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Valve made a Steam Deck Verified program for things that aren't Steam Decks

Steam announced this week that it will offer a compatibility rating that will designate when a game is supported on the company's operating system. The SteamOS Compatibility assessment is slated to roll out "in the next few weeks."

This metric is an extension of the Steam Deck Verified program, and it will award a checkmark to games based on a data subset within that vetting process. In other words, game developers won't have to take any additional steps if they're already completing Steam Deck Verified. On the player end, compatible games will show a blue checkmark when viewed in the Steam Store and Steam Client while running the operating system on a device other than the Steam Deck.

The announcement is mostly a future-proofing move. Right now, the Lenovo Legion Go S is the only handheld besides the Steam Deck that's officially running Valve's operating system. But Lenovo was already teasing a second iteration of the hardware at CES this year and Valve clearly has plans for the number of SteamOS platforms to grow. The landscape for handheld gaming could start looking quite different if SteamOS really takes off as a standalone service.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/valve-made-a-steam-deck-verified-program-for-things-that-arent-steam-decks-224535134.html?src=rss

Carl Pei teases the 'all-in' Nothing Phone 3 with a flagship price

Buried in the blog posts and videos that accompanied Google's The Android Show: I/O Edition announcements was a nugget of Nothing news: The Nothing Phone 3 is going to be expensive. In an Android marketing video showcasing the company's phones, Nothing CEO Carl Pei shared that the new phone will cost around £800 when it launches this summer.

That new cost is thanks to Nothing's decision to go "all-in" on the new device by including "premium materials, major performance upgrades and software that really levels things up," according to Pei. The Nothing Phone 2 launched at £580 in the UK and $600 in the US, so selling the Phone 3 at £800 is a noticeable price jump. Assuming Nothing follows through on the premium upgrades it's promising, though, maybe it'll make sense that the Phone 3 costs as much as a Pixel 9 or iPhone 16.

Nothing made its name on affordable phones that have unique, premium designs. For example, the company launched the Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro in March 2025, the budget and mid-range counterparts to the Phone 3. Both phones use mid-range chips and camera sensors, but feature a futuristic design and clever AI features that you'd expect out of a much more expensive device.

Switching to trying to compete with Apple and Samsung in terms of price suggests Nothing is confident, at the very least. We'll have to wait until this summer when the Phone 3 is actually released to see if that confidence is justified.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/carl-pei-teases-the-all-in-nothing-phone-3-with-a-flagship-price-213023983.html?src=rss

The USDA will republish climate change information online following farmer lawsuit

In the early days of President Donald Trump's second administration, federal agencies including the US Department of Agriculture were ordered to remove information about climate change from their websites. Now, the USDA has committed to reinstating the deleted content following a lawsuit on behalf of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, the National Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Working Group. According to a letter sent yesterday to a district court judge, the agency has already begun the restoration process and expects to "substantially complete" the effort in about two weeks.

The material removed from USDA sites in February included content about climate-smart agriculture, forest conservation, climate change adaptation and clean energy project investments in rural areas. The trio of plaintiffs sued on the basis that removing that information violated the Freedom of Information Act that allows public access to important federal records, as well as failing to provide advanced notice required by the Paperwork Reduction Act and without the reasoned decision-making of the Administrative Procedure act. The USDA said that it "will restore the climate-change-related web content that was removed post-Inauguration, including all USDA webpages and interactive tools enumerated in plaintiffs' complaint." 

"This is a major victory and an important first step. Members of the public, including our clients, rely on information from USDA to understand how climate change is affecting our nation’s forests, food supply, and energy systems," said Stephanie Krent, staff attorney with Knight First Amendment Institute, which helped file the lawsuit. "USDA was wrong to remove these webpages in the first place, and it must comply with federal law going forward."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/the-usda-will-republish-climate-change-information-online-following-farmer-lawsuit-211907357.html?src=rss

One of the tech industry's sources of carbon credits is in conflict with Kenyan herders

A conservation program in Kenya that tech companies like Netflix and Meta rely on for carbon credits is in conflict with local herders, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The issue led to the program run by The Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project to be put on hold, and could ultimately invalidate credits the organization has already sold.

This specific carbon capture program uses grass spread across 4.7 million acres of land communally owned by groups like the Maasai, to trap carbon in the soil. The project gets to use the land, and in exchange, the herders get a portion of the revenue from carbon credit sales. The issue that's put the whole program at risk is a conflict over the herders' farming practices. The local agricultural community has used the same grazing techniques for generations without issue, but the Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project wants them to "rotate livestock grazing so grasses can recover and lock more carbon into the soil," The Wall Street Journal writes. Some herders frustrated with the rules have gone as far as to claim that they were misled when they originally agreed to participate in the conservation program.

Many tech companies rely on purchasing carbon credits to help offset the negative environmental impacts of rapid technological development. You don't get to run servers streaming movies or training AI models 24 hours a day without consuming a lot of electricity and water. Carbon offset projects plant trees or run agricultural programs like the one in Kenya to pull carbon from the atmosphere, selling credits to companies to absolve them of their sins. 

Clearly, these carbon projects haven't always been actually beneficial for the people who live on the land they impact. The Wall Street Journal report is worth a read and gets into what the fallout of all of this could be, but at the very least, tech companies' branding themselves as "carbon neutral" seems like its going to get trickier.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/one-of-the-tech-industrys-sources-of-carbon-credits-is-in-conflict-with-kenyan-herders-201056081.html?src=rss

Kia debuts the PV5 WAV, a wheelchair-ready electric van

Kia has introduced a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) iteration of its first electric van. The PV5 WAV offers several accessibility features, such as a side-entry system so a wheelchair user can board the van from the sidewalk, and a quick-use entry ramp rated for 300kg (661 lbs). It's equipped with a tip-up seat in the third row so other riders can assist a wheelchair passenger from the side. The PV5 WAV also has a wheelchair-specific belt fastening system.

The brand collaborated with Motability Operations on the debut of the PV5 WAV. Motability Operations is a long-term partner of the UK's vehicle leasing plan that helps people with disabilities to have an accessible mode of transportation.

Kia

"By integrating cutting-edge Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) technology with thoughtful design, we are paving the way for a future where everyone can enjoy the benefits of sustainable mobility, and our partnership with Motability Operations is a testament to our commitment to making this vision a reality," Sangdae Kim, executive vice president and head of Kia's PBV Division, said. The PBV tech has been the foundation for a few of Kia's new vehicle announcements over the past year, including at CES 2024.

The standard model of the PV5, Kia's first electric van, recently began pre-orders in the UK. Kia hasn't shared pricing information yet about the WAV model, but the non-WAV version retails starting at £32,995 (about $44,000).

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/kia-debuts-the-pv5-wav-a-wheelchair-ready-electric-van-200554987.html?src=rss

Google I/O 2025: What to expect including Gemini AI, Android 16 updates, Android XR and more

In just a week, Google's annual developer conference will kick off on May 20. The event is probably the most important on the company's calendar, offering a glimpse at everything it has been working on over the past year. 

From the rumors and even information Google has trickled out, I/O 2025 should be one of the more exciting tech keynotes in recent memory. Plus, for the first time, Google has spun out a dedicated Android showcase planned a whole week earlier. That just happened today (May 13), and you can check out everything that was announced at the Android Show or go to our liveblog to get a feel for how things played out. 

Now that the Android Show is over, it's time to look ahead to I/O, where the focus will almost definitely be about AI. We've gathered the most credible reports and leaks to put together this roundup of what to expect, and though most of the Android-related announcements have been made, it's still possible that Google shares more details about its mobile platform next week.

If you'd like to tune in from home and follow along as Google makes its announcements, check out our article on how to watch the Google I/O 2025 keynote. We'll also be liveblogging the event, so you can just come to Engadget for the breaking news.

Android 16

Some of my favorite I/O moments involved watching Dave Burke take to the Shoreline stage to talk about the latest updates for Android. But for the past couple of years, Android hasn't had much of a spotlight at Google's annual developer conference. That's about to change, with the company's dedicated showcase during today's Android Show: I/O Edition.

The presentation featured Android Ecosystem President Sameer Samat, who took over for Burke in 2024. We saw Samat and his colleagues show off the new Material 3 Expressive design, and what we learned confirmed some of the features that were previously leaked, like the "Ongoing notifications" bar. Material 3 Expressive is also coming to Wear OS 6, and the company is expanding the reach of Gemini by bringing it to its smartwatch platform, Android Auto and Google TV. Android 16 will also come with new scam-detection features and a refined Find Hub that will see support for satellite connectivity later in the year. 

Speaking of timing, Google has already confirmed the new operating system will arrive sometime before the second half of the year. Though it did not release a stable build of Android 16 today, Samat shared during the show that Android 16 (or at least part of it) is coming next month to Pixel devices. And though the company did cover some new features coming to Android XR, senior director for Android Product and UX Guemmy Kim said during the presentation that "we'll share more on Android XR at I/O next week." 

It clearly seems like more is still to come, and not just for Android XR. We didn't get confirmation on the Android Authority report that Google could add a more robust photo picker, with support for cloud storage solutions. That doesn't mean it won't be in Android 16, it might just be something the company didn't get to mention in its 30-minute showcase. Plus, Google has been releasing new Android features in a quarterly cadence lately, rather than wait till an annual update window to make updates available. It's possible we see more added to Android 16 as the year progresses.

One of the best places to get an idea for what's to come in Android 16 is in its beta version, which has already been available to developers and is currently in its fourth iteration. For example, we learned in March that Android 16 will bring Auracast support, which could make it easier to listen to and switch between multiple Bluetooth devices. This could also enable people to receive Bluetooth audio on hearing aids they have paired with their phones or tablets.

Android XR

Remember Google Glass? No? How about Daydream? Maybe Cardboard? After sending (at least) three XR projects to the graveyard, you would think even Google would say enough is enough. Instead, the company is preparing to release Android XR after previewing the platform at the end of last year. This time around, the company says the power of its Gemini AI models will make things different. We know Google is working with Samsung on a headset codenamed Project Moohan. Last fall, Samsung hinted that the device could arrive sometime this year.

Whether Google and Samsung demo Project Moohan at I/O, I imagine the search giant will have more to say about Android XR and the ecosystem partners it has worked to bring to its side for the initiative. This falls in line with what Kim said about more on Android XR being shared at I/O.

AI, AI and more AI

If Google felt the need to split off Android into its own showcase, we're likely to get more AI-related announcements at I/O than ever before. The company hasn't provided many hints about what we can expect on that front, but if I had to guess, features like AI Overviews and AI Mode are likely to get substantive updates. I suspect Google will also have something to say about Project Mariner, the web-surfing agent it demoed at I/O 2024. Either way, Google is an AI company now, and every I/O moving forward will reflect that.

Project Astra

Speaking of AI, Project Astra was one of the more impressive demos Google showed off at I/O 2024. The technology made the most of the latest multi-modal capabilities of Google's Gemini models to offer something we hadn't seen before from the company. It's a voice assistant with advanced image recognition features that allows it to converse about the things it sees. Google envisions Project Astra one day providing a truly useful artificial assistant.

However, after seeing an in-person demo of Astra, the Engadget crew felt the tech needed a lot more work. Given the splash Project Astra made last year, there's a good chance we could get an update on it at I/O 2025.

A Pinterest competitor

According to a report from The Information, Google might be planning to unveil its own take on Pinterest next week. That characterization is courtesy ofThe Information, but based on the features described in the article, Engadget team members found it more reminiscent of Cosmos instead. Cosmos is a pared-down version of Pinterest, letting people save and curate anything they see on the internet. It also allows you to share your saved pages with others. 

Google's version, meanwhile, will reportedly show image results based on your queries, and you can save the pictures in different folders based on your own preferences. So say you're putting together a lookbook based on Jennie from Blackpink. You can search for her outfits and save your favorites in a folder you can title "Lewks," perhaps. 

Whether this is simply built into Search or exists as a standalone product is unclear, and we'll have to wait till I/O to see whether the report was accurate and what the feature really is like. 

Wear OS

Last year, Wear OS didn't get a mention during the company's main keynote, but Google did preview Wear OS 5 during the developer sessions that followed. The company only began rolling out Wear OS 5.1 to Pixel devices in March. This year, we've already learned at the Android Show that Wear OS 6 is coming, with Material 3 Expressive gracing its interface. Will we learn more at I/O next week? It's unclear, but it wouldn't be a shock if that was all the air time Wear OS gets this year. 

NotebookLM

Since 2023, Google has offered NotebookLM on desktop. The note-taking app uses machine learning for features like automated summaries. Based on App Store and Google Play listings, the company is getting ready to release a mobile version of the service on the first day of I/O 2025.

Everything else

Google has a terrible track record when it comes to preventing leaks within its internal ranks, so the likelihood the company could surprise us is low. Still, Google could announce something we don't expect. As always, your best bet is to visit Engadget on May 20 and 21. We'll have all the latest from Google then along with our liveblog and analysis.

Update, May 5 2025, 7:08PM ET: This story has been updated to include details on a leaked blog post discussing "Material 3 Expressive."

Update, May 6 2025, 5:29PM ET: This story has been updated to include details on the Android 16 beta, as well as Auracast support.

Update, May 8 2025, 3:20PM ET: This story has been updated to include details on how to watch the Android Show and the Google I/O keynote, as well as tweak the intro for freshness.

Update, May 13 2025, 3:22PM ET: This story has been updated to include all the announcements from the Android Show and a new report from The Information about a possible image search feature debuting at I/O. The intro was also edited to accurately reflect what has happened since the last time this article was updated.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-io-2025-what-to-expect-including-gemini-ai-android-16-updates-android-xr-and-more-203044563.html?src=rss

YouTube will exclusively stream an NFL game for free

YouTube will be streaming an exclusive NFL game in its entirety for free worldwide for the first time ever. After becoming the official home of NFL Sunday Ticket in 2023, YouTube has been pushing to expand its reach in the high-stakes, multibillion-dollar world of NFL coverage and broadcast rights. 

The Google-owned streaming company has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast one of the NFL’s opening week games on Friday September 5 live from Brazil. The São Paulo spectacle will take place the day after the Thursday night NFL KickOff game between the Eagles and the Cowboys. The 2025 NFL regular season will feature seven international games, a record for the league.

In an NFL press release, YouTube’s chief business officer Mary Ellen Choe said, "Streaming the Friday night game to fans for free around the world will mark YouTube's first time as a live NFL broadcaster – and we'll do it in a way that only YouTube can, with an interactive viewing experience and creators right at the center of the experience."

Last year, fellow streaming giant Netflix streamed its first live NFL games on Christmas Day as part of a three-year deal with the league, though Netflix doesn’t have a NFL specific product to sell its customers like YouTube has with NFL Sunday Ticket.

In the press release announcing YouTube’s coverage of Week 1 from Brazil, Mary Ellen Choe discussed the reach of NFL games on YouTube, saying, "Last year, people spent over 350 million hours watching official NFL content on YouTube, so it's both fitting and thrilling to continue to build our relationship with our partners at the NFL."

This expanded partnership comes against the backdrop of other team-ups between YouTube and the NFL aside from NFL Sunday Ticket, namely a multi-year deal for the annual Super Bowl Flag Football game as well as additional international flag football games.

