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Google is finally ready to explain how Gemini will replace Google Assistant in your smart home. The company's original voice assistant will be replaced with the aptly named Gemini for Home starting this month, ushering in what might be an easier-to-use and more conversational smart home era in the process.Like Google teased at CES 2025, the biggest change Gemini for Home will introduce for Google Assistant devotees is an end to rigid commands. While you'll still need to use a "Hey Google" wake word, the days of having to be precise are over. Google claims Gemini grasps context enough to not only remember what your last request was, but also understand that if you're saying "Hey Google, I'm about to watch a movie, turn off the lights," you specifically mean the lights in your living room. You'll also be able to string multiple requests together into the same sentence, and create automations without having to whip out the Google Home app, just by describing them. And when you want to ditch wake words entirely, you can start a Gemini Live chat and have a smooth back and forth with Gemini about whatever you choose.AI-based improvements will also extend to any cameras you have in your smart home. Google says Gemini can create more useful notifications if a camera detects motion or films a notable event from around your home, thanks to its semantic understanding of visuals. You can also pull a specific piece of footage with natural language requests and even receive answers based on things your smart home recorded via a new feature called "Ask Home." Like Ask Photos in Google Photos, Ask Home understands the context and meaning of footage you've captured to provide answers to questions like "Did I leave the car door open." And for a larger overview of what's going on at home, the "Home Brief" can identify important events you've filmed and "summarizes hours of footage into a quick, digestible summary you can read to catch up on what happened while you were away," Google says.GoogleGoogle says Gemini for Home will be available on all of its smart home devices released in the last decade, including new Gemini for Home-compatible doorbells and cameras created by Walmart. Unfortunately, if you're interested in features like Gemini Live, AI-powered notifications, Ask Home and Home Brief, you'll have to pay for a $10-per-month Google Home Premium subscription to use it. The subscription also unlocks an additional 30 days of cloud storage for any videos your smart home captures and comes included with Google's AI Pro and Ultra subscriptions at no additional cost.To try out Gemini for Home as soon as possible, you can sign up for early access in the Google Home app. Google says the update will roll out throughout the month of October, and come to smart speakers and smart displays "toward the end of the month."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/gemini-for-home-is-the-official-replacement-for-google-assistant-on-smart-devices-130041482.html?src=rss

A day after Amazon updated its security cameras, Google followed suit with its competing suite. A trio of new Nest security cams is available starting today. The latest Nest Doorbell and Nest Cams have higher-resolution (2K HDR) video and a wider field of view. That not only makes for better images, but it also opens the door to new (paid) AI features. Google's new additions include the Nest Cam Indoor (3rd gen), Nest Cam Outdoor (2nd gen) and Nest Doorbell (3rd gen). The company says the devices were designed to "provide the rich, detailed data our multimodal AI uses to understand." The results, according to the company, are "better alerts" and the ability to "find important moments, faster." Google says DxOMARK rated all three as first in their class for image quality. The Nest Cams each have 2,560 x 1,400 resolution with a 152-degree diagonal field of view (FOV). The Nest Doorbell uses a 2,048 x 2,048 sensor with a 166-degree FOV. All three support up to 6x digital zoom. Alerts can digitally zoom in on subjects. Google The company says the combination boosts the cameras' ability to capture video in low-light conditions. Specifically, Google claims they offer 120 percent more light sensitivity than their predecessors. "This means the cameras can now stay in full-color mode much longer at dawn and dusk than before," the company wrote. The sharp resolution also allows you to digitally zoom in on a specific area in the Home app, cropping out the rest. Google says the feature could be handy for hot spots like a garden bed or walkway. Similarly, your alerts will include animated previews that zoom in on the subject. This could make it easier to tell at a glance who or what triggered the notification. Ask Home (left) and Home Brief Google The upgraded Gemini AI chops include a new chatbot feature called Ask Home. It lets you do things like ask what ate your plants. (In Google's example, the chatbot explains that it was rabbits, producing photo evidence.) It also lets you perform smart home tasks or create automations using natural language. There's another new AI feature called Home Brief that gives you an AI-generated summary of the day's activities. Both of the new AI features require a Google Home Premium subscription. All three cameras are available beginning today at the Google Store and with retail partners. The Nest Cam Indoor costs $100. The Nest Cam Outdoor will set you back $150. And the Nest Doorbell costs $180. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/googles-new-nest-doorbell-and-nest-cams-have-2k-video-and-new-ai-chops-130006878.html?src=rss

Google announced a wave of hardware updates today, including giving some love to the Google Home Speaker. We saw a teaser for the revamped smart speaker last month, so the announcement isn't a surprise, but it does provide some specifics about what's coming to the company's smart home efforts.This new Google Home Speaker puts the Gemini AI assistant front and center, as is the case with so much Google hardware these days. The light ring will also flash different colors to show when the AI model is listening, processing or responding. If you have a Google Home Premium subscription, you'll also be able to use the Home to access Gemini Live. The blog post promises "more natural conversations" with this model, which it says has custom processing to support the demands of running an AI assistant.Google is also bringing 360-degree audio to the Home Speaker. The upcoming iteration will be able to connect a pair of Home Speakers to the Google TV Streamer, allowing for a surround-sound home theater setup. The Home will still be able to connect to other Google Nest speakers as well. And for the privacy-minded, there's a physical button to toggle the microphone off.The new speaker won't be available until spring 2026 and will retail for $99. It has four color options: porcelain, hazel, jade and berry. The Google Home Speaker will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.The announcement follows hot on the heels of Amazon's fall hardware event, which also had some big updates for smart speakers centered on its own Alexa+ AI assistant, including a brand new form factor called the Echo Dot Max.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/the-google-home-speaker-is-getting-a-gemini-driven-refresh-130004673.html?src=rss

In a lot of ways, Meta's hasn't changed much with its second-gen Ray-Ban glasses. The latest model has the same design and largely the same specs as the originals, with two important upgrades: longer battery life and improved video quality. At the same time, the Ray-Ban Meta glasses have a lot of features that didn't exist when I first reviewed them two years ago, largely thanks to AI. And with the release of its second-generation frames, there's still a lot to look forward to, like new camera features and AI-powered audio. The good news is that Meta isn't limiting these updates to its newest frames, so if you have an older pair you'll still see the new features. But, if you've been on the fence about getting a pair, there's never been a better time to jump in. Same look, (slightly) better specs Meta and EssilorLuxottica haven't strayed too far from the playbook they've used for the last two years. The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses come in a handful of frame styles with a number of color and lens variations that start at $379. I tried out a pair of Wayfarer frames in the new "shiny cosmic blue" color with clear transition lenses. I personally prefer the look for the slightly narrower Headliner frames, but the second-gen glasses still look very much like traditional Wayfarer glasses. I've never been a fan of transition lenses for my own prescription eyewear, but I'm starting to come around on them for smart glasses. As Meta has improved its cameras and made its AI assistant more useful, I've found more reasons to wear the glasses indoors. The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses come with clear frames, with polarized and transition lenses available as an upgrade. Karissa Bell for Engadget Also, if you're going to be paying $300 or more for a pair, you might as well be able to use them wherever you are. It also helps that the transition lenses on the second-gen Ray-Ban Meta glasses get a bit darker than my first-gen Wayfarers with transition lenses. Upgrading from the standard clear lenses will cost you, though. Frames with polarized lenses start at $409, transitions start at $459 and prescription lenses can run significantly more. As with the recent Oakley Meta HSTN glasses, the second-gen Ray-Bans come with a longer battery life and better camera. Meta says the battery can last up to eight hours on a single charge with "typical use." I was able to squeezea little more than five and a half hours of continuous music playback. That's a noticeable step up from the battery on my original pair which, after two years, is starting to show its age. The glasses also now support higher-resolution 3K video recording, but the 12MP wide-angle lens shoots the same 3,024 x 4,032 pixel portrait photos as earlier models. The second-gen glasses have the same design as the first-gen, with a capture button on the right side of the frames. The charging case provides an additional 48 hours of battery life. Karissa Bell for Engadget For videos, there's a noticeable quality boost, but I still think it's probably not necessary for most people if you're primarily sharing your clips on social media. It does make the glasses more appealing for creators, though, and judging by the number of them in attendance at Connect, I suspect Meta sees them as a significant part of its user base. I'm looking forward to Meta adding the ability to record Hyperlapse and slow-motion videos, though, as I think these may be more interesting than the standard POV footage for everyday activities. Meta AI + what's coming Two years ago, I was fairly skeptical of Meta's AI assistant. But since then, Meta has steadily added new capabilities. Of those, the glasses' translation abilities have been my favorite. On a recent trip to Argentina, I used live translation to follow along with a walking tour of the famous Recoleta cemetery. It wasn't perfect - the feature is meant more for back-and-forth conversations rather than extended monologues - but it allowed me to participate in a tour I would have otherwise had to skip. (A word of warning: using the live translation for an extended period of time is a major battery killer.) Meta AI can also provide context and translations in other scenarios, too. I spent some time in Germany while testing the latest second-gen Ray-Ban glasses and found myself repeatedly asking Meta to translate signs and notices. For example, here's how Meta AI summarized this collection of signs. Meta AI was able to translate these signs (left) when I asked it "what do these signs say?" Karissa Bell for Engadget As I wrote in my review of the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses, I still haven't found much use for Live AI, which lets you interact with the assistant in real-time and ask questions about your surroundings. It still feels like more of a novelty, but it makes for a fun demo to show off to friends who have never tried "AI glasses." There are also some very interesting accessibility use cases that take advantage of the glasses' cameras and AI capabilities. Features like "detailed responses" and support for "Be My Eyes" show how smart glasses can be particularly impactful for people who are blind or deal with low vision. One AI-powered feature I haven't tried out yet is Conversation Focus, which can adjust the volume of the person you're speaking to while dampening the background noise. Meta teased the feature at Connect, but hasn't said exactly when it will be available. But if it works as intended, I could see it being useful in a lot of scenarios. I'm also particularly intrigued by Meta's Connect announcement that it will finally allow third-party developers to create their own integrations for its smart glasses. There are already a handful of partners, like Twitch and Disney, which are finding ways to take advantage of the glasses' camera and AI features. Up to now, Meta AI's multimodal tools have shown some promise, but I haven't really been able to find many ways to use the capabilities in my day-to-day life. Allowing app makers onto the platform could change that. Disney has previewed a smart glasses integration for inside of its parks that would allow visitors to get real-time info about the rides, attractions and other amenities as they walk around. Golf app 18Birdies has shown off an app to deliver stats and other info while you're on the course. Should you buy these? And what about privacy? When the Ray-Ban Meta glasses came out two years ago, this was a pretty straightforward question to answer. If the idea of smart glasses with a good camera and open-ear speakers appealed to you, then buying a pair was a no-brainer. Now, it's a bit more complicated. Meta is still updating its first-gen Ray-Ban glasses with significant new features, like Conversation Focus, new camera modes and third-party app integrations. So if you already have a pair, you won't be missing out on a ton if you don't upgrade. (And with a starting price of $299, the first-gen glasses are still solid if you want a more budget-friendly option.) There are also other options to consider. The upcoming Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses come with more substantial hardware upgrades and other unique features that will appeal to athletes and anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors. And on the higher end, there are the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses that blend AR elements with its existing features in an intriguing way. Meta has already previewed several new features, like new camera modes and Conversation Focus. Karissa Bell for Engadget I also have many of the same concerns about privacy as I did when I reviewed Meta's first Ray-Ban branded glasses back in 2021. I'm well aware Meta already collects an extraordinary amount of data about us through its apps, but glasses just feel like they provide much more personal, and potentially invasive, access to our lives. Meta has also made some notable changes to the privacy policy for its glasses in recent months. It no longer allows users in the United States to opt out of storing voice recordings in its cloud, though it's still possible to manually delete recordings in the Meta AI app. The company says it won't use the contents of the photos and videos you capture to train its AI models or serve ads. However, images of your surroundings processed for the glasses' multimodal features like Live AI can be used for training purposes (these images aren't saved to your device's camera roll). Meta's privacy policy also states that it uses audio captured via voice commands for training. And it should go without saying, but anyone using Meta's glasses should be very careful about sharing their interactions with its AI app, as a bunch of users have already seemingly inadvertently shared a ton of highly-personal interactions with the world. If any of that makes you uncomfortable, I'm not here to convince you otherwise! We're still grappling with the long-term privacy implications of generative AI, much less generative AI on camera-enabled wearables. At the same time, as someone who has been wearing Meta's smart glasses on and off for more than four years, I can say that Meta has been able to turn something that once felt gimmicky into a genuinely useful accessory.

