Microsoft is getting rid of the VPN offered through Microsoft Defender. As spotted by Windows Latest, the company updated its support pages for privacy protection, its built-in VPN, to notify users that the service will end on February 28. The VPN was bundled with Microsoft Defender, which is available to anyone with a personal or family Microsoft 365 subscription, and it offered private browsing by routing your internet traffic through Microsoft servers," up to the monthly data limit of 50GB.In a statement about the decision posted on the support page, Microsoft said, Our goal is to ensure you, and your family remain safer online. We routinely evaluate the usage and effectiveness of our features. As such, we are removing the privacy protection feature and will invest in new areas that will better align to customer needs." Android users might still see the Microsoft Defender VPN profile in their settings after the expiration date, which they'll need to remove manually if they want it gone. Action is not required by Windows, iOS, and macOS users," Microsoft notes.The company also says this is the only feature getting killed off for now. According to Microsoft, device protection and identity theft and credit monitoring (US) features will continue."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/microsoft-defenders-vpn-feature-will-be-killed-off-at-the-end-of-february-212313322.html?src=rss
Owners of some early Apple Watch models may be eligible for payment from a $20 million class action settlement. Apple recently agreed to settle a lawsuit that claimed some first generation, Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 Apple Watches had battery swelling issues that could have caused damage to the devices. The company has denied any wrongdoing and in a statement to TechCrunch said it strongly" disagrees with the claims made in the lawsuit, but nonetheless agreed to settle to avoid further litigation." The exact amount of the payments will depend on how many claimants ultimately end up being involved, but it's expected to be between $20 to $50 per eligible device.There's a full breakdown of eligibility and deadlines on the website for the class action lawsuit, but the main thing to know is that in order to receive payment, you must have reported the issue to Apple in the US between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024. Settlement Class Members will receive a payment without the need to submit a claim form," the website notes. You just need to submit your payment information through the settlement website (here) by April 10. Notices of eligibility will be sent out by mail and email.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-has-agreed-to-pay-20-million-to-settle-a-class-action-lawsuit-over-apple-watch-battery-swelling-175616623.html?src=rss
New releases to add to your reading list. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/what-to-read-this-weekend-engrossing-literary-horror-and-a-dark-whimsical-new-comic-series-175906806.html?src=rss
Apple was apparently developing augmented reality glasses powered by its Mac computers, but it canceled the project before the company could even announce it. According to Bloomberg, Apple scrapped the program this week because the product didn't perform well when executives tested it and the company kept on changing the features it wanted for the device. The glasses, while still powered by visionOS, weren't supposed to be the direct successor to the Vision Pro. They reportedly weren't a headset, but a pair of normal-looking glasses instead.Bloomberg says Apple originally wanted the AR glasses to be powered by the iPhone, but the smartphone didn't have the processing capacity to sustain the device's features. They also drained the iPhone's battery. The scrapped AR glasses had built-in displays that can project information, images and video into the user's field of view. They were lighter than the Vision Pro and didn't show the wearer's eyes like the headset can, but they had lenses that could change their tint to show if the user is working on a task or isn't busy and can be approached. Bloomberg compared the canceled product to XReal's One glasses and to the Orion prototype Meta revealed last year. While the Orion needs to be paired with a "wireless compute puck" to work, it doesn't need to be connected to a computer or a phone.Apple was developing the glasses as a device people can use every day. One of the issues it's reportedly facing is that people who already own the Vision Pro aren't using it as much as the company expects. However, employees part of the company's vision products group reportedly thought the project suffered from a lack of focus and clear direction. Apple is still working on a successor to the Vision Pro, though, and it's still looking to develop AR glasses in the future. It's also continuing to work on the technologies the scrapped glasses used, such as microLED-type screens, for future projects.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/apple-reportedly-shelved-a-mac-connected-ar-glasses-project-160921712.html?src=rss
The 2025 NAMM Show is over. Every year music gear manufacturers, ranging from iconic synth brands like Korg, to boutique guitar pedal makers like Walrus Audio, and even companies making fog machines and knobs descend on Anaheim to show off their latest wares. It is chaos in all the ways that you'd expect a convention to be - miles-long lines for coffee, hordes of strangers jockeying for position around new products, food options that range from barely edible to instant heart attack. But NAMM is also a special beast. If you've ever wondered what eight out-of-sync drummers, two finger tapping guitar solos, an acoustic slide blues riff and a simple ukulele ditty would all sound like simultaneously vying for your attention, well, this is the only place to experience that particular brand of hell. But, now that my legs and, more importantly, my eardrums have finally started to recover I've had a chance to reflect on some of the best things I saw on the show floor. Here are the 10 things that grabbed my attention the most.Eternal Research Demon BoxTerrence O'Brien for EngadgetEternal Research launched a successfully funded Kickstarter campaign back in September, but this was the first time I was able to see the Demon Box in person. Think of it like a supercharged version of the Soma Labs Ether featured in a handful of our gift guides. The Demon Box doesn't make any sound on its own, instead it features three pickups that turn EMFs (electromagnetic fields) into music - or at least audible noise. Run a cellphone, power drill or a tuning fork across the top and you'll get unique whines, hisses, clicks and beeps that only that device could produce. But where the Ether is basically just a microphone, the Demon Box is an instrument designed for live interaction and controlling other devices. In addition to outputting audio, it can also convert those electro magnetic fields into CV (control voltage) for controlling eurorack synths or MIDI for triggering a visual synthesizer, or all three simultaneously. There are tons of options out there if you want a buzzy sawtooth bass, but if you want to turn the invisible radiation emitted by a TV remote into a centerpiece of a multimedia performance, this is basically your only option.Circle GuitarTerrence O'Brien for EngadgetThe Circle Guitar is impractical. It costs over $12,000 (insert grimacing emoji). But it's also just insane fun. Instead of playing it with a pick or finger plucking the strings (though, you can do that if you want), the strings are strummed by movable plectrums you mount inside a spinning wheel. There are sixteen slots allowing you to design your own strumming rhythm, and then there are six sliders under the pickups for controlling the volume of each string individually. This allows you to create complex, robotic rhythms like a drum machine, but on your guitar. And, what's more, you can sync it to a DAW to make sure you're in lockstep with your backing track, even when it stutters and pauses. It's a completely unique creation that has already drawn the attention of artists like Ed O'Brien of Radiohead.Akai + Native InstrumentsOne of the biggest announcements out of NAMM wasn't really a new product, but two titans of the industry joining forces. Several of Native Instruments (NI) Play Series synths and genre-specific Expansion Pack sound kits are being ported over to Akai's new MPC 3.0 platform. While the availability of some existing soft synths on some existing hardware might not seem like a big deal at first, it greatly expands the sonic palette of the MPC and gives NI another foothold in the world of standalone music hardware after giving it go on its own with the Machine+. The selection of sounds is limited at the moment, with three synths (Analog Dreams, Cloud Supply, and Nacht) and just one expansion (Faded Reels) available. But two more synths and four more expansions will be added soon and, if all goes well, I'm sure more will follow.Korg HandyTraxx PlayTerrence O'Brien for EngadgetThe HandyTraxx Play is the first and only portable turntable that I know of with built-in effects. It has a DJ filter, a delay and even a simple looper which can, in theory, negate the need for a separate mixer and even a second turntable in some cases. While I can not scratch, I've always wanted to learn, and the all-in-one portable nature of the HandyTraxx Play, including a speaker and battery power, is pretty appealing to someone who just wants to dip their toe in and doesn't want invest a ton of money and space in a separate mixer and dual turntable setup. Plus, Korg designed the Play in conjunction with the late Toshihide Nakama, the founder of Vestax and builder of the original Handy Trax (two words, one x), an icon in the world of portablism.Donner Essential L1 SynthesizerTerrence O'Brien for EngadgetOver the last few years Chinese music gear maker Donner has started to really expand its offerings, going from mostly digital pianos and some bargain bin guitar pedals, to shockingly decent DSP effects, drum machines and even a pocketable groovebox. The L1 is the latest in its growing line of synths and it has a lot of promise. It's based in large part on the Roland SH-101, an iconic instrument from the 80s that found particular favor among artists like Aphex Twin, Orbital, Depeche Mode, KMFDM, and Boards of Canada.What makes the L1 particularly intriguing is that it's the first entry in the company's new Snap2Connect (S2C) system. The keyboard attaches to the synth magnetically, allowing you to leave it behind if you want, or use it as a separate MIDI controller with your DAW or another synth. But Donner also says it plans on adding other instruments to the S2C system, so you could buy a module based on, say, a Juno-60 one day and just slap it on to the keyboard you already own.Enjoy Electronics DeFeelTerrence O'Brien for EngadgetThe DeFeel is hard to explain. The company calls it a modular monotony degenerator," which is both extremely accurate and extremely unhelpful. Basically, you stick this thing between your sequencer and your synthesizer and it mangles the incoming CV to generate fills, stutters, and all manner of barely controlled chaos. In short, it takes that rock-solid sequence you've programmed and makes it less monotonous. It can resequence your sequence or add modulation. You can draw modulation curves using the 4.3-inch touchscreen, or even turn it into an X/Y pad for live performance. It's designed mostly with eurorack synths in mind, but it's also available as a standalone unit in a classy wooden case.Melbourne Instruments RotoControlTerrence O'Brien for EngadgetThe RotoControl might not seem like the most exciting device at first. It's a MIDI controller with eight knobs and keys on the right side, and a handful of other buttons on the left for navigating the device. But what makes it special is that those knobs are motorized - if you change a parameter in your DAW or softsynth, that is reflected physically on the controller. That might sound a little gimmicky, but it's actually incredibly useful.See, knobs on a controller or synth generally come in two flavors: pots and encoders. A pot, or potentiometer, has a beginning and end. So, if you change a preset or switch instruments, it may no longer reflect the actual setting in question. Encoders have no beginning or end. Since they don't point to a concrete position in space, there's no need to worry about a disagreement between knob position and an actual parameter value. But they're also less than ideal for live performance. Judging how far you need to turn to get that filter sweep just right is difficult, and encoders generally have a less smooth response than a pot. Melbourne solves this by just moving the pots to where they're supposed to be.Roli Piano & AirwaveTerrence O'Brien for EngadgetI've been saying for a few years that I'm going to finally learn how to play piano. But, I'm a busy dad of two, a part-time bartender and a full-time freelancer. I don't really have the time or disposable income, frankly, to treat myself to piano lessons. And the app-based or video options I've tried have been a bit underwhelming. I don't know that the Roli Piano and Airwave are for sure more effective than Melodics or Duolingo at teaching how to play, but it seems like there's more potential there. Where most music education apps are basically glorified versions of Guitar Hero, Roli uses the Airwave's camera to track your whole hand, letting you know if you're out of position, if your wrists are at the wrong angle or if you're using the wrong fingers. It's probably not as good as having a real professional teaching you the ropes, but it's probably better than a repurposed video game bolted on to some rudimentary music theory lesson.Oh, and once you feel comfortable enough with your playing, the Roli Piano and Airwave combine to create what is probably the most extensive MPE controller on the market.Entropy & Sons Recursion StudioTerrence O'Brien for EngadgetVideo synthesizers are not new, but they're also not the most common things on the planet. And the Recursion Studio from Entropy & Sons is probably one of the most capable I've ever seen. For one, this is not some simple visualizer where a basic clip of animation is manipulated, all of the visuals are generated live, algorithmically. In addition it can process incoming video, distort images and react to incoming audio, it even has multiple oscilloscope modes builtin.For those that like to get their hands dirty there are over 300 modules that can be combined to create custom visual patches. But there are also about a 1,000 presets on board so you can quickly get some visuals up immediately to go with your synth jam. And the company is constantly updating the device and adding new features.SoundToys SpaceBlenderTerrence O'Brien for EngadgetSoundToys is one of the biggest names in effect plugins out there. They're used by everyone from Radiolab's Jad Abumrad to Kenny Beats and Trent Reznor. The company's Decapitator saturation plugin is one of the best things to ever happen to drums and EchoBoy is a must have delay. But, it doesn't introduce new effects terribly often. SuperPlate was added to the roster in mid 2023, but that was the first new addition since Little Plate in November of 2017 - the company takes its time.SpaceBlender is SoundToys' take on an ambient granular reverb. It's not really a straight granular plugin, that chops up your audio and spits it back out in little bits, instead it's a bunch of delays that get combined and smeared into something ethereal. It even has an interactive envelope designer that you can manipulate to not only hone the shape of your reverb, but even has potential as a live performance tool. SpaceBlender isn't quite ready for release just yet, but even in this early sneak peek it sounded phenomenal and seemed pretty stable.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/the-10-best-things-i-saw-at-namm-140044601.html?src=rss
