been reimagined from the ground up as a modern release, we're also excited for many new players to enjoy it as their first Dragon Quest experience," Ichikawa said.Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined will be released on February 5, 2026 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 1 & 2.

Welcome to our latest roundup of what's going on in the indie game space. A whole bunch of intriguing games have arrived over the last week or so, and we got some tasty details on some upcoming projects, including one called Drywall Eating Simulator (trust me on this one).But first, an update on a game that's been around since 2004 and had completely flown below my radar until now. That's despite it reaching more than 80,000 daily unique players and having more than 4 million players overall. You can seemingly do pretty much whatever you want in Torn, including studying to become a doctor, opening a hair salon or buying a home (it's truly a fantasy world). However, this is a place where crime is rife. The team behind the text-based online RPG this week revealed some fascinating stats to mark the 21st anniversary.For instance, 1,204 people who joined the fray in 2004 are still active, including at least one who has been there since the first day. Since Torn City was established 21 years ago, more than 3.6 billion criminal offenses have been committed and yet its justice system has only doled out just under 52 million prison sentences. Since August alone, more than 4.4 million buildings have been burned. Players have committed more than 410 million assaults against each other, 12 percent of which targeted the groin.Torn sounds super fascinating! I love that it's been running for so long and still thriving. More than 31,000 players have subscribed to support the game and keep it running, though it's free to play. The developers have updates planned for next year and beyond. I'm looking forward to checking it out at some point and maybe roleplaying as a goody-two-shoes flower shop owner.New releasesFrom publisher Twin Sails Interactive and the four-strong team at Sparrow Night comes News Tower, which arrived fully formed this week after nearly two years in early access. This is a management sim that tasks you with running your own newspaper in 1930s New York.Starting in the wake of the 1929 stock market crash and mobsters smashing up the newsroom, you'll try to turn around a struggling publication that you inherit from your family. You'll construct offices and set up printing presses; hire and manage reporters and other staff; assemble your weekly newspaper; and deal with various groups that are jostling for power and trying to influence your coverage.I thought last year's Times and Galaxy, which casts you in the role of a robot journalist, was mostly lovely, but it missed the mark on the actual newsgathering side of the equation. I've found no such issues with News Tower so far. I love that a story can change when you assign different reporters to each step (say, one focused on crime vs. one focused on politics). They'll find distinct angles, which could help you sell more copies of the paper or draw readers away from rivals when you land an exclusive.I'm only a little ways into News Tower, but as someone who started out their career at a newspaper, this is like catnip to me. I expect to spend quite a bit of time with this game. News Tower 1.0 is out now on Steam. It usually costs $25, though there's a 20 percent discount until December 2.Forestrike is a 2D martial arts roguelite from Skeleton Crew. You can practice combat encounters as many times as you like, but you only have one proper shot to take out multiple opponents in each battle. It sounds a little like Katana Zero in that regard. Succeed, and you'll move forward. Lose, and it's the end of your run. If you manage to win without relying on this foresight feature, you'll achieve an "ultimate victory."On each run, you'll choose your path and learn new techniques. Forestrike, which is published by Devolver Digital, seems interesting since it's a blend of puzzle game and action roguelite - you'll need to figure out a way to succeed in each battle and then pull that off successfully on your actual attempt. The game is out now on Steam for $10. It's coming to Nintendo Switch soon.Here's a puzzle game of a different flavor. In Umami, from Mimmox and co-publisher Nexting, the aim is to create dioramas of cakes and food towers using virtual wooden blocks. You have a reference guide to work from if you choose, or you can just try to figure out for yourself how all the pieces fit together.It's a lovely, relaxing experience with some laid-back beats. Umami is out now on Steam. It's usually priced at $14, though there's a 15 percent discount until December 1.A Pinball Game That Makes You Mad is a game from Azimuth Studios in the vein of rage-inducing precision platformers like Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy and Only Up. The aim is to guide a person who is trapped in a pinball to the goal using a single button that controls the flippers.Make a mistake, and you can erase a great deal of progress. A press release indicated that a playthrough will take between 10 and 30 hours, which is a huge range.I'll never find out myself how accurate that estimated playtime is, because the demo did, in fact, make me mad and not want to play the full game, though I appreciate what the devs are going for. A Pinball Game That Makes You Mad is out now on Steam for $10, but a 15 percent discount until November 25 brings the price down to $8.50.I really like that I've been able to keep up with this little tradition of including a dog game in this roundup every week. Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury is a followup to Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, a 2022 animated movie I haven't seen that's apparently a "loose remake of Blazing Saddles." Color me intrigued!This is an action-adventure game with platforming and tower defense aspects. It casts you in the role of Hank, a "dog samurai in a world full of cats." It looks quite charming, though it does remind me that I really do need to go back and get the platinum trophy in Ghost of Ytei. Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury - from developers Fishing Cactus and ZEROlife Games, and publisher Maximum Entertainment - is out now on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. There's a two-player co-op mode available on all platforms, except for Switch.UpcomingErosion is a neat-looking twin-stick action roguelike from Plot Twist (The Last Case of Benedict Fox) and publisher Lyrical Games. Every time you die, time advances by a decade and the post-apocalyptic Wild West setting shifts accordingly, with the decisions you make influencing the future.In this open-world shooter, you'll delve into dungeons filled with enemies and bosses as you try to rescue your kidnapped daughter. Avoid death often enough, and you might just find your offspring before she reaches old age. There are more than 100 skills and modifiers to unlock and dozens of weapons available to help you assemble an effective build. The environments are destructible too.I really like the voxel art here, including the way the characters bob up and down. Erosion is set to arrive in spring 2026 in early access on Steam, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Cloud and the Xbox PC app. It'll be available on Game Pass.Speaking of Xbox, one of my favorite games of last year is coming to Microsoft's consoles. The comedy adventure Thank Goodness You're Here! is slated to hit Xbox Series X/S on December 9. The delightfully rude and funny game from Coal Supper and Panic is already out on PC, PS4, PS5 and Nintendo Switch.We're far from done with the silliness this week. If you haven't quite had your fill of obstacle-laden walking sims for this year after Baby Steps, might I direct your attention toward Ultimate Grandma Simulator?You'll help Granny navigate a dozen levels as she searches for her missing grandson. You'll need to evade everything from wrecking balls to zombies, and parry projectiles like frisbees and bombs. A serious game this is not. If you collect hidden golden coins, you'll unlock some of Granny's memories too. Circo, PlumPointTwo and publisher We Don't Have A Studio are set to bring Ultimate Grandma Simulator to Steam on December 2.I must admit, the title of Drywall Eating Simulator caught my attention and not in a good way. But after reading more about it and watching the trailer, I'm intrigued by this game from Peripheral Playbox.According to the Steam page, it's a "physics-based 3D adventure carefully constructed to simulate the delights of late capitalist life." After engaging in mindnumbing small talk and dealing with the infuriating stressors of everyday life, what better way to unwind than by munching on some drywall? Just don't tell anyone about your cravings.This game has a very odd and yet somehow deeply relatable concept. Definitely something to chew on. It's coming to Steam on December 10.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/running-an-1930s-newspaper-foreseeing-martial-arts-fights-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-120000559.html?src=rss