It's been a rough time for Peloton. Last year was marred by deep staff cuts, a change of CEO and a reckoning of where the home fitness company belonged, post-Pandemic boom. The answer is, unfortunately, AI-tinged, but that shouldn't distract from some major hardware upgrades across its Bike, Tread and Row family of machines. It's an almost-entire overhaul, with new software, programmable workouts and an array of collaborations. There are also some tentative steps toward wellness, because why not?Peloton's 2025 lineup is called the Cross Training series, with five different fitness devices - Bike, Bike+, Tread, Tread+ and Row+ - all benefiting from new hardware, varying levels of AI smarts with Pelpton IQ and software improvements.All of the new machines have a 21.5-inch screen that rotates away from the bike/track/rower. (Previously, the Bike+ had this feature, with a bigger 23.8-inch display.) This turns it into a more versatile screen for cross-discipline workouts that Peloton has already dabbled in, including yoga and strength training. Peloton explained at the launch event that strength training is actually its second most-popular class offering.Image by Mat Smith for EngadgetPeloton's Guide camera, if you remember, has been fused into the plus' machines. A new movement tracking camera (which can be flipped off) can count your reps automatically and show that on screen while also monitoring form and offering light guidance. During a demo, while doing weight training next to the bike, the machine suggested improving squat movements by imagining sitting deeply into a chair. It seems like relatively surface advice, but it's more guidance than Peloton's fitness equipment has offered in the past.Senior Vice President of Product Brent Tworetzky said that the Guide device informed how Peloton's cameras track workout movements, which was all folded into these Cross Training machines. There are voice commands to pause workouts, adjust weights and even skip moves when needed.Peloton has also folded in some of the most-requested hardware features from its members. While a phone tray won't blow your mind, a new three-speed fan and a reengineered seat are all included with the plus machines. Peloton has also worked with Sonos to upgrade the speaker system, and the plus machines are the first to have a woofer built-in.Peloton IQ features go further than computer vision. Across all the new machines, it can generate and track personalized workout plans, and can even control strength training workouts that you can tackle at your own pace, if instructor movements prove too confusing.Turning on your Peloton of choice on a Monday, for example, you can program in a week of workouts, with the AI working in the background to offer balanced workouts or a training program geared at your fitness goals, whether that's weight loss, cardio fitness or strength.Peloton IQ will also analyze your workout history and give personalized target metrics and goals to help them select their workout. Select a more challenging (or longer) workout and IQ will note that the workout will be "Harder than your usual" when browsing the class library.Image by Mat Smith for EngadgetPeloton is expanding its membership offerings even further, although several intriguing additions aren't yet available. For example, the company is collaborating with New York's Hospital for Special Surgery to develop workout programming that focuses on injury prevention and recovery. It also acquired Breathwrk, a breathing exercise app that's now folded into services for both All-Access and App+ Members.There's even more. Peloton is also collaborating with Respin Health on an eight-week program, curating Peloton classes to target symptom relief and overall quality of life improvement for members experiencing perimenopause through to postmenopause. And - don't tell your competitive exercise buddy - Peloton is expanding its collaboration with Hyrox with new classes to help train towards those manic races.There is a cost to all these additions. The new Cross Training versions are priced several hundred dollars higher than their predecessor. Peloton's Cross Training Bike is priced at $1,695, while the Bike+ jumps up to $2,695. The Cross Training Tread starts at $3,295 , while the Tread+ is $6,695. And if you're looking for an upgraded rower, the Row+ starts at 3,495. All of the machines require a Peloton subscription, priced at $50.And that's an increase there, too. Effective starting this month, Peloton has raised its All-Access Membership from $44 to $49.99 and App+ Membership from $24 to $28.99. The app-only service is also being nudged up from $12.99 to $15.99.The new Cross Training range is available to buy now at onepeloton.com, Peloton's own retail stores, Amazon and Dick's Sporting Goods.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/peloton-cross-training-bike-tread-row-plus-machines-form-checking-cameras-rotating-screens-ai-price-launch-date-110042677.html?src=rss

Not everyone needs a super-expensive, top-of-the-line laptop, and the good news is you don't have to break the bank to get a solid machine. Whether you're a student, a casual user or just looking for an affordable device for everyday tasks, there are plenty of great options out there. The trick is finding the best cheap Windows laptop that balances performance, build quality and battery life without making too many compromises.

If you've ever listened to music released in the 1980s, you've likely heard the iconic TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines. Artists like New Order, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston and Beastie Boys all used these machines during that decade and newer artists like Daft Punk, Outkast and Bjork continued the tradition as the years rolled on. Roland understands this legacy and just introduced a sequel instrument, the TR-1000. It only took 40 years.The TR-1000 looks to be an amalgamation of the analog grit of the original machines and modern digital features. It includes true analog voices, along with digital sampling technology. The company says it worked with "creators across scenes and geographies" to ensure the machine meets the "real-world needs and workflows of today's most innovative producers."RolandIt features re-designed engines from the original 808 and 909 machines, along with a new sequencer and over 2,000 pre-installed factory samples. However, users can easily import their own samples. It also comes with 46GB of internal storage, dozens of effects and a full suite of connection ports."The TR-1000 feels like the true, classic lineage of the 808 and 909, not a digital remake," El-P of the rap group Run The Jewels said in a press release. Roland fans are no doubt aware that there have been multiple digital remakes of these machines throughout the years, and none of them quite managed to capture the mojo of the original units.RolandThe drum machine is available right now to order, but there's a spot of bad news. The Roland TR-1000 costs a whopping $2,700.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/roland-just-released-a-follow-up-to-its-most-famous-drum-machines-from-the-1980s-070046806.html?src=rss

Disney has demanded that Character.AI stop using its copyrighted characters. Axios reports that the entertainment juggernaut sent a cease and desist letter to Character.AI, claiming that it has chatbots based on its franchises, including Pixar films, Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In addition to claiming copyright infringement, the letter questioned whether these protected characters were being used in problematic ways in conversations with underage users."Character.ai's infringing chatbots are known, in some cases, to be sexually exploitive and otherwise harmful and dangerous to children, offending Disney's consumers and extraordinarily damaging Disney's reputation and goodwill," the letter said.Character.AI has been subject to legal and government scrutiny multiple times already over concerns that it has not provided sufficient safety guards for minors. The platform has been implicated in failing to protect two different teenagers who discussed suicide with its chatbots and then took their own lives. It has also drawn the attention of the Federal Trade Commission and US Attorneys General.For now, at least, the platform appears to be responsive to Disney's demands. "It's always up to rightsholders to decide how people may interact with their IP, and we respond swiftly to requests to remove content that rightsholders report to us," a representative said, per the Axios report. "These characters have been removed."Disney has shown that it is willing to take legal action against AI companies. It sued Midjourney along with Universal Studios in June on allegations of copyright infringement.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/disney-sends-cease-and-desist-letter-to-characterai-220204094.html?src=rss

Apple may be releasing a new iPad Pro with an M5 chip in the very near future, according to an unboxing video made by a Russian YouTuber. This is the same creator that leaked the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip last year, so the information in the video is likely credible.To that end, the creator unboxes what appears to be a new 13-inch iPad Pro with an M5 chip and 256GB of storage in a Space Black finish. The exterior design doesn't look noticeably different from current models, as the tablet still has a single rear camera, four speakers and a Smart Connector.Previous leaks had indicated that the next iPad Pro would feature a second front camera, but this video doesn't confirm that. It also looks like this new model is still plenty thin.The video even puts the tablet through some testing. A Geekbench 6 benchmark shows a 12 percent increase in multi-core CPU performance when compared to the previous generation. This benchmark result suggests a 36 percent faster GPU. It also indicated that the 256GB model of this tablet will include 12GB of RAM. Current models with 256GB of storage ship with just 8GB of RAM.The footage shows that this tablet is running iPadOS 26, which makes sense, and that the battery was manufactured in August of this year. This could all be a ruse but, again, the leaker has been proven correct in the past. It's likely that Apple will announce the refreshed iPad Pro with the M5 chip sometime in October, which tracks with previous reporting.It was also recently reported that the company is working on a refresh of the MacBook Pro laptop with the M5 chip. These computers could be available later this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/it-looks-like-an-m5-ipad-pro-is-coming-very-soon-184406117.html?src=rss

It's not technically Techtober yet since we're one day shy, but we've already had a bunch of fall hardware events from some of the bigger companies in the tech space. Today, it was Amazon's turn to step up to the plate.Going into its event, the company teased new Echo speakers and Kindle news. Rumors suggested Amazon was ready to ditch its long-standing Android-based OS on Fire TVs in favor of the Linux-based Vega OS it's already using on the Echo Show 5, Echo Hub units and Echo Spot.Indeed, Echo, Kindle and Fire TV are all being featured at the event, along with Ring and Blink devices. Oh, and lots of Alexa+ updates, of course.Amazon doesn't usually livestream its product events and that remained the case here. However, we've got you covered with all the news and announcements with both our liveblog and this here rundown of everything Amazon announced at its fall hardware event:Echo speakersEcho speakersAmazonThe Echo lineup was beyond overdue for a refresh - it's been five years since the 4th-gen Echo arrived, while the most recent Echo Studio debuted a couple of years later. And, with Amazon looking to push Alexa+, it's certainly time for some new models.To that end, the $100 Echo Dot Max and $220 Echo Studio are up for pre-order and will ship on October 29. No sign of a new standard Echo this time!The Echo Dot Max delivers almost three times the bass of the fifth-gen Echo Dot and sound that adapts to your space, Amazon claims. The company added that the updated design integrates the speaker directly into the device's housing, freeing up extra space for more bass. In fact, the Echo Dot Max has two speakers: a high-excursion woofer optimized for deep bass and a custom tweeter for crisp high notes."Amazon has shrunk down the Echo Studio to 60 percent of the size of the last version. Even so, it has a powerful high-excursion woofer that delivers deep, immersive bass and three optimally placed full-range drivers to create immersive," room-filling sound, according to the company. The latest model supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos.If you're in the US and you snap up either of the new Echo speakers - or the latest Echo Show devices - Amazon says you'll get early access to Alexa+. We've had a chance to try the speakers, so be sure to check out Engadget senior reporter Jeff Dunn's first impressions.Alexa Home Theater with Echo

