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Two of the largest cable companies in the US are intent on merging. Charter Communications' proposed acquisition of Cox Communications - the largest division of Cox Enterprises - will value the former at over $34 billion inclusive of debt.In Cox Communications, the Cox family, which acquired its first cable business in 1962, already operates the largest private broadband company in America, supplying homes in more than 30 states, and it will be the majority shareholder in the acquisition with a stake of around 23 percent. In a press release, Charter said it will inherit Cox Communications' commercial fiber and managed IT and cloud businesses, while Cox Communications' residential cable business will move to Charter's Charter Holdings subsidiary."Cox and Charter have been innovators in connectivity and entertainment services - with decades of work and hundreds of billions of dollars invested to build, upgrade, and expand our complementary regional networks to provide high-quality internet, video, voice and mobile services," said Chris Winfrey, President and CEO of Charter. "This combination will augment our ability to innovate and provide high-quality, competitively priced products, delivered with outstanding customer service, to millions of homes and businesses."The new combined company will continue to operate its cable, broadband and mobile consumer businesses under Charter's Spectrum brand, and said it will offer existing customers the choice to stick with their current plans or pay less for new bundled services it intends to offer.Of course, such mega-mergers are rarely cut and dried. Rivals, like Comcast, might attempt to scuttle the deal, while government antitrust enforcers may also not allow the transaction to go through.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/cable-giants-cox-and-charter-agree-to-34-billion-merger-140652859.html?src=rss

Indie games! They're rad, aren't they? We're keeping closer tabs on what's going on in that scene with our new weekly roundup. We've got a jam-packed edition for you this time with a little something for everyone, from lo-fi horror and Eldritch terror to cosy train dioramas and a vaporwave driving game.Before we get started, a quick word on a recent game I enjoyed. Idle games aren't usually my kind of thing - I'd rather be actively doing things - but one I spotted on Itch.io offered some temporary respite from a virus I was dealing with. The DvD idle game from Cybo3D is all about watching a version of the classic DVD logo bouncing around your screen, buying upgrades and seeing numbers go up. Pleasantly relaxing stuff. I swear I even saw the logo go exactly into the corner a few times.New releasesThe Sinking City has a history that's even odder than some of the Eldritch horrors that lie within. Now, developer Frogwares has remastered its self-published detective thriller in Unreal Engine 5 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Existing owners get a free upgrade to The Sinking City Remastered, which Frogwares shadow dropped this week. Along with 4K textures, lighting upgrades and support for upscaling tech, there are quality-of-life enhancements, accessibility improvements and a photo mode.Free-to-play fantasy adventure life sim Palia (which is what you might get if you smushed together Animal Crossing and World of Warcraft) landed on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S this week. It's been out on PC and Switch since 2023. There's a new free expansion for all platforms too.If you've ever looked at a Grand Theft Auto game and been mildly interested before deciding a life of virtual crime is not for you, then The Precinct might be up your alley. In this action sandbox title from developer Fallen Tree Games and publisher Kwalee, you'll play as a rookie officer who tries to restore order in his city while trying to solve his father's murder. How very '80s!Reviews have been mixed, but the art style is compelling and the isometric perspective with twin-stick controls make for an intriguing wrinkle. The Precinct is out now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.UpcomingCopycat, the debut game from the small team at Spoonful of Wonder, is another strong entry in the cat game canon. You play as a kitty who an elderly lady adopts from a shelter. Needless to say, things don't entirely go smoothly.I enjoyed Copycat - which debuted on PC last year -and its short but affecting story. The game has already sold over 50,000 copies and it's now set to find a new audience. Copycat is coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on May 29 for $15.Folks who like last year's very good and creepy walking sim Pools but yearn for more intensity from their liminal space horror might be interested in Backrooms Level X. This one is a mazy first-person survival game that has puzzles, "oppressive soundscapes" and things watching from the shadows. Backrooms Level X, from publisher Firenut Games and solo developer Jose Manuel Conesa Hernandez, will hit Steam on May 29 and consoles at a later date.Okay, maybe horror's not your thing. Totally understandable. Perhaps what you'd rather do is chill out and build little railway dioramas without being beholden to timers or rules.You can do just that in Islands & Trains, from developers Akos Makovics and Fabi Smith and publisher Future Friends Games. It's rolling onto Steam on May 29.It's probably a little (okay, a lot) because of the laidback synthwave tune that soundtracks the trailer, but I'm into the whole aesthetic of Adrift. This is a "chill, offroad driving game" and it's the first title from both car mechanic turned game developer Stefan Kwak and co-publisher Secret Sauce.Your goal is to transport a fragile energy core across an '80s-inspired, vaporwave landscape. Adrift is coming to Steam later this year and you can check out a demo now.How about another Steam demo? One just dropped for Flick Shot Roguesfrom three-person studio Butter by the Fish and publisher Noodlecake. Turn-based tactics games usually aren't my cup of tea, but the gameplay here reminds me a bit of Subpar Pool, a game I love very much.In this roguelike, you flick your character across the screen to damage opponents (or evade their attacks) and try to pull off combo moves. Getting the angles just right is as important as piecing together effective builds.I fired up the demo and suddenly 50 minutes had vanished as my first run ended. Yep, I'm liking what Flick Shot Rogues is putting down. I can see myself sinking dozens of hours into this one after it lands on Steam later this year.An open beta for Splitgate 2, the followup to the Portal-with-guns multiplayer arena shooter, starts on May 22. You'll be able to hop in on Steam, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.A new trailer shows off the map creator tool, The Lab. You can build maps with up to 15 of your friends in real-time collaboration.I'm sure plenty of folks who are into miniature wargaming and other types of tabletop games have wondered what it might be like to run their own store that sells such wares. And hey, guess what? You'll be able to get a taste of that in Tabletop Game Shop Simfrom Knight Fever Games.You'll do everything from deciding on the layout and managing finances to hosting game nights and playing with customers. This one's coming to Steam in 2025.Let's close things out on another cozy note. We love a chill puzzle game around here and Umami might just fit the bill. The idea here is to fit wooden blocks together to create dioramas of food towers. This 3D puzzler from Mimmox will hit Steam later this year. A demo will be available during the Steam Next Fest in mid-June.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/remastered-eldritch-terror-a-fantasy-life-sim-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-110015794.html?src=rss

