Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

The second season of the Fallout TV series doesn't even have a concrete release date in December yet, but Amazon has already renewed the show for a third season. Amazon has announced that it has greenlit the new season at its annual presentation in New York City. The company said Fallout has had more than 100 million viewers since it dropped on Prime Video in April 2024 and remains one of its top-three most watched titles ever.If you'll recall, the live adaptation was so well-received, Fallout 4 enjoyed a resurgence in sales nearly a decade after its release. Amazon also renewed the series for a second season just a few days after the first season debuted on its streaming service. Based on the video game franchise of the same name, Fallout is set 200 years into the future after an apocalyptic event. In the story, the humans who survived the apocalypse hid in luxury fallout shelters where their descendants remained for hundreds of years. The show follows Lucy as she leaves her shelter after an attack by outsiders to find her father who'd been kidnapped. Along the way, she meets more characters, including a squire from the Brotherhood of Steel and a ghoul bounty hunter.Amazon has yet to reveal season 3's story, which doesn't come as a surprise, seeing as the second season has yet to drop. But season 2 will pick up from where the first one had left off and will take viewers from the Mojave wastelands to New Vegas.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/amazon-renews-fallout-months-before-season-2s-premiere-143028657.html?src=rss

Google's annual I/O developer conference is kicking off on May 20, and for the first time, the company is hosting a dedicated showcase a week earlier on May 13, which indicates it might have too much news for its typical hours-long keynote at I/O. The Android Show: I/O Edition, a dedicated showcase for the Android ecosystem, takes place today and we're liveblogging it right here.The event will start at 1PM ET / 10AM PT, and it'll stream at that time on Google's Android YouTube channel. Since it appears to be pre-recorded, we've embedded it below, so you can watch it right here. Or, if you don't like watching a video while you work, our text-and-image-based liveblog is below, so scroll right down.Android is developed partially in the open, so there's already some indication of what could be coming with Android 16. So far, that's a visual redesign of some of the operating system's core features, like the notification shade, a take on Apple's Live Activities for tracking ongoing events and possibly a Samsung DeX-like "Desktop Mode" for Android phones. Google even appeared to accidentally publish its own blog post detailing its research around user interfaces and Material 3 Expressive, only to take it down quickly after. Unfortunately (or fortunately for Android enthusiasts), the internet never forgets.Before we forget, I/O 2025 starts on May 20 at 1PM ET / 10AM PT with Google's keynote, typically a series of updates on Android, Search, Google Workspace and Gemini. It's worth noting: Google typically doesn't set aside separate time for Android announcements. The company said there will be some Android news at I/O, but the safe bet is that Gemini will be the star. We expect Google to share Gemini updates, along with Android XR news and maybe further demonstrations of experimental projects like Project Astra.Google's I/O keynote will be available to watch on Google's YouTube channel and right here on Engadget once the livestream is up on May 20 at 1PM ET.Update, May 8 2025, 10:30PM ET: This story has been updated to include information on Engadget's liveblog of the Android Show, as well as additional information on what we expect to be announced based on leaks around Material 3 Expressive.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/android-show-2025-live-updates-material-3-expressive-gemini-and-more-from-google-ahead-of-io-213327320.html?src=rss

After dropping a rare photography-oriented camera recently with the S1R II, Panasonic is going back to its creator roots. The company just unveiled the S1 II, a 24-megapixel full-frame mirrorless camera with a partially-stacked sensor (like the Nikon Z6 III) that can capture 6K ProRes RAW video internally with minimal rolling shutter wobble. At the same time, Panasonic is pitching it as a relative value next to full stacked sensor cameras. With the same body as the S1R II, the S1 II is considerably smaller and lighter than the original S1 while still offering a large grip and full complement of manual controls. It also comes with a display that both tilts and flips out, a high-resolution 5.76 million-dot electronic viewfinder, CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II card slots and optional support for Panasonic's 32-bit float audio. Steve Dent for Engadget Photographers get up to 70 fps burst shooting speeds in electronic shutter mode and 10 fps with the mechanical shutter (along with 1.5s pre-burst capture). They can also take 96MP high resolution shots (with no tripod needed), along with live view composites, multiple exposures and timelapse animations. Autofocus is via Panasonic's latest AI Phase Hybrid AF with Eye/Face AF, AF tracking and detection of animals, vehicles and a new category, "urban sports" (ie breakdancing). On paper, though, this is more of a video-oriented camera camera. You can shoot ProRes and ProRes RAW video at up to 5.8K and 3:2 "open-gate" video at 5,952 x 3,968 resolution, along with 4K at 120 fps. It supports V-Log / V-Gamut capture with dual native ISO at 640/5000 and up to 15 stops of dynamic range. In addition, you get anamorphic video modes plus external RAW HDMI recording in either ProRes or Blackmagic formats. Panasonic boosted in-body stabilization to 8.0 stops via it's Dual I.S.2 system, while also offering the cropless IBS mode introduced on the S1R II. Optical smoothing can can be enhanced with electronic stabilization when more aggressive smoothing is required for walking or quick camera movements. Panasonic Other key features include video monitoring tools like false color and exposure review, live streaming, wired webcam supports via USB-UVC/UAC (a first for Panasonic) and support for the Lumix Flow app that lets you do things like creator storyboards and shot lists for quicker editing. And as with other recent models, the S1 II supports real time LUTs and the Lumix Lab app, letting you download creator designed film looks that can be baked in to your video or added later in post. Panasonic will also introduce ARRI LogC3 so that the S1 II, S1R II and S1 IIE can be used in conjunction with ARRI digital cinema cameras. The Panasonic S1 II is now available for pre-order at $3,199 (body only) with shipping set to start on June 16th. That price is high next to its main competition, the Nikon Z6 III, which retails for $2,497 and is often on sale. Panasonic Panasonic does have an answer to that: the $2,499 S1 IIE that has the body and features of the S1 II but lacks the stacked sensor and high-speed photo bursts. Panasonic also introduced an interesting lens, the Lumix S 24-60mm f/2.8. It offers the features and most of the range of its $2,000 Lumix S 24-70mm f/2.8 lens but in a smaller and lighter size and at a lower $1,200 price tag. I've had the S1 II for a short time now and have been impressed so far with its speed and capabilities, so stay tuned for a full review with final firmware. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/panasonics-s1-ii-is-its-most-powerful-creator-camera-yet-140039445.html?src=rss

Notion is coming for Otter.ai. On Tuesday, the company announced an update for Notion AI, the suite of generative AI features available through its popular note-taking app. Among the new tools included in the package is AI Meeting Notes, a feature that can transcribe and summarize any conversation directly within Notion. No need to turn to dedicated software like the aforementioned Otter.ai.If you use Notion Calendar, your meeting notifications will include the option to start an AI Meeting Note page. Alternatively, you can write "/meeting" to add a transcription block to an existing note. Any conversation Notion AI transcribes for you is searchable through the app, and you can add what you get to any of your projects.NotionSpeaking of search, you can now use Notion AI to comb through a number of different productivity apps, including Slack, Google Workspace and Github. As long as you've connected those platforms to Notion, the app can resolve natural language queries, like, "What's the latest on our upcoming brand campaign?" and sort results by source.Separately, Notion is adding a Research Mode. Similar to Deep Research modes from Google and OpenAI, you can ask Notion's built-in AI to write reports for you. The difference here being that Notion AI will pull information from your projects, in addition to what it finds online. The company is pitching this as a real time-saver. "Create project updates, research reports, and internal best practices in minutes with one prompt," Notion says. "We've already seen this save days worth of time."Last but not least, if you would rather prompt with GPT-4.1 or Claude 3.7 than Notion's own chatbot, you can now do that directly within the app courtesy of a new model picker. OpenAI and Anthropic's models won't have access to your workspace data, but they're there for users who prefer their responses for general questions and in case you want to turn to a reasoning system in the form of Claude 3.7 Sonnet.As part of today's announcement, Notion is changing how it bills for its AI features. Instead of a separate $10 per month plan, unlimited access to Notion AI is now part of the company's Business plan, which is increasing from $15 per month and per member to $20 per month and per member. Notion's justification for the increase is that it's giving users access to several different tools, including GPT-4.1 and Claude 3.7, for the price of an all-in-one package. Of course, it's not quite a one-to-one comparison. For example, if you decide to skip out on ChatGPT Plus, you miss out on expanded limits on Advanced Voice mode and Deep Research. Still, for Notion users that might be a tradeoff well worth making.If you're a current Notion AI subscriber, you'll keep access to all the AI features you had before today's announcement. For Free and Plus users, you get limited trial access to all the new features.Update 9:54AM ET: Notion initially said the price of its Business plan was going up to $30, but it actually going up to $20 per month and per member.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/notion-ai-can-transcribe-conversations-and-write-reports-but-itll-cost-you-130018464.html?src=rss

Sony's smartphones probably haven't made much money in a long time, but they do provide a showcase for the company's latest camera and AV tech. A case in point is the new Xperia 1 VII flagship, a model that borrows Sony's Alpha camera and Bravia TV tricks and now features Walkman audio technology for the first time as well. On the camera side, Sony introduced a new 48-megapixel ultrawide camera (16mm full-frame equivalent) with a good-sized 1/1.56-inch sensor, significantly improving the specs of the Xperia 1 VI's ultrawide. That's on top of the main 48MP 1/1.35-inch 24mm camera and 12MP 85-170mm telephoto zoom. Another new camera feature is AI-powered Auto Framing. It lets you capture an entire scene with a wide angle, while automatically creating a closeup crop (vertical or horizontal) of a subject within the frame. That matches technology already available on Sony's Alpha camera lineup. Other key camera features include an improved Bokeh mode, real-time tracking and real-time eye autofocus, "telemacro" photography via the 120mm equivalent lens (with focus as close as 4cm), pro controls, a dedicated shutter button, live streaming and "low-light capability in line with full-frame cameras," Sony claims. As for audio, Sony has upgraded the Xperia 1 VII considerably from the previous model. It now uses the high-end Walkman components in key areas like sound resistors. Unlike other smartphone makers, Sony has kept its headphone jack and improved wired sound via a premium-grade integrated circuit, while also improving its LDAC wireless audio quality. Plus, the Xperia 1 VII supports Sony's DSEE Ultimate AI sound upscaling technology, along with 360 Reality audio or Dolby Atmos formats. The Xperia 1 VII is also taking a cue from Sony's Bravia displays with a new adaptive brightness feature for the 6.5-inch OLED display. It now has light sensors both front and back to better gauge environmental light levels and adjust brightness, contrast and color accordingly. Other key features include a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage (expandable to 2TB with microSD), WiFi 7, FPS gaming optimizer, two days of battery life via the new 5,000mAh battery, a vapour chamber cooler and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for environmental protection. Sony is even throwing in a free set of its top-end WH-1000XM5 headphones worth around $300. Unfortunately there's no sign that the Xperia 1 VII is coming to the United States. It's now available to order in Europe and the UK for 1,499 and 1,399 respectively, or around $1,700. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/sonys-new-xperia-1-vii-borrows-hi-fi-sound-tech-from-its-walkman-133017552.html?src=rss

xMEMS has launched the Sycamore-W, which it claims is the "world's thinnest speaker designed specifically for wrist-worn wearables." The Sycamore-W is only 1 mm thin and weighs only 150 mg, making it approximately 70 percent smaller than the speakers typically used for smart watches. xMEMS took the micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology used in cell phones' microphones and developed drivers based on it for use in earphones instead. Last year, it launched the Sycamore speakers, based on the same platform as its original product, for open-fit earbuds, smart glasses and smart watches.While the original Sycamore could already be used in smartwatches, the Sycamore-W was engineered specifically for wrist-based wearables. Since it's very thin, companies can fit larger batteries or more biometric sensors into their products. The speakers are also water, dust and shock-resistant. "Sycamore-W redefines audio for smart watches, combining compact design with robust performance to meet the demands of next-generation wearables," said Mike Housholder, xMEMS VP of Marketing and Business Development. "As the wrist becomes a key interface for ears-free, hands-free AI interactions, Sycamore-W empowers manufacturers to deliver premium audio in smaller, lighter, more durable devices."The company is planning to start volume production for the Sycamore-W in the second quarter of 2026, so we won't be seeing products that use the component until sometime next year. xMEMS will continue producing the original Sycamore speakers for smart glasses, open-fit earbuds and laptops, but it will announce more models for more specific applications in the coming months.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/xmems-launches-a-tiny-speaker-for-smartwatches-130026711.html?src=rss