Among the horde of new devices Amazon unveiled during its New York City event on Tuesday are two new Echo speakers: a higher-end Echo Dot called the Echo Dot Max and a next-generation Echo Studio with a new ball-shaped design. Both are available to pre-order starting today, with shipping to start on October 29. The Dot Max costs $100 - well above the standard Dot (which remains available) - while the Studio is priced at $220. The Echo Dot Max looks to be Amazon's answer to Apple's HomePod mini, which is similarly compact yet touts quality sound for its size. The company says the new speaker offers nearly three times" as much bass response as the cheaper Echo Dot. That's largely because it's been redesigned on the inside to include two speakers - a woofer and a custom tweeter - instead of one and to increase the amount of internal air space. The new Echo Studio, meanwhile, gets a fairly major design overhaul. It essentially looks like a bigger version of Echo Dot Max, with the old cylindrical design replaced by a spherical shape. Amazon says it's 40 percent smaller than the last one, with the goal being to make it easier to stick the device in varying locations around the house. This one is built with three full-range drivers alongside a woofer, and it supports both Dolby Atmos and spatial audio with services that offer that (such as Apple Music). The Amazon Echo Dot Max. Sam Rutherford for Engadget The Studio's smaller footprint could be handy if you want to take advantage of the new Alexa Home Theater mode. This lets you turn up to five new Echo Studios or Echo Dot Maxes into a surround sound setup for your TV, sort of like an Alexa-fied version of the room calibration tech Sonos offers with its home speakers. If you have compatible gear, Amazon says the voice assistant will automatically locate the different speakers in your room and map out an appropriate acoustic profile. An Amazon representative told us that you need a Fire TV Stick 4K or 4K Max streamer for this to work for now, however, since Alexa uses your TV's location to determine where the front of the surround system is, then uses that in tandem with your speakers' locations to estimate where you're sitting. This whole process takes less than five minutes," according to the company, and it'll auto-adjust if you add in more speakers. You won't be able to mix and match Studios and Dot Maxes in one setup at launch, however - it has to be all of one speaker or the other. I was briefly able to check out and listen to the new speakers at the event through a controlled demo. I wouldn't say either looks particularly premium" at first blush, but the spherical designs are clean and simple, and the knitted fabric surrounding the hardware feels firm and sturdy. Neither strays too far from the traditional Echo aesthetic; you could pop them on a counter or TV stand and they won't draw much attention to themselves. Of note, the volume/mic control buttons and Alexa light ring are now angled on the front of each device, which may make quickly adjusting things a little bit quicker. As for how the two speakers actually sound, I have to reiterate that my demo was highly controlled, i.e. orchestrated to make the new speakers sound as good as possible. I wasn't able to pick a song, adjust volume or actually talk to Alexa myself. (Though Amazon says there are new chips and mic arrays to improve conversation detection.) The Amazon Echo Studio. Sam Rutherford for Engadget With that said, the Echo Dot Max did indeed produce more bass thump and clearer separation than the cheaper Dot in a side-by-side comparison using Fleetwood Mac's Dreams." It better, given the price, but it sounded far less closed-off" all the same. The Echo Studio was a marked step up from there, producing a much wider soundstage, more impactful bass and more natural highs. Again, take all of this with a grain of salt, but I wouldn't be surprised if we said it's worth the premium for audio-focused buyers when we test it ourselves. An Amazon rep said this new Studio model isn't noticeably louder than the last one, though, which isn't surprising given how much more compact it is. Instead, the focus is on the smaller frame and a richer" sound. To that end, both devices seemed to go for a slightly more bass-heavy profile than a neutral one, based on my limited listen. I was also able to listen to four Echo Studios paired in tandem. Predictably, this setup filled the room with sound and delivered more precise imaging, whether we were listening to an ambient soundscape of birds chirping in the woods or an action-heavy scene from Ready Player One. I do question the value, though: You're getting close to the $1,000 range with four of these things, and at that point, many people may be better off just getting a decent soundbar and a dedicated subwoofer for fuller bass. Naturally, Amazon says both speakers - along with the new Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 - are designed with Alexa+ in mind, and anyone who buys either device will be able to use the upgraded assistant in early access. Both are still likely to be more niche than the less expensive Echoes, given that many people still use these things for simpler smart home tasks and basic listening. But for those who've grown accustomed having an Echo around the house and are willing to pay for improved sound quality, there may be enough to like here. We'll know more clearly when we're able to test them on our own. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/amazon-echo-studio-and-echo-dot-max-hands-on-more-bass-round-shapes-182339624.html?src=rss

Imgur has shut off its image-hosting platform for users in the UK, displaying a content not available in your region" notice across the site and on third-party embeds. The move comes after the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) warned that it intended to levy fines against Imgur's owner, MediaLab AI, after an investigation into the service's handling of children's data, age verification and privacy protection. Exact details of the fine, or what the findings of the investigation were, have not been shared."We are aware of reports that the social media platform Imgur is currently not available in the UK. Imgur's decision to restrict access in the UK is a commercial decision taken by the company," said regulators in a statement. They also stressed that "exiting the UK" does not mean a company can avoid any levied penalties, and that the investigation is ongoing."Our findings are provisional and the ICO will carefully consider any representations from MediaLab before taking a final decision whether to issue a monetary penalty," said regulators.In recent years, the ICO has stepped up enforcement of its policies governing data privacy for minors. In 2023, the watchdog fined TikTok $15.8 million for what it said were several violations of data protection laws. The regulator alleged that in 2020 TikTok allowed as many as 1.4 million children under the age of 13 to use the app, against its own policies. TikTok found itself under investigation yet again this year over similar alleged violations. The ICO also previously raised concerns surrounding a Snapchat generative AI chatbot named My AI, alleging that it placed children's privacy at risk.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/imgur-has-left-the-uk-181715724.html?src=rss

Avalanche Studios is following in the footsteps of so many game developers this year. Today, the company posted a notice to its website announcing plans for a restructuring. Avalanche said it will close its studio in Liverpool, impacting all staff members in the city. The company said it will also "reduce our workforce and restructure the teams" at its studios in Malmo and Stockholm, but did not provide specifics about the scope of those layoffs.Although the statement simply credited the decision to "current challenges to our business and the industry," it's hard not to think that the cancellation of Avalanche's planned game Contraband had something to do with the current need to consolidate. Microsoft ended active development on the project in August during the fallout from the massive layoffs the tech giant announced over the spring and summer. Those cuts appeared to impact the fate of many other upcoming games and game studios that were working with Microsoft as either a developer or a publisher.Since we won't get to know them for Contraband, Avalanche Studios will remain best known for its Just Cause games of open-world mayhem for now. Contraband is the only game currently listed as a forthcoming title on the company website, so it's unclear what the next moves for the remaining team members will be. The notice closes by saying, "Despite these changes, we remain deeply committed to providing amazing games to our passionate player communities." Hopefully they'll be able to bounce back.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/just-cause-developer-avalanche-studios-is-the-latest-game-company-to-announce-layoffs-180048615.html?src=rss

It's been a couple years since the Echo 8 has gotten an update and even longer for the aging Echo Show 10. But today Amazon is fixing that with two brand-new smart displays: The fourth-gen Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11. Right away, the first thing you notice about Amazon's refreshed lineup is their designs. In front, there's a slim tablet-based HD display (either 8.7 inches or 11 inches depending on the model). Around back there's a curvier housing covered in a mesh fabric for the display's internals and speakers that borrows a lot from the new Echo Studio and Echo Dot Max. This is a pretty big departure from Amazon's wedge-shaped predecessors and I think it's a success. Both models look more elegant and refined, while their rounded bases make it easier to angle them properly in whatever room they're in. Sam Rutherford for Engadget That said, while both models feature new 13MP cameras with auto-framing tech (meaning they can track your face if you need to move around the room while on a video call), neither version has a built-in motor that would allow the entire display to rotate and spin like you got on the old Echo Show 10. I suspect this is a tacit admission by Amazon that a movable display is a bit of a gimmick, at least on a smart display. Or it's just not super necessary when you can just have the device's camera re-compose your video framing dynamically in software. Elsewhere, there are a few handy physical controls for volume located on the right side of the Echo Shows' displays along with a toggle for disabling the onboard mics and camera. Aside from that, there's a single barrel plug in back for power (which is slightly annoying, I wish it was USB-C) and not much else. So if for some reason you want to connect the new Echo Shows to wired internet, you're going to need to get pretty creative. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to see how the audio on the new Echo Show models compares to the refreshed Echo Studio or Dot Max. However, Amazon's updated displays are a big improvement. They have huge viewing angles so it's never hard to see what's on the screen from wherever your standing. And while Amazon hasn't provided official brightness figures, based on what I've seen, the panels are rather vibrant, so there shouldn't be any major issues viewing things in sunny rooms. Amazon's refreshed UI is also rather straightforward. All you need is a couple taps or swipes to open things like the video tab, music controls, settings and a list of upcoming calendar events. Meanwhile, the addition of Amazon's AZ3 Pro chip has greatly improved the responsiveness of touch and gesture input to the point where it felt a bit faster than the Google Nest Hub Max I have at home. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Of course, the real impact of the new Echo Shows is yet to be seen, because while updated hardware is nice, the real value of these smart displays is how they are now better positioned to be the center of Amazon's smart home ecosystem. Both devices support Zigbee, Matter and Thread so it should be easy to use them to control other devices, while features like a Wi-Fi radar enables a wider range of contextual interactions from Alexa. And while I think the ability to create routines and automations strictly using your voice is a major upgrade for the average user, I wasn't able to test that functionality out myself at the event. The other potential omission is that while Amazon's two largest smart displays got much needed refreshes today, the same can't be said for the Echo Show 5. So while that model continues to be on sale, I wouldn't be surprised if it got discontinued when supply runs out or re-imagined as something closer to a smart alarm clock sometime in the future, as it's smaller screen makes it's role as a smart home hub a bit more limited. The new Echo Show ($180) and Echo Show 11 ($220) are available for pre-order today and will come with early access to Alexa+ before official sales begin on November 12. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/amazon-echo-show-8-and-show-11-hands-on-a-cuter-more-unified-smart-display-173918264.html?src=rss