When Wuthering Waves launched about half a year ago on iOS, Android and Windows, there were serious issues on day one. While some can be forgiving when a game launches, especially a live-service game that will get lots of updates, the errors that many experienced were catastrophic. However, developer Kuro Games didn't give up on the title, and it has more than recovered from its launch, even becoming a nominee at The Games Awards last year.For those who aren't familiar with Wuthering Waves, it's an open-world, free-to-play action RPG similar to Genshin Impact in many ways. However, its combat is more focused on spectacular combos, perfectly-timed parries and dodge counters after avoiding attacks at the right moment. Some players say that the combat is inspired by Devil May Cry games. Heck, there's even a reference to Vergil's (modded) chair in the game.Screenshot by @deviltakoyaki on XWuthering Waves suffered from a disastrous launch. Many people had performance issues, experienced crashes and dialog text was often cut off. It wasn't uncommon to see people complaining that they couldn't play at all despite being excited about its graphics. Some also criticized the voice acting, which reminded me of ASMR-style vocals and didn't fit the usual video game voice acting direction. Fortunately, Kuro Games apologized quickly and promised to make things right.In fact, someone took a picture of Kuro Games' Guangdong, China office between 10 and 11PM. The lights were on, and the company seemed to be taking its vow to improve the game seriously.Over the next few months, Kuro Games would work hard at fixing the most pressing issues while also introducing much-needed quality-of-life fixes. The first highlight of this improvement process was giving all players another free standard banner 5-star character and 5-star standard banner weapon box. After that, they even let users get a limited 5-star character, Xiangli Yao, for free when they played an event to a certain point. The game even has 120FPS mode on PC, something all other games made by direct competitor miHoYo don't have, except Zenless Zone Zero.Plus, as of the 2.0 update, it has come to PS5. Limited character Camellya finally became playable during November, much to the delight of many after months of waiting. Wuthering Waves made it to the final rounds of The Game Awards' best mobile game category but didn't win, losing to Balatro.Kuro GamesKuro Games also released the drip marketing for a new area Rinascita early on to build hype, and many gamers were excited to visit it. Kuro Games' early efforts to fix things paid off, as even the latest character teasers looked better and even provided crucial information like character roles, playstyles and materials. These teasers allowed players to farm resources ahead of time if they wanted, instead of relying on leaks.I play the game in Mandarin Chinese dub and text, so I didn't catch this detail. But an upcoming character, Zani, actually speaks in an Italian accent (with some Spanish and Greek influence, apparently) if you choose the English dub. When the game first launched, the English voices sounded incredibly forced since some of the voice actors were British but were forced to adopt American accents. Zani's Italian accent is a major improvement in voice acting direction, and now I'm more willing to give the English dub another chance.(Zani also recommends you eat pineapple pizza, though. But don't judge me, because I like that stuff. Sorry, not sorry.)Now that the 2.0 update is out, I saw some players calling it a wonderful experience. As for me, I'm definitely enjoying the update and have been farming for my characters. I haven't finished the available story missions yet, but I do think Kuro Games has improved its writing compared to the first chapters. I noticed the tendency to show more than what I've experienced playing Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, both games that often utilize black screens with text. Wuthering Waves tends to stay away from those. I admit that the story isn't completely riveting, but I'm still having fun exploring Solaris-3. The word salad from the first chapters has been reduced, allowing me to take in the story without being overloaded by too many new terms.Kuro GamesI also play Genshin Impact and can appreciate the differences between them, as Wuthering Waves's combat system satisfies an itch Genshin Impact's doesn't. Farming is quick, and the story is improving. The events are fun, except for the Tower of Adversity endgame mode and the Pincer Maneuver event series that comes back once in a while. Maybe it's a skill issue, but I find these modes rather challenging if you don't have the latest featured character or a featured recommended element. The Depths of Illusive Realm roguelike mode needs some more variety, but I suspect that's in the works as it rotates back in soon.Despite any faults, I still play Wuthering Waves daily on Windows and look forward to future content; It's good enough that I'm taking any faults in stride. Earlier this month, Kuro Games CEO Solon Lee released a letter in Chinese thanking fans and revealing that Wuthering Waves reached its highest single-day revenue when version 2.0 was released. I felt encouraged by the letter, and I can confidently say I'm glad I gave the game a chance last year. Whatever the company has in store, I'm all for it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/im-glad-i-gave-wuthering-waves-a-chance-even-with-a-disastrous-launch-150051043.html?src=rss
We're so used to seeing virtual reality depicted nefariously in films like The Matrix, Virtuousity (a forgotten '90s classic) and The Lawnmower Man, it's genuinely surprising to see something that treats VR in a potentially positive way. In Flora Lau's Luz, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this week, there's no major downside to VR, it's just another way for humans to connect. And in the case of the film's two lonely leads, art gallery worker Ren (Sandrine Pinna) and pseudo-gangster Wei (Xiaodong Guo), VR serves as a life raft of human connection, something that could help them find peace in a world where they both feel adrift.Set in modern-day Chongqing (a city so neon-filled and futuristic it seems more sci-fi than real) and Paris, the characters in Luz live alongside technology familiar to us. Smartphones and OnlyFans-esque livestreams featuring young girls are commonplace. But the virtual reality hardware in the film - including ski mask-like goggles, pointed finger sensors that resemble a witch's nails - is both a step ahead, and slightly behind, where we are today. Luz, both the name of the film and the VR world people visit, is a fascinating artifact of the immersive reality space from several years ago. That was before we knew finger tracking could be the main input mode in a VR/AR headset like Apple's Vision Pro.Ren and Wei experience the VR world of Luz as an escape from their real-world troubles, though that ultimately proves futile. Ren tries to connect with her stepmother Sabine (the legendary Isabelle Huppert), an emotionally distant Paris gallery owner who is avoiding any help for a potentially fatal illness. Wei, meanwhile, is trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter Fa, who he can only see anonymously via that aforementioned livestream.The lead's storylines intersect during an in-game hunting expedition for a mysterious neon deer, which appears to be the closest thing to "winning" Luz. Wei and Ren reluctantly bond, and eventually they start to find ways to heal their emotional wounds. It's an intriguing concept, though we don't spend enough time with both characters hanging out in VR to truly sell their relationship.Sundance InstituteLuz doesn't attempt to deliver a fully CG VR world like Ready Player One (thank god), instead we see a hyper-stylized version of the real world with an abundance of neon lights, floating particles and characters dressed as if they're about to head to Comic-Con. Obviously, it's an easier way to convey VR, but the film is also portraying a version of the technology that's practically identical to the real world. If VR were truly so immersive, why even bother with real life connections? (Stylistically, it reminds me of Ghost in the Shell director Mamoru Oshii's forgotten Polish sci-fi film, Avalon, which also explored how people can redefine themselves in a VR simulation.)While Lau goes to great lengths to craft gorgeous VR imagery, what the film really needs is more time for its two leads to sit down and talk to each other, instead of having us infer emotion as they stare off into the distance. At just an hour and forty two minutes, there's plenty of room for more character exploration. But at least we get some intriguing conversations between Ren and Sabine, with Huppert being her typically charming self. (Perhaps the most unbelievable aspect of the film is that Sabine, a hip presence in the visual arts scene, hadn't tried VR until Ren convinced her. We've been seeing artists adopt VR for installations since 2016, so it's far from a new concept.)Luz is close to being a great film, with its strong performances and confidently composed cinematography. But through either restraint or weak screenwriting, we don't always have a sense of how the leads relate to the world, or even what they think of each other. The overall approach feels too cold and distant for a film that's ultimately about rediscovering human connection.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/sundance-premiere-luz-explores-how-vr-can-help-us-find-connection-in-the-real-world-140005020.html?src=rss
Google has given US employees in the Platforms and Devices team the option to exit voluntarily before it starts cutting jobs. The news was first reported by 9to5Google. Google's Platforms and Devices team has 25,000 employees and was formed when the company merged its Android and hardware teams last year. It's in charge of a bunch of Google products, including Android, Chrome, ChromeOS, Pixel, Nest and Fitbit. However, only employees based in the US who are directly reporting to the division's VP, Rick Osterloh, can leave voluntarily with a severance package.Osterloh reportedly told the team in a memo that the "voluntary exit plan" is for those struggling to meet the demands of their role or those unhappy with the company's hybrid work setup. People have until February 20 to sign up for the exit program, and since the memo says they'll find out if they've been accepted on March 25, some people may not be able to leave the company with the severance package it's offering. Google is scheduled to release its earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2024 in a few days, and it'll be interesting to see if it reveals a decline in revenue or any other weakness that could've led to the buyout and impending layoffs."The Platforms & Devices team is offering a voluntary exit program that provides US-based Googlers working on this team the ability to voluntarily leave the company with a severance package," Google said in a statement. "This comes after we brought two large organizations together last year. There's tremendous momentum on this team and with so much important work ahead, we want everyone to be deeply committed to our mission and focused on building great products, with speed and efficiency."According to CNBC, employees were pleased with Google's decision to offer voluntary exits with severance instead of going straight to job cuts. They were apparently aware of Google's future cost-cutting efforts and asked for voluntary buyouts as an option.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-will-let-platforms-and-devices-employees-leave-voluntarily-prior-to-layoffs-130017394.html?src=rss
GoPro is rolling out a software update for its entry-level Hero camera that allows users to shoot 4:3 video in 4K. This is great for the kinds of clips that populate social media sites like TikTok, as the footage is taller. The update is available for free via the company's GoPro Quik app on iOS and Android. Obviously, the new aspect ratio is intended for social media content, but shooting in 4:3 has several use case scenarios. For instance, it can be the perfect choice for capturing video from a first-person perspective. If social media isn't your bag, GoPro says that these 4:3 videos can easily be cropped to 16:9 "for a traditional widescreen look." There's another tool available with this update that adds a bit of pizzazz when converting from 4:3 to 16:9. The app's SuperView Digital Lens option adds a widening effect during the conversion process, which makes captured footage look faster, more immersive and more exciting." This app-based lens has been available for a while, but only worked with GoPro's pricier offerings. Speaking of budgets, the cute lil Hero camera is just $180 right now. It's also incredibly light, at 86 grams. The company's calling it the smallest, lightest and widest angle GoPro, ever." This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/gopro-pushes-update-to-its-entry-level-hero-camera-adding-43-video-for-social-clips-195325285.html?src=rss
