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While there's plenty of automotive news to go around at CES 2025, far and away, the talk of the show is the Afeela 1. Again. For five years now, Sony has been showing off some variation on this same theme, first as the Vision-S in 2020, then the Vision-S 02, before adopting the unfortunate rebranding to Afeela in 2023, and this year finally to Afeela 1.Along the way, the car lost what little interesting styling it had while sticking true to some specifications that sounded good five years ago. Everything just feels a bit off, not the least of which is its starting price: $89,900.I got a chance to get up close and inside the car, a demo that began with another explanation of what Afeela means. It's a sort of overwrought portmanteau for the words autonomy, augmentation, and affinity.This year's Afeela 1 is little changed from last year's numberless show car. The only significant visual update is found in the sensor pod protruding from the leading edge of the roof. A LiDAR module now stands proud, along with a couple of cameras on either end, staring in opposite directions chameleon-style.While the bug-eyed look is not particularly charming, it is the only bit of visual character in an otherwise bland design. The lone other external talking point is the display embedded in the leading edge of the hood. This "media bar" is another thing that seemed novel and fun a few years ago on a concept car.There's a noticeable seam where two displays meet on the grille-mounted displays.Tim Stevens for EngadgetIt's supposed to welcome you to the car or provide messages to those around you. But it's hard to read from afar, and up close you can see the unfortunate seam down the middle where two panels were somewhat crudely joined together to form the thing.To open the driver's door, you either tap a button in the app or press a small button embedded in the pillar. There are no door handles to pull, not even a token fin like on the Ford Mustang Mach-E. I couldn't help asking what do you do if you park in an ice storm and the door is frozen shut. I wasn't given much of an answer.Those doors open to a space that's every bit as understated as the exterior except for one thing: the dashboard-spanning display. It's vibrant and clear and about the only thing in here that reminded me that this is a Sony product. Well, that and the DualSense controller that you can pair to the car and then fire up PS Remote Play while you charge.And you'll need something to do because the maximum charge rate of the Afeela 1 is 150 kW for its 91 kWh battery, which provides an estimated 300 miles of range. Compare that to a cheaper Lucid Air, which can charge twice as quickly and cover over 400 miles on a charge and you begin to see the real problem with this thing.That display plus the ambient lighting within the car are all comprehensively customizable, with the same sorts of themes available on the PS5. I sampled the Ghost of Tsushima and Fortnite themes, each of which splayed the interior in the proper series of colors, adding a splash of personality to the otherwise vanilla surfaces.Tim Stevens for EngadgetThat big display is the major talking point, but look a little lower and you'll spot the world's largest volume knob situated between the seats. It's bigger than the iDrive knob on most modern BMWs, yet only controls the output of the 28-speaker Dolby Atmos sound system.The software interface, meanwhile, looked largely unfinished, little more than a two-row grid of oversized boxes representing apps, settings and car controls. Given the width of the display, vital controls can easily stretch beyond the driver's reach, leaving you to drag the whole array back to the left to get what you need.After so many years of seeing what Sony's first car would really look like, I couldn't help feeling disappointed when I climbed out. But not nearly as disappointed as I was when looking down the spec sheet again.There are two trims of Afeela 1, the $89,900 Afeela 1 Origin and $102,900 Signature. The latter has larger wheels (21-inch vs. 19), a rear-seat entertainment system (displays embedded in the headrests plus an HDMI input) and additional cameras. The Origin, meanwhile, is only available in black.Seriously.Tim Stevens for EngadgetWhy Sony would even think about launching a $90,000 car that is only available in black is beyond me. Spend the $13,000 more for the Signature model, and you still only get three forgettable shades: white, gray and black again.In the Origin we have a car that costs $20,000 more than a Lucid Air Pure but has considerably less range and slower charging speed. Go for the $102,900 Afeela 1 Signature trim, and you're now spending more than a Porsche Taycan, which admittedly has less range but looks far better and will almost assuredly be the more engaging drive.Five years ago, Sony's vehicular aspirations made for an odd but intriguing project. Now, it all just seems misguided. How will it feel in another 12 months when the first cars start rolling off from Honda's Ohio factory? That's anyone's guess, but I can't imagine tomorrow's market will look any more kindly upon this vehicular curiosity.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/sonys-afeela-1-feels-like-a-playstation-4-in-the-ps5-era-184620132.html?src=rss

At CES 2025, Anker announced a slew of new products including a 3-in-1 robot vacuum that turns into a stick vacuum. While you can't pick that device up quite yet, the company's newest chargers and power banks are available to buy right now - and at a discount. Anker's 140W four-port wall charger is $10 off thanks to a coupon you can clip on both Amazon and Anker's website. The charging brick has a built-in display that lets you keep track of various metrics, including an odometer" to track its lifetime usage. When not on sale, the Anker Charger (140W, 4-Port, PD 3.1) costs the same as Apple's 140W wall charger for MacBooks but has loads of extra perks. Among those is its high-definition" (although we don't know the exact resolution) color display. There, you can monitor its total output power, a per-port wattage breakdown, temperature and its total hours of operating time (the aforementioned odometer"). The screen even rotates 90 degrees with a long press of its button to fit different outlet orientations. Its three USB-C ports, two of which are high-speed and can charge a 15-inch MacBook Air to 50 percent in 30 minutes. Also onboard is a single USB-A port. The Anker Charger supports multiple fast-charging options, including PD3.1 and UFCS. It's bundled with a five-ft 240W USB-C to USB-C cable. The four-port charger has an MSRP of $90, but you can get it for $80 by clipping a digital coupon on Amazon and Anker's website. Also on sale is Anker's new 25,000mAh charger with two built-in cables. One cable is retractable, while the other loops into a lanyard when not in use. Anker says the retractable one has been tested for over 20,000 retractions, and the lanyard cable can support up to 44 pounds. The soda-can-sized charger also has three USB-C ports, which can deliver up to 100W to your devices. It, too, has a display showing battery temperature, output and input wattage and battery health (this one is shown in a classic percentage rather than hours). The Anker Power Bank (25K, 165W, Built-In and Retractable Cables) retails for $100 but can be yours for $90 with a coupon on Amazon and Anker's website. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/ankers-newest-charger-from-ces-2025-is-already-discounted-183858056.html?src=rss

Splashy TV and laptop launches are some of the topics that tend to dominate CES, but for CES 2025, many companies tried to make waves in the robot vacuum space as well. These smart home devices have come a long way in the past few years, but it has seemed for a bit that vacuuming, mopping, and self-emptying might be the peak of what they can do. But that's not the case, as many CES exhibitors showed by debuting home robots with new functionality - and appendages. Here's the robot vacuums that caught our eye at CES 2025, many of which you could invite to clean your living room later this year. Roborock Saros Z70 Karissa Bell for Engadget Roborock's flagship vacuum for 2025 is the Roborock Saros Z70, a circular robot vacuum on the outside, that hides a retractable "OmniGrip" arm that can pick up and move objects on the inside. The arm is capable of five axis movement and is only able to carry around 300 grams, which makes it better at moving clothes and cables than anything truly heavy. Roborock claims the Saros Z70's precision sensors, LEDs, and camera will be able to identify 108 objects that it can move or avoid, with the ability to learn up to 50 custom objects, too. The only missing pieces are a price and launch date. Roborock plans to start selling the Roborock Saros Z70 later this year, but hasn't shared what the price of the new robot will be. It might turn out that a robot arms don't come cheap. Dreame X50 Ultra Karissa Bell for Engadget Dreame is one of Roborock's rivals, and it had its own new flagship robot vacuum at CES. Rather than an arm, the Dreame X50 Ultra has tiny wheeled legs for climbing (admittedly shallow) stairs. Dreame calls the feature its "ProLeap System" and it currently says that the X50 Ultra can handle stairs that are 6cm (around 2.4 inches) tall. That's a lot shorter than the average household stairs, but it does still mean Dreame's robot vacuum can reach places competitors can't. The Dreame X50 Ultra is available to be reserved now for $39, which locks you in to a lower $1310 price and secures a longer warranty and free accessories. The robot vacuum will officially go on sale on February 4 for $1700. Eufy E20 Eufy Robot vacuums are convenient, but they're not yet great at reaching every corner of your home, which usually means you have to also own some kind of handheld vacuum. The Eufy E20 could eliminate that two-vacuum conundrum. It's a 3-in-1 robot vacuum that you can program to clean your house on its own, or pop out its vacuum component and use as a stick or handheld vacuum for hard to reach spots. The goal is owning one vacuum that can adapt to all of your needs, while still offering the benefits of a robot vacuum, like a base station for automatically dumping debris. It seems like Eufy might have pulled it off, and at a relatively affordable price, too. The Eufy 3-in-1 E20 Vacuum will be available on February 10 and start at $550, with all of its accessories included. Switchbot K20+ Pro Switchbot Swithcbot is known for smart home accessories like robotic curtain movers and button pushers, but the company has also been offering its own affordable robot vacuum for the last few years. The Switchbot K20+ Pro is its latest model, but also a whole new way to combine the Switchbot products you might already own. The K20+ Pro looks a bit like normal robot vacuum, just with a rolling platform mounted on top. It can hold up to 18 lbs and you can connect Switchbot's air purifier, security camera or fan to the top and get a vacuum that doubles as a more of a general home robot. Switchbot says it's also designed to be easy to mod if you want to create your own weird attachment to go on top. The K20+ Pro is definitely equal parts goofy and clever, but it still has plenty of unknowns. There's no price or launch date beyond later this year. Switchbot plans to sell the K20+ Pro solo, and in bundles with some of the compatible accessories. Dreame Retractable Arm Prototype Karissa Bell for Engadget Roborock wasn't alone in showing off a robot vacuum with an arm. Dreame's unnamed prototype robot vacuum isn't ready to go on sale, but does includes its own claw-shaped arm for grabbing things, and wheeled "legs" for getting over ledges like the Dreame X50 Ultra. It's not clear when this prototype will become a real product or how much it'll cost when it does, but it serves as a good example that if Roborock can pull off the Saros Z70, others will certainly follow.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/the-new-robot-vacuums-that-caught-our-eye-at-ces-2025-210358124.html?src=rss

All manner of tech is shown off at CES, from the mundane to the absolutely wild - and it's usually the oddest gadgets that steal the show. Thousands of exhibitors come from all over the world to show off their devices, and you never really know what they're gonna come up with. CES 2025 definitely did not disappoint on the wild-and-wacky tech front. Below, we've rounded up the weirdest tech at CES 2025 that we encountered - all of the crazy (and crazy useful) devices we spotted out in the wild of the show floor. Remember: weird doesn't necessarily mean bad - we actually want to buy some of these! But they're definitely not your run-of-the-mill laptop or TV from a big-name company you can find at your local big-box store. EcoFlow Power Hat Engadget Do you want to look like a professor at Hogwarts while effortlessly charging a smartphone? Then we have the hat for you. The EcoFlow Power Hat includes an embedded set of Monocrystalline Silicon solar cells and a pair of charging ports. It looks dorky, sure, but it also looks pretty dang useful. It costs $129 and is available right now. Roto VR Explorer VR can easily show us digital vistas, but can't do much about natural movement. That's where this bizarre, and cool, spinning chair comes in. The Roto VR Explorer moves in the direction you tilt your head and has been designed to work with Meta Quest headsets, but can integrate with other models. Surprisingly, it doesn't seem to cause too much motion sickness. It costs $800 and is available now. Yukai Mirumi

Google has teamed up with the Linux Foundation to establish a new initiative called the "Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers." At the moment, most of the money that keeps Chromium, the open-source web browser project that produced the codebase powering Chrome, comes from Google. The company says it has no intention of reducing its contribution going forward, but it also continues to "welcome others stepping up to invest more."Under the Linux Foundation's management, the new initiative aims to fund the open development of Chromium projects and ensure proper support for contributions that could lead to technological advancements. It's also meant to provide a "neutral space" where developers, members of the academia and big industry players can work together. Aside from Google, Microsoft, Meta and Opera have also pledged their support for the initiative.Google said it established the new program after hearing from "many companies and developers about how critical the Chromium project is to their work" and how they would like to give it more than direct engineering support over the years. Chrome is just one of the browsers built on Chromium - Microsoft's Edge and Opera are also based on the project's codebase, so their involvement in the initiative doesn't really come as a surprise.It's worth noting that the Department of Justice called for the breakup of Google last year, including a sale of the Chrome web browser. Google said in its announcement that it intends to continue supporting the Chromium project, but only time will tell if selling off Chrome will affect its contributions.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/a-new-initiative-will-fund-and-support-open-source-chromium-projects-143028118.html?src=rss

