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Rhythm games never really went away after the decline of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, but it feels like they're having a bit of a moment again. From projects like Clone Hero and YARG, to Fortnite Festival and Stage Tour (an upcoming title from Guitar Hero veterans at RedOctane), to indies with rhythm elements like Ratatan and People of Note, music games are still very much around. You can now add Beat Weaver to the mix.This upcoming game from Echolox Interactive - solo developer Christopher Lerch - is inspired by pre-Guitar Hero Harmonix titles like Amplitude and Frequency. (Given the way that tracks twist and turn, the trailer also reminds me a bit of Thumper. Thankfully, this doesn't feel nearly as ominous.)As in Amplitude, you control a ship that barrels along tracks. You'll need to hit notes at the right time to be successful, of course, though Beat Weaver brings some interesting complexities to the formula.Each track is linked to an instrument and you can switch between tracks at will. However, you'll first need to unlock additional tracks. If you play a sequence of notes (i.e. phrases) without a mistake, you'll activate one. As long as a track is active, it will sip away some of your energy. If that drops too low and you make an error, all the activated tracks will be disabled and you'll need to gradually unlock them again.You'll need to switch between tracks and complete more phrases to keep the full mix active. Songs can have up to 16 tracks, so you might need to stay on your toes. That said, you won't need to hit every note dead on.Lerch is aiming for more of a flow state feel and there are several difficulty levels. Plus, if an upcoming phrase looks overly complex for your current mood, you can stick to a track that has a simpler note pattern. Powerups that give you the opportunity to slow down and rewind tracks should help too.Lerch originally started working on Beat Weaver as a hobby back in 2017. After receiving funding from Germany's Press Start: Games Founding Grant program last year, Lerch was able to focus on Beat Weaver full time. The developer says the protracted development time "allowed me to experiment with audio playback systems and engine architecture to maximize the interactive music experience, as well as making maximum use of the third dimension with the dynamic note highway system."Details about artists who are featured in the game will be revealed later. Lerch composed much of the music personally. Players will be able to add custom songs, though they'll need to load in separate audio files for each playable instrument.Lerch is developing Beat Weaver in a custom engine without using generative AI. For rendering it doesn't use any traditional texture mapping in favor of generating colors, patterns and skyboxes with shader code, noise functions, raymarching and mathematical expressions," Lerch wrote. Its comparatively low performance demands and dependencies allow it to run on older machines."This game just looks really neat. It's nice to be excited about neat-looking things. Beat Weaver is slated to hit Steam (with support for Steam Deck) later this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/indie-rhythm-game-beat-weaver-looks-like-a-mix-of-amplitude-and-thumper-110000834.html?src=rss

Vinyl records are firmly back in rotation, but getting started does not have to mean spending a fortune or building a complicated hi-fi stack from day one. Whether you want a simple, all-in-one setup with built-in speakers or you are piecing together a more traditional system with a separate amplifier, the best record player is the one that fits how you listen at home.For this guide, we focused on high-quality turntables under $600 that deliver a satisfying listening experience without unnecessary complexity. These picks cover everything from beginner-friendly automatic models to more audiophile-leaning decks that prioritize sound quality and upgrade potential, proving you do not need to jump into the high-end to enjoy vinyl properly.Best record players for 2026Other record players we testedAudio-Technica AT-LP60XBTThis is about as basic as it gets, unless you opt for the AT-LP60X which ditches the Bluetooth connectivity. This is a perfectly decent option for someone just getting into vinyl, but if you spend a little more for the AT-LP70X, you won't be in quite as big of a hurry to upgrade once you surrender to the obsession.Cambridge Audio Alva STThe Alva ST has a refined design that made me want to keep it out in my living room longer than many of the models on this list. The controls are limited on the top to power and individual options for 33 and 45 RPM speeds. Everything else is on the back panel, including Bluetooth pairing and preamp buttons. To complete the look, Cambridge Audio opted for a 1mm aluminium top plate, which sits on an MDF plinth with a layer of EVA to absorb vibrations in between.While the overall audio performance on the Alva ST is warm and inviting, there is a lack of detail across genres. I've noticed albums don't have a particularly wide soundstage, and songs lack their normal punch at times, so some sound compressed compared to when they're played on other turntables. Additionally, the free swinging tone arm needs more resistance so it's not so prone to dropping on a record immediately if it slips out of your fingers when you have the cueing lever down. Since this turntable is fully manual operation, I felt a bit of peril every time I went to lower the needle. (The price increased during testing for this guide.)Sony PS-LX3BTSony hasn't announced new turntables in years, relying on its PS-LX310BT as the lone option in its audio lineup. The PS-LX3BT is a fully automatic, belt drive turntable with built-in pre-amp and Bluetooth connectivity. There are easy-to-use controls for speed and vinyl sizes, as well as a gain selector to help you dial in the sound. I was also smitten by the minimal yet sophisticated design that offers a decidedly modern look.If the LX3BT was $100 cheaper, it would probably replace Audio-Technica as the best option for beginners. But at $400, I simply can't recommend someone new to vinyl spend that much. What's more, the RCA cable is fixed and the included mat is very thin. Sony also doesn't disclose what type of cartridge it uses, other than it being a moving magnet (MM) type, nor does it mention if you can upgrade that component. The upcoming PS-LX5BT should remedy some of these issues, but it's also more expensive at $500.Denon DP-300FDenon's DP-300F is a mixed bag. On one hand, you get the convenience of fully automatic operation, dedicated speed and record size buttons and somewhat refined design. There are also some confounding decisions though, like the permanently affixed cables, the preamp switch being under the platter and the overall midrange build quality for a $500 turntable. The sound from the preamp and Denon's cartridge has a clear lack of depth and detail that almost any model at this price should offer.How to shop for a turntableThe first question you'll need to ask yourself when looking for a turntable is how you plan to use it. Are you into vinyl for the ritual? If you simply like the concept of physical media, having to flip a record to finish it or the need to intentionally swap out an album when it's done, that's just fine. You probably can make do with a more affordable turntable since overall sound quality may not be a main concern. If you crave the warmth of analog sound, and you want the collection you've invested in to sound its best, you'll need to consider something with better specs.You'll also need to account for where and how you're going to listen to vinyl. Are you planning to connect this turntable to headphones or Bluetooth speakers? Do you have shelf or tower speakers you're going to use? Are you willing to invest in a dedicated preamp or would you rather a new turntable come with one built in? All of these questions will impact your buying decision - even the Bluetooth codecs, if you're going the wireless route. Best record players Billy Steele for Engadget Automatic, semi-auto and manual operationIf you're just getting into vinyl, an automatic turntable will save you a lot of stress. These are the models that place the stylus for you - all you have to do is push a button. When you get to the end of the record, the turntable will also return the tonearm to its resting spot automatically. Or, if you need to stop your session mid-side, there's a button for that too.Some turntables have semi-automatic operation. Maybe they can't place the needle for you, but they do have an automatic stop when a side of a record is complete. This auto stop, which sometimes comes with an on/off switch, can prevent unnecessary wear on your stylus and vinyl. Plus, many turntables with automatic operation allow you to take control if you need to drop the stylus in a certain place (that's not the beginning of the record) or if you have a die-cut vinyl (like the It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown soundtrack).Then there's the fully manual option. Here, you're solely responsible for placing the tonearm and taking it off when the music stops. A lot of turntables have a cue lever to assist with the process, and a lot of tonearms have a mechanism that lowers them slowly rather than violently dropping them on a record. This adds one more step to the ritual, and it's one many purists prefer.PreampThe biggest decision you'll need to make in terms of a preamp is to decide if you want one built into your turntable or if you'd rather use a separate one. It can be very convenient, especially for beginners, to use a built-in component to amplify the signal from the turntable before it hits any speakers or headphones. The downside is that you're left with what the company provides from the factory, so if you're looking to upgrade, you'll have to disable the preamp inside. On most turntables, there's a switch that allows you to do this, so it's no trouble. But, opting to skip the preamp on some models could save you money that could be invested elsewhere.A dedicated preamp typically uses higher-quality components and reduces noise by keeping internal parts properly separated. More robust models may even provide controls for things like tone or multiple inputs, while the basic options will simply allow you to plug in, play and forget it. If you're after the best possible clarity and realism from your record collection, we'd recommend a dedicated preamp right from the start. Best record players Billy Steele for Engadget Removable cartridge/headshellThe next item you'll want to consider is if the turntable you're eyeing can be upgraded in the future. The best way to do this is by swapping out the cartridge. Most turntables allow you to do this but there are some that don't, so you'll need to pay attention to this detail. Upgrading the cartridge down the road is a great way to improve overall sound quality without having to buy a new turntable, new speakers or a new amp.Belt drive vs. direct driveThere are two main types of turntables: belt drive and direct drive. All of the models we tested for this guide are belt drive, which means there's a thin belt that connects the platter to the motor to make the thing spin. Direct drive turntables are widely used by DJs and Technics was the first to make them. Here, the motor is directly under the platter and connected to it directly so the setup is less prone to wearing out. This is especially key when you're doing things like scratching. Direct-drive turntables tend to be more expensive than their belt-driven counterparts.Counterweight and anti-skate controlMost turntables will include a counterweight on the tonearm and some form of anti-skate control. Both of these help keep the stylus in place with the correct amount of pressure, all to ensure proper operation with minimal wear on your records. Sometimes the anti-skate elements are built into the tonearm while other models offer a dedicated dial on the surface of the plinth. The ability to adjust both of these can help you fine-tune the performance of your turntable over time, which may be necessary after upgrading the cartridge or other components.Other components to considerSome final items you'll want to evaluate on a prospective turntable purchase include the materials used for the base (plinth), platter and even the feet. Cheaper turntables may be mostly plastic affairs while more expensive models can use solid MDF (medium-density fibreboard) for the plinth. A lot of turntables have aluminum platters with a felt pad while others may feature a thick acrylic version. And while entry-level turntables may have small, plastic feet, premium models come with larger, adjustable, rubberized feet for better vibration isolation. While some of these come down to personal preference - a frosted acrylic platter looks really nice - there are some performance boosts to be gained depending on how the company uses the components.How we test turntablesSince most turntables under $600 meet the criteria for entry-level through midrange, we tested every model with a set of Audio-Technica AT-SP3X powered speakers. These offer balanced sound for turntables with a 1.1-inch tweeter and 3-inch woofer in each unit. And at $269, they won't break the bank if you need speakers for your new turntable and they'll provide ample sound performance even if you spend more than our budget on a new deck.For all of our test units that didn't have a built-in preamp, we used the Fluance PA-10. At $100, it's an affordable upgrade if you're looking to bypass a turntable's included components or if you're looking to go more analog with your turntable purchase. There are no buttons or controls, just connect your turntable, speakers and ground wire (if you're using one) and you're ready to go. It's simple, straightforward and inexpensive, so it's a great option for beginners and more experienced vinyl collectors alike.In terms of performance testing, we play a variety of genres on each turntable to evaluate sound quality. We also carefully examine the overall experience of putting a record on, setting the speed, placing the tonearm and more, which allows us to judge how well each turntable will work for users at different experience levels. Lastly, we take notes on design and components, comparing those elements from each turntable with our other test subjects to make our recommendations.