OpenAI's latest machine learning mode has arrived. On Friday, the company released o3-mini and it's available to try now. What's more, for the first time OpenAI is making one of its "reasoning" models available to free users of ChatGPT. If you want to try it yourself, select the "Reason" button under the message composer to get started.According to OpenAI, o3-mini is faster and more accurate than its predecessor, o1-mini. In A/B testing, the company found o3-mini was 24 percent faster than o1 at delivering a response. Moreover, set to its "medium" reasoning effort, the new model can come close to the performance of the more expensive o1 system in some math, coding and science benchmarks. Like OpenAI's other reasoning models, o3-mini will show you how it arrived at an answer instead of simply responding to a prompt. Notably, the model works with ChatGPT Search out of box, enabling it to comb the web for the latest information and useful links. OpenAI says it's working on integrating search across all of its reasoning models."The release of OpenAI o3-mini marks another step in OpenAI's mission to push the boundaries of cost-effective intelligence. By optimizing reasoning for STEM domains while keeping costs low, we're making high-quality AI even more accessible," OpenAI said. "This model continues our track record of driving down the cost of intelligence - reducing per-token pricing by 95% since launching GPT-4 - while maintaining top-tier reasoning capabilities. As AI adoption expands, we remain committed to leading at the frontier, building models that balance intelligence, efficiency, and safety at scale."With today's announcement, o3-mini will replace o1-mini in the model picker. Additionally, OpenAI is tripling the rate limit for Plus and Team ChatGPT users from 50 messages per day with o1-mini to 150 messages per day for o3-mini. OpenAI's recently launched $200 per month Pro tier offers unlimited access to the new system.When OpenAI first previewed o3 and o3-mini at the end of last year, CEO Sam Altman said the latter would arrive around the end of January." Altman gave a more concrete timeline on January 17 when he wrote on X that OpenAI was planning to ship in a couple of weeks."Now that it's here, it's safe to say o3-mini arrives with a sense of urgency. On January 20, the same day Altman was attending Donald Trump's inauguration, China's DeepSeek quietly released its R1 chain-of-thought model. By January 27, the company's chatbot surpassed ChatGPT as the most-download free app on the US App Store after going viral. The overnight success of DeepSeek wiped $1 trillion of stock market value, and almost certainly left OpenAI blindsided.In the aftermath of last week, OpenAI said it was working with Microsoft to identify two accounts the company claims may have distilled its models. Distillation is the process of transferring the knowledge of an advanced AI system to a smaller, more efficient one. Distillation is not a controversial practice. DeepSeek has used distillation on its own R1 model to train its smaller algorithms; in fact, OpenAI's terms of service allow for distillation as long users don't train competing models on the outputs of the company's AI.OpenAI did not explicitly name DeepSeek. We know [China]-based companies - and others - are constantly trying to distill the models of leading US AI companies," an OpenAI spokesperson told The Guardian recently. However, David Sacks, President Trump's AI advisor, was more direct, claiming there was substantial evidence" that DeepSeek had "distilled the knowledge out of OpenAI's models."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-o3-mini-is-here-and-available-to-all-users-190918706.html?src=rss
It's time for another edition of Engadget's weekly deals roundup where we bring together worthwhile tech deals from the past week. If you're in the market for home entertainment gear, you're in luck thanks to Super Bowl-adjacent sales. Even if you don't care about the repeat clash between the Eagles and Chiefs, you can still save up to 25 percent on Sonos speakers and get discounts on a number of decent TV sets. You can check those out in our separate TV deals roundup or browse a few highlights below. As for non-sports-related tech deals, a bunch of Apple gear is on sale right now, including AirTags, the Apple Watch and three models of iPads (the Pro, Air and mini). Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.Sonos Era 100Sonos
WhatsApp has claimed that some users were possibly compromised" by spyware, according to a report by The Guardian. The Meta-owned messaging app went on to allege that nearly 100 journalists and activists were targeted in the attack. Additionally, the platform says it has high confidence" that the Graphite spyware came from Paragon Solutions, a company founded in Israel that was recently acquired by a US investment firm.Hacking experts allege that this was a zero-click" attack, meaning that the targeted users wouldn't have had to click on a nefarious link to get infected. This is a similar method to another large-scale WhatsApp hack, in which spyware called Pegasus infected over 1,400 devices. Once a device is infected by something like Pegasus or Graphite, the spyware operator has total access. This even includes the ability to read messages sent via encrypted applications like WhatsApp and Signal.WhatsApp says it has informed the 100 or so users of the potential attack, but has declined to disclose where they are based and who they are. It did say that it disrupted the alleged attacks back in December, though it's unclear how long the targets may have been under threat.This is the latest example of why spyware companies must be held accountable for their unlawful actions. WhatsApp will continue to protect people's ability to communicate privately," a company spokesperson said. WhatsApp has sent Paragon a cease and desist" letter and says that it's exploring legal options.As for Paragon, it recently entered into a controversial $2 million contract with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) department. Wired reports that the one-year contract tasks Paragon with providing a fully configured proprietary solution including license, hardware, warranty, maintenance and training." The company has yet to respond to the allegations from WhatsApp.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/whatsapp-claims-that-100-journalists-and-activists-were-the-targets-of-israeli-made-spyware-171701672.html?src=rss
Let's run it all the way back to 2000. EA is celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Simsby making the original game and The Sims 2 available to purchase once again. You can buy them separately - with expansion packs included - for $20 for the original game and $30 for the sequel. A 25th birthday bundle that includes both costs $40 on Steam, the Epic Games Store and the EA app on Windows. EA Play Pro subscribers also have unlimited access to the games on the EA app starting today. There's no word as yet on the re-releases coming to consoles or Mac. Rumors emerged in recent days that the two games might once again be available to buy after EA released a teaser video that included user interface elements from them. Kotaku notes that the original game was only available on a physical disc format, while support for the sequel ended over a decade ago. Since then, players have had to jump through hoops to get them to run on modern systems. Maxis says it has been working to make the re-releases more compatible with Windows 10 and 11, but notes that it had to nix one expansion pack and some original songs from The Sims 2: Legacy Collection for licensing reasons. I wish I still had the full-body scan I had captured of myself at the Millennium Dome in 2000 so I could properly play as a child version of myself in The Sims again (the avatar might still be on a floppy disc somewhere in my parents' garage). Nevertheless, I'm sure I and many others will be spamming the "rosebud" cheat to afford all the gear we want for our virtual homes, while some folks will surely be happy to send a particularly annoying Sim for a swim then delete the pool ladder, prompting an appearance from the Grim Reaper. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-sims-and-the-sims-2-are-back-on-pc-as-part-of-the-series-25th-anniversary-celebration-170535474.html?src=rss
The rumors were true: Warner Bros.'s platform fighting game MultiVersus will shut down online services after Season 5 ends on May 30. The upcoming season, which begins February 4, promises two new characters: Aquaman and Lola Bunny. Real money can no longer be used for microtransactions as of today, but players with premium currency in-game can use it until the shutdown.The game had 20 million players less than a month after the open beta began in July 2022, but the developing studio Player First Games also took it offline for 10 months in March 2023, only fully launching on May 28, 2024. Despite the strong start, the player count dropped sharply in 2023, and the hype died instantly, as seen on Steam Charts. The open beta's promise was seemingly undermined by predatory microtransactions and a long grind to unlock content.MultiVersus will remain playable offline after Season 5 ends, though the game will be removed from Steam and other stores. While disheartening to see a once-promising platform fighter head to the landfill, Brawlhalla, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 and Fraymakers remain viable alternatives, as does the obvious poster child for the genre, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/season-5-of-multiversus-will-be-its-last-154839513.html?src=rss
The Meta Safety Advisory Council has written the company a letter about its concerns with its recent policy changes, including its decision to suspend its fact-checking program. In it, the council said that Meta's policy shift "risks prioritizing political ideologies over global safety imperatives." It highlights how Meta's position as one of the world's most influential companies gives it the power to influence not just online behavior, but also societal norms. The company risks "normalizing harmful behaviors and undermining years of social progress... by dialing back protections for protected communities," the letter reads.Facebook's Help Center describes the Meta Safety Advisory Council as a group of "independent online safety organizations and experts" from various countries. The company formed it in 2009 and consults with its members on issues revolving around public safety.Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the massive shift in the company's approach to moderation and speech earlier this year. In addition to revealing that Meta is ending its third-party fact-checking program and implementing X-style Community Notes - something, X's Lina Yaccarino had applauded - he also said that the company is killing "a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are just out of touch with mainstream discourse." Shortly after his announcement, Meta changed its hateful conduct policy to "allow allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation." It also removed removed a policy that prohibited users from referring to women as household objects or property and from calling transgender or non-binary people as "it."The council says it commends Meta's "ongoing efforts to address the most egregious and illegal harms" on its platforms, but it also stressed that addressing "ongoing hate against individuals or communities" should remain a top priority for Meta as it has ripple effects that go beyond its apps and websites. And since marginalized groups, such as women, LGBTQIA+ communities and immigrants, are targeted disproportionately online, Meta's policy changes could take away whatever made them feel safe and included on the company's platforms.Going back to Meta's decision to end its fact-checking program, the council explained that while crowd-sourced tools like Community Notes can address misinformation, independent researchers have raised concerns about their effectiveness. One report last year showed that posts with false election information on X, for instance, didn't show proposed Community Notes corrections. They even racked up billions of views. "Fact-checking serves as a vital safeguard - particularly in regions of the world where misinformation fuels offline harm and as adoption of AI grows worldwide," the council wrote. "Meta must ensure that new approaches mitigate risks globally."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-safety-advisory-council-says-the-companys-moderation-changes-prioritize-politics-over-safety-140026965.html?src=rss
Uber has filed a racketeering suit against a group of legal firms and medical professionals, claiming they staged car crashes and performed unnecessary surgeries to commit insurance fraud, Bloomberg reported. The group allegedly recruited passengers involved in purported or minor vehicle collisions and provided "medical unnecessary... [sometimes] invasive and painful surgeries like spinal fusions," according to the federal suit filed in Brooklyn yesterday.Driving the alleged racket is New York's no-fault insurance, particularly as it applies to cab and rideshare chauffeurs. The city forces those workers to carry personal injury coverage up to $200,000, four times that required for individual drivers - providing potential scammers with lucrative targets.There are other issues behind the claim. New York City's largest taxi insurer, ATIC (American Transit Insurance Co.), which insures about 60 percent of the 120,000 for-hire vehicles in the city, recently went insolvent. Uber sued ATIC last year, saying that its "unreasonable practices" spawned 23 lawsuits against Uber, forcing it to deal with the claims itself in court.On top of that, ATIC itself filed a $450 million racketeering suit in December last year, also seeking damages from doctors and others for insurance fraud. That has left New York with a big mess around the availability and pricing of for-hire insurance, so Governor Kathy Hochul recently proposed legislation to make it easier for insurance to adjust commercial car insurance rate.Uber has been pushing for insurance and tort reform in multiple states to address rising insurance costs that have hurt its business. The company recently agreed to a $328 million settlement with New York rideshare drivers who were underpaid between 2014 and 2017.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-files-racketeering-suit-against-new-york-groups-alleging-car-crash-fraud-130056714.html?src=rss
In the span of a week, the Chinese startup DeepSeek has completely disrupted the AI landscape with its free and "open source" R1 model. In this episode, Devindra, Engadget Senior Reporter Igor Bonifacic and Producer Ben Ellman dive into what makes R1 so special, and what DeepSeek is doing differently from OpenAI and other competitors. Also, we try to figure out what's up with Incention," a weird AI/blockchain project for creating new Hollywood IP, and wonder if Helion's fusion reactor is actually legit.Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!Subscribe!