The bright, glitched-out, typography-forward look of Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter Marathon is one of its defining features. As it turns out, it's also partially plagiarized, according to posts shared on the official Marathon X account. The announcement comes after artist Fern Hook, who goes by @4nt1r34l on X, initially accused Bungie of using in-game textures that looked similar to her original artwork on May 15."Bungie is of course not obligated to hire me when making a game that draws overwhelmingly from the same design language I have refined for the last decade," Hook wrote on X, "but clearly my work was good enough to pillage for ideas and plaster all over their game without pay or attribution."

The FTC just rested its case following weeks of testimony in a landmark antitrust case against Meta. But before Meta can begin its defense, the company's lawyers have opted for another move: asking the judge to throw out the case entirely.The company filed a motion on Thursday asking US District judge James Boasberg to toss out the FTC's case, arguing that the regulator has not proved that Meta acted anticompetitively. "Meta has made two promising mobile apps with uncertain prospect: two of the most successful apps in the world, enjoyed by approximately half of the planet's population (including hundreds of millions of U.S. consumers) on demand, in unlimited quantities, all for free," the filing says, "The FTC has not carried its burden to prove that Meta 'is currently violating the antitrust laws.'"The company's reasoning is similar to past arguments it's made about the FTC's case. Meta has said that Instagram and WhatsApp were able to grow to one-billion-user services because of the company's investments. The company also takes issue with the FTC's claim that there is a lack of competition for "personal social networking services." (The FTC has argued that Meta's only competitors for social networking are Snapchat and MeWe, a small privacy-focused social app that runs on decentralized protocols.)So far, the month-long trial has seen a number of prominent current and former Meta executives take the stand, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, former COO Sheryl Sandberg and Instagram cofounder Kevin Systrom. Their testimony has revealed new details about the inner workings of the social media company and its tactics to stay ahead of potential competitors.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-is-trying-to-get-its-antitrust-case-thrown-out-in-the-middle-of-the-trial-204656979.html?src=rss

There's a new way to screen for early detection of Alzheimer's disease. On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the first blood test for the disorder. Fujirebio Diagnostics' Lumipulse measures the ratio of two proteins that correlate with the presence or absence of Alzheimer's. Previously, patients being screened for Alzheimer's were limited to more invasive options: a PET Scan or spinal tap.Lumipulse is intended for use in clinical settings with patients exhibiting signs of cognitive decline. At least in its current form, it isn't something the general population can ask for as a standard screening.The test works by measuring two proteins: pTau217 and -amyloid 1-42. The blood test calculates their ratio, which correlates with the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain. People with Alzheimer's have elevated pTau217 and lower -amyloid 1-42.In a clinical study, the test performed better with negative results than positive ones. As such, Reuters reports that the test will likely be used initially to rule out Alzheimer's. Over 97 percent of negative results corresponded with a negative PET scan or CSF test result. Results for positives were a bit lower: a 91.7 percent correlation. So, positive results will need to be confirmed with more advanced diagnostic tests.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/the-fda-clears-the-first-blood-test-for-diagnosing-alzheimers-disease-201209676.html?src=rss

Last August, my best friend asked me how she could help her neighbor set her iPhone so she could answer it without picking it up. The neighbor had Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and had lost dexterity in both hands over time. Some Google searches revealed I was far from alone in my confusion. So I asked Apple for some advice. Here's what I said:Q: My friend has advanced MS and has some (very little) control of one of her hands. She can't really swipe a screen or tap buttons. She wants it so that when she receives a call, she can just ask Siri or tell her iPhone to answer or reject it. But based on my research, the only way that's possible is if a user has AirPods or Apple Watch connected, so Siri can announce incoming calls and listen for commands like "Answer" or "Dismiss."I also looked in the accessibility settings for Voice Control and there's a way to answer all incoming calls after a set amount of time. But due to privacy concerns and spam calls, that's not an ideal solution.I was wondering if you knew any way for incoming calls to be answered with a voice command?"A: Apple did respond, but unfortunately the solution is... complicated. I'll lay out the steps on how to use your iPhone with Voice Control first, since that does provide a somewhat effective workaround. But you should read past the steps for some of the caveats.How to use Voice Control on iPhone to answer callsBefore we get started, make sure your phone is running iOS 13 or later. You can also use Voice Control on iPads or iPod Touch (if you still have one). When setting up Voice Control, make sure you're connected to the internet to download the necessary files, and Apple recommends you connect to Wi-Fi before you turn on Voice Control to use it for the first time. When all that is done, proceed with the following steps.

