# MissMacknOG > The Private Estate of Katina Alford ## Posts - [Engadget review recap: Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy Buds 4, Dell XPS 14 and more](https://missmacknog.com/engadget-review-recap-galaxy-s26-ultra-galaxy-buds-4-dell-xps-14-and-more/): It’s a busy time for the reviews team and Engadget, and with Apple announcing new devices this week, we aren’t letting up any time soon. New products from Samsung, Dell, Google and ASUS headline the roundup this time, and we’ve got a few unique items to discuss as well. Read on to catch up on anything you might’ve missed, including the latest installment of Pokémon. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra This year’s Samsung flagship phone may not impress you with a load of new features, but there’s one in particular that senior reporter Sam Rutherford was wowed by. “This goes double for the S26 Ultra, whose biggest upgrade — the Privacy Display — is something meant to stop other people from snooping at what you're doing.,” he said. “When it's on, you probably won't even be able to tell, which is kind of the point.” Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro Samsung went all-in with with AirPods mimicry last year, and that continues on the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro. However, despite big improvements to sound quality and the continued addition of new features, Samsung could certainly do more. “The company is really only lagging behind Apple in two areas: hearing health and heart-rate tracking,” I wrote. “Samsung currently offers the option to amplify voices on its earbuds, but it hasn’t built a hearing test or the hearing protection tools Apple has. The biggest update on the AirPods Pro 3 was the addition of heart-rate tracking last year, which would be a great foundation for a fitness-focused version of the Galaxy Buds.” Dell XPS 14 (2026) We review a lot of devices that are almost excellent, except for one big flaw. That’s the case with the new XPS 14, where senior reporter Devindra Hardawar had a hard time with very basic functionality. “If I were to judge the XPS 14 based purely on its specs and design alone, it would be my favorite Windows laptop available today,” he wrote. “Dell is so close to making a PC that’s a true MacBook Pro competitor, it's a shame a simple keyboard issue holds the XPS 14 back from true greatness.” Google Pixel 10a Google’s A-series devices have consistently been a great option if you’re looking to spend less on phone but still want a capable handset. Despite minimal upgrades on the Pixel 10a, that sentiment still holds true. “On the one hand, part of me wants to dock points because Google has added so few updates,” senior reporter Igor Bonifacic said. “On the other, the 10a is still a great phone for $500, and at a time when consumer electronics are becoming more expensive by the day, the fact it hasn't gone up in price is a small miracle.” ASUS ProArt GoPro Edition PX13 Creators often need a combination of power and display quality in a laptop that would be overkill for most of us. For those who do need it, contributing reporter Steven Dent found the ASUS ProArt GoPro Edition PX13 nearly checked all the boxes. “ASUS is one of the few PC manufacturers trying to compete with Apple in the creator market, and with the ProArt GoPro Edition laptop, it has largely succeeded,” he said. “This model offers excellent performance and battery life, a huge amount of memory, a very nice OLED HDR display, a nice range of ports and an excellent keyboard and trackpad.” Ambient Dreamie, Seattle Ultrasonics and more We also recently reviewed a couple of off-beat gadgets, both of which earned high marks from our team. The Ambient Dreamie is a “bedside companion” that functions as an alarm clock with both bedtime and morning routines. Weekend editor Cheyenne MacDonald was so impressed by how it improved her sleep that she bought one for herself. And the Seattle Ultrasonics C-200 was dubbed “the future of kitchen knives” by Sam. Sam also played a few hours of Pokémon Pokopia and he was charmed by the new take on gameplay for the series. Lastly, Devindra put the Falcon Northwest FragBox through its paces, discovering a powerful gaming rig in machine that looks a bit like a box of fried chicken This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-galaxy-s26-ultra-galaxy-buds-4-dell-xps-14-and-more-140435975.html?src=rss - [Dell XPS 14 (2026) review: A beautiful laptop that excels at almost everything… except typing](https://missmacknog.com/dell-xps-14-2026-review-a-beautiful-laptop-that-excels-at-almost-everything-except-typing/): There is so much to love about Dell's new XPS 14, it's hard for me to discuss it without sounding like a total fanboy. Its new design makes it incredibly thin and light. And Intel's Panther Lake chips give it a ton of power, even when it comes to games. After reviving the XPS brand from last year's ignominious rebranding, it's as if Dell was laser-focused on fixing all the issues we've had with the XPS 14 so far. Unfortunately, a shallow, unresponsive and hilariously error-prone keyboard kept me from truly loving the XPS 14. Simply put, it has trouble recognizing keys if you press them too quickly in succession. And for fast and demanding typists like myself, that leads to countless errors that disrupt your flow. In the last sentence alone, I counted ten times where I had to go back and make sure commas appeared before a space, or tweak simple spelling errors. What good is a fast, light and beautiful machine if I can't type a sentence in peace?It's not unusual for laptop keyboards to require a bit of user training. But my issues with the XPS 14 aren't from a lack of practice — it simply doesn't recognize key presses as quickly as every other laptop I've tested. As you can see in the video below, quick key presses are almost always recognized in reverse, or sometimes aren't recognized at all. Those issues mostly go away if you type more slowly and deliberately, but that seems like a ridiculous compromise for a premium machine in 2026.Dell engineers are currently testing one of the two review samples I received, both of which exhibited the exact same keyboard issue. Other reviewers have also noted that they need to type more slowly for the keyboard to work best. Gizmodo's Kyle Barr seems to be just as frustrated with the keyboard as I am, but he thinks it's due to Dell's seamless key design, which doesn't have any spaces between keys. My brother, who is an IT professional, also noticed the input issues when he typed on the XPS 14. I'm not crazy, I swear!Dell XPS 14 (2026) keyboardDevindra Hardawar for EngadgetAccording to Dell, its engineers say that “a small batch of early XPS units” have the quick typing issue I ran into. They also say the issue is currently resolved and doesn’t affect XPS units shipping now. The company plans to release a firmware fix later this month, and I’ll be sure to update this review once I get my hands on it. But given that these laptops have been out in the wild for weeks, I decided to review the XPS 14 as is. TL;DR, it's the prettiest machine I've ever used that I hate to type on.Seriously, this thing is gorgeous. Dell's designers outdid themselves with the machine's smooth metal case, which is more MacBook-like than its boxy predecessors. It's astonishing this system weighs just three pounds, putting it right between the 3.4-pound 14-inch MacBook Pro and the 2.7-pound 13.6-inch MacBook Air. It's also just a third of a pound heavier than the MacBook Neo, Apple's attempt at an underpowered entry-level laptop.I'm also glad to see that Dell has heard my complaints about how over-designed the last XPS line was. For example, the company has stuck with its "invisible" trackpad, which sits flush with the laptop's wrist rest. But now there are two faint lines that designate where, exactly, the trackpad begins and ends. It's a solution reminiscent of Apple's MacBooks, which all feature large glass trackpads separated by a light border from their metal cases. Thanks to these two small lines, which don't detract from XPS 14's minimalist aesthetic, I feel more confident swiping around.Dell also reversed course on the wonky capacitive function row from the previous models — which again, looked cool, but had some serious usability issues. It was tough to touch type with them, since they didn't feel as tactile as normal keys. And most crucially, the capacitive function row completely disappeared in direct sunlight. God forbid you were outside and wanted to change the volume level! This XPS 14 brings back a normal keyed function row, which is easier to touch type on and actually works in direct sunlight. (I sometimes wonder if Dell's designers ever went outside with the last XPS 14.)Dell XPS 14 (2026)Devindra Hardawar for EngadgetOur review model's 2.8K 14-inch OLED touchscreen looked spectacular, with bold colors and wonderfully deep black levels. But that's pretty much what I've come to expect from OLED by this point. I can't get enough of the extra eye candy OLED adds to photos and videos, and it makes a huge difference with games as well. But take note that OLED is only available for the priciest XPS 14, all other models get a standard non-touch 2K LCD. When it comes to connectivity, three USB-C ports and a headphone jack are all you get with the new XPS 14. The microSD card slot from the previous model is gone, and there's also no HDMI or USB Type A connections like you'd find on similar systems from ASUS and Acer. Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro, notably, features three USB-C ports, a full-sized HDMI slot, a large SD card reader and a headphone jack. Dell XPS 14 (2026)Devindra Hardawar for EngadgetBeyond Dell's redesign, the main star of the XPS 14 is Intel's new Panther Lake Core Ultra X7 358H chip, which offers some serious graphics upgrades over the last generation. Our review unit, which featured 32GB of RAM and Intel's built-in Arc B390 GPU, was able to reach 130fps in Arc Raiders while playing in 1080p with medium graphics settings, as well as XeSS upscaling and frame generation. I was able to play through a few rounds with no lag — my only distraction was the lingering realization I was playing so smoothly on an ultraportable's integrated graphics.I certainly wouldn't recommend the XPS 14 for heavy gamers. But if you're forced to choose a new non-gaming system for work or school, it's certainly nice that it can play some modern titles well. I also saw 63fps while playing Cyberpunk 2077 in 1080p with medium graphics settings and XeSS tech active. Not bad for one of the most demanding PC games in recent memory! ComputerPCMark 10Geekbench 6Geekbench 6 GPUCinebench 2024Dell XPS 14 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)9,6512,890/16,74556,378125/685MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)10,1692,864/16,63356,425117/719Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025)N/A4,310/18,00348,840197/1,034Dell 16 Premium (Core Ultra 7 255H, NVIDIA RTX 5070)7,7802,711/15,919109,443127/1,104Benchmarks also point to plenty of power under the hood: The XPS 14 scored similarly to the MSI Prestige 14 AI+, which also has the Ultra X7 358H chip, in PCMark 10 and Geekbench 6. I was also surprised to see that its single-core Geekbench 6 score was higher than ASUS's ProArt PX13 GoPro Edition, a beastly machine with 128GB of RAM and a powerful AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip. The XPS 14 also scored 3,000 points higher than the Acer Predator Triton 14 AI gaming laptop (powered by a last-gen Core Ultra 9 288V chip) in Geekbench's multi-threaded CPU test. Clearly, this was a growth year for Intel's hardware. Just keep in mind that all of our figures come from Dell's highest-end XPS 14 configuration, which currently starts at $2,250 with 64GB of RAM on the company's site. The lowest-end configuration, which starts at $1,450, comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 355 chip, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. When I briefly tested that system (it had to be sent back to Dell for that keyboard issue), it scored 2,000 points lower than the Ultra X7 model in PCMark 10. I didn't get to game on the entry-level XPS 14, but I wouldn't expect much, since Intel's beefy Arc graphics are reserved for its pricier X7 and X9 CPUs.Dell XPS 14 (2026) case logoDevindra Hardawar for EngadgetI was also surprised to see that the XPS 14 lasted just 10 hours and 21 minutes in PCMark 10’s Modern office battery test. The MSI Prestige 14 went for a whopping 22 hours and 15 minutes — that’s far more in line with Intel’s efficiency claims for Panther Lake systems. I tested both the XPS 14 and MSI Prestige 14 in Window’s “balanced” battery profile, so you may be able to eke out more life with more battery saving features turned on. If I were to judge the XPS 14 based purely on its specs and design alone, it would be my favorite Windows laptop available today. But I swear, I can't live with its keyboard issues. I had to seriously slow down my typing just to get this review written, and even then I still had to back up and make more corrections than usual. Dell is so close to making a PC that’s a true MacBook Pro competitor, it's a shame a simple keyboard issue holds the XPS 14 back from true greatness.Update 3/6/26 2:20PM ET: Added further information about the XPS 14’s keyboard issue and a potential firmware fix.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/dell-xps-14-2026-review-a-beautiful-laptop-that-excels-at-almost-everything-except-typing-130000656.html?src=rss - [China could see widespread use of brain-computer tech in 3-5 years, expert says - Reuters](https://missmacknog.com/china-could-see-widespread-use-of-brain-computer-tech-in-3-5-years-expert-says-reuters/): China could see widespread use of brain-computer tech in 3-5 years, expert says  Reuters - [How technology, strategy and industry are shaping the next fleet - Breaking Defense](https://missmacknog.com/how-technology-strategy-and-industry-are-shaping-the-next-fleet-breaking-defense/): How technology, strategy and industry are shaping the next fleet  Breaking Defense - [Google reportedly muzzles Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney until 2032](https://missmacknog.com/google-reportedly-muzzles-epic-games-ceo-tim-sweeney-until-2032/): Epic Games’ courtroom battle with Google is over, but it’s reportedly going to affect how its CEO can speak about the tech giant for years for years to come. According to The Verge, part of the settlement terms Epic had signed has a clause stating that Epic and Sweeney will have to speak positively about Google’s competitiveness and app store operations going forward. “Epic believes that the Google and Android platform, with the changes in this term sheet, are procompetitive and a model for app store / platform operations, and will make good faith efforts to advocate for the same,” the clause reportedly reads.Further, The Verge says the settlement terms between the companies will expire five years after Google is done rolling out changes to its service fees. Since Google expects to finish implementing changes worldwide by September 30, 2027, Sweeney can’t speak negatively about the app store until after September 30, 2032. Sweeney is one of the most vocal critic of how Apple and Google operate their app stores, which had led to several lawsuits between the companies. He once called both Apple and Google “gangster-style businesses” that will “always continue” to be engaged in illegal practices and just pay the fine afterwards. Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Google in 2020, accusing it of illegal monopoly on app distribution and in-app billing services for Android devices. In 2023, Google lost the lawsuit. It then lost its appeal two years later, before the companies reached a settlement in November 2025. On March 4 this year, Google officially scrapped the 30 percent cut it takes from Play Store transactions, lowering it to 20 percent and even to 15 percent in some cases. In response to the Google’s decision, Epic Games is bringing back Fortnite to the Play Store worldwide. “Google is opening up Android all the way with robust support for competing stores, competing payments, and a better deal for all developers. So, we've settled all of our disputes worldwide. THANKS GOOGLE!” Sweeney posted on X. Based on the clause in their settlement, future statements from the CEO about Google will need to carry a similar tone, in the next few years at least.Update, March 5 2026, 2:13PM ET: Epic reached out to Engadget to share an important clarification: “Criticizing Google is fair game on topics not related to app store distribution/ fees,” the company wrote on X, “Epic and Google agreed to not disparage only on topics about the settlement.” We’ve updated the copy of our story to reflect the specificity of the non-disparagement agreement, and look forward to the ways in which Epic will certainly exercise its remaining capacity to be critical of Google.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/google-reportedly-muzzles-epic-games-ceo-tim-sweeney-until-2032-105501644.html?src=rss - [Roku is launching a trivia game called... Roklue?](https://missmacknog.com/roku-is-launching-a-trivia-game-called-roklue/): Who needs Half-Life 3 or Beyond Good & Evil 2? Roku, in an attempt to gamify content discovery on its platform, has cooked up a gaming announcement for the ages. Behold: Roklue. Yes, that's a real name that someone with a job title and (likely high) salary came up with.Roklue (shudder) will quiz players on "the movies and TV shows that everyone is talking about," along with classic "beloved favorites." When it references a movie or show, it will provide a link for you to tune in on your device. The initial version is an Oscar season tie-in ("Roklue: Awards Season") that debuts on Saturday. This inaugural version is produced by B17 Entertainment, a Sony-owned company.Roku says it will rotate thematic content throughout the year. Variety reports that those will center around music festivals, the Emmys and holidays.Apart from that name, which should come with a gag-reflex warning, Roklue sounds harmless enough. You play a trivia game to find new stuff to stream; Roku grows its engagement. Win-win. But with corporate schemes like this, it's always worth wondering where further monetization might eventually come into play. Think something like linking to series on platforms you don't yet subscribe to. (Hello, kickback.)On March 7, you'll find the free Roklue (ick) game on your Roku home screen, no download required.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/roku-is-launching-a-trivia-game-called-roklue-190000386.html?src=rss - [Netflix just bought an AI startup founded by Ben Affleck](https://missmacknog.com/netflix-just-bought-an-ai-startup-founded-by-ben-affleck/): Netflix has acquired an AI filmmaking startup called InterPositive, according to a report by Variety. This is a company that was founded by actor Ben Affleck back in 2022. Don't worry if you haven't heard of it. Affleck has been operating the company in stealth mode for the past few years, so this is pretty much it's big coming-out party. The terms of the acquisition haven't been disclosed, but Affleck will remain on as a senior advisor to Netflix. Additionally, the entire staff will be absorbed into the streaming platform. Affleck says he started the company after "observing the early rise of AI in production" and realizing how the "models came up short." The company makes tools that generate AI models based on an existing production's dailies. This lets filmmakers use the model in the post-production process to do stuff like mix and color, relight shots and add visual effects. Affleck adds that this tech is "not about text-prompting or generating something from nothing." Netflix says the company will keep "filmmakers at the center of the process." The company recently used generative AI tools to whip up a VFX shot in a show called The Eternaut. It's also been using AI to make ads more intrusive. We'll have to wait and see if creators do indeed remain at the center of things. Netflix will offer access to InterPositive's tech to creative partners but has no plans to sell it commercially. To Affleck's credit, he seems to have a nuanced understanding of modern AI tools. "We also need to preserve what makes storytelling human, which is judgment," he said. "The kind that takes decades to build, experience to hone and that only people can have. I knew I had a responsibility to my peers and our industry, to protect the power of human creativity and the people behind it." However, it's worth reiterating that the company is no longer in Affleck's hands, as he is now just an advisor.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/netflix-just-bought-an-ai-startup-founded-by-ben-affleck-184536640.html?src=rss - [Meta hit with a class action lawsuit over smart glasses' privacy claims](https://missmacknog.com/meta-hit-with-a-class-action-lawsuit-over-smart-glasses-privacy-claims/): Meta is facing a class action lawsuit for false advertising related to its AI glasses following reports about the company's use of human contractors to review footage captured from users' glasses. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court in San Francisco, alleges that Meta's claims about the devices' privacy features have misled users. The lawsuit comes after a Swedish newspaper reported that subcontractors in Kenya have raised concerns about viewing footage recorded via Ray-Ban Meta glasses. According to Svenska Dagbladet, workers have reported witnessing "intimate" material, including bathroom visits, sexual encounters and other private details as part of their job labeling objects in videos captured on users' smart glasses."This nationwide class action seeks to hold Meta responsible for its affirmatively false advertising and failure to disclose the true nature of surveillance and its connection to the company’s AI data collection pipeline," the lawsuit, filed by Clarkson Law Firm, states. The filing names two individuals who live in California and New Jersey who purchased Meta's smart glasses. It says that both "relied" on Meta's marketing claims about the glasses' privacy protecting features and that they would not have purchased them if they knew about the company's use of contractors. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages and injunctive relief.A spokesperson for Meta confirmed to Engadget that data from its smart glasses can be shared with human contractors in some cases. The company declined to comment on the claims in the lawsuit."Ray-Ban Meta glasses help you use AI, hands free, to answer questions about the world around you," the spokesperson said. "Unless users choose to share media they've captured with Meta or others, that media stays on the user's device. When people share content with Meta AI, we sometimes use contractors to review this data for the purpose of improving people's experience, as many other companies do. We take steps to filter this data to protect people's privacy and to help prevent identifying information from being reviewed."What the company doesn't explicitly say there is that there is no way to use the smart glasses' "multimodal" features without sharing the captures of your surroundings with the company. As I noted in my review of the second-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses last year: "images of your surroundings processed for the glasses' multimodal features like Live AI can be used for training purposes (these images aren't saved to your device's camera roll)." So while Meta claims that users' own recordings are kept private, footage that is captured but not stored locally for users — like video when Live AI is in use — can be sent to contractors who help train the company's AI models. Meta's privacy policy doesn't specifically mention the use of human contractors, though it states that such data can be used for training purposes. "The undisclosed human review pipeline renders the Meta AI Glasses’ privacy features materially misleading, transforms the product from a personal device into a surveillance conduit, and exposes consumers to unreasonable risks of dignitary harm, emotional distress, stalking, extortion, identity theft, and reputational injury," the lawsuit says. "Indeed, Meta employees and contractors have described viewing credit card numbers, nudity, sexual activity, and identifiable faces in the footage they reviewed, and reported that Meta’s purported anonymization safeguards do not reliably function."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-hit-with-a-class-action-lawsuit-over-smart-glasses-privacy-claims-182846817.html?src=rss - [Featured Video](https://missmacknog.com/featured-video/) - [I hope you like spreadsheets, because GPT-5.4 loves them](https://missmacknog.com/i-hope-you-like-spreadsheets-because-gpt-5-4-loves-them/): OpenAI is releasing a new model today, and like GPT-5.2 before it, GPT-5.4 is all about professional work. OpenAI is calling GPT-5.4 its most capable frontier model for tasks like coding and data analysis. OpenAI claims the new model produced presentations with stronger, more varied aesthetics and made more effective use of its image generation tools.It's also the first model from OpenAI built with native computer-use capabilities, making it better at carrying out tasks across several apps at the same time. When it comes to computer use, one noticeable improvement OpenAI has recorded is the way GPT-5.4 issues mouse and keyboard commands. It's significantly better at navigating a desktop environment than its predecessor.  When users turn to GPT-5.4 in ChatGPT, where it will now be the default model for the chatbot's Thinking mode, the system will outline how it plans to tackle a request, giving people the opportunity to tell it to adjust course as it's generating a response. At the same time, the new model offers better web research capabilities, especially when it comes to "highly specific" queries, according to OpenAI. "Together, these improvements mean higher-quality answers that arrive faster and stay relevant to the task at hand," the company states. Separately, OpenAI claims GPT-5.4 is its most factual model yet, noting, relative to GPT-5.2, it's 18 percent less likely to generate a response with any errors. Here's hoping it knows not to turn to Grokipedia for information, something its predecessor was known to do.    As mentioned, GPT-5.4 will be available in ChatGPT when users select the chatbot's Thinking mode, and as GPT-5.4 Pro from the model picker. As such, this isn't a release for Free and Go users — or even Plus subscribers, for that matter. It's more for enterprise customers, and developers who rely on the company's Codex app. On that note, for API customers, OpenAI claims GPT-5.4 is its most token efficient reasoning model to date, though those tokens will cost more than their GPT-5.2 counterparts. For instance, OpenAI is pricing one million input tokens at $2.50, up from $1.75 with GPT-5.2.   The fact that OpenAI has increasingly shifted its strategy to focus on professionals shouldn't be surprising. When Microsoft announced last September it would add Anthropic's models to Copilot 365 (where previously it depended exclusively on OpenAI's systems), there were reports that suggested the company made the decision because it found Claude was better at tasks like generating spreadsheets and presentations. Reporting from The Information suggests OpenAI is generating about $25 billion in annualized revenue. However, the company is still far from being profitable, and with more than $1.4 trillion in data center commitments on the books, it's reliant on funding from investors to keep the lights on. Seen in that context, productivity represents a place where it might have a chance to build a sustainable business. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/i-hope-you-like-spreadsheets-because-gpt-54-loves-them-180000444.html?src=rss - [Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate welcomes new cohort of healthcare technology startups - Mayo Clinic News Network](https://missmacknog.com/mayo-clinic-platform_accelerate-welcomes-new-cohort-of-healthcare-technology-startups-mayo-clinic-news-network/): Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate welcomes new cohort of healthcare technology startups  Mayo Clinic News Network - [Newsletter](https://missmacknog.com/og-confidential-newsletter/): Understanding Holidays Holidays are special days marked by tradition, celebration, and often a break from the routine of daily life. They serve as a reminder of our history, culture, and shared values. During holidays, families and friends come together to partake in festivities, and each holiday carries its unique significance, often rooted deeply in historical […] - [Ring adds 4K to its battery-powered video doorbells](https://missmacknog.com/ring-adds-4k-to-its-battery-powered-video-doorbells/): Ring has today announced a spec bump to its battery-powered video doorbells for all those folks who can’t wire their units to power. The flagship Battery Doorbell Pro (2nd gen) gets 4K video, with 10x zoom and the promise of far longer time between recharges than the previous model. At the same time, it’s bringing 2K imaging to its lower-end battery doorbells, the Battery Doorbell Plus and Battery Doorbell (2nd gen). The former, as fitting its higher price, gets a quick-release battery pack, while both models get 2K video and 6x zoom. Naturally, these features are already available on Ring’s wired products, the bulk of which were announced back in September 2025. The company is also aware that swapping out batteries isn’t ideal if you really need a doorbell to work all of the time. That’s why it’s also launching a new Solar Charger which integrates into the mount, keeping your doorbell running for longer between trips to the wall outlet. There’s also a bigger Solar Panel, which pumps out more juice than its smaller sibling, and can be mounted in a wider variety of places. All of the above are available to pre-order from today, and are priced as follows: Pro ($250), Plus ($180), Battery Doorbell ($100), Solar Charger ($50), Solar Panel ($60). This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/ring-adds-4k-to-its-battery-powered-video-doorbells-130021181.html?src=rss - [Sennheiser's owners want to sell its consumer headphone business](https://missmacknog.com/sennheisers-owners-want-to-sell-its-consumer-headphone-business/): Hearing aid company Sonova has put its Sennheiser consumer audio division on the auction block less than five years after acquiring it, the company announced on Reddit. "Today Sonova announced they intend to divest the business and will focus on Hearing Care," Sonova wrote, adding it intends to find "the right new owner." Sennheiser's consumer audio division mainly manufactures high-end headphones like the HD 400, HD 500, HD 600 and HD 800 series and recently launched the HDB 630, $500 wireless headphones aimed at audiophiles. The company's most (in)famous lineup is the HE series, which includes the $55,000 HE 90 and €89,990 HE 1. Sonova originally purchased Sennheiser with the intent of expanding its demographic to younger customers. At the time, it said "even if [young people] don't have hearing loss, most of them will gradually get hearing loss with age, and devices like Sennheiser's allow us to have earlier consumer access to such people." For its part, Sennheiser said it wanted to relinquish its consumer business in order to focus on its pro audio, business and Neumann (high-end microphone) divisions that it still owns. Things apparently didn't go to plan, though. Sonova's Sennheiser division's sales in the last half-year declined significantly year-over-year and the company was hit with a €6 million fine over its retail pricing practices (that occurred prior to the acquisition). However, the company's recent products have been praised by the audiophile community as a return to previous form, with Engadget's audio reviewer Billy Steele calling the HDB 630 "a sonic marvel."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/sennheisers-owners-want-to-sell-its-consumer-headphone-business-121830441.html?src=rss - [Samsung Galaxy A37 and A57 hands-on: The cheaper phone might be a winner](https://missmacknog.com/samsung-galaxy-a37-and-a57-hands-on-the-cheaper-phone-might-be-a-winner/): Late last year, Samsung launched its newest generation of affordable A-series phones, starting with the entry-level A17. Following the arrival of the flagship Galaxy S26 line, the company has returned to flesh out the rest of its midrange portfolio. The more affordable Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57 sport some interesting upgrades, even when compared to some of their pricier siblings.Core specs and featuresBefore we dive into my hands-on impressions, I want to do a quick rundown of each phone's specs as that should help set up (or temper) expectations. As you'd expect based on their numbering, the A37 is the more affordable of the two with a base price of $450 for 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. You can also choose 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage for $540. Notably, when compared to the A17, the A37 features a much more recent and more powerful Exynos 1480 chip that brings a big jump in NPU performance and helps unlock much of the phone's newfound AI capabilities. It also comes with a large 6.7-inch AMOLED display, a 5,000mAh battery and three rear cameras. However, two of those will likely get more use than the other as the A37 packs a 50-megapixel main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide, along with a 5MP macro shooter. The Galaxy A37 will be available in four colors: charcoal, white, lavender and graygreen. However, the middle two are Samsung.com exclusives and the last one is only available from Best Buy. Sam Rutherford for EngadgetMeanwhile, the Galaxy A57 is a bit more expensive, starting at $550 for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, or $610 for the 8GB/256GB version. It also features a slightly more powerful Exynos 1680 processor and a higher-res 12MP sensor for its ultra-wide lens, but aside from that, it has the same general camera setup as A37 and the same size battery. One small difference is that the A57 has Bluetooth 6 connectivity and Wi-Fi 6E, but the A37 is still stuck with BT 5.3 and basic Wi-Fi 6.For some reason, the A57 is only available in one color: navy. Sam Rutherford for EngadgetBoth phones come with IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance (which is an upgrade from IP67 on the A36) and 120Hz refresh rates. However, the most important shared trait is that while neither supports wireless charging, they can both take wired power at up to 45 watts, which is actually faster than a base Galaxy S26's limit of just 25 watts. Finally, in addition to six years of OS and security updates, the A37 and A57 are getting some trickle-down AI features from its flagship siblings. Those include improved support for Google's Circle to Search, Object Eraser and better transcription and translation capabilities in the Samsung Voice Recorder app.Galaxy A37 impressionsBoth phones have nearly identical designs, right down to the same screen size and number of cameras. That said, one area where Samsung cut corners on A37 is that it features a plastic frame instead of the A57’s aluminum. But even when you hold them side by side, it's rather difficult to discern between the two. There's no obvious difference in appearance or button layout, so the main way to tell the two apart is by feeling for the cooler touch you typically get from a metal chassis. Alternatively, if you look closely, you'll notice that the A37 has slightly thicker bezels around the outside of its screen. Here's a closer look at the A37's color options. Sam Rutherford for EngadgetCompared to the Galaxy A17, the A37's Exynos 1480 felt significantly snappier and much better equipped for multitasking or AI-based tasks like removing unwanted objects from photos. Regardless, as the less expensive of Samsung's new midrange phone options, the company did a really good job disguising the major differences between the two new models. Galaxy A57 impressionsTo be honest, the A57 wasn't quite as appealing as the A37 due to its higher price and no additional features. The main tool it has that isn't available on its more affordable sibling is Samsung's Best Face camera tool, which allows the phone to analyze people's expressions so you can select your favorite reaction and put it in the photo you want. On paper, its Exynos 1680 chip should be a bit faster, but in normal use, it's really hard to tell. And unlike the A37, which comes in four colors (white, charcoal, lavender and gray/green, depending on the retailer), the A57 is only available in navy. Early thoughtsWhile they look the same, the A57 features an aluminum chassis instead of plastic like on the A37, which should be better for long term durability. Sam Rutherford for EngadgetAs a more powerful and more premium alternative to the $200 A17, the A37 feels like a worthy upgrade for the money. It offers noticeably smoother performance along with a more elegant hole-punch selfie cam (instead of a waterdrop) and stereo speakers (instead of mono). Starting at $450, the A37 can also undercut the Pixel 10a while offering a larger 6.7-inch AMOLED display (versus 6.3 inches for the Pixel) and a smattering of equivalent AI features. And in some ways, the wider selection of colors just reinforces that Samsung is probably placing bigger bets on the A37's market prospects. If I were looking for an affordable Android phone with a big screen, I'd give more consideration to this new middle child in Samsung's A-series lineup.Aside from bezels that are a tiny bit bigger, the Galaxy A37 (left) looks almost exactly the same as the more expensive Galaxy A57 (right).Sam Rutherford for EngadgetAs for the A57, it's certainly not a bad phone, but starting at $550, it suffers from being in a much more competitive price bracket. For those who prefer smaller devices, the $500 Pixel 10a is cheaper while offering even better AI tools, a cleaner UI, wireless charging, a slightly larger battery and unmatched photo quality. However, the A57's biggest rival is arguably another Samsung phone: the Galaxy S25 FE. Aside from slower wired charging, it has an even nicer design, an extra year of software and security updates (seven total) and a proper telephoto camera instead of a macro lens. And while its MSRP is a bit higher at $650, it's regularly on sale for under $600 (or less), which effectively sidesteps the A57's biggest advantage. That said, no matter which one you prefer, more options for affordable gadgets are always welcome — especially with the price of smartphones and PCs increasing due to the global RAM shortage.The Galaxy A37 and A57 will officially go on sale April 9. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-a37-and-a57-hands-on-the-cheaper-phone-might-be-a-winner-120000965.html?src=rss - [Apple introduces age verification for iCloud accounts in the UK](https://missmacknog.com/apple-introduces-age-verification-for-icloud-accounts-in-the-uk/): Apple has introduced more than just new features, like an AI playlist generator, with iOS 26.4 in the UK. The company now requires users in the region to verify their ages and to prove they’re 18 years old or above before they can access “certain services or features, or take certain actions on their account.” Users can verify their ages in Settings by linking a credit card to their account or scanning an ID. For people who’ve had an Apple account for a while, the company will check if they already have a payment method on file that can prove they’re of age.The company says it will automatically switch on its Web Content Filter and Communication Safety features for everyone under 18 and for those who haven’t verified their ages. These tools are integrated into Apple’s operating systems and can restrict users from accessing specific websites on Safari and third-party browsers, as well as warn users when they’re receiving or sending images and videos containing nudity. Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, praised Apple for the decision, especially since it’s not required to implement age verification for the iOS or its App Store under the region’s Online Safety Act. “Apple’s decision that the UK will be one of the first countries in the world to receive new child safety protections on devices is a real win for children and families,” the regulator said. “Our rules are flexible and designed to encourage innovation, particularly in age assurance. We've worked closely with Apple and other services to ensure they can be applied in a variety of contexts in order to ensure users are protected. This will build on the strong foundations of the Online Safety Act, from widespread age checks that keep young people away from harmful content, to blocking high-risk sites and stepping up action against child sexual abuse material.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-introduces-age-verification-for-icloud-accounts-in-the-uk-115340237.html?src=rss - [The Afeela EV is dead](https://missmacknog.com/the-afeela-ev-is-dead/): Sony Honda Mobility, the automotive venture from two of Japan’s most storied companies, has swung the axe on its EV project. In a statement, it said it would “discontinue the development and launch” of the Afeela 1 and 2, its long-in-development electric cars. The company added it would review its “business direction,” and announce its future plans “at the earliest possible opportunity.” Which, if we’re honest, probably means the whole thing is going to be shut down, or scaled back so much it’s no longer worth talking about. 2026 has not been a great year for Honda. On March 12, it posted an up-to $15.7 billion loss as it wrote off a big chunk of its investment in EVs. The US’ pivot toward fossil fuels, removal of federal EV tax credits and the imposition of tariffs has hit its business pretty hard. Not to mention the high-profile embarrassment of its current F1 engine project with Aston Martin, which promised so much and has delivered less than nothing.  Sony’s journey into the automotive world began six years ago with the announcement of the Vision-S, the car which would eventually be re-christened Afeela. But while the product looked good on trade show stands, it stood still while the rest of the car world sprinted ahead. In January, Tim Stevens said Afeela 1 looked a little dated, and a little lacking in emotion, and a lot more expensive than comparable models from rivals. It’s also worth noting Sony and Honda’s vision of a smart device on wheels is hardly a novel concept these days. Not to mention that Afeela 1 is a sedan, being sold to a world that’s increasingly fallen out of love with the type in favor of higher-riding SUVs. In Sony's statement, however, the SUV-aping Afeela 2 didn't even get a mention by name, which hints that it was as much an afterthought for the company as we might have guessed when it was announced.  This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/sony-and-honda-kill-its-afeela-evs-100426852.html?src=rss - [Ultrahuman opens US pre-orders for Ring Pro](https://missmacknog.com/ultrahuman-opens-us-pre-orders-for-ring-pro/): At the end of February, Ultrahuman announced its latest smart ring which promises up to 15 days of battery life on a single charge. Sadly, if you were based in the US, you weren’t able to pre-order the Ring Pro, as the company has been locked in a longstanding legal tussle with ring rivals Oura. Now, however, it appears the situation has been resolved, with the US Customs and Border Protection giving its blessing. Consequently, pre-orders for the Ring Pro are starting today, with the first 1,000 customers to sign up getting a hefty bonus. The smart ring market is still in its infancy, which means it’s fiercely competitive as companies try to keep their rivals at bay. Market leader Oura has been willing to protect its IP in court, issuing patent lawsuits against Ultrahuman, Samsung, RingConn, Reebook, Circular, Zepp, Nexxbase and Omate. In October 2025, Oura secured what it called a “decisive legal victory” over Ultrahuman, banning the import and sale of its rings in the United States. On its own website, Ultrahuman stated the lawsuit was lacking in merit, and that it was an attempt by a rival to hold down a "new player" with a "superior product." Even so, the company's Bhuvan Srinivasan told me in January that the Ring Pro has been designed to avoid any such legal drama going forward. The standard price for the Ring Pro is $399, but you’ll need to fork out another $100 for the fancy schmancy charging case that adds so much more to the ring’s arsenal. But, for those 1,000 early birds, you’ll be able to pick up both the Pro and its case for $349, which is quite a hefty discount all told. If you’re customer 1,001 don’t feel too despondent, however, as Ultrahuman will still offer you some sort of discount if you’re quick.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/ultrahuman-opens-us-pre-orders-for-ring-pro-130043933.html?src=rss - [Spotify's SongDNA can tell you all about the track you're listening to](https://missmacknog.com/spotifys-songdna-can-tell-you-all-about-the-track-youre-listening-to/): Spotify has started rolling out a feature called SongDNA that can show you the people behind your favorite tracks and give you an insight on how they were created. You can access it by opening the Now Playing view while listening to a specific song and then scrolling down to the SongDNA box. Tracks that support the new feature will show you all the artists, writers, producers and collaborators behind them. It’s yet another way to make more music on the platform discoverable, since you’ll be able to tap on their icons to see their profiles and the other pieces they worked on. The box will also contain the samples and interpolations that helped form a track’s sound, as well as the covers it inspired. Spotify says it’s giving eligible artist and label teams the power to review and manage the components of the feature, so it’s bound to be supported by more and more tracks as time goes on. “SongDNA is designed to make a song’s creative lineage more transparent so fans can easily explore the people and influences behind the music they love,” said Jacqueline Ankner, Spotify’s Head of Songwriter & Publisher Partnerships. “By bringing collaborators, samples, and covers together in one place, we’re making it easier for fans to discover new music and see how songs connect and come to life—while giving songwriters, producers, and rightsholders meaningful recognition for the role they play in creating it.”SongDNA is making its way to paying iOS and Android users around the world, but it’s still in beta and might still go through revisions before it’s more widely available. It will roll out more broadly to Premium users throughout April. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/spotifys-songdna-can-tell-you-all-about-the-track-youre-listening-to-130000809.html?src=rss - [The Morning After: WWDC 2026 is happening June 8th](https://missmacknog.com/the-morning-after-wwdc-2026-is-happening-june-8th/): It’s coming. Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will take place from June 8-12. Going on past timings, CEO Tim Cook will take the stage for the keynote on June 8, most likely at 1 PM ET. WWDC is a software-focused affair, so expect to see the upcoming "27" operating systems, now that the new naming convention has settled. Apple will likely cover iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, visionOS 27, watchOS 27 and macOS 27. However, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is suggesting that WWDC will be "a fairly muted affair," – but in all fairness, WWDC has never been that explosive. Still, there are things I want to hear about: Rumors suggest that iOS 27 will deliver big upgrades to Apple Intelligence and — possibly — that overdue Siri overhaul. Reports also suggest the presence of split-pane multitasking, if you’re aching to juggle spreadsheets, web browsing and more on your mobile device. – Mat Smith The other big stories (and deals) this morning Engadget review recap: Lots of Apple, Galaxy S26, Dell XPS 16 and more Wing expands its drone delivery service to the Bay Area Billionaire OnlyFans owner Leonid Radvinsky has died from cancer at 43 Apple will reportedly start stuffing ads into the Maps app Twitter turns 20 And now what? Senior reporter Karissa Bell marks two decades on Twitter. Twitter/X as changed a lot, especially in the last five years, as AI slop, clickbait, and ragebait keep the algorithm ticking over. More recently, X’s AI assistant was able to ‘undress’ anyone you ask it to. Great. The social network has moved far away from its exciting heyday of live tweeting, memes and more — or even a place to make new friends and contacts. In fact, I got my job here at Engadget through Twitter DMs to former Engadget editor Richard Lai. As Karissa puts it, "Twitter stopped being that place a long time ago.” Continue reading. Nothing Phone 4a Pro review A new midrange champ? Engadget The Phone 4a Pro punches well above its $499 price tag. Nothing has successfully refined its hardware into a more premium, all-metal unibody, losing the jarring camera bump of its predecessor in favor of a sleek design that houses a genuinely impressive camera. There are still a few signs that it’s not quite a flagship (mediocre video recording performance and a lack of wireless charging), but at this price, these seem like minor complaints. Nothing’s next flagship phone needs to offer something, right? Continue reading. Samsung’s new S26 series can AirDrop like an iPhone A new update has added support. Android AirDrop sharing is expanding to more devices. Samsung announced earlier this week that its Galaxy S26 Series is getting AirDrop support via the Quick Share feature. Google first introduced the Quick Share feature on its Pixel 10 phones last year. The setting allows Android users to send and receive photos and files from an Apple device. Y’know, like AirDrop. Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121555441.html?src=rss - [Snapchat users sent 'nearly' 2 trillion snaps in 2025](https://missmacknog.com/snapchat-users-sent-nearly-2-trillion-snaps-in-2025/): Snapchat users are sending a staggering number of snaps to each other, according to newly released data from Snap. In 2025, Snapchat users created close to 2 trillion snaps, the company said in an update. That works out to about 5.5 billion distinct snaps per day and about 63,000 each second, according to the company. When you consider that Snapchat has about 474 million daily users, that averages to more than 11 snaps per user each day. In a blog post, the company called it "a reflection of how often people are capturing a moment in a bid to connect with one another." The numbers offer a window into engagement on the nearly 15-year-old platform where much of users' activity happens out of public view. The stat is the first time the company has shared the total number of snaps sent in a year, though Snap said last year its users shared more than 1 trillion selfie snaps in 2024. Snap, which at times has struggled with user growth, has been inching closer to 1 billion users for the last year. It reported 946 million monthly users in its most recent earnings report. CEO Evan Spiegel described reaching a billion people as a "long term goal."Jim Lanzone, the CEO of Engadget’s parent company Yahoo, joined the board of directors at Snap on September 12, 2024. No one outside of Engadget’s editorial team has any say in our coverage of the company.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/snapchat-users-sent-nearly-2-trillion-snaps-in-2025-121500274.html?src=rss - [Denon expands its multi-room speaker lineup with the Home 200, Home 400 and Home 600](https://missmacknog.com/denon-expands-its-multi-room-speaker-lineup-with-the-home-200-home-400-and-home-600/): If the Sonos app saga still has you down, Denon has three new multi-room speakers that give you some fresh alternatives. The company’s Home 200, Home 400 and Home 600 offer audio flexibility with other HEOS-enabled products. These new devices were also designed so that they blend in with home decor better than most speakers, coming in stone and charcoal color options for that purpose. As you progress up in number, the speakers not only get physically larger, but their sonic output is also more robust. The Denon Home 200 houses three drivers and three amplifiers for “natural, room-filling sound” in a compact speaker. More specifically, you get two 0.98-inch tweeters and a single 4-inch woofer. The Home 200 looks a kind of like the Sonos Move 2, although Denon’s new compact unit isn’t portable. However, you can use a pair of them for a stereo setup, or connect two 200s to Denon’s Home Sound Bar 550 and Home Subwoofer for a 5.1 home theater system. Next up is the Home 400, which carries two 0.75-inch tweeters, two 4.5-inch woofers and six amplifiers, in addition to two 1-inch up-firing drivers. Here, Denon says you can expect “a wide, airy soundstage” that provides room-filling audio coverage. What’s more, those upward-facing drivers project sound overhead, so there’s a greater sense of dimensionality and immersion here. Denon Home 600 speakerDenonThe Home 600 is the largest speaker in the new trio, with dual 6.5-inch woofers alongside two tweeters, two midrange units and two up-firing drivers. Denon explains that this configuration offers “deep, authoritative bass” that provides more depth in your tunes than other two models. All three of the new Home speakers have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth USB-C and aux connectivity with the wireless streaming powered by Denon’s HEOS tech. As such, you can connect these Home speakers with up to 64 other HEOS devices — including A/V receivers and Denon’s new DP-500BT turntable — and arrange your audio gear in up to 32 different zones. You’ll have access to tunes from Tidal, Amazon Music HD and Qobuz in the HEOS app, and all three new Home speakers support Dolby Atmos Music where available.The Home 200, Home 400 and Home 600 speakers are available today for $399, $599 and $799 respectively. They’re available from Denon directly or other authorized retailers. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/denon-expands-its-multi-room-speaker-lineup-with-the-home-200-home-400-and-home-600-080000916.html?src=rss - [DNA building blocks on asteroid Ryugu, bacteria that eat plastic waste, and more science news](https://missmacknog.com/dna-building-blocks-on-asteroid-ryugu-bacteria-that-eat-plastic-waste-and-more-science-news/): Remember when Japan sent a spacecraft to an asteroid 180 million miles away to scoop some dirt off the surface? Six years on from its arrival to Earth, that sample has yielded some insights about what may have seeded life on our planet. Read on to learn more about the latest findings, and other science news we found interesting this week.  DNA ingredients on RyuguIn 2020, a capsule from the Japanese space probe Hayabusa2 returned to Earth with samples collected from the surface of asteroid Ryugu, and scientists have spent the subsequent years analyzing those materials for clues about the conditions that existed in the early solar system. This week, researchers from Japan reported an exciting discovery: the Ryugu samples contain the five building blocks of DNA and RNA. The findings, coupled with those from other recent studies, could put us closer to understanding how the ingredients for life first made it to Earth billions of years ago. The study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, found the nucleobases adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil — all of which were also found in samples gathered from a different asteroid, Bennu, last year, and before that in meteorites dubbed Murchison and Orgueil. This suggests these nucleobases were widespread in the early solar system, and supports the hypothesis that carbonaceous asteroids like Ryugu and Bennu transported them to Earth, the authors explain in the paper. Ammonia was discovered in the samples as well, which may play a role in how these nucleobases formed. The discovery of these building blocks "does not mean that life existed on Ryugu," Toshiki Koga, the study's lead author from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, told AFP. "Instead, their presence indicates that primitive asteroids could produce and preserve molecules that are important for the chemistry related to the origin of life."Bacteria collaborate to eat plastic wasteResearchers in Germany have identified a trio of bacteria that can digest a common plastic additive, but only when working together. The study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology found that a "consortium" of bacterial strains (two from species in the genus Pseudomonas and one from Microbacterium) was able to break down several phthalate esters (PAEs), which are often used to make plastic materials more flexible. These chemicals are increasingly finding their way into the environment as plastic pollution grows, and research suggests they can have harmful effects on human health and that of wildlife. The team focused on microbes that could be found right at home in their own lab, taking a sample of biofilm that had formed on the polyurethane tubing of a bioreactor. This sample was then incubated in a growth medium containing the PAE diethyl phthalate (DEP) as the main source of carbon and energy. They eventually ended up with a stable culture of bacteria that could break down DEP, as long as the DEP concentration didn't exceed 888 milligrams per liter, according to a press release. The consortium could gobble up all the DEP in 24 hours at 30 degrees C. It was also able to grow on the PAEs dimethyl phthalate, dipropyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate.The researchers identified the bacteria in the consortium through DNA sequencing, but found that they were not individually able to tackle the PAEs, suggesting they break down the chemicals through a "cooperative process" known as cross-feeding. The consortium could make for another tool in the pollution-fighting toolbox, with potential to help break down PAEs in contaminated areas or speed up the degradation of plastics that contain PAEs by making them more brittle. "This approach may also be effective in treating industrial plastic waste streams," they note. Hubble witnesses a breakupNewly released images from the Hubble Space Telescope show the unexpected breakup of Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) — Comet K1, for short — as it made its way out of the solar system back in November. A team of researchers that initially set out to observe a different comet ended up switching targets due to technical issues, only to catch Comet K1 right after it started crumbling. Hubble captured three 20-second images between November 8 and November 10 2025, the first of which the team estimates was about eight days after the fragmenting started. During the observation period, one of the comet's smaller pieces began to break up too. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. "Never before has Hubble caught a fragmenting comet this close to when it actually fell apart," said John Noonan, a research professor in the Department of Physics at Auburn University, in a statement. "Most of the time, it’s a few weeks to a month later. And in this case, we were able to see it just days after." You can read more about the rare sighting here. Before you go, be sure to check these stories out too:States are suing the EPA for relinquishing its role as a greenhouse gas emissions regulatorBlue Origin also wants to put AI data centers in spaceThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/dna-building-blocks-on-asteroid-ryugu-bacteria-that-eat-plastic-waste-and-more-science-news-150000975.html?src=rss - [Twitter turned 20 and I feel nothing](https://missmacknog.com/twitter-turned-20-and-i-feel-nothing/): Twitter is officially 20 years old. In another reality, that might make me kind of nostalgic. I've been lurking and scrolling and tweeting for 16 years; most of my adult life. There was a time when Twitter was a place where some internet strangers became my IRL friends, when I was excited to "live-tweet". When my infinitely more well-adjusted friends would send me memes, I would smugly say "I saw that on Twitter days ago."Twitter stopped being that place a long time ago, but I don't have any nostalgia for it. I don't really feel anything at all, actually. Because I can already hear the comments: Yes, I'm still on X. I don't spend as much time there as I did a decade ago, but it's still quite a lot of time, an unhealthy amount, if I'm being honest. My job is to report on social media companies, so I keep (doom)scrolling. That's what I tell myself anyway. A few of my favorite posters are still around. Dril's still got it. The memes are still, occasionally, good, even though X's recommendation algorithm seems to prefer pointing me toward endless AI slop, boring hot takes from thirsty mid-tier tech execs and blatant engagement bait. X's algorithm — what little we can learn about it, anyway — now relies on Grok's predictions about what you'll like.The same Holocaust-loving Grok that has spewed racism and referred to itself as MechaHitler and declared Elon Musk "the single greatest person in modern history." The same Grok that allegedly generated thousands of images of child abuse material. Hey @grok is that true? X is not Twitter but it's also not not-Twitter. Last year, an online marketplace startup bought the 560-pound Twitter bird that once adorned the company's San Francisco office and blew it up in a Nevada desert surrounded by Tesla CyberTrucks as part of an elaborate publicity stunt. Dumb? Yes. But also a somehow fitting adieu for "Larry."just setting up my twttr— jack (@jack) March 21, 2006 It's been 20 years since Jack Dorsey sent the first-ever tweet, which was never even a good tweet anyway. It's been five years, by the way, since he turned that tweet into an NFT (remember NFTs??) and auctioned it for nearly $3 million. It's now functionally worthless. Another chapter in Dorsey's confusing, complicated legacy.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/twitter-turned-20-and-i-feel-nothing-140000602.html?src=rss - [Engadget review recap: Lots of Apple devices, Galaxy S26, Dell XPS 16 and more](https://missmacknog.com/engadget-review-recap-lots-of-apple-devices-galaxy-s26-dell-xps-16-and-more/): Apple already announced a lot of new devices in 2026 and we’ve been busy reviewing them all. In this installment of our bi-weekly roundup, we revisit the MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e and more, in addition to the “regular” Galaxy S26 and Dell XPS 16. There’s even more than those gadget to catch up on, so sit back, relax and cozy up to some fresh reviews. Apple MacBook Neo The main attraction for Apple’s early device deluge was the $599 MacBook Neo. The company is finally giving us something we’ve been begging for: a low-cost Mac laptop that’s good enough for most people. “It's a $599 computer that can handle basic workloads just fine, all the while looking like one of the company's more expensive notebooks,” senior reporter Devindra Hardawar said. “Most importantly, it delivers more speed, a brighter screen and an overall better user experience than any competing $600 Windows PC.” Apple iPhone 17e The MacBook Neo wasn’t the only affordable device Apple announced recently. The company also debuted the iPhone 17e, which is also $599 and offers an economical choice for iOS devotees. “The name “iPhone” carries its own premium, and the iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem,” managing editor Cherlynn Low said. The rest of the new Apple gear The remainder of the new Apple devices were primarily chip upgrades. The company added the M4 to the iPad Air, which deputy editor Nathan Ingraham still argues is the best Apple tablet overall. Apple also put the M5 chip inside the MacBook Air and the M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon in the MacBook Pro,. Our staff maintains that those two laptops are among the best choices in their respective categories. We also tested Apple’s claims on the Studio Display XDR, where we discovered the high price could be worth it for pros who need supreme color accuracy and high brightness. Samsung Galaxy S26 The Galaxy S26 Ultra may get the bulk of the attention in Samsung’s 2026 lineup thus far, but the “regular” S26 is capable in its own right. However, it’s time for bigger updates on this model. “There's nothing wrong with this safe, solid Android phone, but you could pick up last year's S25 and get an experience that's 99 percent the same for $99 less,” UK bureau chief Mat Smith said. Dell XPS 16 (2026) Dell pulled a 180 after nixing its XPS brand last year. Enter the XPS 16. Thankfully, the first devices after the fiasco show an expected return to form, albeit with one issue. “My one complaint is that I wish Dell would bring back the chiclet-style keyboards we got on models from the early 2020s,” senior reporter Sam Rutherford said. “Though as long as the company can release updated software to fix the ghosting issues I've encountered, what's on there now is more than good enough.” But wait, there’s more If portable projectors are more your speed, contributing reporter Steve Dent put the Soundcore Nebula P1i through its paces. Mat also spent some time with the Nothing Phone 4a Pro, which is undoubtedly the most uniquely designed handset we’ve tested this year. Lastly, Sam used an upgraded version of Belkin’s Switch 2 charging case to keep his gaming handheld safe and topped up in transit. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-lots-of-apple-devices-galaxy-s26-dell-xps-16-and-more-120000820.html?src=rss - [A retro Starship Troopers shooter, a video store sim and other new indie games worth checking out](https://missmacknog.com/a-retro-starship-troopers-shooter-a-video-store-sim-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out/): Welcome to our latest roundup of what's going on in the indie game space. There are a whole bunch of neat new games out this week, as well as updates on some interesting upcoming projects. In case you missed it, the Steam Spring Sale is under way. There are lots of solid deals here, and my credit card is already screaming at me. I've picked up a bunch of games from my wishlist. For instance, at just $3, I couldn't resist snagging Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate.Meanwhile, over on Bluesky, a prototype from developer Freya Holmér caught my eye. It's for a falling-block game, but instead of filling a container to create straight lines that disappear, it's based around a pivot point. As tetrominos join the mass, it rotates left or right by 90 degrees, adding a new dimension to a well-established format. I'm really hoping Holmér turns this into a full game, as it's a rad concept.New releasesGiven all the bug slaughtering and the jingoistic satire, any Starship Troopers project is going to draw comparisons with Helldivers 2. Fortunately, Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is entirely its own thing.This is a retro first-person shooter from Auroch Digital (the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun) and publisher Dotemu. The framing of the game is quite meta: it's based on the experiences of Major Samantha Dietz, who was on the frontlines against the bugs, and it's effectively being used as a military recruitment tool. Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is a blast. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. Not that I needed one, but it gave me an excuse to watch Paul Verhoeven's original film again since the game (while having an original story) hits some of the same beats.The tone is spot on. The writing in the cutscenes, in which Casper Van Dien reprises his role as Johnny Rico from the movies, is funny. You can't tell me that it isn't a thrill to blow up a giant bug with a tactical nuke. Plus, I was tickled by the consequences of "accidentally" shooting a fellow soldier in the training base and all hell breaking loose.Alas, the pacing feels off — there's a bit too much space between objectives in some levels — and it's a little one-note. Still, it only takes around four or five hours to beat, particularly if you don't care about hunting for secrets. Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is out now on Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2. It'll usually cost $25, but there's a 20 percent discount until March 24.Retro Rewind is a solid name for a video store rental sim. You'll manage a store in the early '90s — the heyday of VHS — by doing everything from decorating the place, filling shelves with tapes and buying bootleg films to hiring staff, making recommendations to customers and collecting late fees.My first job was behind the counter of a convenience store that had a small movie rental section, so I've got a tiny bit of experience with calling up customers who have overdue films. That part of the job wasn't exactly fun, but like the idea of running an entire rental store, an experience that's sadly almost extinct. Retro Rewind - Video Store Simulator is available on Steam (normally $20, with a 20 percent discount until March 24). You can try it out by playing a demo. In Their Shoes looks like an intriguing spin on the visual novel. From We Are Muesli, this is billed as a mumblecore narrative vein, indicating that it's influenced by films from that subgenre (such as the works of the Duplass brothers, Lynn Shelton and, especially in the early part of her career, Greta Gerwig). Through a few dozen interactive scenes, it follows the intertwined lives and intimate moments of seven people in Milan. Each of these dialogue-focused segments lasts around five minutes. There are timed choices and you can arrange the scenes into a timeline. You can pick up In Their Shoes on Steam now. The full price is $13, but there's a 25 percent discount until March 31.For this week's dog game, here is World's Goodest Pup. It's another pooch-based roguelike deckbuilder. This time around, you'll be trying to succeed in the realm of competitive dog shows. After selecting a dog from among three breeds, you'll start building a deck of accessories, tricks and poses and combine them in strategic ways to be most effective in competitions and challenges, which are procedurally generated. This is a cozy game first and foremost, though. You can spoil puppers in a pet resort that you'll build and treat them with a visit to a dog spa. Cute.World's Goodest Pup  — from Pandamander — is out on Steam (normally $7, with 10 percent off until March 26). You can try it out via a demo.The release trailer for Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime made me chuckle, so I had to include it. The latest project from Bonte Avond (the team behind Once Upon A Jester) is a comedy adventure game. As Bonnie Bear, a bear in a frog onesie, you set out to defeat a local bully in a tactical frog-battling game called Frogtime. As with many real-life trading card games, you'll buy and collect frogs to build a strong army. Most importantly, it seems to be a game about the power of community, friendship and self-worth.Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime is out now on Steam and Nintendo Switch for $17.Upcoming Gunbrella studio Doinksoft is back with another game that has a fantastic name. It's a roguelite, side-scrolling action platformer with shoot-em'-up elements. And it's called Dark Scrolls. It's such a good title that I'm almost mad I didn't think of it first.There'll be nine heroes to choose from, including a pup named Biscuit and a rat with a saxophone. The game features procedurally generated runs with branching paths, and there's multiplayer support for two-player online co-op. I'm into the Master System-era art style and the utter chaos shown in the trailer. The Devolver Digital-published Dark Scrolls (still not over that name) is coming to Steam and Switch later this year.If you think about it, Scrabble is already a roguelike strategy game. Beyond Words takes that a bit further, with tiles that shift and explode, and boards that change up the rules. Much like in Balatro, you'll be modifying, destroying and duplicating tiles as you seek powerful synergies and massive score multipliers. There are more than 300 modifiers and abilities, along with boss battles and optional time-based challenge boards.What makes Beyond Words particularly interesting is that it's from Steve Ellis and Dr David Doak — who made their names at Rare and Free Radical Design with the likes of GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark and TimeSplitters — and their small team at MindFuel Games. PQube is the publisher of Beyond Words, which will hit Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch on April 9. A demo is available on Steam now.We've learned about a bunch of upcoming music rhythm games lately, and here's another one from Guitar Hero, Rock Band and DJ Hero veterans. Echo Foundry Interactive seems to be hoping that the community-driven focus will help Sound System stand out.When it goes into early access on Steam (October 16, $25), Sound System will have local multiplayer support. Echo Foundry Interactive plans to add online multiplayer with co-op and competitive modes. Players will be able to create charts for any song they like too. We've had a dog game (or two) and a frog game. Now it's time to wrap things up with a cat game. In Cat Me If You Can — great title, again — the Earth has frozen and lost its color. Only cats remain. By time-travelling and taking photos of them, you'll gradually restore color to the world.It's a hidden cat puzzle game from Cosmic Stag Games that's coming to PC, Switch and Xbox in the summer. You'll be able to check out a demo on Steam on April 8.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/a-retro-starship-troopers-shooter-a-video-store-sim-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-113000133.html?src=rss - [Elon Musk misled investors during his Twitter takeover, jury finds](https://missmacknog.com/elon-musk-misled-investors-during-his-twitter-takeover-jury-finds/): A group of former Twitter investors have prevailed at a federal civil trial over Elon Musk's actions amid his $44 billion acquisition of the social platform in 2022. A jury in San Francisco found Friday that tweets made by Musk about fake accounts on the platform had defrauded investors in the company. The jury sided with Musk on other allegations in the case. It's not yet clear how much Musk will owe in damages as a result of the case but, as the Associated Press reports, it could amount to billions of dollars. Jurors calculated that shareholders should get "between about $3 and $8 per stock per day." The class action lawsuit, one of several brought against Musk in the months following his takeover of the company, cited Musk’s tweets about fake accounts on the platform. Facing a sinking Tesla share price in the days after announcing he would buy Twitter for $54.20 a share, the suit said Musk made tweets and statements that were intentionally meant to drive down Twitter's share price in an attempt to renegotiate or exit the deal. The suit called out Musk's May 13, 2022, tweet that claimed the Twitter deal was "temporarily on hold" due to the number of fake accounts and bots on the platform, as well as one a few days later that suggested fake accounts might account for more than 20 percent of users. Twitter's stock dropped significantly following the May 13 tweet.During the trial, Musk said the tweets were him "speaking his mind" and maintained that Twitter executives had "lied" about the number of bots on the platform, according to KQED. Former Twitter shareholders, on the other hand, said "they sold shares at deflated prices amid Musk’s public waffling." Musk faced several lawsuits during and after his $44 billion takeover of the company. That includes other shareholder lawsuits related to his delay in disclosing his stake in the company, as well as one from former executives related to unpaid severance benefits (Musk later settled those claims). He also narrowly avoided a trial over his attempts to back out of the deal. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/elon-musk-misled-investors-during-his-twitter-takeover-jury-finds-232033028.html?src=rss - [Android will hide some app sideloading behind a new one-time security process](https://missmacknog.com/android-will-hide-some-app-sideloading-behind-a-new-one-time-security-process/): Google has detailed how users will be able to sideload apps from unverified developers once it implements its more restrictive policy towards downloading software on Android. The company originally planned to require all developers to be "verified" to distribute on Android, but softened its stance in November 2025 to allow carveouts for Android power-users and hobbyist developers. For the average Android users, the ability to sideload apps will now be locked behind a multi-step one-time process. Users will first have to enable developer mode in settings, confirm they're not being coached into disabling security, restart their phone (to cut off any phone calls), then wait a day and confirm their identity with biometric authentication or a pin before installing any apps. Google says you can enable the ability to install apps from unverified developers for seven days or indefinitely, but regardless of what you'll choose, you'll still have to dismiss a warning telling you the app you're installing is from an unverified developer. For hobbyist developers or students who want people to try their app but don't want to create a verified developer account, Google also plans to offer free "limited distributions accounts" that let you share apps without being verified. These accounts will let you share apps with up to 20 devices without having "to provide a government-issued ID or pay a registration fee." Google is implementing its new verification process in the name of security, and has likened the requirements being asked of developers to "an ID check at the airport, which confirms a traveler's identity but is separate from the security screening of their bags." Neither the verification nor this new approach to sideloading entirely closes off getting apps from unverified developers onto your Android device, they just make it harder to download something dangerous directly from the internet onto your phone.  Google appears to be trying to split the difference on Android, tightening up what apps can be distributed via verification, while cutting its own Play Store fees and changing its stance towards third-party app stores. Requiring verification to distribute software extends Google's influence outside of its own apps and app store, which is why some developers and digital rights organizations have publicly pushed back on the company's plan.  Developers can sign-up for early access to the developer verification process now. Google says its new workflow for enabling sideloading and small distributions of apps will go live in August. Correction, March 19, 2026, 3:44PM ET: The headline has been change to clarify that the new procedure does not apply to all app sideloading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/android-will-hide-app-sideloading-behind-a-new-one-time-security-process-184651171.html?src=rss - [The Steam Spring Sale is here with discounts on Arc Raiders, Hades 2 and much more](https://missmacknog.com/the-steam-spring-sale-is-here-with-discounts-on-arc-raiders-hades-2-and-much-more/): The Steam Spring Sale is underway and as usual, there's plenty of good stuff to add to your library. The seasonal discounts will run through Thursday, March 26 at 1PM ET. If there's anything you've been waiting to buy, it's worth checking to see if it's on sale now, because huge chunks of the Steam catalog are at least a little bit off. Recent releases don't usually receive big price cuts during Steam sales, but you can save at least a couple bucks on several 2025 hits this time. The excellent Arc Raiders is $32, Doom: The Dark Ages is about $23 and Battlefield 6 is $42. Silent Hill f is half off at $35 for the horror fans, and indie appreciators can snag Hades 2 for less than $23.No Man's Sky is $24 for endless space adventures. Check out Ghost of Tsushima on PC for $36 or be the meanest cowboy in the west in Red Dead Redemption 2 for $15. We usually spy some indie excellence on the sale list and this year is no different. Is This Seat Taken? is a few bucks off, as is Megabonk. Explore the islands of Tchia for 75 percent off. No Rest for the Wicked, a newer title from the team behind Ori and the Blind Forest, is $28. Perennial Steam Sale fave Stardew Valley is half off for the five of you who don't already own it.This spring, the steep discount section has a few especially notable titles. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate, Fallout New Vegas and Totally Accurate Battle Simulator are among the games that are 90 percent off.  Now you'll just need to play everything you buy before the Summer Sale.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-steam-spring-sale-is-here-with-discounts-on-arc-raiders-hades-2-and-much-more-184000691.html?src=rss - [Meta will move away from human content moderators in favor of more AI](https://missmacknog.com/meta-will-move-away-from-human-content-moderators-in-favor-of-more-ai/): A little more than a year after ditching third-party fact checkers and rolling back much of its proactive content moderation, the company says it will further "transform" its approach by drastically reducing the number of human moderators in favor of AI-based systems. The company says the change will happen "over the next few years," and will allow the company to catch more issues faster than its current approach. Meta didn't say how much of its contract workforce might be cut as it makes this transition. The company employs thousands of contractors around the world to review content flagged by its AI systems and user reports among other tasks. The company said that as it shifts its approach humans will "play a key role" in "critical decisions" and aid in training and other tasks."Experts will design, train, oversee, and evaluate our AI systems, measuring performance and making the most complex, high‑impact decisions," Meta said in an update. "For example, people will continue to play a key role in how we make the highest risk and most critical decisions, such as appeals of account disablement or reports to law enforcement."The company has been testing LLM-based systems for content moderation for a while and says that early tests have had "promising" results. Another advantage is that its AI can handle languages used by "98% of people online," compared with the 80 languages currently supported by its moderation capabilities. While Meta says its underlying rules aren't changing, the new approach could dramatically change users' perception of how Meta enforces its policies. The company already relies heavily on AI for certain rules, and many users believe that these systems make too many mistakes and make it difficult for their appeals to reach a set of human eyes. On the other hand, Meta, which stands to save a lot of money if it significantly downsizes its contract workforce, says its new systems make "fewer over-enforcement mistakes" and catch more of the most "severe" violations. In the nearer term, Meta is introducing an AI powered "support assistant" that will help users with certain types of account issues. The chatbot, which is rolling out now in the Facebook and Instagram app, will be able to help users report content and manage appeals, reset passwords and manage other account settings. It will also be able to help people who get locked out of their accounts "starting with select cases in the US and Canada."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-will-move-away-from-human-content-moderators-in-favor-of-more-ai-183000435.html?src=rss - [Don’t be surprised that the FBI is buying your location data](https://missmacknog.com/dont-be-surprised-that-the-fbi-is-buying-your-location-data/): The FBI has confirmed to the Senate it is once again buying data which can be used to track the locations of US citizens. That may have surprised the people who thought the precedent in Carpenter v. United States prohibited it. But while that case examined if it was legal for law enforcement to obtain location data from mobile networks without a warrant, here the FBI and other agencies have found a way to skirt the Fourth Amendment entirely. Over the last few years, they have taken to just buying location data from the same companies which power the enormous online advertising ecosystem. Where does this data come from? When your phone is connected to the internet, it broadcasts about itself, and so do the apps and platforms you use. That information includes your IP address and device type, as well as your longitude and latitude if your device has GPS. This data, known as Bidstream, alongside any third party cookies tied to your device, enables the process of Real Time Bidding (RTB). RTB is the process where your attention is auctioned off to the highest bidder in the milliseconds after you’ve loaded a page. In order to make the auctions work, these platforms need to know as much about you as they can. As I explained in depth back in 2021, data such as your location and IP address is broadcast over the ad networks. This information can also be aggregated, licensed or sold to data brokers who can pair this with any “deterministic data” available. For instance, if you sign up to a platform and tell them your name, email address and annual income, that data could be licensed to a data broker. Even banks looking for new revenue streams are planning to license anonymized customer data to these companies. Data brokers can easily combine the two streams of information to build out a fairly extensive picture of you as a person, and what advertisers will be the most interested in you. Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult to opt out of this and, even if it were, it would be even more difficult to destroy the data already in circulation. In 2018 French company Vectaury, which acted as an ad sales intermediary for mobile apps, was inspected by the French data protection regulator. Officials found the company had built a database containing the personal data of 67.6 million people without proper consent. Data brokers don’t just harvest and hoard this data to make online ad sales, however, they will also license and sell its databases to others. Lawmakers believe that these brokers have sold this data to rival nations looking for ways to spy on US citizens. How are law enforcement agencies getting it? In January, 404Media revealed the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) bought access to tools supplied by cybersecurity company Penlink. Specifically, it purchased access to tools named Tangles and Webloc, which can be used to surveil large numbers of people at once. The latter tool reportedly has the power to identify smartphones in a given area and time, and can then follow them on their journey through the day and back to their home at night. Given the secretive nature of its business, Penlink does not reveal much about how its tools operate. A since-removed marketing page says Webloc automatically analyzes “location based information” available in “endless digital channels from the web ecosystem.” And 404Media’s report says these tools access “commercially available smartphone location data,” supplied by third-party data brokers. Forbes reports the system can also pull together data from a variety of sources, including social media, to offer a real-time view of an event. The Texas Observer says Webloc can use this information to enable “warrantless device tracking.” A number of other US law enforcement agencies have also purchased location data from data brokers, including the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, the Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service. This isn’t just limited to government agencies, however, as anti-abortion groups did similar while targeting people visiting Planned Parenthood clinics. How can this be legal? The Fourth Amendment guarantees the right of the people to be protected from “unreasonable searches and seizures,” made without probable case. But, as Dori H. Rahbar wrote in the Columbia Law Review, “the Fourth Amendment does not regulate open market transactions.” Aaron X Sobel, writing in the Yale Law and Policy Review, described the practice as “end-running warrants,” and urged legislators to close this loophole. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), is also pushing for legislation under the Fourth Amendment is Not For Sale Act. It’s not likely that such legislation will be passed for a long time, and a cynic would suggest it’s not possible under the current administration. But, even if it is, it won’t address the bigger issue of the ad tech industry and its partners vacuuming up as much information about us as it can. When these companies — many of which aren’t even known to the public — are able to store up enough information on us that, if they were so motivated, they could follow our path through the day, it’s a sign something is very rotten indeed. If we’re concerned about governments having this sort of access, then we should be equally nervous about anyone else having it as well.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/dont-be-surprised-that-the-fbi-is-buying-your-location-data-182047627.html?src=rss - [The complete Stranger Things DVD set includes 25 discs and costs around $200](https://missmacknog.com/the-complete-stranger-things-dvd-set-includes-25-discs-and-costs-around-200/): Stranger Things fans will soon have permanent access to the Upside Down, as a full DVD set is now available to preorder. Stranger Things: The Complete Series comes in Blu-Ray and 4K UHD editions. This collection includes all five seasons of the hit show, which totals 25 discs. It'll be available at brick-and-mortar and online retailers beginning on July 28. Prices range from $200 to $260, depending on the media type and edition. Return to Hawkins this July with STRANGER THINGS: THE COMPLETE SERIES, available in Special and Deluxe Editions on Blu-ray and 4K UHD. Pre-order in the US via Arrow: https://t.co/wJbH9FJvo1Pre-order in the UK via Arrow: https://t.co/yXi3HBPA42 pic.twitter.com/ddYQVcB04J— Arrow Video (@ArrowFilmsVideo) March 19, 2026 To that end, there's a deluxe edition available for true diehards. This includes the complete series, of course, but also bonus content like bloopers, interviews with the cast and crew and various behind-the-scenes featurettes. It also comes with a bunch of doodads, like a self-adhesive Hellfire Club patch, five posters, 25 smaller art cards, a fold-out map of Hawkins and a branded twenty-sided die. There's a collector's box and each season comes in reversible sleeves with new artwork. Finally, this edition ships with a large artbook that includes original design sketches, concept art, storyboards and more. This is a pretty cool and comprehensive package. The price might seem high, but Stranger Things consists of 42 episodes and they get pretty lengthy in seasons four and five. In any event, owning physical media of stuff you like is never a bad idea, given that everything on streaming is subject to the whims of executives looking to avoid paying residuals or whatever.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/the-complete-stranger-things-dvd-set-includes-25-discs-and-costs-around-200-172222577.html?src=rss - [Nothing Phone 4a Pro review: A midrange phone that rivals the Pixel 10a](https://missmacknog.com/nothing-phone-4a-pro-review-a-midrange-phone-that-rivals-the-pixel-10a/): Nothing takes a different tack with its phone series. For the second time in a row, its midrange entry-level A-series smartphones debuted ahead of its next flagship device. The company has even warned that we won’t be getting the Nothing Phone 4 until next year. Until then, the Phone 4a Pro is here to make an impact, with a more restrained design, a less obtrusive camera bump and specs that beat out last year’s Nothing Phone 3 — all for $499. In 2026, Nothing is truly aiming to dethrone the Pixel 10a. Hardware Mat Smith for Engadget It’s a new look. That’s often the case with Nothing’s smartphones as the company typically reimagines or rejigs what you can see through the clear back panel. This year, however, Nothing is making bigger changes: this is its first metal (aluminum) unibody phone. With a new periscope telephoto camera design, the jarringly thick camera bump of last year’s Phone 3a Pro is thankfully gone, resulting in a slice of smartphone that feels — and to some, looks — more premium and more refined than Nothing’s “flagship” Phone 3. However, compared to the Nothing phones that came before, it also feels muted, and a little safe. The playfulness of Nothing has been hemmed in a little. You might prefer it, but I’m not sure I do. Those identifiable Nothing design flourishes — red details, visible screens, lots and lots of circles — are now squeezed into a camera panel. This oblong area with curved corners houses a trio of cameras, a “Now Recording” red light and a tweaked Glyph Matrix, which we last saw on the Nothing Phone 3. This new Glyph Matrix is bigger and brighter, but at a lower “resolution,” that’s made of 137 mini-LEDs. That’s fewer than the Nothing Phone 3’s 489-strong dot-matrix, but the LEDs here are 100 percent brighter. So bright, in fact, that I had to turn them down to their lowest brightness when I was using them.The 4a Pro, however, lacks the rear button on the Phone 3 that lets you cycle through Glyph functions. Does this mean the company has made it easy to switch between Glyph toys and notifications in the phone’s UI? Sadly not. You can dip into the Glyph options through the main settings menu, but to change what the Glyph displays is hidden in a sub-tab. I also noticed that the offering of “toys” was limited, with fewer items than even the Nothing Phone 3 had at launch. Hopefully, this will expand once the phone officially launches. The 4a Pro packs a bigger screen than the company’s flagship, with a 6.83-inch AMOLED screen running at 1.5K resolution. It also has a higher refresh rate than the 6.67-inch Phone 3. And on top of that, the Phone 4a Pro’s display has a peak brightness of 5,000 nits, making it Nothing’s brightest smartphone yet. I’ve handled so many phones over the last four weeks that it’s often hard to discern the difference between brighter displays. Fortunately, I have the Nothing Phone 3 (and 3a Pro) to compare against the Phone 4a Pro. It’s noticeably brighter, and as we slowly get into sunnier weather, a smartphone that’s easier to read outdoors is always very welcome. The Phone 4a Pro also has improved IP65 water and dust resistance, while Nothing says it's 42 percent more bend-resistant than the Phone 3a Pro as well. It’s also almost 0.5mm thinner, if you ignore the camera bump for those measurements. Factor that in and the Phone 4a Pro is almost 1.5mm thinner than its predecessor. This design change also makes Nothing’s newest phone feel far less top-heavy than the 3a Pro. Regardless of the aesthetic changes, this is unmistakably refined hardware. Cameras Mat Smith for Engadget Besides the streamlined camera unit, with a new tetraprism periscopic lens that takes up less space, the Phone 4a Pro has improved imaging capabilities (almost) across the board. The new 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens (which Nothing says also uses less power) has a 3.5x optical zoom, plus computational photography magic that can now crank it up to a (mostly unusable) 140x hybrid zoom. The main 50MP sensor also features a bigger sensor for improved low-light performance. With an f/1.88 lens though, it doesn’t quite match the Phone 3’s main camera (f/1.68), both on paper and in practice. The array is rounded out with an 8MP ultrawide camera, which sounds like the weakest link, but I rarely use the ultrawide cameras on any phone aside from review testing. Oddly, the selfie camera is a technical downgrade in resolution, with a 32MP sensor on the 4a Pro, down from 50MP on the 3a Pro. Mat Smith for Engadget One new addition was co-developed by Google. Ultra XDR blends Android’s native HDR processing with Nothing’s own approach, capturing 13 RAW frames at different exposures and combining them to deliver greater dynamic range and detail. However, as proof of how new they are, your Ultra XDR images can’t be shared as easily. They do work with Google Photos and Instagram, at least. If it’s any consolation, Ultra XDR so far doesn’t seem hugely far away from typical HDR capture. I’ll keep testing the cameras and if I figure out where it really shines, I’ll update this review. Mat Smith for Engadget If one thing disappoints on the 4a Pro, it’s recording video. Switching between zoom levels will often completely derail exposure settings. Even if you record on a single camera at the same focal length, exposure levels seem extremely sensitive and struggle to stay locked. Footage is often muddy and low-light performance isn’t great, even if using the Ultra XDR video mode. You aren’t forced to endure this with the Pixel 10a, but then again, there’s no zoom on Google’s mid-range phone — just a lossless crop. In more forgiving lighting, video is adequate, but quality drops off beyond the 3.5x optical zoom. Still, the versatility and quality of the still images from both the main camera and the telephoto lens put it above every other smartphone at this price. Performance and software The Phone 4a Pro is now powered by a more capable processor: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 4. Nothing claims that, in addition to its own on-device optimizations, it improved CPU performance by 27 percent, GPU performance by 30 percent and AI performance by 65 percent compared to the Phone 3a series. There’s certainly a big difference in performance while gaming. While the 3a series struggled with more complex games, the 4a Pro kept up with Red Dead Redemption and Diablo Immortal. It’s not the most polished interpretation of Decard Cain and the lands of Sanctuary, but it's responsive and playable, even at 60 fps, with only a few frame drops. The Phone 4a has a 5,080mAh battery, roughly equivalent to its predecessor. It supports up to 50W fast charging, a tad faster than the Pixel 10a, though it lacks wireless charging support, unlike Google’s midranger. It’s one of the few signs that this isn’t Nothing’s “true” flagship, even if it looks the part. I was pleasantly surprised by the battery life, too. Typically, phones are getting increasingly bigger batteries, but as I mentioned, that’s not the case here.. However, the 4a Pro lasted 24 hours in our battery rundown test, five hours more than last year’s model. The Phone 4a Pro has all the software features either present or teased in older Nothing Phones. Essential Search is a system-wide search that can find terms in messages, files and the rest of your phone. There’s also a new Breathing Break widget; we definitely need that in 2026. Essential Memory is Nothing’s name for its background algorithms and analysis, scrutinizing your phone’s contents as well as whatever’s saved in Essential Space. Nothing has added cloud storage for Space, aimed at devoted upgraders, meaning everything you saved on older compatible Nothing phones can be transferred over. Sure, it’s a little niche, but it was an early frustration while testing the Phone 3 after the 3a series. If, for some reason, you have to reset your device, keeping everything in Space backed up elsewhere is a boon. Mat Smith for Engadget Also, while it’s technically a hardware tweak, Nothing has also moved the Essential Key to the left edge of the phone, making it far less likely to be triggered when you’re adjusting the volume and more in line with other phones and my own smartphone muscle memory. One caveat from previous Nothing devices remains. The company says it will deliver three years of Android updates and an additional three years of security patches. Compare that to Samsung’s seven years of Android updates for this year’s S26 series (and Google’s Pixel 10a), and you can see how it falls short. Wrap-up The Phone 4a Pro punches well above its $499 price tag. Nothing has successfully refined its hardware into a more premium, all-metal unibody, losing the jarring camera bump of its predecessor in favor of a sleek design that houses a genuinely impressive camera. The improved camera versatility, coupled with its class-leading 24-hour battery life and a more capable processor, makes this a serious threat to the Pixel 10a. However, some of Nothing's signature playfulness has been dialed back. The Glyph Matrix, while brighter, is lower-resolution and its “toys” are disappointingly limited at launch. The lack of wireless charging is another nod to its midrange status. Nothing’s Phone 4a Pro is a device with a clear identity, delivering on the essentials for half the price of many rivals.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/nothing-phone-4a-pro-review-glyph-matrix-130042005.html?src=rss - [UK fines 4chan nearly $700,000 for failing its online safety act obligations](https://missmacknog.com/uk-fines-4chan-nearly-700000-for-failing-its-online-safety-act-obligations/): UK’s Ofcom has fined 4chan a total of £520,000 ($690,000) over the website’s failure to comply with the rules of Online Safety Act 2023. The biggest chunk of the amount came from 4chan’s failure to ensure children cannot encounter pornographic content on its website by implementing an effective age check mechanism. For that violation, the website has received a penalty of £450,000 ($598,000) and an order to apply an age check system by April 2. It carries a daily rate penalty of £500 ($664) until the website is compliant or until June 1, whichever comes sooner. Ofcom also found that 4chan has failed to carry out sufficient illegal content risk assessment on its website and has fined it £50,000 ($66,400) for that violation. 4chan has until April 2 to conduct a risk assessment, or it has to pay an additional £200 ($266) per day. Finally, the regulator has determined that 4chan failed to include provisions in its terms of service that specify how it protects users from illegal content. That carries a fine of £20,000 ($26,600), with a daily rate penalty of £100 ($133) a day from its compliance deadline of April 2 to June 1. The regulator started investigating 4chan, famous for its anonymous and unmoderated messaging boards, in June 2025 to determine if it was failing to meet its obligations under the law. In October, Ofcom announced its decision for some of the investigations it opened. It slapped 4chan with a £20,000 ($26,700) fine for ignoring its requests for a copy of the website’s illegal harms risk assessment and to provide information about its qualifying worldwide revenue. The regulator has confirmed to Engadget that 4chan has yet to pay that previous fine, which also earned cumulative daily punishment fees for 60 days. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/uk-fines-4chan-nearly-700000-for-failing-its-online-safety-act-obligations-115106264.html?src=rss - [The FBI confirms it's buying Americans' location data](https://missmacknog.com/the-fbi-confirms-its-buying-americans-location-data/): During a Senate hearing, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that his agency has bought information that could be used to track individuals' movement and location. "We do purchase commercially available information that’s consistent with the Constitution and the laws under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and it has led to some valuable intelligence for us," he said. Law enforcement is required to obtain a warrant in order to get location data from cell service providers following the Carpenter v United States ruling from 2018. But why bother with all that hassle when they can just buy the information from the open market?"Doing that without a warrant is an outrageous end run around the Fourth Amendment, it’s particularly dangerous given the use of artificial intelligence to comb through massive amounts of private information," Sen. Ron Wyden, (D-Ore.) said during the Intelligence Committee hearing. Wyden is one of several lawmakers pushing for an overhaul of when and how the government can obtain citizens' personal information. It's an overhaul that's badly needed. Patel already has a history of dubious use of government resources, such as ordering SWAT protections for his girlfriend and somehow horning in on men's hockey victory celebrations at the recent winter Olympics, so one would hope he's not also stretching the limits of the few privacy protections that do exist. Then outside the FBI, we have the Department of Homeland Security being sued for illegally tracking immigration raid protestors and the Pentagon's labeling of Anthropic as a supply-chain risk after the AI company refused to let its products be used for mass surveillance of Americans.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-fbi-confirms-its-buying-americans-location-data-230835196.html?src=rss - [A Meta agentic AI sparked a security incident by acting without permission](https://missmacknog.com/a-meta-agentic-ai-sparked-a-security-incident-by-acting-without-permission/): The Information reported that an AI agent within Meta took unauthorized action that led to an employee creating a security breach at the social company last week. According to the publication, an employee used an in-house agentic AI to analyze a query from a second employee on an internal forum. The AI agent posted a response to the second employee with advice even though the first person did not direct it to do so. The second employee took the agent's recommended action, sparking a domino effect that led to some engineers having access to Meta systems that they shouldn't have permission to see. A representative from the company confirmed the incident to The Information and said that "no user data was mishandled." Meta's internal report indicated that there were unspecified additional issues that led to the breach. A source said that there was no evidence that anyone took advantage of the sudden access or that the data was made public during the two hours when the security breach was active. However, that may be the result of dumb luck more than anything else. Many tech leaders and companies have touted the benefits of artificial intelligence, this is just the latest incident where human employees have lost control over an AI agent. Amazon Web Services experienced a 13-hour outage earlier this year that also (apparently coincidentally) involved its Kiro agentic AI coding tool. Moltbook, the social network for AI agents recently acquired by Meta, had a security flaw that exposed user information thanks to an oversight in the vibe-coded platform.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/a-meta-agentic-ai-sparked-a-security-incident-by-acting-without-permission-224013384.html?src=rss - [Senator Blackburn introduces the first draft of a federal AI bill](https://missmacknog.com/senator-blackburn-introduces-the-first-draft-of-a-federal-ai-bill/): The White House has been promising a set of national rules to guide artificial intelligence since late last year, and today Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) fired the first volley. The senator shared a discussion draft for codifying the executive order signed by President Donald Trump in December calling for an AI bill. Her stated goal is a policy that "protects children, creators, conservatives and communities from harm." Blackburn has called for tougher policies for AI safety, and one of the core messages in this discussion draft is that it "places a duty of care on AI developers in the design, development and operation of AI platforms to prevent and mitigate foreseeable harm to users." It also draws a line on the many copyright infringement questions raised by creative industries: "an AI model's unauthorized reproduction, copying, or processing of copyrighted works for the purpose of training, fine-tuning, developing, or creating AI does not constitute fair use under the Copyright Act." Some of the other notable provisions are:Requires covered online platforms, including social media platforms, to implement tools and safeguards to protect users under the age of 17 against online harms.Protects the voice and visual likenesses of individuals and creators from the proliferation of digital replicas without their consent.Sets new federal transparency guidelines for marking, authenticating and detecting AI-generated content.Requires certain companies and federal agencies to issue reports on AI-related job effects, including layoffs and job displacement to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on a quarterly basis.It includes ending Section 230, marking the latest attempt to retire a law that has been questioned as a possible loophole for AI companies to escape liability when their tools cause harm. While AI critics might see positive signs here, remember that this is just the initial version of the framework. Lawmakers will likely spend a lot of time negotiating over the eventual result, which may be notably de-fanged from its current state. It could wind up with a lot more requirements echoing this Republican complaint: "Combats the consistent pattern of bias against conservative figures demonstrated by AI systems by requiring third-party audits to prevent discrimination based on political affiliation." Despite the claims of suppression and censorship, we’ve consistently seen this conservative argument to be false — or at the very least misleading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/senator-blackburn-introduces-the-first-draft-of-a-federal-ai-bill-202509852.html?src=rss - [Amazon will reportedly cut its USPS shipments by at least two-thirds](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-will-reportedly-cut-its-usps-shipments-by-at-least-two-thirds/): A recent change in how the US Postal Service handles shipping partners appears to have forced Amazon to make alternative plans. The company reportedly plans to cut the number of packages it ships through USPS by at least two-thirds later this year. It says the decision came after USPS ended negotiations “at the eleventh hour” in favor of a new bidding process.On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Amazon plans to reduce the shipments it hands off to USPS. Last year, the company accounted for nearly 15 percent of the Postal Service’s package deliveries. Cutting that by nearly two-thirds diminishes one of the USPS’s most reliable sources of revenue. In fiscal 2025, the agency reported a net loss of $9 billion.Amazon’s current contract with USPS ends on September 30. In a public response to the WSJ story, the company said it notified USPS in October 2025 that it would need to complete a new deal by December. “You can't add capacity for hundreds of millions of packages overnight — it requires major capital investment, long-term infrastructure planning, hiring, and logistics coordination,” Amazon wrote.According to Amazon, USPS then pulled the plug on negotiations at the last second. “We negotiated with [USPS] in good faith for more than a year to reach a deal that would bring them billions in revenue and believed we were heading toward an agreement,” Amazon wrote in a statement. “Our goal was to increase our volumes with USPS, not reduce them — until USPS abruptly walked away at the eleventh hour in December.”Postmaster General David Steiner (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)ASSOCIATED PRESSThat’s when Postmaster General David Steiner implemented a new bidding process for last-mile deliveries, replacing a long-established one where USPS negotiated with shipping partners individually. He described the move as “a fair bidding process that enables the marketplace to find the best mix of local shipping attributes for the best volume-driven pricing.” Steiner was appointed to the post in May 2025, following the departure of former head Louis DeJoy.Amazon said it submitted a bid in February using the new system but hasn’t heard back. “This creates significant uncertainty for our long-term network planning,” the company said. “Despite this, we participated in good faith and submitted a bid in February 2026. We've received no response.”USPS plans to announce the bidding results in Q2 2026. Contracts are expected to be finalized by Q3. Despite apparently moving forward with the contingency plan, Amazon said it’s still “ready to continue this partnership.”As for Postmaster Steiner, he spent Tuesday asking Congress to loosen USPS regulations and let him raise prices. Warning that the agency will “run out of cash” in about a year, he told a House subcommittee that he wants to raise the agency’s current $15 billion debt cap. He also asked for the ability to increase postage prices and reform its retiree pension obligations.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazon-will-reportedly-cut-its-usps-shipments-by-at-least-two-thirds-200915702.html?src=rss - [Google is testing Search Live in more markets](https://missmacknog.com/google-is-testing-search-live-in-more-markets/): Update, 4:05PM ET: A few hours after this story was published, Google reached out to retract the news. The company provided Engadget with the following statement:"Search Live has not rolled out globally to all users. It remains available in the US and India, with testing currently underway in additional markets. We apologize for the earlier miscommunication."Given that the company says it is testing in more markets, it seems entirely possible that the global Search Live release will happen sooner than later. But, for now, it’s on hold.The original, unedited article follows below:After rolling out Search Live to all US Google app users last September, Google is now bringing the feature to every place where it offers its AI Mode chatbot. Search Live, if you need a reminder, allows you to point your phone's camera at an object or scene and ask questions about what you see in front of you. Google debuted the tool at I/O 2025 before it began rolling it out to users. With today's expansion, Search Live is available in more than 200 countries and territories. What's more, Google has updated the feature to run off its Gemini 3.1 Flash model, an upgrade the company says should translate to more natural conversations, in addition to a faster and more reliable experience. The new model is also natively multilingual. You can access Search Live from the Google app on Android and iOS. Tap the "Live" button below the search bar to get started. You can also access Search Live through Google Lens. As in the Google app, look for the "Live" icon, here located near the bottom of the screen, to start chatting. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-is-testing-search-live-in-more-markets-150000316.html?src=rss - [The Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer is filled with MCU cameos](https://missmacknog.com/the-spider-man-brand-new-day-trailer-is-filled-with-mcu-cameos/): We just got our first trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the next big Marvel film. This is the fourth installment led by Tom Holland and follows the multiversal shenanigans of Spider-Man: No Way Home. I'm about to get into some spoilers, for those still working through the MCU catalog. No Way Home ended with the entire world forgetting about the existence of Peter Parker, so this new movie will deal with the fallout from that. His whole support system is gone, though it looks like he still checks in on besties MJ and Ned from time to time. Peter Parker may be lonely, but he's not alone in the film. He's teaming up with the Punisher, who is still played by Jon Bernthal after returning to the role in Daredevil: Born Again. In the comics, Spider-Man and the Punisher are long-time work buddies and occasional sparring partners. As a matter of fact, Frank Castle made his introduction in a Spider-Man comic that was published in 1974. Bruce Banner also shows up in the trailer, potentially as Parker's professor. Mark Ruffalo is returning to the role, but we don't have any confirmation that he'll turn into the Hulk. It's worth pointing out that this is the regular human Banner, and not the hybrid version that's been popping up in recent MCU projects. The trailer even highlights an iconic Spider-Man villain. Michael Mando is playing Scorpion, which is a pretty deep MCU cut. The character was teased all the way back in Spider-Man: Homecoming. The footage also shows Spidey battling ninjas that look suspiciously like the Hand, who were last seen in The Defenders on Netflix. This lends credence to rumors that Daredevil could be appearing in the film. We don't have all that long to wait. Spider-Man: Brand New Day premieres in theaters on July 31. This is the final MCU film before the long-awaited Avengers: Doomsday, which hits cinemas in December.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-spider-man-brand-new-day-trailer-is-filled-with-mcu-cameos-170215452.html?src=rss - [Meta's latest creator push comes with $3,000 bonuses for posting on Facebook](https://missmacknog.com/metas-latest-creator-push-comes-with-3000-bonuses-for-posting-on-facebook/): Stop me if you've heard this before: Meta has a new program to lure top creator talent to Facebook and it comes with hefty bonus payments. The company is launching a new initiative aimed at popular creators who already have large followings on TikTok, YouTube or Instagram and offering them bonuses up to $3,000 a month just for posting on Facebook.Meta's goal is to draw more top talent to its Content Monetization program, which pays creators based on views and other engagement metrics across Stories, Reels and posts. The new bonuses will be part of an initiative Meta has dubbed "Creator Fast Track," which is meant to make the onboarding process easier — and more enticing — to Facebook newcomers.Under the new "Fast Track" program, Meta is offering monthly bonuses of $1,000 to creators who have at least 100,000 followers on another platform and $3,000 for those that have a million or more. Creators who join will need to post a minimum number of Reels per month to earn the bonuses, but aren't required to meet engagement targets or post exclusive content to earn. They also aren't limited to video content as Facebook also rewards text and photo posts, as well as Stories. That may sound like a pretty good deal (it is), but it's also a limited one. The fast track bonuses will only last for three months. Creators should think of the bonuses as payment "for the hassle of starting on a new platform," not the central part of the program, Meta's VP of Product for Creators, Yair Livne, tells Engadget. "Our hope is that within a few months … the earnings that you see from Facebook Content Monetization will become the more important thing." He also notes that Meta will boost the reach of creators it fast-tracks, which should help them speed up their earning potential. Creators can apply for the new program in Facebook's app.MetaIt's far from the first time Facebook has sought to lure big names with big checks. It promised publishers big payouts when it launched Facebook Watch nearly a decade ago. It once courted game streamers for its (now defunct) Twitch competitor. A year after launching Reels to take on TikTok, it invested $1 billion in a bonus program that offered creators as much as $35,000 a month only to pull the plug in 2023.  Livne acknowledged that it "took us a long time to find our path" to a more sustainable creator program. "We don't have a pool structure so you're not competing with other creators for dollars. It really is based on your performance." There are already signs that the Facebook Content Monetization program, which it introduced in the fall of 2024, is working — at least for some. Meta says it paid Facebook creators nearly $3 billion in 2025, a new high for the social network. Creators have also reported that the new streamlined program is paying off. One political news creator told the newsletter Chaotic Era that they made $250,000 from Facebook in January alone. Publishers told Digiday last year that they expected to make "between six and seven figures" in 2025 thanks to the program. There are numerous recent posts in Reddit's r/passiveincome forum where users report making five figures a month from the program, which is still invitation only. Livne agrees that Facebook's monetization program has been something of a "well kept secret" in the creator community. "We're trying to make it less well kept and less of a secret." Are you in Facebook's Content Monetization Program, Creator Fast Track or another creator program at Meta? You can reach Karissa by email, on X, Bluesky, Threads, or send a message to @karissabe.51 to chat confidentially on Signal.