Meta knowingly used pirated materials to train its Llama AI models - with the blessing of company chief Mark Zuckerberg - according to an ongoing copyright lawsuit against the company. As TechCrunch reports, the plaintiffs of the Kadrey v. Meta case submitted court documents talking about the company's use of of the LibGen dataset for AI training.LibGen is generally described as a "shadow library" that provides file-sharing access to academic and general-interest books, journals, images and other materials. The counsel for the plaintiffs, which include writers Sarah Silverman and Ta-Nehisi Coates, accused Zuckerberg of approving the use of LibGen for training despite concerns raised by company executives and employees who described it as a "dataset [they] know to be pirated."The company removed copyright information from LibGen materials, the complaint also said, before feeding them to Llama. Meta apparently admitted in a document submitted to court that it "remov[ed] all the copyright paragraphs from beginning and the end" of scientific journal articles. One of its engineers even reportedly made a script to automatically delete copyright information. The counsel argued that Meta did so to conceal its copyright infringement activities from the public. In addition, the counsel mentioned that Meta admitted to torrenting LibGen materials, even though its engineers felt uneasy about sharing them "from a [Meta-owned] corporate laptop."Silverman, alongside other writers, sued Meta and OpenAI for copyright infringement in 2023. They accused the companies of using pirated materials from shadow libraries to train their AI models. The court previously dismissed some of their claims, but the plaintiffs said their amended complaint supports their allegations and addresses the court's earlier reasons for dismissal.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/lawsuit-says-mark-zuckerberg-approved-metas-use-of-pirated-materials-to-train-llama-ai-141548827.html?src=rss

Small-scale, hyper-efficient living has always appealed to me, so I was overjoyed to step into numerous examples of sustainable tiny homes this week at CES 2025. There were EV RVs, trailers geared for camping and deliverable, turn-key, self-sustaining living pods. I want one of each to create a little eco village somewhere, preferably within walking distance to a bakery, coffee shop and Thai food. While none of these are cheap, some actually fall under what I would expect, compared to the market at large. And the suite of features employed represent some of the best sustainability capabilities available at the moment - solar power, gray water recycling, atmospheric water generation and boss-level insulation. Plus they're all very pretty. The camping/recreational bent of these models is great - but the fact that most wouldn't require a permit could help address a small corner of the housing crisis, especially as more cities loosen restrictions on additional dwelling units (ADUs). One of these could easily set up in a backyard or driveway as a studio apartment for a college student, aging parent and happily single folk. I've got some planning to do. After CES. And a long nap. Haus.me microhaus Pro Amy Skorheim / Engadget I'll get this out of the way: the Haus.me Microhaus Pro was my favorite of the bunch. It's a deliverable, ready-to-use, 120 square-foot pod that's capable of setting up on any flat surface - grass, concrete, sand, dirt, atop cinderblocks, you name it. If it's flat, it fits. It can suck water out of the air (and I was assured that includes low-humidity locales). It plugs into a standard extension cord, so the power can come from the grid, a solar setup or something else entirely and the integrated battery will run everything for four days without being hooked up to power. Inside, it's posh and lovely with every space maximized. A queen-sized Murphy bed flips up to reveal a table and two bench seats. It has a small fridge, microwave and sink in the kitchen, a full-sized shower in the bathroom, and a TV in the living space. The Pro model is fully appointed, complete with Siri Homepod voice control, fancy dishware, linens and includes the aforementioned battery. That model is geared towards Airbnbs and rentals and goes for just under $90,000. The Lite knocks thirty grand off the price as it foregoes the battery, dishes and a few other features and is intended for personal use. All models of the microhaus are available to order now. AC Future Ai-THd The most tony unit I saw was from AC Future. The AC Future Ai-THd is a full-sized EV RV on display at the Las Vegas convention center. This is one of three models the company will make. There's also the Ai-THt, a trailer version and the Ai-THu which, like the microhaus, is a deliverable unit. That last one is the cheapest of the three models and the one that intrigued me the most. All three are based on the same transformable design (TH stands for transformable home) that expands three ways from 120 square feet to a 400 square-foot one bedroom apartment. Each model will be customized to order and the available tech is impressive. Solar panels will generate 25 kWh of power daily and it also comes with atmospheric water generation to the tune of up to 15 gallons per day. There's a full-sized fridge, a washer/dryer, dishwasher, stand-up shower and, because 2025, a whole-home AI assistant called Futura to manage things on your behalf. Pre-orders opened up at CES and AC Future plans to start production as soon as the madness of CES is behind them. RollAway I only got to peek inside the RollAway, but my colleague Jessica Conditt got to fully tour the rentable EV RV. It combines high-end hotel luxuries, from plush linens to Malin+Goetz toiletries. There's a convertible queen-sized bed, dual-burner stovetop, shower, panoramic roof and an included projector. The RV itself has a range of more than 270 miles and a fast-charging option. Sustainability tech includes rooftop solar panels, a waterless toilet, and low-waste water systems. That should allow for some off-grid trips but the RollAway is also compatible with standard RV site hookups. To complete the hotel-like vibes, a 24/7 concierge is on hand to help plan your trip, give you directions, make side quest suggestions and keep your space equipped on the road. RollAway just started booking trips and is nearly fully reserved for 2025. Reservations go for around $400 a night and for now is just available around San Francisco Bay, but more cities are coming soon. Pebble Flow My colleague Sam Rutherford saw the prototype Pebble Flow EV trailer at last year's CES (and his pictures are always much better than mine). I checked out the production model the company brought to the show this year. The differences are slight but meaningful. Basically, Pebble asked prospective customers to tour the prototype and tell them what they should change. One directive was "more windows" so a skylight was added, along with a larger window at the back. The cupboards are now easier to access. And the overall shape is now more aerodynamic, which should make pulling the trailer easier even easier. Being easy to pull was already one of the Flow's selling points. The 24-foot trailer can be outfit (for a price upgrade) with a dual-motor drivetrain that helps propel itself to reduce drag on the towing vehicle. That upgrade also includes a remote control option that lets you park and hitch the trailer via the app. Again, there's a Murphy queen bed that becomes a workspace and the dinette table folds down to accomodate two more sleepers. There's a full kitchen, a shower/bath stall with glass doors that change from opaque to clear with a button push. There's a 45 kWh battery and 1.1 kW solar array. It starts at $109,500 and bumps up to $135,500 with the motor upgrade. The first deliveries should be available in spring of this year. Lightship AE.1 Cosmos Fun fact: Lightship is the only not-exclusively California company on this list. The California and Colorado-based company makes the AE.1 Cosmos, another solar-powered all-electric trailer that also with a motor-assist feature. In addition to the motor, the Cosmos also collapses down by four feet when it's in "road mode" to reduce drag. Inside there's a full kitchen with dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, convection oven and induction cooktop. Two sleeping areas accommodate up to four and both convert to living areas (a dinette and a daybed/couch). Everything is powered by a 1.8 kWh solar array and battery banks. Lightship had the Cosmos set up in the lot just outside the convention center. The space was decked out with a pebble gravel floor complete with scrubby desert plants and a starry night backdrop that blocked out the convention center itself. If I squinted, I could pretend I was out in the desert somewhere, with everything I needed just over there. It was a bit of a downer to leave it and return to the chaos that is CES. But now the sad bit: Only 50 will be produced. Each one will be manufactured in the company's Broomfield, Colorado facility and will sell for $250,000 each, with units shipping this summer. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/the-sustainable-tiny-home-trend-at-ces-2025-revived-my-dream-of-building-a-compound-140057385.html?src=rss

CES 2025 is almost over, but if you're wondering if some of the products showcased there are available, you're in luck. Many of them are up for pre-order, if not already on store shelves. CES is known for setting the stage for the forthcoming year in tech, with lots of prototypes on display and always a few pieces of vaporware that never materialize. But this year, there are wireless headphones, smart glasses and even a baby bouncer and bassinet combo that you can pick up right now if you're keen on becoming an early adopter. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/18-ces-gadgets-you-can-actually-buy-right-now-170544225.html?src=rss

X is further aiming to clamp down on impersonation by rolling out a label for parody accounts to help make them distinct from the real deal. Users will now start seeing the label on posts as well as profile pages.The company says that the goal of the label is to improve transparency, but there's a fatal flaw in how X is going about that. As it stands, the label is not yet mandatory. And as TechCrunch notes, operators of parody accounts have to apply it manually (by going to the "your account" section" in settings, then to "account information" and enabling Parody, commentary and fan account" option)."We're rolling out profile labels for parody accounts to clearly distinguish these types of accounts and their content on our platform. We designed these labels to increase transparency and to ensure that users are not deceived into thinking such accounts belong to the entity being parodied," X wrote in an announcement. "Parody labels will be applied to both posts and accounts on X to clearly demonstrate the source of the content you're seeing. We'll share details soon on when the label will become mandatory for parody accounts."

Tesla has quietly unveiled its facelifted Model Y with new styling that will help it keep up with rivals like Kia and Volvo. Though currently only available in the Asia Pacific region, the refreshed "Juniper" model is likely to appear stateside in the coming months. That was the case with the revised Model 3, which first appeared in Asia in September 2023 and went on sale in the US in January the following year.The new Model Y retains the gawky proportions of its predecessor, but looks sleeker thanks to smoothed out front and rear ends. The smaller headlights bookend a slim lightbar across the front, with a similar treatment for the taillights. In the case of the lights, the new design language is more aligned with the Cybertruck than the Model 3.TeslaMany interior treatments on the Model Y are similar to the Model 3, with one notable exception. Like the Model 3, it has new ventilated seats, a rear-seat display and a light strip that wraps around much of the vehicle. However, the new steering wheel lacks the turn signal buttons found on the Model 3 - instead, the Juniper Model Y uses a stalk like its predecessor. Tesla may have done that to keep it competitive with rivals, particularly in China where it's up against juggernaut rival BYD.Tesla is offering rear-wheel drive and long-range all-wheel drive versions in Australia, but no performance option for now. It's promising up to 342 miles (551 km) of range by the WLTP cycle on the long-range model, or around 307 miles by US EPA standards. However, US models could have different battery specs and thus different range numbers.TeslaThe new model arrives in good time for Tesla. In 2024, the company saw its first drop in vehicle deliveries since 2012, even though it improved in its key market, China. The redesigned Model Y will start shipping there in March 2025 and is likely to arrive elsewhere in several months, though the company has yet to nail down a date for US deliveries.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-finally-launches-the-refreshed-2025-model-y-in-the-asia-pacific-region-133010038.html?src=rss

Before CES 2025 kicked off in Las Vegas, Samsung announced that its spatial audio collaboration with Google would be available on its 2025 TVs and soundbars. Finer details on the platform were noticeably absent from that announcement, with the company only noting that the 3D Eclipsa Audio would be available this year for YouTube content creators. There was also the general explanation that the platform would enable creators "to adjust audio data such as the location and intensity of sounds, along with spatial reflections, to create an immersive three-dimensional sound experience," according to the press release.If that sounds like Dolby Atmos to you, that's what I assume Samsung and Google are trying to replicate here. And if that's the case, if Samsung really wants its own immersive audio standard, there's a backstory worth revisiting here. In 2023, Samsung and Google first revealed their spatial audio ambitions. At the time, Samsung said its research division had been working on 3D audio since 2020 and the first fruits of the collaboration was the open-source Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF) adopted by the Alliance for Open Media (AOM) in October 2023.There's also the fact that Samsung doesn't offer Dolby Vision on its TVs. Instead, the company uses HDR10+, an open-source and royalty-free platform for encoding HDR metadata. And in that 2023 audio announcement, Samsung Research's WooHyun Nam explained that 3D sound technology needed to be open to everyone too. Providing a complete open-source framework for 3D audio, from creation to delivery and playback, will allow for even more diverse audio content experiences in the future," he said.Samsung currently supports Dolby Atmos on its soundbars, including its flagship Q990 series and the newly announced QS700F. It sounds like the company no longer wants to pay to license Atmos from Dolby. And in order to still offer immersive 3D audio on its products, this collaboration with Google aims to build the alternative. It's worth noting that AOM counts Amazon, Apple and Netflix among its members, in addition to Google, Samsung and others. The group's AV1 video format was introduced in 2018 and is now used across Netflix, YouTube, Twitch and other sites.Samsung's Q990F soundbarBilly Steele for EngadgetThe bizarre thing about all of this is that no one from Samsung wants to talk about Eclipsa Audio. I attended multiple events and product demos that the company hosted this week and the response when I asked about it was either "we haven't been told anything" or "let me see if I can find someone who can talk about it." The latter, of course, never manifested a "someone" or a follow-up. I even asked for a rep to tell me if the company wasn't ready to discuss details and never heard back on that either.The most detailed explanation I've seen this week came from Arm, which is apparently also working on the development of Eclipsa Audio alongside Samsung and Google. The chip designer said that Eclipsa is a multi-channel audio surround sound format that's built on IMAF. Vertical and horizontal channels will create the immersive sound, with the goal of making movies, music and television shows more compelling in your living room. Again, that's exactly what Dolby Atmos already does.Arm further explained that Eclipsa Audio can automatically adjust sound based on the scene and that there will be a degree of customization for users. The bitstream can contain up to 28 input channels that can be fixed (instruments or microphones) or dynamic (vehicles in movie scenes), with support for LPCM, AAC, FLAC and Opus codecs. Binaural rendering is also available for earbuds and headphones, and the new tech will be available to content creators using consumer devices in their workflow.So far, Samsung and Google have only listed YouTube as the platform or service where Eclipsa Audio content will be available. If the duo truly wants to compete with Dolby Atmos, that list needs to expand quickly. Plus, Dolby already has the brand recognition and wide adoption in both the audio and home theater categories for Atmos. It's even available in cars.Samsung said in its pre-CES announcement that it and Google would work with the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) to develop a certification program for devices that support Eclipsa Audio. So, it seems like serious groundwork has been laid to get this technology on devices, starting with Samsung's own 2025 TVs and soundbars. But, as we saw with Sony 360 Reality Audio and the early days of Dolby Atmos Music, it can take time to build out a compelling library of content. That means Samsung will likely have to keep reminding us that Eclipsa Audio is a thing, even when it doesn't have much more to say.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsung-isnt-talking-about-eclipsa-audio-at-ces-2025-130041782.html?src=rss