Iconic video game maker Hideo Kojima has left behind a USB stick filled with game ideas in the case of his death, as indicated in an interview with Edge Magazine that VGC reported on. Kojima says it's "kind of like a will" and that he hopes that his staff will continue to make games after he passes.Don't worry. He isn't going anywhere anytime soon. This was spurred on by the pandemic. "Until then, I didn't think I was old, you know? I just didn't feel my age, and I assumed I would be able to create for as long as I live," he told the magazine. Kojima is 61 years old, which is a spring chicken when compared to luminaries like Shigeru Miyamoto (72) and Sid Meier (71.)

More original Switch games are getting the Switch 2 treatment. Although their enhancements are subtler than the Switch 2 editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, at least these will be free updates.On Friday, Nintendo detailed the legacy Switch titles that will receive upgrades for the Switch 2. They include some of the console's best games from the company's biggest franchises.Most of the platform's big Mario games are included: Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. You'll also find the platform's top-down Zelda titles: Echoes of Wisdom and Link's Awakening. A pair of Pokemon games makes the cut: Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet. Even Captain Toad's Treasure Tracker gets in on the action.The enhancements vary by title. They range from various visual upgrades to multiplayer GameShare functionality.Here's the complete list:

The FCC has announced its approval of the merger between communications giants Verizon and Frontier, after a deal was made last year. Verizon will acquire Frontier Communications for $9.6 billion in cash, in addition to absorbing $10 billion of debt.Key to earning approval from the FCC was Verizon's commitment to ending all DEI-related practices, in line with the Trump administration's aim to dismantle all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives from both public organizations and private companies.The statement from the FCC said the approval "ensures that discriminatory DEI policies end," and that Verizon "has reaffirmed the merged entity's commitment to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination.""By approving this deal, the FCC ensures that Americans will benefit from a series of good and commonsense wins. The transaction will unleash billions of dollars in new infrastructure builds in communities across the country-including rural America. This investment will accelerate the transition away from old, copper line networks to modern, high-speed ones. And it delivers for America's tower and telecom crews who do the hard, often gritty work needed to build high-speed networks," said Brendan Carr, FCC chairman.Verizon plans to upgrade and expand Frontier's existing network across 25 states and expects to deploy fiber to more than one million American homes annually.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/fcc-approves-verizons-20-billion-merger-with-frontier-181434890.html?src=rss

After claiming that Apple was blocking Epic from offering Fortnite in both the US App Store and the Epic Games Store in the European Union, Apple now says it wasn't, according to a report from Bloomberg.A spokesperson told Bloomberg that Apple "did not take any action to remove the live version of Fortnite from alternative distribution marketplaces," and that the company wants Epic's European branch to resubmit the latest gameupdate for publishing, "without including the US storefront of the App Store so as not to impact Fortnite in other geographies."

The European Commission (EC) has been firing on all cylinders in holding big tech to account through various fines and enforcement actions, attempting to create a more competitive landscape in a space that has become increasingly monopolized.Microsoft has been in a years-long dispute with the EC, which opened an antitrust probe in 2023 after Slack filed a complaint in 2020 alleging that Microsoft's bundling of Teams and Microsoft 365 was anticompetitive.The company unbundled the two products in the EU shortly thereafter in a bid to avoid antitrust fines, but it wasn't enough to appease the EC. In 2024, the Commission found that Microsoft did not go far enough and was still in violation of antitrust laws, risking massive fines.This week, Microsoft responded with a more robust set of commitments. Its productivity software suites will continue to be offered without Teams in the European Economic Area (EEA) for at least seven years. Minimum price deltas will be set between versions of the suites that include Teams and those which do not.Microsoft has also offered to align these options and pricing structures for its suites and Teams globally should the EC accept its proposal. Interoperability enhancements that make it easier to use third-party competitors to Teams were also included in the proposal."The proposed commitments are the result of constructive, good-faith discussions with the European Commission over several months. We believe that they represent a clear and complete resolution to the concerns raised by our competitors and will provide European customers with more choices," said Nanna-Louise Linde, Microsoft's VP of European Government Affairs.The EC has begun an open feedback period, seeking comments from competitors and citizens on whether the proposed commitments by Microsoft are adequate and place the company back within the bounds of the EU's antitrust regulations.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/microsoft-attemps-to-avoid-eu-fines-by-further-decoupling-teams-and-office-170519085.html?src=rss

Third-party support was a big theme of the Switch 2 reveal earlier this year, with many publishers seemingly keen to capitalize on both the popularity of the outgoing Switch and the significantly increased horsepower of its imminent successor. And if you're looking to get third-party games on your new system, they don't come much much bigger than Red Dead Redemption 2, which could be making its way to Nintendo's new console later this year.Gamereactor says it has heard from sources close to Rockstar (which it then corroborated with other sources) that the enormous open-world Western that first released in 2018 is bound for Switch 2, and could arrive either at the same time, or after, a long-rumored next-gen update for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Red Dead Redemption 2 is of course currently playable on both of those platforms, but unlike GTA 5, it's never been patched to support the higher frame rates and fidelity afforded by the newer hardware.This should by no means be taken as an official announcement, but Rockstar has supported the current Switch pretty well throughout its life cycle, releasing ports of L.A. Noire, the original 3D Grand Theft Auto trilogy, and most recently the first Red Dead Redemption. If the Switch 2 can run its sequel, it's a pretty safe bet to assume that Rockstar would want to do it, and the console is likely to be roughly equivalent in power to the base model PS4, according to Digital Foundry. It goes without saying that we'll know a lot more about how the Switch 2 performs when the console is in the wild and put through its paces.Both a Nintendo Switch 2 port and current-gen patch for Red Dead Redemption 2 would be a good way for Rockstar to bridge the gap between now and the release of GTA 6, which was recently delayed until May 2026. With a 97 percent score on Metacritic, RDR2 is one of the developer's most acclaimed titles to date, and you can be sure that a lot of people would happily hop back into the cowboy boots of Arthur Morgan while they wait to return to Vice City.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/red-dead-redemption-2-could-be-coming-to-switch-2-this-year-161043422.html?src=rss