If you're looking to pre-order Apple's new Studio Display XDR monitor today but have an older Mac, beware of some potential issues. According to the compatibility list spotted by Apple Insider, the new display will only work at 60Hz and not at its full 120Hz refresh rate on some older and less powerful Silicon models. Moreover, support for older Intel Macs isn't mentioned at all for either the Studio Display XDR or cheaper Studio Display.All Apple Silicon Macs will work with both monitors, including those with the oldest M1 chips, according to the support pages. However, the compatibility list for the Studio Display XDR includes this nugget: "Mac models with M1, M1Pro, M1Max, M1Ultra, M2, and M3 support StudioDisplayXDR at up to 60Hz. All other StudioDisplayXDR features aresupported." So even if you have a hotrod M1 Ultra-based Mac, the Studio Display XDR's refresh rate is capped at 60Hz - despite the fact that the chip can drive third-party monitors at 120Hz.Similarly, only the iPad Pro M5 supports the Studio Display XDR at 120Hz, with all other compatible models (in the iPad Pro and iPad Air family) limited to 60Hz.Intel Mac support isn't mentioned at all in the compatibility list for either display, though they may function in some limited manner when connected. Intel Macs just received their last new OS update with macOS Tahoe (and only three more years of security updates), but it's still surprising that they're not compatible with Apple's latest monitors.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/apples-new-studio-display-xdr-monitor-has-limited-functionality-on-older-silicon-macs-082212069.html?src=rss

Meta has signed an AI licensing deal with News Corp that will allow the Meta AI maker to use content from The Wall Street Journal and other brands in its chatbot responses and for training of its AI models. News Corp confirmed to Engadget that it had struck a deal with Meta, but didn't provide specifics on the terms of the arrangement. According to The Wall Street Journal, Meta will pay News Corp. "up to $50 million a year" for a three-year deal that covers content from The Journal, as well as the media giant's other brands in the US and UK.News Corp previously struck a five-year deal with OpenAI that was valued at around $250 million. During a recent appearance at Morgan Stanley's annual Technology, Media & Telecom (TMT) conference, News Corp CEO Robert Thomson hinted that the media company was in the "advanced stage with other negotiations."He described the company's overall approach to such arrangements as "a woo and a sue" strategy, depending on whether companies want to pay for content or scrape it without permission. "We have what you might call a woo and a sue strategy," he said. "We'll woo you. We'd like you to be our partner. But if you're stealing our stuff, we are going to sue you. So there'll be a discount for those who hand themselves in, and there'll be a penalty for those that resist."A spokesperson for Meta confirmed that the two companies had reached an agreement . The company, which has been reorganizing its AI teams as it looks to create its next model, has struck a number of licensing deals in recent months. It previously signed multi-year agreements with USA Today, People, CNN, Fox News and other outlets. The company said at the time that by integrating more and different types of news sources, our aim is to improve Meta AI's ability to deliver timely and relevant content and information with a wide variety of viewpoints and content types."Update, March 3, 2026, 4:18PM PT: This story was updated with additional information from a Meta spokesperson.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-signs-a-multimillion-dollar-ai-licensing-deal-with-news-corp-234157902.html?src=rss

Highguard, the live-service multiplayer shooter that was announced at the Game Awards 2025, is shutting down on March 12. Developer Wildlight Studios shared that the game would be winding down alongside details of its final update, which include a new character, weapon and skill trees."Today we're sharing difficult news. We have made the decision to permanently shut down Highguard on March 12," Wildlight Studios shared via a statement on the Highguard X account. "Since launch, more than two million players stepped into Highguard's world. You shared feedback, created content, and many believed in what we were building. For that, we are deeply grateful. Despite the passion and hard work of our team, we have not been able to build a sustainable player base to support the game long term. Servers will remain online until March 12. We hope you'll jump in with us one more time to show your support and get those final great matches in while we still can."When Highguard shuts down next week, it will have been available to play for a grand total of 46 days. That's longer than the two weeks Concord received, but tragic for an online multiplayer game that was still in some form of active development. Wildlight Studios laid off some of its staff not long after Highguard launched, but a smaller team of developers has been supporting the game with new content since then, adding things like a "5v5 raid mode" and today's final update.While it's easy to chalk up Highguard's failure to a shrinking appetite for live-service games or an inability to find an audience for the game's mix of competitive hero shooter and MOBA strategy mechanics, the reality is more complicated. The first hint that Highguard's launch might be troubled was the dearth of information or marketing shared about the game after its debut at the Game Awards. Wildlight Studios' staff was full of former Respawn employees who shadowdropped Apex Legends to great success, and Bloomberg reports Wildight's executives thought they could pull off something similar with Highguard. The difference is, little was known about Apex Legends until after it launched, while players had over a month to stew on the Highguard trailer and form all sorts of opinions.Wildlight's inability to keep players coming back - SteamDB shows the game peaked at over 97,000 concurrent players and is now sitting at around 300 - also hurt its chances. Dwindling player counts reportedly played a role in one of Wildlight's investors, Tencent, pulling funding, which reduced the runway the studio had to continue working on the game and likely prompted its layoffs. It would be simple if the lesson here was for future studios to give up developing online multiplayer games, but it really seems like not one, but all of these elements led to Highguard's ultimate demise.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/highguard-has-raided-its-last-fortress-will-shutdown-on-march-12-225531035.html?src=rss

Denshattack!, the skateboarding game that manages to mix an anime-inspired narrative with Tony Hawk Pro Skater-style grinding and wall-riding, is coming out on June 17. The game's publisher Fireshine Games announced its launch date alongside a new trailer at Nintendo's recent Indie World event.If it wasn't clear from previous trailers, Denshattack! remains stylish as hell, filled to the brim with bright colors and over-the-top animation. The new trailer doesn't offer much more in terms of what the story of the game will be, but it does highlight its fast-paced gameplay, which will have you flipping and grinding a tiny train through settings like a futuristic cityscape, jungles and a snowy mountain region.Among the other charms of Denshattack!, the game also features original songs from composers Tee Lopes (Sonic Mania), Ryo Nagamatsu (Splatoon series), Richard Jacques (Jet Set Radio series) and Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (Daytona USA). If you're at all curious to try Denshattack! before it comes out this summer, demos of the game are available to download right now for PC and Switch 2.Denshattack! will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S when it launches June 17. The game will also be available to play via Xbox Game Pass.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/skateboarding-train-game-denshattack-is-out-on-june-17-210314631.html?src=rss

During today's Nintendo Indie World presentation, we got a narrower time frame for when and where we'll be able to play the next project from Drinkbox Studios. The team announced that Blighted will be coming out in this fall for both the Nintendo Switch 2 and for PC.It'll arrive on the same date for both platforms, but we don't have any more specific timeline than the season.We first heard about Blighted during last year's Summer Games Fest. With past credits such as Guacamelee!, Guacamelee! 2 and Severed, the studio is now turning its eye toward a 3D Metroidvania-RPG. It may be a new direction in genre, but Drinkbox's signature moody, eerie vibes do seem to be returning in heaps for Blighted. The core premise of the game revolves around the player regaining lost communal memories and also eating brains, so it's definitely heavy on the surreal and slightly macabre. Blighted will also have options for both solo and co-op play of its story.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/drinkbox-studios-blighted-will-be-out-for-switch-2-and-pc-this-fall-203638261.html?src=rss

The next time you check your internet speed or whether your favorite site is down, another company may be profiting. On Tuesday, Ziff Davis announced that it sold its Connectivity division, which includes Ookla's Speedtest and Downdetector, to Accenture. The deal is worth $1.2 billion in cash.According to Reuters, the deal will allow Ziff Davis to focus on its core brands, including IGN, Mashable and Everyday Health. Brand consolidation appears to be the name of the game, as the company recently laid off some of Eurogamer's most experienced editors and its entire video team. That followed a rotation of editorial staff among Ziff Davis's other gaming publications, which reduced VG247 to a small, two-person gaming guides site.Ziff Davis bought Ookla for $15 million in 2014. Reuters notes that the division seized on the 5G rollout and a surge in pandemic-driven bandwidth demand to boost its impressive return on the investment. (Connectivity generated a whopping $231 million in 2025.)Accenture is a global technology consulting company headquartered in Dublin. The company views the acquisition as a key step in building "end-to-end network intelligence services essential for AI-based transformation." (Can someone who speaks corporate translate, please?) The deal may take a few months to be finalized, and Ziff Davis will continue to operate Speedtest and Downdetector in the meantime.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/downdetector-and-speedtest-have-been-sold-for-over-1-billion-201741894.html?src=rss

Time to dust off your boomboxes and your walkmans: musical coming-of-age game Mixtape is due out this spring. At its reveal, this next title from game developer Beethoven and Dinosaur was targeting a 2025 release, but as happens to the best laid plans, the game's arrival got pushed back. Today's trailer announced that the new launch date for the narrative- and music-focused adventure game is May 7, 2026. Despite the new date, Mixtape will still be coming to the usual array of current gaming platforms: Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and the Nintendo Switch 2.Johnny Galvatron, game director for the project, spoke with Engadget recently about the process of conveying that familiar feeling of restless teenage ennui in this medium. "Idleness is hard to explore as a video game, and one of the interesting things about being a teenager is you just hang out a lot, and sometimes it just sucks," Galvatron said. "So I love that we made a game that shows that idleness."As the name suggests, the soundtrack is core to the experience of this game about three friends at the end of high school. Expect to hear tracks by iconic punk and alternative artists such as DEVO, Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Smashing Pumpkins and Iggy Pop.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/musical-adventure-game-mixtape-will-be-ready-to-rock-out-on-may-7-200500458.html?src=rss