As we finish up our live coverage of all things CES, it's time to pick the best in show. So many of the new things we saw this year had an AI component, with a noticeable uptick in AR glasses, hearing aid earbuds, solar-powered tech, emotional support robots and robot vacuums. (Why this year, robovacs?)Our list of CES 2025 winners covers various categories, ranging from typical Engadgety things like PCs, home entertainment and gaming to themed winners in sustainability and accessibility.In fact, our best-in-show winner was an accessibility pick: the WeWalk Smart Cane 2. A high-tech version of the mobility cane for people who are blind seemed like the best helpful application of AI. With a new voice assistant powered by GPT, users can speak directly to the cane to get navigation guidance, with sensors that alert the user of upcoming obstacles. Since the cane can handle things like turn-by-turn navigation, users don't have to worry about holding a smartphone while trying to get around.There were plenty of other winners too. Which laptop beat the rest? Read on for more!- Mat SmithGet this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest tech stories you missed

At CES 2025, Brelyon showed off its latest immersive display called the Ultra Reality Extend and even after seeing it in person, my brain still can't fully comprehend a monitor that looks bigger and deeper on the inside than it does on the outside.Billed as the world's first commercial multi-focal monitor, the Ultra Reality Extend merges the ease-of-use and simplicity of a traditional desktop display with the kind of spatial depth you can normally only get from VR headset. Granted, the max simulated depth the Extend delivers is only 2.5 meters, which isn't nearly as far as you'd get from devices like a Meta Quest 3S or an Apple Vision Pro, but considering that Brelyon's monitor doesn't require any additional equipment (aside from a connected PC), the effect is truly impressive. And it's much easier to use too, all you have to do is set yourself in front and the monitor will do the rest, which results in much less eye strain or the potential nausea that many people experience with modern VR goggles.BrelyonThis allows the monitor to defy its dimensions, because even though it's much chunkier than a typical display, the view inside is absolutely monstrous. From a 30-inch frame, the Ultra Reality Extend provides a virtual display that's equivalent to a curved 122-inch screen. Meanwhile, its 4K/60Hz resolution uses 1-bit of monocular to deliver spatial content that looks closer to 8K with elements of the scene capable of looking closer or further away depending on the situation.When I watched a game clip from Spiderman, the trees and light poles whipping past in my face felt so real I started to flinch subconsciously. Then in other scenes, Brelyon's monitor was able to separate different layers of the content to make snow in the foreground look blurry as it whipped across the screen while characters in the distance remained tack sharp. It's rather uncanny because the effect is visceral in a way that games and movies on flat screens just can't match.Meanwhile, underpinning the monitor is Brelyon's Visual Engine, which allows the display to automatically assign different depths to elements in games and videos on the fly without additional programming. That said, developers can further optimize their content for Brelyon's tech, allowing them to add even more depth and immersion.Unfortunately, the downside is that the Ultra Reality Extend's unique approach to spatial content is quite expensive. That's because while the monitor is available now, the company is targeting pricing between $5,000 to $8,000 per unit, with the exact numbers depending on the customer and any partnerships with Brelyon. Sadly, this means the display will be limited to enterprise buyers who will use it for things like making ultra-realistic flight simulators with depth-enabled UI instead of normal folk who might want a fancy monitor for movies and games. But if Brelyon's tech takes off, one day, maybe...This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/breylons-immersive-display-is-the-tardis-of-monitors-233606873.html?src=rss

Grok, the AI assistant that's for some reason baked into X, is now available as a standalone app. Like the version that exists as a tab on the social media platform, the Grok app can be used to generate images, summarize text and answer questions, with a conversational tone xAI, the AI assistant's creator, calls "humorous and engaging."The app was first tested with a limited set of users in December 2024, right around the same time X debuted a free tier of Grok that's available to anyone. Prior to that, you needed to pay at least $8 a month for X Premium to have the privilege of using the AI.Ian Campbell for EngadgetThe limitations of that free access - 10 requests every two hours, three image analysis request per day - may also apply to the Grok app. You can use the app without signing in, or sign-in with an Apple account, X account, Google account, or a plain old email. It's not clear whether an X Premium subscription gets you added benefits in the Grok app in the same way it does X.Grok has struggled with similar issues around accuracy and bizarre image generation choices as other AI assistants like Gemini and ChatGPT. The chatbot mainly stands out from its competitors because xAI pitched it as being able to answer "spicy questions" other AI assistants avoid, and a version of the Grok AI model is open source. You'll have to see for yourself how "spicy" the Grok app ultimately is, but at least you don't have to go to X to use it now.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/xs-grok-ai-assistant-is-now-a-standalone-app-225151579.html?src=rss

Amazon shared the latest list of video game titles that Prime members can snag for free this month. Members can pick up a code for BioShock 2 Remastered right now, and if you're patient, you can also grab a free copy of Deus Ex GOTY Edition or Super Meat Boy Forever later in January.The cloud-based Amazon Luna gaming service has also shared its current lineup of titles that Prime members can play. Airhead, Guacamelee! 2 Complete, The Magical Mixture Mill, Metro Exodus and Super Meat Boy are in the rotation for that service this month alongside Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition, Fallout New Vegas: Ultimate Edition, Fortnight, LEGO Fortnite, Fortnite Festival, Fortnite Battle Royale, Rocket Racing and Trackmania.Some of Prime Gaming's freebies last for longer than 30 days, so you've also got some time left to pick up a copy of some of the December titles if you haven't already loaded up on those deals. But if you're looking ahead, here's the full lineup of upcoming free Prime Gaming titles this month and when they'll be available.Now

I wouldn't go as far as to say it's been dethroned, but Mirumi - the clingy fluffball with a staring problem - now has some serious competition for the title of cutest robot at CES 2025. I just met Ropet, a wide-eyed companion robot with warm, soft fur, little flapping arms and big feelings. And damn is that thing adorable. Ropet's sole mission is to love and be loved. Think of it like a living plushie; it has a personality, will listen to your deepest darkest secrets without judgment, and will reach out to hug you when you're sad. Its appearance is customizable and it has optional ChatGPT integration, so it's there if you want it for advanced conversations with the robot but you're not forced into it. Its little button nose is a camera that it uses for face and object recognition; Ropet can identify and bond more closely with its owner, but it will remember other people too. All of this data is stored and processed locally, meaning it never leaves the device itself. If you don't trust that (fair), you can keep Ropet entirely disconnected from the internet, and it'll still be capable of performing all of its functions minus ChatGPT. That includes reacting to audio, touch and gesture inputs. If you pet or cuddle it, its expression will change to visible happiness. Or, it might look grumpy if you shake it around. (What are you, evil? Don't do that). Show it one of the few dozen objects it knows, like a hotdog or a banana, and you'll see an emoji of that pop up in its eyes. You can give it the shush" sign to quiet it down, and it'll dance along if you're listening to music. Karissa Bell for Engadget We're at the point of CES week where we're all running on fumes, and Ropet brought unexpected childlike glee to this burnt-out gremlin for a few minutes. Emotional companion robots are a ubiquitous presence at CES, but the ones that actually have some degree of smarts are not usually so snuggleable. And the ones that are snuggleable usually aren't very smart, tending to come across more like animatronics. Ropet looks kind of like a fluffy baby seal - but not realistic enough to dip into uncanny valley territory - and its body gives off heat to simulate the feeling of holding a living creature. It's hard not to draw comparisons to Furby, which is probably the best-known example of a robotic creature pet that responds to voice and touch commands. But Ropet takes the whole idea to another level. You can change the color of its eyes in the app, and buy different face plates and furs if you want to mix things up or just can't decide how you want its appearance. There are also little outfits you can purchase. A Kickstarter campaign for Ropet managed to pull in $228,091, wildly surpassing its $1,285 goal, so I'm definitely not the only one who thinks this little guy seems pretty promising. There are two purchase options for anyone who is interested: Ropet Basic ($299), which comes with a case and a USB-C charging cord, and Ropet Pro ($329), which comes with those things plus a charging base that has light effects and lets Ropet rotate a little. The Kickstarter doesn't end until January 21, so if you catch it before then you can get it for significantly cheaper. Early bird orders are expected to begin shipping in March, and the rest will be unleashed upon the world later this year. Now we sit back and see whether Ropet will follow in the footsteps of Furby to develop its own mildly sinister lore that endures for decades to come. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/ropet-is-the-cute-as-hell-emotional-robot-at-ces-2025-that-the-modern-furby-wishes-it-could-be-214046211.html?src=rss

At CES last year, Sony teased an AR/VR headset prototype focused on spatial content creation." And at the same time, Siemens announced it was working with Sony to use that same hardware, including the two new controllers it developed, for something it was calling the industrial metaverse." That's a lot of buzzwords, but at CES 2025 both Siemens and Sony showed the headsets and associated software in action which helped clear up a lot of what the companies are trying to do here.During Sony's CES press conference, it announced its XYN brand of software and hardware solutions, with the headset being a key part of the equation. The XYN spatial capture solution" uses mirrorless cameras to scan and make photorealistic 3D objects. Using the XYN headset, you can see those objects in 3D production software for animation, video games and other potential uses.I got a chance to try the XYN headset on, as well as see some samples of the 3D objects that were scanned and manipulated. The demo itself was a little rocky, as so many VR demos can be, but essentially I was placed inside an animated world that had already been constructed. From there, I was able to import a geode / crystal-like object that had been scanned using the spatial capture tools. I could move it all around the virtual space, scaling it up to massive size or shrinking it down to a tiny pebble.SonyThe headset itself felt well-constructed and sturdy for a prototype - the display flips up so you can get back into the real world quickly, and the headband was pretty comfortable and secure. As usual, though, it's hard to evaluate how it'll feel after an hour or two around your noggin. The controller wand felt a little fiddly to me - its somewhat unusual shape makes it well-suited to pointing, but figuring out how to grab" down on things took me a bit. I can't say how steep the learning curve is, but at least everything felt responsive and well-made.While the demo itself wasn't ground-breaking, it was a good example of showing the whole XYN pipeline, from capturing a 3D object to manipulating and using it to build out a virtual environment. Sony says the XYN headset and its controllers are still in the prototype phase, but it wouldn't surprise me if we find out more about public availability sooner than later.Nathan Ingraham for EngadgetThat's because Siemens announced this week that what appears to be the exact same headset and controllers are now on sale, albeit with a very different focus. Siemens coined the industrial metaverse" phrase last year, and I got a chance to learn more about just what that means. It turns out that Sony originally built the headset for internal use for designers and engineers to build things in 3D space. They were already using Siemens software, so the companies started working together to optimize both sides of the experience - and now Siemens thinks they're at a point where they can sell the headset and software bundles to enterprise customers.Siemens highlighted its AR capabilities a bit more, showing off how you could pin its NX Immersive Designer and use the headset as a virtual workspace - but one that lets you enlarge and manipulate the 3D objects you're designing. You can also jump into VR mode and see the objects at full size and move around them using the headset's controller. In this demo, I got to fly around massive 3D reproductions of a few airplanes, and while they weren't the most detailed objects, the utility was clear.SonyI also used the second controller Sony developed in the Siemens demo. In addition to the pointer-style device, I had a ring over my index finger on my left hand. I used that to move around the virtual space; holding and turning my hand a specific direction moved me forwards and backwards or up and down. As always, it took a minute to get my bearings, but I was getting right up close to the virtual planes and flying" up to check out their details before long.Siemens is definitely further along in the quest to bring this product to end users: the XR HMD is up for pre-order now for $4,750, and the company says it'll begin shipping next month. So the hardware is definitely beyond the prototype phase - in Sony's case, it's probably more a matter of making sure the whole pipeline of XYN software and hardware works together before making it widely available.Sony and Siemens definitely face a challenge showing people how these tools can be useful - a four-minute demo doesn't really do the trick, and I'm neither an engineer nor a content creator" who might use the XYN tools. But what I find most intriguing about this strategy is that Sony is recognizing that its headset isn't a broad consumer product; instead, they're finding different places and industries where it might be useful. At this point, that's probably a smart strategy, given that consumer-grade AR and VR remains very niche outside of the gaming sphere. But assuming Sony's headset hardware is up to snuff, it wouldn't surprise me to see other companies adopt it for their specific needs.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/sonys-xyn-xr-headset-is-being-used-in-very-different-ways-at-ces-2025-204020872.html?src=rss