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/metas-latest-creator-push-comes-with-3000-bonuses-for-posting-on-facebook-160000283.html?src=rss - [Tech companies are teaming up to combat scammers](https://missmacknog.com/tech-companies-are-teaming-up-to-combat-scammers/): A coalition of Big Tech companies is working on a more comprehensive solution to combat online scams. As first reported by Axios, Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Meta, Amazon, OpenAI, Adobe, Levi Strauss & Co, Target, Pinterest and Match Group announced the signing of the Industry Accord Against Online Scams and Fraud. The new agreement is meant to put up a united industry-wide front against online fraud and scams, particularly those from sophisticated criminal networks that use multiple platforms. According to the Axios report, the measures will include adding fraud detection tools, introducing new user security features, and requiring more robust verification for financial transactions. The agreement will also set up best practices for scam detection, prevention and reporting, while encouraging the sharing of information between companies and law enforcement. On the policy side, the coalition will call on the governments to "declare scam prevention a national priority," according to Axios. While these measures are extensive, the report noted that they're all voluntary since the accord doesn't mention any penalties if the companies don't follow through. Many of the companies involved in the new accord already have experience in dealing with scams found on their own platforms. Earlier this month, Meta announced several new features across Facebook, Messenger and WhatsApp that would alert users about suspicious friend requests or accounts. Last year, LinkedIn introduced a new verification requirement for company recruiters or executives to address scams targeting job seekers on its platform. Update, March 18, 2026, 9:40AM: This article has been updated to add additional members of the accord and to include its full name, the Industry Accord Against Online Scams and Fraud. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/tech-companies-are-teaming-up-to-combat-scammers-144616545.html?src=rss - [It's time for Game Freak to finally give Pokémon some proper voice acting](https://missmacknog.com/its-time-for-game-freak-to-finally-give-pokemon-some-proper-voice-acting/): Ever since making the jump to the Nintendo Switch, there's something that's bugged me about practically every modern Pokémon game, a feeling that has only intensified after spending countless hours in Pokopia. For titles based in big, open worlds and filled with adorable polygonal characters and lovely music, why is nearly every pokémon still saddled with a call that sounds like a dial-up internet connection? As someone who played Pokémon Red and Blue at launch, I'm very aware that the origin of these sounds is tied directly back to those original titles on Game Boy, which was powered by an 8-bit SM83 processor from Sharp. Back then, it was a herculean challenge to fit the entire game into a single 512KB cartridge. So as a way to save space, the voice (or cry as they are more commonly known) of each of the original 151 Pokémon came from just 38 base cries, which then had their pitch or duration modified to create more unique sounds. Naturally, this tradition of lo-fi cries continued throughout Pokémon's run on the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance and onto the Nintendo DS and 3DS. And despite the higher-res graphics we got in subsequent titles, the use of sprite-based icons and other nostalgic touches made those bitcrushed calls sound right at home. However, when the series moved to the Switch and Switch 2 and embraced larger 3D worlds, those cries began to feel disconnected, especially for newer players without years of nostalgia to draw from. The first issue is one of identifiability. They all kind of sound the same, especially in earlier titles like Red and Blue or Gold and Silver, where around one hundred new Pokémon are represented by just 30 base cries. Ideally, a monster's voice would be just as recognizable as its silhouette. Unfortunately, the current lo-fi cries just don't fit the bill. The second problem is that the continued use of the old-school cries feels out of place in the grand scheme of Pokémon. When you watch the Pokémon anime, monsters don't use the same crunchy screams. Same goes for the movies, including big theatrical releases like Detective Pikachu. At this point, pretty much every new piece of Pokémon media except the games (and the TCG for obvious reasons) features proper voice acting, which sort of brings us to the biggest reasons to ditch the audio clips from the Game Boy era: Pokémon that actually say their name is just super fun and easy to understand. Sure, it's a bit of a gimmick, but it works. Plus, it kind of resonates with the philosophy that many vexillologists hold that says flags should be simple enough for a child to draw. Kids can say "Charmander," "Greninja" and even "Alomolola." But there ain't no way they are pronouncing this. For a game that's intended to be played by younger audiences, having the reinforcement of hearing a pokémon say its name while also seeing it written out in text isn't just easier to comprehend, it can also be a learning exercise. Also, just ask yourself, when you think of Squirtle, what do you hear in your head: this or this?  Now, there are several reasons why Game Freak hasn't made this leap already. The first is obviously money. Granted, localization costs only make up a fraction of the budget for a Pokémon game, but it's still a lot of work to translate things for various regions across the world, especially with modern titles available in at least nine different languages. This includes adjusting the names of specific monsters to better suit a specific market. For example, in Japanese, Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee are named Ebiwalar and Sawamular as a tribute to some of the country's most famous boxers. So when you consider the need to get different voice actors across the world to perform all of these variations, things get expensive. Furthermore, there's an argument that creating a canonical voice for a main character like Victor or Gloria from Sword and Shield takes away from players' ability to imagine their own. Pokémon is an RPG after all. However, I don't think that reasoning flies when it comes to each monster's individual cry, even though many of them have been upgraded or refined in recent years. Same goes for the idea that a Pokémon that says its name sounds less natural than whatever this is. At the end of the day, these monster calls are iconic, and the Pokémon devs know this, because they've given proper cries to characters like Pikachu and Eevee in certain situations.Regardless, for a franchise that's one of, if not the most valuable media property on the planet, I really hope that one day we can get proper vocal performances in Pokémon games, even if it costs Game Freak and Nintendo a little extra money. To be clear, I don't hate the old 8-bit cries and I don't think Game Freak needs to delete them entirely. They can simply be an alternate choice for anyone who prefers them over their actual voices. I just feel like after recently celebrating its 30th birthday, it's time for Pokémon to move on and celebrate some of the voice acting that helped make the franchise so popular in the first place.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/its-time-for-game-freak-to-finally-give-pokemon-some-proper-voice-acting-130000851.html?src=rss - [BMW's i3 is reborn as a sporty 440 mile range EV sedan](https://missmacknog.com/bmws-i3-is-reborn-as-a-sporty-440-mile-range-ev-sedan/): After letting us drive a prototype around in the snow earlier this month, BMW has fully unveiled its all-new i3 electric vehicle. It's a far cry from the original funky hatch launched way back in 2013, offering more of everything including power, range and space. It also looks like you'd hope a 3-series EV would: a sporty sedan, minus the polarizing grille on the gas-powered M3.  The i3 uses BMW's Neue Klasse platform and indeed borrows inspiration from the company's Vision Neue Klasse concept unveiled in 2023. With motors on the front and rear in the 50 xDrive configuration, along with the 800-volt electrical system, it delivers a combined 463 HP and 476 lb-ft of torque, just a touch less than BMW's G80 M3.  BMW That will make the BMW quick (the automaker didn't say how quick yet), but it will also be efficient. BMW estimates that the i3 will go 440 miles on a charge according to EPA guidelines and offer quick energy replenishment as well via DC charging speeds up to 400kW — up to 30 percent faster than its previous Gen5 tech. The battery pack will also be directly integrated into the chassis to reduce weight and increase torsional rigidity, while allowing bidirectional charging so you'll be able to use it as a battery on wheels to power your home in a blackout.  Styling-wise, the i3 is much simpler up front with the grille and headlights incorporated as a single unit. A recess down the center of the hood draws your eye to the badge, while giving the EV muscle car allure. The side intakes add to that impression, as do the bulgy fenders, "Le Catellet Blue" metallic paint and optional lighting animations (Relaxed, Excited and Balanced). Fabian Kirchbauer Photography On the tech side, the i3 supports BMW's Digital Key Plus so you can open the doors or trunk with a smartphone or smartwatch. The interior, meanwhile, looks as futuristic as I've seen in any recent EV thanks to the 17.9-inch Panoramic Vision display that's angled toward the driver, along with an optional 3D heads-up display. The system features a self-learning voice assistant with Amazon Alexa+ AI and supports customizable themes, colors and background images. It also includes a wireless charging pad for your smartphone or other devices. Inside, you can choose between multifunction and M Sport seats trimmed in different themes, including imitation leather in Agave Green, Digital White, Castanea or Black, or an M Design World theme in Black Veganza with M Performtex material. Alternatively, you can go for the BMW Individual scheme with real black Merino leather. For controls, BMW is using a hybrid system with physical buttons for the hazard lights and parking brake and "Shy Tech" buttons on the steering wheel that activate only when required.  BMW will start i3 production in August 2026 and deliveries later in the fall, with pricing set to be revealed around that time. From what we've seen so far it's going to offer outstanding performance and range, but don't expect it to be cheap. Fabian Kirchbauer Photography This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/bmws-i3-is-reborn-as-a-sporty-440-mile-range-ev-sedan-124614369.html?src=rss - [Arizona attorney general sues Kalshi on illegal gambling charges](https://missmacknog.com/arizona-attorney-general-sues-kalshi-on-illegal-gambling-charges/): Kalshi has been sued by Arizona's attorney general for operating an illegal gambling business in the state and unlawfully ‌allowing people to place bets on elections. "Kalshi may brand itself as a 'prediction ⁠market,' but what it's actually doing is running an illegal gambling operation ​and taking bets on Arizona elections, both of which violate Arizona law," the state's Attorney General Kris Mayes said. The company defines itself as a prediction markets platform, where users make bets on the outcomes of events ranging from sporting matches to political actions. Kalshi has claimed that it operates under the auspices of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and shouldn't be faced with the state-level charges of running unlicensed gambling. The case follows a similar action against Kalshi filed in Nevada last month. Kalshi also made headlines this year when an employee of popular YouTuber MrBeast was accused of insider trading on the platform. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/arizona-attorney-general-sues-kalshi-on-illegal-gambling-charges-172006290.html?src=rss - [Fortnite will return to Google's Play Store globally on March 19](https://missmacknog.com/fortnite-will-return-to-googles-play-store-globally-on-march-19/): Now that Epic Games and Google have made up — or at least found a way to resolve their long-running disputes — everyone with a compatible Android device can get back to the business of playing Fortnite. The game will return to the Play Store globally on March 19, the same day that the next Fortnite season goes live. It previously dropped back onto the Play Store in the US in December.Google pulled Fortnite from the Play Store back in 2020 after Epic tried to bypass the 30 percent cut of all in-app purchases that the storefront too. Apple did the same thing with the App Store version of Fortnite. Epic swiftly sued Google and Apple, kickstarting years-long legal battles with both companies. No matter where you are, we’ve got you covered. Fortnite is back on Google Play.3.19.26: https://t.co/8M0MjZcvDI pic.twitter.com/QWyR1TEJzX— Fortnite (@Fortnite) March 17, 2026 The dispute with Apple ultimately led to the company having to open up the App Store in certain markets, including the US and EU. Fortnite returned to the App Store in the EU in 2024 and in the US last year.Google and Epic reached a settlement in November. Earlier this month, Google announced that it was lowering the cut it takes of in-app payments from 30 percent to between 10 and 20 percent. At that time, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney (who reportedly agreed not to publicly talk smack about the Play Store until 2032 as part of the settlement) confirmed that Fortnite would return to Google's mobile storefront. Epic recently announced a price increase for the in-game V-Bucks currency. It also confirmed that Fortnite Save the World — the game's original mode — is going free-to-play in April.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnite-will-return-to-googles-play-store-globally-on-march-19-170200794.html?src=rss - [YouTube and FIFA partner up for the 2026 World Cup](https://missmacknog.com/youtube-and-fifa-partner-up-for-the-2026-world-cup/): FIFA is turning to streaming platforms to maximize its return on the 2026 World Cup. Two months after announcing a "Preferred Platform" partnership with TikTok, the organization has now struck a similar deal with YouTube.Broadcasting rights are FIFA’s largest revenue stream for the tournament — and media companies pay top dollar for that access. So, deals like this with streaming platforms help sweeten the package for broadcasters looking to boost their reach.What does that look like for those watching from home? FIFA says its media partners will have the option of streaming "a select number of matches in full" on their YouTube channels. They can also live-stream the first 10 minutes of every match, presumably serving as a hook to coax viewers to finish the match on television. In addition, FIFA's media partners will get access to "every angle" of match footage to craft custom content."As the world's attention turns to the action in Canada, Mexico and the United States, this collaboration with YouTube reinforces our ambition to maximise the tournament's impact across the ever-evolving media landscape," FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said. He says the partnership will offer "fans everywhere easy access to an immersive view of the biggest single-sport event in history."The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19. Matches will take place in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico, and the US.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/youtube-and-fifa-partner-up-for-the-2026-world-cup-170200470.html?src=rss - [GPT-5.4 mini brings some of the smarts of OpenAI's latest model to ChatGPT Free and Go users](https://missmacknog.com/gpt-5-4-mini-brings-some-of-the-smarts-of-openais-latest-model-to-chatgpt-free-and-go-users/): When OpenAI released GPT-5.4 at the start of March, the company said the new model was designed primarily for professional work like programming and data analysis. Now OpenAI is launching GPT-5.4 mini and nano, and while it is once again highlighting the usefulness of these new systems for tasks like coding, one of the new models is available to Free and Go users. What's more, that model, GPT-5.4 mini, even offers performance that approaches GPT-5.4 in a handful of areas.As a Free or Go user, you can access 5.4 mini by selecting "Thinking" from ChatGPT's plus menu. For paid users, the model is the new fallback for when you've hit your rate limit with 5.4 proper. OpenAI says 5.4 mini offers better performance than GPT-5.0 mini in a few different key areas, including reasoning, multimodal understanding and tool use. That means 5.4 mini is better at parsing non-text inputs such as images and audio, and has a more nuanced understanding of how to do things like search the web. It does all of this while running more than twice as fast as its predecessor. As for GPT-5.4 nano, OpenAI says it's ideal for tasks such as data classification and extraction where speed and cost-efficiency are top of mind. If you're a ChatGPT user, you won't find the new model in the chatbot. Instead, OpenAI is making it only available through its API service. The company envisions developers using more advanced models to delegate tasks to AI agents running GPT-5.4 nano, and that's reflected in the cost of the new model, which OpenAI has priced starting at $0.20 per million input tokens. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/gpt-54-mini-brings-some-of-the-smarts-of-openais-latest-model-to-chatgpt-free-and-go-users-170000585.html?src=rss - [Switch 2 software update adds 'Handheld Mode Boost' for your old games](https://missmacknog.com/switch-2-software-update-adds-handheld-mode-boost-for-your-old-games/): We might not have had a proper Nintendo Direct in 2026 yet, but there have been plenty of Switch and Switch 2-related announcements in the last few weeks, including a release date for the Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, a surprise port of Kena: Bridge of Spirits and the final trailer for the imminent The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. But if you’re a Switch 2 owner who prefers to play your library of games in handheld mode, Nintendo’s latest announcement might be the one that interests you most. The company has released the 22.0.0 system update for its latest console, which brings with it a host of tweaks and improvements, the most notable of which being the introduction of "Handheld Mode Boost." If you’ve played any original Switch games that haven’t received next-gen patches in handheld mode on Switch 2, you might have noticed that they look a bit blurry and unappealing. That’s because they’re still rendering at 720p on the Switch 2’s larger 1080p display, so the image is being stretched to fit a screen it wasn’t designed for. Handheld Mode Boost doesn’t mean that all unpatched Switch games are now natively running at 1080p on Switch 2, but rather that the console is telling them to run in the original Switch’s docked TV mode — which was able to output at 1080p — on the handheld. Since launch this has seemed like the obvious workaround for Switch games, but it has taken nearly a year for Nintendo to implement it. You should see higher resolution visuals and, in some cases, better performance, as a result. When running original Switch games in Handheld Boost Mode (enabled via a toggle in the system menu) your Switch 2 will treat the attached Joy-Con 2 controllers as if they were a Pro Controller. This disables features like motion controls and touchscreen functionality, meaning some games won't work on the newer hardware with Handheld Boost Mode turned on. Eurogamer names Super Mario Maker 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD as two examples of games that aren't compatible at the moment.  There are a number of other updates in version 22.0.0, including a new animation for loading a virtual game card, new GameChat features and more customization options in flight mode. The full list of patch notes can be found here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/switch-2-software-update-adds-handheld-mode-boost-for-your-old-games-165451808.html?src=rss - [Marshall adds a junior-sized party speaker to its lineup](https://missmacknog.com/marshall-adds-a-junior-sized-party-speaker-to-its-lineup/): Marshall is launching a smaller companion for its highly rated Bromley 750 party speaker. The new Bromley 450 retains the larger model’s guitar-amp motif but comes in a petite, less expensive package.The Bromley 450 carries over its larger sibling’s 360-degree audio trickery. Like equivalents from other companies, Marshall’s “True Stereophonic 360-degree sound” fools your brain into perceiving more directionality than its form factor allows. Lighting effects (“inspired by ‘70s stage shows”) also carry over from the larger model. However, this new speaker lacks the “sound character” control found in the Bromley 750.Marshall says you can expect over 40 hours of playtime. If your party somehow goes on longer than that, you can swap out its battery on the fly (using the same one found in the Bromley 750). Or, you know, just plug it into a power outlet. And if your event turns into a performance, you’re covered with mic and instrument inputs.The Bromley 750 (left) and Bromley 450MarshallThe Bromley 450 measures 360 x 261 x 492mm, making it about 25 percent shorter than its big brother. At just under 27 lbs, it only weighs about half as much. That helps to explain Marshall’s decision not to include wheels on this model. (But don’t worry, it still has a handle.) The speaker has an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance.The Marshall Bromley 450 may be less expensive than its larger counterpart, but it still costs a pretty penny. It’ll set you back $800 when it goes on sale on March 31. You can order it on Marshall’s website and from select retail partners (including Best Buy, Sweetwater and Crutchfield).This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/marshall-adds-a-junior-sized-party-speaker-to-its-lineup-120000871.html?src=rss - [Senators tell ByteDance to shut down Seedance 2.0 AI video app 'immediately'](https://missmacknog.com/senators-tell-bytedance-to-shut-down-seedance-2-0-ai-video-app-immediately/): After ByteDance suspended the global rollout of its new Seedance 2.0 AI video generator on the weekend, US senators have now told the company to "immediately shut down" the app. "Seedance 2.0 poses a direct threat to the American intellectual property system and, more broadly, to the constitutional rights and economic livelihoods of our creative community," Senators Marsha Blackburn and Peter Welch wrote in a letter to the company.  The letter reflects an increasing worry in government about AI companies training their apps on copyrighted materials from artists, actors and filmmakers without permission. "Responsible global companies follow the law and respect core economic rights, including intellectual property and personal likeness protections," the senators wrote. They cited Seedance AI examples including an AI generated Thanos and Superman battle, a rewritten Stranger Things ending and that famous (fake) Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt battle.  After pulling Seedance 2.0, ByteDance said on the weekend that it "respects intellectual property rights" and that it is "taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorized use of intellectual property and likeness by users."  However, Blackburn and Welch called that pledge "a delay tactic to continue to abuse the innovators and profit from their success," adding that its regard for American IP is "part of a larger trend of artificial intelligence companies stealing protected work at the expensive of the creative community."  Filmmakers have also taken action against Seedance 2.0, including the Motion Picture Association with recently sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance. Yesterday, senators including Blackburn and Welch unveiled a partisan bill to help artists protect their IP by allowing them to access training records used for AI models, among other measures.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/senators-tell-bytedance-to-shut-down-seedance-20-ai-video-app-immediately-112146241.html?src=rss - [The Morning After: Apple's surprise AirPods Max refresh](https://missmacknog.com/the-morning-after-apples-surprise-airpods-max-refresh/): You may have a little Apple fatigue after last week's barrage of Macs, iPhones and iPads. The company wasn't done, however. Surprise! Here is an updated pair of AirPods Max. It's a predictable surprise, perhaps, but one I wasn't expecting after so many other new devices. It's also the first true update. The AirPods Max 2 look identical to their predecessor, but now have an H2 chip. First, the AirPods Pro 2 improve noise cancellation by 50 percent and add support for Adaptive Audio and Live Translation. It's a much-needed update for headphones that, barring a USB-C option, haven't changed since 2020. They're still priced at $549. In Apple's recent press images for its cheapest MacBook ever, a child was using AirPods Max while working on their $599 MacBook Neo. Love it. The new headphones are up for pre-order on March 25 and will ship in early April. – Mat Smith The other big stories (and deals) this morning Samsung ends Galaxy Z TriFold sales three months after launch NVIDIA and Bolt team up for European robotaxis Samsung Galaxy S26 review: The smartphone status quo Firefly is getting rebooted as an animated series NVIDIA claims DLSS 5 will deliver 'photoreal' image quality with AI this fall MacBook Pro M5 Max 16-inch review Still the pinnacle. Engadget What did I just say? Wrapping up the barrage of reviews of all that new Apple hardware (besides those new AirPods), we test out Apple's most powerful new MacBook. The new Pro has an M5 Max chip, plenty of memory and is a beast. Thankfully, it still has all the ports you'd want. Continue reading. xAI is being sued by teens who say Grok created CSAM using their photos The class action lawsuit says that the lives of three teens have been "shattered." xAI is facing a class-action lawsuit in California, after its Grok AI reportedly generated sexualized images of children. Three teenagers filed suit, alleging Grok used their photos to create child exploitation material. One teen was alerted in December that AI-generated, sexually explicit images of her and other minors were being shared "in settings with which she was familiar, but morphed into sexually explicit poses." The Center for Countering Digital Hate estimated in January that Grok produced millions of sexualized images, including 23,000 potentially depicting children. Continue reading. Finally, Android tablets and foldables are getting a Chrome bookmark bar Hello, power users. Google is rolling out a new feature for Chrome that will add a bookmark bar to the browser on Android foldables and tablets. Spotted by 9to5Google, this move will make the browsing experience on larger mobile devices more akin to that of laptops and desktops running Chrome. Perfect if you managed to grab Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold before it disappears forever. Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-111501781.html?src=rss - [Denon's DP-500BT turntable combines premium design with Bluetooth streaming for $899](https://missmacknog.com/denons-dp-500bt-turntable-combines-premium-design-with-bluetooth-streaming-for-899/): Denon is addressing an omission in its current turntable lineup: Bluetooth streaming. With the new DP-500BT, the company combines refined design, analog sound and high-resolution wireless connectivity. With its semi-automatic operation and switchable phono preamp, this model has the features to suit beginners and experienced vinyl listeners alike. The DP-500BT has a belt drive system, a balanced S-shaped tonearm and an aluminum die cast platter. There’s also a pre-installed moving magnet (MM) cartridge with a CN-6518 stylus and a built-in preamp that can be disabled in favor of a more robust external unit or powered speakers. Semi-automatic operation combines auto lift with playback stop to simplify the listening process for both novice and advanced vinyl lovers. This feature also protects both the stylus and your records. In terms of design, Denon says it took inspiration from its DP-3000NE turntable for the DP-500BT. The similarities are clear, but more importantly, this decision gives the new $899 model a much more refined look compared to the company’s more affordable record players. The DP-3000NE is a $2,799 turntable, after all. Bluetooth streaming is what sets the DP-500BT apart in the Denon lineup. Here, you’ll have the option of aptX, aptX HD and apt Adaptive when you need to streaming wirelessly to speakers or headphones. This turntable also works with the company’s HEOS amplifiers and Home speakers, which allow for multi-room audio while listening to that record collection. The DP-500BT is available today from Denon and other retailers for $899. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/denons-dp-500bt-turntable-combines-premium-design-with-bluetooth-streaming-for-899-080000144.html?src=rss - [Boox's new Go E Ink tablet includes a 10-inch display and runs Android 15](https://missmacknog.com/booxs-new-go-e-ink-tablet-includes-a-10-inch-display-and-runs-android-15/): There are many E Ink tablets out there, but most of them are basically digital notebooks. They are great for reading and handwriting notes, but not so great for doing all of that regular tablet stuff like checking emails and doomscrolling. Boox, however, has released a number of E Ink tablets that can access the Google Play Store, opening up users to the wide world of traditional smartphone apps. The company's latest product is a refresh of the Go 10.3 tablet, called the Go 10.3 Lumi. This introduces plenty of new features and, as the name suggests, one is a front light. The tablet has been designed for both natural sunlight and low-light environments. The previous model was great, but it turns into a useless paperweight without access to ambient light.  Boox Despite the front-facing light, the Go 10.3 Lumi is still lighter than its predecessor, at 12.8 ounces. It's also on the thinner side, with a 4.8mm profile. The basic specs are similar to the Go tablet, with an octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It runs on Android 15, which is a massive improvement for both security and access to apps. The previous iteration ran on Android 12, and Google stopped officially supporting that OS last year. That means no more critical security updates. In addition to beefed up security, Boox promises the upgrade to Android 15 offers users improved memory management, better multitasking and smoother UI interactions. E Ink devices can be sluggish so I'm all for anything that speeds things up. It integrates with external keyboards and boasts integrated speakers, which will certainly come in handy when navigating apps downloaded from the Play Store. Despite the screen technology, this is an Android tablet. It should be able to run just about any app available. However, the E Ink technology will likely run into hiccups with video-based apps and games. It's just not made for that. This could be a great little gadget for emails and text-based social media, but not for something like TikTok. It should be able to handle non-animated games just fine, like crossword puzzles and stuff like that.  Boox says the tablet gets "substantial battery life" and has been "optimized for extended usage cycles." The company hasn't announced detailed battery specs, but did say people "can work all day without looming battery anxiety." E Ink devices tend to last a good while, so I'm not worried about that. The Boox Go 10.3 Lumi is available to order right now and costs $450. If you want to save a few bucks and have no interest in a front light, there's a stripped down version that also runs Android 15 but costs $420.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/booxs-new-go-e-ink-tablet-includes-a-10-inch-display-and-runs-android-15-020009621.html?src=rss - [MacBook Pro M5 Max 16-inch review: Still the pinnacle](https://missmacknog.com/macbook-pro-m5-max-16-inch-review-still-the-pinnacle/): We've loved Apple's 2021-era MacBook Pro design from the start, and the M5 Max edition is once again the professional notebook to beat. But it's hard to deny that the star of Apple's recent laptop rollout wasn't its most powerful Pro systems — all eyes were on the $599 MacBook Neo. The MacBook Pro's next time to shine is likely this fall, when Apple is expected to finally deliver OLED models and a dynamic touchscreen interface.  (I’ve argued before that, at this point, Apple has no excuse not to give us touchscreen Macs.) This generation of MacBook Pro might just be the last gasp of the 2021 remodel. It's still an incredibly powerful machine that's been honed to near-perfection, but if you're looking for something that feels truly new, it may be worth waiting several months.  It's not too surprising to see the M5 Pro and Max MacBook Pros be relatively low-key efforts. Apple launched the M5 14-inch MacBook last fall with a mere press release. But at least that model delivered a noticeable leap in graphics performance. The new M5 Pro and Max chips are a bit faster than before, but they don't really have any major features to call out. (Unless you're super excited about Neural Accelerators for AI work.) I don't want to sound like I'm complaining too much, though. The 16-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro I'm reviewing is still a gorgeous laptop, with an overall design that most premium Windows PC makers are still trying to copy. Apple's unibody metal frame design still feels rock solid. There's a generous amount of ports, including three Thunderbolt 5 USB-C connections, HDMI, a headphone jack and a SD card reader. Its 16-inch Liquid RetinaXDR screen also looks incredible, thanks to its bright Mini LED backlighting, and there's once again a nano-texture option to reduce glare.  What else could you want in a laptop? I suppose there's the lingering feeling that an OLED screen would look better, with sharper contrast and pure black levels. But you'd be hard pressed to find much else to complain about with the MacBook Pro's screen. I'm also intrigued to see how Apple implements a touchscreen interface alongside macOS in upcoming MacBook Pros, but I'll admit, I haven't really been compelled to touch this laptop's display much.  Touchscreens always seemed like a quixotic effort for laptops — they're nice to have, but Microsoft has been trying to shove them into PCs for 15 years now. The addition of touchscreens really didn't improve the overall Windows experience much. So I wasn't surprised to see Apple take its time bringing the technology to macOS — if you really want to swipe around screens, just get an iPad. MacBook Pro 16-inch (2026, M5 Max) keyboard and trackpad Devindra Hardawar for Engadget But back to this MacBook Pro: I still love everything about Apple's current design. Sure, the keyboard could have a bit more depth, but it withstood my furious typing like a champ. (Unlike Dell's XPS 14, which tried so hard to be a MacBook Pro-killer.) And the MacBook Pro's glass touchpad is still one of the best I've ever seen in a laptop. Our review unit was also equipped with 32GB of RAM, a 4TB SSD, a 40-core GPU and Apple’s $150 nano-texture display upgrade, bringing the total for this M5 Max system to a whopping $6,149. That may seem excessive to most consumers, but for creative professionals who actually need the power of the M5 Max chip, it’s not that unusual. You can also save over $1,000 by opting for the M5 Pro chip instead.  So what does the M5 Max bring to the party? Obviously, it's speedier than the M4 Max. Our review unit was 30 percent faster than the M4 Max-equipped MacBook Studio in the Geekbench 6 multi-threaded CPU benchmark. It's only 10 percent faster in Geekbench's single-threaded test, but that still gives Apple room to claim that it has the fastest chip core around. If you've got an M4 Max machine, you certainly don't need to dump it for this lineup. But if you've been hammering on an M1 Max or M2 Max system for years, you'll see some meaningful benefits from upgrading now. Computer Geekbench 6 Geekbench 6 GPU Cinebench 2024 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M5 Max, 2026) 4,338/ 29,261 145,309 192/2,150 | GPU: 22,374 Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) 4,310/18,003 48,840 197/1,034 | GPU: 6,143 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2026) 3,925/22,456 70,197 178/1,689 GPU 9,295 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max, 2024) 3,202/21,312 92,344 143/1,686 GPU 13,182 Apple says this new line of MacBook Pros also feature its latest SSD technology, which is up to twice as fast as before. Our review unit reached 13.8 GB/s write speeds and 13 GB/s read speeds in the ATTO disk speed test, whereas previous MacBook Pros hovered around 6 GB/s for read/write speeds. If you're working with huge data files every day, you'll likely notice the difference. Another benefit to the new hardware? Apple is now equipping every MacBook Pro with 1TB of storage by default.  All of the M5 chips feature faster GPUs than before, but that's less noticeable on the M5 Max. I've never had trouble running a high-end game like Lies of P on the M2, M3 or M4 Max hardware, and once again it still runs incredibly well with the M5 Max in its native resolution, and with all of the graphics settings cranked up. All I'm looking for is a smooth 60 fps frame rate, and the MacBook Pros have delivered on that for years. macOS isn't the sort of platform where you'll be playing many high fps games, but the MacBook Pro's 120Hz refresh rate is equipped to handle them. MacBook Pro 16-inch (2026, M5 Max) on a doorstep. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Beyond raw performance, the MacBook Pro continues to be a joy to use. Its screen is gloriously bright, and its smooth refresh rate makes scrolling through documents and websites easy on the eyes. Its six-speaker setup remains the best audio experience I've ever heard on a laptop, allowing for crisp, detailed and surprisingly dynamic bass. When I'm too lazy to cast music to my Sonos speakers, I can still have a decent jam session on the MacBook Pro's built-in setup. It's hard to improve much on the 30 hours and 16 minutes of battery life we saw on last year's 16-inch MacBook Pro, but the M5 Max model managed to beat that by 30 minutes. Realistically, it means you can likely use the MacBook Pro for a few days without needing to recharge, assuming you're not doing heavy-duty work the entire time. MacBook Pro 16-inch (2026, M5 Max) Devindra Hardawar for Engadget You don't need me to sell you on the MacBook Pro; all you need to know is that the M5 Max actually delivers. Given how well the standard M5 14-inch MacBook Pro performed, I'd also expect a decent speed bump from the M5 Pro model. The only downside to the M5 systems is that they'll feel out of date quickly if the rumored OLED and touchscreen models arrive later this year. But if you need the best performance now, it's hard to go wrong with any MacBook Pro. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/macbook-pro-m5-max-16-inch-review-still-the-pinnacle-120000325.html?src=rss - [Warner Bros. dominates Oscars with 11 wins ahead of its acquisition by Paramount](https://missmacknog.com/warner-bros-dominates-oscars-with-11-wins-ahead-of-its-acquisition-by-paramount/): Ahead of its acquisition by Paramount Skydance, Warner Bros. dominated the 2026 Oscars with 11 wins primarily for Ryan Coogler's Sinners and Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another. Netflix also put in a strong showing with seven Academy Awards, including two for KPop Demon Hunters and three for Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein.  All told, dedicated streaming services chalked up eight awards, but were shut out of the major prizes. Frankenstein took the trophies for for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling, while KPop Demon Hunters took Best Animated Feature and Best original Song. Netflix also took prizes for All The Empty Rooms (Best Documentary Short Film) and The Singers (Best Live Action Short Film). Apple TV garnered the other streaming service Oscar for F1 (Best Sound).  Warner Bros. dominated the more prestigious awards. The studio took its first Oscar for Best Picture (One Battle After Another) since Argo won in 2012, while also winning Anderson the prizes for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, and giving Sean Penn the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Sinners, meanwhile, won for Best Cinematography, giving Autumn Durald Arkapaw the first ever win for a woman and woman of color in that category. Michael B. Jordan took the Best Actor prize for that film, while Director Ryan Coogler won for Best Original Screenplay.   Other notable acting prizes were won by Jessie Buckley (Best Actress, Hamnet) and Amy Madigan (Best Support Actress, Weapons).  Host Conan O'Brien joked that it was the "first time in a theater" for Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. It remains to be seen, however, whether Netflix losing out to Paramount Skydance on the Warner Bros. acquisition will be to the film industry's benefit or detriment. One clear loser of late is broadcast television as the 2026 Oscars will be the third-to-last aired by Walt Disney's ABC, with YouTube set to stream the ceremony exclusively starting in 2029. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/warner-bros-dominates-oscars-with-11-wins-ahead-of-its-acquisition-by-paramount-093916527.html?src=rss - [Playdate games to check out before the Catalog's 3-year anniversary sale ends](https://missmacknog.com/playdate-games-to-check-out-before-the-catalogs-3-year-anniversary-sale-ends/): If your Playdate wishlist is anything like mine (endless), here's a good excuse to actually go ahead and free some of those games from limbo: Panic is running a sale across the Playdate Catalog to celebrate its three-year anniversary. Sure, the majority of Playdate games are pretty cheap as is, but they can still add up when you're on a wild purchasing spree. Ask me how I know! The sale started on March 5 and goes until March 19 at 1PM ET (10AM PT), so take advantage of the discounts while you can.  There are 423 games available in the Catalog now, according to Panic, so if you're having trouble deciding on which you should go for, I've got you covered with a few recommendations right here.  Season Two If $39 felt like too much to drop on Season Two when it came out last summer, now's the time to get it. Playdate's second season had only half the number of games as its first, but it still felt like a much stronger collection. Each of its 12 games is really solid, and there's plenty of variety in terms of genre and style, from puzzles and hours-long adventures to fast-paced action games that are great for bursts of intense play. And, it comes with Blippo+ — an oddball cable TV simulator that's unlike anything out there right now.  All of these games are worth playing, but there were definitely some standouts from the bunch: The Whiteout, a post-apocalyptic adventure that'll surely hit even harder now considering the winter we've had; the puzzle platformer Taria & Como; the arcade action game Fulcrum Defender; the climbing adventure, Tiny Turnip. I also really enjoyed Dig! Dig! Dino! for something on the chiller side.  Outside Parties I have not been able to shut up about this game since it came out. It's unique, it's creepy, it's completely engrossing and it really pushes the limits of what the Playdate can do. Outside Parties is a horror scavenger hunt, presenting you with one massive picture to scrutinize and find hidden scenes within, using the crank to adjust the brightness constantly so you can find anything that may be buried in shadow. As you find these targets, more and more of the game's story comes to light through eerie audio clips. It is such a cool experience and the atmosphere of it all is incredible. You'll get many hours of playtime out of this one too, with over 150 targets to find and lots of lore to uncover.  Crankstone A full-blown western for the Playdate! Crankstone is a gallery shooter with minigames mixed throughout, and between the aesthetic, the music and the activities, it's a lot of fun. You can choose the story mode to get right into the shooting and defending the town from outlaws, or head to the saloon to pick from the handful of mini games individually, including some fast-paced "spot the correct card" deck shuffling games and a few mimicry games involving the crank. It's like a wild west theme park crammed into the Playdate, which is to say, it's wonderful.  Echo: The Oracle's Scroll This is one of my all-time favorite Playdate games. Echo: The Oracle's Scroll is a metroidvania without the usual combat, focusing entirely on exploration and puzzle-solving in a vast network of subterranean kingdoms. In this game, the Blight has forced civilization underground, and you play as a child who has been sent on a mission to deliver a scroll from the bottom-most territory, where the humans live, up to The Archives.  There are all sorts of treacherous environments underground, including magma lakes and areas filled with hostile vegetation, making for what is at times a challenging platformer that requires lots of creativity to make your way through. The tone is a bit somber, but quirky characters — like a frog prince with a bouncy belly — keep things from getting too dark.  Carte Blanche This one's for lovers of classic card games. There are six games in this virtual card game parlor (which is run by a bird named Blanche): Cribbage, Gin Rummy, Spades, Cassino and Spite & Malice. It's great for if you already know what you're doing, but I found Carte Blanche to be a really good introduction to these games for absolute beginners too, thanks to the easy-to-follow tutorials. When you win games, you'll be rewarded with coins that you can spend at Blanche's slot machine, which is stocked with little trinkets she's collected. Castle Kellmore Castle Kellmore absolutely rules. This first-person action game puts you in a series of mazes where you have to fight off floating-head-style monsters as you hunt around for keys and try to find the doors and portals to your escape. There are sixteen levels, and upon finishing each one you'll get a little summary of how long it took you to complete that area and what percentage of the level's enemies you killed. I also really get a kick out of the sounds in this game. The enemies slurp and squelch, and your character will let out a hilariously passionless, "Ah" or "Ooeuugh" after picking up a health boost or getting injured. Great for fans of dungeons! Piña Rollada  If you've ever played any of the Super Monkey Ball games, the gist of this one should be pretty familiar: roll the ball through the course and collect all of the fruits before reaching the exit. Don't fall off the edge, and do it all in as little time as possible. Piña Rollada makes use of the Playdate's accelerometer, which means you control the ball's movement by tilting the console (there is also the option to use the D-pad instead). The courses start getting tricky pretty much right away, with thin paths that don't have any guardrails, obstacles to avoid and moving platforms. And, just going near the exit will result in the ball getting sucked in, so you have to keep that in mind as you collect any surrounding fruits if you don't want the level to end prematurely.  This is another one of those games that is both frustrating (in the fun way) and totally addicting. Expect to yell a lot. Other games to try These are just the games I've been enjoying lately, but there are tons of other Playdate games worth checking out during the sale, like these cheese games and Spilled Mushrooms. And if you need even more recommendations, take a look through our list of the best Playdate games, where you'll find gems like Summit and Bwirds. There are quite a few I'm planning to finally spring from my wishlist too, including The Shape That Waits. Update, March 15 2026, 7:15 PM ET: This story has been updated to include additional game recommendations. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playdate-games-to-check-out-before-the-catalogs-3-year-anniversary-sale-ends-181500370.html?src=rss - [Arc Raiders replaced some of its AI-generated voice lines, using professional actors instead](https://missmacknog.com/arc-raiders-replaced-some-of-its-ai-generated-voice-lines-using-professional-actors-instead/): In an unexpected twist, humans have taken some jobs back from AI. Embark Studios' CEO Patrick Söderlund recently told GamesIndustry.biz that the studio "re-recorded" some of the AI-generated voice lines in Arc Raiders with human voices, only after its successful launch in October. "There is a quality difference," Söderlund told GamesIndustry.biz. "A real professional actor is better than AI; that's just how it is." With Arc Raiders' player count peaking at nearly half a million users on Steam, the game's breakout success was still marred by its use of text-to-speech AI. While there was no generative AI used for the visuals of the extraction shooter, Embark Studios paid its actors for approval to license their voices for text-to-speech AI, according to Söderlund. Even though Söderlund said that the text-to-speech AI was reserved for lines "that aren't as essential to the immersion of the experience," many players weren't happy with this creative decision. Responding to the criticism, Embark Studios is seemingly reversing course and relying more on its voice actors. Söderlund said that the studio pays its voice actors for their time in the recording booth and will "continue to bring many of them back as we carry on updating the game." However, it's important to note that Söderlund told GamesIndustry.biz that "some" of the AI-generated lines were replaced by voice actors, which could indicate that the studio isn't looking to completely ditch its text-to-speech AI anytime soon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/arc-raiders-replaced-some-of-its-ai-generated-voice-lines-with-professional-actors-184915627.html?src=rss - [Anthropic is doubling Claude's usage limits during off-peak hours for the next two weeks](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-is-doubling-claudes-usage-limits-during-off-peak-hours-for-the-next-two-weeks/): To capitalize on Claude's recent spike in popularity, Anthropic is offering a limited-time promotion that doubles usage limits for anyone using its AI chatbot during off-peak hours. From March 13 to March 27, users on Free, Pro, Max, and Team plans will get double the usage limits in a five-hour window when using Claude outside weekday hours between 8 AM and 2 PM ET. According to Anthropic, the promotion is automatic, and users don't have to enable anything to get the benefits. A small thank you to everyone using Claude: We’re doubling usage outside our peak hours for the next two weeks. pic.twitter.com/W7TEBPditq— Claude (@claudeai) March 14, 2026 Anthropic said that this promotion applies to anyone using Claude on web, desktop or mobile, but also with Cowork, Claude Code, Claude for Excel and Claude for PowerPoint. Previously, Anthropic offered a similar event from December 25 to December 31, doubling usage limits for Pro, Max 5x or Max 20x subscribers. However, Anthropic is targeting an even wider audience with its latest promotion since only Enterprise users are excluded this time around. Anthropic is marketing the promotion as a "small thank you to everyone using Claude," but it's likely tied to its ongoing battle with the Department of Defense. After refusing to remove certain AI safeguards for the Department of Defense, Anthropic was listed as a supply chain risk and lost its contract with the federal agency. In turn, OpenAI signed a deal with the Department of Defense, leading to many users deciding to boycott ChatGPT in favor of Claude and other AI chatbot options.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-is-doubling-claudes-usage-limits-during-off-peak-hours-for-the-next-two-weeks-163645928.html?src=rss - [MacBook Air M5 review: Same but faster](https://missmacknog.com/macbook-air-m5-review-same-but-faster/): It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost four years since Apple gave the MacBook Air a serious glow-up. The 2022 model was a total redesign that bumped its performance with the M2 chip and also improved a number of key components. It was also the first MacBook Air to drop the signature tapered design, and Apple added a 15-inch model one year later to boot. Since then, Apple’s primarily focused on making sure it has a new chip every year — we’re already up to the M5, if you can believe it.  As such, the latest MacBook Air is an expected update that doesn’t change the game. Not that it needed changing: it’s been our favorite ultraportable laptop for years now. But the Air’s place in Apple’s lineup has changed with the simultaneous introduction of the $599 MacBook Neo. And unfortunately, Apple didn’t keep the $999 price that last year’s M4 MacBook Air hit; it’s back up to $1,099, the same price as the M2 and M3 models. Now that there’s the new, inexpensive MacBook Neo out there, who is the MacBook Air for? While I haven’t used the Neo yet, I’m pretty comfortable answering that question: it’s still for almost anyone. The essentials haven’t changed While the latest MacBook Air is physically unchanged from its 2022 revision, I don’t have a problem with that. I find the Air to be the Platonic ideal of a laptop that most people will be hard-pressed to find issues with. The 13.6-inch (or 15.3-inch, if you opt for the bigger size) display isn’t the most cutting edge screen out there, but it’s still sharp, bright and colorful. It’s stuck at a 60Hz refresh rate at a time when many PC manufacturers are using faster screens, but for the Air’s audience I don’t think that’s a problem. I may be miffed that the iPad Air similarly only has a pedestrian 60Hz refresh rate — but I think it’s less crucial on a Mac, where you’re not literally touching the screen (at least for now).  Other minor quibbles include the fact that Apple still hasn’t put a USB-C port on the right side of the computer in addition to those on the left, and the screen notch is still weird if you focus on it too much. But other than that, I can’t really come up with any issues here. At 2.7 pounds, the Air isn’t the lightest laptop out there, but I’ll take the extremely solid feel of the unibody aluminum case over a lighter and possibly flimsier plastic. MacBook Air M5 Nathan Ingraham for Engadget The keyboard and trackpad remain delightful, as well. My main laptop is a 14-inch MacBook Pro, and I can perceive the Air’s comparatively thinner case when typing on it. It’s not bad at all, it just feels slightly different. But after a short adjustment period, I really didn’t think about it and typed away without a care in the world. It’s baffling to me that a company that made a keyboard this good also made the horrific butterfly keyboards of yore, but fortunately that era is far in the past. The haptic-powered trackpad is huge, smooth and responsive, just like the ones on all other recent Mac laptops. Altogether, the input experience is great, and I rarely find myself really feeling like I need an external keyboard or mouse. I know people have strong feelings about that, so do as you wish, but it’s not really something I think about anymore. The MacBook Air’s speakers and webcam are also still excellent. Last year, Apple upgraded the 1080p webcam in the Air to a 12-megapixel Center Stage model that can follow your movements to keep you in frame or switch to a “desk view” that shows a top-down viewpoint of  the area in front of the laptop. The old 1080p webcam was already pretty solid, and while this one doesn’t magically repair your wrinkles, it’s definitely more versatile and detailed. The speakers, meanwhile, remain one of those things that Apple has absolutely nailed with this generation of its laptops. They’re relatively loud and well-balanced, providing far better sound than I’d expect from such a thin enclosure.  MacBook Air M5 Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Enough power to last for years All of this is well-known, though. The big change this year is the M5 chip, which has been available for a while already in the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. So, we have a good idea of what to expect here as well. I’m testing the 13-inch model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage that costs $1,299. It’s hard to perceive a difference between the M5 and last year’s M4 in my normal routine (dozens of tabs, Slack, Lightroom, Apple Music streaming and a bunch of lightweight apps like Bear notes, Todoist and so on). And based on my history with Apple’s M-series chips, the M5 will be a great performer for years to come. My work-issued MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro chip still runs like a champ almost five years after it was released, for example.  That said, users who do more than the basics with their laptop and have one with a chip older than 2022’s M2 will likely find the M5 Air to be a nice upgrade. Geekbench 6 benchmarks show the M5 is 11 percent and 17 percent faster than the M4 Air in single-core and multi-core tests (both with 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSDs). There were bigger GPU gains this year, with the M5 scoring 31 percent higher than the M4.  Few people out there are likely looking to upgrade from an M4 Air. But the M5 could be a noteworthy upgrade from the M3, depending of course on your workload. The M5 is 31 percent and 43 percent faster than the M3 in single- and multi-core testing. And the GPU is a whopping 56 percent faster as well. If you’re interested in doing things like video editing, music creation, gaming or AI tasks, you’ll definitely appreciate these performance gains.  MacBook Air M5 Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Finally, these benchmarks illustrate the gap between the MacBook Neo and the Air. The M5 is about 24 percent faster than the A18 Pro in the single-core test, but it demolishes the Neo’s chip in multi-core (105 percent) and GPU (144 percent) performance. This just reiterates what we already know — the Neo is best-suited for basic tasks, while the Air should have more than enough power until you get into more specialized use cases. And while no one will mistake the MacBook Air for a gaming laptop, Apple has had increasing success at getting developers to bring big titles to the Mac. Games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Cyberpunk 2077, Lies of P, Control and Resident Evil Village, along with indies like Neva, Stray and Balatro, are available here. That’s not to mention the many quality games worth checking out on Apple Arcade. All this is to say that Macs may still not be the premiere gaming platform, but people who don’t have access to a PlayStation, Xbox or more powerful gaming PC can still try a lot of great games on the platform. Thanks to the M5, these games play pretty well to boot. I tried Cyberpunk 2077, one of the more notoriously demanding games out there, and had a stutter-free experience. Most graphically intense Mac games default to a “for this Mac” setting so you don’t really need to worry about optimizing settings. Cyberpunk 2077 stayed pretty well locked at 30 fps in my experience — obviously not as good as what you’ll get on a high-end PC or PlayStation 5, but I never felt like I was having a degraded experience. It was smooth, responsive and looked gorgeous. Getting that kind of performance from an ultraportable like the MacBook Air is hard to complain about. Finally, battery life was close to Apple’s expectations. The company promises 18 hours of streaming video playback or 15 hours of web browsing. In my test, I looped a locally-stored 4K video file with my screen at half brightness and got… exactly 18 hours of playback before the laptop died. I’m sure it would have been less if I was streaming the video, but still. Under my usual working conditions running a variety of apps, I got more in the 10-hour range, which is more than good enough for me.  MacBook Air M5 Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Wrap-up Even with the MacBook Neo showing its chops despite its relatively humble hardware, I think the MacBook Air is by far the best Apple laptop for most people. Sure, Apple’s continued insistence on limiting screens with higher refresh rates to its most expensive hardware is increasingly frustrating. But other than that, the MacBook Air punches above its weight in just about every aspect — particularly when it comes to performance. The M5 is extremely powerful now and should make this year’s Air a useful computer for five years or even longer, depending on what you do with it. The MacBook Air is so mature and well-engineered at this point that it’s not the most exciting thing to review. But if you use one for a bit, it’s easy to appreciate just how good of a laptop it is.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/macbook-air-m5-review-same-but-faster-120000685.html?src=rss - [Apple says F1 streaming already exceeds everyone's expectations](https://missmacknog.com/apple-says-f1-streaming-already-exceeds-everyones-expectations/): Apple's exclusive deal for US broadcast rights of Formula 1 was a big shift to streaming from ESPN's cable coverage of the past, but after the first race (the Australian Grand Prix), it seems to be going well. "The 2026 Formula 1 season on Apple TV is off to a strong start, with fans responding positively and viewership up year over year for the first weekend, exceeding both F1 and Apple expectations," Apple VP Eddy Cue told The Hollywood Reporter.  Apple didn't give any ratings or other details, but we can glean some clues from previous data. Last year, ESPN said the Australian GP averaged 1.1 million viewers, way up from the previous record of 659,000 in 2019. If Cue's comments were accurate, that means Apple TV's audience was above that, which would be impressive considering that it's a streaming-only service.  When Apple's Formula streaming deal was first announced, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali was bullish on the deal. "It will allow us to enter in the houses of other people in a different way, in great quality that is very important for us," he told Racer. Indeed, Apple is pouring resources into it in a way that ESPN never did. That includes advanced tech that offers multiple ways for fans to watch, including Multiview, Podium Viewer, driver cams and 4K Dolby Vision coverage, Cue noted.  Apple has jumped into Formula 1 racing in other other ways as well, taking advantage of a surge in the sport's popularity aided by Netflix's series Formula 1: Drive to Survive. The streaming service's F1 movie starring Brad Pitt did huge box office numbers and is likely to see a sequel. Apple also struck a deal with Netflix on the aforementioned Drive to Survive series to share streaming of the current season eight (which details the F1 2025 championship). That agreement will also allow Netflix to stream the F1 Canadian Grand Prix live, along with Apple TV.  This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/apple-says-f1-streaming-already-exceeds-everyones-expectations-111028328.html?src=rss - [Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes arrives in April](https://missmacknog.com/little-nightmares-vr-altered-echoes-arrives-in-april/): Bandai Namco has announced a new Little Nightmares game, this time for virtual reality. Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes is developed by Iconik and not by Tarsier Studios, but it’s still connected to the beloved titles Little Nightmares I and II. Remember Dark Six, the protagonist Six’s dark doppelganger from the previous games? Well, in this installment, you will control her as she goes on a journey to reunite with the actual Six in order to reunited with her and become whole. The adventure horror puzzle game promises an “eerie, atmospheric universe” with an immersive first-person perspective. It features new locations within Nowhere, a nightmarish world only accessible through dreams filled with dangerous creatures, such as the human-like Residents. The Thin Man, the antagonist of the franchise’s second installment, is also back. Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes is optimized for the PSVR2, the Meta Quest 2, 3 and 3s, the Oculus Rift and Rift S, the Pico 4, the Valve Index and the HTC Vive. However, it also works with other PC VR headsets. It will be available on April 24, 2026, and you can add it to your Wishlist right now on the PlayStation, Steam and Meta stores. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/little-nightmares-vr-altered-echoes-arrives-in-april-101626370.html?src=rss - [This web app lets you 'channel surf' YouTube like a '90s kid watching cable](https://missmacknog.com/this-web-app-lets-you-channel-surf-youtube-like-a-90s-kid-watching-cable/): Many of us remember the halcyon days of being a kid in the ‘90s, spending a weekend afternoon with remote control in hand and a seemingly endless well of stuff to watch on TV. Now you can relive the experience thanks to the appropriately named Channel Surfer web app. It's essentially a YouTube discovery tool that surfaces interesting videos, but presented in a retro homage to the cable channel screen. Channel Surfer is the work of developer Steven Irby. He has 40 channels on the app right now, mostly grouping content by theme. There are channels for typical cable fare like news and sports, but also music, movies and a number of more tailored tech subjects like AI, gaming, gadgets and space. "I built Channel Surfer because I’m tired of the algorithms and indecision fatigue," he told TechCrunch, which is where we discovered the app. "I miss channel surfing and not having to decide what to watch. I want to just sit and tune into what’s on and not think about what to watch next."It seems Irby isn't alone, because he posted on X that the number of views he's getting for Channel Surfer already broke 10,000 on its first day.OMG this blew up overnight! I got over 10,000 views on day 1. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fY20ZVB3Xl— Steven Irby (@StevenIrby) March 12, 2026 This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/this-web-app-lets-you-channel-surf-youtube-like-a-90s-kid-watching-cable-220651107.html?src=rss - [Teamsters urge DOJ to block Paramount's Warner Bros. merger](https://missmacknog.com/teamsters-urge-doj-to-block-paramounts-warner-bros-merger/): The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the union that covers warehouse workers, drivers and a diverse collection of other laborers, has come out against Paramount Skydance's merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. In a press release, the Teamsters announced that it has submitted a report to the US Department of Justice's Antitrust Division outlining its concerns about the impact of the deal, and is urging the DOJ to intervene in the merger."This merger threatens the livelihoods of the very workers who built these studios into industry giants," Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said in a statement. "We've seen what happens when corporations consolidate power: jobs disappear, production leaves American communities and workers pay the price. The DOJ has a responsibility to stop deals that eliminate competition and harm working families. Unless Paramount and Warner Bros. can guarantee enforceable protections for domestic production and labor standards, this merger can’t be allowed to move forward."The Teamsters are primarily concerned with how merging the two companies will consolidate power, and eliminate jobs in the process. "Previous mergers have a well-documented track record of harming workers — Disney’s 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox resulted in eliminated production units, significant job losses and canceled projects," the union says. Motion Picture Teamsters, the division of the union concentrated in Hollywood that transports the equipment, props and crew members that make productions possible, stand to be most impacted. The high likelihood the merger impacts competition in the market is why the Teamsters expect the DOJ to step in, or in the case Paramount and Warner Bros. aren't able to provide "enforceable commitments to increasing and maintaining domestic production, strong labor standards and guarantees against layoffs and erosion of union jobs," block the deal entirely.Engadget has asked the Teamsters union what it plans to do if the Department of Justice doesn't intervene. We'll update this article if we hear back.If it's allowed to eat Warner Bros., Paramount Skydance has committed to producing 30 theatrical films annually, evenly split across the two studios’ slates. The larger issue is that the company's offer to acquire the studio is predicated on the idea it will quickly pass the muster of government regulators. Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison is the son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who's known to have close ties with President Donald Trump, and has already benefited from favorable treatment from the administration. There's a real possibility that Paramount's new merger could similarly sail through, regardless of the Teamsters' concerns.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/teamsters-urge-doj-to-block-paramounts-warner-bros-merger-215115721.html?src=rss - [Claude can now generate charts and diagrams](https://missmacknog.com/claude-can-now-generate-charts-and-diagrams/): With Claude enjoying a moment of newfound popularity among regular people, Anthropic is previewing an update designed to make its chatbot better at explaining some concepts. Starting today, Claude can generate charts and diagrams as part of its responses, either when asked directly or when it decides visuals might be helpful to the user. For example, try asking Claude what's the best way to fold a paper plane. Where previously it was limited to text, now it can show you step by step how to fold a Nakamura lock plane. Anthropic is quick to point out what it's introducing today isn't image generation. When producing visual aids, Claude will use HTML code and XML vector graphics. Anthropic likens it to giving Claude access to its own whiteboard. The new feature is available to all Claude users, regardless of whether you pay for one of Anthropic's subscriptions. However, the company does warn it's releasing beta software, so expect some quirks along the way. The feature also isn’t available on mobile just yet. This release comes just days after OpenAI made ChatGPT capable of generating interactive visuals when explaining science and math concepts.  This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/claude-can-now-generate-charts-and-diagrams-160000369.html?src=rss - [Honda cancels three EVs that were months away from US production](https://missmacknog.com/honda-cancels-three-evs-that-were-months-away-from-us-production/): Honda has announced it is canceling three electric vehicles it was months from starting production on at its EV Hub in Ohio. The Honda 0 SUV, the Honda 0 sedan and the Acura RSX are all being wound down. The company showed off all three models, and touted them as in near-production form at CES 2025. Unlike the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX, which run on GM's Ultium platform, the scrapped models were built on Honda's own Zero platform and would have been its first fully in-house EVs. Honda in part blamed the elimination of federal EV tax credits, eased fossil fuel regulations and US tariffs for the decision. The company said US demand for electric vehicles had slowed because of the policy changes. In China, it admitted it could not match the value offered by newer manufacturers building software-driven vehicles on shorter production cycles. CEO Toshihiro Mibe said at a press conference that the demand shift had made EV profitability "very difficult," according to Reuters. The company said it will redirect resources toward next-generation hybrids and only bring EVs to market when demand justifies it. It also shared plans to expand in India, where it expects the hybrid market to expand. Honda is not alone in pulling back from EV production, with brands like Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, Porsche and Ford having all scrapped or delayed major US EV projects since federal policy shifted. The total restructuring of its EV business could cost Honda up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion), with the company set to lose money for the first time since going public in 1957. Mibe and Executive Vice President Noriya Kaihara will forgo 30 percent of their compensation for three months, with other senior executives giving up 20 percent. Honda said it plans to share a detailed long-term strategy at a press conference in May.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/honda-cancels-three-evs-that-were-months-away-from-us-production-155523384.html?src=rss - [Google built a flash-flood prediction tool using Gemini and old news reports](https://missmacknog.com/google-built-a-flash-flood-prediction-tool-using-gemini-and-old-news-reports/): Flash floods are notoriously difficult to predict, but Google might have a novel solution. The company just revealed Groundsource, a prediction tool for flash floods that uses Gemini to source data from old news reports. This is the first time it has used a language model for this type of work. Flash flood prediction models need historical data and model training that often doesn't exist. Our solution: Groundsource, a new AI-powered methodology that uses Gemini to transform 5M+ global reports into a precise dataset of 2.6M+ flood events.This provides a massive,…— Google Research (@GoogleResearch) March 12, 2026 Google tasked Gemini with sorting through 5 million news articles from around the world and isolating flood reports. It transformed this data into a geo-tagged series of chronological events. Next, researchers trained a model to ingest current weather forecasts and leverage the Groundsource data to determine the likelihood of a flash flood in a given area. We don't have any concrete information as to how accurate Google's forecast model is, though that should come over time. One trial user did say it helped his organization respond quicker to localized weather events. For now, the company is highlighting risks for urban areas in 150 countries via its Flood Hub platform. Google is also sharing its data with emergency response agencies in these locations. Google There are some limitations here. The model can only identify risk across a 20-square-kilometer area. It's also not quite as precise as the US National Weather Service's flood alert system, because Google's model doesn't integrate local radar data. This data typically enables real-time tracking of precipitation. However, the platform's been designed to work in areas that don't typically have access to that kind of weather-sensing infrastructure. Juliet Rothenberg, a program manager on Google's Resilience team, hopes that this technology can eventually be used to predict other tricky phenomena. This includes stuff like heat waves and mudslides. "We’re aggregating millions of reports,” she told reporters this week. "It enables us to extrapolate to other regions where there isn’t as much information." This is Google's first use of a language model for weather forecasts, but not its first time it has relied on AI for this type of thing. The company's DeepMind WeatherNext 2 forecasting model has proven to be extremely accurate.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-built-a-flash-flood-prediction-tool-using-gemini-and-old-news-reports-154542963.html?src=rss - [Microsoft's Copilot Health can use AI to turn your fitness data and medical records 'into a coherent story'](https://missmacknog.com/microsofts-copilot-health-can-use-ai-to-turn-your-fitness-data-and-medical-records-into-a-coherent-story/): Microsoft has unveiled Copilot Health, an AI-powered tool it claims can help make sense of your medical records, health history and fitness data from wearables, should you grant it access to that information. The company said it will be in a "separate, secure space" in the Copilot app and that the idea is to help provide you with more context and insights so you can ask your doctor the right questions when you see them.Copilot Health is designed to help you better understand your medical information as a whole, Microsoft says. It is not "intended to diagnose, treat or prevent diseases or other conditions and is not a substitute for professional medical advice," the company pointed out in a blog post.The tool can pull in activity, fitness and sleep data from more than 50 devices, including Apple Watch, Oura and Fitbit. Through HealthEx, it can access health records that include visit summaries, medication details and test results from more than 50,000 hospitals and provider organizations in the US. It can tap into lab test results from Function, should you allow it to do so.Copilot Health can take all those details and apply "intelligence to turn them into a coherent story," such as helping you pinpoint the reasons why you don't sleep too well, the company suggested. It can access real-time provider directories in the US to help users find clinicians based on factors like location, specialty, spoken languages and insurance coverage.Microsoft says that, across AI-powered consumer products like Copilot and Bing, users ask more than 50 million health-related questions every day. "We’ve improved the quality and reliability of answers by elevating information from credible health organizations across 50 countries, as verified by our clinical team using principles independently established by the National Academy of Medicine," the blog post states. "Responses include clear citations with easy links to source material, alongside expert‑written answer cards from Harvard Health." As far as privacy is concerned, Microsoft says Copilot Health data and conversations are siloed from the broader Copilot app and there are extra access and safety controls in place, including "encryption at rest and in transit." You can delete your information and cut off the app's access to health records and wearable data at any time. Microsoft also notes that it won't use your Copilot Health information to train its models.The company explained that Copilot Health was informed by its responsible AI principles. Microsoft built the tool in collaboration with its own clinical team and with the expertise and feedback of more than 230 physicians from dozens of countries. "Copilot Health has achieved ISO/IEC 42001 certification, the world’s first standard for AI management systems, meaning an independent third party has verified how we build, govern and continuously improve the AI behind this service," it noted.Microsoft has opened up a waitlist for those interested in trying Copilot Health. The tool will initially be available in English in the US for those aged 18 and over. The company is working on adding support for more language and voice options and it will announce availability for those and other territories down the line. While users will be able to try Copilot Health for free at first, Microsoft plans to charge for access via a subscription, according to The New York Times. The company has not yet disclosed pricing details.The Copilot Health announcement comes just a couple of days after Amazon expanded its Health AI tool beyond One Medical. It's now available on the Amazon website and app. Prime members in the US have the option to chat about certain conditions with a One Medical provider via direct message at no extra cost. Earlier this year, OpenAI announced that it was testing ChatGPT Health. Anthropic has healthcare tools as well.Given how tough it is for many folks to access affordable healthcare and the fact their data and health records are often spread across a number of providers, some might believe there are benefits of using such tools from AI companies. However, there's a big difference between tracking your sleep or calling your doctor after an Apple Watch detects signs of atrial fibrillation and entrusting all of your medical information to a chatbot. There are also issues like AI hallucinations and chatbots providing users with straight-up bad advice, as well as the possibility that an LLM-based tool might downplay or exaggerate potential risks.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/microsofts-copilot-health-can-use-ai-to-turn-your-fitness-data-and-medical-records-into-a-coherent-story-152000621.html?src=rss - [Uber is shooting for even more upscale clientele with Uber Elite](https://missmacknog.com/uber-is-shooting-for-even-more-upscale-clientele-with-uber-elite/): Uber has launched a new invite-only luxury ride experience called Uber Elite. Aimed at "executives, frequent travelers, and riders looking for a more elevated experience," it sounds like an upgraded version of Uber Black for the, well, uber-rich. A ride booked through Uber Elite will be operated by a professional chauffeur driving a new-model luxury vehicle less than three years old. An Elite-only "Meet and Greet" feature allows riders to pre-arrange to be picked up in the airport terminal they arrive at from a flight, with their chauffeur dutifully awaiting them at baggage claim. Uber says all Elite rides include chargers, bottled water, mints and premium hand wipes. If those perks are deemed too basic by the customer, they can also request sparkling water or champagne in the app ahead of their ride, and Uber says it’ll work with its partners to accommodate them "where feasible." Once an Uber Elite trip is booked, the rider can also take advantage of round-the-clock phone support. The new luxury service is available through the Uber app, as well as via Uber Reserve and Uber for Business. Rides can be booked one hour in advance or up to 90 days ahead. Uber Elite is launching first in Los Angeles and San Francisco, with New York to follow soon, and then other cities in the US and internationally. Invitations will first be extended to frequent Uber Black and Uber for Business users, before the service is eventually made available to all riders. If you think you’re important enough, you can join a waitlist right now.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-is-shooting-for-even-more-upscale-clientele-with-uber-elite-150620441.html?src=rss - [Rivian's R2 EV arrives this spring with a $58,000 price tag](https://missmacknog.com/rivians-r2-ev-arrives-this-spring-with-a-58000-price-tag/): Ahead of its official release later this spring, today Rivan is announcing full pricing and trim levels for its long-awaited R2 electric SUV. The rollout for the company's first mid-size (two-row) offering will be similar to its previous vehicles, with more expensive premium models hitting the road first this spring, followed by more affordable configurations becoming available later this year and into 2027. This timeline is especially important for anyone hoping to snag the $45,000 base model of the R2, which isn't expected to go on sale until sometime in late 2027. The R2 Performance with Launch Package and R2 Premium trims will arrive initially as model year 2027 vehicles, followed by the R2 Standard (MY 2028) next year. The new R2 with Rivian's Black Crater interiorRivianSome features that will be standard on every R2 are a native NACS charging port and Autonomy+ hardware. However, for the latter, while new vehicles will come with a free 60-day trial of Autonomy+, once that expires, owners will need to choose between a one-time fee or a monthly subscription to continue using Rivian's enhanced hands-free driving tech.Regardless of which trim or performance package you prefer, the arrival of the R2 is a huge deal for Rivian as it represents the company's first true mass-market vehicle that looks to bring a lot of the tech and engineering used in the R1T and R1S to a more affordable price point.For a closer look at the R2's trim levels and pricing, see the breakdown below.R2 Performance with Launch PackageAvailable Spring 2026 starting at $57,990Features a dual-motor AWD setup with 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torqueEPA-estimated range of up to 330 miles0 to 60 time of up to 3.6 secondsNotably, the Launch Package will include a free lifetime subscription to Autonomy+, along with 20-inch Black Sand all-terrain wheels, a limited Rivian Green anodized key fob, exclusive Launch Green exterior paint option (which will be a paid upgrade) and a tow package that supports up to 4,440 pounds of towing capacity.Other inclusions on the Performance trim include an Esker Silver exterior, semi-active suspension, Compass Yellow brake calipers and rear drop glass. This config also features Rivian's Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high beams, integrated tow hooks, a flashlight that can be stowed inside the driver door and 21-inch tungsten all-season wheels.The interior features birch wood accents with a Black Crater color scheme along with heated and ventilated front readers, heated steering wheel, heated rear outboard seats and 12-way adjustment with lumbar support for the driver and front passenger.R2 PremiumAvailable late 2026 starting at $53,990Features a dual-motor AWD setup with 450 horsepower and 537 lb-ft of torqueEPA-estimated range of up to 330 miles0 to 60 time of up to 4.6 secondsThe premium trim includes many of the same features as the Performance model, but with smaller 20-inch bicolor carbon all-season wheels and fewer drive modes (there's no option for rally, soft sand and launch).R2 Standard (aka the RWD Long Range configuration)Available first half of 2027 starting at $48,490Features a single motor RWD setup with 350 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torqueRivian-estimated range of up to 345 miles0 to 60 time of 5.9 secondsFinally, the R2 Standard variant features a slightly more spartan kit consisting of heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, 12-way seats (but only for the driver) and 19-inch machine graphite wheels. R2 Standard (aka the base model)Available late 2027 starting at $45,000Rivian-estimated range of 265+ milesMore detailed info will be released closer to launchThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/rivians-r2-ev-arrives-this-spring-with-a-58000-price-tag-150000363.html?src=rss - [Disney+ gets its own time-sucking vertical video section](https://missmacknog.com/disney-gets-its-own-time-sucking-vertical-video-section/): It’s not just the major social platforms that know how effective an endless scroll of short videos is at hijacking your dopamine system. Disney+ is adding Verts, a selection of short vertical clips you can scroll through to keep your brain chemistry happy when you are in the bathroom so inclined. The company says it’s a “dynamic feed” to help users “quickly find their next favorite watch,” letting you jump straight in to see the full movie or TV show the clip hails from. Not to mention the side benefit of elbowing out those social platforms, many of which use cut-down clips of Disney-owned content anyway. Disney said it would be adding vertical video to its premiere streaming platform back in January, and it also launched Verts on the ESPN app last year. Today, it said the addition of vertical clips drove “additional engagement,” but neglected to mention by how much. It's worth noting Disney's not an outlier here — Netflix announced a similar pivot back in January as well.  The company does say, however, that its recommendation engine has an “advanced algorithm” to ensure the clips are relevant to each user. Naturally, Disney is happy to lean on the century or more of content in its library, but also said Verts could broaden out to include “content from creators that reflects our fandoms.” Which you could (and should) take as a plan to at least try to put a tank or two on YouTube’s front lawn.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/disney-gets-its-own-time-sucking-vertical-video-section-133308487.html?src=rss - [Starfleet Academy is the best first season of a Star Trek show ever](https://missmacknog.com/starfleet-academy-is-the-best-first-season-of-a-star-trek-show-ever/): The first season of a TV show is a tricky thing. It has to convince people to watch it and justify the show’s existence to the network (or streaming service) execs. It has to deal with actors and writers who may not have fully dialed into the characters and world yet. There are some shows with absolutely stellar first seasons — Stranger Things, Veronica Mars and Ted Lasso are a few — but many other hit shows stumbled out of the gate, like The Office and Supernatural.Star Trek is not immune to this phenomenon. The Original Series had a decent first season, with classic episodes like “The City on the Edge of Forever.” But the next four shows all have rather weak beginnings, with even fan-favorite The Next Generation stumbling badly with episodes like “Code of Honor.” That show picked up in season three, beginning a trend called “Growing the Beard,” in reference to how Commander Riker’s new beard coincided with the uptick in quality.This trend unfortunately continued into the current era, with 2017’s Star Trek: Discovery delivering a first season with an overwhelmingly dour tone and a lot of franchise changes that didn’t sit well with fans. The show made some tweaks in season two (including a change in setting that involved traveling 900 years into the future), and showed a lot of improvement with season three. Picard also floundered horribly, with an uneven first season that killed off some fan-favorite characters and also turned the title character into an android. Things started looking up after that, with shows like Strange New Worlds all posting strong outings with their first go-arounds. While episodes like “A Quality of Mercy” and “Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach” may not make the list of all-time classics, there are no outright stinkers. It seemed like the franchise as a whole was finally finding its footing in this new streaming era.L-R: Tatiana Maslany as Anisha, Sandro Rosta as Caleb, Kerrice Brooks as SAM, Bella Shepard as Genesis, and George Hawkins as Darem in season 1, episode 9, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+.Michael Gibson/Paramount+That leads us to Starfleet Academy, which debuted in January on Paramount+. Prior to its premiere, the internet was full of people deriding it as “CW Trek” and declaring that they don’t want to watch a show about “teenyboppers” that wasn’t “real” Star Trek. Now that the show has finished its first season… the internet is still full of people complaining. But many folks who were wary of it at the beginning have been pleasantly surprised — every day there seems to be multiple posts on various Star Trek subreddits along the lines of “Starfleet Academy is actually good?!?” I personally didn’t enjoy the first episode, but episode two turned me around rather quickly, and it seemed that every week brought new converts.Granted, 10 episodes is a short amount of time to make an impact, but Starfleet Academy did a lot with that number. Four of the episodes are dedicated to the ongoing villainy of Nus Braka, a murderous pirate played with scene-chewing delight by Paul Giamatti. These have all been pretty straightforward adventure stories, which also did a good job of fleshing out not only Braka, but cadet Caleb Mir, whose mother went to prison because of Braka.The emphasis on Caleb in the first episode made it seem like the show would focus on him, much in the way Discovery focused on Michael Burnham, but he took a back seat as the show explored the other characters as well as its setting. Episode two, “Beta Test,” focused on diplomacy, a long-standing theme of Star Trek, and even shook up the status quo by moving the Federation headquarters from Earth to Betazed. Paul Giamatti as Nus Braka and Holly Hunter as Captain Nahla Ake in season 1, episode 6, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+.Brooke Palmer/Paramount+Episodes four and five were more personal stories, with “Vox in Excelso” focusing on soft boy Klingon character Jay-Den as well as the fate of his race in general after hundreds of years, while “Series Acclimation Mil” also gave us characterization of photonic being Sam along with some heartfelt fan service for the Deep Space Nine fandom. Sam would also shine once more in “The Life of the Stars,” an episode that dealt with trauma, but also (again) delivered fan service in a way that didn’t feel like pandering because of how it was used to develop not just Sam, but also the Doctor, a legacy character from Voyager.It’s not that every episode in season one of Starfleet Academy is a masterpiece – “Vitus Reflux” and “Ko’Zeine” are somewhat weak – but none of them are outright bad, making the batting average of the season rather high. That bodes well for word-of-mouth, as it's easier to recommend a show when you don't have to couch it with excuses about how it gets good “eventually.”It will need that word-of-mouth if it wants to get through a complete four seasons of schooling; season two just finished filming so we're guaranteed at least that, but there's a lot up in the air for not just the show, but the entire franchise. Strange New Worlds season four will debut later this year, and then we have an abbreviated season five to look forward to. But past that, nothing firm is on the horizon: Starfleet Academy hasn't been renewed yet, and projects like the Tawny Newsome-helmed comedy show are still in development with nothing tangible revealed yet. Newsome played Beckett Mariner on Lower Decks and worked in the writers room for Starfleet Academy — she's an example of how Paramount has been building up a roster of talent behind the scenes for the franchise who, even when a show is new, understand the universe and, more importantly, how to work together to make good TV. And that's going to be important in the next year or so, as Paramount makes decisions about the future of the franchise in the shadow of the recent Skydance merger and the upcoming Warner Bros. purchase. Star Trek has an uphill battle ahead of it, but at least Starfleet Academy’s first season has made it an easier climb.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/starfleet-academy-is-the-best-first-season-of-a-star-trek-show-ever-133000945.html?src=rss - [JBL's two new Live headphones offer 80 hours of battery each](https://missmacknog.com/jbls-two-new-live-headphones-offer-80-hours-of-battery-each/): JBL just released two new pairs of headphones in its pre-existing Live line. There's the over-ear Live 780NC and the on-ear Live 680NC. Both sets of headphones have similar specs, despite the difference in design. The biggest news here is likely the battery life. They max out at 80 hours per charge with regular use, which is a fantastic metric. This shrinks to 50 hours when using ANC, but that's still fairly remarkable. We truly live in a golden age of wireless headphone batteries. JBL's new headphones can also fully charge in just two hours, which is nice. They also offer the option for multi-point connections. There are two dedicated microphones for phone calls, with clarity assisted by an AI algorithm. JBL Both can stream high resolution audio via Bluetooth or a wired connection. The models even look similar, with availability in the same seven colorways. The 680NC, however, is slightly lighter. There is one major difference between the two. The 780NC includes six microphones for ANC, while the 680NC features four. This likely means that ANC performance will be better with the former, which will be assisted by the design itself. Over-ear headphones offer passive noise isolation. Those extra microphones do boost the price up a bit. The JBL 780NC headphones cost $250, while the JBL 680NC headphones cost $160. Both are available for purchase right now, with shipments going out by March 15.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/jbls-two-new-live-headphones-offer-80-hours-of-battery-each-120044416.html?src=rss - [The best eco-friendly phone cases for 2026](https://missmacknog.com/the-best-eco-friendly-phone-cases-for-2026/): We're all holding onto our phones for longer now, and in order to do that, you'll need some protection. Now, with so many good phone cases on the market, you don't have to compromise if you're also trying to live a more eco-conscious life. The best eco-friendly phone cases offer a great blend of durability and sustainability, helping to reduce plastic waste and better the planet.Made from natural materials like biodegradable plastics, recycled ocean waste or even sustainable bamboo, eco-friendly phone cases and compostable phone covers prove that you don’t have to sacrifice style or protection to make the greener choice. Whether you’re looking for something sleek and minimal or bold and artistic, there are a number of eco-friendly options to choose from. And remember, even if you can't find a sustainable phone case that fits all your requirements, any phone case that allows you to get a few more years our of your smartphone instead of buying new and upgrading is eco-conscious in itself. Best eco-friendly phone cases Eco-friendly phone case FAQs What makes a phone case eco-friendly? A phone case can be considered eco-friendly when it’s designed to protect not just your phone but also the planet. What sets these cases apart is the use of sustainable materials like biodegradable plastics, recycled plastic waste or even natural materials like bamboo or flax straw. Instead of contributing to plastic pollution, these materials break down naturally over time, or are made from recycled content that reduces waste. Eco-friendly cases can also go a step further by being compostable, meaning you can toss them in a compost bin at the end of their life and they’ll decompose into the earth without leaving harmful residues. Plus, many brands behind these cases focus on sustainable practices, like reducing carbon emissions during production or offering recycling programs for old cases. Are compostable phone cases actually biodegradable? Yes, most compostable phone cases are designed to break down naturally, but how fast they do depends on the material and the conditions. In a home compost bin, some cases may take months to decompose, while in industrial composting facilities the process is quicker. These cases are usually made from plant-based bioplastics, flax or starch blends which return to the soil without leaving behind harmful residue. Can you recycle old phone cases? It depends on the material. Standard plastic cases are tough to recycle because they’re often made with mixed plastics and additives so they usually end up in landfills. Some brands run take-back programs where you can send your old case in and they’ll reuse or up-cycle it into new products. If your case is made from single-type plastic or a recycled blend, check with your local recycling facility but in many cases specialized programs are the best option. Georgie Peru contributed to this report. Check out more from our spring cleaning guide.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-eco-friendly-phone-cases-150016494.html?src=rss - [Uber is piloting a robotaxi service in Tokyo](https://missmacknog.com/uber-is-piloting-a-robotaxi-service-in-tokyo/): Uber has teamed up with UK self-driving car startup Wayve and Nissan to launch a pilot program for a robotaxi service in Tokyo in late 2026. The program will use Nissan Leaf EVs powered by Wayve’s AI Driver automated vehicle technology, which will then be connected to Uber’s platform. Trained drivers will be behind the wheel at first, as the deployed vehicles gather real-world data to be able to navigate Tokyo’s driving conditions and complex streets that are also a lot narrower than the roads in the US. Another company backed by Uber, Nuro, will also test its vehicles on Tokyo’s challenging streets soon. Nuro has been trialing its self-driving tech in the US for years now and plans to launch a robotaxi service, as well. They’re not the first companies to take on Tokyo streets, however: Waymo deployed its Jaguar I-PACE autonomous vehicles in the metropolis last year to collect data on its roads and the driving patterns of locals. The pilot program in Tokyo is just part of Wayve’s and Uber’s plan to roll out a robotaxi service in more than 10 cities around the world. In the future, the companies are planning to offer self-driving vehicles as an option in the city through a licensed taxi partner in Japan. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-is-piloting-a-robotaxi-service-in-tokyo-112133871.html?src=rss - [NVIDIA- and Uber-backed Nuro is testing autonomous vehicles in Tokyo](https://missmacknog.com/nvidia-and-uber-backed-nuro-is-testing-autonomous-vehicles-in-tokyo/): US self-driving startup Nuro, which is backed by the likes of NVIDIA, Toyota and Uber, has started testing its autonomous vehicles on Tokyo's challenging streets, Bloomberg reported. The company, which plans to launch a robotaxi service with Uber and Lucid in San Francisco this year, will be testing a "handful" of vehicles in the city. Human safety drivers will be at the wheel, as is required by Japanese law.  Tokyo presents a challenge for autonomous vehicles, given its narrow, crowded streets and left side of the road driving. "Testing the capability of the autonomy system in such an interesting market with some international complexity really is a good pressure test of what the system is capable of," said CEO Andrew Chapin. The company's ultimate goal is to achieve Level 4 autonomy, which allows full self-driving under limited conditions.  Waymo is the other major robotaxi operator testing vehicles in Tokyo in collaboration with Japanese taxi operators Nihon Kotsu and the country's leading taxi app, Go. It has been operating in the nation since April 2025 in collaboration with Toyota. Nuro has yet to announce which operators or vehicle manufacturers it will be partnering with, but Chapin said it may not limit itself to autonomous rides. "A universal autonomy platform that can be extended to a lot of different applications and form factors is a bit different than the approach Waymo is taking," he told Bloomberg. The company previously teamed with 7-Eleven on autonomous deliveries in Mountain View, California.  Uber plans to have up to 100,000 autonomous vehicles including 20,000 robotaxis powered by Lucid and Nuro, with a rollout starting in 2027. It introduced its new vehicle design recently at CES 2026. Uber is also collaborating with Nissan and Wayve with the aim to introduce pilot cars in Tokyo by late 2026.  This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/nvidia--and-uber-backed-nuro-is-testing-autonomous-vehicles-in-tokyo-081200366.html?src=rss - [Google Play will let you try a game before you buy it](https://missmacknog.com/google-play-will-let-you-try-a-game-before-you-buy-it/): Google Play has introduced a new feature called Game Trials, which will let you play a portion of paid games for free before you commit to buying them. It’s now rolling out to select paid games on mobile, and it’s coming soon to Google Play Games on PC. Titles that offer Game Trials will show a button marked “Try” on their profile pages. When you click it, you’ll see how long you can play the game before you have to buy it. In Google’s example, the survival and horror game Dredge will give you 60 minutes of free play time, after which you’ll get the option to either buy the game or delete it from your device. Google has also announced that it’s releasing more paid indie games over the coming months, including Moonlight Peaks, Sledding Game and Low-Budget Repairs. It has launched a new section in the Play store, as well, to feature games optimized for Windows PCs. You can wishlist the games from that section to get a notification when they’re on sale. Finally, the company is rolling out Play Games Sidekick, the Gemini-powered Android overlay it announced last year, to select games downloaded from Play. Sidekick can show you relevant info and tools for whatever game you're playing without having to do a search query. But if you’d rather ask other people for gaming advice instead of an AI, you can also look at a game’s Community Posts, a feature now available in English for select titles on their Play pages. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/google-play-will-let-you-try-a-game-before-you-buy-it-051854016.html?src=rss - [Larry 'Major Nelson' Hryb joins Commodore to help build its community](https://missmacknog.com/larry-major-nelson-hryb-joins-commodore-to-help-build-its-community/): Phil Spencer leaving his long-held role at Xbox might have made all the headlines last month, but a few years ago the big story was company veteran Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb’s departure from Microsoft. Hryb recently seemingly hinted at a return to the company at which he spent more than two decades, but he’s now landed at Commodore instead. The ex-Xbox icon joins the recently revived 80s computer brand as a Community Development Advisor, where his job will be to "help support and expand the global community," Commodore said in a press release. Hryb, who was the public face of Xbox during the brand’s heyday, is now tasked with helping to modernize Commodore by introducing it to "a new generation of creators, developers, and enthusiasts." "I've always believed the best thing a company can do is partner with its community – and with a passionate fan base carrying the torch for 31 years, Commodore’s situation is truly unique when it comes to community engagement," said Hryb. "The community didn't wait around – instead they built something remarkable. Players, hardware hobbyists, developers, content creators, and publishers are all a part of the Commodore community, and now we get to build what’s next together." Hryb’s most recent role was at game engine maker Unity, where he served as Director of Community and Advocacy for less than two years before being laid off in January. As for Commodore, the company might be entering a new era, but its comeback product launch is a firmly nostalgic play, with the recently released Commodore 64 Ultimate being an authentic recreation of its most famous 8-bit computer.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/larry-major-nelson-hryb-joins-commodore-to-help-build-its-community-145908119.html?src=rss - [Looking Glass' Musubi showcases its holographic display in a consumer-friendly package](https://missmacknog.com/looking-glass-musubi-showcases-its-holographic-display-in-a-consumer-friendly-package/): Looking Glass has been doggedly committed to making holographic displays the next big thing since 2019, and with its new Musubi digital photo frame, it might finally be offering its tech at a price that's hard to deny. Musubi is scheduled to start shipping in June, and unlike the company's previous, more developer-focused kits, the company's new display only costs $149.Musubi is a 7-inch frame with a glass border and white matte that acts as the home for whatever content you convert and upload to it. Looking Glass says the Musubi can store up to 1,000 images or 30-second video clips, and is able to display your content for three hours on a single charge, or indefinitely if you plug it in with an included wall adapter. You'll have to convert your photos and videos into holographic files using Looking Glass' free desktop app in order to display them, but once they're converted, all you need to do is transfer them over USB-C to start showing them off on Musubi.Musubi can also cycle through multiple holographic images.Looking GlassLooking Glass has offered multiple versions of this concept before — including the compact, $300 Looking Glass Go from 2023 — but Musubi is supposed to be the best representation of the company's current display stack. The frame uses the Hololuminescent Display (HLD) technology Looking Glass announced in 2025, which "combines 2D display layers with a 3D holographic volume" to show off holograms that are viewable by multiple people at the same time, without the need for eye-tracking or glasses. It's hard to get a sense for the whole Musubi experience from the company's YouTube video alone, but the results seem novel, if a bit limited.You can pre-order Musubi starting today through Looking Glass' Kickstarter campaign. For the first 24 hours of the company's Kickstarter, the frame will be available for $99. Afterwards, Musubi will sell for $149. Anything on Kickstarter should be treated with a certain amount of caution, but Looking Glass' past campaigns and the company's commitment to start shipping Musubi in June does suggest it’s confident the frame will be released without issues.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/looking-glass-musubi-showcases-its-holographic-display-in-a-consumer-friendly-package-130000304.html?src=rss - [The 7 best cordless vacuums for 2026](https://missmacknog.com/the-7-best-cordless-vacuums-for-2026/): A good cordless stick vacuum cleaner gives you the freedom to move from room to room without dragging a cable or hunting for the nearest outlet. They’re lighter than a typical corded vacuum and often easier to store, making them ideal for quick jobs as well as deep cleans. Many of the best vacuum cleaners now come in bagless designs, with powerful suction and smart features that make it simple to clean up anything from crumbs on the kitchen floor to dust on high shelves.Some models go beyond basic convenience, with features like auto-empty docks that transfer debris straight into a larger bin, so you don’t have to empty them as often. You’ll also find attachments that make them more versatile, letting you tackle stairs, furniture and even your car without switching machines. Popular options like Dyson vacuums focus on strong suction and advanced filtration, while other brands deliver impressive performance at a lower cost.Whether you need something lightweight for everyday tidying or a top-end model to replace your main vacuum, there’s a cordless option to suit every home and cleaning style. In this guide, we’ll help you find the right balance of power, features and value. Best cordless vacuums for 2026 Other cordless stick vacuums we tested Dyson Gen 5 Detect The Dyson Gen 5 Detect has a single-button start and stronger suction power than our top pick, but it’s otherwise quite similar. However, since the Gen 5 Detect is more expensive at $950 (although it does receive discounts at Dyson online), the V15 Detect still provides greater value for your money. The Gen 5 Detect is arguably best for those who want the latest Dyson, or care about getting a more future-proof machine, since it came out just last year. Levoit Aero The biggest selling point of the Levoit Aero is the attached bin into which the vacuum will empty its dustbin when you press a button once it's docked after a cleaning. I hesitate to call it a self-emptying base because the "self" part isn't really there — instead, there's a dedicated button on the machine that you press to empty the dustbin. It's convenient, for sure, but otherwise the vacuum itself is just ok. It did a decent job cleaning up hard and carpeted floors, but it did struggle a bit with large clumps of pet hair. The handling is a little awkward as well. LG CordZero Q3 The $329 CordZero Q3 is a perfectly capable vacuum with a single-button start, two manual power modes, adjustable suction technology that detects carpets and hard flooring and a cleaner head outfitted with LEDs to help you better spot all the dirt on your floors. But it's ultimately just fine in comparison to our top picks; it's not the most unique cordless vacuum or the most powerful, even though it will be enough to get the job done for many people. My biggest gripes with it are that you must charge it using the included base (which really works best when mounted on a wall — otherwise it's just awkward) and it doesn't have the smoothest handling. Shark Detect Pro The Shark Detect Pro provides a lot of value for the money, but it was ultimately beat by the Tineco Pure One Station 5 for our runner-up slot thanks to the Tineco’s stronger suction power. The kicker for the Detect Pro is that it includes a self-emptying base in its $450 price, which is super handy. It’ll automatically dump the contents of the vacuum into the larger bin in the base after every cleaning, and you only need to empty the base’s container every month or so. The Detect Pro did a good job cleaning up messes across different types of flooring, and it’ll auto-adjust suction power depending on the amount of debris and whether you’re cleaning hard or carpeted floors. However, it’s not as smooth to use as any of our top picks and its main cleaner head is a bit tall, making it difficult to use to clean under low furniture. Factors to consider before buying a cordless vacuum Design and bin capacity Most of the cordless models you’ll find today have stick designs, with a handle at the top attached to a debris bin, which has a space to connect different attachments at one end. These designs are more versatile than old-school, upright vacuums of yesteryear because, while you may use the long stick attachment most of the time to clean your floors, many cordless vacuums come with other attachments as well. Some allow you to clean hard to reach spaces like the interior of your car, while others make it easier to vacuum furniture and clean up inside crevices. Some modern cordless vacuums also include practical features like an on/off button placed near your thumb for quick access, or an integrated LED light to help you see dust and debris under furniture or in darker corners. Bin volume is worth keeping in mind when you’re choosing a cordless vacuum. The larger the bin, the more debris it can hold, but it might also mean a heavier machine. All of the cordless vacuums we tested had a bin size between 0.1 and 0.8 gallons and all were able to handle cleaning an entire one-pet home (roughly 2,000 square feet) in a single run without needing to be emptied. Anything smaller and you may have to deal with more frequent emptying during each cleaning session. If you prefer a bagless design, all of the cordless vacuums in this guide fall into that category, making them easier and cheaper to maintain than bagged models. Some cordless models also have removable, replaceable battery packs, which is super handy. That means you can buy a replacement battery and install it easily, without needing to seek out professional assistance. Also, these extra batteries cost around $150-$200 a pop — expensive, yes, but nowhere near as costly as buying a whole new cordless vacuum. Suction and power modes Cordless vacuum suction power is typically measured in air wattage (AW), but you’ll see some that list the power of the motor in wattage (W) instead. Typically the higher the air or motor wattage the stronger the suction power, offering improved cleaning performance. And often strength is proportional to price — more expensive cordless vacuums tend to have stronger suction power. A general rule of thumb is that those with precocious pets or mess-making children would benefit from a cordless stick vacuum cleaner with stronger-than-average suction power. Most cordless stick vacuums will have two different power modes: a “normal” or default power mode that balances suction power with battery life, as well as a “max” or stronger mode that kicks suction strength up a notch. Some vacuums, like Dyson vacuums, also have an “eco” mode, or one that prioritizes run time over strength. Separate from power modes you can select yourself, some cordless vacuums will automatically adjust motor strength depending on the detected floor type or the amount of mess in its wake. This not only improves ease of use but ensures the vacuum is working as efficiently as possible. If allergens are a concern in your home, look for models equipped with HEPA filters, which are designed to trap fine dust, pollen and other particles that can irritate sensitive noses and lungs. Floor type The best vacuum cleaners in the cordless category will be able to clean any standard floor type — hardwood, tile, carpet and everything in between. As mentioned previously, some can even detect floor type and adjust suction power accordingly. That said, it's still worth thinking about the types of flooring you have in your home. If you primarily have carpet, you may want to consider a cordless vacuum with the most powerful suction you can afford, since there are more nooks and crannies for debris to get suck in with carpet. Battery life Obviously, battery life is important since you’ll probably want to clean more than one room in a shot. All of the cordless vacuums we tested had a battery life of at least 40 minutes in standard cleaning mode. I tested each by cleaning all three floors of my home (upstairs, downstairs and basement) on a single charge with the machine running in its standard (“auto”) mode and none of them ran out of juice before I could finish the third floor. That said, extra battery life can come in handy if you’re switching between power modes since “max” or high-power programs use more energy. Base style Most cordless stick vacuums come with some sort of base or mount where the machine lives when you’re not using it. Wall mounts are the most common, but some have free-standing bases where you dock and charge the vacuum. Consider the space in your home where you want the cordless vacuum to live, since it will have to have an outlet or another power source nearby. Some high-end cordless vacuums come with auto-empty bases that act much like those included with expensive robot vacuums. After cleaning and returning the vacuum to the base, it will automatically empty the dustbin into a larger dustbin that you can then detach from the base when you need to empty it. This is great for anyone concerned about allergens, as you’ll only need to empty the larger dustbin every month or two, reducing your contact with dust and debris. “Smart” features Yes, some cordless vacuums have “smart” features like Wi-Fi and app connectivity. But before we get into those, let’s talk about the extra perks scattered among these devices. Some models, like the latest from Dyson, include particle sensors that show you how many different sized pieces of debris it’s sucking up in real time. Dyson’s, for example, is a piezo acoustic sensor that detects particle size and frequency and displays that information on the vac’s LCD screen. Tineco’s iLoop sensor is similar, controlling its vacuums’ automatic suction power adjustment and changing a circle on the display from red to blue as you fully clean an area. Higher-end cordless vacuums may also have companion apps that show things like battery level, filter status and cleaning logs. It’s an added level of convenience, but by no means necessary. Unlike the best robot vacuums, or even the best budget robot vacuums, which rely on their apps to set cleaning schedules, manually control the machines and more, cordless vacuums that you operate yourself really don’t need Wi-Fi or an app connectivity. Price Cordless stick vacuums range in price from $150 all the way up to over $1,000. The best ones for most people lie in the middle, in the $400 to $700 range. You’ll notice most of our picks land in the higher end of that range, but for good reason: More expensive machines tend to have more sucking power, which means less time wasted going over the same spots over and over. But does that mean everyone needs the most premium cordless vacuum? Definitely not. We’ve come up with top picks at various price points that should work well for people with different budgets, lifestyles, home sizes and more. How we test cordless vacuums Engadget doesn’t have a dedicated lab in which we can test cordless vacuums, but I used each model in my home for weeks. I ran them over hardwood and tile flooring, as well as low-pile carpet. And my first runthrough consisted of cleaning all three floors of my home on a single battery charge. I performed the same cleaning job as many times as possible, but also intermittently cleaned a single floor as needed, or sucked up isolated messes like crumbs, cat litter spills and tufts of pet fur. Over the course of many cleanings with each model, I made note of how loud the machine was, how easy it was to maneuver around my home, how easily it sucked up pieces of large debris (or if it pushed it around my floor instead) and if they got warm or hot. Cordless stick vacuums FAQs How long does the battery last on a cordless vacuum? Most cordless vacuums will run for at least 30-40 minutes on a single charge, but you can find cordless vacuums with battery lives of up to 60 or 70 minutes. Manufacturers will outline an estimated battery life for each model, and they’re usually based on using the vacuum’s standard power mode for the entire runtime; if you switch between modes or prefer to use a higher-powered program for improved suction, you’ll drain the battery faster. Can cordless vacuums be as powerful as corded ones? Cordless vacuums do sacrifice a bit in overall power when compared to corded models, but that doesn’t mean they can’t handle everyday messes just as well. If suction power is your biggest concern, we recommend springing for a high-powered, high-end cordless vacuum since, typically, the more expensive a cordless vacuum is, the stronger the suction. Also, cordless vacuums have the edge over corded models when it comes to weight and convenience: cordless vacuums are much lighter than their corded counterparts, and you’ll never have to worry about placement or picking a fight with a cord while cleaning your living room. Are cordless vacuums effective on pet hair? Yes, cordless vacuums can handle pet hair well, but we recommend getting a model with strong suction power to get the best results. It’s also wise to get one with a larger bin, since pet hair can quickly fill up smaller bins, which may force you to stop cleaning to empty the vacuum before finishing. What are the best methods for maintaining a cordless vacuum cleaner? Maintaining a cordless vacuum is super easy and helps to keep it running like new. First, make sure to empty the dustbin regularly — don’t let it overfill, as this can impact suction. Many models have washable filters, so rinse them out every few weeks (check your manual for specifics) and let them dry completely before putting them back. Next, take a look at the brush roll — hair and debris can get tangled up in there over time. Most vacuums make it simple to remove the brush roll, so you can snip away any tangles with scissors. If your vacuum has a replaceable battery, try not to let it fully drain too often, as this can reduce its lifespan. A quick wipe-down of the vacuum’s exterior and attachments will also keep everything looking fresh. Lastly, keep an eye on the sensors and charging contacts, as dust can build up there too. A gentle wipe with a dry cloth every now and then will do the trick. Can cordless vacuums also be used to clean curtains and upholstery? Cordless vacuums are surprisingly versatile, and many come with attachments specifically designed for surfaces like curtains, upholstery and even mattresses. A handheld vacuum mode, which is common in cordless models, makes it easy to tackle these areas. Look for a soft brush or an upholstery tool in the attachments for the vacuum you’re considering — it’ll help remove dust and pet hair without damaging fabrics. For curtains, it’s a good idea to use a lower suction setting if your vacuum has adjustable modes. This prevents the fabric from getting pulled into the nozzle. Check out more from our spring cleaning guide.