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How to watch Limited Run Games' 2025 showcase
With digital games outselling physical ones by embarrassing margins, it's easy to conclude that the latter is done for. But sometimes, approaching extinction leads to pockets of nostalgic enthusiasm. (Think the modest resurgence that point-and-shoot cameras are currently enjoying.) That leaves room for Limited Run Games, which specializes in physical copies. The company's latest showcase, LRG3, is happening on Wednesday.
This month marks the 10th anniversary of Limited Run Games. There's been plenty of fun stuff during that decade. LRG has launched physical editions of Doom and Doom II — complete with a game box that plays (yep!) Doom. For LucasArts fans, there was a Monkey Island box set (Guybrush statue in tow!). LRG also launched physical editions of indie games like Celeste and Runner 2.
What's on tap for the anniversary event? Well, your guess is as good as ours. But the company did tease some of the partners who will have announcements. They include Ubisoft, Square Enix Collective, Astral Shift, Retroware, The MIX and WayForward.
LRG3 begins on Wednesday, October 29, at noon ET. You can stream the shindig on LRG's YouTube and Twitch channels.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/how-to-watch-limited-run-games-2025-showcase-200050327.html?src=rssDodgers vs. Blue Jays, Game 4 tonight: How to watch the 2025 MLB World Series without cable
The 2025 Fall Classic saw a historic Game 4 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, with the Dodgers defeating the Blue Jays 6-5. The World Series continues in Los Angeles tonight — Monday, Oct. 27 — at 8PM ET/5PM PT, with the Shohei Ohtani starting Game 4 on the mound. The World Series odds favor the Dodgers ahead of tonight's game. Every 2025 MLB World Series game will air on Fox and Fox Deportes.
Of course, Fox is a "free" over-the-air channel, so any affordable digital antenna will pull in the game if you live close enough to a local affiliate. But if that's not an option, here's a full rundown of how to watch the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series, even without cable.
How to watch the L.A. Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays, Game 4
You can stream Fox on any live TV streaming service that airs Fox local stations, including DirecTV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV. MLB World Series games will also be available on Fox's new streaming platform, Fox One.
More ways to watch the 2025 World Series
How to watch the MLB World Series from Canada:
When is the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays game time?
Game 4 of the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series is tonight, Oct. 28 at 8PM ET/5PM PT.
What channel is playing the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays?
Every game in the 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, will air on Fox and Fox Deportes.
When is the 2025 World Series?
Game 4 of the World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays is scheduled for Oct. 28, 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays World Series schedule
All times Eastern.
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 8PM ET
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 8PM ET
Game 6*: Friday, Oct. 31, 8PM ET
Game 7*: Saturday, Nov. 1, 8PM ET
*if necessary
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/dodgers-vs-blue-jays-game-4-tonight-how-to-watch-the-2025-mlb-world-series-without-cable-153110271.html?src=rssNVIDIA's next move in autonomous driving is a partnership with Uber, Stellantis, Lucid and Mercedes-Benz
NVIDIA has entered a partnership with Uber to equip more of the rideshare company's vehicles with its autonomous driving infrastructure. The deal centers on NVIDIA's Drive AGX Hyperion 10 autonomous vehicle development platform, a computer and sensor system that can make any vehicle capable of level 4 self-driving, as well as its Drive software. According to the press release, this partnership will see Uber's global fleet of autonomous vehicles growing to 100,000 vehicles over time, beginning in 2027.
Several notable auto brands are also collaborating with NVIDIA on the push toward developing truly autonomous vehicles. Stellantis, Lucid and Mercedes-Benz are working on vehicles that would support NVIDIA's L4 technology. Aurora, Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Waabi are pursuing work on implementing Drive AGX Hyperion 10 into long-haul freight vehicles.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/nvidias-next-move-in-autonomous-driving-is-a-partnership-with-uber-stellantis-lucid-and-mercedes-benz-194442126.html?src=rssLife is Strange developer Don't Nod is making a narrative game for Netflix
Don't Nod has a long history of making memorable narrative games, and it looks like the studio's next project will come from Netflix programming. In the company's half-year financial report, Don't Nod noted that it has signed "a development agreement with Netflix for the creation of a new narrative video game based on a major IP." Its Montreal studio is helming the project, while Netflix will publish the game. There are no other details available about the project, including what show or movie it will be based on, so place your guesses now.
Netflix's game strategy took some hits over the past year with the closure of its Team Blue studio for AAA game development and walking back plans to add six titles to its lineup. Leadership for games at Netflix also changed at the start of 2025, and since then the strategy has pivoted towards party games and kid-friendly content, mainstream titles and narrative experiences.
There are some notable titles in the Netflix library such as Kentucky Route Zero and Oxenfree that seem like a good match for Don't Nod’s niche. After arriving on the gaming scene with Life is Strange, Don't Nod continued its work with projects including Life is Strange 2, Tell Me Why and Lost Records, in addition to several more stories under the Life is Strange banner.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/life-is-strange-developer-dont-nod-is-making-a-narrative-game-for-netflix-184506442.html?src=rssBalatro comes to Vampire Survivors in the form of a free expansion
Vampire Survivors just dropped a free update that includes an expansion based on the indie sensation Balatro. The expansion is called Ante Chamber and includes a new stage, new characters and a new power ups that makes the top-down rogue shooter feel more like, well, Balatro.
First up, the titular Ante Chamber stage is filled with playing cards, calling to mind the source material. The new characters include the iconic joker Jimbo and there are new power-ups and weapons pulled from Balatro. These include jokers that increase points combos, just like the card game, and riffs on pre-existing Balatro mechanics like those planet cards. It looks fun.
The Ante Chamber update is free and available to download now via Steam, Android, iOS, PS4 and PS5. It's coming to the Switch and Epic Game Store on October 31.
However, this free update is more than just a Balatro-adjacent expansion. It also introduces online co-op, in addition to new stages, characters, weapons and more.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/balatro-comes-to-vampire-survivors-in-the-form-of-a-free-expansion-183005013.html?src=rssGoogle is once again disputing Gmail was breached
Not for the first time this year, Google has been forced to reassure its users that it has not suffered a large-scale data breach that could affect their Gmail accounts. A few months ago the company released an unusual statement intended to put to bed allegations that its email service had been hit with a serious security issue. And it did so again this week, after numerous news outlets published stories suggesting that 183 million passwords may have been compromised in a new breach.
Google has since claimed that this isn’t true in posts on X. It says the listed accounts are likely not fresh victims of an attack, but instead recent additions to the Have I Been Pwned data breach search engine’s database. The website is a free resource that can quickly tell users if their personal data has been hacked. As noted by Bleeping Computer, HIBP’s creator, Troy Hunt, has said in a blog post that over 90 percent of the millions of stolen credentials have been seen before, so are in no way new (16.4 million of addresses were however showing up for the first time in a data breach, according to Hunt).
"Reports of a 'Gmail security breach impacting millions of users' are false," Google said in a statement. "Gmail’s defenses are strong, and users remain protected. The inaccurate reports are stemming from a misunderstanding of infostealer databases, which routinely compile various credential theft activity occurring across the web. It’s not reflective of a new attack aimed at any one person, tool, or platform."
Google does use compilations of open credentials like the one recently uploaded to HIBP to alert its users of possible breaches, and has advised users that turning on 2-step verification and adopting passkeys is more secure than relying on passwords alone, which it notes should always be reset immediately if compromised.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/google-is-once-again-disputing-gmail-was-breached-180031380.html?src=rssGoogle Chrome will finally default to secure HTTPS connections starting in April
The transition to the more-secure HTTPS web protocol has plateaued, according to Google. As of 2020, 95 to 99 percent of navigations in Chrome use HTTPS. To help make it safer for users to click on links, Chrome will enable a setting called Always Use Secure Connections for public sites for all users by default. This will happen in October 2026 with the release of Chrome 154.
The change will happen earlier for those who have switched on Enhanced Safe Browsing protections in Chrome. Google will enable Always Use Secure Connections by default in April when Chrome 147 drops. When this setting is on, Chrome will ask for your permission before it first accesses a public website that doesn't use HTTPS.
Google has been moving in this direction for some time. Chrome started alerting users to unsecure HTTP websites in 2018 and it began defaulting to HTTPS in April 2021. The following year, it started offering Always Use Secure Connections on an opt-in basis.
When HTTPS isn't used, an attacker can reroute the connection with relative ease and target a user with malware, social engineering attacks or other exploits. "Attacks like this are not hypothetical — software to hijack navigations is readily available and attackers have previously used insecure HTTP to compromise user devices in a targeted attack," the Chrome team wrote in a blog post. "Since attackers only need a single insecure navigation, they don't need to worry that many sites have adopted HTTPS — any single HTTP navigation may offer a foothold. What's worse, many plaintext HTTP connections today are entirely invisible to users, as HTTP sites may immediately redirect to HTTPS sites." Always Use Secure Connections is one of the Chrome team's attempts to mitigate such risks.
HTTP connections still persist in navigations to private sites, such as local IP addresses and company intranets. It's complicated for a private site to obtain an HTTPS certificate (something Engadget has had since 2016, fact fans), because the same private name can point to different hosts on multiple networks. For instance, many router manufacturers use "192.168.0.1" as a local IP address for accessing the hardware's admin panel. Still, HTTP navigations to private sites are inherently less risky than on the public web. They aren't entirely safe, but the only vector of attack for HTTP on private sites is from within the local network.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/google-chrome-will-finally-default-to-secure-https-connections-starting-in-april-170000603.html?src=rssBattlefield 6's free battle royale mode is out now
Battlefield 6's free battle royale game is now available for download. This follows numerous leaks that have been popping up ever since the mainline game hit store shelves on October 10.
It's called Battlefield: Redsec and it's free for everyone. You don't need the full-priced game to play. This puts it in direct competition with Call of Duty's own free-to-play battle royale, Warzone.
Redsec has a few gameplay modes. There's the usual battle royale, with a big ole map that allows for up to 48 simultaneous players. This mode offers four gameplay classes, plenty of weapons to choose from and unique objectives that reward players with "powerful items." The end goal, as always, is to be the last soldier standing.
There's also a duo mode that lets two players jump into a battle royale at once. This version is intended for newcomers, so it gives access to a smaller map.
The Gauntlet mode offers a twist on a traditional battle royale. Eight squads of four players compete "in a series of special operations that push every squad to their limit." EA says this is perfect for those who like traditional multiplayer FPS games. Users create custom loadouts and completing various objectives awards the team with points.
Finally, there's integration with the Battlefield Portal toolset. This lets players design their own experiences. EA gives examples of a battle royale match that just allows access to sledgehammers or one with only headshots. These tools are also free.
We don't know how or if this battle royale will interact with the main game. Warzone typically includes a story that ties into whatever's going on with Call of Duty's seasonal content drops. To that end, Season 1 of Battlefield 6 also releases on October 28. This update includes new maps, modes, vehicles, guns, attachments and cosmetic items.
Battlefield: Redsec is available on every platform that Battlefield 6 is available on, including PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S. This could end up being a pretty big hit for EA, as the main game managed to sell 7 million copies in three days.
Update, October 28 2025, 12:40PM ET: This story has been updated to include new gameplay details.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/battlefield-6s-free-battle-royale-mode-arrives-on-october-28-174419086.html?src=rssToyota brings Apple Maps EV routing to its newest models
Toyota battery electric vehicles (BEV) owners can now have Apple Maps help them plan charging stops along their route via CarPlay. Alongside an announcement that the Toyota bZ is now on sale, the automaker says all 2023 and newer battery-electric vehicles can now integrate real-time battery information to help drivers with iPhones find compatible chargers. In the US this would simply mean the bZ4X, which is being replaced by the bZ.
Apple Maps will take into account factors like battery performance and elevation changes when estimating battery percentages on arrival and charging times.
CarPlay is Apple's in-car infotainment system offering maps, music, calendar tools, Siri and more. While it's currently compatible with over 800 car models, EV-charger routing requires access to the car's battery info, which means automakers must work with Apple to enable the feature.
The integration's rollout remains pretty limited, and before today's announcement the only compatible vehicles were the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the F-150 Lightning and the Porsche Taycan.
Toyota also said the 2026 bZ will have access to the Tesla Supercharger network, opening up more than 25,000 charging locations for the new model. The bZ features the NACS charging standard, first created by Tesla before being open-sourced for the entire industry.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/toyota-brings-apple-maps-ev-routing-to-its-newest-models-164103063.html?src=rssYear Walk, Device 6 and other early Simogo games are coming to Steam and Nintendo consoles
Simogo is celebrating its 15th anniversary with some retrospective projects, which include bringing its games to more platforms. The studio has put together the Simogo Legacy Collection for Steam, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. This includes all seven of the mobile games that the developer released between 2010 and 2015, including Year Walk and Device 6. The collection will be available on December 2 — the 15th anniversary of the release of Simogo’s first game, Kosmo Spin — and it costs $15.
Co-founder Simon Flesser noted that the studio's mobile games were in "constant danger of disappearing or ending up being unplayable." (Year Walk was ported to Wii U but we all know what happened with that console.) The idea behind Simogo Legacy Collection is to preserve them and “keep the experience as close as possible to the original games," Flesser said. As such, the team has made as few changes as possible while still making sure the games work on PC and Nintendo’s consoles.