TripAdvisor has entered into a partnership with Perplexity to offer a human touch to the AI company's hotel information. Through this deal, listings for hotel searches on Perplexity will now include summaries of information from TripAdvisor explaining why they were included in the results. Ratings, perks and images from TripAdvisor will also appear on Perplexity."From the Tripadvisor side, they provide an up-to-date trustworthy source of information that we sync regularly," Perplexity cofounder Johnny Ho told The Verge. "On the fly, we'll index and retrieve the right results depending on the user intent of the query."The results of this partnership are live now on Perplexity's website and will roll out soon to the company's mobile apps. According to the press release, the pair of businesses will continue to make improvements to their collaboration over the next three years. A lot of money probably changed hands for this deal, but no financial details were shared.Last summer, Perplexity announced plans to add an ad revenue program to its AI-powered search engine. The company has drawn accusations of plagiarism and copyright infringement from several publishers, including The New York Times, Conde Nast, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/perplexity-will-now-show-hotel-information-from-tripadvisor-202923788.html?src=rss

There's no denying the staying power, and influence, of Samsung's The Frame art TV lineup. The company struck gold in 2017 when it debuted the TV that doesn't just look like a black box when you're not using it, but rather blends in with your home decor by showing art on the screen. It became super popular, and inspired many competing products from companies like TCL and Hisense, even though you can certainly find better TVs for watching movies or gaming.Now, Samsung is hoping to win over even more customers with its newly announced The Frame Pro. This new model has two significant upgrades that should make it a much better TV and not just an alternative to the black rectangle that takes up space when you aren't using it. First, and perhaps most importantly, The Frame Pro now has a Neo QLED display - the same Mini LED tech that powers the company's high-end QN900 series TVs.The Verge reports that Samsung's use of Mini LEDs on The Frame Pro doesn't work like it does on most TVs. Typically, there are dimming zones behind the display for precise control over which sections should be illuminated and which should be darker or black. Samsung didn't do that on this model, relying instead on a row of Mini LEDs along the bottom of The Frame Pro and promising a degree of local dimming.Billy Steele for EngadgetAt CES, Samsung's demos were focused on showing off art on The Frame Pro more than any content that would've confirmed if the approach to Mini LEDs hampered performance. But, in a side-by-side with a still image from a movie, The Frame Pro was brighter, with more detail and deeper blacks that the existing Frame. You can also tell a difference looking at the same art on the two TVs beside each other. Details like texture and strokes pop off the matte screen more on The Frame Pro, making the art TV even better at its primary function. Plus, Samsung says its boosted the refresh rate to 144Hz to improve the gaming experience, and the 2024 Frame also supports variable refresh rates for smoother gameplay. So, it stands to reason The Frame Pro would as well.The second big upgrade on The Frame Pro is a new Wireless One Connect Box that's similar to what LG has been hyping for its M-series TVs for years now. Samsung's version is much smaller, looking more like a game console than a cube, and it relies on Wi-Fi (up to Wi-Fi 7) to wirelessly transmit content and audio from connected streaming gear and game consoles. The company says you can place it in a cabinet without interference and at distances up to 10 meters away.The Wireless One Connect Box will replace the larger One Connect Box that still required a single cord running to The Frame. This should offer more versatility to where customers place the TV, since it doesn't have to be physically connected to a box to receive signal from HDMI inputs.The Frame Pro should be a big upgrade to The Frame given the Neo QLED panel, but we'll have to wait and see if that holds true in "regular" TV use. And of course, it will be more expensive than the current Frame that starts at $600 for the 32-inch size (final pricing is still TBD).This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsung-the-frame-pro-at-ces-2025-a-big-upgrade-for-the-art-tv-214300273.html?src=rss

As Mercedes-Benz prepares to add NACS ports to new models this year, the automaker is opening access to the Tesla Supercharger network for its existing EVs. Starting in February, authorized Mercedes dealers will offer a free software update for US-based EV owners that opens the gates to the network of over 20,000 North American Supercharger stations. In Q1 2025, dealers will sell a $185 adapter for existing models to get in on the fun.Mercedes-Benz is the latest automaker to adopt NACS now that Tesla's charging tech has established itself as the standard. Other manufacturers following suit include Ford, Nissan, GM, Honda, Subaru, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche... you get the drift: It's basically everyone. To borrow a dated 20th-century metaphor, NACS has essentially become the VHS to CCS' Betamax.Canadian Mercedes-Benz owners aren't left out, but they'll have to wait a little longer. The automaker says the software update will arrive there later in 2025." Meanwhile, the adapter will be available in Canada in Q2.Mercedes says it will add the Supercharger network to its me Charge service, which enables a streamlined Plug & Charge" functionality: Plug your EV in, it starts automatically and your payment is processed automatically in the background. (Neat!) Mercedes will also add Superchargers to its Navigation with Electric Intelligence" system that makes it easy to get turn-by-turn directions to the nearest station. It also lets you filter your search by charging type and view real-time charger availability, status and pricing.The automaker says it will contact EV owners to schedule the software update. Mercedes dealers will also reach out when the $185 NACS to CCSI DC fast charging adapters are available.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/mercedes-benz-evs-will-get-access-to-teslas-supercharger-network-next-month-201502092.html?src=rss

The long-awaited Assassin's Creed Shadows has been delayed yet again, according to a press release. It was supposed to come out on February 14 but Ubisoft has moved the release date to March 20. This is actually the second time it was delayed. It was originally supposed to come out in time for the 2024 holiday season.The stated reason is the same as the last delay. The developers say they're using the extra time to continue polishing the game, which has previously been described as "the biggest entry in the franchise." Ubisoft says it has been continually checking player feedback from the community and making changes accordingly.

A judge has approved the settlement that finally wraps up a case brought against Tesla by the Police and Fire Retirement System of the City of Detroit. The shareholders argued that Tesla's board of directors overpaid themselves between 2017 and 2020.Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick of Delaware's Court of Chancery approved the settlement yesterday. Tesla's directors will be required to return roughly $277 million in cash and $459 million in stock options, as well as forgoing stock options for 2021-23 worth $184 million. McCormick also awarded $176 million in fees and costs to the trio of law firms that brought the case on a contingency basis.Some of the notable directors named in the suit include Chair Robyn Denholm, James Murdoch (son of Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch) and Larry Ellison (co-founder of Oracle). The board members did not admit to wrongdoing and the settlement does not specify how much each individual should return, only the collective amount.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/judge-approves-settlement-in-suit-that-teslas-board-overpaid-themselves-185901600.html?src=rss

If you know anything about coffee, and coffee snobs, you'll know they're always going on about where their beans are sourced from. The preference for single origin beans is better for traceability, transparency, and when you discover a variety you adore, you can keep going back. Japanese company Mihatama, however, turned up to CES 2025 in Las Vegas with Flavor Craft AI, an app-controlled system to meter out beans to suit your specific taste. You can just imagine the coffee snobs clutching their heads at the thought of blending beans in such a fashion.Essentially, you fire up the app and select preferences based on your preferred flavor, selecting for strength, acidity, bitterness, astringency and richness. Once you've done so, the AI will direct the machine to churn out a blend of different beans sufficient quantities to match the flavor you've requested. Said beans will be collected in the bottom tray, where you can then dump them into your grinder of choice and brew up your drink.The company has set up a pre-launch page on Indiegogo which will open to pre-sales at some point in the near future. Its representatives have said that it'll cost around $400 when it goes on sale, plus or minus the cost of never being able to invite your coffee snob friends over to your house ever again.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/this-mean-bean-machine-is-bound-to-upset-coffee-fans-183045969.html?src=rss

DotLumen founder Cornel Amariei describes his product as a self driving" system to enable blind and low-vision people a way to get around. It's essentially the electronic equivalent to a guide dog, helping users avoid obstacles when walking around. The Romanian company turned up to CES 2025 in Las Vegas armed with prototypes of its headset that it hopes will make blind people's lives a lot easier.The headset looks like a chunky piece of VR gear, with a front unit sitting on your forehead just above your eyes. There's a chunky power and processing pack on the rear that keeps the bulky device's weight balanced while walking around. In the front, there are six computer vision cameras - three near field and three pointed further away - which Amariei says was inspired by Tesla's setup.Collision avoidance is the main priority here, preventing you from bumping into other pedestrians or street obstacles. In front of the headset are a series of little arms that make contact with your forehead, each one tied to a vibrating motor. When the vibrations are in the center of your forehead, it's safe for you to move forward, but when the vibrations move either side, you should turn to refocus.There is also a voice guide, and this will chime in to let you know when the view in front of you is getting crowded. Amariei told me that the headset has a battery life of around 2.5 hours, which is more than enough for an average walk. But that if you do need some extra juice, you can hook up a USB-C battery pack and carry that around with you as well.Daniel Cooper for EngadgetTesting the headset in the less-than-ideal environment of CES was a great way way to see how serious the company is. After all, the ceilings are low, the walkways narrow and there are always hundreds of people who just walk at you, expecting you to throw yourself out of their way. Which is why I wore a blindfold and strapped the prototype to my head in order to roam the floor at Eureka Park.It's obviously quite hard to describe the sensation navigating a space using only gentle taps on your forehead. I certainly was quite hesitant, taking small steps and slowly moving forward, letting the headset guide me on my journey through. When crowds thronged past me in tight formation, the hardware's audio guide said narrow," telling me the space around me was in short supply.What impressed me is that I was able to navigate the scrum without bumping into anyone, and managed to get a fair way through the hall. Naturally, I can't speak to the headset's long-term effectiveness, especially as someone who can see, but the technology certainly feels like it could be very useful.Amariei said DotLumen will begin selling its headset in Europe in the near future, with the price expected to come in under 10,000. As steep as that sounds, he added the price to train a guide dog is significantly higher. In the US, the Guide Dog foundation says it costs $50,000 to breed, raise, train and place an assistance dog.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/dotlumens-haptic-headset-could-help-blind-people-navigate-181532099.html?src=rss

WeWalk introduced a new version of its smart cane for people with visual impairments at CES 2025, bringing a redesign that addresses many of the first model's shortcomings and adds AI features and more advanced sensors from TDK. It's positioned as an alternative to the traditional foldable white cane. Co-founder Kursat Ceylan, who has been blind since birth, says Smart Cane 2 can make mobility easier and safer, offering features like turn-by-turn navigation and obstacle detection, along with a GPT-powered voice assistant that puts on-demand information in users' hands without the need for them to also juggle a smartphone. The WeWalk Smart Cane 2 has a slimmer handle than its predecessor, which should make for a more comfortable grip, and the company says it's now about as lightweight as a standard white cane. It has tactile buttons to be more user-friendly, doing away with the touchpad of the previous model that some people found to be difficult to use. Ceylan says it can be used in different weather conditions, not just when it's warm and dry (WeWalk describes the new cane as rainwater-resistant"). The battery life is about 20 hours. You can fold and unfold it when you need it. There's a speaker, a microphone, obstacle detection technology and a flashlight to make visually impaired people more visible at night. And also it has motion sensors in itself to provide a more accurate navigation experience," Ceylan explained. Under the hood, the WeWalk Smart Cane 2 has an ultrasonic time-of-flight sensor, an inertial measurement unit with six-axis motion tracking, a pulse density modulated microphone and a barometric pressure sensor from electronics company TDK. When it detects something ahead, it alerts the user with both haptic and audio feedback, according to Ceylan. He demonstrated this in the very cramped, noisy environment of the Las Vegas Convention Center, and I was able to hear over the crowd when the cane told him he was approaching an obstacle - in this case, a carpeted step marked with yellow and black tape that I saw multiple CES attendees stumble over during our conversation. It also can connect to headphones via Bluetooth. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget Paired with your smartphone, it can give navigation instructions and information about your surroundings, as well as public transportation options. You can hear the names of stores and restaurants you are passing by," he says. In Starbucks, where he isn't able to read the menu, he says he might ask the assistant if they sell chocolate croissants. You don't need to hold your smartphone anymore while you are going somewhere," Ceylan said. You can put it into your pocket and then you can get all the information through your WeWalk smart cane." There is a smartphone interface for those who want to use it, though, which he held up through the demo so I could see what was going on on the other end. Unlike the vast majority of products I've encountered at CES this year that seem to include AI or ChatGPT for no real reason other than the fact that they can, this actually felt like a situation where it makes sense and could even be pretty beneficial. Since it's brand new, we don't yet know how all of this will translate to real-world use. Pre-orders are now open for the WeWalk Smart Cane 2, and the first wave is expected to start shipping before the end of this month. There are two price models: $850 for the smart cane plus a subscription for the voice assistant that costs $4.99 per month, or $1150 altogether with no additional subscription fee for full use of the AI. WeWalk Smart Cane 2 is available internationally. The London-based startup also has a partnership with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) that kicks off in February, when the organization will start using the WeWalk Smart Cane 2 for its cane training program. The goal is to gather meaningful data for instructors so they can really understand how people are using mobility canes (AI-enabled or otherwise), and help them get the most out of the tools. That, Ceylan says, is so important, because the better you get around, the better you engage in life." Update, January 9 2025, 11:55AM ET: This story has been updated to add details on the smart cane's battery life.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/the-wewalk-smart-cane-2-could-be-one-of-ais-few-good-use-cases-at-ces-2025-182020074.html?src=rss