Spotify's AI DJ is taking requests. Starting on Tuesday, Premium subscribers can ask it to play something that fits the mood. Although the company added a Spanish-speaking version last year, requests are only available in English at launch.The AI DJ will respond to verbal requests for a specific artist, genre, mood or something that fits an activity. Spotify suggests phrases like "DJ, morning motivation needed ASAP," "Surprise me with some indie tracks" or "Play me something with a Y2K vibe."You can find it by heading to the search tab and entering "DJ." After it starts spinning, press and hold the DJ button in the lower right-hand corner. Once you hear a beep, you can tell your synthetic disc jockey about your insatiable thirst for A Flock of Seagulls deep cuts.Spotify's AI DJ launched in 2023, aiming to strike a balance between today's ultra-personalized streaming algorithms and old-school radio. The company says none of its dialog is pre-recorded. It's all generated on the fly via OpenAI.Whether you love or hate the DJ, it can make for unintentional comedy as it butchers names and falls prey to AI's inevitable awkwardness. When I tried it with a classic blues mix, it consistently pronounced Howlin' Wolf as "Hole-in' Wolf." Some gems from a 2024 Reddit thread include "Blink One Hundred Eighty-Two" and "Here are some of your typical Sunday morning vibes, starting off with Shitfucker."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/spotifys-ai-dj-now-takes-requests-130005706.html?src=rss

Google is set to debut a new feature that The Information describes as "Pinterest-like" at its annual I/O developer conference next week. It reportedly shows users image results, based on their queries, that can give them ideas for fashion and interior design. Users can then save the images in different folders of their choice if they want to keep them separated based on certain themes. While The Information has likened it to Pinterest, it could be more similar to Cosmos, which is a more pared-down version of the idea. Cosmos lets users curate anything they saved from the web into clusters, which they can then share with other people.As the publication has noted, Google might be debuting a Pinterest competitor in order to secure its ads revenue from commercial queries. Google has been losing searches in homework and math from ChatGPT, a company executive told the court during a hearing related to a previous court decision that the company maintains an illegal monopoly in search. While those queries don't typically generate ads revenue, Google knows that it's inevitable for the company lose earnings from ads for commercial inquiries. Giving users a more interesting way to get search results that an AI couldn't provide through a new feature or a new product could help Google retain revenue from advertisements.In addition to the Pinterest-like competitor, Google could also introduce a "software development lifecycle agent" that could help software engineers identify bugs or flag security vulnerabilities while they're developing programs. It could also demonstrate the voice-powered integration of the Gemini AI chatbot into its Android XR glasses and headset. Previous clues point to Google launching the integration of Gemini Live inside the Chrome desktop browser, as well.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-is-reportedly-planning-to-unveil-a-pinterest-alternative-at-io-2025-123033887.html?src=rss

For decades, the legacy Hollywood studios have made money by slicing and dicing the licenses to their ever-growing vaults of movies and TV shows to as many channels and streamers as possible in as many countries and territories as you can count. That's why shows available on Max in one country might switch to Netflix in another, and disappear altogether in a third. And savvy viewers have long used VPNs - virtual private networks - to expand their streaming options. Change your location from the US to the UK and, voila, you suddenly have access to Friends and The Office on Netflix again.That's great if you're watching on a phone, tablet or PC, where installing and activating a VPN is as generally as simple as visiting the device's app store. But streaming through a VPN is a bit more challenging on a TV. Thankfully, there are quite a few ways to get that VPN-filtered content on the biggest screen in your home. Below, we'll walk you through unlocking geo-blocked content on your TV.If you don't already have a VPN subscription, we'd suggest choosing a service from our list of best VPNs. And with the notable exception of Proton VPN, we'd strongly recommend avoiding any free VPN options.How to stream video to your smart TV using a VPNThe easiest way to install a VPN on your smart TV is to download it from the built-in app store - if your preferred VPN is available. Not all smart TV operating systems support VPN apps. Amazon Fire TV has the best selection, but you can also install any VPN's Android app on Android TV or Google TV from the Google Play Store. In this section, we'll explain how to use a VPN on every smart TV model that supports them.If your smart TV doesn't support native VPNs (for example, if it's a Roku or an older Apple TV model), you can use it with a box or dongle from an OS that does. This also has the benefit of being cheaper than a whole new TV.Fire TVAmazon's Fire TV operating system has a wide range of content to binge-watch, as it comes with access to Prime Video's expansive catalog. Thankfully, its user interface is easy to navigate, making installing a VPN a breeze.Amazon's Fire TV Stick line is a very VPN-friendly streaming platform. AmazonTo set up a VPN, navigate to the Fire TV app store and search for the VPN service to which you're subscribed. Fire TV has multiple options on the app store, including most of the services on our aforementioned best VPNs list.From there, the process is pretty simple: Download the app, log in, and connect to the VPN. Scroll through the server list and pick a location in the country whose Prime Video library you want to unlock. You can also watch any other streaming service by downloading its app and logging in. Read How to add a VPN on Fire TV for complete instructions.Google TVGoogle TV is a smart TV operating system with a sleek user interface that supports thousands of apps, including VPNs and streaming platforms. As with Fire TV, just download your VPN app of choice, input your credentials and run it before activating the streaming service you'd like to check out. Read How to stream using a VPN on your Google TV or Chromecast for more details.Apple TVIf you want to install a VPN on your Apple TV directly, you'll need tvOS 17 or later. If not, you can follow our alternative workarounds with AirPlay or Google Cast.Apple TV boxes have become more VPN-friendly with recent OS updates.Devindra Hardawar/EngadgetFor those with tvOS 17 and later, setting up a VPN on your Apple TV is simple. However, it doesn't support many services, so you'll have to double-check that the VPN you subscribe to has Apple TV compatibility. Read How to use a VPN on your Apple TV for more details.AirPlay or Google Cast from a VPN-enabled deviceThe simplest way to use a VPN on any TV is to connect your TV to a phone, tablet, or laptop, then use the VPN on that device instead. You've got two ways to do this - screen casting and mirroring.Screencasting is when you set content on a device to play on your TV, then continue using that device for other purposes while you stream. Mirroring is when you show everything you're doing on your device on your TV. For example, if you're streaming a movie and close your browser tab, your smart TV will stop streaming the movie as well.Apple and Google each have their own flavor of screencasting: AirPlay and Google Cast, respectively. (The latter is basically same digital protocol that works on Chromecast hardware.) In each case, you start by running your VPN of choice on your phone or tablet, then fire up your streaming app and start your movie or TV show. Finally, click the AirPlay or Google Cast icon once you start streaming. If your TV doesn't have AirPlay or Google Cast built-in, you can buy a set-top box or dongle that supports one or the other.AirPlay is probably the most well-known casting and mirroring technology, and it currently works on a wide range of smart TVs and set-top boxes. I screencasted from my iPhone XR with a VPN enabled to my Samsung UHD TV and everything worked without a hitch.On the Google side, click the icon with a TV and Wi-Fi rays to start casting your content to the big screen. Amazon is working on a rival screencasting platform called Matter Casting, but it's not widely supported yet. Read How to stream via a VPN on Roku for more details on all of this.HDMI from a VPN-enabled deviceIf you don't want to fiddle with wireless protocols, an underrated and lesser-known way to stream video to your TV using a VPN is via an HDMI cable. You'll need an HDMI cable and (for some devices) an HDMI dongle, such as one that converts a USB-C port to HDMI. Once connected, your laptop, phone or tablet screen should be displayed on your TV's screen. At that point, just use the source device to fire up your VPN, start your streaming app (or browser) and maximize the window.Whole-house VPN access: Set up a VPN on your routerThe sections above describe ways to get VPN streaming access on a single TV. But if you want a whole-house approach - in which you could, for instance, watch UK Netflix on every device on your home network - you'll want to investigate accessing the VPN at the router level. Just note this is for advanced users only, and is far and away the most challenging method of the bunch.Whole-house VPN access requires installing a new router, or making major modifications to your existing one. It generally also requires installing custom firmware on a router, which usually voids the hardware manufacturer's warranty. Even then, you'll need an expert user in the household who knows how to engage and disengage the VPN and customize its settings, as leaving it turned on all the time can interfere with non-streaming activities, including simple things like shopping online.All that said, a more streamlined whole-home option is to try out the AirCove router models from ExpressVPN. (Engadget has not yet tested these routers.) Because they are ExpressVPN's own hardware, they include warranty coverage and support through the company.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-add-vpn-to-your-tv-143736648.html?src=rss

The super slim Galaxy S25 Edge, which Samsung teased at the tail end of its January Unpacked event, has been officially revealed. During the most recent Unpacked event, we got full specs, pricing and shipping dates for Samsung's latest phone, as well as a chance to put our hands on the new handset. The new Galaxy S25 Edge starts at $1,100 for 256GB of storage or $1,220 for the 512GB model and the phones ship May 30. Pre-orders are open at Amazon, Best Buy and directly from Samsung, which is offering a $50 pre-order store credit and a no-charge upgrade to the 512GB model. Amazon's got a similar offer: it includes a $50 Amazon gift card when you pre-order the 512GB S25 Edge for $1,100. The Edge's headline features include its thin build and AI-supported photography chops - both of which we'd suspected from various leaks, only to have the rumors confirmed by Samsung's own press release last week. And indeed, when Engadget's Mat Smith got his hands on an Edge, he immediately felt how much lighter the device was - yet, he noted, it still felt premium. We now know for sure that the Galaxy S25 Edge has a 6.7-inch screen but measures just 5.8mm (0.22 inches) thick. That's slightly less surface area than the 6.9-inch Ultra, but a full 2.4mm thinner. It weighs 163 grams, nearly the same as the standard Galaxy S25, but the Edge measures more than 10mm taller and 5mm wider than its base-model sibling. To shave off the grams and trim the width, Samsung developed a broader yet slimmer vapor chamber and a new Thermal Interface Material (TIM) for better heat dissipation. It uses Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front display. It's the first phone to use the material, which Corning says offers "enhanced drop performance on rough surfaces," allowing for a thinner glass layer. The frame is made from titanium, like the Ultra model, a material many phone manufactures have put in higher-end models for its lightweight strength. As for camera power, the Edge has the same 200MP sensor as the S25 Ultra, which Samsung claims captures 40 percent brighter images in low light situations compared with the standard S25. There's also a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 12MP selfie cam up front. Those two rear cameras do protrude noticeably from the thin frame of the phone, but Mat was impressed how well-balanced the phone felt - it's not lopsided at all. Of course, the phone also packs plenty of AI-powered tricks, including Pro Scaler, Audio Eraser and Drawing Assist. To support all the AI, Samsung is using the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip as the other S25 phones and comes with 12GB of memory and either 256 or 512GB of storage. It packs a 3,900mAh battery, which is smaller than both the 4,000mAh one found in the standard S25 and the 5,000mAH power supply in the Ultra. Though Samsung claims the Edge can run for 24 hours on a charge. You can get the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in three color options: Titanium Silver, Titanium Jet Black, and Titanium Icy Blue. Samsung is promising seven years of security and software updates. We only spent a short time with the phone so far and our full review will be out shortly.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-pre-order-the-samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-000029138.html?src=rss

Each year, on the same week as Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the accessibility team at Apple shares a slew of upcoming assistive features ahead of their public release. This time around, the company has a huge number of updates as it commemorates "40 years of accessibility innovation at Apple," according to a press release. This year's group of enhancements covers all its platforms and a variety of types of disabilities, and one of them is a new initiative that should make more apps more inclusive.Later this year, the App Store will get "Accessibility Nutrition Labels," which will be a new section in app pages. These will give a quick preview of the accessible features that each listing offers, including things like support for the VoiceOver screen reader, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Captions, Voice Control, Reduced Motion and more. Tapping on each preview will bring up a page with more details on other accessibility features that are available and explanations on each of them.The labels will be available worldwide, and Apple will make more guidance available to developers on the criteria their apps should meet before they display the relevant accessibility information on their pages.With these labels, people can find out if apps will meet their needs without having to first download them. If you are colorblind, for example, you can see if a matching game offers "Differentiate without color alone" before installing it and going into its settings to verify.By bringing these labels to the App Store, Apple is delivering what the gaming industry is seeking to do with the Accessible Games Initiative (AGI) that was announced in March. While the AGI is a broader effort with promised participation from companies like Microsoft, Nintendo and Electronic Arts, it has yet to share a firm timeline for the implementation of the system. The Entertainment Software Association said in March that timing would depend on each company.Now, we'll have to wait and see exactly how much later in the year Apple will start displaying these labels, but the company will be sharing more guidance with developers at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June, so it might take till the second half of 2025 for the changes to appear.Apple also shared plenty more on new assistive features coming to iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches and the Vision Pro, including a new Magnifier for Mac, an Accessibility Reader and updated Braille Access.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-is-bringing-accessibility-labels-to-the-app-store-later-this-year-120020185.html?src=rss