Well, that was fast. One day after Wired reported that OpenAI was preparing to release a new AI social video app, the company has revealed it to the wider world. It's called the Sora app, and it's powered by OpenAI's new Sora 2 video model, allowing it to generate AI-made clips of nearly anything. As expected, the app's signature "cameo" feature allows people to add your likeness to videos they generate.Cameos are likely to be controversial, even if OpenAI is giving users a lot of control over whether someone can replicate their likeness in clips Sora generates. When you first start using the app, you can allow your friends (and even strangers) permission to generate images of you. Whenever someone uses your likeness in a video Sora will designate you as the "co-owner" of that clip, allowing you to later delete it or prevent others from further modifying the video with subsequent generations. The latter plays into Sora's "Remix" feature, which allows users to jump on trending videos to offer their own take on them. Sora 2 can generate sound alongside video, a first for OpenAI's model.Separately of the above restrictions, Sora can't generate videos of public figures - unless they upload their likeness to the app and grant their friends or everyone permission to use it in their creations - and the software will refuse to make pornographic content.Right now, Sora is only available on iOS, with no word yet on when it might arrive on Android, and you'll need an invite from the company. However, those lucky few who can join are able to invite four friends to download the software, much like the early days of say, Bluesky or Clubhouse (lol). OpenAI is only making Sora available to people in the US and Canada (sorry, everyone else).This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-sora-app-is-real-but-youll-need-an-invite-to-try-it-171849671.html?src=rss

The survival climbing game Cairn has been delayed until the first quarter of 2026. Development studio The Game Bakers had previously announced a release date for November 5 of this year.The delay is so the team can spend more time on "optimization, debug and polish." Creative director Emeric Thoa said that "after 5 years of work, it makes no sense to rush it" as "we want to be proud of the game we launch." Delays are never fun, but they are a whole lot better than buying a broken game at launch.We don't have an actual release date yet, but the game's still coming to both PC and PS5. There is a demo available, which has racked up 600,000 players on both platforms. The Game Bakers are beefing up that demo on October 13, adding ghost recordings of speedrunners and staffers. The company says these ghosts can be followed to "check new techniques or discover new routes and hidden areas." Mario Kart and other racing games have been doing something similar for years.For the uninitiated, Cairn is a tough-as-nails rock-climbing game with a free solo mode for added difficulty. There's no UI feedback, so players have to pay attention to the avatar's breathing and body language. It feels like a more intense cousin of the peaceful Jusant, which is another rock-climbing sim.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/survival-climbing-game-cairn-has-been-delayed-until-2026-171512591.html?src=rss

Amazon may have just unveiled a ton of new products across its Ring, Blink, Echo and Kindle categories, but it still had one more piece of hardware to show. Though it didn't get mentioned during the company's Devices and Services event earlier today, there is a new Smart Remote under the Amazon Basics brand that will be available for pre-order for $19.99 and will ship in October. According to the product listing page, it will be released on October 30. At first glance, the Smart Remote looks like a regular switch that you mount on your wall to control your lights or other appliances. Its full name on Amazon's current pre-order page even says it's a "Smart Dimmer Switch and Remote." It basically has four buttons that you can configure via the Alexa app or ask Alexa+ to map routines to. During a demo at the event space, an Amazon representative told an Echo Show "Alexa, when I press the top button I want you to activate the party time scene and play "Alive" by Pearl Jam. The assistant acknowledged the request and within 10 seconds said it had completed the task. The rep pressed a button and lights in the demo room came on, while the song started playing on the Echo Show. You can also use the Routines section of Amazon's app to customize what you want the device to do. In the same demo, the company also showed how the assistant can suggest routines based on your habits. It can also remind you to, say, take out the trash if you've connected a Ring camera and it's noticed patterns in which day of the week your garbage is removed from the street. The battery-powered remote can be mounted on a wall or surface and can be magnetically attached for maximum convenience. Though a simple remote might not be the most exciting thing, especially at an event where Amazon's voice assistant and AI were so widely talked about, it's still something people might find useful. Particularly if you want to just press a button to trigger a series of actions instead of finding the exact words to say in the precise pronunciation that is required to be understood by your smart speaker. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/amazon-has-a-new-smart-remote-thats-completely-programmable-by-alexa-170021739.html?src=rss

What good is an update if it doesn't actually add anything new? That's the question I'm left asking about Microsoft's Windows 11 2025 update (AKA Windows 11 25H2), which the company will begin pushing out today. Instead of adding any major new capabilities, Microsoft says it's an enablement package" that includes recent features added to last year's 24H2 release. If anything, it could be a push for stragglers who've ignored recent updates to get onboard with new Windows 11 capabilities.Microsoft says the Windows 11 2025 update also includes significant advancements in build and runtime vulnerability detection, coupled with AI assisted secure coding." Additionally, the new update should be leaner than before, thanks to the removal of PowerShell 2.0 and Windows Management instrumentation command-line (WMIC). Those are legacy features most users have never touched, but their removal could annoy power users and IT admins who have built ancient scripts using PowerShell 2.0.As usual, Microsoft says it will start delivering the Windows 11 2025 update to users in waves. The first batch includes users with 24H2 devices who've turned on Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" in Windows Update. Now that Microsoft has moved to a frequent update cadence, you can expect to see actual new features for Windows 11 25H2 arriving in the coming months.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/microsofts-windows-11-2025-update-starts-rolling-out-today-but-dont-expect-anything-new-170005064.html?src=rss

Spotify founder and CEO Daniel Ek will be transitioning to the role of executive chairman on January 1 of next year. The current Co-President and Chief Product and Technology Officer Gustav Soderstrom and Co-President and Chief Business Officer Alex Norstrom will take his place as co-CEOs.Over the last few years, I've turned over a large part of the day-to-day management and strategic direction of Spotify to Alex and Gustav - who have shaped the company from our earliest days and are now more than ready to guide our next phase. This change simply matches titles to how we already operate. In my role as Executive Chairman, I will focus on the long arc of the company and keep the Board and our co-CEOs deeply connected through my engagement," Ek said in a statement.In a letter to Spotify employees, Ek also shared that he wants to help create more technology-driven "supercompanies" that "tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time."As a recent example of Ek's other interests, this summer he led a $700 million investment round into the defense tech firm Helsing. The company sells AI-powered software that analyzes weapons and sensor data in battlefields to help with military decision-making. Last year Helsing started manufacturing a line of military drones. Ek has received pushback on this investment in the form of a number of smaller artists, as well as Massive Attack pulling their music catalogs from Spotify.Daniel Ek founded Spotify in 2006 alongside Martin Lorentzon and oversaw the company's growth to almost 700 million monthly active listeners. It's been a busy year for the music streaming giant, which finally started offering lossless streaming after a multi-year wait.The company also finds itself at a crossroads as more AI-generated music is making its way to the platform. The company recently made some policy changes to address AI, though this was only aimed at fraudulent and deceptive uses of the technology. Fully AI-generated songs and albums are still permitted.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/daniel-ek-is-stepping-down-as-spotify-ceo-161519791.html?src=rss

During its invite-only and not live-streamed Devices and Services event today out of New York City, Amazon announced its upcoming Ring and Blink devices, new Fire TVs and streaming sticks, Kindle Scribes and, finally, a whole new Echo device lineup - including new Echo Show smart displays. The latest smart-home screens were built to showcase Alexa+, the new and AI-improved smart assistant. There's a new Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 (as well as new Echo speakers). Amazon called them the most powerful Echo devices ever created. They have custom silicon, the AZ3 Pro with an AI Accelerator, as well as more advanced sensors and improved microphones for better noise cancellation. The look has been completely redesigned, and resembles a cross between the existing Echo Show 8 and the Echo Show 10, with a prominent speaker module at the bottom and floating screen up top. The speakers pack full-range drivers that fire audio forwards for clearer sound. Both of the new displays have negative liquid crystal screens designed to maximize viewing angles, so you can see them better from anywhere in a room. They each have 13MP cameras as well, which is the best camera ever included on an Echo Show. That and other sensors, including Wi-Fi radar, will enable contextualized Alexa+ interactions, like recognizing when you walk up to the display, triggering the AI to greet you, display your relevant information and even deliver one of your personalized reminders. Software upgrades include a new media control center to allow better access to your video and music and streaming apps. A new home hub has support for Zigbee, Matter and Thread, which should let you hook up even more smart home devices for Alexa to tap into. If you use your display for family scheduling, you can try the new color-coded calendars. If you wear an Oura ring, look for new wellness integrations centered around that fitness tracker. A new Alexa+ shopping widget will give you more control over your Amazon and Whole Foods deliveries while also suggesting items to buy and even gifts to give someone. Amazon/ Sam R for Engadget The Echo Show 8 and Show 11 were redesigned with Alexa+ in mind, the service that Amazon revealed at an event earlier this year. The AI-enhanced upgrade to Amazon's virtual assistant is supposed to be more conversational, retaining memories of your chats for more contextualized responses. Our experience with an early version of the assistant was... complicated. It was better at many things like multi-step tasks and using information from previous interactions, but it, like all AI-experiences, highlighted the limitations of computers trying to be people. Alexa+ is currently free with Prime, or costs $20 per month for non-Prime members. Prior to the announcement of the new display, the Echo Show lineup consisted of four models: The Echo Show 5, 8, 15 and 21 (the Echo Show 10 hasn't been consistently available these past few months). Each model number refers to the size of the screen (measured on the diagonal) and the smallest, the Echo Show 5, is designed for office desks or small kitchens. The older Show 8 was more suited to acting as a smart home hub and, like the Echo Show 5, designed to sit on a table or countertop. Both were last updated in 2023. The Show 15 and 21 are wall-mountable and can act as calendars and family planners in addition to subbing in as small TVs when needed. The two larger Show displays were last updated in 2024. The new Echo Show devices are available for pre-order today and will come with Alexa+ Early Access. The Echo Show 8 sells for $180 and the and Echo Show 11 for $220. Both will ship on November 12. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/amazon-just-announced-a-totally-redesigned-echo-show-8-and-echo-show-11-145937172.html?src=rss

What if you could just use a ton of Echo speakers as a surround sound setup for your TV? That's basically what Amazon is trying to accomplish with its new Alexa Home Theater feature, which was announced during its 2025 device launch today. As the name implies, Alexa Home Theater works with up to five of its new Echo Studio or Echo Dot Max devices to create a surround sound environment with compatible Fire TV sticks." According to the company, Alexa will automatically set up the Home Theater feature once you've plugged in several Echo devices.Clearly, Amazon isn't aiming for the home theater enthusiast crowd here. A surround sound system without a subwoofer simply won't sound very exciting. But if you're going for a fairly minimalist setup, I could see how having a few Echo orbs around your living room could be more aesthetically pleasing than giant speakers. It's unclear if Alexa Home Theater will work with the original Echo Studio, but we're trying to confirm that with Amazon.While the company is pitching this feature as an inexpensive entry into surround sound, a full Alexa Home Theater setup will start at $500 for five Echo Dot Max speakers, and it'll get even pricier once you throw in the $220 Echo Studio. At that point, just get a decent soundbar, which will be able to virtualize surround sound and offer better low-end.