Samsung made a bunch of announcements at CES 2025, including a slew of new laptops and TVs, but as to be expected, the company will save some of the biggest news for its own event. Samsung will host its first Galaxy Unpacked event of the year on January 22, 2025 at 1 PM ET, where it will likely show off the latest in Galaxy AI and the new Galaxy devices it runs on. The event will take place in San Jose, and like previous years, you can reserve the company's new gear in advance (and even before it's officially announced) for $50 off and the chance to win a $5,000 Samsung gift card. That's on top of Samsung's typically generous trade-in credit - this year the company says you can get up to an additional $900 credit if you trade-in an old device. Given the timing of Unpacked, Samsung is likely to announce the Galaxy S25 series, and there's a good chance it'll use the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and sport an updated design, at least on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. What might be more interesting are the non-smartphone devices Samsung could show off. The company is rumored to already have a Galaxy Ring 2 in the works, and there's a good chance Samsung's "Project Moohan" Android XR headset could make an appearance at the event. Engadget will have all the details of Samsung's announcements right here, but if you want to watch the event yourself, you'll be able to tune in on Samsung.com, Samsung's Newsroom or the company's YouTube channel. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/this-years-first-samsung-unpacked-2025-event-will-be-on-january-22-224535221.html?src=rss

For the third year running, Xbox is kicking off its annual slate of games showcases with a Developer Direct. The latest edition will take place on January 23 at 1PM ET.As always, the Developer Direct will take a deep dive into several upcoming Xbox games. The developers of South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Doom: The Dark Ages will reveal more details about those projects. Perhaps we'll even get a release date or two. On top of that, Xbox is promising a visit to another mystery studio that will show off a brand-new game.The first Developer Direct included the reveal and news of the immediate release of the wonderful Hi-Fi Rush. So here's hoping for a surprise that's just as delectable. Even so, South of Midnight and Doom: The Dark Ages are among the games I'm most looking forward to this year, so I'm happy to get another look at those. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that the Developer Direct won't include any word about delays.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/the-next-xbox-developer-direct-showcase-is-set-for-january-23-150528471.html?src=rss

The creator of The Password Game has returned with another maddening browser game that threatens to break your brain in the worst way possible. Neal Agarwal's Stimulation Clicker does what it says on the tin. You start by clicking a button to increase your stimulation, which is the game's currency. It doesn't take long before you start buying bouncing DVD logo animations, a news ticker, Subway Surfers gameplay and chill beats from Lofi Girl.From there, you can toss in the likes of loot boxes, a true crime podcast and a meditation story (which, hilariously, you can double the speed of to turbocharge your stimulation). There's an item shop that you can use to turn the clicker button into a Captcha prompt or Sign in with Google button, or convert your cursor into a cat's paw. Mukbang videos, Duolingo language questions, a Twitch chat and reactions from famed streamer Ludwig add to the chaotic but oh-so-captivating sensory overload. As 80 Level points out, your progress won't be saved, so if you close the tab you'll have to start all over again.

There's more nuance to Doomguy than him just being a fella who eradicates hellspawn with the BFG. He's quite the art connoisseur as well - or at least that's what a new Doom mod might have you believe.Modders Filippo Meozzi and Liam Stone turned E1M1, the first map in the original game, into an interactive art gallery. Doom: The Gallery Experience, which is a free browser game on Itch.io and Newgrounds, sees Doomguy wielding a glass of wine or can of beer as he peruses classic works of art, collects cash and listens to Johann Sebastian Bach's "Suite No. 1 in G major.""Doom: The Gallery Experience was created as an art piece designed to parody the wonderfully pretentious world of gallery openings," the game's Itch.io page reads. "In this experience, you will be able to walk around and appreciate some fine art while sipping some wine and enjoying the complimentary hors d'oeuvres in the beautifully renovated and re-imagined E1M1 of id Software's Doom (1993)."You can use the cash to buy items like socks and a tote from the gift shop, and munch on hors d'oeuvres to fill up a cheese meter (there's one for drinks too). Doomguy even sports a pair of fashionable glasses here.When you interact with artworks such as Jacopo da Sellaio's Scenes from the Story of the Argonauts or Piero di Cosimo's The Return from the Hunt, you'll see a link to the relevant Metropolitan Museum of Art webpage. Alternatively, Doomguy might tell you he doesn't want to look at a particular piece anymore. Maybe he just wants to get back to shooting demons. Same, Doomguy, same.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/modders-turn-doom-into-a-classic-art-gallery-133100725.html?src=rss

Google knows a lot about you and your interests, and it uses that information to try and get more of your time and attention. A new Search Labs experiment called "Daily Listen," for instance, can turn your Discover feed into a professional podcast. Google's Discover is a curated feed on mobile devices filled with articles and videos that the company's algorithms believe are aligned with your interests based on your search queries and other activities. As 9to5Google notes, this feature is similar to the one Google released for NotebookLM last year. That NotebookLM tool can turn materials you feed it into a podcast with two hosts who even banter like they're real people.Daily Listen can create a podcast episode around 5 minutes in length that you can listen to for an overview on the latest about the topics you typically follow. You will have to opt into Search Labs if this is something you'd like to try by tapping on the flask icon at the top left of the Google app. Once it's on, you can find the Daily Listen Card underneath the Search bar in the Google app on Android and iOS. Click it to generate a podcast, which brings up a screen with a text transcript and audio controls.You can clearly see where each section of the podcast begins and ends in the audio scrubber, and you can pause, stop, rewind and fast forward it anytime. You can also give it a thumbs up or down to send Google your feedback. If you scroll down, you'll see a bunch of related stories grouped together based on the sections of the podcast in case you're looking for more information.The experimental feature is going live today in the US, according to 9to5Google, though it might take a while to start seeing the option to generate a podcast. It's not clear yet if Google has plans to roll it out to other regions, and there are no guarantees that it will get a wide release.GoogleThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-can-automatically-make-a-podcast-based-on-your-discover-feed-131126522.html?src=rss

The world's biggest tech show is approaching its end, and it's been hard. Mostly. But it's not without its perks. Perhaps you got to sit in and experience the first CES press event inside the fully screened Sphere, or maybe you're getting a lovely facial treatment that combines cooling plates with LED light therapy, creating photos that will haunt you for the rest of your professional career? Or perhaps you're fleeing the violence and... fungi of The Last of Us universe in an immersive experience. (Work hard, play harder.)Deputy Editor Cherlynn Low at CES. Oh wait, no.EngadgetIt's not just upgraded laptops and TVs - even if plenty of those have broken cover. And stay tuned: We're selecting our nominees for the Best of CES - what is your pick? (And why isn't it this solar beach umbrella?)- Mat SmithGet this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest tech stories you missed

The Detroit-based company Astrohaus has been making its distraction-free writing tools" under the Freewrite name for about a decade. So far, those have all been standalone, single-purpose devices meant simply for drafting text, but Astrohaus is branching out at CES 2025. The company just announced a mechanical keyboard called the Freewrite Wordrunner, a device designed specifically with writers in mind.This comes more than three years after Astrohaus quietly revealed intentions to build a keyboard, originally known as the Maestro. But the company eventually pulled the plug on its planned 2022 launch, and I hadn't heard anything about it since then - it seems that they've just been working away at it this whole time. CEO Adam Leeb said in a press release that the company had been iterating and developing it for almost four years.FreewriteMechanical keyboards have largely become the domain of gamers; the company wanted to build a device for people who make their living writing instead. Without spending some quality time with it, I can't say if they've hit that mark yet, but there are some fun ideas on display here.The Wordrunner has a tenkeyless design that looks familiar at first glance, but you'll quickly notice that the function row has been replaced by a custom set of keys that'll make zipping around text documents faster. That includes find and replace, undo and redo, paragraph up and down as well as back, forward and reload keys. I'd be upset about losing media controls from the function row, but the Wordrunner has it covered with the bright red joystick / button. It moves in all four cardinal directions, can be turned like a knob and can also be pressed in vertically to skip tracks, change volume or pause your tunes.Nathan Ingraham for EngadgetOn the other side, you'll find three customizable macro keys with the cutesy names zap," pow" and bam." They're programmable for anything you might want, but Astrohaus suggested using them to launch specific writing apps, converting text to title case or inserting the date. I don't yet know what I'd use them for, but having customizable keys is a table-stakes feature for most enthusiast keyboards so I'm glad to see them here.Probably the most visually striking thing about the Wordrunner are the two mechanical counters you'll see up top. One is a timer you can use for writing sprints or just staying focused for a bit. More intriguing is the Wordometer dead-center at the top of the keyboard. It'll track your words with its whopping eight-digit mechanical counter, and since it saves your word count as long as you want, you could try and max it out someday. Of course, you can also reset it at any time or pause it if you don't want it to advance while you're chatting with friends or sending emails.Nathan Ingraham for EngadgetThe mechanical keys are backlit and use Kailh switches; the keycaps are replaceable but the switches aren't. It also has some sound dampening built in so you can use it without subjecting everyone around to you overly loud key clacks (this may be a plus or minus depending on how you like your keyboards). As for connectivity, the Wordrunner uses Bluetooth or USB-C, and you can pair the keyboard with three different devices and quickly switch between them with dedicated hotkeys.I got a chance to play with a prototype of the Wordrunner, and my first impressions was "wow, this is heavy!" It's a thick slab of polished aluminum that matches the finish of the premium Hemingway edition of the Smart Typewriter. Astrohaus founder / CEO Adam Leeb told me that the company was shooting to make this keyboard feel like a premium, limited edition with the finish even if they're planning for it to be part of the permanent portfolio.Nathan Ingraham for EngadgetWhile I didn't get to try the Wordrunner hooked up to a computer, I still got to see the mechanical Wordometer turn over when I started typing. It's quite satisfying to see it count up as I wrote an imaginary story on it, and there's a small LED that's green when the counter is turned on and red when you turn it off. The keys and travel all felt great, and the joystick was similarly a lovely tactile experience - I'm looking forward to using it like a volume knob for media. Leeb says that this keyboard is still a prototype, but it feels quite polished and nearly final to me.Finally, there's the ever-present question of availability. Astrohaus is launching the Wordrunner on Kickstarter, as it has done with most of its other hardware over the last 10 years. The campaign should start in February with early bird pricing, but we don't know what that price will be yet. Fortunately, there's a pretty low-commitment way to get the best price if you're curious. Astrohaus says you can place a $1 reservation for priority access and the best possible pricing, with plans to deliver the first batch of keyboards before the end of the year. That's a long ways out, but a buck isn't a bad investment if you're interested.Update, January 8 2024, 9:27PM ET: This article has been updated to include some hands-on impressions and photos of the Wordrunner.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-latest-freewrite-device-is-a-fancy-mechanical-keyboard-built-with-writers-in-mind-220005961.html?src=rss

The following article discusses adult themes.There was a legend in my high school about turning your PlayStation 2 into an ersatz vibrator by creating a custom skate park in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. Build a circular grind rail, turn off the ability to fall, jump on it and your DualShock would launch into a never ending frenzy of haptic feedback. It's an idea the team at Motorbunny is taking to its logical conclusion, adding a wireless controller for its eponymous ride on sex toy that can connect to a DualSense controller. Its pitch is that you'll be able to combine getting your game on with getting off. And yes, I am ashamed for writing that sentence.The company was at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, showing off PlayMate, its wireless dongle that can control the beefy saddle-style toy. In its demo, the PlayMate was plugged into the USB-C port on the back of a DualSense controlling a PS5 playing Rocket League. Except there's no way to pull the haptics data from the DualSense, or any other gaming handset, for that matter. Instead, it has a built-in gyroscope that will track how aggressively you pitch and tilt your controller, and uses that information to control the Motorbunny. This isn't as good as the Tony Hawk plan from 2001, but will at least enable some folks to merge both of their hobbies at the same time.PlayMate is one of a suite of products the company is releasing, including a series of less expensive vibes under the Fluffer label. This is a sub-brand designed to tie in the worlds of gaming and sex, with the app even having some arcade games that you can use to control your toys. In one demo, there was a Flappy Bird clone that would increase the intensity of the vibration the longer you were able to keep the bird in the air. Sadly the company wasn't ready to share details of pricing and availability just yet, but said a whole host of products would be hitting the market in the following months.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/motorbunnys-playmate-lets-your-console-kinda-control-your-vibe-233001475.html?src=rss