The exact cost for the broadcast rights to the Brazil game is not known at this time, though it’s known that YouTube is paying over $2 billion per year over a seven-year deal for NFL Sunday Ticket.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-will-exclusively-stream-an-nfl-game-for-free-191519460.html?src=rss

Amy Hennig's 'Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra' is delayed to 2026

The adventure game Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra has been delayed until 2026, according to a statement by publisher Skydance Games. The title was supposed to come out sometime this year.

What's the reason for the delay? The publisher says it's to "add more polish," which is never a bad thing. I'd rather a fully-finished game upon release than a buggy mess. The company does say it'll be available in the early part of 2026, so that isn't too long to wait. Still, it's disappointing news for eager Marvel fans.

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is a narrative-driven adventure game with four playable characters, including long-time icons like Black Panther and Captain America. As the name suggests, it's set during World War II in occupied Paris.

It's being developed by Amy Hennig and her new studio, which is a subsidiary of Skydance. If her name sounds familiar, that's because she's best known for being a creative director and writer at Naughty Dog. Hennig was the lead writer on all three Uncharted games and was creative director for the Legacy of Kain franchise. She's got a fantastic pedigree, so this new Marvel game could be a heavy hitter.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/amy-hennigs-marvel-1943-rise-of-hydra-is-delayed-to-2026-185945301.html?src=rss

TikTok just added an AI-powered image-to-video feature and it did some weird things to my cat

TikTok hasn't shoved generative AI features into every corner of its app the way Meta has with Instagram, but the company has still experimented with the tech in some interesting — if slightly unsettling — ways. Now, TikTok is introducing a new AI-powered feature that feels even more meme-worthy. It's called AI Alive and it allows users to create short, stylized video clips from a static image.

Right now, the feature only exists for TikTok's Stories feature, so it's meant for more ephemeral sharing than what you might typically post on the app. You start with a still image Stories post (accessed from the app's inbox) and choose the new "AI Alive" option, which prompts you to "make this photo come alive." TikTok will surface suggested prompts, but you can also come up with your own.

You can see the feature in action in the video below. In all three cases, I started with an image of my cat standing on a railing and used prompts suggested by TikTok. The first was "bring this to life as an anime," the second was for him to walk "carefully" along the railing and the last was "style this like a retro game."

As you can see in the clip, the results were somewhat mixed. The anime-esque effect came out a bit creepy and erased my cat's tabby stripes, though I suppose it more or less aligned with the prompt. The second animation also looks a bit odd: there are numerous AI artifacts and my cat's tail and paws look unnatural. The final "retro game" style clip, though, is downright baffling. Why did TikTok's AI decide that my cat should hold up two comically huge wine glasses? Nothing about it evokes any video game I've ever played.

Still, like many generative AI features, it's a fun novelty and I can see TikTok users having a lot of fun coming up with their own, probably bizarre, creations.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktok-just-added-an-ai-powered-image-to-video-feature-and-it-did-some-weird-things-to-my-cat-184630740.html?src=rss

President Biden's rule restricting US AI chip exports has been rescinded

President Donald Trump's administration has undone one of the last regulations set by his predecessor. Today, the Department of Commerce rescinded the AI Diffusion Rule implemented by former President Joe Biden, a policy that restricted the export of US-made AI chips to select international markets. The rule was introduced by Biden's administration in January and slated to take effect on May 15. Trump had previously walked back the broader AI guidelines adopted by Biden in October 2023 as part of his initial wave of executive orders upon taking office.

Although the Department of Commerce is not enforcing the previous AI Diffusion Rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security said it will release a replacement policy at a later date. The press release included three additional actions from the BIS: 

• "Issuing guidance that using Huawei Ascend chips anywhere in the world violates US export controls.

• "Issuing guidance warning the public about the potential consequences of allowing US AI chips to be used for training and inference of Chinese AI models.

• "Issuing guidance to US companies on how to protect supply chains against diversion tactics."

This sector may become increasingly relevant to the US's international affairs, including ongoing tariff negotiations with China and potential deals in the Middle East. NVIDIA may be the bellwether for the current administration's approach to the exports of AI infrastructure. The company revealed last month that the federal government is requiring a license for the export its H20 chips to some regions, including China, Macau, Hong Kong and countries designated as D:5 under the US Arms Embargo.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/president-bidens-rule-restricting-us-ai-chip-exports-has-been-rescinded-183935847.html?src=rss

Toyota hopes for a smoother start with its redesigned bZ all-electric SUV

In an increasingly competitive EV landscape, Toyota hopes its newly redesigned and renamed Toyota bZ can stand out. As brands from Subaru to Volkswagen continue to expand all-electric offerings, Toyota is placing its bets on a single EV model for the American market.

The change in name may be partly in hopes of distancing the new model in consumers’ minds from the original bZ4X, which began stateside sales in 2022, only to be met with recalls and buybacks.

Toyota, for its part, states in a press release that the branding change is just “simplifying the name for customers.” Toyota is hoping for a fresh start and has brought several key improvements to the table.

The new bZ will have an estimated range of 314 miles, up from just 252 in the previous model. There is also a significant horsepower boost for all-wheel drive models, reaching 338 hp, and a modest 20-hp boost for front-wheel drive models, measuring in at 221 hp.

This model will come equipped with the now-standardized North American Charging Standard (NACS) outlet, first developed by Tesla. This brings fast-charging capability to the new bZ, which Toyota says will allow it to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.

Toyota has also brought a number of other improved creature comforts and new features to this second-gen model including an updated X‑MODE system with Grip‑Control for improved off‑road traction.

The bZ’s price at launch is set to be somewhere between $37,000 and $42,000, depending on the trim and configuration. This positions the model to compete with other smaller all-electric SUVs like the Tesla Model Y.

Toyota expects the new bZ to begin arriving at Toyota dealerships in the back half of 2025.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/toyota-hopes-for-a-smoother-start-with-its-redesigned-bz-all-electric-suv-182426253.html?src=rss

The UK's House of Lords kicks back bill that let AI train on copyrighted content

The UK's House of Lords just voted to add an amendment to a data bill that mandates that tech companies disclose which copyright-protected works were used to train AI models, as reported by The Guardian. The amendment faced government opposition but resoundingly passed with 272 votes to 125.

The vote came just a few days after hundreds of artists and organizations joined together to urge the government not to "give our work away at the behest of a handful of powerful overseas tech companies." The artists involved in this push included Paul McCartney, Elton John and Dua Lipa, among many others.

The government's preferred position has been a provision that would force copyright holders to formally opt-out of being used to train AI models. Critics say this would be impractical and unworkable for many artists. The bill will now return to the House of Commons for another vote. If today's amendment is removed, it will likely lead to another confrontation with the House of Lords.

“The House of Lords has once again taken the right decision by voting to establish vital transparency obligations for AI companies," Sophie Jones, chief strategist for the British Phonographic Industry, told Billboard. "Transparency is crucial in ensuring that the creative industries can retain control over how their works are used.”

This isn't the first time the House of Lords has demanded tech companies make clear whether they have used copyright-protected material when training AI models. Back in January, the body voted 145 to 126 in favor of adding amendments to the bill aimed at strengthening copyright protections.

"Creators do not deny the creative and economic value of AI, but we do deny the assertion that we should have to build AI for free with our work, and then rent it back from those who stole it," Baroness Beeban Kidron of the House of Lords said during a debate before this week's vote.

There are some signs that Prime Minister Starmer is backing off the proposed "opt-out" idea that would force creators to petition AI companies not to use their work. The government recently added its own amendments to the data bill that include a commitment to conduct an economic impact assessment and to publish reports on transparency with regard to licensing. Technology secretary Peter Kyle has been looking into a new proposal that would, instead, create a licensing system for copyright holders and AI developers, according to a report by The Telegraph.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-uks-house-of-lords-kicks-back-bill-that-let-ai-train-on-copyrighted-content-181540558.html?src=rss

Everything Google announced at The Android Show

Google I/O 2025 is still a week out, but Google shared a taste of the updates coming to Android and the larger Android Ecosystem at a separate event today, dubbed The Android Show: I/O Edition.

Engadget followed along with the announcements as they happened in our liveblog, but for an overview, here are the changes Google has planned for Android, its visual design and Gemini.

Material 3 Expressive is making Android and Wear OS more fun

Google

Material Design, Google’s design language for Android and Android apps, has been slowly evolving for years at this point, but Material 3 Expressive should be the biggest departure yet, adding new animations, typography and colors.

Google believes these changes make Android and apps easier to understand, while making them more appealing to young people. Based on the screenshots and clips Google shared, using Material 3 Expressive on Android 16 and Wear OS 6 has made the OSes look bouncier, more playful and fun. On Android, that also comes with the ability to add more tools to Quick Settings and apps and widgets to your home screen app grid. How much of a difference the new design language actually makes in your day-to-day life will depend on how quickly developers adopt the new style.

Google says you'll be able to check out the new look yourself when the Android 16 beta becomes available on select Android devices in June.

Gemini is coming to even more places

Google

Google made Gemini the default assistant on Android and offered the multimodal generative AI's smarts on the web and iOS. Now the assistant is making the jump to even more of the surfaces Google already controls, including Wear OS, the wearable operating system used by Samsung’s Galaxy Watches and Google’s Pixel Watches, Google TV and Android Auto.

Gemini will be able to do all of the things Google Assistant could do, like setting timers or creating reminders, but with much more flexible, natural language interactions. In Android Auto and cars with Google Built-in, you’ll also be able to use Gemini Live, Google’s tool for having live conversations with the AI about whatever topic you choose.

Google TV will leverage Gemini for TV and movie recommendations across your favorite genres, along with the AI assistant's basic ability to answer questions. You could, for example, ask it for recommendations for kid shows and get information about your favorite actor. Gemini will also be available on Google's new Android XR platform, but Google suggested that more information about its mixed-reality plans are being saved for I/O on May 20.

Android is getting new security features and the Find Hub

Google

A major component of each new version of Android is improved security features, and Google has a few new features planned for Android 16. The company says it's expanding its AI model for detecting spam texts and calls to account for new types of scams, like road toll scams.

The next version of Android will also make it possible to grant accessibility privileges on a call with an unknown contact, and a new Key Verifier tool makes it possible to swap encryption keys to verify the person you're talking to is who they say they are.

On top of those changes, Google is expanding its Find My Device network into the new Find Hub, which can track your Android devices, compatible accessories and trackers, all in one location. The big change in the move from Find My Device to Find Hub is broad support for devices with ultra-wideband radios, which offer more precise tracking. Devices in Find Hub will also be able to use your phone's satellite connectivity to make themselves findable even when you don't have cell service.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/everything-google-announced-at-the-android-show-174155773.html?src=rss

Google gives Android an animated makeover with Material 3 Expressive

Well, the leaks were right. Google is updating the look of Android and Wear OS to make its mobile and wearable operating systems more visually expressive and animated.

Google has dubbed its new design system Material 3 Expressive, and plans to introduce it when Android 16 and Wear OS 6 launch later this year. Material 3 Expressive builds on the Material You design changes Google made with the introduction of Android 12 by adding "more natural, springy animations," a greater sense of depth, updated "dynamic color themes" and "emphasized typography." If you're familiar with Apple's approach to animation in iOS, Google seems to be using a similar philosophy here, making software elements more reactive to each other and your input, and layering in haptics so you can feel them react, too.

Google

The company specifically calls out the way other notifications bounce and jiggle when you pull one out of a stack in the notification shade and the haptics you feel dismissing apps in the recent apps menu, but new animations should be noticeable throughout Android 16. That's along with what looks like an even more playful use of typography and color theming in Google's stock apps, and a tasteful blur in the background of contextual menus. For even more personalization options, Google says the Quick Settings menu can now be customized to fit more actions, not unlike iOS 18's Control Center. On the lock screen, apps will also have the option to display a live-updating notification, a feature Google calls "Live Updates" that is equivalent to Live Activities in iOS.

Google

Given the smaller screen real estate, Material 3 Expressive comes across as less of a major change on Wear OS, but there are still visual changes that should be noticeable once you update. That includes new animations when you scroll through lists and glances, dynamic color-theming that matches the rest of your watch to your watch face and tweaks to notifications that make them easier to interact with. That's on top of performance improvements that are supposed to give Wear OS 6 smartwatches up to 10 percent more battery life, according to Google.

Material 3 Expressive adds more of the quirky pizazz that has made the company's software stand out in the last few years, but Google claims these changes are backed up by research, too. Material 3 Expressive is "the most researched update to Google's design system, ever," according to the company. There's a blog digging into some of Google's findings, but of particular note is the idea that Material 3 Expressive apps are attractive to young people — the company claims up to 87 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds prefer expressive design — while being easier to understand for people over the age of 45.

It remains to be seen whether developers take these changes in stride, but at the very least Android 16 and Wear OS 6 will be more visually exciting than anything Google's released in years.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/google-gives-android-an-animated-makeover-with-material-3-expressive-170045667.html?src=rss

Android 16 adds new features for scam detection and device finding

Google

This summer's Android 16 release will add several new and updated security measures that should make it more difficult for criminals to scam Android users or take advantage of stolen Android phones. After introducing AI features in March that detect fraudulent messages based on common language patterns, Google is working on teaching its models to recognize a wider range of text scams, such as those unpaid road toll scams you've probably seen this year. It's also adding faster pattern analysis to Google Play Protect so it can unmask malicious apps more quickly.

Starting in Android 16, it will be impossible to grant certain accessibility privileges while on a call with an unknown contact. Meanwhile, the new Key Verifier feature prevents scammers from co-opting your known contacts, letting you and a trusted contact swap public encryption keys to confirm each other's identities.

Android 16 also adds new ways to protect your phone against thieves. The Identity Check feature requires extra biometric verification to change sensitive settings outside user-designated safe locations. It launched on some Pixel and Galaxy devices in January, but Android 16 will widen the rollout. These upgrades should help protect against "shoulder surfing" device thefts and bank account breaches, in which thieves learn passcodes by watching targets unlock their phones, then steal and unlock the devices themselves. Such attacks have been vexing smartphone owners in bars and other crowded venues for years.

New anti-theft features include a security question for deactivating remote locks and more restrictions on what can be done to a device after a factory reset. If a phone running Android 16 is not unlocked or connected to Wi-Fi for a while, the lock screen will hide two-factor authentication codes received through texts.

Along with the new security features, Android 16 will centralize security under a single device-level feature called Advanced Protection. While the Advanced Protection switch is active, no feature under its umbrella can be turned off.

As a final complement to the Android 16 security updates, Google is expanding its Find My Device feature into Find Hub, a dashboard that can locate basically any object with smart capabilities or a bluetooth tag. Find Hub can use ultra-wide band (UWB) on compatible devices to narrow down more precise locations, and can also communicate via satellite so its features work outside cell range.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/android-16-adds-new-features-for-scam-detection-and-device-finding-170037778.html?src=rss

Google is bringing Gemini to Wear OS, Android Auto and more

Google is bringing Gemini to more devices. During Tuesday's airing of The Android Show: I/O Edition, the company said its family of AI models would soon power the conversational experiences on Android Auto, Wear OS, Google TV and beyond. I know what you're thinking: don’t those platforms already come with Google Assistant? They do, but Google is promising Gemini will make every device it comes to more conversational.