It's early 2025, the weather's still cold, so it must be time for Samsung to kick off the year's flagship smartphone race with its latest barrage of devices. This time, we've got three S25 phones, ranging from the $800 S25 through to the $1,300 S25 Ultra.Let's start with the flagship, the S25 Ultra. This year, Samsung has honed the design of the slate to closer match the rest of its family, while adding a substantially upgraded ultrawide camera sensor. There's also a powerful 3nm Snapdragon Elite for Galaxy added, a collaboration between Samsung and Qualcomm that augments its computational photography skills and more. (Not to mention incredible battery life.)And you know what? It's another great phone, capable of going toe-to-toe with the iPhones and Pixels of this world. However, it also looks very similar to last year's model, which makes the S25 Ultra a less impressive update, given its price.Then there's the Galaxy S25 - priced the same as the last few S-series base models. I spent over a week with it, and much of its hardware remains the same, with incremental improvements to the camera, courtesy of behind-the-scenes processing, and that incredible battery life. And it's Samsung, so it was always going to be a solid premium phone with a gorgeous screen. But if you were thinking of upgrading from an S24 (or S23, even S22), it's a hard pitch.- Mat SmithGet this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest tech stories you missed
Hollywood has been turning to video games for source material quite a bit in recent years. And while their success rate has been improving (mostly), it's a surprise to see a a movie adaptation announced before the game that inspired it has even been released. Clair Obsur: Expedition 33 clearly made a big impression on somebody important, because it will be turned into a live action movie from Story Kitchen. The fantasy RPG was part of Microsoft's summer showcase in August and was highlighted during last week's Xbox Developer Direct. It's slated for release on April 24."We're thrilled to collaborate with Sandfall Interactive to bring the rich, immersive world of Expedition 33 to the big screen," Story Kitchen founders Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg told Variety. "The game's compelling narrative and complex characters provide a solid foundation for a cinematic experience that will resonate with both gamers and moviegoers alike."Story Kitchen has been assembling quite the lineup of video games to translate to the big and small screens. The outfit, which was previously called dj2 Entertainment, has been attached to a movie of It Takes Two, a Tomb Raider TV series, a film of Lovecraftian fishing sim Dredge, an animated series inspired by Vampire Survivors and a Sifu movie.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/clair-obscur-expedition-33-secures-a-movie-adaptation-before-its-even-released-000443246.html?src=rss
Yet another streaming service is raising its prices. This time, it's Amazon Music Unlimited that's getting more expensive. Prime members will pay $11 a month or $109 a year for an individual plan, up from $10 and $99, respectively. Listeners who aren't part of Prime will see their monthly rates change from $11 to $12 for the individual plan. The family plan is also seeing increased prices, from $17 to $20 per month and from $169 to $199 for a year.The new pricing structure took effect for new customer sign-ups on January 29. Current subscribers will be charged the updated rates in their next billing cycle on or after March 5.The FAQ detailing the increased costs states that the change will bring listeners "more content and features," which was the same rationale given when Amazon Music Unlimited previously raised its fees in 2023. The service has added the ability to borrow Audible audiobooks and a personalized year-in-review since then, which is nice, but possibly not as nice as paying less each month.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/amazon-music-unlimited-subscription-prices-are-rising-again-232426667.html?src=rss
Netflix's next Tudum fan event will take place on May 31 in Los Angeles. For the first time, the company will stream the event live on its own platform. Past iterations have been livestreamed on YouTube, Twitch and Netflix's social channels.Tudum, which is meant to sound like the audio effect that plays at the start of any Netflix program, is the streaming business' showcase of its content lineup. The company has used this event in previous years to share behind-the-scenes tidbits and first looks at upcoming programming. The 2023 Tudum drew 11,000 attendees in Sao Paulo, Brazil and 78 million viewers streamed it, according to the company.While there will probably be some fun announcements and reveals, the most notable takeaway is that Netflix is pushing more definitively into the live event space. A Chris Rock comedy special in 2023 was the company's first livestream. It also snapped up the rights to livestream the Screen Actors Guild awards on its platform and hosted a flashy boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul in 2024. However, the Tyson/Paul match had extensive technical issues. Airing its own event and keeping those millions of eyeballs on its own platform will be positive steps for the company's ambitions in this space. Assuming everything works.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-will-stream-its-2025-tudum-event-on-netflix-222604357.html?src=rss
The Video Game History Foundation has unveiled its digital library, a massive undertaking that makes the organization's own materials as well as some private collections available for anyone to read. This project was first announced in December 2023, and the collection is still in early access. The VGHF said it would continually be working to digitize and add more content to the library.Even though this will be an ongoing endeavor, there is already a whole lot to check out. The library includes out-of-print publications like Electronic Gaming Monthly and Nintendo Power alongside industry trade magazines, which casual players might never have the chance to read otherwise. There are also materials from behind the scenes of game development, such as video recordings of developer Cyan's work on the landmark game Myst and interviews with the team. You can also find press kits, promotional materials and all sorts of other ephemera. Everything is free to browse, just like a regular public library.In short, this is amazingly cool for gaming nerds.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-video-game-history-foundations-online-library-is-now-open-213118544.html?src=rss
In one of his first major acts since taking over as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr has directed the agency to open an investigation into NPR and PBS. Carr informed informed both organizations of the probe in a letter in a letter that was first reported by The New York Times.In the letter, Carr says that the public media companies may be running afoul of FCC rules regarding noncommercial educational broadcast stations or NCEs. I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials," he writes. In particular, it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements."FCC guidelines prohibit NCEs from airing the kinds of commercials that typically appear on other TV and radio stations. Sponsors are, however, permitted to receive on-air acknowledgements," as Carr notes.In statements, both NPR and PBS said they comply with FCC regulations. NPR programming and underwriting messaging complies with federal regulations, including the FCC guidelines on underwriting messages for noncommercial educational broadcasters," NPR CEO Katherine Maher said. We are confident any review of our programming and underwriting practices will confirm NPR's adherence to these rules. We have worked for decades with the FCC in support of noncommercial educational broadcasters who provide essential information, educational programming, and emergency alerts to local communities across the United States."A spokesperson for PBS said that the organization is proud of the noncommercial educational programming we provide to all Americans through our member stations," and that we work diligently to comply with the FCC's underwriting regulations and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that to the Commission."President Donald Trump, who named Carr FCC as chair last year, has made no secret of his disdain for PBS and NPR, which he threatened to defund during his first term in office and during his campaign last year. Likewise, Trump confidante and DOGE head Elon Musk, has also mused about eliminating funding for public media.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/trumps-fcc-is-coming-from-npr-and-pbs-now-too-205240249.html?src=rss
Forza Horizon 5 and its predecessors have long been exclusive for Xbox and PC. However, the latest installment of the driving game, which takes place in a beautifully rendered depiction of Mexico, will cross over to the PlayStation nation later this year. The exact date has not been announced yet. When it does become available, the PS5 will have cross-play support, which was already offered between Xbox and PC, and players will be able to purchase all the same Car Packs, such as the Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure expansions.Along with PlayStation support, Forza Horizon 5 will also be getting a free content update called Horizon Realms. This will include a selection of the more popular limited-time Evolving World accolades, but developer Playground Games hasn't revealed any additional details yet.Forza Horizon 5 is just the latest once-exclusive Xbox game to bridge the console divide. The game has been out since November 2021, so opening it up to a new audience could help boost sales long after they'd usually be petering out. In a similar vein, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle debuted as an Xbox exclusive in December, but will roll out to PlayStation some time this spring. Other former exclusives that have left the Microsoft silo include Sea of Thieves, Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment and Grounded.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/forza-horizon-5-will-be-cruising-onto-the-playstation-5-this-spring-201714287.html?src=rss
The well-regarded Apple Watch Series 10 is on sale via Amazon for $329, which is a discount of $70. This is a record-low price for the company's smartwatch, tying a deal found on Black Friday. This model actually topped our list of the best smartwatches, as we said it does everything right that the Series 9 did" while adding small but useful features." These include a bigger screen that's easier to see from different angles and an overall thinner form factor. The large display comes in handy, particularly when looking for road names on Maps and adjusting settings. We heaped praise on Apple's smartwatch in our official review, calling out the improved battery life, enhanced tracking metrics and newly-designed speakers. The Series 10 also keeps an eye on sleep apnea metrics, which is pretty cool. It's still the best smartwatch around for iPhone owners, and a decent option for everyone else. On the downside, this is an extremely iterative improvement when compared to the Series 9. There's nothing game-changing here, though all of the design tweaks are appreciated. If you currently own a Series 9, you may want to wait until the announcement of the Series 11. Past as prologue, this is likely to happen sometime in September. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-series-10-is-cheaper-than-ever-200034162.html?src=rss
Max is set to expand its viewing options, starting with the first race of this year's NASCAR Cup Series this Sunday. For the first time, the streaming service will offer a multiview option with the NASCAR Driver Cam feature, which Max plans to offer during every race on the 2025 schedule.Every car - as many as 40 per race - will have a 1080p driver cam. Fans will be able to watch up to four of these at once. They can select individual driver cams or choose between two pre-set options featuring four streams each. Max says the drivers included in these will be selected "based on the most compelling matchups and storylines each week," as well as a fan vote on X and Instagram.The NASCAR Driver Cam will include an audio mix of scanner team radios and ambient car noise. Each driver's stream will also have live stats such as their position, race status, lap number and stage, along with telemetry data like their car's speed and RPM. Leaderboards will be available in multiview too. You'll be able to pause, rewind and fast forward the live video, and each driver's stream will be available on demand after races.It's an intriguing, and arguably overdue, step by Max that could help make NASCAR races feel more immersive. Rival streaming platforms such as DAZN and YouTube TV have long offered sports multiview options.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/nascars-driver-streams-finally-bring-multiview-to-max-194522437.html?src=rss
Just days after announcing a version of ChatGPT designed for US government use, OpenAI is further entangling itself with the federal government. The company announced Thursday it would provide approximately 15,000 scientists associated with the US National Laboratories access to its latest frontier AI models. OpenAI will work with Microsoft to deploy its o1 model or another o-series" variant on Venado, the Los Alamos National Laboratory's recently unveiled NVIDIA Grace Hopper-powered supercomputer.According to OpenAI, researchers from the Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Labs will use the company's technology to assist work they're doing to protect the national power grid from cyberattacks, identify new ways to treat and prevent diseases and study the fundamental laws of physics, among other initiatives."OpenAI's collaboration with the US National Labs builds on the long-standing tradition of the US government collaborating with private industry to ensure that technological innovation leads to meaningful improvements in healthcare, energy, and other critical fields," the company said.Perhaps controversially, OpenAI says its AI models will also enhance work involving nuclear weapons - specifically a program focused on reducing the risk of nuclear war and securing nuclear materials and weapons worldwide." According to the company, this support is critical" to its commitment to national security." It adds that OpenAI researchers with security clearance will offer careful and selective review of use cases and consultations on AI safety."Before today, the Los Alamos National Laboratory was already using ChatGPT. For instance, one of the lab's divisions is studying how AI models like GPT-4o could be safely used to advance bioscientific research. More broadly, federal, state and local government workers at 3,500 agencies across the country have sent more than 18 million messages to the chatbot since 2024, according to OpenAI.This is the latest move by OpenAI apparently intended to curry favor with the Trump administration.. Last week, OpenAI announced it was partnering with SoftBank to build $500 billion worth of AI infrastructure across the US. Before that, Altman personally contributed $1 million to President Trump's inauguration.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-partners-with-us-national-laboratories-on-research-and-nuclear-weapon-safety-192934593.html?src=rss
This year's Summer Game Fest livestream is set for June 6 at 5PM ET. The two-hour event will be held at the YouTube theater in Los Angeles. The organizers say gamers should expect world premieres, special guests and a look at what's next." Event steward Geoff Keighley promises lots of exciting things ahead."Summer Game Fest isn't just a single livestream, as the whole thing lasts until June 9. A Day of the Devs event will begin immediately following the end of the showcase. The following days will see the annual Play Days media event, produced by Iam8bit. This is an invite-only exhibit held in downtown LA that will feature "more than 40 of the gaming industry's top publishers."