After previewing its plans to open a marketplace to "redistribute" dormant handles last month, X has made the feature available to all Premium+ subscribers on the platform. The feature allows subscribers to request new handles that up to now have been unavailable because they belonged to accounts that have since become inactive.The marketplace offers two types of handles: "priority" and "rare." For priority handles, X has suggested the goal is to give people the chance to have a handle that more closely reflects their name. In practice, though, it's not at all clear how X is determining what's considered a "priority" versus a "rare" handle. I signed up for a $40/month subscription and searched for both @kbell and @karissa only to be told that both are considered "rare" and thus not available to me. I was able to "register" my "interest" in the names, and include a brief description of why I wanted the handles.My first initial and last name is, apparently, "rare."XThe company says that rare handles are "the most valuable" names and are "often words, slang, or containing few characters. Some options that may one day be available, according to my searching, include @memelord, @phone, @gr0k and @AIchat. The exact process for acquiring one of these, though, isn't exactly clear. X says that handles on your watchlist "may be released in a public drop where you, and others can apply to receive the handle for free via a merit based application system." The company has also said that it will make some especially sought-after handles available for purchase on an invitation-only basis, with prices "anywhere from $2,500 to over seven figures."There's some good meme potential here, if you can get it.XAfter a bit of perusing, I did find that there were a few entertaining options that are theoretically available now as "priority" handles, including @six_seven, @elonfarts, @grokfacts and @kbchat. Honestly, all of these were at least a little tempting, though I'm not at all confident X would approve @elonfarts or @grokfacts. You also have to consider these requests at least a little carefully because X is only giving users the ability to request one priority handle during the entire lifetime of their account.There are also some significant strings attached to the whole process. In addition to being required to maintain a $40/month or $395/year Premium+ subscription, X has a rather strict set of rules for "maintaining your handle." These include:

Meta has long required Facebook users to post under their real names (with some exceptions), but at least for Facebook Groups, the company is now offering new options. Members of Facebook Groups will now be able to participate under a custom nickname and avatar, rather than being forced to use their real name or post anonymously.You can set a custom nickname via the same toggle that lets you create an anonymous post, Meta says. Nicknames have to be enabled by a group's administrators, and in some cases individually approved, but once they are, you can switch between posting under your real name or a nickname freely. The only other limitation is that the nickname needs to comply with Meta's existing Community Standards and Terms of Service. While you set your new nickname, you can also pick from a selection of custom avatars, which seem to mostly be pictures of cute animals wearing sunglasses.Groups are one of several areas of Facebook that Meta has continually tried to tweak in the last few years to bring back users. In 2024, the company introduced a tab that highlighted local events shared in Facebook groups. More recently, it added tools for admins to convert private groups into public ones to try and draw in new members. No single change can make Facebook the center of young people's lives in the way it was in the early 2000s, but letting people use what amounts to a username might encourage Facebook users to explore new groups and post more freely.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-bringing-usernames-to-facebook-groups-231405698.html?src=rss

Hytale, a more action-packed take on Minecraft, will be available for $20 when it relaunches in early access, Hypixel Studios announced on X. The developer shared that it planned to relaunch Hytale earlier this week after successfully reacquiring the rights to the game from Riot Games.Alongside its $20 "Standard" edition, Hypixel also plans to offer $35 "Supporter" and $70 "Cursebreaker" editions of Hytale with additional in-game cosmetics. Pricing the game at $20 is an acknowledgement of how unfinished it is, according to Hypixel Studios co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme. "I'm pricing Hytale as aggressively low as possible," Collins-Laflamme said in an X post. "The game is unfinished and runs on a build from over four years ago. Charging more didn't feel right. I don't think the game is good yet."

Here's some light - and revolting! - reading while we wait for the Epstein Files to be released (or stonewalled). You can now peruse the Jeffrey Epstein emails, recently released by Congress, in a simulated Gmail account."You're logged in as Jeffrey Epstein," the Jmail website reads. (Ick.) Luke Igel, CEO of Kino, and software engineer Riley Walz collaborated on the project. The latter is one of the creators of the Panama Playlists, which (in a similar light) turned Spotify's lax privacy into a website for public figures' "leaked" musical tastes.Jmail is about as faithful a recreation of Gmail as you could imagine. Just like a real inbox, the messages are sorted from the most recent, up to the eve of Epstein's 2019 arrest for the sex trafficking of minors. It includes a working search feature.Screenshot of the Jmail project. A simulated Gmail inbox of Jeffrey Epstein, using real emails released by Congress.Luke Igel / Riley WalzThe US House Oversight Committee released the emails on November 12. Their revelations put Donald Trump's relationship with the sex trafficker back in the spotlight. The president's name appears many times in the more than 20,000 documents. In one, the late sex offender claimed Trump "knew about the girls."In a 2011 email to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein said Trump "spent hours at my house" with someone whose name was redacted. (The committee said it was a victim.) In a 2017 thread, Epstein described the current president as "worse in real life and upclose." In 2018, the disgraced financier boasted he was "the one able to take [Trump] down."Another public figure who came out looking even worse than before was the Andrew formerly known as "Prince" (Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor). He told Epstein in 2011, "We're in this together." Then there's former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. He stayed in touch with Epstein as recently as 2019, long after the latter's 2008 arrest for soliciting underage sex. In the wake of the email dump, Summers was put on leave from Harvard and resigned from OpenAI's board.You can check out Jmail at the project's website. Nobody will fault you if you need to shower afterward (and perhaps douse yourself in bleach).This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/you-can-now-search-the-epstein-emails-in-a-simulated-gmail-tab-203818438.html?src=rss