For instance, once Gemini arrives on Wear OS, Google says you won't need to get the wording of your request just right for the software to understand you. Instead, you can say something like "Remember I’m using locker 43 today," and Gemini will know to set a reminder for you. Google is promising similar enhancements on Android Auto, where Google Assistant has been an important part of the experience for years.

"Soon, Gemini will upgrade that experience by understanding what you want while you're driving, through natural conversations," the company says. "So instead of focusing on the perfect prompt or tapping the right button, you can stay focused on the road ahead." 

In practice, that means Gemini will be able to do things like summarize text messages for you and translate them into more than 40 languages. With its ability to "remember" things, you can do things like tell Gemini to always send messages to a specific friend in Spanish, even though you might not speak the language. Google will start rolling out Gemini to Android Auto in the coming months, with cars with Google built-in to follow later this year.

Elsewhere, Google is building Android XR from the ground up with Gemini built-in. "When the first headset from Samsung launches later this year, Gemini can help you do things like plan a vacation by surrounding you with videos, maps and local tips, creating an entire itinerary in minutes while providing a more realistic feel for the place you're researching," the company says.

In the coming months, Google will also bring Gemini to Google TV. As you can probably guess, here Gemini will augment recommendations. Specifically, you can expect better age-appropriate suggestions for your kids. The model will also give Google TV the capability to answer any questions your children might have about what they're watching.

Last but not least, Google says Sony and Samsung will bring Gemini to some of the new earbuds the two companies plan to release this year and into the future. No details yet on what to expect there, but like on Wear OS and Android Auto, presumably the addition of Gemini will help make those earbuds better at understanding what you say to them.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-is-bringing-gemini-to-wear-os-android-auto-and-more-170028033.html?src=rss

ESPN's streaming service will cost up to $30 per month and be called... ESPN

Disney isn't quite ready to reveal exactly when you'll be able to start using ESPN's long-awaited standalone streaming service, but it has announced some key details. For one thing, the company isn't rocking the boat in terms of branding. The service will simply be called ESPN.

That was the best and most obvious option, especially considering that the unlimited plan includes all of ESPN's offerings, albeit via the internet instead of satellite or cable. "As we thought about the name, we kept returning to the fact that, across every generation, ESPN is the most trusted, loved and recognized name in sports, and that we should keep it simple and double down on the power of ESPN," ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement.

There are two plans that will be available through the revamped ESPN app: an unlimited subscription for $30 per month and a select plan for $12 per month. The former includes all of ESPN's linear networks. You'll be able to watch (deep breath) ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS and ESPN Deportes live, as well as ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+ and ACCNX. ESPN's press release does not mention the inclusion of ESPN8 The Ocho, a free ad-supported streaming channel that features all kinds of strange and wonderful sports.

Along with studio shows and original programming like the 30 for 30 films, the unlimited plan offers access to 47,000 live events every year plus on-demand replays, ESPN says. That includes games from the big four North American sports leagues, along with the NWSL, PGA Tour, UFC, Big 12, the College Football Playoff, dozens of NCAA championships, major European soccer leagues, three of the tennis grand slam tournaments and much more. The select plan, meanwhile, is basically what ESPN+ is now.

There are other payment options available. An annual unlimited membership will run you $300. If you also use Disney+ and/or Hulu, though, a bundle will likely be the best way to go. Disney is trying to sweeten the deal for newcomers with a launch offer that includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN unlimited for $30 per month for 12 months. That effectively gets you Disney+ and Hulu for free for a year, but it'll be the ad-supported version of each. After that, the bundle will cost you $36 per month for a plan with ads on Disney+ and Hulu. To go ad-free on those services, you'll pay $45 per month for the bundle.

As for the select plan, that's $120 for an annual subscription. The bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN select will be $17 per month with ads on Disney+ and Hulu, and $27 to go ad-free. Bundle subscribers will be able to access ESPN content from the Disney+ app.

Current ESPN+ subscribers will be moved over to the ESPN service on the select plan (but expect a lot of attempts to upsell you on the unlimited offering). If you have a bundle with Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, you'll soon find yourself with the ESPN select bundle.

The transition will happen when the ESPN streaming service debuts sometime in early fall. Disney will announce more details, including the date when the service goes live, later this summer as the cable-ization of streaming TV continues.

The standalone ESPN service had been in the works for years, but it's not the only sports streaming platform Disney had been putting together. The company teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox with the intention to start a joint offering called Venu Sports, but that plan vaporized earlier this year amid legal challenges from competitors. Still, Fubo agreed to drop its case against Venu Sports after it reached a deal with Disney on a joint venture that combines FuboTV with Hulu + Live TV.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/espns-streaming-service-will-cost-up-to-30-per-month-and-be-called-espn-164532920.html?src=rss

Watch Nicolas Cage kick black-and-white butt in this trailer for Spider-Noir

We finally have some actual footage of the upcoming Spider-Noir series, thanks to a teaser trailer. This is a real boon for fans of the original Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, as the show brings back Nicolas Cage as Spider-Man: Noir.

It's also live action, so we get to see a real-life Nic Cage kicking butt as a down-on-his-luck private detective that's bitten by a magical spider. You can likely guess what happens to him after that. Amazon says that the character will be "forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero."

This is a short trailer, but it's positively soaked in retro vibes. After all, the show's called Spider-Noir. The teaser is in black-and-white, but it's worth noting that the actual series will be available in both black-and-white and color. It's all up to personal preference, but I'm digging the black-and-white.

Spider-Noir will first air on MGM+ before heading to Prime Video the next day. We don't have a release date yet. In addition to Cage, the show stars Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson, Li Jun Li and Karen Rodriguez, among others. Harry Bradbeer, who helmed most episodes of Fleabag, is directing the first two installments.

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the pair behind the Spiderverse franchise, are on-hand as executive producers. The show's based on the comic book Spider-Man: Noir, which was first released back in 2009.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/watch-nicolas-cage-kick-black-and-white-butt-in-this-trailer-for-spider-noir-163332837.html?src=rss

Apple brings Magnifier to Macs and introduces a new Accessibility Reader mode

This Thursday is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), and as has been its custom for the last few years, Apple's accessibility team is taking this time to share some new assistive features that will be coming to its ecosystem of products. In addition to bringing "Accessibility Nutrition Labels" to the App Store, it's announcing the new Magnifier for Mac, an Accessibility Reader, enhanced Braille Access as well as a veritable cornucopia of other updates to existing tools. 

According to the company's press release, this year in particular marks "40 years of accessibility innovation at Apple." It's also 20 years since the company first launched its screen reader, and a significant amount of this year's updates are designed to help those with vision impairments. 

Magnifier for Mac

One of the most noteworthy is the arrival of Magnifier on Macs. The camera-based assistive feature has been available on iPhones and iPads since 2016, letting people point their phones at things around them and getting auditory readouts of what's in the scene. Magnifier can also make hard-to-read things easier to see, by giving you the option to increase brightness, zoom in, add color filters and adjust the perspective. 

With Magnifier for Mac, you can use any USB-connected camera or your iPhone (via Continuity Camera) to get feedback on things around you. In a video, Apple showed how a student in a large lecture hall was able to use their iPhone, attached to the top of their MacBook, to make out what was written on a distant whiteboard. Magnifier for Mac also works with Desk View, so you can use it to more easily read documents in front of you. Multiple live session windows will be available, so you can keep up with a presentation through your webcam while using Desk View to, say, read a textbook at the same time. 

Accessibility Reader

Magnifier for Mac also works with another new tool Apple is unveiling today — Accessibility Reader. It's a "new systemwide reading mode designed to make text easier to read for users with a wide range of disabilities, such as dyslexia or low vision." Accessibility Reader will be available on iPhones, iPads, Macs and the Apple Vision Pro, and it's pretty much the part of Magnifier that lets you customize your text, with "extensive options for font, color and spacing." It can help minimize distractions by getting rid of clutter, for instance.

Accessibility Reader also supports Spoken Content, and as it's built into the Magnifier app, can be used to make real-world text like signs or menus easier to read as well. You can also launch it from any app, as it's a mode available at the OS level. 

Apple

Braille Access

For people who are most comfortable writing in Braille, Apple has supported Braille input for years, and more recently started working with Braille displays. This year, the company is bringing Braille Access to iPhones, iPads, Macs and Vision Pros, and it's designed to make taking notes in Braille easier. It will come with a dedicated app launcher that allows people to "open any app by typing with Braille Screen Input or a connected braille device." Braille Access also enables users to take notes in braille format and use Nemeth code for their math and science calculations. Braille Access can open files in the Braille Ready Format (BRF), so you can return to your existing documents from other devices. Finally, "an integrated form of Live Captions allows users to transcribe conversations in real time directly on braille displays."

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) support for controlling devices with your mind

In an earlier version of this story, I noted the following:

Speaking of connected devices, Apple is also adding a new protocol to Switch Control that would enable support for Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs). Theoretically, that would mean brainwave-based control of your devices, and Apple lists iOS, iPadOS and visionOS as those on deck to support this new protocol. Again, it's uncertain whether we can go as far as to say brainwave-based control is coming, and I've also asked Apple for more information on this.

As it turns out, the Wall Street Journal published an exclusive story this morning detailing how "Apple wants people to control devices with their thoughts." Basically, the company is working with Synchron, a brain computer interface startup, to bring BCI-powered Switch input support to its products. More in our article here: Apple has teamed up with Synchron to develop tech that lets people control its devices with thoughts.

Apple Watch gets Live Captions; Vision Pro gets Live Recognition

Wrapping up the vision-related updates is an expansion of such accessibility features in visionOS. The Zoom function, for instance, is getting enhanced to allow wearers to magnify what they see in both virtual reality and, well, actual reality. This uses the Vision Pro's cameras to see what's in your surroundings, and Apple will make a new API available that will "enable approved apps to access the main camera to provide live, person-to-person assistance for visual interpretation in apps like Be My Eyes." Finally, Live Recognition is coming to VoiceOver in the Vision Pro, using on-device machine learning to identify and describe things in your surroundings. It can also read flyers or invitations, for example, and tell you what's on them.

For those who have hearing loss, the Live Listen feature that's already on iPhones will be complemented by controls on the Apple Watch, plus some bonus features. When you start a Live Listen session on your iPhone, which would stream what its microphone picks up to your connected AirPods, Beats headphones or compatible hearing aids, you'll soon be able to see Live Captions on your paired Apple Watch. You'll also get controls on your wrist, so you can start, stop or rewind a session. This means you can stay on your couch and start Live Listen sessions without having to go all the way over to the kitchen to pick up your iPhone and hear what your partner might be saying while they're cooking. Live Listen also works with the hearing health and hearing aid features introduced on the AirPods Pro 2. 

Background Sounds, Personal Voice, Vehicle Motion Cues and Eye Tracking get updates

While we're on the topic of sound, Apple is updating its Background Sounds feature that can help those with tinnitus by playing white noise (or other types of audio) to combat symptoms. Later this year, Background Sounds will offer automatic timers to stop after a set amount of time, automation actions in Shortcuts and a new EQ settings option to personalize the sounds.

Personal Voice, which helps those who are at risk of losing their voice preserve their vocal identity, is also getting a major improvement. When I tested the feature to write a tutorial on how to create your personal voice on your iPhone, I was shocked that it required the user to read out 150 phrases. Not only that, the system needed to percolate overnight to create the personal voice. With the upcoming update, Personal Voices can be generated in under a minute, with only 10 phrases needing to be recorded. The resulting voice also sounds smoother and with less clipping and artifacts. Apple is also adding Spanish language support for the US and Mexico.

Last year, Apple introduced eye-tracking built into iPhones and iPads, as well as vehicle motion cues to alleviate car sickness. This year, it continues to improve those features by bringing the motion cues to Macs, as well as adding new ways to customize the onscreen dots. Meanwhile, eye-tracking is getting an option to allow users to dwell or use a switch to confirm selections, among other keyboard typing updates. 

More across Apple TV, CarPlay, Head Tracking and Settings

Apple's ecosystem is so vast that it's almost impossible to list all the individual accessibility-related changes coming to all the products. I'll quickly shout out Head Tracking, which Apple says will enable people to more easily control their iPhones and iPads by moving their heads "similar to Eye Tracking." Not much else was shared about this, though currently head-tracking on iPhones and iPads is supported through connected devices. The idea that it would be "similar to Eye Tracking" seems to imply integrated support, but we don't know if that is true yet. I've asked Apple for more info and will update this piece with what I find out.

For those who use Apple TV, Assistive Access is getting a new custom Apple TV app featuring a "simplified media player," while Music Haptics on the iPhone will offer the option to turn on haptics for an entire track or just the vocals, as well as general settings to fine-tune the intensity of taps, textures and vibrations.

The Sound Recognition feature that alerts those who are deaf or hard of hearing to concerning sounds (like alarms or crying babies) will add Name Recognition to let users know when they are being called. Sound Recognition for CarPlay, in particular, will inform users when it identifies crying children (in addition to the existing support for external noises like horns and sirens). CarPlay will also get support for large text, which should make getting glanceable information easier.

Other updates include greater language support in Live Captions and Voice Control, as well as the ability to share accessibility settings quickly and temporarily across iPads and iPhones so you can use a friend's device without having to painstakingly customize it to your needs.

There are plenty more accessibility rollouts from Apple across its retail locations, Music playlists, Books, Podcasts, TV, News, Fitness+ and the App Store, mostly around greater representation and inclusion. There isn't much by way of exact release window for most of the new features and updates I've covered here, though they have usually showed up in the next release of iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS. 

We'll probably have to wait until the public rollout of iOS 19, iPadOS 19 and more to try these on our own, but for now, most of these seem potentially very helpful. And as always, it's good to see companies design inclusively and consider a wider range of needs.

Update, May 13 2025, 12:28PM ET: This story has been updated to create a new section for brain computer interface input and add details from a Wall Street Journal report and move the earlier mention of this feature to that section.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/apple-brings-magnifier-to-macs-and-introduces-a-new-accessibility-reader-mode-120054992.html?src=rss

Microsoft is laying off 3 percent of its global workforce

As first reported by CNBC, Microsoft will be laying off 3 percent of its global workforce in an aim to streamline its operations and thin out its management structure. The layoffs will be felt across all teams, levels and regions within the company and are not performance-based.

In a statement to CNBC, a Microsoft spokesperson said, "We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace." This latest round of layoffs follows deep cuts in 2023, when Microsoft laid off over 10,000 employees.

Microsoft and other large tech companies are doing all they can lately to weather a shaky economic environment, made more challenging by on-and-off-again tariffs, a bevy of FTC anti-trust activity, and the demand to burn billions in cash vying for pole position in the AI race.

Huge layoffs have become a regular occurrence over the last few years as giant companies seek to right-size from pandemic-era overhiring. Microsoft also recently raised prices on its Xbox consoles and removed entry-level Surface laptops to drive more profits.

Last quarter, Microsoft reported earnings that outperformed expectations for both revenue and profit.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/microsoft-is-laying-off-3-percent-of-its-global-workforce-154755787.html?src=rss

Apple has teamed up with Synchron to develop tech that lets people control its devices with thoughts

Apple has partnered with brain-computer interface maker Synchron to develop tech that lets consumers control devices like iPhones with their thoughts, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. This is primarily intended to help people with medical conditions that limit hand use, such as spinal cord injuries or diseases like ALS.