In February, Sigma announced the Sigma BF. It's a full-frame, interchangeable lens camera with just a shutter release, a dial and three buttons. That minimalism speaks to me, and I felt the BF was potentially transformative. Photography is one of my favorite hobbies, and I've always felt modern cameras are too complicated. When I received a unit of the Sigma BF to test, I wanted to love it. Unfortunately, it might be too simple.It all starts with the design. The Sigma BF is one of the industry's few unibody cameras. It's carved from a single slab of aluminum, a process Sigma says takes seven hours to complete. The result is a camera unlike any I've used before, with build quality that surpasses either of my current Fujifilm models, the X-E3 and X-S20. Now, I know what you're thinking: The BF looks like an ergonomic nightmare. Surprisingly, it's not too bad, thanks to the inclusion of two beveled edges where your hands meet the bottom of the camera body.Igor Bonifacic for EngadgetStill, it's missing a few features that would have made it more comfortable to use, likely due to the limitations of its unibody design. For one, a proper grip would have been nice, especially when you're using a heavy 50mm lens like the one Sigma sent me for testing. The BF is also missing a hot shoe mount, so third-party thumb grips are off the table. Most annoying of all, it only has a single strap eyelet, so if you don't want to use a neck strap, you'll need one that attaches to the camera's tripod mount. I don't own one of those, so I had to carry around the $2,000 BF in my hand the entire time I was using it. You can imagine how that felt.The BF offers a very different shooting experience from your typical digital camera. As I mentioned, it has only a shutter release, a single dial and three buttons (one for powering the camera on and off, one for reviewing your photos and footage and one for accessing the overflow menu). There's also a touchscreen, but you wouldn't know it at first, because other than when selecting a focus point and toggling some options, you won't be using it much while shooting.The BF's one dial is the primary way to interact with the camera. To adjust your exposure, you first press left or right on the dial to cycle to a specific setting, and then spin it to tweak the levels as desired. A second smaller screen above the dial allows you to adjust those parameters without interacting with the main display.Igor Bonifacic for EngadgetAlternatively, you can press down on the center of the dial to open the BF's "dual layer" menu system. As the name suggests, Sigma has organized most of what you might need across two levels of menus. For example, say you want to switch the camera from matrix to spot metering. That involves pressing down on the dial, scrolling over to one of the exposure settings, tapping the center of the dial again, and then using your thumb to press the touchscreen and enable spot metering. Accessing most of the settings you'll need won't be as tedious, but this worst case scenario demonstrates where the experience of shooting with the Sigma BF falls short.The BF isn't great for capturing fleeting moments. In ditching most of the physical controls modern cameras are known for, the Sigma BF makes it difficult to change multiple settings simultaneously. I was most annoyed by the BF whenever I wanted to shoot a fast-moving scene.On one of my photo walks with the Sigma BF, I saw a father riding a bike with his son in the seat behind him. With my X-E3 or nearly any other camera, capturing that moment would have been simple. I could have changed the drive mode, focus system and shutter speed independently of one another. On the BF, I had to adjust each setting consecutively. By the time I was done, the father and son were long gone.Some of the BF's shortcomings could be addressed if Sigma at least allowed you to edit the quick settings screen to show fewer options. I don't need easy access to change things like the aspect ratio, for example. In 2025, every new camera ships with an overly bloated menu system, and in that regard the Sigma BF is a breath of fresh air. However, allowing the user to make their own tweaks would have made for a much better experience.And that's the thing: With the BF, Sigma breaks camera interface conventions that are conventions for good reason. Let me give you one of the more frustrating examples: The camera inexplicably doesn't offer an easy way to measure the exposure of a scene. There was no meter to indicate whether I was about to under- or overexpose a shot, and I couldn't add one to the main screen.Igor Bonifacic for EngadgetThe only way I could see a histogram, my preferred method for nailing exposure, was to access the second layer of the interface from one of the capture settings. This is an especially confounding decision because you can half press the shutter to make quick exposure compensation adjustments with the control dial, but as soon as you do, the BF jumps out of whatever menu you were looking at. If digging through menus isn't your thing, there are two live view overlays you can enable to see if you've clipped your shadows or highlights. The first is your usual zebra pattern. The second, which Sigma calls False Color, turns most of the screen grayscale and uses warning colors. Neither felt as precise as a proper exposure meter or histogram.On paper, the BF is a decent camera for video, with support for 6K recording, HEVC encoding and L-Log. Unfortunately, the BF's minimalism is a weakness here too. To start, framing a shot is a challenge since the camera has a fixed screen. Getting usable footage is also tricky. The BF doesn't offer in-body image stabilization, and while there are a few L-mount lenses with built-in stabilization, most wouldn't be practical to use with the BF due to their size and weight.Igor Bonifacic for EngadgetIf you've gotten this far, you're probably wondering if I have something positive to say about the BF. Well, the best thing about the camera is that it takes genuinely great photos, which is what makes all its shortcomings all the more frustrating. The 24-megapixel, backside illuminated sensor and Sigma's lenses capture and render detail beautifully without being clinical. The BF also has great subject detection autofocus that makes shooting portraits of people and pets easy.The Sigma BF has some interesting ideas about what a camera can look like in 2025, but those ideas are often marred by poor execution. As a first stab at a minimalist camera, the BF has enough going for it, and with refinement, I could see future versions evolving into something special. For example, I'd love to see Sigma find a way to include a flip-out screen in the BF's unibody frame. Until then, $2,000 is a lot to ask for a camera that could be so much more.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/sigma-bf-hands-on-minimal-to-a-fault-144024445.html?src=rss