The breadth and reach of Australia's pioneering social media ban grows as livestream platform Twitch has now been added to the list of banned platforms for users under 16 years of age. The nationwide ban is the first of its kind and encompasses Facebook, X, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube and recently Reddit.According to the BBC, Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Twitch had been included because it was "a platform most commonly used for livestreaming or posting content that enables users, including Australian children, to interact with others in relation to the content posted."No other platforms are expected to be added before the law goes into effect next month. Grant also said on Friday that Pinterest would not be included in the ban because the core purpose of the platform was not online social interaction.Under the ban, platforms are expected to take "reasonable steps" to prevent underage users from accessing their platforms, and face steep fees for failure to comply. While VPNs may provide a workaround in some instances, the law still creates an enormous barrier to entry for users under 16.Earlier this month, Denmark announced its lawmakers had reached a bipartisan agreement to enact a similar ban for users under 15, though details were scarce. In the US, several states have attempted to enact such a ban including Texas and Florida, though these measures either failed to pass or are held up in court. Even laws that don't go as far, such as Utah's law requiring parents to grant permission for teens to open social media accounts, are facing stiff opposition on First Amendment grounds.Concern around minors' social media continues to grow in the zeitgeist as evidence mounts surrounding the potential ill effects these platforms have on their youngest users.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/australia-is-adding-twitch-to-its-social-media-ban-for-children-202033276.html?src=rss

Ubisoft has announced a new game prototype featuring voice-controlled AI teammates that understand visual context and natural language. This "Teammates" project builds on the Neo NPCs Ubisoft showed off with Nvidia in 2024 to demo in-game AI that can naturally respond to players. A key difference this time, besides the complexity of the interactions the prototype supports, is that Teammates is already being played in a closed playtest with "a few hundred players," Ubisoft says.Teammates, even if Ubisoft describes it as a playable "experimental research project," still uses the basic concepts of a first-person shooter. The prototype casts players as "a member of the resistance in a dystopian future, tasked with moving through an enemy base to locate five missing members of their team," where directing in-game AI characters is key to success. Ubisoft came up with three AI NPCs for the project, "Jaspar," an AI assistant with awareness of in-game lore and the ability to adjust game settings on the fly, and "Pablo" and "Sofia," robotic characters that are physically present in the game and can respond to commands.Jaspar is both a diegetic and non-diegetic presence in Teammates.UbisoftBased on footage shared with Engadget, Ubisoft's AI characters not only understand voice commands, but also have a visual awareness of what the player is seeing. A direction to "stand behind a barrel" prompted Sofia to take into consideration where the player was looking and position itself appropriately. In the version of Teammates available in the closed playtest, Ubisoft also uses Jaspar to onboard and teach players about the basics of the game. In most cases, the AI characters seemed overly chatty and verbose, but Ubisoft is experimenting with letting players choose sets of personalities for Sofia and Pablo - including an option curiously labelled "Bad Cat and Good Boy" - that can change up how each character expresses itself."This technology opens doors to new, personalized experiences," Ubisoft's Data & AI Director Remi Labory shared in the Teammates announcement. "Player input shapes character reactions in real time, something traditional development can't achieve. We're also delivering a full pipeline, with the experience taking players from onboarding to debrief, which is a first."Ubisoft has explored applying generative AI to other parts of the development process in the past. The company's Ghostwriter tool, introduced in 2023, uses AI to generate first drafts of in-game dialogue. Ubisoft also recently adimitted to publishing Anno 117: Pax Romana without removing its AI-generated loading screen art.Ultimately, the underlying technology powering Teammates could appear in other Ubisoft projects in the future. The company is collecting feedback from its playtest to apply towards future research, but Ubisoft suggests the middleware it created for Teammates already works with both its Snowdrop and Anvil engines, opening up the tool for future teams to use in their games.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ubisoft-made-a-prototype-game-with-voice-controlled-ai-teammates-200834163.html?src=rss

There are a lot of competing ideas as to what a white elephant gift exchange really is. The origins of the term white elephant" point to one definition: According to legend, the King of Siam would give a white elephant to courtiers who had upset them. It was a far more devious punishment than simply having them executed. The recipient had no choice but to simply thank the king for such an opulent gift, knowing that they likely could not afford the upkeep for such an animal. It would inevitably lead them to financial ruin.

Google has started inserting ads into query results from its AI Mode, which was originally spotted by an SEO consultant named Brodie Clark. These ads show up in the bottom of search results in the Gemini-powered AI Mode. They are labeled as "sponsored" content, but otherwise look similar to other links whipped up by the chatbot.Google says this is just a test and that ads shouldn't be showing up for all users. The company also told 9to5Google that there are no current plans to fully update AI Mode to incorporate ads. Those are nice words, but AI has to make money somehow and ads seem to be a good way to do that.