Elgato's Stream Deck helped popularize using a macro pad among aspiring livestreamers and regular desk jockeys, so it's only natural for the brand to continue to expand on its lineup. After announcing a suite of new Stream Deck devices last year, Elgato is kicking off 2026 with the Stream Deck + XL, a larger version of the already big Stream Deck XL, and a collection of new audio accessories that should help improve sound mixing in and out of livestreams.The Stream Deck + XL not only expands on the number of buttons on the regular Stream Deck XL (from 32 customizable buttons to 36 customizable buttons), but also introduces multiple new control options, including a touch strip and six dials. All the controls on the new Stream Deck are customizable, and the presence of the touch strip means you can receive visual feedback about adjustments you're making while you're making them. The new macro pad should still work well as a way to quickly end a live stream or queue up a transition, and Elgato says that paired with its new Wave XLR Pro audio interface, the Stream Deck + XL could also become a straightforward tool for sound mixing, too.The XLR Dock MK. 2 adds an XLR input to the Stream Deck +.ElgatoThe Wave XLR Pro "integrates two fully independent XLR inputs with 80 dB of clean gain each," Elgato says, along with multiple headphone outputs and "a built-in Maximizer effect" that can maintain consistent loudness. When you're livestreaming, Elgato's says the Wave XLR Pro's "per-channel ducking" can also automatically lower other audio sources when you speak. The XLR Pro is one of several Wave audio products Elgato is announcing alongside the Stream Deck + XL, a lineup which also includes a new condenser microphone and a new way to connect XLR microphones to the company's smaller Stream Deck. The XLR Dock MK. 2, exclusively compatible with the Stream Deck +, lets you connect professional XLR audio devices directly to your Stream Deck. The Dock "adds 80 dB of clean gain, 48V phantom power, onboard DSP effects, and low-latency VST Insert support," and can be entirely managed through the Stream Deck's buttons and dials.Elgato says both the Stream Deck + XL and the XLR Dock MK. 2 are available to pre-order today for $350 and $130, respectively. The Wave XLR Pro will cost $350 when it launches at some point in Q2 2026.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/elgatos-stream-deck--xl-adds-a-touch-strip-and-dials-to-an-already-massive-array-of-buttons-195200129.html?src=rss

Ubisoft is finally releasing The Division Resurgence on March 31 for both iOS and Android. This game was first announced all the way back in 2021 and has suffered from delays in recent years.This is a free-to-play mobile game set in the universe of The Division, complete with an MMO-style shared open world and both co-op and solo gameplay. It also features an original story that's set during the early days of the pandemic in NYC, making it a sequel to the first game but a prequel to the second one.It's a third-person action RPG with PvP. The loop looks fairly similar to the mainline games. Players should expect plenty of combat and loot to collect, which in turn can be used to upgrade gear.Pre-registration is already open for the game at the iOS Store and the Google Play Store. Ubisoft has also announced some perks for The Division 2 players. Franchise veterans will receive some loot upon booting up Resurgence, including gear and clothing. Those who dip into The Division 2 after trying the mobile game will get other perks, including Resurgence-themed gear.Today's launch date announcement was part of a 10th anniversary showcase for the franchise. Ubisoft also revealed an anniversary-themed season for The Division 2, which includes "global events inspired by the original game" and an in-game hoodie. The company is also making the Warlords of New York expansion free during this period, which has received a new update focused on realistic combat.The Division 1 and The Division 2 are both on sale right now, with massive discounts up to 90 percent on PC and 85 percent on PlayStation and Xbox. Today's update, however, didn't give us any new information regarding the recently-announced Survivors DLC for The Division 2. We don't know much about this, except that it's being described as "an updated take on the survival extraction experience."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-long-delayed-the-division-resurgence-hits-ios-and-android-on-march-31-193905948.html?src=rss

Google unveiled its new features coming both to the Pixel line of devices and to the broader Android ecosystem this spring. Two of the more exciting additions for all Android devices are coming through the Find Hub. This can now be used to share real-time locations within Google Messages conversations or to send tracking information to airlines in instances of lost luggage.With both of those features, users can turn off their sharing any time. Specific to the luggage issue, Google has partnered with 10 airlines to integrate Find Hub locations as part of their baggage recovery process. Using the luggage recovery does require the missing item to have a Find Hub-compatible tag or network accessory.Another aesthetic update coming to Android is the ability to create a personalized Calling Card. You can choose a photo, font and color for your information that will be displayed to friends within Phone by Google.The short-form video trend is also coming to Google Play. The app storefront will now have a feed of Google Play shorts. It's being positioned as a discovery tool for seeing different programs in action.Google (modified)The March Pixel Drop will bring improvements to the Circle to Search feature on smartphones. Going forward, it should be easier to use Circle to Search either to virtually try items on yourself or to shop for fashion from videos or social media posts. Magic Cue, an AI feature that debuted on the Pixel 10, can now also deliver restaurant recommendations. Pixel smartphones will also get some new personalized looks. Users can create AI-generated custom icons on the home screen with six different styles.On the smartwatch side, Pixel devices will have new alerts if your phone is lost or left behind, as well as access to Express Pay. Pixel watches will also be getting some new safety alerts for earthquakes, and Satellite SOS is rolling out to more users across Europe, Canada, Hawaii and Alaska.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-introduces-find-hub-updates-and-more-ai-tools-in-the-march-pixel-drop-190000773.html?src=rss

X will suspend creators from its revenue sharing program if they post AI-generated videos depicting armed conflicts without disclosing they were made with AI. Head of product Nikita Bier announced the policy change on March 3, saying first-time violators will be cut off for 90 days and repeat offenders would be permanently removed from the program.

Sure, Blue Prince has the most name recognition among the indie games that had a surprise debut on Nintendo Switch 2 today. However, I implore you not to overlook two other wonderful indies that hit Nintendo's consoles in the wake of this morning's Indie World showcase.Minishoot' Adventures - from SoulGame Studio and co-publisher IndieArk - is a game I absolutely loved when it first emerged on Steam in 2024. It's an RPG that adopts the format of top-down Legend of Zelda games. At the same time, it's a twin-stick bullet-hell shooter. The two-person team at SoulGame blended those genres to great effect.Here, you play as a ship. Exploration is key, as you'll need to find upgrades for your ship in order to access new areas. SoulGame injected a ton of personality into Minishoot' Adventures as well. Errant apostrophe in the name aside, it's a real gem.Minishoot' Adventures is out now on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S for $16. It's also available on Game Pass Ultimate and Premium, as well as PC Game Pass.I'm perplexed as to why Nintendo only showcased Ooo in the Japanese version of the Indie World stream. It's utterly brilliant and by far the best new game I played in 2025. It's so exquisitely designed by Nama Takahashi (ElecHead) that a 20-second trailer is all that's needed to show how this puzzle platformer works.You play as a caterpillar who has a bomb - and later a second one - that can be used to blow stuff up. The bombs are also used to hold down buttons and to propel the caterpillar upwards or sideways.There are no instructions here. Takahashi (who made the game with the help of Tiny Cactus Studio and Tsuyomi) helps you figure out what to do solely through intelligent level design. The puzzles aren't overly difficult, but they got my brain matter working just enough that I smiled whenever I found a solution. The visuals, music and sound design are supremely charming too.This is a truly wonderful game. It doesn't outstay its welcome either, as it can be completed within a couple of hours.Ooo is available now on Switch for $11. It's coming to PS5 on March 11 and Xbox Series X/S later this month.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/two-fantastic-indie-games-not-named-blue-prince-also-just-arrived-on-switch-182648197.html?src=rss

Apparently, AI data centers are capable of sucking less (power, that is). A recent UK trial demonstrated that they can adjust their energy demands dynamically without disrupting critical workloads. This contrasts with data centers' current approach of always-on power draw, which can strain grids and drive up prices for everyone.Over five days in December 2025, more than 200 simulated "grid events" tested a London data center's ability to adjust its energy use on the fly. The trial used software from Emerald AI, which was involved in the study. Other partners included NVIDIA, National Grid, Nebius and the nonprofit Electric Power Research Institute.In each simulated grid event, the data center successfully adjusted its energy use to the requested level. It reduced power draw by up to 40 percent, while critical workloads continued to run as normal throughout the trial.The data center successfully reacted to spikes in demand during soccer match halftimes. In one case, it reduced its power draw by 10 percent for up to 10 hours. It also managed to cut its demand quickly: One event saw the data center reduce its load by 30 percent in only 30 seconds.The study will serve as a blueprint for a 100MW power-flexible AI factory" that NVIDIA plans to operate in Virginia. "This trial proves that NVIDIA-powered infrastructure can act as a grid-aware asset, modulating demand in real-time to support stability," Josh Paker, NVIDIA's sustainability lead, wrote in a statement. "By making AI workloads responsive, we accelerate deployment while reducing the need for costly grid upgrades."The organizations involved in the study say they'll share their data with the AI industry, regulators and policymakers to try to influence their approach. Fortunately, we don't need to hope that data center operators' altruism (ha) will lead to their cooperation. Agreeing to curb usage during peak demand could be good for their balance sheets and lead to faster approvals for new data center grid connections. "We would love to get to a point where we can get customers on the network in two years, and this is part of that," Steve Smith, president of National Grid Partners, told Bloomberg.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/ai-data-centers-could-reduce-power-draw-on-demand-study-says-180628982.html?src=rss

Audible just launched a new budget-friendly Standard plan that costs $9 each month. Despite the lower price, this plan still includes a monthly audiobook credit. These credits allow users to download pretty much any audiobook from the library, including most brand-new releases. This was a perk previously locked to the Premium Plus plan, which is $15 per month.Subscribers also get access to a curated library of content sourced from the Audible Originals library and Wondery+. All of this will be available without ads.There are some caveats, especially when compared to the pricier Premium Plus subscription. That plan lets subscribers keep downloaded audiobooks forever, but the same isn't true of the Standard plan. Audiobooks will float into the ether once a subscription has been cancelled. This is only a big deal, however, for those who like to re-listen to their favorites.Audible The Premium Plus plan provides some other perks not available to Standard users. Subscribers get regular access to sales and discounts, and there's a library of audiobooks and podcasts to peruse. This is sort of like Kindle Unlimited, but for audiobooks. It's not a comprehensive catalog, but it works in a pinch.Amazon says the new plan is "projected to bring millions of new consumers into the Audible experience over the next year." It's available right now in the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, France and Australia. The company says it's currently testing the tier in additional marketplaces throughout the world.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/audibles-new-plan-is-9-a-month-and-still-includes-an-audiobook-credit-174641878.html?src=rss