DJI's much-awaited Mavic 4 Pro drone has launched, but there's bad news. Due to Trump's tariffs and other market uncertainties (like a potential DJI ban), it's not yet on sale in America and there's no word on when it will be, or for what price. That will disappoint US buyers, because the Mavic 4 Pro is the most technologically advanced consumer drone ever. With a triple-camera system housed in a wild-looking round gimbal, it can shoot up to 6K at 60 fps with 16 stops of dynamic range, beating any drone and even most cameras. DJI also boosted top speed, battery life and range, while improving obstacle avoidance in low light via a new LiDAR system. Plus, the company introduced an all-new RC Pro 2 controller with a useful new foldable design. I've had the Mavic 4 Pro for a couple of weeks now and it performs even better than the specs would suggest. Though a bit expensive, this drone is so polished and capable that nothing else remotely compares to it. Design The trademark feature, as we've seen from leaks and a teaser last week, is the big round triple-camera Infinity Gimbal" module at the front. The idea is to allow the gimbal to rotate freely for improved stabilization and interesting camera angles. It boosts the tilt-up angle from 60 to 70 degrees and lets the gimbal rotate at any angle, allowing off-kilter Dutch" camera angles for more interesting shots. And of course, it can rotate 90 degrees to deliver full-resolution vertical video for social media. With that new housing and slightly larger batteries, the 2.3 pound Mavic 4 Pro is 0.2 pounds heavier than the Mavic 3 Pro. The propeller arms have been updated so they can be folded and unfolded in any order, unlike the previous model. The body is also more aerodynamic to boost efficiency and speed. Tucked in the left propeller arm is a forward-facing LiDAR sensor that greatly aids nighttime obstacle detection. The drone also has six omnidirectional fisheye sensors that work in as little as 0.1 lux, which is equivalent to a night sky lit by a full moon. Where the Mavic 3 Pro had just 8GB of internal memory, the standard Mavic 4 Pro is equipped with 64GB of storage (42GB usable), and the Creator Combo version comes with a generous 512GB of high-speed storage (460GB usable). Both models have a microSD card slot as well. DJI's new RC2 Pro screen controller folds up and flips sideways. Steve Dent for Engadget The Mavic 4 Pro ships with the RC2 screen controller first seen with the Air 3 in the basic and Fly More kits. However, DJI also introduced the RC2 Pro, a controller unlike any I've seen before. The bright 7-inch HDR display folds up to provide a multi-angle view and tilts 90 degrees (automatically flipping the Mavic 4 Pro's camera 90 degrees) for vertical video. There's no longer a need to stow the joysticks (though you can) as they automatically collapse into the body when the screen is folded back. It has a full complement of controls for flying and camera operations, including a button that flips the camera 90 degrees. The RC2 Pro also has an HDMI and a USB-C port, along with Wi-Fi 6 support for high-speed data transfers. The new 95Wh batteries are rated to offer up to 51 minutes of flight time, or around 40-45 minutes in typical use. That's a significant boost from the 30-35 minute real-world battery life on the Mavic 3 Pro. Better still, they charge faster than ever at 51 minutes for one battery (via USB-C) or 90 minutes for three with the Fly More kit charger. Performance and features The Mavic 4 Pro can now hit 56 mph (90 km/h) in sport mode without obstacle detection, up from 47 mph before, which will be a big help for filming motor vehicles. Top speed in normal mode with tracking and obstacle detection is also faster at 40 mph. It's still a big SUV of a drone, though, so it lacks the agility of DJI's Mini 4 Pro. And with no prop guards, it's not advisable to maneuver around people or in tight spaces like the Avata 2. Noise from the Mavic 4 Pro is unchanged from the Mavic 3 Pro at 83 dB. However, the frequency is lower and less bothersome, especially when it's flying close to people - so, er, props to DJI for that improvement. With the new O4+ transmission system, the Mavic 4 Pro now offers up to 18.6 miles (30 km) of video transmission range, double that of the Mavic 3 Pro. Though most pilots won't venture that far away, I found the Mavic 4 Pro less susceptible to interference and dropouts than before. It also supports bright 10-bit HDR 1080p live video transmission for a higher-quality backup capture and better visibility in sunlight. Steve Dent for Engadget Subject tracking is available via the ActiveTrack 360 function (first seen on the Mini 4 Pro), which allows you to manually control the camera position while keeping your subject in frame. It's also designed to keep subjects in focus even if they're partially obscured. I tested it with a car, mountain bike and while walking to see how it worked at various speeds. The Mavic 4 Pro stayed locked on a car driving at up to 30 mph with full obstacle avoidance. When filming the bike rider, the Mavic 4 Pro chose interesting and random routes around trees that often yielded cinematic greatness. That behavior also caused a crash into a small tree branch, but luckily, it caused no visible or functional damage. The drone also worked well as a vlogging tool, following me on a preset ActiveTrack 360 path. Later, I took the Mavic 4 Pro out at night to test the LiDAR and low-light sensors, flying it up around trees and next to buildings. That would have been risky with past models, but it successfully detected and avoided all obstacles in my testing. The low-light capability will also help you bring the drone home safely at night, as long as you remember that the LiDAR only works in the forward direction. Return-to-home now functions without GPS in sufficient light, as the Mavic 4 Pro can memorize flight paths. Video quality Steve Dent for Engadget With its new camera system, the Mavic 4 Pro has the best video quality I've seen on any consumer drone. The main Hasselblad-branded 28mm wide camera has a 100-megapixel , dual ISO 4/3 sensor that supports 6K 60 fps or 4K 120 fps capture along with DJI's professional D-Log and D-LogM modes to max out dynamic range. It also delivers up to 100MP photos. The Mavic 4 Pro is one of few drones with a variable aperture (f/2.0 to f/11) for better depth of field control and more usability in sunlight. The Infinity Gimbal also houses a 70mm medium telephoto lens with a 1/1.3-inch sensor like the one on the Mini 4 Pro. Plus, there's a longer 168mm camera with a 1/1.5-inch sensor that should be ideal for things like wildlife tracking. Both feature an f/2.8 aperture, 4K 60p video and D-Log/D-LogM and HDR, along with subject-tracking AF and dual native ISO. 6K and 4K video quality on the Hasselblad camera is incredibly sharp and color-accurate, while providing good dynamic range, particularly with sky and cloud details. Switching over to D-Log mode further boosts dynamic range, but makes color correction a bit trickier. I liked using D-LogM to get a good balance between ease of adjustment and dynamic range. The base Mavic 4 Pro captures H.265 video up to 180 Mbps, but the Creator Combo version - with its faster internal storage - also supports 1,200 Mbps H.264 All-I for easier editing. However, DJI dropped the ProRes 4:2:2 HQ option that was available on the Cine version of the Mavic 3 Pro. Steve Dent for Engadget Where the Mavic 4 Pro really beats other drones is in low light, thanks to the native dual ISO capability. When shooting a cityscape at dusk at ISO 6400 and up, grain was easy to tamp down with a bit of noise reduction. And if shooting at dawn or dusk, the D-Log mode provides enough dynamic range to balance light sky and dark ground areas. Photo quality is also outstanding in the 100MP mode with so much detail that I could zoom in and clearly see tiny objects. For low-light shooting, though, it's best to stick with 25MP to reduce noise. DJI's RAW DNG capture makes it easy to fine-tune photos shot in contrasty lighting conditions. The 70mm (3x) 1/1.3-inch telephoto camera is great for taking portraits or getting in tighter when shooting landscapes. With support for 4K at up to 120 fps and D-Log or D-LogM, it can easily be mixed and matched with footage from the main camera, though detail and low-light capability isn't as good. The 168mm 1/1.5-inch camera produces mediocre video quality, but it's great for capturing wildlife. Wrap-up Steve Dent for Engadget The Mavic 4 Pro is a great example of how DJI stays far ahead of rivals by consistently updating and perfecting its products. It's an improvement over the Mavic 3 Pro in nearly every area, and as mentioned, it doesn't really have any competition in the consumer space. The closest alternative in price and capability is Autel's Evo II Pro 6K, but that drone has a single-camera system with a smaller sensor, less endurance and shorter range. The lack of US availability is a major issue that's bound to cause a furor with drone enthusiasts in the States. And there's still a great risk that sales of DJI drones will be completely banned in America by the end of the year. The company insists that its drones pose no national security risk and says it welcomes any scrutiny. The Mavic 4 Pro is now on sale in most regions except the United States starting at 2,099 or 1,879 (about $2,360) with the RC2 controller. You can also get it in the Fly More kit with the RC2 controller, a bag, three batteries and a charger for 2,459 and 2,699 ($3,040). The Creator Combo, which includes everything in the Fly More kit plus the RC2 Pro controller, 512GB of storage and All-I video capture, is 3,539 (3,209) or about $3,980. The RC2 Pro controller by itself is 999 and 879 (about $1,125).This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/dji-mavic-4-pro-review-a-new-standard-for-consumer-drones-120006235.html?src=rss

Samsung's long-teased Galaxy S25 Edge has arrived, way ahead of the rumored iPhone Air. It's a very S25-looking device, but the company is pitching it as a design-centric addition to its, let's admit, bulging S25 family. The S25 Edge's body is 5.8 millimeters (0.22 inches) thick if we ignore the camera bump like everyone else does. Granted, it's not a huge bump.Samsung says it engineered the lenses to be substantially thinner than those on the S25 Ultra while keeping the same 200-megapixel camera sensor. And there are only two cameras on the back this time. Gasp! Unfortunately, Samsung has gone for an ultrawide secondary shooter rather than a telephoto, likely due to the handset's size constraints.Image by Mat Smith for EngadgetThis makes the S25 Edge the latest addition to the trend of fewer cameras, joining the Pixel 9a, but for a very different $1,100. You can check out my first impressions and all the crucial specs in my hands-on. Are you willing to handle possible battery life decreases and less zoom on your smartphone camera?- Mat SmithGet Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Even more Switch 2 stuff

Computing power is reaching dizzying new heights, but if your laptop doesn't have all the ports you need to wield that power, you may want to consider a docking station. These are a little different from USB-C hubs, which tend to be smaller and don't require power. Docking stations typically offer between seven and 12 ports, require a DC power supply and cost between $100 and $400. They allow you to connect monitors, cameras, mics, wired mice and keyboards, storage devices and more - all through a single USB-C port on your laptop. We tested more than a dozen highly regarded models to help you pick the best docking station for your needs. This guide also breaks down the various cable standards and port types to help you make an informed purchase.. Table of contents