Meta is continuing to overhaul its moderation and content rules. Instagram head Adam Mosseri posted today that Instagram and Threads will start including political content in recommendations. It's a reversal from the policy the two platforms adopted last year, which made political content something users had to choose if they wanted to see. Now, Mosseri said that there will be three levels of political content that Instagram and Threads users can pick to see: less, standard (which will be the default) and more."It's proven impractical to draw a red line around what is and is not political content," Mosseri wrote. The change will begin rolling out this week in the US and in the rest of the world over the coming weeks. This announcement is the latest in a series of shifts Meta is making that seem like efforts to curry favor with President-elect Donald Trump. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that the company would eliminate third-party fact-checkers in favor of a Community Notes model for Facebook, Instagram and Threads, mimicking the approach taken at X (formerly Twitter). Nick Clegg stepped down as Meta's president of global affairs to be replaced by Joel Kaplan, who is well-connected to Republicans in Washington DC.Yesterday, Instagram was also discovered to have blocked several LGBTQ hashtags and treated them as "sexually suggestive material" for months. The company said this was an error.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-and-instagram-will-recommend-political-content-after-all-232343107.html?src=rss

Automotive heads up displays (HUDs) have been around as far back as 1988, and while they've gotten brighter and more colorful over the years, even today's most sophisticated implementations still feel a bit primitive. But after seeing what Hyundai Mobis (which makes auto parts for Hyundai, Kia and Genesis) is calling the world's first full-windshield holographic display at CES 2025, it felt like I was looking at a major evolution in-car infotainment.Unlike traditional reflective HUDs, Hyundai Mobis' holographic windshield display (HWD) consists of two main components: a projector (or in this case multiple projectors) hidden beneath the dash and a special optical film with a carefully tuned wavelength sensitivity embedded inside the windshield itself. This combination allows the HWD to pump out brighter and more colorful images with much shallower viewing angles. Unless you're sitting in the right spot, you may not even see the HUD at all.Because of the HWD's narrow viewing angles, Hyundai Mobis set up a separate demo to better show what it looks like. When installed in a car, the HWD's small sweet spot means the passenger's displays is not visible from the driver's side and vice versa, which is good for eliminating distractions. Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetOn the Hyundai Mobis Kia EV9 demo vehicle, the HWD isn't limited to just a small corner at the bottom of the windshield. Instead, it's split up into three different zones that span the entire width of the car: two for the driver and one dedicated to the passenger. For the driver, the HWD can display basic stuff like the car's speed, directions and more. But where things get interesting is when it shows holographic 3D maps that can adjust in real-time based on your position, adding an entirely new dimension to help you reach your destination.For passengers, their dedicated section of the HWD can be used independently for checking vehicle information or simply watching a video or playing games. Critically, because of the limited viewing angles of Hyundai Mobis' tech, the driver can't see the passenger's side of the HWD, so there's no distraction risk. The whole system is rather impressive, because so much of the tech is hidden beneath the dashboard. The only evidence that this HWD is different from more traditional implementations is that if you look really closely at the windshield when it's off, you can see a faint outline where the optical film is sandwiched between the glass.After checking out Hyundai Mobis' demo, I also got a chance to talk to one of the engineers behind the HWD, Dr. Minho Shin, who added additional context and insight about the tech. Through a translator, Dr. Shin told me that the company envisions its HWD as a way to augment the main display found in most modern cars, which will most likely serve as the main control center for manipulating what you see on the windshield. And for passengers, it's possible they will be able to control what they see on their side of the HWD simply by casting content from their phones. Furthermore, the placement and size of the holographic display makes it easier for the driver to see and interact with helpful tools like real-time 3D maps compared to current tech. Dr. Shin even said that it's possible to create a version of the HWD that would cover both the entire width and vertical height of the windshield, which seems like something straight out of every sci-fi or cyberpunk movie ever made. However, due to laws in many countries, that kind of functionality isn't widely permitted.A passenger-side view of Hyundai Mobis' HWD. Notice how you can't see the two sections of the display on the driver's side of the car. Photo by Sam RutherfordNow it must be mentioned that at CES 2025, BMW demoed similar technology with its Panoramic iDrive system. The Bavarian automaker's approach is arguably a bit further along, at least when it comes to being integrated into its existing infotainment system and its availability, which is slated to arrive on all new models by the end of 2025. However, when you look closer, it almost seems like BMW is cheating a bit by using a black film that goes along the bottom of the windshield instead of being completely transparent like with the HWD, which may give Hyundai Mobi's tech significantly improved driver visibility and awareness.While BMW's panoramic HUD is slated to arrive first, Hyundai Mobis won't be far behind as the company hopes to put its HWD into production by sometime in 2027.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/a-holographic-windshield-from-hyundai-mobis-is-a-big-upgrade-for-in-car-huds-at-ces-2025-230050196.html?src=rss

Companies have been smashing together multiple gadgets into one product for a long time, and there are plenty of examples at CES 2025. However, LG's latest projector, the PF600U, which is a mash up of a projector, a lamp and a Bluetooth speaker may be one of the few compelling examples of the genre. If nothing else, the device could allow you to hide your A/V gear in plain sight within a floor lamp when you're not using it. LG intends for it to be tucked away in a living space, at the end of couch or behind an end table for example.The PF600U isn't a great name, so I hope LG comes up with something better before this thing goes on sale. As a projector, the PF600U offers an LED FHD (1,920 x 1,080) image and 300 ANSI lumens of brightness. It doesn't produce the crispest views, but you can beam a picture up to 120 inches with it. I thought the results in LG's booth were perfectly useable for casual TV and movie watching, especially in a small apartment where space is at a premium.I didn't get a chance to hear the PF600U's sound quality, but LG says the device has passive radiator speakers embedded inside. Like the picture quality, it's probably enough for low-key TV and music audio, but purists will certainly want something more robust. Again, it seems like the idea is saving space over producing pristine sound quality, so this was never for them anyway.When it comes to the lamp features, there are nine dimmable color LEDs to set the mood. The top, where all of the tech resides, tilts so the ring or lights on the bottom can be projected on a wall or other surface. And as you might expect, the whole thing is controlled by webOS. Plus, there are buttons for positioning, changing modes, power and more on the top panel, encircled by the speaker's grille.LG hasn't announced pricing or availability for the PF600U yet. Those details will likely come closer to launch day.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/ces-2025-lgs-swiss-army-knife-projector-hides-in-plain-sight-225224199.html?src=rss

PUBG: Battlegrounds will add non-player characters powered by NVIDIA ACE generative AI. These PUBG Allies are being dubbed Co-Playable Characters, and they can have real-time conversations with a player about what's happening in a match. They can also adapt their strategies and gameplay to work with the player's style. Krafton, the battle royale's publisher, demoed this technology at CES 2025."We will continue to innovate user experiences by integrating CPC into our games and aim to establish it as a benchmark for the gaming industry," said Kangwook Lee, head of Krafton's deep learning division. Krafton will also publish upcoming life simulator inZOI, and had a CES demo of a CPC in that game as well.NVIDIA introduced its generative AI tech, the Avatar Cloud Engine, during a keynote at Computex 2023. The ACE generative AI is also present in the multiplayer title Mecha BREAK, which appeared at Gamescom last year. The Krafton games are using on-device small language models built with NVIDIA ACE. The publisher did not specify in its press release when it will start rolling out CPCs.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pubg-will-get-ai-powered-npcs-220218057.html?src=rss

AMD's Ryzen AI Max chips came as a huge surprise at CES 2025. They're basically super-powered versions of the company's Ryzen AI hardware with up to 16 CPU cores and 50 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores, alongside a pool of as much as 128GB integrated RAM. AMD claims the Ryzen AI Max chips will deliver up to 2.6 times faster 3D rendering than Intel's Core Ultra 9 288V, as well as 1.4 times better graphics performance.Squint a bit, and you might think AMD was taking a bit of inspiration from Apple Silicon, with its powerful CPU cores, graphics and unified memory. But according to VP Joe Macri, AMD was building towards this long before Apple. "We were building APUs [chips combining CPUs and Radeon graphics] while Apple was using discrete GPUs. They were using our discrete GPUs. So I don't credit Apple with coming up with the idea." AMD also had experience stuffing gobs of memory into its Instinct data center GPUs.Still, Macri gives Apple credit for proving that you don't need discrete graphics to sell people on powerful computers. "Many people in the PC industry said, well, if you want graphics, it's gotta be discrete graphics because otherwise people will think it's bad graphics," he said. "What Apple showed was consumers don't care what's inside the box. They actually care what the what the box looks like. They care about the screen, the keyboard, the mouse. They care about what it does."With the success of Apple Silicon, Macri was finally able to get approval to spend a "mind boggling" amount of money developing the Ryzen AI Max. "I always knew, because we were building APUs, and I'd been pushing for this big APU forever, that I could build, a system that was smaller, faster, and I could give much higher performance at the same power," he said.I briefly saw the Ryzen AI Max in action while testing the latest ASUS ROG Flow Z13 at AMD's CES booth. I was able to play Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart in 1080p at well above 60fps, with tons of graphical flourishes. It was tough to tell on such a small tablet screen, but the overall performance looked on par with a base PlayStation 5 (albeit at a slightly lower resolution). AMD claims the Ryzen AI Max is also comparable to Apple's 14-core M4 Pro chip (which it also beats out in the Vray benchmark).Ryzen AI Max systems will roll out in the first and second quarter of the year, including the aforementioned ROG Flow Z13 as well as HP's ZBook Ultra G1a.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/amd-vp-explains-why-the-ryzen-ai-max-likely-wouldnt-exist-without-apple-220034111.html?src=rss

I have to admit - I used to be very skeptical of LED devices that purport to be good for your skin. When they first started being sold for home use, I felt like they were mostly expensive, ineffective appliances that were obvious cash grabs. Nowadays, though, as is usually the case with any burgeoning category of products, the technology has improved. We're seeing more sophisticated offerings that not only use better components, but are more comfortable to wear. Full face masks from the likes of Therabody, Dr. Dennis Gross and Omnilux have exploded in popularity, taking over social media and constantly selling out. After hearing rave reviews from friends and family, and undergoing more light treatments in salons myself, I have grown more convinced there's room for devices like these.Shark, the maker of vacuum cleaners, air fryers and assorted kitchen gear, has unveiled its take on the LED face mask device here at CES 2025. Launched under its three-year-old Shark Beauty arm, the new "CryoGlow under-eye cooling + LED anti-aging and skin clearing face mask" has quite a long name. I'm just going to refer to it as the CryoGlow mask from here on. At a meeting here in Las Vegas, Shark's senior vice president of global product development Danielle Lessing described a number of ways the CryoGlow is different from what's currently out there.First of all, as its name implies, there is a cooling component to this device. In addition to the 160 "interlocking tri-wick LEDs" on the mask, there are two metallic plates on the cheeks that are shaped like eye masks. This is the conduit for what Shark is calling its "InstaChill" technology and basically are a pair of cold plates that, in my brief time with the CryoGlow, felt satisfyingly soothing. In fact, that might be my favorite part of the device (and frankly its differentiating trait).After putting on the CryoGlow for maybe about a minute, and after I took several hilarious pictures and selfies with it, I really appreciated how cold it felt in my under-eye area. To be clear, the plates felt chilly immediately after I wore the mask, but it was the prolonged coolness that I enjoyed. And after removing the device, I still relished the sensation that remained, even after a few minutes. I don't feel like I had the mask on for long enough to know if it'd start to feel clunky after prolonged wear, but at least during my demo, I didn't feel strained, nor did the wired remote control get in my way.I also want to note that, unlike the Therabody option, Shark's CryoGlow does not vibrate. Lessing said "This is a skincare system and vibrating doesn't affect the skin."Lessing stressed to me the importance of the tri-wick LED bulbs each being able to produce red, blue and deep infrared light, as they differ from some other products on the market that might only use single or dual-wick bulbs instead. In those cases, manufacturers may choose to lay red-only bulbs or blue-only bulbs in alternating layouts or various arrangements that allow them to claim to provide both types of light, while effectively covering less area per bulb.Cherlynn Low for EngadgetIt's this sort of math that Lessing enthusiastically highlighted in our quick meeting, as she told me that the company worked hard to calculate the ideal combination of factors like distance of the bulbs from the wearer's face and apart from each other. To that end, the CryoGlow will sit in a way that the LEDs are about 15mm from your skin - a good balance between effectiveness and coverage. The bulbs themselves are spaced 10mm apart, and the four programs that Shark offers also consider the duration of the lights on your face.Lessing said the company wanted to make something that was more inclusive, not just of different head sizes and types, but also of skin concerns. Most of the products that are currently available tend to target signs of aging on women, she said. Shark wants to buck that trend, and part of that effort involves making a mask that should fit people of all types - from women with smaller faces to men with larger heads.When I first laid eyes on the CryoGlow in person, I couldn't help but smile. Unlike the Theraface or Dr. Dennis Gross masks, which look a little robotic or cyborg-like, the Shark device is, strangely enough, cute? The shape of its mouth cutout is slightly upturned and the whole thing just looks like it's smiling at you. I also instinctively reached out to stroke the textured sides of the mask, which look like lines raked in sand. I could see making this my pet.Cherlynn Low for EngadgetThe CryoGlow not only looks adorable, but also felt comfortable to wear. It was big enough for my larger-than-average head, but didn't feel too heavy. That might be thanks to the adjustable T-shaped head strap that reminds me of the Apple Vision Pro. Lessing said the team also drew inspiration from ski goggles for the design, especially for the protective guards around the eye cutouts.There's also the fact that the CryoGlow is fairly lightweight, likely due to the fact that it's powered by a battery in the attached remote control. This handheld controller is connected via a cord, which is a slightly less elegant approach than competing products that have on-mask buttons. But I do appreciate that it looks and feels like a Nokia 3310 with a much nicer screen and a dial plus two buttons below it.You can rotate the wheel to scroll through the menu, and I liked the aesthetic Shark used for the interface, too. The system offers four treatment modes: an under-eye "revive" that delivers "cryo-inspired tightening and soothing," a 6-minute "Better aging" option, an 8-minute "Skin Clearing Treatment" that targets acne and a 4-minute "Skin Sustain" maintenance mode that's meant for daily use. There are also three chill levels available, which you can control with this system. Shark says its tests indicated clearer skin can be observed in four weeks of use, while two months of consistent application might result in firmer skin.SharkShark says its programs are all backed by clinical testing, and most intriguingly, it actually put its CryoGlow device to the test against competitors. According to Shark, this image "captures a demonstration conducted featuring light absorbing, photochromic paint to show the even coverage of CryoGlow's iQLED technology vs. a competitor's uneven coverage." I will point out that while it does seem like Shark's device had a more even and generally larger spread, it does leave the two patches below the eye bare.It's unclear what this competing device is or how much it might cost, but considering the CryoGlow is priced at $349 while the Theraface Mask and the Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro start at $599 and $455 respectively, I'm already intrigued. This feels like a sophisticated device that's at least within the range I might be able to afford. And I loved my brief experience with it, too. I will likely have to test other competing products before I can definitively evaluate how well the CryoGlow fares against what's out there, but for now, and for the price, I'm very impressed by Shark's LED mask debut.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/shark-joins-the-high-tech-skincare-mask-war-with-an-impressive-ces-2025-opening-shot-214804543.html?src=rss