Microsoft has revealed the first wave of Xbox Game Pass additions for March. Cyberpunk 2077 and F1 25 headline the batch; the former is coming to both Ultimate and Premium tiers. Hollow Knight: Silksong, which launched about six months ago, is also on the way to Premium.Final Fantasy III and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II had been previously announced and are both available starting today. Both games can be played straight from the cloud or downloaded to the Xbox Series X/S as well as PC across all Game Pass tiers.F1 25 joins Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on March 4. For Ultimate subscribers, the game is already available through EA Play. F1 fans should know that EA used LiDAR to map the tracks for F1 25. Also arriving March 4 is To a T, an adventure game from the creator of Katamari Damacy about "a teen navigating small-town life with their cute dog companion." Your character takes on these adventures while stuck in a permanent T-pose, for reasons.The sci-fi adventure Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf launches as a day-one Game Pass release on March 5 across cloud, console, handheld and PC. Fan favorite Cyberpunk 2077 hits Game Pass Ultimate and Premium on March 10 across cloud and console. The Witcher 3, also from developer CD Projekt RED, returned to Game Pass just a couple of weeks ago.Hollow Knight: Silksong drops on March 12 across cloud, console, handheld and PC. The highly-anticipated follow-up to the 2017 action-adventure was a day one release on Game Pass Ultimate, and will now be available on the lower Premium tier. Construction Simulator and DreamWorks Gabby's Dollhouse: Ready to Party round out the first half of the month on March 10 and March 17, respectively.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/game-pass-additions-for-march-include-cyberpunk-2077-and-f1-25-171433874.html?src=rss

The unique and highly addictive roguelike Blue Prince is now available for Switch 2, as announced at today's Nintendo Indie World Showcase. This version allows for mouse control, via the underutilized Joy-Con feature.This is a wonderfully designed puzzle game that oozes atmosphere. The game tasks players with exploring a gigantic mansion, but there's a twist. You actually build this mansion as you explore, room by room. This is done by placing what can only be described as magical blueprints.The goal is to fully explore the mansion and solve its many, many mysteries. However, there are only so many blueprints and too many obstacles. This is where the roguelike part comes in. When you build yourself into a dead end, you go to sleep and end the run. All of the rooms reset, but you may have learned a thing or two for the next run. Rinse and repeat.It's a very nifty gameplay loop, which is why it easily found a spot on Engadget's list of our favorite games from 2025. We even called it a masterpiece, which is deserved. In other words, this is a fantastic addition to the Nintendo eShop.I only have one small gripe. This is a gorgeous game, but that's primarily due to the art direction and overall vibe. Why is it a Switch 2 exclusive? It seems like the OG Switch could handle it. In any event, this version is priced at $30 but has been discounted to $20 for launch.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/blue-prince-is-out-on-switch-2-today-complete-with-mouse-control-162242506.html?src=rss

MacBook Neo" appears to be the name of Apple's long-rumored cheap MacBook, based on a regulatory posting on Apple's website, MacRumors reports. The gaffe was quickly removed from Apple's site (pour one out for the poor soul who posted it). Previous rumors didn't attach a name to the low-cost MacBook - I figured Apple would just revive the clean and simple MacBook" branding. The name MacBook Neo sounds like something we'd see from ASUS or Acer, it's just trying a bit too hard to seem cool.To recap, Apple is expected to unveil its first low-cost MacBook laptop tomorrow (and personally, I think it has a good shot at peeling away disgruntled Windows users). It's rumored to be powered by one of the company's A-series mobile chips, instead of the M-series hardware in its laptops and desktops so far. Apple reportedly isn't skimping on the case - it's expected to be all metal, except with plenty more colors than the company's existing lineup. In many ways, the MacBook Neo sounds like a revival of Apple's cute and colorful iBook laptops, except for far less money than those machines, with no handle for toting around.Apple kicked off its week of spring announcements with the iPhone 17e and iPad Air M4 yesterday, both of which are relatively modest upgrades. (Still, it's nice to have MagSafe on the iPhone 17e.) This morning, Apple unveiled the MacBook Air M5 and MacBook Pro M5 Pro/Max systems, both of which are slightly more expensive than the previous models. We also got a new addition to Apple's monitor lineup with the 5K MiniLED Studio Display XDR. Along with the MacBook Neo, we may also see an upgraded Mac Studio desktop announced tomorrow.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/apples-cheap-macbook-could-be-called-the-macbook-neo-153800133.html?src=rss

There's more waffling going on about the future of electric vehicles in America right now than you might expect at a Belgian breakfast buffet. Some brands like Hyundai are staying committed, some brands like Honda are dialing back, and everyone else is simply doing their damndest to provide as many propulsion options as possibleCount Audi in that last category. On the EV side, it recently launched the new Q6 E-Tron and refreshed the ballistic E-Tron GT. On the internal combustion side, it has a new A6, and there's a full-size, three-row SUV coming in the form of the Q9. The company's latest car, though, can be found in the middle: Meet the new RS5, Audi's latest and greatest plug-in hybrid.RS stands for "RennSport," or "Racing Sport" in German, the moniker applied to Audi's highest performing cars. RS designates an elite group of machines intended to be a bit more edgy and exclusive than your BMW M cars or Mercedes-Benz AMGs. The 2027 RS5 marks the first time an RS has come with both a big battery and a big engine, but the RS5 is much more than a novelty with a plug.Tricky diff2027 Audi RS5Tim Stevens for EngadgetThe main grunt of the new RS5 comes from a 2.9-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 mounted up front under the hood. On its own, that engine produces 503 horsepower, a figure that you might think is plenty. Here, though, it has some help here in the form of not one but two electric motors.The first is a typical hybrid arrangement, a 174-hp motor wedged in between the engine and transmission. This is the primary means of electric propulsion for the car, giving it a total, maximum system output of 630 hp and 609 lb-ft.Because that motor is positioned where it is, the RS5 can still make full use of its eight-speed automatic transmission when driven only by the electric motor. That means a top speed of 87 mph before the engine kicks in. Once it does, it'll take you all the way up to 177 mph.There's a second motor at the back, though, which is far more interesting. No, it isn't there to drive the rear axle like on the RAV4 Hybrid. The RS5 has a traditional Quattro setup with a mechanical differential in the middle to distribute power between the front and rear wheels.The small, 11-hp motor at the back exclusively controls a new type of system that Audi calls Dynamic Torque Control. This motor uses planetary gearsets to selectively and effectively magnify the power to either the left or the right axle at the back. It may be small, but this motor makes the RS5 do some wonderful things.Drift time2027 Audi RS5Tim Stevens for EngadgetFor maximum fun in the new RS5, dial it over to what Audi calls Torque Rear mode. This configures the new rear differential to send maximum twist to the outside rear wheel. Combine that with the center differential, which can send up to 85 percent of the engine's power to the rear, and the result is a remarkably willing drift partner.After less than 30 seconds behind the wheel on a closed track in Marrakesh, I was confidently sliding my way through a set of cones in a slalom, then pirouetting around a cone at the end in a tight circle, clouds of tire smoke hanging in the air. Normally, drifting a 5,200-pound, 630-hp machine rolling on sticky tires is a real nightmare. It's delightfully easy in the RS5.The car's differential setup not only makes this easy but also tracks just how successful you are at it. It records the time, length and even angle of your most dramatic drifts. You can even replay them on the touchscreen if you're so inclined, scrubbing back and forth to see what kinds of G forces you were generating.This is part of a new extension to its infotainment system called the Audi Driving Experience. It'll also track lap times around race tracks, giving you a bit more information in the timeless pursuit of tenths of a second.2027 Audi RS5Tim Stevens for EngadgetAudi also added a few custom screens showing the power distribution of the car and letting you monitor things like critical system temperatures and tire pressures at every corner. Otherwise, though, it's much the same interface as seen on most new Audis, with a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, an 11.9-inch gauge cluster and an optional 10.9-inch display way over on the right for the passenger.That's a lot of displays, with the left two encased within an oversized, sweeping panel that stands tall and proud out of the dashboard. Too tall, actually. If big bezels ruin your day, look away, because there's a lot of wasted space here.Likewise, if you don't like steering wheels with capacitive touch controls, you're not going to love the RS5. Audi has brought back the little scroll wheels under your thumbs, at least, but everything else on there is just a flat surface.Putting the power down2027 Audi RS5Tim Stevens for EngadgetI spent the better part of a day driving the RS5 through the wild streets of Marrakesh and up into the Atlas Mountains to the south. In the city, I left the car in EV mode, letting that primary electric motor and the car's 25.9-kilowatt-hour battery (22 kWh net) do the heavy lifting. Audi says the car can cover up to 54 miles in this mode, and while I didn't have time to go that far on battery power, it seemed like an achievable estimate.The car is perfectly pleasant in this mode, silent and even reasonably quick. In Comfort mode, the suspension is at its softest, and despite those giant wheels, the RS5 did perfectly fine over the decidedly imperfect Moroccan roads. But it wasn't until I got far away from the city that I could start to open things up a bit, working my way through the various drive modes and eventually all the way up to RS Sport, the most performance-oriented.Here, the suspension is at its stiffest and the throttle at its sharpest, transmission swinging through its ratios eagerly to keep the engine singing. Jump on the gas, and the car really does leap forward, the electric motor doing its part to cover the power delay caused by the turbochargers in the mix.You can feel that rear differential here, too, adding an extra bit of pivot to the rear when you're powering out of corners. But, on the way in, you really can feel the substantial weight of this car, the front end scrubbing and pushing forward when you ask too much of it.Again, this model gained more than 1,000 pounds over the old RS5, and though the improved suspension, drivetrain, tires and even giant, ceramic brakes all help to reduce its feel, there's no hiding that much mass.Wrap-upYes, the RS5 has gained a lot of weight, and that hurts its nimbleness on track, but remember that this is a large, luxury sedan. It was never meant to be a lithe track toy. Despite that, the new RS5 actually feels far more fun and aggressive than its predecessor, a characteristic at least partially due to that trick new rear differential and the instant response of the new hybrid system. 54 miles of emissions-free range doesn't hurt, either.The big question is cost, and sadly, Audi's not ready to answer that one yet. You do, at least, have a little time to save. The new RS5 doesn't hit American shores until sometime in 2027.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/2027-audi-rs5-first-drive-big-thrills-with-a-big-battery-152057907.html?src=rss