After teasing us for months, Samsung has formally revealed the Galaxy S25 Edge. At just 5.8 millimeters (0.22 inches) thick, it's the slimmest member of the S25 family - and its slimmest smartphone ever. It's available to preorder now and launches on 30 May, starting at $1,100. Samsung said that S25 Edge unlocks a new era of growth for the mobile industry" - and it's easy (too easy!) to cynically see this as a way of hawking another Samsung phone into a thinner - and yet similar - slice of hardware, with familiar cameras, technical specs and AI software. This isn't an Ultra, nor is it a new foldable. However, it could be a new direction for Samsung's flagship S series. What's the difference between the S25 and S25 Edge? Image by Mat Smith for Engadget Surprise! The Edge is thinner. While the S25 Edge measures in at less than the base S25, which is 6.4mm (0.25 inches) thin, it weighs almost the same. In fact, there's only a gram's difference between the two, despite the S25 Edge packing a much bigger 6.7-inch screen than the S25's 6.2-inch one. And boy, can you tell the difference. The most contemporary comparison I can make is when Apple switched to a titanium frame for the iPhone 15 Pro. Spec sheets and numbers be damned: I could sense how much lighter the device was. Despite having a much bigger screen than my iPhone 16 Pro, the thinner S25 Edge felt light yet premium. I easily slipped it in and out of my pants pockets, because, well, how else am I going to assess the biggest selling point for Samsung's latest phone? Image by Mat Smith for Engadget The thing is: Device thickness isn't an issue I have with flagship smartphones - it's the screen size. The base Galaxy S25 (or the Pixel 9 Pro) hit the sweet spot for my hands. While this new S25 Edge may be easier to hold than similar-sized phones, a 6.7-inch screen isn't for everyone. Like most phones (the Pixel 9a is a curious outlier), the S25 Edge still has a substantial camera unit derailing otherwise clean hardware lines. The dual-camera setup protrudes a good 4.5mm (0.17 inches), although it features the same 200-megapixel sensor packed into the pricier S25 Ultra. Samsung says it re-engineered the camera unit to ensure it could fit on the Edge, but it still sticks out - a lot. Before I got to handle the phone, I thought this would lead to the new phone being oddly unbalanced and top-heavy. But whatever Samsung has done to arrange the component furniture inside the S25 Edge, it worked. The phone doesn't feel lopsided or fragile at all, but like any other premium flagship smartphone. The Galaxy S25 Edge's cameras Image by Mat Smith for Engadget Alongside the primary 200MP sensor, Samsung included a 12MP ultrawide camera with autofocus and macro photography support. And... that's it. There's no dedicated telephoto system, which typically takes up more space however you position the camera. The two lenses are stacked in a vertical arrangement, which I think looks cleaner than the camera cornucopias found on other devices - but many folks are going to miss the versatility of a true telephoto. Sure, you can digitally zoom by cropping in on that huge 200MP sensor, but it's not the same. The S25 Edge can also capture up to 8K video and packs all the other photography tricks you'd expect in an S-Series phone, like night photography and lossless zoom. Of cours,e it also handles post-capture AI tools like generative editing (removing photobombers and unwanted objects from your photos) and Audio Eraser for cleaning up video in loud environments. And when it comes to AI - or Galaxy AI - you're getting the same array of features that we saw in the base S25 and S25 Ultra, powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and 12GB of RAM. Those AI tools include the Now Brief and Now Bar which takes contextual clues from your apps and smartphone to lay out a plan for your day, remind you of the weather and more. Samsung's integration of Google's Gemini now includes Gemini Live, so you can tap into your camera feed to ask questions about your photos and things in your surroundings. It'll likely pick up any future Gemini and Android upgrades, too: The Galaxy S25 Edge will receive seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security updates. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget At a media briefing, Samsung also outlined how it's trying to ensure the S25 Edge runs cool despite all the packed-in hardware, using a new Thermal Interface Material (TIM) for better heat dissipation within that limited space. I didn't really get the time to push the device to its limits during the briefing, so we'll wait for a review to assess whether it works well enough. The company did have to make compromises to fit all the S25 Edge's features into this svelte profile. It has a 3,900mAh battery, which is small for a phone with a 6.7-inch display that costs more than $1,000. In comparison, the base S25 has a 4,000mAh cell - that's a bigger battery on a cheaper phone with a smaller screen. Then, there's the S25+, which has a 4,900mAh battery with the same screen size as the S25 Edge. In its defence, Samsung has made considerable progress on the battery life of its devices (particularly with this year's crop of Galaxy S phones). The company claims the S25 Edge can run video for up to 24 hours. However, with a bigger screen inside a thinner device, battery life may be the biggest compromise-and it's something we will have to test when we review the Edge properly. The Galaxy S25 Edge is priced at $1,100 (1,100) with 256GB of storage. It will launch on May 30 in three colors: Silver, Jet Black and Icy Blue. It's hard to draw any concrete conclusions on whether the S25 Edge's compromises for a smaller device footprint are worth it, but expect our review in the next few weeks. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-hands-on-release-date-price-000022902.html?src=rss

Philips is launching a new program called Fixables, where it will make plans available so that customers can 3D print replacement parts for the company's personal care products. The video introducing the initiative touts it as a simpler and easier way to extend the lifetimes of functional items rather than throwing them out because a single part or attachment is broken. Philips has partnered with Prusa Research and LePub on this endeavor, and Printables is hosting the plans.There are some caveats and limitations to this concept. The quality of the replacement part will depend on the materials used to create it, and not every customer has a 3D printer at home. (Although some public library systems, universities and local maker communities may have equipment that can be used or rented on site.)It's also still a project in its early stages. Fixables is initially launching in the Czech Republic. On the website for the Fixables program (which is in Czech), Philips explains that it's starting with the home country for Prusa Research and it is reaching out to the 3D printing company's existing maker community for this project. Another sign that the initiative is still in the early stages is that there's only one part plan available: a comb attachment for the OneBlade trimmer. But per Google Translate, two more plans are labeled as "We are working on it" and there are three different icons with no descriptions that point to additional plans. The Fixables website also has an option for customers to submit a request for parts they want to be able to 3D print.So while Fixables is a long way from making a real dent in waste from personal care products, it's exciting to see a major brand making a serious effort to explore the potential of 3D printing for better sustainability.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/philips-fixables-will-let-you-3d-print-replacement-parts-for-your-electric-razors-and-trimmers-233025245.html?src=rss

Jamie Lee Curtis is the latest celebrity to call attention to scam ads on Facebook and Instagram that use AI-manipulated video to hawk sketchy products. Curtis also appears to have encountered another issue familiar to many Facebook users: struggling to get the company's attention.In posts on Facebook and Instagram, the actress asked Mark Zuckerberg to intervene to stop the spread of a "totally AI fake commercial" of her. "My name is Jamie Lee Curtis and I have gone through every proper channel to ask you and your team to take down this totally AI fake commercial for some bullshit that I didn't authorize, agree to or endorse," she wrote. The post also included screenshots of the Meta CEO's Instagram - Zuckerberg apparently doesn't follow Curtis - and a screenshot from the scam ad."If I have a brand besides being an actor and author it is that I am known for telling the truth and saying it like it is and for having integrity and this use of my images ... with new, fake words put in my mouth, diminishes my opportunities to actually speak my truth," she wrote. "I've been told that if I ask you directly, maybe you will encourage your team to police it and remove it."It's not clear what the video, which seemed to rely on manipulated footage from an interview Curtis did with MSNBC, was intended to promote. Curtis shared a screen grab with text that said "I'd want everyone suffering from." But Curtis is far from the first celebrity to get caught up in such a scam.Earlier this year, Engadget reported that dozens of Facebook pages were using AI tech to manipulate videos of Elon Musk and other celebrities in order to promote fake cures for diabetes. Many of those clips used similar phrasing, such as "If I were to die tomorrow, I'd want every diabetic, including you, to know this."The rise of cheap and readily available AI tools have made it relatively easy for scammers to impersonate celebrities to sell sketchy products or promote other schemes. Last year, Tom Hanks warned his followers about ads "promoting miracle cures and wonder drugs" using his name and voice. He said the ads were made "fraudulently" with the help of AI.Johnny Depp also warned his fans about AI-enabled impersonators. "Today, AI can create the illusion of my face and voice," he wrote. "Scammers may look and sound just like the real me."A spokesperson for Meta said the company was removing the video flagged by Curtis for violating its policies but declined to comment further. The company said last year it was cracking down on "celeb bait" scams, but hasn't disclosed how many celebrities or public figures are participating in the program which relies on facial recognition technology.In a comment on her Instagram post, Curtis confirmed that she did eventually get Meta's attention. "IT WORKED! YAY INTERNET! SHAME HAS IT'S VALUE! THANKS ALL WHO CHIMED IN AND HELPED RECTIFY!"This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/jamie-lee-curtis-publicly-shamed-mark-zuckerberg-to-remove-a-deepfaked-ad-225448916.html?src=rss

Over the past few days, eagle-eyed Google users may have noticed that in some instances, the capital G logo for the company now sports a gradient softening the transitions between the four solid-color sections. The branding has been changed for the Google app on both Android and iOS devices as of this writing. However, there are still several places that continue to sport the classic color block look, including browser favicons. It's also not included in Google's official collection of images for press; the classic version is still being used as the entry for the Google app logo.None of the logos for other Google smartphone apps appear to have adopted a new gradient look. But perhaps notably, the branding for Google's Gemini AI assistant does have a slight gradient on its star symbol. Maybe AI is leading the way for aesthetics as well as for technical choices at Google? Or maybe this is a trial run to gauge reactions before rolling out a full brand redesign?Whatever the reason, the biggest surprise isn't that Google may be rolling out a logo refresh, but that the change seems to be happening with zero fanfare. When the company last redesigned its branding in 2015, there was a whole campaign explaining every last detail of the new look. Branding is a big deal for a corporation as big as Google. Even changes that seem minor would go through many iterations and committees and vetting before they go live. And any marketing exec knows that consistency is key, so it's especially strange that, if this is a permanent change, it's happening in a piecemeal approach.We've reached out to the company for more information about whether gradients will be the hot style trend for all Google products in 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/g-is-for-gradient-google-has-redesigned-its-app-logo-220437771.html?src=rss

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 might feature a cover screen that looks very similar to the Razr Ultra, according to animation files dug up by Android Authority from a leaked version of One UI 8. Up until now, the biggest difference between Samsung's foldable flip phones and Razr's is that Razr has offered a cover screen that's edge-to-edge, without the notch on Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6.The images Android Authority found show a cover screen that wraps around the Galaxy Z Flip 7's two back cameras instead of nestling them in a display-free cutout. This seemingly confirms renders shared by Android Headlines of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in March. Samsung has taken a very conservative approach to the year-over-year updates its made to the Flip, so changing the cover screen would be big. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 looks nearly identical to the Galaxy Z Flip 5.Android Headlines / OnLeaksChanging the front screen would also be a pretty obvious example of Samsung playing catchup to Motorola, who's long offered a larger and more useful cover screen on the Razr. The entry-level 2023 Moto Razr only had a small sliver of a cover screen, but since then, all of the company's foldables have a cover that can run full-on Android apps.Besides the visual change, how meaningful a Galaxy Z Flip 7 with a larger cover screen is will really hinge on what Samsung lets you do with it. So far the company has limited the screen to acting as a tool for checking notifications and using select apps. You have to download extra apps and fuss with settings to do anything else.We'll have to wait until the summer - when Samsung typically announces it's new Galaxy Z Flips and Folds - to know more, but it certainly seems like the updates could be a lot bigger than some new colors this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-may-finally-give-the-galaxy-z-flip-a-larger-cover-screen-202258392.html?src=rss

We've still got about a month until Apple's WWDC 2025 event, but that hasn't stopped the rumors from flying about potential iOS 19 announcements. Today brings a new one from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who reports that Apple is working on a new AI-driven battery management feature for its next operating system update.According to his sources, Apple will use AI to analyze iPhone usage trends and make adjustments to the power draw of different apps to better conserve battery on the device. iOS 19 will reportedly also add a battery indicator to the lock screen detailing how long it will take the phone to fully charge up.A more personalized improvement to battery life further points toward the speculation that this year will see Apple unveil an iPhone Air. As with its laptop counterpart, a slimmer chassis means a much smaller battery, so any path to eking out more performance will be key to making that new smartphone land with potential buyers.This new battery management feature would be part of the company's Apple Intelligence suite, which has been slowly rolling out since last fall to mid and meh reactions. We likely won't know until WWDC whether the iOS 19 overhaul will include the features we really, really want.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apples-ios-19-will-reportedly-have-ai-powered-battery-management-200127723.html?src=rss

Ticketmaster wants you to know it's "all in" on up-front pricing. In a blog post published on Monday, the company triumphantly declared that it's "putting fans first" and including fees in the first price you see for a ticket. Not mentioned in Ticketmaster's announcement: An FTC rule requiring that exact change just so happened to take effect today.The FTC's bipartisan junk fees rule was finalized in December. It requires live event ticket vendors, hotels and rentals to "tell consumers the whole truth up front about prices and fees." Starting on Monday, they must display the full price (minus taxes) more prominently than other pricing information. Astonishing how Ticketmaster's consumer-friendly policy arrived on the very day Live Nation was required by law to do so. (The Lord works in mysterious ways.)TicketmasterThe company added another handy feature on Monday that wasn't mandated by law. The new Ticketmaster queue should, at least in theory, make buying in-demand tickets less frustrating. When an event goes on sale, you'll be placed in a queue and told your exact place in line. The idea is to prevent bots from snatching everything up before you can even get the dang page to load.Once you're in line, there's no need to mash F5 or Cmd-R. The page will automatically refresh as you move up in line. For the biggest shows, availability and pricing will update in real time as you wait.When it's your turn, you'll get a notification. If you're on a mobile device, it will be an app alert. If you're using a browser, you'll hear a chime. So, crank that volume up if you have to step away.Waiting rooms typically open 15 minutes before tickets go on sale, so check in early. For the smoothest process, the company recommends saving your payment info ahead of time with a current email, phone number and billing info.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/ticketmaster-proudly-announces-it-will-follow-the-law-and-show-prices-up-front-194624489.html?src=rss

Nintendo will include an optional battery preservation mode with the Switch 2, which the company revealed via its Nintendo Today! news app. This will cap the console's charge as it approaches 90 percent and then maintain it at that amount.Why do this? It's to keep the battery in tip-top shape. Rechargeable lithium batteries can degrade if kept in a fully-charged state. So the feature will let users sacrifice 10 percent of playtime for ongoing battery maintenance. That seems like a fair tradeoff to me.