Here's the gist. Synchron has been developing a stent-like implant that's placed in a vein on top of the brain's motor cortex. It's called the Stentrode and it reads brain signals before translating them into the selection of icons on a screen. People can use the implant to select icons on Apple devices thanks to software called switch control, which is a feature in Apple's OS that allows for the addition of new input devices.

Human trials of Stentrode have been successful and now the two companies are working to develop a new standard for the technology specifically for Apple devices. These implants are typically called brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and Apple looks forward to a day when this type of technology receives approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

That day, however, is likely years away, even if recent tests have shown a lot of promise. Apple does plan on releasing the new software standard for Synchron implants to third-party developers later this year.

An early tester used Apple's new software along with a Stentrode implant to control the Apple Vision Pro and other devices. The ALS patient was able to peer over a mountain in the Swiss Alps in VR and communicate with his iPhone and iPad. It's worth noting that the current tech has its limits. The tester couldn't use the implant to mimic navigating a touch screen with fingers or moving a cursor with a mouse. Still, there are over 150,000 people in the US who suffer from serious upper-limb impairments that could be candidates for a BCI.

Apple has long been at the forefront of accessibility tech. It launched similar connectivity software for hearing aids all the way back in 2014 that has since become an industry standard. More recently, the company brought its accessibility-focused Magnifier reader to Macs and enhanced its Braille Access toolset.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-has-teamed-up-with-synchron-to-develop-tech-that-lets-people-control-its-devices-with-thoughts-154018858.html?src=rss

Pick up this Anker 5K magnetic battery pack while it's on sale for $22

Before heading out on your vacations and road trips this summer, make sure you have all of the tech you need to keep you going. A non-negotiable is a good portable charger for you phone, and now you can get exactly that for only $22. This Anker 321 MagGo magnetic battery pack is 15 percent off and down to $22 right now, but only for a limited time.

We generally like Anker charging gear, and a different MagSafe-compatible item topped out list of the best power banks. This one has the advantage of being ultra affordable, and it's available at the sale price in multiple colors.

Once attached, the 5,000mAh battery provides up to 19 hours of additional battery life. It offers simultaneous charging, so the bank can charge as the phone juices up. It's also light and compact, with a design that easily fits in a pocket or bag. It does connect via USB-C, so it's not really ideal for older iPhones with the dreaded Lightning port.

This one doesn't include a kickstand, which could be a dealbreaker for some. We got you covered. The Anker 621 MagGo is also heavily discounted on Amazon. This price is down to $32 from $48. The 621 includes a kickstand, while still retaining the ability to magnetically attach to the back of a smartphone.

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-this-anker-5k-magnetic-battery-pack-while-its-on-sale-for-22-180728140.html?src=rss

The Beats Studio Pro headphones are half off right now

Nothing says "please, leave me alone" while you're in public like a good pair of over-ear, noise-canceling headphones. The Beats Studio Pro — which are, coincidentally, a good pair of over-ear, noise-canceling headphones — are on sale right now. You can snap up a pair for $170. That's a discount of 51 percent (or $180) and only $10 more than the lowest price we've seen to date for them.

The Beats Studio Pro arrived in 2023 and we gave them a score of 81 in our review. While they aren't among our top picks for the best wireless headphones or the best noise-canceling headphones, they're still a decent option — especially at this price.

Thanks in large part to Beats' second-gen chipset, the Beats Studio Pro deliver notably better audio quality than the brand's earlier over-ear headphones. Beats upgraded the active noise cancellation (ANC), while the addition of spatial audio with dynamic head tracking is welcome. So too is the USB-C wired mode if you'd like to listen to high-resolution and lossless audio.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds are also on sale. They can be yours for $200, which is $50 off and a record low price. We gave these a score of 79 in our review.

These are Apple's first earbuds with built-in sensors that can track your heart rate, making them an intriguing option for fitness enthusiasts. The Powerbeats Pro 2 have Apple's H2 chip, which enables them to offer many of the same features that you'd find on the AirPods Pro 2, such as Hearing Protection — but not the hearing aid or hearing test options. The earbuds are comfortable to wear (though the hook design may not be for everyone) and deliver generally solid audio including powerful, balanced performance on the low end. However, we felt the ANC performance was so-so.

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/the-beats-studio-pro-headphones-are-half-off-right-now-144737501.html?src=rss

Amazon renews Fallout months before season 2's premiere

The second season of the Fallout TV series doesn't even have a concrete release date in December yet, but Amazon has already renewed the show for a third season. Amazon has announced that it has greenlit the new season at its annual presentation in New York City. The company said Fallout has had more than 100 million viewers since it dropped on Prime Video in April 2024 and remains one of its top-three most watched titles ever. 

If you'll recall, the live adaptation was so well-received, Fallout 4 enjoyed a resurgence in sales nearly a decade after its release. Amazon also renewed the series for a second season just a few days after the first season debuted on its streaming service. Based on the video game franchise of the same name, Fallout is set 200 years into the future after an apocalyptic event. In the story, the humans who survived the apocalypse hid in luxury fallout shelters where their descendants remained for hundreds of years. The show follows Lucy as she leaves her shelter after an attack by outsiders to find her father who'd been kidnapped. Along the way, she meets more characters, including a squire from the Brotherhood of Steel and a ghoul bounty hunter.

Amazon has yet to reveal season 3's story, which doesn't come as a surprise, seeing as the second season has yet to drop. But season 2 will pick up from where the first one had left off and will take viewers from the Mojave wastelands to New Vegas.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/amazon-renews-fallout-months-before-season-2s-premiere-143028657.html?src=rss

Panasonic's S1 II is its most powerful creator camera yet

After dropping a rare photography-oriented camera recently with the S1R II, Panasonic is going back to its creator roots. The company just unveiled the S1 II, a 24-megapixel full-frame mirrorless camera with a partially-stacked sensor (like the Nikon Z6 III) that can capture 6K ProRes RAW video internally with minimal rolling shutter wobble. At the same time, Panasonic is pitching it as a relative value next to full stacked sensor cameras.

With the same body as the S1R II, the S1 II is considerably smaller and lighter than the original S1 while still offering a large grip and full complement of manual controls. It also comes with a display that both tilts and flips out, a high-resolution 5.76 million-dot electronic viewfinder, CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II card slots and optional support for Panasonic's 32-bit float audio. 

Steve Dent for Engadget

Photographers get up to 70 fps burst shooting speeds in electronic shutter mode and 10 fps with the mechanical shutter (along with 1.5s pre-burst capture). They can also take 96MP high resolution shots (with no tripod needed), along with live view composites, multiple exposures and timelapse animations. Autofocus is via Panasonic's latest AI Phase Hybrid AF with Eye/Face AF, AF tracking and detection of animals, vehicles and a new category, "urban sports" (ie breakdancing). 

On paper, though, this is more of a video-oriented camera camera. You can shoot ProRes and ProRes RAW video at up to 5.8K and 3:2 "open-gate" video at 5,952 x 3,968 resolution, along with 4K at 120 fps. It supports V-Log / V-Gamut capture with dual native ISO at 640/5000 and up to 15 stops of dynamic range. In addition, you get anamorphic video modes plus external RAW HDMI recording in either ProRes or Blackmagic formats. 

Panasonic boosted in-body stabilization to 8.0 stops via it's Dual I.S.2 system, while also offering the cropless IBS mode introduced on the S1R II. Optical smoothing can can be enhanced with electronic stabilization when more aggressive smoothing is required for walking or quick camera movements. 

Panasonic

Other key features include video monitoring tools like false color and exposure review, live streaming, wired webcam supports via USB-UVC/UAC (a first for Panasonic) and support for the Lumix Flow app that lets you do things like creator storyboards and shot lists for quicker editing. And as with other recent models, the S1 II supports real time LUTs and the Lumix Lab app, letting you download creator designed film looks that can be baked in to your video or added later in post. Panasonic will also introduce ARRI LogC3 so that the S1 II, S1R II and S1 IIE can be used in conjunction with ARRI digital cinema cameras. 

The Panasonic S1 II is now available for pre-order at $3,199 (body only) with shipping set to start on June 16th. That price is high next to its main competition, the Nikon Z6 III, which retails for $2,497 and is often on sale. 

Panasonic

Panasonic does have an answer to that: the $2,499 S1 IIE that has the body and features of the S1 II but lacks the stacked sensor and high-speed photo bursts. Panasonic also introduced an interesting lens, the Lumix S 24-60mm f/2.8. It offers the features and most of the range of its $2,000 Lumix S 24-70mm f/2.8 lens but in a smaller and lighter size and at a lower $1,200 price tag. I've had the S1 II for a short time now and have been impressed so far with its speed and capabilities, so stay tuned for a full review with final firmware.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/panasonics-s1-ii-is-its-most-powerful-creator-camera-yet-140039445.html?src=rss

Notion AI can transcribe conversations and write reports, but it'll cost you

Notion is coming for Otter.ai. On Tuesday, the company announced an update for Notion AI, the suite of generative AI features available through its popular note-taking app. Among the new tools included in the package is AI Meeting Notes, a feature that can transcribe and summarize any conversation directly within Notion. No need to turn to dedicated software like the aforementioned Otter.ai.

If you use Notion Calendar, your meeting notifications will include the option to start an AI Meeting Note page. Alternatively, you can write "/meeting" to add a transcription block to an existing note. Any conversation Notion AI transcribes for you is searchable through the app, and you can add what you get to any of your projects.

Notion

Speaking of search, you can now use Notion AI to comb through a number of different productivity apps, including Slack, Google Workspace and Github. As long as you've connected those platforms to Notion, the app can resolve natural language queries, like, "What's the latest on our upcoming brand campaign?" and sort results by source.

Separately, Notion is adding a Research Mode. Similar to Deep Research modes from Google and OpenAI, you can ask Notion's built-in AI to write reports for you. The difference here being that Notion AI will pull information from your projects, in addition to what it finds online. The company is pitching this as a real time-saver. "Create project updates, research reports, and internal best practices in minutes with one prompt," Notion says. "We've already seen this save days worth of time."

Last but not least, if you would rather prompt with GPT-4.1 or Claude 3.7 than Notion's own chatbot, you can now do that directly within the app courtesy of a new model picker. OpenAI and Anthropic's models won't have access to your workspace data, but they're there for users who prefer their responses for general questions and in case you want to turn to a reasoning system in the form of Claude 3.7 Sonnet.

As part of today's announcement, Notion is changing how it bills for its AI features. Instead of a separate $10 per month plan, unlimited access to Notion AI is now part of the company's Business plan, which is increasing from $15 per month and per member to $20 per month and per member. Notion's justification for the increase is that it's giving users access to several different tools, including GPT-4.1 and Claude 3.7, for the price of an all-in-one package. Of course, it's not quite a one-to-one comparison. For example, if you decide to skip out on ChatGPT Plus, you miss out on expanded limits on Advanced Voice mode and Deep Research. Still, for Notion users that might be a tradeoff well worth making. 

If you're a current Notion AI subscriber, you'll keep access to all the AI features you had before today's announcement. For Free and Plus users, you get limited trial access to all the new features.   

Update 9:54AM ET: Notion initially said the price of its Business plan was going up to $30, but it actually going up to $20 per month and per member.  

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/notion-ai-can-transcribe-conversations-and-write-reports-but-itll-cost-you-130018464.html?src=rss

Sony's new Xperia 1 VII borrows Hi-Fi sound tech from its Walkman

Sony's smartphones probably haven't made much money in a long time, but they do provide a showcase for the company's latest camera and AV tech. A case in point is the new Xperia 1 VII flagship, a model that borrows Sony's Alpha camera and Bravia TV tricks and now features Walkman audio technology for the first time as well. 

On the camera side, Sony introduced a new 48-megapixel ultrawide camera (16mm full-frame equivalent) with a good-sized 1/1.56-inch sensor, significantly improving the specs of the Xperia 1 VI's ultrawide. That's on top of the main 48MP 1/1.35-inch 24mm camera and 12MP 85-170mm telephoto zoom. 

Another new camera feature is AI-powered Auto Framing. It lets you capture an entire scene with a wide angle, while automatically creating a closeup crop (vertical or horizontal) of a subject within the frame. That matches technology already available on Sony's Alpha camera lineup. Other key camera features include an improved Bokeh mode, real-time tracking and real-time eye autofocus, "telemacro" photography via the 120mm equivalent lens (with focus as close as 4cm), pro controls, a dedicated shutter button, live streaming and "low-light capability in line with full-frame cameras," Sony claims. 

As for audio, Sony has upgraded the Xperia 1 VII considerably from the previous model. It now uses the high-end Walkman components in key areas like sound resistors. Unlike other smartphone makers, Sony has kept its headphone jack and improved wired sound via a premium-grade integrated circuit, while also improving its LDAC wireless audio quality. Plus, the Xperia 1 VII supports Sony's DSEE Ultimate AI sound upscaling technology, along with 360 Reality audio or Dolby Atmos formats. 

The Xperia 1 VII is also taking a cue from Sony's Bravia displays with a new adaptive brightness feature for the 6.5-inch OLED display. It now has light sensors both front and back to better gauge environmental light levels and adjust brightness, contrast and color accordingly. 

Other key features include a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage (expandable to 2TB with microSD), WiFi 7, FPS gaming optimizer, two days of battery life via the new 5,000mAh battery, a vapour chamber cooler and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for environmental protection. Sony is even throwing in a free set of its top-end WH-1000XM5 headphones worth around $300.

Unfortunately there's no sign that the Xperia 1 VII is coming to the United States. It's now available to order in Europe and the UK for €1,499 and £1,399 respectively, or around $1,700. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/sonys-new-xperia-1-vii-borrows-hi-fi-sound-tech-from-its-walkman-133017552.html?src=rss

xMEMS launches a tiny speaker for smartwatches

xMEMS has launched the Sycamore-W, which it claims is the "world’s thinnest speaker designed specifically for wrist-worn wearables." The Sycamore-W is only 1 mm thin and weighs only 150 mg, making it approximately 70 percent smaller than the speakers typically used for smart watches. xMEMS took the micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology used in cell phones' microphones and developed drivers based on it for use in earphones instead. Last year, it launched the Sycamore speakers, based on the same platform as its original product, for open-fit earbuds, smart glasses and smart watches. 

While the original Sycamore could already be used in smartwatches, the Sycamore-W was engineered specifically for wrist-based wearables. Since it's very thin, companies can fit larger batteries or more biometric sensors into their products. The speakers are also water, dust and shock-resistant. "Sycamore-W redefines audio for smart watches, combining compact design with robust performance to meet the demands of next-generation wearables," said Mike Housholder, xMEMS VP of Marketing and Business Development. "As the wrist becomes a key interface for ears-free, hands-free AI interactions, Sycamore-W empowers manufacturers to deliver premium audio in smaller, lighter, more durable devices."