Reports had suggested that Apple wasn't going to reveal a refreshed MacBook Air with an M5 chip during its week of announcements, but whaddyaknow? Apple just went ahead and did that exact thing.Let's deal with the bad news first: Apple is reverting a price cut from last year. It dropped the M4-powered MBA's starting price down to $999, but for the M5-equipped model, you'll need to shell out at least $1,099.The company claimed the M5 MacBook Air will be able to deliver four times faster performance in AI tasks than the M4 MBA. Compared with the M1 MacBook Air, you'll get up to 9.5 times faster performance, the company said.Along with swapping in a more powerful chip, Apple has upgraded the starting storage by doubling it from 256GB to 512GB. The company says the SSD has 2x faster read/write performance compared to the previous generation." You can kit out the MacBook Air with 4TB of internal storage if you have the will and the means.You'll also get 16GB of RAM for starters. The memory has 153GB/s of bandwidth, which Apple said is a 28 percent improvement over the M4 MBA. The latest MacBook Air can be equipped with up to 32GB of memory.Just like it did with the latest iPad Air, Apple has upgraded the connectivity hardware. Thanks to the inclusion of the company's N1 wireless chip, the M5 MacBook Air supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.As you'd imagine, the M5 MacBook Air runs on macOS Tahoe and it supports Apple Intelligence features. It has a Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, a sound system with Spatial Audio support and a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, which allows the laptop to support up to two external displays. Apple claims the M5 MacBook Air will run for up 18 hours on a single charge.The M5 MacBook Air is available in 13-inch and 15-inch models, with the latter starting at $1,299. It's available in sky blue, midnight, starlight and silver. Pre-orders start on March 4 at 9:15AM ET. The laptops will be available in stores in 33 countries and regions on March 11.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-macbook-air-m5-starts-at-1099-up-100-from-the-m4-141612909.html?src=rss

As part of its big week of announcements, Apple has unveiled a new pair of M5 chips alongside two new MacBooks. The new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips will power the new MacBook Pro that was just announced today, while the new MacBook Air comes with the base M5. According to the company's press release, the M5 Pro and M5 Max come with an advanced GPU with Neural Accelerators and higher unified memory bandwidth for a massive increase in AI compute."At the heart of the M5 Pro and M5 Max are what Apple is calling a new Fusion Architecture" that combines two dies into a single system on a chip (SoC)." The chips both feature a new 18-core CPU, six of which Apple is now calling super cores, that are the word's fastest CPU core."The other 12 are all-new performance cores, optimized for power-efficient, multithreaded workloads." Altogether, Apple says these CPU changes improve performance by up to 30 percent for pro workloads." Meanwhile, the GPU is a jump over the next-gen design we saw in the M5, as it goes to up to 40 cores. Each GPU core has a Neural Accelerator in it, and together with the higher unified memory bandwidth, the company says the M5 Pro and M5 Max offer over 4x the peak GPU compute for AI compared to the previous generation."Apple added that graphics performance is also getting a substantial boost, by up to 35 percent for apps using ray tracing" compared to the M4 Pro and M4 Max.To be clear, this isn't the first time Apple has claimed it has the world's fastest" core. According to our resident Apple Silicon expert Devindra Hardawar, the benchmarks have proven the company's claims true. It's also worth noting that the two-die design isn't novel or unique, as companies like Intel and AMD have been doing similar.The M5 Pro and M5 Max will first show up in the new MacBook Pro, which is available for pre-order starting March 4, and will arrive on Wednesday, March 11.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/apple-unveils-the-m5-pro-and-m5-max-chips-which-feature-new-faster-super-cores-141533420.html?src=rss

Apple continues its gradual unveiling of new products this week with the launch of the Studio Display and an all-new 27-inch Studio Display XDR. The latter is a higher-end model aimed at content creators with a 27-inch 5K Retina XDR display that features a mini-LED display with 2,000-plus dimming zones, up to 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness and a wider color gamut for improved accuracy. It looks like a replacement for the expensive, nearly seven-year-old 32-inch 6K Pro XDR Display, which is no longer for sale on Apple's website.The Studio Display XDR also has a 120Hz refresh rate, addressing complaints about the relatively anemic 60Hz refresh rate of previous models. At the same time, it comes standard with a new tilt- and height-adjustable stand, with a height range of 105mm.AppleApple calls the Studio Display XDR the "world's best pro display" for things like HDR video editing and medical displays. Brightness levels are certainly outstanding at 1,000 nits SDR and 2,000 nits HDR, and the 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 80 percent Rec.2020 coverage are also top-notch. The new model should even be fine for some light gaming thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate and Adaptive Sync support, though many buyers may want a 32-inch or larger display like the now-discontinued Pro XDR model.Other features include a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View support and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity with a second port for downstream high-speed accessories or additional daisy-chained displays. It can also act as a Thunderbolt hub, while offering up to 140W of charging power through the included Thunderbolt 5 Pro cable, enough to fast-charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro.AppleAlong with the Display XDR, Apple also announced a new version of the standard Studio Display. As before, it comes with a 27-inch 5K Retina display with up to 600 nits of brightness and P3 wide color, either with standard or optional nano-texture glass (a $300 option). However, it now includes an improved 12MP Center Stage camera along with Desk View to show your face and an overhead view of your desk at the same time. You also get a studio-quality three-microphone array and six speaker sound system with Spatial Audio.That display now supports Thunderbolt 5 connectivity as well, providing higher-speed connections for accessories and the ability to daisy-chain displays. However, max charging power on this model is limited to 96W, still enough to fast-charge a 14-inch MacBook Pro. The Studio Display comes standard with a tilt-adjustable stand, but you can get it with a tilt- and height-adjustable standard for $400 more as before.The Studio Display XDR will be available tomorrow for pre-order starting at $3,299, while the new Studio Display also goes on pre-order on March 4 starting at $1,599 without the nano-texture display or heigh-adjustable stand.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/apple-reveals-its-new-5k-mini-led-studio-display-xdr-141515587.html?src=rss

XLR microphone owners, rejoice: Shure's successor to the MVX2U Digital Audio Interface (DAI) brings the adapter into the mobile era. The compact MVX2U Gen 2 adds more advanced onboard audio processing. But its most notable upgrade is mobile device compatibility, so you're no longer limited to desktop use.The single-channel MVX2U Gen 2 provides up to +60dB of gain and 48V phantom power. On the processing front, the adapter includes an auto-level mode. There's also a real-time denoiser to minimize background noise and a pop filter ("Popper Stopper" in Shure marketing-speak) to soften those harsh plosive sounds. Shure says the new model improves the noise floor, headphone amp and DAC.The adapter stores your last-used audio processing settings. That way, you don't have to worry about your settings getting wiped out when switching between devices or software.The Shure MVX2U Gen 2 includes a 1m (3.3 ft) USB-C to USB-C cable, so you can get it up and running quickly on your phone, tablet or PC. The adapter is now available for $139 from the company website.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/shures-next-gen-dai-adds-mobile-support-140000205.html?src=rss

Users of Meta's AI smart glasses in Europe may be unknowingly sharing intimate video and sensitive financial information with moderators outside of the bloc, according to a report from Sweden's Svenska Dagbladetreleased last week. Employees in Kenya doing AI "annotation" told the journalists that they've seen people nude, using the toilet and engaging in sexual activity, along with credit card numbers and other sensitive information.With Meta's Ray-Ban Display and other glasses with AI capabilities, users can record what they're looking at or get answers to questions via a Meta AI assistant. If a wearer wants to make use of that AI, though, they must agree to Meta's terms of service that allow any data captured to be reviewed by humans. That's because Meta's large language models (LLMs) often require people to annotate visual data so that the AI can understand it and build its training models.This data can end up in places like Nairobi, Kenya, often moderated by underpaid workers. Such actions are subject to Europe's GDPR rules that require transparency about how personal data is processed, according to a data protection lawyer cited in the report.However, Svenska Dagbladet's reporters said they needed to jump through some hoops to see Meta's privacy policy for its wearable products. That policy states that either humans or automated systems may review sensitive data, and puts the onus on the user to not share sensitive information.Meta declined to comment directly on the story, and simply said that "when live AI is being used, we process that media according to the Meta AI Terms of Service and Privacy Policy." To find out more, check out Svenska Dagbladet's detailed reporting on the subject.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/metas-ai-display-glasses-reportedly-share-intimate-videos-with-human-moderators-135939855.html?src=rss

Sony Music Entertainment Japan and Sony Pictures Entertainment now officially own 80 percent of the Peanuts franchise. The companies have closed the deal, which was officially announced in December 2025 when it was still subject to regulatory approvals, for $460 million. Sony Music Japan has owned 39 percent of Peanuts since 2018, so the Sony subsidiaries are essentially buying 41 percent of the franchise from Canadian firm WildBrain with this transaction. Now that the acquisition is done, Peanuts is officially a consolidated Sony subsidiary.The Peanuts universe started as comic strips by Charles M. Schulz back in 1950. Its characters, especially Charlie Brown and his pet dog Snoopy, have become household names since then. One cannot say Good grief!" without associating it with Charlie Brown. The franchise has grown massively since Peanut's inception, spawning a bunch of animated series, cartoon musicals and movies, such A Charlie Brown Christmas and Snoopy The Musical.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/charlie-brown-now-works-for-sony-125619518.html?src=rss