The Paper, a new spin-off of The Office set at a small Ohio newspaper, will premiere exclusively on Peacock in September, according to a post from the streaming service's X account. Considering NBCUniversal's streaming service has mostly existed as a dedicated The Office and Parks & Recreation rewatch tool, this is a pretty big get.The new series "features the documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch," but this time looks at a different industry - in this case, journalism. The Paper covers "a historic Toledo newspaper, The Truth Teller, and the eager publisher that is trying to revive it," according to a press release from NBCUniversal's Upfront presentation.

The NBA is making its debut on Peacock this fall and it should be an "exciting and inclusive streaming experience," according to NBCUniversal. It should also bring a few changes as NBC has announced new features including Instant Game Access and Performance View.For starters, users can watch games instantly with the Live in Browse feature, meaning the match will start right on Peacock's homepage. There will also be real-time information on display. Peacock will also offer a Catch Up option for anyone not online from the first play, letting users watch key moments before jumping into the remaining live game. The streamer offers a similar feature for its English Premier League coverage.Then there's Performance View, which shows a lot of the key stats, such as which players are on a shooting streak and where they might score from next. While broadcasts typically show similar information during replays, it's a bit more context than a viewer would usually get. All in all this on-screen data feels like something between a video game and a broadcast - though it can be turned off at any time.There's also a ScoreCard feature, which NBC calls "bingo meets fantasy sports." Alerts will inform participants how they stack up compared to other users and, if they end up top-ranked, their username might appear in the livestream.The new features follow NBCUniversal's agreement with the basketball organization to show NBA and WNBA games across its channels. The 11-year deal starts with the upcoming 2025-2026 NBA season and includes exclusive livestreams on Peacock of national Monday night games."We're bringing the same level of innovation, inspiration and commitment that we've brought to so many other huge sports moments and leagues to deliver an intuitive, interactive and reliable streaming experience that the full range of NBA fans will enjoy," President of NBC Sports Rick Cordella, said in a statement. However, a similar deal with the Premier League began in 2021 and has yet to offer anything to this level.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/peacock-promises-new-streaming-features-when-the-nba-arrives-this-fall-175338715.html?src=rss

Apple pushed iOS 18.5 on Monday. The most eye-popping new feature is a new wallpaper to honor the LGBTQ+ community ahead of Pride Month. Apart from that, the iPhone update isn't exactly a barnburner, with only minor features and bug fixes.Apple's Pride Harmony wallpaper has bold, colorful stripes that change position as you move, lock or unlock your device. You can find it in Settings > Wallpaper or by long-pressing on your lock screen. If you're an Apple Watch owner, you'll find a corresponding Pride Harmony watch face in watchOS 11.5. That can pair well with Apple's new Pride Edition Sport Band, which went on sale earlier this month.Apart from that, there are only a couple of (barely) notable features in iOS 18.5. The Mail app has a new option to show or hide contact photos within the app. (Before, you had to dig into Settings.) Tap the three-dot context menu and toggle "Show Contact Photos." There's also a redesigned AppleCare and Warranty banner in the Settings app with an option to "Learn more about coverage." (Do try to contain your excitement.)As always, you can install the update by heading to Settings > General > Software Update.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/ios-185-arrives-with-a-new-wallpaper-for-pride-month-172836075.html?src=rss

The James Webb Space Telescope, NASA's successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, has captured new images of the auroras at Jupiter's north pole. These massive auroras, caused by charged particles crashing into Jupiter's atmosphere, are hundreds of times brighter than our own Aurora Borealis, and, for the first time, we can now see them in greater detail thanks to these new images.Auroras on Earth are caused by solar storms, which occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with our upper atmosphere. This energizes the gases in the atmosphere, which gives them that distinctive colored glow that we know as the Northern (or Southern) Lights.Among the coolest things we've gleaned from the telescope's observations is that particles from solar storms are not the only source for Jupiter's auroras. The giant planet's strong magnetic field is also pulling in charged particles from its surroundings, which includes particles thrown into the atmosphere from volcanic eruptions on Io, a moon orbiting Jupiter. Together, these varied sources lead to a more complex auroral system than the one on Earth.The high sensitivity of Webb's NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) helps shed light (pun intended) on the rapidly changing features of Jupiter's auroras. Scientists were able to see details and bright spots that weren't visible with Hubble. Jonathan Nichols, who leads the team at the UK's University of Leicester that captured the images, shared his excitement over the discovery with NASA.In describing seeing the images, he said, "What a Christmas present it was - it just blew me away!" In describing what they learned from the images, he explained: "We wanted to see how quickly the auroras change, expecting them to fade in and out ponderously, perhaps over a quarter of an hour or so. Instead, we observed the whole auroral region fizzing and popping with light, sometimes varying by the second."The team was able to capture images of the auroras from the Hubble and Webb telescope simultaneously, which allowed them to directly compare data from both Ultraviolet and Near-Infrared images at once. It became evident with these comparisons that the Webb telescope was capturing details and nuance that the Hubble was completely missing. This is a testament to the power of the newer telescope and raised further questions about how the auroras function.Researchers hope these findings will help them further understand the inner workings of Jupiter's magnetic field, and even help provide insights into how the planet heats and cools. There is a lot to learn about the gas giant's atmosphere, and these images are just one step along the way.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasas-webb-telescope-captures-mesmerizing-images-of-jupiters-auroras-171107945.html?src=rss

The high-octane racing film F1 hits theaters this June and there's a brand-new trailer to prove it. The new footage shows more of the story and gives a deeper dive into Brad Pitt's main character.There's still gobs of actual Formula 1 racing, as the movie has received extensive involvement from the organization. It looks fast, frenetic and fun. There's also plenty of product placement during these scenes, which may be annoying to some but could add to the realism for others. In addition to F1 sponsors you'd see during a real race, we spotted logos for Shark/Ninja and Expensify on the fictional team that features in the film.Brad Pitt is the primary star here, but the film also features Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies and Kim Bodnia. F1 is directed by Joseph Kosinski, who helmed the box office monster Top Gun: Maverick. He also made Tron: Legacy, though has no involvement with the upcoming Tron: Ares.Ehren Kruger wrote the screenplay, who penned the aforementioned Top Gun sequel. The legendary Hans Zimmer created the score. This is certainly a high-end production.Formula 1 has been growing in popularity these past few years, with a surge in filmmaking about this type of racing. Netflix released a documentary series about the organization called Formula 1: Drive to Survive, which is credited in growing the sport's audience away from Europe.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-new-f1-trailer-has-star-power-fast-cars-and-product-placement-165742662.html?src=rss

One of the best things about writing on a computer versus by hand is all the things you can do with text, from bolding a HARSH word to italicizing a quippy point. Now, Google's note-taking app, Keep, is adding these rich text formatting options and more to its web app. The text options have been available for Keep users on Android devices since late 2023.Anyone who uses Keep on the web will be able to bold, italicize and underline their words. They will also be able to create specific sections using the heading one (H1) and heading two (H2) buttons. All of these formatting options will be available by clicking on the underlined A in the editors left-hand corner. It's a simple but beneficial update for anyone who wants to customize text from the web.GoogleGoogle is currently rolling out this update to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains, with the latter getting new features at least a week later than the former. The rich text formatting options are available to people with an individual Google account, Workspace Individual Subscribers and Google Workspace users.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-keep-launches-text-formatting-for-the-web-154609726.html?src=rss

The wait is almost over: Samsung's next Unpacked shindig happens tonight. This time, the company isn't even being coy about what it will reveal. The ultra-slim Galaxy S25 Edge will make its long-awaited debut. Here's how to tune in.You can stream the event live here today - Monday, May 12, at 8 PM ET. We've embedded Samsung's YouTube stream below, or you can click over to Samsung's newsroom if you prefer. Want real-time commentary, too? Open up a second window for Engadget's liveblog during the event.While the Galaxy S25 Edge has remained largely under wraps, some leaks are popping up just ahead of gametime. A credible (albeit unconfirmed) set of photos from Android Headlines (spotted via 9to5Google) shows the purported S25 Edge in comparison to the S25 Ultra, looking noticeably slimmer indeed. If that whets your appetite, a more comprehensive accounting of Galaxy S25 Edge rumors and info (including its supposed AI-powered "smart lens") is available from Engadget's Lawrence Bonk.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/watch-samsung-unveil-the-galaxy-s25-edge-at-unpacked-today-130052709.html?src=rss

Fox is releasing its very own streaming service, according to a report by Variety. It's appropriately called Fox One and the company plans to launch the platform by the start of the NFL season, which is in early September.This will be something of a one-stop shop for Fox content, as it'll air sporting events like NFL games, traditional TV shows and, of course, Fox News programming. CEO Lachlan Murdoch, son of Rupert, says it will be "holistic of all of our content, sports and news." Finally, a platform for both Bob's Burgers and angry rants about men with painted nails or whatever.

It's finally that time of year where you can sit on the beach or by the pool without freezing -hallelujah. But that means you need a durable and portable speaker to accompany you. Right now, one of our favorite portable Bluetooth speakers for 2025 is back down to its record-low price. You can pick up the Beats Pill for $100, down from $150 - a 33 percent discount. We gave the Bluetooth speaker an 83 in our review thanks, in big part, to its durability. The Beats Pill has an IP67 dust and water resistance rating, meaning it's dust tight and could last about three feet under water for up to 30 minutes. So, if it accidentally tumbles into the pool, you shouldn't have to worry about it. The Beats Pill also offers a solid sound quality boost over its predecessor and 24 hours of battery life. Though the audio does suffer a bit if you have the speaker at very loud volumes and the bass tone can be inconsistent. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-beats-pill-portable-speaker-drops-back-down-to-a-record-low-price-140421604.html?src=rss

If you own an iPhone, you likely use it for plenty of online tasks that used to be handled exclusively on a desktop or laptop computer. Everything from checking email to streaming your favorite shows to shopping online happens on our mobile devices, but that flexibility can come at the expense of privacy and overall security - yes, your ISP and mobile carrier can see all the sites you're visiting by default.By installing a VPN on your iPhone, you can defend your privacy by anonymizing everything you do online, making it much more difficult for data brokers and ISPs to build a profile on you. You can also use the VPN to stream international offerings from Netflix and other video providers. Here's everything you need to know about using a VPN on your iPhone.Choosing the right VPNLet's get one misconception out of the way: The iPhone does not include a built-in VPN. Yes, iCloud Private Relay includes some VPN-like features, it's not a full-service virtual private network. And switching to the incognito mode of your given browser doesn't shield you from spying from your internet service provider, either. We recommend choosing a dedicated commercial VPN, rather than using a service built into any device you use - and the same goes for Apple.With a small handful of exceptions, avoid most free VPNs, as they're notorious for collecting your personal data and selling it to advertising networks - the very antithesis of what VPNs should stand for. So while you'll have to shell out some money for a good service, many of the top providers offer a free trial period to start.I suggest you check out our article on the best VPNs, where we recommend a few options and explain what makes each service attractive. Each one supports iOS, and you can find them easily on the App Store. Do your own research and choose one you feel fits your needs and budget.Some of the best VPNs also provide a limited amount of free usage, so you can test their servers and functionality before investing in a subscription. For example, Proton VPN gives you unlimited data for free, though you're restricted to five server locations.John P. Falcone for EngadgetInstalling a VPNOnce you've decided which VPN to install, head to the App Store on your iPhone and search for it. Go through the download and installation process as you would with any other app.If you haven't already purchased a VPN subscription, you can generally do so once you install the app. You'll probably find it easier than going through the VPN's website, as the best iOS VPNs have built startup flows specifically for the mobile user. Your Apple ID or biometric verification is all you need to complete the purchase.Using a VPN on your iPhoneNow that you have the VPN installed on your iPhone and purchased the subscription, you're ready to start using it. Although each app has a different layout, the basic functionality of every iPhone VPN is the same.There will be a list of all the available servers where you can choose the country (or city) you want to connect to. After that, just click the server's name to connect, or press the "connect" button on the home screen.If you're tech-savvy, you can tweak a few other settings, such as enabling a kill switch, choosing which protocol to use and turning on auto-connect. Otherwise, simply start using the internet as you normally would.Making sure your iPhone VPN worksThis screenshot was not taken from London.whatismyipaddress.comYou'll know your VPN is active when a rectangle with "VPN" appears by the network icons at the top-right of your home screen. If you want additional confirmation that your VPN is working, there are two tests you can run.To start, check your IP address at whatismyipaddress.com - first with the VPN off, then with it on. If the number (and the location on the map) doesn't change, that means your VPN is not properly engaged.Another method is to set your VPN for another country and open your streaming platform of choice. If you notice that the content library differs from what you usually see, your VPN is correctly place-shifting your location. For instance, you'll no longer find Friends on US Netflix, but (as of the time of this writing) it's available for streaming when you set your location to the UK.What about corporate or school VPNs?It's possible you're part of an organization like a school or a company that has its own VPN infrastructure. In those cases, you may be given instructions on how to enable the VPN through the iPhone without the need for downloading a standalone app. Usually, the method invovles entering the Settings app on your iPhone, going to VPN & Device Management section under General, and clicking "Add VPN Configuration." You'll need details like the server address and remote ID, as well as your username and password, of course.TL;DRInstalling a VPN on your iPhone is extremely simple. If you already have a VPN subscription, installing it on your phone gives you an additional level of privacy and geographic flexibility. For those new to VPNs, read our best VPNs article, purchase a subscription, install it, and start using a VPN on your iPhone.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-use-a-vpn-on-an-iphone-124543872.html?src=rss