The company is planning to start volume production for the Sycamore-W in the second quarter of 2026, so we won't be seeing products that use the component until sometime next year. xMEMS will continue producing the original Sycamore speakers for smart glasses, open-fit earbuds and laptops, but it will announce more models for more specific applications in the coming months.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/xmems-launches-a-tiny-speaker-for-smartwatches-130026711.html?src=rss

Spotify's AI DJ now takes requests

Spotify's AI DJ is taking requests. Starting on Tuesday, Premium subscribers can ask it to play something that fits the mood. Although the company added a Spanish-speaking version last year, requests are only available in English at launch.

The AI DJ will respond to verbal requests for a specific artist, genre, mood or something that fits an activity. Spotify suggests phrases like "DJ, morning motivation needed ASAP," "Surprise me with some indie tracks" or "Play me something with a Y2K vibe."

You can find it by heading to the search tab and entering "DJ." After it starts spinning, press and hold the DJ button in the lower right-hand corner. Once you hear a beep, you can tell your synthetic disc jockey about your insatiable thirst for A Flock of Seagulls deep cuts.

Spotify's AI DJ launched in 2023, aiming to strike a balance between today's ultra-personalized streaming algorithms and old-school radio. The company says none of its dialog is pre-recorded. It's all generated on the fly via OpenAI.

Whether you love or hate the DJ, it can make for unintentional comedy as it butchers names and falls prey to AI's inevitable awkwardness. When I tried it with a classic blues mix, it consistently pronounced Howlin' Wolf as "Hole-in' Wolf." Some gems from a 2024 Reddit thread include "Blink One Hundred Eighty-Two" and "Here are some of your typical Sunday morning vibes, starting off with Shitfucker."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/spotifys-ai-dj-now-takes-requests-130005706.html?src=rss

Google is reportedly planning to unveil a Pinterest alternative at I/O 2025

Google is set to debut a new feature that The Information describes as "Pinterest-like" at its annual I/O developer conference next week. It reportedly shows users image results, based on their queries, that can give them ideas for fashion and interior design. Users can then save the images in different folders of their choice if they want to keep them separated based on certain themes. While The Information has likened it to Pinterest, it could be more similar to Cosmos, which is a more pared-down version of the idea. Cosmos lets users curate anything they saved from the web into clusters, which they can then share with other people. 

As the publication has noted, Google might be debuting a Pinterest competitor in order to secure its ads revenue from commercial queries. Google has been losing searches in homework and math from ChatGPT, a company executive told the court during a hearing related to a previous court decision that the company maintains an illegal monopoly in search. While those queries don't typically generate ads revenue, Google knows that it's inevitable for the company lose earnings from ads for commercial inquiries. Giving users a more interesting way to get search results that an AI couldn't provide through a new feature or a new product could help Google retain revenue from advertisements. 

In addition to the Pinterest-like competitor, Google could also introduce a "software development lifecycle agent" that could help software engineers identify bugs or flag security vulnerabilities while they're developing programs. It could also demonstrate the voice-powered integration of the Gemini AI chatbot into its Android XR glasses and headset. Previous clues point to Google launching the integration of Gemini Live inside the Chrome desktop browser, as well. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-is-reportedly-planning-to-unveil-a-pinterest-alternative-at-io-2025-123033887.html?src=rss

How to add VPN to your TV

For decades, the legacy Hollywood studios have made money by slicing and dicing the licenses to their ever-growing vaults of movies and TV shows to as many channels and streamers as possible in as many countries and territories as you can count. That's why shows available on Max in one country might switch to Netflix in another, and disappear altogether in a third. And savvy viewers have long used VPNs — virtual private networks — to expand their streaming options. Change your location from the US to the UK and, voila, you suddenly have access to Friends and The Office on Netflix again.

That’s great if you’re watching on a phone, tablet or PC, where installing and activating a VPN is as generally as simple as visiting the device’s app store. But streaming through a VPN is a bit more challenging on a TV. Thankfully, there are quite a few ways to get that VPN-filtered content on the biggest screen in your home. Below, we’ll walk you through unlocking geo-blocked content on your TV.

If you don’t already have a VPN subscription, we’d suggest choosing a service from our list of best VPNs. And with the notable exception of Proton VPN, we’d strongly recommend avoiding any free VPN options.

How to stream video to your smart TV using a VPN

The easiest way to install a VPN on your smart TV is to download it from the built-in app store — if your preferred VPN is available. Not all smart TV operating systems support VPN apps. Amazon Fire TV has the best selection, but you can also install any VPN's Android app on Android TV or Google TV from the Google Play Store. In this section, we'll explain how to use a VPN on every smart TV model that supports them.

If your smart TV doesn't support native VPNs (for example, if it's a Roku or an older Apple TV model), you can use it with a box or dongle from an OS that does. This also has the benefit of being cheaper than a whole new TV.

Fire TV

Amazon’s Fire TV operating system has a wide range of content to binge-watch, as it comes with access to Prime Video’s expansive catalog. Thankfully, its user interface is easy to navigate, making installing a VPN a breeze.

Amazon

To set up a VPN, navigate to the Fire TV app store and search for the VPN service to which you’re subscribed. Fire TV has multiple options on the app store, including most of the services on our aforementioned best VPNs list.

From there, the process is pretty simple: Download the app, log in, and connect to the VPN. Scroll through the server list and pick a location in the country whose Prime Video library you want to unlock. You can also watch any other streaming service by downloading its app and logging in. Read How to add a VPN on Fire TV for complete instructions.

Google TV

Google TV is a smart TV operating system with a sleek user interface that supports thousands of apps, including VPNs and streaming platforms. As with Fire TV, just download your VPN app of choice, input your credentials and run it before activating the streaming service you’d like to check out. Read How to stream using a VPN on your Google TV or Chromecast for more details. 

Apple TV

If you want to install a VPN on your Apple TV directly, you’ll need tvOS 17 or later. If not, you can follow our alternative workarounds with AirPlay or Google Cast.

Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

For those with tvOS 17 and later, setting up a VPN on your Apple TV is simple. However, it doesn’t support many services, so you’ll have to double-check that the VPN you subscribe to has Apple TV compatibility. Read How to use a VPN on your Apple TV for more details. 

AirPlay or Google Cast from a VPN-enabled device

The simplest way to use a VPN on any TV is to connect your TV to a phone, tablet, or laptop, then use the VPN on that device instead. You've got two ways to do this — screen casting and mirroring.

Screencasting is when you set content on a device to play on your TV, then continue using that device for other purposes while you stream. Mirroring is when you show everything you’re doing on your device on your TV. For example, if you’re streaming a movie and close your browser tab, your smart TV will stop streaming the movie as well.

Apple and Google each have their own flavor of screencasting: AirPlay and Google Cast, respectively. (The latter is basically same digital protocol that works on Chromecast hardware.) In each case, you start by running your VPN of choice on your phone or tablet, then fire up your streaming app and start your movie or TV show. Finally, click the AirPlay or Google Cast icon once you start streaming. If your TV doesn’t have AirPlay or Google Cast built-in, you can buy a set-top box or dongle that supports one or the other.

AirPlay is probably the most well-known casting and mirroring technology, and it currently works on a wide range of smart TVs and set-top boxes. I screencasted from my iPhone XR with a VPN enabled to my Samsung UHD TV and everything worked without a hitch.

On the Google side, click the icon with a TV and Wi-Fi rays to start casting your content to the big screen. Amazon is working on a rival screencasting platform called Matter Casting, but it’s not widely supported yet. Read How to stream via a VPN on Roku for more details on all of this.

HDMI from a VPN-enabled device

If you don’t want to fiddle with wireless protocols, an underrated and lesser-known way to stream video to your TV using a VPN is via an HDMI cable. You’ll need an HDMI cable and (for some devices) an HDMI dongle, such as one that converts a USB-C port to HDMI. Once connected, your laptop, phone or tablet screen should be displayed on your TV’s screen. At that point, just use the source device to fire up your VPN, start your streaming app (or browser) and maximize the window.

Whole-house VPN access: Set up a VPN on your router

The sections above describe ways to get VPN streaming access on a single TV. But if you want a whole-house approach — in which you could, for instance, watch UK Netflix on every device on your home network — you’ll want to investigate accessing the VPN at the router level. Just note this is for advanced users only, and is far and away the most challenging method of the bunch.

Whole-house VPN access requires installing a new router, or making major modifications to your existing one. It generally also requires installing custom firmware on a router, which usually voids the hardware manufacturer’s warranty. Even then, you’ll need an expert user in the household who knows how to engage and disengage the VPN and customize its settings, as leaving it turned on all the time can interfere with non-streaming activities, including simple things like shopping online.

All that said, a more streamlined whole-home option is to try out the AirCove router models from ExpressVPN. (Engadget has not yet tested these routers.) Because they are ExpressVPN’s own hardware, they include warranty coverage and support through the company.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-add-vpn-to-your-tv-143736648.html?src=rss

How to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

The super slim Galaxy S25 Edge, which Samsung teased at the tail end of its January Unpacked event, has been officially revealed. During the most recent Unpacked event, we got full specs, pricing and shipping dates for Samsung's latest phone, as well as a chance to put our hands on the new handset. 

The new Galaxy S25 Edge starts at $1,100 for 256GB of storage or $1,220 for the 512GB model and the phones ship May 30. Pre-orders are open at Amazon, Best Buy and directly from Samsung, which is offering a $50 pre-order store credit and a no-charge upgrade to the 512GB model. Amazon's got a similar offer: it includes a $50 Amazon gift card when you pre-order the 512GB S25 Edge for $1,100.

The Edge's headline features include its thin build and AI-supported photography chops — both of which we'd suspected from various leaks, only to have the rumors confirmed by Samsung's own press release last week. And indeed, when Engadget's Mat Smith got his hands on an Edge, he immediately felt how much lighter the device was — yet, he noted, it still felt premium. 

We now know for sure that the Galaxy S25 Edge has a 6.7-inch screen but measures just 5.8mm (0.22 inches) thick. That's slightly less surface area than the 6.9-inch Ultra, but a full 2.4mm thinner. It weighs 163 grams, nearly the same as the standard Galaxy S25, but the Edge measures more than 10mm taller and 5mm wider than its base-model sibling.  

To shave off the grams and trim the width, Samsung developed a broader yet slimmer vapor chamber and a new Thermal Interface Material (TIM) for better heat dissipation. It uses Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front display. It's the first phone to use the material, which Corning says offers "enhanced drop performance on rough surfaces," allowing for a thinner glass layer. The frame is made from titanium, like the Ultra model, a material many phone manufactures have put in higher-end models for its lightweight strength. 

As for camera power, the Edge has the same 200MP sensor as the S25 Ultra, which Samsung claims captures 40 percent brighter images in low light situations compared with the standard S25. There's also a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 12MP selfie cam up front. Those two rear cameras do protrude noticeably from the thin frame of the phone, but Mat was impressed how well-balanced the phone felt — it's not lopsided at all. 

Of course, the phone also packs plenty of AI-powered tricks, including Pro Scaler, Audio Eraser and Drawing Assist. To support all the AI, Samsung is using the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip as the other S25 phones and comes with 12GB of memory and either 256 or 512GB of storage. It packs a 3,900mAh battery, which is smaller than both the 4,000mAh one found in the standard S25 and the 5,000mAH power supply in the Ultra. Though Samsung claims the Edge can run for 24 hours on a charge. 

You can get the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in three color options: Titanium Silver, Titanium Jet Black, and Titanium Icy Blue. Samsung is promising seven years of security and software updates. We only spent a short time with the phone so far and our full review will be out shortly.  

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-pre-order-the-samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-000029138.html?src=rss

Apple is bringing accessibility labels to the App Store later this year

Each year, on the same week as Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the accessibility team at Apple shares a slew of upcoming assistive features ahead of their public release. This time around, the company has a huge number of updates as it commemorates "40 years of accessibility innovation at Apple," according to a press release. This year's group of enhancements covers all its platforms and a variety of types of disabilities, and one of them is a new initiative that should make more apps more inclusive.

Later this year, the App Store will get "Accessibility Nutrition Labels," which will be a new section in app pages. These will give a quick preview of the accessible features that each listing offers, including things like support for the VoiceOver screen reader, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Captions, Voice Control, Reduced Motion and more. Tapping on each preview will bring up a page with more details on other accessibility features that are available and explanations on each of them. 

The labels will be available worldwide, and Apple will make more guidance available to developers on the criteria their apps should meet before they display the relevant accessibility information on their pages. 

With these labels, people can find out if apps will meet their needs without having to first download them. If you are colorblind, for example, you can see if a matching game offers "Differentiate without color alone" before installing it and going into its settings to verify. 

By bringing these labels to the App Store, Apple is delivering what the gaming industry is seeking to do with the Accessible Games Initiative (AGI) that was announced in March. While the AGI is a broader effort with promised participation from companies like Microsoft, Nintendo and Electronic Arts, it has yet to share a firm timeline for the implementation of the system. The Entertainment Software Association said in March that timing would depend on each company. 

Now, we'll have to wait and see exactly how much later in the year Apple will start displaying these labels, but the company will be sharing more guidance with developers at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June, so it might take till the second half of 2025 for the changes to appear. 

Apple also shared plenty more on new assistive features coming to iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches and the Vision Pro, including a new Magnifier for Mac, an Accessibility Reader and updated Braille Access.  

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-is-bringing-accessibility-labels-to-the-app-store-later-this-year-120020185.html?src=rss

DJI Mavic 4 Pro review: A new standard for consumer drones

DJI’s much-awaited Mavic 4 Pro drone has launched, but there’s bad news. Due to Trump’s tariffs and other market uncertainties (like a potential DJI ban), it’s not yet on sale in America and there’s no word on when it will be, or for what price. That will disappoint US buyers, because the Mavic 4 Pro is the most technologically advanced consumer drone ever.

With a triple-camera system housed in a wild-looking round gimbal, it can shoot up to 6K at 60 fps with 16 stops of dynamic range, beating any drone and even most cameras. DJI also boosted top speed, battery life and range, while improving obstacle avoidance in low light via a new LiDAR system. Plus, the company introduced an all-new RC Pro 2 controller with a useful new foldable design.

I’ve had the Mavic 4 Pro for a couple of weeks now and it performs even better than the specs would suggest. Though a bit expensive, this drone is so polished and capable that nothing else remotely compares to it.

Design

The trademark feature, as we’ve seen from leaks and a teaser last week, is the big round triple-camera “Infinity Gimbal” module at the front. The idea is to allow the gimbal to rotate freely for improved stabilization and interesting camera angles. It boosts the tilt-up angle from 60 to 70 degrees and lets the gimbal rotate at any angle, allowing off-kilter “Dutch” camera angles for more interesting shots. And of course, it can rotate 90 degrees to deliver full-resolution vertical video for social media.

With that new housing and slightly larger batteries, the 2.3 pound Mavic 4 Pro is 0.2 pounds heavier than the Mavic 3 Pro. The propeller arms have been updated so they can be folded and unfolded in any order, unlike the previous model. The body is also more aerodynamic to boost efficiency and speed.

Tucked in the left propeller arm is a forward-facing LiDAR sensor that greatly aids nighttime obstacle detection. The drone also has six omnidirectional fisheye sensors that work in as little as 0.1 lux, which is equivalent to a night sky lit by a full moon.