You can use touchscreen controls on Switch and Switch 2 to play the games as they were originally intended. Simogo has also added support for mice, controllers, motion controls and, on Switch 2, dual mouse controls. The bundle includes a bunch of extras too, such as an ebook of Year Walk side stories, a podcast for The Sailor’s Dream, additional music, playable prototypes of the games and more.
That’s not all, though. Simogo is working on Switch 2 versions of its two most recent games, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes and Sayonara Wild Hearts. Expect those to arrive in early 2026. The studio is also bringing Sayonara Wild Hearts back to iOS as a paid app next year. That was a launch game for Apple Arcade in 2019, but it left the service in 2024. I’m very much looking forward to having my favorite game available on a device I carry with me everywhere again, even though it’s available on PC and consoles as well.
As well as those projects, the studio has teamed up with Lost in Cult to create a coffee table book about the history of Simogo. Heartbeats, Dreams and Laser Eyes: 15 years of Simogo is a softback book with around 250 pages. A deluxe edition with a semi-translucent wrap, a bookmark, commemorative stamp set and (for the first 300 units) a signed bookplate will be available too. Pre-orders open today and the book is expected to ship in late 2026.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/year-walk-device-6-and-other-early-simogo-games-are-coming-to-steam-and-nintendo-consoles-160056076.html?src=rssOppo’s Find X9 Pro has a detachable telephoto lens and a gigantic battery
Oppo’s latest flagship phone, like the sleek (but hard to buy) Find N5 foldable, goes hard on the tech specifications. In fact, the Find X9 Pro’s specs read like a wishlist of what many want to see in their phones, with a huge 7,500mAh battery, a 200-megapixel telephoto camera and a bright 6.78-inch screen with tiny, almost one-millimeter bezels, all while still measuring in at 8.25mm in thickness. Oh, and an optional telephoto lens add-on that boosts camera zoom to 10x.
The Find X9 Pro will be priced at £1,099 (roughly $1,459). The biggest drawback may be that, despite the Find X9 series being Oppo’s biggest phone launch yet, it won’t be available in the US. Still, with everything that’s crammed into this phone, I had to try it out. Do I really want a thinner smartphone? Or one that lasts multiple days before it needs recharging? And man, this telephoto lens is certainly eye-catching.
Display and design
The Find X9 Pro has a 6.78-inch display, with peak outdoor brightness at 3,600 nits. On paper, that beats the iPhone 17 Pro, but most people with phones older than a year or two will notice how much brighter phones like the X9 Pro are. Another notable feature is a 1-nit minimal brightness to reduce eye strain when using the phone in the dark. Or in bed. Which we shouldn’t do, but we all do. Oppo has also included high-frequency pixel dimming to further reduce the screen's harshness.
Like recent phones from its business cousin, OnePlus, Oppo has added a new button on this year’s Find X model. The Snap key is on the left of the device, and can be customized to launch apps like the voice recorder, translation apps and flashlight. Meanwhile, the right edge houses the Find X9’s Quick Button, which is ostensibly the camera button. Double-tapping it launches the camera app. While it’s not as elaborate as the iPhone’s Camera Control, you can swipe on the button to zoom in and out while using the camera, which is a simple, welcome addition.
Alongside Mediatek's new Dimensity 9500 chip, the Find X9 Pro is another flagship phone with a silicon-carbon battery. With a higher energy density than graphite-based batteries, this means longer battery life without making the phone bigger or thicker. At 7,000mAh, the battery is huge. That’s far bigger than the battery found in foldables like Samsung’s Z Fold 7 (4,400 mAh) and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold (4,650 mAh). It’s even bigger than the one in the OnePlus 13 (6,000 mAh). Fortunately, the Find X9 supports suitably swift charging speeds, with support for 80W SUPERVOOC and 50W wireless charging. During my time with the phone, it would often last two days on a charge. Even after a day of heavy camera use, Google Maps and streaming video, I didn’t need to recharge the Find X9 Pro until late afternoon on the second day.
Cameras
The Find X9 Pro’s camera consists of a 50-megapixel main sensor with f/1.5 lens and optical image stabilization. There’s also a 50MP ultrawide camera and arguably the most technically impressive part: a 200MP periscope camera with an f/2.1 lens and OIS. This is further augmented with an attachable teleconverter lens — more on that later.
Oppo’s Hasselblad collaboration focuses on telephoto, though the company calls its entire camera setup the Hasselblad Master Camera System. I’m not sure it needed such a label.To make the most of the high-resolution sensor, the camera app includes a new Hi-Res mode to capture at 200MP for the telephoto lens and 50MP when using the other two camera sensors. The company warns that the mode is best used in well-lit environments, as it strips out pixel binning and other computational photography techniques that are used when there’s limited light.
But that’s not really the point: it’s all about the zoom. The telephoto has a base 3x optical zoom, which can be cropped to a 6x zoom with a 50MP image. It’s worth noting that all the cameras on the Find X9 can capture at 50MP. If the phone detects more challenging shooting conditions, it automatically drops down to 25MP or 12MP shots. In reality, I didn’t notice the resolution jump in most photos I took, although the rich foliage in some of my landscape shots showcases how much detail the camera system is able to capture.
Oppo says its computational photography know-how pushes the zoom here to 13.2x, but its algorithms can get a little aggressive and messy with faces and detail at the higher digital zoom settings. Take a look at these pictures taken across a hillside. While the foliage appears crisp and detailed, the walkers are blurry and there’s a halo effect around them. At other times, computational photography turned pedestrians into nightmarish faces.
In yet another opportunity to mention the Hasselblad collab, there’s also an XPAN shooting mode for cinematic 65:24 images. Conversely, if you’re into a disposable camera aesthetic, the Find X9 series can also trigger an aggressive double-flash to mimic ‘00s photography.
The same zoom capabilities are available in video capture, too, and the company has added a new Sound Focus mode to strip out ambient noise, which worked better than I expected it to. There are several more video recording upgrades, including full LOG recording (activated in settings) and an integrated LUT preview to check color grading in real time.
Then there’s the attachable lens. Oppo’s Hasselblad Teleconverter is a solid, premium peripheral, with a metal barrel and some heft. It extends the Find X9’s optical zoom to 10x, with an equivalent focal length of 230mm. Thanks to the high-res 200MP Telephoto camera sensor, you can punch in at up to 200x digital zoom for stills and 50x zoom for video, although the sweet spot is certainly more in the middle. The add-on teleconverter lens, while not entirely new (Vivo did it first), may be the most intriguing part.
You need to use a specific case and mounting plate to securely attach the lens to the phone, but when it’s locked in, it feels solid and very secure. It also looks, well, how it looks. Because it’s such a slender lens, it looks like something you might use for espionage. It doesn’t even look like a point-and-shoot camera. It’s… eye-catching, but also so much fun.
I’ve been testing the Find X9’s camera chops for a few weeks, and it’s been a lot of fun to zoom in with optical zoom clarity, whether at concerts, movie premieres or taking pictures of my nieces during hectic Play-Doh sessions. What’s particularly attractive is the combination of high detail and bokeh effect. With the leap in zoom, I had to ensure I was far enough away in order to use the teleconverter, or it would struggle to focus.
Oppo is pitching its new flagship as the ultimate phone for concerts and live events, and the zoom range is very impressive. Perhaps understandably, when zooming so much, there is a high risk of blurry shots. Oppo includes a special tripod mount that attaches to the lens barrel to ensure the whole thing doesn’t tip over, but it’s one step too far for me. Carrying around the teleconverter and mounting plate is already a lot. It’s also a bit of a chore to have to detach the plate when using the camera without the teleconverter. Oddly, the plate covers the other sensors, meaning that if you want a closer focal point (or want to use anything besides the telephoto sensor), it’s an additional pain point before you can take the photo.
It’s unusual that a phone’s “main” camera isn’t the star of the show, but that may be the case with the Find X9 Pro. However, it’s still technically impressive. With a new 1/1.28 sensor codeveloped with Sony, the 50MP main camera can capture triple exposures on each frame before merging them. Oppo claims that it gives images 17 stops of dynamic range. There’s also a fourth camera, a True Color camera, dedicated to precisely measuring color temperatures across all the other sensors. Combined, it’s an impressive system, but you’ll get the most out of it if you’re willing to pay for the additional teleconverter.
At £1,099 in the UK, Oppo has priced it identically to the iPhone 17 Pro, although we're still waiting to hear pricing for the teleconverter kit. I feared foldable prices, but this seems at least competitive here in Europe.
What’s stopping Oppo from breaking into the US? Trade turbulence and competition, probably. If it can refine the experience (and maybe keep its next phone compatible with the same teleconverter), it has a good chance at charming the obsessive smartphone photographer away from their iPhones and Pixels.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/oppos-find-x9-pro-hands-on-detachable-telephoto-lens-7000mah-battery-160006373.html?src=rssHow to cancel your HBO Max subscription
It keeps happening. HBO Max just raised prices again, around 16 months after the last price increase. If your debit card is feeling the pain, or if you're just not excited about that weird Harry Potter remake nobody asked for, you may decide to take a break from the perpetually renamed platform. Here's everything you need to know about canceling your HBO Max subscription, so you can streamline those entertainment options.
How to cancel via web
The simplest way to end your HBO Max subscription is if you're being billed directly by the company. You can follow these steps in a web or mobile browser to say goodbye to the house that Tony Soprano built.
Go to max.com/subscription in a web browser.
Sign in to your account.
Click on your profile picture.
Select Subscription.
Click Cancel Your Subscription. This should be at the bottom of the page.
Follow the prompts to confirm.
That was pretty dang easy, but things get a bit more complicated if you originally subscribed via a third-party platform.
How to cancel via third-party provider
Like most modern streaming platforms, HBO Max has partnerships with third-party providers like Apple and Amazon. This lets users sign up for the service through a totally different platform, like Prime Video or directly through iOS. Cancelling has to also go through this third party. The basic idea here is to sign into that account and find a place to manage billing and subscriptions, looking for HBO Max. Here are specific steps for some of the more common providers.
Cancel via Apple
Go to the Settings app on your iOS device.
Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
Tap Subscriptions.
Select HBO Max to manage and make changes.
Cancel via Amazon
Go to Amazon in a web browser.
Sign in to your account.
Click on Amazon Memberships and Subscriptions.
Find the HBO Max subscription and hit Cancel Subscription.
Follow the prompts.
Cancel via Google Play
Go to the Google Play store on a web browser.
Confirm that you're signed in to your Google account.
Click on Payment & Subscriptions, which should be on the top right.
Click the Subscriptions tab.
Select HBO Max.
Click Manage.
Select Cancel Subscription.
How to cancel a bundle subscription
There are a couple of bundles that include HBO Max, in addition to platforms like Disney+ and Hulu. It's corporate synergy at its finest. However, this does make cancelling slightly more complicated. If you previously had an HBO Max subscription and upgraded to a bundle, cancelling the bundle might not cancel HBO Max. It could just cancel the platforms that were added in the bundle. Just make sure to double-check that HBO Max went away along with the bundle. As for canceling the bundle itself, follow the steps above.
Can I pause an HBO Max subscription?
No, you can't pause a subscription to HBO Max. The best way to approximate this is to simply cancel a subscription and resubscribe at a later date. Whatever works, right?
What happens after you cancel?
Cancelling your subscription to HBO Max doesn't immediately end the service. There are no partial refunds in this world, so you'll have full access to the account until the next payment date. This means that if you change your mind before the next pay period, it'll be easy to get things going again. Just look for a Restart Subscription button somewhere on the Account page. After the next payment date passes, the service sails off into that Westeros sunset.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/how-to-cancel-your-hbo-max-subscription-155047857.html?src=rssI can't believe Doctor Who is back so soon
The BBC has today announced Doctor Who will return for a Christmas Special in 2026, with news of the next series to be revealed “in due course.” The broadcaster says the special will be written by current executive producer Russell T. Davies, putting to rest more than a year’s worth of doubt.
For the unaware, Doctor Who has been a mainstay in the BBC schedules since its 2005 revival, but the BBC felt it couldn’t sustain the show’s budget alone. In 2022, it partnered with Disney, which bankrolled the show in exchange for the right to stream it globally on Disney+.
The Disney deal lasted for two years, plus the yet-to-be-broadcast spin-off The War Between The Land And The Sea. Unfortunately, the revived series was not the world-swallowing hit its backers were hoping for, and there were big question marks about the show’s future.
Behind the scenes rumors suggested an unhappy set, with the companion role recast just weeks before production began on the second season. With the show’s fate uncertain, the series’ long-running storyline was tweaked and re-shot beyond the point of incoherence as star Ncuti Gatwa opted to leave.
Since then, more details about the series' originally planned conclusion have leaked out, as reported by Den of Geek, validating the stories of disharmony. And since then, many figures connected to the show have claimed that the series was dead in the water as the BBC lacks the funds to properly afford it.
The news of a new special and new season will, naturally, provoke plenty more questions as to how the BBC will be able to keep the show going, and how Davies will be able to un-tangle the knot he hastily tied at the conclusion of "The Reality War."