Before it began slowly trickling out Alexa+ to users at the start of February, Amazon promised a smarter, more conversational assistant. It turned out the reality was more complicated, and, more than anything, Alexa+ in its current state is a showcase of the limitations of generative AI. Of course, that's not stopping Amazon from iterating on the digital assistant. During its "Devices and Services" event on Tuesday, Amazon announced a host of Alexa+ updates, with many of them enabling new integrations alongside the company's brand new devices.One of those new features is Alexa+ Greetings, which will roll out to Ring's new 2K and 4K devices this December. With the help of Ring's image recognition technology, Alexa+ will be able to make decisions about how to handle different visitors to your home. If it sees one of your friends or family members, it will know to greet them. Conversely, the digital assistant will ask questions of strangers to determine the purpose of their visit. It can also manage deliveries by providing instructions to couriers about where to leave a package.AmazonAlexa+ is also built directly into Vega, Amazon's new smart TV operating system. The integration will translate into more personalized recommendations, and the ability for Alexa+ to show you content related to your questions. For example, you can use the assistant to find a specific scene in a movie. In the demo Amazon showed, Vice President of Fire TV Aidan Marcuss instructed Alexa to "find the scene where Hatteburg hits a home run," and the assistant pulled up the appropriate spot in the film Moneyball. This functionality will be available while watching live sports too, meaning you can ask the assistant for updates on your favorite teams and more.Over on the Kindle side of things, you'll be able to send notes and documents you have stored on your Kindle Colorsoft or Scribe 3 to Alexa+. This feature will allow you to have a conversation about the contents of those files with the digital assistant, with the integration slated to arrive sometime early next year.AmazonOf course, the place you're most likely to interact with Alexa+ is when using an Echo device. Amazon is billing the refreshed 2025 Echo line - made up of Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 - as "designed for Alexa+". To that end, the company has equipped all of the new devices with two new chips, the AZ3 and AZ3 Pro. The silicon is faster and offers better voice processing, with Amazon claiming Alexa+ is over 50 percent better at detecting when you go to wake it. At the same time, there are new third-party integrations, with some notable partners including Fandango, Uber and Lyft. All of these will be found in the new Alexa+ Store where you'll be able to see the assistant's growing list of capabilities. If you would rather use a speaker from a different brand, Amazon said Bose, Sonos and Samsung, among others, are working to bring Alexa+ to their devices. Automakers like BMW are doing the same with their cars.Elsewhere, a new Alexa+ shopping widget will allow you to keep track of your Amazon, Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh purchases, including any deliveries you have scheduled. Naturally, Alexa+ can search the entire Amazon catalog and answer questions about any products you might want to buy.All of the new Echo devices Amazon announced today will ship with early access to Alexa+ out of the box. You can pre-order all four today, with general availability of the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio to follow on October 29, while the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 are slated to arrive on November 12.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/alexa-at-amazons-2025-event-greetings-and-more-143211291.html?src=rss

Amazon just held a hardware event and introduced some new Blink security camera products. These include updates of the Blink Mini and Blink Outdoor. The Blink Mini 2K+ and the Blink Outdoor 2K+ are brand-new entries in the line-up that both capture 2K video, for added detail. The previous versions were locked at 1080p.The Blink Outdoor 2K+ features 4x zoom, enhanced low-light performance, two-way talk with noise cancellation and a whole lot more. It can detect both people and vehicles, automatically sending smartphone notifications to Blink Plus subscribers. The battery life is on-point and it includes the company's proprietary Weather Shield.Amazon is calling the Blink Mini 2K+ its "most advanced plug-in compact camera yet." It can handle 2K video and can also be used outdoors, if you purchase a weather-resistant power adapter.The company also announced something called the Blink Arc, which is another camera primarily intended for outdoor use. This one can capture a panoramic view of a yard with maximum coverage. The Arc is actually two cameras in one, with an AI-enhanced algorithm that fuses the footage together into a single 180-degree panorama.All of this stuff is available to pre-order right now. The Blink Mini 2K+ costs $50 and the Outdoor 2K+ costs $90. The Blink Arc costs a cool $100.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/amazon-just-revealed-new-blink-security-cameras-including-the-outdoor-2k-144042562.html?src=rss

Today Amazon held its annual Devices and Services event, debuting its next generation of products. While Amazon isn't live streaming the event, we're on the floor sharing everything it announces in our live blog, including a slew of new Ring products and features.Take Ring retinal vision, rolling out retinal vision across Retinol 2K and 4K doorbells and cameras. It uses back-side illumination sensors for clear vision even in low light. Ring pairs these sensors with custom large aperture lenses that it claims will capture more light and maintain sharpness throughout the frame.This is a developing story...This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/ring-announces-retinal-4k-vision-and-search-party-for-finding-pets-143314419.html?src=rss

If you're looking to a new set of Beats earbuds but aren't a fan of the company's over-the-ear hook, there's another fresh option to consider. The Apple-owned company revealed its latest model, the Powerbeats Fit, which looks a lot like the Beats Fit Pro that debuted in 2021. That's because this new set of earbuds is the direct successor to that four-year-old audio accessory.Don't expect a comprehensive overhaul though. In addition to the name change, Beats says it made the Powerbeats Fit more comfortable with a 20 percent more flexible wingtip. The whole package is also more compact thanks to a 17 percent smaller case. The price is staying the same as the previous model though, as the company kept that at $200.Beats says that the updated wingtip makes the Powerbeats Fit sit as securely in your ears as the Powerbeats Pro's hook design. The added flex means the earbuds are comfortable enough to be worn all day, according to the company, not just during workouts. The Powerbeats Fit still has an IPX4 rating for water resistance, so sweaty activities shouldn't be a problem. And to further improve fit, Beats added an extra small ear tip to the three previous sizes (small, medium and large).Beats' Powerbeats Fit have a familiar design.BeatsIn addition to slightly slimming down the charging case, Beats also added IPX4 moisture protection there. It's not the most robust coverage, but it's certainly better than nothing, and it's enough to withstand water splashes near the pool or in the locker room. There are also new colors for the Powerbeats Fit: orange and pink.Alongside these modest upgrades, the Powerbeats Fit retains much of what made the Beats Fit Pro a popular choice for ANC (active noise canceling) earbuds. Apple's H1 chip powers the features once again, including Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Adaptive EQ, Audio Sharing, hands-free Siri and automatic switching between devices. You'll also get transparency mode, Find My and FaceTime with Dolby Atmos spatial audio.The Powerbeats Fit settings are baked into iOS, but Android users will use a dedicated app for customization like other recent Beats devices. Here, you can expect one-touch pairing, customizable controls, battery status, Locate My Beats and an ear tip fit test. All of that is available to iPhone users too, so neither group of OS loyalists will miss out.New colors for the Powerbeats Fit include pink and orange.BeatsOnboard controls offer quick access to playback changes, volume adjustments, listening modes, calls and voice assistants. These are still physical buttons, which can be an important consideration over the tappable, touch-based panels that some of the competition employs. Battery life is also consistent with the Beats Fit Pro: up to seven hours on the earbuds and up to 30 hours total with the charging case with ANC off. Turn noise cancellation on and you can expect six hours of use (24 hours with the case).The Powerbeats Fit is available for preorder today in black, gray, orange and pink color options for $200. The earbuds will hit retail shelves on October 2.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/beats-announces-the-powerbeats-fit-a-slightly-updated-successor-to-the-beats-fit-pro-140000905.html?src=rss

Would you pay $20 for an AI-powered browser? Opera is betting on it with the release of its $19.90 (per month) "next generation AI browser," Opera Neon, meant for people who use AI every day. The Norwegian company first announced Neon in May and has now launched it to a limited number of users.According to Opera, "it's a browser built to not only let you browse the web, but to also use agentic AI to act for you and with you as you browse and work on complex projects. Opera Neon moves beyond a simple AI chat to execute tasks, create code, and deliver outcomes directly within the browser experience."Opera Neon includes features such as Tasks, which acts as your own workspaces to use AI for things like comparing and analyzing sources. There's also Cards, which is made up of reusable AI prompts, versus having to rewrite the same prompt over and over again. You can make your own prompts or pull them from the community's collection.Then there's Neon Do, which works with a Task to navigate the web for checking sources, looking at information, completing forms and more.Opera is hoping that this "premium, subscription-based browser" will entice users enough to pay $19.90 per month, rather than use free options such as Google's Gemini-powered Chrome features. You can join the waitlist to try it yourself, with Opera claiming more spots will become available soon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/operas-ai-browser-will-cost-you-20-a-month-123022110.html?src=rss

Meta's Ray-Ban Display glasses are now on sale, but actually buying a pair will be a bit more complicated than ordering a pair of Meta's other smart glasses. That's because Meta isn't allowing online sales of its display glasses. Instead, they are only available by reservation at a handful of physical retail stores. For now, the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are available at select Ray-Ban, Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters and Best Buy locations in the United States. Verizon will also start carrying the glasses sometime "soon," according to Meta. The company will also allow people to demo and buy a pair at its own Meta Lab locations. These include the Burlingame, California space that opened as the "Meta Store" in 2022, as well as pop-ups in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York opening in the coming weeks. In order to actually get your hands on a pair, though, you'll need to book an appointment for a demo at one of these stores through Meta's website. According to Meta, this is "to make sure customers get the glasses and band that's perfect for them." (In my own experience with both the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and the Orion prototype, the neural wristband requires a snug fit to function properly.) An appointment will also give shoppers the opportunity to order prescription lenses for the glasses. The glasses only support a prescription range of -4.00 to +4.00, though, so they won't be compatible with all prescriptions. The company recently said it's seen "strong" demand for demos and it looks like most locations are already booked out for several weeks, judging by Meta's scheduling website. It will also be difficult if you don't live near a major city. For example, Sunglass Hut's website currently lists just seven locations where demos will be available. The good news is that Meta does plan to eventually increase availability. The company has said the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses will be available in Canada, France, Italy and the UK beginning in "early 2026" and that it expects buying options will "expand" the longer they're on sale. Sales of the glasses, which are Meta's first to incorporate a heads-up display, will be closely watched. At $799, the glasses are significantly more expensive than the rest of the frames in Meta's expanding lineup of "AI glasses." But, as I wrote after my recent demo at Meta Connect, the display also enables wearers to do much more than what's currently possible with the existing Ray-Ban or Oakley models. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-buy-and-try-the-meta-ray-ban-display-glasses-121500138.html?src=rss

Smartphone company Nothing now has quite the line of audio accessories and now counts a new adaptive ANC (active noise cancellation) over-the-ear headphone from its sub-brand CMF. The Headphone Pro offers remarkable specs for less than $100, with features like 40dB of noise cancellation, LDAC (Lossless Digital Audio Codec) and Hi-Res certification for both wired and wireless audio, along with an "Energy Slider" to adjust EQ. The CMF Headphone Pro doesn't at all resemble Nothing's boxy over-the-ear Headphone 1 cans. While that design was rather eccentric and austere, CMF's model has a softer, more conventional look with a rounded headband reminiscent of Sony's WH-1000XM5s. Another prominent feature is the large, interchangeable ear cups that appear to have generous padding. CMF's new cans come with adaptive ANC that reduces outside sounds by 40dB or up to 99 percent and automatically adjust the level according to outside noise. Though battery life is a generous 100 hours with ANC disabled, it gets cut in half to 50 hours with ANC turned on. That's still more than Sony's new WH-1000XM6, even without ANC enabled. You can get an additional four hours of service with just a five minute charge, and the Headphone Pro can be directly charged by some smartphones via a USB-C cable. Control-wise, the Headphone Pro is nicely analog, with buttons instead of the touch controls found on other headphones. Those include Bluetooth/power button on one side and an action button on the other that's customizable via Nothing's X app. There's a multifunction rocker for volume, playback and control of ANC/ambient sound. Then there's the Energy Slider that lets you make treble and bass adjustments without the need to dive into the X app's EQ settings. Nothing's CMF sub-brand will soon spin off into its own budget brand, the company announced recently. That doesn't seem to have happened yet, but you can now order the CMF Headphone Pro for just $84 in light grey, dark grey and light green, with shipping set for October 6. The company will soon offer interchangeable ear cushions as well in orange or light green for $25 a pair. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/nothing-spin-off-cmf-announces-100-headphone-pro-120002029.html?src=rss