Following negotiations in Geneva, the United States and China have agreed to lower tariffs substantially for the next 90 days, the White House announced. The aim is to de-escalate the current trade war and allow both parties time negotiate to achieve a "sustainable, long-term and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationship," they said in a joint statement.The US will temporarily lower its tariffs on Chinese goods from 145 to 30 percent (10 percent plus a 20 percent fentanyl-related levy). China, meanwhile, will cut its tariff on American imports from 125 percent to 10 percent. It's not clear exactly how that will affect prices of electronics goods coming into America from China like smartphones, computers, cameras and drones.The news caused an after-hours stock rally with S&P 500 futures rising 2.8 percent and the dollar up 0.7 percent against other currencies. "We want more balanced trade and I think both sides are committed to achieving that," said US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent. "Neither side wants a decoupling."The effect of US tariffs on the price of consumer goods was brought home recently with the news that DJI had increased the price of its popular Osmo Pocket 3 gimbal camera from $520 to $800 over the past few months. Given the rhetoric between the nations and the sky-high tariffs imposed, such a substantial reduction comes as a surprise. "This is better than I expected. I thought tariffs would be cut to somewhere around 50 percent and this is much lower," economist Zhiwei Zhang told Reuters.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/us-and-china-agree-to-slash-tariffs-for-90-days-120050454.html?src=rss

There are a lot of rumors flying around about a big iOS and macOS redesign coming this year, perhaps as a distraction to the continued issues around Apple Intelligence. And while I'm game for a fresh coat of paint across the software I use every single day, I have one plea while Apple's at it: Please, for the love of god, make the Notes app render the letter a" properly.Let me back up a bit. Apple first introduced the San Francisco typeface with the first Apple Watch in 2015; a few years later it became the default on basically every device Apple sells. The text you see in Messages, Apple Music, Maps and many other system apps are all different San Francisco fonts, and for the most part the multiple variations all feel consistent and cohesive.But, at some point in the last seven or eight years I noticed something odd in the Apple Notes app. The font appears the same as the other San Francisco fonts, but something just felt off." It took forever before I put my finger on it: the lowercase a" renders differently in the Notes app than it does anywhere else across the entire system.You see, the Notes app uses a single storey a," the sort of a" that most people use when writing by hand. That's the only first-party app, as far as I can tell, where you'll find a single-storey a. The rest of the time, it uses the double-storey a (just as you'll see on this website and almost everywhere else a lowercase a is used these days outside of handwriting).To be clear, this does not matter even a little bit. In fact, the completely inconsequential and random nature of this situation is probably why it irks me so. Part of me is glad I figured out exactly what was throwing me off, because for years Notes just looked wrong in a way that I found impossible to describe. Now at least I know what my brain was reacting to.One day recently we were having a lively discussion about fonts in the Engadget Slack, which triggered me to bring up this mystery. My colleagues both agreed that this was bizarre and also thought I was a bit of a lunatic for spending this much time thinking about a single character in a single app. This, of course, drove me to download and dig through all of Apple's system fonts and their variations to find the dreaded Latin small letter Alpha," or , that our resident Greek Cypriot Aaron Souppouris suggested I search for. Indeed, that's what pops up in Notes instead of the usual a." It's not even one of the font variants, as far as I can tell. [Ed. note: Nathan did no other work during this time.]Even though this is a ridiculous thing to think about, I want to know what's going on here! How did this happen? Who made this decision, and for what reason? Maybe it's because the Notes app originally used a skeuomorphic Marker Felt" sort of text that emulated handwriting - using the single storey a" is perhaps a nod to how most people actually handwrite the letter. Or, perhaps, it's just something that slipped through the cracks years ago and hasn't been worth changing because most people probably haven't consciously noticed the difference (you're welcome).Whatever the reason, I sure would love it if Apple unified things with the iOS 19 (and corresponding macOS) redesign. I generally find the default Apple font to be just fine, though people certainly have their own very strongly held opinions about typography. But if I'm being honest, I'd also probably miss that oddball - it's always fun to have an unsolved mystery to ponder over, no matter how inconsequential.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/the-only-thing-i-want-from-apples-big-2025-redesign-is-a-120023531.html?src=rss

Owning a Playdate comes with the perk of already having access to 24 games at no additional cost from the bundled-in Season One - and some pretty good ones to boot. But there are a ton of great games outside the Season One offerings too, for when you've finished the whole batch or, for newer players, while you're waiting for new games between the weekly drops. Here, I'll highlight some of the best games I've played so far from the Playdate Catalog. It'll mainly be split two ways: games that use the crank and games that don't. There are also a couple of titles that aren't quite games, but are worth checking out all the same. Games that use the crank Games that don't use the crank Comics, visual novels and more Check out our entire Best Games series including the best Nintendo Switch games, the best PS5 games, the best Xbox games, the best PC games and the best free games you can play today. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/best-playdate-games-190049201.html?src=rss

Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a small but welcome convenience feature with iOS 19: cross-device syncing for Wi-Fi access portals. This is according to the latest Power Onnewsletter from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The feature would address the annoyance of having to individually fill out pop-up forms to access public Wi-Fi on all your devices, like when you're at a hotel. According to Gurman, "This new feature will let you enter that information on one device and have it synced to your other products."It's one of several upcoming features Apple may show off at its Worldwide Developers Conference, which is set for June 9-13 this year. The event is expected to bring some major design changes to the company's operating systems that should make for a more consistent look between its products' software. Gurman also reports that AirPods may be getting a live translation feature, which we could see at WWDC alongside a revamped Health app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/ios-19-may-bring-a-feature-that-makes-signing-into-public-wi-fi-less-of-a-hassle-210435303.html?src=rss

As first reported by Politico, the Trump administration has fired the Register of Copyrights and US Copyright Office Director, Shira Perlmutter. The Register of Copyrights works under the Librarian of Congress - a title held most recently by Carla Hayden, who was fired earlier this week for her DEI efforts, as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told The New York Times. Perlmutter's dismissal comes just after the office released a report that raised concerns about certain uses of copyrighted material to train generative AI. It's the third in a series of papers published over the last year analyzing copyright law as it pertains to AI.The Trump administration - particularly DOGE - has been pushing for broader use of AI. In April, the White House called on federal agencies to develop AI strategies and name Chief AI Officers that will "serve as change agents and AI advocates."In a statement released after news of Perlmutter's firing came to light, Congressman Joe Morelle, the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, called the move "a brazen, unprecedented power grab with no legal basis," saying, "It is surely no coincidence [Donald Trump] acted less than a day after she refused to rubber-stamp Elon Musk's efforts to mine troves of copyrighted works to train AI models."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/trump-has-fired-the-director-of-the-us-copyright-office-195646724.html?src=rss

It won't make you a better gamer, but Samsung's latest gaming monitor entices those hunting for faster refresh rates. The company's newest Odyssey OLED G6, which Samsung claims is the world's first OLED gaming monitor with a 500Hz refresh rate, is now available for pre-order in Southeast Asian markets, with a global rollout due to follow later this year. Samsung first announced the display, along with its sibling with 4K resolution called the Odyssey OLED G8, right before CES 2025 in January.The monitor is up for sale in a silver colorway on Samsung Singapore's site for around 1,500 Singapore dollars, or around $1,150. The Odyssey OLED G6 is expected to see its first shipments starting May 18. For certain gamers, a high refresh rate could mean the difference between life and death in competitive first-person shooters like Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant. With most professional gamers using monitors that have a 240Hz refresh rate, Samsung's latest offering has more than double the speed to emphasize more responsive and smoother gameplay. Beyond its groundbreaking refresh rate, the Odyssey OLED G6 has a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution and a response time of 0.03ms for less motion blur and ghosting in fast-paced action games.As with any OLED monitor, burn-in is a serious drawback that leaves a faint impression of a bright image even when the screen is blank. To combat this, Samsung includes its OLED Safeguard+ technology, which uses a cooling system to lower operating temps and a detection system that automatically reduces the brightness of static images like logos and taskbars. Samsung put its Odyssey OLED G6 up for pre-order first in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, and will roll it out in phases to other countries.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/samsung-has-begun-taking-pre-orders-for-its-500hz-oled-gaming-monitor-183151123.html?src=rss

Following backlash about a quietly added clause to SoundCloud's Terms of Use that says users' content may be fed to AI, the company says it's "never used artist content to train AI models," and insists it "has always been and will remain artist-first." The outrage came after tech ethicist Ed Newton-Rex (via TechCrunch) spotted a change to SoundCloud's terms that was made in February 2024 seemingly without notifying users. The updated text states that by using the platform, "You explicitly agree that your Content may be used to inform, train, develop or serve as input to artificial intelligence or machine intelligence technologies or services as part of and for providing the services."In a statement to TechCrunch, a spokesperson said the update was only meant to "clarify how content may interact with AI technologies within SoundCloud's own platform" and that the company "has never used artist content to train AI models, nor do we develop AI tools or allow third parties to scrape or use SoundCloud content from our platform for AI training purposes." SoundCloud's official Reddit account posted similar statements on the social media platform in response to users' outrage, and both noted that SoundCloud added a "no AI" tag for artists "to explicitly prohibit unauthorized use."AI may be used for things like music recommendations, playlist creation and fraud detection, the company said. "Any future AI tools will be built for artists to enhance discovery, protect rights, and expand opportunities," SoundCloud posted on Reddit. "We hear your concerns and remain committed to transparency, artist control, and fair use."Just a few months ago, though, SoundCloud introduced a suite of AI tools geared toward music creation, on top of three others it had announced earlier that year. That includes AI tools for generating remixes, new tracks, beats and singing voices.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/soundcloud-says-its-never-trained-ai-using-artists-work-after-getting-called-out-for-terms-of-use-change-174433356.html?src=rss