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/i-cant-believe-doctor-who-is-back-so-soon-153050935.html?src=rssPSA: X users have until November 10 to re-enroll their security keys
If you’re a former Twitter user still using X and rely on a hardware security key for your two-factor authentication (2FA) method, you need to re-enroll it before November 10. As spotted by The Verge, X’s Safety account notified users of the deadline in a post last week. The Elon Musk-owned company eventually intends to retire the twitter.com domain, which hardware keys such as YubiKeys remain tied to until they’re re-enrolled.
"By November 10, we’re asking all accounts that use a security key as their two factor authentication (2FA) method to re-enroll their key to continue accessing X. You can re-enroll your existing security key, or enroll a new one. A reminder: if you enroll a new security key, any other security keys will stop working (unless also re-enrolled)," the account said.
X later clarified that the change only applies to YubiKeys and passkeys, and not 2FA authenticator apps such as Microsoft Authenticator or Authy. Users who fail to re-enroll their affected keys before November 10 will have their accounts locked until they either complete the re-enrollment process, choose a different 2FA method or decide to not use 2FA altogether (which X says it advises against).
To re-enroll your hardware key or add a new one, head to Settings in the X app, then click "Security and account access" and "Manage Passkeys" within the Security section.
Elon Musk rebranded Twitter to X in 2023, and last year fully transitioned the social network's core systems to X.com, leaving no trace of the blue bird logo that was once synonymous with the platform.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/psa-x-users-have-until-november-10-to-re-enroll-their-security-keys-150620766.html?src=rssAmazon cuts its workforce by 14,000 in further embrace of AI
Amazon has announced an approximately 14,000 person reduction in its corporate workforce. The news follows an earlier report from Reuters that up to 30,000 people could be let go. Amazon has confirmed to Engadget that the 14,000 roles were eliminated today.
Amazon declined to comment on which departments are impacted, but Bloomberg reports that layoffs occurred within teams such as video games, logistics, payments and cloud-computing.
The impetus for this reduction is, of course, AI. In the announcement, Beth Galetti, Amazon's senior vice president of people experience and technology, states that Amazon is "performing well" but "that the world is changing quickly."
Galetti continues: "This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the Internet, and it's enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before (in existing market segments and altogether new ones). We’re convicted that we need to be organized more leanly, with fewer layers and more ownership, to move as quickly as possible for our customers and business."
Amazon has executed a series of smaller scale layoffs regularly over the past few years. These layoffs have hit a range of departments, including Prime Video, Amazon Web Services and newly unionized warehouse workers.
Update, October 28 2025, 10:31AM ET: This article has been updated to include Amazon's confirmation that the 14,000 layoffs occurred today.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazon-cuts-its-workforce-by-14000-in-further-embrace-of-ai-125548323.html?src=rssOpenAI completes corporate reorganization with support from Microsoft
OpenAI has completed its long, drawn-out reorganization into a public benefit corporation, the company announced today in a blog post attributed to board of directors chair Bret Taylor. As part of the reorg, OpenAI's nonprofit, now called the OpenAI Foundation, will retain control of OpenAI's for-profit division and hold an equity stake in the company valued at approximately $130 billion. According to Taylor, the Foundation will gain additional control over the for-profit once it reaches an unspecified "valuation milestone."
Today's announcement wouldn't have been possible without acquiescence from Microsoft, which before OpenAI recently raised more startup capital, held a 32 percent stake in the company's for-profit unit. In blog post it published alongside OpenAI, the tech giant said it would have a 27 percent stake in the new PBC, valued at approximately $135 billion. That puts the total valuation of OpenAI’s for-profit at $500 billion.
Before OpenAI and Microsoft signed a memorandum of understanding in September, negotiations between the two organizations were reported to be tense, with Microsoft showing signs it was drifting away from OpenAI by working more closely with Anthropic to integrate its Claude models into Copilot 365. Now that there's an agreement in place, it appears both sides made some tough compromises.
Microsoft, for instance, will continue to hold IP rights to OpenAI's models and products through 2032, with those rights covering systems the company develops after declaring artificial general intelligence. On the subject of AGI, the two companies will hire an independent panel of experts to verify any claim OpenAI makes there, when and if it reaches that milestone.
However, Microsoft has agreed to waive any IP rights as they relate to OpenAI's upcoming consumer hardware — that is, the devices the company is working on with former Apple designer Jony Ive. In exchange, OpenAI has pledged to spend $250 billion on Azure cloud computing services — though Microsoft also agreed it would no longer have a "right of first refusal" to be OpenAI's cloud provider.
In the end, the most important part of today’s announcement is that it clears the way for OpenAI to become a publicly traded company. Much of the company’s financial future depended on it successfully completing this transition, and now at least it doesn’t have that burden resting on its shoulders.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-completes-corporate-reorganization-with-support-from-microsoft-133109385.html?src=rssAmerica's Sovereign AI supercomputers will use AMD chips
AMD is working with the US Department of Energy to build sovereign AI supercomputers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the agency's famous research and development center. NVIDIA describes sovereign AI as "a nation’s capabilities to produce artificial intelligence using its own infrastructure, data, workforce and business networks." The company's products will power Lux and Discovery, which will be built by Hewlett Packard Enterprises and will become the DoE's flagship supercomputers under the Trump administration's AI Action Plan. AMD says the supercomputers' development is made possible by a $1 billion investment from private and public funding and that they will help researchers tackle the biggest challenges in energy, medicine, health, and national security.
The Lux supercomputer will be powered by AMD Instinct MI355X GPUs, AMD EPYC CPUs and AMD Pensando advanced networking technologies. DoE plans to deploy it sometime in 2026, and AMD says that would make Lux the first US AI Factory supercomputer. Lux would fulfill the agency's immediate AI needs and will give the US "an early and decisive advantage" when it comes to deploying AI to accelerate scientific innovation.
AMD is also working on the Discovery supercomputer with the same organizations, which will be powered by next-gen AMD EPYC CPUs that are codenamed "Venice." It will be equipped with AMD Instinct MI430X GPUs, a new MI400 Series accelerator made specifically for sovereign AI and high-performance computing. "The Discovery system will drive scientific innovation faster and farther than ever before," said Oak Ridge director Stephen Streiffer. They're hoping for Discovery to become operational in 2029 and expect it to produce scientific and security breakthroughs, such as how to make nuclear energy safer and cheaper.
Apple's MacBook Air M4 is back on sale for $799
Now's a great time to pick up a new MacBook Air if you've been thinking about taking the plunge. Amazon has the M4-powered, 13-inch MacBook Air for a record-low price of $799 right now. The 20 percent discount applies to multiple colors, too.
We ranked this as our favorite Apple laptop in our list of the best MacBook computers. Heck, it's even our very favorite laptop. Full stop. The performance is exceptionally snappy, thanks to the M4 chip. We appreciated the upgraded battery life, which now lasts for around 18 hours per charge. That's well beyond a full day of work.
The design is lightweight, but sturdy. This has become a hallmark for modern MacBook Air computers. The screen is both gorgeous and roomy, even though it's technically just a 13-inch panel. There's support for the P3 wide color gamut and it can reach up to 500 nits of brightness.
This is a near-perfect laptop, but there are a couple of nitpicks. There's no USB-C port on the right side, limiting how users can arrange accessories on a desk. Also, the screen is capped with a 60Hz refresh rate. Another potential complication is the looming specter of the M5 chip. The company has already released the MacBook Pro M5, so a new MacBook Air is likely coming in the nearish future.
If you need more screen space, you'll find a similar discount on the 15-inch MacBook Air on Amazon, too. Most color options are $200 off and down to $999 for the base model.
Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-macbook-air-m4-is-back-on-sale-for-799-183808431.html?src=rssAdobe's new Photoshop AI Assistant can automate repetitive tasks
Among the usual slew of AI enhancements to its Creative Cloud apps, Adobe has introduced a new Photoshop AI Assistant to help automate repetitive chores and provide personalized recommendations. At Adobe Max 2025, the company also introduced new tools for Photoshop, Premiere and Lightroom, while launching a new AI generative model and bringing in new third party models from Topaz and others.
A key new feature in Photoshop and Express (Adobe's all-in-one design, photo, and video tool) is the AI Assistant that lets you can chat with in a conversational manner to gain "more control, power and potential time-savings," according to Adobe. With that, you can tell it to take on a series of creative tasks like color correction on resizing. You can easily switch between prompts with the agent and manual tools like sliders to adjust brightness and contrast. It can also provide personalized recommendations and offer tutorials on how to accomplish complex tasks.
In a brief demo, Adobe showed that when you switch to Photoshop's "agentic" mode in those apps, it minimizes the usual complex interface and leaves you with a simple prompt-based UI. You can then type in the task you want to accomplish, and the agent will perform those steps automatically. You can then jump back into the full interface to fine tune the result by changing things like brightness or levels.
Along with the AI Assistant, Adobe introduced a few other AI tools for Photoshop. Chief among those are new partner models for generative fill that lets you easily remove unwanted objects and fill in the hole left behind. Those include Google Gemini 2.5 f!ash, Black Forest Labs FLUX.1 Kontext and Adobe's latest Firefly Image Models. It also introduced Firefly Image Model 5, Adobe's most advanced image generation model yet.
Photoshop also gains new Generative Upscale option that uses Topaz Lab's AI to upscale small, cropped and other low-resolution images into 4K with "realistic detail," Adobe says. Another feature, Harmonize, lets you place objects or people into different environments in a realistic manner, eliminating much of work necessary for such compositing. Harmonize also matches the light, color and tone of foreground objects and people to the background.
Premiere, meanwhile, introduced a similar feature called AI Object Mask that performs automatic identification and isolation of people and objects in video, so they can be edited and tracked without any manual rotoscoping. The app also gains new rectangle, ellipse and pen masking in Premiere to make targeted adjustments, along with a fast vector mask for quicker tracking.
Finally, LIghtroom is getting a new feature called Assisted Culling. It lets you quickly and easily identify the best images in a large photo collection, with the ability to filter for things like focus level, angles and degrees of sharpness.
Photoshop’s Generative Fill with Partner Models, Generative Upscale and Harmonize are now available to customers today. Premiere’s AI Object Mask, Rectangle, Ellipse and Pen Masking and Fast Vector Mask, along with Lightroom's AI Assisted Culling, launch today in beta. Adobe's Photoshop AI Assistant, meanwhile, will be available through a private beta waitlist.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/adobes-new-photoshop-ai-assistant-can-automate-repetitive-tasks-120032017.html?src=rssAdobe's Firefly can now use AI to generate soundtracks, speech and video
Adobe has released the latest version of Firefly that now leans heavily on AI for nearly every facet of video and image post-production. The updated app can now use AI to generate narration, music, images and video clips, while even helping you to brainstorm ideas and piece together clips. Many creators may find it distasteful to lean on AI for nearly every aspect of production, but Adobe calls it "a tool for, not a replacement of, human creativity."
Firefly has mostly been a content generation tool until now, but Adobe has now introduced the Firefly video editor into private beta. It's a web-based multitrack timeline editor, not unlike Adobe Premiere Pro, that lets you generate, organize, trim and arrange clips, with tools to add voiceovers, soundtracks and titles. You can organize existing Firefly content or generate new ones inside the editor (with presets like claymation, anime and 2D), and combine that with captured media. All that can be edited with "frame-by-frame precision or through a built-in transcript," Adobe said.
On top of video, Firefly eliminates the need for humans to make voiceovers and music, too. Adobe's new Generate Soundtrack (public beta) is a Firefly Audio Model-powered AI music generator that lets you select a style or comes up with one to match any clip you upload. It then syncs and times it precisely with that footage.
Generate Speech, meanwhile, does the same thing for voiceovers. It gives you a choice between Firefly's Speech Model and one for ElevenLabs, letting you generate "lifelike voices in multiple languages, and fine-tune emotion, pacing and emphasis for natural, expressive delivery."
Adobe is also expanding access to its Fire!y Creative Production tool directly in the Fire!y app as a private beta to start with. It's a complete AI-powered batch image editing system that lets creators piece together clips, automatically replace backgrounds, apply uniform color grading and crop in via a prompt-driven, no code interface.
Then there's Fire!y Boards, an "AI-powered ideation surface" to brainstorm new concepts. A feature called "Rotate Object" helps you convert 2D images into 3D so you can position objects and people in different poses and rotate them to new perspectives. Two others, PDF exporting and bulk image downloading, speed the the process of sharing visual concepts across projects.
Finally, Prompt to Edit (available now on Firefly) is a conversational editing interface that allows you to use everyday language to describe the edits you want to make to an image, much as you'd use text-to-image tools like Midjourney to create new images. It's available with Adobe's latest Fire!y Image Model 5 AI, along with partner models from Black Forest Labs, Google and OpenAI.
With Firefly's AI now able to handle every aspect of production, you may be wondering if this will result in a wave of unwatchable AI "slop" appearing on YouTube and elsewhere. The answer is "probably," but it won't necessarily be cheap. Standalone Firefly subscriptions are $10/month for the basic plan (20 five-second videos), $20/month for the the Pro plan (40 five-second videos) and $199 for the Premium plan (unlimited videos). However, Adobe is throwing in free image and video generation (with some restrictions) for all Firefly and Creative Cloud Pro customers until December 1st. All the new tools are now available either as part of the update, in public beta or in private beta as mentioned above.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/adobes-firefly-can-now-use-ai-to-generate-soundtracks-speech-and-video-120018593.html?src=rssInsta360 X4 Air is a lightweight 8K 360-degree camera
Insta360 has launched a new camera that sits between the X4 and its current flagship, the X5. The company says the new Insta360 X4 Air is lightest-ever 8K 360-degree camera at just 165 grams. It is definitely lighter than the 200-gram X5 and the 203-gram X4 cameras, but the company says it packs flagship-level features. The camera has 1/1.8-inch sensors and can capture footage with a 134 percent increase in pixel area per frame compared to recording by the X4. It has lenses that users can replace in seconds, with optical coating that doubles its drop resistance compared to its predecessor. The camera is also waterproof up to 49 feet underwater.