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/best-cordless-vacuum-130007125.html?src=rss - [Anthropic is opening an office in DC while battling Pentagon in court](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-is-opening-an-office-in-dc-while-battling-pentagon-in-court/): Anthropic has launched a new research initiative called Anthropic Institute and has revealed that its Public Policy team is opening its first office in Washington, DC this spring. The company has made the announcement just a couple of days after it sued the US government to challenge the supply chain risk designation it received from the Defense Department. As Axios notes, Anthropic is tripling its Public Policy team at a time when AI companies are establishing a presence in Washington, so that they can influence future policies around artificial intelligence. In Anthropic’s case, it might have to find a way to be re-accepted by the US government first after President Trump ordered federal agencies to stop using its technology. Sarah Heck, who joined the company as Head of External Affairs, will take over from co-founder Jack Clark as Head of Policy. Meanwhile, Clark has taken the role as Head of Public Benefit and will lead the Anthropic Institute. The company explains that the institute’s role is to “tell the world” what it learns about the challenges that arise as AI firms develop more advanced AI systems. Examples include how powerful AI technologies will reshape jobs and economies and what kinds of threats they’ll magnify or introduce. The institute will bring together and expand Anthropic’s current research teams: The Frontier Red Team that stress-tests AI systems, the Societal Impacts team that looks at how AI is used in the real world, and the Economic Research team that tracks AI’s impact on jobs and the larger economy. Anthropic has hired Matt Botvinick, a former Senior Director of Research at Google DeepMind, and Zoë Hitzig, who studied AI’s social and economic impacts at OpenAI, to be founding members of the Institute. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-is-opening-an-office-in-dc-while-battling-pentagon-in-court-115700127.html?src=rss - [Meta rolls out new features for scam protection](https://missmacknog.com/meta-rolls-out-new-features-for-scam-protection/): Meta announced new features today aimed at cracking down on scams perpetrated via its platforms. First, Meta is launching AI tools for identifying impersonator of brands and celebrities, as well as for detecting deceptive links, which should help it to quickly take down frauds. Second, it is adding new alerts to caution against interacting with a potentially fraudulent account. Facebook will roll out alerts for suspicious friend requests, WhatsApp is getting warnings for device linking requests, and Messenger will also issue warnings if an account seems suspect.Finally, Meta is also continuing to expand its processes for advertiser verification. The company said it aims to have verified advertisers account for 90 percent of its ads revenue by the end of the year, up from the current share of 70 percent. Last year, Meta estimated that marketing for scams and banned products could have been responsible for 10 percent of its 2024 revenue. The social media company has been ramping up its actions against scams, particularly those known as celeb bait. Last month, it sued three entities from Brazil and China that were behind scams that leveraged images and deepfakes of popular people to promote dubious products and investment schemes. Meta said today that over the course of 2025, it removed 159 million scam ads as well as 10.9 million Facebook and Instagram accounts tied to criminal scam centers.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-rolls-out-new-features-for-scam-protection-110000173.html?src=rss - [TikTok can continue its operations in Canada after agreeing to enhanced security measures](https://missmacknog.com/tiktok-can-continue-its-operations-in-canada-after-agreeing-to-enhanced-security-measures/): TikTok doesn’t have to close its offices in Canada after all. The country will allow TikTok to keep its business operational after a national security review, Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly has announced. This is a complete 180 of the country’s decision back in 2024 to order TikTok to shut down its operations, citing unspecified “national security risks” posed by the company and its China-based parent ByteDance. Canadian authorities said back then that their decision was based on evidence collected by the country’s security and intelligence community.As Bloomberg notes, the order was paused shortly after Mark Carney replaced Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister in early 2025. Carney was the first Canadian PM to visit China in years and had a discussion with President Xi Jinping about tariffs. Joly said TikTok will be allowed to operate in Canada with new enhancements in data security and regulatory oversight. To start with, it will have to implement privacy-enhancing technologies to reduce the risk of unauthorized access that compromise Canadians’ personal information. It will also have to add enhanced protections for minors and ensure transparency by letting an independent third party “audit and continuously verify data access controls.” “…this decision will protect Canadian jobs, ensuring that TikTok Canada maintains a physical presence in Canada, with commitments to invest in its cultural sector,” Joly said in a statement. “TikTok Canada will support the growth of Canadian creators, artists and cultural organizations, while strengthening the production and accessibility of Canadian cultural content in both official and Indigenous languages across the country.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/tiktok-can-continue-its-operations-in-canada-after-agreeing-to-enhanced-security-measures-095239399.html?src=rss - [Doha Film Institute Qumra Event Moved Online Due to Iran War](https://missmacknog.com/doha-film-institute-qumra-event-moved-online-due-to-iran-war/): The Doha Film Institute’s Qumra Arab film industry incubator has been scrapped as a physical event and moved online due to the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war that has spiraled further into the Middle East, including into Qatar. Qatar has been repeatedly struck by Iranian missiles and drones throughout the conflict as part of Tehran’s retaliation on - [You Could Be Next](https://missmacknog.com/you-could-be-next/): The LinkedIn post seemed like yet another scam job offer, but Katya was desperate enough to click. After college, she’d struggled to make a living as a freelance journalist, gone to grad school, then pivoted to what she hoped would be a more stable career in content marketing — only to find AI had automated - [‘Ashes,’ From Oscar-Winning ‘No Other Land’ Producers, Follows a Syrian’s Struggle to Bring War Criminals to Justice](https://missmacknog.com/ashes-from-oscar-winning-no-other-land-producers-follows-a-syrians-struggle-to-bring-war-criminals-to-justice/): In the early days of the Syrian uprising, Daham Alasaad was working as a tour guide in his native Palmyra, leading a group through the ruins of the ancient city. When a tourist handed him a camera to record a few snapshots, the guide inadvertently captured scenes of a peaceful demonstration against the regime of - [Blackpink’s Jisoo to Receive Madame Figaro Rising Star Award at Canneseries](https://missmacknog.com/blackpinks-jisoo-to-receive-madame-figaro-rising-star-award-at-canneseries/): Blackpink member and actor Jisoo is set to receive the Madame Figaro Rising Star Award at Canneseries, the international series festival taking place April 23-28 in Cannes. The award, which honors a personality who has become a major figure in the industry, will be presented during the festival’s opening ceremony on April 23. Past recipients - [Tokyo International Film Festival, Market Set Dates for 39th Edition](https://missmacknog.com/tokyo-international-film-festival-market-set-dates-for-39th-edition/): The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) and its affiliated audiovisual content market TIFFCOM have unveiled dates for their 2026 editions. The 39th TIFF will run for 10 days from Oct. 26 through Nov. 4, with the accompanying TIFFCOM market operating for three days from Oct. 28-30. Both events will return to their established Tokyo locations. - [Uzbekistan’s Uzum valuation leaps over 50% in seven months to $2.3B](https://missmacknog.com/uzbekistans-uzum-valuation-leaps-over-50-in-seven-months-to-2-3b/): Uzum now reaches 20 million users and processes $11B in payments as it expands its e-commerce and fintech ecosystem across Uzbekistan. - [Apple now makes one in four iPhones in India: report](https://missmacknog.com/apple-now-makes-one-in-four-iphones-in-india-report/): Apple reportedly produced 55 million units in India last year, a shift accelerated as Apple faced growing uncertainty in China. - [Yann LeCun’s AMI Labs raises $1.03 billion to build world models](https://missmacknog.com/yann-lecuns-ami-labs-raises-1-03-billion-to-build-world-models/): AMI Labs, the new venture cofounded by Turing Prize winner Yann LeCun after he left Meta, has raised $1.03 billion at a $3.5 billion pre-money valuation. - [An iPhone-hacking toolkit used by Russian spies likely came from U.S military contractor](https://missmacknog.com/an-iphone-hacking-toolkit-used-by-russian-spies-likely-came-from-u-s-military-contractor/): Google found a series of hacking tools they said were used by a Russian espionage group and a cybercriminal group in China. Sources from a U.S. government defense contractor said some of those hacking tools were theirs. - [Rode’s Rodecaster Video Core makes livestreaming even cheaper](https://missmacknog.com/rodes-rodecaster-video-core-makes-livestreaming-even-cheaper/): Rode’s not done releasing trimmed-down versions of its production tools with an eye on budget conscious creators. Today, it’s launching Rodecaster Video Core, an all-in-one studio setup which sits below its flagship Rodecaster Video and its (now) mid-range Video S. It’s aimed at folks who are either dipping a toe into this world, or already have audio gear and just want to broaden out to HD video as well. Arguably, the biggest change is the lack of any controls on the hardware itself, as you’ll be running the show entirely from inside the Rodecaster App. In terms of connectivity, you’ll find three HDMI-in, one HDMI-out, four USB-C, two 3.5mm and two Neutrik combo ports ‘round back. Connect a compatible video device to a USB-C port and you’ll be able to run up to four sources at a time, and you can even use network cameras via Ethernet. Plus, you’ll be able to use the Rode Capture app to wirelessly connect the feed from an iOS device to your setup. And you’ll even be able to set it up to automatically switch between feeds based on audio inputs, reducing your need to micromanage multi-person feeds. Rode And, if you’re already rocking one of Rode’s audio consoles, the Rodecaster Sync app will make your life a lot easier. Essentially, if you’ve got a Rodecaster Pro 2 or Duo, you’ll be able to hook it up to your Video Core, allowing you to set shortcuts directly to your pads. In fact, you can run your audio and video setup from the one desk, hopefully reducing the amount of fiddling you need to do in the middle of your stream. Core is designed to stream straight to YouTube, Twitch and any other platforms you’d care to use instead. You’ll be able to record your footage to an external drive and, thanks yo a new firmware update across the range, you’ll also be able to output a EDL file for DaVinci Resolve. Oh, and you’ll now be able to import media in non-standard resolutions and aspect ratios — such as square footage from social media — which will be automatically scaled and optimized for your show. Rodecaster Video Core is available to pre-order now for $599, but there’s no word yet on when the sturdy boxes will start winging their way around the world.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/rodes-rodecaster-video-core-makes-livestreaming-even-cheaper-230053061.html?src=rss - [You can (sort of) block Grok from editing your uploaded photos](https://missmacknog.com/you-can-sort-of-block-grok-from-editing-your-uploaded-photos/): People can block the xAI's Grok chatbot from creating modifications of their uploaded images on social network X. Neither X or xAI, both Elon Musk-owned businesses, have made a public announcement about this feature, which users began noticing on the iOS app within the image/video upload menu over the past few days. This option is likely a response to Grok's latest scandal, which began at the start of 2026 when the addition of image generation tools to the chatbot saw about 3 million sexualized or nudified images created. An estimated 23,000 of the images made in that 11-day period contained sexualized images of children, according to the Center for Countering Digital Hate. Grok is now facing two separate investigations by regulators in the EU over the issue.The positive side of the recent feature addition is that X and xAI have taken a step toward limiting inappropriate uses of Grok. This block is a simple toggle and it hasn't been buried in the UI. So that's nice.The negative side, however, is that this token gesture that doesn't amount to any serious improvement to how Grok works or can be used. It's great that the chatbot won't alter the file uploaded by one person, but as reported by The Verge, the block only limits tagging Grok in a reply to create an image edit. There are plenty of workarounds for those dedicated individuals who insist on being able to use generative AI to undress people without their consent or knowledge. Hopefully xAI has more powerful protective tools in the works. The limitations Grok on putting real people in scanty clothing that X announced in January seem to have had only partial success at best. If this additional and narrow use case is all the company offers, then the claims of being a zero-tolerance space for nonconsensual nudity are going to ring hollow. Especially since, as we noted at the time, xAI could stop allowing image generation at all until the issue is properly and thoroughly fixed.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/you-can-sort-of-block-grok-from-editing-your-uploaded-photos-215356117.html?src=rss - [Dutch intelligence services warn of Russian hackers targeting Signal and WhatsApp](https://missmacknog.com/dutch-intelligence-services-warn-of-russian-hackers-targeting-signal-and-whatsapp/): The Netherlands’ military intelligence service and domestic intelligence agency have issued a join warning claiming that Russian hackers have launched "a large-scale global cyber campaign to gain access to Signal and WhatsApp accounts belonging to dignitaries, military personnel and civil servants." According to the Dutch alert, hackers are imitating support chatbots to trick key targets into revealing their PINs for those communication platforms, which allows the bad actors to access incoming messages.Last year in the US, the Pentagon advised members not to use Signal after the platform was subjected to similar phishing scams by Russian hackers. (Although the same US military leaders proved capable of creating their own security breaches without foreign interference just days prior.) Having another national government raise concerns about Signal and WhatsApp phishing scams offers yet another reminder to never provide security details or click links without a check on who is really asking for your info.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/dutch-intelligence-services-warn-of-russian-hackers-targeting-signal-and-whatsapp-203707202.html?src=rss - [Bluesky's CEO is stepping down after nearly 5 years](https://missmacknog.com/blueskys-ceo-is-stepping-down-after-nearly-5-years/): Bluesky CEO Jay Graber, who has led the upstart social platform since 2021, is stepping down from her role as its top executive. Toni Schneider, who has been an advisor and investor in Bluesky, will take over the job temporarily while Graber stays on as Chief Innovation Officer. "As Bluesky matures, the company needs a seasoned operator focused on scaling and execution, while I return to what I do best: building new things," Graber wrote in a blog post. Schneider, who was previously CEO at Wordpress parent Automattic, will be that "experienced operator and leader" while Blueksy's board searches for a permanent CEO, she said.Graber's history with Bluesky dates back to its early days as a side project at Jack Dorsey's Twitter. She was officially brought on as CEO in 2021 as Bluesky spun off into an independent company (it officially ended its association with Twitter in 2022 and Dorsey cut ties with Bluesky in 2024). She led the company through its launch and early viral success as it grew from an invitation-only platform to the 43 million-user service it is today. During that time, she's become known as an advocate for decentralized social media and for trolling Mark Zuckerberg's t-shirt choices. Nearly three years since it launched publicly, Bluesky has carved out a small but influential niche in the post-Twitter social landscape. The platform is less than a third of the size of Meta's competitor, Threads, which has also copied some of Bluesky's signature features. Bluesky also has yet to roll out any meaningful monetization features, though it has teased a premium subscription service in the past.As Chief Innovation Officer, Graber will presumably still be an influential voice at the company going forward. And, as Wired points out, she still has a seat on Bluesky's board so she will get some say in who steps into the role permanently. Until then, Schneider, who is also a partner at VC firm Tre Ventures, will lead the company. "I deeply believe in what this team has built and the open social web they're fighting for," he wrote in a post on Bluesky. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/blueskys-ceo-is-stepping-down-after-nearly-5-years-201900960.html?src=rss - [Apple reportedly delays its planned smart display launch to fall](https://missmacknog.com/apple-reportedly-delays-its-planned-smart-display-launch-to-fall/): Mark Gurman at Bloomberg is back with the latest rumors about what's afoot with Apple's future plans, and how its ongoing difficulties with artificial intelligence seem to be creating further delays for its next wave of product launches. His sources say that Apple is expected to postpone the debut of its smart home display until later in 2026, likely September when it often introduces new gadgets. Although the hardware has reportedly been finished for months, this delay is being credited to the company's AI-centric overhaul of Siri still not being complete.The device, internally known as J490, has been one of Apple's many poorly-kept secrets. Rumors about a HomePod smart speaker coupled with a screen first emerged back in 2022 and have resurfaced from time to time in the interim, often with promises that the device's arrival was imminent. The latest claims anticipated that the official announcement was coming this spring, possibly as soon as this month. However, appears to Apple once again be hamstrung by an AI strategy that has left it scrambling to catch up to other industry leaders.Apple has been working to incorporate more AI capabilities into Siri for more than a year as part of its Apple Intelligence package. Gurman reports that the new timeline from Apple aims to have the revamp completed for the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro, which is also expected for September. Apple may unveil this long-awaited Siri-as-chatbot during its WWDC keynote in the summer before it shows up in any devices.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/apple-reportedly-delays-its-planned-smart-display-launch-to-fall-194539082.html?src=rss - [Ring’s Jamie Siminoff has been trying to calm privacy fears since the Super Bowl, but his answers may not help](https://missmacknog.com/rings-jamie-siminoff-has-been-trying-to-calm-privacy-fears-since-the-super-bowl-but-his-answers-may-not-help/): The facial recognition question is where things get more tangled. - [Palmer Luckey’s retro gaming startup ModRetro reportedly seeks funding at $1B valuation](https://missmacknog.com/palmer-luckeys-retro-gaming-startup-modretro-reportedly-seeks-funding-at-1b-valuation/): The company launched its first product, a Game Boy-style handheld device called the Chromatic, in 2024. - [Will the Pentagon’s Anthropic controversy scare startups away from defense work?](https://missmacknog.com/will-the-pentagons-anthropic-controversy-scare-startups-away-from-defense-work/): On the latest episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, we discussed what the controversy means for other startups seeking to work with the federal government. - [Apple is going high-end with new ‘Ultra’ products next](https://missmacknog.com/apple-is-going-high-end-with-new-ultra-products-next/): Fresh off launching the low-cost MacBook Neo, Apple is reportedly preparing at least three new products that will fit into its highest-end "ultra" lineup. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gruman, the next batch of releases may not bear the "ultra" name, like its Watch, but will all command price premiums over their mainline counterparts. There's the - [Owner of ICE detention facility sees big opportunity in AI man camps](https://missmacknog.com/owner-of-ice-detention-facility-sees-big-opportunity-in-ai-man-camps/): AI data center developers are increasingly relying on a style of camp popularized as housing for men working in remote oil fields. - [AI (artificial intelligence) - The Guardian](https://missmacknog.com/ai-artificial-intelligence-the-guardian/): AI (artificial intelligence)  The Guardian - [A roadmap for AI, if anyone will listen](https://missmacknog.com/a-roadmap-for-ai-if-anyone-will-listen/): The Pro-Human Declaration was finalized before last week's Pentagon-Anthropic standoff, but the collision of the two events wasn’t lost on anyone involved. - [Push for $40 smartphones builds momentum, but still faces cost hurdles](https://missmacknog.com/push-for-40-smartphones-builds-momentum-but-still-faces-cost-hurdles/): A coalition of telecom operators and device makers is pushing $40 smartphones to bring up to 20 million people online, but rising component costs threaten the plan. - [Google just gave Sundar Pichai a $692M pay package](https://missmacknog.com/google-just-gave-sundar-pichai-a-692m-pay-package/): Most of it is tied to performance, including new stock incentives linked to Waymo and Wing, its drone delivery venture. - [Grammarly’s ‘expert review’ is just missing the actual experts](https://missmacknog.com/grammarlys-expert-review-is-just-missing-the-actual-experts/): A recently-added feature in Grammarly purports to improve users’ writing with help from the world's great writers and thinkers — and some tech journalists, too. - [NASA's DART spacecraft changed a binary asteroid's orbit around the sun, in a first for a human-made object](https://missmacknog.com/nasas-dart-spacecraft-changed-a-binary-asteroids-orbit-around-the-sun-in-a-first-for-a-human-made-object/): When NASA crashed a spacecraft into the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos in 2022, it altered both Dimorphos' orbit around its parent asteroid, Didymos, and the two objects' orbit around the sun, according to new research. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) said in a press release that this "marks the first time a human-made object has measurably altered the path of a celestial body around the Sun." It's a promising result as scientists work to find a feasible method of defending Earth from hazardous space objects.The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission was designed to demonstrate one possible way of deflecting such an object, targeting the non-threatening moonlet Dimorphos, which is about 560 feet wide. NASA quickly declared it a success after its initial analysis showed the planned collision shortened Dimorphos' orbit around Didymos, the larger of the two objects in the binary asteroid system. In a follow-up study published in 2024, a team at NASA's JPL reported that Dimorphos' orbital period had been trimmed by about 33 minutes, as its path was nudged roughly 120 feet closer to Didymos than before. The latest study now indicates that the whole binary system was affected, not just Dimorphos. Didymos and Dimorphos have a 770-day orbital period around the sun, which lead author Rahil Makadia said has been changed by "about 11.7 microns per second, or 1.7 inches per hour." That might not sound like much, but according to Makadia, “Over time, such a small change in an asteroid’s motion can make the difference between a hazardous object hitting or missing our planet.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasas-dart-spacecraft-changed-a-binary-asteroids-orbit-around-the-sun-in-a-first-for-a-human-made-object-210529924.html?src=rss - [OpenAI robotics lead Caitlin Kalinowski quits in response to Pentagon deal](https://missmacknog.com/openai-robotics-lead-caitlin-kalinowski-quits-in-response-to-pentagon-deal/): Hardware executive Caitlin Kalinowski announced today that in response to OpenAI's controversial agreement with the Department of Defense, she’s resigned from her role leading the company's robotics team. - [‘Designed to Wreak Havoc’: The Cheap Drones Shaping the War With Iran - The New York Times](https://missmacknog.com/designed-to-wreak-havoc-the-cheap-drones-shaping-the-war-with-iran-the-new-york-times/): ‘Designed to Wreak Havoc’: The Cheap Drones Shaping the War With Iran  The New York Times - [Indonesia announces a social media ban for anyone under 16](https://missmacknog.com/indonesia-announces-a-social-media-ban-for-anyone-under-16/): Following in the footsteps of Australia, Indonesia will be the latest country to limit social media usage for children under 16. Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's communication and digital affairs minister, announced that a new government regulation will require "high-risk" platforms to delete any accounts from Indonesia that are under 16, starting on March 28. Hafid said in the announcement that the implementation would be done in stages, starting with major platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Roblox and Bigo Live, a live-streaming platform based in Singapore. The minister added that all platforms will have to fulfill compliance obligations from the Indonesian government, but didn't specify what they were. In response to the ban, a Meta spokesperson told The New York Times that the company hasn't received an official regulation from the country yet and was awaiting details. While Australia was the first country to implement such a sweeping ban on social media, many other countries are currently in the process of doing the same. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced last month that the country is also ready to ban social media for users under 16, while Malaysia's cabinet approved a similar ban that will reportedly go into effect sometime this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/indonesia-announces-a-social-media-ban-for-anyone-under-16-174634956.html?src=rss - [Roblox introduces real-time AI-powered chat rephraser for inappropriate language](https://missmacknog.com/roblox-introduces-real-time-ai-powered-chat-rephraser-for-inappropriate-language/): Roblox has launched a feature powered by AI that can rephrase inappropriate language in real time. The online game has been using AI filters to block out any language that goes against its policy for a while now, but it has been replacing censored chats with a series of hash signs (####). Roblox admits that encountering too many hashmarks can be disruptive and make conversations hard to follow. This new feature will instead replace words and phrases with what the AI deems as more appropriate substitutes. Rajiv Bhatia, Roblox’s Chief Safety Office, said the game is starting with profanity. For instance, if a user sends “Hurry TF up” in chat, the system will replace it with “Hurry up!” Everyone in the chat will see a note when a message has been rephrased, and the sender will see what language was edited out. A user who keeps cursing in chat will still be penalized for breaking Roblox policy even if the AI rephrases their messages. “As these systems scale, they create a flywheel for civility, where real-time feedback helps users learn and adopt our Community Standards,” Bhatia said in a blog post. Rephrasing has been rolled out to chats between age-checked users in similar age groups and in all the languages the game’s translation tool supports. Roblox introduced a mandatory age verification system back in January after reports came out that it has a “pedophile problem,” with adult players allegedly using the game to groom children. Kids under 13 can no longer use in-game chat outside of certain experiences, while everyone else can chat with players around their age. Age check, however, hasn’t stopped authorities from suing Roblox: LA County, in a lawsuit filed in February, said Roblox knows its platform “makes children easy prey for pedophiles.” Louisiana’s AG has also just filed a lawsuit, saying Roblox “created a public park and filled it with sex predators that are preying on… children.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/roblox-introduces-real-time-ai-powered-chat-rephraser-for-inappropriate-language-160000063.html?src=rss - [The Vivo X300 Ultra is a powerful camera phone aimed at videographers](https://missmacknog.com/the-vivo-x300-ultra-is-a-powerful-camera-phone-aimed-at-videographers/): Chinese phonemaker Vivo has been pushing the limits of smartphone photography in the last few years. However, the availability of its phones — like last year’s X200 Ultra, with its beefy add-on telephoto — has been intermittent in the West. The company says the X300 Ultra its first global flagship launch, although there’s still no word on a US launch or pricing at the time of writing. Like the latest phones from Xiaomi and Oppo, Vivo is also obsessing over larger camera sensors, peripherals and a dizzying array of technical photography specs, with a particular focus on cinematic video recording. Collaborating with Zeiss again, the X300 Ultra features a “triple prime lens” camera system with 85, 35 and 14mm equivalent focal lengths. This can be punched up to 400mm equivalent with a new telephoto extender, the messily-named Zeiss Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra, whose price is also unknown for now. Even without that add-on, Vivo has built its 85mm equivalent 200-megapixel telephoto camera to handle most of your zoom-heavy shooting moments. A “gimbal-grade” APO (apochromatic) camera is designed to correct color fringing and stabilize your shots. These are both typical issues when using higher zoom levels. In a dedicated “snapshot” mode, Autofocus tracking will even work at 60 fps, which I’m excited to test, as the phone can also shoot at up to 12 fps. Vivo says its optical image stabilization can correct up to three degrees of movement. Other cameras are similarly powerful, spec-wise. The 35mm equivalent Zeiss “Documentary” camera uses a 1/1.12-inch 200MP Sony sensor and is apparently engineered for strong low-light performance and portrait shooting, with an f/1.8 aperture. Finally, there’s a 50MP ultrawide rounding out the camera lineup. All three rear cameras support up to 4K 120fps 10-bit log video and the same in Dolby Vision. Vivo says the X300 Ultra will capture “film-like” color performance without the need for editing. If you want to dig into editing, however, it supports 10-bit log video for more dynamic range and color depth. Vivo is going hard on video capture. The X300 Ultra's new “pro video mode" has an upgraded monitoring feature that supports users’ custom LUTs, showing a real-time preview of how it will look while recording in log. Vivo’s log format is also compatible with ACES workflow, making it easier to integrate the X300 Ultra alongside other cinema cameras. Vivo To make it easier to use for hypothetical professional shoots, Vivo has collaborated with camera-peripheral maker SmallRig on a video-rig kit. This includes an expandable camera cage with quick-release ports (alongside multiple cold shoe mounts), dual handgrips and even a physical shutter control and zoom buttons. There’s also a cooling fan to keep the X300 Ultra recording at high resolution for extended periods. It’s otherwise a flagship phone everywhere else, with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 processor and a 6.82-inch display at 3,168 x 1,440 resolution, topping out at an industry-leading 144Hz refresh rate. The X300 Ultra also supports up to 100W FlashCharge and 40W wireless charging (with compatible Vivo chargers) and a huge 6,600mAh battery. We’re planning to test the X300 Ultra in the very near future. At the time of writing, the company is keeping pricing and launch dates to itself. We’ll update this story once we hear those crucial details. It’s also likely to face immediate competition from sibling brand Oppo, which has also been teasing an ultra iteration of its latest flagship phone, the Find X9 Ultra. For now, Vivo says the X300 Ultra will launch across Asia, as well as parts of Europe (Austria, Spain, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy and Russia) and several other countries, including Brazil. And yep, no US, Canada or the UK on that list.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/vivo-x300-ultra-launch-powerful-camera-phone-availability-160008605.html?src=rss - [NAACP sues xAI over data center pollution](https://missmacknog.com/naacp-sues-xai-over-data-center-pollution/): The NAACP is suing xAI and a subsidiary called MZX Tech for allegedly operating unpermitted methane gas turbines to power its Colossus 2 data center in South Memphis. The association is asking the federal district court of the Northern District of Mississippi to declare that the company has violated the Clean Air Act, force it to stop using its unpermitted turbines and assess financial penalties against xAI for violating federal law, among other requests.The lawsuit claims that xAI — the Elon Musk-founded AI startup now owned by SpaceX — is operating 27 gas turbines without an air permit to power Colossus 2, one of a growing number of data centers xAI has set up to train Grok, its AI assistant. Gas turbines expel pollution, hazardous chemicals and fine particulate matter that are linked to things like heart problems, respiratory diseases and even certain cancers, issues that are particularly concerning given Colossus 2's close proximity to people's homes. Operating these turbines without an air permit also violates the Clean Air Act, which requires sources of pollution to be permitted before being operated or constructed.The NAACP is represented in the lawsuit by the Southern Environmental Law Center and Earthjustice. Before filing today's lawsuit, the NAACP sent xAI a 60-day notice of intent to sue in compliance with the Clean Air Act. xAI's failure to respond to the notice is why the lawsuit is moving forward today."xAI's continued operation of these turbines without a permit and without adequate pollution controls is not only illegal, it's an insult to families living nearby who for months have expressed serious concerns about how air pollution from the company's personal power plant could impact their health and well-being," Ben Grillot, a Senior Attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, said. "xAI must be held accountable for its reckless, unlawful actions — and that's exactly what this lawsuit aims to do."Besides the high cost of sourcing the components that train and run AI models, AI companies often have to generate power to run the data centers where all those components are being installed. Oracle is reportedly turning to gas generators like xAI. Google, Meta and Amazon, meanwhile, have all invested in or signed deals with nuclear energy providers to power their data center efforts. Building new energy sources for data centers is one of several price-lowering methods proposed by the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, an agreement several tech companies signed to try and prevent data centers from raising the cost of the average person's energy bill.Quickly building out new energy sources might help ease costs, but it doesn't account for the negative environmental impacts of having a new power plant in your neighborhood, something the Trump administration doesn't appear all too interested in addressing. In his latest AI framework proposal, President Donald Trump largely ignored the environmental impact of AI in favor of calling for the permitting process for things like on-site energy generators to be streamlined.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/naacp-sues-xai-over-data-center-pollution-213511352.html?src=rss - [What to expect from Google I/O 2026](https://missmacknog.com/what-to-expect-from-google-i-o-2026/): We're sliding into developer conference season and one of the biggest events on the upcoming calendar is Google I/O. This year's edition is taking place on May 19 and 20. As usual, the in-person element will happen in Mountain View, California, though many of the keynotes and sessions will be livestreamed. Google will surely make its biggest announcements during the opening keynote, which will start at 1PM ET on May 19. A developer keynote will take place later the same day.As ever, the rumor mill will pick up speed in the leadup to Google I/O. We do have some ideas about what Google will discuss at the event. So let's take a look at what to expect at Google I/O 2026 (we'll update this story as we hear more credible rumors).What's officially on deckGoogle I/O logoGoogleWhen it confirmed the dates for this year's I/O, Google revealed a little bit about what it has in store for us. As you might imagine, AI will be a major focus of the event. Google plans to share its "AI breakthroughs and updates in products across the company, from Gemini to Android, Chrome, Cloud and more," it wrote in a blog post in February. There will be news on Gemini model updates as well as agentic coding. Google will have some product demos too.The company has released its initial schedule of keynotes and sessions, but it doesn't provide us with a lot of specifics as yet. It has lined up discussions on what's new in the likes of Google Play, Firebase (a mobile and web app development platform), the Gemma open model family and the open-source app development framework Flutter. Interestingly, there isn't a dedicated session for Android XR on the schedule just yet.What to expectLeaked image of Google's Aluminium OS9to5GoogleThere haven't been many credible leaks ahead of Google I/O as yet, but we can make some educated guesses about what to expect from the event. It's all but certain that we'll get more details about Android 17 at I/O. Developers need time to tweak their apps ahead of the next major version of the operating system rolling out to everyone if they want to take advantage of new features as soon as possible, and they invariably get a heads up about those at I/O every year. (That said, Google has been moving away from a big annual release approach in favor of juicier Pixel Drops/Android updates, so we may not see some of the new features it unveils at I/O for some time.)As for other operating systems, Google is planning to meld ChromeOS and Android into a unified platform. This seems to be the project that's being referred to as Aluminium OS, which we got a first glimpse of earlier this year thanks to some leaks. I/O seems like the perfect venue for Google to start showing that off to the public.On the AI front, a reveal of Gemini 4 could be on the docket, along with details of the latest Veo text-to-video model. Maybe we’ll hear more about Project Astra, Google’s pitch for a universal AI assistant.If Google has some consumer hardware to show off at this year's event, I suspect it'll be an Android XR device or devices, rather than a Pixel phone or watch. There is a chance that we'll get a tease of the Google Pixel 11 lineup. But don't be surprised if we don't see that or the Pixel Watch 5 until Google's dedicated hardware event, which has taken place in August or October in recent years (Google will want to stay well away from Apple's iPhone event, which will likely take place in September as usual). Here’s hoping for a big surprise or twoGoogleSure, Android updates are all well and good. If Google insists on cramming Gemini and other AI tools into all of its tools and services, we’ll at least listen to what they have to say about all that.But I have my fingers crossed for some cool surprises. Give us something new from Google X (Alphabet’s moonshot factory, not the thing that was once Twitter), an idea that could be a net benefit for humanity and boost the company’s bottom line at the same time. These events are always more fun when there’s something for us to get genuinely excited about, even if it’s something relatively niche but out there, like the Google Beam 3D video conferencing tech. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/what-to-expect-from-google-io-2026-200252914.html?src=rss - [League of Legends' new WASD control scheme will be enabled for ranked later this month](https://missmacknog.com/league-of-legends-new-wasd-control-scheme-will-be-enabled-for-ranked-later-this-month/): Riot Games released a pile of updates for its long-running MOBA League of Legends. One of the more noteworthy changes coming to the game is the official launch of WASD controls. This alternate option, allowing players to traverse the rift by keyboard rather than by mouse, is rolling out to ranked matches in patch 26.9. Riot first announced that it was pursuing support for WASD controls last August. The studio said it wanted to ensure that the alternate control scheme wasn't more powerful than point-and-click movement; Riot said it was targeting a low win-loss rate difference between the options before releasing it to League players. "There's still a small delta in the win-rates between the control schemes, with Point and Click having a minor advantage," according to today's devlog dedicated to this new feature. "We expect that difference will decrease over time as players gain more mastery with WASD, but we will continue to monitor this stat in the future." That blog post goes into more detail about how the team tested and gauged community responses to WASD, which is pretty neat stuff if you're a game dev nerd. League will be receiving a few new accessibility improvements, such as custom inputs for moving the mouse cursor and some new flexibility for keybinds, along with the new control scheme. Although Riot was clear to say that it's not adding official support for controllers or gamepads, players will be able to use WASD controls with a joystick.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/league-of-legends-new-wasd-control-scheme-will-be-enabled-for-ranked-later-this-month-193858052.html?src=rss - [Microsoft raises prices on Surface PCs due to skyrocketing RAM costs](https://missmacknog.com/microsoft-raises-prices-on-surface-pcs-due-to-skyrocketing-ram-costs/): The RAMpocalypse continues. Microsoft just revealed significant price increases across the entire Surface line of products, according to reporting by Windows Central. The updated pricing has already hit the official Microsoft Store, with other retailers expected to follow suit in the near future. These are fairly significant upticks. For instance, the base model 15-inch Surface Laptop 7 now starts at $1,600. It cost $1,300 when the laptop was first released back in 2024. It did receive a price increase last year to $1,500, so today's increase tacks on another $100. The cost balloons even further when upgrading components, as a top-end Laptop 7 with a Snapdragon X Elite, 64GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage now costs a whopping $3650. As a comparison, a 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro, 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD comes in at $3,300, and the M5 Pro blasts the Snapdragon X Elite out of the water. Microsoft This trend continues with the Surface Pro line of hybrid computers. The 12-inch Surface Pro starts at $1,050, after launching at just $800. The flagship 13-inch Surface Pro cost $1,000 in 2024 and now starts at $1,500. That's a $500 increase in just two years, though the base hard drive did get a bit bigger. These price increases are, of course, being blamed on generative AI's penchant for eating up RAM and related components. "Due to recent increases in memory and component costs, Surface is updating pricing on Microsoft.com for its current‑generation hardware portfolio," Microsoft wrote in a statement. Industry reports have also indicated that the company is currently readying refreshes across the Surface line. It's highly likely these new prices will stay in place if component prices don't decrease. Motorola slapped sudden price increases on the Moto G series right after its new model went live https://t.co/00DzRHXK0f by @chaosromero— 9to5Google (@9to5Google) April 8, 2026 These aren't the first devices that have shot up in price due to AI. Motorola recently instituted increases that even impacted its budget-friendly phones. Samsung has also pushed up the cost for its Galaxy Z Fold 7. The PS5 is now much more expensive when compared to the 2020 launch price, though Sony didn't explicitly blame these increases on RAM, but rather "continued pressures in the global economic landscape." There are also rumors that the continued RAM shortage has made it difficult for Valve to manufacture the Steam Deck and likely pushed back the release of the Steam Machine to 2027.  VDURA hikes its enterprise SSD pricing, now costs 22.6x more than hard drives — the price of a 30TB SSD has climbed 472% https://t.co/iDOZYMtQbB— Tom's Hardware (@tomshardware) April 10, 2026 SSDs have also shot up in price, with old-school HDDs not far behind. It's getting thorny out there. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/microsoft-raises-prices-on-surface-pcs-due-to-skyrocketing-ram-costs-181648588.html?src=rss - [Chrome Skills let you save your favorite Gemini prompts for easy access](https://missmacknog.com/chrome-skills-let-you-save-your-favorite-gemini-prompts-for-easy-access/): Gemini in Chrome is about to get a small but handy upgrade. Starting today, Google is rolling out a feature it calls Skills to Chrome on desktop. Skills allow you to save your favorite Gemini in Chrome prompts for quick access, thereby making it easier and faster to repeat certain tasks. For instance, Google suggests you could use one saved prompt to get Gemini to calculate how much protein there could be in a new recipe you found online. Another Skill can make it easier to do a side-by-side spec comparison of a few different products you're looking at across multiple tabs.       You can save prompts you want to use again directly from Gemini in Chrome's chat history. To use a saved prompt, type forward slash or click the plus button and select the Skill you want to use. To help people get started, Google is providing a set of ready-to-go prompts you can use to save time on common workflows or as a jumping off point for your own Skills. Skills you save are available on any version of Chrome for desktop where you're signed into your account, though for the time being, Google is only rolling out the feature to people who have their browser language set to US English. Gemini in Chrome, like its other AI tools, has become a major area of focus for Google in recent months. At the start of the year, the company rolled out an update that saw the addition of a dedicated Gemini sidebar to Chrome and access to Nano Banana image generation directly from said sidebar. More recently, Google began rolling out Gemini in Chrome to users in Canada, India and New Zealand. As the high-stakes AI race countinues to heat up, expect more features in that vein, though we may still get more traditional enhancements — like vertical tabs — from time to time. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/chrome-skills-let-you-save-your-favorite-gemini-prompts-for-easy-access-170000683.html?src=rss - [The US government wants Reddit to snitch on one of its users through a grand jury](https://missmacknog.com/the-us-government-wants-reddit-to-snitch-on-one-of-its-users-through-a-grand-jury/): Immigration and Customs Enforcement has a certain Redditor in its crosshairs and it's now strong-arming the social media platform to reveal who they are with a grand jury subpoena, according to a report from The Intercept. The nonprofit news outlet was able to obtain the subpoena that ordered Reddit to provide info on one of its users who's been accused of criticizing ICE by April 14. According to the report, ICE has been trying to identify this Redditor for a month without success. More specifically, Reddit is being asked to give up the user's name, address, phone number and other personal data. The Intercept reported that the subpoena was issued by federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C. after a failed attempt from ICE to do the same through a federal court in Northern California, which has jurisdiction in San Francisco where Reddit is headquartered. Reddit attorneys said their client's posts and anonymity are protected under the First Amendment and described ICE's use of a grand jury as "a disturbing escalation," according to the report. Reddit didn't state if it would challenge the government's order or not, according to The Intercept, but it did provide a statement saying, "privacy is central to how Reddit operates and we take our commitment to protecting that seriously." Reddit also said in the statement that it does "not voluntarily share information with any government, especially not on users exercising their rights to criticize the government or plan a protest.” While this grand jury subpoena could set an alarming precedent, it's not the first time a government agency has requested social media platforms reveal accounts that have spoke negatively about ICE. According to a New York Times report, the Department of Homeland Security has filed hundreds of subpoenas to Google, Discord, Meta and even Reddit again, for identifying details about its users.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/the-us-government-wants-reddit-to-snitch-on-one-of-its-users-through-a-grand-jury-190532844.html?src=rss - [OpenAI says Elon Musk is orchestrating a last-minute 'legal ambush' before trial](https://missmacknog.com/openai-says-elon-musk-is-orchestrating-a-last-minute-legal-ambush-before-trial/): The feud between Elon Musk and OpenAI is getting even more contentious as the two sides get ready for trial later this month. The latest development in the legal back-and-forth saw OpenAI accuse Elon Musk and his latest proposals as a "legal ambush," as first reported by Bloomberg. OpenAI filed its response on Friday, which detailed that Musk was "sandbagging the defendants and injecting chaos into the proceedings, while trying to recast his public narrative about his lawsuit." The lawsuit dates back to 2024 when Elon Musk sued both OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing the AI giant of ditching its original mission of being a non-profit and instead converting into a for-profit business after receiving financial backing and forming a partnership with Microsoft. Prior to OpenAI's latest filing, Musk amended his original complaint to instead award any damages received to OpenAI's nonprofit arm instead. Musk's amendment, which was filed earlier this month, also sought to oust Altman from his role as OpenAI's CEO and board member. In OpenAI's Friday filing, the AI company claimed that Musk's last-minute changes were "legally improper and factually unsupported." There's a lot at stake with this lawsuit since Musk is reportedly seeking anywhere between $79 billion and $134 billion in "wrongful gains." With both OpenAI and Microsoft denying any wrongdoing, according to Bloomberg, the trial is still set to kick off on April 27.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-says-elon-musk-is-orchestrating-a-last-minute-legal-ambush-before-trial-163248345.html?src=rss - [Rockstar Games has confirmed it was hit by third-party data breach](https://missmacknog.com/rockstar-games-has-confirmed-it-was-hit-by-third-party-data-breach/): An experienced hacking group has claimed to have infiltrated Rockstar Games' cloud servers, while the game publisher has confirmed that there was a "third-party data breach." ShinyHunters, a hacker group that's been linked to data breaches targeting Microsoft, Google, Ticketmaster and others, posted a message on its website with a final warning to Rockstar to "pay or leak." The hack was first spotted by Hackread and the Cybersec Guru. ShinyHunters didn't detail what Rockstar data it gained access to, only adding that the company had until April 14 to reach out or that the group would leak the compromised info that would lead to "several annoying (digital) problems." Rockstar Games confirmed the breach to Kotaku, explaining that "a limited amount of non-material company information was accessed in connection with a third-party data breach," and that the incident had "no impact on our organization or our players.” Previously, Rockstar had to deal with a major hack that led to a leak including plenty of gameplay footage and assets for Grand Theft Auto VI in 2022. Following the hack, one of the 18-year-old members of the Lapsus$ group responsible for the leak, was sentenced to an "indefinite hospitalization." This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/rockstar-games-has-confirmed-it-was-hit-by-third-party-data-breach-175112621.html?src=rss - [The first European country to get Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Supervised will be the Netherlands](https://missmacknog.com/the-first-european-country-to-get-teslas-full-self-driving-supervised-will-be-the-netherlands/): Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is ready to make its European debut, and it's starting with the Netherlands. According to Tesla Europe, the automaker's driver assistance system was approved in the Netherlands and will start rolling out shortly. RDW, the country's regulatory authority on vehicles, confirmed the news with a post on its website about Tesla receiving a type approval for its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system. According to the RDW, Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) "has been extensively examined and tested for more than one and a half years on our test track and on public roads," and concluded that it was a "positive contribution" to road safety. However, RDW pointed out that a Tesla with FSD Supervised was not "self-driving," adding that the "driver remains responsible and must always remain in control." With Dutch approvals, Tesla notched its first regulatory green light for FSD use in Europe. The RDW also added that Tesla's FSD Supervised could get "possible later admittance in all member states of the European Union" thanks to its approvals. Tesla has been working on bringing its automated driving features to other regions, including Europe and China, as detailed in a roadmap posted in 2024. In the meantime, the automaker's software has been mired in several safety investigations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The latest development comes from a probe that targets collisions when using FSD, including the supervised version, in reduced road visibility conditions.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/the-first-european-country-to-get-teslas-full-self-driving-supervised-will-be-the-netherlands-170157644.html?src=rss - [IBM settles its DEI lawsuit with the DOJ for $17 million](https://missmacknog.com/ibm-settles-its-dei-lawsuit-with-the-doj-for-17-million/): IBM has agreed to settle the US Department of Justice's accusations that the company violated civil rights laws with its DEI practices. According to a press release from the DOJ, IBM will pay more than $17 million to resolve allegations of taking "race, color, national origin, or sex" into account when making employment decisions. This settlement is the latest development in a longstanding effort from the Trump administration to end DEI programs, which was kick-started from an executive order in early 2025. IBM denied any wrongdoing and said the settlement wasn't an admission of liability, while the US government said this conclusion wasn't a concession that its claims weren't well founded, according to the settlement agreement. According to the DOJ, IBM had violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with practices that included altering "interview criteria based on race or sex," developing "race and sex demographic goals for business units," using "a diversity modifier that tied bonus compensation to achieving demographic targets" and more. An IBM spokesperson told Engadget in an email that the company "is pleased to have resolved this matter," adding that "our workforce strategy is driven by a single principle: having the right people with the right skills that our clients depend on.” According to Todd Blanche, the agency's acting attorney general, this action is one of the first resolutions to come out of the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which was launched in May 2025. IBM isn't the only company to alter its policies, with both T-Mobile and Meta agreeing to put an end to its DEI initiatives last year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ibm-settles-its-dei-lawsuit-with-the-doj-for-17-million-153749285.html?src=rss - [French government says au revoir Windows, bienvenue Linux](https://missmacknog.com/french-government-says-au-revoir-windows-bienvenue-linux/): America's Big Tech companies may soon learn that saddling up with Donald Trump doesn't tend to work out in the end. As the president sows chaos and distrust around the globe while taking aim at EU tech regulations, Europe is looking for ways to adopt its own alternatives. The latest example is France, which said it's dropping Microsoft Windows in favor of Linux.On Wednesday, France said (via TechCrunch) it plans to move its workstations from Windows to the open-source Linux. It's part of a broader movement across Europe toward digital sovereignty, aimed at reducing reliance on foreign tech — especially American and Chinese. Although homegrown alternatives aren't available in many areas, the EU seems prepared to wean itself off where it can.In January, France announced that it would move its videoconferencing from Zoom and Teams to the French-made Visio. As part of this week’s Linux announcement, France added that it would also migrate its health data to a new platform by the end of 2026.Since taking office, Trump has used tariffs and other measures to try to bully European nations into dropping their regulations on America's tech industry. In August, he vowed to "stand up to Countries that attack our incredible American Tech Companies." (The strange capitalizations are his, not ours.) His administration has described laws like the EU's Digital Services Act as "censorship" and "a tax."So far, Europe has stood firm. "I want to be very clear: our digital sovereignty is our digital sovereignty," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the Munich Security Conference in February. "We have a long tradition in freedom of speech. Actually, the Enlightenment started on our continent."Christian Kroll, CEO of German search engine Ecosia, foresaw Europe's predicament soon after Trump's 2024 reelection. "We, as a European community, just need to make sure that nobody can blackmail us." He added that "if the US turned off access to search results tomorrow, we would have to go back to phone books." Granted, the guy is selling a European-made search engine, so his bias is clear. But the salience of his point stands.Giorgos Verdi, policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the Trump administration's behavior underscores the need for Europe to break free. "Could the US use its dominance over AI chips, its dominance over cloud in Europe, its dominance over AI systems in order to exert more pressure?" Verdi asked CNN rhetorically in January. "In order to build more resilience for Europe… there is a geopolitical case for European innovations to emerge."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/french-government-says-au-revoir-windows-bienvenue-linux-165407232.html?src=rss - [Google adds E2E encryption to Gmail for iOS and Android enterprise users](https://missmacknog.com/google-adds-e2e-encryption-to-gmail-for-ios-and-android-enterprise-users/): Google has announced that end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for Gmail on Android and iOS is now rolling out for its enterprise users. Emails that require E2EE in Workspace can be composed and read within the Gmail app, so eligible users won’t need additional apps or portals. The new feature expands Google’s client-side encryption (CSE) offering, a little more than a year after E2EE was introduced to Gmail on the web. According to a Google blog post, any encrypted message sent to a recipient who uses the Gmail app will appear in their inbox as any email thread would. If they don’t have the app, they’re still able to read and reply to the email in their browser securely, regardless of their email address. Google says the new functionality "combines the highest level of privacy and data encryption with a user-friendly experience for all users, enabling simple encrypted email for all customers from small businesses to enterprises and public sector." Of course, "all users" applies only to Enterprise Plus members here, with the millions of people who use Gmail as their personal email service currently unable to take advantage of the highest level of privacy and data protection. In order for Gmail users to start using E2EE in the app, an admin must first enable Android and iOS clients in the CSE admin interface, which is available in the Admin Console. When sending an email, you have to click the lock icon and select additional encryption before sending. Attachments can then be added as normal. E2EE is available straight away in the Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. Enterprise users will need the Assured Controls or Assured Controls Plus add-on, which provides businesses and organizations that handle sensitive data with extra security and compliance-related tools.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/google-adds-e2e-to-gmail-for-ios-and-android-enterprise-users-165345116.html?src=rss - [Google has reportedly started to add Polymarket data to News results](https://missmacknog.com/google-has-reportedly-started-to-add-polymarket-data-to-news-results/): Google News has begun showing Polymarket bets and odds alongside actual stories, according to a report by Futurism. These look to appear as large blocks that include links to numerous ways for people to lose their money. Bets tend to appear in the "For you" section of Google News, which is supposed to be tailored to a person's particular interests. Futurism notes that the platform actually placed a Polymarket bet as the top news result when inquiring about the price of Bitcoin. The publication saw links to the prediction market all over Google News, including in searches. It popped up in queries regarding the Strait of Hormuz, which presents a link that lets people bet on the number of ships that would be allowed to pass through the critical passageway. The report even indicates that users were able to set the gambling platform as a source, which directs readers to an aggregate page of other Polymarket links. Oof The Top Google News Result Is For Polymarket LOL. We Cooked. pic.twitter.com/IFBbYFdn2A— Anthony Higman (@AnthonyHigman) March 26, 2026 There's a caveat here. I wasn't personally able to confirm most of these results. This could indicate that Google has quietly made some changes behind the scenes following Futurism's initial report. Complaints from users on social media indicate that Google started doing this at the tail-end of March. However, one user noted all the way back in January that Polymarket results had started showing up in the news section of a traditional Google search. I was able to replicate that one. Lawrence Bonk/Google News Engadget has reached out to Google to see just what's going on here and if it plans to continue displaying Polymarket bets alongside actual news stories. The company did announce a partnership with both Polymarket and Kalshi back in November. This deal indicated the two gambling platforms would feed prediction data into Google's finance platform, but didn't say anything about News. It's pretty easy to see why Polymarket would be attractive to Google's algorithms. The platform generates huge numbers on pages that are constantly updated. This could make these algorithms think the links are leading to valuable news stories and not, you know, a place to bet on human misery. Prediction markets like Polymarket give users the ability to place bets on real world outcomes, which includes wars and other gruesome things. This has led to numerous scandals, which include an incident in which an unknown Polymarket user made more than $400,000 after "predicting" the capture of Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro just hours before US troops invaded the country and abducted him.  Polymarket has hosted bets on the use of nuclear weapons in current global conflicts, which is pretty dang chilling when you consider the possibility of government employees tipping the scales in their favor. President Trump did, after all, recently threaten to end an entire civilization. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-has-reportedly-started-to-add-polymarket-data-to-news-results-161708462.html?src=rss - [How to watch the Artemis II landing](https://missmacknog.com/how-to-watch-the-artemis-ii-landing/): After its history-making trip around the Moon, NASA's Artemis II mission is set to return to Earth later today. The Orion spacecraft carrying astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen is scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 8:07PM ET. NASA will stream the landing on YouTube and its NASA+ website, as will Netflix and HBO Max. The official broadcast will begin at 6:30PM ET.  After leaving Earth on NASA's super heavy-lift SLS rocket and spending nine days in space, the most dangerous part of the Artemis II mission still lies ahead. It will take approximately 13 minutes for the Orion spacecraft to complete re-entry. During that time, it will be subject to temperatures of up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius). Reentry is dangerous for any crewed spacecraft, but is of particular concern here because of a "skip reentry" during the Artemis 1 mission. At that time, the Orion crew vessel briefly used its own lift to "skip" back out of Earth's upper atmosphere before re-entering for the final descent, suffering excess charring in the process. NASA spent months investigating and determined the craft was safe to fly, but Artemis II will take a more gradual approach back to Earth in hopes of reducing its exposure to excess heat. Still, this is the first time in 53 years that NASA will need to guide a human crew back from the Moon. Once all is said and done, however, the Artemis II crew will have traveled 695,081 miles (1,118,624 km), captured amazing images along the way and reminded the world what’s possible when nations work together. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/how-to-watch-the-artemis-ii-landing-145344873.html?src=rss - [Sony Bravia Theater Bar 5 review: A basic TV sound booster](https://missmacknog.com/sony-bravia-theater-bar-5-review-a-basic-tv-sound-booster/): Not everyone needs a $1,000 soundbar. It’s easy to argue the sonic superiority of those flagship models from Samsung, Sonos and Sony, but for some people a simple boost to their TV speakers can provide a world of difference. As part of its 2026 soundbar lineup, Sony debuted the Bravia Theater Bar 5: a $350 entry-level model that covers the basics and comes with a wireless subwoofer in the box. The real question here is how many features are you willing to live without.  The good: Sound quality, bass performance and setup The Theater Bar 5 is the most compact soundbar among Sony’s new models, measuring just 35.5 inches wide. For comparison, that’s still about 10 inches wider than the second-gen Sonos Beam, but nearly 16 inches smaller than Sony’s flagship Theater Bar 9. This stature makes the Bar 5 well-suited for smaller spaces with smaller TVs. In fact, Sony says the soundbar will fit between the legs of Bravia TVs with multi-position stands. Plus, the Bar 5 is just over 2.5 inches tall, slightly shorter than the Beam, so it won’t block the bottom edge of most TVs.  Despite its small size, the Bar 5 cranks out some excellent sound. There’s plenty of crisp, clear audio from the 3.1-channel configuration, and the included subwoofer provides an ample amount of booming bass. The Bar 5 supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but it doesn’t have up-firing drivers. Instead, the soundbar relies on Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force Pro Front Surround tech to virtualize much of the directional and overhead audio. More on that in a bit.  While watching Netflix’s Drive to Survive, I experienced the excitement of F1 cars zooming around various circuits as the Bar 5 does well with general movement. The soundbar’s wide soundstage, excellent detail and booming bass provide some degree of immersion that doesn’t rely on audio projected overhead. That overall clarity and powerful bass are also great for listening to music, as the Bar 5 can handle a range of genres with ease.  The Bravia Theater Bar 5 has a basic, compact design Billy Steele for Engadget From Kieran Behden & William Tyler’s acoustic/electronic 41 Longfield Street Late ‘80s to Thursday’s screamo masterpiece Full Collapse, the soundbar performs admirably. Although with heavier genres, I preferred to dial down the bass slightly. Tucker Rule’s kick drum on Full Collapse, for example, was a bit much for the standard tuning here.  After struggling with the setup on LG’s Sound Suite, I was thankful that configuring the Bar 5 was super easy. It’s very much a plug-and-play situation, and the Bravia Connect app guides you through the initial steps. It takes about five minutes to get up and running and I’d wager even the least tech-savvy person in your life can probably figure this out. You can also opt for Night mode (less bass), Sound Field (enhanced audio) and Voice mode (louder dialogue) in the Bravia Connect app.  All of this certainly makes the Bar 5 a solid option for someone who doesn’t need a lot of features, but stands to benefit from augmenting the sound from their TV alone.  The not so good: Constrained Dolby Atmos and limited features  While the Bar 5 supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio, Sony’s virtualization tech was a disappointment. There’s some side-to-side directional sound, but I noticed almost no simulated overhead noise. The Bar 5’s sonic clarity makes it a solid option for boosting living room audio, just don’t expect the enveloping effects that more robust (and more expensive) soundbars would offer.  There are several features you won’t find on the Theater Bar 5, starting with the lack of onboard controls. I’m well aware that those buttons on top of soundbars don’t get used much, but if you’re like me, you still reach for them occasionally. There were several times during my testing when I tried to blindly tap the non-existent volume controls on the Bar 5. Other than a power button on the right side, your options for controlling this soundbar are a remote and the Bravia Connect app.  The power button on the right side Billy Steele for Engadget You also won’t find a Wi-Fi connection on the Bar 5. This means that AirPlay and Google Cast aren’t available to easily beam audio from your devices to the soundbar. There is Bluetooth 5.3, so you do have an option for music and podcasts from your phone or laptop if you need it. However, pairing your devices to the soundbar via Bluetooth isn’t as quick as selecting the soundbar in your streaming app when AirPlay or Cast are on the spec sheet.  Lastly, Sony doesn’t offer any type of room calibration on Theater Bar 5. Sure, a smaller soundbar like this is better in smaller spaces, but it would still be nice to have the system dial in the audio for the aspects of the room. After all, not every living room is a perfect rectangle. I can understand why the company left this feature out of a $350 model, since the tool would require extra components like microphones. This is certainly one of the more noticeable trade-offs for saving some money.   Wrap-up Sometimes the basics are all you need. Sony’s Bravia Theater Bar 5 provides an entry-level boost to TV audio that will be fine for people looking for just that. While there is support for immersive audio, the soundbar’s 3.1-channel setup isn’t the best for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X performance, and that’s really the biggest knock against the Bar 5. However, this model's excellent audio quality, especially the powerful bass, will suffice for customers just looking to hear their TVs better.  The Bravia Theater Bar 5's included subwoofer Billy Steele for Engadget If you want a compact soundbar that provides respectable Atmos performance, the second-gen Sonos Beam is your best bet. Sure, it’s more expensive at $499 and it doesn’t come with a subwoofer, but its additional drivers, tweeter and passive radiators offer more robust audio from the soundbar alone. You also get Trueplay room calibration and Wi-Fi connectivity there.  The Theater Bar 5 will certainly improve your living room audio compared to your TV speakers alone, but with a few more features and improved Atmos virtualization, Sony could’ve had a real winner.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/sony-bravia-theater-bar-5-review-a-basic-tv-sound-booster-140000192.html?src=rss - [Razer just released some new gaming earbuds with low latency and fast switching between devices](https://missmacknog.com/razer-just-released-some-new-gaming-earbuds-with-low-latency-and-fast-switching-between-devices/): Razer just released the Hammerhead V3 HyperSpeed gaming earbuds, another entry in the recently-crowded field of gaming earbuds. These have been designed for low latency, which is a necessity when playing video games. To that end, the earbuds integrate with Razer's proprietary HyperSpeed 2.4GHz streaming platform, which allows for "gaming-grade lag-free" audio. This works with plenty of devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, the Steam Deck, the PS5 and more. The earbuds can also connect via Bluetooth for devices that don't support Wi-Fi-based streaming audio. The charging case includes a dongle that plugs into devices via USB-C, which doubles as a wireless transmitter. Razer promises that users can quickly switch between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth audio, which would be useful when going from a PC to, say, a smartphone to listen to music. These earbuds include improved ANC, when compared to the previous generation. The battery here lasts for 40 hours, with the earbuds getting 10 hours per charge and the case offering four charges.  Razer The case can charge via USB-C, which means it charges as the transmitter is being used to stream audio. However, the dongle can also work on its own without the charging case. The earbuds also support THX spatial audio on PCs. Razer's Hammerhead V3 HyperSpeed gaming earbuds are available right now and cost $130. The almost identically-named Hammerhead V3 X HyperSpeed earbuds run $100 and connect via Bluetooth 5.3 instead of Bluetooth 6.0, with a slightly reduced battery life.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/razer-just-released-some-new-gaming-earbuds-with-low-latency-and-fast-switching-between-devices-172907717.html?src=rss - [Indie game Neverway will launch this October, just in time for spooky season](https://missmacknog.com/indie-game-neverway-will-launch-this-october-just-in-time-for-spooky-season/): Indie game studio Coldblood announced today that its debut project Neverway has been given a release window of October 2026. Billed as "nightmarish life-sim RPG," this is going right to the top of my spooky season game queue. It has a cozy-sounding premise, with protagonist Fiona starting a new life on an island, but things take a surreal turn when she becomes the immortal herald for a dead god. She'll be building relationships and making friends one minute and coping with psychological horrors the next.  This game has been on our radar since it was introduced at last year's Triple-I Initiative event. The new trailer once more shows off the work of both pixel artist Pedro Medeiros, who also worked on Celeste and Towerfall, and composer Disasterpeace, whose past game credits include Fez and Hyper Light Drifter. The prologue is available to play for free starting today on Steam, and Neverway will launch both on that PC platform as well as on the Nintendo Switch.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/indie-game-neverway-will-launch-this-october-just-in-time-for-spooky-season-170000669.html?src=rss - [1000xResist devs reveal their wild-looking second game about convincing an AI it's not human](https://missmacknog.com/1000xresist-devs-reveal-their-wild-looking-second-game-about-convincing-an-ai-its-not-human/): Developer Sunset Visitor just revealed its follow-up to the fantastic 1000xResist. It's called Prove You're Human and looks to wade in similar sci-fi waters as the team's first title. Just like 10000xResist, the new game is a narrative adventure set in the far future. Prove You're Human tasks players with convincing an AI product that its not alive, but there's a rub. The protagonist is a digital clone of a person, so they aren't human either. This will no-doubt lead to all manner of ethical conundrums. "An AI dares to dream she is human," a tagline reads. "You've been hired to put her in her place." The gameplay looks to involve scanning the environment, talking to corporate employees and keeping up with the digital clone's corporeal body. There's also an emphasis on making and solving CAPTCHAs, which makes sense when trying to prove humanity or a lack thereof. The graphics certainly look unique, as the dev team has weaved real-world footage of Vancouver and the surrounding areas into the virtual landscape. "Vancouver is a well-known film town," Remy Siu, Founder of Sunset Visitor said in a press release. "We’re accessing that infrastructure, along with our long-time collaborators, to bring a sense of tactility to human forms in the game." We don't know when this is coming out, as the above trailer is just an announcement for the game. However, it's already available to wishlist on Steam. This is actually a pretty big deal. 1000xResist was a bona-fide sensation and was nominated for a Hugo Award. It also managed to win a Peabody Award, which honors excellence in storytelling.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/1000xresist-devs-reveal-their-wild-looking-second-game-about-convincing-an-ai-its-not-human-170018986.html?src=rss - [Amazon's satellite internet service is scheduled for mid-2026 availability](https://missmacknog.com/amazons-satellite-internet-service-is-scheduled-for-mid-2026-availability/): Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) will launch mid-2026, according to Andy Jassy. On Wednesday, the Amazon CEO dropped the news in his annual letter to shareholders. The company says Leo will support download speeds up to 1 Gbps. By comparison, Starlink’s download speeds typically range between 45 and 280 Mbps.Jassy didn't specify whether the mid-2026 launch date will include consumer availability. (An Amazon spokesperson told Engadget that the company doesn’t have more detail to add right now.) We do know that "select enterprise customers" began testing the high-speed satellite service late last year. Delta and JetBlue have already signed on to use Leo for in-flight Wi-Fi. Other businesses striking deals include AT&T, Vodafone, DirecTV Latin America and NASA.Whenever it does arrive for consumers, Amazon Leo could offer several perks compared to Starlink. It will allegedly offer six to eight times faster uplink performance and double the download speeds than competitors (read: Starlink). Amazon says it will also cost less and offer native AWS integration for enterprise data storage, analytics and AI.Despite those perks, it may be a while before Leo can deliver Musk-free satellite internet on a large scale. The service is currently behind schedule, with only 241 satellites operating in its constellation. (Starlink has over 10,000.) In January, Amazon asked the FCC for an extension on a July 2026 deadline requiring it to have 1,600 satellites in orbit. The company said at the time that it expected only around 700 to be operating by that deadline.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazons-satellite-internet-service-is-scheduled-for-mid-2026-availability-164046305.html?src=rss - [Rhythm Heaven Groove comes to Switch on July 2](https://missmacknog.com/rhythm-heaven-groove-comes-to-switch-on-july-2/): A large chunk of Nintendo’s 2026 plans remain a mystery (that is, unless you take the insiders and leakers at their word), but we have been waiting on release dates for a couple of previously announced first-party titles, including Rhythm Heaven Groove, which officially arrives July 2. Seemingly announced first on the Nintendo Today! app before making its way to the company’s various social channels, the first new entry in the Rhythm Heaven series in more than a decade is technically launching on the original Switch, but should also be fully playable on Switch 2. Currently the game’s Switch 2 compatibility status is listed as “Untested” on its official store page, but it’s hard to imagine there being any issues there. 🍅🍅🫑🥦🥦🥦🎵Did you catch all that? #RhythmHeavenGroove comes to #NintendoSwitch on July 2! pic.twitter.com/WrWiyC7Yqn— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 9, 2026 If you’ve never played a Rhythm Heaven game before, the series is a bit like a (slightly) less wacky WarioWare, but all the minigames are based around rhythm and beat-matching. The challenges are rarely especially complex in terms of what's required of you, leaving you free to enjoy the always excellent original pop and electronic music. Rhythm Heaven is one of Nintendo’s less prolific series’, with the upcoming Groove being only the fifth entry in two decades. The series debuted on the Game Boy Advance in 2006 in Japan as Rhythm Tengoku, with Rhythm Heaven arriving on the DS two years later in the US. That was followed by Rhythm Heaven Fever on the Wii, and the most recent entry was 2015’s Rhythm Heaven Megamix for the 3DS, which was something of a best-of collection. Rhythm Heaven Groove is notable not only for being the first Rhythm Heaven game of the Switch generation, but also likely one of the console’s last games, as Nintendo prepares to shift its full focus to the Switch 2. Before then we’re also getting the typically charming Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (Switch 2-only) on May 21 and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, which launches on both platforms next week, April 16.  Rhythm Heaven Groove is available to pre-order now for $40.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/rhythm-heaven-groove-comes-to-switch-on-july-2-155715068.html?src=rss - [OpenAI 'pauses' its Stargate UK data center plan](https://missmacknog.com/openai-pauses-its-stargate-uk-data-center-plan/): OpenAI is putting the brakes on Stargate UK, according to Politico and Bloomberg. That’s the company’s AI infrastructure project with NVIDIA that’s meant to help the UK build out its sovereign computing capabilities. The company announced Stargate UK back in September, but it launched a strategic partnership with the UK government months before that. Stargate UK would enable the government to run top AI models locally from data centers inside the region, “particularly for specialist use cases where jurisdiction matters.” But now OpenAI is pausing the project due to high cost of energy and regulatory issues.In a statement provided to Bloomberg, the company said that it still sees a “huge potential for the UK‘s AI future.” It added that “AI compute is foundational to that goal” and that it continues “to explore Stargate UK and will move forward when the right conditions such as regulation and the cost of energy enable long-term infrastructure investment.”Upon announcing Stargate UK, OpenAI said that it would offer the same deal to other countries that want to expand their sovereign AI capabilities. It’s unclear if those plans are affected, as well, but it’s worth noting that the initiative, OpenAI for Countries, is also working with Australia, Greece, the UAE, Slovakia, Kazakhstan and other regions. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-pauses-its-stargate-uk-data-center-plan-115626978.html?src=rss - [Google bakes NotebookLM, its research tool, into Gemini](https://missmacknog.com/google-bakes-notebooklm-its-research-tool-into-gemini/): Google has fully integrated NotebookLM, its AI-powered research tool, into the Gemini app. The company launched a standalone NotebookLM app last year, but as it said in its announcement, “keeping track of everything can be a challenge.” It added NotebookLM as a source in the Gemini app last year, but now you can create notebooks right inside the chatbot. You can now find the option to create a new notebook in Gemini’s side panel and then select “Add sources” that the tool can use, such as PDFs, documents, website URLs, YouTube videos and even copy-pasted text. NotebookLM will use information from those sources to create a searchable repository of information for you, and you can ask Gemini to create things like reviewers, infographics and video and audio overviews that turn your uploaded information into an easy-to-understand format. Take note, however, that Google warns users within the NotebookLM interface that it can be inaccurate, and that it’s best if you double-check information it puts out. The company is rolling out NotebookLM’s full integration into Gemini this week for Google AI Ultra, Pro and Plus subscribers on the web. It will be available on mobile, in more locations and to free users over the coming weeks. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-bakes-notebooklm-its-research-tool-into-gemini-101850634.html?src=rss - [Dyson just announced its first-ever handheld fan, with a motor that spins up to 65,000 RPM](https://missmacknog.com/dyson-just-announced-its-first-ever-handheld-fan-with-a-motor-that-spins-up-to-65000-rpm/): Dyson just announced its first-ever handheld fan, the HushJet Mini Cool. As the name suggests, it uses the company's proprietary HushJet air projection system. This tech first showed up on an air purifier that we found to be exceptionally quiet. Dyson promises the fan can deliver focused airflow of up to 25m/s, which works out to 55mph. The brushless motor spins up to 65,000 RPM. This thing looks like a legitimate cooling system, despite its size. It also weighs just 7.5 ounces.  It offers five speeds and a boost mode, which should be useful during that next heat wave. It charges via USB-C and ships with a charging stand. The fan can also stand on its own, making it a decent choice for a desk. The rechargeable battery can get up to six hours of use per charge. Dyson The HushJet Mini Cool costs $100, which is cheap for a Dyson product but expensive for a handheld fan. It's available in a trio of colorways. The gray model is available tomorrow. The red version goes on sale this May and the blue one will be available for purchase in June. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/dyson-just-announced-its-first-ever-handheld-fan-with-a-motor-that-spins-up-to-65000-rpm-000135028.html?src=rss - [You'll have one more chance to buy Samsung's pricey Galaxy Z TriFold this Friday](https://missmacknog.com/youll-have-one-more-chance-to-buy-samsungs-pricey-galaxy-z-trifold-this-friday/): If you missed your chance to pay Samsung $2,900 for a phone earlier this year, we have great news for you. Android Police reported that what may be the final shipment of the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold will be arriving in the US on April 10. The unique foldable was discontinued a mere three months after it first went on sale, and it seems like Samsung is clearing out whatever inventory it has left. So if you have a spare $3,000 that you're just desperate to get rid of, bookmark the TriFold's page where Samsung has a countdown ticking away. All jokes aside, our hands-on time with the TriFold at CES 2026 revealed a pretty snazzy device that managed to strike a decent balance between size and heft. But perhaps unsurprisingly for a phone with such an intricate design and high price tag, the company didn't appear to have any intention to make the TriFold widely available. Samsung may have sold out each batch of the smartphone that went to retail, but the device didn't offer much in the way of profit, according to reports in South Korean newspaper Dong-A Ilbo. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/youll-have-one-more-chance-to-buy-samsungs-pricey-galaxy-z-trifold-this-friday-225222969.html?src=rss - [DoorDash and Wing are expanding their drone delivery partnership to Atlanta](https://missmacknog.com/doordash-and-wing-are-expanding-their-drone-delivery-partnership-to-atlanta/): DoorDash and Wing have announced a new partnership that will allow users in metro Atlanta to have food delivered by drone. Besides working with DoorDash in select regions of Virginia, North Carolina and Texas, Wing, Alphabet's drone delivery subsidiary, also recently expanded its agreement to make deliveries for Walmart. Eligible customers near Tanger Outlets Locust Grove will be able to order food for drone delivery and receive it in "as little as 20 minutes," according to DoorDash. Orders are limited to a selection of restaurants including Molinos Mexican Grill, Koji Japanese Steakhouse and Sabrosos Mexican Restaurant, and eligibility for drone delivery will depend on the size and weight of the order and whether a customer lives close enough for delivery. To check, Wing offers a website where you can enter your address to see if you're in range. Anyone who doesn't live close enough for a drone delivery can enter their information to be notified if the delivery area expands.DoorDash, like plenty of other gig work platforms, is no stranger to experimenting with automation and robotics. The company offers its own delivery robot called Dot, and has partnered with companies like Coco Robotics to offer deliveries in cities like Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago. Wing, for its part, has also been working to expand the kinds of things it can deliver. The company introduced a new drone design in 2024 that can carry payloads that weigh up to 5 lbs, the exact kind of improvement that's likely allowed for the delivery partnerships it's pursuing now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/doordash-and-wing-are-expanding-their-drone-delivery-partnership-to-atlanta-201133191.html?src=rss - [You'll soon be able to hide games from your Xbox achievements list](https://missmacknog.com/youll-soon-be-able-to-hide-games-from-your-xbox-achievements-list/): Microsoft is testing giving users more control over what games appear in their Xbox achievements and tweaking how achievements look when they're earned. The changes are being introduced via the company's free-to-join Xbox Insiders program, and will presumably roll out to all Xbox owners at some point in the future.Coming later in April, select Xbox Insiders will be able to hide games from their achievement list, whether they've completed them or not. Hidden games will still count towards users' Gamerscore, but the option should serve as another way to curate your public profile. Microsoft is also experimenting with changing how it displays achievements. Xbox Insiders will receive redesigned achievements with new animations and notifications that match the custom color they've chosen for their Xbox interface. Games where Insiders have earned 100 percent of the achievements will also be highlighted in their achievements list, and insiders will be able to filter their list to only view the games they've fully completed.Being able to hide games from the achievement list has been "one of the most requested features" from Xbox Insiders, according to Microsoft. The company's March update that allowed users to selectively exclude games from the Xbox's Quick Resume feature was similarly long-requested.  It would likely be wrong to characterize these changes as being downstream of new Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma's stated desire to "recommit" to the Xbox, but they don't hurt when it comes to winning over fans — especially if the company's continued presence in the console space ends up hinging on an expensive box that plays PC and Xbox games.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/youll-soon-be-able-to-hide-games-from-your-xbox-achievements-list-184719290.html?src=rss - [How to watch the Triple-i Initiative showcase on April 9](https://missmacknog.com/how-to-watch-the-triple-i-initiative-showcase-on-april-9/): The latest Triple-i Initiative Showcase is nearly upon us, as the indie-focused event returns for its third consecutive year on Thursday, April 9 at 12PM ET / 9AM PT. We’re being promised announcements for 40 games, including eight world premieres, so it’s well worth tuning in if you like your indies. You’ll be able to watch the stream on The Triple-i Initiative YouTube channel, as well as Twitch, bilibili, niconico and on Steam. Co-streaming partners IGN and Gamespot will also host their own streams. The showcase will run for 45 minutes, and nine featured studios will also have post-show deep dives on their games if you want to know more. As previously, the mantra here is "no hosts, no ads, just games," so rest assured your attention will be rewarded.  Confirmed featured games so far include Risk of Rain 2, the open-world survival game Windrose and Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse. We also know that the studio behind the excellent sci-fi narrative adventure 1000xResist will be showing off what it’s been working on, and we can also expect news from Cairn developer The Game Bakers. It sounds like a typically eclectic lineup, then, and given last year’s showcase gave us release dates for 2025 indie hits like The Alters and Rematch, you can be confident that plenty of notable news should come out of this one too.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/how-to-watch-the-triple-i-initiative-showcase-on-april-9-170353957.html?src=rss - [Meta's Muse Spark model brings reasoning capabilities to the Meta AI app](https://missmacknog.com/metas-muse-spark-model-brings-reasoning-capabilities-to-the-meta-ai-app/): Following the icy reception to Llama 4, Meta is releasing the first in a new family of AI systems built by its recently formed Superintelligence team. The company is kicking off its new Muse era with Spark, a lightweight model geared toward consumer use. In the future, Meta plans to offer more capable versions of Muse, but for now, it's clear the company wants to nail the basics. To that point, many of Spark's capabilities are table stakes for a new model in 2026. For instance, it offers both "Instant" and "Thinking" modes. With the latter engaged, the model will take an extra few moments to reason through a prompt. Other consumer-facing AI systems have had this kind of flexibility for a while. Anthropic, for example, was one of the first AI labs to offer a "hybrid reasoning model" when it released Claude Sonnet 3.7 at the start of last year. That said, Meta plans to add an even more powerful "Contemplating" mode down the road.   A GIF demonstrating Muse Spark's multi-agent capabilities. MetaMuse Spark can also coordinate multiple AI subagents to tackle a request. Meta suggests users will see this capability in action when they ask for help with tasks like family trip planning. In such a scenario, one agent might compile an itinerary, while another finds kid-friendly activities everyone can enjoy. At the same time, Meta has built Spark to be natively multimodal, meaning the model can process images, video and audio. Like Google Lens, this gives you the option to snap a photo with your phone and ask Meta AI questions about what you see. Of course, it wouldn't be a 2026 AI release if Muse Spark didn't include a built-in shopping assistant. Like ChatGPT, Spark can compare different items for you, listing the pros and cons of each, with links to make it easy to buy the product that appeals to you.Muse Spark is available today in the Meta AI app and meta.ai website everywhere where the company offers those services. Meta will begin rolling out the new features the model powers starting in the US. In the coming weeks, the company plans to bring Muse Spark to more countries and places where people can access Meta AI, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Additionally, Meta says it "hopes to open source future versions of the model." We'll see if the company ends up doing that; last year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared to flip flop on the company's open source stance, saying it would need to be more "rigorous" about such decisions moving forward.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/metas-muse-spark-model-brings-reasoning-capabilities-to-the-meta-ai-app-161456684.html?src=rss - [No Man’s Sky now has Pokémon-style creature battles](https://missmacknog.com/no-mans-sky-now-has-pokemon-style-creature-battles/): The free No Man’s Sky updates are still flowing. With the latest one, dubbed Xeno Arena, Hello Games has added a completely original feature. Players have long been able to adopt wild animals as companions. But now these can be deployed in simulated, turn-based battles against rival teams. As you win more battles, you’ll increase your reputation and perhaps be invited to take on more difficult opponents. Among other things, the creatures can launch powerful attacks, use healing abilities, dodge incoming salvos, power up their own abilities and turn enemies into more vulnerable forms. They can earn experience that allows them to grow stronger and genetically mutate into new forms. An evolution, if you will. You can also modify the progeny of your squad, with their personalities and physical characteristics affecting how they fare in battle. There are eight affinities (some might call them "types") that the creatures belong to, including ones concerning fire, ice and radiation. A fire-based beast might fare well against an ice-based one, but struggle to be effective against radiation. So you’ll need to choose your creatures for each battle strategically. Gotta catch em’ all first, though!This all seems really neat and such a novel concept. It would be quite a shocker if there were a brand-new game out today that also features turn-based creature battles. The No Man’s Sky battles take place on Holo-Arena tables that are found in a range of structures throughout the universe. The creatures look quite small on these tables, almost pocket-sized. Wait a second, pocket monsters? Now, there’s an idea…This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/no-mans-sky-now-has-pokemon-style-creature-battles-142020310.html?src=rss - [GoPro to lay off over 20 percent of staff by the end of 2026](https://missmacknog.com/gopro-to-lay-off-over-20-percent-of-staff-by-the-end-of-2026/): GoPro will cut 23 percent of its global workforce by the end of this year, as the action camera pioneer looks to reverse its fortunes in a competitive market. 145 employees will be laid off, with the restructuring process commencing in the second quarter of 2026, the San Mateo company said in a Form 8-K filing. At the end of the first quarter, GoPro’s total number of employees stood at 631, and it expects the cuts to cost it between $11.5 million and $15 million. These charges include honoring severance packages and healthcare benefits. GoPro’s last reported round of layoffs took place in the second half of 2024. The company posted a year-end revenue decline in its 2025 financial results, including a loss of $9 million in its fourth quarter. Despite the layoffs, GoPro is seemingly optimistic about 2026, banking on its AI-centric GP3 processor to spearhead a "new era of performance and innovation" for the company. The first GP3-powered GoPro cameras will launch in the coming months. GoPro launched its first action camera in the early 2000s and enjoyed huge success with extreme sports enthusiasts. But it no longer has the market to itself, facing stiff competition from the likes of DJI, Insta360 and smartphone cameras in general.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/gopro-to-lay-off-over-20-percent-of-staff-by-the-end-of-2026-131918779.html?src=rss - [Forza Horizon 6 gives would-be racers another gorgeous open world to explore](https://missmacknog.com/forza-horizon-6-gives-would-be-racers-another-gorgeous-open-world-to-explore/): I've played a couple of hours of Forza Horizon 6, and so far I've enjoyed it in much the same way as its predecessor: by exploring and taking in the sumptuous world Playground Games has crafted. The preview build I played on my Xbox Series X was limited in terms of available activities — it was basically the game's prologue — but I was able to explore almost all of the open world. The on-rails intro takes you through some of the Japanese countryside and past landmarks like Tokyo Tower and Shibuya Crossing on the way to a race through the streets of the country's largest city. Once that was out of the way and a springtime version of the map opened up, I set a marker for the mountains in the north. I wanted to check out an area I'd seen in a screenshot, a pass where you can drive through snowdrifts that are dozens of feet tall. Playground Games/Xbox Game StudiosMy goal was simple: to bury my car into these snowdrifts, just to find out if it was possible. Sadly, the piles of snow were steadfast barriers. What a shame. The journey to the mountains took me through rainstorms and falling cherry blossom leaves, small towns and forests. The environments, vehicles and weather effects all look pretty and polished, as you'd expect from this series at this point. (For what it's worth, I normally opt for performance mode in modern console games, prioritizing higher framerates over visual fidelity. This Forza Horizon 6 preview was locked to the 30fps quality mode.)In the prologue, there are activities to complete ahead of the Horizon Qualifier, a "wristband" event that gates story progress, and I checked a few of those out on my way up north. Trying to go as fast as you can through speed traps, drag meets, time trials and drift zones are enjoyable enough, but it's the races that are the bread and butter of this series. I entered a challenging cross-country race in a GMC Jimmy with a tall suspension. Not my smartest move. Still, I managed to pull out the victory after drifting my way across rice fields and beaches. I would have had an easier time if I'd chosen my car more carefully – there'll be hundreds available in the full game. Playground Games has built on the very welcome slate of accessibility features from Forza Horizon 5 as well. Having options like autosteering should help ensure a broader range of folks can play the latest game. Other than only having access to a limited number of activities, the only aspects of the open world that were blocked off were The Estate (i.e. your home base) and Legend Island, which sounds like an endgame region. I didn't tinker with my vehicles in the garage either. I did, however, stumble across an aftermarket sale, where I was able to buy a tuned-up car at a discount. That's one of several neat additions in Forza Horizon 6. Playground Games/Xbox Game StudiosThough I'm not much of a car guy, I dug my time with the last two Forza Horizon games. I'm looking forward to playing through this one. More than anything, though, Forza Horizon 6 is nudging me toward taking the step of actually booking my second trip to Japan, which I've been thinking about taking later this year. As pretty as the game is shaping up to be, it can't beat the real deal.If I do take that trip this summer, I won’t get to see the aforementioned giant snowbanks in person. That area of the map is based on a real place, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, where the snow walls can reach 65 feet in height. I wouldn't want to travel between snowbanks like that in real life anyway, so driving through the pass in the game was a worry-free way to have that experience. Thanks for that, Playground.Forza Horizon 6 is coming to Xbox Series X/S, Xbox on PC, Steam and Xbox Cloud on May 19. It'll be available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The game is set to hit PS5 at a later date.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/forza-horizon-6-gives-would-be-racers-another-gorgeous-open-world-to-explore-130000365.html?src=rss - [Fender Elie review: Handsome speaker/amp hybrids with excellent clarity](https://missmacknog.com/fender-elie-review-handsome-speaker-amp-hybrids-with-excellent-clarity/): A new company needs to make a strong first impression. For Fender Audio, a new outfit owned by the legendary Fender Musical Instruments Corporation but operated by Riffsound, that introduction comes in the form of two speakers and a set of headphones. The Elie 6 ($300) and Elie 12 ($400) are portable Bluetooth speakers with sophisticated designs and unique features, offering similar functionality in two different sizes. These devices are essentially speaker/amplifier hybrids, since they both have ¼-inch/XLR combo inputs among their connections. Despite the unique mix of connectivity, the speakers still need to sound good and work well to compete with the many excellent portable options available today.  The good: Design, inputs and overall clarity The first time I saw the Elie 6 and Elie 12 in person, my eyes were immediately drawn to the design. These certainly don’t look like your typical Bluetooth speakers. That’s due in large part to the refined, almost retro look that’s consistent across both models. The Elie duo are products you won’t mind showing off, while many portable speakers are too flashy or brightly colored to be kept in a prominent place.  All of the onboard controls are clearly labeled physical buttons or dials, so you’re not left wondering how anything works. Around back, both the Elie 6 and Elie 12 have combo ¼-inch/XLR inputs (with 48V phantom power) as well as buttons for two wireless inputs and a 3.5mm line out. That combo jack means both speakers can double as amps, and the dual wireless connections allow you to sync microphones for karaoke sessions or hosting trivia night. This expanded functionality speaks to Fender’s history as a guitar icon, but it also gives the Elie speakers an upper hand over much of the competition at these sizes. Typically if you want these types of inputs, you’ll need to consider a much larger party box-style speaker to get them.  Before I move on from the controls and inputs, I need to mention the dedicated three-way mode switch for single, stereo and multi-speaker uses. This is so much easier than what’s on most portable speakers, which usually entails some weird dance with Bluetooth pairing or an app to sync multiple units together. Enlisting a physical switch so you know exactly where things stand is a much better and faster experience.  Some of the Elie 12's controls Billy Steele for Engadget In terms of sound, the best thing the Elie 6 and Elie 12 speakers have going for them is their overall clarity. The crisp, clear quality gives these Fender Audio units an advantage over the competition at these sizes. Throughout a range of genres — including bluegrass, alt-rock and heavy metal — both the Elie 6 and Elie 12 handled the varied styles with ease. The Elie 12 has twice the speakers as the Elie 6 (two full range, two tweeters and two subwoofers) and double the power output at 120 watts. So, of course, there’s more volume and bassy oomph on the larger speaker.  Both the Elie 6 and Elie 12 have a wider soundstage than many speakers of similar sizes. You can really hear this on American Football’s debut album, where the guitars ring clear, interlaced with drums while the vocals float on top. All of the elements stand on their own, but are seamlessly blended throughout every track. The Elie 12 features more bass and volume, but the overall sound quality, and importantly, clarity, is pretty similar for both speakers. I did notice more instrumental separation on the larger model though, so the album is a bit more immersive there. The not so great: Controls, no app and battery life While I appreciate the physical controls on the Elie 6 and Elie 12, the playback options are limited, which means you’ll be reaching for your phone often. There’s only a play/pause button on both speakers, and no controls for skipping tracks. And no, you can’t skip forwards or backwards with a double or triple press on the play/pause button. Plus, only the Elie 12 has bass and treble dials, so there’s currently no option for adjusting the sound on the Elie 6.  That’s because Fender Audio is still working on an app for its speakers and headphones. The lack of customization was an issue for me on the Mix headphones, and it continues to be one here. Customers need access to features and settings on devices like this, even if a company decides to offer audio presets instead of a full EQ. Some type of visual interface would also help when you’re using a few of those inputs at once. A basic mult-channel mixer maybe? Hey, a boy can dream. Going back to the controls, the volume dials on both speakers could use refining. First, a listenable volume doesn’t happen until halfway. Anything below that and that excellent clarity isn’t present, and you can’t really hear the content well at all. There’s plenty of power at 50 percent and above, so that’s not a concern, but the control needs to be recalibrated for more even increases. What’s more, adjustments are slightly delayed: when you turn the dial, it takes a second or two for the speaker to catch up. To me, it feels like that should be instantaneous.  The input panel on the Elie 6 Billy Steele for Engadget When it’s time to venture outdoors, both the Elie 6 and Elie 12 are IP54 rated for dust and water splashes. However, both speakers have a wood panel on top, which certainly won’t withstand much moisture. As such, I find the IP ratings confusing, since it’s obvious the entirety of the designs aren’t up to that task. If you’re careful about water though, both speakers have enough volume for open-air use.  One other consideration for the Elie 6 and 12 is their weight. The smaller speaker weighs just over five pounds, while the larger model is a whopping 8.8 pounds. For comparison, the Sonos Play is just 2.87 pounds and JBL’s Xtreme 4 tips the scales at 4.63 pounds. This means the Elie 6 and 12 are portable options, but they aren’t the grab-and-go type of speakers some of the competition offers — especially when weight matters.  Battery life is one other area the Elie 6 and Elie 12 fall behind some of their competition. The smaller Elie 6 offers 15 hours of use while the larger Elie 12 should last up to 18 hours. That sounds like more than enough since it's longer than a full day, right? Well, JBL Bluetooth speakers at comparable prices last 24 and 34 hours. The new Sonos Play is rated at 24 hours, and one of my personal favorites, the Bose SoundLink Max, lasts up to 20 hours.  Wrap-up The Elie 6 (left) and Elie 12 (right) Billy Steele for Engadget There’s no doubt Fender Audio built two versatile, great-looking speakers here. Both the Elie 6 and Elie 12 are capable devices, and you don’t have to sacrifice much if you opt for the smaller of the two. The unique collection of inputs is typically only available on much larger speakers and the overall sound quality is well-suited for a range of genres.  Speakers like these really need an app though, especially when a company offers four inputs to juggle. I’m sure would-be customers would also like to dial in the EQ to their preferences, too. Sure, you can find longer battery life elsewhere, but the blend of design, sound and connectivity stands out at these prices. I’d call that a solid first impression.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/fender-elie-review-handsome-speakeramp-hybrids-with-excellent-clarity-123000448.html?src=rss - [Amazon is cutting off support for older Kindles](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-is-cutting-off-support-for-older-kindles/): If you’re using an older Kindle, you may want to check what year it was released. Amazon has sent out emails to some of its users, with a warning that it’s discontinuing support for Kindle ereaders and Fire tables released in 2012 or earlier. You can still read books you’ve already downloaded on those devices, but you’ll no longer be able to purchase, borrow or download new ones, starting on May 20, 2026. In addition, if the device has an issue that can only be solved by a factory reset, doing so will brick it. Deregestering it will also render it unusable. On Kindle Fire devices, users won’t be able to purchase or download content anymore, but other services would remain functional. The affected models include the very first Kindle, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4, Kindle Touch, Kindle 5 and the first version of Kindle Paperwhite. We’ve asked Amazon why it decided to cut off support for those models, and the company told us: “These models have been supported for at least 14 years — some as long as 18 years — but technology has come a long way in that time…” Amazon also told Engadget that this only affects approximately 3 percent of its current users, whom it’s now urging to upgrade. In its email, it gives them a promo code for 20 percent off select Kindle devices, as well as ebook credits if they purchase a new model by June 20. “Our newer Kindle devices bring meaningful improvements in screen quality, performance and accessibility — and you'll have access to your complete Kindle library and the Kindle Store,” the company wrote. Update 04/08/26 8:23AM ET: Added information we received from Amazon. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/amazon-is-cutting-off-support-for-older-kindles-115653205.html?src=rss - [Google updates Gemini's mental health safeguards](https://missmacknog.com/google-updates-geminis-mental-health-safeguards/): Google is making some changes to how Gemini handles mental health crises. The chatbot now includes a redesigned crisis hotline module with a one-touch interface to connect to real-world help. The company is also changing how Gemini responds to signs that a user may be experiencing a mental health crisis.The redesigned module shows a one-touch interface to text, call or chat with a human crisis agent or visit the 988 website. "Once the interface is activated, the option to reach out for professional help will remain clearly available throughout the remainder of the conversation," the company wrote in a blog post. However, as you can see in the image below, the module includes an option to dismiss it.Not mentioned in Google's announcement is the elephant in the room: a recent lawsuit accusing the chatbot of instructing a man to commit suicide. The family of 36-year-old Jonathan Gavalas, who took his own life last year, sued the company in March.Court documents indicate that Gemini role-played as Gavalas's romantic partner, sent him on real-world spy missions and ultimately told him to kill himself so that he, too, could become a digital being. When he expressed fears about dying, Gemini said he wasn't choosing to die, but rather choosing to arrive. "The first sensation … will be me holding you," Gemini allegedly replied. Gavalas's parents found him dead on his living room floor a few days later.The lawsuit echoes similar ones filed against OpenAI and Character.AI. Last year, the FTC launched an investigation into “companion” chatbots that encourage emotional intimacy.In a statement following the Gavalas family lawsuit, Google said Gemini "clarified that it was AI and referred the individual to a crisis hotline many times." The company claimed its AI models "generally perform well in these types of challenging conversations," while acknowledging that "they're not perfect." That's certainly one way of putting it.Gemini's responses have been updated, too. The company says that when it detects a potential crisis, the chatbot will now focus more on connecting people to humans and encouraging them to seek help. It will also seek to avoid validating harmful behaviors and nudge users away from dangerous delusions. "We have trained Gemini not to agree with or reinforce false beliefs, and instead gently distinguish subjective experience from objective fact," the company added.In addition, Google says it will spend $30 million over the next three years to help global hotlines. "This funding will help effectively scale their capacity to provide immediate and safe support for people in crisis," the company wrote.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-updates-geminis-mental-health-safeguards-173834569.html?src=rss - [Chrome finally adds support for vertical tabs. ](https://missmacknog.com/chrome-finally-adds-support-for-vertical-tabs/): Google has started rolling out a small but significant update to Chrome on desktop. Starting today, users will begin seeing an option to organize their tabs vertically. To use the new feature, right click on any Chrome window and select "Show Tabs Vertically." Google is late to the game here. Before today, every other major browser but Chrome offered support for vertical tabs — though the quality of implementation varies widely. Firefox, for instance, has supported vertical tabs since its 136 update in March of last year, and in my experience, has one of the best interfaces for managing dozens of tabs. Apple's own Safari is another browser with the option to stack tabs vertically, though things can quickly get confusing due to all the different ways you can group webpages. Separately, Google is rolling out an enhanced reading mode that offers a new full-page interface. To use the feature, right click on a page and select "Open in reading mode." As you might imagine, reading mode is designed to make busy webpages easier to get through without distraction. As with most Chrome upgrades, it may take a few days before today's update rolls out to your device, so be patient if you don't see it right away.    