One of the ultimate goals of medieval alchemy has been realized, but only for a fraction of a second. Scientists with the European Organization for Nuclear Research, better known as CERN, were able to convert lead into gold using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world's most powerful particle accelerator. Unlike the examples of transmutation we see in pop culture, these experiments with the LHC involve smashing subatomic particles together at ridiculously high speeds to manipulate lead's physical properties to become gold.The LHC is often used to smash lead ions together to create extremely hot and dense matter similar to what was observed in the universe following the Big Bang. While conducting this analysis, the CERN scientists took note of the near-misses that caused a lead nucleus to drop its neutrons or protons. Lead atoms only have three more protons than gold atoms, meaning that in certain cases the LHC causes the lead atoms to drop just enough protons to become a gold atom for a fraction of a second - before immediately fragmenting into a bunch of particles.Alchemists back in the day may be astonished by this achievement, but the experiments conducted between 2015 and 2018 only produced about 29 picograms of gold, according to CERN. The organization added that the latest trials produced almost double that amount thanks to regular upgrades to the LHC, but the mass made is still trillions of times less than what's necessary for a piece of jewelry. Instead of trying to chase riches, the organization's scientists are more interested in studying the interaction that leads to this transmutation."It is impressive to see that our detectors can handle head-on collisions producing thousands of particles, while also being sensitive to collisions where only a few particles are produced at a time, enabling the study of electromagnetic 'nuclear transmutation' processes," Marco Van Leeuwen, spokesperson for the A Large Ion Collider Experiment project at the LHC, said in a statement.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/scientists-find-lead-really-can-be-turned-into-gold-with-help-from-the-large-hadron-collider-163431201.html?src=rss

Google's Gemini AI has been getting upgrade after upgrade, now being able to handle data analysis in Google Sheets and using your past conversations with its chatbot to inform better responses. One of Google's latest offerings lets Gemini generate an original background during your virtual meetings for a personal touch before getting down to business.What are Google Meet's AI backgrounds?Google Meet lets you tap into Gemini to make AI-generated backgrounds based on whatever prompt you feed it. You can enter prompts like a "luxurious living room interior" or "a magical sunny forest glade," as Google suggests, or you can get creative with suggestions like "a gym full of cakes" or "a coworking space in Studio Ghibli style." This AI feature is currently available on desktop and Android devices, but has some requirements whether you're using it on a computer or smartphone.How to create an AI background in Google MeetThis feature requires either an eligible Google Workspace or Google One AI Premium subscription, or entry into Google's early access testing program called Workspace Labs.To start on a computer, open up meet.google.com and join a meeting by punching in the specific code, or join via link. Before hitting the blue "Join now" button, navigate to the bottom-right corner of your self-view and click "Apply visual effects" and then "Generate a background." You then have to provide Gemini with a prompt, which can be as simple as "a cozy coffee shop with flowers" like Google suggests, then hit "Create samples." You can select an art style to better customize your background, and Google recommends including specific instructions like a setting and objects in your prompt to get the best results.GoogleGemini's first attempts at an AI background might not be exactly what you're looking for, so you can click "Create other samples" to refresh the results. If your initial prompt needs some tweaking, you can edit it by navigating to the top of the panel on the right, then hitting the "Create other samples" button. Once you land on the AI-generated background you want, just click on it and hit the "Close" button on the Backgrounds window to get on with your meeting.All of this can be done when you're already in a meeting, too. If you're using an Android device for Google Meet, you have to open the Meet app and tap the "Effects" button on the bottom of your self-view and navigate to the Backgrounds tab instead of the "Apply visual effects" button on computers. Make sure you have a compatible smartphone, like a Samsung Galaxy S9 or newer or a Google Pixel 3 or newer, that's running at least Android version 9. For iPhone users, this feature isn't currently available.GoogleHow to remove your AI backgroundIt's worth mentioning that using these Gemini-generated backgrounds on Google Meet can increase battery usage. If you want to preserve battery life or go back to a more basic background, you can reset everything by navigating to the Effects panel and clicking the Stack button on the bottom right side of your self-view. After you click the Stack button, you can choose which effects to remove or completely reset your background with the "Remove All" button.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/how-to-use-gemini-to-generate-unique-backgrounds-in-google-meet-130000553.html?src=rss

The Federal Trade Commission has delayed the start of a rule that aims to make the process of canceling subscriptions less of a nightmare. Last year, the FTC voted to ratify amendments to a regulation known as the Negative Option Rule, adding a new "click-to-cancel" rule that requires companies to be upfront about the terms of subscription signups and prohibits them "from making it any more difficult for consumers to cancel than it was to sign up." Surprising no one, telecom companies were not happy, and sued the FTC. While the rule was nevertheless set to be implemented on May 14, the FTC now says enforcement has been pushed back 60 days to July 14.Some parts of the updated Negative Option Rule went into effect on January 19, but the enforcement of certain provisions were deferred to May 14 by the previous administration to give companies more time to comply. Under the new administration, the FTC says it has "conducted a fresh assessment of the burdens that forcing compliance by this date would impose" and decided it "insufficiently accounted for the complexity of compliance."Once the July 14 deadline hits, the FTC says "regulated entities must be in compliance with the whole of the Rule because the Commission will begin enforcing it." But, the statement adds, "if that enforcement experience exposes problems with the Rule, the Commission is open to amending" it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ftc-pushes-the-enforcement-of-its-click-to-cancel-rule-back-to-july-201353413.html?src=rss

As first reported by 9to5Mac, PS5 users now have a direct way to buy games in the PlayStation store with Apple Pay. When you purchase a game on your PS5 with Apple Pay, you'll be shown a QR code that you can scan with your iPhone or iPad to complete the transaction from there.Previously, PS5 users had to go through the console's browser or the PlayStation App on iOS to buy games with Apple Pay. The latest update is a simple quality of life upgrade for PS5 owners since most already have a credit card tied to their PlayStation account. However, Apple Card owners can more easily take advantage of their 2 percent cash back on Apple Pay purchases when buying PS5 games.Besides using a traditional card on file, Apple Pay joins PayPal as an alternative payment method. The Apple Pay compatibility on the PS5 was made possible through an iOS 18 update that allows users to buy things on third-party browsers like Chrome and Firefox with a unique QR code. This change lays the groundwork for more Apple Pay implementation with other browsers and devices, including support for the PS4 in a later software update, as indicated by 9to5Mac.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/your-ps5-now-natively-accepts-apple-pay-193606732.html?src=rss

Spoilers for The Story and the Engine."Doctor Who lives and dies by the quality of its writing and acting far more than almost anything else on TV. Audiences may demand big explosions and trippy visuals but its best work is often done in small rooms. The Disney era began with an episode that, for all its glossy excess, rested its big moment on Catherine Tate's acting. Now, as the Disney era potentially draws to its end, it's once again highlighting what a smart script and great actors can do. The Story and the Engine" is a stellar episode and a sign of what Doctor Who could look like a year or two from now.Lara Cornell/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad WolfTo get Belinda home, the Doctor takes the Vindicator to Lagos, Nigeria, to piggyback on the country's communications network. But there's another reason - he wants to visit his favorite barbership, Omo's. The TARDIS can cut the Doctor's hair, but it's not the same - especially now he's living for the first time (that we know of) as a Black man. A trip to Omo's is a chance to both get a trim and feel accepted, telling stories and laughing with his friends.Belinda stays in the TARDIS while the Doctor heads out, past missing people posters and signs warning people to stay away. As soon as the Doctor crosses the threshold into Omo's, the TARDIS begins blaring red alert, much to Belinda's confusion. The missing people are here, in the barbershop, but Omo is no longer in charge, having lost control to the mysterious (and unnamed) Barber.The Barber has kept the men hostage, cutting their hair on a regular basis, with each one telling him a story as he does. Each story is broadcast on the inside of the shop's window, and as soon as they're done, their hair grows back. The stories aren't for entertainment, but to fuel an enormous robot spider traversing a metaversal web. Only one person is allowed to leave the shop, Abena, who brings the men food each day to keep them alive.Naturally, an immortal time traveler is a fantastic resource for stories, but his first tale is that of Belinda staying behind after work to save a woman's life. Whereas the other men's stories are rendered in animation, we actually see Belinda's story as live action. And, once the Doctor's hair is shorn, it grows back, ready for his next turn to be an unwilling storyteller. Belinda, after asking the TARDIS to show her where to go, heads to Omo's, where the Doctor is surprisingly happy to see her as she, too, gets trapped in the barbershop.Abena is hiding a secret, and has been hostile to the Doctor ever since she met him. That's because she's really the daughter of Anansi, the spider-esque trickster god of Akan folklore. Her father defeated the Doctor many (many!) lifetimes ago, insisting they marry her, but the Doctor skipped town, leaving her on her own. [Casual viewers totally lost as to what was going on at that point and why the Doctor suddenly turned into someone else, head down to Mrs. Flood Corner for an explanation.]At some point in history, Abena teamed up with the Barber, who isn't a god himself, but a form of fiction-weaving figure. He told tales to entertain and sustain the gods, designing the dimensional web his giant spider robot is currently traversing. At some point, he'd outlived his usefulness and was cast out by his masters, and so he is using people's stories to power his story engine. When it reaches its destination, he'll wipe out all the gods of myth and legend and take their place.Abena, horrified that her own family will be wiped out in the Barber's revenge, opts to switch sides and tends to the Doctor's hair. She tells the story of how African people under slavery would braid messages and maps as cornrows to evade detection. The Doctor's hair is now a map of the story engine's mazelike corridors, leading him to its beating heart. When the Barber tries to stop him, he (wrongly) invokes Hemingway, talking about the power of his six word story.Oh, but we're five minutes from the end, so the Doctor saves the day by, uh, playing a highlights reel of all his prior incarnations. The Barber, however, is a changed man, and comes back with the Doctor as the story engine itself collapses under the sheer weight of the Doctor's life story. With everyone free, Omo declares he's retiring, and hands the role to the Barber, who will use his powers for good. Abena opts to part ways with her friend, and the Doctor and Belinda head back to the TARDIS.James Pardon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad WolfThe Story and the Engine" is a phenomenal debut from British-Nigerian poet and playwright Inua Ellams. The rules of the barbershop and premise of the story is clear enough to grasp before the title sequence has rolled. And little time is wasted getting the Doctor through the door of Omo's shop, enabling him to engage with the problem at hand. If there's an issue, it's the same one that's dogged every episode this season: the overstuffed narrative that picks up and drops ideas in minutes that another series would have milked for weeks on end.The narrative and thematic density here includes nods toward folklore versus the mechanical reproduction of storytelling. An exploration of the nature of community, family, safety, betrayal, love and the value of revenge. Hell, the antagonist is a writer who's pissed off their overlords cut em loose and took the credit that was theirs to claim. Not to mention, Doctor Who is having to make a case for its own continued existence given the behind the scenes rumors. That's so much to cram into 45 minutes that you just want everything to slow down and let things breathe.As much as Doctor Who might be seen by the majority of its audience on a streaming platform, it's still constrained by its broadcast runtime. Like the rest of this run, this episode is just begging for more time to allow its textures to be better explored. In fact, as I lay in bed after watching the episode, I was thinking about how many of these episodes would work well in the old-school half-hour format. Three half-hours would give us more time in the barbershop and a more earned ending. The Story and the Engine" is already a chamber piece - make the CGI spider a barely-seen matte painting and use stock footage of Lagos and this could have easily been done in the 80s. Again, given the rumors that, without Disney's cash, the BBC can't afford to produce Doctor Who, we're seeing how great it can be when it's just got five or six actors in a single room.That's not to say the extra money isn't welcome: I also want to, again, single out how much great work the rest of the production team is doing this year. The story engine's heart, a beautifully-made heart-tree-brain sculpture, was another great piece of design work. And any episode of anything that uses Blick Bassey's "Ake" as a needle drop deserves a round of applause.A Nigerian barbershop is not the usual place for an episode of Doctor Who to play out, but it's also absolutely perfect. After all, one of the richest seams of inspiration the show has is to find the magic in the edges of the mundane. What could be more magic than people sitting around, telling stories and forming communities through nothing more than the cutting of hair.Mrs. Flood CornerMrs. Flood gets a tiny cameo this episode, popping into the hospital during the Doctor's tale of Belinda's heroism. It's ambiguous if the Doctor knows Mrs. Flood was there, or if her presence was only for the audience's benefit. Given the more standalone nature of this episode, we shouldn't ask too much of Mrs. Flood this week.It's certainly interesting to see what Belinda does and doesn't know about how the world of the Doctor works. My assumption is still that the Doctor briefed Belinda on the basics and even the more advanced details off-screen. Belinda's smart and capable enough that she'd ask the right questions to learn that the TARDIS wardrobe is also able to style hair.I am curious, however, about why the Doctor was so happy to see Belinda as she walked into the trap. And why Belinda knew what to do when the Doctor made his break for the story engine in the conclusion. That the costumes have changed since The Well" implies that time has passed for these two, so maybe their rapport has grown in the interim.Dan Fearon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad WolfIf you'll allow me to go out on a limb, what if the real identity of Mrs. Flood or this season's big bad is in fact Fenric? Hear me out: The Story and the Engine" shares a premise with 1988's The Greatest Show in the Galaxy." In that episode, the Gods of Ragnarok have occupied a circus to fuel their hunger for entertainment, killing anyone who displeases them. The Barber in this story mentions he wrote stories for several Norse gods and tries to pass himself off as one of them before his real identity is revealed.Now, if you recall, another Norse god the Doctor tussled with in that era was Fenric, the villain from 1989's The Curse of Fenric." Which was one of the classic-series stories highlighted for the 60th anniversary's Tales of the TARDIS run. Given Davies' shot an additional episode of that run to introduce new viewers to Sutekh before he appeared in last year's finale, maybe the groundwork was already laid to bring Fenric back.Yeah, you're right, it's not going to be Fenric.When was the Doctor a Black woman?The 2020 season of Doctor Who made a number of controversial changes to the foundation of the series. Showrunner Chris Chibnall opted to dump the series' original deliberately ambiguous backstory in favor of something a little more stock sci-fi. Before then, our lead character was an outsider who left their world and stumbled around learning to become something of a hero. The show's first four seasons build to the moment when the Doctor says There are some corners of the universe which have bred the most terrible things. Things which act against everything we believe in. They must be fought." Like a lot of early Doctor Who, the character's development over time wasn't necessarily visible until you look back on the era as a whole.Chibnall threw all of that out, insisting that the Doctor wasn't just the most Special Time Lord Of All Time, but the figure who gave the Time Lords the power of regeneration in the first place. In one season, he'd turned the Doctor into the equivalent of Adam and Eve and Jesus all at once. He also eliminated the series' longstanding regeneration limit, saying the Doctor can change their body an infinite amount of times. Which rather undermines the action and saps the dramatic tension from episodes like The Caves of Androzani" and The Eleventh Hour."These changes gave the Doctor an entire as-yet unseen first and second act, with the adult Doctor working for the Time Lord equivalent of the CIA before having their memory wiped before the start of the series proper. The episode Fugitive of the Judoon" revealed the identity of one of these doctors, The Fugitive Doctor, played by actress Jo Martin - the only time the Doctor had been played by a Black actor before Ncuti Gatwa and only the second time (canonically) they'd been played by a woman after Jodie Whittaker. The Fugitive Doctor's place in the series' history is left ambiguous, and she mostly spent that time on deep cover missions.When Davies' return was announced, I was privately hoping he would very loudly unwind much of Chibnall's Timeless Child story arc. Trapping the Doctor in the hacky sci-fi role of chosen one felt like an act of near-fatal violence against the series. There have been many other secret origin stories for the Doctor over its sixty-year tenure, but the others were mostly content to sit in implication rather than bellowed from the rooftops.It's here I must offer yet more praise for Russell T. Davies, who opted to Yes-And Chibnall's hackiest impulses. He has managed to integrate the Timeless Child story in a way that serves the character of the Doctor supremely effectively. Rather than focusing on the ancestral history he's focused on the Doctor as an orphan, taken advantage of by cruel aliens. It gives greater weight both to his relationships with his companions, and to the need for belonging that takes him to Omo's. And the events of the Flux miniseries have broken the universe so utterly that it's opened the door for the pantheon of gods to enter it. Not to mention, it offers a vehicle through which we can get more stories of the Fugitive Doctor that gets it out from under the more reactionary storytelling under which she was created.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/doctor-who-the-story-and-the-engine-review-just-a-trim-thanks-190010762.html?src=rss