The company explained that while the "X5 is engineered for precision, X4 Air is made for freedom." It's compatible with most X5 accessories, but since the camera itself is lighter, the whole setup will still be easier to handle. The X4 Air also has a built-in wind guard like the X5 and captures footage from every angle with its dual fisheye lenses. You can later reframe your footage in the Insta360 app to give your viewers various perspectives of what you shot. It has gesture controls and other intelligent tools the X5 also has, and its Invisible Selfie Stick enables drone-like shots like in other Insta360 cameras. Being lighter, however, means it has a battery with a lower capacity: It can last around 88 minutes while shooting at 8K 30fps, whereas the X5 can last up to 100 minutes.
Insta360 X4 Air comes in black or white and is now available for certain regions on the company's website and on Amazon. It's coming "soon" in the US and Canada. The Standard bundle will set you back $400, while the Starter bundle that comes with a 114cm invisible selfie stick, a lens cap and an extra battery will cost you $440. Whatever you choose, you're getting a free one-year subscription to the Insta360+ cloud service with 200GB of storage with your purchase.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/insta360-x4-air-is-a-lightweight-8k-360-degree-camera-120017733.html?src=rssYouTube Shorts will integrate Adobe Premiere's video editing tools
Adobe Max kicked off today with a slew of announcements — mostly in the world of AI. But the company also used its creative conference to share that Adobe Premiere's video editing tools are being integrated into YouTube Shorts.
It's no secret that YouTube has been taking every step it can to make Shorts compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels. Now, YouTube creators will be able to access Premiere mobile in Shorts by clicking on "Edit in Adobe Premiere." It will include Adobe's editing tools, generative sound effects and, of course, a range of AI features powered by Firefly.
YouTube Shorts creators will also see "exclusive" options like a range of effects, presets and transitions. Similarly, they can choose to go for an existing template designed for Shorts or customize ones that can be shared among creators. Adobe Premiere arrived on iOS devices in September, but creators have to export content to YouTube.
In a statement, Adobe's chief technology officer and senior vice president of digital media, Ely Greenfield, referred to YouTube as "the world's biggest stage." He continued, "YouTube Shorts has become the ultimate launchpad for creators, and bringing Adobe Premiere mobile’s pro-grade video editing tools to millions of YouTube creators helps them make standout content and reach new audiences."
The exact timeframe isn't clear, with Adobe simply saying that Premiere mobile is coming to YouTube Shorts "soon."
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-shorts-will-integrate-adobe-premieres-video-editing-tools-120013562.html?src=rssLenovo Legion Go 2 review: The utility PC gaming handheld
When the first big wave of handheld PCs hit the market two to three years ago, they were designed as more travel-friendly and convenient alternatives to traditional gaming rigs. That meant reduced performance in exchange for increased portability. However, there will always be enthusiasts who want more: increased horsepower, better battery life and all sorts of extra features. Out of all the handhelds on the market today, there's practically no device with more tools and special equipment than the Lenovo Legion Go 2. However, just like a luxury SUV, this bucket of components commands a hefty premium and has capabilities that you might not use every day. But if you are the type of person who's looking for a flagship portable PC with all the bells and whistles, the Legion Go 2 is a true utility gaming handheld.
Design
The Legion Go 2 looks like a Switch 2 that's fattened up before hibernating for the winter. It has the same basic design with detachable controllers on either side and a screen in the middle; it's just way bigger and bulkier. The Legion Go 2 weighs two pounds and measures 11.6 inches wide (with its controllers attached) compared to 1.6 pounds and 11.4 inches for the ROG Xbox Ally X (and that's including its big, pronounced grips). Both devices make the Switch 2 look downright petite with its 1.2 pounds and 10.7-inch-wide frame.
Unfortunately, without the magnets that Nintendo uses on the Joy-Con, disconnecting the gamepads on the Legion Go 2 isn't nearly as smooth or easy, but it's still relatively manageable. On the flipside, Lenovo uses Hall Effect sensors for its joysticks, which makes them super responsive, even though they're lighter to push around. I appreciate that, unlike many of its rivals, Lenovo kept the kickstand from its predecessor, as it's super handy if you want to prop the Legion Go 2 up and use it like a mini desktop.
Elsewhere, there is a familiar layout for the Legion Go 2’s D-pad, face buttons and shoulder triggers/bumpers, along with two pairs of paddles around back. Critically, Lenovo retained the built-in touchpad on the right controller, which is super handy for those times when you need to mouse around in the Windows 11 desktop. And like its predecessor, you can detach the right gamepad, flick the hidden switch on the bottom into FPS mode and then combine it with Lenovo's included base to create a vertical mouse of sorts.
Ostensibly, this setup is meant for people who want extra precision in shooters and there is even an extra set of mouse buttons and an embedded scroll wheel on the controller for that reason. The one hiccup for me is that the puck isn't that much smaller than a typical travel mouse. If I really want ultimate control in FPS games, I'm going to use one of those instead of Lenovo's more awkward alternative.
As for connectivity, the Legion Go 2 features two USB-C ports (one on top and one on bottom) which support data (up to 40 Gbps), power delivery and display output. There's also a microSD card slot for expandable storage and a 3.5mm audio jack.
I have two small nitpicks with the Legion Go 2's design (aside from its size). First, the headphone port is on the bottom, which isn't ideal as I feel like the top USB-C connector is easier to use when gaming while plugged into the wall. Secondly, Lenovo's fingerprint reader (which is built into the power button) is rather finicky. I didn't have issues unlocking the device, but the sensor is so sensitive that often when I pressed the power button to put the Legion Go 2 into sleep mode, the screen turned off before turning itself on again. This resulted in multiple occasions where I thought I put the handheld to sleep inside the included case (kudos to Lenovo for that freebie) only to come back to a device that was very much awake and felt like it was on the verge of cooking itself inside its padded enclosure.
Display
If money and size are not an issue, Lenovo's massive OLED display is the biggest reason to choose the Legion Go 2 over rivals like the ROG Xbox Ally X. At 8.8 inches, it's significantly larger than the 7-inch panel on the ASUS or the 7.9-inch screen on a Switch 2. Not only are its colors super rich and saturated, it has a slightly higher 144Hz refresh rate and a taller 16:10 resolution (1,920 x 1,200). And at 500 nits, it's just as bright as the screen on the ROG Xbox Ally X. The downside is that if you want to game at the Legion Go 2's native res, it does take a little bit of extra performance to achieve stable, playable framerates.
Performance and software
The $1,100 base model of the Legion Go 2 comes with an AMD Ryzen Z2 chip with 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage. However, if you want even better performance, you'll need to upgrade to the $1,350 version that comes with a Z2 Extreme chip and 32GB of RAM, which is the configuration I tested for this review. Frankly, that is a lot of money to drop on a gaming handheld of any kind, though the Legion Go 2 does make up for it with class-leading performance. Well, almost.
While the maxed SKUs of both the Legion Go 2 and ROG Xbox Ally x are based on the same Z2 Extreme chip, Microsoft was able to tweak some of Windows 11's tasks and services that run in the background on Lenovo’s' rival. And while there isn't a huge gap between the two, that optimization does make a difference.
Generally, the ROG Xbox Ally produced framerates that were around seven percent higher than what I got from the Legion Go 2 at the same graphics settings and resolution. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 35 watts on medium, 1080p resolution and FSR set to performance, the Legion Go 2 hit 57.5 fps compared to 62.1 fps for the ROG Xbox Ally X. Meanwhile in Returnal at 17 watts on medium, the Lenovo reached 39 fps versus 42 for ASUS. Depending on the game and the exact resolution you're using, that could mean the difference between something being a good experience or not. For example, in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at 1080p on medium, the ROG Xbox Ally X hovered right around 30 fps. Granted, that isn't ideal, but it's not bad for a handheld running a relatively new title. But on the Legion Go 2 at its native res, its average framerate was closer to 25 fps, which forced me to drop down to low settings to get a smoother experience.
Like a lot of Windows-based handhelds, it's important to remember that you get more speed when connected to a power outlet. For example, the Legion Go 2's Performance mode tops out at 20 watts when not plugged in, but increases to 32 watts when it is. And if you want to go all out, you're best off using the Custom setting, which gives you a sustained TDP of 35 watts and the ability to boost to 45 watts for up to 10 seconds.
As for the software, Lenovo's Legion Space app has come a long way and it's turned into a solid one-stop shop for launching games, adjusting settings and tweaking performance. As always with Windows-based handhelds, there's still a bit of awkwardness during setup when you're installing titles and having to switch between various menus. Thankfully, Lenovo's built-in touchpad helps smooth that out quite a bit. I'd also argue that because of that trackpad and the handheld's adaptable design, the Legion Go 2 is the most well-equipped portable for anyone who wants to use it like a mini PC. You can prop the display up with its kickstand, connect a display via USB-C and pair a wireless keyboard and mouse (or use the right controller in FPS mode) and suddenly you've got a little desktop for getting some real work done. (Who are we kidding, this is still going to be used for gaming, just on a bigger display with better controls.)
Battery Life
Thanks to a 74WHr cell and a more efficient chip, the Legion Go 2 has gotten a nice bump battery life over its predecessor. However, due to its big display, its longevity isn't quite as good compared to the ROG Xbox Ally X. I tested this by playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at 1080p on medium graphics and max brightness. The Legion Go 2 did well, lasting almost three hours, though that was 30 minutes shy of what I got from the ROG Xbox Ally X. While you can game for a decent length of time untethered, for any longer trips or time away from an outlet, you'll definitely want to keep the included 65-watt power adapter close at hand.
Wrap-up
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is large and in charge — both in price and size. The base model starts at $1,100, which is already $100 more than a fully kitted-out ROG Xbox Ally X with a Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip. Meanwhile, to get the same silicon on Lenovo's handheld, you have to shell out $1,350, and even then, its performance still lags just a tad behind Microsoft and ASUS' collab. But what the Legion Go 2 lacks in value, it makes up for in versatility.
Its 8.8-inch OLED display is a huge upgrade in terms of both screen space and image quality, while features like its touchpad, detachable controllers and kickstand make this thing feel more like a portable hybrid PC than a single-purpose gaming machine. Just like an SUV that might go off-road once or twice a year, you might not use the Legion Go 2's full capabilities all the time, but when you do and everything comes together, you realize all that utility isn't just for show. While the ROG Xbox Ally X is the better value, I appreciate how Lenovo's handheld was made to handle a variety of battle conditions.
The Morning After: Rivian spinoff Also made a modular e-bike with a virtual drivetrain
Spinning off from Rivian, the TM-B e-bike is Also’s attempt at a do-it-all e-bike. It’s pitching it as flexible enough for commuting, trail riding or kid- and cargo-hauling because its modular frame can swap in bench seats or cargo racks. But the frame only comes in a single size. Still, Also (hate that name) says the standard battery is good for 60 miles of riding and can be charged via USB-C.
Besides the modularity, another unique feature is its drive system, called DreamRide. Instead of a mechanical connection between the bike’s rear wheel and the pedals, the TM-B uses “software-defined pedaling,” so pedaling transfers to the generator (and the battery) instead of simply pushing you forward. It’s a different take on e-bike riding, and I’m not entirely sold on it.
From the people that brought you Rivian vehicles, there are plenty more tech touches, including a 5-inch touchscreen display and a built-in security system that automatically locks the frame and rear wheel when you walk away, a la Cowboy and VanMoof.
The first model to ship will be the $4,500 TM-B Limited Launch Edition, which has a range of up to 100 miles. There’s also a $4,500 TM-B Performance model, with a slightly different color scheme, available in the “first half” of 2026. Finally, there’s a base-level TM-B model with a range of up to 60 miles, which only comes with standard ride modes. Also hasn’t announced an exact price but says it will cost less than $4,000 when it ships “later in 2026.”
— Mat Smith
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Google’s AI health coach will soon be available to some Fitbit Premium users
You’ll chat with a bot.
A preview version of Google’s long-awaited AI health coach launches tomorrow for some Fitbit Premium users in the US. Google says it’ll incorporate user feedback to “add, change or improve features and capabilities.” The company warns users that “initially, there will be some gaps” as it sort of beta tests the coach. The coach can be a sounding board for personal health, fitness and sleep goals and also acts as a personal trainer. Google says it can check progress, create workouts, give advice on trends and review and adjust fitness plans.