We're at the start of another one of those weeks where Apple announces one or two of its lesser products each day. The first pair to break cover is the iPhone 17e and iPad Air M4, with more due to drop as the calendar rolls forward. The iPhone 17e is by far the more interesting gadget, especially as the price remained the same as for the iPhone 16e. Apple is charging $599 for the 17e, even though the base model storage has doubled to a very welcome 256GB.The 17e also gains several features that were held back from the equivalent budget handset last year. The most notable is perhaps the addition of MagSafe at Qi2 speeds, enabling users to wirelessly charge their device at 15W. Keen-eyed spec-list nerds will also spot Apple's C1X proprietary wireless chip, which offers comparable speed to the Qualcomm models it will eventually replace, but with far better power efficiency.The iPad Air, by comparison, is the very model of a modern major iterative spec revision to keep it up to date. The M3 has been upgraded to an M4, and it'll get the same home grown wireless chips (N1 and C1X), blessing it with Wi-Fi 7 compatibility. Apple is also adding some more RAM to the iPad Air, boosting it from 8GB to 12GB, but without adding any more digits to the price.As someone who's still clinging on to an iPhone 14, the generous storage and low cost of the iPhone 17e is intriguing. And it's a far more attractive package than whatever Apple was trying to offer with the iPhone Air.- Dan CooperThe other big stories this morning

Meta has started rolling out an experimental AI shopping tool to some users in the US, according to Bloomberg. At the moment, it's reportedly only showing up on desktop browsers when select users visit Meta AI on the web. They'll know if they have access to the feature if they see the Shopping research" button inside the query text box. The company has confirmed that it was testing the feature, Bloomberg said, but it didn't say when a wider release will happen.When users ask for product suggestions, the chatbot will show them a carousel with product images and their pricing, along with a link to the e-commerce website and information about the brand. Meta AI will also include a short explanation why it recommended the item. If Meta AI can see a user's information, such as their gender and location data, it can tailor responses for them. Bloomberg said it replied with a selection of women's puffer jackets from shops that ship to New York, based on the tester's profile. Users cannot check out from within the Meta AI interface, but they can click on the links it provides to shop online.Mark Zuckerberg previously told investors that Meta is launching agentic shopping tools during an earnings call earlier this year. It doesn't come as a surprise that the company is working on them, when rival AI companies already offer the same tools. OpenAI rolled out a dedicated shopping assistant for ChatGPT just before Black Friday last year, shortly after Google launched its own shopping tools for Gemini. Perplexity also released an AI shopping assistant at the same time.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-starts-testing-its-ai-shopping-assistant-120148124.html?src=rss

Google Home has some significant new quality-of-life updates and a new AI-powered feature, the division's head honcho Anish Katturkan announced on X. Many of them, including a function called "Live Search," are powered by the company's Gemini for Home service launched in October 2025 as the official replacement for Google Assistant on smart devices."We launched Gemini for Home in Early Access specifically to learn from real-world usage," Katturkaran said. "With millions of you now testing and shaping this experience every day, we're pushing regular voice improvements to address your feedback."The Live Search feature does just what it says, letting you query Gemini about the current state of your home based on what the cameras see. For instance, you can ask things like "Hey Google, is there a car in the driveway?" However, the feature is only available for Google Home Premium advanced subscribers who pay a $20 per month ($200 per year) fee.Gemini for Home now uses updated models to improve the quality and accuracy of answers too and will more reliably play newly-released songs. Other key updates include better targeting for smart home devices by room, house and device, reduced instances of cutting off a speaker prematurely, better reliability for user-created automations by voice and more. Too see all those changes, check out Google Home's latest changelog,Finally, Google Home announced "enhanced support" for the Nest x Yale lock, including comprehensive passcode management (including for guests), a more robust activity history, real-time notifications for lock events and enhanced lock settings like single touch locking.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/googles-homes-latest-feature-is-gemini-powered-live-search-for-cameras-112216551.html?src=rss

This isn't a Galaxy Note 7 debacle. Oukitel's WP63 is a ruggedized smartphone that's meant to set things alight. It has a built-in electric igniter, aimed at emergency response and camping, helping to start fires when you forgot matches, but you brought this beastly phone along for the adventure. It's got several other notable features, like a 20,000mAH battery, a loudspeaker, and even its own built-in USB-C cable for charging other devices.Still, the igniter was why I was here. The WP63 has an electric coil that heats up, similar to cigarette lighters in cars circa 1987. This is hidden away behind a protective cover at the top of the device, and once it pops out, you activate it using an app. An Oukitel spokesperson was able to light some rolled-up paper, and I was surprised how gentle and seemingly in control it was. (The paper looked like a cigarette, too.)Unfortunately, another spokesperson told me that it can't be used to light candles, although I can't understand why. I don't start campfires, but I do light candles.Image by Mat Smith for EngadgetThe phone will be priced around $500, and completely ignoring the tendency for thinner and thinner phones, it's 27mm thick. Another outdoor use? If a bear decided to attack you in the woods, you might be able to concuss it with the WP63.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/oukitel-wp630-mwc-2026-smartphone-igniter-101046023.html?src=rss

A keyboard is one of those pieces of gear you interact with constantly, yet it's easy to overlook how much it affects your day-to-day comfort. From firing off emails to long coding sessions or late-night gaming, the right keyboard can make everything feel smoother, faster and less fatiguing.

OpenAI's Sam Altman said the company will amend its deal with the Defense Department (or the Department of War) to explicitly prohibit the use of its AI system on mass surveillance against Americans. Altman has published an internal memo previously sent to employees on X, telling them that the company will tweak the agreement to add language to make that point especially clear. Specifically, it says:Consistent with applicable laws, including the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, National Security Act of 1947, FISA Act of 1978, the AI system shall not be intentionally used for domestic surveillance of U.S. persons and nationals.For the avoidance of doubt, the Department understands this limitation to prohibit deliberate tracking, surveillance, or monitoring of U.S. persons or nationals, including through the procurement or use of commercially acquired personal or identifiable information."Altman has also claimed in the memo that the agency affirmed that its services will not be used by its intelligence agencies, including the NSA, without a modification to their contract. He added that if he received what he believed was an unconstitutional order, he would rather go to jail than follow it.In addition, the OpenAI CEO has admitted in the memo that the company shouldn't have rushed to get the deal out on Friday, February 27, since the issues were super complex and demand clear communication." Altman explained that the company was trying to de-escalate things and avoid a much worse outcome" but it looked opportunistic" in the end. If you'll recall, OpenAI announced the partnership shortly after President Trump ordered all US government agencies to stop using Claude and any other Anthropic services. To note, Anthropic started working with the US government in 2024.The Defense Department and Secretary Pete Hegseth had been pressuring Anthropic with to remove its AI's guardrails so that it can be used for all lawful" purposes. Those include mass surveillance and the development of fully autonomous weapons. Anthropic refused to bow down to Hegseth's demands and in a statement said that no amount of intimidation or punishment" will change its position on mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons." Trump issued the order as a result. The Defense Department had also taken the first steps to designate Anthropic as a supply chain risk," which is typically reserved for Chinese companies believed to be working with their country's government.Altman said that in his conversations with US officials, he reiterated that Anthropic shouldn't be designated as a supply chain risk and that he hoped the Defense Department would offer it the same deal OpenAI agreed to. In an AMA session on X over the weekend, Altman clarified that he didn't know the details of Anthropic's agreement and how it differed from the one OpenAI signed. But if it had been the same, he thought Anthropic should have agreed to it.After the news broke out about OpenAI's deal, Anthropic climbed its way to the number one spot of the App Store's Top Free Apps leaderboard, beating out both ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Anthropic, capitalizing on Claude's sudden popularity, launched a memory import tool to make switching to its chatbot from another company's easier. Meanwhile, uninstalls for ChatGPT's jumped by 295 percent day-over-day, according to Sensor Tower.

Australia's government may take a strict stance on ensuring younger users cannot access AI chatbots. Reuters reports that Australian regulators may require app storefronts to block AI services that do not implement age verification for restricting mature content by March 9."eSafety will use the full range of our powers where there is non-compliance," a representative for the commissioner said in a statement to the publication. Those paths could include "action in respect of gatekeeper services such as search engines and app stores that provide key points of access to particular services."A review by Reuters found that of 50 leading text-based AI chat services in the region, only nine had introduced or shared plans for age assurance. Eleven services reportedly "had blanket content filters or planned to block all Australians from using their service," according to the report, leaving a large number that had not taken public action a week ahead of the country's deadline. Failure to comply could see AI companies face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($35 million).The question of which parties are responsible for keeping children from accessing potentially harmful content is being debated around the world. In the US, for instance, Apple and Google have been lobbying to have the task delegated to platforms rather than app store operators. The language from the Australian regulators about all stores is hardly definitive at this stage, but given the breadth of its sweeping ban on the use of social media and some highly social digital platforms for citizens under age 16 enacted last year, an aggressive stance seems to align with leaders' priorities.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/australia-will-consider-requiring-app-stores-to-block-ai-services-without-age-verification-221714252.html?src=rss

Anthropic is bringing another paid feature to Claude's free tier. The next time you chat with Claude, you'll have the option to have it reference your previous conversation to inform its outputs. Anthropic first made its chatbot capable of remembering past interactions last August, before giving it the ability to compartmentalize memories in the fall. Making memory a free feature is well-timed; earlier today Anthropic made it easier for users to import their past conversations with a competing chatbot to Claude.If after enabling memory you decide to turn it off, you can either pause the feature, preserving Claude's memories for use down the road, or completely delete them so they're not saved on Anthropic's servers.Claude is enjoying new-found popularity, having recently jumped to the number one spot in the App Store's free app charts. This comes while Anthropic is engaged in a high-stakes contract dispute with the US government over AI safeguards. On Friday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled the company a "supply chain risk" after it refused to sign a contract that would allow the Pentagon to use Anthropic models for mass surveillance against Americans and in fully autonomous weapons. Following Hegseth's announcement, Anthropic vowed to challenge the designation. As of right now, we're waiting to see how things play out, and what it might mean for Anthropic.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-brings-memory-to-claudes-free-plan-220729070.html?src=rss

Call of Duty is getting a new battle royale mode later this month. The popular first-person shooter will introduce Black Ops Royale as a free game mode on March 13.Black Ops Royale pays homage to Blackout, the series' first foray into a battle royale game mode back in CoD: Black Ops 4. Matches will have 100 players dropping in as four-person teams. The mode takes place on the massive Avalon map, but there will be no familiar Warzone features like loadouts, the gulag, or buy stations. Instead, it's all about the scavenging the weapons from the recent Black Ops 7 game and upgrading them.According to the team's announcement, there will be other familiar features from the Blackout days such as the weapon handling and bullet drop that have been reimagined for modern-day Warzone players. You'll also be able to further customize your play style with an open-ended perks system, another nod to the original Call of Duty BR perk mechanic.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/call-of-duty-will-add-black-ops-royale-a-new-free-game-mode-coming-march-13-211733205.html?src=rss