UPS is continuing to withdraw from its business relationship with Amazon. By the second half of 2026, UPS said it will cut its shipping volumes for Amazon by more than 50 percent under the companies' revised arrangement."Amazon is our largest customer, but it's not our most profitable customer," CEO Carol Tome said during an investor call about the shipping and logistics company's latest financials.Business with Amazon accounted for about 11 percent of UPS' 2024 revenue, which totaled $91.1 billion. Amazon was a larger share of UPS' revenue during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic; in 2020, the retailer was responsible for 13.3 percent of its annual revenue. UPS shared similar plans to cut back its business with Amazon in 2023 as its revenue from the retailer dwindled from quarantine-era levels.Although Amazon does rely on outside companies for some shipping, those relationships have sometimes turned tenuous as the retailer continues to grow its in-house options for delivering orders. In 2019, FedEx took a similar path of uncoupling its services from Amazon when it announced that it would not renew its ground-delivery contract with the big tech partner. A few months later, Amazon blocked third-party sellers from using FedEx ground-delivery services.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ups-plans-to-slash-its-shipping-business-with-amazon-by-half-185913504.html?src=rss
Meta's Threads app is getting some new Instagram-like features. According to Instagram head Adam Mosseri, Threads is adding a dedicated media tab which highlights users' posts with photos and video, as well as photo tagging abilities.According to Mosseri, the media tab feature is a long overdue request from the community." Both X and Bluesky have a media" section in users' profiles (Bluesky also recently added a separate tab just for video). Threads' photo tagging feature, on the other hand, will look familiar to most Instagram users. When sharing a photo in a post, you can search for other users' handles to tag. Those tags will then be visible to others.MetaMosseri also said that Threads' markup tool, which was introduced last week, will now be available to all the app's users globally. That feature allows users to doodle on top of other people's posts.Meta has significantly ramped up the pace of updates for Threads in recent months as the app has faced increased competition from Bluesky. That included copying a few of its smaller rival's features. So far, though, Meta's strategy seems to be working. Threads has now grown to 320 million monthly users, 100 million of whom return daily, according to Mosseri. The company also recently began to test its first ads on the service.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-is-getting-a-dedicated-media-tab-and-photo-tagging-184322350.html?src=rss
Many of us in the northern hemisphere are contending with the harsh realities of winter and while the weather outside is often awful, at least we can try to be more comfortable when we're home. A smart thermostat can prove useful on that front as it can optimize the conditions in your home, whether you're there or away. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat is a popular model, and the latest iteration is on sale. It can now be yours for $240, which is $40 off the regular price. The thermostat actually dropped to a slightly lower price of $230 during the holidays. Still, a 14 percent discount is nothing to sniff at - especially if the device can help to significantly reduce your energy bills. Google claims that the latest Nest Learning Thermostat delivers more accurate readings thanks to the help of AI. The device can offer suggestions on how to lower your energy usage though, as you might expect, it can automatically adjust settings in your home based on factors like the ambient temperature. To help measure that, the thermostat comes with a wireless temperature sensor that is said to run for up to three years before a battery replacement is needed. Extra sensors are available to purchase separately - three for $100 or $36.45 for one (usually $40, but that's on sale too). You can connect as many as six to a single Nest Learning Thermostat and placing them around your domicile. The latest thermostat is more customizable than its predecessors as it has several smartwatch-style faces. You might change the colors or make it appear more like a digital clock. The display is 60 percent larger this time too. In addition, the Nest Thermostat uses integrated Soli radar sensors to determine how close you are to it and automatically adjust the user interface. For instance, as you move back from the display, the thermostat will increase the font size to make text more legible. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-2024-google-nest-learning-thermostat-is-40-off-right-now-181024491.html?src=rss
Back in December, Sony announced the limited availability of PS5 themes that captured the retro-goodness of old-school PlayStation consoles. That availability window closes at the end of January, which is a bummer, but the company just said that the classic PlayStation, PS2, PS3 and PS4 limited-time console themes" will be coming back in the months ahead."There's no specific time frame here, as Sony notes that it has to do some work behind the scenes" to make this happen. However, it's good to know that January 31 will not spell the end for these nostalgic themes.
Over a year since it dipped into generative artificial intelligence, Samsung's Galaxy S-series phones are now the vanguard for its gen-AI features. This year, we're getting even deeper hooks into Google's Gemini AI assistant and more built-in software tricks than ever before. At the same time, however, the Galaxy S25 arrives with marginal hardware upgrades over last year's S24. While there's a case of if it ain't broke, don't fix it," you'll need to stare hard at the spec sheets to spot the differences between this year's phone and the 2024 model. With the Galaxy S25, there's a triple-camera system, a 6.2-inch Full HD+ screen and support for the ever-improving Galaxy AI, which the company seems to be prioritizing this year - even if it isn't quite enough to carry an entirely new device. Hardware and design Photo by Mat Smith for Engadget Barring a powerful new chip, the S25 is a massive serving of deja vu from a hardware perspective. You could revisit last year's S24 review to get the gist. Samsung decided thinner is the new direction this time around. Galaxy S25 Edge aside, this year's range has been slimmed down. I think the S25 is tangibly thinner - but that's because I was able to compare it with a Galaxy S24 side-by-side. It's less of a selling point when measuring a change of 0.4 millimeters. After several years of carrying around and testing phones with screens over 6.5 inches, having the S25 with me is refreshing. Even if the 6.2-inch screen is a little small for extensive Netflix or YouTube watching, like the 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Pro, it remains plenty big for pretty much everything else. The 2X AMOLED screen tops out at 2,600 nits, which is plenty bright enough, with variable refresh rates that top out at 120Hz. I received the Silver Shadow S25 with a frosted sheen, which I love. It's not the most eye-catching option, however. I think the rich Navy blue is my pick. But who are we kidding? Most of us throw our phones into cases - and I'll do the same once my case gets here. Oddly enough, one of the upgrades with the S25 involves adding a case: support for faster Qi2 charging (and magnetic latching) is only possible through compatible cases. Those cases, however, weren't available for this review. My colleague Sam Rutherford explains it all here; but at least there's some compatibility, which was lacking in last year's Galaxy phones. Cameras Photo by Mat Smith for Engadget Samsung makes some of the best smartphones for photography, which is lucky because the S25's camera sensors appear identical to last year's. Which themselves are the same as the year before. Hmm. As a refresher, that includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide shooter and a 10MP 3x telephoto camera with a front-facing 12MP camera. if you're looking for 5x zoom and high-res sensors, you should check out the Galaxy S25 Ultra (or the Pixel 9 Pro) - but the setup on the base S25 still works well, despite the aging sensors. I was pleasantly surprised with the S25's sheer consistency. Most of my photos were crisp and objects were in focus, although I preferred the iPhone 16's results in darker conditions. I found that the Galaxy S25 tends to process images differently between the telephoto and primary sensor, with some night-time shots coming out a bit amber-hued. Samsung's claims that the new Snapdragon 8 Elite would help low-light performance are also accurate. The company says that with the chip's power, the S25 series can better analyze noise, even detecting moving and static objects and processing them differently. Samsung's computational photography has also improved when it comes to difficult shooting conditions. Digital zoom, at 10x, seems crisper and offers more usable photos than its predecessors. If you're willing to dip into a separate camera app, Samsung's Expert RAW features another new option: virtual aperture. I've struggled to discern a tangible difference while shooting with the S25. It appears to be a more advanced version of Portrait mode, without requiring the phone to identify a person or subject to apply a soft bokeh to the background. The effect is moderately successful, but demands a good level of light. I found it struggled to apply a virtual aperture effect in dark environments. Unfortunately, the feature is hidden away in the experimental section of Samsung's Expert RAW camera app, which needs to be downloaded separately. This camera app is for power users who demand manual controls, and it's great that it's available. However, lots of (maybe most) prospective S25 buyers won't need it, or even know it exists Another under-the-hood improvement is within S25's gallery, where the search feature has improved categorization and makes it generally easier to find what you're looking for. As I typed, it'd suggest WhatsApp images, locations and more. Samsung says it's added 2.7 times more keywords, which is delightfully specific. While photography is still similar, spec-wise, on the S25, Samsung has substantially improved video for more seasoned cinematographers. This year's phones will also capture video in HDR by default, while a new Galaxy Log mode means you can capture log video for improved dynamic range. It'll also mean you can apply more accurate color grading if you like to edit videos and get in deep. Video is also recorded in 10-bit color, offering more latitude for editors. Still, like I said, this is for folks already neck-deep in using LUTs, with a compatible editing app at the ready. With Audio Eraser. Samsung has caught up with Apple and Google. This is its own post-processing feature for recording video in louder environments. It taps into AI to nix specific environmental noises, like wind, water and traffic. The effect isn't quite as impressive in real life as during Samsung's S25 launch keynote, however. When faced with the erratic street traffic noise, Audio Eraser's automatic setting compressed the audio pretty severely, leaving my voice sounding a little gurgly and crunchy. It's similar to audio with noise cancellation on Google Meet and WhatsApp voice notes. I was definitely more audible - but it wasn't easy listening. The upgrades are welcome, but given the iPhone 16's Camera Control button and the Pixel 9's latest software tricks like Add Me, Samsung's cameras have had a weaker showing than the competition. Software Photo by Mat Smith for Engadget Software additions don't stop at the camera app. There's a scattering of new features across the board with the S25. The most immediately noticeable update is more of a duo: Now Bar and Now Brief. The Now Bar is a new lockscreen tile - part contextual info panel and part notification banner. With rolling Google Maps navigation instructions and media playing functions, we've seen many of these ideas on the iPhone's Dynamic Island. Samsung's version is more limited, at least for now. Embarrassingly, only eight apps (or features) can appear on the Now Bar, including the clock, sports notifications from Google and a voice recorder. It's underwhelming. If third-party app makers (or more Google apps) can make their way into the Bar, it could be more helpful, but as it is, it's barely more than a lock-screen widget. The Now Brief, similarly, could use a little more meat. I hate to make another Apple comparison, but it's a more accessible version of the iPhone's summaries generated in Notifications. The Now Brief populates with relevant notifications, weather summaries and even traffic guidance, all of which is possibly most valuable in the mornings. It will also generate daily summaries accessible from a widget on the S25's home screen. I'll be strapping on a Galaxy Watch to see how these interact with fitness goals and wellness, so stay tuned for more insight here. (Sidenote: Google Discover, a swipe-left-from-home screen also offers a similar stream of news, notifications and other smartphone info. It has been around for years.) Changes elsewhere seem more like rebranded features. AI Select (once called Smart Select) resides in the pull-out Edge Panel (and the screenshot toolbar) and will offer up suggested actions once you select or circle something onscreen. It can offer clever suggestions when it contextually detects an event to add to your calendar or something that needs translating. I'm not sure AI Select is noticeably better than Smart Select, but it's at least on by default. You had to enable the former in Settings for it to appear in the Edge Panel. While it's not completely straightforward, AI Select does work well as a shortcut, suggesting translation with foreign languages or offering to pull dates into your calendar with a tap. This ties into Gemini AI upgrades, which appear first on the S25 series but will be coming to other Android phones that can run Gemini AI. With a long press of a button, your voice commands to Gemini can pull in information and then apply them to make a reminder, plan a route or send details through text message to a friend, or even a WhatsApp message. I'm looking forward to Android adding further third-party apps and services, but I've been waiting for more effortless uses for AI assistants. This is a step in that direction. I'm also not entirely writing off the Now Brief. It could improve over time, especially with Samsung's Personal Data Engine, which will attempt to join the dots between your smartphone interactions. As I finished this review, the Now Brief began offering audio highlights from The Guardian, even though I hadn't yet installed the news organization's app. However, Galaxy AI figured it out, it was the right choice: I don't read the Daily Mail Online. I wish Google and Apple News would work that out without me having to actively block news sources. Performance and battery life Has Samsung solved our smartphone battery life woes? The Galaxy S25 clocked in at over 28 hours of video playback. That's almost four hours more than last year's S24, and given the hardware parity with the S25, it's a testament to the processor efficiency upgrades this year. With more typical use, I was recharging the phone every two days. That's not how often I usually have to charge smartphones during reviews - I'm very impressed. With the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, those gains aren't just in efficiency. The CPU multi-core performance hit 8,950 (up from 7,049 on the S24), while GPU scored 19,158, up from 15,082 last year. Not that there was that much need for such a leap. Once again, the Galaxy S25 is fast and handled everything I threw at it effortlessly. However, back-to-back generative AI requests and shooting and uploading 4K video made the S25 heat up - it lacks the expanded vapor chamber that Samsung added to the S25 Ultra. Wrap up Photo by Mat Smith for Engadget With the Galaxy S25, never has a Galaxy S series seemed more iterative. Fortunately, Samsung's premium smartphones are in a commanding position, so even with a screen (an cameras) that are now two years old, the Galaxy S25 isn't a bad smartphone. In fact, it's a very good one. I described the S25's cameras as consistent and I think that applies to the entire phone. The screen is bright, smooth and rich, the battery life is, frankly, incredible, while both performance scores and my experience with it prove this is a powerful flagship phone. I love the streamlined Gemini AI capabilities, which can take a voice command and easily turn it into a calendar entry, reminder and even plan my route. Even Galaxy AI diversions like the Portrait Studio offered more refined (and consistent) 3D cartoons and sketches of my portrait photos. I'm not sure Samsung's features would warrant an AI subscription - I doubt many would pay for them as they stand. And that brings me to a bigger point: Besides a powerful new chip and AI tricks, why isn't the S25 cheaper? The Galaxy S25 is priced at $799 at launch, the same as the S24 and even the S23. The comparison you have to make isn't only with the latest iPhone, but also cheaper Android phones, like the $499 Pixel 8a. Or, unfortunately, the year-old Galaxy S24. Unless you're desperate for a bump in processing power and battery life, it would be wise to see how heavily last year's models get discounted in the coming months.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-s25-review-170040665.html?src=rss
The generative intelligence platform DeepSeek has set the world on fire this week, but with great popularity comes increased scrutiny. Analysts with Wiz Research have found a fairly substantial hole in the software's security. The research shows that DeepSeek left one of its critical databases exposed.This means that whoever came across the database would be allowed access to more than one million records, including user data, system logs, API keys and even prompt submissions. The researchers also noted that they were able to find the database almost immediately, without too much scanning or probing.