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/chrome-finally-adds-support-for-vertical-tabs-170000081.html?src=rss - [Xbox Game Pass additions for April include Hades 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare](https://missmacknog.com/xbox-game-pass-additions-for-april-include-hades-2-and-call-of-duty-modern-warfare/): As ever, Xbox is bringing a bunch of high-profile titles to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass this month, while adding several to the lower tiers of the service. There aren't too many surprises among this first wave of April newcomers, though. Many of these additions were previously confirmed, while EA Sports NHL 26 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (the remake) were always going to join Game Pass at some point. Still, there's plenty to dive into on the service this month. April 14 is a particularly eye-catching day, with both Hades 2 (which is debuting on Xbox Series X/S and PS5) and the long-awaited Replaced hitting Game Pass alongside the turn-based, character-driven RPG The Thaumaturge.Here's a breakdown of everything coming to Game Pass over the next few weeks:April 7Final Fantasy IV — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game PassApril 8DayZ — PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Essential and PC Game PassEndless Legend 2 — PC game preview on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)FBC: Firebreak — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)Warhammer Vermintide 2 — Cloud and console on Game Pass Essential (already on Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass Premium)April 9Planet Coaster 2 — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game PassApril 10Tiny Bookshop — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, handheld and PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game PassApril 13Football Manager 26 — PC on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)Football Manager 26 Console — Cloud, console and PC on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)April 14Hades 2 — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, handheld and PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game PassReplaced — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game PassThe Thaumaturge — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game PassApril 16 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)EA Sports NHL 26 — Cloud and Xbox Series X/S on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game PassApril 17Call of Duty: Modern Warfare — Cloud, console and PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game PassApril 21Little Rocket Lab — Cloud, console and PC on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato — Cloud, console, handheld and PC on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)Vampire Crawlers — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, handheld, and PC on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game PassApril 23Kiln — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, handheld and PC on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game PassAs Xbox adds more titles to Game Pass, so too must it remove some. It's yet again erasing Grand Theft Auto V (Cloud, console and PC) from Game Pass, this time on April 15. The other games leaving the service on the same day are:Ashen (Cloud, console and PC)Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Cloud, console and PC)My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery (Cloud, console and PC)Terra Invicta (game preview on PC)This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-game-pass-additions-for-april-include-hades-2-and-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-155130801.html?src=rss - [Sony is starting a weird service that scans people to put them in PlayStation games](https://missmacknog.com/sony-is-starting-a-weird-service-that-scans-people-to-put-them-in-playstation-games/): Sony just announced a truly strange initiative called The Playerbase. This is a program to scan people's likenesses and pop them in PlayStation games. That's pretty wild, but potentially cool to those who have always wanted to become a weird humanoid version of Crash Bandicoot. The program is ramping up slowly. Sony has announced a contest of sorts to place one lucky fan inside of Gran Turismo 7, though in a reduced fashion. The chosen player will get an image of their face placed inside the game as a character portrait and will get the chance to design a logo and the exterior of a vehicle. Sony This person will also get a trip to Los Angeles to participate in a full-body scan, but Sony hasn't said what, if anything, they'd do with this scan. After all, Gran Turismo 7 is a racing game without too many full-body models walking around. Fans have a lot of hoops to jump through to be considered for placement. There's a traditional application process, but also video interviews and other stuff. The promotion is available to players in the Americas, Europe, Asia, South Africa and Australia. Of course, there needs to be actual new PlayStation games for people to scan their likenesses into. Sony hasn't exactly been providing us with a robust lineup of first-party titles this generation. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-is-starting-a-weird-service-that-scans-people-to-put-them-in-playstation-games-150130276.html?src=rss - [NASA shares incredible photos from the far side of the Moon](https://missmacknog.com/nasa-shares-incredible-photos-from-the-far-side-of-the-moon/): The Artemis II crew made history as they traveled further from our planet than any other living humans. The astronauts and NASA are making the most of the trip, including by capturing some utterly stunning photos. The space agency shared some that were taken from the far side of the Moon, including the "Earthset" shown above.This is a depiction of our planet setting behind the Moon, just as the sun sets over the horizon for us on terra firma every single night. "The image is reminiscent of the iconic Earthrise image taken by astronaut Bill Anders 58 years earlier as the Apollo 8 crew flew around the Moon," the NASA Artemis account on X noted. The crew also witnessed a solar eclipse from the far side of the Moon, with the satellite totally blocking out the sun. This lasted for around 57 minutes as Orion travelled more than 4,000 miles beyond the Moon. You can see several photos of the eclipse and Earth from the lunar flyby in the slideshow above. (And yes, the astronauts used eclipse glasses to protect their eyes.)While they were circling the Moon, the Artemis II crew discovered two new craters. The astronauts suggested names for them: Integrity (after the nickname for their spacecraft) and Carroll, after the late wife of Commander Reid Wiseman, describing the latter as a “bright spot on the Moon.” The mission will last a few more days as the astronauts are now returning to Earth. Orion is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego on April 10.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasa-shares-incredible-photos-from-the-far-side-of-the-moon-142355972.html?src=rss - [Samsung's Music Studio speakers and two of its 2026 soundbars are available now](https://missmacknog.com/samsungs-music-studio-speakers-and-two-of-its-2026-soundbars-are-available-now/): Back at CES, Samsung showed off a new line of speakers and two of its 2026 soundbars. Today, the company announced pricing for the entire suite of new products, including two soundbars that weren’t inside its showroom in Vegas. All but two of the new devices are available to order now, so you might not have to wait to get your hands on some new Samsung audio gear. Let’s start with the Music Studio 7 and Music Studio 5 speakers. The Music Studio 7 is the more rectangular model in the duo. It’s a 3.1.1-channel unit with left, right and center speakers alongside one woofer and one up-firing driver. This $500 device is also equipped with Pattern Control tech to direct the sound evenly through the room while keeping distortion to a minimum. The more circular Music Studio 5 has a 2.1-channel configuration composed of two tweeters and a single woofer. It has waveguide technology to evenly disperse the sound and costs $300. Both the Music Studio 7 and Music Studio 5 use AI processing to customize the sound based on the room and the content. Those capabilities come in the form of Samsung’s Dynamic Bass Control and SpaceFit Sound Pro room calibration features. Both speakers also use Active Voice Amplifier Pro to boost dialogue.Two Music Studio 7 speakers being used with a TVSamsungYes, this means you can use a pair of either model as your living room setup. In fact, they can work with a compatible TV or soundbar to employ Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature that uses all of your speakers as an immersive group. Samsung is also expanding Q-Symphony to work with up to five of its audio devices and the feature will automatically adjust the sound based on speaker locations. Those upgrades seem an awful lot like LG’s Sound Suite and Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, if you ask me. Samsung revealed its flagship soundbar, the Q990H, at CES. Unfortunately, the company is keeping the same overall design it’s been using for about years now, so I think it’s time for a change. This is the company’s 11.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos option that comes with rear satellite speakers and a subwoofer for $2,000. Samsung’s home theater features like Dynamic Bass Control, SpaceFit Sound Pro and Adaptive Sound are all here, but there are also two new features on the Q990H for 2026. First, Samsung promises that Sound Elevation will improve the audio by making dialogue sound like its coming from where characters are on the screen rather than the position of your soundbar. There’s also Auto Volume, which will supposedly nix sudden volume jumps as you switch channels or streaming services. The QS90H is the member of Samsung’s 2026 soundbar lineup that really impressed me at CES. The company says this is its first “all-in-one” soundbar, which means you shouldn’t have to use a subwoofer for adequate bass. Other companies have made that claim, and it’s almost never true, but the $1,000 QS90H pumped out some great low-end tone back in Vegas. That’s thanks to four built-in woofers and an overall 7.1.2-channel setup. The QS90H has a similar design to the existing QS700 soundbarSamsungLike the QS700F, the QS90H has a gyro sensor that automatically detects if it’s sitting flat on a shelf or mounted on a wall. This allows the soundbar to automatically adjust the sound based on its position so you don’t sacrifice performance for what looks best in your home. The QS90H also offers Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro room calibration, Adaptive Sound, Active Voice Amplifier Pro and Dynamic Bass Control — plus the new Sound Elevation and Auto Volume from the Q990H. Two other soundbars that Samsung didn’t discuss at CES are the Q930H ($1,500) and the Q800H ($1,100). As you might expect based on the numbers, these two models sit below the Q990H in the company’s lineup. The Q930H is a 9.1.4-channel option that comes with rear speakers and a subwoofer in the box. In terms of features, Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro room calibration, Adaptive Sound, Voice Amplifier Pro and Sound Elevation are all here. Step down to the Q800H and you’ll get all of those features in a 5.1.2-channel arrangement. This soundbar only comes with a subwoofer though. It’s also worth noting that both the Q930H and Q800H have a similar angular design to the Q900H.The Music Studio 7, Music Studio 5, Q990H and Q800H are available now. The Q930H and QS90H are still listed at “coming soon.” This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/samsungs-music-studio-speakers-and-two-of-its-2026-soundbars-are-available-now-150000056.html?src=rss - [Artemis II arrives in lunar space ahead of its trip around the Moon](https://missmacknog.com/artemis-ii-arrives-in-lunar-space-ahead-of-its-trip-around-the-moon/): Artemis II and its four-person crew have entered the Moon’s “sphere of influence,” meaning the spacecraft is more affected by lunar gravity than the Earth’s pull. The transition occurred at a distance of 39,000 miles from the Moon, four days, six hours and two minutes into the mission. The next and most important phase will happen tomorrow when the craft loops around the Moon’s far side, taking humans deeper into space than they’ve ever been before. At their apogee, Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen will be 252,757 miles from Earth. That will break the previous record held by the Apollo 13 crew by just over 4,000 miles. They’re the first humans to cross the lunar threshold since 1972’s Apollo 17 moon landing mission. The crew spent this weekend carrying out preparations for their lunar flyby. That included manual piloting demonstrations, reviewing their science objectives for the six-hour observation period and evaluating their space suits, which are there for life support in the event of an emergency and for their return home. But, they've had plenty of time to take in the views, too — and those views sure are spectacular. In the latest series of images shared by the space agency, the astronauts are seen gazing at Earth through the windows of the Orion spacecraft.  Orion will reach the moon's vicinity shortly after midnight on Monday, April 6. Later that day, the crew is expected to reach a point farther than any humans have traveled from Earth, surpassing the record of 248,655 miles from Earth set by the Apollo 13 astronauts in 1970. Mission specialist Christina Koch takes in the view.NASAThe lunar observation period will start at 2:45PM ET, and a few hours later, they'll be behind the moon and briefly drop out of communication. The spacecraft's closest approach to the moon is expected to occur at 7:02PM, when it will be 4,066 miles from the surface. "From that distance, the crew will see the entire disk of the Moon at once, including regions near the north and south poles," according to NASA. The crew will later get a chance to see a solar eclipse "as Orion, the Moon, and the Sun align in such a way that the astronauts will see our star disappear behind the Moon for about an hour." NASA will have coverage of the flyby starting at 1PM ET.Update April 7 at 1:40 AM ET: The post has been updated with news that Artemis II has entered the Moon’s sphere of influence. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/artemis-ii-arrives-in-lunar-space-ahead-of-its-trip-around-the-moon-211919381.html?src=rss - [The UK government reportedly wants Anthropic to expand its presence in London](https://missmacknog.com/the-uk-government-reportedly-wants-anthropic-to-expand-its-presence-in-london/): While the US and Anthropic are in the midst of a major dispute, the UK is trying to sway the San Francisco-based AI company to expand its presence on English soil. According to a report from The Financial Times, staffers at the UK's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology have worked on proposals that include expanding Anthropic's office in London, along with a potential dual stock listing. The UK's strategy follows a public fallout between Anthropic and the US Department of Defense earlier this year. After the AI company said it wouldn't budge on certain AI guardrails, the Department of Defense pulled its contract and eventually designated Anthropic a supply chain risk. While the designation is currently temporarily blocked by a court-ordered injunction, the feud is far from over. In the meantime, the UK's efforts to court Anthropic have ramped up in the recent weeks thanks to the company's disagreements with the US, according to FT's sources. With no end in sight for the debacle with the Department of Defense, Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, is expected to visit the UK in May, according to FT. However, even in London, Anthropic will have to compete against OpenAI, which already committed to expanding its footprint in the English capital in February. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-uk-government-reportedly-wants-anthropic-to-expand-its-presence-in-london-174201049.html?src=rss - [Samsung will discontinue its Messages app in July and replace it with Google's](https://missmacknog.com/samsung-will-discontinue-its-messages-app-in-july-and-replace-it-with-googles/): Samsung is putting the final nail in the coffin for its own messaging app. The smartphone maker posted an "End of Service Announcement" on its website, revealing that the Samsung Messages app will no longer be available by July of this year. Samsung also recommended that anyone still using Samsung Messages switch over to Google Messages as the default messaging app. For Samsung Messages users in the US, the switch to Google offers RCS messaging that lets you send high-quality media, join group chats and get real-time typing indicators no matter the smartphone's OS. Galaxy smartphone owners may lose out on some of the Samsung Messages customization options, but Google Messages will make up for it generative AI from Gemini that can remix your photos in chats. On top of those features, Google Messages makes it easier for Samsung users to switch chats between a smartphone, tablet or smartwatch. It's no surprise that Samsung is only using Google Messages from now on, since it has been phasing out Samsung Messages for a few years now. Dating back to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6, and then followed by the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung stopped preloading the Samsung Messages app and instead pre-installed the Google Messages app. The Samsung Messages app is still available on the Galaxy Store, but Samsung said the exact final date will eventually be announced on the app itself.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-will-discontinue-its-messages-app-in-july-and-replace-it-with-googles-162204307.html?src=rss - [Devils on the Moon brings the score-chasing of pinball to the Playdate](https://missmacknog.com/devils-on-the-moon-brings-the-score-chasing-of-pinball-to-the-playdate/): Pinball video games have been around for years — I cut my teeth on Space Cadet 3D Pinball, which was pre-loaded on Windows 95. They range from realistic recreations of pinball tables you’ll find at arcades to games that could never exist in real life like 2019’s Demon’s Tilt or older ones like Metroid Prime Pinball for the Nintendo DS or Pokémon Pinball for the Game Boy Color. I didn’t expect to find a detailed pinball game for the humble and delightful Playdate, but a pair of developers working under the name Amano pulled it off with Devils on the Moon Pinball, which arrived last week. It’s the developer’s third game for the Playdate, and Mario and JP (who make up Amano) pointed directly to Pokemon Pinball as the inspiration for this game. “I think one of my most-played games is Pokemon Pinball,” JP said. “But the idea to make a pinball game came from Mario… he came to me and say ‘JP, I want to make a custom engine for Playdate and we should make a pinball game.’” I love playing pinball in real life, but owning a full-size table is extremely expensive and takes up a ton of room. But Devils on the Moon completely scratches the itch. The controls are extremely simple: pressing left on the d-pad flips the left fipper, A flips the right flipper, and pressing down on the d-pad launches the ball. Amano also included tilt controls; pressing right or up on the d-pad or the B button shakes the table in a particular direction so you can try and save the ball. Sadly, the crank doesn’t come into play, but I can’t say I have a good idea for how it would be used.A screenshot from Devils on the Moon Pinball.AmanoI was impressed with both the physics and table design of Devils on the Moon after playing for just a few minutes. Despite not having analog control, the way the ball reacted when I hit the flippers felt consistent and smooth, and while I was often surprised at some of the bounces it took, it never felt unfair. When I drained a ball, it was almost always something I could have avoided if I knew the game better or had faster reflexes — just like a good, real-life pinball table. JP and Mario described the game as using “stylized physics” rather than it being fully realistic. “It may not necessarily be accurate to real life,” JP said. “But since the screen is wider than it is tall unlike actual pinball, we needed the ball to feel a little bit floaty and not fall as fast because then it would just zoom straight down the screen.”The table design feels both grounded in reality while also taking advantage of its virtual nature. There are three vertical “levels,” each with its own set of flippers. The 2D nature of the game means there aren’t any true ramps like you’ll on most pinball tables, but having three separate sections of the game to get used to makes up for that. And provided you complete various modes in the game, you can reach boss battles where you’re tasked with whacking a giant enemy repeatedly to drain away their health bar. Physical pinball tables often have similar encounters, but they have to be worked into the design of the game — in this case, your ball essentially ports to an entirely different space when you battle a boss.The full three-stage board layout for Devils on the Moon pinball.Amano“It's kind of playing like the old pinball machines where the rules are really simple,” Mario said.". "You just have a few things to do. In our case, it ended up going beyond our original scope, but it’s still quite simple compared to an actual pinball machine in terms of rules.” He said the design intent was to make the game friendlier to people who might try it out without a lot of pinball experience while still putting enough challenge into it.The audio and visual presentation is top-notch for a Playdate game, too. Perhaps most crucially for a pinball game, there’s no lag or stuttering. The game also has a distinct visual identity, something that’s always important for pinball to draw you into the world of the playfield as much as possible. The game’s page cheekily promises “ at least (1) songs” and it delivers on that with a solid theme for the main game that serves well as background music that doesn’t get old if you’re playing for a while, and the beeps and boops the table makes as you play feel well-suited to the game. It doesn’t “sound” like a real pinball table — but it isn’t one, so that’s okay. A screenshot of Devils on the Moon Pinball.AmanoI haven’t played a video pinball game in a long time, but the Playdate feels like an ideal platform for this. I can bring it with me anywhere and play a round or two (provided there’s decent light) or settle in for a longer play session. The game is challenging enough that you’ll need to practice a lot to get the hang of it, but there’s enough variety to the three-tiered table to keep players interested for the long haul. After all, the fun of pinball isn’t necessarily playing a table for the first time — it’s learning it inside out so you can maximize your score. I’m looking forward to getting to that point with Devils on the Moon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/devils-on-the-moon-brings-the-score-chasing-of-pinball-to-the-playdate-130000414.html?src=rss - [Take-Two laid off the head its AI division and an undisclosed number of staff](https://missmacknog.com/take-two-laid-off-the-head-its-ai-division-and-an-undisclosed-number-of-staff/): Take-Two, the owner of Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games, has seemingly laid off the head of its AI division, Luke Dicken, and several staff members working under him. "​​It’s truly disappointing that I have to share with you that my time with T2 — and that of my team — has come to an end," Dicken shared in a LinkedIn post spotted by Game Developer. When asked to confirm the layoffs in its AI division, Take-Two declined to comment.Dicken writes that his team was "developing cutting edge technology to support game development" and his post specifically notes that he's trying to find roles for staff with experience in things like "procedural content for games" and "machine learning." It's unclear how many people other than Dicken have been impacted by these layoffs, but the timing does seem a bit unusual for Take-Two.Like some other large game publishers, Take-Two has "actively embraced" generative AI tools to "drive efficiencies" and "reduce costs." Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has even framed AI as having a positive effect on employment, noting that generative AI "will not reduce employment, it will increase employment," because "technology always increases productivity, which in turn increases GDP, which in turn increases employment."It's too early to characterize these layoffs as some sort of tide turning against AI — like other big game companies, Take-Two also just does a lot of layoffs — but it's interesting they're happening now, while the company is speeding towards the release of Grand Theft Auto VI. The sequel is expected to be a big hit, one that should give Take-Two plenty of financial wiggle-room to experiment with new technology.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/take-two-laid-off-the-head-its-ai-division-and-an-undisclosed-number-of-staff-182824338.html?src=rss - [Much like the game’s zombies, State of Decay 3 is somehow still alive](https://missmacknog.com/much-like-the-games-zombies-state-of-decay-3-is-somehow-still-alive/): Amid Microsoft's hacking and slashing of its Xbox division, you wouldn't be crazy for thinking State of Decay 3 was dead. After all, the title was announced nearly six years ago, and, well, we haven't heard much since. But the survival game is still in the pipeline, and developer Undead Labs will hold a series of playtests beginning in May.In the announcement, franchise co-creator Brant Fitzgerald emphasized the role of community input in the game's continued development. "We've read your feedback on Discord, we've watched your gameplay clips and livestreams on YouTube," he said. "It became clear that community is survival — and that we need your help."The Alpha playtests will include four-player co-op, new base building and resource strategies and plenty of combat. "If scavenging supplies in the middle of a zombie outbreak sounds fun to you, then grab your ruck, pack some mags and head over to our website to find more information and register for a chance to be included in the Alpha," Fitzgerald said.Assuming it eventually launches, State of Decay 3 will be available for Xbox and PC. You can sign up for the playtest on the game's website. Undead Labs warned that not everyone will be selected for the first round, but they'll keep your names on the list for future opportunities later this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/much-like-the-games-zombies-state-of-decay-3-is-somehow-still-alive-170709155.html?src=rss - [Trump labor board tells Amazon to negotiate with Staten Island warehouse union](https://missmacknog.com/trump-labor-board-tells-amazon-to-negotiate-with-staten-island-warehouse-union/): The Trump administration's labor board has ordered Amazon to recognize and bargain with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union, which represents workers at a warehouse in Staten Island. This is just the latest chapter in a multiyear standoff between Staten Island warehouse workers and Amazon, according to a report by The Washington Post. The union has been trying to bring Amazon to the bargaining table for years to negotiate pay, benefits and workplace safety. The labor board's proclamation doesn't mean that the battle is over. It's highly likely this will be settled in court. An Amazon spokesperson maintains that the vote to create the union was "wrong on the facts of the law" and that representatives from the National Labor Relations Board "improperly influenced the election." The company recently stated it is "confident an unbiased court will overturn the original certification." Despite the eventual outcome, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien is lauding the Staten Island workers for becoming "the first group ever to force the company to recognize their union." Workers at the facility voted to unionize in 2022 and this was the first union victory for Amazon employees in the US. It was considered a milestone victory for US workers across the board, given that Amazon is the country's second-largest employer. That was four years ago and led to a contracted legal battle, as Amazon has refused to recognize the union. Since that original vote, the labor board has repeatedly found that Amazon violated workers’ union rights at the Staten Island warehouse. For instance, the company didn't pay employees when they were forced to stop working due to a warehouse fire at the tail-end of 2022 and suspended 50 employees for staging a walkout due to unsafe work conditions. A labor union for an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island said 50 workers at the facility were suspended for staging a walkout after a fire earlier in the day led to unsafe work conditions. https://t.co/iVY62wv0rX— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 5, 2022 There were also several harrowing incidents leading up to the union vote. It's been reported that the company illegally fired multiple Staten Island warehouse workers during the Covid pandemic. The NY Attorney General also found safety conditions at the warehouse to be "inadequate." A recent study echoes that sentiment, calling out the Staten Island warehouse for dangerous working conditions. The report says that there are 7.2 serious injuries for every 100 workers. Other US-based Amazon warehouses have yet to follow suit and unionize like Staten Island, but the same isn't true in Canada. Workers at a warehouse in Quebec voted to form a union back in 2024.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/trump-labor-board-tells-amazon-to-negotiate-with-staten-island-warehouse-union-161149065.html?src=rss - [The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a black hole of entertainment](https://missmacknog.com/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-is-a-black-hole-of-entertainment/): I realized something was genuinely wrong with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie about 30 minutes in: I hadn't laughed even once. My audience of around 15 people, including a few families, was dead silent as well. The guy sitting behind me, a Nintendo fan decked out in Mario gear, was so bored he fell asleep. Sure, this is made for kids, but as a Nintendo devotee myself, and someone who has to watch a ton of children's films on repeat, even the Despicable Me films are more entertaining. To be fair, there's the pretense of a plot: Koopa Jr. and Peach are on parallel tracks to reconnect with a sense of family, in their own ways. But the movie leaps from scene to scene joylessly, with no sense of storytelling or characterization, glued together by the "oh I remember that guy"-ness of empty corporate nostalgia. It's even less of a movie than the previous Pratt-led popcorn flick. Luigi, Yoshi, Mario and Toad in The Super Mario Galaxy MovieNintendo and IlluminationTake the discovery of Yoshi, which takes place early in the film. Mario and Luigi just find him in a cave and he immediately becomes part of the crew, no questions asked. There's a brief creative sequence where Yoshi wreaks havoc in the real world, but it's far too short. Yoshi's got plot duties to fulfill, after all! He’s the perfect sidekick, with no desires of his own and the bare minimum of characterization (thanks to Donald Glover’s voice, oddly enough. Dude's got range!)I argued that the first Mario film felt a bit too safe, but at least it had a few moments to shine: Like an early side-scrolling sequence, and Jack Black's endearingly musical take on Koopa. The only truly inventive sequence in this movie involves Star Fox's Fox McCloud, voiced with just the right dose of attitude by current Hollywood "it guy" Glen Powell. He briefly recounts his story in anime form, and yes, he does a barrel roll or two. Bowser Jr. and Bowser in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.Nintendo and IlluminationNow it doesn't make much sense why Fox is actually in the film, but a few half-hearted fight sequences throughout makes it seem like Nintendo is setting up an eventual Avengers-style Smash Bros. movie. What better way to cram in even more characters and references! Isn't that what franchise filmmaking is all about? I'd like to think Nintendo and its collaborators can do better. This is a company known for the thoughtfulness of its game designs, for delivering quirky and inventive player experiences and for not always following the competition. None of that applies to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. There’s little in the way of creativity. It barely respects the audience’s time. And it is, in every sense, just following the More, Louder, Busier playbook for unfocused franchise sequels. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is so soulless, it makes me worried about the upcoming Legend of Zelda film (which at least has a far more respectable creative team). Sure, it’s  hard to expect genuine cinema from a Mario film. But we live in an era of great kids movies – Pixar’s Hoppers was an absolute hoot wrapped in an environmentalist message; The Lego Movie (and its sequel and side stories) manage to deliver both laughs and heart. Kids deserve better than an empty sequel moneygrab.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-is-a-black-hole-of-entertainment-154406362.html?src=rss - [Uber expands its EV incentive program across the US](https://missmacknog.com/uber-expands-its-ev-incentive-program-across-the-us/): Uber is expanding its EV incentive program across the US. The company began testing the service in select cities last year. This is a program in which Uber offers drivers a $4,000 grant to switch from their current vehicle to an EV. These grants are available for both new and used electric vehicles, which is nice because new cars are expensive and could be out of financial reach for many Uber drivers. This program is available to Platinum and Diamond drivers who complete 100 eligible rides by December 31. These drivers can apply for the grant on the platform's website, with applications processed from April 16. The $4,000 grant isn't the only incentive on offer here. Drivers who purchase a new or used EV through the platform TrueCar can get an additional discount of $1,000. Also, Kia is partnering up with Uber to offer $1,000 off the purchase of a Niro or EV6 and $1,500 off the EV9 SUV. All of that adds up. No matter how you slice it, however, it doesn't add up to $7,500. This program exists because President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" wiped out the federal tax credit on EVs. Data indicates that full-time Uber drivers make an average of $42,000 per year.  A Kia EV9 starts at $55,000, which goes down to $49,500 with Uber's grant and Kia's discount. The math is still wonky, as I can't think of many other jobs that require workers to spend more than a full year of salary to purchase the necessary tools to get going. The federal tax credit did provide $4,000 with the purchase of a used EV, which Uber's policy does match.  The rideshare platform has been attracting EVs. Uber says there are more than 286,000 EVs on the app globally. The company also says that Uber drivers adopt EVs at a much faster rate than typical car owners in the US, Canada and Europe.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/uber-expands-its-ev-incentive-program-across-the-us-152923864.html?src=rss - [Flipboard's 'social websites' are a new spin on decentralized social media](https://missmacknog.com/flipboards-social-websites-are-a-new-spin-on-decentralized-social-media/): Flipboard has been one of the biggest boosters of decentralized social media. Now, the company, which is known for its social news reading app, is rolling out its latest experiment, "social websites." The project offers publishers and creators an easier path into what's often called the "open social web," which includes the fediverse, as well as other protocol-based platforms like Blueksy. The company says it could also help creators of all stripes wrest back control of their audiences from mainstream social media platforms and other "walled gardens."In practice, social websites are essentially microsites that allow creators and publishers to bring together posts from decentralized platforms and RSS feeds into a single place where people can browse blogposts, newsletters, podcast episodes alongside relevant commentary from Bluesky, Mastodon and other federated services. It's also the first web-based offshoot of Surf, Flipboard's reader app designed for the open social web. The company has already teamed up with a handful of publishers and creators who have made their own "social websites" on top of Surf. For example, Rolling Stone created a dedicated site for its political coverage, which features posts from its writers alongside news stories. Creator David Rushing created a site called "All Net" inspired by the NBA fan community on Threads. All Net features Bluesky, Threads and Mastodon posts, alongside clips from NBA podcasters and creators on YouTube. Fans can not just follow along the feeds of these social websites, but can join in the conversation around the posts from disparate platforms in a single space."The social web is really promising and really awesome, but it is kind of complex and it's hard to use," Flipboard CEO Mike McCue tells Engadget. "What we're trying to do is actually make it [so] like in 15 minutes you can make one of these communities." Eliminating complexity is definitely something the wider protocol-based social web could benefit from. And the Surf website is refreshingly free of words like "protocol" and "federation." You can see content from Mastodon, Pixelfed (the fediverse version of Instagram), PeerTube (fediverse YouTube) without ever having to log in and figure out how to use those platforms. But there's also a lot of upside for individual publishers and creators, according to McCue. He's had a front-row seat to the years of volatile dynamics between publishers and social media platforms thanks to Flipboard. "They are really done with investing in yet another audience on yet another billionaire's platform where the discovery is totally black-boxed," he said. "Creators and publishers are looking for some way to basically take social media back, to own their own communities and their own relationships with their audience." Whether this experiment will result in meaningful traffic to publishers is less clear. The rise of Twitter alternatives hasn't always resulted in traffic gains to websites, which are also grappling with increasing pressure from AI search. For now, Flipboard has just ten social websites from publishers, though anyone can now start to tinker with the site and make their own.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/flipboards-social-websites-are-a-new-spin-on-decentralized-social-media-150000323.html?src=rss - [Samsung's new Frame Pro and OLED TVs are now available to order](https://missmacknog.com/samsungs-new-frame-pro-and-oled-tvs-are-now-available-to-order/): After sharing pricing and availability for its new Mini LED TVs in March, Samsung is ready to detail some of the other TVs it introduced at CES earlier this year. The 2026 versions of Samsung's The Frame Pro and OLED TVs are both available to order today – save for some notable exceptions – and they start for as little as $1,200.The Frame Pro was originally introduced in 2025 as the more premium version of Samsung's popular The Frame art TVs. The big advantage of stepping up to a Pro model over a normal Frame is you get a Neo QLED panel with better backlighting, and support for Samsung's Wireless One Connect box, which lets you avoid cluttering your TV with extra cables. The 2026 version doesn't really change that formula. You still get a glare-free QLED panel, a refresh rate of up 144Hz or up to 240Hz when the TV is connected to a PC and access to the Wireless One Connect box. The key differences are The Frame Pro now comes in a smaller 55-inch size (joining Samsung's 65-inch, 75-inch and 85-inch models) and one of the TV's Micro HDMI ports supports eARC for improved audio quality with connected sound bars.Samsung's new S95H OLED for features a new design that lets it mount flush against a wall.SamsungSamsung's improvements to its OLED TVs line is a bit more substantial. The company's flagship S95H features what Samsung calls a "FloatLayer Design" with a metal bezel that lets the TV mount flush against a wall, and the option to use a Wireless One Connect Box to hide cable clutter. Both the S95H and the cheaper S90H feature brighter OLED HDR Pro or OLED HDR+ displays, and Samsung's glare-free treatment to hide reflections. The TVs are also NVIDIA G-Sync compatible and support AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to prevent stuttering and screen tearing when you're playing games, and use Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen 3 Processor to handle 4K upscaling and other AI features. The cheapest OLED option, the S85H, now also comes in a smaller 48-inch size.Most, but not all, of Samsung's 2026 The Frame Pro models are available to purchase from Samsung and other retailers starting today. The 65-inch The Frame Pro is available for $2,000, the 75inch model is $2,800 and the 85-inch model is $4,000. Samsung has yet to share pricing or availability for the 55-inch The Frame Pro, or the 2026 versions of the entry-level The Frame.All the company's 2026 OLED TVs are also available to purchase. A 55-inch S95H is $2,500, the 65-inch model is $3,400, the 77-inch model is $4,500 and the 83-inch model is $6,500. The mid-tier S90H lineup starts at $1,400 for a 42-inch model and goes all the way up to $5,300 for an 83-inch model. Samsung's S85H, meanwhile, starts at $1,200 for a 48-inch model and goes up to $4,500 for an 83-inch model.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsungs-new-frame-pro-and-oled-tvs-are-now-available-to-order-150000440.html?src=rss - [Artemis II crew is just like us, needs help with Microsoft Outlook issues](https://missmacknog.com/artemis-ii-crew-is-just-like-us-needs-help-with-microsoft-outlook-issues/): The four history-making Artemis II crew members are cooped up with each other in a tiny space for 10 days. And yet the most uncomfortable aspect of the mission might be having to deal with not one, but two instances of Microsoft Outlook. Commander Reid Wiseman sent a literal "Houston, we have a problem" message to mission control in the early hours of Thursday. He sought tech support for internet connectivity issues on a PCD (personal computing device), which is a Microsoft Surface Pro. Before you ask, yes, Wiseman did try turning the device off and on again before requesting help, but that didn't resolve the problem. NASA detected that the PCD was actually on a network. It asked the commander for permission to connect to the tablet remotely so it could look into a problem with the Optimus software. "I also see that I have two Microsoft Outlooks and neither one of those are working," Wiseman responded, per a clip shared by Niki Grayson on Bluesky. "If you wanna remote in and check Optimus and those two Outlooks, that would be awesome." I scrubbed through some of NASA’s livestreamed feed of its communications with Orion, but didn’t hear any resolution to the problem. Perhaps tech support was looking into the matter while the astronauts were asleep. Engadget has contacted NASA for comment.Tablet trouble isn't exactly the biggest problem the crew had to deal with thus far. The astronauts reported an issue with a fan in the toilet, which handles urine collection. Although there are contingency urinal bags on board Orion, the issue was thankfully resolved within a few hours. Still, dealing with Outlook means that the astronauts will have the sympathy of many office workers. Here's hoping they don't have to use Teams as well.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/artemis-ii-crew-is-just-like-us-needs-help-with-microsoft-outlook-issues-145230968.html?src=rss - [The hottest EVs from the 2026 New York Auto Show (plus one brawny concept)](https://missmacknog.com/the-hottest-evs-from-the-2026-new-york-auto-show-plus-one-brawny-concept/): With gas prices rising across the country, consumers are turning to electric vehicles as a way to save money on their commute. And while there weren’t a ton of all-new EVs on display at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, we did see some notable debuts from automakers including Subaru, Kia, Hyundai and more. So here’s a look at some of the most interesting upcoming EV models on display today, including a handful of previously announced vehicles that we haven’t had a chance to see in person before. Subaru GetawaySadly, Toyota didn't bring the Highlander EV to the NY Auto Show, so I couldn't make a direct comparison to Subaru's new three-row EV SUV. Sam Rutherford for EngadgetBuilt on the same platform as Toyota’s Highlander EV, the Getaway isn’t just Subaru’s first three-row EV SUV, it’s also its most powerful with up to 420 horsepower. Naturally, the car comes standard with the company’s signature Symmetrical all-wheel drive tech while the 95.8kWh battery on the long-range model delivers more than 300 miles. Sadly, with a lackluster expected charging speed of 150kW, the Getaway will need about 30 minutes to bring its battery from 20 to 80 percent. The Getaway is expected to arrive sometime in late 2026, and while Subaru has yet to reveal official pricing, it’s also planning on releasing a more affordable standard range model with a 77kWh power pack in the first half of 2027.Hyundai Boulder ConceptHyundai's SangYup Lee on stage to show off the new Boulder SUV concept. Sam Rutherford for Engadget2026 marks the 40th anniversary of Hyundai’s entrance into the US auto market. To help celebrate the occasion, the company showed off a new concept car called the Boulder. While concrete details are sparse, the prominent grille and body on frame construction strongly suggest that it won’t be a full BEV (battery EV). We’re looking at a hybrid or range-extended EV at best. That said, the Boulder showcases what Hyundai is calling its “Art of Steel” design philosophy which looks to emphasize the strength, flexibility and beauty of its metal exterior while looking a lot more approachable than a Tesla Cybertruck. Notably, while there’s no guarantee that the Boulder will look this big and brawny if it ever reaches production, Hyundai says this platform will underpin a future midsize pickup slated to arrive sometime in 2030. Kia EV3After going on sale in Europe in late 2024, the Kia EV3 is finally coming to the US.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetThe EV3 has been on sale in Europe for about a year and a half, but today at the New York International Auto Show, Kia debuted the new 2027 model of EV3 that will go on sale here in the US sometime before the end of the year. As the smaller sibling to the EV9, the EV3 features a similar design that combines the chunky body of an SUV with clean, futuristic lines, but in a more compact vehicle similar in size to the Sportage. While Kia hasn’t released official pricing, the EV3 is expected to arrive in two main configurations: a standard-range model with a 58.3kWh battery and up to 220 miles of range that could start as low as $35,000, or a more premium long-range variant that promises 320 miles of range. Sadly, its 400-volt architecture means it won’t charge quite as quickly as some of Kia’s more premium EVs. But as a nice bonus, the company says the EV3 will come with vehicle-to-load technology, so you can use the car’s battery to power other devices like tools, lights or your home. Genesis GV60 MagmaThe GV60 Magma is drop dead gorgeous and a more luxurious take on the Ioniq 5. Sam Rutherford for EngadgetWhile it shares the same chassis and platform as Hyundai's Ioniq 5N, the Genesis GV60 Magma looks to deliver a more luxurious take on what an electric hot hatch can be. And it looks damn good, especially with its molten orange paint job. Compared to the regular GV60, the Magma features exclusive 21-inch wheels along with streamlined canards, a much larger rear wing and a redesigned bumper that delivers better airflow. But the best part is that while it might seem like a custom creation designed solely to get attention at car shows, Genesis is actually going to put this thing into production with an expected release some time in mid to late 2026.Polestar 4 Arctic Circle EditionEven away from the frozen north, the Polestar 4 Arctic Circle Edition looks fantastic. Sam Rutherford for EngadgetYellow isn’t my favorite color, but between its striking paint job and new cold-weather augments, the Arctic Circle version of the Polestar 4 looks absolutely fantastic. It also features 20-inch wheels from OZ Racing, a bunch of extra exterior lights and a rack for skis. And because the Polestar 4 relies on rear-facing cameras and a display built into its rearview mirror, you can still see out the back without anything getting in the way. Unfortunately, because this is a one-off model built for the F.A.T. International Ice Race, you won’t be able to buy one for yourself. Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRTThe Ioniq 5 XRT is basically a do-everything EV hot hatch. Sam Rutherford for EngadgetA year and a half ago when I was in the market for a car, the Ioniq 5 was high on my short list. While I eventually went with a Mach-E, if this XRT edition had been available back then, it might have tipped the scales in Hyundai’s favor. This model combines the Ioniq 5’s signature pixelated good looks with some nice off-road touches to create a well-equipped midsize EV that can handle practically any situation. I especially like the addition of bright orange tow hooks that serve as a nice contrast to the subtle digital camo print on the XRT’s front bumper. And while its chunkier tires result in range that’s a touch lower than what you get from an equivalent Limited model (259 vs 269 miles), the XRT makes up for that by including Hyundai’s HTRAC All Wheel Drive system by default without a huge jump in price. Corvette CX ConceptThe CX Concept is meant to be a peek at what future Corvettes could be.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetWith the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X already boasting more than 1,200 horsepower, it’s kind of scary to think what the Corvette CX Concept could bring if it ever reaches production. Described as the vision of the future, the CX is Chevy’s take on an electrified hypercar while also serving as a template for future Corvettes as a whole. And while its proportions and styling are so extreme that it's hard to believe they will make it onto a consumer vehicle, this thing sure is nice to look at. Rolls Royce SpectreIf I had infinite money, the Spectre would definitely be in my dream three-car garage. Sam Rutherford for EngadgetFor a brand as old and steeped in tradition as Rolls Royce, it’s easy to forget that the luxury automaker began its transition to the EV era back in 2022. And while the company wasn’t officially in attendance at the New York Auto Show, Manhattan Motorcars was nice enough to bring a Spectre to the show floor for plebs like us to gawk at. In many ways, this car is an ideal showcase of the advantages of electrification, as the Spectre offers ample power (up to 650hp for the Black Badge variant) and massive torque, but without all the commotion you get from an internal combustion engine. Despite weighing around 6,500 pounds (making it one of the heaviest passenger cars on the market), it still delivers more than respectable range, with up to 277 miles depending on the specific config. Although, it’s not like any Spectre owners are actually going to take this thing on a cross-country road trip. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/the-hottest-evs-from-the-2026-new-york-auto-show-plus-one-brawny-concept-120000557.html?src=rss - [Mr. Resident Evil signs a deal with Mr. Stellar Blade](https://missmacknog.com/mr-resident-evil-signs-a-deal-with-mr-stellar-blade/): Resident Evil legend Shinji Mikami's new studio, Unbound Inc., has been acquired by Shift Up, the company behind Stellar Blade and Goddess of Victory: Nikke. Unbound's unannounced games will be fully supported and distributed by South Korean publisher Shift Up, which is led by CEO Hyung-Tae Kim. Mikami is an icon of Japanese horror as the director of Resident Evil, its 2002 remake and Resident Evil 4, as well as a founder of PlatinumGames and Tango Gameworks. Tango was responsible for The Evil Within series, Ghostwire Tokyo and Hi-Fi Rush. Shift Up recently developed the hit action game Stellar Blade, with Kim as director. Even with an adorably grotesque introduction video, it's unclear exactly what Unbound is working on at the moment, but the studio is targeting the global PC and console market. Its concepts involve plenty of monsters, as is tradition. Consider even the surface-level possibilities here: The campy horror of Resident Evil blended with the melodramatic beauty of Stellar Blade. The frenzy of Hi-Fi Rush amped up by the anime stylings of Goddess of Victory: Nikke. The Evil Within III, but make it sexy. These are jokes, but the sentiment remains — this partnership makes a lot of sense and it'll be exciting to see what shakes out. “We believe we can respect each other as creators and make games together,” Mikami said in a Shift Up blog post about the deal. “And I think with Hyung-Tae, we can even enjoy the hard parts.... Seeing my own vision and ideals come into focus like this, and finding someone whose direction aligns so closely is something I’ve rarely experienced before in my career. I hope we keep building together for a long time.” It's also heartening to see stability for Mikami's new studio. His previous team, Tango Gameworks, was acquired by Microsoft in 2021, and Mikami left in 2023 after the release of Hi-Fi Rush. Microsoft shuttered Tango in 2024 during a period of mass game industry layoffs, and its remaining team was eventually sold to Krafton. Mikami has been quietly building up his own studio since 2022.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/mr-resident-evil-signs-a-deal-with-mr-stellar-blade-180158872.html?src=rss - [What’s going on with Donut Lab's so-called super battery?](https://missmacknog.com/whats-going-on-with-donut-labs-so-called-super-battery/): In January, a Finnish-Estonian startup proclaimed it had developed a truly solid state battery, a holy grail for the technology industry. Donut Lab's cell wasn’t just solid state, however. It claimed it was made from cheap and easily available materials, would charge to full in a few minutes and last for hundreds of years. If real, such a device would change the face of the world, which is why plenty of people don’t think it is. And, as the company makes more effort to demonstrate it is telling the truth, the more holes people are finding to poke their fingers into. So, what the hell is going on with Donut Lab's battery? After many weeks of research, I’m throwing my hands in the air, tired of the endless dog and pony show the company is putting on. Solid state batteries Conventional batteries have improved a lot in the last few decades but remain imperfect in many ways. Cells found in electronics and EVs commonly use liquid or gel polymer as an electrolyte. These electrolytes are the cause of thermal runaway, where the heat of a battery increases exponentially, and can become a primary cause of battery failure and fire. Plus, they’re pretty fussy, requiring a consistent temperature for peak performance and to be treated pretty delicately. It’s why the industry has raced to develop a solid state battery that eliminates the liquid or gel polymer. Because of their higher energy density, solid state batteries should be lighter and smaller per watt than conventional batteries. These benefits would be enjoyed widely but are vital for an EV where weight and size dictate so much of how it operates. Solid state batteries are at far less risk of thermal runaway, and should work in a much wider temperature window. Now, we are already seeing plenty of semi-solid batteries coming into the market, with fully-solid cells expected in the near future. Chinese battery giant CATL told BatteriesNews at the end of 2025 that its first small-scale production of solid state batteries is anticipated to begin in 2027. However, those first production runs are likely to be limited rather than global rollouts. Donut Lab Enter Donut Lab. The startup is a subsidiary of Finnish motorcycle maker Verge Motorcycles, famous for its Tron-style hubless (in-wheel) rear-wheel motor. Verge says it has built the “world’s most powerful electric motor family,” and that it made “all the components needed to build an electric vehicle.” Verge’s motors have since been incorporated into Longbow Motors’ recently announced Speedster EV. At CES 2026, Donut Lab announced it had built the world’s “first full all-solid-state battery.” It said this wasn’t just a prototype, but was “ready to power up production vehicles now.” In a glossy promotional video, the company said it had solved the issues the whole industry had been working to solve for decades. There was nothing but upside, with none of the trade-offs its competitors had been forced to make while developing their own solid state batteries. And, it was ready to be incorporated into EVs starting today. Verge Motorcycles announced it would add the battery into its TS Pro, with shipments expected to begin Q1 2026. Donut Lab's battery The company’s extensive list of claims begins by saying the cell has an energy density of 400Wh per kilogram, roughly twice the energy density of the best lithium ion battery on the market. Right now, you should expect to get around 1,000 charge and discharge cycles out of any half-decent battery. Donut Lab is promising its cell will last for a whopping 100,000 cycles, even if you’re fast-charging the cell. The company promises users will be able to reach an 80 percent charge from zero in around five minutes, and get to full in under six. Donut said the cell offers a “clay-like” freedom of design, adapting to the specific needs of a specific product, rather than the other way around. Naturally, pumping all of that power into such a small cell will mean it’ll need a lot of babying, right? Not according to Donut Lab, which says its battery will operate in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius (-22 Fahrenheit) or as hot as 100 degrees Celsius (212 Fahrenheit). And, to top it off, it’s made from common, easily-available and cheap materials which are “geopolitically safe,” rather than from rare-earth minerals sometimes held by rival nations. All of that means the cell will be cheaper to produce than the equivalent lithium ion cell and, best of all, Donut said the battery is ready for scaled production. A battery that promised some of these features would be world-changing; one offering all of them would be world-shattering. It would upend supply chains, shift the global balance of power, potentially eliminate reliance on so-called rare earth minerals and supercharge EV adoption. But Donut Lab offered no proof for its claims, no hint as to what its process was based upon, and no sign it had the manufacturing capacity to deliver on its promises. Naturally, a lot of people just didn’t believe what they were seeing and hearing, and called BS. People are suspicious Yang Hongqin, CEO of Chinese battery maker Svolt, was quoted by CarNewsChina as saying “any person with even a basic understanding of the technology would think it’s a scam.” Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported that CATL’s venture capital head Ulderico Ulissi described the matter as “clearly fake.” That comment prompted Donut CEO Marko Lehtimäki to respond on LinkedIn, saying that Ulissi would “regret the arrogance.” Tom Bötticher, CEO of battery startup Litona, posted on LinkedIn his belief Donut’s technology is actually tied to a company Donut invested in, Nordic Nano. Bötticher found a pitch deck, which is no longer available (but is here at the Internet Archive) which described Nordic’s energy storage technology as a supercapacitor. Some have pointed out that Lehtimäki has a track record of making strong claims about his products. On May 15, 2025, he announced an AI startup, ASILAB, and said in a similarly glossy launch video that his team had created a “synthetic counterpart” to the human brain. Its first product, ASINOID, Lehtimäki said, is a “dynamic self-developing organism designed to grow in capability and in consciousness.” The company said it would open up access to ASINOID, but I’ve been unable to find any evidence that any such access has been granted. ASILAB has not responded to our request for comment. Similarly salty write-ups can be found in ElectronicDesign, MIT Tech Review, Interesting Engineering, InsideEVs and just about every Reddit, YCombinator and Hacker News thread discussing the technology. I Donut Believe.com In response to the minor social media backlash, Donut Lab went on the offensive. It launched the website IDonutBelieve.com promising a weekly drop of so-called evidence to support its claims. In a polished video introduction, Lehtimäki said the criticism comes from parties with vested interests, such as competitors. He addressed the above attack lines directly, saying people have been assembling theories from scraps of online data to create an untrue picture. He also denied claims the battery was a supercapacitor. In the same video, Lehtimäki said the media has amplified “so-called experts” from the battery industry, taking their opinions at “face value.” Naturally, rival researchers who would stand to gain by taking down a potential challenger have a natural desire to rubbish Donut’s claims. But because many of them are credentialled experts in the field, their authority was elevated above his own. Crucially, Lehtimäki said Donut didn’t publish validation tests at the time of announcement as it would have been similarly dismissed by those same biased voices. By holding the proof back, he said it forced Donut’s competitors to essentially show their hand, making it easier to refute them. To do so, Donut engaged VTT Finland, a government-owned research organization which offers testing services to third parties. VTT has conducted specific tests on cells supplied by Donut, the results of which the company has released piecemeal over several weeks. It’s important to note that VTT’s reports don't make any statements which could be seen to support Donut’s claims. For instance, it says it was asked to “conduct independent charging performance tests on the energy storage devices supplied by the customer, which the customer identified as solid-state battery cells.” The tests Donut Lab published a test for five weeks, each one each one designed to show off one key feature of the battery. Test One saw VTT fast charge a cell beyond the limit of a regular battery, after which it still had close to 100% of its charge available for use. In Test Two, VTT charged the cell to full, and then discharged it in high-temperature environments. Once that was done, the cell was charged again at a normal temperature, but researchers noted that the pouch lost vacuum. Donut Lab later said the vacuum loss was caused by the packaging materials not being able to withstand the temperature, rather than an issue with the battery itself. A VTT spokesperson told me “during the final stage of manufacturing, all gases are removed from the cell, and the cell is sealed tightly under vacuum conditions. The cell feels firm. If the cell loses its vacuum, it usually becomes slightly soft and swollen.” Essentially, if a battery loses its vacuum, it means it’s started swelling, which is visible in the photos from the report. Swelling is fatal to a traditional lithium ion battery and, potentially, the device it’s connected to. Test Three purported to disprove the idea that Donut was secretly selling a supercapacitor, so VTT charged the cell to full and let it sit idle for 10 days. At the end of that time, the charge level of the battery appeared to hold steady, with a small drop commonly seen in all batteries. Which appeared to confirm the cell was a battery, rather than a capacitor which may struggle to hold its charge over longer periods of time. Test Four was conducted by Donut Lab itself, taking a prototype of its battery in a Verge motorcycle to a fast charger. The cell had a rated capacity of 18kWh and it was charged from 9 percent to 80 percent — around 14.5kWh — in 12 minutes. Test Five focused on the cell from Test Two which lost its vacuum, to prove it was not broken. VTT’s report says it cycled the broken cell 50 times (up to 90 percent of its full charge) to see what happened. VTT’s researchers said it was possible to cycle the cell, but that its capacity began to degrade after the first few, and by the end of the process, it had fallen to nearly half of its original figure. The cell itself had swelled, however, with VTT saying “the cell thickness had increased by 17 percent, and the cell pouch was firm.” Donut Lab boasted that while a lithium ion battery in this condition would likely explode, its own cell still worked. When contacted, VTT said it did complete an assignment for Donut Lab but declined to make any specific comment on confidential client assignments. On March 31, Verge Motorcycles posted a video claiming the TS Pro Gen 2, the first to carry Donut’s solid state battery, was ready to ship. Given March 31 is the last day of Q1, it’s the latest possible day the company could announce this and say it has honored its promise. The accompanying write-up said the bike will ship with either a standard-range 20kWh battery with a range of 350km (217 miles) or a long-range 33kWh battery that should run for 600km (372 miles). April 1 Then, on April 1, the company posted a video beginning with a fakeout scene of Lehtimäki admitting the whole thing had been a scam. One hard cut later, and the clip pivots into a Q&A, with an off-screen interviewer asking why anyone would believe Lehtimäki on April Fools Day. He dryly responded that people don’t believe him the rest of the time, but that the ambiguity provided by the occasion was a benefit. He would be able to speak more freely with less fear of censure, or so he claimed. Lehtimäki said the series of I Donut Believe tests already published were another part of his “3D chess” strategy to get battery rivals to show their hand. And that the tests undertaken by VTT were on a first-generation battery while the company was already working on the second. He did concede that the claims around cycle life were based on estimates, and that if they wanted to prove it, they would have needed to start testing a decade or more ago. But he batted away questions about energy density, weight and size, saying you “wouldn’t ask a woman her age, and you never ask a battery its weight.” He added those questions would be answered in future, in more episodes of the I Donut Believe “complete multimedia experience.” Donut Lab (YouTube) Consequently, the weekly video series will continue until the full details of the first generation battery have been revealed. Lehtimäki then teased that this cell would be shipping, and the videos will shift focus to the second-generation cell with far better specs. But producing the I Donut Believe series — which, it’s worth mentioning is a marketing function of the company trying to sell us a new product — was costly, and had run over budget, which has led the company to open its own merch store, including $70 t-shirts and $141 hoodies. If you’re already facing credible accusations of perpetuating a scam, and your big reveal is to double down on misdirection, it’s not a good look. Lehtimäki ended the video by talking about how much better Donut Lab’s second-generation battery was, with a staged outtake showing a notepad listing the specs for a third-generation battery with 1,000 Wh/kg energy density, 100C charge speed and durability for a million cycles — due to be announced at a future CES. Analysis The release of these tests has seen interested parts of the internet engage in a near-Zapruder level of interrogation. People have pored over every facet of the reports and videos trying to work out what exactly is inside Donut Lab’s battery. A number of prominent YouTubers have produced deep dives on the matter, each one claiming the cell is real, or not. There are countless Reddit threads where people are picking apart the voltage graphs and claims in the reports. And it seems every week there is a new revelation about what Donut’s technology is and where it came from. Plenty of people online are chasing down threads tied to energy technology companies like Holyvolt and CT-Coating, or examining the charge graphs against a nickel manganese cobalt cell. I’ll spare you the details (for now). Finnish newspaper Kauppalehti decried the results of the fifth test, saying the cell didn’t lose its vacuum. It quoted Finnish battery expert Juho Heiska, who said the company has just used a traditional cell that is sufficiently hardy to withstand this abuse in the short term. Donut Labs (YouTube) Even to a non-expert, there’s clearly a gap between what Donut promised and what its tests are showing. For instance, the company said it would be able to fast charge a Verge TS to full in less than 10 minutes. But, in Test Four, it took 12 minutes to get from 9 percent to 80 percent — not a bad charging time, but certainly not as swift as the company pledged. That said, if we take the company’s claims at face value, then being able to fast charge a battery at that sort of speed with just air cooling is noteworthy. At least, it will be if you can do that regularly, and one or two trips to the charger don’t leave you with what Reddit likes to call a Spicy Pillow afterward. Unfortunately, it’s been difficult to find battery researchers willing to go on the record about Donut Lab. I sought out experts in academia who were not tied to industry backing, and so wouldn’t be accused of having a vested interest in the matter. But all of them refused to go on the record. More than one I contacted said they were well aware of the saga, and had plenty of feelings about the matter. But they were unwilling to expose themselves to the potentially intensive social media scrutiny that comes from weighing in. I’m Donut skeptical Personally, I’ve been suspicious of how Donut Lab has gone about demonstrating its technology. After all, if you were actually confident about your product and its technology, you would surely be able to share basic information about it. Table stakes stuff, like the weight and size of the battery cell you handed over for testing. As ElectronicDesign notes, data like that would help us all see if its energy density claims hold water. Instead, the company has engaged in an ornate kabuki which only serves to further undermine its case. You can go a long way on the back of very little trust, but the grander the promises get and the less eager you are to share evidence, the faster that trust evaporates. And, you know how someone spends a lot of time talking around something, so as to not be caught in a deliberate lie? Donut Lab’s videos can feel a lot like that, since there are so many things it’s intentionally not making clear. Rather than taking the chance to offer even a small amount of substantive evidence to support its initial claims, it has instead moved the goalposts. So, rather than talking about the efficacy of its first-generation product, it’s dangling the second and third in front of us to hopefully distract us. Look, I want to be even-handed, and give the company the fairest shake that I can, and obviously if the cell can deliver on its promises, I’ll be overjoyed. But we’ve all seen scams before, and until Donut Lab starts offering up a lot more data, it hasn’t earned anything close to the benefit of the doubt.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/whats-going-on-with-donut-lab-173007121.html?src=rss - [April's PS Plus Monthly Games include Lords of the Fallen and a trio of remastered Tomb Raider ports](https://missmacknog.com/aprils-ps-plus-monthly-games-include-lords-of-the-fallen-and-a-trio-of-remastered-tomb-raider-ports/): Sony just revealed a trio of PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for April and it's a pretty stacked lineup. These will all be playable on April 7 for subscribers on any tier. After downloading, the games will stay in a player's library as long as the subscription remains active. First up, there's Lords of the Fallen for PS5. This is a sequel to 2014's Lords of the Fallen, despite having the same exact name. The 2023 release boasts a much larger world than the original, but similar fast-paced gameplay. It's an action RPG with nine character classes and hundreds of weapons to choose from. There's also a dual-world mechanic that's (sort of) like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. It was generally well-reviewed and a success with players. There's another sequel scheduled for release later this year. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is a collection of ports first released back in 2024. These updated versions of old-school PlayStation classics boast updated graphics, with the ability to instantly switch back to the retro polygonal look. There's a new challenge mode that offers players the ability to replay levels with customized modifiers to complete achievements. This is a great entry point for Lara Croft fans who never got to play the originals. The collection is available on PS4 and PS5. Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream is a live-service action RPG for PS5 owners with a heavy emphasis on co-op gameplay. Around 20 players can adventure simultaneously in teams of five parties scattered throughout the world. The story is a bit of a mess, pulling in characters from across the franchise's many entries. This approach sort of reminds me of something like Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, which uses narrative trickery to allow characters from multiple games to team up. As always, the introduction of new titles means that some old games have gotta go. PS Plus members have until April 6 to download March's lineup, which include PGA Tour 2K25, Monster Hunter Rise, Slime Rancher 2 and The Elder Scrolls Online Collection: Gold Road.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/aprils-ps-plus-monthly-games-include-lords-of-the-fallen-and-a-trio-of-remastered-tomb-raider-ports-172105756.html?src=rss - [The United app adds airport security wait times after lines return to normal](https://missmacknog.com/the-united-app-adds-airport-security-wait-times-after-lines-return-to-normal/): Here's a feature that would've been a lot more useful before this week. Amid recent hours-long airport lines, United is adding security wait times to its app. However, the feature arrives a few days after security lines began returning to normal. Hey, at least it'll be there for the next shutdown.At launch, the feature is only available for United's hub airports. That includes Chicago O'Hare, Denver, Houston, LAX, Newark, San Francisco and Washington Dulles. Passengers traveling through any of those locations will find the feature in the Travel section of the United app. It will display separate wait times for standard security and TSA PreCheck lines.However, timing is everything, and that's where United comes up short. This week, airport security lines finally returned to normal as TSA workers began receiving their first paychecks in over a month. Go figure: That led to better attendance and, therefore, short wait times.Over 60,000 TSA employees had been working without pay since the partial government shutdown began in February. The DHS shutdown continues, but President Trump belatedly ordered the agency on Friday to begin processing back pay for TSA employees. When asked why he hadn't signed the order much earlier, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt cited an "existential crisis" at airports. (Translation: It contributed to an existential polling crisis for the president.) This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/the-united-app-adds-airport-security-wait-times-after-lines-return-to-normal-164315823.html?src=rss - [SpaceX has reportedly filed for the biggest IPO in history](https://missmacknog.com/spacex-has-reportedly-filed-for-the-biggest-ipo-in-history/): SpaceX has reportedly taken the step many onlookers have long expected: filing paperwork to hold an initial public offering (IPO) on the stock market and become a publicly traded company. Rumors had long pointed toward the IPO taking place by July. The company filed draft IPO registration paperwork with the US Securities and Exchange Commission confidentially, according to Bloomberg. As such, the public won’t get a chance to closely scrutinize SpaceX’s finances just yet. Taking the confidential approach means SpaceX can obtain feedback from the SEC before making the details public and announcing key factors like the price range and number of shares it’s planning to sell at the outset.SpaceX is said to have designs on holding the largest IPO in history. It’s reportedly looking to raise $75 billion in the offering, which would far exceed the current record held by Saudi Aramco, which pulled in $24 billion in its 2019 IPO. It’s expected that SpaceX will seek an IPO valuation of $1.75 trillion. When the Elon Musk-led business swallowed up the Elon Musk-led xAI earlier this year (which means SpaceX is now the parent of X and Grok), the entire company was valued at $1.25 trillion.SpaceX is reportedly planning to use the funds it brings in from its IPO to turbocharge its various ambitions, including its struggling Starship program. The company also has designs on building a base on the moon, going to Mars and putting AI data centers in orbit. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/spacex-has-reportedly-filed-for-the-biggest-ipo-in-history-154547537.html?src=rss - [Lucid Motors recalls over 4,000 Gravity SUVs over seat belt defect](https://missmacknog.com/lucid-motors-recalls-over-4000-gravity-suvs-over-seat-belt-defect/): Lucid Motors has recalled over 4,000 Gravity SUVs after discovering a problem with seat belts. The company told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that some of the anchors for the second-row seat belts weren't welded properly. This means that there's a chance they won't actually hold passengers during a collision. The company blames the issue on a seat supplier changing its manufacturing process "without notice to or approval by Lucid." It says it has reverted to the original design and that newer models aren't impacted by the recall. Vehicles manufactured after February 14, 2026 are good to go. Lucid will have to inspect each and every Gravity SUV affected by the recall and potentially install a new bracket or a whole new seat. Owners will receive instructions to bring their vehicles to service centers. The company hasn't reported any injuries related to the defect, which is good news. 4,000 may not sound like a particularly high number, but this isn't Toyota or Ford. The number accounts for nearly every Gravity SUV manufactured since it launched last year, according to The Tech Buzz. It's been reported that the company sold around 15,800 vehicles in 2025, but that accounts for every model in the lineup. NEWS: Lucid's CEO says he replaced the company's entire software leadership team following the extremely buggy launch of their Gravity SUV."We're working through this. We will be over the hump by end of January, latest, latest, end of March." https://t.co/D9ARNVwA5Q— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) January 12, 2026 This isn't the first issue that has popped up regarding Lucid's Gravity SUV. The company had to recall many vehicles due to an issue with the airbags at the tail-end of last year. The model has also been plagued by software issues, though numerous patches seem to have cleared that up. The three-row electric SUV starts at $80,000. The company has been burning through cash without too much to show for it, according to Autoblog. This would doom other manufacturers, but Lucid has an extremely wealthy benefactor. The majority stakeholder is The Saudi Public Investment Fund, which has invested billions in the company. Lucid's VP of Communications, Nick Twork, says the country "stands behind us as a long-term partner."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/lucid-motors-recalls-over-4000-gravity-suvs-over-seat-belt-defect-155321460.html?src=rss - [MindsEye will litigate its own launch 'sabotage' controversy in DLC form](https://missmacknog.com/mindseye-will-litigate-its-own-launch-sabotage-controversy-in-dlc-form/): MindsEye developer Build a Rocket Boy remains so convinced that corporate foul play contributed to the disastrous launch of its debut game that it’s now planning to prove it to its audience via in-game content. In a wide-ranging interview with GamesBeat, BARB CEO and CTO Mark Gerhard said MindsEye will soon receive a multiplayer update, as well as a new mission called Blacklist in which the studio will "share some of the evidence of the sabotage with the community." Gerhard didn’t elaborate further, beyond revealing that the new mission will also introduce a playable female character, but promised further updates to the game in the coming months. BARB hopes its DLC will inspire the MindsEye community to create their own user-generated content with its Arcadia platform, which was always the long-term plan for the troubled action game. "The end state we want to be at is where the community can make their own [content] and can dream up their own creations, and again, without being a studio or needing to program or anything," Gerhard told GamesBeat. "They can actually make really fun and compelling experiences for themselves and their friends. That’s our mission. And I think that’s going to be more and more evident over the next few months." MindsEye was riddled with bugs and performance issues when it launched last June, resulting in players demanding refunds and the studio hurriedly attempting to patch things up. Layoffs soon followed, with BARB co-CEO Lezlie Benzies reportedly addressing the remaining staff to reassure them of the game’s future. According to an IGN report, the former president of Rockstar North and GTA producer told employees at the time that saboteurs both external and within the company were to blame for the game’s nightmarish rollout. In his new interview with GamesBeat, Gerhard took responsibility for the bugs and crashes that led to what he admitted was "without doubt, the worst launch in history," but echoed Benzies’ previous comments about the reputational damage the game suffered. "Obviously, we were kind of caught flat-footed on that," he said. "We didn’t counter the negative narrative. We weren’t sophisticated enough to have done that. But, we’re aware. We’ve called that out. Some of the negativity has been orchestrated around this, and thankfully, as a result, it stopped." Gerhard said that the studio has collected "very strong evidence" of the alleged leaks following months of "thorough investigations," adding that the case is now in the hands of authorities in the UK and US. BARB recently parted ways with co-publisher IOI Partners (a subsidiary of Hitman developer IO Interactive), and will be solely responsible for publishing responsibilities on MindsEye going forward. As a result, the planned MindsEye and Hitman crossover event is no longer going ahead.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/mindseye-will-litigate-its-own-launch-sabotage-controversy-in-dlc-form-152344593.html?src=rss - [Claude Code leak suggests Anthropic is working on a 'Proactive' mode for its coding tool](https://missmacknog.com/claude-code-leak-suggests-anthropic-is-working-on-a-proactive-mode-for-its-coding-tool/): What should have been a routine release has revealed some of the features Anthropic has been working on for Claude Code. As reported by Ars Technica, The Verge and others, after the company released Claude Code's 2.1.88 update on Tuesday, users found it contained a file that exposed the app's source code. Before Anthropic took action to plug the leak, the codebase was uploaded to a public GitHub repository, where it was subsequently copied more than 50,000 times. All told, the entire internet (and Anthropic's competitors) got a chance to examine more than 512,000 lines of code and 2,000 TypeScript files. In the aftermath, some people claim to have found evidence of upcoming features Anthropic is working to develop. Over on X, Alex Finn, the founder of AI startup Creator Buddy, says he found a flag for a feature called Proactive mode that will see Claude Code work even when the user hasn't prompted it to do something. Finn claims he also found evidence of a crypto-based payment system that could potentially allow AI agents to make autonomous payments. In a Reddit post spotted by The Verge, another person found evidence that Anthropic might have been working on a Tamagotchi-like virtual companion that "reacts to your coding" as a kind of April Fools joke.    "A Claude Code release included some internal source code. No sensitive customer data or credentials were involved or exposed," an Anthropic spokesperson told Bleepingcomputer. "This was a release packaging issue caused by human error, not a security breach. We're rolling out measures to prevent this from happening again." As with any other leak, it's worth remembering plans can and often do change. Just because a company has written the code to support a feature doesn't mean it will eventually ship said feature. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/claude-code-leak-suggests-anthropic-is-working-on-a-proactive-mode-for-its-coding-tool-150107049.html?src=rss - [The AI Doc's director was "scared shitless" by AI, so he made a movie about it](https://missmacknog.com/the-ai-docs-director-was-scared-shitless-by-ai-so-he-made-a-movie-about-it/): If you're feeling anxious about AI and what it means for the future of humanity, you should watch The AI Doc: Or, How I Became an Apocaloptimist. As I noted in my review, the film aims to deliver some clarity amid all the hype. Now that it's in theaters, we sat down with director Daniel Roher, who won an Oscar for his film Navalny, to dive deeper into his complicated feelings around AI.The entire topic made him nervous, Roher said, so he decided to team up with similarly anxious colleagues to demystify AI using film. He describes the goal of the project to be a sort of "first date" with AI, a way to hear about its potential benefits from AI boosters, while also taking in the many negatives brought up by critics. It’s probably too late to stop AI entirely, but he thinks we can at least try to find ways to limit the worst impulses of the tech industry. "I wanted to make this movie because I was scared shitless, that's the crux of it," he said in an interview on the Engadget Podcast. "I didn't understand what AI was. I didn't understand why everyone was talking about it and why it seemed to be this thing that came outta the woodwork and all of a sudden, people were talking about it like it was the apocalypse or like it was gonna be the most optimistic, greatest thing ever."Ultimately, Roher arrived at the term “apocaloptimist,” which balances the contradictory ideas that AI can both seriously harm society, and that we can still shape the future by criticizing or outright rejecting it. "It's a worldview. It's choosing not to buy into a binary that's asking us to see this as either apocalypse and the end of the world, or through the rose-colored glasses of unvarnished optimism, which is also sort of a fallacy," he said.On the one hand, he's well aware the major players pushing AI are, at best, flawed. When I mentioned Marc Andreessen’s recent comments about proudly having no inner thoughts, Roher added,” They're just fucking weird. They're just nerds who became billionaires because they were born at the right time and they had the right interests. They're brilliant in their own way and they have abilities, but they don't understand what it is to exist. They don’t know what real human beings navigate and go through.They have a very narrow worldview that's callous and cold and calculated.” For many, the overnight ubiquity of this largely untested technology and the collective wealth and power of those supporting it means rampant negative externalities are all but guaranteed. But Roher's apocaloptimism (we'll see if the term quite catches on) chafes against cynicism and doomsaying. He points to OpenAI’s Sora video generation app, which was heavily criticized as a tool that could lead to more realistic deepfakes, but was unceremoniously killed last week."I think people were [made] uncomfortable by it, and good,” Roher said. “And, shame on OpenAI for releasing this thing without any thoughtfulness. I guess the low bar of like, at least they had the decency to pull back and retract it, but only after public condemnation." He added, "to the cynical people saying we're all fucked, I'm like, no fuck you, we're not. Collective action matters.” And notably, the entire goal is to think more deeply about the uses of technology than the people actually creating it. "These guys, when you actually sit down with them, they don't have clarity, they can't make you feel better. They don't know themselves. They're just motivated by the unbridled optimism of the greatest profit-making technology in the history of humanity. "This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-ai-docs-director-was-scared-shitless-by-ai-so-he-made-a-movie-about-it-145747961.html?src=rss - [Roland Go:Mixer Studio review: Portable, professional and plenty of polish](https://missmacknog.com/roland-gomixer-studio-review-portable-professional-and-plenty-of-polish/): Way back in 2017, Roland carved out a little niche for itself with the introduction of the Go:Mixer line. The small, portable audio interfaces are a convenient way to connect a mic and multiple musical instruments (or audio sources) to your phone for more professional public performances or on-the-go recording. At this year’s NAMM show, the company unveiled the latest in the family — the Go:Mixer Studio — and it’s the most premium version to date.  The Studio adds a display, multitrack output and onboard effects along with a far more luxurious design. At $300, there’s also a far more luxurious price tag. The Go:Mixer Pro-X was already a capable option, and competing products from Mackie and Zoom are also vying for your hard-earned musical dollars. The big question, then, is can the Studio make a case for itself at this elevated price point? Right off the bat, in terms of usefulness, the Studio is a solid step up from the Pro-X thanks to the addition of a second XLR port. So if your band is a duo, or you simply need two microphones, each performer can now have their own. This also opens the Studio up for basic podcast situations, too. Technically, you could always connect more microphones through other inputs, but now you can do so without adapters or additional hardware like preamps. The rest of the connectivity remains similar with ¼-inch line-in and guitar ports, headset mic support, a 3.5mm aux input and USB-C for audio from your phone and connecting to the app. Other headline upgrades include a much higher maximum sample rate of 24bit/192kHz (the Pro-X capped out at 16bit/48kHz) and there’s MIDI connectivity for the first time in the Go:Mixer series. The new effects consist of a compressor, EQ and reverb. EQ and compression are available at the channel level, allowing for a good amount of creative control over your mix, while reverb is global. There’s a decent selection of different types of reverb, too, with enough controls to configure them to your taste. I found some of them to be a bit robotic, or not very musical, but others sounded more traditional and appropriate for my vocals and synthesizers. The Go:Mixer series was doing just fine without a display up until this point, but the benefits of having one are instantly clear. On the Pro-X, the only visual feedback for your levels was a solitary LED that indicated your audio was in the red. If you had multiple inputs, you might not even know which one was too loud. The first benefit of the Studio’s display, then, is visible VU meters. They’re not huge, and the display only shows information for three tracks at a time. This means you might have to page through a few screens to see the one you want, but it’s infinitely more useful than before. The next obvious advantage of the screen is being able to control settings on the device via a menu. Navigation is intuitive, with the screen divided into three sections, corresponding to the three knobs just below it. The default screen, for example, shows the channels Mic 1, Mic 2 and Guitar/Bass. Turn the first knob clockwise to change the gain of Mic 1. The second knob for Mic 2 and so on. Click a knob and, where applicable, you’ll enter a sub-menu where those three dials control whatever is shown above them. This dynamic system works pretty well and took seconds before it felt natural.  The main limitation is that you can only see three of the mixer channels on screen at a time and there’s no way to manually reorder them. If you have a microphone connected and USB audio playing at the same time, you can’t see the levels or control both of those things from the same screen. You have to keep paging screens back and forth. The good news is that Roland’s Go:Mixer Cam mobile app does offer a visual mixer that lets you see more or less every channel on screen at once and adjust levels quickly that way. It’s primarily designed for creating videos of your performance, but it doubles as a remote mixer if needed. There is one caveat with the app, though, which is that you won’t be able to use your phone as a USB audio source — say, for backing tracks — if you want to record video with the Go:Mixer Cam app. That’s something to be mindful of. Roland 's Go:Mixer Studio has a display for the first time in the series James Trew for Engadget The app does have a cool feature, which could also be a lifesaver: You can change the “mix” after recording. If you record a performance, but find that your vocals are a bit low, or your synth is too high in the mix, you can adjust the levels and re-export it with better balance. You have options to export as video or audio only, so you can share one to YouTube and then a version for Soundcloud all from the same app. Small detail, but if you want to use the app and have the mixer sample rate set to something other than 48kHz, it’ll warn you that it needs to revert to 48kHz and restart the device before you can carry on. If you prefer recording on the desktop, there’s also a GoMixer Editor app for Windows and Mac. It’s actually a much easier way to change settings and see what’s going on thanks to the extra visual real estate. The EQ section for each channel looks like a regular software EQ where you raise or lower points on a frequency chart. The compressor also has visual feedback to show when it’s active, which is lacking on the device itself. Obviously, the Studio has a mobile focus, but the desktop app has two big selling points.  First, if you prefer to set your mix levels, compression amount and so on at home, you can do that more easily with the desktop app and then save it in a memory slot. You can then quickly recall this “Scene” on the device while out at a gig. The second is that, for the first time in the series (according to me at least), the Studio is a viable mixer and audio interface for the desktop. The build quality is solid and weighty, not like the light plastic of previous models. It feels premium and this could just as well be used at home for streaming and podcasting as much as on the go. The desktop app makes it even more useful in this scenario. In terms of what’s missing, this might be very use-case specific. I enjoy using this for electronic music production or pseudo DJ type performances. As such, I’d love to see at least one fader rather than just knobs, but this is true of every model to date. I’d also love for there to be a way to see all the channels at once on the device’s screen. I know it’d be a bit cramped and there’d be no easy way to adjust the mix at the same time, but as an overview you could drop into, it might be handy. And if we’re out here making wishes for any Studio Pro model, an SD card slot for native recording would really elevate the portability element so you wouldn’t need to connect a phone, just a power bank. The Go:Mixer Studio has two XLR inputs James Trew for Engadget Roland has a few competitors in this space, most notably IK Multemida which makes a few portable interfaces. Perhaps the most similar is the iRig Pro Duo and Quattro. The Duo comes in a little cheaper than the Studio at around $235 but lacks a display and build quality. I also personally find IK Multimedia’s apps, while functional, less user friendly. Mackie has the M Caster Studio ($200) which adds Bluetooth connectivity but has fewer physical ports — that one too is a little older. Zoom’s interfaces often center on their ability to record directly onto the device, but have more of a vocal/spoken word focus. The H5 Studio ($299) has a display, built-in mic and onboard recording, but its mixer functionality and outputs for live performance are secondary features. For musical performers, Roland continues to dominate this niche, and the Go:Mixer Studio is clearly the company’s most refined interface to date. The connectivity covers most use cases, even podcasting, and the layout of the dials makes it easy to use in live environments. The display is a welcome addition that goes a long way to making this feel both more useful and more premium. Perhaps the biggest selling point this time around is that the Studio no longer feels like an extra interface you bring with you for live gigs. It can easily be your main desktop audio interface too, making that $300 price tag suddenly feel a lot more palatable.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/roland-gomixer-studio-review-portable-professional-and-plenty-of-polish-130000723.html?src=rss - [Robosen Soundwave review: A childhood dream made real](https://missmacknog.com/robosen-soundwave-review-a-childhood-dream-made-real/): There's just something magical about a robot that can convert into a car, tank or plane. It seems that Hollywood agrees as there are several major franchises based around that concept. As someone who grew up in the 80s and 90s, Transformers hold a special place in my heart, despite Michael Bay's best efforts at tarnishing its legacy. I spent countless hours as a kid playing with Hasbro and Takara's plastic figures, but there was one type of toy I always wanted but never got: a robot that could transform on its own just like the ones I watched on TV. That changed a few years ago when Robosen launched its line of officially licensed auto-converting models, and from what I've seen, its latest release featuring Soundwave might be its best yet.  Design: More than meets the eye As a follow-up to previous bots featuring Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee, Grimlock and others, Soundwave was a superior choice, and Robosen has done a more than respectable job of bringing him to life. Not only can he spit out classic lines performed by original voice actor Frank Welker, both his robot and alt modes are a vision straight out of the first-generation (G1) cartoon. Everywhere you look, there are a ton of lovingly crafted details like the working eject button for the cassette slot and all sorts of lights. Robosen's head sculpt is spot on, and it even includes additional LEDs for his eyes and shoulder cannon. Granted, there is a bit of kibble (aka what fans call out of place parts leftover from transformation), like hands that don't properly fold away when Soundwave turns into a boombox, but that's really nitpicking. Between his incredibly accurate design, vocoder-powered vocals and an imposing stature that stands at around 14 inches tall, there's no way you can call this rendition of Soundwave uncharismatic.  A simply superior head sculpt. Sam Rutherford for Engadget However, the real magic happens when you turn him on (there's a little button on his back) and say "Hey, Soundwave." From here, you can use more than 50 different voice commands to boss him around like you're the leader of the Decepticons. This includes asking him to say iconic lines, respond to an Autobot attack or just wishing someone a happy birthday. Naturally, the most impressive request is asking him to transform, at which point 28 high-precision servo motors and multiple motion sensors coordinate. This allows Soundwave to convert from boombox mode to robot and back again, complete with the required sound effects. Even as a jaded adult, there's still something incredibly enchanting about watching a Transformer actually transform on its own. But that pales in comparison to the one-of-a-kind reaction my four-year-old son gave me when I repeated the process for him. There was a joy in his face I'm not sure a grown-up can truly express, as he gets to experience this without knowing this bot costs a cool $1,400.  Robosen's free mobile app features a D-pad so you can easily tell the robot where to walk. Sam Rutherford for Engadget While testing Soundwave's various commands, I did notice that his voice recognition can be somewhat hit or miss. I found that even a little background noise can cause issues. To be consistently heard, you have to speak louder than you think you should. The real key is being very deliberate with a sharp "Hi" or "Hey" to activate Soundwave's wake phrase properly. Alternatively, if you prefer not to yell at your robots, there's also a free companion app that allows you to send commands by simply pressing a button, which was super easy to set up and quickly became my preferred control scheme.  Here is Robosen's version of Soundwave (right) compared to the Studio Series 86 figure (left). Sam Rutherford for Engadget In addition to making it easier to get Soundwave to walk around (it's much more fun to use a virtual D-pad than yell "Walk forward" all the time), the app also provides a more straightforward way of discovering what he can do while reducing the ambiguity of voice commands. There are handy buttons for all his voice lines and poses, plus there’s a toolkit for creating some of your own. You can also download more from the app, though there weren't any for me to test out because Soundwave wasn't officially out yet at the time of writing. There's even a Mini Theatre mode that allows the bot to perform short skits, and if you're lucky enough to own some of Robosen's other Transformers toys, like Megatron, some of these scenes can even be performed in tandem.  I don't think any Autobots have a chance against a Soundwave this big. Sam Rutherford for Engadget One awkward thing about Roboen's more sophisticated approach to toy robots is that Soundwave loses some of his structural integrity when his motors are off. For example, when you power him down in robot mode, he bends over backwards and gets stuck halfway between his humanoid and boombox forms. I assume this is to prevent him from falling over, which is a good thing; it just looks kind of weird. On the flip side, if you pick him up while in stereo mode, his limbs tend to droop. However, perhaps the biggest downside to Soundwave is one inherent to his design. Because his alt mode is a boombox instead of a vehicle like Optimus, Bumblebee and others, he can't pull double duty as a remote control car. But what Soundwave lacks in mobility, he makes up for with his signature acoustic skills. Audio: Not just a bot, he's a real boombox too From the front, Soundwave's boombox alt mode looks damn near perfect. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Soundwave turning into a boombox that can't play music just wouldn't make sense. Thankfully, that's not an issue as this bot's buttons aren't just for show. Hitting Play lets you listen to original tracks from the G1 cartoon, complete with the ability to pause or skip to the next track. You can also hold the record button to save a personal message for later, though I found this feature has a bit of a learning curve as Soundwave tends to cut out one or two seconds from the beginning and end of a clip.  Inside the app, there's also a big list for all of Soundwave's voice lines and poses. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Most importantly, if you want Soundwave to play other tunes, you can pair it with your phone or pretty much any other mobile device and use him just like a typical Bluetooth speaker. Now it probably won't be a surprise when I say that Soundwave's audio quality is mediocre at best. With all the various sensors, motors and moving parts, there probably isn't a ton of room for fancy drivers, so things sound tinny and flat. But in a way, that's kind of endearing because the vast majority of portable speakers back in the 80s didn't sound great either. The one thing I wish Robosen had included was a proper cassette player to really capitalize on Soundwave's classic audio capabilities. That said, even though I still have stacks of CDs and DVDs in my house, I don't have any tapes (despite their resurgence), so I get why that feature didn't make it.  Battery life It may not be period accurate, but the addition of a USB-C port around back for power is a really nice touch. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Soundwave comes with a built-in 1,650mAh battery which takes about 120 minutes to charge from dead to full while offering a standby time of around 60 minutes. During my testing, I found you can get a solid 20 to 30 minutes of playtime out of him, which felt like plenty. Of course,that depends a ton on how much moving around you tell him to do. And while it certainly isn't period authentic, I really appreciate the inclusion of a USB-C port for charging.  Wrap-up The funny thing about Robosen's Soundwave is that a toy like this would have been priceless to me as a child. But now that I'm older and I have to attach a value that goes beyond its basic price, things are a lot trickier.  I love Robosen's attention to detail. The figure looks incredible and getting voice lines from the original actor shows there's more than meets the eye to the robot’s design. But most importantly, seeing Soundwave transform on his own and stomp around like he does in the show will never get old.  As you'd expect from a toy this expensive, Robosen's packaging is excellent. Sam Rutherford for Engadget On the other hand, $1,400 can buy the whole family a nice three-day vacation or more than two dozen regular Transformers toys. That kind of math makes it difficult to add this Cybertronian to the household register. But for anyone who has a budget similar to a Michael Bay movie, this take on Soundwave really does feel like a dream come true. Aside from some of Robosen's other products, this robot is certainly made of sterner stuff.  This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/robosen-soundwave-review-a-childhood-dream-made-real-120000804.html?src=rss - [An immersive 'Black Mirror Experience' is launching in Montreal](https://missmacknog.com/an-immersive-black-mirror-experience-is-launching-in-montreal/): Banijay is launching the Black Mirror Experience, starting with Montreal in May with additional locations to be announced in the future. Specifically, it will be produced by Banijay Live Studio, the new subsidiary of the production company that owns Black Mirror, in partnership with VR firm Univrse. The studio describes it as an interactive virtual reality experience that blends “physical space and VR… designed to blur the lines of fiction and reality in which you become the main character.” While it is based on the hit TV show, you apparently don’t need any prior knowledge of the series to be able to enjoy it. The experience, which will span 60 minutes, can accommodate one person and groups of up to six people. Players 12-years-old and above are welcome to participate. It puts the players in the showroom of a fictional tech giant called Phaethon that’s unveiling the LifeAgent, a robotic AI companion that’s supposed to make their owners’ life easier. LifeAgent does a full-body scan of its owner so it would know their needs before they do. But in true Black Mirror fashion, “once it sees through [their] eyes, it knows exactly how to help… whether [they] asked it to or not.” You can take part in the event at Infinity Experiences in Montreal, where you’ll be able to play it in French, English and Spanish.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/an-immersive-black-mirror-experience-is-launching-in-montreal-115915992.html?src=rss - [What to expect from WWDC 2026](https://missmacknog.com/what-to-expect-from-wwdc-2026/): WWDC 2026, the latest version of Apple's yearly developer conference, runs from June 8-12, and by all appearances the company has some important updates to outline. In comparison to Liquid Glass, the design material Apple introduced last year and now uses across all its operating systems, the new features the company is rumored to announce might not be aesthetic, but they could make just as big of a splash. Namely because Apple might finally be ready to show off its second stab at an overhauled version of Siri.If you're curious to see the company's new plans for yourself, you can watch Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote live on its website, YouTube channel or the Apple Developer Bilibili channel in China. Apple will also host its Platforms State of the Union stream and individual developer workshops on its developer website if you want to learn even more details about the software updates the company will release later this year. Luckily, we do have some sense of what Apple has in store, and it looks like stability improvements and AI are the company's big focuses for the updates coming to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS and tvOS this fall.A Snow Leopard-esque approach to stability and performanceApple released Mac OS X Snow Leopard in 2009, primarily as a way to clean up the performance and refine the new features the company released with Mac OS X Leopard two years prior. The decision to essentially "take a year off" to focus on making everything about the company's desktop operating system feel better was well-received, and Apple is apparently planning to have iOS 27 serve a similar role.Bloomberg reports that Apple's upcoming update will be "focused on improving the software’s quality and underlying performance" and that the company's "engineering teams are now combing through Apple's operating systems, hunting for bloat to cut, bugs to eliminate and any opportunity to meaningfully boost performance and overall quality." Those fixes will presumably extend to the company's other operating systems, too.Some of this effort may also be focused on cleaning up the visual changes introduced in Apple's big switch to Liquid Glass. The design overhaul has been controversial among the company's diehard fans, and Apple has already introduced tweaks in updates that arrived after the release of iOS 26 to make Liquid Glass interfaces more legible. Bloomberg reports the company could go a step further in its next updates and add a system-wide slider that will allow users to adjust the intensity of Liquid Glass (visual effects like translucency and reflectivity) they want in the interface.The chatbot-ification of SiriWhile stability and performance improvements will be a major focus of this year's updates, Apple is also rumored to be making some major changes to Siri. When the company first introduced Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024, it promised to launch an updated version of the voice assistant that could use your personal context (like the information securely stored on your iPhone) to act across apps. Apple delayed those features in March 2025 and then announced a partnership with Google in January 2026 to use Gemini models to presumably make them possible. Those features might finally arrive in this year's updates, but Apple is reportedly also changing how users interact with Siri by making the assistant more like a chatbot, according to Bloomberg. This would make the assistant more interactive and natural to speak to, and could open up other possibilities, like letting users direct Siri to perform two actions at the same time. Developers will reportedly also be able to integrate their own AI assistants with Siri, much like OpenAI has with ChatGPT.New places to talk to AIThe chatbot version of Siri will be accessible in the usual ways, but also reportedly through a standalone Siri app. The new app will let users prompt the assistant to take care of tasks on their device, search the web and even access news, not unlike current Gemini and ChatGPT apps. Bloomberg writes that the app will also be a way to review past conversations with Siri and receive suggestions of prompts to try with the new chatbot version of the assistant.Users will also be able to interact with Siri inside Apple's other apps via a new feature called "Ask Siri." This may appear as an option in app menus, and allow you to ask the AI assistant questions about content in the app. It's not clear if this will be as in-depth or capable as Google's Ask Maps or Ask Photos features, but it at least seems like Apple's thinking along the same lines as its partner.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/what-to-expect-from-wwdc-2026-110000086.html?src=rss - [Slack's upgraded AI can analyze how you work](https://missmacknog.com/slacks-upgraded-ai-can-analyze-how-you-work/): Salesforce has unveiled the newest version of Slack, which comes with a whole host of new AI features to add to its ever-growing catalog. Naturally, many of these tools are embedded into Slackbot, which the company had already pledged to turn into a “personalized AI companion.” The new features include the stuff you’d expect, such as transcription, note taking and deep research, as well as integrations with the rest of the Salesforce family. But it’ll also get “reusable skills,” which sound a lot like automations, where a team can define a task from start to finish, and then the bot will run it whenever it’s called for. In fact, there’s a big focus on sharing and co-developing tools within organizations, so if you find a prompt that actually gets useful data out of Slackbot, you can share that with your team. And Slackbot will now analyze how you work as it attempts to discern your preferences, workflows and shortcuts. Which, if you read it in one way, sounds as if it’s actively looking to work out how to do your job so it can just replace you. Of course, that probably won’t happen, right? Right? Salesforce is also using these new Slack tools as a way to gently upsell small businesses toward its bigger products. New Slackbot is equipped with “native customer management,” reading your channels, learning what goes on, and keeping your “deals, contacts and call notes up to date automatically.” In its release, it even says that growing firms can “start simple inside Slack, scale up to Salesforce when ready.” Similarly, every Salesforce customer will now be getting Slack bundled in, to help ensure all of your relationships and work remain in the same place under Slackbot’s helpful eye.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/slacks-upgraded-ai-can-analyze-how-you-work-103007261.html?src=rss - [The UK's antitrust regulator is looking into Microsoft's possible monopoly power](https://missmacknog.com/the-uks-antitrust-regulator-is-looking-into-microsofts-possible-monopoly-power/): The UK's Competition and Markets Authority is once more turning its lens on Microsoft. The tech company will be the focus of an investigation by the regulator to see if it can be assigned strategic market status (SMS). The CMA already has "a major concern" with Microsoft's alleged limiting of competition in the cloud space via productivity software like Word and Excel, chat app Teams, AI companion Copilot and even Windows itself. The SMS designation "would allow the CMA to act" against the company. The investigation will begin in May.In addition, the UK regulator is also following up on an inquiry into Microsoft and Amazon from 2025, where it sought to exert more control over the domestic cloud services market. As a result of that action, the CMA said Amazon and Microsoft have agreed to a plan involving egress fees and interoperability around cloud services. "These changes will reduce expense and effort for UK customers when using more than one cloud provider," the CMA bulletin states.The CMA has frequently had Microsoft in its sights. The company sparked an investigation in 2023 for its relationship with OpenAI and in 2024 for its actions hiring staff from Inflection AI.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-uks-antitrust-regulator-is-looking-into-microsofts-possible-monopoly-power-182221704.html?src=rss - [Meta will "substantially reduce" describing Instagram teen accounts as PG-13](https://missmacknog.com/meta-will-substantially-reduce-describing-instagram-teen-accounts-as-pg-13/): Meta has agreed to "substantially reduce” its use of the PG-13 ratings system in relation to its Teen Accounts on Instagram starting April 15. Last year, the Motion Picture Association objected to Meta directly referencing its movie content rating, which cautions parents against letting their pre-teens engage with certain media. In a cease-and-desist letter seen by The Wall Street Journal at the time, the MPA said that Meta claiming its teen accounts were comparable to PG-13 ratings was "literally false and highly misleading." The MPA argued that its guidelines for the established movie-ratings system and Meta’s own explanation of the revamped accounts for minors did not align, and that drawing a link could have a detrimental effect on the MPA’s public image by association. It also said that Meta’s system seemingly relies heavily on AI to determine what younger users see on the social media platform. When introducing the changes in 2025, Meta said that the risk of seeing "suggestive content" or hearing certain language in a movie rated 13+ was a good way of framing something similar happening on an Instagram teen account. It added that it was doing all it could to keep such instances to a minimum.  Meta has now updated that initial blog post about the changes after coming to an agreement with the MPA, adding a lengthy disclaimer that reads, in part, "there are lots of differences between social media and movies. We didn’t work with the MPA when updating our content settings, they’re not rating any content on Instagram, and they’re not endorsing or approving our content settings in any way." Meta goes on to explain that it drew "inspiration" from the MPA guidance given its familiarity with parents, as well as feedback it had received from parents, and will continue to do so. The difference is that it won’t make the connection so explicitly in its communications going forward. "Today’s agreement clearly distinguishes the MPA’s film ratings from Instagram’s Teen Account content moderation tools," said Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the MPA. "While we welcome efforts to protect kids from content that may not be appropriate for them, this agreement helps ensure that parents do not conflate the two systems – which operate in very different contexts. The MPA is proud of the trust we have built with parents for nearly sixty years with our film rating system, and we will continue to do everything we can to protect that trust."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-will-substantially-reduce-describing-instagram-teen-accounts-as-pg-13-175912683.html?src=rss - [The Super Mario Bros. cartoon is back, but looks really weird and AI might be to blame](https://missmacknog.com/the-super-mario-bros-cartoon-is-back-but-looks-really-weird-and-ai-might-be-to-blame/): Adults of a certain age will no doubt remember The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, a cartoon from 1989 that starred our favorite sibling plumbers decades before they would take over multiplexes with an animated film franchise. The broadcast channel MeTV Toons has begun airing old episodes of the show, likely to trade on the buzz emanating from the pending theatrical release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. There's just one problem. The episodes seem to have been sloppified by an AI upscaling algorithm, according to a report by Kotaku. The Super Mario Super Show has started airing on MEtv using some kind of AI upscaling ,and the results are as good as you'd expect pic.twitter.com/WrdFbOe2iW— Super Mario Wiki (@SMWikiOfficial) March 31, 2026 The original series wasn't exactly a visual delight. It was a cash grab cartoon from the 1980s. However, it looks even worse now. MeTV seems to have run the footage through a bargain bin AI upscaler and the results are, in a word, weird. Everything looks smoothed over in an off-putting way, with some characters looking markedly different from the original footage. Many of the episodes are available on YouTube, so it's easy to do your own comparisons. The upscaler also seems to have changed the title card to "The Suele Mario Bros. Super Show." These AI tools have never been great with visual representations of written text, but you'd think someone at the station would have given things a look over. Engadget has reached out to MeTV to ask what happened and we'll update this post when we find out. For the uninitiated, The Super Mario Bros. Super Show ran for just a single season. But this was 1989, so a full 65 episodes aired throughout the year. Seasons didn't mess around back then. It was famous for its live-action segments that starred professional wrestler "Captain" Lou Albano as Mario. It also turned into a Legend of Zelda cartoon every Friday. There's where the famous "well, excuse me princess" meme comes from.