Starlink is getting ready to launch its second generation of satellites, and it's expected to match the speeds of a traditional terrestrial network. During a keynote at Mobile World Congress, Starlink execs detailed the roadmap for the company's upgrade towards the next generation of satellites called V2."The goal of Starlink Mobile ... is to provide a terrestrial-like connectivity when you're connected to the satellite system," Michael Nicolls, SpaceX's senior vice president of Starlink engineering, said during the MWC keynote. "In the right conditions, it should look and feel like you're connected to a high-performing 5G terrestrial network."Nicolls detailed that the V2 satellite constellation could offer download speeds up to 150 Mbps in ideal conditions, comparing it to a broadband experience. According to Starlink, next-gen satellites will offer 100 times the data density of its predecessors, which should help users with faster streaming and browsing as well as more reliable voice calls. Notably, Nicolls added that the V2 satellite constellation would offer better coverage to Earth's polar regions, which are known to have unreliable coverage with traditional networks.Nicolls said that SpaceX is planning to send out more than 50 V2 satellites on each SpaceX launch starting in mid-2027, with a goal of building out a full constellation in six months. Outside its MWC presser, Starlink also announced a partnership with German telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom. The partnership would help Deutsche Telekom address internet coverage gaps in Europe using Starlink's constellation, starting in 2028.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/starlinks-next-gen-satellite-network-could-provide-150-mbps-speeds-by-end-of-next-year-192118368.html?src=rss

X is rolling out a built-in Paid Partnership" label that creators can apply to sponsored posts, replacing the hashtag workarounds they've had to rely on until now. The feature, announced by the platform's head of product Nikita Bier, adds a toggle that places a disclosure label directly below a post's content. It can also be applied retroactively.The label is meant to help creators comply with years-old FTC regulations requiring clear disclosure of sponsored content. The agency sent out letters reminding influencers about this requirement in 2017, and Instagram added a disclosure feature that same year. Without a native tool, X creators had been left to use hashtags like #ad and #paidpartnership.X has been trying to court creators for some time with tools like ad-revenue sharing and creator subscriptions, but the platform still struggles with major image issues following a string of scandals like Grok creating CSAM. The Elon Musk-owned platform is under investigation both domestically and abroad for the AI agent's behavior.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-adds-paid-partnership-labels-so-users-can-more-easily-identify-ads-183528227.html?src=rss

The iPad Air, the middle child in Apple's tablet lineup, has been upgraded to the M4 chip with increased RAM and... Well, there's not a whole lot else if I'm being honest. At the very least, the new iPad Air M4 models remain at the same price as the iPad Air M3, with the 11-inch version starting at $599 and the 13-inch at $799. I would give Apple more credit if it had increased the starting storage or added literally anything else.If you put them side by side, you might not be able to tell the difference, but this upgrade would benefit creatives and professionals more than anything. There's a significant performance bump from the M3 to the M4, and the increased RAM is doing a lot of work, especially if you're taking advantage of Apple Intelligence.If you're using an M1-powered iPad Air or something even older, though, the new iPad Air M4 should be a compelling upgrade. Pre-orders start at 9:15AM ET on March 4, with the units arriving a week later. We expect full reviews will be published by then. But in the meantime, let's dive into what the performance gains might look like and what we're missing out on in this year's iteration of the iPad Air.iPad Air M4 vs. iPad Air M3: Performance and battery lifeThe most significant difference between the two iPad Air generations is their chipsets. The latest iPad Air launches with the M4 chip versus its predecessor's M3 chip, and it gets a bump in RAM from 8GB to 12GB.I don't give much fanfare to incremental chip increases because the performance gain is usually minimal. However, the M4 is up to 30 percent faster than the M3, according to Apple. That might be noticeable to even casual users, especially as the years go on and iPadOS becomes more demanding. For power users, it'll mean more demanding work like video editing will be noticeably quicker.For those in need of the fastest internet speeds, the new iPad Air is also equipped with Apple's N1 chip, which enables Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, the latest connectivity technology. However, I really don't imagine the average user needing up to 46 gigabits per second of internet speed compared to the iPad M3's 9.6 Gbps on Wi-Fi 6. If you do, you're in the tax bracket for an iPad Pro.Now, despite the increase in speeds, the battery life between the M4 and M3 models remains the same. Apple claims all four models get up to 10 hours of battery life surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video (up to 9 hours on cellular). No complaints here.iPad Air M4 vs. iPad Air M3: Design, display, audio and camerasFor better or worse, we're not getting any changes in any of these departments, which is why I'm lumping them together.The iPad Air comes in blue, purple, beige and gray. The 11-inch option measures 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches and the 13 comes in at 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inches. As their names suggest, they're both rather light, at 1.01 pounds (1.02 pounds for M4) and 1.36 pounds, respectively. My only wish was that we got new colors that popped a bit more.Then there's the displays. All four versions of the iPad Airs sport a Liquid Retina LED display at 264 ppi. The 11-inch supports a 2,360 x 1,640 resolution with a peak brightness of 500 nits, while the 13-inch offers a 2,732 x 2,048 resolution at 600 nits. It would've been nice to see an OLED or even Mini-LED panel make its way to the iPad Air, which could've made the screen more vivid and vibrant. But it's more disappointing that we're stuck at 60Hz unlike the Pro models that offer 120Hz, making their visual experience smoother.Both products feature landscape stereo speakers. The iPad Air M3's audio quality couldn't live up to the iPad Pro, so I doubt the M4 model will.You won't catch me taking photos with an iPad, but for those of you who do, the iPad Air M4 features the same 12MP cameras on the front and back as its predecessor.iPadOS 26, Apple Intelligence and Apple accessoriesNothing huge is happening to iPadOS or the Apple accessories in the iPad Air refresh. The revamped Magic Keyboard from last year still works with these new models, as does the Apple Pencil Pro. iPadOS 26, released last fall, was a major update but will still be familiar enough to anyone who has used an iPad before. The new iPad Air M4 is getting a significant boost in AI processing speeds, though, thanks to its new chip and 50 percent increase in RAM. However, unless you're an AI power user, you probably won't notice a difference there.All that said, if your love language is spreadsheets, the full specs are helpfully laid out below:iPad Air M4 vs. iPad Air M3: Specs at a glanceSpeciPad Air M4iPad Air M3Price$599 (11-inch), $799 (13-inch)$599 (11-inch), $799 (13-inch)ProcessorM4M3Display11-inch: Liquid Retina, 2,360 x 1,640, LED display at 264 ppi13-inch: Liquid Retina, 2,732 x 2,048, LED display at 264 ppi11-inch: Liquid Retina, 2,360 x 1,640, LED display at 264 ppi13-inch: Liquid Retina, 2,732 x 2,048, LED display at 264 ppiRAM12GB8GBStorage128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TBBatteryUp to 10 hours (Wi-Fi), 9 hours (Cellular model)Up to 10 hours (Wi-Fi), 9 hours (Cellular model)Cameras12MP Wide (rear), 12MP Center Stage (front)12MP Wide (rear), 12MP Center Stage (front)Apple accessoriesApple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard FolioApple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard FolioDimensions11-inch: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches13-inch: 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inches11-inch: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches13-inch: 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inchesWeight11-inch: 1.02 pounds13-inch: 1.36 pounds11-inch: 1.01 pounds13-inch: 1.36 poundsThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/ipad-air-m4-vs-ipad-air-m3-the-few-new-things-in-apples-midrange-tablet-182701520.html?src=rss

The Analogue Pocket handheld retro console has proven to be extremely popular, as initial runs have sold out. The company just announced the system will be back in stock this week, along with the dock accessory. Preorders open up on March 4 at 11AM ET, with shipments going out this June.

As AI-generated artwork becomes more commonplace, it still won't be able to be copyrighted, according to US courts. On Monday, the US Supreme Court declined to hear a case about whether an artwork generated with the help of AI can be copyrighted. The refusal means that a lower court's decision to reject the copyright request will stand.The case dates back to 2018 when Stephen Thaler applied for a copyright of an artwork called A Recent Entrance to Paradise. Unlike using ChatGPT or Midjourney, Thaler, a computer scientist, created an AI system that generated the artwork in question. However, the US Copyright Office rejected his application in 2022 on the grounds that it wasn't made by a human author. Thaler sought appeals at higher courts, but ultimately had to escalate the case to the Supreme Court after both a federal judge in Washington and the US Court of Appeals ruled against him.With a refusal from the highest court in the US, it's unlikely Thaler's case can continue. The US Supreme Court could always hear a related case in the future, but Thaler's lawyers said, "even if it later overturns the Copyright Office's test in another case, it will be too late," adding that the decision will have negatively impacted the creative industry during "critically important years." It's worth noting that Thaler also filed applications to the US Patent and Trademark Office for AI-generated inventions, which were rejected for similar reasons.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-supreme-court-doesnt-care-if-you-want-to-copyright-your-ai-generated-art-171849407.html?src=rss

Nintendo has scheduled an Indie World Showcase livestream for tomorrow, March 3, at 9AM ET. The company says this event will include "roughly 15 minutes of news and updates on indie games coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch." That's not a whole lot of time, but indie trailers tend to be on the shorter side.We really don't know anything about what Nintendo and its partners could reveal tomorrow. It's entirely possible we'll see something big, like the previously announced Sea of Sorrow DLC for Silksong. More than likely, however, we'll get trailers and updates regarding a spate of unexpected indie games.The previous Indie World Showcase took place in August and it gave us trailers and announcements for stuff like the excellent Ball x Pit and the upcoming Mina the Hollower. To that last one, Yacht Club Games said it would be launching the title for consoles this spring so we could get a release date announcement tomorrow.Scott Pilgrim EX will be available for download tomorrow, so a launch trailer is almost certain. This is a new side-scrolling fighter with four-player co-op and music by Anamanaguchi. My personal white whale is Witchbrook, the long-gestating life-sim set in a magical school. It's being published by Chucklefish, the company that originally published Stardew Valley.There's some stuff we absolutely shouldn't expect. This is an Indie World Showcase, and not a Nintendo Direct. There will likely be no appearances by Mario or Zelda, unless a character pops up in an indie game as DLC or something. The stream is also unlikely to spotlight Pokemon Pokopia, despite the life-sim launching on March 5.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-just-announced-an-indie-world-showcase-for-tomorrow-at-9am-et-164706666.html?src=rss