Where the Mavic 3 Pro had just 8GB of internal memory, the standard Mavic 4 Pro is equipped with 64GB of storage (42GB usable), and the Creator Combo version comes with a generous 512GB of high-speed storage (460GB usable). Both models have a microSD card slot as well.

Steve Dent for Engadget

The Mavic 4 Pro ships with the RC2 screen controller first seen with the Air 3 in the basic and Fly More kits. However, DJI also introduced the RC2 Pro, a controller unlike any I’ve seen before. The bright 7-inch HDR display folds up to provide a multi-angle view and tilts 90 degrees (automatically flipping the Mavic 4 Pro's camera 90 degrees) for vertical video. 

There's no longer a need to stow the joysticks (though you can) as they automatically collapse into the body when the screen is folded back. It has a full complement of controls for flying and camera operations, including a button that flips the camera 90 degrees. The RC2 Pro also has an HDMI and a USB-C port, along with Wi-Fi 6 support for high-speed data transfers.

The new 95Wh batteries are rated to offer up to 51 minutes of flight time, or around 40-45 minutes in typical use. That’s a significant boost from the 30-35 minute real-world battery life on the Mavic 3 Pro. Better still, they charge faster than ever at 51 minutes for one battery (via USB-C) or 90 minutes for three with the Fly More kit charger.

Performance and features

The Mavic 4 Pro can now hit 56 mph (90 km/h) in sport mode without obstacle detection, up from 47 mph before, which will be a big help for filming motor vehicles. Top speed in normal mode with tracking and obstacle detection is also faster at 40 mph. It’s still a big SUV of a drone, though, so it lacks the agility of DJI’s Mini 4 Pro. And with no prop guards, it’s not advisable to maneuver around people or in tight spaces like the Avata 2.

Noise from the Mavic 4 Pro is unchanged from the Mavic 3 Pro at 83 dB. However, the frequency is lower and less bothersome, especially when it’s flying close to people — so, er, props to DJI for that improvement.

With the new O4+ transmission system, the Mavic 4 Pro now offers up to 18.6 miles (30 km) of video transmission range, double that of the Mavic 3 Pro. Though most pilots won’t venture that far away, I found the Mavic 4 Pro less susceptible to interference and dropouts than before. It also supports bright 10-bit HDR 1080p live video transmission for a higher-quality backup capture and better visibility in sunlight.

Steve Dent for Engadget

Subject tracking is available via the ActiveTrack 360 function (first seen on the Mini 4 Pro), which allows you to manually control the camera position while keeping your subject in frame. It’s also designed to keep subjects in focus even if they’re partially obscured.

I tested it with a car, mountain bike and while walking to see how it worked at various speeds. The Mavic 4 Pro stayed locked on a car driving at up to 30 mph with full obstacle avoidance. When filming the bike rider, the Mavic 4 Pro chose interesting and random routes around trees that often yielded cinematic greatness. That behavior also caused a crash into a small tree branch, but luckily, it caused no visible or functional damage. The drone also worked well as a vlogging tool, following me on a preset ActiveTrack 360 path.

Later, I took the Mavic 4 Pro out at night to test the LiDAR and low-light sensors, flying it up around trees and next to buildings. That would have been risky with past models, but it successfully detected and avoided all obstacles in my testing. The low-light capability will also help you bring the drone home safely at night, as long as you remember that the LiDAR only works in the forward direction. Return-to-home now functions without GPS in sufficient light, as the Mavic 4 Pro can memorize flight paths.

Video quality

Steve Dent for Engadget

With its new camera system, the Mavic 4 Pro has the best video quality I’ve seen on any consumer drone. The main Hasselblad-branded 28mm wide camera has a 100-megapixel , dual ISO 4/3 sensor that supports 6K 60 fps or 4K 120 fps capture along with DJI’s professional D-Log and D-LogM modes to max out dynamic range. It also delivers up to 100MP photos. The Mavic 4 Pro is one of few drones with a variable aperture (f/2.0 to f/11) for better depth of field control and more usability in sunlight.

The Infinity Gimbal also houses a 70mm medium telephoto lens with a 1/1.3-inch sensor like the one on the Mini 4 Pro. Plus, there’s a longer 168mm camera with a 1/1.5-inch sensor that should be ideal for things like wildlife tracking. Both feature an f/2.8 aperture, 4K 60p video and D-Log/D-LogM and HDR, along with subject-tracking AF and dual native ISO.

6K and 4K video quality on the Hasselblad camera is incredibly sharp and color-accurate, while providing good dynamic range, particularly with sky and cloud details. Switching over to D-Log mode further boosts dynamic range, but makes color correction a bit trickier. I liked using D-LogM to get a good balance between ease of adjustment and dynamic range.

The base Mavic 4 Pro captures H.265 video up to 180 Mbps, but the Creator Combo version — with its faster internal storage — also supports 1,200 Mbps H.264 All-I for easier editing. However, DJI dropped the ProRes 4:2:2 HQ option that was available on the Cine version of the Mavic 3 Pro.

Steve Dent for Engadget

Where the Mavic 4 Pro really beats other drones is in low light, thanks to the native dual ISO capability. When shooting a cityscape at dusk at ISO 6400 and up, grain was easy to tamp down with a bit of noise reduction. And if shooting at dawn or dusk, the D-Log mode provides enough dynamic range to balance light sky and dark ground areas.

Photo quality is also outstanding in the 100MP mode with so much detail that I could zoom in and clearly see tiny objects. For low-light shooting, though, it’s best to stick with 25MP to reduce noise. DJI’s RAW DNG capture makes it easy to fine-tune photos shot in contrasty lighting conditions.

The 70mm (3x) 1/1.3-inch telephoto camera is great for taking portraits or getting in tighter when shooting landscapes. With support for 4K at up to 120 fps and D-Log or D-LogM, it can easily be mixed and matched with footage from the main camera, though detail and low-light capability isn’t as good. The 168mm 1/1.5-inch camera produces mediocre video quality, but it’s great for capturing wildlife.

Wrap-up

Steve Dent for Engadget

The Mavic 4 Pro is a great example of how DJI stays far ahead of rivals by consistently updating and perfecting its products. It’s an improvement over the Mavic 3 Pro in nearly every area, and as mentioned, it doesn’t really have any competition in the consumer space. The closest alternative in price and capability is Autel’s Evo II Pro 6K, but that drone has a single-camera system with a smaller sensor, less endurance and shorter range.

The lack of US availability is a major issue that’s bound to cause a furor with drone enthusiasts in the States. And there’s still a great risk that sales of DJI drones will be completely banned in America by the end of the year. The company insists that its drones pose no national security risk and says it welcomes any scrutiny.

The Mavic 4 Pro is now on sale in most regions except the United States starting at €2,099 or £1,879 (about $2,360) with the RC2 controller. You can also get it in the Fly More kit with the RC2 controller, a bag, three batteries and a charger for £2,459 and €2,699 ($3,040). The Creator Combo, which includes everything in the Fly More kit plus the RC2 Pro controller, 512GB of storage and All-I video capture, is €3,539 (£3,209) or about $3,980. The RC2 Pro controller by itself is €999 and €879 (about $1,125).

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/dji-mavic-4-pro-review-a-new-standard-for-consumer-drones-120006235.html?src=rss

The Morning After: Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge is $1,100 and thin

Samsung’s long-teased Galaxy S25 Edge has arrived, way ahead of the rumored iPhone Air. It’s a very S25-looking device, but the company is pitching it as a design-centric addition to its, let’s admit, bulging S25 family. The S25 Edge’s body is 5.8 millimeters (0.22 inches) thick if we ignore the camera bump like everyone else does. Granted, it’s not a huge bump.

Samsung says it engineered the lenses to be substantially thinner than those on the S25 Ultra while keeping the same 200-megapixel camera sensor. And there are only two cameras on the back this time. Gasp! Unfortunately, Samsung has gone for an ultrawide secondary shooter rather than a telephoto, likely due to the handset's size constraints.

Image by Mat Smith for Engadget

This makes the S25 Edge the latest addition to the trend of fewer cameras, joining the Pixel 9a, but for a very different $1,100. You can check out my first impressions and all the crucial specs in my hands-on. Are you willing to handle possible battery life decreases and less zoom on your smartphone camera?

— Mat Smith

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Even more Switch 2 stuff

• Ticketmaster proudly announces it will follow the law and show prices up-front

• Jamie Lee Curtis publicly shamed Mark Zuckerberg to remove a deepfaked ad

• How to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

• Philips Fixables will let you 3D print replacement parts for your electric razors and trimmers

iOS 18.5 arrives with a new wallpaper for Pride Month

And not much else.

Apple pushed iOS 18.5 to devices on Monday, and the biggest visual change is a new rainbow-shaded wallpaper in honor of Pride Month. I’m honored. Otherwise, it’s a few minor tweaks and bug fixes.

Continue reading.

You can actually turn lead into gold

All you need is a Large Hadron Collider.

Bones

Scientists with the European Organization for Nuclear Research, better known as CERN, have converted lead into gold using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Unlike the examples of transmutation we see in anime pop culture, scientists smashed subatomic particles together at ridiculously high speeds to manipulate lead’s physical properties to become gold. Briefly. Lead atoms only have three more protons than gold atoms. The LHC causes the lead atoms to drop just enough protons to become a gold atom for a fraction of a second — before immediately fragmenting into a bunch of particles.

Continue reading.

The only thing I want from Apple’s big 2025 redesign is a

That’s a, not α.

Apple

This is where Deputy Editor Nathan Ingraham decries one of Apple’s latest design quirks. For over 600 words. Apple’s decision to use α instead of a in its Note App has got him mad. 

We’ve reached out to check if he’s OK.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-111526456.html?src=rss

The best iPad cases for 2025

Whether you just got a new iPad or you love the one you’ve had for years, it’s a good idea to stick it in a case. The best iPad case for you might be a simple one that protects the body of the tablet and the screen, or maybe it’s a full keyboard case that lets you use your slab like a laptop. Either way, the best iPad cases keep your pricey piece of technology protected from the accidental hazards of daily life and make it easier to bring the device with you wherever you go. Engadget editors have tested numerous iPad cases over the years and use some of them on our own gear; these are our current favorites.

Best iPad cases for 2025

Why do I need an iPad case?

It’s almost always a good idea to keep your iPad in a case so it’s protected against hazards and accidents. The best iPads are expensive — even the most affordable model will set you back at least $300 — so you’ll want to safeguard your gear as much as possible.

iPad case FAQs

What is the difference between an iPad case and an iPad cover?

All iPad covers are cases, but not all iPad cases are covers — yes, it’s a bit confusing, but allow us to explain. Most iPad covers are cases that surround the back of your tablet and have a flap that covers the screen, so it provides protection for the body as well as its display. Plenty of iPad cases also have screen covers, but you don’t have to get one with that feature. Instead, you could just get a case that hugs the back of the tablet and nothing else. Those accessories will be marginally thinner and lighter than their cover-toting counterparts, and give your iPad a more svelte profile.

How often should I charge my iPad?

How often you charge your iPad will depend on how often you use it. Most iPads will last at least a regular work day with frequent usage, which is one of the reasons why many have opted to use their iPads as laptop replacements. But with heavy usage, like constant video streaming or gaming, will come more rapid battery drain. A good rule of thumb is to charge your iPad when you go to sleep each night, that way you’ll have a topped-up device waiting for you in the morning.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-ipad-cases-to-protect-your-tablet-130033533.html?src=rss

The best docking stations for laptops in 2025

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

Table of contents

• Best docking stations

• What to look for in a docking station

• How we tested docking stations

• Other laptop docking stations we tested

• Docking station FAQs

Best docking stations

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What to look for in a docking station

First and foremost, consider what you need to plug in. This will likely be the deciding factor when you go to actually buy a docking station. Do you need three screens for an expanded work view? A quick way to upload photos from an SD card? Are you looking to plug in a webcam, mic and streaming light, while simultaneously taking advantage of faster Ethernet connections? Are you hooking up a gaming laptop to multiple displays and peripherals? Once you’ve settled on the type of ports you need, you may also want to consider the generation of those ports as well; even ports with the same shape can have different capabilities. Here’s a brief overview of the connectivity different docking stations offer.

Monitor ports

External monitors typically need one of three ports to connect to a PC: HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C. HDMI connections are more common than DisplayPort and the cables and devices that use them are sometimes more affordable. The most popular version of the DisplayPort interface (v1.4) can handle higher resolutions and refresh rates than the most common HDMI version (2.0). All of the display docking stations with HDMI ports that we recommend here use version 2.0, which can handle 4K resolution at 60Hz or 1080p up to 240Hz. The DisplayPort-enabled docks support either version 1.2, which allows for 4K resolution at 60Hz, or version 1.4, which can handle 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz.

You can also use your dock’s downstream (non-host) Thunderbolt ports to hook up your monitors. If your external display has a USB-C socket, you can connect directly. If you have an HDMI display or DisplayPort-only monitor, you can use an adapter or a conversion cable.

Of course, the number of monitors you can connect and the resolutions/rates they’ll achieve depend on both your computer’s GPU and your monitors — and the more monitors you plug in can bring down those numbers as well. Be sure to also use cables that support the bandwidth you’re hoping for. MacOS users should keep in mind that MacBooks with the standard M1 or M2 chips support just one external monitor natively and require DisplayLink hardware and software to support two external displays. MacBook Pros with M1 Pro, M2 Pro or M2 Max chips can run multiple monitors from a single port, as can MacBook Air and Pro models with M3 or M4 chips.

USB ports

Most docking stations offer a few USB Type-A ports, which are great for peripherals like wired mice and keyboards, bus-powered ring lights and flash drives. For faster data transfer speeds to your flash drive, go for USB-A sockets labeled 3.1 or 3.2 — or better yet, use a USB-C Thunderbolt port.

Type-C USB ports come in many different flavors. While they’re all the same shape, different standards and terms mean different abilities. A USB-C port (or cable) that meets the 3.2 gen 2 specification can handle data at 10Gbps, which can support 4K video at 60 fps. If it’s also a PD (power delivery) port, it can, well, deliver power too. Thunderbolt is Intel’s implementation of the USB4 standard and the Thunderbolt 3, 4 and, since 2023, Thunderbolt 5 protocols all support power (from 15W to 140W), video (up to 8K on multiple screens) and data (from 16Gbps to 120Gbps). Since a similarly shaped port can vary widely on what it can do, it’s worth figuring out what you need those ports to do when you’re assessing your needs — all USB4 ports are USB-C, but not all USB-C ports support USB4. (Don’t worry, it confuses us, too.)

Another thing to keep in mind is that achieving the fastest speeds will depend on factors like the cables you use — a $4 USB-C charging cable won’t transmit data at Thunderbolt speeds, no matter what port you plug it into. The devices on either end of the dock must support those speeds as well.

Nearly every dock available today is a USB-C docking station, connecting to a computer via USB-C, often Thunderbolt, and those host ports are nearly always labeled with a laptop icon. Host ports also allow power delivery to your laptop: available wattage varies, but most docks are rated between 85 and 140 watts. That should be enough to keep most computers powered — it also means you won’t have to take up an extra laptop connector for charging.