Annie Altman, the sister of OpenAI founder and CEO Sam Altman, has sued her brother accusing him of sexually assaulting her when she was a minor. In a complaint filed this week with a Missouri federal court, Annie Altman alleges her older brother committed numerous acts of rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, molestation, sodomy, and battery" from 1997 to 2006, with the abuse starting when she was only three years old.In a joint statement he made alongside his mother and two younger brothers, Sam Altman said all of [Annie's] claims are utterly untrue." The Altmans say they've tried to support Annie in many ways" over the years, including by offering direct financial assistance.

CES is filled with wild and wacky curios, to be sure, but there are also plenty of good old-fashioned laptops. Every year the big chipmakers announce new products and the big computer manufacturers unveil new laptops that take advantage of updated CPUs and GPUs. All told, companies announced nearly two dozen upcoming laptops at this year's conference. Some are bulky beasts made for gaming, while others are thin beauties intended for portability. The vast majority of them are filled to the brim with the AI tools that everyone loves so very much. Here are all of the laptops that piqued our interest at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, just in case you need to start saving some money for a purchase later this year. ASUS Zenbook A14 The ASUS Zenbook A14 is the MacBook Air competitor of our dreams. It weighs less than 2.2 pounds, which is actually a half a pound lighter than the Air. When it comes to specs, it actually outclasses Apple in nearly every category. There's a 14-inch OLED screen, up to 32 hours (!) of battery life and up to 32GB of RAM. It's also covered in a nifty ceramic coating that feels great to hold. It comes in two versions. There's one that includes a Snapdragon X Plus CPU and 16GB of RAM, which starts at $900. The higher-end model features a Snapdragon X Elite chip and 32GB of RAM, starting at $1,100. The laptops will be available on January 13. Lenovo Thinkbook Plus Gen6 Just because laptops have been around for decades doesn't mean that companies can't get a bit weird with them. Case in point? The Lenovo Thinkbook Plus Gen6. This is a laptop with a rollable screen that expands and contracts with the push of a button. Lenovo first introduced this as a concept device, but now it's a real upcoming product. The 14-inch OLED display instantly transforms to a 16.7-inch panel, which effectively adds an extra 50 percent of screen real estate. The brightness is adequate, at 400 nits, and the performance looks solid. It comes with Intel's Core Ultra 7 CPU, up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. It's also weirdly light, given the tech, at 3.6 pounds. We don't have official pricing or availability yet, but it's expected to cost somewhere around $3,500 and should hit store shelves this spring. Lenovo ThinkPad X9 We called the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 the least ThinkPad ever" for good reason. This new iteration ditched the long-standing carbon fiber frames and Trackpoint nubs found with classic models in favor of a more minimalist approach. It's available in 14-inch and 15-inch versions, and both of these feature OLED displays. These laptops are powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 processors, which means that you can't upgrade the RAM because it's soldered on. However, the SSD and battery are easily replaceable. Both models should be available in February, with a starting price of $1,400 for the 14-inch model and $1,550 for the 15-inch version. MSI Titan 18 HX Dragon Edition Engadget The MSI Titan 18 HX Dragon Edition adds some seriously-cool aesthetics to the most powerful laptop the company makes. There are a ton of unique design traits here, including a hand-drawn dragon on the lid that was acid-etched into the aluminum. As for specs, this laptop includes top-of-the-line components including next-gen Intel HX processors, NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPUs, PCIe Gen 5 SSD storage and Wi-Fi 7. There's a massive 18-inch mini LED display and low-profile Cherry MX switches on the keyboard. MSI has yet to reveal pricing or availability on this one. Razer Blade 16 Razer The Razer Blade 16 laptop is extraordinarily thin, at 0.59 inches. That makes it 32 percent slimmer than the 2024 model. There's a 16-inch QHD display with a 240Hz refresh rate and a response time of 0.2ms. The computer also includes the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 processor and one of the brand-new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50-series GPUs. There isn't a release date yet, other than soon, nor is there a launch price. Last year's model started at $2,700, so we can expect something in the same range. Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro Samsung Samsung unveiled an updated line of Galaxy Book laptops at CES. There's the Galaxy Book5 Pro, which is available in 14-inch and 16-inch screen options, along with the Book5 360 with a 15-inch display. All of these computers are equipped with Intel's newest Arrow Lake Core Ultra processors and have been built for AI tasks. To that end, Samsung has touted a long list of on-device AI circles, like its own version of Google's Circle to Search. These laptops also include on-device photo upscaling and more. The Book5 Pro is a standard laptop, while the Book5 360 is a 2-in-one with a 15-6-inch AMOLED touch display. There's no pricing yet on any of these models, but the company has said they'll be available for purchase in February. ASUS Vivobook 14 and 16 ASUS Just like the ultralight Zenbook A14, the refreshed Vivobook 14 and 16 laptops ship with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip. These are mid-grade computers that offer up 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The company says that the internals have been updated to allow for 44 percent more performance than the last-gen models. The battery also got an upgrade and now will last nearly 20 hours per charge. Both computers make use of the company's not-at-all creepy AI camera" which detects whether you're sitting in front of the screen or not. The ASUS Vivobook 14 and Vivobook 16 are available to pre-order now for $700 and $750, respectively. Lenovo 10th-gen Legion Pro 7i Lenovo The tenth-generation Legion Pro 7i is a serious upgrade over its predecessors and should be a great option for gaming on-the-go. It supports up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, with an updated cooling system that enables 250W thermal design power. The laptop also supports up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor. On top of that, you can add up to 64GB of RAM. There's a 16-inch OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. It's a beefy machine, however, coming at six pounds. The Legion Pro 7i will be available sometime in March, with a starting price of $2,400. Alienware Area 51 Sam Rutherford/Engadget It's been years, but Alienware's Area 51 branding is back in a big way. The Alienware Area 51 laptops are the company's latest flagship gaming devices. They are available in two display sizes, 16- and 18-inches, and support up to Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPUs, 64GB of RAM (at up to 7200 MT/s, the highest of any Alienware laptop), 12 TB of PCIe Gen 5 SSD storage and next-gen NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPUs. Both models can handle up to 175 watts of total graphics power with an additional 105 watts reserved for the CPU. There's also a glass bottom to help with thermal regulation. They should be available sometime in the next couple of months. However, the laptops are launching in high-end configurations that start at $3,200, with less expensive entry-level" models coming later in the year. ASUS ROG Flow Z13 Engadget The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is a 2-in-1 hybrid that could absolutely shine as a gaming tablet. It supports up to a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU with unified memory. The 70Whr battery should get up to 10 hours on a single charge and the IPS panel boasts an impressive 180Hz refresh rate and up to 500 nits of brightness. This machine also integrates with the company's new XG Mobile graphics dock for a nice little upgrade in the visuals. The Flow Z13 is expected to start at around $2,000 for a version with a Ryzen AI Max 390 chip or $2,200 when configured with a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU. We don't have a release date yet. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/all-the-laptops-that-piqued-our-interest-at-ces-2025-194424146.html?src=rss

The "AC" in AC Future stands for Amy and Cindy, founder Arthur Qin's two daughters. That's just one of the bits of info I gained at the company's CES event in which we got a first look at the new AC Future Ai-TH transformable home. This is yet another nattily appointed answer to the housing crisis we've seen on the 2025 show floor. It comes in three models: a deliverable pod (Ai-THu), a pullable trailer (Ai-THt) and a road-ready EV RV (Ai-THd). Press and prospective buyers got to tour the EV prototype this week (but we had to take our shoes off first). Amy Skorheim / Engadget Thanks to pull-out sections at the rear and both sides, the bus-sized RV transforms into a 400-square-foot, one bed, one bath apartment, complete with a living room, kitchen with full-sized fridge, two burner induction range and microwave, along with an uncramped stall shower and washer/dryer in the bathroom. The full HVAC system, paired with high-efficiency insulation keeps the unit temperate. All that amounts to one heck of a power draw, which AC Future answers with a roof covered in solar panels. I was told all three models of the Ai-TH can generate around 25 kWh of energy in a day. For reference, the average American house uses around 30 kWh daily. The home can also be plugged in if sunlight isn't enough, and there was talk of wind-generation options for customers in cloudy climates. All models of the Ai-TH will also come equipped with atmospheric water generation that can suck between 13 and 15 gallons of water per day out of thin air. That's much less than the 200 or so gallons American houses use for non-landscaping needs, so the Ai-TH also recycles gray water and, of course, has a holding tank. In theory, these units can act as fully self-sustaining living pods, gathering what's needed from the world around them. Because this is CES 2025, where the unofficial model is "Stick some AI in it!" there's a whole-home proprietary AI assistant called Futura to turn on your lights, manage your resources and handle other management tasks. There was even a demo set up outside the RV letting people "meet" "her." At last year's CES, AC Future, barely two years old at the time, showed off the idea for the Ai-TH. The fully equipped prototype we saw was built in collaboration with Hydra, an automotive design and prototyping studio out of Southern California. Models that go into production will have components coming from a huge range of suppliers; I was told there are three partners lined up for the EV motors alone. AC Future says this is aimed at addressing the affordable, sustainable and mobile housing crisis worldwide." And any talk of addressing the housing crisis has to include some discussion of price, unless we're counting on some trickle-down economics-style solutions. The static base model will start at $98,000, the trailer model will go for $138,000 and up and the drivable version starts at $298,000. AC Future's COO told me production would begin as soon as they left Vegas (the whole team was at CES) and reservations are open now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/the-ac-future-drivable-self-sustaining-home-transforms-to-be-larger-than-your-first-apartment-193758718.html?src=rss

If there's one thing that sucks the fun out of darts, it's the mandatory math you have to do in order to work out how well you're doing. That's the malady British manufacturer Target Darts, making its first trip to CES, is solving with its Omni automatic scoring system, saving your beer-drenched brain.Omni is a halo that magnetically attaches to a compatible board, equipped with four 1080p cameras and an LED light strip. When you throw your darts, the system uses computer vision to identify where they ended up on the board.From there, the scores will be represented on a nearby computer or tablet, and can even be output to a big TV in the vicinity. Even better, is that you won't just have your score tracked, but you'll hear a pre-recorded voice telling you how many points you need to score on your next throw, just as you see in a professional match.Omni isn't out just yet, but when it launches, players will be able to use it in conjunction with Target Darts' existing Virt camera. That's a pair of webcams - one facing the board, one facing the player - that enables darts fans to play against real people online either with friends, or with similarly-ranked strangers.During the various shelter-in-place orders in force during the COVID pandemic, the UK's professional darts league actually operated like this for several months. Amusingly one star player, Gary Anderson, was unable to take part in a tournament because his home Wi-Fi wasn't fast enough to keep up.Target Darts' Omni scoring system will start shipping on January 31, and in the UK is priced at 449.95 (around $556). If you'd like to pick up a model in the US, you'll have to find a reseller, a list of which is available on the company's website.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/target-darts-is-bringing-tech-smarts-to-the-game-183015898.html?src=rss