For Paul and Chris Weirtz, Murderbot - the upcoming TV adaptation of Martha Wells' sci-fi novella All Systems Red - was an experiment: Can you have a hero who tries to do nothing?The 10-episode sci-fi series, whichdebuts May 16 on Apple TV+,follows an anxious security robot (Alexander Skarsgard) assigned to protect a survey group on a planetary mission. As the mission progresses and deadly surprises emerge, Murderbot grapples with concealing its capacity for free will - an ability enabled when it hacked its governor module - and its insecurities around humans, all while navigating existential questions about its purpose in the universe. Above all, though, Murderbot wishes it could spend its days simply viewing the 7,532 hours of video content it secretly squirreled away in its system for entertainment - a true media junkie, like most of the show's viewers.AppleBringing All Systems Red to TV took years, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Writers Guild of America strike in 2023. But with support from Apple TV+'s head of worldwide video Jamie Erlicht, a fan of Wells' work, Paul and Chris chipped away at the show's scripts, sending every version to Wells for feedback. (Wells, as a consulting producer, ultimately weighed in on other aspects of the project, including design and casting.)The seriesstays faithful to All Systems Red - the first of several books and short stories comprising The Murderbot Diaries - in most of the ways that count. The plot largely follows that of the novella, but also makes substantial additions. Members of the PresAux survey group which Murderbot protects, including Dr. Mensah (Noma Dumezweni), Gurathin (David Dastmalchian), Pin-lee (Sabrina Wu), Ratthi (Akshay Khanna), Arada (Tattiawna Jones) and Bharadwaj (Tamara Pdoemski), now have more nuance and deeper backstories.The Preservation Alliance, an independent group of planets which the PresAux survey group hails from, is now eccentric, even downright bohemian. During Murderbot's season premiere, PresAux holds hands in a meditative circle, eyes closed, deliberating over whether to rent the refurbished Murderbot for their mission. Soon after landing on the planet, they dance in the desert, their bodies heaving, arms waving to the music's beat - little touches inspired by aspects of Chris's two decades of experience with Burning Man. (Several members of the mission also find themselves navigating the particular dramas of polyamory.)We also wanted a sense of these people being out of their element and out of their social setting," Chris told Engadget. They're in the corporation rim, which is a really brutal, extractive capitalist world, but these people are egalitarians from outside of that system. They are [seen as] freaks not just to Murderbot, but to the corporation flunkies who are upselling them."While Murderbot's favorite TV series, The Rise & Fall of Sanctuary Moon, is referenced in Wells' novel, in Murderbot, the futuristic soap opera is its own fleshed out universe - a bonafide show-within-a-show. Intended as a parody of classic sci-fi, most obviously the original Star Trek series, Sanctuary Moon's scenes are rife with heavily saturated sets and gaudy costumes. John Cho, as the captain of a starship, falls madly in love with a navigation systems robot (DeWanda Wise); Jack McBrayer portrays a navigation officer out of his depth. Their performances are comically over-the-top, but that's the point.I have a theory that people think of good acting as being very restrained, and that is the case often, but my theory is that humans are emoting maniacs all the time. They're hamming it up in front of the mirror, in their bathroom," Paul said. There was something great about being able to enter a David Lynch-like telenovela world and do the sci-fi version of those things."Casting the droll but irreverent character of Murderbot took time. Part-human, it experiences a full range of emotions but struggles with deep-seated social anxiety, and detests showing its face to humans - which may help explain why the character has become popular with members of the neurodivergent community. Skarsgard, whose diverse acting resume includes a Viking prince in The Northman, a ruthless tech CEO in Succession, the titular character in The Legend of Tarzan and a physically abusive husband on Big Little Lies, had traits and experiences Paul and Chris felt were essential for effectively playing the show's central character.As one might expect for a security robot, Paul Weisz noted Skarsgard is "physically imposing." "You get the sense maybe he could kill somebody," said Paul. But much like the titular character Paul felt this sometimes terrifying exterior belied something much more nuanced. "Alexander also has a really quirky sense of humor. His mind is very different from his body. He's really unique."Bringing in Cho and McBrayer for their roles in the Sanctuary Moon scenes wasn't nearly as intensive a search; Cho and the Weitz brothers had worked on several projects together over the years.It's like a Faustian bargain when you work with us once, that we're probably going to get your home cellphone," Paul mused. Jack McBrayer is best friends with Alexander, so that was the route to [him]. In terms of John, we worked with him first on American Pie, and I think we've done 12 things in different ways with him over the years. So it's a little like The Godfather where it's like, someday, I'm going to ask you for a favor."AppleFilmed in Ontario, production started in 2024, lasting six months. Shooting the show's planetary scenes meant scouring for locations like mining quarries, slag heaps and abandoned factories. Interior shots for scenes at Port Freecommerce, a vast star base, in the season premiere were filmed on soundstages in Toronto.All along, Paul and Chris set out to present a far-flung universe seen less often on screen in recent years. Shirking the dark, grim aesthetic heavily favored in many more recent sci-fi TV and film projects, they worked with production designer Sue Chan to create a universe dominated by bright lighting, white and gray sets, light-colored fabrics and colorful patterns.We drew on the wellspring of science fiction we read when we were kids and on science fiction paperback covers of the 1980s, which always seemed to have such great concept design and a bright, interesting world in which to lose yourself," Paul recalled. Specifically, it seemed like since this was a world that was dominated by corporations, there'd be a lot of logos everywhere. There'd be a cheapness to a lot of what was manufactured. Also, if you look around, there are a lot of things that seem to have been extruded by giant 3-D printers. Even the food is extruded by 3-D printers."Designing Murderbot's armor was a collaborative process with the costume department, led by costume designer Carrie Grace and specialty costume designer Laura Jean Shannon. To start, they looked at helmets from virtually every well-known robot depicted in military and sci-fi movies from the last 50 years. Initial designs resembled Star Wars stormtroopers, but Skarsgard really pushed" for the robot's look to be something unique," according to Paul. Drawing inspiration from The Little Rascals' Petey, who had a large black circle around one of his eyes, the team built a large, distinctive black eye piece into Murderbot's helmet visor.AppleMurderbot spends much of its time clad in armor, but it also has downtime when the armor comes off, revealing an impossibly smooth humanoid form resembling Mattel's Ken dolls. To achieve that look, Skarsgard regularly waxed his entire body during filming.Alexander actually volunteered to have his body waxed, because he thought it was what would be best for the character," Chris recalled. I remember discussing it with him, and I said, Listen, man, I don't know if people are even going to notice, but it might make just a tiny bit of difference in terms of the believability of the character.'"[Alexander's] like, Yeah, I should wax myself,'" Chris continued. Then for the next five, six months, he had to do that every week until he realized eventually that his next role was to play a hairy biker [in the romance drama Pillion]."In Murderbot, Paul and Chris saw more than a quirky sci-fi novella - they saw a deeply human story wrapped in armor and deadpan humor. Their TV adaptation doesn't just bring Wells' world to screen with panache, it leans into the quiet radicalism of a character who resists heroism, craves isolation and struggles to navigate the messiness of human connection.That emotional core - unexpected, thoughtful, and entirely sincere - is what makes Murderbot more than just another sci-fi romp. It's a mirror for our most vulnerable selves, disguised as a robot who'd really rather be watching TV.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/how-murderbots-chris-and-paul-weitz-adapted-all-systems-red-for-tv-130034113.html?src=rss