You won't have to wait too much longer to find out how the story of Squid Game wraps up. Only a month after the second season premiered, Netflix has revealed that the final episodes of its biggest non-English language series ever will arrive on June 27. That's a remarkably short window, especially considering that there was a gap of over three years between the first and second seasons.As was the case the last time around, the third season will pick up right where the previous one ended (no spoilers here, but season two ended on a cliffhanger). Meanwhile, Netflix has revealed that season two of Squid Game is already its third most-downloaded series of all time, behind the first season in top spot and Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.Netflix announced the Squid Game season three release date as part of an expansive look at its 2025 film and TV slate. On the movie side, there's another Knives Out murder mystery to look forward to in the fall, as well as Guillermo del Toro's take on Frankenstein this November. As for Netflix's shows, the animated adaptation ofDevil May Cry will debut on April 3.The company reaffirmed that the next seasons of Black Mirror, Wednesday, The Witcherand Stranger Things will arrive this year, but no dates have been confirmed for those as yet. To speculate for a moment, a fall premiere date for Stranger Things season five seems likely. Both that and Squid Game are among the company's franchises and putting some distance between their final installments makes sense.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/squid-game-season-three-will-hit-netflix-on-june-27-162235783.html?src=rss
After a two-year wait, NVIDIA's highly-anticipated GeForce 50 series of GPUs are here. Engadget published its review of the $2,000 RTX 5090 last week, but if you're reading this article, chances are you already know if you want to splurge on a 50 series card. The question then is how to buy one. If you're reading this story on or after January 30, the good news is that major retailers, including Best Buy and Newegg, have officially begun selling the first wave of NVIDIA's new GPUs.As for the bad news? If the 50 series launch is anything like the 40 series one before it, expect high demand and limited initial availability; in fact, NVIDIA has warned RTX 5090 and 5080 stock will be constrained. If you're set on buying an RTX 5070 Ti or 5070 at release, be sure to use the notification feature Best Buy and other retailers offer to have the best chance of securing one of the cards before they all sell out.GeForce RTX 5090 for $2,000: The RTX 5090 is the most expensive consumer GPU NVIDIA has ever released. It's also one of the most powerful and power-hungry, with the 5090 featuring 21,760 CUDA cores, 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM and a potential total power draw of 575W.Of course, as with all of NVIDIA's new GPUs, raw specs are only half the story. In conjunction with DLSS 4, the entire 50 series is capable of multi-frame generation. With the tech, RTX 50 GPUs can generate up to three additional frames for every frame they render using traditional techniques. DLSS 4 is the reason the 5090 can produce an average of 246 frames per second with full ray tracing in games like Cyberpunk 2077.If you prefer to buy from Newegg or Best Buy, both retailers will stock models from third-party OEMs, including ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI and Zotac.GeForce RTX 5080 for $999: The RTX 5080 features 10,752 CUDA cores and 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM, with a memory bandwidth of 960GB/sec. Like the 5090, you get the benefit of DLSS 4 multi-frame generation. Moreover, total power draw is more modest at 360W, meaning you probably won't need a 1,000W PSU to power the 5080. Early reviews of the 5080 have been mixed, but that hasn't stopped people from buying the new high-end card.Again, both Newegg and Best Buy will stock third-party options. For a Founders Edition model, your best bets are NVIDIA and Best Buy.GeForce RTX 5070 Ti for $749. If I had to guess, the 5070 Ti is probably the model with the most interest from people who want to buy a 50 series card. That's because it features 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM compared to the 5070's 12GB. An extra 4GB of VRAM might not seem like much, but it will likely translate to the 5070 Ti being a much better purchase over the long run. Modern AAA games use a lot of VRAM, so much so that 8GB GPUs like the RTX 3070 are starting to show their age.Unfortunately, the 5070 Ti is the one model NVIDIA won't offer a Founders Edition version of, so finding one to buy may be tricky. Your best bet here is likely to be B&H. The retailer is showing a few 5070 Ti models on its website, though you'll need to wait until February for those to arrive.GeForce RTX 5070 for $549: At launch, the RTX 5070 will be NVIDIA's most affordable 50 series GPU. It's also the GPU NVIDIA claims is as fast as the RTX 4090. Of course, that's with DLSS 4 enabled. If you're interested in the 5070, I strongly advise waiting for reviews to come out before you commit to buying one. As mentioned, with only 12GB of VRAM, the 5070 could quickly become a bottleneck to your system.Update 1/29/25 1:50PM ET: As one may have predicted, it seems like it will be difficult to get your hands on one of NVIDIA's new graphics cards. The company itself stated publicly that it expect significant demand for the GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 and believes stock-outs may happen." It's possible that limited availability, or widespread stock-outs, could affect customers worldwide. It's reported that some countries, like Korea, won't see shipments until mid-February.Update 1/30/25 10:10AM ET: We updated this piece with more information about availability now that some of the cards are officially up for sale.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/heres-how-to-buy-a-nvidia-rtx-50-series-gpu-160902874.html?src=rss
Nothing is launching a new device, the Phone 3a Series, on March 4. That's a year after the London-based company launched the Phone 2a, which is a budget version of the brand's Phone 2 model released in 2023. Nothing models with "a" in them are typically the less expensive versions of those without - its Ear a earbuds are also cheaper than the Ear, for instance, - but there's no Phone 3 for which the 3a would serve as a budget alternative. Most likely, the Phone 3a is simply named as such, because it would be in the same price range as the 2a that sold for at least $349 at launch."For the (a) Series we have a different set of users," Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis said. "When people buy a smartphone some are looking for the greatest specs, they want the latest innovations and processors. Yet there are some other users that are equally excited about tech, but are happy with just a great user experience - that's who the (a) Series is for. We're really focused on the core user needs in terms of camera, screen, processor, and of course design."If you want to be notified when Nothing unveils the Phone 3a on March 4 at 5AM ET, you can sign up to get an alert on the company's website. We'll, of course, keep you updated, as well. In addition to announcing the Phone 3a's upcoming launch, the company has also revealed that it has surpassed $1 billion in lifetime revenue since it was founded in October 2020, half of which Nothing earned in 2024.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/nothing-is-launching-the-phone-3a-series-on-march-4-150026313.html?src=rss
What a difference a year makes. When Microsoft announced the Surface Pro 10 and Laptop 6 for Business last March, it almost seemed as if the company was giving up on the consumer PC market entirely. Of course, just a few months later, we got the new Surface Pro and Laptop Copilot+ systems, which was also the debut of Microsoft's AI PC initiative. Now, the company is rounding out its Surface family by updating its Business machines - those meant for corporate customers - with Intel's new Core Ultra 200V AI PC processors. Say hello to the new Intel-equipped Surface Pro (11th Edition) and Surface Laptop (7th Edition) for Business.If you've been eagerly awaiting a cellular-equipped Surface Laptop, Microsoft also says it'll launch a 5G model later this year. Aside from that, the big change with Intel's new Core Ultra chips is their larger 48 TOPS NPU, which will allow them to handle more complex AI tasks than before. In comparison, the original Core Ultra chips had much smaller 10 TOPS NPUs. The upgrade will particularly relevant for advanced AI features like Windows Recall, which requires a 40 TOPS NPU at the very least (the minimum requirement for all Copilot+ systems).MicrosoftAside from better AI performance, you can expect Intel's Core Ultra 200V chips on the Surface Laptop 7 to be around 26 percent faster than the Laptop 5 when it comes to multitasking, while also delivering double the graphics performance and three times better battery life. We haven't seen performance metrics for the new Surface Pro, but Microsoft claims it offers double the battery life in Teams calls compared to the Surface Pro 9.MicrosoftJust like other Copilot+ systems, the new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop also come with Microsoft's Pluton chip for security. The company says Pluton hardware will also get an update with a Key Storage Provider (KSP) feature later this year. It will "allow for more secure storage and management of cryptographic keys," according to Microsoft.As for accessories, there's also a new $200 Surface USB 4 Dock, which includes two USB-C connections, USB-A, Ethernet and HDMI. It also supports fast charging for both new systems - and for that price, it damn well better.MicrosoftThe new Intel Core Ultra 200V-equipped Surface Pro and Surface Laptop will be available on February 18, starting at $1,500. And if you're looking for better battery life, you can opt for the Qualcomm Snapdragon variants as well (though be ready to deal with slower emulated apps and potential software and driver incompatibility).This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/microsofts-surface-pro-and-laptop-for-business-are-getting-intels-new-ai-pc-chips-150001906.html?src=rss
In November, Transport for London (TfL) announced new steps to regulate e-bikes, but a lack of legislation or power meant that most of the onus fell to e-bike services to do the right thing. Now, Lime CEO Wayne Ting has announced a 20 million ($24.8 million) five-point London Action Plan to help with overcrowding and poor parking, multiple publications report, including UKTN."The feedback we've received from London residents, community groups and elected officials is why we're launching our London Action Plan," Ting stated. "We recognise the need for meaningful investments to accelerate change and improve parking, starting with more funding for dedicated e-bike parking, and additional operational capacity and processes."An investment of 5 million ($6.2 million) will go into creating 2,500 additional e-bike parking spaces. Part of the plan will also include expanding Lime's on-street team to 400 people and aiming to move or collect about 4,000 bikes daily. Plus, Lime intends to use improved AI to confirm proper parking in end of trip photos.The action plan directly responds to TfL's statement at the end of last year. "The new policy sets out that TfL will consider taking action against operators who allow their bikes to be parked outside of designated places on red routes and on TfL land, which includes areas such as station forecourts and bus garages," the organization said. "Operators are ultimately responsible for ensuring their bikes are deployed and parked bikes appropriately."As someone living in London, I can certaintly attest that Lime bikes are scattered everywhere around the city. Lime claims that 49 percent of 18 to 34 year olds in London rent an e-bike weekly. The company also states that 2024 saw an 85 percent increase in annual journeys.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lime-announces-25-million-action-plan-to-help-fix-londons-e-bike-chaos-141559309.html?src=rss
If there are two things Netflix has been pushing over the last couple years its live sports and games. A large part of this initiative has come through its partnership with WWE to stream live shows. But, starting fall 2025, Netflix subscribers will also be getting exclusive access to WWE 2K video games on mobile.The WWE 2K series first launched 25 years ago and has remained extremely popular. Now, the organization is leaning further into its partnership with Netflix to give the streamer unique access.This announcement comes shortly after Monday Night Raw, WWE's flagship show, began weekly live streams on Netflix in the US, UK, Latin America, Canada and more. It's the first time in over 30 years that the show hasn't aired on a linear TV network. Netflix is reportedly paying WWE $5 billion over 10 years for the ability to air Monday Night Raw and other WWE programs.WWE 2K will join over 100 games currently available in Netflix's library. It also won't require ads or in-app purchases. Subscribers can also check out some of the best games on Netflix include Kentucky Route Zero, Triviaverse and Before Your Eyes.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/netflix-is-the-exclusive-home-of-wwes-2k-fighting-game-on-mobile-140059055.html?src=rss
GrubHub is partnering with Avride, an autonomous robot delivery company, to expand its offerings on college campuses. The pair have launched 100 robots on The Ohio State University's campus, but have plans to expand further.Our robots have already proven their value in campus environments, delivering convenience and delight to students," said Dmitry Polishchuk, CEO of Avride, in a release. We're thrilled to be working with Grubhub to scale this success and expect to see hundreds of our robots serving campuses already in 2025."Avride launched a new model last October, notably ditching its six wheels for a more efficient four. The robots can hold a decent amount of food, such as an assortment of pizza and drinks, the company states. They also have customizable LED panels that offer animated designs, such as the college's colors. The robots can also make 180-degree turns instantly, thanks to a new mechanical connection between each side's wheel pairs. Plus, they can move faster than their predecessor and can park on inclines.This partnership adds to GrubHub's existing robot delivery presence on campuses. Since 2021, the company claims it has delivered hundreds of thousands of orders using robots on dozens of schools. That year, it partnered with Russian tech company Yandex - which used to house what is now Avride in its autonomous driving wing. However, that bit of the company spun-off as its own entity, divested its Russian assets following the country's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 and rebranded as Avride.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/grubhub-is-bringing-new-delivery-robots-to-college-campuses-140028029.html?src=rss