A Florida man pleaded guilty today," began a Department of Justice press release published on Tuesday. In this case, the ever-infamous Florida Man is none other than Ted Farnsworth, the former CEO of MoviePass' parent company. His plea comes fewer than four months after another MoviePass leader, former CEO Mitch Lowe, entered a guilty plea of his own.Farnsworth pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud and another of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. He'll face a maximum of 20 years in prison for the former charge and up to five for the latter. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled later.The DOJ charged Farnsworth, 62, with scheming to defraud investors in MoviePass' former parent company, Helios & Matheson Analytics (HMNY). The agency accused him of making false and misleading representations of HMNY's and MoviePass' business to artificially inflate stock and woo investors.If that sounds familiar, it's because former MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe pleaded guilty to the same charges in September. Lowe reportedly agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and regulators as part of his plea, a detail one can imagine tightened the vise on Farnsworth leading up to his plea.MoviePass subscribers paid the company $9.95 monthly for what were supposed to be unlimited movie tickets with no blackout dates. Farnsworth and Lowe told investors the business plan was tested and sustainable and would at least break even - if not turn a profit - from subscription fees alone. On top of that, they used buzzwords like big data" and artificial intelligence" to claim they could alchemize subscriber data, transforming it into profit.But according to the DOJ (and... logic), that was never the case. Instead, it was a marketing gimmick to lure in new subscribers and pump HMNY's stock price.Farnsworth falsely claimed that MoviePass' cost of goods (the number of tickets each subscriber bought with their subscription) naturally declined over time, which was in line with his publicly stated expectations. But the DOJ says that was because the company directed MoviePass employees to throttle subscribers who used the service to buy the most movies, preventing them from getting what was promised from their unlimited" memberships. That aligns with reports from 2019 that employees were ordered to change the passwords of frequent moviegoers.Unsurprisingly, the company lost money from the plan. A downward spiral commenced, MoviePass and its parent company declared bankruptcy in 2020 and the pair of Florida men in charge of the too-good-to-be-true scheme have admitted their guilt in a federal court.The company has since been resurrected with a new business model after co-founder Stacy Spikes bought its scraps in 2021.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/former-moviepass-head-pleads-guilty-to-securities-fraud-180603455.html?src=rss

Broadly speaking, there are two types of e-bikes: Ones with a motor in one of the wheels, and ones with the motor mounted between the pedals. Those in the former group, known as hub motors, are cheap and bountiful, but lack the oomph required to cover rough terrain and high inclines. Those in the latter group, known as mid-drive motors, have all the power, but are heavy on the wallet as well on your arms as you lug them around. Consequently, I'm excited by what Urtopia turned up with to CES 2025: Titanium Zero, a 3D-printed titanium concept e-bike weighing less than 20 pounds packing Quark DM1.2, a custom-designed mid-drive motor that's small enough to fit inside the bottom bracket and weighs just 2.6 pounds on its own. By its own admission, it's not as brawny as chonky mid-drive models from Bafang and Bosch, but it might be a perfect alternative for less extreme trails.Of course, right now it's just a concept device so we should keep the salt of reasonable skepticism in our left palm at all times. Even so, Urtopia's Titanium Zero is plenty light enough in the hand, looking a lot more like a regular steel-framed three-speed bike than an e-bike. Hell, if it didn't have the little controller visible on the crossbar, you could easily mistake this for an old-school racing bike, down to the drop handlebars.Daniel Cooper for EngadgetAnd then there's the aforementioned Quark DM1.2, which adds another layer of theoretical desirability onto the package. Urtopia says the tiny mid-drive motor can produce 65nm of max torque, which isn't going to give any of the bigger names any nightmares; a Bafang M560 can output 130Nm. But it's a rough rule of thumb that a regular rear hub motor can output around 40nm, so there's a significant performance boost. It's the sort of hardware I'm quite eager to test on the comically steep hills near to my home, just to see if the claims match the reality.Sadly, the Titanium Zero and Quark DM1.2 aren't ready for prime time, and so we'll have to wait for now.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/i-want-urtopias-titanium-zero-concept-e-bike-174539195.html?src=rss

This isn't just any retro-styled microphone, but an all-in-one tool for music creators looking to record vocals when on the go. It's the creation of Hisong, a startup looking to build a more elegant alternative to toting around a microphone, mixer and headphones wherever you go. The AirStudio One is a wireless condenser microphone with a few secrets buried inside, like a professional audio interface, a wireless USB-C dongle and a pair of true wireless headphones. The idea being you can record a banging vocal when you're on the road without any additional hardware.AirStudio One isn't just a regular microphone, either, since it's been engineered with a multi-core Digital Signal Processor to help get the best sound from its slender body. Open the companion app on your phone, and you'll be able to mix the audio, set the EQ and even apply audio effects in real time. This isn't the first product we've seen this CES that puts more of the meat inside the microphone - Shure's MV7i carries its own two-channel audio interface.You could also use this to record sound for your videos, and if you opt for the analog dongle, can even output your sound to any device with a 3.5mm line-in. It's worth saying the ambient noise at CES made it impossible to test the sound quality of microphone. But this is the sort of gadget that has intriguing prospect" stamped all over it. We'll likely give this a deeper prod when it's available to buy later in the year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/airstudio-one-is-a-portable-microphone-thats-full-of-surprises-173019602.html?src=rss

Robot vacuums are having a very weird year at CES 2025. We've seen robot vacs that can scoot over stairs and pick up socks. Now, another robot vacuum maker is showing off robot vacuums that can zoom around with air purifiers, tablet stands, security cameras, tabletops and other objects on top.The SwitchBot K20+ Pro is a robot vacuum that doubles as a modular platform for other household devices. The company describes it as a multitasking" household assistant that can perform a bunch of tasks while maybe also cleaning your floor.The vacuum itself mostly resembles a typical robot vac, if a bit larger. It also has a connector on top that supports a wide array of attachments or even appliances. The company says it can support up to 8 kg - nearly 18 lbs - and will connect seamlessly to other SwitchBot appliances like an air purifier or home security cam. The SwitchBot vac can then be programmed to follow you around or stay in one spot.Karissa Bell for EngadgetAt SwitchBot's booth, I saw vacuums that had a tablet stand, an air purifier with an attached tabletop and a security cam. But the company's promotional materials also show a vacuum with a fan and a laundry basket on top. It also suggests that the K20+ Pro can deliver drinks and carry small packages around the house.A SwitchBot rep at the booth said the company wants to allow people to 3D print their own custom parts for the K20+ Pro so that anyone can come up with their own use case for a vacuum-enabled small appliance. A video posted to the company's YouTube channel even shows a vacuum with an arm that can pick up trash and deposit it in a wastebasket. (Yes, another robot vacuum with an arm.)If all of this sounds a bit ridiculous, that's because it is. While I can kind of understand the appeal of a robot vacuum that doubles as a phone or tablet stand, I can't imagine many scenarios when I'd want a floor-level fan or air purifier zooming around my house.I didn't get to see any of SwitchBot's vacuums actually moving around at its booth, so I have no idea how well any of this might work. It's also not clear how much the K20+ Pro will cost when it goes on sale later this year, though the company is already selling some of its attachments, like the $270 air purifier/tabletop combo.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/one-robot-vacuum-is-trying-way-too-hard-to-outdo-the-competition-at-ces-2025-171554433.html?src=rss

Tonal, the company behind the smart home gym of the same name, is now launching the Tonal 2. This machine is an upgrade over its predecessor, which we tested some years ago. Two years ago, Tonal laid off 35 percent of its workforce, but the company seems to be doing much better now.According to the company, Tonal 2 has improved hardware, including a better camera that uses AI to analyze 500 data points per second" and an upgraded adaptive weight system. The latter can now let users lift up to 250 pounds. Tonal 2 also comes with new Aero HIIT workouts you can follow to combine cardio and strength training, something the first generation trainer doesn't offer. Additionally, Tonal 2 has a sleeker design and new look, thanks to an all-black appearance with chrome accents.Like the original Tonal trainer following a few software updates, Tonal 2 knows when your muscles are fatiguing and will reduce the resistance. This adjustment lets you pump out a few more reps and ensure you reach muscle failure easier, increasing muscle gains as a result.Tonal 2 is now available to purchase in all 50 states for $3,995. This price doesn't include a subscription, which costs $60 a month. The company will install the machine for you in your home when it arrives.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/tonal-2-is-now-available-for-purchase-170040163.html?src=rss

Google's Pixel 4a has long been considered a great smartphone for those on a budget, but it just received a software update that calls that into question. The update lowers the reported battery life. This isn't a side-effect of some new software. This is the actual intent of the refresh.Wait, what? Google says the automatic software update to Android 13 will reduce your battery's runtime and charging performance" but that it's necessary to improve the stability" of each device. That's the only explanation the company offered. We reached out to Google to ask for a specific reason as to why this was necessary.

The CES keynote will never be the same.This is my 12th CES, so there aren't many things that surprise me at this point, at least in terms of press conferences. All of the big companies used to try to one-up each other (celebrity appearances were the main method, although it's not as common now). However, the venue itself has now become the battleground for CES addresses.This week, Delta was the first company to host a CES press conference, or as the emcee called it, "a show," at the Sphere in Las Vegas. You've likely heard about the high-tech venue at this point, which usually hosts immersive concerts rather than trade show events. Debuting in 2023, the "multi-sensory experience" is known for having both the interior and exterior draped in LED displays and offering 4D effects like wind and smells.Three different credentials were required to attend the event in the venue which holds 18,600 people, one of which required a special trip to obtain. Once inside, Delta had various installations to celebrate its 100th anniversary and lines for the company's merchandise were absurdly long. People even skipped the Lenny Kravitz performance at the end to queue up for those goods.You could hear every realistic boom and pop.Billy Steele for EngadgetThere was also food that may have been similar to what the airline serves in-flight, and snacks that you'd expect on a Delta trip, like Biscoff cookies. Of course, the company stacked the audience with employees and guests, plus it trotted out a couple of celebrities - Viola Davis and Tom Brady - which I saw as a throwback to the CES keynote days of old. Then there was the full-blown concert at the end: Lenny Kravitz with a full band. This gave the attendees the experience of coming to a concert at Sphere, where U2, Dead & Company, Phish and more have performed in the past.But, as you might expect, the most interesting aspect of the whole thing is how Delta took advantage of the Sphere's 4D capabilities. Video of each speaker was projected on the interior of the venue set on various backdrops that transformed the hall into spaces ranging from a dome to an observation deck and an airplane cabin. Several times during CEO Ed Bastian's address there were interactions with planes where the seats rumbled and blown air provided a sense of flying, complete with directional, immersive audio. There was also a cameo by Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi where an Uber Eats delivery arrived at the stage with a hazelnut-flavored coffee for Bastian and those aromas were wafted into the audience.Perhaps the most dazzling aspect of the whole "show" was the end, where cockpit video of a plane landing was projected on the interior of the Sphere. And when the plane landed, everyone's seats rumbled just liked they do when you hit the tarmac in real life. This was quickly followed by my first indoor fireworks show, designed to cap off Delta's 100th anniversary. I will say the immersive audio of the Sphere really enhanced this, and I doubt I'll experience anything like it again. I feel confident I'll never see indoor fireworks unless I return to this very venue.Seats rumbled just like they would in real life.Billy Steele for EngadgetOf course, there was news. It wouldn't be a CES press event without some. Delta announced its AI Concierge, an assistant inside the Fly Delta app that the company built to relieve travel stress. The airline first announced the concierge concept at CES 2020, but now it's working to make it a real thing that anticipates travel needs. Beginning this year, customers will be able to interact with Delta Concierge via text or voice. Eventually, the platform will be able to do things like hail a Joby VTOL aircraft to drop you off at the airport to avoid traffic.The AI tech can recognize both departure and arrival needs, including arranging a rideshare pickup for transport to a hotel. At the airport, you won't have to go through a TSA checkpoint, you just keep walking to your gate thanks to PreCheck Touchless ID. If you're wearing AR glasses during your trip, wayfinding then becomes a breeze with the travel assistant lighting your path. And once you're on the plane, the Delta Concierge will eventually automatically connect you to Delta Sync Wi-Fi and the seatback entertainment system to display customized info and content recs just for you.Delta's event was easily the most impressive CES presentation I've attended. And I've been to press events where each person had a PC and a VR headset at their seat. I don't know that any other company will invest what the airline did in the hosting and production this week, but it was immediately apparent that the bar had been raised, and that a ballroom at Mandalay Bay or The Venetian will no longer suffice if you're looking to make a lasting impression.Lenny Kravitz closed the show, and he'll close this post. Billy Steele for EngadgetThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/delta-changed-the-game-for-ces-press-conferences-162401293.html?src=rss