Other ports

None of our currently recommended laptops include an Ethernet jack; a docking station can help get that connection back. Whether you need a wired internet connection is dependent on a few factors. Wi-Fi 6 connections can deliver theoretical data rates of 9Gbps, but in practice those numbers are between 800 and 1200Mbps. The Ethernet ports on some routers and gateways top out at 1Gbps, so your Wi-Fi connection could actually be faster. It might be worth testing your speeds and checking your router’s specs to see whether Ethernet is better for your needs.

Just two of our favorite laptops have SD card readers, and if you need a quick way to upload files from cameras or audio recorders, you may want to get a dock with one of those slots. Of the docks we tested, about half had SD readers. For now, most (but not all) laptops still include a 3.5mm audio jack, but if you prefer wired headphones and want a more accessible place to plug them in, many docking stations will provide.

When you’re counting up the ports for your new dock, remember that most companies include the host port (the one that connects to your computer) in the total number. So if you’re looking for a dock with three Thunderbolt connections, be sure to check whether one of them will be used to plug in your laptop.

Design

Most docking stations have either a lay-flat or upright design. Most docks put the more “permanent” connections in back — such as Ethernet, DC power, monitor connections and a few USBs. Up-front USB ports can be used for flash drive transfers, or even acting as a charger for your phone (just make sure the port can deliver the power you need). USBs in the rear are best for keyboards, mice, webcams and other things you’re likely to always use. Some docks position the host port up front, which might make it easier to plug in your laptop when you return to your desk, but a host port in back may look neater overall.

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How we tested docking stations

We started out by looking at online reviews, spec sheets from various brands and docking stations that our fellow tech sites have covered. We considered brands we’ve tested before and have liked, and weeded out anything that didn’t have what we consider a modern suite of connections (such as a dock with no downstream USB-C ports). We narrowed it down to 12 contenders and I tested each dock in a home office, using an M1 MacBook Pro, a Dell XPS 13 Plus and an Acer Chromebook Spin 514.

I plugged in and evaluated the quality of the connections for 12 different peripherals including a 4K and an HD monitor, a 4K and an HD webcam, plus USB devices like a mouse, keyboard, streaming light and mic. I plugged in wired earbuds, and transferred data to a USB-C flash drive and an external SSD. I ran basic speed tests on the Ethernet connections as well as the file transfers. I judged how easy the docks were to use as well as the various design factors I described earlier. I made spreadsheets and had enough wires snaking around my work area that my cat stayed off my desk for three weeks (a new record).

As new docking stations come out and we find models worthy of testing, (there are a couple from Ugreen we have our eye on), we'll update this guide accordingly.

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Other laptop docking stations we tested

Plugable USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 Hub

I was hoping the Plugable USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 Hub would make a good budget pick. Its small size makes it seem more like a hub than a dock, but it requires power from the included DC adapter, so I tested it as a dock. I liked how little space it took up, but it was almost too small — it was too lightweight to lay flat on my desk when all the cables were plugged in. It has just three Thunderbolt 4 ports. That’s not a ton, but TB4 ports are certainly versatile, handling monitors and other higher-specced peripherals. It’s only $100 (Plugable even includes an HDMI to USB-C adapter) which is a pretty great price for multiple Thunderbolt connections. I experienced some display lags in my tests, so I hesitate to give it a full recommendation.

Plugable TBT4-UDZ

When I pulled the Plugable TBT4-UDZ Thunderbolt 4 out of the box, I was convinced it would make the cut: It has a practical upright design, an attractive metal finish, and the host connection is TB4. While there are plenty of USB-A and monitor ports, there’s just one downstream USB-C. A modern dock, particularly one that costs $300, should let you run, say, a USB-C cam and mic at the same time. Otherwise, it’s pretty limiting.

Anker 575 USB-C

At $250 (and more often $235), the Anker 575 USB-C could make for a good budget pick for Windows. It performed well with the Dell XPS 13 Plus, but had trouble with the third screen, the 4K webcam and headphone jack when connected to the MacBook Pro. It’s quite compact, which means it can get wobbly when a bunch of cables are plugged in, but it has a good selection of ports and was able to handle my basic setup well.

Belkin Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4

Belkin’s Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock is a contender for a Thunderbolt 4 alternative. It has nearly the same ports as the AD2010 (minus the microSD slot) and an attractive rounded design — but it’s $90 more, so I’d only recommend getting it if you find it on sale.

Acer USB Type-C Dock

Acer’s USB Type-C Dock D501 costs $10 more than our Kensington pick for Chromebooks, but it performs similarly and is worth a mention. It has nearly the same ports (including the rather limiting single downstream USB-C) but both the Ethernet and data transfer speeds were faster.

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Docking station FAQs

Are docking stations worth it?

Docking stations are worth it if you have more accessories to plug in than your laptop permits. Say you have a USB-C camera and mic, plus a USB-A mouse, keyboard and streaming light; very few modern laptops have enough connections to support all of that at once. A docking station can make that setup feasible while also giving you extra ports like a gigabit Ethernet connection, and supplying power to your laptop. However, if you just need a few extra USB sockets, you might be better off going with a hub, as those tend to be cheaper.

How much does a laptop dock cost?

Laptop docking stations tend to be bigger and more expensive than simple USB-A or USB-C hubs, thanks to the wider array of connections. You can find them as low as $50 and they can get as expensive as $450. A reasonable price for a dock with a good selection of ports from a reputable brand will average around $200.

How do I set up my laptop dock?

Most docking stations are plug and play. First, connect the DC power cable to the dock and a wall outlet. Then look for the “host” or upstream port on the dock — it’s almost always a USB-C/Thunderbolt port and often branded with an icon of a laptop. Use the provided cable to connect to your computer. After that, you can connect your peripherals to the dock and they should be ready to use with your laptop. A few docking stations, particularly those that handle more complex monitor setups, require a driver. The instructions that come with your dock will point you to a website where you can download that companion software.

Does a laptop charge on a docking station?

Nearly all docking stations allow you to charge your laptop through the host connection (the cable running from the dock to your computer). That capability, plus the higher number of ports is what separates a docking station from a hub. Docks can pass on between 65W and 100W of power to laptops, and nearly all include a DC adapter.

Are all docking stations compatible with all laptops?

No, not all docking stations are compatible with every laptop. In our tests, the Chromebook had the biggest compatibility issues, the Dell PC had the least, and the MacBook fell somewhere in between. All docks will list which brands and models they work with on the online product page — be sure to also check the generation of your laptop as some docks can’t support certain chips.

What are some popular docking station brands?

Kensington, Anker, Pluggable and Belkin are reputable and well-known brands making docking stations for all laptops. Lenovo, Dell and HP all make docks that will work with their own computers as well as other brands.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-docking-station-160041863.html?src=rss

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge hands-on: Less smartphone, more compromises

After teasing us for months, Samsung has formally revealed the Galaxy S25 Edge. At just 5.8 millimeters (0.22 inches) thick, it’s the slimmest member of the S25 family — and its slimmest smartphone ever. It’s available to preorder now and launches on 30 May, starting at $1,100.

Samsung said that S25 Edge “unlocks a new era of growth for the mobile industry" — and it’s easy (too easy!) to cynically see this as a way of hawking another Samsung phone into a thinner — and yet similar — slice of hardware, with familiar cameras, technical specs and AI software. This isn’t an Ultra, nor is it a new foldable. However, it could be a new direction for Samsung’s flagship S series.

What’s the difference between the S25 and S25 Edge?

Image by Mat Smith for Engadget

Surprise! The Edge is thinner. While the S25 Edge measures in at less than the base S25, which is 6.4mm (0.25 inches) thin, it weighs almost the same. In fact, there’s only a gram’s difference between the two, despite the S25 Edge packing a much bigger 6.7-inch screen than the S25’s 6.2-inch one.

And boy, can you tell the difference. The most contemporary comparison I can make is when Apple switched to a titanium frame for the iPhone 15 Pro. Spec sheets and numbers be damned: I could sense how much lighter the device was. Despite having a much bigger screen than my iPhone 16 Pro, the thinner S25 Edge felt light yet premium. I easily slipped it in and out of my pants pockets, because, well, how else am I going to assess the biggest selling point for Samsung’s latest phone?

Image by Mat Smith for Engadget

The thing is: Device thickness isn’t an issue I have with flagship smartphones — it’s the screen size. The base Galaxy S25 (or the Pixel 9 Pro) hit the sweet spot for my hands. While this new S25 Edge may be easier to hold than similar-sized phones, a 6.7-inch screen isn’t for everyone.

Like most phones (the Pixel 9a is a curious outlier), the S25 Edge still has a substantial camera unit derailing otherwise clean hardware lines. The dual-camera setup protrudes a good 4.5mm (0.17 inches), although it features the same 200-megapixel sensor packed into the pricier S25 Ultra.

Samsung says it re-engineered the camera unit to ensure it could fit on the Edge, but it still sticks out — a lot. Before I got to handle the phone, I thought this would lead to the new phone being oddly unbalanced and top-heavy. But whatever Samsung has done to arrange the component furniture inside the S25 Edge, it worked. The phone doesn’t feel lopsided or fragile at all, but like any other premium flagship smartphone.

The Galaxy S25 Edge’s cameras

Image by Mat Smith for Engadget

Alongside the primary 200MP sensor, Samsung included a 12MP ultrawide camera with autofocus and macro photography support. And… that’s it. There’s no dedicated telephoto system, which typically takes up more space however you position the camera. The two lenses are stacked in a vertical arrangement, which I think looks cleaner than the camera cornucopias found on other devices — but many folks are going to miss the versatility of a true telephoto. Sure, you can digitally zoom by cropping in on that huge 200MP sensor, but it’s not the same.

The S25 Edge can also capture up to 8K video and packs all the other photography tricks you’d expect in an S-Series phone, like night photography and lossless zoom. Of cours,e it also handles post-capture AI tools like generative editing (removing photobombers and unwanted objects from your photos) and Audio Eraser for cleaning up video in loud environments.

And when it comes to AI — or Galaxy AI — you’re getting the same array of features that we saw in the base S25 and S25 Ultra, powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and 12GB of RAM. Those AI tools include the Now Brief and Now Bar which takes contextual clues from your apps and smartphone to lay out a plan for your day, remind you of the weather and more. Samsung’s integration of Google’s Gemini now includes Gemini Live, so you can tap into your camera feed to ask questions about your photos and things in your surroundings.

It’ll likely pick up any future Gemini and Android upgrades, too: The Galaxy S25 Edge will receive seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security updates.

Image by Mat Smith for Engadget

At a media briefing, Samsung also outlined how it’s trying to ensure the S25 Edge runs cool despite all the packed-in hardware, using a new Thermal Interface Material (TIM) for better heat dissipation within that limited space. I didn’t really get the time to push the device to its limits during the briefing, so we’ll wait for a review to assess whether it works well enough.

The company did have to make compromises to fit all the S25 Edge’s features into this svelte profile. It has a 3,900mAh battery, which is small for a phone with a 6.7-inch display that costs more than $1,000. In comparison, the base S25 has a 4,000mAh cell — that's a bigger battery on a cheaper phone with a smaller screen. Then, there's the S25+, which has a 4,900mAh battery with the same screen size as the S25 Edge.

In its defence, Samsung has made considerable progress on the battery life of its devices (particularly with this year’s crop of Galaxy S phones). The company claims the S25 Edge can run video for up to 24 hours. However, with a bigger screen inside a thinner device, battery life may be the biggest compromise—and it’s something we will have to test when we review the Edge properly.

The Galaxy S25 Edge is priced at $1,100 (£1,100) with 256GB of storage. It will launch on May 30 in three colors: Silver, Jet Black and Icy Blue. It’s hard to draw any concrete conclusions on whether the S25 Edge’s compromises for a smaller device footprint are worth it, but expect our review in the next few weeks.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-hands-on-release-date-price-000022902.html?src=rss

Philips Fixables will let you 3D print replacement parts for your electric razors and trimmers

Philips is launching a new program called Fixables, where it will make plans available so that customers can 3D print replacement parts for the company's personal care products. The video introducing the initiative touts it as a simpler and easier way to extend the lifetimes of functional items rather than throwing them out because a single part or attachment is broken. Philips has partnered with Prusa Research and LePub on this endeavor, and Printables is hosting the plans.

There are some caveats and limitations to this concept. The quality of the replacement part will depend on the materials used to create it, and not every customer has a 3D printer at home. (Although some public library systems, universities and local maker communities may have equipment that can be used or rented on site.)

It's also still a project in its early stages. Fixables is initially launching in the Czech Republic. On the website for the Fixables program (which is in Czech), Philips explains that it's starting with the home country for Prusa Research and it is reaching out to the 3D printing company's existing maker community for this project. Another sign that the initiative is still in the early stages is that there's only one part plan available: a comb attachment for the OneBlade trimmer. But per Google Translate, two more plans are labeled as "We are working on it" and there are three different icons with no descriptions that point to additional plans. The Fixables website also has an option for customers to submit a request for parts they want to be able to 3D print.

So while Fixables is a long way from making a real dent in waste from personal care products, it's exciting to see a major brand making a serious effort to explore the potential of 3D printing for better sustainability.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/philips-fixables-will-let-you-3d-print-replacement-parts-for-your-electric-razors-and-trimmers-233025245.html?src=rss

Jamie Lee Curtis publicly shamed Mark Zuckerberg to remove a deepfaked ad

Jamie Lee Curtis is the latest celebrity to call attention to scam ads on Facebook and Instagram that use AI-manipulated video to hawk sketchy products. Curtis also appears to have encountered another issue familiar to many Facebook users: struggling to get the company's attention.

In posts on Facebook and Instagram, the actress asked Mark Zuckerberg to intervene to stop the spread of a "totally AI fake commercial" of her. "My name is Jamie Lee Curtis and I have gone through every proper channel to ask you and your team to take down this totally AI fake commercial for some bullshit that I didn't authorize, agree to or endorse," she wrote. The post also included screenshots of the Meta CEO's Instagram — Zuckerberg apparently doesn't follow Curtis — and a screenshot from the scam ad.

"If I have a brand besides being an actor and author it is that I am known for telling the truth and saying it like it is and for having integrity and this use of my images … with new, fake words put in my mouth, diminishes my opportunities to actually speak my truth," she wrote. "I've been told that if I ask you directly, maybe you will encourage your team to police it and remove it."

It's not clear what the video, which seemed to rely on manipulated footage from an interview Curtis did with MSNBC, was intended to promote. Curtis shared a screen grab with text that said "I'd want everyone suffering from." But Curtis is far from the first celebrity to get caught up in such a scam.

Earlier this year, Engadget reported that dozens of Facebook pages were using AI tech to manipulate videos of Elon Musk and other celebrities in order to promote fake cures for diabetes. Many of those clips used similar phrasing, such as "If I were to die tomorrow, I'd want every diabetic, including you, to know this."

The rise of cheap and readily available AI tools have made it relatively easy for scammers to impersonate celebrities to sell sketchy products or promote other schemes. Last year, Tom Hanks warned his followers about ads "promoting miracle cures and wonder drugs" using his name and voice. He said the ads were made "fraudulently" with the help of AI.

Johnny Depp also warned his fans about AI-enabled impersonators. "Today, AI can create the illusion of my face and voice," he wrote. "Scammers may look and sound just like the real me."