The fall tech events just won't stop. Today, Amazon has its fall hardware event, which is likely to reveal improvements to voice assistant Alexa and some new Echo homes for it to live inside. It's been a couple years since the Echo Show got an update, and it's been even longer for the standard Echo.The invitation suggests we're expecting some Kindle upgrades too - the image on the invitation is a Kindle with a color illustration. The Kindle Scribe 2 came out earlier this year as did the Kindle Colorsoft, so maybe there's something in the works that combines the best features of both.While Alexa and Kindle will be the main draws, Amazon's other tech brands, such as Ring and Eero, may also be present. In short, it's likely to be a busy event.It all kicks off at 10AM ET in New York City, where we'll be reporting live. Stay tuned for all the announcements on our Amazon devices liveblog. There's no video livestream, so we'll be updating from the event like it's 2010.- Mat SmithGet Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The news you might have missed

You'll now be able to buy some items you're looking for without leaving your ChatGPT conversation. OpenAI has launched a new feature called Instant Checkout, which is powered by Agentic Commerce Protocol, a technology it developed with Stripe. When you search for items to buy through ChatGPT, you'll be able to see which ones you can buy from within the chatbot among the products it shows you. The feature is available for both free and paid users, but it only supports single-item purchases from Etsy sellers in the US at the moment.OpenAI says over a million sellers that use Shopify, including Glossier, SKIMS and Spanx, will support the Instant Checkout "soon." It's also adding multi-item cart checkout and is expanding the feature's reach to more regions in the future. The company is open sourcing Agentic Commerce Protocol to allow more merchants to work on their ChatGPT integrations.In its post, OpenAI said that it will continue ranking the product results most relevant to your search query based on availability, price and quality. It will not give products that support Instant Checkout a boost and will not rank them higher than other options just because of the feature. Your orders and payments will still be handled by the merchant you're buying from, and you can either use your card on file with OpenAI or other available payment options. The company also said that it's the merchants who'll be paying a "small fee on completed purchases," and that Instant Checkout will not affect product prices for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-will-let-you-buy-things-from-etsy-within-chatgpt-110032055.html?src=rss

The Nintendo Switch 2 didn't come out of the gate with a host of exclusive, must-play games. But we're a few months into the console's lifecycle now and there are a variety of Switch 2-only games that are worth your cash, as well as a bunch of original Switch games that have received improvements for the new console And there's also a robust selection of third-party games that have been on other consoles for a while, but not available on the Switch.

A smart scale does more than show your weight. It tracks metrics like body fat, muscle mass and water percentage, then syncs that data to your phone so you can see changes over time. If you want to take control of your health, the best smart scale gives you clear insights and helps you stay consistent with your goals.

Alphabet will pay President Donald Trump $22 million as part of a settlement in a class action lawsuit brought against the company over the suspension of various YouTube accounts following the January 6 riot at the US capital, as first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The suit includes other plaintiffs whose YouTube channels were banned that will split an additional $2.5 million in settlement payouts.Trump filed the suit in 2021, alongside lawsuits against Twitter and Facebook over similar suspensions, claiming they infringed on his first amendment rights. Twitter, now known as X since its acquisition and rebrand by Elon Musk, paid President Trump roughly $10 million to settle that suit. Meta also settled its suit with the president over his suspension from the platform for $25 million earlier this year.This settlement comes shortly after Alphabet wrote a letter to the House Judiciary Committee lambasting government pressure to moderate content on its platforms. The company also shared that YouTube would be offering a path to reinstatement for accounts previously banned for COVID-19 or election integrity related misinformation.The settlement from Alphabet will be paid to the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, and will be earmarked for construction of the ballroom that President Trump is building at The White House. The monies from the Meta settlement were similarly earmarked.This summer Paramount, parent company of CBS, settled a lawsuit brought by the president over claims that the network intended to "confuse, deceive and mislead the public" by editing an interview with Kamala Harris. The media company paid $16 million to settle the president's suit. Three weeks later the FCC approved the $8 billion acquisition of Paramount by Skydance.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/alphabet-will-pay-22-million-to-settle-president-trumps-youtube-lawsuit-234611643.html?src=rss

Sometimes when a device fails, it fails in spectacular fashion. Daniel Rotar, who leads the ZONEofTECH YouTube channel, posted on X today that the battery on his Samsung Galaxy Ring began swelling while he was wearing it. "I cannot take it off and this thing hurts," he wrote. A few hours later, Rotar posted again that he had gone to a hospital and received help to remove the smart ring. He also shared photos of the device that showed the swelling on the interior surface.

Tomorrow, Amazon will host an event in New York City to unveil some new hardware. The showcase kicks off on September 30 at 10AM ET. Based on what we can see in the invitation and the most common cadence of product news, we are expecting to hear about developments to the Echo line of smart speakers, at least one new addition to the Kindle collection and an update for the Fire TV.Normally this is where we'd have an embed of a YouTube link so you could watch along on Tuesday, but this event is a little unusual in that Amazon doesn't provide a stream for those of us at home. However, Engadget will have reporters at the event, and they will be liveblogging all the details as Amazon announces them. The liveblog will be up and running around 8AM ET.In past years, this fall showcase has also been when Amazon shares news from the Ring, Blink and Eero companies, so we might have more than just its own-brand products being discussed tomorrow. And with AI the buzzword of the day, there's also a good chance that Amazon execs will spend some time discussing the Alexa+ voice assistant.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-follow-amazons-big-hardware-event-tomorrow-211105336.html?src=rss

In a development that should surprise no one, OpenAI is preparing to release a standalone social app powered by its upcoming Sora 2 video model, Wired reports. The app reportedly "closely resembles" TikTok, with a vertical video feed and swipe-to-scroll navigation. The catch? It will only feature AI-generated content; there's apparently no option for the user to upload photos or videos from their phone's camera roll.Wired adds OpenAI will limit Sora 2 to generating clips that are 10 seconds long or shorter for use inside of the app. It's unclear what the model's limit will be outside of the app. TikTok, following an original limit of 15 seconds, allows people to upload clips that are up to 10 minutes long. The new app is also said to include an identity verification tool. Should a user take advantage of the feature, Sora 2 will be able to use their likeness in videos it generates. In turn, that means other people will be able to tag those users and use their likeness when they go to remix one of their videos. As a safety precaution, OpenAI will push a notification to users whenever their likeness is used by someone else, even in situations where someone makes a video but never posts it to the app's feed.According to Wired, the software will refuse to generate some videos due to copyright restrictions. However, it's not clear just how robust these protections will be, with The Wall Street Journal reporting OpenAI will require rights holders to opt out of their content appearing in videos Sora 2 generates.As for why OpenAI would release a social media app, Wired suggests the company saw an opportunity after President Trump repeatedly extended the deadline for ByteDance to bring TikTok's US business under American control. By adding a social component to Sora, OpenAI may also be hoping to dissuade people from trying other models since leaving its new app would mean abandoning whatever community forms around it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-will-reportedly-release-a-tiktok-like-social-app-alongside-sora-2-205842527.html?src=rss

Reporter Marisa Kabas, founder of The Handbasket, posted on Bluesky today that more than 1.7 million subscribers canceled their paid Disney streaming plans between September 17 and September 23. The total allegedly includes subscriptions to Disney+, Hulu and ESPN. That falloff reportedly marked a 436 percent increase over the usual churn rate for the service. We've reached out to Disney+ for comment on this claim.Disney also chose to increase subscription prices last week, which could prolong the wave of cancellations. Kabas' source also claimed that Disney sped the return of the late night show because it had planned to announce the price hike last Tuesday.In case you need a reminder of the entertainment news that dominated headlines for the past two weeks, Disney-owned ABC suspended the late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live on September 17 after President Donald Trump and members of his administration accused the host of making inappropriate comments regarding the assassination of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. Although Disney then announced on September 22 that the program would be reinstated the following night, it seems a lot of viewers were not impressed with the company's actions.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/disney-reportedly-lost-17-million-paid-subscribers-in-the-week-after-suspending-kimmel-201615937.html?src=rss

Apple isn't the only big tech company that's launching hardware this month. Amazon is having its fall hardware event on Tuesday, September 30 at 10AM ET in New York City, and - as it does most years - the company is expected to debut new devices across its myriad product categories. While the event will not be livestreamed, Engadget staff will be in attendance and liveblogging it in real-time. Our pre-show coverage will begin around 8AM ET.So what will Amazon be sharing? Using the images in the invitation that went out to members of the press as a jumping-off point, here are our best educated guesses as to what we can expect.AmazonIn February, Amazon introduced some improvements to its voice assistant, promising that Alexa+ would be more conversational and more helpful thanks to generative AI. It seems likely that the fall event will put hardware for interacting with Alexa+ front and center, so expect to hear about new models or new software updates for the Echo line of smart speakers. It's been a couple years since the Echo Show got an update, and it's been even longer for the standard Echo. Those two products are the most likely to star in the upcoming announcements.The invite also includes a photo of a Kindle that depicts a color illustration, so there may be more in store for the ereaders. The Kindle Scribe 2 just came out earlier this year, as did the Kindle Colorsoft, so maybe there's a new option in the works that combines the best features of both. As with the Echo, there also hasn't been much new for the basic model Kindle, so that may also be getting some updates.There's also what appears to be the corner of a television in the invitation, so news about the Fire TV also seems promising. This event is also where Amazon-owned Ring and Eero brands may unveil new products. Any announced items may not be available right away, but the timing does set the stage for some substantial discounts on older generations of Amazon gear. In fact, many of Amazon's current devices are already on sale - including Blink, Kindle and Ring - as more early October Prime Day deals pop up ahead of the sale's official start on October 7.Update, September 29, 2025, 3:20PM ET: This story has been updated to note Engadget's liveblog plans for the Amazon event.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/what-to-expect-from-amazons-event-on-tuesday-september-30-210035284.html?src=rss

Meta is expanding its use of facial recognition in Europe, the UK and South Korea to crack down on accounts that impersonate public figures. The new facial recognition-powered safety features are now live on Facebook in the regions and will expand to Instagram in the coming months.The technology was initially put to use last year starting in the US, helping to identify ads that fraudulently use a celebrity's likeness as well as to help people regain access to hacked accounts. Public figures opt in to this program in Europe, which is also being rolled out in South Korea alongside the new protections against impersonation. This new use case is aimed at scammers who pose as public figures to trick unsuspecting users into sending money or other scams of that nature."We'll now use facial recognition technology to compare the profile picture on the suspicious account to the real public figure's Facebook and Instagram profile pictures. If there's a match, we will remove the impostor account," said a Meta spokesperson.In addition to the US rollout, the company's facial recognition technology has been used to aid account recovery in the UK, EU and South Korea since March. This came three years after Facebook decided to shut down its facial recognition system on Facebook, due in large part to public backlash against the technology.The social media giant touts the benefits of these tools, reporting that in the first half of 2025, user reports of "celebrity bait" ads dropped by 22 percent globally. Facial recognition remains a controversial technology, with differing public opinion on its use in law enforcement and the workplace.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-is-bringing-new-facial-recognition-tools-to-the-uk-eu-and-south-korea-185303065.html?src=rss