It feels like every major tech company is totally convinced that AI is the future. And for all I know, they may be right. But while we're waiting for someone to develop our seemingly inevitable AGI-based overlords, we have to suffer through every baby step to get today's machine learning-powered features. Unfortunately, that's a problem for gadgets like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra - because when the biggest focus of a new $1,300 flagship smartphone is iterative AI updates, the device can feel a bit underwhelming. Combine that with hardware that seems like it's been frozen in time for the last couple of years and you get something that leaves you wanting more.Design and display: Rounded corners, Gorilla Armor 2 and not much elseFor this year's Ultra, Samsung wanted to give the phone a softer, more curvy appearance to reinforce the familial resemblance between it and its less expensive siblings. And by rounding off the S25 Ultra's corners, I'd say mission accomplished. Elsewhere, its front and back glass are now made of Corning Gorilla Armor 2, which features a new version of the company's anti-reflective coating and looks great. When combined with bezels that are 15 percent smaller than before, you get a phone with super clean lines and a slightly larger 6.9-inch display (up from 6.8 inches) without an increase in its physical size.But make no mistake, the S25U still feels a lot like the last two Ultras that came before it. Its flat edges give it a very boxy feel, and even though the Note line is dead, there's still the requisite cubby hole for the S Pen. However, for 2025 the included stylus has gotten a minor downgrade now that Samsung has removed support for Bluetooth Low Energy. This means it no longer supports Air action gestures, so you can't use it as a remote camera trigger or to do things like switch cameras or change photo modes.Samsung claims this loss of functionality shouldn't be a big deal as a tiny fraction of people actually used the feature. Plus, if you want a way to remotely snap a photo, there are other methods like holding your hand up to the camera or using a Galaxy Ring or Watch. But if you're one of the few who did enjoy Air actions, it's an unfortunate step backward. Thankfully, for those who absolutely need a stylus with gesture support, you can still get that functionality from Samsung's optional S Pen Pro.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetOne small thing I do want to call out is the improved anti-reflective coating on the S25 Ultra's screen. It strikes an almost perfect balance between typical glossy displays and the matte texture used on traditional desktop monitors. Colors remain vivid while still cutting out the most distracting forms of glare, and with a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, the screen dazzles in practically any environment.Performance: More speed than you'll know what to do withThe Galaxy S Ultra has never lacked power, but that didn't stop Samsung from adding even more speed thanks to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. This thing absolutely flies and there's not much you can do to slow it down. Samsung has even tightened up the animations in One UI so that the phone feels as responsive as its benchmarks suggest, which are up as much as 30 to 40 percent depending on the task (or closer to 15 percent while gaming). The one wrinkle to this is that, when under heavy loads, the S25 Ultra does become a bit power-hungry, which can result in slightly faster-than-expected battery drain when doing heavy multitasking or running demanding apps.Software: Just what you wanted, more AIPhoto by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetThe S25 Ultra's main focus for this year is on improved AI. This can be seen across a number of new and improved features (and some obvious inspiration from rivals like Apple and Google) with the general goal of making all of its tools more powerful, more intuitive and in many cases, easier to use with your voice.The first major addition is Samsung's Now Brief, which adds a personalized feed filled with things like the weather, local traffic, upcoming calendar appointments, the news and more. It gets refreshed periodically throughout the day (morning, midday, afternoon, etc.) and by using what Samsung calls its Personal Data Engine, it will attempt to learn what you like instead of having you check off a list of tickboxes. It's a handy tool, though for anyone already familiar with the Android ecosystem, it's not especially groundbreaking. And it does take time for the phone to understand what you do and don't care about, which adds a bit of a learning curve to the process.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetNow Briefs also works with Samsung's Now bar to surface relevant events in other areas of the phone - specifically your lock screen and notification shade. It's meant to help you keep tabs on apps you're using (like how long you've let the Voice Recorder app run) or stuff like sports scores, with the ability to toggle between different things simply by swiping left and right. It's helpful, but forgive me if this is becoming repetitive, because many of these look like duplicate versions of stuff like Google's Live Notifications.Meanwhile, if you open the Edge Panel by swiping in on the tab on the right side of the screen, you'll see even more AI features. AI Select is a revamped take on Smart Select, which helps you take screenshots, turn videos into gifs and more. Drawing Assist is the tool formerly known as Sketch to Image, which lets you create art by doodling with the S Pen or using text inputs. And then there's the self-explanatory Interpreter app, plus an icon for Now Brief in case you don't like using the widget. All of these sort of work just like you expect them to, and in some cases like when drawing, the resulting images are a touch more detailed and realistic than before. But to me, the biggest upgrade across Samsung's second-gen AI suite is a slightly more cohesive UI that makes learning what each tool can do a bit easier.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetPerhaps my favorite new use of AI is improved natural language commands throughout the phone. For example in the Gallery app, you can search for specific subjects just by hitting the asking Gemini (or Bixby too, if you're into that). It's a convenient way to quickly find a specific photo amongst thousands of shots - though once again, there's similar functionality in Google Photos. But more importantly, you can use voice commands to do stuff like change device settings or even add events to your calendar. And you don't even need to be very specific. When I asked the phone to add the next Knicks game to my calendar, I didn't need to give it any more information than that. It all feels slightly magical, even if it's not an essential part of my day.Cameras: A new ultra-wide sensor but that's about itPhoto by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetLike its predecessors, the S25 Ultra features a 200-megapixel main camera and a 50MP telephoto with a 5x zoom. The one upgrade is a new 50MP sensor for its ultra-wide lens (up from 12MP). As you'd expect, expansive landscape pics look a touch sharper thanks to the increased resolution, though aside from that, there aren't a ton of immediately obvious improvements to the rest of the phone's general image quality.As you'd expect, in bright light the S25 Ultra captures lovely images with rich details and vibrant colors. However, I did notice that Samsung's penchant for going slightly overboard on sharpening can still be an issue. The new ultra-wide sensor also provides a noticeable upgrade in image quality to the point where I prefer it over what the Pixel 9 Pro can do. But I must admit, compared to the main camera or even the 5x zoom, that lens is the one I use the least, so it doesn't have as much of an impact on my overall photography.In low light, the S25 Ultra nearly kept pace with Google's Night Sight mode on the Pixel 9 Pro, and in a few situations, it pulled ahead. However, I had a hard time spotting how much of an effect Samsung's improved noise reduction had on nighttime graininess. Regardless, even with a few hiccups, the S25 Ultra proved it can hang with other top-tier shooters from Google and others.Meanwhile, in the Camera and Gallery apps, there are some handy tweaks including the new Audio Eraser feature. It uses AI to identify a handful of different sound types (such as speech, wind noise and more) before creating a custom EQ that lets you adjust things on the fly. This is great for those times when you're shooting video and ambient sounds make it hard to hear what people are saying. You can also create and save custom photo filters to ensure all your pics on social media have a unique and consistent look.Additionally, for more advanced users, there's a virtual aperture setting that gives you a bit more control over depth of field, though it's still not nearly as good as being able to physically switch lenses like you can on a proper camera. And for even more demanding content creators, Samsung created a new Galaxy Log video format that allows you to more easily edit and color grade your footage. That said, unless you're a YouTuber or hardcore video junkie, you may not get a ton of use out of these tools, especially with the latter of the two being restricted to Samsung's Expert Raw app (which doesn't come pre-installed).Battery life and charging: Samsung is cutting corners with its Qi2 readiness"Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetThe size of the Galaxy S25 Ultra's 5,000 mAh power pack hasn't changed in five years, but that's OK because you still get great battery life. On our local video rundown test, it lasted an incredible 29 hours and 27 minutes, which is up almost two hours compared to last year's phone. That said, it's important to note that the S25U loses in both capacity and longevity to the OnePlus 13, whose 6,000 mAh cell posted an even better time of 30:18.Wired charging is staying put at up to 45 watts and annoyingly it's a very similar story when using wireless pads as well. That's because while technically the S25 Ultra supports version 2.1 of the WPC's Qi charging spec and is said to be Qi2 ready", because Samsung didn't include magnets inside the phone, it won't work with the wide variety of Qi2 accessories on sale today. At least not without some help. For that, you need to rely on a Qi2 charging case to add the proper alignment and mounting point needed to attach magnetic peripherals.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetFor a lot of Android phones users, this is really disappointing after seeing the wealth of MagSafe gadgets that iPhone users have enjoyed for several generations. As the biggest phone maker on the planet, Samsung has a lot of sway when it comes to fostering the adoption of useful protocols like Qi2 and seeing them stop short of truly supporting the spec is a bit bewildering.Wrap upThe S25 Ultra is a hugely versatile phone, but this edition of Samsung's flagship is hard to get excited about. That's because while it's one of the few handsets with an included stylus and a long 5x telephoto zoom, its general hardware and capabilities haven't changed much since the previous generation. Or even two models back for that matter. Even so, the screens on Samsung phones are unrivaled while camera quality remains among the best. And while its battery hasn't gotten bigger in years, longevity remains strong. Then you add in a new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip with blazing performance and you get a phone that's good at pretty much everything. But for $1,300, it better be able to deliver on all that and more.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetAnd it's that and more" where the S25 Ultra's value proposition gets a bit awkward. The phone's biggest advancements are more powerful software and AI. Features like AI Select, Now Brief and improved natural language commands make the phone smarter and easier to use. But consider this: If you could pay for those tools separately, how much extra would you fork over to get more sophisticated AI on your phone? For many, that number might be zero, or at the very least a way less than the price of upgrading and the hassle of setting up a new phone and then figuring out how to use it.This means a lot of what Samsung focused on in this generation feels more like a bonus rather than a must-have feature. And when you can get around 90 percent of the phone's capabilities from previous models, the most dangerous thing Samsung is asking buyers to consider is why they need to upgrade at all.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-s25-ultra-review-too-much-ai-not-enough-ultra-140022798.html?src=rss