US Customs and Border Protection will photograph visitors for facial recognition database
Welcome to America.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) submitted a new measure that allows it — for facial recognition — to photograph any non-US citizen who enters or exits the country. CBP and the Department of Homeland Security want to crack down on threats of terrorism, fraudulent use of travel documents and anyone who exceeds their authorized stay, according to a filing with the government’s Federal Register. The government agency can already request photos and fingerprints from anyone entering the country, but this rule change would allow it to gather photos of anyone exiting as well.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-111545206.html?src=rssThe best 2-in-1 laptops and tablets for 2025
While the excitement around 2-in-1 systems has cooled a bit over the years, they’re still useful solutions for anyone who wants a device that can act as both a tablet and a traditional laptop. In tablet mode, they’re handy for jotting down notes and drawing pictures, and in their full laptop configurations, they can let you manage e-mail and write as you would with a traditional notebook. Whether you’re a student, creative or just want a more flexible setup, a 2-in-1 solution gives you the best of both worlds without having to carry multiple devices.
We've tested and reviewed some of the top 2-in-1 options out there from brands like HP, Microsoft, Samsung and Apple. Whether you’re looking for a Windows PC that can occasionally act like a tablet, or traditional slates that can be empowered with keyboard accessories, we’ve rounded up the best models to consider.
Factors to consider before buying a 2-in-1 laptop
When you’re shopping for a 2-in-1 system, there are some basic criteria to keep in mind. First off, consider the type of machine you’re looking for. Do you want something that can look like a traditional Windows laptop, but also has a screen that can twist into different orientations? (We often call these convertibles.) Or do you want a standalone tablet that works with a separate keyboard attachment? Tablet setups are typically lighter, but they’re often harder to use on your lap since they rely on kickstands or awkward cases.
Also, while some 2-in-1s offer built-in LTE or 5G connectivity, not everyone will want to pay the premium for it. An integrated cellular radio makes checking emails or replying to messages on the go far more convenient. But it also often costs more — and that’s on top of what you’ll pay for data. And as for 5G, you can hold off on it unless you live within range of a mmWave beacon. Coverage is still spotty and existing nationwide networks use the slower sub-6 technology that’s barely faster than LTE. For now, tethering a PC to your phone is still the best way to get online.
When it comes to tablet keyboards, you’ll also have to make peace with the fact that they’ll never feel as responsive as full-fledged laptop options. Their keys are shallower, and their layouts are often a bit different than typical PCs. Again, there’s a cost for portability.
See Also:
Sometimes, getting a third-party tablet keyboard might be just as good, and they’re often cheaper than first-party offerings. If you’re looking to save some money, Logitech’s Slim Folio is an affordable option for iPads, and if you don’t need your keyboard to attach to your tablet, Logitech’s K780 Multi-Device wireless keyboard is also a good pick.
While we’ve typically made sure to include a budget 2-in-1 in previous years, this time there isn’t a great choice. We would usually pick a Surface Go, but the latest model is still too expensive. Other alternatives, like cheaper Android tablets, are underpowered and don’t offer a great multitasking interface. If you want something around $500 that’s thin, lightweight and long-lasting, you’re better off this year looking at a traditional laptop (like those on our best budget PCs list). Alternatively, you might consider one of our top picks for the best Chromebooks, either as a back-to-school option or for basic tasks.
Best 2-in-1 laptops
Recent updates
October 2025: Updated to include the latest iPad Pro.
February 2025: We’ve retitled this guide to “Best 2-in-1 laptops and tablets” to be more accurate, and we’ve also updated the introduction and “Factors to consider” section to refer to convertible laptops and detachable tablet options.
June 2024: We updated our top picks to include the Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ edition.
Nathan Ingraham contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/best-2-in-1-laptops-173038508.html?src=rssThe best wireless headphones for 2025: Bluetooth options for every budget
Wireless headphones have come a long way from the bulky designs of the past. Today’s models are lighter, smarter and packed with features that make them useful for everything from travel to long workdays at your desk. Many offer strong noise cancellation, quick pairing and reliable battery life — all of which makes them an easy upgrade if you want more freedom from your devices.
Of course, not every listener has the same needs. Some people want portability, which is why our guide to the best earbuds is worth a look, while others want something more specialized like the best gaming headsets or the best budget earbuds. But if you’re after over-ear headphones that focus on comfort and immersive sound, this roundup of the best wireless headphones highlights the top choices we’ve tested.
Table of contents
Best wireless headphones for 2025
How to choose the best wireless headphones for you
When it comes to shopping for a good pair of wireless headphones, the first thing you’ll need to decide on is wear style. Do you prefer on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the purposes of our buyer’s guide, we focus on the over-ear style as that’s what most noise-canceling headphones are nowadays. Sure, you can find on-ear models with ANC, but over-ear designs are much more effective at blocking sound. Speaking of noise cancellation, you’ll want to determine early on if you even want that. If you frequently crank up the beats in noisy environments, you’ll want to not only make sure it’s there, but also make sure it’s good, preferably with adaptive ANC. If you plan to use your new headphones in quieter spaces, skipping ANC can save you some money.
The next area to consider is features. We recommend trying to get the most bang for your buck, but as you’re shopping around you should determine which items are must-haves and what you can live without. And don’t take basic things like automatic pausing and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity for granted, as not all companies include them. We also suggest reading reviews to see how well a company’s more advanced features work. This will help you decide if those are something you’re willing to (likely) pay extra for. Keep an eye on better battery life estimates to avoid disappointment, as some manufacturers promise more hours than real-world testing delivers. And don’t be easily swayed by lofty promises about call quality without verifying them.
Sound can be subjective, so we recommend trying before you buy if at all possible. We understand this isn’t easy at a time when we’re doing most of our shopping online. But trying on a set of headphones and listening to them for a few minutes can save you from an expensive case of buyer’s remorse. We also recommend paying attention to things like Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, 360 Reality Audio and other immersive formats. Not all headphones support them, so you’ll want to make sure a perspective pair does if that sort of thing excites you. If you plan to use your headphones for other media besides music, checking for latency is also a must — some delay can impact playback for things like movies or games, even if most true wireless headphones now offer minimal lag.
How we test over-ear headphones
The primary way we test wireless headphones is to wear them as much as possible. We prefer to do this over a one- to two-week period, but sometimes embargoes don’t allow it. During this time, we listen to a mix of music and podcasts, while also using the earbuds to take both voice and video calls. Since battery life for headphones can be 30 hours or more, we drain the battery with looping music and the volume set at a comfortable level (usually around 75 percent). Due to the longer battery estimates, we’ll typically power the headphones off several times and leave them during a review. This simulates real-world use and keeps us from having to constantly monitor the process for over 24 straight hours.
To judge the best Bluetooth headphones, we focus on higher-quality audio by listening to a variety of genres and paying close attention to how each style sounds. We also test at both low and high volumes to check for consistency in the tuning. To assess the quality of phone calls, we’ll record audio samples with the headphones’ microphones as well as have third parties call us.
When it comes to features, we do a thorough review of companion apps, testing each feature as we work through the software. Any holdovers from previous models are double checked for improvements or regression. If the headphones we’re testing are an updated version of a previous model, we’ll spend time getting reacquainted with the older set. Ditto for the closest competition for each new set of headphones that we review.
Other wireless headphones we tested
AirPods Max
Apple’s AirPods Max are premium, well-designed over-ear headphones that incorporate all of the best features you find on standard AirPods: solid noise cancelation, spatial audio and easy Siri access. However, their $550 starting price makes them almost prohibitively expensive, even for Apple users. There are better options available at lower prices, but if you can pick up the AirPods Max at a steep discount, they might be worthwhile for the biggest Apple fans among us.
Dyson On-Trac
The On-Trac headphones have an almost infinitely customizable design, and that’s what’s most unique about them. The sound profile offers some nice detail, but lacks dynamic range overall. ANC is average at best and there aren’t any advanced features that will make your life easier. Well, except for the hearing health monitor which is actually handy. All told, that’s not a lot in a set of $500 headphones.
Sonos Ace
The Sonos Ace is an excellent debut for the company’s first headphones. The combination of refined design, great sound quality and home theater tricks creates a unique formula. However, ANC performance is just okay and key functionality is still in the works for many users.
Sony ULT Wear
If most headphones don’t have the level of bass you desire, the ULT Wear is an option to consider. The low-end thump isn’t for everyone, but there are also plenty of handy features and a refined look to make the $200 set more compelling than many in this price range.
Sony WH-CH720N
While the WH-CH720N are a great affordable option, we prefer the Audio-Technica in the budget category. Sony’s cans are lightweight with good sound quality, but ANC struggles at times and they’re made with a lot of plastic.
Beats Studio Pro
The Studio Pro lacks basic features like automatic pausing, and multipoint connectivity is only available on Android. Moreover, they’re not very comfortable for people with larger heads. Overall sound quality is improved, though, and voice performance on calls is well above average.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones
Bose’s latest flagship model has a lot to offer, but its trademark Immersive Audio feature can be inconsistent across different types of music. There’s still world-class ANC, excellent comfort and a clearer transparency mode, but for the price, the non-Ultra model is a better choice right now.
Master & Dynamic MH40 (2nd gen)
The MH40 are a great set of headphones if you favor crisp, clear and natural sound that isn’t overly tuned. This pair showcases the company’s affinity for leather and metal too, but limited customization and short battery life for non-ANC cans kept this set from making the cut.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8
The company’s trademark pristine sound is on display here, but the Px8 are more expensive and not nearly as comfortable as the Px7 S2.
Wireless headphones FAQs
How can you tell the quality of wireless headphones?
I typically look at three factors: design, sound quality and features. In terms of design, I’m usually looking to see if the build quality of the headphones feels cheap and plasticky. Plenty of companies use plastic, but they can do so in a way that doesn’t look or feel like budget models. For sound quality, I want to hear a nice, even tuning where highs, mids and lows are all well represented. No overly boomy bass or scooped out mids. I also want good clarity where you can pick up fine details and an open, immersive soundstage. Features is typically a distant third, but if a company doesn’t cover basic functionality (automatic pausing, transparency mode, multipoint Bluetooth, etc.) it can be an indication of overall quality.
How do I choose the best quality wireless headphones?
“Best” can be pretty subjective, but I always recommend going to a place where you can listen to the headphones you’re thinking about buying before you commit. Sometimes this isn’t possible, so you’ll want to check return policies. I also recommend doing some research to determine what your priorities are in a new set. Are you an audiophile who wants the best sound quality? Is powerful active noise cancellation (ANC) the most important? Would you rather have conveniences like automatic pausing?
Which brand has the best wireless headphones?
Sony consistently tops our list with its 1000X line. This is mostly due to the combination of sound quality, ANC performance and the truckload of features these headphones pack in. I’ll be the first to tell you that there are better sounding options and other companies, like Bose, offer more effective noise cancellation. But when you add everything up, no one comes close to the full slate of tools Sony puts in its premium headphone line.
Do expensive wireless headphones sound better?
Exorbitant price tags don’t mean better audio quality. Bowers & Wilkins’ headphones are on the high end for wireless noise-canceling models and they sound amazing. However, Audio-Technica’s M50xBT2 is much more affordable and doesn’t have ANC, but these headphones have a warm, natural sound profile that I find very inviting. At the end of the day, it will come down to personal preference, but you don’t need to spend a lot to find great headphones.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-headphones-wireless-bluetooth-120543205.html?src=rssX's Grokipedia is online after it briefly crashed out
Grokipedia, the encyclopedia powered by xAI's assistant Grok briefly went online Monday, before it promptly crashed. At the time of this writing, the website appears to be working, and contains more than 885,000 articles, according to a counter on its homepage.
Musk, who has previously railed against Wikipedia, has described the project as a "a necessary step towards the xAI goal of understanding the Universe." Musk and his allies have long claimed that Wikipedia is biased. Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales has called Musk's claims about the crowd-sourced encyclopedia "factually incorrect."
We are building Grokipedia @xAI.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 30, 2025
Will be a massive improvement over Wikipedia.
Frankly, it is a necessary step towards the xAI goal of understanding the Universe. https://t.co/xvSeWkpALy
Musk said last week that Grokipedia's launch had been delayed in order "to do more work to purge out the propaganda." Notably, some articles are nearly identical to their entries in Wikipedia, though Grokipedia doesn’t contain in-line links to sources in the same format. Such entries do have a small disclaimer that “the content is adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.”
In other cases, social media users have already spotted instances where Musk’s worldview is more obvious in the "AI-powered encyclopedia." Here's an excerpt from the entry for "university," as captured by Bluesky user Jeremy Cohen.

And here's a screenshot of Grokipedia's entry for Musk, which was captured by Bleusky user Miles Lee.

X didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cinemark is adding more 70mm IMAX screens ahead of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey
The movie industry has been in a tailspin for years, with many people foregoing the theatrical experience in favor of watching films at home. I get it. Going to the movies can be expensive and, let’s face it, dealing with other people can be annoying (it’s been 10 years and I’m still mad about those teenagers who would not stop giggling all the way through my first viewing of The Witch). But there’s nothing quite like going to a theater and getting lost in a great film for a couple of hours. In addition, large-scale formats are growing in popularity and theater chains are trying to accommodate moviegoers.
Cinemark is installing more IMAX screens, including ones that support 70mm film projection. The company is adding such screens to its locations in Woodridge, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago); Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Rochester, New York. It’s also adding four IMAX with Laser systems — a 4K laser offering — to other locations in the US in the coming months. It’s upgrading its other 12 IMAX screens across the Americas with that tech too.