Researchers have discovered major security flaws with Tile tracking tags, according to a report by Wired. These flaws could allow both the company itself and tech-savvy stalkers to track a user's location. The security issue could also let a malicious actor falsely frame a Tile owner for stalking, as the flaw can make it appear as if a particular tag is constantly in the vicinity of somebody else's tag.The issue pertains to how Tile tags transmit data during use. Tile tags transmit a lot of data beyond that of other trackers, including the static MAC address and the rotating ID. According to reporting, none of this stuff is encrypted. The rotating ID changes all of the time, but a MAC address doesn't.Researchers believe that all of this information is stored in cleartext, making it easy for hackers to get ahold of. This also would theoretically give Tile itself the ability to track its users, though the company says it doesn't have this capability.It gets worse. Anyone with a radio frequency scanner can allegedly intercept all of this information as it's being transmitted, creating another potential security hole. Also, this problem might not even be solved if Tile decides to stop transmitting the MAC address. This is because the company generates its rotating ID in such a way that future codes can be reliably predicted from past ones.An attacker only needs to record one message from the device," one of the researchers behind the findings said, adding that a single recorded message will "fingerprint it for the rest of its lifetime." The researcher said this creates a risk of systemic surveillance.The security researchers, who are involved with the Georgia Institute of Technology, reached out to Tile's parent company Life360 in November of last year to report the findings. Wired said the company stopped communicating with the researchers in February. The company did say it has made a number of improvements to its security but didn't elaborate further.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/tile-trackers-reportedly-have-a-security-flaw-that-can-let-stalkers-track-your-location-183949165.html?src=rss

In May, Anthropic announced two new AI systems, Opus 4 and Sonnet 4. Now, less than six months later, the company is introducing Sonnet 4.5, and calling it the best coding model in the world to date. Anthropic's basis for that claim is a selection of benchmarks where the new AI outperforms not only its predecessor but also the more expensive Opus 4.1 and competing systems, including Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro and GPT-5 from OpenAI. For instance, in OSWorld, a suite that tests AI models on real-world computer tasks, Sonnet 4.5 set a record score of 61.4 percent, putting it 17 percentage points above Opus 4.1.At the same time, the new model is capable of autonomously working on multi-step projects for more than 30 hours, a significant improvement from the seven or so hours Opus 4 could maintain at launch. That's an important milestone for the type of agentic systems Anthropic wants to build.Sonnet 4.5 outperforms Anthropic's older models in coding and agentic tasks. AnthropicPerhaps more importantly, the company claims Sonnet 4.5 is its safest AI system to date, with the model having undergone "extensive" safety training. That training translates to a chatbot Anthropic says is "substantially" less prone to "sycophancy, deception, power-seeking and the tendency to encourage delusional thinking" - all potential model traits that have landed OpenAI in hot water in recent months. At the same time, Anthropic has strengthened Sonnet 4.5's protections against prompt injection attacks. Due to the sophistication of the new model, Anthropic is releasing Sonnet 4.5 under its AI Safety Level 3 framework, meaning it comes with filters designed to prevent potentially dangerous outputs related to prompts around chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.A chart showing how Sonnet 4.5 compares against other frontier models in safety testing. AnthropicWith today's announcement, Anthropic is also rolling out quality of life improvements across the Claude product stack. To start, Claude Code, the company's popular coding agent, has a refreshed terminal interface, with a new feature called checkpoints included. As you can probably guess from the name, they allow you to save your progress and roll back to a previous state if Claude writes some funky code that isn't quite working like you imagined it would. File creation, which Anthropic began rolling out at the start of the month, is now available to all Pro users, and if you joined the waitlist Claude for Chrome, you can start using the extension today.API pricing for Sonnet 4.5 remains at $3 per one million input tokens and $15 for the same amount of output tokens. The release of Sonnet 4.5 caps off a strong September for Anthropic. Just one day after Microsoft added Claude models to Copilot 365 last week, OpenAI admitted its rival offers the best AI for work-related tasks.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/claude-sonnet-45-is-anthropics-safest-ai-model-yet-170000161.html?src=rss

Sony has been marking the 30th anniversary of PlayStation by selling you stuff, like PS5 consoles and accessories styled after the PS1. The company has something else lined up to mark the occasion: a photography book showcasing "never-before-seen prototypes, concept sketches and design models that shaped hardware development" from the early days through to the current PS5 era.PlayStation: The First 30 Years is a 400-page hardback book printed on heavyweight matt art stock. You better hope your coffee table is sturdy, since this book is a chonkster. It weighs in at 5kg (11lbs).Sony worked with publisher Read-Only Memory on PlayStation: The First 30 Years. The collaborators have offered a peek at what's inside the book. It's shaping up to be a fascinating glimpse at some of the designs Sony tried for its hardware over the last few decades.For instance, the original PlayStation could have looked much different, more directly exemplifying designer Teiyu Goto's "vision of simple squares and circles coming to life." (For what it's worth, Engadget deputy editor Nathan Ingraham said this design looked like a proton pack):An early concept design for the original PlayStation.Sony/Read-Only MemorySome of the controller concepts are pretty out there too. Some don't look all that comfortable to hold or use for extended gaming sessions. This one - which appears to be for the PS3 at the earliest, given the inclusion of the PS button - is truly bonkers. Thank goodness Goto landed on the SNES-style design with grips that has proven so successful (and comfortable) over the years:A PlayStation controller concept.Sony/Read-Only MemoryThe book isn't entirely limited to hardware concepts, as it features photos of Sony's design labs. The tome seems like a very cool item for PlayStation fans and those who love gaming history to have, but there might be an element of sticker shock.The book is available via Read-Only Memory's website for $182. A deluxe edition with exposed binding, a foil-stamped clamshell presentation box and a photographic print signed by Goto and photographer Benedict Redgrove will run you $467. The fancier edition has a limited run of 1994 copies. Coincidentally, that's the year the PS1 debuted in Japan. Both editions of the book will ship in spring 2026.Meanwhile, Sony has teamed up with Reebok for a collection of 30th anniversary sneakers styled after - you guessed it - the PS1. The kicks will be available in October and the three designs are linked to the PS1's launch regions. They include the InstaPump Fury 94 for Japan, Pump Omni Zone II for the US and Workout Plus for the UK.Sony x Reebox sneakers are on the waySony/ReebokThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/a-playstation-photography-book-featuring-never-before-seen-design-concepts-is-on-the-way-164859020.html?src=rss

Microsoft is taking inspiration from the AI-driven workflows of "vibe coding" and has now set out to make "vibe working" a thing (yes, those are the words the company chose.) Does AI in the workplace even lead to worthwhile outputs? Does it mortgage our brains' ability to learn? There are many seemingly critical question unanswered. But in the meantime, sure: vibe working it is.Using Office Agent within Office apps or Copilot chat, users can begin a document with a single prompt and then work iteratively alongside Copilot to develop a finished product. Microsoft says this is the "new pattern of work for human-agent collaboration." The Agent Mode tool supports Excel and Word workflows, and Microsoft says PowerPoint support is coming soon; Office Agent works with PowerPoint and Word, with Excel coming soon.The company waxes poetic about the "full power of Excel" being available only to expert users and promises that an Agent Mode that can "speak Excel" will change all that. In data shared as part of the announcement, Microsoft said that Copilot Agent Mode in Excel achieved 57.2 percent accuracy on the SpreadsheetBench benchmark. This is compared to a 71.3 percent human score, though it's not clear if that's for average users, Excel power users or how many human users that score is derived from. Still - not great numbers!Agent Mode also works in Word to summarize, edit and of course help to create entire drafts (though its unclear what those relative accuracy rates are.) Both the Excel and Word Agent Modes are powered by OpenAI's latest models. Office Agent in Copilot chat is powered by Anthropic models and can create PowerPoint presentations and Word documents in what Microsoft calls a "chat-first experience."Agent Mode for Excel and Word, as well as Office Agent, are available today through the Frontier program. Agent Mode is currently limited to the web-based versions of Word and Excel and is coming to desktop soon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/microsoft-is-trying-to-make-vibe-working-a-thing-163334367.html?src=rss

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently published a 163-page PDF showing the electrical schematics for the iPhone 16e, despite Apple specifically requesting them to be confidential. This was most likely a mistake on the part of the FCC, according to a report by AppleInsider.The agency also distributed a cover letter from Apple alongside the schematics, which is dated September 16, 2024. This letter verifies the company's request for privacy, indicating that the documents contain "confidential and proprietary trade secrets." The cover letter asks for the documents to be withheld from public view "indefinitely." Apple even suggested that a release of the files could give competitors an "unfair advantage."To that end, the documents feature full schematics of the iPhone 16e. These include block diagrams, electrical schematic diagrams, antenna locations and more. Competitors could simply buy a handset and open it up to get to this information, as the iPhone 16e came out back in February, but this leak would eliminate any guesswork. However, Apple is an extremely litigious company when it comes to stuff like patent infringement.The FCC hasn't addressed how this leak happened or what it intends to do about it. AppleInsider's reporting suggested that this probably happened due to an incorrect setting in a database. This was likely not an intentional act against Apple, which tracks given that the company has been especially supportive of the Trump administration. CEO Tim Cook even brought the president a gold trophy for being such a good and important boy.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/fcc-accidentally-leaked-iphone-schematics-potentially-giving-rivals-a-peek-at-company-secrets-154551807.html?src=rss