Vodafone has demonstrated the capabilities of a new satellite network by making what it calls the "world's first" satellite video call, albeit with some caveats. The company used partner AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird satellites specifically designed to transmit 4G/5G mobile broadband signals from space. That technology will give users broadband cellular capability with any 4G/5G smartphone in remote areas lacking traditional mobile coverage.In its demonstration, Vodafone Group's chief executive Margherita Della Valle explained that the BlueBird satellites can connect directly with a regular smartphone, then transmit the signal back to Vodafone's terrestrial network via a satellite link. She then took a call from an engineer in a remote mountain region of Wales, a "nought spot" with no cellular coverage. The quality was a bit low-res and had substantial lag, but was decent otherwise.AST SpaceMobile's five BlueBird satellites have onboard communications arrays that give off-the-shelf smartphones the same voice, data and video speeds as a broadband tower, up to 120 megabits per second. Once operational, the satellites will provide "non-continuous cellular broadband service across the United States and in select markets globally." That will allow cell users to communicate even in areas with limited broadband tower coverage, like rural communities or national parks.SpaceX's Starlink has already made a satellite video call using a regular mobile phone, so Vodafone hedged its claim substantially. Specifically, the company said it made the "world's first space video call from an area of no coverage using a standard mobile phone and commercial satellites built to offer a full mobile broadband experience."T-Mobile is working on a similar US network in partnership with Starlink's Direct-to-Cell service, but it will be limited to text messages at first. It's also possible right now to connect to dedicated satellite phone networks using specific iPhone and Google Pixel models that have custom modems - but that's limited to low-data communications like SMS messages and emergency alerts.Vodafone's network, by contrast, would allow a full-fat broadband cellular experience when it launches in Europe, likely by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, AT&T, Verizon and AST SpaceMobile will begin testing in the US this spring, but no launch date (or pricing) for stateside service has been announced yet.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/vodafone-demonstrates-worlds-first-satellite-video-call-with-a-standard-mobile-phone-134509766.html?src=rss
You'll finally be able to download all the episodes in an entire season on Netflix with just one tap if you're on iOS. The streaming service introduced the capability on Android years ago, but it remained a "much-requested" feature for users on iPhone and iPad until now. It's not unusual for Netflix to give Android users access to a certain capability first - it took a year for Smart Downloads, which automatically deletes downloaded episodes you've already seen and then downloads the next one in a series, to be available on iOS."We've heard that downloading episodes one-by-one has been a pain point for iOS members - something we're now addressing with this rollout," a Netflix spokesperson told Variety. It's certainly great to have if you like stocking up on shows you can watch for long flights or cross-country road trips.The option to download entire seasons is available for all the shows currently on the streaming service. To download multiple episodes all at once, find the button for the new feature next to the Share option on the series' page in the Netflix app. While tapping the button will download all the episodes in a season automatically, you can still manage individual episodes under the Downloads section in the My Netflix tab.NetflixThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-finally-lets-ios-users-download-an-entire-season-with-one-tap-133025196.html?src=rss
Microsoft is closely associated with OpenAI's ChatGPT AI model, but the software giant has no qualms about playing the field. Microsoft announced that it's bringing the DeepSeek-R1 AI model to Copilot+ PCs soon, starting with Snapdragon X devices and following later with Intel Lunar Lake and AMD Ryzen AI 9 PCs. The DeepSeek-R1-Distill-Qwen-1.5B model will arrive "soon" on Microsoft AI Tookit for developers, with more powerful 7B and 14B variants coming later.The 1.5B (base) model isn't powerful compared to the higher-tier 32B and 70B models, but MIcrosoft points out that the models are "NPU-optimized" for Copilot+ PCs. The minimum configuration for such computers is 256GB of storage, 16GB of RAM and an NPU with at least 40 TOPS (trillions of operations per second)."These optimized models let developers build and deploy AI-powered applications that run efficiently on-device, taking full advantage of the powerful NPUs in Copilot+ PCs," Microsoft wrote. It added that it implemented systems to take advantage of low-bit processing to ensure the R1 models could run locally on NPU hardware.At the same time, Microsoft is bringing DeepSeek's R1 model to its Azure AI Foundry platform, The Verge reported. It joins other AI models on that service, including GPT-4, Mistral AI, Meta-Llama 3 and others. That comes as a bit of a surprise, given that Microsoft is reportedly probing whether DeepSeek used OpenAI's technology in an unauthorized manner.AI pundits have also expressed concerns about privacy issues around China-based DeepSeek, something that Microsoft addressed in a Marketplace Community post. "DeepSeek R1 has undergone rigorous red teaming and safety evaluations, including automated assessments of model behavior and extensive security reviews to mitigate potential risks," wrote Microsoft senior product marketing manager, Justin Royal.DeepSeek shook up the AI world with its R1 model, which doesn't require nearly as much computing power as competing models. That spooked markets yesterday, causing a selloff in chip giant NVIDIA and other AI-adjacent stocks. OpenAI, which has been sued by multiple newspapers and publishers around the world for copyright infringement, recently accused DeepSeek and other Chinese AI startups of "distilling" its models.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/deepseek-is-coming-to-windows-copilot-pcs-130041096.html?src=rss
Tesla will introduce a paid autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, Elon Musk said during an earnings call discussing the automaker's financial results for 2024. As TechCrunch reports, he said the company will use cars with no human driver behind the wheel and with the unsupervised version of its Full Self-Driving software, which Tesla has yet to release. The service will launch with the company's internal fleet in Austin this June before expanding to other locations in the US. And then next year, Tesla owners will be able to add their cars to the fleet whenever they want, kind of like how people can list and unlist their properties on Airbnb, Musk said. He explained that the automaker wants to iron out any kinks first, such as making sure billing works well and that the robotaxis will stop at the right spot when they're ordered.Since the plan is to allow vehicle owners to add their Teslas to the company's robotaxi fleet, the automaker is also planning to release its unsupervised FSD software in California and other regions in the US before the year ends. Knowing Musk's tendency to overpromise on timelines, though we'd take that announcement with a (huge) grain of salt.Musk has been talking about robotaxis for a while now and said back in 2019 that Tesla will "have over a million robotaxis on the road" within a year. When he launched the Cybercab in 2024, he said he envisions a future wherein people own several robotaxis that they can then earn money from through a ridesharing network. It's worth noting that Waymo started offering fully autonomous rides to select users in Austin in late 2024 and will be launching the service fully in the city sometime this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/elon-musk-says-tesla-will-launch-a-robotaxi-service-in-austin-this-june-044745591.html?src=rss
Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has only been in his post for a day and already making it clear that the agency will be ignoring the role vehicle pollution plays in worsening climate change. Duffy sent a memo to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calling for a review of fuel economy standards to align with President Donald Trump's goals of promoting the use of oil, natural gas and biofuels. The memo claims that "artificially high" fuel economy standards have made new cars prohibitively expensive for US buyers and could negatively impact the US auto industry.It's the latest swing of the pendulum as the country's leadership changes hands once again. Trump's first presidency saw a rollback of fuel efficiency standards that had been enacted by Barack Obama, followed by the EPA introducing its strictest standards to date when Joe Biden assumed office. President Donald Trump's transition team had already signaled in December that he would walk back moves by previous administration to strengthen fuel efficiency standards and promote electric vehicle adoption. Today's development isn't a surprise, but it's still bad news considering multiple international reports have demonstrated that the planet's rising temperature will cause extreme and catastrophic weather events.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/us-department-of-transportation-moves-to-cut-fuel-efficiency-standards-235205073.html?src=rss
Meta has agreed to pay President Donald Trump $25 million to settle a 2021 lawsuit stemming from the social network's decision to suspend Trump's Facebook account following the riots at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.According to The Wall Street Journal, there had been little activity" surrounding the lawsuit until Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg flew to Mar-a-Lago following the election. Toward the end of the November dinner, Trump raised the matter of the lawsuit," The Journal reports. The president signaled that the litigation had to be resolved before Zuckerberg could be brought into the tent.'" Much of the settlement will reportedly go toward funding Trump's presidential library.Settling the lawsuit is the latest step Zuckerberg and Meta have taken to appease Trump, who at one point during the campaign threatened to imprison the Facebook founder for plotting" against him. Following the election, Zuckerberg ended Meta's longtime fact-checking program and rolled back content moderation standards that prohibited dehumanizing language and slurs targeting immigrants and LGBTQ people. He also ended corporate diversity programs and added Trump backer and UFC CEO Dana White to Meta's board. Zuckerberg had a prominent seat at Trump's inauguration, alongside other tech CEOs.News of Meta's settlement broke just as the company released its latest earnings results. During a call with analysts, Zuckerberg said that 2025 was going to be a big year for redefining our relationship with governments." Though he didn't mention Trump by name, he said that we now have a US Administration that is proud of our leading companies, prioritizes American technology winning, and that will defend our values and interests abroad."Zuckerberg, who earlier this week said the company would spend as much as $65 billion on AI investments this year, predicted that Meta AI would reach 1 billion users in 2025. He also commented on the rise of DeepSeek, an open-source AI assistant from China, saying that it's strengthened our conviction" about open source AI. One of the things that we're talking about, is there's going to be an open source standard globally," he said. And I think for own national advantage, it's important that it's an American standard."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-will-pay-25-million-to-settle-a-lawsuit-with-donald-trump-over-his-2021-facebook-suspension-234046291.html?src=rss
NASA and its partners have published the first wave of information about the samples collected in the OSIRIS-REx mission. "The findings do not show evidence for life itself, but they do suggest the conditions necessary for the emergence of life were widespread across the early solar system, increasing the odds life could have formed on other planets and moons," NASA said in a press release.The OSIRIS-REx mission used some pretty fascinating tech to autonomously acquire rocks and dust from an asteroid called Bennu. Asteroids can act as time capsules, and Bennu reflects what was happening in the solar system roughly 4.5 billion years ago. After a total journey of 3.9 billion miles, the capsule returned safely to Earth on September 24, 2023.One paper about Bennu, appearing in the journal Nature Astronomy, revealed that the samples contained 14 amino acids and five nucleobases also found in life forms on Earth. They also uncovered high levels of ammonia in the Bennu samples, as well as formaldehyde; when those two combine in the proper conditions, they can form complex molecules such as amino acids.The second publication appeared in Nature, and it detailed the environment those molecules formed in. Their assessment found evidence of a "brine," identifying a set of minerals that could have been left behind as salt water evaporated."Data from OSIRIS-REx adds major brushstrokes to a picture of a solar system teeming with the potential for life," said Jason Dworkin, OSIRIS-REx project scientist at NASA Goddard. "Why we, so far, only see life on Earth and not elsewhere, that's the truly tantalizing question."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nasas-osiris-rex-mission-teases-new-insights-on-how-life-began-223527954.html?src=rss
NASA and its partners have published the first wave of information about the samples collected in the OSIRIS-REx mission. "The findings do not show evidence for life itself, but they do suggest the conditions necessary for the emergence of life were widespread across the early solar system, increasing the odds life could have formed on other planets and moons," NASA said in a press release.The OSIRIS-REx mission used some pretty fascinating tech to autonomously acquire rocks and dust from an asteroid called Bennu. Asteroids can act as time capsules, and Bennu reflects what was happening in the solar system roughly 4.5 billion years ago. After a total journey of 3.9 billion miles, the capsule returned safely to Earth on September 24, 2023.One paper about Bennu, appearing in the journal Nature Astronomy, revealed that the samples contained 14 amino acids and five nucleobases also found in life forms on Earth. They also uncovered high levels of ammonia in the Bennu samples, as well as formaldehyde; when those two combine in the proper conditions, they can form complex molecules such as amino acids.The second publication appeared in Nature, and it detailed the environment those molecules formed in. Their assessment found evidence of a "brine," identifying a set of minerals that could have been left behind as salt water evaporated."Data from OSIRIS-REx adds major brushstrokes to a picture of a solar system teeming with the potential for life," said Jason Dworkin, OSIRIS-REx project scientist at NASA Goddard. "Why we, so far, only see life on Earth and not elsewhere, that's the truly tantalizing question."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/preview-nasas-osiris-rex-mission-teases-new-insights-on-how-life-began-223033717.html?src=rss
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