According to Variety, Cinemark plans to have the new IMAX 70mm film screens set up by July 17, 2026. That’s the release date for Christopher Nolan’s next film, The Odyssey, which is the first theatrical release to be shot entirely in IMAX. As it stands, only 30 movie theaters on the planet can screen films in IMAX 70mm, which is Nolan’s preferred format.
IMAX is proving popular with cinemagoers who are looking for a large-format experience that would be impossible at home (at least not without an obscene private screen). Indeed, many IMAX 70mm screenings of The Odyssey sold out a year in advance.
IMAX 70mm isn’t the only format with limited availability that’s drawing audiences to theaters. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is the first movie in 60 years to be projected in the VistaVision format, but only at a few locations. The film is currently being screened in IMAX 70mm in some cinemas too.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/cinemark-is-adding-more-70mm-imax-screens-ahead-of-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey-194155824.html?src=rssGoogle is bringing Beam, its 3D video conferencing tech, to deployed service members
Google has teamed up with the United Service Organizations (USO) to help deployed service members stay in touch with their families in a different way. As part of a pilot program, the company is bringing Google Beam, its 3D video communication tech, to USO service centers in the US and other countries starting in 2026.
Google suggests that Beam can help military families who are separated by many miles feel like they are in the same room. While family members can keep in touch with deployed loved ones through group chats and video calls, chatting via Beam could help them feel closer together, if the tech works as well as promised.
We got our first look at Beam — then known as Project Starline — in 2021. The holographic teleconferencing system uses 3D imaging, spatial audio and adaptive lighting to make video chats more immersive. Beam is primarily intended for enterprise clients (the first such device costs $25,000), but it's interesting to see Google exploring other applications for the tech.
Federal investigators are looking into Tesla's Mad Max mode, which reportedly defies speed limits
Federal investigators who are looking into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) tech have requested information from the company about the Mad Max mode it added to the system. The company has claimed that Mad Max offers “higher speeds and more frequent lane changes” than its Hurry speed profile.
"NHTSA is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told Reuters. "The human behind the wheel is fully responsible for driving the vehicle and complying with all traffic safety laws."
When it opened a fresh probe into FSD earlier this month, the NHTSA said the tech had "induced vehicle behavior that violated traffic safety laws.” Some Tesla vehicles with FSD engaged are said to have run red lights and driven against the flow of traffic.
Tesla initially offered a Mad Max mode in 2018, before FSD was available. The company revived Mad Max this month and it didn’t take long before there were reports of Tesla vehicles that were using the mode rolling stop signs and driving above speed limits.
Earlier this year, when Tesla CEO Elon Musk was at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Trump administration initiative reportedly culled NHTSA staff. As part of that, DOGE was said to have fired three people who were part of a small team that worked on autonomous vehicle safety.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/federal-investigators-are-looking-into-teslas-mad-max-mode-which-reportedly-defies-speed-limits-170913959.html?src=rssGoogle’s AI health coach will soon be available to some Fitbit Premium users
Google’s long-awaited AI health coach is nearly upon us, as a preview version is launching tomorrow for some Fitbit Premium users in the US. This will only be for Android devices at first, but the company promises an iOS version is in the works.
This is a Public Preview version of the software, so think of it like a beta release. Google says it'll incorporate user feedback to "add, change or improve features and capabilities." The company warns users that this is a "new experience, so initially, there will be some gaps."
For the uninitiated, Google's AI health coach is exactly what it sounds like. This is an AI chatbot intended to help users reach fitness and health goals. The company boasts that the tech is "secure, personalized and grounded in science." Everything starts with a five to ten minute conversation with the coach to assess health and fitness goals.
The coach can be a sounding board for personal health, fitness and sleep goals, but also acts as a personal trainer. Google says it can be used to review and adjust fitness plans, check progress, get advice on trends and create workouts. To that last point, the company says the chatbot can create workouts based on pre-existing constraints. For instance, users can ask the bot to make a workout that can be done in a cramped hotel room.
The coach can also be used to brainstorm questions to ask a doctor and to track and analyze a number of sleep metrics. The bot provides a "detailed sleep analysis" and can allegedly understand patterns and trends that can impact sleep. All of this data can be accessed via the app.
Being as this is a preview build, it won't roll out to everyone tomorrow. Eligible Fitbit Premium users will receive notification that the software is ready to use. It works with any Pixel Watch or Fitbit device.
The entire Fitbit app is being redesigned to focus more on AI and this is a large piece of the puzzle. Google promises integration with its health coach across every aspect of the app.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/googles-ai-health-coach-will-soon-be-available-to-some-fitbit-premium-users-170022769.html?src=rssHow to cancel your Peacock subscription
It happened again. Peacock just raised subscription prices for its Premium and Premium Plus plans. This is the third price increase in as many years. If your bank account is feeling the pain, or if you're just looking to streamline your entertainment options, you may decide it's time to take a break from NBC's flagship platform. Here's everything you need to know about canceling your Peacock subscription.
How to cancel via web
The simplest way to end your Peacock Premium service is if you're being billed directly by the company. You can follow the same steps in a web or mobile browser.
Log in to your Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account.
Click on the Profile icon.
Select Account or Plans & Payments.
Click on Cancel Plan.
Follow the prompts to confirm the cancellation.
That's pretty simple, but things get a bit more complicated if you're not in a direct-billing situation.
How to cancel via third-party provider
Like most modern streaming platforms, Peacock has partnerships with third-party providers like Apple and Amazon. This lets users sign up for the service through an entirely separate platform, like Prime Video. Cancelling has to also go through this third party. The general idea here is to sign into that account and find somewhere to manage billing and subscriptions, looking for Peacock. Here are specific steps for some of the more common providers.
Cancel via Apple
Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap on your name at the top of the screen and tap Subscriptions.
Select your Peacock subscription to manage and make changes.
Cancel via Amazon
Go to Amazon Memberships and Subscriptions using a web browser.
Sign in to your Amazon account.
Navigate to your Peacock subscription and select Cancel Subscription.
Cancel via Google Play
Go to the Google Play store using a web browser.
Confirm that you’re signed in to your Google account.
On the top right, click your Google account icon and select Payment & Subscriptions.
Click the Subscriptions tab and select your Peacock subscription.
Click Manage and select Cancel subscription.
Cancel via Roku
On your Roku TV, highlight Peacock.
Press the star (*) button.
Select Manage Subscriptions.
Look for Peacock and hit Cancel.
How to cancel a promotional subscription
Peacock is often given away by internet providers like Comcast and phone carriers, among others. These plans often start free, but that goes away after a year or so. Check the fine print to see when your gifted subscription will run out, as you'll begin getting charged the usual rate. The best way to cancel these subscriptions is via the entity that offered it in the first place. This means you'll have to call up Xfinity or Spectrum directly. A customer representative should be able to handle the cancellation.
Can I pause a Peacock subscription?
No, Peacock doesn't currently offer the ability to pause a subscription. The best way to effectively "pause" a subscription is to cancel via one of the aforementioned methods and then resubscribe at a later date.
What happens after you cancel?
Cancelling a Peacock subscription doesn't immediately end your service. There are no partial refunds given, so you'll have full access to the account until the next payment date. At that point, the service will revert to the free tier. This means that if you change your mind before the next pay period, it's really easy to get things going again. Just look for a Restart Subscription button somewhere on the Account page.
Like most modern tech services, cancelling doesn't erase any of your data. The subscription reverts to the free tier and will live on. To permanently close an account, you have to manually fill out a request via the Privacy Web Form in the Account page. This will lead you to a website to close the account.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-cancel-your-peacock-subscription-160047090.html?src=rssThreads introduces 'ghost' posts that disappear after 24 hours
Meta's Threads is getting its own version of ephemeral posting with a new feature the company is calling "ghost posts." The temporary posts will be published within Threads' main feed like any other post, but will disappear after 24 hours. And while other users can interact with ghost posts, only the original poster will be able to view likes and replies.
Instead of typical public-facing replies, replies to ghost posts will be routed directly to users' inboxes, where they can opt to respond privately. In some cases, this could also mean that replies for ghost posts are more limited than replies to normal posts, as Meta's default messaging settings limit DMs to followed accounts only (these settings can be tweaked in the Threads app).
In some ways, it's not surprising Meta would add temporary posts to Threads as a way to encourage users there to share more. On Instagram, Stories are used far more than permanent grid posts. In a blog post, Meta describes the new feature as a way for people to "share unfiltered thoughts and fresh takes without the pressure of permanence or polish."
But ephemeral formats haven't always been successful on text-based platforms like Threads. Twitter briefly experimented with an ephemeral Stories like format it called "Fleets." Then-CEO Jack Dorsey reportedly "grew to despise" the feature, and it was killed less than a year after it launched.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-introduces-ghost-posts-that-disappear-after-24-hours-160000228.html?src=rssSave 50 percent on a year subscription to one of our favorite budgeting apps
Those looking for a better way to keep track of their finances should consider a budgeting app. There are dozens of them on the market now, and one of our favorites is running a discount for new subscribers. Monarch Money is offering 50 percent off annual plans right now when you use the code MONARCHVIP at checkout. With the typical yearly price being $100, this will save you $50.
As mentioned before, the discount is only for new users and it can't be combined with other offers. The code only works when you sign up through the web as well. You can't redeem it through the Monarch mobile app.
We feel that Monarch has a steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers and that certain aspects of the app are slightly more complex than they probably need to be. But it offers a great deal of customization and granularity, which outweighs our misgivings.
On the main dashboard, you'll see your net worth along with your latest transactions, spending versus the previous month, your income so far for the month and details about upcoming bills, your investments and goals you've set. There's also a link to a month-in-review page, which offers an in-depth overview of what's been happening with your money that month. You'll also be able to take a peek at how your net worth has changed over time.
Monarch can connect to your bank and track Apple Card, Apple Cash and Savings accounts. It can pull in your transactions and balance history automatically and detect your recurring expenses and income. The app can even keep your car valuation up to date. While it might take a little work to set up Monarch (and you might have to tweak things here and there), it's a detailed budgeting app that can help you keep better track of your income, expenditure and net worth.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/save-50-percent-on-a-year-subscription-to-one-of-our-favorite-budgeting-apps-174011259.html?src=rssSpotify's redesigned tvOS app brings podcast and music videos to Apple TV
Using Spotify on Apple TV might be a smoother experience going forward. Spotify has released an entirely new "experience" that integrates many of its mobile features to Apple TV, including managing your queue and viewing lyrics.
The updated Spotify for Apple TV app also includes remote control via Connect — hopefully there won't be any future issues with changing the volume. You can also use Spotify DJ, the AI-powered guide for choosing what to listen to next.
If you're a big video person then there's another update for you. Apple TV will now be able to show podcast videos and let you adjust playback speed on any videos. It's good timing as Spotify recently announced that some of its podcast videos will come to Netflix in early 2026.
The update also brings one of Spotify's newer ventures to Apple TV: music videos. Any Premium subscribers in one of the 97 beta markets with the feature can choose "switch to video" on any song that has a music video. It works just like the tool for Podcasts.
All of these updates come with an entirely new interface that Spotify has created specifically for tvOS, redesigned Spotify for Apple TV should roll out for everyone by mid-November.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotifys-redesigned-tvos-app-brings-podcast-and-music-videos-to-apple-tv-143512134.html?src=rssThis Baseus magnetic power bank is on sale for only $36
If you’re on the go a lot, a power bank is practically a backpack essential, and while a chunkier device is sometimes necessary for power users, if you just need something to juice up your phone you can easily stay within the realms of pocketability. Baseus’ Picogo 5K belongs to the latter category, and right now you can pick one up for $36, which is a record low price.
While this particular accessory only made it into the "others we tested" section in our guide to the best MagSafe power banks for iPhone, that’s only because it was slightly beaten in the slimness department by the Anker Nano. However, as we noted in the guide, the Nano doesn’t have a stand, and the Picogo 5K does, so if you like to be able to prop up your phone while it’s charging, it might be the better pick for you.
As you can probably guess from its name, Baseus’ power bank has a 5,000mAh capacity and is Qi2-certified. In our testing. It gave our tester iPhone 15 a 43 percent bump in battery in 42 minutes, which returned the phone to 91 percent. It has a curved design and is wrapped in soft silicone, making it easy to grip in a pinch.
As a reminder, MagSafe charging is supported on iPhone 12 models and later, though you’ll need an iPhone 13 or later to reach the 15W charging speed on a third-party Qi2 accessory such as the one featured in this deal. If you don't need the built-in stand, Baseus has a similar magnetic power bank without it on sale for only $20. You can also upgrade to a 10K bank with the same design for only $40.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-baseus-magnetic-power-bank-is-on-sale-for-only-36-164814187.html?src=rssAirTag deal: Grab a four-pack of Bluetooth trackers for a record-low price
Apple deals can be hard to come by, but right now you can save on one of the company's smallest (and arguably one if its most useful) gadgets. A four-pack of Apple AirTags is down to $65 right now, which is 34 percent off its usual price. That brings each AirTag in the bundle down to $16.25 each. If you're an Apple user, then the AirTag is the best Bluetooth tracker on the market for you.