A spokesperson for Meta said the company was removing the video flagged by Curtis for violating its policies but declined to comment further. The company said last year it was cracking down on "celeb bait" scams, but hasn't disclosed how many celebrities or public figures are participating in the program which relies on facial recognition technology.

In a comment on her Instagram post, Curtis confirmed that she did eventually get Meta's attention. "IT WORKED! YAY INTERNET! SHAME HAS IT'S VALUE! THANKS ALL WHO CHIMED IN AND HELPED RECTIFY!"

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/jamie-lee-curtis-publicly-shamed-mark-zuckerberg-to-remove-a-deepfaked-ad-225448916.html?src=rss

G is for gradient: Google has redesigned its app logo

Over the past few days, eagle-eyed Google users may have noticed that in some instances, the capital G logo for the company now sports a gradient softening the transitions between the four solid-color sections. The branding has been changed for the Google app on both Android and iOS devices as of this writing. However, there are still several places that continue to sport the classic color block look, including browser favicons. It's also not included in Google's official collection of images for press; the classic version is still being used as the entry for the Google app logo. 

None of the logos for other Google smartphone apps appear to have adopted a new gradient look. But perhaps notably, the branding for Google's Gemini AI assistant does have a slight gradient on its star symbol. Maybe AI is leading the way for aesthetics as well as for technical choices at Google? Or maybe this is a trial run to gauge reactions before rolling out a full brand redesign? 

Whatever the reason, the biggest surprise isn't that Google may be rolling out a logo refresh, but that the change seems to be happening with zero fanfare. When the company last redesigned its branding in 2015, there was a whole campaign explaining every last detail of the new look. Branding is a big deal for a corporation as big as Google. Even changes that seem minor would go through many iterations and committees and vetting before they go live. And any marketing exec knows that consistency is key, so it's especially strange that, if this is a permanent change, it's happening in a piecemeal approach. 

We've reached out to the company for more information about whether gradients will be the hot style trend for all Google products in 2025.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/g-is-for-gradient-google-has-redesigned-its-app-logo-220437771.html?src=rss

Samsung may finally give the Galaxy Z Flip a larger cover screen

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 might feature a cover screen that looks very similar to the Razr Ultra, according to animation files dug up by Android Authority from a leaked version of One UI 8. Up until now, the biggest difference between Samsung's foldable flip phones and Razr's is that Razr has offered a cover screen that's edge-to-edge, without the notch on Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6.

The images Android Authority found show a cover screen that wraps around the Galaxy Z Flip 7's two back cameras instead of nestling them in a display-free cutout. This seemingly confirms renders shared by Android Headlines of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in March. Samsung has taken a very conservative approach to the year-over-year updates its made to the Flip, so changing the cover screen would be big. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 looks nearly identical to the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Android Headlines / OnLeaks

Changing the front screen would also be a pretty obvious example of Samsung playing catchup to Motorola, who's long offered a larger and more useful cover screen on the Razr. The entry-level 2023 Moto Razr only had a small sliver of a cover screen, but since then, all of the company's foldables have a cover that can run full-on Android apps.

Besides the visual change, how meaningful a Galaxy Z Flip 7 with a larger cover screen is will really hinge on what Samsung lets you do with it. So far the company has limited the screen to acting as a tool for checking notifications and using select apps. You have to download extra apps and fuss with settings to do anything else. 

We'll have to wait until the summer — when Samsung typically announces it's new Galaxy Z Flips and Folds — to know more, but it certainly seems like the updates could be a lot bigger than some new colors this year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-may-finally-give-the-galaxy-z-flip-a-larger-cover-screen-202258392.html?src=rss

Apple's iOS 19 will reportedly have AI-powered battery management

We've still got about a month until Apple's WWDC 2025 event, but that hasn't stopped the rumors from flying about potential iOS 19 announcements. Today brings a new one from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who reports that Apple is working on a new AI-driven battery management feature for its next operating system update.

According to his sources, Apple will use AI to analyze iPhone usage trends and make adjustments to the power draw of different apps to better conserve battery on the device. iOS 19 will reportedly also add a battery indicator to the lock screen detailing how long it will take the phone to fully charge up. 

A more personalized improvement to battery life further points toward the speculation that this year will see Apple unveil an iPhone Air. As with its laptop counterpart, a slimmer chassis means a much smaller battery, so any path to eking out more performance will be key to making that new smartphone land with potential buyers.

This new battery management feature would be part of the company's Apple Intelligence suite, which has been slowly rolling out since last fall to mid and meh reactions. We likely won't know until WWDC whether the iOS 19 overhaul will include the features we really, really want.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apples-ios-19-will-reportedly-have-ai-powered-battery-management-200127723.html?src=rss

Ticketmaster proudly announces it will follow the law and show prices up-front

Ticketmaster wants you to know it's "all in" on up-front pricing. In a blog post published on Monday, the company triumphantly declared that it's "putting fans first" and including fees in the first price you see for a ticket. Not mentioned in Ticketmaster's announcement: An FTC rule requiring that exact change just so happened to take effect today.

The FTC's bipartisan junk fees rule was finalized in December. It requires live event ticket vendors, hotels and rentals to "tell consumers the whole truth up front about prices and fees." Starting on Monday, they must display the full price (minus taxes) more prominently than other pricing information. Astonishing how Ticketmaster's consumer-friendly policy arrived on the very day Live Nation was required by law to do so. (The Lord works in mysterious ways.)

Ticketmaster

The company added another handy feature on Monday that wasn't mandated by law. The new Ticketmaster queue should, at least in theory, make buying in-demand tickets less frustrating. When an event goes on sale, you'll be placed in a queue and told your exact place in line. The idea is to prevent bots from snatching everything up before you can even get the dang page to load.

Once you're in line, there's no need to mash F5 or Cmd-R. The page will automatically refresh as you move up in line. For the biggest shows, availability and pricing will update in real time as you wait.

When it's your turn, you'll get a notification. If you're on a mobile device, it will be an app alert. If you're using a browser, you'll hear a chime. So, crank that volume up if you have to step away.

Waiting rooms typically open 15 minutes before tickets go on sale, so check in early. For the smoothest process, the company recommends saving your payment info ahead of time with a current email, phone number and billing info.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/ticketmaster-proudly-announces-it-will-follow-the-law-and-show-prices-up-front-194624489.html?src=rss

The Switch 2 has a mode that caps battery charge at 90 percent

Nintendo will include an optional battery preservation mode with the Switch 2, which the company revealed via its Nintendo Today! news app. This will cap the console's charge as it approaches 90 percent and then maintain it at that amount.

Why do this? It's to keep the battery in tip-top shape. Rechargeable lithium batteries can degrade if kept in a fully-charged state. So the feature will let users sacrifice 10 percent of playtime for ongoing battery maintenance. That seems like a fair tradeoff to me.

Nintendo didn't invent this concept. Many smartphones have been offering something like this for years. Valve has also been testing a similar feature for the Steam Deck.

When you unbox that shiny, new Switch 2, just head into system settings and look for a toggle that reads "Stop Charging Around 90%." Tap it and you'll be all set. Of course, you have to secure a Switch 2 pre-order to do this, and that's easier said than done. The console will be released on June 5.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-switch-2-has-a-mode-that-caps-battery-charge-at-90-percent-185219689.html?src=rss

Peacock's The Office spin-off arrives this September

The Paper, a new spin-off of The Office set at a small Ohio newspaper, will premiere exclusively on Peacock in September, according to a post from the streaming service's X account. Considering NBCUniversal's streaming service has mostly existed as a dedicated The Office and Parks & Recreation rewatch tool, this is a pretty big get.

The new series "features the documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch," but this time looks at a different industry — in this case, journalism. The Paper covers "a historic Toledo newspaper, The Truth Teller, and the eager publisher that is trying to revive it," according to a press release from NBCUniversal's Upfront presentation.

Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina) and Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus) star alongside Oscar Nuñez, who is reprising his role as Oscar from The Office, following a lateral career move that finds his character as the accountant for a struggling newspaper. The Paper is very explicitly described as being "from the universe of The Office," though, so it's possible the connections to the previous series don't end there.

The Paper was co-created by Greg Daniels, the creator of the US version of The Office, and Michael Koman, an executive producer and writer on Nathan for You. NBCUniversal hasn't shared a specific date for when the series will premiere, beyond that it will land in September.

Like most streaming services, Peacock launched with splashy prestige TV shows, but has continually struggled to find original content that keeps subscribers around beyond its back catalog of classic sitcoms and reality shows. Streaming rights to the Olympics and weird experiments like the "AI vs. a nun" drama Mrs. Davis definitely appeal to someone (me, primarily), but it hasn't produced explosive growth in Peacock's subscriber numbers. Per NBCUniversal's last earnings report, Peacock has grown from 36 million paid subscribers at the end of 2024 to 41 million in March 2025, but it's still a money-losing operation. The Paper seems like a safer bet to keep current subscribers happy and draw lapsed The Office fans back in.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/peacocks-the-office-spin-off-arrives-this-september-182859797.html?src=rss

Peacock promises new streaming features when the NBA arrives this fall

The NBA is making its debut on Peacock this fall and it should be an "exciting and inclusive streaming experience," according to NBCUniversal. It should also bring a few changes as NBC has announced new features including Instant Game Access and Performance View. 

For starters, users can watch games instantly with the Live in Browse feature, meaning the match will start right on Peacock's homepage. There will also be real-time information on display. Peacock will also offer a Catch Up option for anyone not online from the first play, letting users watch key moments before jumping into the remaining live game. The streamer offers a similar feature for its English Premier League coverage.

Then there's Performance View, which shows a lot of the key stats, such as which players are on a shooting streak and where they might score from next. While broadcasts typically show similar information during replays, it's a bit more context than a viewer would usually get. All in all this on-screen data feels like something between a video game and a broadcast — though it can be turned off at any time. 

There's also a ScoreCard feature, which NBC calls "bingo meets fantasy sports." Alerts will inform participants how they stack up compared to other users and, if they end up top-ranked, their username might appear in the livestream. 

The new features follow NBCUniversal's agreement with the basketball organization to show NBA and WNBA games across its channels. The 11-year deal starts with the upcoming 2025-2026 NBA season and includes exclusive livestreams on Peacock of national Monday night games.

"We’re bringing the same level of innovation, inspiration and commitment that we’ve brought to so many other huge sports moments and leagues to deliver an intuitive, interactive and reliable streaming experience that the full range of NBA fans will enjoy," President of NBC Sports Rick Cordella, said in a statement. However, a similar deal with the Premier League began in 2021 and has yet to offer anything to this level.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/peacock-promises-new-streaming-features-when-the-nba-arrives-this-fall-175338715.html?src=rss

iOS 18.5 arrives with a new wallpaper for Pride Month

Apple pushed iOS 18.5 on Monday. The most eye-popping new feature is a new wallpaper to honor the LGBTQ+ community ahead of Pride Month. Apart from that, the iPhone update isn't exactly a barnburner, with only minor features and bug fixes.

Apple's Pride Harmony wallpaper has bold, colorful stripes that change position as you move, lock or unlock your device. You can find it in Settings > Wallpaper or by long-pressing on your lock screen. If you're an Apple Watch owner, you'll find a corresponding Pride Harmony watch face in watchOS 11.5. That can pair well with Apple's new Pride Edition Sport Band, which went on sale earlier this month.

Apart from that, there are only a couple of (barely) notable features in iOS 18.5. The Mail app has a new option to show or hide contact photos within the app. (Before, you had to dig into Settings.) Tap the three-dot context menu and toggle "Show Contact Photos." There's also a redesigned AppleCare and Warranty banner in the Settings app with an option to "Learn more about coverage." (Do try to contain your excitement.)

As always, you can install the update by heading to Settings > General > Software Update.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/ios-185-arrives-with-a-new-wallpaper-for-pride-month-172836075.html?src=rss

NASA's Webb telescope captures mesmerizing images of Jupiter's auroras

The James Webb Space Telescope, NASA’s successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, has captured new images of the auroras at Jupiter’s north pole. These massive auroras, caused by charged particles crashing into Jupiter’s atmosphere, are hundreds of times brighter than our own Aurora Borealis, and, for the first time, we can now see them in greater detail thanks to these new images.

Auroras on Earth are caused by solar storms, which occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with our upper atmosphere. This energizes the gases in the atmosphere, which gives them that distinctive colored glow that we know as the Northern (or Southern) Lights.

Among the coolest things we’ve gleaned from the telescope’s observations is that particles from solar storms are not the only source for Jupiter’s auroras. The giant planet’s strong magnetic field is also pulling in charged particles from its surroundings, which includes particles thrown into the atmosphere from volcanic eruptions on Io, a moon orbiting Jupiter. Together, these varied sources lead to a more complex auroral system than the one on Earth.

The high sensitivity of Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) helps shed light (pun intended) on the rapidly changing features of Jupiter’s auroras. Scientists were able to see details and bright spots that weren’t visible with Hubble. Jonathan Nichols, who leads the team at the UK’s University of Leicester that captured the images, shared his excitement over the discovery with NASA.

In describing seeing the images, he said, "What a Christmas present it was — it just blew me away!" In describing what they learned from the images, he explained: "We wanted to see how quickly the auroras change, expecting them to fade in and out ponderously, perhaps over a quarter of an hour or so. Instead, we observed the whole auroral region fizzing and popping with light, sometimes varying by the second."

The team was able to capture images of the auroras from the Hubble and Webb telescope simultaneously, which allowed them to directly compare data from both Ultraviolet and Near-Infrared images at once. It became evident with these comparisons that the Webb telescope was capturing details and nuance that the Hubble was completely missing. This is a testament to the power of the newer telescope and raised further questions about how the auroras function. 

Researchers hope these findings will help them further understand the inner workings of Jupiter’s magnetic field, and even help provide insights into how the planet heats and cools. There is a lot to learn about the gas giant’s atmosphere, and these images are just one step along the way.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasas-webb-telescope-captures-mesmerizing-images-of-jupiters-auroras-171107945.html?src=rss

The new F1 trailer has star power, fast cars and product placement

The high-octane racing film F1 hits theaters this June and there's a brand-new trailer to prove it. The new footage shows more of the story and gives a deeper dive into Brad Pitt's main character.

There's still gobs of actual Formula 1 racing, as the movie has received extensive involvement from the organization. It looks fast, frenetic and fun. There's also plenty of product placement during these scenes, which may be annoying to some but could add to the realism for others. In addition to F1 sponsors you'd see during a real race, we spotted logos for Shark/Ninja and Expensify on the fictional team that features in the film.

Brad Pitt is the primary star here, but the film also features Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies and Kim Bodnia. F1 is directed by Joseph Kosinski, who helmed the box office monster Top Gun: Maverick. He also made Tron: Legacy, though has no involvement with the upcoming Tron: Ares.

Ehren Kruger wrote the screenplay, who penned the aforementioned Top Gun sequel. The legendary Hans Zimmer created the score. This is certainly a high-end production.

Formula 1 has been growing in popularity these past few years, with a surge in filmmaking about this type of racing. Netflix released a documentary series about the organization called Formula 1: Drive to Survive, which is credited in growing the sport's audience away from Europe.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-new-f1-trailer-has-star-power-fast-cars-and-product-placement-165742662.html?src=rss