After winning a court case pretty decisively against Apple, developer Epic submitted Fortnite to the US App Store and suggested it would soon be back on iOS. However, according to the Fortnite team, Apple has blocked the game on both the US App Store and the EU's iOS version of its own Epic Games Store.Fortnite had been available on iPhones in Europe since August last year due to EU rules that allow third-party iOS stores.Epic CEO Tim Sweeney suggested that Apple didn't have any particular reason to refuse the application. "Apple's App Review team should be free to review all submitted apps promptly and accept or reject according to the plain language of their guidelines," he tweeted. "App Review shouldn't be weaponized by senior management as a tool to delay or obstruct competition, due process, or free speech." Apple has yet to comment on the matter.To recap: this entire kerfuffle between Apple and Epic has been over, essentially, rent-seeking, and who gets to profit from it. Apple thinks it should keep getting a cut of sales through its App Store; Epic, naturally, would like to keep lining its own pockets. This fight initially opened up the option for developers to use third-party app stores for iOS apps, though a portion of their sales were still flowing back to Apple's coffers. The most recent court ruling attempted to close that apparent loophole.The latest Fortnite version submitted by Epic included payment systems for Apple along with external payment via Epic's own store. Fortnite was originally banned from the App Store in 2020 after it submitted a version that included an external payment system that violated Apple's rules at the time - a decision subsequently backed by a court decision in 2021. To that end, Apple may not be legally obligated to reinstate Epic, despite the fact that the rule originally broken by the developer no longer existed.This fight is, of course, ongoing. Apple appealed the most recent ruling and asked the court to halt App Store changes until a final decision is made.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnite-is-offline-on-ios-around-the-world-131535163.html?src=rss

Acer has unveiled a group of new gaming monitors, including a pair of 26.5-inch QD-OLED screens under its Predator label. The Predator X27U F5 has peak refresh rate of 500Hz and a resolution of 2560x1440, while the Predator X27 X has a 4K screen and a 240Hz refresh rate. Both monitors offer AMD FreeSync Premium Pro technology to prevent screen tearing and support true 10Bit color. They are slated to be available in the third quarter for the EMEA region and China. The X27U F5 will start at 899 and the X27 X starts at 1,099.The high refresh rate on the Predator X27U F5 is particularly notable. Samsung just opened limited pre-orders of its own 500Hz monitor over the weekend, which the company claimed was the first product to pair that refresh rate with OLED visuals in a gaming monitor.Other Acer monitors in the lineup are part of its line of Nitro Google Smart TV monitors. The Acer Nitro GA321QK P is a 31.5-inch 4K screen with a 165Hz refresh rate, while the Acer Nitro GA341CUR W0 has a 34-inchultra-wide QHD curved display that refreshes at 240Hz. There's also a portable option in the lightweight Acer Nitro PG271K, which has an adjustable kickstand. This 27-inch monitor can be a 4K display with a 72Hz refresh rate or a full HD one with a 144Hz refresh rate thanks to Dynamic Frequency and Resolution technology. No prices or timeline has been shared yet for the first two Nitro monitors, but the PG271K is projected to cost 499 when it arrives in the EMEA region.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/acer-introduces-five-new-gaming-monitors-130041537.html?src=rss