You can put these little discs in your wallet, in a backpack or in your luggage while you're traveling. Your AirTag's location will show up in your Find My app, powered by the vast network of iPhones, iPads and other compatible devices that receive the AirTag's Bluetooth signal. Keep in mind these only work when close enough to participating devices to be located.
You can attach AirTags to just about anything thanks to an abundance of available accessories. Their built-in speakers can play a tone, triggered from your iPhone, to help you find them when the object they're affixed to is lost. On iPhone 11 and newer models, you can take advantage of the AirTag's Ultra Wideband capability and have your phone lead you right to your AirTag, complete with directional arrows on your iPhone screen.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/airtag-deal-grab-a-four-pack-of-bluetooth-trackers-for-a-record-low-price-143112388.html?src=rssA bundle of two Blink Mini 2 cameras is on sale for only $28
If you're in the market for a budget-friendly home security camera (or even several), the Blink Mini 2 may be worth considering. A two-pack of the cameras is on sale at Amazon as the bundle has dropped from $70 to $28.
That's a discount of 60 percent, which is certainly nothing to shake at. This is also a better price than the $35 we saw for the cameras during Prime Day. Amazon recently revealed a newer version of the Blink Mini that records 2K footage, but the 1080p Blink Mini 2 can still get the job done.
The Blink Mini 2 is our pick for the best budget security camera. It's easy to set up and it integrates neatly into the Alexa smart home ecosystem. While you need a Blink Subscription for cloud storage ($3 for one camera, $10 for as many as you like), you can pick up a Sync Module 2 or Sync Module XR to store Blink Mini 2 footage locally. A Blink Subscription also enables specialized detection and alerts (e.g. for people and pets) and features like periodic photo captures.
The Blink Mini 2 is weather resistant, though you'll need an adapter to use it outdoors. Additionally, you can use the Mini 2 as a plug-in chime that sounds when someone presses a Blink Video Doorbell.
A number of other Blink cameras and bundles are on sale at the moment. If you like the idea of the Mini 2 but want to use it outdoors, you can get two cameras with two weather-resistant adapters for only $48. Elsewhere, the latest Blink Video Doorbell is 50 percent off and down to $30 and Blink Outdoor 4 camera systems are 60 percent off, so you can grab one starting at just $32.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/a-bundle-of-two-blink-mini-2-cameras-is-on-sale-for-only-28-144258742.html?src=rssApple's iPad Pro (M5) is $50 off right now
Apple only released its newest iPad in mid-October but the device is already on sale. Right now you can pick up the 11-inch iPad Pro (M5) for $949, down from $999. The five percent discount is exclusive to the 256GB Wi-Fi model with standard glass. It's also only available for the Space Black model, though the Silver version is currently listed as $983.
We gave the new iPad Pro an 85 in our review, in large part because of its impressive M5 chip. It's especially powerful when you're using the iPad for GPU-powered tasks. While you'll see an improvement from the M4 model, it's a really significant boost if you have an iPad Pro with an M3 chip or older.
Then there's the other bits and bobs we liked, such as its extremely thin and lightweight design. It also has Apple Intelligence and an ultra retina XDR display — the screen is really great overall. Plus, the iPad Pro finally supports fast charging, so a 60W power adaptor should get you to 50 percent in just a half hour.
Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-ipad-pro-m5-is-50-off-right-now-122611748.html?src=rssPick up our favorite MagSafe power bank for only $57 right now
The Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) is on sale via Amazon for just $57. This is a discount of 37 percent, which is nothing to sneeze at. The sale applies to multiple colorways.
This model topped our list of the best power banks, and with very good reason. It's a workhorse that gets the job done. It includes Qi2 tech for fast wireless charging and ships with a sturdy kickstand to prop up smartphones during use. The integrated LED display makes it easy to see the battery percentage, which is always nice.
The 10,000mAh battery should charge a modern iPhone nearly two times before requiring a trip to the outlet. For those not keen on wireless charging, there's a USB-C port.
As for compatibility, this power bank has been optimized for Apple iPhones. It'll work with Android handsets, but the wireless charging will be disabled. That's basically the only downside here.
That's not the only Anker product on sale right now. A two-pack of Anker Zolo Qi2 wireless chargers is down to only $26, and the tried-and-true Anker 313 wireless charging stand is on sale for only $14.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/pick-up-our-favorite-magsafe-power-bank-for-only-57-right-now-152128684.html?src=rssOur favorite 2025 advent calendars from Pokémon, Lego, Magna-Tiles, Funko Pop and more
Advent calendars aren’t just about chocolate anymore. Recent years have shown that the countdown to Christmas Day can be packed with fun surprises. Whether you’re into building Lego sets, adding more minifigures to your collection or curiously intrigued by scientific experiments, advent calendars can fill that desire (and they make for great gifts, too). Each door hides a new surprise that brings a bit of joy, nostalgia or nerdy fun to the holiday season.
Best advent calendars for 2025
Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/our-favorite-2025-advent-calendars-from-pokemon-lego-magna-tiles-funko-pop-and-more-120042823.html?src=rssThe best wireless workout headphones for 2025
Regardless of what kind of exercise you’re into, if you’re working out, you’ll want a pair of wireless workout headphones. They allow you to be free and untethered during a serious weight-lifting session, a 5K run, an hour at the skate park and everywhere in between where you’re moving and sweating a ton. There are dozens of great wireless headphones and wireless earbud options out there, but for exercise in particular, there are additional factors to consider before picking one up like water resistance, battery life and overall comfort.
At Engadget, we’ve tested a bunch of fitness-ready headphones and earbuds to come up with our top picks, plus some advice to consider before you pick up a pair. All of our top picks below will work in and out of the gym, so you can invest in just one pair and make those your daily driver. If you’re primarily a runner, check out our list of best headphones for running.
Best workout headphones for 2025
Others wireless workout headphones we tested
Apple AirPods Pro 3
When it comes to running and working out, the edge that the AirPods Pro 3 have over the Pro 2, or even the top picks on our list, is built-in heart rate monitoring. That means you could go out with just your Pro 3 earbuds and your iPhone and still get heart rate information for your entire training session. But otherwise, the Pro 3 buds are just as capable as the Pro 2 when it comes to exercise. Some may prefer the soft-touch finish on our top picks to the AirPods' slick texture.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are a good alternative to the Beats Fit Pro if you’re a stickler for a hook design. However, they cost $50 more than the Powerbeats Fit, and the main added advantage here is built-in heart rate sensors.
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro
The Soundcore AeroFit Pro is Anker’s version of the Shokz OpenFit, but I found the fit to be less secure and not as comfortable. The actual earbuds on the AeroFit Pro are noticeably bulkier than those on the OpenFit and that caused them to shift and move much more during exercise. They never fell off of my ears completely, but I spent more time adjusting them than I did enjoying them.
JBL Endurance Peak 3
The most noteworthy thing about the Endurance Peak 3 is that they have the same IP68 rating as the Jabra Elite 8 Active, except they only cost $100. But, while you get the same protection here, you’ll have to sacrifice in other areas. The Endurance Peak 3 didn’t blow me away when it came to sound quality or comfort (its hook is more rigid than those on my favorite similarly designed buds) and their charging case is massive compared to most competitors.
What to look for in workout headphones
Design
Before diving in, it’s worth mentioning that this guide focuses on wireless earbuds. While you could wear over-ear or on-ear headphones during a workout, most of the best headphones available now do not have the same level of durability. Water and dust resistance, particularly the former, is important for any audio gear you plan on sweating with or taking outdoors, and that’s more prevalent in the wireless earbuds world.
Most earbuds have one of three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear. The first two are the most popular. In-ears are arguably the most common, while those with hooks promise better security and fit since they have an appendage that curls around the top of your ear. Open-ear designs don’t stick into your ear canal, but rather sit just outside of it. This makes it easier to hear the world around you while also listening to audio, and could be more comfortable for those who don’t like the intrusiveness of in-ear buds.
Water resistance and dust protection
Even if a pair of headphones for working out aren’t marketed specifically as exercise headphones, a sturdy, water-resistant design will, by default, make them suitable for exercise. To avoid repetition, here’s a quick primer on durability, or ingression protection (IP) ratings. The first digit you’ll see after the “IP” refers to protection from dust and other potential intrusions, measured on a scale from 1 to 6. The second refers to water resistance or even waterproofing, in the best cases. The ratings for water resistance are ranked on a scale of 1 to 9; higher numbers mean more protection, while the letter “X” means the device is not rated for protection in that regard.
All of the earbuds we tested for this guide have at least an IPX4 rating, which means there’s no dust protection, but the buds can withstand splashes from any direction and are sweat resistant, but probably shouldn't be submerged. For a detailed breakdown of all the possible permutations, check out this guide published by a supplier called The Enclosure Company.
Active noise cancellation and transparency mode
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is becoming standard on wireless earbuds, at least those above a certain price point. If you’re looking for a pair of buds that can be your workout companion and serve you outside of the gym, too, noise cancelation is a good feature to have. It makes the buds more versatile, allowing you to block out the dull roar of your home or office so you can focus, or give you some solitude during a busy commute.
But an earbud’s ability to block out the world goes hand-in-hand with its ability to open things back up should you need it. Many ANC earbuds also support some sort of “transparency mode,” or various levels of noise reduction. This is important for running headphones because exercising outdoors, alongside busy streets, can be dangerous. You probably don’t want to be totally oblivious to what’s going on around you when you’re running outside; adjusting noise cancelation levels to increase your awareness will help with that. Stronger noise cancelation might be more appealing to those doing more indoor training if they want to block out the dull roar of a gym or the guy exaggeratingly lifting weights next to you.
Battery life
All of the Bluetooth earbuds we tested have a battery life of six to eight hours. In general, that’s what you can expect from this space, with a few outliers that can get up to 15 hours of life on a charge. Even the low end of the spectrum should be good enough for most athletes and gym junkies, but it’ll be handy to keep the buds’ charging case on you if you think you’ll get close to using up all their juice during a single session.
You’ll get an average of 20 to 28 extra hours of battery out of most charging cases and all of the earbuds we tested had holders that provided at least an extra 15 hours. This will dictate how often you actually have to charge the device — as in physically connect the case with earbuds inside to a charging cable, or set it on a wireless charger to power up.
How we test workout headphones
In testing wireless workout headphones, I wear them during every bit of exercise I do — be it a casual walk around the block, a brisk morning run or a challenging weight-lifting session. I’m looking for comfort arguably most of all, because you should never be fussing with your earbuds when you should be focusing on working out. In the same vein, I’m cognizant of if they get loose during fast movements or slippery when I’m sweating. I also use the earbuds when not exercising to take calls and listen to music throughout the day. Many people will want just one pair of earbuds that they can use while exercising and just doing everyday things, so I evaluate each pair on their ability to be comfortable and provide a good listening experience in multiple different activities.
While I am also evaluating sound quality, I’m admittedly not an audio expert. My colleague Billy Steele holds that title at Engadget, and you’ll find much more detailed information about audio quality for some of our top picks in his reviews and buying guides. With these headphones for working out, however, I will make note of related issues if they stood out (i.e. if a pair of earbuds had noticeably strong bass out of the box, weak highs, etc). Most of the wireless workout headphones we tested work with companion apps that have adjustable EQ settings, so you’ll be able to tweak sound profiles to your liking in most cases.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-wireless-workout-headphones-191517835.html?src=rssOpenAI is reportedly working on an AI music-generation tool
According to a report from The Information, OpenAI is interested in developing a tool that could generate music from text and audio prompts, and has been working with students from The Juilliard School to help with creating training data. The company envisions something that could be used to generate guitar accompaniment for a vocal track, for example, or to add music to videos, sources with knowledge of the project told the publication.
There's no word on how far into these efforts OpenAI is. According to one source that spoke to The Information, OpenAI enlisted the Juilliard students to annotate music scores, which could be used to train the AI. It wouldn't be the first time the company has explored music-generating AI, and it's something we're seeing more and more of elsewhere with other startups, like Suno and ElevenLabs, launching their own versions. AI spam is already cluttering up streaming platforms and, lest we forget, there was the whole The Velvet Sundown debacle. It's only the beginning.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/openai-is-reportedly-working-on-an-ai-music-generation-tool-204208186.html?src=rssCBP will photograph non-citizens entering and exiting the US for its facial recognition database
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) submitted a new measure that allows it to photograph any non-US citizen who enters or exits the country for facial recognition purposes. According to a filing with the government's Federal Register, CBP and the Department of Homeland Security are looking to crack down on threats of terrorism, fraudulent use of travel documents and anyone who overstays their authorized stay.
The filing detailed that CBP will "implement an integrated, automated entry and exit data system to match records, including biographic data and biometrics, of aliens entering and departing the United States." The government agency already has the ability to request photos and fingerprints from anyone entering the country, but this new rule change would allow for requiring photos of anyone exiting as well. These photos would "create galleries of images associated with individuals, including photos taken by border agents, and from passports or other travel documents," according to the filing, adding that these galleries would be compared to live photos at entry and exit points.
These new requirements are scheduled to go into effect on December 26, but CBP will need some time to implement a system to handle the extra demand. According to the filing, the agency said "a biometric entry-exit system can be fully implemented at all commercial airports and sea ports for both entry and exit within the next three to five years."