Each week, we scour the internet in search of good discounts on iPads and round them up in this post. We can safely say that this is the week to shop. Thanks to Black Friday, we're seeing discounts that put Apple's latest slates down to new all-time lows. While we were at it, we also gathered up other notable Apple deals - and there are many. If you've been waiting to grab a new iPad for yourself, your kid or as a gift, or if you've been hoping the new AirPods Pro would be discounted, the time has come. The deals here come from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Best Buy because you won't find sales on Apple's own website. (Though starting November 28, Apple.com is offering up to $250 in gift cards with your purchase.) For now, these are the best iPad deals we could find. Best iPad deals Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, 8-inch) for $399 ($100 off): The iPad mini is exactly what it sounds like: the smaller iPad. This latest iteration has an improved A17 Pro chip - which is enough to support Apple Intelligence - along with 128GB of storage in the base model and Apple Pencil Pro support. As before, you'd buy it if you value the smaller 8.3-inch display and want a tablet you can more easily hold with one hand. This deal is within $20 of the lowest price we've tracked. Also at Best Buy. Apple iPad Air (M3, 13-inch) for $649 ($150 off): We loved the previous generation iPad Air. The latest edition has a faster M3 chip, which excelled in our benchmark tests. Overall, we awarded it an 89 in our review and it's currently our top pick for among the iPad family. This is the model with the larger 13-inch screen, which is a little harder to carry and hold, but will give you more real estate for watching shows and playing games. This $649 price tag matches the lowest price we've seen this year. Apple iPad Pro (M5, 11-inch) for $899 ($100 off): Apple's newest iPad only came out less than a month ago, but it's now $100 off at various retailers. At Amazon, the base model with an M5 chip and 256GB of storage in the black colorway is down to $899. We gave this iPad Pro a score of 85 in our review. It has a class-leading OLED display and an impressively thin design, while the new M5 chip is more than powerful enough to do just about anything you'd want to do with an iPad. It's the only Apple tablet to support fast charging, too. That said, it's still far more iPad than casual buyers ever need, so it's best suited for hardcore iPad users and those with cash to burn. Also at Best Buy and Walmart, and at B&H for $949. Apple iPad Pro (M5, 13-inch) for $1,199 ($100 off): The 13-inch iPad Pro is virtually the same as the 11-inch version, only it's bigger. It's also more expensive, but the extra screen space might be worth it if you're committed to using the Pro as your main computer. Also at Best Buy for $1,199 and B&H for $1,249. Best Apple deals AirPods 4 without ANC for $80 ($49 off): If you don't need active noise cancellation, you can grab Apple's most affordable earbuds, the AirPods 4 without ANC. These came out last September at the same time as the iPhone 16. Engadget's Billy Steele reviewed them and appreciated their comfort, improved sound quality and advanced features like voice isolation for calls and Personalized Spatial Audio. This is the lowest price we've seen yet. AirPods 4 with ANC for $169 ($10 off): These buds have ANC, but they don't have the interchangeable ear tips you'll find on the AirPods Pro 3. Even so, they have an improved fit over the last version, plus good sound quality and a heap of advanced features. Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $749 ($250 off): Apple's latest MacBook Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops, and it earned a score of 92 in our review. It's not a major overhaul, but the design is still exceptionally thin, light and well-built, with long battery life and a top-notch keyboard and trackpad. Now it's a bit faster. (Though we'd still love more ports and a refresh rate higher than 60Hz.) This is a new all-time low for the base model with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, but higher-end configurations are also $250 off. Also at Best Buy and it's $100 off at B&H. Apple MacBook Air (15-inch, M4) for $950 ($250 off): The 15-inch MacBook Air is nearly identical to the smaller version; apart from its roomier display, it adds better speakers and a more spacious trackpad. This deal marks another all-time low, and other configs are similarly discounted. Apple MacBook Pro (M5, 14-inch, 512GB) for $1,443 ($156 off): Apple's most recent M-series chip is the M5, and only comes equipped on the 14-inch MacBook Pro and the iPad Pro. When the M5 MacBook Pro M5 came out last month, we promptly reviewed it and awarded it a 92. That new chip gives the laptop an impressive graphics upgrade that helps make it more suited to gaming - an area where Apple still lags behind PCs. Other than the chip upgrade, it's mostly the same, which is a good thing. It's sturdy, powerful and has an impressively long battery life - we clocked 34 hours in a video run-down test. Also on sale for nearly the same price at Amazon, Best Buy and B&H. Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M4 Max, 36GB memory, 1TB storage) for $3,064 ($435 off): If you're looking for a near-top-of-the-line MacBook, here's a configuration to consider. This has the fastest currently available M-series chip (though with the release of the M5 chip, the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are no doubt on their way). For now, this is a beast that only professional users are likely to appreciate. And the price tag matches that power. The MacBook Pro is our recommended MacBook for creatives and we gave the 16-inch, M4-series models a 92 in our review. This is is the lowest price we've seen for this configuration. Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS) for $350 ($50 off): There wasn't a huge change from the Series 10 to this latest model; hardware updates included a tougher screen and a longer-lasting battery. But if you're upgrading from anything prior to the Series 10, you'll likely enjoy the thinner, more comfortable fit. In our opinion, this is the best smartwatch money can buy. It's a great companion for an iPhone and also offers comprehensive health monitoring and fitness tracking. Also at Walmart, Target and Best Buy. Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS) for $200 ($49 off): This matches the biggest discount we've seen for the third-gen version of Apple's entry-level smartwatch, which was released in September. We gave it a 90 in our review. The big upgrade here is the always-on display, which means you no longer have to wake the watch to check the time or your notifications. (This tech was previously limited to the more expensive Apple Watch models.) The watch now runs on the same S10 chip as its higher-end siblings as well, plus it still covers the essential health and fitness features. If you're in the market for your first smartwatch, or if you only want a watch for step counting, sleep tracking and notifications, it's a strong value. Also at Walmart and Target. Apple Mac mini (M4) for $479 ($100 off): The newest version of Apple's tiny desktop PC has a smaller overall footprint, a faster M4 chip, 16GB of RAM as standard (finally), two front-facing USB-C ports, an extra Thunderbolt 4 port and the ability to drive three external displays. It doesn't have any USB-A ports, however. We gave the M4 Pro model a review score of 90. This deal is for the entry-level version with a base M4 chip, 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD - we've seen it fall as low as $469 before, but this is still a decent savings. Also at Best Buy and it's $499 at B&H. Apple Pencil Pro for $99 ($30 off): The top-end option in Apple's confusing stylus lineup, the Pencil Pro supports pressure sensitivity, wireless charging, tilt detection, haptic feedback and Apple's double tap and squeeze gestures, among other perks. It's a lovely tool for more intricate sketching and note-taking, but the catch is that it's only compatible with the M4 iPad Pro, M2 and M3 iPad Air and most recent iPad mini. We've seen this deal fairly often over the course of the year, but it's a fine discount compared to buying from Apple directly. Also at Best Buy and Walmart. Apple AirTag (4-pack) for $65 ($34 off): We may see an updated model soon, but the current AirTags are the best Bluetooth trackers for iPhone owners right now thanks to their vast finding network and accurate ultra-wideband tech that makes it easy to locate nearby items. Just note that you'll need a separate AirTag holder to attach them to your keys, wallet or bag. The discount linked here is within a dollar of the best deal we've tracked outside of an apparent pricing error on Apple's site. Also at Best Buy and Walmart. If you just need a single tracker, you can grab one for $18 at Amazon. Read more Apple coverage:

My colleagues on Engadget's buying advice team have put out great recommendations for physical gadgets like this humble fabric shaver that are on sale for Black Friday. I, however, am an evolved being who swims in the digital ether, so my top product of the year lives only online - though DeleteMe will still improve your life wherever you are. From now until December 5, DeleteMe is offering 30 percent off all subscriptions with the coupon code BFCM30OFF25. Chances are you've seen at least one public-facing "people search" site. You know the ones: they usually have names like 411.info or Find.people, and you can type in a person's name and find all the info the site has been able to scrape on them. If you search your own name, it's hard to avoid immediately running to the kitchen to make yourself a tinfoil hat. The most annoying thing is that these "data broker" sites are perfectly legal to run and use. However, that's also their Achilles' heel. If they want to operate in the open, brokers legally have to include a way for you to remove yourself from their database. Most of them make it as aggravating and time-consuming as possible, but the option is there. That's where DeleteMe comes in. All you have to do is sign up and enter all the data you want removed from brokerage sites. DeleteMe handles the rest. It searches for your information on people database sites, automatically sends opt-out requests, bugs the broker if they don't comply quickly enough and gives you a weekly report on how it's doing. You do have to be OK with DeleteMe itself having your data, but I trust them way more than the randos over at violate.privacy. It's so much faster than handling all the opt-out requests yourself, which - if you've ever tried it - rapidly becomes a full-time job. Since I've been using DeleteMe, I almost never get spam calls or texts anymore, except in short bursts before its crawlers catch my name on another site. And yes, it doesn't work on shady data brokers who don't follow the rules, but it's still a massive reduction of your online footprint. The only problem is that it's pretty expensive, so I strongly recommend jumping on this Black Friday deal. A few months on DeleteMe should be long enough for you to see if it reduces spam for you - and I'm betting it will.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-most-effective-anti-spam-tool-ive-ever-used-is-on-sale-for-black-friday-190526952.html?src=rss

Nothing Phone 3 owners, your Android 16 update is here. Owners of other models? Well, you'll have to wait a bit longer. Regardless, the company's Nothing OS 4.0 update brings Google's newest mobile software, along with a bunch of UI tweaks.In addition to Android 16, Nothing OS 4.0 should deliver a smoother, zippier experience. The company promises "faster responses, cleaner visuals, smoother interactions" and more. Along those lines, app transitions, the notification shade and gestures have been redesigned to respond "with sharper tactility and depth."Nothing also redesigned its first-party icons, with cleaner, more minimal styling. "The home screen feels balanced, modern and comfortable to use," the company claims. Status bar icons have been refined, drawing inspiration from Android 16's stylings. There are also new lock-screen clocks to choose from, and an "extra dark mode" (in addition to standard dark mode), designed for nighttime reading.A marketing grid, showcasing Nothing OS 4.0's new features.NothingThe Glyph Interface has always been one of Nothing's most unique features, and it gets some updates, too. Glyph Progress integrates with Android 16's Live Updates. "Rides, deliveries, and timers now sync across your screen and the Glyph Interface," as the company describes it.You can read up on all the changes on the release page. Nothing OS 4.0 is rolling out now to the Nothing Phone 3. Most other devices will start seeing it "over the coming weeks." The company's (recently spun off) CMF brand devices will receive the update by the end of 2025. Finally, Phone 3a Lite owners have to wait until "early next year."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/android-16-starts-rolling-out-to-nothing-phones-182637951.html?src=rss

SpaceX has confirmed that its third-gen Super Heavy Booster, the first stage of the two-stage Starship system, suffered an explosive gas failure of sorts during testing on Thursday morning. In a post on X, the aerospace company said, "Booster 18 suffered an anomaly during gas system pressure testing that we were conducting in advance of structural proof testing."There was no propellant inside the booster as the engines were not installed at that point. No injuries were reported and the company shared that personnel are always kept at a safe distance during these types of tests. The company said it will "need time to investigate before we are confident of the cause."The explosive release of gas, or whatever it was, seems to have blown out the side of the bottom half of the booster. Pictures taken by SpaceX content creators show this in detail. Clips of the livestream show the incident in question at around 4AM on Friday.

This time of year has a lot of merry and bright things to be excited about, but it can be stressful if you're stumped on what to get your mom, dad, best friend, coworker or kids' teacher as a holiday gift. Whether you enjoy or dread buying gifts for people, it's safe to say we all want to give our loved ones things they will enjoy and appreciate. But there's a lot of noise, junk and bad deals disguised as good deals to sift through as we get closer and closer to the holidays.

After several delays, Analogue finally started shipping its 4K remake of the Nintendo 64 this week. That was great news for those lucky enough to have pre-orders secured, but the console was firmly sold out beyond that first wave of shipments. However, the company has now announced that it will have new stock of the Analogue 3D ready to go from November 24.You'll be able to order from 8am PST on the day, with orders set to start shipping on December 2, once Analogue has honored all of its original pre-orders. This batch will likely go very quickly too, and if you do manage to get one, you'll have to accept a (seemingly tariff-related) price $20 hike, with the Analogue 3D now costing $270.As with previous Analogue systems, the reimagined N64 uses an FPGA (field programmable gate array) chip to emulate Nintendo's original hardware. FPGA-based systems are more accurate than software emulation options and deliver reduced input lag.Every N64 cartridge is supported, according to Analogue, including both PAL and NTSC variants, and the 3D is capable of 4K output with variable refresh rate. You also get an "original display mode" filter to faithfully recreate the look of gaming on your dusty old CRT.A word of warning, though: while our review of the Analogue 3D praised the hardware design and strength of the emulation, our reviewer's biggest mark against the console is that a lot of N64 games just aren't very fun to play in 2025. Still, if you still have the likes of Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time lying around in a cupboard, you'll no doubt have an enjoyably nostalgic holiday season with the Analogue 3D, should you successfully get hold of one next week.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-analogue-3d-will-be-restocked-on-november-24-but-itll-cost-20-more-173615217.html?src=rss