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new device called the Teal Wand, which its creator describes as an "at-home vaginal sample self-collection device for cervical cancer screening." It could be especially useful for women who find pap smears uncomfortable, painful and even traumatic, as well as for those who may not have time to go to a doctor or have disabilities preventing them from traveling to consult one. Users who get the Teal Wand will have to swab their vagina with the sponge tool at its tip. They then have to send the swab in to test it for HPV, or human papillomavirus, which causes most cervical cancers.Since the user isn't scraping cells from their cervix like what's done with a speculum during pap smears, there are no samples to analyze for abnormality under a microscope. But as The New York Times noted, some authorities are now recommending HPV testing as the primary screening for cervical cancer. Last year, the National Cancer Institute launched a clinical trial network called the Cervical Cancer Last Mile' Initiative and teamed up with Roche, which provided a similar self-collection solution for participants. The cancer institute explained at the time that cervical cancer is highly preventable with HPV vaccine and regular screening, but half of all diagnosed cases in the US are of individuals who have never been or are infrequently screened. A self-collection device can vastly expand access to cervical cancer screening.Teal Wand users will be able to dial into the company's telehealth services, with providers who can give them instructions on how to use the device. Users will then have to detach the swab from the wand, put it in a vial, label it and then mail it for testing. Teal Health claims that its solution was proven to be as accurate as in-clinic screening during its clinical study. The company will start shipping out wands to California residents in June before expanding availability across the country. It doesn't have pricing for the device yet, but it said it's working with insurance providers so that the wand could be covered by their plans. The company also intends to work with donors to subsidize costs for people without insurance, as well as to offer flexible payment options.Teal HealthThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/fda-approves-at-home-pap-smear-alternative-device-for-cervical-cancer-screening-170025767.html?src=rss

Nintendo's latest legal move to combat piracy may be super effective. According to a new change in the Nintendo User Agreement, the console maker can brick your Switch, or render it useless, if it's found with pirated games or mods. While some people may have glazed over the changes since Nintendo didn't make this a major announcement, Game File's Stephen Totilo dug through the changes and spotted the major updates.In Nintendo's own words, you shouldn't "bypass, modify, decrypt, defeat, tamper with, or otherwise circumvent any of the functions or protections of the Nintendo Account Services." The company's previous agreement only prohibited if you "adapt, reverse-engineer, or modify a Nintendo user account," but this updated language gives exact definitions of what you can't do with your Switch. If you do break these rules, Nintendo could make your "applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part." In plain English, that means if you're found with an emulator or pirated copies of games, your Switch might just end up being a very expensive paperweight.This latest legal leap isn't surprising considering Nintendo's strict stance on emulation. In March 2024, the company filed a lawsuit against the popular Switch emulator called Yuzu claiming that the developers were facilitating piracy. Later that year, another emulator called Ryujinx shut down after Nintendo offered an agreement to the development team to discontinue the project in October. This latest user agreement update comes on the heels of the upcoming release of the Switch 2 that's planned for June 5.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-grants-itself-the-power-to-brick-switches-with-pirated-games-162129077.html?src=rss

Activision Blizzard's Overwatch team has formed a wall-to-wall union under the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The union, which has been recognized by parent company Microsoft, includes nearly 200 developers "across all disciplines," from design and production to quality assurance, the CWA said in its announcement. It's the latest development in a broader organizing effort by video game workers, who aim to secure better job protections and improve their working conditions. Last summer, the team behind World of Warcraft announced its own union comprising more than 500 employees, and quality assurance workers at Activision joined the CWA a few months before that.Per the CWA's announcement on Friday, "A neutral arbitrator confirmed today that an overwhelming majority of workers have either signed a union authorization card or indicated that they wanted union representation via an online portal." Members of the new Overwatch Gamemakers Guild-CWA join over 2,000 workers from other studios owned by Microsoft who have unionized with the CWA. "Unionizing is about having a seat at the table so that we can work with leadership to build better, more sustainable working conditions," said Jess Castillo, senior test analyst II and organizing committee member, in a statement.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-developers-behind-overwatch-have-unionized-154021756.html?src=rss

The Mexican government has filed a lawsuit against Google for renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in Maps within the United States. Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum said during a press conference that the lawsuit has already been filed, but as The Guardian notes, she didn't say when and where it was submitted. Sheinbaum argued that the Trump administration's order for a name change only applies to the US portion of the oceanic basin and that the US government doesn't have the authority to rename the whole body of water. "All we want is for the decree issued by the US government to be complied with," she said.Google renamed the Gulf of Mexico into the Gulf of America for users who open Maps in the US back in February. It first announced that it was going to do so the previous month and said it was only waiting for the US government to make the change official in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which serves as the "federal and national standard for geographic nomenclature." BBC said the Mexican government wrote to Google at the time to get it to reconsider before eventually threatening legal action.When Google announced the name change for US users, it explained that it was following a longstanding practice to show official local names for places in Maps when they vary between countries. In Mexico, the basin is still called the Gulf of Mexico, while it shows up as "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)" for users outside both countries.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/mexico-is-suing-google-over-gulf-of-america-name-change-for-us-users-150012599.html?src=rss

I can't blame you if you've been spending more time outside lately instead of reading gadget reviews. Spring has sprung, at least for us at Engadget HQ in the US, and there's a lot of touching grass going on amongst our staff. Still, if you've missed any of our reviews over the last two weeks, this condensed list has everything you need to catch up quickly. Surface Pro (12-inch) For basic computing in a highly portable device, the 12-inch Surface Pro does just fine. Senior reviews reporter Devindra Hardawar argued that you won't want this device for it's power anyway, and you'll probably be able to overlook its lower-spec display too. "You're not buying a tiny laptop for speed, you're buying it because it's cute and super portable," he said. "And in that respect, the 12-inch Surface Pro succeeds." Rivian R1S Gen 2 Rivian has become a popular option for EV shoppers looking for either a truck or a three-row SUV. Senior reviews reporter Sam Rutherford recently spent some time behind the wheel of the company's second-generation R1S and came away impressed. "Its size may be imposing, but it certainly delivers on the look and feel of a car that's just as happy on asphalt as it is on unpaved trails," he wrote. "The only thing that might give me pause is that for people who aren't interested in off-roading, alternatives like the Kia EV9 offer similar passenger capacity for a much lower starting price." Canon Powershot V1 Compact cameras are making a comeback. Canon's Powershot V1 may be designed for vlogging, but reporter Steve Dent discovered its also great for stills. "The problem is that it's still primarily a vlogging camera and a lot of content creators have abandoned this type of compact model in favor of the Osmo Pocket 3," he explained. "At the end of the day, the PowerShot V1 is bound to be a hit because it delivers when it comes to video and photo quality." Alienware AW2725Q If you're looking for a new gaming display that can pull double duty as an everyday monitor, Alienware's AW2725Q may be worth a look. Senior reporter Igor Bonifacic particularly noted the display's overall image quality and motion clarity, but there's a lot to like here. "The best thing I can say about the Alienware AW2725Q is that I'm not looking forward to sending it back," he said. "It is an amazing display that has made one of my favorite hobbies more enjoyable." Roku Streaming Stick Plus Cheap TV streaming devices are typically easy to recommend, and the fact that Roku's new Streaming Stick Plus draws power from the TV is icing on the cake. "This is also the stick I want to take with me on my next trip," senior buying advice reporter Amy Skorheim wrote. "I can plug it in at the Airbnb and, instead of logging in to whatever random apps the TV happens to have, I can watch more Doctor Who. I won't have to worry about where the nearest outlet is and I'll be spared the effort of typing in my stupidly long Disney+ password." Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Framework offers a way for you to easily upgrade your laptop as needed, which means you can swap out the mainboard for a new one when the company makes them available. However, the upgrade might not always be worth it, even if it is easy, but Framework's overall premise still shows promise. "But while it may not have the razzle or dazzle, it does have the staying power, and that's going to be a bigger asset in the next few years," senior editor Daniel Cooper argued. "If you're the sort of person who would buy a Lenovo Thinkpad and run it until it falls apart, then this is a better option." Light Phone III The Light Phone III seeks to offer a distraction-free smartphone existence, but as deputy news editor Nathan Ingraham found, the lack of polish in the company's bare-bones UI is a hindrance. "I can blame the music player or lack of autocorrect, but ultimately I was not ready for how radically different the Light Phone III experience is," he admitted. "But, for a few weeks, I left my iPhone at home when I left the house as much as possible and there was something freeing about the complete lack of notifications and general siren-call for attention that I usually deal with." Doom: The Dark Ages, Despelote and Suborbital Salvage For all the gamers, we've published reviews of several titles over the last two weeks. Most recently, senior editor Jessica Conditt spent some time with Doom: The Dark Ages, where she noted the "blood-soaked and beautiful" game offered "a well-rounded romp through the bowels of hell." She also opined on Despelote, a game that explores memories, magic moments and being a kid. And for the Playdate fans, weekend editor Cheyenne Macdonald found out what it's like to have a cat serve as your very opinionated supervisor in Suborbital Salvage.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-surface-pro-rivian-canon-light-phone-and-more-130003232.html?src=rss