Paramount Skydance plans to combine Paramount+ and HBO Max into a single streaming service following the completion of its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. CEO David Ellison confirmed the plan on an investor call Monday, saying the combined platform would serve over 200 million subscribers and position the company to compete with the biggest players in the streaming space.We think the combined offering, and given the amount of content and what we can do from the tech side, really will put us in a position to be able to compete with the most scaled players in DTC," Ellison said. It's not yet clear whether the app's two libraries will be fully integrated, or whether one will exist as a standalone service within the other. Ellison signaled that the HBO brand will operate with independence" during the call.Also unclear is what the newly combined app would cost subscribers. The last year has seen nearly across-the-board increases in the cost of streaming services, including HBO Max.The planned merger would unite Paramount's CBS, MTV, Comedy Central and BET with Warner's CNN, HBO, TNT and Food Network, along with franchises including Game of Thrones, Mission: Impossible, the DC Universe and SpongeBob SquarePants under one roof. The combined entity is expected to carry roughly $79 billion in net debt, according to Reuters, and could be considered the largest leveraged buyout in history. The deal is expected to close in the back half of 2026, pending regulatory approval.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/paramount-and-hbo-max-could-be-merging-into-a-single-streaming-service-163439653.html?src=rss

Apple's most affordable iPhone just got an upgrade, but how does the new iPhone 17e compare to the iPhone 16e? Well, thankfully the price remains the same at $599, which is good news in our current economic climate. An immediate difference you might notice is that one of them now comes in a third color: pink. That's at least one win for me because I am all for putting more color into tech.There are a few differences under the hood as well, namely that the iPhone 17e is arriving with the A19 chip and double the storage. We've already seen what's possible with an A19 chip in the standard iPhone 17 - it's not a super exciting upgrade, but it is a boost nonetheless.Pre-orders start at 9:15AM ET on March 4, and while we work on a full review, let's take a deeper dive into what has changed on this year's model and what that might mean in the real world.iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16e: Design and displayOf course, the biggest difference in the design for the iPhone 17e is the shiny new pink color. I've long complained about how many major tech companies stick to the safety of black, white or gray colorways. Thankfully, the iPhone 17e's pink hue is a departure from that approach. It's also an understated shade that's elegant, compared to the typically brighter and louder tones reserved for cheap(er) phones.Both the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e measure 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches. However, the iPhone 17e did get a bit heavier at 5.96 ounces compared to the iPhone 16e's 5.88 ounces. It's very unlikely you'll notice the 0.08 ounce difference, though. (And if you do, you have a gift.)In terms of durability, the iPhone 17e is outfitted with Ceramic Shield 2, which is a glass face that Apple said is three times more scratch-resistant than the iPhone 16e's original Ceramic Shield. Ideally, it'll survive falls to the ground (within reason) and spare you a scratched up display from casual wear and tear.There doesn't seem to be any change in the display - whether that be in its brightness or color rendering capability - but that isn't too shocking. Both the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a 1,200-nit peak brightness. That's bright enough to combat the ambient glare from the sun, so you should be able to read it outside relatively easily. They're also specced out with a 2,532 x 1,170 resolution at 460 ppi - meaning text and lines will be clean and sharp.iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16e: CamerasI didn't expect a huge bump in camera technology, especially if Apple intended to keep the price the same. We've got upgrades in other categories for sure, but it would've been nice to see an extra camera on the back. Like the iPhone 16e, the iPhone 17e is kitted out with Apple's 48-megapixel Fusion 2-in-1 camera with a 12MP 2x Telephoto setting. You also get digital zoom up to 10x. Take a look at our iPhone 16e review to see exactly what that looks like in practice, but to sum up our experience: it's solid.There's a great level of detail and vibrancy, but like I said, it's limited. Without a potential ultrawide camera, you cannot capture as much of your surroundings because you're not getting that 0.5x zoom option.One major upgrade, however, is that the iPhone 17e is now capable of recognizing dogs and cats in Portrait mode. It also saves depth information so you can turn regularly captured photos into portraits after the fact. This might be a noteworthy upgrade, considering the iPhone 16e struggled in Portrait mode, incapable of capturing non-human faces and objects.There's also the 12MP TrueDepth camera on the front, which we didn't have many complaints about, and don't expect to disappoint on the iPhone 17e.iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16e: Processor, battery life and chargingApart from the color, the biggest differences between the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e is their starting storage and overall performance. The new iPhone is packed with an A19 chip, while the latter comes with an A18 chip.Yes, you're getting a performance bump with the A19 chip, but casual users are unlikely to feel the difference. If you're a power user trying to get the most out of an affordable iPhone and want to get crunchy about it, there's roughly a 5 percent difference in CPU speed and over 10 percent in GPU performance (according to CPU Monkey).Despite that bump, the battery life hasn't changed. With both devices, Apple says you're getting up to 26 hours of video playback and up to 21 hours streamed. The company doesn't typically share specifics on battery sizes, but GSMArena is reporting that both models come with a 4,005mAh battery. What has changed, however, is being able to receive double the wattage from wireless charging. The iPhone 17e can now take up to 15W for Qi2 fast wireless charging - compared to 7.5W from the Qi support on the iPhone 16e.iOS 26 and Apple IntelligenceAt a glance, there does not seem to be any difference in what the iPhone 16e and iPhone 17e offer in terms of iOS and Apple Intelligence capability. However, it's relevant to note that you will likely get better performance out of the iPhone 17e with regards to AI features because of its superior A19 chip.In case you wanted to do the numbers comparison yourself, we've compiled a nifty table here so you can eyeball them with ease. But for a sense of how the iPhone 17e holds up in the real world and whether it's worth the money, stay tuned for our full review.iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16e: Specs at a glanceSpeciPhone 17eiPhone 16ePrice$599$599ProcessorA19 chipA18 chipDisplaySuper Retina XDR, 6.1inch, 2,532 x 1,170, OLED display at 460 ppiSuper Retina XDR, 6.1inch, 2,532 x 1,170, OLED display at 460 ppiRAM8GB8GBStorage256GB, 512GB128GB, 256GB, 512GBWireless chargingUp to 15WUp to 7.5WRear camera2-in-1 camera - 48MP Fusion main, 12MP 2x Telephoto, digital zoom up to 10x2-in-1 camera - 48MP Fusion main, 12MP 2x Telephoto, digital zoom up to 10xFront camera12MP selfie cam12MP selfie camSIMDual SIM (two active eSIMs)Dual SIM (two active eSIMs)ConnectivityWi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3, NFCWi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3, NFCOSLaunched with iOS 26Launched with iOS 18This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/iphone-17e-vs-iphone-16e-whats-new-on-apples-latest-599-handset-162009364.html?src=rss

Anthropic has made switching to its Claude AI chatbot easier than ever. The company announced a new memory import tool that can extract all of a competing AI chatbot's memories and context of you into a text prompt that can be fed into Claude.With Anthropic's prompt, you can then copy and paste the output into Claude's memories, and the AI chatbot will pick up where you left off with another AI chatbot, whether it's ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot. Anthropic said it'll take about 24 hours for Claude to assimilate the new context, but you'll be able to see the change by clicking on the "See what Claude learned about you" button. Claude users can even tweak what the AI chatbot remembers in the "Manage memory" section in the app's settings. Anthropic pointed out that Claude is meant to focus on "work-related topics to enhance its effectiveness as a collaborator," adding that it might not remember personal details that are unrelated to work.Anthropic's timing doesn't seem to be just a coincidence. Claude recently jumped to the number one spot in the App Store's free apps charts, dethroning ChatGPT in the process. The rise in popularity likely stems from its recent dispute with the Department of Defense, where Anthropic refused to budge on AI guardrails related to mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. On the other hand, OpenAI will be taking Anthropic's vacated role with the Department of Defense, leading to a trend of users boycotting ChatGPT and canceling their subscriptions.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropics-claude-can-now-absorb-your-past-conversations-with-other-ai-chatbots-153201656.html?src=rss

Apple has scheduled a product launch event, dubbed an "Apple Experience", for March 4 at 9AM ET. The company is reportedly holding this event in NYC, London and Shanghai.Everyone loves shiny new products, so what can we expect to see at Apple's first launch event of 2026? We don't know anything for certain, but we have plenty of educated guesses that have been sourced from industry reports and speculation from analysts.Editor's Note (on March 2 at 9:45AM ET): Apple has officially announced the iPhone 17e and iPad Air (M4). It's expected to continue to unveil new hardware in the following days, per the rest of this article.Budget-friendly MacBookThere have been rumors swirling that Apple is preparing to launch a cheaper alternative to the MacBook Air. Bloomberg reported on this all the way back in November. Industry rumors indicate that Apple will be stuffing this laptop with an iPhone processor, the A18 Pro, to keep the price down.

Samsung's newest feature turns your phone into your house keys. The company has created the Digital Home Key, a feature inside of the Samsung Wallet that should let you unlock any compatible smart door with your phone. The Samsung Wallet already offered digital car keys."As we continue to evolve Samsung Wallet, delivering trusted mobile experiences remains at the core of our innovation," Woncheol Chai, EVP and head of Digital Wallet Team, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, said in a statement. "Through close collaboration with our partners and in alignment with the Aliro standard, Digital Home Key brings the same level of security and ease Samsung Galaxy users expect from Samsung Wallet to their homes."Created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), Samsung calls Aliro an "industry-standardized communication protocol." The Digital Home Key will also get support from smart lock brands like Nuki and Schlage. It's also designed to meet EAL6+ security certification.According to Samsung, you'll also need biometrics or a PIN to use the Digital Home Key. You should be able to remotely manage or remove the tool through Samsung Find if you lose your phone.Samsung is rolling out the Digital Home Key in select regions starting this month. It plans to expand its range as compatible smart lock brands become available in more locations.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/the-samsung-wallet-can-now-hold-your-house-keys-142944132.html?src=rss