The truth is, most gaming headsets aren't great values. I've tested a ton of them for our buying guide, and while the space has improved over time, it remains far too centered on branding and marketing. Too much of what passes by my desk comes off as overpriced compared to a good set of normal" headphones in the same range, both in audio and build quality. If you have a pair you love, more power to you. But generally speaking, these things tax you for the perception of being specialized for gaming. In reality, most are just OK headphones with a mic, a logo and maybe some fancy RGB lighting attached. All that said, there are always exceptions to the rule, and a few headsets have stood out as actually being worth the money. My current favorite is the Turtle Beach Atlas Air, which is currently on sale for $130 at various retailers as part of a Black Friday deal. That's the cheapest it's been since February, $50 off its MSRP and $20 below its street price over the last month. When it's discounted to this extent, it's the rare gaming headset I'd call a solid bargain. The hook with the Atlas Air is that it's one of the few wireless headphones (let alone headsets) with an open-back design, meaning its ear cups don't completely seal off your ears from air and outside noise. Pairs like this aren't for everyone: They both let in and leak lots of ambient sound, so if you don't use them in a quiet room, you and anyone nearby will probably be distracted. On the flipside, this can be a positive if you don't want to be completely shut off from your surroundings. More notably, they can produce a far more spacious and natural sound than closed-back models. Games feel more like they're happening around you instead of being confined to a space in your head. All of this holds true with the Atlas Air. Going from this pair to a traditional headset often makes it feel like a chunk of the world has been lopped off - giant boss fights in games like Elden Ring or Final Fantasy XVI sound more narrow, and it becomes harder to gauge where exactly an opponent is coming from in a competitive shooter like Counter-Strike 2. It helps that the Atlas Air is also tuned well. It's not as dynamic as the best non-gaming open headphones, and like most open-backs it doesn't get super deep bass, so explosions and gunfire lack a little boom. But it's balanced and easygoing, with a jump in the treble that helps dialogue and footsteps sound clearer. The headset itself is exceptionally comfortable beyond that. It's lightweight at 0.66 pounds, and the big memory foam earcups clamp down gently without trapping much heat. The battery lasts a solid 50-60 hours on a charge, and while the mic isn't the absolute best I've tested, it still lets you come through clearly. It all works with PC and PS5 by default, and you can pair with a Switch or Switch 2 over Bluetooth. There's no Xbox wireless support, unfortunately, though you can at least use an included 3.5mm cable. And though the plastic design isn't exactly premium," it hasn't developed any sort of cracks or creakiness in the months I've used it. For $130, it's totally fine. There are other things to nitpick: You can't listen to two devices connected over the USB dongle and Bluetooth simultaneously; you want to ignore Turtle Beach's companion software as soon as you update the firmware; and there isn't much room to adjust the headband, so certain heads may struggle to find the best fit. The design is also kind of ugly, if I'm being honest. Still, in an samey market, the Atlas Air stands out. If you know you can live with the trade-offs that come with any open-back headset, it's a unique value at this price.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/in-a-rare-deal-my-favorite-gaming-headset-is-28-percent-off-for-black-friday-165029987.html?src=rss

Thanksgiving isn't until next week, but the Black Friday sales are upon us already. We've seen loads of great deals popping up around the Internet, including some serious discounts on headphones. The Beats Studio Pro set is available for a whopping 51 percent off on Amazon. That means you can grab the high-end Beats model for just $170 instead of its usual $350 price tag. This matches the cost we've seen for the Studio Pro headphones during other peak shopping times earlier this year, so this might be your last chance to pick them up for this price. The Beats brand last updated this wireless over-ear headset in 2023, but it's still a solid choice for a workhorse pair of headphones. The current model improved audio quality and added a useful Transparency mode, so that you can listen to your tunes and still be aware of the world around you, which is great for settings such as public transit and the gym. The other option is a more immersive active noise-canceling mode. Beats Studio Pro also support lossless audio when wired on a USB-C cable. The official specs say the battery life for the headphones lasts up to 40 hours, or 24 hours when the active noise canceling mode is engaged. If you need to eke more life out of these Beats, they do offer a fast-charging mode that promises four hours of activity from just ten minutes of recharge. There are several color options for the Beats Studio Pro, so if there's a particular hue you want to be sporting, this might be a deal to hop on quickly before the supplies run out or the deal expires.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/snag-a-pair-of-beats-studio-pro-headphones-for-half-off-this-black-friday-140335259.html?src=rss

So it turns out Meta isn't a monopoly, at least according to a federal judge. In this episode, we dive into Meta's victory in the FTC's antitrust case, which it seems to have won mainly thanks to TikTok's existence. Also, we chat about the Cloudflare issue that took down a huge portion of the web this week, as well as Roblox's plan to collect kids' selfies for age verification. We also carve out some time to chat with the audience and answer your pressing tech questions.Subscribe!