Summer is right around the corner, and while it is the perfect season for being outside in the sunshine, there's nothing quite like returning home to a perfectly climate controlled space to cool off. The fourth generation Nest Learning Thermostat from Google can help you beat the heat with even more efficient air conditioning, and it's on sale right now ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. You can snag this smart home gadget for $50 off with the code ENGAD50 at Wellbots. That means you'll pay just $230 for this tool to control the temperature in your house, because the deal also includes free shipping. Google did an update to its Nest thermostat last August that increased the LCD display size of the gadget by about 60 percent. You can also customize the display with this version so that it will blend in with your own home decor, and the chassis is available in black, silver or gold options. As with so many Google products these days, the Nest uses AI to help take more accurate readings and make predictions to increase your energy savings. It can automatically adjust to your individual habits to create a temperature schedule if you don't want to program it all manually. This version of the gadget is a particularly good option if your home has issues with cold spots, because the Nest Learning Thermostat comes with a wireless temperature sensor that you can place in that hard-to-heat area. If you need more, you can separately buy additional sensors for monitoring those hot or cold pockets of your house. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/googles-latest-nest-learning-thermostat-is-50-off-ahead-of-memorial-day-130027461.html?src=rss

Acer is updating its lineup of Swift Edge, Go and X laptops at Computex with the latest Intel chips, and in of one of these Copilot+ PCs, a unique matte display treatment developed by Corning, the glass manufacturer behind the Gorilla Glass covering millions of smartphones.The beneficiary of that new display is the Swift Edge 14 AI. The laptop's display has an anti-glare Gorilla Matte Pro finish that's the first of its kind on a laptop, and is supposed to "reduce screen reflection by 95 percent" compared to alternative anti-glare glass. Acer introduced the original Swift Edge 14 AI alongside the parade of Copilot+ PCs that accompanied Microsoft's big push into AI last year. The new Swift Edge 14 AI benefits from those same AI features like Recall or Click to Do thanks to its updated internals. You can spec the Swift Edge 14 AI with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor with Intel Arc graphics, up to 32GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of storage. All of this components are packed into a white and relatively light (2.18 lbs) magnesium-aluminum alloy body, with a 14-inch OLED screen and a "soft-touch" stain-resistant keyboard.For the new Swift Go 14 AI and Swift Go 16 AI, Acer lets you build the laptop with up to an Intel Core Ultra 7, up to 32 GBLPDDR5X RAM and up to 2TB of storage. On the Swift Go 14 AI you can opt for a 16:10, 1,920 x 1,200 resolution OLED and a similarly laid out 2,048 x 1,280 resolution OLED on the Swift Go 16 AI. Neither laptop is as sleek as the Swift Edge 14 AI - in terms of appearance, the Swift Go laptops seem like the kind you'd be assigned for work. Case in point, both Go models have 1080p, Windows Hello-compatible webcams and touchpads with built-in video conferencing controls.Acer is also updating its Swift X laptops, the company's go-to option if you're looking for more graphical oomph. Both the Swift X 14 AI and the plain Swift X 14 include a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU, which should power you through all sort of video editing and 3D rendering tasks. You can pair the GPU with up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 on the Swift X 14 AI or up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 on on the Swift X 14. Both laptops can include up to 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 2TB of storage. This year's Swift laptops also feature a 14.5-inch 3K OLED displays and larger haptic touchpads that support tilt-enabled styluses for drawing and photo retouching.Likely due to the unpredictable nature of global trade, none of Acer's new Swift laptops have finalized pricing or availability in the US, though we can share the info Acer has for Europe. The Swift Edge 14 AI is expected to be available in June for 1,599, the Swift Go 14 AI a little bit later in July for 1,199 and the Swift Go 16 AI in August for 1,299.The story is the same for Acer's Swift X laptops. Both the Swift X 14 AI and Swift X 14 will be available in July for 1,799.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/acers-new-swift-edge-14-ai-laptop-packs-in-a-matte-display-and-ai-features-130010112.html?src=rss