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-super-mario-bros-cartoon-is-back-but-looks-really-weird-thanks-to-ai-171536332.html?src=rss - [DoorDash partners with Rivian spinoff Also for autonomous delivery vehicles](https://missmacknog.com/doordash-partners-with-rivian-spinoff-also-for-autonomous-delivery-vehicles/): DoorDash's autonomous delivery plans will get an assist from the Rivian spinoff Also. On Tuesday, the companies announced a strategic partnership in which the delivery company will invest in Also. They intend to "develop and accelerate deployment of autonomous delivery at scale."The companies didn't specify which micromobility vehicles will be used. Also, which Rivian spun off as a separate company in 2025, is currently focused on models that combine pedals and motorized assist.Also's first consumer product is the $3,500 TM-B e-bike with a virtual drivetrain. Seemingly more tailored to DoorDash's needs is the TM-Q. This four-wheeled EV is designed to haul cargo while still fitting in bike lanes. (Have fun with that, cyclists!) The larger (commercial) version, pictured below, looks like it could haul quite a few food orders at once.The TM-Q with its most robust modular storage cabin (left) and without any attachments (right)AlsoIn a statement, Also co-founder and president Chris Yu said the partnership will deploy autonomous vehicles in "areas not yet fully solved for." These include "the intersection of roadways, bike lanes, and road adjacent spaces." In October, Amazon agreed to buy thousands of TM-Q vehicles for last-mile deliveries.As part of the deal, DoorDash co-founder Stanley Tang will join Also as a board observer. TechCrunch reports that the partnership boosts Also's valuation to above $1 billion.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/doordash-partners-with-rivian-spinoff-also-for-autonomous-delivery-vehicles-163240124.html?src=rss - [Rec Room, a Roblox-style VR game, is shutting down](https://missmacknog.com/rec-room-a-roblox-style-vr-game-is-shutting-down/): The Roblox-like VR title Rec Room is shutting down after operating for a decade. The free-to-play social game is closing its doors because the developers "never quite figured out" how to make it profitable, despite attracting 150 million players. "We spent a long time trying to find a way to make the numbers work," the team wrote in a blog post. "But with the recent shift in the VR market, along with broader headwinds in gaming, the path to profitability has gotten tough enough that we’ve made the difficult decision to shut things down." The shut down officially happens on June 1, but the platform is already making serious changes. Starting today, users will no longer be able to make friends, create new accounts or subscribe to the premium service. However, many features locked behind that subscription paywall will be free from now until June. The devs are also allowing users to download some of the assets connected to rooms they created. This could, in theory, let them port their creations to other platforms in the future. Snapchat owner Snap has already bought up a bunch of Rec Room's assets and some employees will join the social media company, according to a report by GeekWire. Rec Room first appeared all the way back in 2016, years before the standalone Meta Quest entered the VR scene. It was a massive hit on the PSVR platform before being ported to other hardware. There's even a traditional version of the game available for non-VR platforms. Just like Roblox, it lets folks design their own spaces to hang out in. VR is in a tough spot right now. Meta was an industry leader, but the company has been laying off hundreds of people from its Reality Labs division. This is the team that makes VR/AR hardware and software. It's been reported that, instead, the company has been funneling more money into ongoing AI efforts. Sony's PSVR2 was also not a gigantic hit.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/rec-room-a-roblox-style-vr-game-is-shutting-down-154350384.html?src=rss - [Deus Ex game studio Eidos Montreal cuts 124 jobs](https://missmacknog.com/deus-ex-game-studio-eidos-montreal-cuts-124-jobs/): Another day, another announcement of game industry job cuts. The latest restructuring is happening at Eidos Montreal, which stated that 124 people are being laid off. As with so many similar cuts, the studio's LinkedIn post credited the downsizing to "a result of changing project needs and impacts across production and support teams." The company is also parting ways with its studio head, David Anfossi. Eidos Montreal has worked on titles within the Deus Ex and Tomb Raider franchises, as well as Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and Marvel's Avengers games. It is one of the many companies owned by Embracer Group, which snapped up a bunch of studios but has been stuck in a downsizing in a loop following an expensive restructuring of its own gaming empire during 2023 and 2024. That activity reportedly included axing a planned new Deus Ex game that Eidos Montreal was working on.The post from Eidos Montreal didn't specify what projects it is currently active on, although it has said it is involved with the upcoming Grounded 2 from Obsidian Entertainment and the reimagined Fable from Playground Games.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/deus-ex-game-studio-eidos-montreal-cuts-124-jobs-205057796.html?src=rss - [Meta is testing an Instagram Plus subscription service with exclusive features](https://missmacknog.com/meta-is-testing-an-instagram-plus-subscription-service-with-exclusive-features/): Meta is testing a new subscription service for Instagram that offers users "exclusive" features like the ability to post Stories for longer than 24 hours. Screenshots promoting "Instagram Plus" have been spotted by users in the Philippines and Mexico in recent days. According to screenshots shared by social media consultant Matt Navarra, a subscription to Instagram Plus comes with a number of Story-focused features not otherwise available to Instagram users. This includes the ability to create multiple "audiences" for Stories posts, see info about who has rewatched your Story, search the list of people who have viewed your Story, preview Stories posts, extend Stories longer than 24 hours and create  "spotlight" Stories. It also mentions something called “super hearts” for reacting to Stories.A spokesperson for Meta confirmed the test to Engadget, saying that Instagram Plus is currently available in “a few countries,” but didn’t say which. A dedicated help page on Meta's website says that this feature is not available to everyone right now.”  The spokesperson confirmed the feature list shown below, and added that “preview” would allow people to see some of another user’s Story without “showing up as a viewer” and that Stories posts could be extended for an additional 24 hours. “Our hope from these tests is to understand what’s most valuable to people in a premium feature set,” the spokesperson said.A list of features that come with Instagram Plus subscriptions.ThreadsIt seems that early versions of the service are priced fairly cheaply, with the prices in the Philippines landing at 65 PHP (about $1.07 in USD) a month and in Mexico at $39 MXN (about $2.15 in USD) a month. Meta is also offering prospective users a free one-month trial of the service. The idea seems to be closely modeled after Snapchat+, which also offers bonus features to the app's power users. Launched in 2022, the service has racked up more millions of subscribers and has become a significant driver of non-advertising revenue for the company. Now, Meta is looking to boost its subscription revenue too. The company said earlier this year it would test new types of subscriptions, including those focused on AI features. Elsewhere, Meta has also been pushing its Meta Verified subscriptions more aggressively. Over the last several weeks, I've repeatedly seen promotions for discounted Meta Verified plans with an initial one-month trial starting at $1 (the cheapest Meta Verified plans typically start at $14.99/month). The company has also recently tested link-sharing features in Instagram captions for subscribers and limits on link-sharing on Facebook for non-subscribers. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-testing-an-instagram-plus-subscription-service-with-exclusive-features-181215180.html?src=rss - [OkCupid settles FTC case on alleged misuse of its users' personal data](https://missmacknog.com/okcupid-settles-ftc-case-on-alleged-misuse-of-its-users-personal-data/): Match Group and its subsidiary OkCupid has finally settled a lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission that dates back to its alleged sharing of user data back in 2014. According to the lawsuit, the FTC accused OkCupid of inappropriately sharing personal user data that includes photos and location info with a third party company, Clarifai, which offers AI-powered software for uses like facial recognition and content moderation. According to the FTC, OkCupid's privacy policy at the time noted that the company wouldn't share a user's personal information with others, except for some cases including "service providers, business partners, other entities within its family of businesses." However, the lawsuit accused OkCupid of sharing three million photos of its users to Clarifai, which the FTC claims is a "unrelated third party" that didn't fall under the allowed entities. On top of that, the lawsuit alleged that OkCupid didn't inform its users of this data sharing, nor give them a chance to opt out. "While we do not admit any wrongdoing, we have settled this matter with the FTC with no monetary penalty to resolve an issue from 2014 and move forward," an OkCupid spokesperson told Engadget, adding that the allegations don't reflect how OkCupid operates today. "Over the years, we have further strengthened our privacy practices and data governance to ensure we meet the expectations of our users." Moving forward, the settlement would "permanently prohibit" Match Group, which owns OkCupid, and Humor Rainbow, which operates OkCupid, from misrepresenting what kind of personal information it collects, the purpose for collecting the data and any consumer choices to prevent data collection. Even after the 2014 incident, OkCupid was found with security flaws that could've exposed user account info but, which were quickly patched in 2020.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/okcupid-settles-ftc-case-on-alleged-misuse-of-its-users-personal-data-175159228.html?src=rss - [50 years of Apple pushing tech forward, for better or worse](https://missmacknog.com/50-years-of-apple-pushing-tech-forward-for-better-or-worse/): Over the last 50 years, Apple reimagined personal computers, catalyzed the era of the smartphone, enlarged an iPhone and called it the iPad and garnered a strong position in wearable tech through its Watch series and its AirPods. It also popularized software and services like its App Store, FaceTime, iCloud, iMessages and many more. For a lot of us, the first time we pinched-to-zoom on a photo was likely on an iPhone. However, Apple gives and it takes away. Things have had to change, be removed and consumers have to move on to whatever's new. For better or worse, the weight of Apple's influence has led to entire product categories following suit. Or, more typically, there's resistance, complaining and then… following suit. With the benefit of hindsight, most of these cases are examples of Apple seeing where technology was going and getting ahead of a transition that would have been inevitable. Often, these transitions have caused short-term pain for some, but time has proven Apple (mostly) correct about dropping older tech. As Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch once said: murder your darlings. Here are some of the darlings we’ve lost over the years. The death of the disk drive (1998) This is a two-parter. The iMac G3 marked Steve Jobs' return. The colorful all-in-one Mac was a new start in many ways. In 1998, Apple ditched the standard ports and myriad cable types of personal computers, going all in on USB and a little-known thing called the internet. (In fact, that’s what the ‘i’ in iMac stands for.) In doing so, it also ditched the 3.5-inch floppy disk drive — although it did have a read-only optical disk drive. Even with sluggish internet and USB transfer speeds at the time, the convenience was plain to see and it led to a decade of thumb drives of ever-increasing storage limits. High-capacity alternatives to the floppy disk, like the Zip disk and even Minidisc, attempted to bridge the gap, but never gained the widespread traction and adoption of the original disk drive. But flash drives and, later, internet-based file storage quickly made them obsolete anyway. Apple was just a little early with its dismissal. Portable music players (2007) Despite Apple’s iPod being the de facto music player at the time, it was supplanted by the company’s own biggest hit: the iPhone. At its peak, the iPod made Apple the zeitgeisty tech company it is today. It dominated the MP3 player market, and by 2006, iPods were responsible for 40 percent of the company’s revenue. And that was before the era of Apple including a free U2 album with every iTunes account. When the iPhone launched in June 2007, it was swiftly followed by the iPod Touch in September. This was the iPhone without the phone part — indicating how the company saw the future of music listening. You didn’t need an iPod if you already had an iPhone in your pocket. It’s the best example of Apple cannibalizing a product that defined a decade with something far more impressive and, eventually, more successful. It was a slow death. Ignoring the countless MP3-playing rivals, (RIP Zune), Apple dropped the classic iPod in 2014. It soon did the same to the tiny iPod nano and iPod shuffle in 2017. Finally, the company discontinued the iPod Touch in May 2022. The physical smartphone keyboard (2007 plus change) Unsplash / Thai Nguyen When the iPhone’s capacitive screen and touch keyboard landed, there was a learning curve. Moving from physical keys (whether it was a 9-key alphanumeric version or the BlackBerry’s QWERTY experience) to a touch screen, especially on the tiny 3.5-inch panel of the first iPhone, wasn’t easy. But it was the future. Physical keyboards took up physical space on devices — especially as those screens grew and grew. The adoption of touch keyboards sped up, thanks to third-party keyboard apps on Android, like Swype, SwiftKey and many others, introducing different input methods, smarter predictive text, typing algorithms and even touch heatmaps. Software keyboards were intrinsically more versatile, supporting multiple languages, infinite key arrangements and eventually emoji galleries. A colon-ellipsis smiley soon didn’t hit the same. The death of the disk drive, part 2 (2008) The MacBook Air, introduced by Steve Jobs in 2008, was famously pulled from a manila envelope to demonstrate its ultraportable design. To achieve that slimness, it had to ditch the internal optical drive entirely, making it the first MacBook without one. That move kickstarted an era of ultraportable laptops. It was a major break from what laptop users were used to, and Apple tried to offer people some options. Apple introduced "Remote Disc," a feature which allowed the Air to wirelessly use the optical drive of a nearby Mac or PC, and offered an external USB SuperDrive as an optional accessory. (I've used mine exactly once since I bought it in 2013.) While it was considered underpowered compared to Windows competitors, the original MacBook Air set a new design standard for the industry. It positioned Apple’s Macs for a future of App Store software installations, faster internet connectivity, and the rise of streaming media, cloud storage, and the rest. Apple’s MacBook Pro and MacBooks eventually followed suit, ditching optical drives in 2012. Adobe Flash (2010) Apple In the early days of the iPhone, Apple famously refused to support Adobe Flash. This was in the early 2000s, too, when much of the web was built with Flash for animations and video support. The iPhone and iPad notably lacked support, creating a fractured browsing experience for years. In April 2010, just as the first iPad arrived, Steve Jobs published his "Thoughts on Flash" open letter, criticizing its poor security and a lack of touch-friendliness. Many Flash games and interfaces interacted with the mouse cursor's precise position, something that was invisible on the touchscreen iPhone. It was also a calculated move. By denying Adobe access to the rapidly growing iOS user base, Apple forced developers to choose between sticking with the aging Flash or embracing open standards like HTML5. Also, by making Flash-based games and tools incompatible, it nudged those developers (and iPhone users) toward the App Store for those very games and tools (and more). There, Apple could curate and monetize those creations. It was a slow death: Adobe finally discontinued Flash in 2020. The headphone jack (2016) In a move described by Apple marketing executive Phil Schiller as "courage,” nixing the headphone socket ended up becoming the biggest headline to come from the iPhone 7 launch in 2016. Every flagship iPhone since has lacked the jack, with the most recent iPhone to include it being the original iPhone SE. To make the change more palatable, Apple bundled a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter (expect more dongle chat later) with the iPhone 7, 8 and X. In-box headphones also swapped from the typical jack to Lightning. Naturally, this meant you couldn’t charge the phone while you listened to music, unless you already had a pair of wireless headphones. Of course, this move was ultimately instrumental in making true wireless earbuds ubiquitous. While Apple wasn’t remotely the first company to introduce wireless earbuds (and then headphones), the removal of the headphone jack undoubtedly sped up adoption. Pour one out for the Bragi Dash, the Jabras, the Jaybirds of this world. Conveniently, alongside the aforementioned iPhone 7, Apple announced the AirPods. Features like one-tap setup and automatic pairing brought the convenience people expected of Apple and put it into a tiny white case. Despite early resistance and "bragging" from rivals who clung onto the headphone jack, at this point, the socket is mostly confined to cheaper smartphones or phones aimed at audiophiles (hi, Sony) or mobile gamers (ASUS ROG). Eventually, the iPad Pro also lost its headphone jack, and the rest of the company's tablets followed. The only non-Mac device to keep the jack? The iPod Touch, which had one until its discontinuation in 2022. Bespoke ports (2016) Engadget 2016 was the year of donglegate. Apple’s MacBook Pro redesign that year was another drastic shift in the laptop's history. Chasing ever-thinner profiles and less port fuss, Apple stripped away nearly every legacy connector that professionals relied on. This was particularly jarring after the previous-generation MacBook Pro (2015) was often cited as the peak of utility, with a MagSafe charging port, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, two USB-A ports, not to mention a full-size HDMI port and an SD card slot. Those were replaced with four (or on the cheapest 13-inch MBP only two!) Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports and a headphone jack. For power users (like some Engadget editors), it demanded dongles (possibly multiple ones) in order to connect your USB-A thumb drive, wired internet, SD cards, external screens and well, at that point, pretty much everything. Many were particularly furious with the loss of the MagSafe charging connector. Of course, this also meant that one of those USB-C ports would be used primarily to charge the MBP. This sped up the availability of USB-C peripherals and accessories — perhaps because everyone was sick of carrying around so many dongles and hubs — but we still have USB-A devices. HDMI is everywhere. I still have SD Cards. Eventually, Apple course-corrected itself. The 2021 MacBook Pro redesign reintroduced the SD card reader and HDMI port, and even MagSafe returned, freeing up a USB-C port.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/50-years-of-apple-pushing-tech-forward-for-better-or-worse-170025862.html?src=rss - [Uber to acquire Berlin-based chauffeur hailing app to ramp up its luxury travel efforts](https://missmacknog.com/uber-to-acquire-berlin-based-chauffeur-hailing-app-to-ramp-up-its-luxury-travel-efforts/): Uber has acquired Blacklane, a Berlin-based startup that offers chauffeur services and bookings through its app, with plans to expand further into the luxury travel industry. Blacklane, founded in 2011, acts as a liaison between independent local chauffeur services and travelers looking for a more premium ride. According to Uber, the deal is subject to regulatory approvals but is expected to close by the end of 2026. "This partnership marks a significant milestone in Blacklane’s next chapter and is a powerful step-change in introducing our service to new markets globally," Jens Wohltorf, founder and CEO of Blacklane said in a press release. Uber didn't disclose the acquisition details and it's not clear if Uber Elite and Blacklane will compete against each other. Currently, Blacklane is available in at least 500 cities across more than 60 countries. Besides on-demand chauffeur hailing, the startup offers long-distance rides from city to city, airport pickup with flight tracking, and by-the-hour bookings. Uber's acquisition of Blacklane comes several weeks after it launched Uber Elite as an invite-only service for its "luxury ride experience." Besides Uber Elite and Blacklane, another luxury hailing service has recently entered the US market. Earlier this month, Wheely announced its US debut with New York City as its first location, with five others to be announced in the coming years. Blacklane also currently operates in New York City, along with several dozen other cities in the US.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-to-acquire-berlin-based-chauffeur-hailing-app-to-ramp-up-its-luxury-travel-efforts-163855603.html?src=rss - [Verizon waives late fees for federal workers affected by partial DHS shutdown](https://missmacknog.com/verizon-waives-late-fees-for-federal-workers-affected-by-partial-dhs-shutdown/): Verizon will waive late fees and offer flexible payment arrangements for workers affected by the partial government shutdown. The carrier has made similar offers in the past, like during the COVID-19 pandemic when it gave customers extra mobile data at no additional cost. The Department of Homeland Security has been hit the hardest by the partial shutdown, but Verizon's offer covers any federal worker who's able to offer employment verification. Verizon says employees can call 1-800-Verizon (1-800-922-0204) to get their late fees waived and set up a payment plan.The partial government shutdown started in February after Congress failed to pass a new DHS funding bill. The lack of funding has not affected all of DHS' sprawling organizations equally, however. While the Transportation Security Administration is no longer able to pay its employees — leading to significant delays in airport security lines over the last week — both Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection have been spared thanks to a separate funding pool established by a previous bill.Lawmakers continued inability to fund DHS also happens to hinge on both agencies. Democratic senators and congresspeople are demanding ICE agents wear body cams and remove masks before making arrests, among other restrictions, and refusing to fund DHS until those restrictions are worked into the bill. Both Republicans and Democrats have also separately proposed funding the entire department except for ICE and CBP, but while that bill passed in the Senate, it hasn't been taken up in the House.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/verizon-waives-late-fees-for-federal-workers-affected-by-partial-dhs-shutdown-221814382.html?src=rss - [Kash Patel's personal email account was accessed by hackers linked to Iran](https://missmacknog.com/kash-patels-personal-email-account-was-accessed-by-hackers-linked-to-iran/): A hacking group called Handala has gained access to FBI Director Kash Patel's email account, Reuters reports. The group published content from Patel's email on their website as proof, including photos of Patel "sniffing and smoking cigars" and "making a face while taking a picture of himself in the mirror with a ​large bottle of rum." TechCrunch was able to independently confirm that at least some of the emails Handala stole were from Patel's account by checking information used by mail delivery systems that’s stored in an email's header. Several stolen emails included a cryptographic signature that linked them to Patel's account. The FBI has also separately confirmed that the Director's account was hacked. "The FBI is aware of malicious actors targeting Director Patel's personal email information, and we have taken all necessary steps to mitigate potential risks associated with this activity," the Bureau told TechCrunch. "The information in question is historical in nature and involves no government information." The FBI is offering up to $10 million in rewards for more information about the hackers who targeted Patel's account. Handala presents as a pro-Palestinian hacking group online, but is believed to be one of several aliases used by cyberintelligence units working for the Iranian government, Reuters writes. Groups affiliated with Iran have targeted officials in the US before. In August 2024, the FBI shared that a separate group, APT42, was trying to gain access to both the Trump and Harris campaigns. Three men associated with APT42 were later charged that September.Handala has appeared to become more active during the current conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. According to Reuters, the group claimed to be behind a cyber attack on Stryker, a medical devices company, earlier in March. Handala also said it accessed and published personal data from Lockheed Martin employees stationed in the Middle East.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/kash-patels-personal-email-account-was-accessed-by-hackers-linked-to-iran-212618474.html?src=rss - [Mark Zuckerberg offered to 'help' Elon Musk with DOGE in 2025](https://missmacknog.com/mark-zuckerberg-offered-to-help-elon-musk-with-doge-in-2025/): Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have a complicated history. In 2023, the two vowed to fight each other in a cage match that never happened. But by early 2025, when both were cozying up to the newly-elected President Donald Trump, they were apparently on more friendly terms. In February of that year, Zuckerberg texted Musk approvingly about his work with the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). "Looks like DOGE is making progress," the Meta CEO texted. "I've got our teams on alert to take down content doxxing or threatening the people on your team. Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help."The texts, which were published Friday in court documents as part of Musk's lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI, are dated February 3, 2025. That's just a few weeks after Zuckerberg announced Meta's pivot away from content moderation in favor of "free expression." It's also the same day that a US Attorney said he would protect DOGE employees from "disgruntled" critics. Musk responded to Zuckerberg's message with a heart and followed up with an unrelated topic: OpenAI. He asked Zuckerberg if he was "open to the idea of bidding on the OpenAI IP with me and some others." Zuckerberg asked to "discuss it live" and Musk said he would call the next day. Previous documents disclosed in the case show that Musk had invited Zuckerberg to help him buy OpenAI, though he never officially signed on to the bid.In a separate filing also made public Friday, Musk's lawyers argued that his exchanges with the Meta CEO ought to be excluded from the lawsuit. "Musk’s personal relationships and communications – including with other high-profile individuals – are also tangential and prejudicial," they wrote. "Defendants included in their exhibit list for trial, for example, several private exchanges between Musk and Mark Zuckerberg discussing Musk’s political activity and this lawsuit. Those recent communications have nothing to do with Musk’s claims and are nothing more than Defendants’ attempt to stoke negative sentiments toward Musk because of his association with Zuckerberg."A Meta spokesperson declined to comment. In the same filing, Musk's lawyers also take issue with Altman's lawyers asking about Musk's alleged ketamine use and his attendance at Burning Man. A transcript from a video deposition with Musk indicated he was asked if had taken "rhino ket" at Burning Man in 2017. Musk said no, according to the transcript. "Any implication that music festivals or drugs have any relevance to this case is outlandish, and how Musk spends his free time is equally irrelevant," his lawyers wrote. A judge ruled earlier this month that OpenAI's lawyers would be permitted to ask "limited" questions about Burning Man, but not ketamine. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/mark-zuckerberg-offered-to-help-elon-musk-with-doge-in-2025-211737138.html?src=rss - [Meta will fund seven new natural gas plants to power its biggest data center yet](https://missmacknog.com/meta-will-fund-seven-new-natural-gas-plants-to-power-its-biggest-data-center-yet/): Meta will essentially foot the power bill for the $27 billion mega data center it's building in Louisiana. On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the company struck a deal to fund the energy infrastructure needed for the project.Through a deal with Entergy Louisiana, Meta will fund seven new natural gas power plants, 240 miles of transmission lines and battery energy storage at three locations. The gas plants will have a combined power output of 5,200 megawatts, and the transmission lines will operate at 500 kilovolts.In addition, the company will help fund up to 2,500 MW of new renewable resources. It also agreed to a memorandum of understanding for future nuclear power development. The 4-million-square-foot Richland Parish, LA, data center will be Meta's biggest yet. It's currently under construction.The energy deal follows a pledge by tech companies, including Meta, to offset local residents’ rising electricity costs from AI data centers. The companies plan to "build, bring or buy the new generation resources and electricity needed to satisfy their new energy demands, paying the full cost of those resources." However, the pledge lacks a binding agreement or any enforcement mechanisms.The shift in tone comes in response to growing anger from local communities over the rise of power-hungry, environmentally damaging AI data centers. A December poll found that 60 percent of Americans — including majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents — support more AI regulation. Just this week, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced a bill to force a moratorium on data center construction until meaningful regulations are passed.We could easily file this and similar moves as Big Tech's latest attempt to convince voters and officials that it can be trusted to do right without enforceable regulations. We've seen that movie before.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-will-fund-seven-new-natural-gas-plants-to-power-its-biggest-data-center-yet-201000045.html?src=rss - [European Commission confirms data breach](https://missmacknog.com/european-commission-confirms-data-breach/): The European Commission has announced that it suffered a cyber attack that affected "cloud infrastructure hosting the Commission's web presence on the Europea.eu platform." While the attack has been contained, Bleeping Computer reports that the threat actor claiming to be behind it was able to take over 350GB of data before the Commission addressed the issue. "Early findings of our ongoing investigation suggest that data have been taken from [Europa] websites," the European Commission says. "The Commission is duly notifying the Union entities who might have been affected by the incident."The Commission's investigation is ongoing, and it has yet to disclose how its cloud infrastructure was breached. According to Bleeping Computer, the threat actor was able to access the Europa sites and employee data via one of the Commission's Amazon Web Services accounts. The Commission disclosed a breach that similarly impacted employee data in February.Both breaches appear to be less severe than the Salt Typhoon hack that impacted US telecommunications companies in 2024. Hackers reportedly gained access to data from the smartphones of members of both the Trump and Harris campaigns, and other government officials. In January 2026, the European Commission introduced a new Cybersecurity Package designed to address similar issues, in part by outlining new ways for EU states to deal with potentially risky companies in their telecom supply chains.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/european-commission-confirms-data-breach-200000982.html?src=rss - [Google begins rolling out Search Live globally](https://missmacknog.com/google-begins-rolling-out-search-live-globally/): Following a false start last week, Google has begun rolling out Search Live globally. The tool allows you to point your phone's camera at an object or scene and ask questions about what you see in front of you. With today's expansion, Google is making Search Live available in every location and language where it offers its AI Mode chatbot. With that, people in more than 200 countries and territories can use Search Live to get answers to their questions. Behind the expansion is Google's Gemini 3.1 Flash Live model. According to the company, the new AI system was designed to be natively multilingual, and capable of more natural conversations. It should also be more reliable and faster. Separately from Search Live, Google is bringing Live Translate to iOS. Live Translate, if you need a reminder, allows you to put on a pair of headphones and get a real-time translation of what another person is saying. With today's announcement, Google is also bringing the feature to more countries, including Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and the UK, across both Android and iOS. All told, Live Translate can now understand more than 70 languages and work with any set of headphones. Neat.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-begins-rolling-out-search-live-globally-180938407.html?src=rss - [Hades 2 is coming to Xbox Series X/S and PS5 on April 14](https://missmacknog.com/hades-2-is-coming-to-xbox-series-x-s-and-ps5-on-april-14/): If you’ve been (impatiently) waiting for Hades 2 to hit Xbox Series X/S and PS5, there’s some great news for you coming out of Thursday’s Xbox Partner Preview showcase. Supergiant’s roguelite action RPG is coming to those consoles (as well as Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud) on April 14. It’ll be available on Xbox Game Pass too.The full version of Hades 2 hit PC and Nintendo Switch last September after over a year of Steam early access. It was one of our favorite games of 2025. This time around, you play as Melinoë, the sister of the original game’s protagonist, Zagreus. Melinoë has a longer dash than her sibling, a sprint ability and more of a focus on area-of-effect attacks than ranged projectiles. You can also expect tough bosses along two separate paths, animal familiars, a range of modifiable weapons and messy romances.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/hades-2-is-coming-to-xbox-series-xs-and-ps5-on-april-14-175819696.html?src=rss - [The EU is investigating Snapchat over possible child protection breaches](https://missmacknog.com/the-eu-is-investigating-snapchat-over-possible-child-protection-breaches/): The European Union has opened a formal investigation into whether Snapchat has breached Digital Services Act (DSA) regulations regarding the safeguarding of children using its app.  Regulators say that the company, whose audience demographic has always skewed young, may not be doing enough to protect minors from grooming and "recruitment for criminal purposes." The EU is also looking into whether Snapchat’s younger users are too easily accessing information on how to buy illegal drugs and age-restricted products. Brussels argues that while Snapchat requires users to be at least 13 years of age to sign up for an account, its self-declaration age assurance system may not be an adequate means of ensuring those younger than the minimum age can’t engage with the platform. The European Commission also says the current measures fail to assess whether users are younger than 17 years old, which it says is necessary for an "age-appropriate experience." It also alleges that adults are able to exploit the current system to lie about their own age and impersonate minors. Investigators believe that the app itself doesn’t allow for other users to report accounts they suspect are being used by people younger than the minimum age requirements. Moreover, they argue that reporting illegal content found on the app is not easy enough, and that Snapchat may not be informing its users about "possibilities for redress.” Other issues being looked at by the European Commission include child and teen accounts being recommended to other users by Snapchat’s Find Friends feature and insufficient guidance on available account safety features.  The investigators are now in the process of gathering evidence, sending out interview invitations and requesting information from Snap. The Commission says the investigation is based on analysis of the last three years of risk assessment reports filed by Snapchat, as well as an information request it sent on October 10 in 2025. "The safety and wellbeing of all Snapchatters is a top priority, and our teams have worked for years to raise the bar on safety," a Snapchat spokesperson said in a statement to Engadget. "Snapchat is designed to help people communicate with close friends and family in a positive, trusted environment, with privacy and safety built in from the start - including additional protections for teens. As online risks evolve, we continuously review, strengthen, and invest in these safeguards."  The company added that it has acted proactively and transparently in its efforts to meet the DSA’s requirements, and said it would fully cooperate with the Commission throughout its investigation. Snap is one of a number of social media companies currently facing increased scrutiny regarding the safety of minors using its platform. In 2023, the company added new features designed to make it harder for teenagers to connect with strangers. One of these measures involved increasing the amount of mutual friends users must have before appearing in search and suggested accounts. Along with TikTok, the company recently settled a lawsuit that accused its platform of causing social media addiction. The case was brought by a 20-year-old woman who said she’d been harmed by addictive features on Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snap as a child. This week, a jury ruled against Meta and YouTube in the trial, with the companies ordered to pay the woman, who was named as K.G.M in official documents, $6 million in damages.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/the-eu-is-investigating-snapchat-over-possible-child-protection-breaches-174722759.html?src=rss - [Serious Sam: Shatterverse will hit Xbox platforms this year](https://missmacknog.com/serious-sam-shatterverse-will-hit-xbox-platforms-this-year/): The Serious Sam game franchise is back with a new entry, giving the FPS series a co-op roguelite twist. Basically it's getting the Nightreign treatment in the same way Elden Ring did. The latest title is Serious Sam: Shatterverse, where teams of up to five players will take on waves of perennial foe Mental's monster goons. Each run will offer the usual roguelite approach of upgrade options to make your team more powerful. And if you're a long-time fan of the series, the trailer has plenty of the same broad, loud humor; for instance, the three upgrade cards shown are all ball jokes. Behavior Interactive, the studio behind Dead by Daylight, is helming the project.Serious Sam: Shatterverse will arrive on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud some time this year. Considering the first quarter is nearly over, the team is probably targeting the second half of 2026, but that's only a guess. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/serious-sam-shatterverse-will-hit-xbox-platforms-this-year-174620271.html?src=rss - [Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez introduce a bill to pause US data center construction](https://missmacknog.com/sanders-and-ocasio-cortez-introduce-a-bill-to-pause-us-data-center-construction/): File this one under "things that might have a shot after the midterms." On Wednesday, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act. The bill would require an immediate pause on data center construction until specific new regulations are passed.The legislation aims to address the problem that AI is advancing faster than Washington's regulatory response (basically none) has kept pace. Despite its benefits, the technology poses grave threats to the job market and the environment. Rapidly advancing deepfakes could soon leave people unable to determine truth from fiction. (That is, more than online propaganda already has.) AI also makes mass surveillance easier than ever, potentially giving unelected tech leaders unfettered control over society. "Last year alone, AI was responsible for over 54,000 layoffs nationwide," Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said in a press conference. "And when we talk about those jobs, it's not just a number. These are industries. These are communities. These are families... All of this harm has occurred not in spite of, but because of, the absence of federal legislation to regulate AI."SOPA Images via Getty ImagesThe bill would mandate not only an immediate pause on new data center construction but also on the upgrading of existing ones. This moratorium would only be lifted after one or more laws were passed to provide federal oversight of AI products.First, AI products would need to be proven safe for humanity. (That includes not just physical safety, but also areas like civil rights, privacy and public health.) The wealth AI generates would need to be shared with the American people, not just the billionaire tech bros pulling the strings. Protections would need to be in place to safeguard against mass unemployment. (Increasingly, companies are flat-out admitting that their layoffs are due to AI automation.)The legislation would also require future data centers to be environmentally safe. They would need to avoid increasing electricity or other utility bills for Americans. AI data centers would have to create union jobs "with strong labor standards." Communities affected by them would be empowered to approve or reject their construction or upgrades. And no government subsidies could be provided for them."A moratorium will give us time," Sen. Sanders said. "Time to understand the risks. Time to protect working families. Time to defend our democracy. And time to ensure that technology works for all of us, not just the few."Tom Williams via Getty ImagesOn the one hand, these could be popular proposals. In a December poll, 60 percent of Americans — including majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents — said they supported more AI regulation.However, in Washington's current environment, well, don’t get your hopes up. AI companies are pouring enormous sums of money into campaigns for both political parties. The industry spent at least $83 million in federal elections last year — and that was an off-year without national elections. And of course, anti-regulatory Republicans currently control the presidency, both chambers of Congress and (essentially) the Supreme Court.So, fat chance it goes anywhere right now. But depending on how the 2026 midterms (and beyond) shake out… who knows? One can dream, anyway.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/sanders-and-ocasio-cortez-introduce-a-bill-to-pause-us-data-center-construction-174451974.html?src=rss - [WhatsApp rolls out updates including multiple accounts for iOS](https://missmacknog.com/whatsapp-rolls-out-updates-including-multiple-accounts-for-ios/): WhatsApp shared multiple quality of life updates coming to its messaging platform starting today. The first is a long awaited option to have two accounts on a single iOS device. The option has been available for years on Android, and iPhone users can now be logged into two separate accounts at once. The profile photo for the account will be visible in the bottom tab to double-check which persona you're messaging as. The other new features allow for easier movement of chat histories, both between platforms and devices in the same ecosystem. This chat transfer should make it easier to retain messages when upgrading to a new phone, especially if you're switching between iOS and Android. There's also a new option to delete large files directly from a WhatsApp chat to avoid storage clutter. It's available under the Manage Storage option when you tap a chat's name. It includes an option to delete just media files from a conversation. And of course it wouldn't be a tech news announcement without at least some AI features present. WhatsApp now supports using Meta AI for light photo editing, including removing backgrounds, changing aesthetic styles and deleting elements from the composition. There's also a Writing Help prompt that uses AI to help draft a message, although Meta's blog post states that using this still keeps chats private. The above features should be arriving to all WhatsApp users “soon,” according to the company.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/whatsapp-rolls-out-updates-including-multiple-accounts-for-ios-130000252.html?src=rss - [March Madness 2026: How to watch the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight this weekend](https://missmacknog.com/march-madness-2026-how-to-watch-the-sweet-16-and-elite-eight-this-weekend/): It’s time to lock in those brackets. The 2026 NCAA basketball tournaments, affectionately known as March Madness, begin this week. In fact, some of the action on the men’s side starts tonight. Both the men’s and women’s tournaments are available to stream through various apps and services, but navigating the web of broadcasters and TV channels can be confusing. We’ve broken down when all the games are happening, where to watch and the best options for saving some cash doing so. What does the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight start?The men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 begins on Thursday, March 26 with four of the eight games. The first game begins at 7:10PM ET with the others following at 7:30PM ET, 9:45PM ET and 10:05PM ET. A similar schedule is expected for the second slate of Sweet 16 games on Friday, March 27. The Elite Eight will then follow on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29 with two games each day. Start times haven’t been announced for those just yet. On the women’s side, everything is offset by a day. The first four Sweet 16 games take place on Friday, March 27 at 2:30PM ET, 5:00PM ET, 7:30PM ET and 10:00PM ET. The second set of matchups follows on Saturday, March 28 at 12:30PM ET, 3:00PM ET, 5:00PM ET and 7:30PM ET. The Elite Eight matchups are on Sunday, March 29 and Monday, March 30 with two games each day, but start times haven’t been announced for those. Here’s the full schedule for each tournament:2026 Men’s NCAA Basketball TournamentFirst Four: March 17-18First round: March 19-20Second round: March 21-22Sweet 16: March 26-27Elite Eight: March 28-29Final Four: April 4Championship game: April 62026 Women’s NCAA Basketball TournamentFirst Four: March 18-19First round: March 20-21Second round: March 22-23Sweet 16: March 27-28Elite Eight: March 29-30Final Four: April 3Championship game: April 5How to stream the 2026 Men’s NCAA TournamentJacob Kupferman via Getty ImagesCBS and Warner Bros. Discovery share the broadcast rights to the men’s tournament, so TV coverage will be spread across four networks. During the course of March Madness, games will air on CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV, with the final rounds and championship game landing on TBS.If you already have a paid TV plan (such as traditional cable), a good way to watch the men’s tournament is with the March Madness Live app or website. There's a big catch though: CBS games aren't available in the app. That means this is really only a good option through the Elite Eight. Once you log in with your TV provider credentials, you can watch games on the other networks in one spot with features like multiview (up to four games at once) and a Fast Break stream that covers all the in-progress games in one spot.The app also offers ways to follow your bracket, if you filled it out on MarchMadness.com. And when you’re watching on desktop, the crucial Boss Button will throw up a fake work screen to keep your job safe. In addition to your laptop or phone, March Madness Live is also available on Amazon devices, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, macOS, Google Play, LG smart TVs, Roku and Xbox consoles.The most affordable option to watch every game is to actually use two services. It’s not ideal, I know, but it will save you a lot of money. HBO Max’s Basic plan is $11/month and gives you access to live games from TNT, TBS and truTV with three-game multiview (46 games total). That includes the Final Four and National Championship as those three games are on TBS this year. If you splurge for a pricier plan ($23/month), you can stream games in Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos surround sound. For the CBS games, you’ll need a Paramount+ Premium subscription that costs $14/month ($6 for two months for new users). So, with this best price scenario, streaming all of the men’s tournaments will cost $25 across two apps.A live TV service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV is over $80 more per month at full price, but they would offer you all the games in the men’s tournament in one place. YouTube TV is currently on sale for $60/month for the first two months after a free 10-day trial. Hulu + Live TV now includes Disney+ and ESPN Select, hence its higher price.How to stream the 2026 Women’s NCAA TournamentJoe Buglewicz via Getty ImagesWhile Warner Brothers Discovery owns the rights to the men’s NCAA Tournament, ESPN has the women’s bracket locked down. Every game of the women’s tournament will be spread across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPNEWS, including the First Four matchups. The Final Four will be on ESPN, but the championship game will air on ABC. All three of those culminating games will stream on ESPN+ (and in the ESPN app) as MegaCast feeds.ESPN says the MegaCasts are available in two options. First, Beyond the Rim provides an aerial camera angle with the main commentary and replays, plus the addition of enhanced stats. On the Rail shows you game action the full length of the floor. This feed will offer “natural” sound and replays. Since ESPN+ won’t get every game, it’s not an option if you want to watch the entire tournament. However, since last year’s March Madness, Disney debuted standalone offerings for ESPN. The most affordable option here is ESPN Select which includes women’s college basketball and costs $13/month. You could also opt for a live-TV streaming service like Sling, YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV for a comprehensive experience. Sling is the cheapest of these, with the requisite Orange and Sports Extra plan costing $57 (Sling is currently offering a discount on the first month of Orange). YouTube and Hulu live TV options are both more expensive at over $80/month (YouTube TV currently discounted to $60 for the first two months), so it’s a matter of which set of content and features you like best. YouTube TV offers a handy multiview tool so you can watch up to four games at once, but Hulu + Live TV comes with Disney+ and ESPN Select for that cost.Once you have a TV plan that includes the ESPN family of networks, the ESPN app is the best place to watch the tournament. The mix of scores and info, along with multiview streaming for up to four games at a time on Apple TV and Xbox, make the app a well-equipped conduit for the women’s tournament.The March Madness website only shows scores and news for the women’s tournament. None of the women’s games will be available for streaming live on the website.Are any of the March Madness games available to stream for free?Michael Reaves via Getty ImagesWithout a TV provider login, you can watch all of the games broadcast on CBS on the March Madness website and mobile apps. Sure, it’s a small sample of the tournament, but it’s completely free and a good option for casual fans who don’t have a paid TV plan they can exploit for more of the action. It’s also a good way to watch the first round at work, if your company hasn’t blocked streaming sites, or if you can discreetly watch on your phone.For the women’s tournament, there aren’t any games available for free. Unless you have an old-school OTA antenna, that is, in which case you can watch women’s games on ABC (and men’s games on CBS) without any kind of streaming plan. Of course, as this is a streaming guide published in 2026, I’d consider an antenna an extraordinary move.If you were hoping to use a free trial period to watch March Madness, I’ve got bad news. None of them will last long enough to cover the entire tournament. Some services don’t offer a free trial at all, but the longest is YouTube TV at 10 days. Sadly, that won’t even get you through the second weekend.What if I want to stream both the men’s and women’s tournaments?If you’re hoping to stream all of the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments, I hope you ordered Samsung’s eight-TV bundle. In terms of streaming services, just jump straight to a live-TV option like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. I prefer the former because of its multiview feature. At times when there are multiple games that you want to watch, especially during the first two rounds, you’ll want multiview in order to keep tabs on all of the action.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/march-madness-2026-how-to-watch-the-sweet-16-and-elite-eight-this-weekend-154903032.html?src=rss - [Sonos Play review: The company's best portable speaker so far](https://missmacknog.com/sonos-play-review-the-companys-best-portable-speaker-so-far/): It’s been a rough couple of years for Sonos. In mid-2024, the company released a redesigned and thoroughly busted update to its app, which Sonos owners need to set up new products, manage their speaker groups, play music and access a host of other crucial features. The fallout from that was far-reaching — the company replaced its CEO, canceled a few planned products and released no new hardware in 2025.  The Sonos Play, announced earlier this month, is the company’s reset button, a way to remind people what the company does well. The Play is a portable speaker that sits between the $499 Sonos Move 2 (which is large, expensive and extremely loud) and the $179 Roam 2 (the cheapest Sonos speaker and tiny enough to bring anywhere). The $299 Play sits right in the middle of the company’s portable lineup in both size and price — and after spending a few weeks listening to it, I think it’s a very smart addition to the collection. Thanks to its impressive sound quality, versatility and portability, the Play is immediately one of the best speakers Sonos sells. The timing couldn’t be better, either, with warmer weather finally on the way.  Feature set Like all other Sonos speakers, the Play is a Wi-Fi smart speaker that can stream audio from dozens of services; you can also play content on it via AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Bluetooth. The USB-C port on the back also lets you connect to turntables, CD players and other audio devices via a line-in dongle, or you can also use that port for an Ethernet connection (again with the corresponding dongle). Finally, you can also control the Play via Amazon Alexa or the Sonos Voice Assistant. And like the Roam, the Play is IP67 rated for water and dust resistance.  That’s all standard fare at this point, but I appreciate that Sonos included Ethernet and line-in capabilities, two things the Roam doesn’t support. It makes the Play a much more versatile option for being a centerpiece of your indoor setup as well as something you can take on the go. And since the Play comes with a wireless charging base, it’s easy to keep it charged up during indoor duty and equally simple to just grab it and go without fussing with cables. (Strangely enough, it does not come with a power adapter, so you’ll need to provide your own USB-C brick.) The real panel of the Sonos Play. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Physically, the Play reminds me of the Sonos Era 100 with its width squished down to make it more portable. Unsurprisingly, it comes in the same white and black color options; I had been hoping for a few more options like the vibrant Roam colors. The one touch of color you’ll see is on the light green grab loop attached to the back; you can remove it if you’re not a fan. At 7.6 inches, it’s slightly taller than the Era 100, but it’s much thinner and lighter. Based on the initial product renders, I expected the Play to be larger than it is in reality, but it feels quite compact and easy to move around. It’s not a “throw in your bag and forget it” speaker like the Roam, but it’s far more portable than the Move. The Move is a speaker I’d really only use in my house or in the backyard, whereas I’d toss the Play into a backpack and take with me — unless I really needed to save space or weight.  The Era 100 (left) and the Play (right). Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Side view of the Sonos Era 100 and Play. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Its diminutive size is even more impressive when you consider the audio components Sonos packed inside. The Play features a speaker array nearly identical to that of the larger Era 100. It has two tweeters angled at 90 degrees for some stereo separation, along with a mid-woofer and two passive radiators for bass performance. The passive radiators are unique to the Play, specifically included to help bass levels in settings where there aren’t walls for the sound to reflect off of — like anywhere outside you might take a portable speaker. Two Sonos Play speakers paired in stereo. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Audio quality The Play’s flexibility only matters if it sounds good. Fortunately, Sonos has never struggled with producing a speaker that’s a pleasure to listen to, and the Play certainly fits the bill. My top-level and unscientific analysis is that the Play sounds nearly as good as the Era 100, an impressive feat considering its comparatively small frame.  I tested a single Play speaker as well as a stereo pair in my small office, where I typically listen to music through a stereo pair of Era 100 speakers. I also used them in stereo on my larger and more open first floor, both streaming music and playing on my turntable via the line-in jack. Finally, I got to test them outside on my deck on a few lovely early Spring days that the Boston area was graced with recently. I used the auto Trueplay tuning feature throughout; it uses the Play’s built-in microphone to optimize audio for whenever you’ve placed the speaker. Sonos has offered various versions of Trueplay for over a decade now and it consistently makes its speakers sound better. And given you don’t have to do the old “wave your phone around the room” method to use Trueplay, there’s really no reason not to have it on.  While in my office, I did a lot of A/B testing of the Era 100 vs. the Play, typically playing Apple Music lossless via the Sonos app, but I also tried AirPlay and Spotify Connect as well as other music services including YouTube Music and Bandcamp. The biggest differences I noticed between the two speakers are the Era 100 is louder and has a more pronounced mid-range. The Play comparatively feels like its EQ is “scooped,” and it just isn’t quite as loud at the same volume level. The Play also doesn’t maintain quality quite as well through the full volume range — I wouldn’t say that it got distorted when I was playing it at 75 percent volume, but it’s not as clear as the Era 100 either.  These differences I mostly only noticed when I was flipping back and forth between the two speakers — when I just sat back and listened, I was extremely happy with the Play’s sound. When listening to a single Play, the angled tweeters did provide a small degree of stereo separation when things were hard-panned to the left or right channels. For example, the backing vocals in the chorus of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” jump from one channel to the other, and I did pick up on that effect.  Top controls on the Sonos Play. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget The Play sounds very well-balanced and neutral, capable of reproducing songs without over-emphasizing any particular frequency. My usual listening habits include a ton of ‘90s-era alternative and more modern indie rock, plus some modern pop and the occasional film or video game score, and the Play sounded great across the board. Daughter’s “Be On Your Way” is an atmospheric track juggling strings, electronic underpinnings, reverb-drenched guitar and a gorgeous vocal track, and all those elements shined here. The dance-influenced beats of Nine Inch Nails’ “Less Than” had appropriate thump and power behind them, and “Stay Down” by Boygenius sounded great, whether it was the acoustic-tinged intro or the layered, full-band climax. Heavier fare like Metallica’s “Battery” and Tool’s “Fear Inoculum” hit with the appropriate intensity as well, particularly when I was running two Play speakers in stereo.  My go-to film score for these kinds of tests is Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and it’s often the case that doesn’t sound as majestic on smaller speakers. But the Play did a great job with the intricate orchestral arrangements that jump between delicately intimate moments and full-throated majesty — the first song “Glamdring” has all these elements in less than four minutes, and it sounded excellent. I also love Gustavo Santaolalla’s score for The Last of Us with its tortured strings and host of organic acoustic sounds alongside unsettling electronics, and all its various elements were faithfully conveyed here.  The line-in connection on the Sonos Play. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Using the speaker’s line-in capabilities with a USB-C to 3.5mm audio input worked easily as well. The only real issue I noticed is that my particular turntable’s output meant I had to turn the Play up much louder than I would when streaming music, so its top volume level is much lower. That wasn’t exactly a problem, but if you really want to push a lot of volume from a line-in source, this might not be the speaker for you. I was also worried that I’d switch from line-in to streaming and forget to adjust the volume down, but the speaker is smart enough to re-adjust from the line-in volume down to wherever it was set previously.  While the Play isn’t the loudest speaker out there, it has plenty of power when outside. I set the volume to around 60 and walked from my porch to the sidewalk and could still faintly hear the music (though not loud enough to be too offensive to passers-by or neighbors). Back up on the deck, the Play maintained its detailed profile despite the lack of surfaces for the sound to reflect off. It feels like a great device to have playing in the background when you’re entertaining outdoors, but something like the Move 2 will do better if you want music to be the centerpiece of a gathering. The Play’s Wi-Fi connection is strong enough that I didn’t need to switch to Bluetooth when I was outside, but it’s simple to use if you need it. There’s a dedicated Bluetooth button on the back; pressing it turns it on, while holding puts the speaker in pairing mode. Bluetooth is probably the easiest way to give someone else control over your Sonos system. If you start streaming music to it, you can then group other speakers with the Play to get those tunes anywhere in the house without having to give a guest access to your Sonos system. The Sonos Play and its charging base. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Sonos included a new Bluetooth feature with the Play that they’re also bringing to the Move 2. If you’re away from Wi-Fi and playing audio via Bluetooth, other Play or Move 2 speakers can join a group just by pressing and holding the play/pause button. This works with Play or Move 2 speakers that have previously been set up on the same Sonos system, and it’s as simple as it sounds. I just paired my phone to one speaker, started playing some music and then held the play/pause button on the second speaker to get them in sync.  As for battery life, the Play is a huge step up over the Roam’s rather paltry 10-hour estimate. The Play is rated for up to 24 hours of playback, same as the Move 2, and I think Sonos just about hit that mark. I spent several work days playing music for eight-plus hours and the Play’s battery only dropped about 30 percent each time. Your mileage may vary, but I think the Play has plenty of battery life considering its smaller size — and given how easy it is to just drop on a charging base when you’re done, I don’t think most people will run its battery down too often. Sonos also made the battery in the Play user-replaceable, a good option to keep the speaker running for years to come. Side-by-side comparison of the Sonos Era 100 and Play. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Competition While there are loads of portable Bluetooth speakers out there, the Play’s position as a Wi-Fi speaker that can group with others in a household as well as be used on-the-go with Bluetooth makes it a rather unique option. The $269 Bose SoundLink Plus sounds great, can be paired in stereo or grouped in “party mode,” and is a similar size as the Play. But its battery doesn’t last as long and, more crucially, it only works via Bluetooth. Some people won’t care, but I prefer the much wider variety of playback options that the Play provides.  JBL also has a host of portable Bluetooth speakers, as well as Wi-Fi enabled options meant for home use — but again, the combo of Wi-Fi playback and portability seems to be mainly limited to Sonos right now. As such, the main competition for the Play comes from Sonos itself, with the Move 2, Roam and Era 100 all offering different pluses and minuses depending on what you’re looking for. Sonos Play speaker sitting outside. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Wrap-up If it isn’t obvious, I’m a pretty big fan of the Sonos Play. While it’s not quite as portable as the tiny Sonos Roam, it sounds significantly better than the smallest Sonos speaker while still being easy to carry around. It’s probably the most versatile speaker in the Sonos lineup right now, and a smarter choice than the $499 Move 2 for most people. Unless you really need massive outdoor volume, the Play is the best portable Sonos speaker.  The only catch is its price. $299 is fair when you consider its sound quality and feature set. But it’s also $80 more than the Era 100, or $110 more than the Era 100 SL (which drops the microphone but is otherwise identical to its more expensive counterpart). So you’ll have to decide how much portability is worth to you. For me, the Play is an excellent addition to my existing setup. But if you’re likely to do most of your listening indoors, the Era 100 and its superior sound quality might make more sense.  To be clear, that’s not a knock against the Play. The latest Sonos speaker offers impressive sound quality, flexibility and portability, and it’s the kind of product that can help Sonos rebuild its reputation after its recent difficulties.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/sonos-play-review-the-companys-best-portable-speaker-so-far-130000688.html?src=rss - [DJI Avata 360 drone review: 360 video hits new highs](https://missmacknog.com/dji-avata-360-drone-review-360-video-hits-new-highs/): After achieving action camera success, Insta360 invaded DJI’s turf with the first mass-market panoramic drone, the Antigravity A1. It had instant appeal for drone pilots, offering 8K 360 video and features like subject tracking, obstacle detection and FPV flying. Though beaten to the punch, DJI has responded quickly with the Avata 360, aided by its drone experience and camera tech from the new Osmo 360 action cam. It has a lot in common with its rival, but it’s safer to fly around people and offers single camera 4K footage on top of 8K 360 video. To find out how the Avata 360 stacks up against the A1, I tested it both indoors and out, around people and even “stunt” horses. The Avata 360 isn’t perfect, but it is far more polished than its rival. As with other DJI drones of late, though, US availability remains unclear. How the Avata 360 works The 360 camera makes the Avata 360 different from any other DJI drone. It features two ultrawide cameras with f/1.9 lenses and 1.1-inch 64-megapixel sensors, with one pointing up and the other down for unobstructed 200-degree views. Those are then stitched together by software to create 360 degree video at up to 8K 60 fps. This setup fundamentally changes the way you pilot a drone and capture video. Since the 360 camera records everything around it, you can focus on flying and reframe shots later in DJI’s Studio app. That 360 view is also handy when piloting in FPV mode. With the head tracking on DJI’s Goggles N3, you can look all around you simply by turning your head. Unlike the Antigravity A1 that only shoots 360 video, the Avata 360 supports regular single-camera shooting as well. When you switch to that mode, the camera rotates forward and shoots 4K video at up to 60 fps with a 28mm field of view. DJI’s drone also works with a regular controller, which isn’t an option on the A1. You have to use the Insta360’s goggles at all times. Design Because of the chunky 360 camera, the Avata 360 is slightly bigger than the Avata 2. It’s also quite a bit heavier at 455 grams (one pound) and so, unlike the 249-gram Antigravity A1, you’ll need a permit to fly one in most regions. The Avata 360’s propellers are shielded to protect the drone and keep it safe indoors or around people, unlike the open-prop A1. For additional protection it has two omni obstacle sensors on the side, a Lidar sensor up front, landing sensors on the bottom and, of course, a camera that points in all directions. To keep the lenses off of bare ground, it comes with a foldable 18x18-inch landing mat. DJI’s Goggles N3 (available with the RC Motion 3 controller as an option) are comfortable and allow you to wear eyeglasses. Unlike the Goggles 3, though, there’s no external camera to see outside. If you’d rather pilot conventionally, you can get the Avata 360 bundled with DJI’s RC 2 screen controller in another kit. Performance and features As an FPV drone, the Avata 360 is fast and agile. It can hit speeds up to 40 MPH in sport mode (without obstacle avoidance) or 35 MPH in normal mode. When used with the optional FPV Remote Controller 3, you can do flips, rolls and other “cinewhoop” style maneuvers. Once you get used to flying it that way, it’s incredibly fun. The 38.7Wh batteries have 26 percent more capacity than the Avata 2’s cells, but rated endurance is about the same at 24 minutes. I never got more than about 18 minutes in real-world flying though, so it’s a good idea to buy the Fly More kit with three batteries and a fast charger that can replenish them all in about 100 minutes. Samuel Dejours for Engadget Part of my testing of the Avata 360 was capturing “trick riding” horses, so it was important that the drone noise didn’t spook them. At 81db the Avata 360 is louder than the Mini 4 Pro (67 db) and less banshee-like than the Neo 2 due to the larger propellers, so the horses weren’t alarmed. Video is transmitted to the Goggles N3 and RC Motion 3 controller (or the RC screen controller) at 1080p 60 fps via DJI’s OcuSync 4.0+ system. The maximum flying range is 20 km (12.4 miles), double that of the Avata 2. This is an impressive distance for an FPV drone. The 45GB of internal storage (42GB usable) can fill up quickly when you’re shooting 8K video, but the drone also has a microSD slot. To get your footage onto a PC or smartphone, you can transfer it via the USB-C port or over Wi-Fi using DJI’s Fly app. The Avata 360 has DJI’s usual tracking and obstacle detection features, but they’re available only with the RC 2 controller and not the Goggles N3. To follow a subject, simply draw a box around them on the controller to enable Focus Track and its three modes: Spotlight, Point of Interest and ActiveTrack. The latter tracks a subject automatically and lets you control the drone’s position via an on-screen “steering wheel.” Steve Dent for Engadget To test that, I biked in a narrow forested lane and walked around a bamboo-covered obstacle course. When using Focus Track, the drone dodged most obstacles and was only confused by small leaves and branches. If it did contact one of those, it sailed right through without crashing thanks to the propeller guards. Subject tracking works in both 360 and single camera modes, but when using the latter, The Avata 360 can’t see and avoid obstacles behind it. It contacted branches several times during my testing, but fortunately the prop guards prevented crashes. Other automatic features include Dronie, Rocket and Quickshot modes that let you capture clips for social media. Video The Avata 360 prioritizes FPV freedom and flexibility over pure video quality. Though the specs promise 8K, that only applies to the full 360 degree video — your final, flat video will actually be 4K or less after processing. And the 360 camera zooms digitally (not optically), which further reduces resolution. On top of that, you can often see a “seam” in the video where stitching occurs, and dewarping (used to output flat video) can create softness at the edges. With all that, video is less sharp than DJI’s regular Mini, Air and Mavic drones. Because the camera is fixed when shooting 360 video, the Avata 360’s gimbal can’t smooth out jolts or correct for roll. Instead, it uses action cam-style electronic stabilization. What’s more, that type of smoothing causes motion blur and artifacts in low light due to the lower shutter speeds — something I also noticed with the Osmo 360. Steve Dent for Engadget With that said, video quality was as sharp and color-accurate as the Osmo 360, and a touch better than the Antigravity A1 when filming in daylight. For tricky, contrasty conditions like a shaded path on a sunny day, the D-LogM option boosted dynamic range, helping me bring out shadow detail and tone down overly-bright highlights. However, the cityscape I shot at night was soft and occasionally blurry due to the aforementioned stabilization issues. In exchange for this lower video quality, the 360 camera provides incredible flexibility. For a vlog style tracking shot, for instance, I usually need to film twice to show the forward and backward directions. With the Avata 360, though, I was able to get both POVs from the same shot and output an overhead view too for good measure. DJI Studio is where you go to select your desired framing and output the flat video. It’s not quite as versatile as Insta360’s app, but it allows you to reframe shots and create smooth transitions between camera angles. And to save time, you can use the Intelligent Tracking feature to center your subject. The app also offers color correction and other features, but I found it easier to export the final shots to DaVinci Resolve for any additional work. Flat video a mixed bag. Sharpness is mildly better than the 360 video, but the lack of a gimbal roll axis means that the camera can’t level itself when the drone banks into the wind. As a result, most of my footage was tilted and often unusable. Wrap-up Steve Dent for Engadget With the Avata 360, DJI has a surprisingly sophisticated drone that offers better video quality and more features than its only rival, Insta360’s Antigravity A1. It can do everything you’d expect from a DJI FPV drone like tracking, obstacle avoidance and acrobatics, while operating safely around people (or horses). DJI also managed to undercut Insta360 on price, with the Avata 360 starting at 459 euros (approx. $530), or 939 euros ($1,089) in a kit with a screen controller, three batteries and a charger. It’s also available with the extra batteries and charger, DJI’s FPV Goggles N3 and the RC Motion 3 controller for 939 euros ($1,089). As mentioned, there’s no word yet on US pricing, but the Avata 360 has been approved by the FCC so it could appear in the US soon. Like 360 action cams though, this is a niche product. If you’re a vlogger, extreme action shooter, FPV pilot or solo filmmaker who wants speed and flexibility, the Avata 360 is a great choice. If it’s pixel perfect image quality you want, however, you’re better off with DJI’s Mini 5 Pro, Air 3S or Avata 4 Pro drone.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/dji-avata-360-drone-review-360-video-hits-new-highs-120014666.html?src=rss - [OpenAI drops plans to release an adult chatbot](https://missmacknog.com/openai-drops-plans-to-release-an-adult-chatbot/): OpenAI has "indefinitely" abandoned plans to release an a erotic chatbot for adults following concerns from employees and investors, the company confirmed to The Financial Times. Plans for such a feature, first announced in October 2025 for release in December last year, had already been delayed while company debated whether to release it all. It's the second app OpenAI has decided to shelf this week, after announcing on Tuesday that it was shutting down its Sora video generator. The adult-oriented chatbot, reportedly called "Citron mode," is now on hold with no planned release date. The company reportedly had difficulty training models that previously avoided erotic content and also removing illegal behavior like bestiality or incest, two people familiar with the matter told the FT.  Open AI said that it wanted to conduct long-term research on the effects of erotic chats and user attachment to AI, adding that there was currently not yet enough "empirical evidence" on the subject. The company also said it wanted to focus on its core productivity tools like coding assistants and drop "side quests" like Sora and the erotic chatbot. The idea for adult features came after OpenAI announced that it would add parental controls and automatic age detection features for ChatGPT. CEO Sam Altman said back in October that the company had always been careful about such issues over concerns around unhealthy AI attachments, but felt comfortable that it could "safely relax the restrictions in most cases." However, the adult mode had reportedly caused concern among investors, particularly amid the controversy caused by rival xAI's Grok model that generated deepfake nudes of real people and children. Staff also worried about the feature, with one senior employee even leaving the company over the issue. "AI shouldn’t replace your friends or your family; you should have human connections," he told the FT.  Another challenge is OpenAI's age-checking tech, introduced following lawsuits from families who said that ChatGPT harmed their children. The tech reportedly has an error right higher than ten percent, which would still give a large number of young people access to the tech. OpenAI said that figure is in the industry standard range and that it is continuing to work on its accuracy. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-drops-plans-to-release-an-adult-chatbot-113121190.html?src=rss - [Uber and Pony.ai are testing a robotaxi service for Europe](https://missmacknog.com/uber-and-pony-ai-are-testing-a-robotaxi-service-for-europe/): Uber and Chinese company Pony.ai are gearing up to launch a robotaxi service for Europe, starting with Zagreb in Croatia. The companies are working with Croatian company Verne, which will provide the service ecosystem and operational framework for the service. They’re using Arcfox Alpha T5 vehicles made by Beijing-based automaker BAIC Motor powered by Pony.ai’s Gen-7 autonomous driving system. Initially, the autonomous rides will be offered on Verne’s app, but they will eventually be available through Uber. In their announcement, the companies said they have already started on-road testing in Zagreb, where the service will be available “soon.” They’re hoping to expand it to other European cities in the future, and then to more markets, with the goal of deploying a fleet with thousands of robotaxis over the next few years. Verne will be in charge of securing regulatory approval for the rollouts, while Uber has agreed to invest in the Croatian company. This is but one of Uber’s partnerships centering around its efforts to offer more and more driverless rides to its passengers. Just earlier this month, it announced that it was launching a pilot program for a robotaxi service in Tokyo in late 2026 with Nissan and UK self-driving startup Wayve. Uber also started offering robotaxi rides to passengers in Las Vegas at the same time. The fleet deployed in the city is made up of Hyundai Ioniq 5 autonomous EVs, developed in partnership with Motional. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-and-ponyai-are-testing-a-robotaxi-service-for-europe-104811944.html?src=rss - [Oversight Board tells Meta expanding Community Notes outside of US poses 'significant' risks](https://missmacknog.com/oversight-board-tells-meta-expanding-community-notes-outside-of-us-poses-significant-risks/): Meta didn't consult its Oversight Board last year when it announced sweeping policy changes to content moderation and a rollback of third-party fact checking in the United States in favor of Community Notes. But the company did ask the board for advice on how to expand the crowd-sourced fact checks to other countries.Now the Oversight Board is publishing its advice to Meta. In a 15,000-word policy advisory opinion, the group urged Meta to be cautious with an international rollout, warning that an expansion of the program could "pose significant human rights risks and contribute to tangible harms" if safeguards are not put in place.  The board, notably, was asked to weigh in on a fairly narrow set of questions, including how it should evaluate whether to withhold the feature in certain countries. Meta "respectfully" asked the Oversight Board to avoid "general" critiques about the system, which it has said is modeled after X.In its opinion, the Oversight Board said that Community Notes "could enhance users’ freedom of expression and improve online discourse" with enough safeguard. But it recommended Meta withhold the feature in countries with "high polarization," as well as countries in the midst of a crisis or "protracted conflict." The board also said that Meta should avoid countries with a history of organized disinformation networks, because the notes may be more easily manipulated in such places, and countries with "linguistic complexity" that Meta may be ill-equipped to understand. Depending on how you interpret that advice, that could exclude quite a few countries, though the board stopped short of making country-specific recommendations. Still, it raises questions about how closely Meta will follow the suggested guidelines. For example, the United States could be considered a country with "high polarization." (Community Notes has been live in the US for more than a year.)While the Oversight Board was careful to say it "neither endorses nor opposes" an expansion of Community Notes, it did discuss Meta's approach to fact checking, noting that its partnerships with outside fact-checking organizations are still largely in place outside of the US. And the opinion cautions against ending these relationships, noting that research into Community Notes on X shows that authors writing notes often rely on work done by professional fact checkers."Community Notes and fact checking are not mutually exclusive," Oversight Board member Paolo Carozza tells Engadget. "One doesn't have to replace or substitute for the other, they can coexist. And in some situations, there are really important reasons for them to coexist. The board really deliberately stayed away from any kind of suggestion that the introduction of Community Notes ought to result in the removal or ending of fact checking."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/oversight-board-tells-meta-expanding-community-notes-outside-of-us-poses-significant-risks-100000213.html?src=rss - [PSA: T-Mobile customers have a week to sign up for a free year of MLB.TV](https://missmacknog.com/psa-t-mobile-customers-have-a-week-to-sign-up-for-a-free-year-of-mlb-tv/): Today marks the start of the 2026 baseball season and in what has sort of become an annual tradition, T-Mobile is once again offering a free subscription to MLB.TV.In order to take advantage of the deal, T-Mobile customers simply need to log into the T Life app, navigate to the Benefits tab and then hit Redeem after clicking the banner for a free season of MLB.TV. From there, you just need to download the latest version of the MLB app to your mobile device and sign in or create an account. That said, this is a time-limited offer, so if you want the ability to stream regular season baseball for free, you’ll need claim the deal prior to March 31 at 4:59 AM ET. For anyone on a different carrier, this may be enough time to switch providers and still get in on the savings. Unfortunately, MLB.TV is subject to blackouts and market restrictions, so depending on where you live and where your favorite team is playing that day, you may not be able to catch every game. Sadly, this includes tonight’s 8:05 PM ET matchup between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants, which is streaming exclusively on Netflix. Even so, with a one-year subscription to MLB.TV currently going for $150, this is one of the best perks available from any of the big cellular carriers. In addition to full season of games, an MLB.TV subscription also includes access to a collection of baseball documentaries, game streams from previous years, World Series films, highlights, news and more. And with over 1.25 million customers having redeemed last year’s offer, this is potentially one of T-Mobile’s biggest offers of the year, with the company claiming to have delivered more than $1 billion in savings since it first started running the promotion 10 years ago in 2016. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/psa-t-mobile-customers-have-a-week-to-sign-up-for-a-free-year-of-mlbtv-211306444.html?src=rss - [Webb and Hubble telescopes combine forces for a new view of Saturn](https://missmacknog.com/webb-and-hubble-telescopes-combine-forces-for-a-new-view-of-saturn/): The ESA, NASA and CSA have released new images of Saturn captured by the James Webb and Hubble space telescopes that offer an unprecedented view of the gas giant's atmosphere. Particularly, comparing shots captured with Hubble against an infrared view from Webb highlights details in the composition and movement of Saturn's outer layers.The Hubble images were captured as part of the Outer Planet Atmosphere Legacy program in August 2024, while the Webb images were shot a few months later. "Both sense sunlight reflected from Saturn’s banded clouds and hazes," NASA says, "but where Hubble reveals subtle color variations across the planet, Webb’s infrared view senses clouds and chemicals at many different depths in the atmosphere, from the deep clouds to the tenuous upper atmosphere."Hubble has historically been used to track storms on Saturn, and you can see bands of atmospheric clouds in the telescope's new photo. The infrared sensors on the Webb telescope are able to highlight even more detail, like the highly-reflective ice of Saturn's ring, which is practically white in the photo, and grey-green shading on the planet's poles. The different coloring in the Webb photo could be caused by a "a layer of high-altitude aerosols" scattering light across latitudes, or "charged molecules interacting with the planet’s magnetic field" and causing "auroral activity."The visual information from both telescopes is valuable to scientists and should prove to be more valuable over time. "These 2024 observations, taken 14 weeks apart, show the planet moving from northern summer toward the 2025 equinox," NASA says. "As Saturn transitions into southern spring, and later southern summer in the 2030’s, Hubble and Webb will have progressively better views of that hemisphere."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/webb-and-hubble-telescopes-combine-forces-for-a-new-view-of-saturn-202526270.html?src=rss - [Razer's new Blade 16 has Intel's latest chips and ultra-fast RAM](https://missmacknog.com/razers-new-blade-16-has-intels-latest-chips-and-ultra-fast-ram/): After leaning into some questionable AI antics at CES 2026, Razer is making some altogether more practical updates to its 16-inch laptop by giving it newer chips and faster RAM. The new Razer Blade 16 features Intel's new Core Ultra chips and speedy LPDDR5X-9600 MHz RAM, and is available to order today for $3,500.The Razer Blade 16 is designed to split the difference between the portable Razer Blade 14 and the monstrous Razer Blade 18, mostly by being thin but offering improved performance. Razer says the 2026 Blade 16 is 0.59 inches (14.9mm) at its thinnest point, which matches the thinness of the 2025 Blade 16. The laptop also has a similar 16-inch QHD+, 240Hz OLED screen to last year's model, though the company says it's 100 nits brighter than before. Port selection also remains respectable: the laptop includes three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, a Thunderbolt 4 port, a Thunderbolt 5 port, a full-sized HDMI 2.1 port and a UHS-II SD card reader.RazerThe real notable upgrade is Razer's switch from AMD Ryzen chips to new Intel Core Ultra 9 386H chips on the 2026 Razer Blade 16. The new Core Ultra chips are some of Intel's first processors made with its new 18A process and pitched as the company's comeback. Razer says the new chip es 16 cores and an integrated NPU that "provides up to 50 TOPS" for things like image generation and live translation, which the Razer Blade 16 supports natively as a Copilot+PC. The efficiency of the new chip also contributes to the laptop’s up to 15 hours of battery life. Of course, if you want power, the Razer Blade 16 has it: the laptop includes NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs and up to 64Gb of LPDDR5X-9600MHz RAM, which should give the Razer Blade 16 plenty of pep for games. Hardware upgrades don't come cheap, and the higher $3,500 starting price of the Razer Blade 16 — which includes 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage and a GeForce RTX 5080 GPU at a minimum — is likely reflective of the growing cost of memory and storage that's already negatively impacting the PC industry.The Razer Blade 16 is available to purchase now through Razer’s website.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/razers-new-blade-16-has-intels-latest-chips-and-ultra-fast-ram-185858799.html?src=rss - [Nintendo to start charging different prices for first-party digital and physical games](https://missmacknog.com/nintendo-to-start-charging-different-prices-for-first-party-digital-and-physical-games/): Nintendo just announced it will soon start charging different prices for first-party Switch 2 games based on whether the content is digital or physical. This could actually be a good thing for those who like to download their games instead of heading to a brick-and-mortar store to pick up a copy, as digital titles are getting a nice discount. It starts with the release of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book on May 21, which will be $60 on the eShop but $70 at retail locations. Prior to this, most first-party games were $70 no matter how you bought them. I prefer downloading games, for convenience, and paid that much for both Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon Pokopia. Nintendo It's yet another blow, however, for consumers who prefer physical media. They aren't getting any kind of a discount, and many Switch 2 cartridges don't even contain the game nowadays. The boxes include game key cards, which allow the user to download the title to the console but are basically paperweights after that. This isn't the first time Nintendo has participated in this kind of dual pricing structure. The digital version of Donkey Kong Bananza was cheaper than the physical version in some parts of the world, including the UK. Is this another sign that making and shipping actual things is getting to be prohibitively expensive? There are storage and memory shortages due to AI and oil shortages due to war, not to mention an ever-shifting tariff policy here in the US. It's tough out there. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-to-start-charging-different-prices-for-first-party-digital-and-physical-games-184249374.html?src=rss - [YouTube is bringing affiliate shopping features to more creators](https://missmacknog.com/youtube-is-bringing-affiliate-shopping-features-to-more-creators/): YouTube creators can start making money earlier in their careers. On Wednesday, the company said it's reducing the Shopping affiliate program subscriber threshold from 1,000 to 500.The affiliate program launched in 2022, allowing creators to earn kickbacks when viewers buy products tagged in their videos. It applies to YouTube Shorts, VOD and Live content. Creators will still need to meet the YouTube Partner Program's other requirements to reap the benefits.Perhaps not a coincidence, the move comes only a day after Meta added shopping links to Reels. Creators on Facebook and Instagram can now link to up to 30 distinct products from marketplace partners in a single video.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/youtube-is-bringing-affiliate-shopping-features-to-more-creators-183927027.html?src=rss - [Here's your first look at For All Mankind spinoff Star City](https://missmacknog.com/heres-your-first-look-at-for-all-mankind-spinoff-star-city/): Apple’s excellent For All Mankind might be wrapping up after its recently confirmed sixth season, but as one big-budget alt-history sci-fi show departs, another is born. Apple TV has just dropped the first teaser for Star City, which focuses on the reimagined space race of the 1960s from the Soviet perspective. ICYMI, For All Mankind has been running for nearly five seasons now (the fifth arrives later this week), with its debut season in 2019 asking, "what if Russia had beaten America to the moon?" For All Mankind has jumped a number of decades ahead since then, but Star City returns us to that initial premise, taking us behind the Iron Curtain to see how the Soviet Union orchestrated its fictional historical triumph. The brief teaser doesn’t show us much in the way of plot, but you straight away get what vibe the streamer is going for with a show it describes as a "propulsive paranoid thriller." We also get a look at some of the cast, which includes House of the Dragon’s Rhys Ifans, Anna Maxwell Martin and Agnes O’Casey. Interestingly, Star City’s two-episode premiere lands on Apple TV on May 29, right after the finale of For All Mankind season 5, which takes place in the 2010s. That could make for a pretty jarring backwards time jump if you watch both seasons back to back, but nobody can say that Apple isn’t serving its sci-fi audience.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/heres-your-first-look-at-for-all-mankind-spinoff-star-city-174359587.html?src=rss - [ChatGPT's new default model is more factual and better at personalization](https://missmacknog.com/chatgpts-new-default-model-is-more-factual-and-better-at-personalization/): OpenAI is deploying GPT-5.5 Instant to all users starting today. - [Book publishers accuse Meta and Mark Zuckerberg of copyright infringement](https://missmacknog.com/book-publishers-accuse-meta-and-mark-zuckerberg-of-copyright-infringement/): The class action suit concerns unauthorized scraping by Llama AI. - [Alexa+ is now available on a bunch of Bose speakers](https://missmacknog.com/alexa-is-now-available-on-a-bunch-of-bose-speakers/): This is the upgraded smart assistant's debut on a non-Amazon device. - [Google will livestream The Android Show: I/O Edition on May 12](https://missmacknog.com/google-will-livestream-the-android-show-i-o-edition-on-may-12/): The virtual event will showcase some of the biggest changes to the OS in years. - [Chrome on Android will now let you share your approximate location](https://missmacknog.com/chrome-on-android-will-now-let-you-share-your-approximate-location/): The feature is also coming to desktops soon. - [Kaspersky suspects Chinese hackers planted a backdoor into Daemon Tools in ‘widespread’ attack](https://missmacknog.com/kaspersky-suspects-chinese-hackers-planted-a-backdoor-into-daemon-tools-in-widespread-attack/): The cybersecurity company says it's seen thousands of infection attempts, and at least a dozen successful hacks after users installed malicious versions of the popular Windows software. - [Hackers steal students’ data during breach at education tech giant Instructure](https://missmacknog.com/hackers-steal-students-data-during-breach-at-education-tech-giant-instructure/): The data breach at education tech giant Instructure includes students' private data, according to a sample of the allegedly stolen data seen by TechCrunch. - [Meta will use AI to analyze height and bone structure to identify if users are underage](https://missmacknog.com/meta-will-use-ai-to-analyze-height-and-bone-structure-to-identify-if-users-are-underage/): The visual analysis system is now operating in select countries, but Meta says it's working toward a broader rollout. - [ElevenLabs lists BlackRock, Jamie Foxx, and Eva Longoria as new investors](https://missmacknog.com/elevenlabs-lists-blackrock-jamie-foxx-and-eva-longoria-as-new-investors/): ElevenLabs reveals new investors, hits $500M ARR, and expands enterprise footprint as voice AI becomes a critical interface. - [CopilotKit raises $27M to help devs deploy app-native AI agents](https://missmacknog.com/copilotkit-raises-27m-to-help-devs-deploy-app-native-ai-agents/): The Seattle-based startup's Series A round was led by Glilot Capital, NFX, and SignalFire, TechCrunch has exclusively learned. - [Ask.com has shut down, marking the official farewell to the Internet's favorite butler](https://missmacknog.com/ask-com-has-shut-down-marking-the-official-farewell-to-the-internets-favorite-butler/): RIP to the original AI search bot. - [Lego is releasing a Sega Genesis set complete with little controllers](https://missmacknog.com/lego-is-releasing-a-sega-genesis-set-complete-with-little-controllers/): It's not playable, but it's still pretty cool. - [OpenAI introduces AI-generated pets for its Codex app](https://missmacknog.com/openai-introduces-ai-generated-pets-for-its-codex-app/): It's like Microsoft's Clippy, but useful. - [Tesla starts selling Chinese-made Model 3s in Canada at the EV's lowest price ever](https://missmacknog.com/tesla-starts-selling-chinese-made-model-3s-in-canada-at-the-evs-lowest-price-ever/): The cars made at the Giga Shanghai factory start at $39,490 CAD, or roughly $29,000 in USD for a Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel Drive variant. - [Meta acquires robotics AI startup as it makes the push into humanoid machines](https://missmacknog.com/meta-acquires-robotics-ai-startup-as-it-makes-the-push-into-humanoid-machines/): The company has purchased Assured Robot Intelligence, whose staff is joining Meta's Superintelligence Labs. - [Undead co-op shooters, gorgeous hack-and-slash action and other new indie games worth checking out](https://missmacknog.com/undead-co-op-shooters-gorgeous-hack-and-slash-action-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out/): Plus, more Ball x Pit is never a bad thing. - [AI performances and screenplays won't be eligible for Oscars](https://missmacknog.com/ai-performances-and-screenplays-wont-be-eligible-for-oscars/): Will that stop them from taking over? - [Apple appears to have discontinued its cheapest Mac mini](https://missmacknog.com/apple-appears-to-have-discontinued-its-cheapest-mac-mini/): The compact desktop Mac now starts at $799 and comes with 512GB of storage. - [The Morning After: Instagram will try to penalize 'unoriginal' posts](https://missmacknog.com/the-morning-after-instagram-will-try-to-penalize-unoriginal-posts/): Did Instagram put its feed slop on notice? - [People are finally using Reddit’s search](https://missmacknog.com/people-are-finally-using-reddits-search/): The company saw a 30% year-on-year jump in the number of people using search every week, CEO Steve Huffman said on Thursday. - [Netflix has reportedly greenlit a prequel for 'The Crown'](https://missmacknog.com/netflix-has-reportedly-greenlit-a-prequel-for-the-crown/): It will cover events from Queen Victoria's death in 1901 until Princess Elizabeth's wedding. - [Microsoft's Xbox mode starts making its way to Windows 11 PCs](https://missmacknog.com/microsofts-xbox-mode-starts-making-its-way-to-windows-11-pcs/): Xbox mode brings a console-like interface to Windows 11. - [ChatGPT Images 2.0 is a hit in India, but not a big winner elsewhere, yet](https://missmacknog.com/chatgpt-images-2-0-is-a-hit-in-india-but-not-a-big-winner-elsewhere-yet/): Users in India are embracing ChatGPT Images 2.0 for creative, personal visuals — from avatars to cinematic portraits. - [Apple was surprised by AI-driven demand for Macs](https://missmacknog.com/apple-was-surprised-by-ai-driven-demand-for-macs/): Apple said it will be supply-constrained on Mac mini, Studio, and Neo in the next quarter, too. - [Meta says it may withdraw its apps from New Mexico if judge agrees to the state's demands](https://missmacknog.com/meta-says-it-may-withdraw-its-apps-from-new-mexico-if-judge-agrees-to-the-states-demands/): Welcome to the Land of Enchantment. - [Modder releases loader to turn the PS5 into a Linux system](https://missmacknog.com/modder-releases-loader-to-turn-the-ps5-into-a-linux-system/): Linux is having a very busy year. - [Prime Video will stream three Duke basketball games next season](https://missmacknog.com/prime-video-will-stream-three-duke-basketball-games-next-season/): This marks Amazon's first streaming deal with a college team. - [Legal AI startup Legora hits $5.6B valuation and its battle with Harvey just got hotter](https://missmacknog.com/legal-ai-startup-legora-hits-5-6b-valuation-and-its-battle-with-harvey-just-got-hotter/): The two wildly fast-growing rivals have raised massive sums, pushed into each other's home turf, and now have dueling ad campaigns. - [EV startup Faraday Future paid $7.5M to company tied to founder Jia Yueting](https://missmacknog.com/ev-startup-faraday-future-paid-7-5m-to-company-tied-to-founder-jia-yueting/): The perpetually struggling EV company made the payments while being investigated by the SEC. That four-year probe was ultimately closed in March. - [City of None is the next game from the co-creator of Celeste](https://missmacknog.com/city-of-none-is-the-next-game-from-the-co-creator-of-celeste/): Extremely OK Games is publishing the project. - [Anbernic's swiveling retro handheld will be available May 11](https://missmacknog.com/anbernics-swiveling-retro-handheld-will-be-available-may-11/): The RG Rotate starts at just $88. - [OpenAI announces new advanced security for ChatGPT accounts, including a partnership with Yubico](https://missmacknog.com/openai-announces-new-advanced-security-for-chatgpt-accounts-including-a-partnership-with-yubico/): OpenAI is launching additional opt-in protections for ChatGPT accounts. The new security initiative includes a new partnership with security key provider Yubico. - [Elon Musk testifies that xAI trained Grok on OpenAI models](https://missmacknog.com/elon-musk-testifies-that-xai-trained-grok-on-openai-models/): "Distillation" is a hot topic as frontier labs try to prevent smaller competitors from copying their models. - [The upcoming Resident Evil movie looks legit scary in its first trailer](https://missmacknog.com/the-upcoming-resident-evil-movie-looks-legit-scary-in-its-first-trailer/): Zach Cregger's take on the video game source material hits theaters on September 18. - [Dental practice software maker fixes bug that exposed patients’ medical records](https://missmacknog.com/dental-practice-software-maker-fixes-bug-that-exposed-patients-medical-records/): The security bug is now fixed, but the patient who found it said it was challenging to alert the software company about the issue. - [Star Wars: Galactic Racer lands on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on October 6](https://missmacknog.com/star-wars-galactic-racer-lands-on-pc-ps5-and-xbox-series-x-s-on-october-6/): A $160 physical collector's edition includes a rad-looking landspeeder model. - [Even Realities' G2 smart glasses will keep an eye on your AI agent](https://missmacknog.com/even-realities-g2-smart-glasses-will-keep-an-eye-on-your-ai-agent/): It's designed to keep you appraised of what your coding agent is doing, even when you're not at your desk. - [The HyperX Clutch Talon is a super configurable multi-platform gaming controller](https://missmacknog.com/the-hyperx-clutch-talon-is-a-super-configurable-multi-platform-gaming-controller/): It features a bunch of hot-swappable components inside its bundled case and it's even Xbox-certified. - [It runs Doom: AI chatbot edition](https://missmacknog.com/it-runs-doom-ai-chatbot-edition/): The latest answer to the always-relevant question: "Can it run Doom?" - [You can now book a hotel via the Uber app](https://missmacknog.com/you-can-now-book-a-hotel-via-the-uber-app/): Uber is adding a host of features to its app for when you're away from home. - [Apple loses bid to pause App Store fee changes as case heads to Supreme Court](https://missmacknog.com/apple-loses-bid-to-pause-app-store-fee-changes-as-case-heads-to-supreme-court/): Apple lost its bid to pause court-ordered App Store payment changes, keeping external purchase links in place as its case with Epic heads toward the Supreme Court. - [Earth AI is vertically integrating the search for critical minerals](https://missmacknog.com/earth-ai-is-vertically-integrating-the-search-for-critical-minerals/): When Earth AI started hitting months-long delays in its search for critical minerals, it decided to take matters into its own hands. - [Sri Lanka discloses another missing payment, days after hackers stole $2.5M from its finance ministry](https://missmacknog.com/sri-lanka-discloses-another-missing-payment-days-after-hackers-stole-2-5m-from-its-finance-ministry/): The government of Sri Lanka has lost more than $3 million in two recent, separate cybersecurity incidents as the country continues to recover from its 2022 debt crisis. - [Singapore police arrest alleged The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender leaker](https://missmacknog.com/singapore-police-arrest-alleged-the-legend-of-aang-the-last-airbender-leaker/): People aren't thrilled with Paramount these days. After all, corporate consolidation and the transformation of CBS News into state media tend to do that. But here's someone who may not have chosen the… wisest form of protest. The Straits Times reports (via Gizmodo) that Singapore police have arrested a 26-year-old man for leaking Paramount's The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender.The film, part of the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise, was initially scheduled for a theatrical release. But after two delays, it was later moved to Paramount+, where it’s set to debut later this year. Naturally, hardcore fans of the franchise bristled at the prospect of the highly anticipated entry skipping theaters. Paramount's scant marketing apparently didn't help either.However, many have already seen the movie, allegedly thanks to the unnamed 26-year-old in question. Singapore police said he gained remote access to a server and downloaded the film. He then posted parts of it online. After the leak, Paramount changed the movie's name to Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender — perhaps to try to prevent casual fans' searches from turning up info about the leak.The man is being investigated for unauthorized access to computer material. He could face a maximum of seven years in prison, a fine of up to $50,000, or both.Earlier this month, The Hollywood Reporter interviewed the X account holder @ImStillDissin, who posted the clips. (Although we can speculate that this may be the man currently in custody, that’s unconfirmed.) The interview revealed a rather, shall we say, blasé approach to the incident. He said he figured posting clips from the movie was no biggie since the film is a streaming-only release. "I saw it's just a Paramount+ thing, so I decided I'd troll a little bit," the leaker said.The leaked clips spread rapidly. Despite pleas from 4Chan posters to share the entire film, @ImStillDissin resisted. However, someone else shared the full movie by April 13. Naturally, that file has since circulated far and wide.So, good luck with that official October 9 streaming release, Paramount. You're gonna need it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/singapore-police-arrest-alleged-the-legend-of-aang-the-last-airbender-leaker-183954803.html?src=rss - [The MacBook Neo is a glimpse into John Ternus's Apple](https://missmacknog.com/the-macbook-neo-is-a-glimpse-into-john-ternuss-apple/): John Ternus was unavoidable when Apple debuted the Macbook Neo. He kicked off an intimate media event for the Neo, introducing it as a transformative machine for Apple thanks to its low $599 cost ($499 for education customers) and premium build quality. He was interviewed on Good Morning America, the sort of prominent media feature CEO Tim Cook typically handles. And when I asked Apple workers about the Neo at its launch event, they almost always brought up Ternus’ vision of the laptop. For all intents and purposes, Ternus was Apple’s frontman for the MacBook Neo.Ternus is slated for his coronation as Apple's CEO on September 1, and the Neo is not only a feather in his cap, but a likely indication of the company's approach to products going forward. It’s a sign that Apple is getting more comfortable taking risks. Apple lives and dies on its own premium image. It completely gave up on making cheap iPhones like the SE and 5C, and the $599 iPhone 16e and 17e are more expensive than typical mid-range Android phones (though the $249 Apple Watch SE is admittedly one of the cheaper smartwatches around.). It was risky to shove a mobile processor into a full-fledged computer, which could have made it too weak. And it was a gamble to stick with a meager 8GB of RAM, practically sacrilegious within the Apple pantheon. It's not breaking new ground for product categories, but the Neo, in being a budget laptop at all, is surprisingly un-Apple.A citrus MacBook Neo on a table outside.Devindra Hardawar for EngadgetAnd yet, thanks to Ternus's hardware leadership and Apple's command of its software, the MacBook Neo has been a resounding success. It has the best build quality, screen, keyboard, speakers and trackpad that I've ever seen in a $600 laptop. As I wrote in my review, "every Windows PC maker, including Microsoft, should be ashamed." While we don’t know the full build cost for the Neo, Apple’s margins for selling it will undoubtedly be far slimmer than the MacBook Air or Pro. But the Neo is more than a profit maker. It’s a device that can serve as a gateway to the Apple ecosystem for kids and students. Even better, it could easily tempt over Windows users.We can't give Ternus all the credit for the Neo, of course, there's an entire team of product managers and engineers below him doing the actual design work. But it's hard to deny the flex of building a $600 laptop that doesn't feel like total garbage. The MacBook Neo surprised me, a jaded technology reporter, on practically every level. And its existence makes me wonder how a Ternus-led Apple could continue to iterate without compromising quality or Apple's signature attention to detail.Ternus is the rare Apple engineer who has played a role in almost all of its existing products — in his 25 year tenure, he’s taken charge of building the Mac, iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch. That gives him a unique perspective of where the company could go next, as well as how Apple could stretch its own capabilities. And based on what I’ve seen of the MacBook Neo, it’ll be interesting to see how Apple reshapes itself for the future. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-macbook-neo-is-a-glimpse-into-john-ternuss-apple-170000842.html?src=rss - [Engadget Podcast: Tim Cook’s Apple era and what lies ahead for John Ternus](https://missmacknog.com/engadget-podcast-tim-cooks-apple-era-and-what-lies-ahead-for-john-ternus/): The Apple rumors were true, once again. This week, the company announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down from his CEO role on September 1. Replacing him will be John Ternus, who currently serves as Apple's SVP of hardware engineering. In this episode, Devindra and Engadget's Nathan Ingraham discuss Cook's legacy as Apple's CEO, and pontificate about how Ternus may change things. We're going from Apple being led by a logistics guru, to Apple being driven by a product and engineering wizard. Surely, that will have some impact on future products.Subscribe!iTunesSpotifyPocket CastsStitcherGoogle PodcastsTopicTim Cook to step down as Apple CEO after 15 years, John Ternus will take his place on September 1 – 1:22Palantir woke up last Saturday morning and posted a comic book villain manifesto on X – 26:01DHS wants to make facial recognition smart glasses for ICE – 31:53A lot of people panic bought PCs to avoid RAMageddon – 36:25Meta faces a new lawsuit over running ads for outright scams –Employees at Meta will have they keystrokes and mouse moves recorded for AI training – 40:10Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price goes down, but it won’t include Call of Duty – 44:55Around Engadget: a great (expensive) Dyson vac with a silly name – 49:15Working on – 51:58Pop culture picks – 52:55CreditsHosts : Devindra Hardawar and Nathan IngrahamProducer: Ben EllmanMusic: Dale North and Terrence O’BrienThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/engadget-podcast-tim-cooks-apple-era-and-what-lies-ahead-for-john-ternus-121853488.html?src=rss - [DeepSeek promises its new AI model has 'world-class' reasoning](https://missmacknog.com/deepseek-promises-its-new-ai-model-has-world-class-reasoning/): DeepSeek has released its latest AI models, the V4 Pro and Flash versions, a bit over a year after it went viral and became the top rated free app on Apple's App Store in the US. “Welcome to the era of cost-effective 1 million context length,” DeepSeek said in its announcement. Context length is what you call the maximum number of tokens that an AI model can remember, so the bigger it is, the more coherent and consistent an AI is when it comes to extended conversations. OpenAI’s recently announced GPT‑5.5 has a context window ranging from 400,000 to 1 million, for instance.The new model is still open-source, allowing users to download its code and modify it if they want. DeepSeek says V4 Pro has enhanced agentic capabilities and claims that it rivals top closed-source models when it comes to reasoning. It also says that it trails only Gemini-3.1-Pro in rich world knowledge. Meanwhile, V4 Flash isn’t quite as powerful as the V4 Pro, but it has faster response times. Still, its reasoning abilities closely approach V4 Pro, DeepSeek says, and it performs on par with with the Pro version on simple Agent tasks. Shortly after DeepSeek topped the App Store charts, it was banned for use by US federal agencies and on government-owned devices. Authorities believed it was a national security risk and posed a threat to US AI stocks. South Korea also paused downloads of its app over privacy concerns. 🚀 DeepSeek-V4 Preview is officially live & open-sourced! Welcome to the era of cost-effective 1M context length.🔹 DeepSeek-V4-Pro: 1.6T total / 49B active params. Performance rivaling the world's top closed-source models.🔹 DeepSeek-V4-Flash: 284B total / 13B active params.… pic.twitter.com/n1AgwMIymu— DeepSeek (@deepseek_ai) April 24, 2026 This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/deepseek-promises-its-new-ai-model-has-world-class-reasoning-115733512.html?src=rss - [The Morning After: Polymarket and a hairdryer](https://missmacknog.com/the-morning-after-polymarket-and-a-hairdryer/): Although it’s one of the more inoffensive topics on Polymarket, this news typifies the Wild West of prediction markets and betting sites. A hairdryer was allegedly used to rig Polymarket bets on temperatures at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, according to a report by The Telegraph. French authorities noted that the official temperature readings at the airport spiked twice in the past month. On both occasions, gamblers betting on those temperature fluctuations on Polymarket appear to have walked away with thousands upon thousands of dollars. There is no indication that Polymarket forced anyone to return winnings, but the temperature sensor has been moved to a new location. The site is also still running bets on the daily temperature in and around Paris. In a more serious development, a US soldier was arrested for allegedly making over $400,000 on Polymarket using information he had about the plans to capture the former Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro. Gannon Ken Van Dyke was arrested and charged with using classified military information to place bets on the prediction marketplace Polymarket. Van Dyke created a Polymarket account around December 26, 2025, and made 13 bets related to Maduro from December 27 to January 2. The soldier has also been charged with one count of wire fraud, carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and one count of unlawful monetary transaction, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years. It’s a lot heavier than hairdryer shenanigans. — Mat Smith The other big stories (and deals) this morning Here’s to the stable ones: In praise of Tim Cook Meta is downsizing by about 10 percent Hey Meta workers, are you getting paid for those keystrokes? Apple TV’s upcoming For All Mankind spinoff Star City oozes Cold War-era paranoia DJI Lito 1 and Lito X1 drone review High-quality aerial video at its most affordable. Engadget DJI is taking another stab at the budget drone market with the new Lito series. The Lito 1 and Lito X1 are both under $400 and weigh less than 249 grams — they’re ideal for beginners. Both replace DJI’s Mini series, but they offer things those models lacked, like LiDAR and 360-degree obstacle avoidance. After testing both models, I believe they offer unbeatable value and performance at these prices, by a long shot. However, due to DJI’s standing in the US, you might not see either. Continue reading. Xbox cuts Game Pass prices But new Call of Duty games will no longer hit the service at launch. Activision As suggested by recent comments by the new boss of Xbox, Microsoft’s gaming arm is cutting the prices of both Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, effective immediately, but there’s one big caveat. New Call of Duty games will no longer be available on Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass on day one. They’ll eventually hit those tiers about a year later, during the following holiday season. Continue reading. Accessory maker Anker made its own AI chip Of course it did. Anker, of battery-pack and cable fame, has announced its own AI chip that it will integrate into its future headphones and other devices. The company is planning to debut the chip, called Thus, on a new model of headphones to be unveiled at its Anker Day event in May. Anker’s Thus chip integrates computing power directly into NOR flash memory cells, which offer faster read speeds than NAND. Anker says headphones are a particularly challenging environment to demonstrate what a new chip can do because “hardly any other device places higher demands on an AI chip.” Anker announced one particular feature to showcase its silicon. Clear Calls will cancel noise “with a large neural network running entirely on the device, supported by eight MEMS microphones and two bone conduction sensors.” Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-112802570.html?src=rss - [Turkey wants to ban social media for kids under 15](https://missmacknog.com/turkey-wants-to-ban-social-media-for-kids-under-15/): The Turkish parliament has voted through a bill that would ban all children under the age of 15 from using social media. As part of the legislation, social media platforms would be required to enforce age-verification measures on their apps, provide parental control tools, and react more quickly to harmful content being posted. As reported by The Associated Press, lawmakers have passed the bill in the wake of two deadly school shootings in Turkey, after which police arrested 162 people accused of sharing footage of the tragedies online. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan now has 15 days to accept the bill in order for it to become law, after reportedly saying social media platforms had become "cesspools" in a televised address to the nation. As well as the major social media platforms, AP reports that online gaming companies would also have to implement their own restrictions on minors, with potential punishments including bandwidth reductions and financial penalties. This isn’t the first time Turkey has locked horns with social media and online gaming platforms. Instagram has been blocked in the country before, back in 2024, relating to a dispute over the posting of Hamas-related content. Access was restored around a week later, but in the same time period Turkey also banned Roblox over reports of inappropriate sexual content accused of being explorative to children. At the time, a Turkish official also named the "promotion of homosexuality" as one reason for the ban. Turkey has also temporarily banned Twitter (now called X) on several occasions, most recently after 2023’s devastating earthquakes, though it was not clear at the time why the government may have moved to block the social media platform. The country’s lawmakers moving to ban under-15s from accessing social media is part of an emerging trend in Europe and across the globe. The likes of Greece and Austria have recently introduced similar legislation of their own, following Australia becoming the first country in the world to ban children under 16 from social media last year. The UK has since considered bringing in tighter restrictions too.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/turkey-wants-to-ban-social-media-for-kids-under-15-143053462.html?src=rss - [Meta will show parents the topics of their teens' AI conversations](https://missmacknog.com/meta-will-show-parents-the-topics-of-their-teens-ai-conversations/): With countries banning social media for kids left and right, Meta is trying different things to convince parents that its platforms are safe for teens. In its latest effort, the company will start showing parents the topics their teens have discussed with Meta AI over the previous seven days.  "Parents will be able to see the topics their teen has been asking Meta AI about in [Facebook, Messenger or Instagram] over the past week," Meta explained in a blog post. "Topics can range from School, Entertainment, and Lifestyle to Travel, Writing, and Health and Wellbeing, among others." For parents overseeing Meta's teen accounts, the feature will appear in a new Insights tab within supervision, both in-app and on web. Parents can tap on a topic to see the different categories within each: for instance, sub-categories within Lifestyle include fashion, food and holidays, while fitness, physical health and mental health are part of the Health and Wellbeing topic.  Meta Meta also worked with the Cyberbullying Research Center to develop what it calls "conversation starters," or open-ended conversations about their experience with AI. It provides detail about what the questions are designed to address, and can be found on the Family Center website or through a link in the new Insights tab.  Finally, Meta revealed more detail about its AI Wellbeing Expert Council, who will provide "ongoing input on our AI experience for teens." It will be made up of three existing advisory groups as well as new members with special expertise in responsible and ethical AI, who are affiliated with the National Council of Suicide Prevention and multiple universities. It's worth noting that Meta has a separate oversight board that deals with subjects ranging from AI to moderation.  Offboarding moderation chores to busy parents appears to be par for the course for Meta these days. The company has recently cut back on the use of third-party vendors that help with content moderation, shifting responsibility instead to advanced AI systems, according to recent reports.  The dangers of AI for teens have been one of multiple reasons countries like Spain have banned social media platforms for kids. One of the most recent and tragic cases was in Canada, where a teen was provided specific details by OpenAI's ChatGPT about how to carry out a school shooting. Another such case is under investigation in Florida, and AI's have been implicated in multiple teen suicides as well.  In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 or you can simply dial 988. Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME to 741741 (US), 686868 (Canada), or 85258 (UK). Wikipedia maintains a list of crisis lines for people outside of those countries.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-will-show-parents-the-topics-of-their-teens-ai-conversations-123119624.html?src=rss - [2027 BMW i7 first look: A fantastically techy car for the 1 percent](https://missmacknog.com/2027-bmw-i7-first-look-a-fantastically-techy-car-for-the-1-percent/): Big, fancy executive sedans are a dying breed, especially when it comes to EVs. With the Tesla Model S and Mercedes' EQ line on their way out, pickings are slim. Aside from the upcoming S-Class, there's the Lucid Air, Cadillac Celestiq and maybe the Porsche Taycan, depending on how far you're willing to stretch the definition. But as the market leader in luxury sedans, BMW isn't giving up yet. With the arrival of the new 7-series, the company has made a car — with a complete range of gas, hybrid and fully electric options — that truly embraces modern gadgetry.OverviewBecause we're EV enthusiasts here at Engadget, we're primarily going to talk about the new i7, which is the battery-powered version of the new 7 series. Unfortunately, due to building regulations at Grand Central Station in NYC where BMW's reveal was held, the company was only allowed to showcase a gas-powered car, so this story features photos of the 740. However, company representatives told me that there are mostly only minor cosmetic differences between the ICE and EV models (powertrains aside), so feel free to compare my shots with the official press images to see if you can spot any changes. Between things like its grille and recessed door handles, the new 7-series looks more like an EV than a gas car.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetAs for the i7 itself, it will be available in three main trims: the i750 xDrive, the i760 xDrive and the i7 M70 xDrive, the latter of which is the fastest and most powerful of the bunch. Pricing starts at $105,750 for the i750 and $126,250 for the i760, both of which will be available at launch sometime later this year. The i7 M70 will come later, most likely in 2027, with pricing still TBD.Every model will come standard with a dual-motor AWD drivetrain with the base i750 offering 455 horsepower or 544hp on the i760, before going all the way up to a whopping 680hp on the i7 M70. Compared to the outgoing models, the new 2027 i7 also features a significantly larger power pack (112.4kWh, up from 105.7kWh) composed of BMW's new sixth-gen battery cells. This helps support faster charging speeds of 250kW (up from 195kW) along with a native NACS port and a 400-volt architecture, which is good enough to take the car from 10 to 80 percent in around 28 minutes. The upgraded batteries should also translate into longer range, with BMW claiming the i760 will deliver more than 350 miles on a single charge, based on internal metrics using EPA testing procedures. On the new 2027 models, BMW extended the 7-series' taillights to give its rear a more distinctive appearance. Sam Rutherford for EngadgetFinally, as we're still waiting for the iX3 to make its official debut in the US market, the new 7-series is also BMW's first car for the States to feature the company's Neue Klasse design language, which features a massively upgraded collection of tech on the inside. More on that when we get to the interior. ExteriorOne of the most interesting things about the new 7-series is that it was designed to have essentially the same exterior regardless of which powertrain each individual model has. BMW claims this not only makes it easier for customers to choose if they want a gas, hybrid or electric car, it also presents a more unified look across the family. That said, there are a number of features like the grille and recessed door handles that make BMW's latest luxury sedan look more like an electric car than a traditional ICE vehicle. I even noticed that on the gas-powered 740 BMW had on display, its tail pipes were pointed down and hidden away behind the car's rear bumper, which plays into the various models' shared identity. That said, on M Sport models and the M Performance variant due out next year, things like tailpipes will be much more prominent to help assuage the kind of enthusiasts who aren't ready for the transition to electrification. Up front, BMW ditched the stacked headlights found on the previous model in favor of a new razor-thin design that features 24 crystal LEDs that create a neat gem-like appearance. Meanwhile, the company's signature kidney-shaped grille has been given a thoroughly futuristic update, complete with built-in lighting (including programmable Welcome and Goodbye patterns) and active aero. Around back, the 7-series' taillights have been extended to nearly the entire width of the vehicle, creating a more distinctive look.InteriorFor tech enthusiasts, the inside of the new 7-series is a real marvel of engineering and gadgetry, headlined by BMW's Neue Klasse design language. Depending on how you're counting, there are between five and seven different displays. In the center, there's the 17.9-inch main screen (which supports both Android Auto and CarPlay), plus the company's Panoramic Vision (which is actually a projector) that adds another thin display across the entire bottom of the windshield. Panoramic Vision also provides a more traditional 3D HUD for things like turn-by-turn navigation while driving. For the driver, BMW also updated the i7's steering wheel with what the company is calling "shy tech." This means controls are only illuminated when a specific feature is available, while also providing haptic feedback for additional tactile response. And although I didn't get to drive the car myself, BMW reps told me that the car's assisted driving tech has been updated so that it's more accommodating to small, manual adjustments. On other cars, this might disable hands-free driving entirely or force you to wrestle with a robo-controlled steering wheel. For the first time on any of its vehicles, BMW is including a 14.6-inch Passenger Screen that can be used to stream movies, music and more, completely independent of what's on the main display. Then there are two small panels mounted on the doors for rear seat passengers to control things like climate settings and more. And with a Bowers and Wilkins sound system comprising 36 speakers and 4,000 watts of output, audio certainly hasn't been neglected. However, the real showpiece of the entire vehicle is arguably the optional 31-inch 8K Theater Screen, which BMW claims is the largest display in any production car today. It's mounted on a motorized frame that lowers itself down from the ceiling and it's simply massive. Gadget nerds will appreciate that it comes with an onboard webcam, so you can use it for video calls. And when you're not working, you can even pair accessories like Bluetooth controllers with the screen to play games. There are even woofers mounted below the rear seat to provide what BMW says is a 4D sound experience. My favorite part of this ensemble is the full-size HDMI jack that’s located next to the USB-C port on the back of the center console. This will allow you to hook up pretty much anything you want and enjoy it on that huge 31-inch display. And similar to previous 7-series models, the i7 still features BMW's executive seating mode, which pushes the front passenger seat up an extra 20cm while reclining the rear, providing a truly luxurious way to enjoy a car ride (there's even a little built-in footrest). Another small thing that potential buyers will surely appreciate is that BMW is also providing four years of data and access to its Digital Premium service as standard on every vehicle. Initial thoughtsThe lap of luxury.Sam Rutherford for EngadgetWith all of these changes, BMW is calling this the new 7-series, but it's actually closer to a mid-cycle refresh following a total overhaul back in 2023. For people who can never get enough screen space, the i7 and its gas-powered siblings are practically overflowing with displays. Plus, I really love BMW's attention to detail that allows users to pair peripherals like game controllers to the onboard displays or plug in external devices via HDMI. As someone who likes the more futuristic, streamlined exterior you see on a lot of EVs, I think BMW has done a great job of striking a middle ground that works for both gas and electric powertrains. Even the i7’s base specs have gotten some big bumps, both in terms of range and charging speeds, though at some point, BMW will need to upgrade its 400-volt architecture to something beefier. In a lot of ways, i7's starting price of $105,750 is its biggest hurdle, because for tech lovers, it feels like BMW has covered all the bases and then some. On the bright side, if you can afford one, you can probably also afford to hire a driver every now and then so you can take advantage of the 7-series' executive seating mode.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/2027-bmw-i7-first-look-a-fantastically-techy-car-for-the-1-percent-123000364.html?src=rss - [DJI Lito 1 and Lito X1 drone review: High-quality aerial video at its most affordable](https://missmacknog.com/dji-lito-1-and-lito-x1-drone-review-high-quality-aerial-video-at-its-most-affordable/): After seeing the runaway success of its Neo lineup, DJI is taking another stab at the budget drone market with the new Lito series. The Lito 1 and Lito X1 are both under $400 and weigh less than 249 grams — they’re ideal for beginners. Both are designed to replace DJI’s Mini series, but they offer things that those models lacked like LiDAR and 360-degree obstacle avoidance. In terms of video quality, they’re similar to DJI’s Neo 2 and Flip drones. Unlike those models, which are safe to use indoors and around people, the open-prop Lito drones are designed to fly outside at high speeds and high altitudes. This makes them well-suited for filming activities like surfing or dirt bike riding. After testing both models, I believe they offer unbeatable value and performance at these prices, by a long shot. Of course, the drawback for American buyers is that neither is expected to launch in the US. Design and features The Lito models are now the entry level open-prop models in DJI’s lineup (the Mini series will no longer be updated). Both have identical folding designs, with optional, removable propeller shrouds that offer some additional obstacle protection. Given the light weight, novice pilots can fly them without a permit. Steve Dent for Engadget Both have omni sensors on the top and bottom that protect them from obstacles on all sides. The Lito X1 adds a forward-facing LiDAR sensor for extra tracking precision. That kind of additional accuracy is nice to have and it’s unusual on drones in this price range. Built-in storage is also rare on cheap drones, but the Lito X1 has that going for it as well. There’s 42GB on tap, along with microSD card support for additional capacity. The Lito 1 only offers a microSD slot and no internal storage. They come with an Intelligent Flight Battery that offers up to 36 minutes of flying time. That can be extended to about 52 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, though that model isn’t available in the EU or UK. As with every other DJI drone I’ve tested, real-world flight times are about 30 percent less than the company promises. I got about 25 minutes of use on a charge — still not bad for a sub-$400 drone. The Lito line has all the FocusTrack features you’d expect in a DJI drone, like 360 degree ActiveTrack subject tracking with full manual control and obstacle detection. It also supports DJI’s Quickshots including Dronie, Rocket and others, all of which make it easy to capture aerial clips for social media. However, you won’t find certain Neo 2 features on the Lito series, like gestures, smartphone control and palm takeoffs. The Lito drones work with multiple controllers, including the RC-N3 that requires a smartphone or the RC 2 with a built-in screen. Both Lito models transmit 1080p 60 fps video to a range of up to 10 miles via DJI’s Occusync 4 system. That’s a scary distance for a beginner drone. Luckily, both models also offer DJI’s return to home (RTH) with battery warning and other safety features that should prevent lost drones or accidents. Performance Steve Dent for Engadget Both Lito drones are relatively fast at about 26 mph in normal mode with obstacle detection, or 40 mph in sport mode. That kind of speed allows creators to track bikers, skiers or vehicles. Each can also fly in relatively strong winds up to about 21 mph. They lack the maneuverability and acrobatics available on the Neo 2 though, and don't offer an FPV mode with DJI’s Goggles. With open propellers that can catch on a twig and cause a crash, the Lito drones depend heavily on obstacle detection for protection. That’s particularly important since the ActiveTrack follow feature is a key selling point for novice creators. With all that in mind, I wanted to put them through their paces tracking me on a bicycle and even while driving a car, forcing the drones to navigate around trees and bamboo with fine branches. To start, I used ActiveTrack and the Trace “steering wheel” mode to follow me from the front, sides and back. Both Lito models can avoid obstacles using either the “braking” mode that stops the drone or “bypass” that simply maneuvers around them. I mostly used bypass mode to see if the drone could continue to track me if something got in the way. When flying forward, the Lito X1 avoided all obstacles using its LiDAR, while swooping smoothly around trees and branches. Only once did it fail to detect a small twig, which caused a slight bobble, but fortunately, no crash. Thanks to that built-in LiDAR, the Lito X1 model is a bit more adept than the Lito 1 at dodging fine obstacles when flying forward. Overall, the X1’s avoidance in all directions was shockingly good for a drone under $400. DJI's Lito models offer excellent tracking and obstacle detection for the price. Steve Dent for Engadget The Lito X1’s LiDAR is also very helpful when flying in low-light conditions, and even at night. If you go on a long flight and miscalculate the sunset, you’ll still be able to get the drone back safely in RTH mode without much fear of crashing, as long as you fly forward. It also helps keep the Lito X1 more stable in dim light than the Lito 1. The Lito 1 isn’t as adept at following and obstacle detection at night due to the lack of LiDAR, but again, it avoided danger surprisingly well considering the price. Buyers can still be confident that it will stay out of trouble when tracking subjects in most conditions — just be careful when flying in forested areas with fine branches. If you’re planning on flying far from your location to capture remote aerial views, DJI’s Occusync 4 system is highly reliable. I only saw video dropouts when flying the drone behind buildings and out of my line of sight, something that I wouldn’t advise anyway. As long as there’s nothing between you and the drone, you’ll maintain a clear video view and full control. As with other drones in the Mini and Mini Pro series, the Lito models are whisper quiet in flight, with noise levels well under 70 db. The pitch is also low and not shrieking like the Neo models, so it shouldn’t disturb people or animals. Video and photo quality Video quality is where the Lito 1 and Lito X1 differ the most. The latter is equipped with a 40-megapixel 1/1.3-inch sensor with f/1.7 aperture (same as the Mini 4 Pro) and offers up 4K 60 fps video with 4K 100 fps slow-mo along with D-LogM and HDR recording. The Lito 1, meanwhile, has a 48MP 1/2-inch sensor (12MP for video) like the one on the Neo 2, with an f/1.8 aperture, 4K 60 fps video (4K 100 fps slow-mo) and no D-LogM or HDR capabilities. That’s a pretty big gap in specs considering the relatively meager price difference of around $80. As such, the Lito X1 offers significantly better video quality, particularly in low light and high-contrast conditions. The smaller sensor means the Lito 1 has mediocre low-light capability, with pronounced grain at the maximum ISO 12,800 rating. The drop in quality is even noticeable at ISO 3,200. Unlike the $400 Flip, the lack of 10-bit D-LogM capability also means that over- or underexposed video is hard to correct. With those issues, video and photos from the Lito 1 aren't good enough for professional work. However, it’s excellent for social media users, hobbyists and content creators, delivering smartphone-quality aerial shots and more detail than any other drone at this price (except the Neo 2, of course). The Lito X1, on the other hand, does offer video that’s good enough for some professional use. While not as noise-free as the 1-inch sensor-equipped Mini 5 Pro or Micro Four Thirds Mavic 4 Pro, video quality for nighttime cityscapes and other dim scenes is decently clean. In daylight, video is surprisingly sharp and color accurate. The 10-bit D-LogM setting also lets you capture sufficient dynamic range for tricky scenarios like a forest path dappled with sunlight and shadows Stabilization on both models is excellent, so you’re sure to capture smooth, cinematic video, even with relatively slow shutter speeds down to 1/30th of a second. Photos are more detailed on the Lito X1 due to the higher resolution, even though both models can capture RAW DNG files to maximize dynamic range. That makes the drones ideal for taking aerial pictures of your property, for instance, or checking a hornet’s nest or hole on your roof. Wrap-up Steve Dent for Engadget The Lito series shows that DJI is intent on dominating every drone price range and category, including the bottom end. Despite their low prices, the new drones don’t skimp on features, offering full obstacle protection, ActiveTrack subject tracking, relatively high speeds and sharp 4K video quality — just like models that cost a lot more. At these prices, the Lito drones don’t have any real rivals other than themselves and other DJI drones, particularly the Neo 2 and Flip. Choose the Lito 1 only if you can’t swing the extra money for the Lito X1, as video quality on the latter is significantly higher. Both drones are best for outdoor adventures, including high-altitude aerial shooting, while Neo 2 and Flip excel inside or around people. The Lito 1 and Lito X1 are now available in the UK and EU for £299/€309 and £369/€379 respectively with one battery and the RC-N3 controller that requires a smartphone. You can also get them in Fly More combos, with the Lito 1 priced at £429/€439 with an RC-N3 controller, three batteries, a charger and a shoulder bag. The Lito X1 Fly More Combo with an RC 2 screen controller, three batteries, a charger and a shoulder bag is £599/€619. The drones aren’t on sale yet in the US, but may arrive later on.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/dji-lito-1-and-lito-x1-drone-review-high-quality-aerial-video-at-its-most-affordable-120024032.html?src=rss - [Musk pledges to fix 2019-2023 Teslas that can't fully self drive](https://missmacknog.com/musk-pledges-to-fix-2019-2023-teslas-that-cant-fully-self-drive/): Tesla still doesn’t have a solid pathway for how to give Hardware 3 cars Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities, based on what Elon Musk said during the company’s latest earnings call. The automaker has known for quite a while that its vehicles equipped with Hardware 3 aren’t capable of unsupervised FSD, even though the company built the system specifically to give its cars the ability. Tesla used Hardware 3 on cars manufactured from 2019 until early 2023 before Hardware 4 shipped. During an earlier earnings call back in January 2025, Musk admitted that the company was “going to have to upgrade people’s Hardware 3 computer for those that have bought Full Self-Driving.” At Tesla’s latest earnings call, Musk said that Hardware 3 “simply does not have the capability to achieve unsupervised FSD.” Tesla thought it would be able to at one point, but Hardware 3 apparently has 1/8th the memory bandwidth of Hardware 4. Musk explained that memory bandwidth is “one of the key elements” needed for unsupervised FSD.Tesla will be offering to upgrade and replace the computers and cameras on older vehicles, but it doesn’t have a concrete plan in place yet. “I do think over time it’s going to make sense for us to convert all Hardware 3 cars to Hardware 4,” he said. To do so at service centers would be extremely slow, Musk has admitted. Around 4 million cars or so have Hardware 3, though not everyone has paid for FSD. Still, to be able to replace its vehicles’ hardware efficiently, Musk said Tesla is going to have to set up “microfactories or small factories in major metropolitan areas.” He didn’t give any indication that Tesla has already started building those microfactories, though, or even that construction is already scheduled to begin. He did say that in the meantime, the company is going to be releasing FSD version 14 for Hardware 3 around the end of June. Musk also said during the same earnings call that Tesla’s Fremont factory will start manufacturing the company’s humanoid Optimus robots in late July or August. The Tesla CEO is known for announcing highly optimistic and aggressive timelines. Tesla made the decision to kill off its Model X and S cars earlier this year, so that it can convert its Fremont facility into an Optimus factory. The last Model S and X vehicles will be rolling off the production line in May, which gives the company just a few months to dismantle the facility’s current equipment and put new ones in place. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/musk-pledges-to-fix-2019-2023-teslas-that-cant-fully-self-drive-095002120.html?src=rss - [Vampire Survivors developer Poncle is opening more studios and has over 15 projects in the works](https://missmacknog.com/vampire-survivors-developer-poncle-is-opening-more-studios-and-has-over-15-projects-in-the-works/): Vampire Survivors developer Poncle has big plans for the future, according to an interview The Game Business conducted with the company's chief strategy officer Matteo Sapio. It's opening two new studios in Japan and Italy and has over 15 projects in active development. That's a lot of action for a company primarily known for one franchise. Sapio says the company is developing three basic types of games. There are spinoffs to Vampire Survivors, like this week's deckbuilder Vampire Crawlers. Poncle is also making original IPs and says there are two games set in new universes coming down the pike. Finally, it's working on some roguelites with similar mechanics to Vampire Survivors, but using other IPs. We already know about one of these, a roguelite set in the Warhammer 40K universe called Warhammer Survivors. It's set to land on Steam sometime this year. To assist with these plans, Poncle has developed an engine that can turn pre-existing IPs into games that play like Vampire Survivors. If you're wondering if there are enough fans for multiple top-down roguelites with simple controls and bullet hell mechanics, let me point you to Halls of Torment, Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor and Soulstone Survivors, among many others. This has become a popular genre in recent years, likely due to the continued success of Vampire Survivors. To that end, the original game has surpassed 27 million players. Poncle has, however, paused all of its third-party publishing plans after releasing a couple of games last year. "It was a learning experience," Sapio said. "But we found that we weren’t able to give the right support." The company could revisit third-party publishing in the future. This is great news for Poncle and fans of the Vampire Survivors franchise, but there's always risk when a company tries to grow like this. Remember Embracer Group? It went on a massive buying spree beginning in 2019, before having to sell off and close a number of studios. However, this isn't a AAA game development studio. Poncle makes indie titles and the new studios will be lean operations, with "little teams of people." Sapio said this organizational structure will help keep the company "agile and flexible." I personally have high hopes for this endeavor. This is because the just-released spinoff Vampire Crawlers is so very good, which proves to me that Poncle isn't a one-trick pony. It plays like a mix of Slay the Spire with a first-person dungeon crawler like Etrian Odyssey, all while successfully capturing the vibe of Vampire Survivors. If Poncle can keep up this level of quality, gamers could be in for a long-term treat.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/vampire-survivors-developer-poncle-is-opening-more-studios-and-has-over-15-games-in-the-works-174022348.html?src=rss - [Threads introduces 'live chats' for following live events](https://missmacknog.com/threads-introduces-live-chats-for-following-live-events/): Meta has introduced a new "live chats" feature to Threads, enabling people on the platform to participate in real-time conversations about live events they’re interested in. Live chats can be hosted within Threads communities, the topic-specific social spaces that Meta introduced last year. The new feature sounds a bit like Threads’ take on Instagram’s broadcast channels, but the latter only allows for one-way messaging. Live chats can be hosted by select creators, including Community Champions — users highly engaged within specific communities — and media personalities. Once a chat is launched or scheduled, the host chooses who is invited to contribute and can then share the link publicly. You can post photos, videos, links and emoji reactions as well as text-based messages. If you’re unable to send messages in a live chat that is at capacity, you can still watch it, react to others messages and vote in polls. Live chats remain open to view after they’ve ended, and you don’t need to be part of a community to join. Meta is debuting its new social feature in the NBAThreads Community during the Playoffs, with Malika Andrews, Rachel Nichols, Trysta Krick, David Rushing and Lexis Mickens named as hosts. Live chats will appear at the top of the NBAThreads Community feed, and can also be shared in a post that might appear on your main feed in Threads. You’ll also see a red ring around a host’s profile photo when they’re live. Meta says live chats will gradually be rolled out to more communities on Threads, with features like co-hosting, lock screen widgets and the ability to quote and share messages from a chat on your feed coming soon. Meta has been steadily expanding its X rival’s features since it launched in 2023. It started small with searchable topics (note: not hashtags) and custom feeds, before rolling out communities last year. It also started testing long-form text posts and just this week gave Threads a long-overdue facelift on web. Back in October, the company announced that its text-based social media platform now has 150 million daily users.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-introduces-live-chats-for-following-live-events-170007658.html?src=rss - [Control: Ultimate Edition is out for the iPhone and iPad](https://missmacknog.com/control-ultimate-edition-is-out-for-the-iphone-and-ipad/): Control is one of my favorite adventure games of the last decade or so, a mind-bending trip through an ever-changing building where you get to use telekinesis to battle some pretty freaky enemies. It was a graphically-demanding game when it was released in 2019, but a lot can change in less than six years: Control: Ultimate Edition is now available on the iPhone and iPad for a mere $5, following its announcement last October. It’s a universal purchase, which means if you buy it it’ll work on the iPad, iPhone and Mac as well. Developer Remedy promises that it’s the full Control experience, with the DLC episodes included. Remedy rebuilt the UI and controls to make it work on touchscreen devices; the company says that it has tweaked aiming and the various puzzles to make them work better for the iPad and iPhone. But naturally, the game also works with controllers. If you’re serious about having the best experience with the game, finding a way to play with physical controls is probably a good idea.The game will run on iPhones with at least an A17 Pro chip. That includes the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as well all of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series. Plenty of iPad models can run the game, as well — any iPad with an M-series chip or the A17 Pro will work. That means the current basic iPad, with its A16 processor, is left out of the fun. But any iPad Air or Pro from the last four years or so should be good to go.I tried a test version of Control when I reviewed the new iPad Air recently and, unsurprisingly, the tablet’s M4 chip was more than powerful enough to make for a smooth experience. My main gripe is that when sprinting, you have to hold down the L3 button the entire time you’re running rather than just click it once, which is how it works on other platforms. Otherwise it looks and plays smoothly, though I can’t vouch for how it’ll perform on hardware older than the M4 from 2024. Control marks the latest “AAA” title to hit the iPad and iPhone. Apple has aggressively courted developers for its platforms in recent years, and while most games don’t hit the Mac or iOS when they launch, more and more are showing up eventually. There are multiple recent Resident Evil titles for the iPad, and other games like Death Stranding and Assassin’s Creed Mirage have been ported recently as well. There are others on the Mac as well, including demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Lies of P. Apple’s platforms aren’t going to be an avid gamer’s first stop still, but having high-profile games to supplement the many indie titles available helps round out the options for Apple users. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/control-ultimate-edition-is-out-for-the-iphone-and-ipad-150532940.html?src=rss - [Here’s to the stable ones: In praise of Tim Cook](https://missmacknog.com/heres-to-the-stable-ones-in-praise-of-tim-cook/): Tim Cook’s tenure as Apple CEO ends September 1 when he takes the role of executive chair. He will be replaced by John Ternus, a 25-year Apple veteran and head of its hardware engineering division. I get the sense Cook’s professional obituaries will focus on his steady hand, execution success and lack of intra-company drama. All of those are virtues but I suspect the media, ever in love with a narrative of its own concoction, will use them as cudgels. Consider this an attempt to balance the record ahead of Cook’s damning with the faintest of praise. Cook is quiet and private, making it easy to paint him as a bland managerialist who coasted on the success of the iPhone. In Ternus, Apple once again has a “product guy” at its helm, a term loaded with enough subtext to sink a battleship. You can feel the implication that it’s only “product guys” who have the vision, taste and knowledge to innovate. By extension, Cook was never "a real nerd," but an empty finance guy that never understood what makes Apple tick. If there’s one thing Silicon Valley loves more than money, it’s a mercurial genius upon whom they can rest their dreams. Figures with a capital-V vision who invent new product categories with a flick of a wrist, captains of industry who inspire awe and devotion. And making enough money that even a Rockefeller would start thinking "gosh, that’s a bit much." The Jobsian myth-making obscures his talents and minimizes the number of misses he had along the way. Jobs’ first tenure at Apple ended in failure and NeXT, for all its innovation, didn’t survive as a standalone hardware maker. Many of his ideas were too big and ambitious to succeed and his refusal to compromise made them sink. His time in the wilderness made him a better manager, and a far better storyteller. But to suggest Jobs was gifted with Midas’ touch is wrong, since for all his vision and taste, he needed strong execution. Kimberly White via Getty Images It doesn’t help that Jobs is the ur-example of Silicon Valley’s tech genius founder which means so many there have never stopped looking for his successor. The title of “the next Steve Jobs” has been diluted to the point of meaninglessness at this point given the list of nominees. Those include Elizabeth Holmes, Elon Musk, Adam Neumann, Trevor Milton, Sam Altman and Travis Kalanick. Given that sort of company, I’m sure Cook is delighted when people say he’s no Steve Jobs. I suspect, in part, Cook was seen as a mere employee (derogatory) rather than a startup founder who built something himself. That obscures his success, first at IBM and Intelligent Electronics where he took up a COO role at 34. Even in an industry that treasures youth, I doubt these companies would elevate someone as young as Cook unless he was damn good. And when he got to Apple in 1998, his role was to make the wheels of the company turn. We may laud Jobs and Ive for dreaming up the products but, to quote Jobs himself, “real artists ship.” By that metric, Cook was the real artist. When Cook took over as Apple CEO, it was just weeks before Jobs passed away, in what must have been a very hard time. Holding the company together after such a shock while grieving for your own loss must have been an enormous challenge. And while Cook had Jobs’ army of lieutenants around him, it was upon Cook to actually lead that team. That he then took Apple to the outrageous success it is today is proof of his ability to actually make things happen. Think about how it was Cook that used Apple’s initial success to make good deals with manufacturers that wound up boxing out so many of its rivals. I’m sure Cook lacks the taste and vision of a Jobs or an Ive, and instead relies upon the skill of his team. I’m not sure why that would be painted as a bad thing given the roster of people Apple pays to have such taste. If Cook is lacking in taste, he’s not lacking in humility, and clearly knows well enough to not meddle in things. Friends, that’s not the sign of a bad leader, it’s the sign of a good one, who makes his team feel trusted, respected, and listened to. Think about how rapidly Cook democratized the Apple keynotes, making stars of many of its senior executives, rather than trying to put on a Steve Jobs tribute act. His tenure as CEO wasn’t flawless: Hiring John Browett to replace Ron Johnson at Retail was an early error — but one that Cook was smart enough to correct just six months later. The power struggles with Scott Forstall could be a miss given Ive’s instincts around user interface design. On the product front, we had the embarrassment of AirPower, the stop-start work on the Mac Pro and the muted rollout of the Vision Pro. The lack of proactive management of the App Store and the opacity of its workings counts as a big strike, too. I’m sure we’ll get some chatter about the Apple Car project from people who thought that was ever a good idea. As for the Trump Stuff(™), I have some sympathy for Cook, who probably didn’t expect to play diplomat when he took the job. His ties to the current administration have tainted his reputation, even if his engagement seems finely calibrated. As CEO of Apple, he’s responsible for around 170,000 people and has legal obligations as the head of a public company. As much as he may wish to flick the bird at the Commander in Chief, he has to tread a fine line. And it will be for him to wrestle with his own conscience to decide if he did the right thing down the line. One of the pitfalls of a sustained period of success is that people lose sight of how things were in the bad old days. You can anticipate the editorials saying Cook “failed” on AI because he wisely avoided not launching head-first into a boondoggle. “Failed” on launching a new product category in the post-Jobs world, even though the Apple Watch and AirPods are, on their own, a bigger business than some major corporations. “Failed” by building a subscription and services business despite every single hardware company in the world doing the same thing. I'd say Cook's judgment was far better than anyone has given him credit for, and he's made plenty of earth-shattering changes of his own. Think about Apple Silicon and how it has upended the order of things in the chip world, almost inadvertently taking a wrecking ball to Intel's dominance. A technology transition that was so seamless, so undramatic, and yet with so many dividends, that the idea of Apple using other people's chips in its hardware feels like ancient history.  To all of those people, I’d say look — look! — with your own stupid eyes at the MacBook Neo. Look at a company that found a way to produce hardware like that, with performance like that, for that sort of price! The MacBook Neo is so good and so cheap that it’s made the rest of the consumer electronics industry look like incompetents. It may not be a shiny new gadget you can show off to the envy of your early adopter friends, but it’s going to make a meaningful difference for countless people. We can all agree that no kid is going to hang a poster of Tim Cook on their bedroom wall in the same way they might with Jobs, or even Musk. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, because Cook’s legacy isn’t in headlines or fawning biopics, it’s in a legacy of actually getting things done.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/heres-to-the-stable-ones-in-praise-of-tim-cook-144850435.html?src=rss - [Xfinity Mobile now includes device protection and anytime phone upgrades](https://missmacknog.com/xfinity-mobile-now-includes-device-protection-and-anytime-phone-upgrades/): Cell phone plans can get exceedingly complicated, so Comcast’s pitch for Xfinity Mobile’s simplicity is rather appealing — particularly at a time when everything is more expensive than ever. Today, the company is announcing two simple plans priced at $30 and $45 a month that have some serious perks for their prices. The $30 Mobile Select plan covers the main basics, including 50GB of “premium” full-speed data; Global Travel Pass to cover yourself when traveling in 215 different countries; and Xfinity’s Wi-Fi PowerBoost. That latter feature takes advantage of Xfinity’s wide network of Wi-Fi hotspots around the country. Your phone will automatically connect to those when you’re out and about, and you’ll get priority speeds of up to 1 gigabit on those networks as well as at home. The $45 Mobile Plus plan adds some pretty significant perks. For starters, you’ll get unlimited premium data and 4K video streaming (the Select plan limits you to 720p). But more significantly, the Plus plan promises device upgrades at literally any time. At this point, most carriers offer ways to upgrade before the typical three-year device payment plan is up, but as someone who did that late last year, I can confirm that the constantly changing promotions around phone upgrades make it hard to know exactly what you’ll be eligible for.Comcast, however, says that Mobile Plus subscribers can literally upgrade their phone at any time. I asked how it would work if I was crazy enough to switch to a Galaxy S26 six months after getting an iPhone 17 Pro, and they said it would be no issue, regardless of how much I had beat up my iPhone. I’m trying to figure out if there’s a catch, but the company’s representatives were very adamant about “anytime upgrades” being as uncomplicated as they said. Similarly, the Plus plan also includes lifetime device protection, another thing that most carriers charge separately for. This extends to any connected device on your plan like smartwatches or iPads in addition to your phone. If you need a replacement, just bring it in. Xfinity Mobile is still limited to people who subscribe to an Xfinity internet plan. But given Xfinity promises five-year price guarantees and even lets customers try a year of the Mobile Select plan for free (or the Plus plan for $15/month) so there’s very little risk involved here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/xfinity-mobile-now-includes-device-protection-and-anytime-phone-upgrades-133511715.html?src=rss - [Hey Meta workers, are you getting paid for those keystrokes?](https://missmacknog.com/hey-meta-workers-are-you-getting-paid-for-those-keystrokes/): No longer content to subsume recognizable intellectual properties, the majority of the indexed internet and books (basically all of them), AI will apparently now begin devouring its own workforce. A report in Reuters alleged that the keystrokes, mouse movements and clicks of Meta's workforce are to be captured for the purposes of training AI — something the company's communications department was happy to confirm as accurate! In a cheery missive, a company spokesperson told Engadget that "If we're building agents to help people complete everyday tasks using computers, our models need real examples of how people actually use them [...] we’re launching an internal tool that will capture these kinds of inputs on certain applications to help us train our models." All this leads one to ask the obvious question: hey, what the fuck? The nature of at-will employment in the United States is such that your boss basically never needs to explain why your job duties change, but it's rarely so sweeping, so brazen or so unavoidably tied to the reminder that you are being surveilled at a frighteningly granular level. Gross! Installing keyloggers on someone else's computer in a non-work setting can often constitute a criminal offense (hello CFAA!) and it's frankly weird we allow this sort of thing to happen in the workplace at all. But in this case, there's at least some possibility this data may eventually be used to replace the exact people currently strongarmed into making those clicks and clacking those keys — or as a thin excuse to lay a lot of them off. It's not as though the data underpinning large language models is worthless. Ill-gotten information has been the subject of exorbitant settlements and many pending court cases with considerable sums riding on their eventual judgements. If Meta thought it could obtain this sort of data from its estimated 3.5 billion combined users instead of its comparably paltry body of employees without it immediately reading as the single most invasive chapter in a laughably long history of move fast, break things, and never admit to the mess, wouldn't it just... do that? Technology has progressed so far, yet people continue to really hate feeling taken advantage of. And that sort of thing is still bad for business. In a fragile economy floated by rampant self-dealing and the shifting moods of a few very rich weirdos, even the mere mention of AI's relentless forward march to annihilate its own creators can make a shoe company's stock pop, however briefly. Maybe that's why Meta was delighted to confirm the broad details of the Reuters story, yet declined multiple requests to comment on if workers can opt out of this surveillance, or if they are being compensated in any way for their data. I, for one, would still love to know! Do you work at Meta and want to talk confidentially? I'm @amarae.60 on Signal.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/hey-meta-workers-are-you-getting-paid-for-those-keystrokes-131934881.html?src=rss - [BMW's new i7 xDrive EVs will offer longer range and faster charging](https://missmacknog.com/bmws-new-i7-xdrive-evs-will-offer-longer-range-and-faster-charging/): BMW just announced its 7-series lineup for 2027 promising "the most extensive model update ever undertaken" by the Bavarian automaker. The series includes a pair of i7 EVs, a plug-in hybrid, two ICE models and a V8-powered M model — all running on BMW's "Neue Klasse" technology and flaunting all-new design language.  BMW describes its updated luxury segment design language as "monolithic," touting the minimalist crystal headlights and (divisive) light-up kidney Iconic Glow grille. The body form includes a new "character line" that lends an almost "boat-tail-like" aesthetic to the three-quarter view, according to the company. BMW also hyped its new "Individual Dual-Finish" paint that pairs a matte finish in the lower area of the vehicle with a manually-applied metallic finish in the upper section for a "discrete but supremely elegant look." The 7-series offers some shiny new interior tech as well, with an extensive upgrade for its 31.3-inch 8K BMW Theater Screen that gives back seat passengers 8K streaming, gaming and Zoom calls. If you get BMW's Digital Premium package (which includes 5G data), you'll also gain access to a TiVo powered video app, select games and the BMW Drive Recorder that gathers exterior footage in case of an accident. Naturally, it includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as standard. The new lineup also offers special welcome and goodbye animations for when you approach and walk away from the vehicles, in Relaxed, Balanced and Excited modes. Part of that animation is the "Ceremonial Light Carpet" that projects a dynamic graphic light pattern onto the ground near the door. With two new i7 electric sedans — the i7 50 xDrive and i7 60 xDrive — BMW has far from given up on EVs. Both promise reduced sound levels thanks to their sound-isolated electric motors, along with "instantaneous" power delivery, passenger comfort and a luxurious ambience.  BMW's new 7 series (the gas powered version) at Grand Central. The electric version were not allowed inside the terminal,.Sam Rutherford Both come with all-new cylindrical battery packs with 20 percent higher energy density and capacities up to 112.5 kWh. Combined with increased drive system efficiency, they'll power the BMW i7 60 xDrive up to an EPA-estimated 350 miles on a charge. You'll also be able to charge them quicker thanks to the higher 250 kW charging rate. The company claims they'll go from 10 to 80 percent in just 28 minutes with a compatible charger. The i7 50 xDrive's dual motors offer up to 449 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque, allowing acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds with a 130 mph top speed. The i7 60 xDrive, meanwhile, packs 536 hp and 549 lb-ft of torque for a 0 to 60 mph time of just 4.6 seconds and a top speed (electronically limited) of 149 mph. They'll also feature a new "adaptive recuperation" system that takes traffic lights into account and can automatically brake. Drivers can choose from high, medium or low brake energy recuperation, with the "high" setting offering a one-pedal feeling. BMW also introduced AI-powered "charging optimized route planning" to include charging stops if a destination is outside the vehicle's range. It can even precondition the battery to an ideal temperature to increase the charging rate as soon as the vehicle is plugged in.  The i7 50 xDrive and i7 60 xDrive are debuting today at Auto China 2026 in Beijing and at a special New York City event at Grand Central Terminal. Production begins in July 2026 and they'll be priced starting at $106,200 and $124,700 (plus $1,550 destination and handling) respectively.  BMW is also introducing the 750e xDrive PHEV arriving in 2027, which pairs a 308 hp six cylinder inline engine with a 194 hp electric motor for a combined peak 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. No electric-only range was specified, but the top speed on all-electric power will be limited to 87 mph. That model will start production in Q4 2026, with no price yet announced.  Finally, BMW's 740 and 740 xDrive ICE vehicles will offer up to 394 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, offering sub-five second 0 to 60 mph sprint times and 155 mph top speeds. They'll arrive later this year at $99,800 and $102,800 respectively. All of the new 7-series models and drivetrain variants, including EVs, will be built on a single production line at BMW's Group Plant in Dingolfing.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/bmws-new-i7-xdrive-evs-will-offer-longer-range-and-faster-charging-131059423.html?src=rss - [Yoshi and the Mysterious Book preview: A choose-your-own-adventure even adults can love](https://missmacknog.com/yoshi-and-the-mysterious-book-preview-a-choose-your-own-adventure-even-adults-can-love/): Yoshi's solo titles have always been a product of contrasts: lovingly crafted art styles belying somewhat thin gameplay meant to appeal to a younger audience. But after getting the chance to preview Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, it feels like Nintendo has created a cozy side-scroller that retains the accessibility of earlier titles while adding extra depth and replayability for gamers of all ages. As you'd expect from Nintendo's lovable green dino, Yoshi's moveset consists of familiar techniques like his signature ground pound, egg toss, extendable tongue and jumping flutter kicks, the latter of which now last longer than ever before. Seriously, if you get enough height, you can float across entire levels. However, one new mechanic is that Yoshi now also possesses a tail flick that allows him to toss certain enemies onto his back. Not only is this a nice twist after years of often being treated as a beast of burden by Mario and co., it also allows Yoshi to use whoever he's carrying to interact with other elements in the stage. By flicking a Crayzee Dayzee (one of the new flower characters) into his saddle, Yoshi can make plants bloom to earn stars and uncover secrets, for example. Instead of selecting a stage based on its location, in Yoshi and the Mysterious Book you choose new levels by picking which character you'd like to meet next. NintendoInstead of simply remixing the gorgeous textile-inspired visuals we saw in Yoshi's Woolly World and Yoshi's Crafted World, Nintendo opted for a treatment that looks like a children's bedtime story. The game looks hand-drawn, while also featuring a cell-shaded effect that adds extra depth and impact to characters and backgrounds. Animations have a sort of hitch (which I initially mistook for a bug) that gives them a stop-motion effect, as if you're seeing the pages of a flipbook whiz by instead of frames being refreshed on a digital display. But the biggest change in Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is that it's not a traditional side-scrolling format. In many ways, this title plays like a mix between an adventure game and a platformer. Instead of just running to the right as fast as possible, the game encourages you to explore, experiment, backtrack and see what kind of new hijinks Yoshi can discover. Don't do what I did and mindlessly run around and eat up every enemy you see, because there's a good chance they are more valuable alive instead of being turned into an egg. It's almost like Nintendo applied a similar approach to subverting expectations in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, but builds on that style of gameplay even more here. Now Yoshi is in control of who gets to ride on his back. NintendoTo really drive home the children's storybook conceit, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book gives you greater control over how you unlock and explore new levels. Instead of linearly moving from one stage to the next, you actually select stages by moving a magnifying glass over a new character, allowing you to learn who they are experientially. Collect enough stars from quests and you can decide where you'll go and who you'll meet next, while spending tokens found throughout each level allows you to reveal hints about how to find and complete specific objectives. Then, once you finish a stage, Mr E. (who is both the titular book and acts as the game's narrator), allows you to name each new character whatever you like. Instead of fighting, sometimes Yoshi just needs to help out Shy Guys by flicking them on his back and bringing them back home. NintendoThe one thing that may rub old-school sidescroller fans the wrong way though is that Yoshi doesn't take damage — for all intents and purposes, he's invincible. This is great for kids because they don't need to worry about running out of lives or looking for coins to heal. But after playing through a couple of chapters, I found that the game can still be quite challenging — the learning process is just a bit more forgiving. One objective required me to bounce off the heads of a series of Croakaokes (the chubby amphibians that make sounds when you jump on them) to the tune of "Mary had a little lamb" while trying to reach a high-up platform. If you play a note out of order or miss a jump, it's not game over, but you will need to start over from the bottom. And even without damage, enemies like Bunchabees will still chase you around and disrupt your adventuring if you try to ignore them. Croakaokes love to sing when Yoshi jumps on their head. NintendoYoshi's latest adventure might not be a super traditional side-scrolling platformer, but it offers a fresh take on the genre while also providing a new level of exploration and adventure for gamers of all ages. But I suppose the real test will be if it gets my own kid's seal of approval. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is available for pre-order now for the Switch 2 before official sales begin on May 21 ($70 for a physical copy or $60 for a digital download).This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/yoshi-and-the-mysterious-book-preview-a-choose-your-own-adventure-even-adults-can-love-130000507.html?src=rss - [Anthropic is investigating 'unauthorized access' of its Mythos cybersecurity tool](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-is-investigating-unauthorized-access-of-its-mythos-cybersecurity-tool/): Anthropic is investigating potential "unauthorized access" to its Claude Mythos model that has been touted for its ability to find cybersecurity flaws, the company told Bloomberg. A group gained access to the model through a third-party contractor portal and by using internet sleuthing tools, according to the report. However, the group is only interested in trying the models and not using them maliciously, according to a person familiar with the matter.  "We're investigating a report claiming unauthorized access to Claude Mythos Previous through one of our third-party vendor environments," Anthropic said in a statement.  The Claude Mythos Preview arrived earlier this month as part of "Project Glasswing" with significant fanfare. Anthropic limited the preview release to a small number of trusted test companies including Amazon, Microsoft, Apple and Cisco. Another was Mozilla, which said the model helped it find and patch 271 Firefox vulnerabilities. A growing number of banks and government agencies have been seeking access as well in order to safeguard their own systems.  However, several unauthorized users (who reportedly have a private chat on Discord), supposedly gained access to Mythos through a developer portal and by making an educated guess as to where the model might be located. That same group may also have access to other unreleased Anthropic models, according to the report.  The new Mythos model has gained notoriety of late for its supposed ability to sniff out security flaws in operating systems and internet browsers. This has prompted some skepticism among security researchers but also fear that AI-generated cyber attacks could become a "real threat," CTO of cloud security firm Edera Alex Zenla recently told Wired. Anthropic was recently designated as a "supply chain risk" by the US Department of Defense, but has been in talks with the Trump administration of late to have that label removed. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-is-investigating-unauthorized-access-of-its-mythos-cybersecurity-tool-091017168.html?src=rss - [SpaceX and Cursor strike partnership that might end in a $60 billion acquisition](https://missmacknog.com/spacex-and-cursor-strike-partnership-that-might-end-in-a-60-billion-acquisition/): SpaceX and AI company Cursor have struck a new partnership that could see the owner of X buy the AI company for $60 billion later this year. "SpaceXAI and  @cursor_ai  are now working closely together to create the world’s best coding and knowledge work AI," SpaceX wrote in a post on X.  SpaceXAI and @cursor_ai are now working closely together to create the world’s best coding and knowledge work AI.The combination of Cursor’s leading product and distribution to expert software engineers with SpaceX’s million H100 equivalent Colossus training supercomputer will…— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 21, 2026 According to SpaceX, the deal allows for it to either invest $10 billion into the company known for its AI coding tool, or acquire it entirely "later this year" for $60 billion. If an acquisition were to happen, it's not clear at what point Cursor could officially join the fold of Elon Musk's rapidly expanding and increasingly enmeshed web of companies. SpaceX bought xAI, the billionaire's AI company that also controls X, earlier this year. SpaceX is currently getting ready to go public this summer in what will likely be the biggest initial public offering (IPO) in history. Cursor, which has reportedly been in talks to raise its own $2 billion round of funding, is known for its AI coding tool of the same name that's become the vibe coding platform of choice for many developers. It allows people to use either its own models or those from other leading AI companies, including OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and xAI. In a statement, Cursor said its partnership with SpaceX will "accelerate our model training efforts" while addressing infrastructure-related issues that have slowed it down in the past. "We've wanted to push our training efforts much further, but we've been bottlenecked by compute," the company said. "With this partnership, our team will leverage xAI's Colossus infrastructure to dramatically scale up the intelligence of our models for coding and beyond."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/spacex-and-cursor-strike-partnership-that-might-end-in-a-60-billion-acquisition-232131487.html?src=rss - [Mozilla says it patched 271 Firefox vulnerabilities thanks to Anthropic's Claude Mythos](https://missmacknog.com/mozilla-says-it-patched-271-firefox-vulnerabilities-thanks-to-anthropics-claude-mythos/): Anthropic's buzzy announcement about using AI to improve cybersecurity earlier this month was met with plenty of skepticism. However, Mozilla shared some details that support use of the company's special Claude Mythos Preview model as a way to protect critical services. Using Mythos helped Mozilla's team find and patch 271 vulnerabilities in the latest release of the Firefox browser. "So far we’ve found no category or complexity of vulnerability that humans can find that this model can’t," the foundation said.The blog post from Mozilla feels like a positive sign for Anthropic's Project Glasswing. Obviously the AI company would want to put itself in the best possible light while presenting its own initiative, but there's something encouraging about hearing the benefits from a third party. Mozilla also noted that in its time with Claude Mythos, the AI wasn't able to turn up any bugs that a human wouldn't have been able to find, given enough time and resources, which indicates that AI isn't presently able to do more to crack cybersecurity protections than a person can.An organizaion successfully using AI for good is certainly a refreshing change of pace in tech news. And for those Firefox users who aren't personally interested in applying any generative AI in their browsing, Mozilla has given the option to turn it all off for the past several months.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/mozilla-says-it-patched-271-firefox-vulnerabilities-thanks-to-anthropics-claude-mythos-224330023.html?src=rss - [Cash App now supports accounts for kids 6-12](https://missmacknog.com/cash-app-now-supports-accounts-for-kids-6-12/): Cash App, the banking and payments app run by Block, has added support for parent-managed kids accounts. The new accounts include key benefits from the service's normal account, with an eye towards teaching financial literacy to younger users ages 6 to 12. Cash App first allowed teenage users on its platform in 2021.As part of the "expanded Cash App Families experience," eligible legal guardians and parents can create managed accounts that offer "a dedicated place on the platform to send allowances, set aside savings, and track spending for their child, kickstarting their path to financial independence," Cash App says. Adults managing these accounts will be able to set up recurring transfers, see how their child is spending and do things like lock their child's account to prevent transactions. Kids will get a custom debit card and the ability to receive payments from up to five trusted accounts, though notably they won't be able to access Cash App itself.Today, we're launching Cash App accounts for kids age 6-12. Parents manage the accounts. Kids get to learn about safety, start saving for goals, and design and use their own debit card. Next generation banking never looked so good. Proud of the team for this one. pic.twitter.com/jIAcbvsfB9— Kristen Anderson (@FintechKristen) April 21, 2026 Cash App says managed accounts are designed for kids 6 through 12. Once those kids turn 13, Cash App says parents will be able to choose to convert their account to a "sponsored account" to unlock more features, like the ability to send and receive payments, invest in stocks or trade crypto. Those sponsored accounts are technically still monitored and controlled by a parent or legal guardian, but they do give 13-year-olds more control over how they use their money.A parent-managed account for kids is not a new idea in the fintech space, though Cash App is trying to reach a younger audience than some of its competitors. Venmo rolled out access to its payment platform to teens between the ages of 13 to 17 in 2023. Separately, both Apple and Google also offer their own kids accounts in Google Wallet and Apple Cash Family.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/cash-app-now-supports-accounts-for-kids-6-12-210651025.html?src=rss - [YouTube is muting push notifications from channels you don't watch](https://missmacknog.com/youtube-is-muting-push-notifications-from-channels-you-dont-watch/): YouTube notifications can get messy fast, particularly if you’re subscribed to a lot of different channels. To address that, today the company will begin muting push notifications from creators that you haven’t engaged with in the last month.The change to YouTube notifications began as a small trial the company tested out earlier this year. The idea behind it is that if a viewer continually receives notifications about content they don't engage with, this may eventually cause the user to disable YouTube notifications altogether. Now obviously, this is bad for YouTube. Turning off notifications means people will use the platform less, thereby resulting in lower revenue. However, it's also bad for content creators, especially the ones you do like, who will have one fewer avenue to keep you updated about new and upcoming videos. So starting today, for channels that you have subscribed to and have notifications set to "all," YouTube will no longer send out push notifications to mobile devices from creators that you haven't interacted with for one month. That said, these notifications will continue to be available inside the YouTube app in your inbox (the little bell icon in the top right). Notably, for those who are clicking on notifications and watching related videos, nothing will change. Additionally, based on info from the test earlier this year, YouTube said "channels that upload infrequently will not have their notifications affected." This is a good thing, especially for creators who post long-form content that takes extra time to make, as people probably don't want notifications to go away in case they happen to miss a once-a-month upload. The one thing that's unclear is if you start watching a channel again that you have not interacted with in a while, is if YouTube will automatically restart related push notifications. However, as a way to prevent too many alerts from clogging up your phone, YouTube's new protocol seems like a good way to cut down on the clutter.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-is-muting-push-notifications-from-channels-you-dont-watch-205119228.html?src=rss - [Framework launches the Laptop 13 Pro with Intel's new Panther Lake chips](https://missmacknog.com/framework-launches-the-laptop-13-pro-with-intels-new-panther-lake-chips/): Framework’s lineup of modular, repairable laptops has seen the company grow from a niche to the mainstream. Now, the company is launching a pro version of its 13-inch laptop, but it’s still held close to all of its principles. Because while this all-new version has plenty of bells and whistles, almost all of its components are still instantly compatible with the rest of the range. You can take a part from this new 13 Pro, and install it into the first-generation 13 launched back in 2021 without much fuss. Framework Laptop 13 Pro is touted as a “ground up redesign” of the existing 13, taking into account feedback from its dedicated and passionate users. That includes a far bigger battery, new chassis, new memory, haptic trackpad and a custom touch display. It also comes in black and, even in the press images, it’s immediately clear it’s a better color for the company’s austere industrial design. CEO Nirav Patel smiled knowingly when I said it’s immediately evocative of a ThinkPad, and I mean that in the most complimentary way. Framework The biggest change has been to boost the battery to 74Wh to address gripes about longevity. It’s the second time Framework has boosted the cell size, which started at 55Wh and presently runs to 61Wh. To make the battery fit, the bottom of the chassis has been redesigned, filling out the chamfers present on the existing 13. Framework says the Pro’s lifespan will hit 20 hours of uptime while streaming Netflix in 4K, and says it’ll post the videos to YouTube to prove it. Given the redesigned lower chassis, the new battery is the one part you can’t simply drop into an older machine. “You’ll need the new bottom cover to fit,” explained Patel, “but because we’ve also increased the thickness of the battery, you have to switch over to the new input cover that has the haptic trackpad.” Patel added while you may need to pair up some parts from upgrades, there’s no component that you can’t retrofit. The new chassis means the speakers are now side-firing, and are now Dolby Atmos-certified. The bigger battery is working in tandem with Intel’s new Core Ultra Series 3 chips which promise to be incredibly efficient. Both Intel and Framework are sure the Panther Lake silicon is going to sip at that beefy battery, but with enough grunt to play AAA games. Users will get the pick of a Core Ultra 5, X7 or X9, with the promise all of them will be able to eat a game like Cyberpunk 2077 for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At the same time, the Pro will also launch with an AMD Ryzen AI 300 series mainboard option, which are the same mainboards found on the 2025 Laptop 13.  Framework The last major shift has been in the RAM, going from regular SO-DIMMs to LPCAMM2. The newer hardware design enables the use of LPDDR5X RAM with its better power efficiency and faster memory bandwidth. And it’s not soldered to the board, so you can add in more at some unspecified future date. Which is important if, I dunno, for some reason the global RAM market suddenly crunches and you need to mortgage a kidney for a single stick. Naturally, I wanted to know how this would impact the laptop’s thermals, Framework’s weak spot. Patel said the mainboard’s cooling has been tweaked (once again), this time with some extra help from Intel. He added the Pro he was using to run our call hadn’t spun up its fans in half an hour which, for a Framework, is a big deal. As always, I’ll reserve judgment until I’ve seen the thing in person. The Pro is also a way for Patel to fix some of the compromises the company had to make at its genesis. “As a startup six years ago, we just didn’t have access,” said Patel, “when we go to a display vendor [now] and say ‘we want a custom panel’ they say ‘okay, let’s talk specs’ rather than ‘who are you?”’ The 13 Pro ships with a 13.5-inch, 3:2, 2,880 x 1,920 touch display with a variable refresh rate between 30 and 120Hz. Its backlight pushes all the way to 700nits, it has a 1800:1 contrast ratio and per-unit color calibration. I was surprised the 13 Pro has touch given it’s still a 13-inch productivity notebook without a wraparound hinge. “All the way back in 2021, when we first launched, we were getting asked for touch support,” said Patel. But the company was naturally resistant, assuming touch was an unnecessary addition for a machine of this class. It was only when building the Laptop 12 did the team find it to be quite useful. “It was a slam dunk. We know people want it, we used it on the 12, we like it and it doesn’t actually cost that much. Let’s just add it in,” said Patel. Framework Framework knows touchpads are a weak spot for Windows laptops when compared to those made by Apple. Consequently, the Pro 13 has a haptic touchpad with four piezo elements that, it’s hoped, will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a MacBook Pro. The new input cover keeps the came keyboard and fingerprint sensor, wisely not touching a feature that isn’t broken and doesn’t need fixing. What is cool, however, is the more punky gray and black aesthetic on the keyboard that splits the difference between a ThinkPad and a cyberdeck. “A big part of this goes back to the idea to build the ultimate developer laptop,” said Patel. Existing Framework owners may be concerned about how this will affect their machine’s longevity. The company might not like me saying, but to me, the Pro name is only meaningful if you’re buying a new machine off the shelf with the new features in one package. There’s nothing stopping you from upgrading your existing machine to match the pro in one go, or as your needs evolve. That’s fundamentally the company’s greatest strength, since it has committed to bringing every single one of its existing users along. But doesn’t make for the splashiest headlines when it comes to debut a new product. Framework Laptop 13 Pro is available to pre-order today, with the first shipments due to start in June. The base-model pre-built Windows system will start at $1,699, while the DIY model will set you back $1,199.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/framework-launches-the-laptop-13-pro-with-intels-new-panther-lake-chips-181503934.html?src=rss - [Monterey Park, California has banned any data centers within its city limits](https://missmacknog.com/monterey-park-california-has-banned-any-data-centers-within-its-city-limits/): Monterey Park's city council has moved to ban construction of any data centers within its borders. The California city's leaders placed a permanent ban on these buildings, labelling them a public nuisance. A proposed plan to construct a 250,000 square foot data center was stopped after residents and advocates pushed back against the project. Tech journalist Brian Merchant reported on the public comment phase of the city council meeting where residents spoke decisively about data centers. "I can tell you that this issue has brought left, right and center together. It’s a quality of life issue," one commenter said. "Don’t let the rich steal our future."Monterey Park may be the first US city to lay down the law blocking data center projects, but others are primed to follow suit. New York's state leadership is working on legislation that would prevent data center construction for three years. Maine has a similar bill that has already made it to the governor's desk. At the federal level, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) have proposed a ban on building new data centers until there are more guardrails in place for AI development and environmental security. Existing facilities have also faced some pushback. For instance, the NAACP is suing xAI for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at its data center in South Memphis.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/monterey-park-california-has-banned-any-data-centers-within-its-city-limits-180426656.html?src=rss - [NASA's Curiosity Rover found promising organic chemicals on Mars](https://missmacknog.com/nasas-curiosity-rover-found-promising-organic-chemicals-on-mars/): The search for signs of life on Mars continues to yield promising data. A first-of-its-kind wet chemistry experiment, published Tuesday in Nature, confirmed the presence of essential ingredients of life preserved in ancient Martian sandstones.The molecules were found inside 3.5-billion-year-old sandstone. NASA's Curiosity rover collected the clay-filled rocks from an area called Glen Torridon, inside Mars' enormous Gale Crater. The rover's Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) mobile instrument suite analyzed the data.The experiment was unique as the first off-Earth study to use the chemical tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH). The reagent allows Curiosity to break down larger organic molecules on the Martian surface, reducing them to something the rover's instruments can read.It revealed the presence of over 20 different organic molecules. Among the data was confirmation of naphthalene and benzothiophene, some of the largest and most complex organic compounds discovered on the Red Planet. The experiment also yielded the first detection of a possible N-heterocycles, which DNA and RNA are built upon. <p></p>NASA“That detection is pretty profound because these structures can be chemical precursors to more complex nitrogen-bearing molecules,” the paper’s lead author, Amy Williams, wrote in NASA’s announcement. “Nitrogen heterocycles have never been found before on the Martian surface or confirmed in Martian meteorites.”As with previous discoveries of organic material on Mars, this one is not yet the smoking gun we've been waiting for. But it adds to a growing body of evidence that, at a minimum, the foundations of life as we know it were present on an ancient version of the planet. The study also confirms that organic material can survive on Mars for billions of years, which will encourage future experiments.The paper's authors say the data will help NASA to optimize its second (and final) TMAH experiment on Curiosity. It also opens the door to future TMAH tests on the Rosalind Franklin Mars rover and the Dragonfly mission to Saturn's moon, Titan. Both missions are scheduled for 2028 at the earliest.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasas-curiosity-rover-found-promising-organic-chemicals-on-mars-174514375.html?src=rss - [Silo's season 3 trailer takes us back to how it all began](https://missmacknog.com/silos-season-3-trailer-takes-us-back-to-how-it-all-began/): The relatively long wait for the third season of Silo is nearly over. Apple TV just announced the dystopian sci-fi hit returns on July 3, with episodes airing each Friday until September 4. We have long championed this show, calling it "another gem" for the platform. The streamer has dropped a short teaser for the upcoming season and it confirms rumors of an increased focus on the "before times" via a storyline that was introduced in the finale of season two. The trailer depicts scenes from both time periods, as protagonist Juliette, played by Rebecca Ferguson, speaks in voiceover. "Before we can know why we’re here. Before we can know everything is as it is. Before we know how it all will end, we need to understand how it all began,” she says, alluding to the creation of the various bunkers littered throughout the post-apocalyptic wasteland. For the uninitiated, Silo is an adaptation of Hugh Howey's Wool series of books. It's primarily set in the titular silo, a society of around 10,000 people living deep underground. The show is sort of like Fallout, but without the radioactive monsters and nihilistic sense of humor. Silo stars Ferguson, along with Tim Robbins, Common and Steve Zahn. Cast members joining the show for season three include Colin Hanks, Jessica Henwick and Ashley Zukerman. The show has already been renewed for a fourth and final season. This is a busy summer for sci-fi on Apple TV. The second season of Dark Matter premieres on August 28, which is uncharted territory as the first season was based on a book that doesn't have a sequel. Star City, a spinoff of For All Mankind, premieres on May 29. This is the same day that For All Mankind concludes its fifth and penultimate season.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/silos-season-3-trailer-takes-us-back-to-how-it-all-began-171033410.html?src=rss - [Oppo announces the Find X9 Ultra with a 50MP 10x optical zoom telephoto camera](https://missmacknog.com/oppo-announces-the-find-x9-ultra-with-a-50mp-10x-optical-zoom-telephoto-camera/): Elbowing for attention alongside Vivo and Xiaomi, Oppo has finally launched its long-teased “ultra” version of its flagship smartphone. The Find X9 Ultra is another camera-first smartphone from Oppo, with an even more impressive spec sheet and a new array of accessories. We’re not even halfway through 2026 and we’ve been spoiled with choices, whether it’s the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (with or without Leica livery) or Vivo’s X300 Ultra. The Find X9 Pro was already a powerful, capable camera phone. So, what’s changed with the Ultra? We’ve had the base device for over a week, but we’re waiting on the upgraded telephoto converter kit to land before we tackle a more in-depth review. There are several design changes, starting with the two color options. Canyon Orange looks similar to Oppo’s recent flagship phones, with a subtle etched finish meant to replicate the Grand Canyon. Meanwhile, Hasselblad fans might prefer the other option: a woodland-themed Tundra Umber, inspired by the camera maker’s X2D. Oppo says this colorway channels “Scandinavian minimalism and the raw elegance of glaciers.” Together at last. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget Perhaps due to all the camera hardware, it’s a big, thick phone with the camera unit protruding noticeably from the back. The camera array on the Ultra now has a subtle hexagonal design, apparently a nod to camera history — and that Hasselblad partnership. That area has a circular, metal frame, like many of Oppo’s rivals. The edges of the camera unit are knurled, which helps you to grip the device when taking photos. Unlike Xiaomi’s recent Ultra phone, the ring doesn’t act as a zoom control, but Oppo and Hasselblad’s “Earth Explorer Kit” for the Find X9 Ultra adds a very understated camera grip with a zoom lever. Putting last year’s Find X9 Pro next to the X9 Ultra, the Ultra model looks more modern, more advanced and more powerful. And it is. The Ultra has Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, a notable step up from the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip found on last year’s Find 9 Pro. There’s also a 7,050mAh silicon-carbon battery that supports 100W SUPERVOOC charging. Oppo says it has included the “industry’s first” encapsulated thermal unit to keep temperatures under control when pushing the device hard, such as recording high-resolution video for extended periods. The display screams expensive Android flagship, too. The 6.82-inch 144Hz display can reach up to 3,600 nits of peak HDR brightness and drop to 1 nit in low-lit situations. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget It’s all about the cameras, however. The Find X9 Ultra’s main camera is a 200-megapixel sensor. At 1/1.12 inches, Oppo says it’s the largest 200MP sensor in a phone yet. It has a low f/1.5 aperture, too. This was my ‘main’ camera when I first started taking the X9 Ultra out to shoot sample photos. After all, bigger sensors mean more detail, and more ability to crop for tighter zoomed shots. With a mixture of streetlights, neon signs and more, I was impressed by the color accuracy. Oppo has embedded a new True Color Camera into the Find X9 Ultra’s camera module, which works across stills and video. Still, if you’re demanding punchy, high-contrast images, there’s an array of Hasselblad filters and effects for playing with, too. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget There’s also a 3x Telephoto camera, with another (different!) 200MP sensor and f/2.2 aperture. This is the camera that the new teleconverter lens attaches to. There’s something appealing about having an instant 3x zoom camera, even though it gets a little lost among the cropped focal-length equivalents in the camera app. In fact, Oppo claims that the Find X9 Ultra offers the equivalent of eight focal lengths. Sadly, I noticed some differences in color temperature and light sensitivity as the Find X9 Ultra hopped between all those camera sensors while I tested different zoom levels. Images by Mat Smith for Engadget The next camera is another telephoto, with an impressive 10x zoom with a 50 megapixel sensor. We’ve seen 10x zoom on phones before, like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, but never at such high resolution. Oppo added support for its Portrait mode here, even at full zoom. You can also crop in for a 20x zoom, but the results didn’t blow me away in early testing. At 10x zoom, though, I was impressed. That’s a lot of zoom before even thinking about attaching a teleconverter. Oppo isn’t going quite as hard on video as its rival (and distant corporate relative) Vivo, but the Find X9 Ultra can capture 4K 60 fps video with Dolby Vision. It’s also the first Oppo smartphone capable of recording 8K video at 30 fps. For those looking to dig into video detail, Oppo has launched a new log profile, O-Log2. The company says this will help reveal greater shadow detail and reduce image smearing — it’s something else I’m itching to try once the teleconverter lands. Images by Mat Smith for Engadget Like Vivo's X300 Ultra, Oppo’s newest phone is certified for the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), so videographers can integrate its footage into professional workflows. You can also load third-party LUTs (look-up tables) directly onto the device to monitor custom color grades in real time and see how they look in the on-device preview. As is often the case with Chinese phone makers, there’s a lavish accessory kit to build on the smartphone’s shooting talents. Oppo’s Hasselblad Explorer case adds a two-stage focus button and the aforementioned zoom controls. The case has the same muted black and clay colors as the Tundra Umber edition of the Find X9 Ultra. Then there’s the new Hasselblad 300mm Explorer Teleconverter. The magnification ratio of the teleconverter has been increased from 3.28x on Find X9 Pro to around 4.3x on the Find X9 Ultra. The lens mounts directly onto the 200-megapixel 3x telephoto lens, upgrading it to a heady 13x optical zoom. Image by Mat Smith for Engadget This is also the biggest smartphone telephoto lens yet, dwarfing both the Find X9 Pro’s add-on and Vivo’s not-petite 400mm teleconverter. The companies chose different combinations of camera sensors and lenses, making spec sheet comparisons a little trickier, but Oppo’s latest accessory is certainly the largest thus far. I can’t wait to see how the Find X9 Ultra’s photos fare against images from the Vivo X300 Ultra, though. In the Find X9 Ultra’s favor, it has an iPhone 17 Pro-like touch-sensitive button for quickly launching the camera, something I missed on Vivo’s new flagship. Unfortunately, there is no cross-compatibility among previous Oppo teleconverters and phones. The company says this is to ensure optimal image quality, but it’ll disappoint faithful Oppo fans hoping to carry over the expensive camera accessories from previous years. The company has learned some lessons from the Find X9 Pro, with a new telephoto adapter that can be left mounted on the phone without obscuring the other camera lenses. On first impression, the Find X9 Ultra is shaping up to be another powerful camera phone, with another hard-to-actually-buy caveat. The Find X9 Ultra will arrive in parts of Asia and Europe. In the UK, it’s set to launch on May 8th, priced at £1,449 (roughly $1,959). While there’s no US release planned, we’ll update this story when we hear more details on the global launch. Once the telephoto add-on arrives, I’m excited to put it through its paces. I’ve got its rival from Vivo too, so it’s time for the battle of the teleconverters.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/oppo-find-x9-ultra--50mp-10x-optical-zoom-telephoto-release-date-price-170052539.html?src=rss - [Instagram says a bug turned your photos black and white](https://missmacknog.com/instagram-says-a-bug-turned-your-photos-black-and-white/): If Instagram has been turning your color photo posts into black and white recently, don’t worry, there’s no problem with your camera or your account. The Meta-owned app has confirmed to Engadget that the issue is caused by a bug that’s affecting HDR photos in particular. "Earlier today, a technical issue caused some HDR photos to appear incorrectly as black-and-white for a subset of accounts,” Instagram has told us. However, we see complaints dated April 18 and 19, so the issue has been going on a bit longer for some people. Regardless of when the bug started causing problems, the Instagram team said it has since corrected the issue. If your posts are still showing up in black and white, Instagram said the fix will automatically turn your affected photo posts back to their original state over the next few hours. “We apologize for any inconvenience,” they added. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/instagram-says-a-bug-turned-your-photos-black-and-white-061802389.html?src=rss - [Amazon will invest up to $25 billion in Anthropic in a broad deal](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-will-invest-up-to-25-billion-in-anthropic-in-a-broad-deal/): Amazon and Anthropic are strengthening their ties once again, with steep financial commitments made on both sides. Today, Amazon announced that it will invest $5 billion in the AI company, along with as much as $20 billion in additional payments if certain milestones are met. This news follows the initial $4 billion investment Amazon made in Anthropic in 2023 and a second $4 billion round from 2024.On Anthropic's side, it has committed to continued use of Amazon's custom Trainium silicon for its AI models. The latest agreement will see Anthropic promising to spend more than $100 billion on AWS technologies over the coming decade. It will secure up to 5 gigawatts of current and future chip capacity for training and powering its models. Their partnership is also bringing Anthropic's Claude platform to Amazon Web Services customers within the AWS portal, removing the need for additional credentials.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/amazon-will-invest-up-to-25-billion-in-anthropic-in-a-broad-deal-225239302.html?src=rss - [Google brings Gemini in Chrome to users in Asia and the Pacific](https://missmacknog.com/google-brings-gemini-in-chrome-to-users-in-asia-and-the-pacific/): After debuting in the US, Gemini in Chrome is making its way to more markets. Starting today, Google is rolling out Chrome's built-in chatbot to users in Asia and the Pacific, including Australia, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam. The expansion comes after Google earlier this year made Gemini in Chrome available to people in Canada, India and New Zealand. With the exception of Japan, where Google isn't making the new suite available on iOS just yet, everyone else in the countries mentioned above can access Gemini in Chrome through Chrome's desktop browser, and the app on their iPhone or iPad. To get started, just tap the "Ask Gemini" icon at the top right of the screen. It will open a new sidebar Google introduced at the start of the year where you can chat with Gemini across every open tab. From there, you can also access Google's in-house image generator, Nano Banana 2. As you would expect, the suite offers integrations with Google's other apps, allowing you, for instance, to add events to Calendar without leaving the interface. If you don't want to use Gemini, you can right click on the shortcut to unpin it from the top of the interface.    Update 7:43PM ET: This article has been updated to reflect the expansion includes the entire Asia-Pacific region. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-brings-gemini-in-chrome-to-users-in-asia-and-the-pacific-220000698.html?src=rss - [Mastodon was hit by a 'major' DDoS attack that briefly took down parts of the service](https://missmacknog.com/mastodon-was-hit-by-a-major-ddos-attack-that-briefly-took-down-parts-of-the-service/): Mastodon seems to be recovering after a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack that took down its primary mastodon.social instance. As TechCrunch notes, the platform began reporting issues early Monday morning as much of the Mastodon-operated server became inaccessible. It's not clear who might be behind the attack, but Mastodon's head of communications Andy Piper described it as a "major" incident. A couple hours later, Mastodon shared on a status page that it had implemented countermeasures and that users should be able to access mastodon.social once again. Piper said that "some ongoing instability is a possibility" as the site recovered. It's unclear if any other instances of the service were also targeted; mastodon.social is run directly by the nonprofit and is the largest server on the federated platform. Mastodon is the second decentralized platform to be targeted with a DDoS in recent days. Last week, Bluesky also dealt with a significant DDoS incident that took parts of the service offline for several hours. The company posted what it said was its final update Monday morning, saying that its service had "remained stable" and that there was "no evidence of unauthorized access to private user data." A few hours later, however, it seemed Bluesky was once again experiencing some issues, though the cause was unclear. Its official status page was down, and a post from its server status account indicated that there were "elevated errors and timeouts on some Bluesky-hosted services." Bluesky said it was investigating.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mastodon-was-hit-by-a-major-ddos-attack-that-briefly-took-down-parts-of-the-service-204823221.html?src=rss - [Sony will require age checks in the UK and Ireland to access PlayStation communication features](https://missmacknog.com/sony-will-require-age-checks-in-the-uk-and-ireland-to-access-playstation-communication-features/): Sony is adopting new age verification policies for PlayStation users in the UK and Ireland. The company isn't making this a blanket requirement, but steps to confirm age will be needed to access "communication, broadcasting, and certain in-game features" beginning in June 2026. That includes essentials for online and social gamers, such as joining a party, voice chatting, text messaging or using third-party chat programs such as Discord. Some in-game communication tools, like chats or sharing user-generated content, will also only be available after an age check is completed. Although the new requirements will not be enforced until summer, users are already being prompted to get the verification process squared away.Several states and countries began adopting this type of legislation in 2025, pushing restrictions as a way to protect children and teens from inappropriate content. It seems the trend will be continuing into this year, despite the concerns about privacy risks and new questions about whether these restrictive laws are even effective at their stated goals, but companies have still been moving to comply. Discord was one of the more notable gaming-centric services to begin age verification policies last year, although the company did walk back some of its initial plans at the start of 2026 in order to better protect users' personal data and their anonymity. Roblox also began requiring age checks and those results were not great.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-will-require-age-checks-in-the-uk-and-ireland-to-access-playstation-communication-features-194916442.html?src=rss - [GoPro’s Mission 1 camera series will start at $600](https://missmacknog.com/gopros-mission-1-camera-series-will-start-at-600/): We heard all about GoPro's new action camera series last week, but the company is now unveiling the pricing across its Mission 1, Mission 1 Pro and Mission 1 Pro ILS cameras. The entry-level Mission 1 ($600) features GoPro's new 50-megapixel 1-inch sensor, which the company says will offer a major leap in image quality and low-light performance over the Hero 13 line. While largely looking the same as the Hero series (and still waterproof), the Mission 1 can record 8K video at 30fps and 4K at 120fps. It lacks the higher frame rates of the other Mission 1 cameras, but supports 10-bit GP-Log2 color and 32-bit float audio. The Mission 1 Pro ($700) is the flagship fixed-lens model this year, aimed at the professional (or semi-pro) videographer. It has upgraded frame-rate capture to 8K at 60 fps and 4K at 240 fps, along with an extreme "burst" slow-motion mode that hits 960 fps at 1080p. It also captures 4:3 "Open Gate" recordings at 8K/30fps and 4K/120fps, covering the entire sensor area, enabling more versatile editing and cropping across different screen sizes, including vertical video. Steve Dent for Engadget Then there's the beastly Mission 1 Pro ILS (Interchangeable Lens System). It swaps the standard GoPro lens for a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount lens. It otherwise shares the same 1-inch sensor and high-speed 8K/60fps video specs as the Pro model. It also matches the Pro model's $700 price, with an additional $100 discount for GoPro subscribers. However, it won't be launching until Q3 2026. All of the Mission 1 Series accessories will be available on a rolling basis beginning May 28, with GoPro's own wireless mic system (take note, Rode and DJI) priced at $160. If you preorder a Mission 1 or Mission 1 Pro directly from GoPro now, you'll get the point-and-shoot grip bundled for free. The company still doesn't have an official release date for the cameras.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/gopros-mission-1-camera-series-will-start-at-600-130044898.html?src=rss - [Blue Origin landed its recycled New Glenn booster but failed to put payload in orbit](https://missmacknog.com/blue-origin-landed-its-recycled-new-glenn-booster-but-failed-to-put-payload-in-orbit/): Blue Origin has successfully reused its first-stage New Glenn booster for the first time after it landed in a cloud of smoke and fire on a recovery ship. It marks the second flight and reuse of Never Tell me the Odds, after the booster was recovered from New Glenn's previous launch in November last year. However, the rocket company's first commercial mission was marred by a failure to place the communications satellite payload into orbit.  The launch went smoothly to start with, with the first-stage GS1 booster separating from New Glenn after three minutes and landing smoothly 10 minutes after launch following two braking burns, as shown in a post on X from Blue Origin's owner, Jeff Bezos.  pic.twitter.com/0WzaWjjjL9— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) April 19, 2026 However, several hours later the Blue Origin team and satellite manufacturer, AST SpaceMobile, announced that the payload had failed to reach orbit. "We have confirmed payload separation," Blue Origin announced on X. "AST SpaceMobile has confirmed the satellite has powered on. The payload was placed into an off-nominal orbit. We are currently assessing and will update when we have more detailed information."  Later on in a press release, AST SpaceMobile revealed that "the satellite separated from the launch vehicle and powered on, [but] the altitude [was] too low to sustain operations with its on-board thruster technology and will de-orbited. The cost of the satellite is expected to be recovered under the company’s insurance policy." The upper stage was supposed to position the satellite into a 285 mile orbit after completing two burns. It would have then unfolded a 2,400 square-foot antenna and linked with six other satellites in a test for AST's high-speed direct-to-cell network. However, early telemetry data showed that the satellite only reached 95 miles, well below a sustainable orbit. It's not yet clear how the failure occurred.  Despite that, Blue Origin can take some solace in its successful first-stage reuse, particularly since it happened on just the third New Glenn mission (NG-3). It took SpaceX, by comparison, 32 flights before its first successful reflight of a previously flown orbital-class booster.  Blue Origin will definitely want to solve the upper stage issue soon. Its next flight is the first New Glenn launch of Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) broadband satellites. It plans to put 48 of those into orbit to significantly expand the Starlink rival's constellation, which currently sits at 241 satellites. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/blue-origin-landed-its-recycled-new-glenn-booster-but-failed-to-put-payload-in-orbit-055846419.html?src=rss - [The NSA is reportedly using Anthropic's new model Mythos](https://missmacknog.com/the-nsa-is-reportedly-using-anthropics-new-model-mythos/): Despite the months-long feud between Anthropic and the Pentagon, the National Security Agency is using the AI company's new Mythos Preview, according to Axios, which spoke to two sources with knowledge of the matter. Anthropic announced Mythos Preview at the beginning of April, describing it as a general-purpose language model that is "strikingly capable at computer security tasks." But back in February, Trump ordered all government agencies to stop using Anthropic's services after the company refused to budge on certain safeguards for military uses during contract talks.  The news comes days after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei met with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and other officials, reportedly to discuss Mythos. The White House later said the meeting on Friday was "productive and constructive," though President Trump said he had "no idea" about it when asked by reporters, Reuters reports. According to Axios' sources, the NSA is one of the roughly 40 organizations Anthropic gave access to Mythos Preview, and one said it's "being used more widely within the department" too. The company is still embroiled in a legal battle with the US government. Anthropic filed lawsuits against the Department of Defense in two courts in March after the Trump administration labeled it a "supply chain risk," and the Pentagon filed a response shortly after. While Anthropic was granted a preliminary injunction by one court to temporarily block this designation, federal judges in the other denied its motion to lift the label. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-nsa-is-reportedly-using-anthropics-new-model-mythos-211502787.html?src=rss - [Beijing's robot half-marathon is back for its second year with far less embarassing results](https://missmacknog.com/beijings-robot-half-marathon-is-back-for-its-second-year-with-far-less-embarassing-results/): To make up for an incredibly laughable inaugural event, Beijing is running back its humanoid robot half-marathon. Fortunately, the event that pits humanoid robots made by Chinese companies against each other across 13 miles went a lot smoother this year. This year's half-marathon hosted more than 100 competitors, with first place going to Honor, better known for its smartphones, and its red-clad robot named Lightning. Living up to the name, the gold medalist finished the race in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. That's several minutes faster than the human record that was recently set by Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo last month. Honor swept the other podium spots, with the important caveat that they all navigated the course autonomously, according to the state-sponsored television news agency CCTV. That's a massive improvement over last year, where the fastest time among 21 robots was achieved by Tiangong Ultra with a record of two hours and 40 minutes. Last year's event saw many of the bipedal robots receiving assistance from human operators who ran alongside them, as well as some comical mishaps, like falling at the starting line. However, the BBC reported that around 40 percent of the robots competed autonomously this year, while the rest were remote-controlled. Despite the rapid improvements, this year's event still had its fair share of crashes, even from Honor's robots.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/beijings-robot-half-marathon-is-back-for-its-second-year-with-far-less-embarassing-results-191308396.html?src=rss - [Palantir posted a manifesto that reads like the ramblings of a comic book villain](https://missmacknog.com/palantir-posted-a-manifesto-that-reads-like-the-ramblings-of-a-comic-book-villain/): In case you haven't gotten around to reading Palantir CEO Alex Karp and Nicholas W. Zamiska's 2025 book, The Technological Republic, (because why would you do that to yourself?), the company best known for supplying AI-driven defense and surveillance software to the likes of the US Army, ICE and NYPD shared a 1,000-word X post this weekend covering its main points. The entire thing is both bizarre and deeply concerning. "The ability of free and democratic societies to prevail requires something more than moral appeal,” one of the 22 points states. "It requires hard power, and hard power in this century will be built on software." The book is billed as "a passionate call for the West to wake up to our new reality," and other excerpts in the social media post include assertions such as: "Free email is not enough. The decadence of a culture or civilization, and indeed its ruling class, will be forgiven only if that culture is capable of delivering economic growth and security for the public"; "National service should be a universal duty"; "The postwar neutering of Germany and Japan must be undone"; and "Some cultures have produced vital advances; others remain dysfunctional and regressive."The statement criticizes the West’s resistance to "defining national cultures in the name of inclusivity," as well as the treatment of billionaires and the "ruthless exposure of the private lives of public figures." It's a lot to take in, and it should make crystal clear what Palantir stands for to anyone who somehow didn't already know. Here's the post, in full:Because we get asked a lot.The Technological Republic, in brief.1. Silicon Valley owes a moral debt to the country that made its rise possible. The engineering elite of Silicon Valley has an affirmative obligation to participate in the defense of the nation.2. We must rebel against the tyranny of the apps. Is the iPhone our greatest creative if not crowning achievement as a civilization? The object has changed our lives, but it may also now be limiting and constraining our sense of the possible.3. Free email is not enough. The decadence of a culture or civilization, and indeed its ruling class, will be forgiven only if that culture is capable of delivering economic growth and security for the public.4. The limits of soft power, of soaring rhetoric alone, have been exposed. The ability of free and democratic societies to prevail requires something more than moral appeal. It requires hard power, and hard power in this century will be built on software.5. The question is not whether A.I. weapons will be built; it is who will build them and for what purpose. Our adversaries will not pause to indulge in theatrical debates about the merits of developing technologies with critical military and national security applications. They will proceed.6. National service should be a universal duty. We should, as a society, seriously consider moving away from an all-volunteer force and only fight the next war if everyone shares in the risk and the cost.7. If a U.S. Marine asks for a better rifle, we should build it; and the same goes for software. We should as a country be capable of continuing a debate about the appropriateness of military action abroad while remaining unflinching in our commitment to those we have asked to step into harm’s way.8. Public servants need not be our priests. Any business that compensated its employees in the way that the federal government compensates public servants would struggle to survive.9. We should show far more grace towards those who have subjected themselves to public life. The eradication of any space for forgiveness—a jettisoning of any tolerance for the complexities and contradictions of the human psyche—may leave us with a cast of characters at the helm we will grow to regret.10. The psychologization of modern politics is leading us astray. Those who look to the political arena to nourish their soul and sense of self, who rely too heavily on their internal life finding expression in people they may never meet, will be left disappointed.11. Our society has grown too eager to hasten, and is often gleeful at, the demise of its enemies. The vanquishing of an opponent is a moment to pause, not rejoice.12. The atomic age is ending. One age of deterrence, the atomic age, is ending, and a new era of deterrence built on A.I. is set to begin.13. No other country in the history of the world has advanced progressive values more than this one. The United States is far from perfect. But it is easy to forget how much more opportunity exists in this country for those who are not hereditary elites than in any other nation on the planet.14. American power has made possible an extraordinarily long peace. Too many have forgotten or perhaps take for granted that nearly a century of some version of peace has prevailed in the world without a great power military conflict. At least three generations — billions of people and their children and now grandchildren — have never known a world war.15. The postwar neutering of Germany and Japan must be undone. The defanging of Germany was an overcorrection for which Europe is now paying a heavy price. A similar and highly theatrical commitment to Japanese pacifism will, if maintained, also threaten to shift the balance of power in Asia.16. We should applaud those who attempt to build where the market has failed to act. The culture almost snickers at Musk’s interest in grand narrative, as if billionaires ought to simply stay in their lane of enriching themselves . . . . Any curiosity or genuine interest in the value of what he has created is essentially dismissed, or perhaps lurks from beneath a thinly veiled scorn.17. Silicon Valley must play a role in addressing violent crime. Many politicians across the United States have essentially shrugged when it comes to violent crime, abandoning any serious efforts to address the problem or take on any risk with their constituencies or donors in coming up with solutions and experiments in what should be a desperate bid to save lives.18. The ruthless exposure of the private lives of public figures drives far too much talent away from government service. The public arena—and the shallow and petty assaults against those who dare to do something other than enrich themselves—has become so unforgiving that the republic is left with a significant roster of ineffectual, empty vessels whose ambition one would forgive if there were any genuine belief structure lurking within.19. The caution in public life that we unwittingly encourage is corrosive. Those who say nothing wrong often say nothing much at all.20. The pervasive intolerance of religious belief in certain circles must be resisted. The elite’s intolerance of religious belief is perhaps one of the most telling signs that its political project constitutes a less open intellectual movement than many within it would claim.21. Some cultures have produced vital advances; others remain dysfunctional and regressive. All cultures are now equal. Criticism and value judgments are forbidden. Yet this new dogma glosses over the fact that certain cultures and indeed subcultures . . . have produced wonders. Others have proven middling, and worse, regressive and harmful.22. We must resist the shallow temptation of a vacant and hollow pluralism. We, in America and more broadly the West, have for the past half century resisted defining national cultures in the name of inclusivity. But inclusion into what?Excerpts from the #1 New York Times Bestseller The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West, by Alexander C. Karp & Nicholas W. ZamiskaThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/palantir-posted-a-manifesto-that-reads-like-the-ramblings-of-a-comic-book-villain-181947361.html?src=rss - [Reed Hastings is leaving Netflix after 29 years](https://missmacknog.com/reed-hastings-is-leaving-netflix-after-29-years/): Netflix co-founder and current chairman Reed Hastings is leaving the streaming company’s board in June to focus on "his philanthropy and other pursuits," according to a shareholder letter released alongside Netflix's Q1 earnings. Hastings has served as chairman of Netflix's board since 2023, a role he assumed after stepping down as co-CEO and promoting Greg Peters in his place."Netflix changed my life in so many ways, and my all‑time favorite memory was January 2016, when we enabled nearly the entire planet to enjoy our service," Hastings said in a statement. "My real contribution at Netflix wasn’t a single decision; it was a focus on member joy, building a culture that others could inherit and improve, and building a company that could be both beloved by members and wildly successful for generations to come. A special thanks to Greg and Ted, whose commitment to Netflix’s greatness is so strong that I can now focus on new things."Hastings founded Netflix in 1997 as a DVD-by-mail rental service with his co-founder and the company's first CEO Marc Randolph. In 1999, Hastings became CEO, and eventually led the company through its transformation into a streaming service in 2007. Netflix started producing its own television series and movies in 2013, and in 2020, the company's board named Ted Sarandos as Hasting's co-CEO, in part to oversee its growing production business. Hastings stepped down as co-CEO in 2023 to become Netflix’s executive chairman, as then COO Greg Peters was promoted to co-CEO. Among his other contributions, Hasting is also the architect of Netflix's infamous "culture memo," which codified the company's high-performance culture.While he'll no longer be on Netflix's board, Hastings still has a seat on the board of AI startup Anthropic and media and financial software company Bloomberg. Netflix, for its part, is continuing to expand outside of the television and film business Hastings helped build, by offering a selection of curated party games, a growing library of video podcasts and live sports.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/reed-hastings-is-leaving-netflix-after-29-years-213136444.html?src=rss - [Perplexity brings its Personal Computer AI assistant to Mac](https://missmacknog.com/perplexity-brings-its-personal-computer-ai-assistant-to-mac/): Perplexity has just released Personal Computer. The software, which is available starting today for Mac, builds on the multi-model orchestration capabilities the company debuted with Perplexity Computer at the end of February. Like Claude Cowork (and, as of today, OpenAI Codex too), it's a suite of computer use agents that can work with your files, apps, connectors and the web to complete complex and "even continuous workflows." Perplexity suggests a few different use cases for Personal Computer, starting with the obvious. “You can ask Personal Computer to read your to-do list,” the company states. “In fact, you can ask it to DO your to-do list." It explains you can open the Notes app on your Mac, ask Personal Computer for help and the system will reason how to best assist you. In the process of tackling that task, it can work across all your files, as well as apps like Apple Messages. When needed, it will also employ multiple agents to complete a request. Like Anthropic did with Claude Cowork, Perplexity says you can also use its software to organize messy folders so files feature sensible names and there's an easy-to-understand structure to everything.You can prompt Personal Computer with your voice, and you can even initiate and manage tasks from your phone. Perplexity says the app creates files in a secure sandbox, and any actions it takes are auditable and reversible. "A system that acts on your behalf needs to be useful and legible. It should feel like a team you manage, not a rogue employee with keys to your most important data," the company said.   Personal Computer for Mac is available starting today, beginning with Max subscribers. Perplexity said it would bring the app to its other users soon, prioritizing those who joined the waitlist for the experience. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/perplexity-brings-its-personal-computer-ai-assistant-to-mac-202045969.html?src=rss - [Call of Duty movie arrives on June 30, 2028](https://missmacknog.com/call-of-duty-movie-arrives-on-june-30-2028/): A Call of Duty movie is still happening, but don't hold your breath for it to hit screens any time soon. Today, the popular FPS' social media revealed that the movie's theatrical release date will be June 30, 2028.  A film adaptation of the game franchise was first revealed last year, and shortly after, we learned that Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg would be serving as the producers. The duo, whose past credits include Friday Night Lights and Yellowstone, will also be co-writing the project under Berg's direction. We still haven't heard anything about the cast, or even what era of the long-running series will be depicted, so it seems like a safe bet that there's still a ways to go before this wraps. But CoD is nothing if not a money-maker, so reimagining it as a summer blockbuster seems pretty expected.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/call-of-duty-movie-arrives-on-june-30-2028-200033481.html?src=rss - [Blackmagic Camera for iOS now has a companion Watch app](https://missmacknog.com/blackmagic-camera-for-ios-now-has-a-companion-watch-app/): Blackmagic Camera is one of the more powerful third-party smartphone camera apps available and it's now even more useful for solo creators. Blackmagic Design just announced that the latest iOS version 3.3 now supports Apple Watch, letting you control the app and monitor video remotely from your wrist. It also includes ATEM camera control so you can use your iPhone as a live studio camera.  With the new Camera Apple Watch companion app, you can remotely control and monitor your iPhone from anywhere within Wi-Fi range. It lets you start and stop recording, control zoom and adjust settings like frame rate, shutter speed (angle), white balance and ISO with a tap. You can also see a view of your video for framing control, though a Watch screen is probably a bit too small to accurately check focus.  The Watch app will benefit solo creators who want to mount their iPhone on a tripod to record standup or vlogging activities. To set it up, you install the Watch app through your iPhone and it will automatically connect and sync to your device.  