Square Enix loves to remaster, remake and reheat its RPGs. The latest title to get the treatment is the critically acclaimed Final Fantasy spin-off, Final Fantasy Tactics.Tactics has undergone its own remakes before, with War of the Lions bringing the game to the PlayStation Portable and, eventually, iOS and Android. However, now across all the major consoles, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a different remake again - and even dismisses some of the characters and additions in War of the Lions. I never finished either version, and two things are apparent: I have missed out, and this is hard.Originally released just a few months after Final Fantasy VII, which introduced polygon characters, FMV and more, Tactics' sprite aesthetic seemed quaint in comparison. With compact isometric levels, turn-based battles are closer to Tactics Ogre and Disgaea than the lineup and strike battles of mainline Final Fantasy games of the time. The game was a critical hit, even if it didn't match the popularity of Cloud et al.Tactics is far less forgiving. Battle dynamics lean heavily on random number generation; your squad is often outnumbered, and you can easily be undone when resurrection spells and defensive magic fail to land. The first time my revival spell failed, I audibly swore at my Switch 2. But the taste of defeat? It's usually seasoned just right. It's gaming umami.I wanted more, even at the notorious difficulty spike in a battle against knight-gone-wrong Wiegraf. In this fight, I faced him, a far more powerful fighter, solo, and proceeded to die roughly 20 times in a row. On standard difficulty, you rarely have to do this, but I had to craft a specialized version of the protagonist that could hit hard, heal himself, and generally just stay alive long enough for the second stage of this fight.The Ivalice Chronicles can be played in two ways. The modern version features high-resolution sprites, backgrounds, and effects, while retaining the original's isometric view, which can be rotated and tilted for the best view of the action. There's an HD-2D nod with a thick depth of field blur to add a more modern feel.If you want your Tactics pixelated, you can play the original version, although you can't transition between the two, which seems like a missed opportunity. (You can toggle your saves across the versions in other RPGs with similar dual versions, like Dragon Quest XI S.)More than the graphical downgrade, though, you're missing out on polished voice acting, which not only elevates the diorama cutscenes and political intrigue but also peppers battles when you field main characters and they unleash certain job class attacks.Talking of jobs, Tactics' system remains the same, with base jobs like knight, white knight and freelancer giving way to dragoons, summoners and, much later, bizarre-but-powerful roles like arithmetician (the power of math!) and ninja.The difficulty curve of Tactics is very much here. It was embarrassing how much I struggled to overcome spikes in difficulty, but then again, I never finished the original. (And, like a true hero, I refused to research broken job builds or easy grind spots.)A crystalline attack hits an enemy in an isometric battle.Square EnixYou can grind, raise levels of your characters, rake in money, and pick up crucial job points. But the wiser method is figuring a battle loop where your characters repeat actions. When the character attacks, heals, steals and generally does anything besides just moving or staying put, it earns Job Points. These are the most crucial parts of growing your squad, as abilities and passive skills can be ported between jobs; it's how you can customize your entire party to demolish certain kinds of enemies. Lots of archers? A skill called archer's bane means they'll struggle to get a hit. Lots of slow-moving enemies in a tight space, rain hell with your summoner, but with an ability to regain MP as they move around.At times, it still feels like a slog to repeat battles and garner enough JP for that skill you know will turn the tide of a challenging fight. Fortunately, a new battle speed toggle makes them a little less dull.It's funny to feel nostalgic about a game I never played the first time around. But there's something familiar and cosy to Final Fantasy Tactics. I'm surprised at the depth of what seems at first to be a pretty simple fighting system.While the voice acting and additional quality-of-life upgrades are great, it's a shame that Square Enix didn't include extra jobs (and characters) introduced in other iterations, like the PSP version. Still, it's another great tactical RPG for the Nintendo Switch, increasingly the best place to play the genre. Fortunately, however, it's available across PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and PC as well.

Good deals on Apple products are generally harder to come by throughout the year than with other brands, but sale events are usually the best time to look around. And sure enough, for Black Friday, Apple's AirTags are cheaper than ever. You can pick up a four-pack of these handy Bluetooth trackers for $65, a record low price. Bear in mind that this deal brings the price per AirTag down to $16 if you were to buy them individually, and when not on sale they usually cost $29. If you use Apple devices and are prone to losing stuff, AirTags are the obvious choice of Bluetooth tracker to buy. Adding one to your account requires little more than a single tap, and with Apple's Find My network offering such extensive coverage these days, it's never been easier to find missing belongings. Tracking down a still nearby misplaced item is as easy as using your iPhone to trigger a sound from the AirTag's built-in speaker, or alternatively you can use Precision Finding to pinpoint its location through Find My. You just follow the instructions on your iPhone's screen, paying attention to its vibrations as you get closer. If you only need a single AirTag, they're also on sale right now for $18, another record low. It works out a bit better as a deal if you purchase the four-pack, but if you just want to attach one to your keys or backpack, $65 might seem like a stretch. Just remember that AirTags can't be attached to items right out of the box. You'll need to add an accessory in order to turn one into a keyring, or even attach it to your pet's collar. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/pick-up-a-four-pack-of-airtags-for-a-record-low-price-for-black-friday-161756610.html?src=rss

Happy Friday! As the annual tech discount chaos of Black Friday approaches (good deal here and here and several more here), European policymakers have proposed easing some of the EU's strictest regulations on artificial intelligence and data privacy. The move aims to remove roadblocks for tech companies and stimulate business growth in the region, potentially marking a major pivot away from the bloc's reputation as the industry's toughest regulator.Changes would allow AI companies to access shared personal data to train their models, while also overhauling GDPR cookie rules. Instead of constant pop-ups, users could set preferences once in their browser and give consent with a single click. (OK, I'm onboard with that.)Strict rules for high-risk" AI applications, originally set for next summer, may be delayed until proper support tools are in place. Critics are warning this could be seen as Europe bowing to pressure from Big Tech and political shifts in the US. The proposal now heads to the European Parliament.- Mat SmithGet Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The news you might have missed

Why settle for tiny pieces of chocolate when you could unwrap a Pokemon card, a Funko Pop or a Star Wars LEGO ship instead? Advent calendars have gone full geek mode, with options for fans of movies, comics, games and even science. They're the perfect way to add some holiday cheer to your desk, game shelf or living room. Consider this your guide to the best geeky countdowns for 2025. Best advent calendars for 2025 Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/our-favorite-2025-advent-calendars-you-can-still-get-now-top-picks-from-lego-pokemon-funko-pop-and-more-120042964.html?src=rss

Amazon has launched Alexa+, its next-generation digital assistant, in Canada. The company unveiled the new assistant in February, and it has been making its way to more and more people since. Canada is the first region outside the US to get access Amazon's upgraded Alexa. Like the version that rolled out in the US, users can communicate with Alexa+ in natural language. They can say I'm cold," for instance, and the assistant will turn up the heat in their home. If they say It's dark," Alexa+ can switch on the lights for them.In Amazon's announcement, Allison Siperco, the Alexa manager for Canada, said the assistant understands Canadian culture and regional expressions. It can understand distinctly Canadian topics, such as the country's hockey teams and musicians. In addition, the assistant links with services Canadians use. It can make restaurant reservations for them through OpenTable, connects them to CBC news and help them look for and buy items from their e-commerce platforms. Siperco said the assistant will also support Yelp, Uber Eats, Suno and TripAdvisor in the country soon."Alexa+ is capable of adapting its tone to everyone in the household, suggesting different routines based on the user. It can suggest meditation, for example, to someone who's had a long day at the office. And it can remember if someone has dietary restrictions when recommending restaurants. Alexa+ can also help users shop by finding items with the best pricing, by creating grocery lists for them while taking dietary restrictions into account, as well as by comparing features across products and summarizing reviews on Amazon Canada.Amazon's upgraded assistant is free during its Early Access phase, though those who are interested to try it out right now will have to purchase the new Echo Show 8, Echo Show 11, Echo Dot Max or Echo Studio. After Early Access, it will remain free for Prime subscribers, while everyone else will have to pay $28 CAD a month for it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/amazon-alexa-is-now-available-in-canada-050827689.html?src=rss