Acer is announcing a boatload of PCs and gadgets for Computex 2025. But among the sea of new tablets, monitors, productivity machines and more is the Predator Triton 14 AI, which just became my most anticipated laptop of the year.The Predator Triton 14 AI tops out with an RTX 5070 GPU, but that's understandable given its compact size (3.5 pounds and 0.68 inches thick). Aside from that limitation, this thing has practically everything I look for in a premium notebook. It sports a slick design, a bunch of fancy features and a gorgeous display - all in a surprisingly portable chassis. In some ways, calling it a gaming laptop is kind of a disservice, because it's clear Acer designed this thing to do a whole lot more.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetFor performance, the Predator Triton 14 AI features up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V chip, 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage. Acer then turned things up a notch by equipping it with its latest sixth-gen AeroBlade fans (which are made of metal instead of plastic) and a vapor chamber. But the potential cherry on top is that Acer says the Triton is the world's first laptop to use graphene thermal interface materials. The company claims this increases thermal capacity by as much as 14.5 percent over more traditional pastes.Meanwhile, the Triton 14 AI also comes with a 2,880 x 1,800 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Calman Verified certification. So not only is it accurate, it also has a wide gamut that covers 100 percent of the DCI-P3 color spectrum. And unlike a lot of rival gaming machines, the Predator's display is touch-enabled. For content creators, the laptop comes with a new haptic touchpad covered by Gorilla Glass with native stylus support (and the pen comes included). This means artists can use the track area as a mini Wacom pad (with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity) while traveling.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetHonestly, the closer you look, the more impressive this laptop gets, because it feels like Acer paid attention to every little detail. Thanks to some help from AI, the Triton's 1080p IR webcam offers human presence detection, which allows it to automatically lock itself when you walk away or dim the display when you're looking elsewhere to prevent Peeping Toms from spying on your work. Acer even coated both the screen and the laptop's deck with an anti-fingerprint finish to prevent it from looking greasy.Despite its slim dimensions, the Triton also has great connectivity. There's support for Wi-Fi 7 along with two USB-C ports (one of which is Thunderbolt 4), two Type-A jacks, 3.5mm audio, a microSD card reader and a full-size HDMI 2.1 connector. And because it's a gaming laptop, it naturally comes with per-key RGB lighting.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetUnfortunately, Acer has yet to release official US pricing for the Predator Triton 14 AI, which is almost certainly due to the ever-shifting tariff situation. But if European info is anything to go by, this thing won't be cheap with a listed starting price of 2,999 euros. That's steep, but it makes sense given the laptop's impressive specs.On the bright side, if you like the Predator Triton 14 AI, Acer is also making a more affordable sibling in the Predator Helios Neo 14 AI. It features the same display, a similar Intel Core Ultra 9 285H chip and up to an RTX 5070, but with a different (and less elegant) chassis, Wi-Fi 6E and older fifth-gen AeroBlade fans. Like the Triton, there isn't official pricing for this one yet either, but with it starting at 1,699 euros overseas, it doesn't present nearly as big of a hit on your wallet.The biggest change for the Helios Neo 14 AI compared to the Predator Triton 14 AI aside from price is that it has a bulkier chassis with a large thermal shelf in back.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetBesides gaming, the Triton 14 AI looks like it could be a great video editing station, featuring enough performance to blast through practically everything else you can throw at it. I'm going to be eagerly awaiting its release (along with the Helios Neo) sometime later this summer.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-acer-predator-triton-14-ai-is-now-my-most-anticipated-gaming-laptop-of-the-year-130007910.html?src=rss

When it comes to headphones, we can't shut up about Sony's top-tier buds and over-the-head options. In each iteration, the company adds new features, develops better technology and hones its strengths in portable audio, and three years on from the WH-1000XM5, the sixth-gen model does it yet again.Sony's overhauled its flagship headphones in all the right ways. The WH-1000XM6 sound better, with improved active noise cancellation and convenient features that match the best-sounding and the most feature-packed rivals.You should definitely check out Billy Steele's full review. The headphones' only major challenge remains a non-clunky naming convention.- Mat SmithGet Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Even more tech news you might have missed

In the early hours of May 14, xAI's chatbot Grok repeatedly gave X users responses that referred to claims about a "white genocide" in South Africa even if their inquiries had nothing to do about the subject. Now, in a statement posted on the social network, Elon Musk's AI company has explained that "an unauthorized modification" to Grok's prompt on X caused it to "provide a specific response on a political topic." It didn't say what had happened to the personnel involved in rolling out the rogue update. But it added that the modification violated its "internal policies and core values" and that it has conducted a thorough investigation about the incident.The website's various users had posted several instances wherein Grok included references to the controversial claims that white South African farmers are facing racial discrimination and land seizures in their country. Their questions? Well, in one tweet, someone asked how many times HBO has changed its streaming service's name. In another, the user asked a baseball player's salary history. In yet another one, someone asked for more information about a WWE match. CNBC was able to replicate the chatbot's responses with white genocide references. When the news website asked if it was specifically programmed to promote "white genocide," Grok said that it wasn't and that its "purpose is to provide factual, helpful, and safe responses based on reason and evidence."Before xAI issued a response, OpenAI chief Sam Altman posted a snarky response on X. "I'm sure xAI will provide a full and transparent explanation soon," he wrote, and then mimicked Grok's responses by segueing into talking about white genocide. xAI said that from now on, it will be publishing its system prompts on GitHub so that the public can give feedback on every alteration. The company also said that it will put additional checks and measures to ensure xAI employees can't modify Grok's prompt without a review. Whoever edited it recently was able to circumvent its current review process in this case. In addition, the company said it's putting together a team that can monitor incidents related to Grok's answers not caught by automated systems 24/7.As TechCrunch has noted, this isn't the first time xAI had blamed a contentious Grok behavior to an unauthorized change. Back in February, the chatbot briefly censored sources that talked about how Musk and President Donald Trump are spreading misinformation. xAI co-founder Igor Babuschkin said at the time that a rogue employee had pushed an unapproved modification to Grok's prompt.

It looks like we're entering the era of crazy-thin phones. This week, Samsung finally announced the Galaxy S25 Edge, its slimmest smartphone yet. Is there actually a point to it, or is Samsung just trying to beat Apple to its rumored super-thin iPhone? Engadget's Sam Rutherford joins us to dive into the S25 Edge, as well as some pre-Google I/O news from the Android Show.Subscribe!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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