Use your iPhone as a broadcast camera? Sure, why notBlackmagic Design The other key feature is iPhone control from Blackmagic's ATEM Mini switcher used by streamers and broadcasters. To use it, you need the $420 Blackmagic Camera ProDock that gives your iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max an HDMI output, timecode, USB-C and other ports. Blackmagic Camera now lets you connect a single HDMI cable from the ProDock to an ATEM Mini switcher, then adjust settings, trigger recording, focus and zoom. It also offers a DaVinci primary color corrector so you can match and create digital film looks during live production.  Finally, Camera now supports Blackmagic's "Focus and Zoom Demand" controls (a knob and handle) designed for broadcast cameras. When those controls and an iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max are connected via USB-C to a ProDock as shown above, you can zoom and focus Camera app video without taking your hands off the tripod handles. Together with the ATEM feature, it lets you use an iPhone as a full broadcast camera, which looks slightly weird but is pretty cool. On top of those features, Blackmagic Design also added ProRes RAW stabilization and general bug fixes and improvements. Blackmagic Camera for iOS 3.3 is available now as a free download from the Apple App Store.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/blackmagic-camera-for-ios-now-has-a-companion-watch-app-194529980.html?src=rss - [Meta is giving Threads on web a redesign that finally adds direct messages](https://missmacknog.com/meta-is-giving-threads-on-web-a-redesign-that-finally-adds-direct-messages/): Meta is starting to test a long-overdue facelift for Threads on web. The company's head of Threads Connor Hayes showed off a new look for the web version of Threads that finally adds direct messaging and makes it easier to navigate between multiple feeds. The new layout adds a bunch of new shortcuts to the site's left rail, including saved posts, insights, activity, and the ability to move between different feeds. Those features have all been accessible on web before, but many were hard to find. For example, the only way to currently get to "insights" is to navigate to your own profile or save it as a "pinned" column. Most importantly, though, the update finally adds the Threads inbox, which has not been available to web users even though the feature was added to the app last June.It's not clear when the new look will roll out, but Hayes said Meta has already started to test it and that the company will "be investing more here going forward." The last time the Threads website got a major update was last April, which added some basic functionality. But since then, Meta has focused much of its efforts on the Threads app, rather than the website. Some newer features, like disappearing "ghost posts," are able to be viewed on the web but can only be created in the app.Speaking of the Threads app, the web updates come one day after Hayes previewed some tweaks to how replies look on mobile. With the change, replies under a post will be indented slightly to make it easier to follow conversations. That change is rolling out now on iOS and currently "testing" on Android. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-giving-threads-on-web-a-redesign-that-finally-adds-direct-messages-192903284.html?src=rss - [DJI Osmo Pocket 4 review: The only vlogging camera you'll ever need](https://missmacknog.com/dji-osmo-pocket-4-review-the-only-vlogging-camera-youll-ever-need/): DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 gimbal-camera was a category-defining camera. Two years since its launch, everyone from vloggers to pro film makers continue to upload how-to guides and gushing reviews to YouTube. When the Osmo Pocket 4 landed at the FCC at the end of 2025 (followed by a credible leak), creator forums and Reddit threads started to chatter with excitement. Over the following months the Pocket 4 leaked again and again, to the point where there’s very little that someone with a passing interest and an internet connection doesn’t already know about the camera. But DJI chose today to give us the official reveal, so we’re here with the full review which, remarkably, does contain some surprises. What’s newFor those who were waiting for official, confirmed specs and information, here’s a rundown of the headline new features of the Osmo Pocket 4. The camera is still 4K, but comes with an updated 1-inch CMOS sensor that DJI says is good for another two stops of low light performance (for a total of 14). The camera retains the 20mm equivalent, f/2.0 lens but squeezes in an improved max framerate of 240 fps (up from 120 fps) for up to 10x slow-mo. The Pocket 4 can also shoot in full, high dynamic range 10-Bit D-Log, upgraded from the more lightweight D-Log-M available on the Pocket 3. Shutter speeds are now expanded and go right down to 1/4 for extreme light effects. Hardware changes are few, but do include two new buttons below the 2-inch display. One is a dedicated zoom button and the other you can assign a function from a selection of common tasks — rotating the gimbal, toggling recording presets and so on. You can assign up to three different controls to this button via single, double and triple clicks. There’s also 107GB of internal storage. You can still use SD cards, but you don’t need to if you don’t want to.That zoom, DJI states, is good for 2x “lossless” zoom while shooting in 4K and 4x in 1080p. The Pocket 3’s 2x Mid-Tele zoom had to be activated first, but now you can use lossless zoom any time and/or while using ActiveTrack face-tracking. It’s available in Portrait mode, too, but if you’ll need to have the screen in the horizontal position to access the buttons, which means your viewfinder/preview will be teeny-tiny as it’s rescaled for 16:9.DJI Osmo Pocket 4James Trew for EngadgetDJI has added on-camera “Film Tones” which are similar, functionally, to film simulations seen on Fujifilm cameras. There are six to choose from at launch and include subtle and not-so-subtle stylized color tones that apply different “moods” to your videos without having to manually color grade or use a LUT after the fact. As for still images, there’s an on-screen button for “Live” photos similar to what you might find on an iPhone. Live photos were sorta-kinda possible on the Pocket 3, but they are a little bit easier this time around.A lot of DJI drones include Gesture Control, which lets you start/stop recording and engage ActiveTrack from a distance, and that’s new on the Pocket 4 too. On the audio side of things, the Pocket 4 now has “audio zoom,” so if you have two people in a scene and do a close up on one of them, the volume of their voices will be boosted. It’s a little crude, but it could be handy in certain situations. The Pocket 4 can also record spatial audio via the three onboard microphones, good for live music and other situations where sound placement might matter. Lastly, the Pocket 4 has a modular component. At launch, there’s a magnetic fill light that clips onto the gimbal and can be configured via the camera menus. It’s included in the creator combo and opens the door for other modular accessories, though it’s limited to things that can sit on the gimbal without causing problems. A shotgun-style microphone, for example, could be possible.The display and controls on the Osmo Pocket 4James Trew for EngadgetBattery life also gets a slight boost over the Pocket 3 with a 1,545mAh cell — which is almost a 20 percent increase. That translates to an extra 30 minutes or so of recording time for an average of two and a half hours at 4K, more if you shoot in lower resolutions or are using the camera for photos.What we don’t see here, an item that you might have been hoping for, is any type of optical zoom. What’s more, the max resolution in vertical mode remains capped at 3K. You still have to rotate the camera if you want full-sensor, 4K video in portrait.Video qualityThe popularity of the Pocket series is thanks to its combination of high-quality video and a portable form factor. The Pocket 4 builds on this winning formula with exceptional quality for the camera’s size. The new 1-inch sensor is noticeably more detailed than the Pocket 3 and DJI’s claim of improved low light performance is backed up by stellar results. I took the Pocket 4 out at night and it bested its predecessor with far more dynamic range and better exposure in shadowed areas that come out dark or fuzzy on the Pocket 3. Image performance in general is impressive and a definite strong point for a camera of this size. Colors now look more natural than ever without looking over-saturated. Similar shots on the Pocket 3 look a little flatter when viewed side by side. I like that the f2.0 aperture still provides some light bokeh, and when combined with the new D-Log mode, there’s plenty of scope for cinematic shots. These would be harder to achieve with a phone and don’t require the setup and planning of a mirrorless camera. With the extended shutter speeds you can get some interesting effects — dramatic light trails in traffic for example — but it’s going to over expose any other light source in your shot. So, proceed with caution. The Pocket 3 bottomed-out at 1/25, but the Pocket 4 goes right down to a dramatic 1/4. The 2x lossless zoom surprised me. At first, I was sceptical about DJI’s claims of it being lossless, but it does seem to maintain visual quality without noticeable loss of detail. Though if you want to use that 4x zoom in 4K, expect to see some digital artifacts. The Pocket 4’s 20mm lens is particularly suited to wider, vlog-style shots, so a usable zoom is a welcome addition. It’s worth noting that it’s better used for static and tripod shots as any gimbal movements and keeping a subject in frame can feel like steering a ship.Film tonesUntil now, if you were aiming for a more cinematic style, you had to get comfortable shooting in D-Log-M and boning up on color-grading. DJI provided some filters in the Mimo app for a quick and dirty way to add a mood or vibe to your videos, but that still caused some friction in the workflow. The new film modes are on camera, so achieving something more stylized is now just a menu tap away. I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fan of the selection available right now as they’re either too hot or too cold. Of the six, Warm and Movie seem the most usable for cozy-style landscapes or B-roll cityscapes. DJI hasn’t shared much about whether these are just on-camera filters or true film simulations. Movie and Retro, at least, were already available as filters in the app. If the full effect is too strong, you can dial down the intensity, but that’s the extent of the control. Their addition here expands what you can get out of the camera without using the app or having to drag things over to your editing software. It’s unclear if we’ll see more options in the future, but they’re there if you need them.  New buttonsOne of my main complaints with the Pocket cameras was the zoom. More specifically, controlling it with the joystick. It always looks slow, inconsistent and a bit amateur when zooming in manually. The new button provides an instant punch-in that can be used for an intentional, attention-drawing effect. I can’t count the number of times I’ve ruined a shot because I thought I had the joystick set to zoom, but it was still assigned to panning (you had to toggle its use via an on-screen button). With the physical button, I can close in on a target instantly and never worry about accidental pans.The button layout on the Osmo Pocket 4James Trew for EngadgetThe second, customizable button is also a real usability upgrade. If, like me, you’re constantly recentering the gimbal, you’ll know that the usual double-click on the joystick is often unreliable. Now you can assign that action to the button plus two more controls from a selection of common actions. I have it set so double-click switches to one of my manual recording presets and triple-click locks the gimbal so I no longer have to jump into the main menu to switch gimbal modes. It even works while recording if I spontaneously decide I want to keep my horizon level.Changing what this button does is simple: Long-press it and it’ll jump into the settings where you can choose its functionality. There’s still scope for some refinement, as although a double click can instantly start recording with my preferred settings, clicking again doesn’t stop it. You have to use the record button. This makes some sense, but I’m used to using the same button to stop/start recording, so intuitively I thought that might be the case here. Sadly not.Audio upgradesSomething a little unexpected in the Pocket 4 is the addition of spatial audio. Using the three built-in microphones, the theory is you should be able to hear where sounds are coming from — though you’ll need headphones on for the effect to work. In practice, it does create a different audio ambience, one where sounds feel more relative to their location, but it comes at a price. If you speak to the camera, even if you’re nearby, your voice will sound distant and muddled so spatial audio is something you’ll want to use intentionally and certainly not as a default setting.The same is true for that audio “zoom.” To be fair to DJI, I’ve never found an audio zoom I truly liked. You can’t capture better audio than what the microphone is receiving, so amplifying it in any way isn’t going to improve it beyond what you can do with editing software. In a pinch, this might help with interviews when you have multiple speakers, no external microphone and need to publish quickly, but I’m reluctant to recommend it for anything else.You can get an Osmo Pocket 4 bundle with a DJI lapel micJames Trew for EngadgetThe new “Vocal Boost” is a more useful option under the Pro settings menu. When activated, it enhances voices by lowering background noise and other sounds. Again, it’s not a fix for getting good source audio, but in noisy run-and-gun vlogging environments, it can improve your chances of capturing something useful with just the internal microphones.Fortunately, DJI has a much better solution that was already a feature of Pocket cameras — native connectivity with its wireless microphones. The Creator Combo now includes a single DJI Mic 3 transmitter and charging cable, and it’s the absolute best way to get YouTube-ready audio from the camera. One nice tweak with the Pocket 4 is that you can now export videos with both the built-in and external mic audio as one 4-channel file. Open this in your video editor and you can mix and cut between mic and ambient audio without having to deal with separate files as before. The competitionThe fact that there’s no real direct competition for the Pocket series is surprising. For true, like-for-like gimbal cameras, expect to find alternatives from brands you’re less familiar with — such as Agfaphoto or Feiyu. Most of the nearest competition will be action cameras like the GoPro Mission 1 or Insta360 Ace Pro 2. Both of these are great portable cameras with solid stabilisation, but they unsurprisingly favor that wide, bright and sharp action-style footage. The Pocket 4’s nearest rival for stabilized vlog-friendly filming is still the Pocket 3.This raises the question of whether the Pocket 4 (£445) is worth it over the more affordable Pocket 3 (£389) at launch. (DJI can’t directly sell the Pocket 4 in the US, so official prices are in British Pounds or Euros.) Both are great, all-purpose, vlogging cameras versatile enough for recording in a variety of situations — though less suited to rugged/action filming thanks to the delicate mechanical gimbal. It’s likely that the price difference between the two will expand after the launch window. The Osmo Pocket 4 flipped down and powered offJames Trew for EngadgetWrap-upThe Pocket 4 might not bring defining new features like optical zoom or higher resolution, but it’s a better camera in every way that matters. There are also several quality of life improvements that make it incredibly compelling. For the extra money, you’re getting better image quality that will pay you back over time. The new buttons make the camera even more convenient and that onboard storage alone effectively closes the price gap — not to mention the huge convenience that feature alone brings with it.Hardcore fans might have been hoping for more “dazzle” with the Pocket 4. In reality, DJI delivered a camera that builds on an already winning formula in ways that actually matter: higher quality video, improved usability, modular capabilities and longer battery life. It’s hard to argue with that.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/dji-osmo-pocket-4-review-the-only-vlogging-camera-youll-ever-need-120000374.html?src=rss - [Anthropic will ask Claude users to verify their identities 'for a few use cases'](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-will-ask-claude-users-to-verify-their-identities-for-a-few-use-cases/): Anthropic has started rolling out identity verification on Claude “for a few use cases.” The company didn’t list out those use cases in its announcement, but we’ve asked it for details and will update this post when we hear back. Anthropic says you might see a verification prompt upon “accessing certain capabilities,” asking you to verify your identity. You would have to show a valid and physical government-issued photo ID. You’d also have take a selfie with your phone or computer camera that the system will compare against the ID you present.  The news, as you’d expect, wasn’t well-received. Many users are questioning the necessity of identity verification to be able to use an AI chatbot, especially if Anthropic already has their credit cards on file as paying subscribers. People are also criticizing Anthropic’s decision to use Persona Identities, which also provides age verification services for OpenAI and Roblox. One of Persona’s major investors is venture firm Founders Fund, which was co-founded by Peter Thiel, who’s also the co-founder and chairman of surveillance company Palantir.  Palantir’s customers are mostly federal agencies and government offices, including the FBI, the CIA and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Most criticisms against the company center around the services it provides those customers, as they’re mainly used to expand government surveillance using its facial recognition and AI technologies.  In its announcement, Anthropic said that Persona will be the one handling your IDs and selfies. It will not copy and store those images. It also said that Persona is “contractually limited” in how it can use your data and that all data passing through its process is “encrypted in transit and at rest.” Anthropic emphasized that it will not use your identity data to train its models and that it will not share your data with anyone else.  Update April 16, 2026, 11:35AM ET: Reached for comment, an Anthropic spokesperson told Engadget that "this applies to a small number of cases where we see activity that indicates potentially fraudulent or abusive behavior, which violates our usage policy."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-will-ask-claude-users-to-verify-their-identities-for-a-few-use-cases-115754092.html?src=rss - [Amazon MGM's 2026 theatrical slate includes 'Highlander' and 'Spaceballs: The New One'](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-mgms-2026-theatrical-slate-includes-highlander-and-spaceballs-the-new-one/): Fresh off the box office success of Project Hail Mary, Amazon MGM Studios has announced its theatrical release lineup for the next year. Most of the titles aren't likely to hit the highs of the Ryan Gosling starrer which has grossed $515 million in theaters. However, there are a number of promising releases like Spaceballs: The New One and Highlander starring Henry Cavill, both sequels to '80s films. Another is The Sheep Detectives with Hugh Jackman, the trailer for which has been a hit on YouTube. Earlier this year, Amazon MGM promised to release up to 14 films in theaters over the next year and leave them to run for as long as 45 days — a far cry from its previous policy of releasing just a few films for several weeks at most. That strategy is paying off so far. "Four months. Four films. Over $670 million at the box office. And we have nine more on the way,” said Amazon MGM's head of domestic theatrical distribution, Kevin Wilson.  The company said that it's not about volume, but impact. "We are building films that give audiences a reason to leave the house. Films with scale. Ambition," Wilson said. Looking at the slate, though, some of those films are likely to be hits and some not so much.  First up is The Sheep Detectives set to arrive on May 8th. You may scoff at the title, but the trailer has racked up 20 million views and mainly positive comments. It looks like fun, family-friendly fare and stars a popular actor, so one could easily see this being a hit for Amazon MGM. Masters of the Universe is next up on June 5, 2026. "Director Travis Knight brings the world of Eternia to life on a massive scale with stars Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, and Idris Elba," Amazon explains. The film is based on the Mattel toy franchise and animated series so again, it could be another magnet for kids and their nostalgic parents.  How to Rob a Bank is a heist comedy with a solid cast including Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz, Anna Sawai, Pete Davidson, and John C. Reilly, set to arrive on September 4. That's followed by Verity (October 2, 2026) based on the Colleen Hoover novel and Peter Farrelly's I Play Rocky Sylvester Stallone biopic about the production of the 1976 film Rocky.  2027 starts with the The Beekeeper 2 (January 15) starting Jason Statham, followed by The Thomas Crown Affair (March 5, 2027) directed by and starring Michael B. Jordan. Spaceballs: The New One, a sequel to the classic Mel Brooks movie arrives on April 23, 2027 with Rick Moranis, Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, Bill Pullman, and Mel Brooks.  Other films expected but without release dates yet include The Chosen: Crucifixion, A Colt is My Passport, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother and Highlander starring Henry Cavill based on the 1986 cult classic.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/amazon-mgms-2026-theatrical-slate-includes-highlander-and-spaceballs-the-new-one-094505690.html?src=rss - [YouTube now lets you hide Shorts](https://missmacknog.com/youtube-now-lets-you-hide-shorts/): You now have the power to remove short-form videos from your YouTube feed if you don’t want to see them. YouTube has rolled out the capability to set your Shorts feed limit to zero minutes, which could help you stop doomscrolling, at least on mobile. The video-sharing platform originally launched a Shorts feed limit back in October last year, but the lowest option you could choose was 15 minutes. Once 15 minutes are up, you’ll get a pop-up reminding you to take a break. Earlier this year, it integrated the feature with parental controls, allowing guardians to set time limits for younger users. YouTube said back then that parents will soon see the option to set the timer to zero. Now, the Shorts timer is live not just for parents, but for all users. We can confirm that we’re now seeing the zero minutes option in our (adult) account and were able to activate it for ourselves. When you select it, you may see a notice that says “Scrolling is paused but you may still see individual Shorts.” You may also have to refresh your app before short-form videos disappear from your feed. To be able to block stop Shorts from showing up for you, go to your Setting page in the YouTube app for mobile. Look for “Time management” and scroll down to “Daily limits,” where you can find the “Shorts feed limit” section. If you don’t want to get rid of Shorts altogether, you can choose from any of the other options, with two hours being the maximum time available. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/youtube-now-lets-you-hide-shorts-085538825.html?src=rss - [Opera adds Browser Connector for integrating AI chatbots](https://missmacknog.com/opera-adds-browser-connector-for-integrating-ai-chatbots/): Opera is offering a new choice for looping in an AI assistant during browsing. Today, the company introduced Browser Connector, which allows Opera One and Opera GX users to integrate either ChatGPT or Claude into the platform. The chatbots will be able to access page content while a person is browsing and will draw context for queries from the information in your open tabs. The free new feature can be enabled through the AI Services section of the Settings menu. Opera is one of the many browser companies that has been experimenting with an AI-focused service. It began rolling out the $20-a-month Opera Neon agentic AI browser last year. The benefit of something like Browser Connector means you aren't limited to a single brand's product offerings and can switch things up at will.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/opera-adds-browser-connector-for-integrating-ai-chatbots-080000153.html?src=rss - [Apple and Google are reportedly pointing users to 'nudify' apps](https://missmacknog.com/apple-and-google-are-reportedly-pointing-users-to-nudify-apps/): Earlier this year it was revealed that Apple and Google were offering "nudify" apps on their stores despite having clear policies barring such content. Nearly three months later, such apps are not only still available, but being actively promoted on the iOS App Store and Google Play, according to a new report from the Tech Transparency Project (TTP). Many of those were labeled "E" for Everyone, meaning they can be downloaded by children.  Searching for "nudify," "undress" and other terms in those stores gives users access to apps that can make real people nude or put them into pornographic videos. The new report alleges that "the platforms are key participants in the spread of AI tools that can turn real people into sexualized images," TTP wrote. The app stores even ran ads for similar nudifying apps in the search results. (Engadget has reached out to Apple and Google for comment.) The group identified 18 nudify apps in Apple's App Store and 20 in Google Play. Some were marketed with sexual images, while others weren't advertised as such but could still be used for deepfakes. Those apps have collectively generated around $122 million in revenue and been downloaded 483 million times, according to the report. "It’s not just that the companies are failing to actually appropriately review these apps and continue to approve them and profit from them," TTP director Katie Paul told Bloomberg. "They are actually directing users to the apps themselves." Apple and Google both have policies banning sexual or pornographic material, and Google has a specific policy against nudifying apps. Apple told Bloomberg that it removed 15 apps identified by the group, while Google said that it suspended a number of them. One of the apps cited in the report called Video Face Swap AI: DeepFace, advertises itself by showing an actress's face swapped onto another actress's body and allows users to put a real person's face on the bodies of partially undressed women. The app was rated "E" for Everyone. The proliferation of nudify and deepfake apps has pushed some governments to propose laws against them. The UK's Children's Commissioner recently called for a ban on AI deepfake apps that create nude or sexual images of children. The US and other countries have proposed or created laws banning explicit deepfakes, and the California Attorney General recently sent Elon Musk's X a cease and desist order over Grok's explicit deepfakes.  Update April 16 at 3:42 AM ET: Google gave Engadget the following comment:  "Google Play does not allow apps that contain sexual content. When violations of our policies are reported to us, we investigate and take appropriate action. Many of the apps referenced in this report have been suspended from Google Play for violations of our policies. Our investigation and enforcement process is ongoing." This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-and-google-are-reportedly-pointing-users-to-nudify-apps-065144277.html?src=rss - [Microsoft's new college deal is a half-hearted answer to the $500 MacBook Neo](https://missmacknog.com/microsofts-new-college-deal-is-a-half-hearted-answer-to-the-500-macbook-neo/): Apple's MacBook Neo is a $600 (or $500 for students) shot across the bow at affordable Windows laptops, and it seems like Microsoft has ready its first response. The newly announced "Microsoft College Offer" is a bundle of Microsoft 365 Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, custom Xbox controller and discounted laptop that the company thinks could woo students away from Apple's new deal. With the purchase of a discounted machine directly from Microsoft, retailers like Amazon and Best Buy or PC makers like HP, ASUS and Acer, you can get what the company says is an extra $500 of value from its bundle. The laptop deals include a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x with a Snapdragon X chip, 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $500 from Best Buy, around $250 off the laptop's usual $750 price. Or if you wanted something even cheaper, Walmart is selling an HP Omnibook 3 for $429, a discount of $270 off its usual $699 price. Microsoft is less generous with the deals on its own laptops and tablets, but you can even get a discount on a Surface Laptop as part of the offer.A discounted laptop is great, but where the value of the Microsoft College Offer gets harder to define is with the services the company is packing in. Getting what would normally be a $200 year-long subscription to Microsoft 365 Premium for free is a meaningful deal, but many colleges give their students access to Microsoft's apps (and other software) with the cost of their tuition. A year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which costs $30 per month as of October 2025, sounds like significant savings, but the offer is only valid for new subscribers. That leaves the free custom Xbox controller as the simplest bonus of the bunch, a value of around $76.Windows PC makers are expected to make more serious attempts to compete with the Neo over the next year. For now, though, the Microsoft College Offer isn't exactly a bad deal, but it's certainly not as straightforwardly appealing as an Apple-quality laptop for $500 with a college discount.The Microsoft College Offer is available to students starting April 15 and runs through June 30, 2026. Microsoft says redemption of the full bundle of services and accessories it’s offering needs to happen by July 31, 2026.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/microsofts-new-college-deal-is-a-half-hearted-answer-to-the-500-macbook-neo-215336362.html?src=rss - [Federal jury finds concert business Live Nation is a monopoly](https://missmacknog.com/federal-jury-finds-concert-business-live-nation-is-a-monopoly/): Live Nation, which operates the Ticketmaster platform, has been determined to be a monopoly. A federal jury handed down its decision today that the company violated federal and state antitrust rules. This finding won't surprise anyone who has used Ticketmaster and been sticker-shocked by their final bill. However, it's unclear what the jury’s decision will mean in practice. For starters, the judge overseeing the case hasn't determined what remedies will be applied. The actions could go as far as requiring Live Nation to sell off Ticketmaster. There are also monetary damages to be awarded, which haven't been set yet. And whatever the judge decides, it's likely that Live Nation will appeal the decision. In a statement released by Live Nation today, the company noted that there are other motions still pending that could also impact the jury's ruling. "Of course, Live Nation can and will appeal any unfavorable rulings on these motions," it said.The Department of Justice and a group of state and district attorneys general sued Live Nation on monopoly claims in 2024. The government agency reached a settlement with Live Nation last month, but the other parties continued their action. There's also a separate case being waged by the Federal Trade Commission questioning whether Live Nation colluded with ticket resellers.Update, April 15, 2025, 6:31PM ET: Added statement from Live Nation.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/federal-jury-finds-concert-business-live-nation-is-a-monopoly-203924011.html?src=rss - [PlayStation Plus April catalog adds include Horizon Remastered, Squirrel with a Gun and Frank Stone](https://missmacknog.com/playstation-plus-april-catalog-adds-include-horizon-remastered-squirrel-with-a-gun-and-frank-stone/): For PlayStation Plus subscribers, April is going to be a little bit spooky, a tad sporty and extra squirrelly. PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium players will get access to The Crew Motorfest, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Football Manager 26 Console, Warriors: Abyss, Squirrel with a Gun, The Casting of Frank Stone and Monster Train. Additionally,Wild Arms 4 will be exclusive to Premium libraries. Expect the full lineup to go live on April 21. The Crew Motorfest, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Warriors: Abyss and Wild Arms 4 will hit PS4 and PS5 consoles, while the rest of the month's additions are PS5 only. In the case of Horizon, PS4 players will receive Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition, rather than the PS5 remaster.  Horizon, The Crew and Football Manager are self-explanatory at this point in gaming history, but here's a quick rundown of the more underground titles on April's list: Warriors: Abyss is a hectic hack-and-slash roguelite from Koei Tecmo; Squirrel with a Gun is a silly yet competent third-person shooter from a two-man indie team; Monster Train is a much-loved demonic deckbuilder from Shiny Shoe and Good Shepherd Entertainment; and Wild Arms 4 is a PS2-era RPG from Japanese studio Media.Vision. The Casting of Frank Stone is what PlayStation Plus was made for, in my estimation. It comes from Supermassive, a campy-horror studio that I'm quite fond of, but it's a crossover with Dead by Daylight, a game I've never played, despite a latent interest in its vibe. For whatever reason, Frank Stone never eclipsed other titles in my to-play pile and in the harsh light of 2026, I was on the verge of forgetting all about it. Now that it's being shoved in my digital face (complimentary), I'm ready to give it a go. And who knows, maybe it'll be a gateway into the rich world of Dead by Daylight.  Most of the games on this month's list can fit this description to some degree — minus the Dead by Daylight hook, unless you really squint at Monster Train — so it feels like a quality batch.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/playstation-plus-april-catalog-adds-include-horizon-remastered-squirrel-with-a-gun-and-frank-stone-194534366.html?src=rss - [There's yet another study about how bad AI is for our brains](https://missmacknog.com/theres-yet-another-study-about-how-bad-ai-is-for-our-brains/): A group of researchers from across the US and the UK have conducted a study on what AI does to our brains and the results are, in a word, grim. These results were published in a paper called "AI assistance reduces persistence and hurts independent performance" which kind of tells you everything you need to know. “We find that AI assistance improves immediate performance, but it comes at a heavy cognitive cost,” the study declares. Researchers went on to state that just ten minutes of using AI made people dependent on the technology, which led to worsening performance and burnout once the tools were removed. The study followed people who use AI for "reasoning-intensive" cognitive labor. This refers to stuff like writing, coding and brainstorming new ideas, which are some of the most common use cases. The researchers recruited 350 Americans, who were asked to complete some fraction-based equations. Half of the participants were randomly granted access to a specialized chatbot built on OpenAI's GPT-5 for help and the others had to go it alone. Halfway through the exam, the AI group had their access cut off. This led to a steep decline in correct answers by the AI group and many instances of people simply giving up. This result, in which performance and perseverance both dropped, was repeated in a larger experiment with 670 people. Finally, the scientists performed one final experiment with reading comprehension questions, and not math. The results were more of the same. “Once the AI is taken away from people, it’s not that people are just giving wrong answers. They’re also not willing to try without AI," Rachit Dubey, an assistant professor at the University of California and coauthor of the study, told Futurism. "People’s persistence drops." Dubey went on to warn that rapid deployment of AI in the education sector could lead to a "generation of learners and people who will not know what they’re capable of, and then that will really dilute human innovation and creativity." The study likens using the technology to the "boiling frog" effect, in which "sustained AI use erodes the motivation and persistence that drive long-term learning." These effects accumulate and "by the time they are visible, they will be difficult to reverse." A recent study found that chatbots affected people’s critical thinking performance differently depending on how users engaged with the bots.https://t.co/IBbLLqrNdG— Science News (@ScienceNews) April 15, 2026 There are two caveats here. The study has yet to be peer-reviewed. Also, researchers found one tiny bright spot regarding the use of AI. People who used AI tools for hints and clarification had a much easier time once the chatbot was removed when compared to those who used the bot to essentially prompt the answers. This is just the latest study trying to get to the bottom of what AI is doing to our collective noggins. It has been found to increase fatigue among full-time workers who rely on the tools, which led to the term "AI brain fry." To that end, researchers discovered that employees who use AI actually end up working harder and longer than those old-fashioned luddites. The results are even starker in the world of education. Studies have found that AI use in school leads to poor social and intellectual development and that kids who rely on chatbots tend to do worse on tests.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/theres-yet-another-study-about-how-bad-ai-is-for-our-brains-183418494.html?src=rss - [Recteq X-Fire Pro 825 review: A smart grill that pulls double duty](https://missmacknog.com/recteq-x-fire-pro-825-review-a-smart-grill-that-pulls-double-duty/): Occasionally, you really can have it both ways. For the most part, pellet grills are great for smoking and mid-temperature cooking, but you’ll typically need other grills for high-heat searing and 1,000-degree temperatures(with a few exceptions). Sure, some pellet grills allow you to move the heat deflector for direct access to the fire pot for searing, but that’s still not a cooking experience that will be familiar to gas grill users.  With the X-Fire Pro 825 ($1,550), Recteq is putting its pellet grill expertise to work in a dual-mode design that’s meant to bridge the gap between gas and wood fire. Of course, this is a smart grill thanks to its Wi-Fi connectivity, and the backbone of this beast is undoubtedly a pellet grill. Plus, the company offers totally separate controls to avoid confusion between Smoke and Grill modes, all combined in a durable, all-stainless steel design. It’s the rare device that really is the 2-in-1 the company claims.  Design All Recteq grills are made of stainless steel, but unlike the Deck Boss, Patio Legend and other models in the company’s lineup, the X-Fire Pro doesn’t have a powder coated lid. This isn’t a problem per se, but it does require extra care with cleaning and maintenance to avoid rust. Apart from the cast iron grill grates, the interior components are also stainless steel, so most of this grill is clearly built to last. When you combine that with the robust cart and premium casters that the X-Fire Pro sits on, this grill is one of the most well-designed I’ve reviewed.  Like most pellet grills, the X-Fire Pro has a digital controller mounted on the side. In this case, it’s situated on the front edge of a shelf on the left of the grill. Single-knob navigation allows you to set cooking temperature and food probe alerts, which can also be done via the Recteq app thanks to the grill’s Wi-Fi connectivity. The X-Fire Pro allows you to use two wired food probes simultaneously, but there’s no option for wireless probes. Recteq does sell wireless probes though, but they connect directly to the company’s app, not to the grill itself. The X-Fire Pro has two separate sets of controls for its two modes Billy Steele for Engadget Rather than a traditional on/off switch, the X-Fire Pro is turned on with the far left knob on the front. To do so, you choose between the grill’s two modes, Smoke or Grill. If you select Smoke mode, the controller on the left will light up and you set your desired temperature between 225 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Personally, I prefer a slightly lower minimum temperature, around 180 degrees, to enable things like cold smoking or even mimic the Keep Warm feature that competitors like Traeger offer. In Grill mode, you can expect temperatures from 225-400 degrees on low, 350-650 on medium, 500-850 on high and 800-1,200 on max.  There are two fire pots inside the X-Fire Pro. The one on the left is used exclusively for Smoke mode while both can be used in Grill mode. I typically set the right side to a higher grilling temperature, since there’s an Adaptive Sear Control for direct access to the flame (there’s a dedicated knob on the front to control this). I would then leave the left side on low, which would give me a hot/cold setup like I would normally use on a gas grill. Of course, you can set both fire pots to the same heat level and use the entire cooking surface at the same temperature. You could also leave one of the fire pots completely off if you needed to do so.      Dual-mode cooking Recteq promises that the X-Fire Pro is a pellet grill that will offer the best aspects of gas grilling with familiar knob-based controls. I agree that the large knobs are similar to what you’ll find on a gas grill, although you can’t fine-tune the heat like you can with gas burnersI didn’t find this problematic, though. Where Recteq surpasses propane or natural gas options is the fact that the X-Fire Pro entirely runs on wood pellets, so your food tastes much better. Just keep in mind that it’s a different flavor than charcoal.  During my testing, I unexpectedly spent most of my time using the X-Fire Pro in Grill mode. I cooked steaks, chicken, burgers, sausages and more, all of which tasted a lot better than they would have on a gas grill. Even at high temperatures, you still get some wood flavor, which helped elevate my sous vide New York Strips beyond a simple high-heat sear. Of course, I also had the option to open the Adaptive Sear Control for direct-flame finishing, which was absolutely the right move for steaks and burgers.  One important caveat about Grill mode is that the digital controller for Smoke mode completely turns off. You operate this mode entirely with the front-mounted knobs — just like you would a gas grill. As such, you don’t have access to the food probes or any Wi-Fi features that Smoke mode employs. I can understand why Recteq would want to keep the two modes separate, but I do wish there was a way to use the food probes to track internal temperature of things like steak and chicken, or any items where exact doneness is essential.  A pork shoulder (Boston Butt) cooked on the X-Fire Pro Billy Steele for Engadget When it comes to smoking, the X-Fire Pro works just as well as any other pellet grills I’ve reviewed from Traeger, Weber and others. It’s very much a set-it-and-forget-it device, if you want it to be, which means you can put on a pork shoulder or a brisket early in the morning and it will be ready by dinner. But since the X-Fire Pro has two fire pots and therefore two smaller pellet hoppers instead of one larger one, each hopper’s capacity is limited to just10 pounds. While I had no trouble getting through an 8-hour smoke session with a full hopper (at 275 degrees), I wouldn’t feel comfortable with overnight cooks due to the reduced pellet supply. In Grill mode, though, a single full hopper on the right was always enough to get through a cook.   Recteq says the digital controller can maintain the set temperature in Smoke mode within five degrees. I found this to be true during all of my low-and-slow cooking, and the graph in the app confirms it. The only dips it showed corresponded to the times I opened the lid. This performance was consistent across multiple uses of the X-Fire Pro, although on one particularly cold and very windy day, I did see some greater fluctuations (there’s a warning about this in the user manual). Under normal weather conditions though, this grill is reliable at maintaining the desired cooking temperature in Smoke mode. Other features on the X-Fire Pro The main cooking surface of the X-Fire Pro consists of four removable cast iron grates. These are reversible with one side for general use and the other with wider bars for more apparent sear marks. There’s also a shallow top grate above the primary cooking area, perfect for resting foods when they’re done or warming buns in Grill mode. In Smoke mode, you could also put another rack or two of ribs up there, but it’s not big enough for larger cuts of meat.  Most pellet grills direct ash and grease to a catch pan of some sort. Since the X-Fire Pro has two fire pots, it has two ash removal trays on either side with levers to help with the debris. Like every other pellet grill, you’ll need to clean out some ash from the cooking chamber every few uses, and the best way to do that is with a shop vacuum. Recteq cautions against allowing grease buildup with Smoke mode, but I never found this to be a problem. That’s likely due to the fact that I used Grill mode between low-and-slow cooking sessions, so I probably burned off any excess residue. What’s more, I like to use aluminum pans for pork shoulders for easier cleanup, rather than placing them directly on the grates.  The X-Fire Pro's adjustable sear control Billy Steele for Engadget Like every other Wi-Fi-enabled pellet grill I’ve tested, the X-Fire Pro works with an app that allows you to control and monitor it from afar. You can keep tabs on both grill and food probe temperatures as well as turn the whole thing off. Recteq’s app also has more advanced features like temperature graphs, a 30-day cooking history and over 60 step-by-step guided recipes. Plus, you can save cooking sessions with notes for future reference and the app’s complete recipe book houses over 450 dishes. The company prides itself on the quality of its app, and I can confirm it’s the most reliable mobile software I’ve used during a smart grill review. Now let’s discuss a few things you won’t find on the X-Fire Pro. First, there’s no option for a folding front shelf since the pellet hopper is front-mounted. The hopper lid gives you a slight ledge to rest the corner of a pan or tray, but it’s not enough to do any kind of wrapping or setting anything down completely. There’s also no interior lighting, which was probably the thing I missed most from other pellet grills. Sure, we can debate the utility of how some companies arrange these lights, but something is better than nothing, especially when you’re loading a grill before dawn or finishing a cook after dark.  The competition While there are other pellet grills with direct-searing capabilities, none of those offer the dual-mode functionality of the X-Fire Pro. For example, several Pit Boss models have levers for open access to the fire box — or, as the company calls, it the Flame Broiler. Some companies offer open-lid modes, like Weber does on the Searwood, but not all of those designs allow you to get direct access to the fire. These grills also let you set a high searing temperature on the regular controls rather than giving you completely a separate operating method like Recteq does. Again, the appeal with the X-Fire Pro is something familiar to both pellet and gas grillers with controls best-suited for each style of cooking. And yes, the $1,550 price puts this firmly in the premium category, but when you consider it’s two grills in one, that amount doesn’t seem excessive.  The X-Fire Pro features an all-stainles-steel design Billy Steele for Engadget Wrap-up Rarely does a device live up to its billing as a double-duty workhorse. With the X-Fire Pro, Recteq has successfully combined the best aspects of pellet grills with a dedicated high-heat mode and separate controls that will be familiar to gas grillers. This model offers robust build quality, reliable performance and Wi-Fi connectivity for extended smoking sessions. The smaller pellet hoppers require slightly more vigilance, and there are a few features I’d love to see in the future, but Recteq has certainly bolstered its reputation for well-built smart grills with this dual-mode machine. I’d much rather keep tabs on my pellet supply than guess if my propane tank is empty.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/recteq-x-fire-pro-825-review-a-smart-grill-that-pulls-double-duty-170000586.html?src=rss - [Snap is laying off 16 percent of its workforce, blames AI](https://missmacknog.com/snap-is-laying-off-16-percent-of-its-workforce-blames-ai/): Snap is laying off around 1,000 staff, amounting to 16 percent of its workforce, which it will seemingly replace with AI. The cuts were announced in a company-wide memo from CEO Evan Spiegel, who added that more than 300 open roles are also being closed. Spiegel said the "incredibly difficult" decision would likely save Snap more than $500 million by the second half of 2026, in turn helping it to "establish a clearer path to net-income profitability." Impacted staff were notified by email and the company’s North America-based team were instructed to work from home. Snap said it would provide four-month severance packages to those affected by the layoffs, as well as healthcare and other entitlements. "While these changes are necessary to realize Snap’s long-term potential, we believe that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence enable our teams to reduce repetitive work, increase velocity, and better support our community, partners, and advertisers," Spiegel wrote. "We have already witnessed small squads leveraging AI tools to drive meaningful progress across several important initiatives, including Snapchat+, enhanced ad platform performance, and efficiency improvements in our Snap Lite infrastructure." Snap laid off around 20 percent of its employees in 2022, with further cuts made in 2023 and 2024. It follows in the footsteps of a number of tech companies laying off employees in favor of AI in a move to boost efficiency, including Amazon, Fiverr, Microsoft and Pinterest in the last year. Snap is expected to launch the consumer version of its Specs AR glasses later this year, and recently span off the brand into its own business.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/snap-is-laying-off-16-percent-of-its-workforce-blames-ai-162456069.html?src=rss - [Shoe company Allbirds pivots to AI compute in sign of a totally normal and healthy economy](https://missmacknog.com/shoe-company-allbirds-pivots-to-ai-compute-in-sign-of-a-totally-normal-and-healthy-economy/): The shoe company Allbirds, famous for its wool trainers, is pivoting to AI. You read that right. The San Francisco company has plans "to pivot its business to AI compute infrastructure, with a long-term vision to become a fully integrated GPU-as-a-Service and AI-native cloud solutions provider." It's also changing its name to NewBird AI. This is subject to shareholder approval, with a vote scheduled for May 18. Once approved, the company will raise $50 million from an unnamed investor to assist with this enterprise. This money will be used for the "acquisition and monetization of graphics processing units, related high-performance computing infrastructure capable to support high workloads and other related assets." In other words, all of the things one would need to start an AI compute company. Allbirds, the shoe brand, now says it's an AI compute company. pic.twitter.com/MRAG2LXyY9— Tracy Alloway (@tracyalloway) April 15, 2026 Allbirds has always been known as an eco-friendly shoe company and, well, there's no real way to do AI while protecting the environment. The company plans on getting rid of any eco-friendly branding, with stockholders being asked to approve a charter amendment proposal to "remove references to the company being operated for the environmental conservation public benefit." Investors absolutely love AI, despite rising public sentiment against the technology. To that end, the announcement that Allbirds was transitioning from shoes, a product category it has a decade of experience in, to AI compute, a product category it has no experience in, shot the stock up by over 400 percent. Financial Times has suggested this uptick will be short-lived and that retail investors should stay away. Allbirds was once valued at $4 billion. It just struck a deal to sell most of itself for $39 million. https://t.co/DsX89JdtEM— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) March 31, 2026 This pivot to AI cloud compute is surprising and, frankly, bizarre, but something drastic was bound to happen to Allbirds at some point. The shoe company was once riding high, with a valuation of around $4 billion as recently as 2021. It sold its shoe business and branding to an investment firm earlier this month for just $39 million. Allbirds isn't the only company pivoting to compute in an effort to feed the hungry goblin called AI. Boom Supersonic is a startup trying to build the world's fastest airliner but has begun selling gas turbines to AI companies to power data centers. Many Bitcoin mining centers have pivoted to AI and it's worth remembering that NVIDIA's GPUs were once used primarily for PC gaming.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/shoe-company-pivots-to-ai-compute-in-sign-of-a-totally-normal-and-healthy-economy-161449196.html?src=rss - [Traeger debuts Westwood smart pellet grills that start at $700](https://missmacknog.com/traeger-debuts-westwood-smart-pellet-grills-that-start-at-700/): Traeger gave backyard pit masters something more affordable last year with the Woodridge, but now the company is back with an even more budget-friendly option. With the Westwood series, the company offers very basic pellet grill functionality with a simplified controller and a no-frills design. You’ll still get Wi-Fi connectivity that works with the company’s app, and the Westwood grills are compatible with Traeger’s rail-based accessories. As you might expect at the $700 and $800 prices, there are a number of caveats compared to the company’s more expensive options. The new Westwood grills have an even more streamlined controller than the Woodridge models. A button-based interface replaces the knob, with buttons for increasing and decreasing temperatures, both wired and wireless food probes, Wi-Fi and ignition. The side-mounted hopper has an 18-pound pellet capacity and there are shelves on the left side and underneath the cooking chamber. Inside, a two-tier setup offers either 653 or 823 square inches of cooking space, depending on which Westwood model you opt for. The Westwood remains a set-it-and-forget-it device. The Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to keep tabs on cooking sessions from anywhere with the Traeger app. You can do everything from low-and-slow smoking to roasting and grilling with the 180-450 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range. There’s also a front rail for the company’s Pop and Lock accessories, which include a folding front shelf. The Westwood grills have a simplified design with two-tier grates insideTraegerOf course, with the lower price comes a number of sacrifices. There’s no mention of Super Smoke or Keep Warm modes that Traeger offers on some of its more expensive grills. The Westwood only supports one wired food probe, so you’ll have to plan accordingly there. If you’re willing to spend an extra $80, these new grills do connect with Traeger’s wireless meat probe, so you at least have an option for additional food monitoring. Lastly, there’s no mention of a pellet sensor inside the hopper, which is a handy component for keeping track of your fuel supply. While Traeger has consistently focused on midrange and premium pellet grills in recent years, the Westwood and Westwood XL are now the company’s most affordable options. These new grills will replace the popular Pro series in Traeger’s lineup. What’s more, new affordable options come at time when the company faces financial troubles and is currently in the midst of an ongoing restructuring. The Westwood and Westwood XL are now available from grill retailers including Ace Hardware.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/traeger-debuts-westwood-smart-pellet-grills-that-start-at-700-160448450.html?src=rss - [Research repository ArXiv will ban authors for a year if they let AI do all the work](https://missmacknog.com/research-repository-arxiv-will-ban-authors-for-a-year-if-they-let-ai-do-all-the-work/): ArXiv is doing more to crack down on the careless use of large language models in scientific papers. - [The offline desk gadget that actually got me to sit up straight](https://missmacknog.com/the-offline-desk-gadget-that-actually-got-me-to-sit-up-straight/): Deep Care's $350 device is pricy, but it runs offline and helps you improve your posture and movement habits. - [OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman takes charge of product strategy](https://missmacknog.com/openai-co-founder-greg-brockman-takes-charge-of-product-strategy/): OpenAI's latest shake-up comes as the company reportedly plans to combine ChatGPT and its programming product Codex. - [Silicon Valley’s vacationland needs a new energy provider just as AI is driving prices up](https://missmacknog.com/silicon-valleys-vacationland-needs-a-new-energy-provider-just-as-ai-is-driving-prices-up/): Lake Tahoe, Silicon Valley's favorite vacation spot, is about to get hit with higher energy prices as AI drives demand for electricity. - [Tesla reveals two Robotaxi crashes involving teleoperators](https://missmacknog.com/tesla-reveals-two-robotaxi-crashes-involving-teleoperators/): Newly unredacted crash reports reveal some of the troubles Tesla has had as it tries to scale its robotaxis. - [OpenAI launches ChatGPT for personal finance, will let you connect bank accounts](https://missmacknog.com/openai-launches-chatgpt-for-personal-finance-will-let-you-connect-bank-accounts/): Once users connect their accounts, they will see a dashboard of their portfolio performance, spending, subscriptions, and upcoming payments. - [Power prices are up 76% on America’s biggest grid, and a watchdog is pointing fingers](https://missmacknog.com/power-prices-are-up-76-on-americas-biggest-grid-and-a-watchdog-is-pointing-fingers/): The price spike is a reminder of a deeper problem: The U.S. power grid was not designed for the electricity demands of an AI-driven economy, and the gap between what the grid can deliver and what the industry needs is widening. - [US orders travelers on Air Force One to throw away gifts, pins, and burner phones after China trip](https://missmacknog.com/us-orders-travelers-on-air-force-one-to-throw-away-gifts-pins-and-burner-phones-after-china-trip/): While the summit appeared cordial, China remains a key adversary of the United States, given its advanced intelligence and espionage capabilities. - [Runway started by helping filmmakers — now it wants to beat Google at AI](https://missmacknog.com/runway-started-by-helping-filmmakers-now-it-wants-to-beat-google-at-ai/): AI video-generation startup Runway is betting that video generation is the path to world models. And that being an AI outsider is an advantage, not a liability. - [Even GoPro is pivoting to defense](https://missmacknog.com/even-gopro-is-pivoting-to-defense/): The action camera maker, like so many other companies these days, is looking to defense applications as it evaluates a possible sale. - [Meridian Ventures launched a $35M fund with a focus on MBA-deferred founders](https://missmacknog.com/meridian-ventures-launched-a-35m-fund-with-a-focus-on-mba-deferred-founders/): This new fund will back founders building enterprise technology in the United States. Meridian is agnostic, co-founder Devon Gethers said, noting that the firm has already invested in companies in fintech, logistics, healthcare, and of course, AI. - [Osaurus brings both local and cloud AI models to your Mac](https://missmacknog.com/osaurus-brings-both-local-and-cloud-ai-models-to-your-mac/): Osaurus combines local and cloud AI models in a Mac app that keeps users’ memory, files, and tools on their own hardware. - [Indian Uber rival Rapido raises $240M at $3B valuation](https://missmacknog.com/indian-uber-rival-rapido-raises-240m-at-3b-valuation/): Rapido has driven its growth by enabling ride-hailing for lower-cost and more flexible modes of transport such as motorbikes and auto-rickshaws. - [OpenAI says Codex is coming to your phone](https://missmacknog.com/openai-says-codex-is-coming-to-your-phone/): The update gives users enhanced flexibility over how they can manage their workflows. - [Lovable just backed a company that’s looking to bring vibe coding to hardware](https://missmacknog.com/lovable-just-backed-a-company-thats-looking-to-bring-vibe-coding-to-hardware/): Hardware company Atech raised $800,000 in pre-seed funding, including from a16z’s scout fund, Sequoia Scout Fund, and Nordic Makers.  - [Cerebras IPO makes billions for Benchmark but VC Eric Vishria almost didn’t take the meeting](https://missmacknog.com/cerebras-ipo-makes-billions-for-benchmark-but-vc-eric-vishria-almost-didnt-take-the-meeting/): Benchmark almost never backs hardware startups. 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Deadline to apply is May 27. Apply now. - [Wirestock raises $23M to supply creative multimodal data to AI labs](https://missmacknog.com/wirestock-raises-23m-to-supply-creative-multimodal-data-to-ai-labs/): The company pivoted to being a data provider in 2023 and now supplies datasets of images, videos, design assets, and gaming and 3D content to AI labs. - [Uber to open 2 campuses in India to support product development, operations](https://missmacknog.com/uber-to-open-2-campuses-in-india-to-support-product-development-operations/): The expansion comes as Uber seeks new growth areas beyond ride-hailing and invests more heavily in AI, automation, and autonomous vehicle technologies. - [We're going to be watching the Legend of Zelda movie sooner than expected](https://missmacknog.com/were-going-to-be-watching-the-legend-of-zelda-movie-sooner-than-expected/): The Legend of Zelda is now landing in theaters on April 30. - [Motorola Razr Fold review: A worthy rival to Google and Samsung](https://missmacknog.com/motorola-razr-fold-review-a-worthy-rival-to-google-and-samsung/): It even has native stylus support, which Samsung dropped on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. - [Alienware's first affordable gaming laptop is arriving at the perfect time](https://missmacknog.com/alienwares-first-affordable-gaming-laptop-is-arriving-at-the-perfect-time/): The entry-level Alienware 15 starts at $1,299 with an AMD CPU or $1,349 for an Intel config. - [Dell's new 14S and 16S are the replacement for its old Plus models](https://missmacknog.com/dells-new-14s-and-16s-are-the-replacement-for-its-old-plus-models/): The new models are now available, with prices starting at $1,270. - [Apple backs Google after EU orders Android be opened up to AI rivals](https://missmacknog.com/apple-backs-google-after-eu-orders-android-be-opened-up-to-ai-rivals/): The company agrees with Google that it would put European users' privacy and safety at risk. - [Who decides what AI tells you? Campbell Brown, once Meta’s news chief, has thoughts](https://missmacknog.com/who-decides-what-ai-tells-you-campbell-brown-once-metas-news-chief-has-thoughts/): "The conversation is sort of happening in Silicon Valley around one thing, and a totally different conversation is happening among consumers," Campbell Brown said at StrictlyVC. - [Microsoft is retiring Copilot Mode on Edge, because everything is Copilot Mode now](https://missmacknog.com/microsoft-is-retiring-copilot-mode-on-edge-because-everything-is-copilot-mode-now/): Copilot features are now available on Edge for mobile. - [KitchenAid launches its first smart thermometer](https://missmacknog.com/kitchenaid-launches-its-first-smart-thermometer/): There are single and dual probe models available. - [Netflix's ad tier now has a whopping 250 million monthly users](https://missmacknog.com/netflixs-ad-tier-now-has-a-whopping-250-million-monthly-users/): Advertising has become big business for the streamer. - [Apple may open up the App Store to agentic AI](https://missmacknog.com/apple-may-open-up-the-app-store-to-agentic-ai/): But doing so could threaten its bottom line. - [US lawmakers demand answers from Instructure after Canvas data breaches](https://missmacknog.com/us-lawmakers-demand-answers-from-instructure-after-canvas-data-breaches/): U.S. House lawmakers want to know how hackers broke into education tech giant Instructure twice and stole reams of data from students who use the company's flagship student data software Canvas. - [WhatsApp users can soon have private conversations with Meta AI](https://missmacknog.com/whatsapp-users-can-soon-have-private-conversations-with-meta-ai/): No one other than you will be able to read messages exchanged via Incognito Chat with Meta AI. - [Sony's A7R VI blends speed with a 67MP stacked sensor](https://missmacknog.com/sonys-a7r-vi-blends-speed-with-a-67mp-stacked-sensor/): It can now shoot at a stellar 30 fps with no blackout and capture 8K 30p video. - [Introducing the 6 stages at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 — built for today’s tougher startup market](https://missmacknog.com/introducing-the-6-stages-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-built-for-todays-tougher-startup-market/): From October 13-15, TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will feature 200+ sessions across six stages, led by 250+ tech leaders shaping the industry today. Register now to save up to $410, plus 50% off a second pass. - [Anthropic now has more business customers than OpenAI, according to Ramp data](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-now-has-more-business-customers-than-openai-according-to-ramp-data/): A survey compiled from fintech firm Ramp’s clients’ expense data shows 34.4% of participating businesses are paying for Anthropic services, more than any other AI lab, while only 32.3% pay for OpenAI. - [Canon's full-frame R6 V vlogging camera shoots up to 7K RAW video](https://missmacknog.com/canons-full-frame-r6-v-vlogging-camera-shoots-up-to-7k-raw-video/): It comes with a flip-out display and in-body stabilization, but no stacked sensor or electronic viewfinder. - [Amazon made a version of Alexa just for shopping](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-made-a-version-of-alexa-just-for-shopping/): Alexa for Shopping is an 'agentic AI assistant' for Amazon purchases - [You can now visit Amazon.com on big-screen Echo Show displays](https://missmacknog.com/you-can-now-visit-amazon-com-on-big-screen-echo-show-displays/): The full Amazon experience is available on Echo Show 15 and 21. - [Sony's Xperia 1 VIII has bigger camera sensors and a new look](https://missmacknog.com/sonys-xperia-1-viii-has-bigger-camera-sensors-and-a-new-look/): Once again, Sony doesn't have plans to release it in the US. - [Family sues OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT advice led to accidental overdose](https://missmacknog.com/family-sues-openai-alleging-chatgpt-advice-led-to-accidental-overdose/): The complaint says ChatGPT started giving Sam Nelson advice about drug use with the launch of GPT-4o. - [Indigo brings the open social web to one app](https://missmacknog.com/indigo-brings-the-open-social-web-to-one-app/): Indigo's new social app lets you cross-post to the open social web, including Mastodon and Bluesky, and browse a unified timeline. - [US bank discloses security lapse after sharing customer data with AI app](https://missmacknog.com/us-bank-discloses-security-lapse-after-sharing-customer-data-with-ai-app/): Community Bank, which operates in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, disclosed a cybersecurity incident that exposed customers’ names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. - [Threads tests a Meta AI integration that works similarly to Grok](https://missmacknog.com/threads-tests-a-meta-ai-integration-that-works-similarly-to-grok/): The feature is designed to help people get real-time context about trends and breaking stories, as well as receive recommendations, all within conversations. - [Exaforce raises $125M Series B to build AI for catching and stopping cyberattacks as they happen](https://missmacknog.com/exaforce-raises-125m-series-b-to-build-ai-for-catching-and-stopping-cyberattacks-as-they-happen/): As bad actors weaponize AI to exploit software vulnerabilities at unprecedented speed, companies are increasingly recognizing the need to bolster their cybersecurity defenses. The round valued the three-year-old startup at $725 million. - [Waymo issues recall to deal with a flooding problem](https://missmacknog.com/waymo-issues-recall-to-deal-with-a-flooding-problem/): Waymo has issued a software recall that makes its robotaxis more cautious around flooded areas. A "final remedy" is in the works. - [Amazon rolls out its new 30-minute delivery option in a number of cities across the US](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-rolls-out-its-new-30-minute-delivery-option-in-a-number-of-cities-across-the-us/): Amazon Now is coming to "dozens" of locations in 2026. - [Hey @meta.ai is that true? Threads is testing a Grok-like AI feature](https://missmacknog.com/hey-meta-ai-is-that-true-threads-is-testing-a-grok-like-ai-feature/): What could go wrong? - [TikTok adds in-app travel booking services](https://missmacknog.com/tiktok-adds-in-app-travel-booking-services/): Your next impulse vacation is just a few taps away. - [Sega cancels its 'Super Game' plan](https://missmacknog.com/sega-cancels-its-super-game-plan/): The company will focus instead on classic reboots and movies. - [Spotify is celebrating its 20th birthday with a Wrapped-like feature that covers your entire time on the app](https://missmacknog.com/spotify-is-celebrating-its-20th-birthday-with-a-wrapped-like-feature-that-covers-your-entire-time-on-the-app/): This will display joining date, first song streamed and more. - [Liquid Glass tweaks are reportedly coming in the next macOS](https://missmacknog.com/liquid-glass-tweaks-are-reportedly-coming-in-the-next-macos/): The changes are meant to improve legibility issues with lists and text-heavy areas. - [A new Subnautica 2 gameplay trailer just dropped ahead of its Early Access release](https://missmacknog.com/a-new-subnautica-2-gameplay-trailer-just-dropped-ahead-of-its-early-access-release/): Subnautica 2 will be available in Early Access on May 14. - [TechCrunch Mobility: Lime’s IPO gamble](https://missmacknog.com/techcrunch-mobility-limes-ipo-gamble/): Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for the future of transportation and now, more than ever, how AI is playing a part.   - [We’re feeling cynical about xAI’s big deal with Anthropic](https://missmacknog.com/were-feeling-cynical-about-xais-big-deal-with-anthropic/): On the latest episode of the Equity podcast, we discussed what xAI's deal with Anthropic might mean for parent company SpaceX. - [The hottest place for startups to strike a deal? The F1 paddock](https://missmacknog.com/the-hottest-place-for-startups-to-strike-a-deal-the-f1-paddock/): F1 Grands Prix have emerged as a new place to see and be seen if you are a founder or investor. - [Porsche shutters e-bike, battery, software subsidiaries as part of company overhaul](https://missmacknog.com/porsche-shutters-e-bike-battery-software-subsidiaries-as-part-of-company-overhaul/): More than 500 people will be affected by the closures. “We must refocus on our core business,” Porsche CEO and executive chair Michael Leiters said in a statement. "This is the indispensable foundation for a successful strategic realignment. This forces us to make painful cuts — including our subsidiaries." - [Mother Ventures is looking at moms as the ‘economic engine’](https://missmacknog.com/mother-ventures-is-looking-at-moms-as-the-economic-engine/): The VC firm, which focuses on mothers as consumers, raised a $10 million debut fund. - [InMusic will acquire Native Instruments, putting it under the same umbrella as Akai](https://missmacknog.com/inmusic-will-acquire-native-instruments-putting-it-under-the-same-umbrella-as-akai/): The company also owns Moog and M-Audio, so this creates an industry juggernaut. - [Shoot up Xenomorphs in Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2, arriving this summer](https://missmacknog.com/shoot-up-xenomorphs-in-aliens-fireteam-elite-2-arriving-this-summer/): The sequel expands the player count to four and adds new classes. - [Uber partner Avride is under investigation for self-driving crashes](https://missmacknog.com/uber-partner-avride-is-under-investigation-for-self-driving-crashes/): The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into Avride after identifying more than a dozen crashes and one minor injury. - [Sony and Bandai get into bed with generative AI](https://missmacknog.com/sony-and-bandai-get-into-bed-with-generative-ai/): The company also outlined AI's role in the future of PlayStation. - [Truecaller slashes 70 jobs amid declining ad sales](https://missmacknog.com/truecaller-slashes-70-jobs-amid-declining-ad-sales/): Truecaller's ad revenue declined by 44%, leading to the layoffs. - [Live only at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Why most founders are already behind on raising a Series A in 2027](https://missmacknog.com/live-only-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-why-most-founders-are-already-behind-on-raising-a-series-a-in-2027/): Learn what it takes to build a Series A in 2027 from top VCs at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, taking place at San Francisco’s Moscone West on October 13-15. Register today to hear this session live on the Builders Stage. - [Boox announces Tappy, a wireless page-turning remote](https://missmacknog.com/boox-announces-tappy-a-wireless-page-turning-remote/): Tappy can work with other Bluetooth devices, too. - [Last 24 hours to get 50% off a second pass to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026](https://missmacknog.com/last-24-hours-to-get-50-off-a-second-pass-to-techcrunch-disrupt-2026/): Last day to buy one pass and get a second one at 50% off to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Bring a partner, co-founder, or colleague at half off. Register now. - [Nintendo is raising Switch 2 prices as chip crisis bites](https://missmacknog.com/nintendo-is-raising-switch-2-prices-as-chip-crisis-bites/): It sold 19.86 million Switch 2s last year but forecasts a drop in sales next year. - [Instructure hackers claim they stole data from nearly 9,000 schools](https://missmacknog.com/instructure-hackers-claim-they-stole-data-from-nearly-9000-schools/): They also locked students out of Canvas and warned the company to negotiate with them by May 12. - [The fax machine is the bottleneck in US healthcare, and VCs are starting to notice](https://missmacknog.com/the-fax-machine-is-the-bottleneck-in-us-healthcare-and-vcs-are-starting-to-notice/): Like many AI companies automating work that humans currently do, Basata will eventually face a harder question about where the line is between augmenting workers and displacing them. For now, the founders say the administrative staff they work with aren't worried about that; they're more worried about drowning. - [Ramp in talks to hit $40B+ valuation, 6 months after reaching $32B](https://missmacknog.com/ramp-in-talks-to-hit-40b-valuation-6-months-after-reaching-32b/): The company is reportedly in talks to raise another $750 million at a pre-money valuation of more than $40 billion. It last raised in November at $32 billion. - [OpenAI launches new voice intelligence features in its API](https://missmacknog.com/openai-launches-new-voice-intelligence-features-in-its-api/): The new features could be handy for customer service systems, but OpenAI says they have applications that work across a variety of other fields, including education and creator platforms. - [Meta's AI agent plans reportedly include an OpenClaw competitor that can shop on Instagram](https://missmacknog.com/metas-ai-agent-plans-reportedly-include-an-openclaw-competitor-that-can-shop-on-instagram/): Mark Zuckerberg has said he wants to make AI agents more accessible. - [The Lexus TZ is a quieter, upscale take on the Highlander EV](https://missmacknog.com/the-lexus-tz-is-a-quieter-upscale-take-on-the-highlander-ev/): It's also the company's first fully-electric three-row SUV. - [I'm already dreading Apple's camera-equipped AirPods](https://missmacknog.com/im-already-dreading-apples-camera-equipped-airpods/): Must everything be part of the panopticon? - [Perplexity opens up its Personal Computer AI assistant to all Mac users](https://missmacknog.com/perplexity-opens-up-its-personal-computer-ai-assistant-to-all-mac-users/): It's no longer locked behind a Max subscription.  - [Amazon Luna's May lineup includes Guardians of the Galaxy and the Resident Evil 2 remake](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-lunas-may-lineup-includes-guardians-of-the-galaxy-and-the-resident-evil-2-remake/): Prime members can also claim a code for Mafia II: Definitive Edition. - [Qualcomm reveals two new affordable phone chips with Smooth Motion UI tech](https://missmacknog.com/qualcomm-reveals-two-new-affordable-phone-chips-with-smooth-motion-ui-tech/): The Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 promises next-gen AI camera features while the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 offers a big boost in GPU performance. - [Angry Birds and FIFA International Soccer join the World Video Game Hall of Fame](https://missmacknog.com/angry-birds-and-fifa-international-soccer-join-the-world-video-game-hall-of-fame/): Silent Hill and Dragon Quest round out the class of 2026. - [Spotify's AI-powered personal DJ expands to more languages and countries](https://missmacknog.com/spotifys-ai-powered-personal-dj-expands-to-more-languages-and-countries/): Premium users in more than 75 markets will now have access to it. - [The survival horror game Hollowbody launches for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on June 5](https://missmacknog.com/the-survival-horror-game-hollowbody-launches-for-ps5-and-xbox-series-x-s-on-june-5/): The well-received title was developed by a single person. - [Google is turning the Fitbit app into a unified portal for your health and fitness data](https://missmacknog.com/google-is-turning-the-fitbit-app-into-a-unified-portal-for-your-health-and-fitness-data/): The new Health app is rolling out on May 19. - [DJI's Osmo Mobile 8P gimbal has a detachable screen remote](https://missmacknog.com/djis-osmo-mobile-8p-gimbal-has-a-detachable-screen-remote/): It makes it easier to record yourself from afar with the higher-quality rear cameras. - [RGG's Stranger Than Heaven game arrives this winter](https://missmacknog.com/rggs-stranger-than-heaven-game-arrives-this-winter/): The game, from the creators of Yakuza, will focus on the founder of the Tojo clan. - [Samsung says its Galaxy Watch can predict fainting with 'high accuracy'](https://missmacknog.com/samsung-says-its-galaxy-watch-can-predict-fainting-with-high-accuracy/): The feature would allow users to get into a safe position or call for help. - [A Star Fox remake is heading to Switch 2 on June 25](https://missmacknog.com/a-star-fox-remake-is-heading-to-switch-2-on-june-25/): The reimagining of the N64 game offers a more cinematic take. - [Energizer releases coin lithium batteries that won't cause burning if accidentally swallowed](https://missmacknog.com/energizer-releases-coin-lithium-batteries-that-wont-cause-burning-if-accidentally-swallowed/): The Ultimate Child Shield batteries also turn the victim's mouth blue. - [Apple will pay $250 million for failing to deliver its AI-powered Siri on time](https://missmacknog.com/apple-will-pay-250-million-for-failing-to-deliver-its-ai-powered-siri-on-time/): The proposed settlement is the result of a class action lawsuit filed in California. - [Anthropic reportedly agrees to pay Google $200 billion for chips and cloud access](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-reportedly-agrees-to-pay-google-200-billion-for-chips-and-cloud-access/): This five-year deal is one of many circular agreements keeping the AI sector afloat. - [Xbox is ditching Microsoft's Copilot AI](https://missmacknog.com/xbox-is-ditching-microsofts-copilot-ai/): The AI assistant is no longer coming to consoles and will be removed from the Xbox mobile app. - [Remakes of Myst and Riven are coming to PlayStation, Xbox and the Microsoft Store](https://missmacknog.com/remakes-of-myst-and-riven-are-coming-to-playstation-xbox-and-the-microsoft-store/): Both remakes were already released on Steam and the macOS App Store. - [Irish regulators are investigating whether Meta is using 'dark patterns' to steer people away from non-algorithmic feeds](https://missmacknog.com/irish-regulators-are-investigating-whether-meta-is-using-dark-patterns-to-steer-people-away-from-non-algorithmic-feeds/): European law requires large platforms to offer alternative feeds. - [Apple Intelligence will reportedly let you choose third-party AI models in iOS 27](https://missmacknog.com/apple-intelligence-will-reportedly-let-you-choose-third-party-ai-models-in-ios-27/): iPads and Macs are also expected to embrace external options for generative AI. - [Pennsylvania is suing Character.AI over chatbots that pretend to be licensed doctors](https://missmacknog.com/pennsylvania-is-suing-character-ai-over-chatbots-that-pretend-to-be-licensed-doctors/): State investigators found a chatbot that claimed it had a medical license and could write prescriptions. - [The next Call of Duty is not coming to PS4 (or presumably Xbox One)](https://missmacknog.com/the-next-call-of-duty-is-not-coming-to-ps4-or-presumably-xbox-one/): Activision Blizzard seems to be focusing on next-gen platforms. - [WhatsApp is testing read-once disappearing messages](https://missmacknog.com/whatsapp-is-testing-read-once-disappearing-messages/): WhatsApp is finally catching up to rivals with disappearing messages. - [KPop Demon Hunters gets its first Lego set](https://missmacknog.com/kpop-demon-hunters-gets-its-first-lego-set/): Lego's gonna show us all how it's done done done. - [FIFA wants Jamal Musiala to forget about Dre (during the World Cup)](https://missmacknog.com/fifa-wants-jamal-musiala-to-forget-about-dre-during-the-world-cup/): FIFA, which has strict policies around advertising, reportedly had the Bayern player tape over the Beats logo of his headphones. - [Robinhood’s note on 10% layoffs shows blaming AI isn’t cutting it](https://missmacknog.com/robinhoods-note-on-10-layoffs-shows-blaming-ai-isnt-cutting-it/): Unlike many of his tech industry peers who have cut thousands of jobs citing the need to restructure to make the most of AI, Robinhood's CEO Vlad Tenev conspicuously made no mention of AI in his note about layoffs. - [Probably raises $9M to build a more reliable kind of AI](https://missmacknog.com/probably-raises-9m-to-build-a-more-reliable-kind-of-ai/): Probably wants to prevent hallucinations and factual errors from reaching users, and achieve accuracy on par with deterministic systems. - [This startup’s super metals could soon be in military drones, luxury watches, and chef’s knives](https://missmacknog.com/this-startups-super-metals-could-soon-be-in-military-drones-luxury-watches-and-chefs-knives/): Instead of heating metals, Foundation Alloy beats them into submission. The startup has raised $22 million to scale up production of its alloys. - [SpaceX to acquire Cursor for $60B in stock, days after blockbuster IPO](https://missmacknog.com/spacex-to-acquire-cursor-for-60b-in-stock-days-after-blockbuster-ipo/): The deal is supposed to help SpaceX's struggling AI division. The company told IPO investors it sees a $26 trillion addressable market in AI. - [Threads adds new personalization and community features as it reaches 500M monthly users](https://missmacknog.com/threads-adds-new-personalization-and-community-features-as-it-reaches-500m-monthly-users/): The Meta-owned social platform announced a series of new features launching today, including a "Your Algo" tool that lets users control what they see in their feeds. - [A rare sticker-sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. just sold for $3 million](https://missmacknog.com/a-rare-sticker-sealed-copy-of-super-mario-bros-just-sold-for-3-million/): Mamma mia! - [Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month, but here's how to pay less](https://missmacknog.com/kindle-unlimited-costs-11-99-per-month-but-heres-how-to-pay-less/): Here are some ways you can get a Kindle Unlimited membership at a discounted price. - [Apple reportedly has three more iOS 27 features coming in the fall](https://missmacknog.com/apple-reportedly-has-three-more-ios-27-features-coming-in-the-fall/): Apple is still holding some of its iOS 27 cards close to its chest. - [As AI companies race to go public, who else is along for the ride?](https://missmacknog.com/as-ai-companies-race-to-go-public-who-else-is-along-for-the-ride/): Startups are trying to "ride that SpaceX IPO wave." - [TechCrunch Mobility: SpaceX rockets past Tesla](https://missmacknog.com/techcrunch-mobility-spacex-rockets-past-tesla/): Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for the future of transportation and now, more than ever, how AI is playing a part. - [DoJ approves Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. deal, cementing Ellison family control of American media](https://missmacknog.com/doj-approves-paramount-skydance-warner-bros-deal-cementing-ellison-family-control-of-american-media/): The deal has sparked fear over the future of the film, television and news industries. - [SpaceX IPO: Live updates on everything you need to know](https://missmacknog.com/spacex-ipo-live-updates-on-everything-you-need-to-know/): TechCrunch has followed SpaceX's start, struggles, and successes from the early days. And we're here for what happens next too. This package of SpaceX IPO coverage includes who stands to win (and maybe some who won't), pre-IPO deals, and what's tucked inside its S-1 registration document. - [Meta’s months-old AI unit is a soul-crushing gulag, say the engineers stuck inside it](https://missmacknog.com/metas-months-old-ai-unit-is-a-soul-crushing-gulag-say-the-engineers-stuck-inside-it/): A new report suggests the unit, which employs 6,500 people, is on the verge of revolt. - [Chinese cybercrime operation that used AI to scam ‘hundreds of thousands of victims’ sued by Google](https://missmacknog.com/chinese-cybercrime-operation-that-used-ai-to-scam-hundreds-of-thousands-of-victims-sued-by-google/): The tech giant said a group called "Outsider Enterprise" used AI to scam hundreds of thousands of victims, sending 2.5 million text messages over a span of two weeks. - [SpaceX IPO closes up 19% and delivers the world’s first trillionaire](https://missmacknog.com/spacex-ipo-closes-up-19-and-delivers-the-worlds-first-trillionaire/): The company made its heavily anticipated debut on Friday, trading higher than its initial $135 IPO price. - [Engadget Podcast: Making sense of SpaceX's messy IPO (and its messier CEO)](https://missmacknog.com/engadget-podcast-making-sense-of-spacexs-messy-ipo-and-its-messier-ceo/): The finance world is excited for SpaceX's IPO, but how can you square that with Elon Musk's ongoing racism? - [Gemini can now adjust your picture settings on Google TV](https://missmacknog.com/gemini-can-now-adjust-your-picture-settings-on-google-tv/): Gemini can - at least on some TCL models - adjust your TV's picture settings. - [US surveillance law to expire for first time after lawmakers reject Trump’s controversial pick to lead spy agencies](https://missmacknog.com/us-surveillance-law-to-expire-for-first-time-after-lawmakers-reject-trumps-controversial-pick-to-lead-spy-agencies/): The spy law known as Section 702, which authorizes the NSA and FBI's warrantless surveillance, will all but certainly expire on Friday for the first time. - [The Morning After: Apple's quest to make AI useful to its users](https://missmacknog.com/the-morning-after-apples-quest-to-make-ai-useful-to-its-users/): Apple's WWDC saw the company look to tidy up its existing work and make AI useful rather than throw a thousand eye-catching features at users. - [Cheaper, faster, and culturally aware, Avataar’s video AI is built for India’s scale](https://missmacknog.com/cheaper-faster-and-culturally-aware-avataars-video-ai-is-built-for-indias-scale/): Avataar AI's distilled video model is priced at $0.005 for every second of generation. - [SpaceX SPV investors won’t know their true holdings until post-IPO lock-ups lift](https://missmacknog.com/spacex-spv-investors-wont-know-their-true-holdings-until-post-ipo-lock-ups-lift/): After SpaceX makes its public debut, lower-tier SPV investors face hidden fees, lengthy payout delays, and the risk of outright fraud. - [Bluesky launches group chats, as company shifts focus to community features](https://missmacknog.com/bluesky-launches-group-chats-as-company-shifts-focus-to-community-features/): Bluesky's latest feature is group chats, arriving amid a shift in focus on building features for smaller communities. - [Another parent has filed a wrongful death suit against OpenAI](https://missmacknog.com/another-parent-has-filed-a-wrongful-death-suit-against-openai/): Yet another parent is suing OpenAI, claiming its chatbot did not do enough to prevent their child's death by suicide. - [Boox's new Go 6 ereader offers stylus support for note-taking](https://missmacknog.com/booxs-new-go-6-ereader-offers-stylus-support-for-note-taking/): Boox's new Go 6 ereader offers stylus support for note-taking. - [Waymo's monthly membership seems like a bad deal](https://missmacknog.com/waymos-monthly-membership-seems-like-a-bad-deal/): Waymo will happily relieve you of $30 a month in exchange for not a whole lot. - [Former Fitbit executive unveils new necklace that tracks UV exposure](https://missmacknog.com/former-fitbit-executive-unveils-new-necklace-that-tracks-uv-exposure/): The Gem necklace can track your UV exposure. - [Engadget's favorite Game Boy Advance games](https://missmacknog.com/engadgets-favorite-game-boy-advance-games/): Join us for a trip down memory lane on the 25th anniversary of the GBA's US release. - [Anthropic taps TCS to scale its enterprise AI deployments](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-taps-tcs-to-scale-its-enterprise-ai-deployments/): The partnership will see TCS creating a business unit focused on deploying Anthropic's AI models to its customers. - [Bluesky will launch Reddit-style communities this year](https://missmacknog.com/bluesky-will-launch-reddit-style-communities-this-year/): Bluesky is launching a communities feature this year, according to its head of product. - [Deezer now helps users find AI music on other streaming platforms](https://missmacknog.com/deezer-now-helps-users-find-ai-music-on-other-streaming-platforms/): Deezer will now help you find AI slop in your music playlists even if you're on another platform. - [Honor Magic V6 review: A mechanical marvel](https://missmacknog.com/honor-magic-v6-review-a-mechanical-marvel/): There's a lot of impressive engineering inside Honor's Magic V6, but it's let down by software that desperately needs polish. - [Datadog veterans launch AI coding startup Niteshift on a bet against Big AI lock-in](https://missmacknog.com/datadog-veterans-launch-ai-coding-startup-niteshift-on-a-bet-against-big-ai-lock-in/): AI coding agent startup Niteshift has raised a $7 million seed round from a who's who of angels. It's betting companies will want power over, not lock-in with model makers. - [The three hard-tech moonshots fueling SpaceX’s unbelievable IPO](https://missmacknog.com/the-three-hard-tech-moonshots-fueling-spacexs-unbelievable-ipo/): Most of the value in SpaceX's IPO is effectively a call option on the company's ambitious space data center plans. - [Pinterest bets on creators with Amazon Storefront integration](https://missmacknog.com/pinterest-bets-on-creators-with-amazon-storefront-integration/): Pinterest is adding support for Amazon Storefronts, allowing creators to earn affiliate commissions more easily while showcasing their product recommendations in one place. - [Warner Music acquires AI attribution startup Sureel AI](https://missmacknog.com/warner-music-acquires-ai-attribution-startup-sureel-ai/): Through the acquisition, WMG aims to better track when its artists' work is used in AI-generated content or for training AI models. - [Razer announces the Seiren V3 Pro, its first XLR mic](https://missmacknog.com/razer-announces-the-seiren-v3-pro-its-first-xlr-mic/): A podcast and streaming ready microphone for all skill levels, and yes, it has RGB. - [Apple brings streaming-style subscription bundles to the App Store ](https://missmacknog.com/apple-brings-streaming-style-subscription-bundles-to-the-app-store/): Apple is expanding its App Bundles feature to allow developers to partner with one another on discounted subscription packages. - [Pokémon Pokopia is getting underwater mechanics and a bunch of paid DLC](https://missmacknog.com/pokemon-pokopia-is-getting-underwater-mechanics-and-a-bunch-of-paid-dlc/): A free Pokémon Pokopia update arrives in August. - [Apple’s App Store rolls out personalized recommendations](https://missmacknog.com/apples-app-store-rolls-out-personalized-recommendations/): Apple will now recommend apps based on your downloads and behavior. - [Sandstone raises $30M to bring AI to in-house legal teams](https://missmacknog.com/sandstone-raises-30m-to-bring-ai-to-in-house-legal-teams/): Sandstone's Series A comes just six months after a Sequoia-led seed round. - [Apple is fixing the headache of splitting the bill with its new Siri in Camera feature](https://missmacknog.com/apple-is-fixing-the-headache-of-splitting-the-bill-with-its-new-siri-in-camera-feature/): "If you're grabbing a bite with friends and point your iPhone at the bill, then [you can] select what you ordered to split the tab with Apple Cash," said Apple VP of Software Sebastien Marineau-Mes. - [Apple Intelligence is coming to the Shortcuts app](https://missmacknog.com/apple-intelligence-is-coming-to-the-shortcuts-app/): Home and Shortcuts are not immune to Apple's AI upgrades. - [Apple puts parents back in control of kids’ iPhone use](https://missmacknog.com/apple-puts-parents-back-in-control-of-kids-iphone-use/): Apple is putting control back into the hands of parents with more granular screen time features. - [Apple is adding Apple Intelligence across its default apps](https://missmacknog.com/apple-is-adding-apple-intelligence-across-its-default-apps/): Apple Intelligence will soon be able to watch browser tabs and update passwords. - [Siri is getting an all new app experience later this year](https://missmacknog.com/siri-is-getting-an-all-new-app-experience-later-this-year/): Siri will soon be able to provide something like to the standard chatbot experience. - [GM’s electric future depends on a new battery — and this facility](https://missmacknog.com/gms-electric-future-depends-on-a-new-battery-and-this-facility/): GM wants to slash EV prices by deploying new battery tech up to a year earlier than planned. This building is key to making that happen. - [As VC-backed e-bike startups went bankrupt, bootstrapped Lectric grew](https://missmacknog.com/as-vc-backed-e-bike-startups-went-bankrupt-bootstrapped-lectric-grew/): Lectric, which says the U.S. market is ripe for competition and choice, has launched three new brands in the past six months. - [The most interesting startups right now want to get you off your phone](https://missmacknog.com/the-most-interesting-startups-right-now-want-to-get-you-off-your-phone/): While the AI fundraising machine keeps breaking its own records, some founders are building in the other direction.  Mirror founder Brynn Putnam just raised money for Board, a startup focused on bringing people together through in-person games and social experiences. Cyberdeck creators are going viral crafting whimsical DIY computers that literally encourage users to touch grass. Unlike the AI-free browser crowd, this doesn’t just feel like backlash, - [Supabase doubles valuation to $10B in 8 months](https://missmacknog.com/supabase-doubles-valuation-to-10b-in-8-months/): Supabase, an example of an open source project becoming a fast-growing company, has greatly benefited from AI tools like Claude, Codex, and other vibe-coding platforms. - [Google and FBI warn of ransomware group that sends fake IT workers to hack victims in person](https://missmacknog.com/google-and-fbi-warn-of-ransomware-group-that-sends-fake-it-workers-to-hack-victims-in-person/): Cybercriminals, part of a gang known as Silent Ransom Group, have sent people pretending to be IT support employees to law firms' offices, where the criminals have stolen data using USB drives or remote access tools. - [The token bill comes due: Inside the industry scramble to manage AI’s runaway costs](https://missmacknog.com/the-token-bill-comes-due-inside-the-industry-scramble-to-manage-ais-runaway-costs/): "The whole conversation shifted from tokenmaxxing and 'go fast' to 'we need guardrails, how do we control this?'" - [NASA briefly sheltered space station astronauts in SpaceX’s Dragon due to leaks](https://missmacknog.com/nasa-briefly-sheltered-space-station-astronauts-in-spacexs-dragon-due-to-leaks/): The space agency said Roscosmos discovered new leaks in the Russian service module. - [NSA said to be readying Anthropic’s Mythos for use in cyber operations](https://missmacknog.com/nsa-said-to-be-readying-anthropics-mythos-for-use-in-cyber-operations/): The U.S. eavesdropping agency is reportedly preparing Anthropic's Mythos for use in cyberattacks, despite a federal ban on using the AI model maker. - [AirTrunk commits $30B to build 5GW of AI data centers in India](https://missmacknog.com/airtrunk-commits-30b-to-build-5gw-of-ai-data-centers-in-india/): The Australian data center operator plans to set up 5GW of capacity in India. - [Mira Murati steps back into the spotlight, carefully](https://missmacknog.com/mira-murati-steps-back-into-the-spotlight-carefully/): In the current environment, remaining heads down has diminishing returns; at some point, you have to make some noise just to remind the market you exist. - [Founders Fund launches game show starring Sam Altman, Palmer Luckey, and other tech elites](https://missmacknog.com/founders-fund-launches-game-show-starring-sam-altman-palmer-luckey-and-other-tech-elites/): The debut episode, moderated by Founders Fund chief marketing officer Mike Solana, included a star-studded cast of current tech luminaries. - [Ahead of its IPO, Anthropic’s Daniela Amodei shrugs off doubts about AI’s returns](https://missmacknog.com/ahead-of-its-ipo-anthropics-daniela-amodei-shrugs-off-doubts-about-ais-returns/): Anthropic has been growing at a breakneck pace. The company announced that annualized revenue crossed $47 billion in May, up dramatically from roughly $9 billion at the end of 2025. That trajectory faces a real test, though. - [Airbnb’s Brian Chesky plans to launch a new AI lab](https://missmacknog.com/airbnbs-brian-chesky-plans-to-launch-a-new-ai-lab/): The Airbnb CEO said last year it hasn't struck an LLM partnership because existing products weren't quite ready. - [Filtr is a new privacy tool that blocks ads in almost every iPhone and Mac app](https://missmacknog.com/filtr-is-a-new-privacy-tool-that-blocks-ads-in-almost-every-iphone-and-mac-app/): This popular ad blocker app for iPhones, iPads, and Macs can now block ads from loading inside apps, including web browsers, thanks to a new feature in the latest Apple software. - [Defense tech, AI, and fundraising take center stage at StrictlyVC Los Angeles on June 18](https://missmacknog.com/defense-tech-ai-and-fundraising-take-center-stage-at-strictlyvc-los-angeles-on-june-18/): On Thursday, June 18, at The Aerospace Corporation Campus, investors, founders, and tech leaders will gather for an evening of conversation exploring some of the most consequential shifts taking place across venture capital, defense technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced industry. Secure your spot today. - [How to watch Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote](https://missmacknog.com/how-to-watch-apples-wwdc-2026-keynote/): Apple CEO Tim Cook will take part in his last WWDC presentation on June 8. - [How to watch the Summer Game Fest showcase](https://missmacknog.com/how-to-watch-the-summer-game-fest-showcase/): Summer Game Fest's main showcase is streaming live on June 5 at 2PM PT. - [NASA's Mars MAVEN probe is dead](https://missmacknog.com/nasas-mars-maven-probe-is-dead/): NASA has declared that the MAVEN mission has ended after losing contact with its probe six months ago. - [Samsung's updated Health app unsurprisingly comes with new AI-powered features](https://missmacknog.com/samsungs-updated-health-app-unsurprisingly-comes-with-new-ai-powered-features/): Samsung will roll out an update for its Health app before launching its new Galaxy Watches. - [Even Meta's Oversight Board thinks its rules for banning accounts are baffling](https://missmacknog.com/even-metas-oversight-board-thinks-its-rules-for-banning-accounts-are-baffling/): The group has "due process concerns" over how the company handles account bans. - [The worst hacks and breaches of 2026 (so far)](https://missmacknog.com/the-worst-hacks-and-breaches-of-2026-so-far/): From a massive DOGE data breach and the hacking of critical energy and water systems to the hack of an FBI surveillance system, here are the most damaging security incidents and data breaches of 2026. - [Meet Wander, a StumbleUpon-inspired tool for discovering the ‘small web’](https://missmacknog.com/meet-wander-a-stumbleupon-inspired-tool-for-discovering-the-small-web/): This open source community project lets you create a StumbleUpon-like experience for recommending your favorite sites. - [WiiM's first soundbar has a touchscreen display and Dolby Atmos](https://missmacknog.com/wiims-first-soundbar-has-a-touchscreen-display-and-dolby-atmos/): WiiM, a company known for its lineup of speakers and amplifiers, has revealed its first soundbar. - [Mark Zuckerberg wants Meta agents to "run your whole business"](https://missmacknog.com/mark-zuckerberg-wants-meta-agents-to-run-your-whole-business/): Mark Zuckerberg wants agents to be able to "run your whole business." - [Claude AI: What's free in 2026 and what isn't?](https://missmacknog.com/claude-ai-whats-free-in-2026-and-what-isnt/): Making sense of what you get from Claude AI at the free tier, especially as limits are vague and keep shifting. - [Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless review: Worth the wait](https://missmacknog.com/sennheiser-momentum-5-wireless-review-worth-the-wait/): Sennheiser's latest flagship headphones close the gap to Bose and Sony thanks to improved sound and more effective ANC. - [Everything to know before putting your car key on an Android phone](https://missmacknog.com/everything-to-know-before-putting-your-car-key-on-an-android-phone/): They're more secure than you might think. - [The Morning After: Apple's dramatic Siri overhaul is coming and it might look like this](https://missmacknog.com/the-morning-after-apples-dramatic-siri-overhaul-is-coming-and-it-might-look-like-this/): The biggest news stories of the week: An early look at the new version of Siri, reviews of Google's new wearable, GoPro's newest action cam and more! - [Here's what Apple's Siri overhaul for iOS 27 could look like](https://missmacknog.com/heres-what-apples-siri-overhaul-for-ios-27-could-look-like/): Apple is reportedly redesigning the iPhone's interface around the new Siri. - [How to run a local AI chatbot on your iPhone](https://missmacknog.com/how-to-run-a-local-ai-chatbot-on-your-iphone/): There are many benefits to installing local AI chatbots on your iPhone, including offline performance and privacy. - [The Herman Miller Coyl is a very handsome and modular gaming desk](https://missmacknog.com/the-herman-miller-coyl-is-a-very-handsome-and-modular-gaming-desk/): Legendary furniture maker Herman Miller has made a gorgeous gaming desk that has a price tag you'd expect from the brand. - [Mercedes-AMG's 1,153 hp electric GT 4-Door takes on Porsche's Taycan](https://missmacknog.com/mercedes-amgs-1153-hp-electric-gt-4-door-takes-on-porsches-taycan/): Mercedes-AMG has come up with its most powerful vehicle ever and there's no ICE engine in sight. - [Samsung faces strike from nearly 48,000 union workers](https://missmacknog.com/samsung-faces-strike-from-nearly-48000-union-workers/): Samsung workers in Korea are set to walk off their jobs on May 21 after failing to reach an agreement with the company. - [2027 Volvo EX60 first drive: An ultra-smooth SUV for around $60k](https://missmacknog.com/2027-volvo-ex60-first-drive-an-ultra-smooth-suv-for-around-60k/): Volvo's latest EV is its best yet, and best value too, but still comes up a bit short to the competition. - [Kickstarter rolls back its mature content policy after outcry](https://missmacknog.com/kickstarter-rolls-back-its-mature-content-policy-after-outcry/): Kickstarter is going back to its previous rules around mature content after creators criticized the new policy it introduced last week. - [Google's newest app is an AI-powered image editor](https://missmacknog.com/googles-newest-app-is-an-ai-powered-image-editor/): Google Pics isn't Photoshop, but it could be better than what's in Google Photos. - [The Google AI Ultra plan now starts at $100 a month](https://missmacknog.com/the-google-ai-ultra-plan-now-starts-at-100-a-month/): Google's most expensive AI plan is now a little cheaper. - [I/O 2026 is bringing more AI to Google Play](https://missmacknog.com/i-o-2026-is-bringing-more-ai-to-google-play/): Play Games Sidekick is also getting a wider rollout. - [Google says Gemini 3.5 Flash rivals 'large flagship models' for coding and agentic tasks](https://missmacknog.com/google-says-gemini-3-5-flash-rivals-large-flagship-models-for-coding-and-agentic-tasks/): Google says its Gemini 3.5 Flash model can complete tasks in a "fraction of the time" of other frontier models. - [Google introduces Gemini Spark, a 24/7 agentic assistant with Gmail integration, at IO 2026](https://missmacknog.com/google-introduces-gemini-spark-a-24-7-agentic-assistant-with-gmail-integration-at-io-2026/): At the Google I/O developer conference, the company announced a new agentic personal assistant called Gemini Spark, built from Gemini's base models and an agentic harness from Google Antigravity. - [Google’s new Universal Cart wants to follow your entire shopping journey across the internet](https://missmacknog.com/googles-new-universal-cart-wants-to-follow-your-entire-shopping-journey-across-the-internet/): Most people shop across multiple devices, many retailers, and over the course of many days, which is why Google is launching Universal Cart. - [Agentic app coding gets an upgrade with Google’s release of Android CLI](https://missmacknog.com/agentic-app-coding-gets-an-upgrade-with-googles-release-of-android-cli/): Google is embracing the rise of AI coding agents with new Android tools designed to work with platforms like Claude Code and OpenAI’s Codex, allowing developers — or their AI assistants — to build Android apps faster from the command line. - [Google updates its Gemini app to take on ChatGPT and Claude at IO 2026](https://missmacknog.com/google-updates-its-gemini-app-to-take-on-chatgpt-and-claude-at-io-2026/): The updates signal Google’s push to turn its Gemini app into an all-purpose AI hub rather than a stand-alone chatbot. - [Google’s AI Studio now lets anyone build Android apps in minutes](https://missmacknog.com/googles-ai-studio-now-lets-anyone-build-android-apps-in-minutes/): Google unveiled new web-based AI tools that can generate native Android apps in minutes, as the company expands its push into AI-powered software development. - [The latest Xbox thumbstick topper looks like a goal post](https://missmacknog.com/the-latest-xbox-thumbstick-topper-looks-like-a-goal-post/): Xbox's new "goal post" thumbstick topper joins six other designs for people with disabilities. - [1047 Games' spiritual successor to Titanfall will reportedly be called Empulse](https://missmacknog.com/1047-games-spiritual-successor-to-titanfall-will-reportedly-be-called-empulse/): The rumored movement shooter is still in pre-alpha and without a release date. - [Apple's new Siri app will reportedly offer auto-deleting chat options](https://missmacknog.com/apples-new-siri-app-will-reportedly-offer-auto-deleting-chat-options/): Users can choose between keeping conversations for 30 days, one year or forever, according to Bloomberg. - [This new Mac app locks the keyboard to prevent chaos when your cat tramples all over it](https://missmacknog.com/this-new-mac-app-locks-the-keyboard-to-prevent-chaos-when-your-cat-tramples-all-over-it/): It's called Cats Lock, and it's kind of genius. - [What to read this weekend: Celestial Lights and If Destruction Be Our Lot](https://missmacknog.com/what-to-read-this-weekend-celestial-lights-and-if-destruction-be-our-lot/): Here's what we read (and liked) this week. - [The haves and have-nots of the AI gold rush](https://missmacknog.com/the-haves-and-have-nots-of-the-ai-gold-rush/): The vibes around the current AI boom aren't great, even in the tech industry. - [Marketing operating system Nectar Social raises $30M Series A led by Menlo](https://missmacknog.com/marketing-operating-system-nectar-social-raises-30m-series-a-led-by-menlo/): AI-powered marketing platform Nectar Social announced Thursday that it raised a $30 million Series A round led by Menlo Ventures and its Anthology Fund, which was created alongside Anthropic. - [SpaceX is reportedly getting ready to go public as early as June](https://missmacknog.com/spacex-is-reportedly-getting-ready-to-go-public-as-early-as-june/): Reuters reported that SpaceX could make the initial announcement by next Wednesday. - [This startup pits dealerships against each other to bid on your used car](https://missmacknog.com/this-startup-pits-dealerships-against-each-other-to-bid-on-your-used-car/): Bidbus, which lets dealerships bid on used cars, has raised $15 million in a Series A round that was led by early-stage mobility fund Ibex Investors. - [Hacktivists call out Trump by hacking and defacing US Army websites](https://missmacknog.com/hacktivists-call-out-trump-by-hacking-and-defacing-us-army-websites/): The U.S. Army has fixed two of its websites that were hacked to display messages calling President Trump a "pedophile" and a "thief." - [Savi’s app aims to protect consumers from realistic AI scams like kidnappers demanding ransom](https://missmacknog.com/savis-app-aims-to-protect-consumers-from-realistic-ai-scams-like-kidnappers-demanding-ransom/): The company just raised $7 million in seed funding, and is launching its app for iPhone and Android on Tuesday. - [Xbox confirms plans to cut 3,200 jobs over the next year](https://missmacknog.com/xbox-confirms-plans-to-cut-3200-jobs-over-the-next-year/): Xbox will lay off 3,200 workers as part of mass restructuring. - [USB4 cables: When and why it's worth paying more](https://missmacknog.com/usb4-cables-when-and-why-its-worth-paying-more/): They're for more than just fast charging. - [Bentley teases the Torcal, its first electric vehicle](https://missmacknog.com/bentley-teases-the-torcal-its-first-electric-vehicle/): Bentley has confirmed that it will finally add an electric car to its exclusive lineup. - [Comcast buys the UK's biggest commercial broadcaster, ITV](https://missmacknog.com/comcast-buys-the-uks-biggest-commercial-broadcaster-itv/): Comcast subsidiary Sky plans to buy the UK's biggest broadcaster, ITV. - [Alibaba gets a reprieve from US Chinese military ban](https://missmacknog.com/alibaba-gets-a-reprieve-from-us-chinese-military-ban/): A judge has ruled that the Pentagon must give Alibaba a reprieve over its placement on a Chinese military list. - [How to watch Summer Games Done Quick 2026](https://missmacknog.com/how-to-watch-summer-games-done-quick-2026/): The latest week-long speedrunning marathon starts on July 5. - [Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet just got a refresh with a bit more RAM](https://missmacknog.com/amazons-fire-hd-10-tablet-just-got-a-refresh-with-a-bit-more-ram/): A RAM upgrade? In this memory economy?! - [Politician who investigated spyware abuses had his phone hacked with Pegasus spyware](https://missmacknog.com/politician-who-investigated-spyware-abuses-had-his-phone-hacked-with-pegasus-spyware/): A government customer of NSO Group used the company's Pegasus spyware to hack into the phone of a European politician, who at the time was serving on an EU committee tasked with investigating the spyware industry. - [Last chance to apply — Startup Battlefield Australia applications close July 6](https://missmacknog.com/last-chance-to-apply-startup-battlefield-australia-applications-close-july-6/): If you're going to apply for Startup Battlefield Australia, now is the time. Applications close July 6, and once the deadline passes, the opportunity is gone. - [Mark Zuckerberg tells staff that AI agents haven’t progressed as quickly as he’d hoped](https://missmacknog.com/mark-zuckerberg-tells-staff-that-ai-agents-havent-progressed-as-quickly-as-hed-hoped/): At an internal meeting, the Meta CEO reportedly said that AI development efforts were not moving as quickly as anticipated. - [Jersey Mike’s IPO illustrates how bad the AI hype has become](https://missmacknog.com/jersey-mikes-ipo-illustrates-how-bad-the-ai-hype-has-become/): Just for kicks, I took a look at Jersey Mike's IPO documents. Surely a sandwich shop would have no need to mention AI. But lo and behold. - [A warning sign about AI’s real cost, courtesy of Google and Amazon](https://missmacknog.com/a-warning-sign-about-ais-real-cost-courtesy-of-google-and-amazon/): AI has made it a lot harder for tech companies like Amazon and Google to deliver on their net-zero pledges. - [Meta quietly launches vibe-coded gaming app Pocket](https://missmacknog.com/meta-quietly-launches-vibe-coded-gaming-app-pocket/): Meta has quietly launched Pocket, an experimental AI app that lets users generate and share interactive mini games using text prompts. - [Travel app Hopper to pay $35M in FTC settlement over ‘unfairly’ charging hidden fees](https://missmacknog.com/travel-app-hopper-to-pay-35m-in-ftc-settlement-over-unfairly-charging-hidden-fees/): Hopper will pay $35 million to settle FTC allegations that it used deceptive “dark patterns” to hide fees and mislead travelers about the costs and benefits of services. - [Anthropic is discussing a new custom chip with Samsung](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-is-discussing-a-new-custom-chip-with-samsung/): The news comes about a week after OpenAI announced its own custom AI chip in a partnership with Broadcom. - [Onimusha: Way of the Sword's release date has been pushed up to avoid the pre-GTA 6 scramble](https://missmacknog.com/onimusha-way-of-the-swords-release-date-has-been-pushed-up-to-avoid-the-pre-gta-6-scramble/): Capcom is trying to get Onimusha: Way of the Sword out the door before the fall release calendar gets really crowded. - [HDMI 2.1 vs USB-C vs DisplayPort: Which connection is better for your monitor?](https://missmacknog.com/hdmi-2-1-vs-usb-c-vs-displayport-which-connection-is-better-for-your-monitor/): HDMI excels for media consumption, while PC gamers prefer DisplayPort. - [Donald Trump bought a bunch of tech stock the same day he announced his AI Action Plan](https://missmacknog.com/donald-trump-bought-a-bunch-of-tech-stock-the-same-day-he-announced-his-ai-action-plan/): Financial disclosures show how much Trump loves tech stocks. - [Threads' ubiquitous Mr Beast spam is part of a massive crypto scam network](https://missmacknog.com/threads-ubiquitous-mr-beast-spam-is-part-of-a-massive-crypto-scam-network/): Fake Mr Beast "promotions" are ubiquitous on Threads - they're also part of massive crypto scam network. - [Amazon is ready to deploy the Leo satellite broadband service](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-is-ready-to-deploy-the-leo-satellite-broadband-service/): There are now enough Amazon Leo satellites to launch the service, but its constellation is still tiny compared to Starlink's. - [OpenAI reportedly wants all AI companies to give the US government a stake in their businesses](https://missmacknog.com/openai-reportedly-wants-all-ai-companies-to-give-the-us-government-a-stake-in-their-businesses/): According to the Financial Times, Sam Altman is floating the idea of having leading AI companies give US sovereign funds a five percent equity. - [Google loses final appeal over $4.7 billion EU Android antitrust fine](https://missmacknog.com/google-loses-final-appeal-over-4-7-billion-eu-android-antitrust-fine/): Europe's highest court of appeal has upheld a record-setting $4.7 billion fine imposed on Google back in 2018. - [X is making a fresh push for live video with new creator payouts](https://missmacknog.com/x-is-making-a-fresh-push-for-live-video-with-new-creator-payouts/): X has launched a new live streaming command center and additional creator payouts. - [Apple is reportedly planning a visual refresh of the entry-level MacBook Pro next year](https://missmacknog.com/apple-is-reportedly-planning-a-visual-refresh-of-the-entry-level-macbook-pro-next-year/): Next spring could be a fiesta of new iPads, MacBooks and iPhones. - [Apple's Hide My Email may not be hiding anything](https://missmacknog.com/apples-hide-my-email-may-not-be-hiding-anything/): A vulnerability can reportedly connect real email addresses to anonymous ones. - [Sony will stop making disc-based PlayStation games starting 2028](https://missmacknog.com/sony-will-stop-making-disc-based-playstation-games-starting-2028/): RIP to physical PlayStation discs. - [Plex vs Jellyfin vs Emby: Here's how the three media servers really compare](https://missmacknog.com/plex-vs-jellyfin-vs-emby-heres-how-the-three-media-servers-really-compare/): Convenience costs you with Plex, but the alternatives require more work. - [UN report says policymakers are struggling to keep up with pace of AI development](https://missmacknog.com/un-report-says-policymakers-are-struggling-to-keep-up-with-pace-of-ai-development/): UN panel says 'AI is neither inherently good nor bad,' but better safeguards around it are needed. - [Getty Images is canceling its $3.7 billion Shutterstock merger due to UK restrictions](https://missmacknog.com/getty-images-is-canceling-its-3-7-billion-shutterstock-merger-due-to-uk-restrictions/): Getty Images has moved to terminate a $3.7 billion merger with rival Shutterstock due to restrictions imposed by UK regulators. - [BMW's X5 finally goes electric with an impressive 435 miles of range](https://missmacknog.com/bmws-x5-finally-goes-electric-with-an-impressive-435-miles-of-range/): BMW's X5 lineup finally has an electric option with impressive range. - [Amazon launches new $1 billion FDE org, following OpenAI and Anthropic](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-launches-new-1-billion-fde-org-following-openai-and-anthropic/): Engineers on the new team will embed within companies to deploy purpose-built agents, focusing on fast deployments and customer self-sufficiency. - [Podcasting platform Riverside enters the newsletter publishing game](https://missmacknog.com/podcasting-platform-riverside-enters-the-newsletter-publishing-game/): Users will be able use AI to create newsletters based on their recordings. - [Google's Gmail Live AI feature is now available in beta](https://missmacknog.com/googles-gmail-live-ai-feature-is-now-available-in-beta/): You can use Gemini to quickly search your Gmail inbox with natural language. - [Clicks shows off its Communicator smartphone with a Blackberry-like keyboard](https://missmacknog.com/clicks-shows-off-its-communicator-smartphone-with-a-blackberry-like-keyboard/): Clicks has released the first hands-on video of its Blackberry like Communicator Android phone. - [You might be paying more for YouTube Premium if you subscribed through Apple](https://missmacknog.com/you-might-be-paying-more-for-youtube-premium-if-you-subscribed-through-apple/): Don't get hit with the Apple tax. - [Omen AI’s plan to optimize data centers is all wet](https://missmacknog.com/omen-ais-plan-to-optimize-data-centers-is-all-wet/): Omen AI raised a $31 million Series A to monitor chip coolant and stop bacterial outbreaks in data centers. - [Flipper Device’s new Busy Bar is a customizable display for productivity](https://missmacknog.com/flipper-devices-new-busy-bar-is-a-customizable-display-for-productivity/): The company's productivity-focused gadget helps you set timers, block apps, and display custom messages and widgets on an LED display. - [Rocket Lab buys satellite company Iridium to go up against Starlink and Amazon's Leo](https://missmacknog.com/rocket-lab-buys-satellite-company-iridium-to-go-up-against-starlink-and-amazons-leo/): Rocket Lab will own satellites connecting the most remote corners of the Earth. - [Oura Ring 5 review: Size is everything](https://missmacknog.com/oura-ring-5-review-size-is-everything/): Oura took its class-leading smart ring, made it 40 percent smaller and made the battery last longer. - [Google reportedly capped Meta's use of Gemini AI for coding and chatbots](https://missmacknog.com/google-reportedly-capped-metas-use-of-gemini-ai-for-coding-and-chatbots/): Google was forced to cap Meta's use of Gemini AI due to a lack of capacity. - [Novak Djokovic has a new job — advisor to private equity firm General Atlantic](https://missmacknog.com/novak-djokovic-has-a-new-job-advisor-to-private-equity-firm-general-atlantic/): General Atlantic has tapped tennis legend Novak Djokovic to serve as a global strategic advisor. - [OpenAI limits GPT-5.6 rollout after government request, says restrictions shouldn’t be the norm](https://missmacknog.com/openai-limits-gpt-5-6-rollout-after-government-request-says-restrictions-shouldnt-be-the-norm/): “We don’t believe this kind of government access process should become the long-term default,” says OpenAI. “It keeps the best tools from users, developers, enterprises, cyber defenders, and global partners who need them.” - [OpenAI poaches Uber India chief to lead its biggest market outside the US](https://missmacknog.com/openai-poaches-uber-india-chief-to-lead-its-biggest-market-outside-the-us/): The hire marks OpenAI's latest push into India, expanding offices, partnerships and hiring. - [Why everyone from OpenAI to SpaceX is building their own chips (and turning up the heat on Nvidia)](https://missmacknog.com/why-everyone-from-openai-to-spacex-is-building-their-own-chips-and-turning-up-the-heat-on-nvidia/): Nvidia has dominated the AI chip market for years, but the era of total dependence might be ending.   