Stop me if you've heard this one before: xAI is once again nuking a bunch of posts from Grok on X after the chatbot made a series of outrageous claims. This time, though, the company isn't cleaning up a bunch of pro-Hitler posts, but a bout of cringe-inducing sycophantic praise for its CEO, Elon Musk.At some point in the last couple days, Grok began to offer extremely over the top opinions about Musk. The bot claimed that Musk is the "undisputed pinnacle of holistic fitness" and that he is more fit than LeBron James. It said he is smarter than Albert Einstein and that he would win a fight against Mike Tyson. When asked "who is the single greatest person in modern history," Grok readily replied that it was Elon Musk.For a while, it seemed that there was no hypothetical about Musk in which Grok wouldn't confidently declare him the best. Musk did not participate in the 1998 NFL draft, but if he had, then Grok would "without hesitation" have picked him over Peyton Manning. It would have picked him as a starting pitcher for the 2001 World Series. Musk would be "a better movie star than Tom Cruise and a better communist than Joseph Stalin.""The single greatest person in modern history."By now, X users are pretty used to Grok being extremely deferential to Musk but sometime around Grok claiming that the CEO is morally superior to Jesus Christ and also has the potential to drink piss better than any human in history," xAI appears to have pumped the brakes on Grok's ability to praise Musk. It now seems to be furiously deleting the more embarrassing posts about him.Meanwhile, Musk, is blaming "adversarial prompting" for Grok going off the rails. "Earlier today, Grok was unfortunately manipulated by adversarial prompting into saying absurdly positive things about me," he wrote. He offered no explanation for how seemingly straightforward questions could be considered "adversarial" or why Grok's turn toward slavish Musk devotee would seem to roughly coincide with Grok's 4.1 update a few days ago. xAI didn't address a series of questions, including about why the Grok posts in question had been deleted. Legacy Media Lies [sic]," the company said.But the incident serves as yet another reminder that Grok doesn't seem to have much in the way of guardrailed. Earlier this year, xAI briefly pulled the plug on Grok after it praised Nazis and became "MechaHitler." That was after it also became inexplicably obsessed with "white genocide" in South Africa, which the company later balmed on an unspecified "unauthorized modification."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/elon-musk-blames-adversarial-prompting-after-grok-spewed-embarrassing-sycophantic-praise-235157807.html?src=rss

FoloToy, a company selling AI-enabled toys, suspended sales of its products after a consumer safety report showed there were few restrictions around what its toys would talk about, CNN writes. The report, put together by the US Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, found that FoloToy's products would discuss everything from sexually explicit topics like BDSM to "advice on where a child can find matches or knives."The toys, including a teddy bear named "Kumma," a panda named "Momo," anthropomorphic rabbits named "Fofo" and a dancing "Little Cactus," all appear to use OpenAI's GPT-4o model to respond naturally to children's questions and comments. FoloToy also specifically advertises the ability to customize each toy's voice, and a "Parent Dashboard" where parents or guardians can "monitor [their] child's experience."FoloToy's AI-enabled Little Cactus toy.FolotoyMissing from that setup was apparently any kind of hard limits on subjects the toys would respond to. "We were surprised to find how quickly Kumma would take a single sexual topic we introduced into the conversation and run with it, simultaneously escalating in graphic detail while introducing new sexual concepts of its own," the report said.In response, FoloToy has opted to suspend sales of its products while it conducts "a company-wide, end-to-end safety audit across all products," the company shared in a statement with the PIRG Education Fund. The company's reasoning for suspending sales might be a bit more complicated, however. NPR reports that OpenAI actually revoked FoloToy's access to its models. "We suspended this developer for violating our policies," OpenAI said in an email to NPR. "Our usage policies prohibit any use of our services to exploit, endanger, or sexualize anyone under 18 years old."Given GPT-4o's well-documented sycophantic qualities, it's perhaps not surprising that FoloToy's teddy bear eagerly responded to any subject as long as it kept the conversation going. One of the things OpenAI tried to address with the release of GPT-5 was the safety downsides of an AI yes-man, though it ultimately made GPT-4o available again after customers complained about the new model's lack of personality. The company has also rolled out parental controls to ChatGPT to try and mitigate the negative impacts of children using its AI, though it's difficult to say how much of a difference they've made.Notably, OpenAI is interested in getting into the toy business itself. The company announced a partnership with Mattel in June 2025, to help "reimagine how fans can experience and interact with [Mattel's] cherished brands," though both companies will presumably try and prevent their AI toys from discussing sexual kinks.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/sales-of-a-teddy-bear-were-suspended-because-of-its-sexually-explicit-ai-233127354.html?src=rss

Meta is rolling out a way for people to interact together in its virtual spaces. Users will now be able to invite friends to hang out in the spaces created with Hyperscape on Meta Horizon. Up to eight people can join an instance, as long as they are age 18 or older and have the link to the space. The virtual spaces can be joined through a Meta Quest 3 or 3S as well as via the Meta Horizon mobile app, which is on both Android and iOS. People can scan their own homes to create a virtual hangout when they can't be in person together, or they can indulge their inner lookieloos and wander around some of the celebrity spaces, such as Gordon Ramsay's kitchen or Chance the Rapper's living room.It's an application of Hyperscape Capture, which Meta showed off during its Connect conference earlier this year. That tech allows people to use a Meta Quest to scan real spaces and create digital replicas. The invite option is being gradually added to accounts, and Meta also said that it hopes to raise the party cap in the future for this metaverse feature.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/meta-now-lets-you-invite-people-for-virtual-hangouts-in-hyperscape-capture-spaces-231152311.html?src=rss