Have you played around with the new iOS 26 yet? Here's how to download it on your iPhone if you haven't yet - once you do, you'll notice several new changes, including a clear design called Liquid Glass. The translucent look can be found within apps as well as your lock and home screens. (You can't turn it off, but you can reduce the transparency to make it less clear.) The overhaul is one of several big changes that come with iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS and the rest of Apple's software suite - the new operating system updates for those gadgets are also available to download now.You'll also see multiple useful additions in the Phone and Messages apps. For instance, the ability to weed out spam texts or unknown senders and an option to hold your spot on a phone call when you've been waiting for a representative to pick up. And for fun, you can now create polls in group texts. Other new improvements coming include a confirmed AirPods live translation feature, and a new bouncy animation on the passcode screen and in the Control Center.If you're planning to upgrade your phone this year, take a look at all the new models Apple unveiled during its iPhone 17 event, from the iPhone 17 lineup (check out our review of the iPhone 17) to the all-new ultra-thin iPhone Air (take a look at our hands-on review). If you missed the keynote, you can catch up on everything Apple announced here or rewatch the full iPhone 17 launch. The company rounded out its announcements with three new Apple Watch models, as well as the brand-new AirPods Pro 3.Most newer iPhone models are eligible to download iOS 26. We've rounded up a full list of new features you'll have to check out. If you're waiting to update your phone until iOS 26.1 becomes available, note that the beta version is available now so it shouldn't be too long before it's released to the public.What is iOS 26 and should I download iOS 18.7 first?Instead of releasing iOS 19, Apple skipped its naming convention ahead to iOS 26. The company has decided to line up its iOS version numbers with a year-based system, similar to car model years. So while iOS and its sibling operating systems were released in 2025, they're all designated "26" to reflect the year ahead.Apple also released iOS 18.7 alongside iOS 26 to address security issues - great news if you don't have a phone that's eligible to run the latest OS. If you're wondering which one to download first, it's really up to you. Do you want to wait for Apple to quash any bugs in iOS 26 or do you want access to all the new features everyone's talking about now?It's official, we're moving to iOS 26. (Apple)What is Liquid Glass design?Let's be honest. Out of everything announced at WWDC this year, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the show. The iPhone's home and lock screens have looked pretty much the same year after year - the last exciting thing (in my opinion) was the option to add your own aesthetic to your home screen by customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the home and lock screens' new facelift is refreshing.So what exactly is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a "new translucent material" since, well, the apps and widgets are clear. However, the screen can still adapt to dark and light modes, depending on surroundings. You'll also notice buttons with a new floating design in several apps, like Phone and Maps. They're designed to be less distracting than the current buttons, but are still easy to see.While the design overhaul has proven to be controversial since its announcement, some - including Engadget's Devindra Hardawar - like the new direction, even if it's somewhat reminiscent of Microsoft's translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from nearly twenty years ago.That said, while it was in beta mode, Apple incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing back the transparency in at least some places. And while it will continue to evolve, Apple users won't be able to escape it: The company says Liquid Glass was designed to make all of its platforms more cohesive.Here's a look at how the translucent aesthetic looks with the new macOS Tahoe 26 on your desktop.How to turn iOS 26 Liquid Glass settings offIf you find you don't like the new clear look after downloading iOS 26, you can change a couple Accessibility settings, though you can't completely turn off Liquid Glass. For starters, you can reduce the liquid look by going to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > toggle on Reduce Motion.You can make your drop-down menus more opaque instead of translucent by going to Settings >Accessibility > Display & Text Size > toggle on Reduce Transparency.You can also change your clear apps back to the way they were. Just press and hold any app on your screen and select Edit Home Screen. From here, tap Edit (top left) and Customize. You can swap out to Default, Dark or Tinted.What are the new and notable features of iOS 26?iOS 26 has a laundry list of new features. Among the most worthwhile:Phone app redesign: You can now scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music and continue on with other tasks.Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 brings the ability to have a conversation via phone call, FaceTime or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translation uses Apple Intelligence and it will translate your conversation in real time, which results in some stop-and-go interactions in the examples Apple shared during its presentation.Polls in group chats: Tired of sorting through what seems like hundreds of messages in your group chat? You and your friends can now create polls in group messages to decide things like which brunch spot you're eating at or whose car you're taking on a road trip.Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you haven't received spam texts about unpaid tolls or other citations, you're lucky. For those of us who have, those annoying messages will soon be filtered away in a separate folder.Visual Intelligence: Similar to a reverse Google image search, this new feature will allow you to search for anything that's on your iPhone screen. For instance, if you spot a pair of shoes someone is wearing in an Instagram photo, you can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to find those shoes (or similar ones) online.Photos tabs are back: For anyone who's been frustrated with last year's changes to the Photos app, you'll be happy to know that your tabs are back. Library and Collections have their own separate spaces so you don't have to scroll to infinity to find what you're looking for.Camera app updates: Navigating the Camera app should be simpler in iOS 26, as all the buttons and menus are in convenient spots - less swiping, more photo taking. Plus, there's a new feature that tells you if your lens needs to be cleaned.FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature: A newer addition to iOS 26 appears to be the FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The feature appears to be a child safety feature that uses on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privacy issues.New lock screen options: The iPhone lock screen is more customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more widgets and better focus mode options.New alarm setting: You'll no longer be stuck with the 9-minute snooze setting in your alarms. Instead, you now have the option to change your snooze time from one to 15 minutes.Screenshots look different: You'll notice several new features when you take a screenshot, including "highlight to search," the option to search your image on Google and ChatGPT is there for any questions you have about the image.Preview on iOS 26: There's a new app called Preview that lets you scan documents, fill out PDF forms, as well as highlight, underline or strike through text in a PDF file. You can also remove backgrounds from images in this app.Apple's Hold Assist will be nifty for those pesky services that put you on hold for 10 or more minutes. (Apple)New changes with iPadOS 26Your iPad isn't getting left behind when it comes to big updates. Here's what to look for.Multitasking and real windowing: When you download the newest update, you'll be able to have multiple apps running on your screen at the same time. Once you open an app, it'll appear on your screen as normal but you'll be able to resize and move it across your screen to make room for other apps. This feature is optional so you can turn it off if you don't like it.Visual update: Along with the other new OSes, iPadOS 26 also has the Liquid Glass aesthetic. This new look appears on the lock and home screens, as well as the drop-down menus.New menu bar: When you swipe down on your screen, the new menu bar will appear with options like File, Edit, Windows and more. There's also a search option if you're looking for something specific.There's more beyond that, so be sure to check out our first impressions of iPadOS 26.What about AirPods?AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Here are some of the more notable functions.Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this "studio-quality" audio recording, and with it, you'll notice more clarity while in noisy environments.Camera remote control: Using this, you can take a photo or start and stop video recording with just one press on your AirPods. When taking photos, you'll get a three-second countdown before your iPhone or iPad snaps the picture.Live translation feature: Live translation is available on AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC when paired with iPhones running iOS 26. Apple says that when someone speaks to you in a different language, you can use your AirPods to translate what they're saying.Heart rate monitoring: Apple introduced new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds this month, which include heart rate monitoring. It will work with Apple's Health app and other fitness apps that track heart rates.Did Siri get an update?Siri is in a holding pattern. Apple has previously specified that its smarter voice assistant - first promised at WWDC 2024 - is delayed until some point "in the coming year," so you shouldn't expect any major changes right now. But there are reports that Apple is aiming to give Siri a bigger brain transplant by basing it on third-party artificial intelligence models like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude, which could make 2026 a pivotal year. The company is also reportedly working on a "stripped-down" AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT.Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26?A few iPhone models that run the current version of iOS - iPhone XR, XS and XS Max - aren't compatible with the latest upgrade. But any iPhones from 2019 or later will be eligible for iOS 26:

Your AirPods may soon become your most important pieces of fitness gear. One of the AirPods Pro 3's new features is heart rate tracking for both workouts and periodic pulse checks. Apple's latest earbuds are equipped with photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors that shine infrared light hundreds of times per second to measure how light is absorbed in blood flow. What's more, the AirPods Pro 3 work in tandem with the iPhone's accelerometers, gyroscope, GPS and on-device AI for more comprehensive cardio insights and to estimate calories burned during exercise. Here's how to use heart-rate monitoring with the AirPods Pro 3, along with some maintenance tips to keep the tech in prime working condition.How the AirPods Pro 3 measure your heart rateAn important aspect of getting accurate data from your AirPods is understanding how the earbuds track your heart rate. If you're using Apple's Fitness app, the AirPods Pro 3 will continuously monitor your pulse during a workout. In addition to the heart rate sensor and accelerometer in the earbuds, details like location, barometric pressure and health information are also pulled from your iPhone, and they're all used to estimate the calories you burn each session. Lastly, if you're wearing both an Apple Watch and the AirPods Pro 3 during a workout, the device with the most accurate data over the last five minutes will be used to track your heart rate.If you prefer to keep one ear completely unobstructed for whatever reason, you might be happy to know you only need to wear one of your AirPods Pro 3 during a workout to track your heart rate. Both earbuds are equipped with heart rate sensors; you can wear either one so you won't have to forego your favorite ear.Required devices for heart rate tracking on the AirPods Pro 3It probably goes without saying, but you need a set of the AirPods Pro 3 to use the heart rate feature. None of the older AirPods models have onboard heart rate sensors. The only other option in Apple's stable that does is the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.You'll also need an iPhone that's capable of running iOS 26. This is every model from the iPhone 11 and newer, including the second-generation iPhone SE.How to turn the AirPods Pro 3 heart rate sensing on/offTurning heart rate sensing on and off on the AirPods Pro 3 is simple. The feature is enabled by default, but you can turn it off in the AirPods settings menu on your iPhone.

Beleaguered video game giant Electronic Arts has agreed to a $55 billion acquisition that will take the company private. Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake and Affinity Partners have reached a deal to buy EA, the company said in a statement.Some details about the proposed arrangement surfaced over the weekend. The deal, the largest-ever leveraged buyout, according to Bloomberg, marks the end of EA's 35-year run as a publicly traded company. Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world's most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business," EA CEO Andrew Wilson said in a statement. "This moment is a powerful recognition of their remarkable work."EA hasn't been immune from the forces that have upended the games industry. Last year, the company laid off more than 650 employees, which it labeled an attempt at "streamlining" its business. This year, the company has canceled an upcoming Black Panther game and closed the studio behind it, and has reportedly "shelved" its Need For Speed Franchise.The company said it expects the deal to close sometime in the first quarter of 2027, noting that it will need regulatory approvals. EA said that Wilson will continue as CEO and that its Redwood City, California headquarters will not change. In a statement Silver Lake Co-CEO Egon Durban said that the group plans to "invest heavily" in the video game company and help it "expand its reach worldwide." Silver Lake is also part of the forthcoming deal to spin off the US version of TikTok into a new, American-owned company.

X is challenging an Indian court order it says would require it to comply with millions of takedown requests without due process. In a statement, the company said it was "deeply concerned" about the ruling, which allows police officers "to issue arbitrary takedown orders through a secretive online portal" called the Sahyog.X's challenge comes after the Karnataka High Court dismissed X's initial challenge of the Sahyog portal last week. As the BBC notes, the Sahyog "describes itself as a tool to automate the process of sending government notices to content intermediaries such as X and Facebook." But X has labeled it a "censorship portal," saying that it allows "millions" of officials, including local police officers, to order content to be removed.

If you want to upgrade your iPad experience, finding the best iPad accessories can do the trick. It's certainly much cheaper than buying a new tablet, and often times, all you need is a few well-chosen accessories to make a familiar device feel fresh again. From a slim folio for iPad that protects your screen to a Magic Keyboard case that turns it into a full-blown laptop alternative, there are dozens of solid accessories to choose from. Accessories aren't just about looks, either. Swapping out worn pencil tips, grabbing a longer Lightning cable or finding the right stand can make a big difference in how smoothly you move through your favorite apps. We've tested a plethora of accessories over the years, and these are the best iPad accessories you can get right now. Table of contents

The vacuum world has gone cordless, untethering us from outlets and saving us fights with pesky wires. Cordless vacuums can be great alternatives to traditional corded models since they're lightweight and easier to maneuver around your home. They've also gotten much more powerful in recent years. Some even come with extra features like app connectivity, self-emptying bases and more. But just like the robot vacuum space, there are dozens of cordless vacuums to choose from now (no, Dyson isn't your only option).