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/cbp-will-photograph-non-citizens-entering-and-exiting-the-us-for-its-facial-recognition-database-184557905.html?src=rssApple is reportedly getting ready to introduce ads to its Maps app
Opening Apple's Maps app just for directions may look a little different in the near future. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to introduce ads to Maps as soon as next year. While it won't be as annoying as unskippable YouTube ads, Apple wants to offer better visibility on Maps to restaurants and businesses that are willing to pay.
When looking for a new restaurant or relevant business, you may already be used to seeing ads on Google Maps or Yelp that highlight certain establishments. However, Gurman said that Apple is planning to lean on AI for better search results and offer a better interface than Google Maps. The introduction of ads across Apple's iOS ecosystem shouldn't be surprising since Gurman previously reported Apple's interest back in 2022. On top of that, Apple already offers ad slots within the App Store where developers can pay to appear in a more visible position for user searches. Beyond Maps, Apple could be looking at infusing ads into its News, Books, Podcasts and other apps to generate more revenue.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-is-reportedly-getting-ready-to-introduce-ads-to-its-maps-app-170654072.html?src=rssThe next iPad Pro could be the first to get vapor chamber cooling
The iterative upgrades for iPads may not be enticing enough to warrant a new purchase every year, but Apple may have a particularly cool upgrade to convince users to shell out for the next iPad Pro. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to include a vapor chamber for the upcoming iPad Pro that's due to ship with the M6 chip.
We've already seen the vapor chamber included in the iPhone 17 Pro models, helping to boost cooling and performance. While an iPad's larger surface area makes for greater heat dissipation than an iPhone, this cooling system should make the tablet more capable when it comes to demanding tasks, like gaming, video editing or AI apps. Gurman also predicts that Apple could market the vapor chamber cooling as another way to differentiate between the iPad models.
Apple previously improved the cooling performance of iPad Pros with the M4 generation, which included a new copper heat sink. With the vapor chamber, Apple is borrowing a concept already found in other smartphones from Samsung and Google. Samsung has even included this style of liquid cooling in its Galaxy Tab S9, which came out in 2023. As for the first potential iPad Pro with a vapor chamber, Gurman said he expects Apple to follow its typical 18-month release schedule, meaning the M6 iPad Pro with improved heat performance could come out sometime in 2027.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/the-next-ipad-pro-could-be-the-first-to-get-vapor-chamber-cooling-160536540.html?src=rssGoogle's Gemini will now generate presentations for you
Google is rolling out out a new feature for Gemini's Canvas, the free interactive workspace inside the AI chatbot's app, meant for students and employees who need to create presentations. Gemini is now capable of generating slides with just a prompt, though users can also upload files like documents, spreadsheets and research papers if they want a presentation based on a specific source. If the source doesn't matter, users can write a prompt, such as "Upload any source to create a presentation on [a specific topic]," for instance. But if the source is essential, they can upload the file first and then ask Gemini to create the presentation for them.
5/ Up your presentation game in Canvas
— Google Gemini App (@GeminiApp) October 24, 2025
Upload any source to create entire decks with images and data visualization. Export to Google Slides to add any finishing touches. Rolling out to Pro subscribers today and to Free users in the coming weeks pic.twitter.com/70qercWf4E
The resulting decks already have a theme and images attached with the text. Users will be able to export them straight from the Gemini app into Google Slides, though, and will still be able to edit and refine the decks as needed or work on it in collaboration with a teammate. The capability is now making its way to both personal and Workspace accounts.
Google launched Canvas in March for people to use when they want to share their writing or code to Gemini for editing. If users put in code or prompts for projects like apps, web pages and infographics, Canvas will be able to show them a visual representation of their design.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/googles-gemini-will-now-generate-presentations-for-you-010040637.html?src=rssSuperhero workplace comedy, more powerwashing and other new indie games worth checking out
Welcome to our latest roundup of what's going on in the indie game space. It's been a packed week with lots of tasty new games arriving, and news and reveals of upcoming projects. So, let's take a look at a bunch of them.
Before we get started though, Engadget senior editor Jessica Conditt spoke with Maxi Boch, one of the core trio behind Baby Steps, about how the game came together. Boch offered some fascinating insights into the game’s development process (which started in 2019), especially on the audio side.
New releases
Dispatch is a superhero workplace comedy from AdHoc Studio, a team that includes former Telltale Games developers. It adopts the narrative-heavy, dialogue-driven gameplay of Telltale's games, with your choices having a bearing on how everything plays out. Dispatch has a packed cast as well, as it includes the likes of Aaron Paul, Laura Bailey and Jeffrey Wright.
I really dug the demo, so I'm hoping to carve out some time to play Dispatch soon. As with many of Telltale's games, AdHoc Studio went with an episodic approach for this one, but the developer is releasing them on a weekly basis. The first two episodes of Dispatch are out now on PS5 and Steam, and reviewers' impressions so far are generally positive.
We've got a trio of titles that just hit Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass to talk about, including PowerWash Simulator 2. I don't typically listen to music or podcasts while I'm playing games. I prefer to listen to the game audio and I'm a terrible multitasker, anyway.
However, I did catch up on a bunch of podcast episodes while playing the original PowerWash Simulator. I'm looking forward to doing that once again while blissfully ignoring IRL chores as I blast away virtual gunk with a pressure washer.
"More of the same, but better" is exactly what I wanted from PowerWash Simulator 2, so I was very glad to read some reviews indicating that's the case. As well as Xbox Series X/S, this sequel from FuturLab is also available on Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.
Next up, we have a surprise Game Pass addition as Pacific Drive arrived on the Ultimate, Premium and PC tiers without prior warning this week. It wasn’t available on Xbox at all until now. Pacific Drive turns the title of Netflix's F1 docuseries into an actual "drive to survive" horror game. You'll roam the Pacific Northwest in a station wagon to search for parts to upgrade your vehicle and stay alive.
Ironwood Studios and publisher Kepler Interactive brought Pacific Drive to Xbox on the same day they released an expansion called Whispers in the Woods. The game (and DLC) is also available on PS5 and Steam. I've been meaning to play Pacific Drive for a while but, as always, there are too many games and not enough time to check everything out. Perhaps I'll finally try this now that it's on Game Pass, but I might just end up waiting for the TV show instead.
Here's something interesting from DinoGod and publisher Annapurna Interactive. Bounty Star is a blend of mech action game, farming sim and base builder. As war veteran Clem, you'll try to become a force for good in a "post-post-apocalyptic version of the American Southwest."
I'm interested to see how the core aspects of Bounty Star play off each other as you take care of your homestead and hunt down bounties in your mech (which you can customize). It's out now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Steam and Epic Games Store. Bounty Star is on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass too.
Ila: A Frosty Glide is a chill, 3D platform adventure from Magic Rain Studios and publisher First Break Labs. As a young witch-in-training named Ila, you'll explore a snowy mountainous island while searching for your missing cat.
My favorite thing about the game, at least based on the trailer and what I've read, is that instead of a broom, Ila uses a "skatebroom" to get around. It's a skateboard and a flying broomstick in one! I'd like one of those.
As it happens, developers Ítalo and Yesenia met while skateboarding. They started making games with skateboarding elements a few years later. Ila: A Frosty Glide is out now on Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and Nintendo Switch.
After reading one sentence of a pitch for The Bench, I was sold: "In The Bench, you played as a retired secret agent on one last mission: escaping the retirement home and unfolding a pigeon conspiracy." Wonderful stuff, there.
As said pensioner, you'll amass a flock of customizable pigeons to help you during your adventure as you explore some parks. Along the way, you'll solve puzzles, play bowls and chess, doodle in your notebook, play pranks and go fishing.
The Bench — from Voxel Studios and Noovola Publishing — is out now on Steam. I hope I don't have to wait until I'm retired to have time to play it.
Upcoming
No More Robots unveiled two games this week, and one of them is a step in an (almost) entirely new direction for the publisher of Descenders Next and Little Rocket Lab. It's now making games internally, and the first one to see the light of day is Cruise Control. This is a cruise liner management sim in which you'll try to make your guests happy by fulfilling their needs and wants. It looks quite charming. I'm a big fan of the oversized bingo cage device.
This is actually the third game No More Robots has worked on in-house, but it's the first one that the company has unveiled. The publisher noted that Cruise Control isn't quite ready. Still, playtests should start later this year ahead of an early 2026 release.
The other upcoming game No More Robots showed off is Thank You For Your Application from IceLemonTea Studio. Here, you'll review job candidates' resumes and make decisions whether to bring them on board based on the hiring company's criteria.
This has an air of Papers, Please and No More Robots' own Not Tonight series about it — you'll have to deal with bills, rent and otherwise managing your life too. It also seems quite timely given that the job application process is now so onerous for many people. Thank You For Your Application will arrive in 2026 and there's a demo available on Steam now.
Finite Reflection Studios, the developer of last year's acclaimed Void Sols, has revealed its next game. Mouseward is another Soulslike, but it's one in the vein of '90s collectathon platformers like Banjo-Kazooie. As a reincarnated Royal Mouse Guard, you set out to save the kingdom from a curse.
I love the aesthetic here. There's no release window for Mouseward as yet. It's coming to Steam and you can play an early build on Itch right now.
Speaking of games inspired by '90s platformers, there's danger that Windswept could become my entire personality for a spell. It's coming to Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on November 11.
Windswept — from WeatherFell and publisher Top Hat Studios — is a precision platformer which sees animal buddies Marbles (a duck) and Checkers (a turtle) trying to get back home after a storm whisks them away. The 40-plus stages are full of collectibles and have secrets for you to discover.
The glimpses of levels where you have to navigate sticky walls and ceilings, thorny brambles and pirate ship masts are very reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country 2. I'm not exactly complaining though, as that's one of my favorite games of all time.
We've known for a while that a beat-'em-up based on the splatterfest movie series Terrifier was on the way and now we have a release date. Unfortunately, it's not coming your way in time for Halloween, but you will be able to gingerly set foot into Terrifier: The ARTcade Game on November 21.
Yes, yes, even Art the Clown is in Fortnite now, but you can also play as the brutal killer in his own game from Relevo and publisher Selecta Play. There's support for local co-op for up to four players (and you can turn on each other, if you like. Terrifier fans will probably be pleased that they can use weapons like chainsaws and cleavers to cause bloody carnage. Terrifier: The ARTcade Game is bound for Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch.
Dodgers vs. Blue Jays, Game 2 tonight: How to watch the 2025 MLB World Series without cable
The League Championship Series are history, and the final two teams have emerged: The 2025 Fall Classic will see the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Toronto Blue Jays. Game 2 of the 2025 MLB World Series begins tonight — Saturday, Oct. 25 — at 8PM ET/5PM PT, with the Blue Jays getting the initial home field advantage at Rogers Centre, Toronto for the second night in a row. Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers are aiming to win their second consecutive championship, while Vlad Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays are eyeing their first ring since 1993. Despite Toronto's victory over Los Angeles last night, the World Series odds still favor the Dodgers ahead of Game 2. Every 2025 MLB World Series game will air on Fox and Fox Deportes.
Of course, Fox is a "free" over-the-air channel, so any affordable digital antenna will pull in the game if you live close enough to a local affiliate. But if that's not an option, here's a full rundown of how to watch the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series, even without cable.
How to watch the L.A. Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays, Game 2
You can stream Fox on any live TV streaming service that airs Fox local stations, including DirecTV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV. MLB World Series games will also be available on Fox's new streaming platform, Fox One.
More ways to watch the 2025 World Series
When is the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays game time?
Game 1 of the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series begins on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8PM ET/5PM PT. The Blue Jays are hosting the first two games of the series at Rogers Centre, Toronto.
What channel is playing the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays?
Every game in the 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, will air on Fox and Fox Deportes.
When is the 2025 World Series?
Game 1 of the World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 24.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays World Series schedule
All times Eastern
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24, 8PM ET
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25, 8PM ET
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27, 8PM ET
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 8PM ET
Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 8PM ET
Game 6*: Friday, Oct. 31, 8PM ET
Game 7*: Saturday, Nov. 1, 8PM ET
*if necessary
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/dodgers-vs-blue-jays-game-2-how-to-watch-the-2025-mlb-world-series-without-cable-133403240.html?src=rssHere's our first look at the Paranormal Activity game from the maker of The Mortuary Assistant
A teaser shared at the end of the Indie Horror Showcase this week gives us a better idea of what the upcoming found footage Paranormal Activity game will be like. In the short trailer for Paranormal Activity: Threshold, we're introduced to an unfortunate couple who has purchased a home that not only needs some serious work, but is also very much haunted. Cue creepy faces appearing in doorways and around corners.
While yet another installation in the Paranormal Activity franchise may not be what everyone is clamoring for, the fact that Threshold is being developed by solo dev Brian Clarke (DarkStone Digital), the creator of The Mortuary Assistant, is pretty promising. Per the game's Steam page, you'll be able to "Play in multiple timelines; hunt and communicate with entities; perform demonic rituals to alter your fate;" and "discover multiple endings and expand the story." Each playthrough will be unique, thanks to the "Paranormal Engine," it adds.
As of now, there's no release date, but you can wishlist it on Steam. It was previously said the game would be released in 2026 on multiple platforms, but the Steam page only says it's coming soon.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/heres-our-first-look-at-the-paranormal-activity-game-from-the-maker-of-the-mortuary-assistant-210657767.html?src=rss