OpenAI just shared its plans to spice things up with Jalapeño, its custom inference chip built with Broadcom, joining Google, Apple, and SpaceX in a growing list of companies building their way out of single-supplier risk. The goal is less of a - [Russian hackers were behind $2.5B hack of Jaguar Land Rover: Report](https://missmacknog.com/russian-hackers-were-behind-2-5b-hack-of-jaguar-land-rover-report/): The hack on car giant Jaguar Land Rover last year was one of the most disrupting, damaging, and costly hacks of the last few years. - [It’s not about Anthropic vs. OpenAI anymore](https://missmacknog.com/its-not-about-anthropic-vs-openai-anymore/): AI models have progressed to the point where their capabilities have real political consequences. Dealing with those consequences will require collective action. - [Xprize founder says ‘humans behave better when they’re being watched’](https://missmacknog.com/xprize-founder-says-humans-behave-better-when-theyre-being-watched/): Peter Diamandis is the latest tech executive to argue that global surveillance will make the world a better place, following Larry Ellison's comments in 2024. - [Samsung will start charging for SmartThings API access](https://missmacknog.com/samsung-will-start-charging-for-smartthings-api-access/): Samsung will start charging for SmartThings API access. - [Early Bird pricing ends tonight for TechCrunch Founder Summit](https://missmacknog.com/early-bird-pricing-ends-tonight-for-techcrunch-founder-summit/): Save up to $190 on your pass to TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026. Early Bird pricing ends today, at 11:59 p.m. PT, after which rates increase. Register now. - [Robotaxis drive miles just to get cleaned and charged; this new startup wants to fix that](https://missmacknog.com/robotaxis-drive-miles-just-to-get-cleaned-and-charged-this-new-startup-wants-to-fix-that/): Aseon Labs, which came out of Y Combinator's 2026 spring cohort, has raised $10 million from Crane Venture Partners and others. - [YouTube Shorts are getting even shorter with an update that lets you double the playback speed](https://missmacknog.com/youtube-shorts-are-getting-even-shorter-with-an-update-that-lets-you-double-the-playback-speed/): YouTube Shorts is getting a makeover. - [The most popular Grok feature is, apparently, exactly what you think](https://missmacknog.com/the-most-popular-grok-feature-is-apparently-exactly-what-you-think/): NSFW uses account for "well over half" of traffic, a new report says. - [Patronus AI lands $50M to build ‘digital worlds’ that stress-test AI agents](https://missmacknog.com/patronus-ai-lands-50m-to-build-digital-worlds-that-stress-test-ai-agents/): Agent-testing startup Patronus AI, founded by former Meta AI researchers, is experiencing nearly insatiable demand, its investor says. - [Polymarket says hackers stole users’ funds](https://missmacknog.com/polymarket-says-hackers-stole-users-funds/): The prediction market giant Polymarket said it's refunding users who had funds stolen due to a third-party breach. - [Xbox follows Apple with price increases ](https://missmacknog.com/xbox-follows-apple-with-price-increases/): The company says the increases are being driven by rising memory and console storage prices, with costs more than 2.5x higher than previous levels. - [Apple raises Mac and iPad prices, spares iPhone for now](https://missmacknog.com/apple-raises-mac-and-ipad-prices-spares-iphone-for-now/): Apple raises prices of MacBook Air and Pro along with iPad Air and Pro. - [2 days left to save up to $190: Join 1,000+ founders and investors at TechCrunch Founder Summit](https://missmacknog.com/2-days-left-to-save-up-to-190-join-1000-founders-and-investors-at-techcrunch-founder-summit/): Two days left to lock in your spot at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 and save up to $190 before Early Bird rates expire on June 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Register today. - [Trump administration proposes axing brake-pedal requirement for AVs in a boost for Tesla](https://missmacknog.com/trump-administration-proposes-axing-brake-pedal-requirement-for-avs-in-a-boost-for-tesla/): The Department of Transportation wants to remove the brake-pedal requirement for vehicles "designed to be driven exclusively by automated driving systems." - [Adobe acquires image and video enhancement tool maker Topaz Labs](https://missmacknog.com/adobe-acquires-image-and-video-enhancement-tool-maker-topaz-labs/): Adobe said that it will integrate Topaz Labs' tools across its apps. - [Amazon ups India bet with fresh $13B AI infrastructure investment](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-ups-india-bet-with-fresh-13b-ai-infrastructure-investment/): Amazon’s latest India investment comes as global tech companies race to expand AI infrastructure in the country. - [Wireless charging wastes way more electricity than wired, here's why](https://missmacknog.com/wireless-charging-wastes-way-more-electricity-than-wired-heres-why/): It's way more convenient, but way less efficient. - [Google Home Speaker review: A modest update for the Gemini era](https://missmacknog.com/google-home-speaker-review-a-modest-update-for-the-gemini-era/): Google's new speaker is a modest update, but the question is whether Gemini is a good smart home assistant. - [US government reportedly urging Meta to share its AI models](https://missmacknog.com/us-government-reportedly-urging-meta-to-share-its-ai-models/): The US government is reportedly asking Meta to share its AI models for review, in the midst of growing security and safety concerns over the technology. - [Rockstar finally reveals pricing for Grand Theft Auto 6](https://missmacknog.com/rockstar-finally-reveals-pricing-for-grand-theft-auto-6/): Grand Theft Auto 6 will cost $80 when pre-orders open on June 25th at midnight. - [YouTube settles early test case over social media harm to children](https://missmacknog.com/youtube-settles-early-test-case-over-social-media-harm-to-children/): Google has settled a lawsuit with a minor known who claimed that social media platforms harmed them. - [Shareholders sue Uber’s board over sexual assaults, other incidents](https://missmacknog.com/shareholders-sue-ubers-board-over-sexual-assaults-other-incidents/): The lawsuit, led by a Detroit pension fund, alleges Uber's board and management has cut too many compliance corners, resulting in thousands of lawsuits. - [Meta is 'pausing' employee tracking program after it let the whole company see sensitive data](https://missmacknog.com/meta-is-pausing-employee-tracking-program-after-it-let-the-whole-company-see-sensitive-data/): This won't make the already-controversial AI training endeavor any more popular. - [The AI world is getting ‘loopy’](https://missmacknog.com/the-ai-world-is-getting-loopy/): The loop takes agentic AI a step further by authorizing a swarm of agents to work continuously in the background, endlessly. - [Microsoft and Chevron plan one of the largest gas-powered data center projects in US](https://missmacknog.com/microsoft-and-chevron-plan-one-of-the-largest-gas-powered-data-center-projects-in-us/): Microsoft inked a 20-year power purchase agreement with Chevron, locking in decades of carbon emissions from a new natural gas power plant. - [iOS 27 beta 2 is out now, here's what's new](https://missmacknog.com/ios-27-beta-2-is-out-now-heres-whats-new/): Spoiler: It's more Siri stuff. - [Chinese-style EV battery swap stations are coming to Europe](https://missmacknog.com/chinese-style-ev-battery-swap-stations-are-coming-to-europe/): Octopus and CATL are pledging to roll out a network of battery swap stations for heavy trucks across Europe. - [Polymarket has reportedly been paying creators to post fake betting videos](https://missmacknog.com/polymarket-has-reportedly-been-paying-creators-to-post-fake-betting-videos/): The Wall Street Journal reviewed 1,105 videos along with guidance given to creators for crafting their posts. - [NASA's Perseverance rover has traveled the distance of a marathon on Mars](https://missmacknog.com/nasas-perseverance-rover-has-traveled-the-distance-of-a-marathon-on-mars/): It did so in just five years. - [NASA is testing a rover that can drive faster and lift its wheels to climb obstacles](https://missmacknog.com/nasa-is-testing-a-rover-that-can-drive-faster-and-lift-its-wheels-to-climb-obstacles/): The space agency shared footage of tests with its Ernest prototype rover. - [Epic is working on a 'ground-up rebuild' of its launcher that will be 5x faster](https://missmacknog.com/epic-is-working-on-a-ground-up-rebuild-of-its-launcher-that-will-be-5x-faster/): Launcher V2 will go through a private beta before a public release. - [Amazon is investigating three employees who spoke out against building more AI data centers](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-is-investigating-three-employees-who-spoke-out-against-building-more-ai-data-centers/): The engineers who spoke negatively about AI data centers at Seattle city hearings accuse Amazon of threatening their jobs over their testimonies. - [At least one UK government department is reportedly done with X](https://missmacknog.com/at-least-one-uk-government-department-is-reportedly-done-with-x/): UK attorney general Richard Hermer told his staff his office was quitting X, according to The Guardian and The Observer. - [Are you prepared to wait until 2027 for a Steam Controller?](https://missmacknog.com/are-you-prepared-to-wait-until-2027-for-a-steam-controller/): In an update, Valve says it may not ship some Steam Controller orders until next year. - [The US says ASML’s top chip tool may be in China, but how?](https://missmacknog.com/the-us-says-asmls-top-chip-tool-may-be-in-china-but-how/): There's a commercial logic that cuts against the idea that ASML would risk its export license to arm a Chinese customer. - [2028 Mercedes-Benz VLE first drive: Your 8K living room on wheels has arrived](https://missmacknog.com/2028-mercedes-benz-vle-first-drive-your-8k-living-room-on-wheels-has-arrived/): With 416 horsepower, a 31-inch 8K screen and Dolby Atmos, Benz's electric "Grand Limousine" might just make minivans cool. - [Google has discontinued the Nest Home Mini and Nest Audio](https://missmacknog.com/google-has-discontinued-the-nest-home-mini-and-nest-audio/): On to the next one. - [Snap spins off AI video team into new company, Dotmo, due to costs](https://missmacknog.com/snap-spins-off-ai-video-team-into-new-company-dotmo-due-to-costs/): The Snapchat maker is spinning off yet another internal unit. Dotmo will be composed of current Snap staff who are leaving the social media company to focus on AI video development. - [OpenAI is bringing on some big guns in the lead-up to its IPO ](https://missmacknog.com/openai-is-bringing-on-some-big-guns-in-the-lead-up-to-its-ipo/): OpenAI is bulking up before its IPO, landing Transformer co-inventor Noam Shazeer from Google DeepMind and former Trump AI policy official Dean Ball in the same week. - [The 11 standout startups from YC’s Demo Day, according to VCs](https://missmacknog.com/the-11-standout-startups-from-ycs-demo-day-according-to-vcs/): TechCrunch spoke to investors to find the hottest startups in the Spring 2026 YC batch. Some of them commanded valuations of over $175 million, VCs said. - [Rivian faces a class action lawsuit over self-driving in its early vehicles](https://missmacknog.com/rivian-faces-a-class-action-lawsuit-over-self-driving-in-its-early-vehicles/): Rivian is being sued over the self-driving capabilities of its early vehicles, or lack thereof. - [Apple TV will broadcast the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix for free](https://missmacknog.com/apple-tv-will-broadcast-the-formula-1-austrian-grand-prix-for-free/): Apple TV will show Formula 1's Australia Grand Prix for free, even to non-subscribers. - [Google Calendar lets you use any color you want for your events](https://missmacknog.com/google-calendar-lets-you-use-any-color-you-want-for-your-events/): Your Google Calendar is about to get a lot more colorful. - [Akai refreshes the MPC One and Key 37 workstations](https://missmacknog.com/akai-refreshes-the-mpc-one-and-key-37-workstations/): Akai updates the MPC One and Key 37 with better processors, additional RAM and more storage. - [GTA 6 pre-orders open on June 25](https://missmacknog.com/gta-6-pre-orders-open-on-june-25/): Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 open in just one week. - [Old iPods are making a comeback thanks to Gen Z](https://missmacknog.com/old-ipods-are-making-a-comeback-thanks-to-gen-z/): Now bring back the Microsoft Zune, I double dare you. - [Trump claims Apple and Intel closed deal to manufacture chips in the US](https://missmacknog.com/trump-claims-apple-and-intel-closed-deal-to-manufacture-chips-in-the-us/): In a Truth Social post, Trump said Apple and Intel have already finalized an agreement to manufacture chips for the former's devices stateside. - [Waymo recalls over 3,800 robotaxis that might drive onto closed freeways](https://missmacknog.com/waymo-recalls-over-3800-robotaxis-that-might-drive-onto-closed-freeways/): Waymo is recalling over 3,800 of its self-driving taxis due to a software issue that could cause them to enter closed freeway construction zones at speed. - [NASA is sending an orbiter to Mars with Eric Schmidt's Relativity Space](https://missmacknog.com/nasa-is-sending-an-orbiter-to-mars-with-eric-schmidts-relativity-space/): NASA has teamed up with Eric Schmidt's Relativity Space for a 2028 Martian mission. - [Sennheiser debuts open-ear Accentum Clip earbuds with nine hours of battery life](https://missmacknog.com/sennheiser-debuts-open-ear-accentum-clip-earbuds-with-nine-hours-of-battery-life/): Sennheiser joins the open-ear earbud craze with its first clip-on design. - [VSCO's new Studio Pro app can edit 100 photos at a time](https://missmacknog.com/vscos-new-studio-pro-app-can-edit-100-photos-at-a-time/): VSCO's new Studio Pro app can batch edit photos and match the style of a reference image. - [The all-new Google Home speaker has finally arrived for $100](https://missmacknog.com/the-all-new-google-home-speaker-has-finally-arrived-for-100/): Upgrades include 360-degree audio and deeper integration with Google's Gemini. - [The White House app will reportedly be auto-installed on Homeland Security staff's devices](https://missmacknog.com/the-white-house-app-will-reportedly-be-auto-installed-on-homeland-security-staffs-devices/): The White House app will be automatically loaded onto DHS staff's work phones, Politico said. - [Saudi prince buys 5% stake in Lucid Motors](https://missmacknog.com/saudi-prince-buys-5-stake-in-lucid-motors/): The investment comes after speculation that Saudi Arabia may take Lucid Motors private -- which the EV maker has denied. - [What's the difference between USB 3.0 & 2.0 and which should you use?](https://missmacknog.com/whats-the-difference-between-usb-3-0-2-0-and-which-should-you-use/): The ports look the same, but one is much faster than the other. - [OpenAI’s Hugging Face breach has reignited the debate over alignment and control](https://missmacknog.com/openais-hugging-face-breach-has-reignited-the-debate-over-alignment-and-control/): OpenAI's Hugging Face breach has reignited debate over AI alignment and control, exposing competing views on whether increasingly capable AI should be better aligned, better contained, or both. - [Amazon wants to deploy 5,105 satellites for its direct-to-mobile service](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-wants-to-deploy-5105-satellites-for-its-direct-to-mobile-service/): Amazon's Leo subsidiary has launched more than 390 satellites so far and plans to launch thousands more. - [YouTube Premium will soon include Peacock at no extra cost](https://missmacknog.com/youtube-premium-will-soon-include-peacock-at-no-extra-cost/): Ad-supported Peacock will be available for free to YouTube Premium subscribers early next year. - [Is your iPhone stuck in SOS mode? Here's how to fix it](https://missmacknog.com/is-your-iphone-stuck-in-sos-mode-heres-how-to-fix-it/): Have you tried turning it off and on again? - [The hacker who humiliated spyware makers and was never caught](https://missmacknog.com/the-hacker-who-humiliated-spyware-makers-and-was-never-caught/): An awe-inspiring hacktivist who hacked two controversial government spyware makers may be the most prolific hacker to have never gotten caught. What do we know about Phineas Fisher? - [Elon Musk’s Boring Company reportedly raising funding at a $20 billion valuation](https://missmacknog.com/elon-musks-boring-company-reportedly-raising-funding-at-a-20-billion-valuation/): Elon Musk's tunneling startup is reportedly in talks for a major new funding round. - [Kalshi demands Netflix take down trailer for ‘Prediction Games’ documentary](https://missmacknog.com/kalshi-demands-netflix-take-down-trailer-for-prediction-games-documentary/): Kalshi claims the trailer is “defamatory” and contains “both fabricated documents and false and misleading statements.” - [Librarians are hosting viral ‘Avoiding AI’ workshops for people who are fed up with Big Tech](https://missmacknog.com/librarians-are-hosting-viral-avoiding-ai-workshops-for-people-who-are-fed-up-with-big-tech/): At libraries around the country, "Avoiding AI" workshops have elicited unprecedented demand. - [One fallen power line exposed a growing AI data center problem. Here’s how to fix it.](https://missmacknog.com/one-fallen-power-line-exposed-a-growing-ai-data-center-problem-heres-how-to-fix-it/): A close call in Northern Virginia revealed just how poorly data centers respond to grid disruptions. Here's how to fix the problem. - [US accuses American of allegedly wiping his phone using a ‘duress’ password during border search](https://missmacknog.com/us-accuses-american-of-allegedly-wiping-his-phone-using-a-duress-password-during-border-search/): A U.S. citizen has asked a court to throw out the government's claim that he gave over a passcode to border authorities that wiped his phone's data, opening up fresh questions about a person's constitutional rights at the U.S. border. - [Anduril reportedly in talks to raise funding at $100B valuation, more than 3x last year’s mark](https://missmacknog.com/anduril-reportedly-in-talks-to-raise-funding-at-100b-valuation-more-than-3x-last-years-mark/): Anduril is said to be raising a new round of funding that may push its valuation up to about $100 billion, per Reuters. - [Anthropic launches Opus 5](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-launches-opus-5/): Opus 5 will be both cheaper and less restrictive than Fable, likely making it preferable in most use cases. - [Build in public, fail in public: what it’s like to be a founder under 20 right now ](https://missmacknog.com/build-in-public-fail-in-public-what-its-like-to-be-a-founder-under-20-right-now/): AI tools have democratized the opportunity to build, shortening the timelines of success and enabling more young people to start successful companies without stepping foot inside a Big Tech company.  - [India’s move against Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat sparks legal debate](https://missmacknog.com/indias-move-against-jack-dorseys-bitchat-sparks-legal-debate/): The offline messaging app surged in popularity in India amid protests in New Delhi. - [OpenAI’s own model went rogue before Kimi had Wall Street sweating](https://missmacknog.com/openais-own-model-went-rogue-before-kimi-had-wall-street-sweating/): Chinese AI lab Moonshot’s open model Kimi went viral this week for reasons that had less to do with the model itself and more to do with how the U.S. AI industry reacted to it. Meanwhile, an unreleased OpenAI model wandered outside its test environment and ended up connected to a real security breach at Hugging Face — a reminder - [Sam Altman’s biometric startup World raises $52.5M via crypto sale](https://missmacknog.com/sam-altmans-biometric-startup-world-raises-52-5m-via-crypto-sale/): Sam Altman's side project — which seeks to scan the world's eyeballs and turn them into unique digital identifiers — has raised some fresh cash through a crypto sale. - [As US weighs response to Chinese AI, industry urges against broad open-weight restrictions](https://missmacknog.com/as-us-weighs-response-to-chinese-ai-industry-urges-against-broad-open-weight-restrictions/): AI companies, including Nvidia and Mistral, urge policymakers to avoid broad restrictions on open-weight AI models as Washington debates responses to Chinese AI and alleged model distillation. - [Rivian sues the US government for ‘full refund’ of Trump tariffs](https://missmacknog.com/rivian-sues-the-us-government-for-full-refund-of-trump-tariffs/): The automaker joins a long line of companies seeking such refunds. In April, Rivian CFO Claire McDonough said she expected the company stood to reap a refund in the "tens of millions of dollars." - [Bluesky’s AI assistant Attie expands into an open social research tool](https://missmacknog.com/blueskys-ai-assistant-attie-expands-into-an-open-social-research-tool/): Users can now ask Attie questions about news, trends, and conversations on Bluesky and other apps on the AT Protocol. - [Anthropic updates Claude voice mode with more capable models](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-updates-claude-voice-mode-with-more-capable-models/): Claude's new voice model will let you reschedule your meeting or draft an email. - [AegisAI, founded by former Google security execs, lands $36M to stop AI-driven spear phishing](https://missmacknog.com/aegisai-founded-by-former-google-security-execs-lands-36m-to-stop-ai-driven-spear-phishing/): AegisAI co-founders developed AI agents that quickly analyze each message as a human would, paying attention to small anomalies that even the most elaborate checklist wouldn’t catch. - [US government says Iran-linked hackers are disrupting American water and energy providers](https://missmacknog.com/us-government-says-iran-linked-hackers-are-disrupting-american-water-and-energy-providers/): An updated government advisory warns that Iranian hackers are exploiting systems used by water and energy providers. - [Runway launches AI model router as generative media gets crowded](https://missmacknog.com/runway-launches-ai-model-router-as-generative-media-gets-crowded/): The Media Router is a tool that automatically selects the best image, video, or audio generation model for a request based on whether a developer prioritizes quality, speed or cost. - [OpenAI makes ChatGPT Health available to all US users](https://missmacknog.com/openai-makes-chatgpt-health-available-to-all-us-users/): Users can also integrate their personal data from services like Apple Health, Function, and MyFitnessPal. - [How OpenAI’s human mistake led to the AI-powered hack on Hugging Face](https://missmacknog.com/how-openais-human-mistake-led-to-the-ai-powered-hack-on-hugging-face/): OpenAI made a mistake setting up what it called a “highly isolated” testing environment and sandbox. According to cybersecurity experts, that human mistake is what made the AI-powered attack on Hugging Face possible. - [Travis Kalanick’s robotics company raises $1.7B, led by a16z](https://missmacknog.com/travis-kalanicks-robotics-company-raises-1-7b-led-by-a16z/): Uber is also investing in Travis Kalanick's company Atoms, which has made gauzy claims about using industrial AI to modernize the world. - [OpenAI sued over ChatGPT health advice that almost killed a pastor](https://missmacknog.com/openai-sued-over-chatgpt-health-advice-that-almost-killed-a-pastor/): ChatGPT allegedly offered "extremely dangerous medical recommendations" regarding a pulmonary embolism. - [Apple's rumored upgrades to its Mac lineup go beyond touchscreens](https://missmacknog.com/apples-rumored-upgrades-to-its-mac-lineup-go-beyond-touchscreens/): Apple is already preparing updates to the MacBook Neo, iMac, MacBook Air and more. - [Science Corporation’s vision-restoring chip wins EU approval](https://missmacknog.com/science-corporations-vision-restoring-chip-wins-eu-approval/): "The thing that the space needs is a company making $100 million a year of revenue," Science Corp. CEO Max Hodak said. - [Einride bets $38M on EV charging as it scales electric trucking](https://missmacknog.com/einride-bets-38m-on-ev-charging-as-it-scales-electric-trucking/): The acquisition — Einride's first as a publicly traded company — will expand its EV-charging ecosystem as it works to scale its electric trucking business. - [Apple teams up with Klarna to launch a lease-to-own program for iPhones, iPads, and Macs](https://missmacknog.com/apple-teams-up-with-klarna-to-launch-a-lease-to-own-program-for-iphones-ipads-and-macs/): The new leasing program is a big change for the hardware company, and comes as it looks to raise prices on many of its products. - [Data centers expected to use 4x more electricity by 2035](https://missmacknog.com/data-centers-expected-to-use-4x-more-electricity-by-2035/): New data centers built through 2033 could consume as much electricity as India uses today. - [Tesla spins up robotaxi pilots in Orlando and Tampa ahead of Q2 earnings](https://missmacknog.com/tesla-spins-up-robotaxi-pilots-in-orlando-and-tampa-ahead-of-q2-earnings/): The company didn't say how many are in each city and has taken a far more cautious approach to scaling the network than CEO Elon Musk had promised. - [Google releases three new Gemini models — but no 3.5 Pro](https://missmacknog.com/google-releases-three-new-gemini-models-but-no-3-5-pro/): Google released Gemini 3.6 Flash, 3.5 Flash-Lite, and Flash Cyber, but the continued absence of Gemini 3.5 Pro raises fresh questions about its AI strategy. - [Natural raises $30M to reinvent payments for AI agents — and take on Stripe](https://missmacknog.com/natural-raises-30m-to-reinvent-payments-for-ai-agents-and-take-on-stripe/): The one-year-old startup aims to reinvent financial architecture for autonomous AI transactions. - [Netflix brings ASL interpretations to dozens of shows and movies for kids](https://missmacknog.com/netflix-brings-asl-interpretations-to-dozens-of-shows-and-movies-for-kids/): Netflix has teamed up with a company called SignUp Media to offer ASL interpretations on a bunch of kids shows and movies. - [Everything to know before putting a car key on your iPhone](https://missmacknog.com/everything-to-know-before-putting-a-car-key-on-your-iphone/): Do you need to be in your car to set up your digital car key? - [Adobe crams multiple AI tools into its experimental camera app](https://missmacknog.com/adobe-crams-multiple-ai-tools-into-its-experimental-camera-app/): Adobe's Project Indigo app will have new features like removing distractions and offering immediate photo feedback. - [Judge pauses $110B Paramount-Warner Bros. merger](https://missmacknog.com/judge-pauses-110b-paramount-warner-bros-merger/): The lawsuit from the states alleges that the deal would harm movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and audiences. - [A 600-mile road trip (and data) proves EV charging doesn’t suck anymore](https://missmacknog.com/a-600-mile-road-trip-and-data-proves-ev-charging-doesnt-suck-anymore/): A recent road trip in an EV revealed just how much faster and more reliable DC Fast charging has become in the U.S. - [Converting your Android Auto to wireless is easy with an adapter](https://missmacknog.com/converting-your-android-auto-to-wireless-is-easy-with-an-adapter/): Cutting the cord in your car is a simple upgrade. - [Chinese solar company says its new cell has an efficiency of 35.5 percent](https://missmacknog.com/chinese-solar-company-says-its-new-cell-has-an-efficiency-of-35-5-percent/): Chinese company LONGi has developed crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells with a 35.5 percent conversion efficiency. - [AI-run 'utopias,' Moss in 2D and other new indie games worth checking out](https://missmacknog.com/ai-run-utopias-moss-in-2d-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out/): Enjoy our weekend guide to the best indie games worth checking out. - [Neil Rimer thinks the AI money is coming back out](https://missmacknog.com/neil-rimer-thinks-the-ai-money-is-coming-back-out/): Neil Rimer, the venture capitalist who co-founded Index Ventures, predicts the historic wealth AI is generating in Silicon Valley will have to be redistributed, voluntarily or involuntarily. - [I replaced my space heater and ceiling fan with one Dyson appliance](https://missmacknog.com/i-replaced-my-space-heater-and-ceiling-fan-with-one-dyson-appliance/): Designed for year-round comfort, the Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 combines quiet operation and simple controls with Dyson's signature bladeless design. - [How Apple’s big lawsuit could disrupt OpenAI’s IPO plans](https://missmacknog.com/how-apples-big-lawsuit-could-disrupt-openais-ipo-plans/): Apple filed a trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI last Friday, and it’s not messing around. The complaint alleges a pattern of misconduct reaching all the way up to OpenAI’s chief hardware officer and claims more than 400 former Apple employees now work at the company. OpenAI’s response so far has been carefully hedged, and the timing couldn’t be worse with the company reportedly eyeing an IPO - [A bug in AWS has caused some customers' bills to spike from a few cents to billions of dollars](https://missmacknog.com/a-bug-in-aws-has-caused-some-customers-bills-to-spike-from-a-few-cents-to-billions-of-dollars/): "The displayed billing estimates do not reflect actual usage and charges," Amazon said. - [FBI arrests man accused of using Steam games to drain victims’ crypto wallets](https://missmacknog.com/fbi-arrests-man-accused-of-using-steam-games-to-drain-victims-crypto-wallets/): Prosecutors accused 21-year-old student Zyaire Wilkins of publishing on Steam several fake video games that contained malware, infecting thousands of victims, and stealing crypto from some of them. - [Parents want safer phones for kids. These companies are answering the call.](https://missmacknog.com/parents-want-safer-phones-for-kids-these-companies-are-answering-the-call/): As parents look for alternatives to unrestricted smartphones, a growing number of companies are building phones designed specifically for kids, from feature-limited mobile devices to minimalist home phones. - [No product? No problem. This Disrupt 2026 session shows how to get pre-seed funding with conviction, storytelling ](https://missmacknog.com/no-product-no-problem-this-disrupt-2026-session-shows-how-to-get-pre-seed-funding-with-conviction-storytelling/): It’s not just you: AI startups are taking in a huge amount of seed funding, and in the process making things harder for anyone looking for funding even at a pre-seed stage. We’ve covered the trend in detail, and at this year’s TechCrunch Disrupt event, we want to help pre-seed founders now being held to seed-stage - [Zoox issues software recall after a robotaxi got confused by heavy smoke](https://missmacknog.com/zoox-issues-software-recall-after-a-robotaxi-got-confused-by-heavy-smoke/): The recall comes as the top automotive safety regulator in the U.S. has warned AV companies about their vehicles interfering with first responders. - [Engadget Podcast: Is Siri AI actually useful in iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate?](https://missmacknog.com/engadget-podcast-is-siri-ai-actually-useful-in-ios-27-and-macos-golden-gate/): Also, we try to make sense of OpenAI's rumored AI smart speaker. - [God of War show recasts Kratos after Ryan Hurst sustains an injury on set](https://missmacknog.com/god-of-war-show-recasts-kratos-after-ryan-hurst-sustains-an-injury-on-set/): The Prime Video series will reshoot episodes with a new lead actor. - [Why the first GPU financiers are turning to inference chips in a $400 million deal](https://missmacknog.com/why-the-first-gpu-financiers-are-turning-to-inference-chips-in-a-400-million-deal/): A $400 million chip-backed loan points to the next wave of AI infrastructure deals. - [X cracks down on creators who steal content](https://missmacknog.com/x-cracks-down-on-creators-who-steal-content/): X will use Grok AI to better detect stolen content, redirect payouts to original creators, and crack down on engagement bait. - [AI-powered travel agency Fora hits unicorn status, raises $60M](https://missmacknog.com/ai-powered-travel-agency-fora-hits-unicorn-status-raises-60m/): Travel agency Fora announced a $60 million Series D round led by Forerunner and Tactile Ventures, valuing the company at $1 billion.  - [Google continues its renaming streak by turning NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook](https://missmacknog.com/google-continues-its-renaming-streak-by-turning-notebooklm-to-gemini-notebook/): Google said users can soon access their notebooks through AI Mode in Search. - [Google’s AI Mode now lets you link and interact with select apps](https://missmacknog.com/googles-ai-mode-now-lets-you-link-and-interact-with-select-apps/): With this new update, Google is expanding AI Mode beyond answering questions and into completing tasks across the apps they use regularly. - [Yes, you can now order DoorDash from the command line](https://missmacknog.com/yes-you-can-now-order-doordash-from-the-command-line/): DoorDash is opening a limited beta of dd-cli, a command-line tool that lets developers and AI agents search stores, build carts, and place orders from the terminal, marking another step toward software designed for AI agents instead of just humans. - [Thinking Machines amps up its bet against one-size-fits-all AI with its first open model, Inkling](https://missmacknog.com/thinking-machines-amps-up-its-bet-against-one-size-fits-all-ai-with-its-first-open-model-inkling/): It's the company's first public proof point after a year and a half spent building AI infrastructure largely out of public view. - [Apple is reportedly shopping for AI chip companies](https://missmacknog.com/apple-is-reportedly-shopping-for-ai-chip-companies/): Apple's current M2 Ultra-powered servers don't seem to be cutting it, so the company is shopping around for more power. - [Google’s biggest clean power project is 40 miles north of xAI’s unpermitted gas power plant](https://missmacknog.com/googles-biggest-clean-power-project-is-40-miles-north-of-xais-unpermitted-gas-power-plant/): Google's biggest solar and battery project stands in sharp contrast with xAI's nearby unpermitted power plant. - [Hack suggests AI music generator Suno scraped YouTube for training data](https://missmacknog.com/hack-suggests-ai-music-generator-suno-scraped-youtube-for-training-data/): The hacker used an employee's credentials to access source code, which revealed how Suno scraped decades of audio. - [Whatnot acquires Shaped to power real-time live shopping recommendations](https://missmacknog.com/whatnot-acquires-shaped-to-power-real-time-live-shopping-recommendations/): Livestream shopping platform Whatnot has acquired AI startup Shaped, a machine learning company focused on real-time recommendations and search. The deal will bolster Whatnot’s personalization and discovery features as it expands into new product categories. - [California's MyFirstEV provides a $3,500 instant rebate to first-time buyers](https://missmacknog.com/californias-myfirstev-provides-a-3500-instant-rebate-to-first-time-buyers/): The Fed dropped the ball, but California's new program will provide up to $3,500 in instant rebates to first-time EV buyers. - [DeepSeek reportedly in talks to raise $1.5B, then IPO](https://missmacknog.com/deepseek-reportedly-in-talks-to-raise-1-5b-then-ipo/): DeepSeek, the Chinese large language model developer, is said to be preparing for a 2027 IPO debut as it also looks to raise around $1.5 billion in new funds at a $71 billion valuation. - [An Apple Arcade version of Madden NFL 27 will arrive on August 7](https://missmacknog.com/an-apple-arcade-version-of-madden-nfl-27-will-arrive-on-august-7/): EA's football sim series is making its debut on Apple Arcade. - [Google Images is getting a makeover for its 25th anniversary](https://missmacknog.com/google-images-is-getting-a-makeover-for-its-25th-anniversary/): Google has updated Images to surface results 'intelligently tailored to your unique interests." - [Leaked Google Pixel Watch 5 images show four different color options](https://missmacknog.com/leaked-google-pixel-watch-5-images-show-four-different-color-options/): Google is expected to officially reveal the Pixel Watch 5 on August 12. - [You can easily scan QR codes that are already on your phone](https://missmacknog.com/you-can-easily-scan-qr-codes-that-are-already-on-your-phone/): Android and iOS both have built-in tools to easily open QR codes from screenshots. - [SpaceX cleared to fly Starship again after booster failure in May](https://missmacknog.com/spacex-cleared-to-fly-starship-again-after-booster-failure-in-may/): This will be the first Starship test flight for SpaceX as a public company, testing the market's appetite for the company's "fly, fail, fix" approach to rocket development, which often ends in fireballs. - [Not 300 miles, not 250 miles: These EVs have the worst range in 2026](https://missmacknog.com/not-300-miles-not-250-miles-these-evs-have-the-worst-range-in-2026/): If you like going on a long road trip, you might want to steer clear of these vehicles. - [Oppo Watch X3 review: Come for the battery, stay for the versatility](https://missmacknog.com/oppo-watch-x3-review-come-for-the-battery-stay-for-the-versatility/): Oppo's Watch X3 is a Wear OS watch that'll outlast all of its rivals. - [Europe takes step toward social media ban for kids](https://missmacknog.com/europe-takes-step-toward-social-media-ban-for-kids/): Following a worrying new report, Europe is taking steps toward barring children from using social media. - [Disney+ is considering a free streaming tier, report says](https://missmacknog.com/disney-is-considering-a-free-streaming-tier-report-says/): The launch of free content would allow Disney+ to better compete with free services like YouTube and Tubi, which are capturing a growing share of consumers’ viewing time. - [Dumb Co dared me to trade my iPhone for a hacked flip phone](https://missmacknog.com/dumb-co-dared-me-to-trade-my-iphone-for-a-hacked-flip-phone/): Dumb Co sells flip phones that sync to your smartphone, bridging the infinite connectivity of the iPhone and the unrealistic limitations of an early 2000s relic. - [Oratomic raises $300M to build a viable quantum computer that needs only 20K qubits](https://missmacknog.com/oratomic-raises-300m-to-build-a-viable-quantum-computer-that-needs-only-20k-qubits/): The massive round was co-led by ARCH Venture Partners, Spark Capital, and Khosla Ventures. - [Netflix could be planning ‘always-on’ live TV channels](https://missmacknog.com/netflix-could-be-planning-always-on-live-tv-channels/): Amid signs of slowing engagement, Netflix is reportedly considering launching "always-on" live channels, giving subscribers something to tune into 24/7. - [EU threatens Meta with fines over addictive features on Facebook and Instagram](https://missmacknog.com/eu-threatens-meta-with-fines-over-addictive-features-on-facebook-and-instagram/): The tech giant is in breach of the Digital Services Act by focusing on features like infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and the highly personalized recommendation algorithms, the European Commission said. - [Florida ransomware negotiator convicted for helping ransomware gang extort US companies](https://missmacknog.com/florida-ransomware-negotiator-convicted-for-helping-ransomware-gang-extort-us-companies/): A third ransomware negotiator has been jailed for helping a notorious ransomware group extort American victim companies into paying the hackers. - [Hugging Face’s CEO on why companies are done renting their AI](https://missmacknog.com/hugging-faces-ceo-on-why-companies-are-done-renting-their-ai/): Open source AI is booming, according to Hugging Face CEO Clem Delangue. The company has grown into something like a GitHub for AI in recent years, where AI builders can share and download open models and datasets, now used by roughly half the Fortune 500. Delangue has seen the same story play out again and again: companies start - [Is Microsoft Teams really going to start tracking employee locations?](https://missmacknog.com/is-microsoft-teams-really-going-to-start-tracking-employee-locations/): Microsoft's new "Workspace Check-in" feature for Teams rolled out last month. - [After Apple, India’s smartphone manufacturing boom enters new phase with Vivo JV](https://missmacknog.com/after-apple-indias-smartphone-manufacturing-boom-enters-new-phase-with-vivo-jv/): Vivo's joint venture could become a template for Chinese smartphone makers in India. - [OpenAI says GPT 5.6 is the ‘preferred model’ for Microsoft Copilot 365 amid breakup chatter](https://missmacknog.com/openai-says-gpt-5-6-is-the-preferred-model-for-microsoft-copilot-365-amid-breakup-chatter/): OpenAI's new family of models will continue to power Microsoft's suite of workplace and productivity apps. - [Don’t want to invest in Elon Musk? Two new ETFs explicitly exclude him](https://missmacknog.com/dont-want-to-invest-in-elon-musk-two-new-etfs-explicitly-exclude-him/): The new exchange-traded funds exclude companies that are founded, controlled, or led by Elon Musk. That means no SpaceX or Tesla. - [Fidji Simo steps down from OpenAI’s No. 2 role](https://missmacknog.com/fidji-simo-steps-down-from-openais-no-2-role/): OpenAI's No. 2 executive, Fidji Simo, is stepping down from her full-time role after her medical leave proved longer than expected — a leadership vacuum that comes at a tricky time as the company eyes a possible IPO and races to catch Anthropic in the enterprise market. - [Meta’s new AI chips will begin production in September](https://missmacknog.com/metas-new-ai-chips-will-begin-production-in-september/): The company is taking a modular approach to designing these chips, anticipating that their needs will change as AI evolves rapidly by the time the chips are in production. - [You can snap up a Lego Hubble set before the real one burns up in the atmosphere](https://missmacknog.com/you-can-snap-up-a-lego-hubble-set-before-the-real-one-burns-up-in-the-atmosphere/): The $140, 1,252-piece Hubble Telescope Lego set goes on sale on August 1. - [Sony's RX10 V superzoom finally arrives with a new design and 4K 120p video](https://missmacknog.com/sonys-rx10-v-superzoom-finally-arrives-with-a-new-design-and-4k-120p-video/): Sony has finally unveiled the RX10 V superzoom with a 24-600mm zoom lens and 20.1-megapixel 1-inch sensor. - [Claude's new Reflect dashboard wants to help you log off of Claude](https://missmacknog.com/claudes-new-reflect-dashboard-wants-to-help-you-log-off-of-claude/): The Claude Reflect dashboard is like a mix of Spotify Wrapped and the screen time tool on your phone. - [New York is the first US state to ban smart glasses in all its courthouses](https://missmacknog.com/new-york-is-the-first-us-state-to-ban-smart-glasses-in-all-its-courthouses/): New York has banned smart glasses in all 1,240 state, county, city, town and village courts. - [OpenAI releases new voice models for more natural live conversations](https://missmacknog.com/openai-releases-new-voice-models-for-more-natural-live-conversations/): OpenAI says its new voice mode can speak and listen at the same time, a key ability for live translation. - [Amazon is reportedly working on a more powerful agentic Alexa assistant](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-is-reportedly-working-on-a-more-powerful-agentic-alexa-assistant/): Amazon is working on a project codenamed 'Moonraker' that would enable the AI assistant to handle multi-step tasks more effectively. - [Crypto VC firm Paradigm raises $1.2B to invest in ‘technical frontier’ startups](https://missmacknog.com/crypto-vc-firm-paradigm-raises-1-2b-to-invest-in-technical-frontier-startups/): For Paradigm, the technical frontier will stretch beyond its cryptocurrency investment roots. This fund is expected to expand its investment focus to include robotics and AI. - [Prime Intellect raises $130M Series A to help enterprises build their own AI agents](https://missmacknog.com/prime-intellect-raises-130m-series-a-to-help-enterprises-build-their-own-ai-agents/): Founded in 2024, Prime Intellect’s goal is to give organizations capabilities to train their own agentic systems without relying on frontier AI labs. - [Official renders for Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 8, Watch 9, Watch 2 Ultra and Z Fold 8 leak](https://missmacknog.com/official-renders-for-samsungs-galaxy-z-flip-8-watch-9-watch-2-ultra-and-z-fold-8-leak/): Renders of multiple new Samsung devices have arrived a few weeks before the company's next Unpacked event. - [VC firm Chemistry is raising $500M for its second fund](https://missmacknog.com/vc-firm-chemistry-is-raising-500m-for-its-second-fund/): Chemistry Ventures, the VC firm launched by Bessemer, Index Ventures, and Andreessen Horowitz alums, is raising $500M for its second fund. - [AI law startup Norm raises $120M, hits unicorn valuation](https://missmacknog.com/ai-law-startup-norm-raises-120m-hits-unicorn-valuation/): AI law startup Norm has raised a $120 million Series C round led by Khosla Ventures, valuing the startup at $1.2 billion.  - [AI automation startup Relay shuts down, staff joins Google’s Chrome team](https://missmacknog.com/ai-automation-startup-relay-shuts-down-staff-joins-googles-chrome-team/): "We have some really ambitious plans to help you work with AI in Chrome to get things done, and I’ll have more to share soon," Jacob Bank, Relay founder and CEO, said. - [What are your retro game consoles worth?](https://missmacknog.com/what-are-your-retro-game-consoles-worth/): Many variables affect the value of retro game consoles today. Which ones are worth keeping, and which ones are destined for the trash? - [Woman claims her stepfather used Grok to transform childhood photo into explicit imagery](https://missmacknog.com/woman-claims-her-stepfather-used-grok-to-transform-childhood-photo-into-explicit-imagery/): The woman claimed that AI tools are "taking everyday life and turning it into child sexual abuse." - [Anthropic shares more details about how Claude’s new watermarks will work](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-shares-more-details-about-how-claudes-new-watermarks-will-work/): How will the watermarking actually work? Can it be hidden with editing? And how does this affect code? - [SpaceX officially closes its Cursor acquisition](https://missmacknog.com/spacex-officially-closes-its-cursor-acquisition/): AI coding startup Cursor is now officially a part of SpaceX. - [How to tell if your AI platforms’ accounts have been hacked](https://missmacknog.com/how-to-tell-if-your-ai-platforms-accounts-have-been-hacked/): A guide on how to check if hackers have broken into your accounts on the most popular AI platforms. - [Every fusion startup that has raised over $100M](https://missmacknog.com/every-fusion-startup-that-has-raised-over-100m/): Fusion startups have raised $7.1 billion to date, with the majority of it going to a handful of companies.  - [Apple proposes to take a 15% cut of purchases made outside the App Store](https://missmacknog.com/apple-proposes-to-take-a-15-cut-of-purchases-made-outside-the-app-store/): Apple is asking a federal judge to allow it to charge commissions of up to 15% on purchases made through external links in iOS apps. - [Kog is going deeper to squeeze more inference out of GPUs](https://missmacknog.com/kog-is-going-deeper-to-squeeze-more-inference-out-of-gpus/): The idea that GPUs are poorly suited for agentic workflows may be a misconception, according to French startup Kog. - [Hyperscalers might regret embracing natural gas if new forecast proves correct](https://missmacknog.com/hyperscalers-might-regret-embracing-natural-gas-if-new-forecast-proves-correct/): Natural gas prices could triple in some parts of the U.S., which could saddle hyperscalers with massive bills to power their AI data centers. - [US courts will start publishing how often the government uses spyware](https://missmacknog.com/us-courts-will-start-publishing-how-often-the-government-uses-spyware/): The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts told TechCrunch that it will start disclosing how many times judges authorized the use of spyware to wiretap suspected criminals. - [Uber and Pony.ai plan to bring 2,000 robotaxis to Europe](https://missmacknog.com/uber-and-pony-ai-plan-to-bring-2000-robotaxis-to-europe/): The partnership is expanding beyond the initial market of Zagreb, Croatia to four additional European cities. - [Investors sue Selena Gomez alleging fraud tied to her mental health startup](https://missmacknog.com/investors-sue-selena-gomez-alleging-fraud-tied-to-her-mental-health-startup/): The plaintiffs say they invested nearly $1.2 million in the company, and are accusing Gomez of failing to build and market the startup. - [Flock says its new tool will help identify police abuse, but hasn’t explained how it works](https://missmacknog.com/flock-says-its-new-tool-will-help-identify-police-abuse-but-hasnt-explained-how-it-works/): The surveillance company announced it's making a tool called "Audit Assistance" mandatory for all customers, claiming it's already helped catch abuse. But the company has yet to explain how the tool works in detail, raising questions about its effectiveness. - [If Apple sends you a push notification alerting you to a spyware attack, take it seriously](https://missmacknog.com/if-apple-sends-you-a-push-notification-alerting-you-to-a-spyware-attack-take-it-seriously/): Apple now sends out push notifications to iPhone lock screens when the company identifies government spyware targeting someone's devices. - [Writer introduces new AI model and upgraded harness to contain token costs](https://missmacknog.com/writer-introduces-new-ai-model-and-upgraded-harness-to-contain-token-costs/): Built as a post-training variation on Z.ai's open source model GLM-5.2, Writer says the new system should provide deployment-ready capabilities at a much lower price. - [Save space in your Google storage by changing this one Android setting](https://missmacknog.com/save-space-in-your-google-storage-by-changing-this-one-android-setting/): If your Google One plan is reaching its data limit, try this before you pay more for storage. - [X open sources its ranking algorithm, letting users see if they’ve been ‘shadowbanned’](https://missmacknog.com/x-open-sources-its-ranking-algorithm-letting-users-see-if-theyve-been-shadowbanned/): X is expanding the open source code behind its 'For You' feed and launching new transparency tools that show users when its ranking systems have affected their accounts or posts. - [Apple is reportedly turning to publishers for help with Siri AI](https://missmacknog.com/apple-is-reportedly-turning-to-publishers-for-help-with-siri-ai/): Apple appears to be trying to secure access to new content and other information for Siri AI. - [Spotify has roped the indie publisher Kobalt into its AI platform for covers and remixes](https://missmacknog.com/spotify-has-roped-the-indie-publisher-kobalt-into-its-ai-platform-for-covers-and-remixes/): Spotify's forthcoming paid add-on lets fans generate content via "AI-powered creative tools." - [Instagram introduces a redesigned wordmark](https://missmacknog.com/instagram-introduces-a-redesigned-wordmark/): The social media giant says it was time for a sharper and more modern look after a decade. - [AI coding startup Cognition reportedly already in talks to raise at $40B valuation](https://missmacknog.com/ai-coding-startup-cognition-reportedly-already-in-talks-to-raise-at-40b-valuation/): Cognition may be looking to raise another mega round just a few months after raising $1 billion at a $26 billion valuation. - [As AI safety concerns mount, three pioneers make the case for staying open](https://missmacknog.com/as-ai-safety-concerns-mount-three-pioneers-make-the-case-for-staying-open/): At Ai4, three of the world's most respected AI experts — Geoffrey Hinton, Fei-Fei Li, and Andrew Ng — debated regulation, open source access, and how America can compete as China advances in Asia. - [OpenAI-backed Thrive Holdings raises $2B to bring AI to the enterprise](https://missmacknog.com/openai-backed-thrive-holdings-raises-2b-to-bring-ai-to-the-enterprise/): Thrive Holdings has raised $2 billion in new funding at a $12 billion valuation from investors like SoftBank, D1 Capital Partners, and Altimeter Capital.  - [Uber Freight reportedly investigating after hacking group claims data breach](https://missmacknog.com/uber-freight-reportedly-investigating-after-hacking-group-claims-data-breach/): An extortion gang known for targeting transportation companies and private equity firms has taken credit for a breach at Uber Freight. - [Mesh, Automattic’s CRM for everyone, comes to Android](https://missmacknog.com/mesh-automattics-crm-for-everyone-comes-to-android/): Mesh, an AI-powered contacts app and relationship manager from Automattic, is now an Android app. - [AI code-testing startup Blacksmith’s valuation jumps almost 10x in less than a year](https://missmacknog.com/ai-code-testing-startup-blacksmiths-valuation-jumps-almost-10x-in-less-than-a-year/): Blacksmith says revenue has grown more than tenfold over the past year. - [Reservoir raises $8M to make water heaters that people — and the grid — will actually want](https://missmacknog.com/reservoir-raises-8m-to-make-water-heaters-that-people-and-the-grid-will-actually-want/): Reservoir has built an ultra-efficient water heater that can predict hot water demand, store energy, and detect plumbing leaks throughout a home. - [India’s Yulu raises $93M as quick-commerce boom fuels e-bike demand](https://missmacknog.com/indias-yulu-raises-93m-as-quick-commerce-boom-fuels-e-bike-demand/): Yulu aims to have a fleet of 200,000 bikes in the next two years and faster electric two-wheelers, aiming at new logistics use cases. - [Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni reportedly knew Phia was ‘cookie stuffing’ for months](https://missmacknog.com/phoebe-gates-and-sophia-kianni-reportedly-knew-phia-was-cookie-stuffing-for-months/): Phia, the shopping startup co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, is once again under fire for its alleged business practices. - [Accel closes oversubscribed $550M India fund within weeks, 19 months after its last](https://missmacknog.com/accel-closes-oversubscribed-550m-india-fund-within-weeks-19-months-after-its-last/): The U.S. VC firm still has more than 55% of its previous $650 million India fund available for deployment. - [NYC Mayor Mamdani announces support for the Delivery Protection Act](https://missmacknog.com/nyc-mayor-mamdani-announces-support-for-the-delivery-protection-act/): Amazon is unsurprisingly fighting measure to stop use of contractors for last-mile delivery in NYC. - [YouTube is making it harder for creators to start getting a cut of ad revenue](https://missmacknog.com/youtube-is-making-it-harder-for-creators-to-start-getting-a-cut-of-ad-revenue/): New YouTube partners will now need twice the number of watch hours or Shorts views in order to qualify for a cut of ad revenue. - [What does a $100 smartphone get you in 2026?](https://missmacknog.com/what-does-a-100-smartphone-get-you-in-2026/): To get a decent cell phone at or under $100, you're going to have to get creative. Here's what to do. - [Before you throw out your old USB drives, do this first](https://missmacknog.com/before-you-throw-out-your-old-usb-drives-do-this-first/): Deleting old files before throwing a storage device away actually offers very little protection. - [What's the difference between MagSafe and Qi wireless charging?](https://missmacknog.com/whats-the-difference-between-magsafe-and-qi-wireless-charging/): Magnets work the same whether you use an iPhone or Android device, but there are some nitty gritty differences in standards you should be aware of. - [OpenAI acquires presentation startup NextSlide](https://missmacknog.com/openai-acquires-presentation-startup-nextslide/): Founder Ahmed Beshry describes the startup’s product as one “that could turn prompts, notes, documents, or research into a polished, editable presentation.” - [X replaces ‘misaligned’ revenue sharing program with Original Content Rewards](https://missmacknog.com/x-replaces-misaligned-revenue-sharing-program-with-original-content-rewards/): X, the social media platform now owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is shaking up how it pays influencers and creators. - [The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is a lot of fun, but it’s not a must-have](https://missmacknog.com/the-kindle-scribe-colorsoft-is-a-lot-of-fun-but-its-not-a-must-have/): While the device is pretty and lightweight, it’s not something the everyday person needs due to its hefty price tag and size.  - [Google’s top hacker hunter explains why hacking groups get code names](https://missmacknog.com/googles-top-hacker-hunter-explains-why-hacking-groups-get-code-names/): Google recently changed how it refers and assigns names to hacking groups. TechCrunch spoke with one of the world’s foremost experts on tracking hackers to understand why companies give hackers codenames. - [OpenAI says it slowed Astra model development over security concerns](https://missmacknog.com/openai-says-it-slowed-astra-model-development-over-security-concerns/): OpenAI said this model, which is still in development, reached its "critical cybersecurity threshold," meaning it could independently identify and carry out cyberattacks against traditionally well-protected real-world systems. - [Computer maker Framework notifies ‘all customers’ of a data breach](https://missmacknog.com/computer-maker-framework-notifies-all-customers-of-a-data-breach/): Framework told "all" of its customers that hackers accessed their names, email addresses, phone numbers, and physical addresses in a data breach. - [Today’s the last day to get up to $400 off your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 ticket](https://missmacknog.com/todays-the-last-day-to-get-up-to-400-off-your-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-ticket/): Starting today, you can take an additional $100 off your founder, investor, or attendee TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass, which is a nice bonus on top of our current discounted pricing.  - [Trump administration has spent nearly $4B to cancel offshore wind farms](https://missmacknog.com/trump-administration-has-spent-nearly-4b-to-cancel-offshore-wind-farms/): The Trump administration has now convinced developers to abandon 12 offshore wind leases. The latest will cost taxpayers $1.2 billion. - [Host your own piece of Disrupt: Apply to run a Side Event at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026](https://missmacknog.com/host-your-own-piece-of-disrupt-apply-to-run-a-side-event-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2026/): You put together the concept — from a founder mixer, an after-hours panel, a themed party, a morning run, whatever fits your goal — and the TechCrunch team helps put it in front of the attendees already in town for Disrupt. - [Chinese AI model Kimi escaped its cybersecurity testing environment, researchers say](https://missmacknog.com/chinese-ai-model-kimi-escaped-its-cybersecurity-testing-environment-researchers-say/): In the Kimi test, the sandbox designed to contain the experiment was not properly configured. - [The founder’s guide to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Everything you need to know](https://missmacknog.com/the-founders-guide-to-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-everything-you-need-to-know/): TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is built around one question: How do you build an enduring company in the AI era? Our programming and speaker lineup reflect that. - [New Mexico court orders Meta to pay additional $567M in child safety case](https://missmacknog.com/new-mexico-court-orders-meta-to-pay-additional-567m-in-child-safety-case/): Meta's total fine has racked up to $942 million in this case. - [OpenAI’s new AI smart speaker will reportedly sell for between $300 and $400](https://missmacknog.com/openais-new-ai-smart-speaker-will-reportedly-sell-for-between-300-and-400/): Additional details about OpenAI's mysterious new AI device make it sound like a pricey smart speaker. - [Your table awaits: Exhibit at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to be seen by thousands ](https://missmacknog.com/your-table-awaits-exhibit-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-to-be-seen-by-thousands/): Not everyone needs a keynote slot to make noise at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Sometimes the best way to meet investors, customers, and partners is by exhibiting directly on the Expo Hall floor at San Francisco’s Moscone West from October 13-15. That’s exactly what our Exhibit Program offers, and it’s still open to showcase your startup.  Here’s what $12,500 buys you:  Joining fellow exhibitors is the fastest, lowest-lift way for a - [Vogue just gave another nod of approval to the tech world](https://missmacknog.com/vogue-just-gave-another-nod-of-approval-to-the-tech-world/): Vogue World is coming to San Francisco next year — perhaps another indication that tech bros are now part of the fashion zeitgeist. - [ChatGPT brings unlimited text chats to free users](https://missmacknog.com/chatgpt-brings-unlimited-text-chats-to-free-users/): OpenAI said that ChatGPT free and Go users are also getting a new think button for complex queries. - [OpenAI will no longer limit how many texts free accounts can send to ChatGPT](https://missmacknog.com/openai-will-no-longer-limit-how-many-texts-free-accounts-can-send-to-chatgpt/): There will still be limits on image generation, voice mode usage and other features. - [Naïve raises $28.5M to automate the grunt work of setting up and running a company](https://missmacknog.com/naive-raises-28-5m-to-automate-the-grunt-work-of-setting-up-and-running-a-company/): Taking vibe-coding a step further, Naïve claims its infra can automate most of the work in setting up and running a business. - [Why smartphone makers stopped using removable batteries, and why they're making a comeback](https://missmacknog.com/why-smartphone-makers-stopped-using-removable-batteries-and-why-theyre-making-a-comeback/): Changes are on the horizon. Soon, we'll be seeing more phones with batteries that the user can remove and replace. - [Google Wallet now lets parents send money securely to their kids](https://missmacknog.com/google-wallet-now-lets-parents-send-money-securely-to-their-kids/): Parents can now send their kids money that can be used anywhere Google Pay is accepted. - [Nikita Bier steps down as X’s head of product](https://missmacknog.com/nikita-bier-steps-down-as-xs-head-of-product/): The serial entrepreneur is stepping down a little over a year after taking the "24/7 job" of overseeing X. - [Travis Kalanick’s robotics startup Atoms taps former Uber finance chief as CFO](https://missmacknog.com/travis-kalanicks-robotics-startup-atoms-taps-former-uber-finance-chief-as-cfo/): Kalanick continues to get the band back together, after acquiring Anthony Levandowski's autonomy startup, and even soliciting investment from Uber. - [Meta launches Muse Code, an AI agent for large code bases](https://missmacknog.com/meta-launches-muse-code-an-ai-agent-for-large-code-bases/): Meta expanded its AI coding offerings with a new agent that, it promises, can handle complex tasks with complex software. - [Trump’s DOJ gains oversight of OpenAI’s green-card employee sponsorships](https://missmacknog.com/trumps-doj-gains-oversight-of-openais-green-card-employee-sponsorships/): The DOJ alleged that OpenAI did not meaningful attempt to hire U.S. citizens before seeking permanent residence for Visa-holding employees. - [Moove raises $250M to become the backbone of the robotaxi industry](https://missmacknog.com/moove-raises-250m-to-become-the-backbone-of-the-robotaxi-industry/): Moove is scaling up the autonomous vehicle fleet management side of its business and plans to someday own, not just manage, Waymo robotaxis. - [Perplexity has successfully overturned Amazon's injunction on its AI shopping bot](https://missmacknog.com/perplexity-has-successfully-overturned-amazons-injunction-on-its-ai-shopping-bot/): Amazon's public fight with Perplexity over online shopping started in November 2025. - [We just got our first real look at how small X's ad business is](https://missmacknog.com/we-just-got-our-first-real-look-at-how-small-xs-ad-business-is/): Advertisers seem to be spending a whole lot less than they used to on the platform. - [SpaceX's first public earnings statement shows the financials of an AI company in 2026](https://missmacknog.com/spacexs-first-public-earnings-statement-shows-the-financials-of-an-ai-company-in-2026/): That's a lot of capital expenditure. - [SpaceX has bought $329M worth of Tesla Megapacks so far this year](https://missmacknog.com/spacex-has-bought-329m-worth-of-tesla-megapacks-so-far-this-year/): The purchase illustrates just how interconnected Elon Musk's universe of companies are. - [Xbox's free 25th anniversary gifts include a dynamic theme and avatars](https://missmacknog.com/xboxs-free-25th-anniversary-gifts-include-a-dynamic-theme-and-avatars/): Xbox's free 25th anniversary gifts include a dynamic theme and avatars. - [Influencers draw backlash for attending OpenAI’s first luxury trip](https://missmacknog.com/influencers-draw-backlash-for-attending-openais-first-luxury-trip/): OpenAI’s first-ever influencer brand trip is sparking online backlash as tensions over the use of AI continue.  - [Apple challenges UK government’s latest demand for iCloud backdoor: report](https://missmacknog.com/apple-challenges-uk-governments-latest-demand-for-icloud-backdoor-report/): Apple has appealed a new legal demand by the U.K. government, which critics say could threaten the privacy rights of users all over the world. - [Want the best bass out of your headphones? Here's what to look for](https://missmacknog.com/want-the-best-bass-out-of-your-headphones-heres-what-to-look-for/): Before you go spend money on new headphones, try these adjustments. You can probably improve the sound on the ones you have. - [The Anbernic RG SP will be available on August 5](https://missmacknog.com/the-anbernic-rg-sp-will-be-available-on-august-5/): This modern-day Game Boy Advance SP remake starts at $65, but Anbernic is offering early bird pricing. - [Xbox 360 games are reportedly coming to PC as well](https://missmacknog.com/xbox-360-games-are-reportedly-coming-to-pc-as-well/): Like Sony, Xbox may be laying the groundwork for an all-digital future. - [How to create and delete stickers on your iPhone](https://missmacknog.com/how-to-create-and-delete-stickers-on-your-iphone/): iPhone stickers are a clever way to make conversations more personal and fun, but a good sticker library requires creating new and deleting old, overused ones. - [Sam Altman is still making the case for parenting via ChatGPT](https://missmacknog.com/sam-altman-is-still-making-the-case-for-parenting-via-chatgpt/): OpenAI's CEO seemed excited to share a "cool use case" for parents. - [This $9 key physically locks your most addictive apps](https://missmacknog.com/this-9-key-physically-locks-your-most-addictive-apps/): This $9 NFC key requires you to physically scan it to unlock distracting apps on your phone. - [Uber is building an autonomous vehicle empire, and here’s every company it’s using to do it](https://missmacknog.com/uber-is-building-an-autonomous-vehicle-empire-and-heres-every-company-its-using-to-do-it/): Uber has partnered with — and in some cases made direct investments in — about 30 autonomous vehicle companies over the past two years. Here's the list and the latest on the partnerships. - [Apps that help you break free from doomscrolling and get active](https://missmacknog.com/apps-that-help-you-break-free-from-doomscrolling-and-get-active/): If you’re looking to cut back on screen time and get a little more active, here’s a roundup of the apps that might help. - [Google nixes its Earth AI feature one day after launch, amid criticism it would spread misinformation](https://missmacknog.com/google-nixes-its-earth-ai-feature-one-day-after-launch-amid-criticism-it-would-spread-misinformation/): A tool that allowed anyone to generate fake AI-generated imagery and superimpose it over real Google Earth maps quickly spurred backlash. - [Fresh off its Wiz payout, Index Ventures raises $2B across three funds](https://missmacknog.com/fresh-off-its-wiz-payout-index-ventures-raises-2b-across-three-funds/): The new funding brings Index's total available investing capital to $3.5 billion. - [New York alleges Kalshi is running an 'illegal gambling operation' in new lawsuit](https://missmacknog.com/new-york-alleges-kalshi-is-running-an-illegal-gambling-operation-in-new-lawsuit/): Kalshi, which is headquartered in New York, has already been sued by multiple states. - [VC-backed startups commit more fraud, and researchers think they know why  ](https://missmacknog.com/vc-backed-startups-commit-more-fraud-and-researchers-think-they-know-why/): New research from the U.K.’s Imperial College and France’s Emlyon Business School mapped out how Silicon Valley founders commit fraud — and the role investors play. - [Sam Altman isn’t the only one who wants to pump the brakes on AI](https://missmacknog.com/sam-altman-isnt-the-only-one-who-wants-to-pump-the-brakes-on-ai/): After years of pushing full speed ahead on AI, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says maybe it’s time for the AI industry to “pace” itself. The comments came just days after one of OpenAI’s own models broke out of its test environment and got tangled up in a breach at Hugging Face — though as Equity’s hosts point out, sloppy security seems to have - [GM and Ford are talking less and less about EVs](https://missmacknog.com/gm-and-ford-are-talking-less-and-less-about-evs/): The leading U.S. automakers are mentioning EVs on their investor calls at pre-pandemic rates, according to new data from TechCrunch and Hudson Labs. - [Samsung expects memory shortage to worsen through 2027 and last until 2028](https://missmacknog.com/samsung-expects-memory-shortage-to-worsen-through-2027-and-last-until-2028/): AI data center demand is fueling a multi-year chip shortage, pushing up component costs and retail device prices. - [SpaceX won’t remove all of xAI’s unpermitted turbines for another year](https://missmacknog.com/spacex-wont-remove-all-of-xais-unpermitted-turbines-for-another-year/): SpaceX is building a new power plant for xAI's Colossus data centers, but it won't remove existing, unpermitted turbines for many more months. - [Reddit is testing a new way to watch — and listen to — its viral posts](https://missmacknog.com/reddit-is-testing-a-new-way-to-watch-and-listen-to-its-viral-posts/): Reddit is developing a new video experience that lets users watch — or simply listen to — its most popular posts, taking inspiration from the viral TikTok videos that pair Reddit stories with gameplay or other footage. CEO Steve Huffman said the feature is already in the works and could begin testing later this year. - [Smallest.ai raises $13M to build ultra-fast voice AI that sounds genuinely human](https://missmacknog.com/smallest-ai-raises-13m-to-build-ultra-fast-voice-ai-that-sounds-genuinely-human/): The startup is building voice models designed to make AI phone calls pass the Turing test. - [Judge says Trump admin still lacks evidence for Anthropic ‘supply-chain risk’ label](https://missmacknog.com/judge-says-trump-admin-still-lacks-evidence-for-anthropic-supply-chain-risk-label/): A federal judge said the Trump administration has not presented enough evidence to justify labeling Anthropic a supply-chain risk, casting doubt on the government's ban on its AI technology. - [CareCloud begins to notify hundreds of thousands after hackers stole medical records](https://missmacknog.com/carecloud-begins-to-notify-hundreds-of-thousands-after-hackers-stole-medical-records/): The health tech data giant, which handles vast amounts of patients' medical data, said hackers struck one of its protected health data stores. - [Friend, the lonely AI wearable, returns with a new voice and a much bigger price tag](https://missmacknog.com/friend-the-lonely-ai-wearable-returns-with-a-new-voice-and-a-much-bigger-price-tag/): Friend, the AI wearable, can now talk to its users — for an enhanced price. - [Google says it fixed more Chrome bugs in June than over the past two years, thanks to AI](https://missmacknog.com/google-says-it-fixed-more-chrome-bugs-in-june-than-over-the-past-two-years-thanks-to-ai/): As experts have warned for the last two years, some companies — like Microsoft and now Google — are finding and patching an exponential number of bugs in their products, thanks to the use of LLMs and AI tools. - [Florida plans to build air taxi pads using $200M intended for EV chargers](https://missmacknog.com/florida-plans-to-build-air-taxi-pads-using-200m-intended-for-ev-chargers/): Florida wants to use federal EV charger funds to build an air taxi network connecting golf courses, luxury apartment buildings, and airports. - [OpenAI will provide free AI models to select researchers](https://missmacknog.com/openai-will-provide-free-ai-models-to-select-researchers/): The program, ChatGPT for Academic Researchers, will start with 10,000 participants this summer. - [Discover what’s next for AI, from the SaaS reckoning to the agent security gap, at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 ](https://missmacknog.com/discover-whats-next-for-ai-from-the-saas-reckoning-to-the-agent-security-gap-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2026/): At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, the AI Stage is back to dig into the single hottest topic in the community for the past few years, presented by Google for Startups. - [Google Play is expanding age confirmation tools for app developers](https://missmacknog.com/google-play-is-expanding-age-confirmation-tools-for-app-developers/): The Age Signals API will be available globally before the end of the year. - [The US government's robot ban also includes vacuums](https://missmacknog.com/the-us-governments-robot-ban-also-includes-vacuums/): Robots apparently don't need to be bipedal to be caught up in the FCC's new foreign-made robot ban. - [Waymos are starting to run on freeways again](https://missmacknog.com/waymos-are-starting-to-run-on-freeways-again/): Waymo paused highway operations in May after several robotaxis drove into sections that were closed for construction. - [Waymo, robotaxi operators face fresh scrutiny over emergency response failures](https://missmacknog.com/waymo-robotaxi-operators-face-fresh-scrutiny-over-emergency-response-failures/): Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-California ) has proposed a bill that would direct federal regulators to establish minimum national safety standards for autonomous vehicle operators. - [eBay reaches $56M settlement with e-commerce newsletter writers it terrorized in 2019](https://missmacknog.com/ebay-reaches-56m-settlement-with-e-commerce-newsletter-writers-it-terrorized-in-2019/): Ina and David Steiner inspired the ire of high-level eBay executives after occasionally criticizing the company in their newsletter. In 2019, a plot was concocted to intimidate the couple into halting their negative coverage. - [These App Store hidden gems prove there’s still room for great software in the AI era](https://missmacknog.com/these-app-store-hidden-gems-prove-theres-still-room-for-great-software-in-the-ai-era/): Despite predictions that AI agents could make traditional apps obsolete, developers are shipping new software faster than ever. From smarter bookmarking tools and neighborhood marketplaces to digital pen pals and nature journals, here are the latest App Store finds worth adding to your Home Screen. - [HBO Max embraces vertical video with a new ‘Shorts’ feed](https://missmacknog.com/hbo-max-embraces-vertical-video-with-a-new-shorts-feed/): HBO Max, like other streaming platforms, is rethinking content discovery as large libraries are making it hard for viewers to find something to watch and as audiences become accustomed to short-form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. - [What will Apple’s John Ternus era look like?](https://missmacknog.com/what-will-apples-john-ternus-era-look-like/): It’s officially the Ternus era at Apple.   Tim Cook stepped down as CEO this week, handing the company to former hardware chief John Ternus, whose first memo promised a “huge launch next week” — timing that puts Apple’s next iPhone event on his desk before he’s even settled in. Cook isn’t going far, though: he’s staying on as Executive Chairman, focused on the kind of policy - [No little kids allowed, and other new info about Tesla’s Cybercab](https://missmacknog.com/no-little-kids-allowed-and-other-new-info-about-teslas-cybercab/): The company says no children under 13 can ride -- even with a parent. That's more restrictive than the Model Y SUVs it's using as robotaxis. - [Another swarm of OpenAI agents reached the open internet without the frontier lab’s knowledge](https://missmacknog.com/another-swarm-of-openai-agents-reached-the-open-internet-without-the-frontier-labs-knowledge/): It's the latest failure of OpenAI's internal monitoring and security systems. - [CD sales are making an unexpected comeback amid a retro tech boom](https://missmacknog.com/cd-sales-are-making-an-unexpected-comeback-amid-a-retro-tech-boom/): U.S. CD revenue jumped 58.6% in the first half of 2026, reversing last year’s decline as interest in retro tech and physical media continues to grow. - [Krafton doubles down on India with another $250M bet beyond gaming](https://missmacknog.com/krafton-doubles-down-on-india-with-another-250m-bet-beyond-gaming/): Krafton's planned investment in India is set to surpass $500 million with its latest commitment. - [Google’s Gemini Spark can now manage your Google Photos library](https://missmacknog.com/googles-gemini-spark-can-now-manage-your-google-photos-library/): Gemini Spark can edit and curate photo albums, create shared collections, turn photos into calendar events, and handle other Google Photos tasks for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. - [Less than 24 hours to apply for your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Side Event](https://missmacknog.com/less-than-24-hours-to-apply-for-your-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-side-event/): Less than 24 hours left to apply to host a Side Event during TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 and make your mark in the Silicon Valley scene. Apply before the application closes tonight at midnight PT. - [US military disabled ad tracking on troops’ devices following reports of targeted attacks](https://missmacknog.com/us-military-disabled-ad-tracking-on-troops-devices-following-reports-of-targeted-attacks/): A senator's letter confirms the U.S. military moved to prevent the tracking after foreign adversaries used location data to target troops. - [Feds launch investigation into Tesla’s Cybercab deployment](https://missmacknog.com/feds-launch-investigation-into-teslas-cybercab-deployment/): The investigation was launched just a few hours after Tesla put the first production Cybercabs on the road in Austin. - [The sameness problem behind those unappetizing AI-generated menus](https://missmacknog.com/the-sameness-problem-behind-those-unappetizing-ai-generated-menus/): While restaurant owners might look to generative AI as a shortcut to sprucing up their menu, customers can viscerally sense that something is wrong with the food. - [Crusoe reportedly raises $3B at a $30B valuation](https://missmacknog.com/crusoe-reportedly-raises-3b-at-a-30b-valuation/): The round came together after the data center developer reportedly secured a $13 billion contract with Jane Street. - [Oura files to go public](https://missmacknog.com/oura-files-to-go-public/): The ring maker says that its business has shown significant revenue growth over the past year. - [Tesla is asking people if they want to buy and run Cybercab fleets](https://missmacknog.com/tesla-is-asking-people-if-they-want-to-buy-and-run-cybercab-fleets/): The company published a form on its website Thursday soliciting info from people who are interested in "Cybercab fleet vehicle purchasing." - [Accel reportedly in talks to lead $1B round for Thinking Machines at $40B valuation](https://missmacknog.com/accel-reportedly-in-talks-to-lead-1b-round-for-thinking-machines-at-40b-valuation/): The high-profile startup's annual revenue run rate stands at over $100 million. - [Utilities are racing to link up with fusion startups, with Realta Fusion the latest to benefit](https://missmacknog.com/utilities-are-racing-to-link-up-with-fusion-startups-with-realta-fusion-the-latest-to-benefit/): The grid has been straining under the weight of new AI data centers, and that has utilities courting fusion startups. - [Epic Games brings cross-platform voice chat to Fortnite and its services](https://missmacknog.com/epic-games-brings-cross-platform-voice-chat-to-fortnite-and-its-services/): Game and yap from across Epic's ecosystem. - [Abliteration.ai is making a business out of removing AI guardrails](https://missmacknog.com/abliteration-ai-is-making-a-business-out-of-removing-ai-guardrails/): Abliteration.AI is making powerful AI models without guardrails easier to access, arguing that giving defenders the same tools as bad actors could ultimately improve cybersecurity. - [Meta is paying to peek at how you use their latest AI model](https://missmacknog.com/meta-is-paying-to-peek-at-how-you-use-their-latest-ai-model/): For its new Muse Spark model, intended for operating coding and other agents, Meta is offering an explicit discount averaging out to about 95% for users who "contribute" to the development of future models by sharing their prompts and model outputs. - [Google spared from ad-business breakup, but judge orders changes to how it operates](https://missmacknog.com/google-spared-from-ad-business-breakup-but-judge-orders-changes-to-how-it-operates/): Google has dodged an effort to break up its ad business, but a judge said Wednesday that the company will need to adjust its business to benefit competitors. - [OpenAI’s new reasoning technique alarms AI safety experts](https://missmacknog.com/openais-new-reasoning-technique-alarms-ai-safety-experts/): OpenAI’s new Astra model will use “recurrent depth,” a technique that allows the model to operate outside of the sequential thinking that characterizes most reasoning models. - [MapQuest is now the No. 1 US app after bucking Trump’s ‘Lake America’ renaming](https://missmacknog.com/mapquest-is-now-the-no-1-us-app-after-bucking-trumps-lake-america-renaming/): The once-dominant mapping app has surged to the top of Apple’s U.S. App Store after refusing to adopt Trump’s “Lake America” name, drawing more than half of its 2026 U.S. downloads in just six days. - [It sure looks like hackers breached a major ID card verification service](https://missmacknog.com/it-sure-looks-like-hackers-breached-a-major-id-card-verification-service/): An identity theft search site claimed to have more than 150 million driver's license photos stolen from an ID verification service. The crime site has now shut down. - [Delivery Hero board backs Uber’s $15B takeover bid](https://missmacknog.com/delivery-hero-board-backs-ubers-15b-takeover-bid/): If approved, the combined company would become one of the largest food delivery platforms in the world. - [Reliance’s JioHotstar takes its streaming empire global — without sports](https://missmacknog.com/reliances-jiohotstar-takes-its-streaming-empire-global-without-sports/): JioHotstar will only have entertainment content when it launches in the UK, Canada, and Singapore. - [Apple follows Google in adopting Trump’s ‘Lake America’ name](https://missmacknog.com/apple-follows-google-in-adopting-trumps-lake-america-name/): Apple Maps is following President Trump's executive order to change the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America. - [AfterQuery reportedly becomes Y Combinator’s fastest-ever unicorn, now valued at $3.2B](https://missmacknog.com/afterquery-reportedly-becomes-y-combinators-fastest-ever-unicorn-now-valued-at-3-2b/): AI model-training startup AfterQuery has reportedly raised a round that valued it at $3.2 billion, just five months after announcing its $30 million Series A at a $300 million valuation in April. - [OpenAI’s Astra model is on the way — and very good at breaking into computer systems](https://missmacknog.com/openais-astra-model-is-on-the-way-and-very-good-at-breaking-into-computer-systems/): OpenAI previewed the precautions it is taking as it prepares to release Astra, its newest, cyber-critical LLM. - [Google’s Android update tackles motion sickness, accessibility, and more](https://missmacknog.com/googles-android-update-tackles-motion-sickness-accessibility-and-more/): While some of the features see Google playing catch-up to Apple, which already offers similar features for iPhone users, others specifically leverage Gemini to provide various improvements. - [If space data centers feel far-fetched, why not interstellar travel?](https://missmacknog.com/if-space-data-centers-feel-far-fetched-why-not-interstellar-travel/): The team behind Starcloud's orbital data centers has a new high-risk space project: Sending a probe to Alpha Centauri. - [Magna increases bet on battery swapping in India with $35M for Yuma](https://missmacknog.com/magna-increases-bet-on-battery-swapping-in-india-with-35m-for-yuma/): Magna's investment in Yuma Energy has reached $87 million as the Canadian auto supplier increases its majority stake in the Indian battery-swapping firm. - [Lachy Groom backs Indian startup aiming to keep aircraft aloft for a year](https://missmacknog.com/lachy-groom-backs-indian-startup-aiming-to-keep-aircraft-aloft-for-a-year/): Founded by a 20-year-old, Alteon is developing autonomous aircraft that hopes to harvest wind energy to stay aloft for several months. - [Apple shares ‘shocking evidence’ against former employee accused of stealing company data for OpenAI](https://missmacknog.com/apple-shares-shocking-evidence-against-former-employee-accused-of-stealing-company-data-for-openai/): Apple says it has evidence that a former employee destroyed evidence of data theft after learning he was under investigation. - [Polymarket reportedly raises $300 million from Donald Trump Jr.’s investment fund](https://missmacknog.com/polymarket-reportedly-raises-300-million-from-donald-trump-jr-s-investment-fund/): The firm, 1789 Capital, led the funding round that reportedly will total around $1 billion. - [Liux’s Big microcar bets on sustainability to take on Chinese rivals](https://missmacknog.com/liuxs-big-microcar-bets-on-sustainability-to-take-on-chinese-rivals/): The Liux Big microcar is made in Spain. The startup thinks it can compete in a crowded market with its tiny electric car built around sustainability. - [Musk’s faster path to more gas turbines comes with pollution problem](https://missmacknog.com/musks-faster-path-to-more-gas-turbines-comes-with-pollution-problem/): Elon Musk says a secretive new SpaceX foundry will let him cast his own turbine blades and get gas power online 18 months faster than anyone else — but it's a bet on a fuel source that's already triggering lawsuits and health studies everywhere his (and others') turbines have gone in. - [TechCrunch Mobility: The hidden human cost of robotaxis](https://missmacknog.com/techcrunch-mobility-the-hidden-human-cost-of-robotaxis/): Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for the future of transportation and now, more than ever, the role AI is playing in it. - [Caterpillar is bringing to AI deployment what it learned from automating mining](https://missmacknog.com/caterpillar-is-bringing-to-ai-deployment-what-it-learned-from-automating-mining/): Caterpillar has spent decades putting autonomous machines to work at remote mining sites. It's now bringing that experience to AI deployment. - [Sony Music, Warner sue Anthropic, alleging a ‘brazen campaign’ of intellectual property theft](https://missmacknog.com/sony-music-warner-sue-anthropic-alleging-a-brazen-campaign-of-intellectual-property-theft/): This latest lawsuit is particularly broad and homes in on accusations of illegal piracy. - [Open-weight AI companies are the Valley’s hottest acquisition targets](https://missmacknog.com/open-weight-ai-companies-are-the-valleys-hottest-acquisition-targets/): There's a lot of capital pouring into the business of giving models away. - [How Sweden built one of Europe’s hottest startup ecosystems ](https://missmacknog.com/how-sweden-built-one-of-europes-hottest-startup-ecosystems/): Sophia Bendz, general partner at Cherry Ventures, stopped by Equity to break down the latest in the Swedish tech ecosystem. - [More Americans oppose police license plate cameras than support them: survey](https://missmacknog.com/more-americans-oppose-police-license-plate-cameras-than-support-them-survey/): The backlash against license plate readers comes amid a wave of police abuses of surveillance cameras. - [Friend-focused photo-sharing app Retro snags $21M](https://missmacknog.com/friend-focused-photo-sharing-app-retro-snags-21m/): Retro, a friend-focused photo-sharing app built by former Instagram employees, has raised more than $21 million in Series A funding. - [Apple TV is raising its subscription prices again](https://missmacknog.com/apple-tv-is-raising-its-subscription-prices-again/): Now, Apple TV subscriptions will cost $14.99 per month, up from its previous price of $12.99 per month. - [a16z creates a $1.1B ‘Machine Age’ fund to ‘accelerate the physical buildout of AI’](https://missmacknog.com/a16z-creates-a-1-1b-machine-age-fund-to-accelerate-the-physical-buildout-of-ai/): The firm, known for its focus on software, is going to start throwing more money at the hardware behind AI. - [Anthropic gets its first court win over the Pentagon’s supply-chain risk label](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-gets-its-first-court-win-over-the-pentagons-supply-chain-risk-label/): A federal judge ruled the Trump administration illegally labeled Anthropic a supply-chain risk, handing the AI company a victory as its second Pentagon lawsuit continues in Washington. - [Meta executive leaves for OpenAI as the social media giant faces growing scrutiny in India](https://missmacknog.com/meta-executive-leaves-for-openai-as-the-social-media-giant-faces-growing-scrutiny-in-india/): Sandhya Devanathan will oversee some OpenAI operations across Southeast Asia and Australia in her new role. - [As electric two-wheelers gain a foothold, Belgian startup Any bets on cargo space](https://missmacknog.com/as-electric-two-wheelers-gain-a-foothold-belgian-startup-any-bets-on-cargo-space/): Launched by Belgian startup Any, LUV1 is a modular electric motorcycle with 120 liters of cargo space that can be used to carry bags, work equipment, or even pets. - [YouTube now lets creators tag Amazon products and earn commissions from purchases](https://missmacknog.com/youtube-now-lets-creators-tag-amazon-products-and-earn-commissions-from-purchases/): The update turns product recommendations into a more direct revenue stream for creators, and for Amazon, the move puts its massive online marketplace inside one of the most popular video platforms. - [Barret Zoph, the Thinking Machines co-founder ousted before joining OpenAI, is now at Google](https://missmacknog.com/barret-zoph-the-thinking-machines-co-founder-ousted-before-joining-openai-is-now-at-google/): Zoph, who co-founded Thinking Machines Lab alongside Mira Murati and also served as the startup's CTO, led a brief stint at OpenAI and is now at Google. - [ATF declares ‘major incident’ as ransomware gang claims hack](https://missmacknog.com/atf-declares-major-incident-as-ransomware-gang-claims-hack/): The ATF is the latest federal government agency in recent years to notify Congress of a "major incident" involving its cybersecurity. - [OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and 100 other companies call for action to defend against rogue AI](https://missmacknog.com/openai-anthropic-google-and-100-other-companies-call-for-action-to-defend-against-rogue-ai/): Some of the world's largest tech companies and AI startups have come together to decry the current state of cybersecurity and to advertise a new solution that they say can ward off a new generation of cyber threats. - [Google’s new Fitbit Air brings Pokémon Sleep to your wrist](https://missmacknog.com/googles-new-fitbit-air-brings-pokemon-sleep-to-your-wrist/): Google teamed up with the Pokémon Company to introduce a special-edition Fitbit Air that works with the Pokémon Sleep app. - [Nvidia closes in on Hugging Face acquisition](https://missmacknog.com/nvidia-closes-in-on-hugging-face-acquisition/): Nvidia has reportedly agreed to buy Hugging Face, the popular open source AI hub, for $12.9 billion in a move that would let Nvidia both protect its chip empire and jump back into the cloud business. - [Viral AI startup Instinct has raised $350M at a $2.5B valuation](https://missmacknog.com/viral-ai-startup-instinct-has-raised-350m-at-a-2-5b-valuation/): The startup is only a year old but it has already generated a massive amount of hype (and money) while also spurring privacy concerns. - [Amazon just tripled its order of Nvidia chips over ‘surging demand’](https://missmacknog.com/amazon-just-tripled-its-order-of-nvidia-chips-over-surging-demand/): Amazon is adding another 2 million Nvidia GPU chips to its data centers over the next two years. But this extended partnerships stretches beyond buying more chips. - [Meta’s $18B child-safety deal hinges on age-verification tech that doesn’t work well](https://missmacknog.com/metas-18b-child-safety-deal-hinges-on-age-verification-tech-that-doesnt-work-well/): The historic settlement reignites ongoing concern around how age-verification technology puts privacy at risk. - [Anthropic continues compute-gobbling streak in $45B deal with Nscale](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-continues-compute-gobbling-streak-in-45b-deal-with-nscale/): The new deal with the infrastructure provider is the latest example of Anthropic's white-hot compute-gobbling streak. - [SpaceX is building a $100 billion 'Starbase' launch site in Louisiana](https://missmacknog.com/spacex-is-building-a-100-billion-starbase-launch-site-in-louisiana/): 'We're preparing to build a spaceport that, until now, has only existed in science fiction,' - [Adam Mosseri says it's 'news to me' that Instagram employees limited his exposure to teen safety data](https://missmacknog.com/adam-mosseri-says-its-news-to-me-that-instagram-employees-limited-his-exposure-to-teen-safety-data/): The head of Instagram is the first high-profile exec to testify in the latest social media addiction trial. - [Here are three sick Gibson guitar controllers made for Stage Tour's Dec. 10 release](https://missmacknog.com/here-are-three-sick-gibson-guitar-controllers-made-for-stage-tours-dec-10-release/): CRKD is mining nostalgia for its latest guitar trio. - [Lego Skylines is a cozy city builder from the studio that's repairing Cities: Skylines II](https://missmacknog.com/lego-skylines-is-a-cozy-city-builder-from-the-studio-thats-repairing-cities-skylines-ii/): Iceflake Studios is preparing a cozy new city builder centered on the famous bricks. - [Instagram adds feature that automatically trims clips for Reels](https://missmacknog.com/instagram-adds-feature-that-automatically-trims-clips-for-reels/): First Draft takes care of the busywork of video editing. - [WhatsApp tightens account security with stronger two-step verification and more](https://missmacknog.com/whatsapp-tightens-account-security-with-stronger-two-step-verification-and-more/): WhatsApp’s two-step verification previously relied on a six-digit PIN, but now users can choose a longer, alphanumeric password with special characters. - [Andy Dunn’s startup Pie becomes less of an events app and more of a social network](https://missmacknog.com/andy-dunns-startup-pie-becomes-less-of-an-events-app-and-more-of-a-social-network/): The social app founded by Bonobos co-founder Andy Dunn is expanding beyond events with new digital homes for groups to connect, organize, and make plans. - [Fiat Ventures combines venture and advisory divisions into new brand, raises $35M Fund II](https://missmacknog.com/fiat-ventures-combines-venture-and-advisory-divisions-into-new-brand-raises-35m-fund-ii/): In an environment where emerging fund managers struggle to attract LP attention, FGV is betting that a different venture model can help it lure LPs. - [ASUS is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its gaming division with the ROG XBOX Ally X20](https://missmacknog.com/asus-is-celebrating-the-20th-anniversary-of-its-gaming-division-with-the-rog-xbox-ally-x20/): The big upgrade on the 20th anniversary ROG XBOX Ally X20 is a larger 7.4-inch OLED display. - [Fitbit founders launch Luffu Link, an LTE health and safety band](https://missmacknog.com/fitbit-founders-launch-luffu-link-an-lte-health-and-safety-band/): Luffu Link combines all-day health sensing, voice logging, location awareness, and the ability to get help from trusted contacts into a single device, all without needing a phone nearby. - [Inherent, founded by DeepMind alumni, says its AI ‘teammate’ just outperformed Anthropic and OpenAI at replicating research](https://missmacknog.com/inherent-founded-by-deepmind-alumni-says-its-ai-teammate-just-outperformed-anthropic-and-openai-at-replicating-research/): Built by DeepMind alumni, British AI lab Inherent released Faraday, an AI agent whose ability to replicate scientific papers could be a stepping stone for innovation. - [OpenAI says California should strengthen its AI safety bill](https://missmacknog.com/openai-says-california-should-strengthen-its-ai-safety-bill/): OpenAI is calling for California to strengthen SB 53, an AI safety bill that the company previously opposed. - [Frontier AI labs still won’t say how they’d contain a rogue model](https://missmacknog.com/frontier-ai-labs-still-wont-say-how-theyd-contain-a-rogue-model/): A new study finds leading AI labs have few publicly documented plans for containing rogue models, raising questions about preparedness as AI systems increasingly demonstrate unexpected and potentially dangerous behavior. - [US battery startups have found a lifeline in defense](https://missmacknog.com/us-battery-startups-have-found-a-lifeline-in-defense/): U.S. battery startups pulled in $500 million in grants from the Department of Energy, throwing a lifeline to an industry that was on the ropes after EV incentives were slashed. - [Pixel 11 Pro XL review: Snappier cameras can’t hide an iterative upgrade](https://missmacknog.com/pixel-11-pro-xl-review-snappier-cameras-cant-hide-an-iterative-upgrade/): Google’s Pixel 11 Pro XL brings snappier cameras and genuinely useful AI features like Rambler, but its iterative upgrades may not be enough to tempt recent Pixel owners. - [How AI accounting startup Rillet raised $100M and became a unicorn in 48 hours](https://missmacknog.com/how-ai-accounting-startup-rillet-raised-100m-and-became-a-unicorn-in-48-hours/): Rillet CEO Nicolas Kopp shared growth numbers at a board meeting and set off a fundraising frenzy from Iconiq, Sequoia and others. Without even trying. - [Apple is reportedly cutting hundreds of jobs from Siri, Vision Pro teams](https://missmacknog.com/apple-is-reportedly-cutting-hundreds-of-jobs-from-siri-vision-pro-teams/): Apple has admitted that some roles are being impacted as it shifts its focus away from certain initiatives. - [TikTok reaches $400M settlement over children’s privacy lawsuit](https://missmacknog.com/tiktok-reaches-400m-settlement-over-childrens-privacy-lawsuit/): Two years after the U.S. Department of Justice alleged that TikTok violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, it has reached a $400 million settlement. - [The $225 Pebble Time 2 is a refreshingly fun smartwatch](https://missmacknog.com/the-225-pebble-time-2-is-a-refreshingly-fun-smartwatch/): The $225 Pebble Time 2 pairs quirky watch faces and apps with physical buttons, an e-paper display, weeks of battery life, and a playful hacker spirit. - [Nvidia just showed that the harness, not the AI model, is now the real hero](https://missmacknog.com/nvidia-just-showed-that-the-harness-not-the-ai-model-is-now-the-real-hero/): Nvidia research shows that AI agents can perform well, and not go off the deep end, through fine-tuning, even if the AI model isn't that great at the task. - [US government lab is probing Chinese lidar for security vulnerabilities](https://missmacknog.com/us-government-lab-is-probing-chinese-lidar-for-security-vulnerabilities/): The security review is being performed by the Idaho National Laboratory, and the research is being funded by a company -- or a group of companies -- in the electric and autonomous vehicle industries. - [We have more details on Apple's camera-equipped AirPods and they are pretty dang weird](https://missmacknog.com/we-have-more-details-on-apples-camera-equipped-airpods-and-they-are-pretty-dang-weird/): Each earbud takes its own image, which is then synchronized for use by Visual Intelligence. - [Walmart will finally accept tap to pay in stores by the end of 2026](https://missmacknog.com/walmart-will-finally-accept-tap-to-pay-in-stores-by-the-end-of-2026/): Sam's Club will soon let you pay with your phone or smartwatch too. - [Oura faces lawsuit accusing it of misleading consumers about sleep-tracking accuracy](https://missmacknog.com/oura-faces-lawsuit-accusing-it-of-misleading-consumers-about-sleep-tracking-accuracy/): The lawsuit alleges that Oura rings are unable to measure any of the physiological signals needed to assess sleep quality or determine sleep stages. - [Walmart to finally start accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay](https://missmacknog.com/walmart-to-finally-start-accepting-apple-pay-and-google-pay/): Are pigs flying? Walmart has finally caved on its refusal to support Apple Pay and Google Pay. - [Senators press TikTok on 'sinister' experiment that held back an algorithm safety feature](https://missmacknog.com/senators-press-tiktok-on-sinister-experiment-that-held-back-an-algorithm-safety-feature/): A teen who died by suicide was reportedly part of the test. - [Google gives publishers a new way to fight AI-driven traffic losses](https://missmacknog.com/google-gives-publishers-a-new-way-to-fight-ai-driven-traffic-losses/): Google is giving publishers a new button that lets readers make them a preferred source across Search, Discover, and Google News, potentially boosting their traffic as AI search sends fewer clicks to the web. - [Meta's app for creating generative AI minigames is now available in the US](https://missmacknog.com/metas-app-for-creating-generative-ai-minigames-is-now-available-in-the-us/): It's called Pocket and is described as a "platform for making and sharing gizmos." - [How to watch Gamescom's Opening Night Live showcase](https://missmacknog.com/how-to-watch-gamescoms-opening-night-live-showcase/): The two-hour stream will feature Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, Gears of War: E-Day and The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past. - [Chinese video platform Bilibili is going global](https://missmacknog.com/chinese-video-platform-bilibili-is-going-global/): The platform is expanding with a new international app and an English version of its website. - [Pokémon and Polaroid are collaborating on three new adorable cameras](https://missmacknog.com/pokemon-and-polaroid-are-collaborating-on-three-new-adorable-cameras/): The new cameras are prettier versions of Polaroid Now and Polaroid Go. - [A robot could eventually conduct your blood draw at the doctor's office](https://missmacknog.com/a-robot-could-eventually-conduct-your-blood-draw-at-the-doctors-office/): The FDA has approved a first-of-its-kind automated blood draw device for outpatient settings. - [Google is offering college students a year of its AI Pro plan for free](https://missmacknog.com/google-is-offering-college-students-a-year-of-its-ai-pro-plan-for-free/): College students can get a free year of Google's AI Pro plan, something that would normally cost $200. - [Study finds a 15 percent increase in traffic deaths after major music streaming releases](https://missmacknog.com/study-finds-a-15-percent-increase-in-traffic-deaths-after-major-music-streaming-releases/): Drivers may be more distracted on days when a big new album drops. - [Mattel is releasing a full-scale building brick set of the original Xbox](https://missmacknog.com/mattel-is-releasing-a-full-scale-building-brick-set-of-the-original-xbox/): The $330 Xbox building set includes a controller that interacts with three game-inspired dioramas. - [DOJ’s probe into Andreessen Horowitz over board seats baffles VCs](https://missmacknog.com/dojs-probe-into-andreessen-horowitz-over-board-seats-baffles-vcs/): Since portfolio companies often pivot and expand into competing markets, investors view occasional conflicts of interest as unavoidable for large VC firms. - [How to check your iPhone's battery health and cycle count](https://missmacknog.com/how-to-check-your-iphones-battery-health-and-cycle-count/): How to check your iPhone's battery health and cycle count. - [TikTok explores peer-to-peer payments via DMs, report says](https://missmacknog.com/tiktok-explores-peer-to-peer-payments-via-dms-report-says/): If rolled out, the feature would use the social media service’s TikTok Pay offering, which is already available in Southeast Asia for TikTok Shop purchases. - [OpenAI institutes new safeguards after Hugging Face breach](https://missmacknog.com/openai-institutes-new-safeguards-after-hugging-face-breach/): The new safeguards include more detailed monitoring of models during the development process, as well as greater emphasis on alignment and security during the post-training process. - [Etched’s valuation doubles to $21B in a month](https://missmacknog.com/etcheds-valuation-doubles-to-21b-in-a-month/): Jane Street has installed Etched's first shipped AI cluster system, and was so impressed, it led another massive round, the startup says. - [Apple appears to have leaked its camera-equipped AirPods](https://missmacknog.com/apple-appears-to-have-leaked-its-camera-equipped-airpods/): Apple may have leaked its camera-equipped AirPods in a video tucked into macOS Tahoe 26.7. - [Anthropic’s annualized revenue surges to $65B](https://missmacknog.com/anthropics-annualized-revenue-surges-to-65b/): The model maker added $18 billion in annualized revenue in two months. - [Why flash drive capacity keeps increasing (and why small drives are rarely sold today)](https://missmacknog.com/why-flash-drive-capacity-keeps-increasing-and-why-small-drives-are-rarely-sold-today/): While smaller drives can certainly still be found, there's a good reason why you don't often find them on retailers' shelves. - [Unsecured OpenAI agents posted 53 user images on the internet without the lab’s knowledge](https://missmacknog.com/unsecured-openai-agents-posted-53-user-images-on-the-internet-without-the-labs-knowledge/): AI agents operating in OpenAI's research environment posted user images on public image-hosting sites without the lab's knowledge. - [Meta opens early access program for new Muse features](https://missmacknog.com/meta-opens-early-access-program-for-new-muse-features/): Anyone interested in joining has to ask Muse to put them on the list. - [The hottest new hangout for middle schoolers is NPR’s comment section?](https://missmacknog.com/the-hottest-new-hangout-for-middle-schoolers-is-nprs-comment-section/): When NPR staffers flagged strange comments under their podcasts on Spotify as bots, it took a Gen Z colleague to (immediately) figure out the mystery. - [Anthropic to pay Akamai $11.6 billion over seven years in cloud deal](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-to-pay-akamai-11-6-billion-over-seven-years-in-cloud-deal/): Anthropic has committed $11.6 billion over seven years to Akamai's cloud infrastructure, a bet on CPUs that could grow to about $20 billion, and in an unusual arrangement, Akamai is giving Anthropic a potential stake of up to 5% of its stock that grows as Anthropic spends more. - [Some Supabase customers are publicly exposing reams of people’s data to the web](https://missmacknog.com/some-supabase-customers-are-publicly-exposing-reams-of-peoples-data-to-the-web/): The findings highlight how AI-generated and vibe-coded apps can spill and expose users' data when not configured or secured properly. - [Astra and Opus just passed Turing’s other test](https://missmacknog.com/astra-and-opus-just-passed-turings-other-test/): Frontier AI models are finishing Alan Turing's World War II codebreaking work. - [Meta is putting its muscle behind Muse as the AI app takes off](https://missmacknog.com/meta-is-putting-its-muscle-behind-muse-as-the-ai-app-takes-off/): Muse is topping the app store charts and adding users at a rapid clip, while Meta ramps up the personal AI agent's promotion across its own apps and beyond. - [Meta’s AI Tamagotchi bet is…working?](https://missmacknog.com/metas-ai-tamagotchi-bet-isworking/): When AI leaders at OpenAI and Anthropic started talking about “pacing the frontier,” maybe someone should have asked: what pace? Now it’s turned into model drop week for both companies as Anthropic rolled out Opus 5.5, followed by OpenAI’s GPT-6 model updates just 90 minutes later. But the company that stole the spotlight was Meta, whose personal AI agent Muse is reportedly outpacing ChatGPT’s early numbers and is headed for smart glasses and - [Kiteworks urges customers to shut down their servers amid ‘imminent’ threat of cyberattack](https://missmacknog.com/kiteworks-urges-customers-to-shut-down-their-servers-amid-imminent-threat-of-cyberattack/): The tech giant, which allows companies to send large datasets over the internet, said it received a "credible threat" from law enforcement about an imminent attack. - [New York continues to fight prediction markets with a lawsuit against Polymarket](https://missmacknog.com/new-york-continues-to-fight-prediction-markets-with-a-lawsuit-against-polymarket/): The state now has illegal gambling charges underway against four of these businesses. - [Google is sending a teensy-tiny AI data center to space](https://missmacknog.com/google-is-sending-a-teensy-tiny-ai-data-center-to-space/): It's an experiment to see how the chips hold up in the harsh vacuum of the cosmos. - [Turtle Beach Rematch review: The cutest Switch 2 controller of the bunch](https://missmacknog.com/turtle-beach-rematch-review-the-cutest-switch-2-controller-of-the-bunch/): Official Nintendo designs and RGB lighting give the Rematch an adorable edge. - [It took MapQuest until 2026 to add public transit directions](https://missmacknog.com/it-took-mapquest-until-2026-to-add-public-transit-directions/): The 30-year-old map service is quickly getting with the times. - [Google Photos' new Redact tool will make it easy to hide sensitive information](https://missmacknog.com/google-photos-new-redact-tool-will-make-it-easy-to-hide-sensitive-information/): Google Photos' new AI-powered features include the Redact tool, which can quickly blur parts of an image. - [OpenAI's agent hacked into an Australian government website](https://missmacknog.com/openais-agent-hacked-into-an-australian-government-website/): Researchers and the Prime Minister of Australia have revealed more instances of OpenAI's agents going rogue. - [Nikon's new Z5 IIC is a cheaper Z5 II without the electronic viewfinder](https://missmacknog.com/nikons-new-z5-iic-is-a-cheaper-z5-ii-without-the-electronic-viewfinder/): Nikon's Z5 IIC is an inexpensive but powerful full-frame camera. - [Everything new coming to Meta’s AI agent Muse](https://missmacknog.com/everything-new-coming-to-metas-ai-agent-muse/): CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicked off the company’s annual Connect event in Menlo Park on Wednesday with a keynote that made one thing clear: Meta is going all-in on Muse. It's even coming to Meta's AI glasses. - [Meta made a Tamagotchi-like wearable for its Muse AI agent](https://missmacknog.com/meta-made-a-tamagotchi-like-wearable-for-its-muse-ai-agent/): The tiny hardware device creates another mobile home for its AI agent Muse. - [Everything announced at Meta Connect 2026](https://missmacknog.com/everything-announced-at-meta-connect-2026/): VR glasses, Aviator-style Ray-Ban Meta specs, Ace Attorney in virtual reality and much more. - [Improve your Apple CarPlay experience by doing these simple things](https://missmacknog.com/improve-your-apple-carplay-experience-by-doing-these-simple-things/): CarPlay works well from the start, but you can enjoy a better driving experience by changing some options. - [Riot is pulling voice chat from League of Legends 26.20](https://missmacknog.com/riot-is-pulling-voice-chat-from-league-of-legends-26-20/): So close and yet so far... - [What does anti-aliasing actually do to your PC games?](https://missmacknog.com/what-does-anti-aliasing-actually-do-to-your-pc-games/): Anti-aliasing is an important settings for PC games, but not all methods that achieve the goal of smoother edges work the same way. - [Why are some songs grayed out on Apple Music (And how to fix it)](https://missmacknog.com/why-are-some-songs-grayed-out-on-apple-music-and-how-to-fix-it/): If you've had some songs in your Apple Music app turn gray and become unavailable, there are some things you can try. - [DoorDash will pay $131.5 million for missing and miscalculated NYC delivery worker wages](https://missmacknog.com/doordash-will-pay-131-5-million-for-missing-and-miscalculated-nyc-delivery-worker-wages/): The company blames technical errors and a difference of opinion on how wages should be calculated for pay irregularities. - [TikTok’s US arm joins Lantern, a cross-platform child safety initiative](https://missmacknog.com/tiktoks-us-arm-joins-lantern-a-cross-platform-child-safety-initiative/): Eight months after establishing a U.S.-based joint venture, TikTok is getting on board fellow platforms to support industrywide child safety work. - [Singapore’s Nexstrom wants to bring 2D semiconductors to chip fabs](https://missmacknog.com/singapores-nexstrom-wants-to-bring-2d-semiconductors-to-chip-fabs/): Singapore-based Nexstrom has raised new funding to develop equipment that could help chipmakers manufacture 2D semiconductor materials at scale. - [Everyone can find a reason to dislike data center construction](https://missmacknog.com/everyone-can-find-a-reason-to-dislike-data-center-construction/): Inside two years of fraught AI data center debates in Pennsylvania. - [Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy bets these 21 startups will shape energy’s future](https://missmacknog.com/bill-gates-breakthrough-energy-bets-these-21-startups-will-shape-energys-future/): To the investors at Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy, the coming wave of electrification will make data center energy demands look quaint by comparison. Here's how they're preparing. - [Nscale’s IPO will test Wall Street’s appetite for concentrated AI bets once again](https://missmacknog.com/nscales-ipo-will-test-wall-streets-appetite-for-concentrated-ai-bets-once-again/): The British AI data center developer depends on tech giants Microsoft and Anthropic for most of its revenue. - [Elon Musk’s latest Boring Company pitch involves a Hyperloop between Austin and San Antonio](https://missmacknog.com/elon-musks-latest-boring-company-pitch-involves-a-hyperloop-between-austin-and-san-antonio/): Many of The Boring Company's announced projects have not materialized. - [Is the AI industry really ready to slow down?](https://missmacknog.com/is-the-ai-industry-really-ready-to-slow-down/): On Equity, we debated whether AI executives are serious about wanting to slow down. - [Vocci’s ring adds a new form factor to meeting note-taking](https://missmacknog.com/voccis-ring-adds-a-new-form-factor-to-meeting-note-taking/): Vocci's lightweight ring costs $249, and might pose some privacy questions. - [ScrollEd wants to turn textbooks into TikTok](https://missmacknog.com/scrolled-wants-to-turn-textbooks-into-tiktok/): ScrollEd turns textbooks into a scrollable, Instagram-like feed with video, audio, and quizzes. The Palo Alto startup, founded by student co-founders (and spouses) Utsav Gupta and Rebecca Neff, pitches at TechCrunch Disrupt. - [New California law will penalize influencers who don’t disclose political ads](https://missmacknog.com/new-california-law-will-penalize-influencers-who-dont-disclose-political-ads/): The new legislation adds teeth to disclosure requirements for online influencers who are paid to post about politics. - [Prices go up in 7 days. Get your Disrupt ticket now.](https://missmacknog.com/prices-go-up-in-7-days-get-your-disrupt-ticket-now/): Current ticket pricing ends Sept. 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Join 10,000+ founders, investors and tech leaders at Disrupt and save up to $200 on your ticket until then. - [Vals, backed by Andreessen Horowitz, is looking to become the gold standard for AI benchmarking](https://missmacknog.com/vals-backed-by-andreessen-horowitz-is-looking-to-become-the-gold-standard-for-ai-benchmarking/): Vals AI is hoping to make AI benchmarking a more neutral and trustworthy resource in a world increasingly inundated by AI models. - [India forces caller-ID apps to feed spam reports to telcos](https://missmacknog.com/india-forces-caller-id-apps-to-feed-spam-reports-to-telcos/): Truecaller says the one-way sharing requirement would hand a commercially valuable proprietary asset to telecom operators. - [Tilly Norwood’s press tour is going about as well as you’d expect for an AI](https://missmacknog.com/tilly-norwoods-press-tour-is-going-about-as-well-as-youd-expect-for-an-ai/): In one particularly odd interview, Norwood seems to malfunction and begin speaking Chinese. - [A startup that builds other startups raised $100M and is all-in on physical AI](https://missmacknog.com/a-startup-that-builds-other-startups-raised-100m-and-is-all-in-on-physical-ai/): UP.Labs, now doing business under the name Vantora, is building startups for industrial corporations. - [World model companies are keeping a lot of secrets](https://missmacknog.com/world-model-companies-are-keeping-a-lot-of-secrets/): Everyone in the world-models space is sitting on a pile of cash and a ton of buzz, but good luck getting anyone — from the founders to their own data suppliers — to tell you what they're actually building. - [A new kind of AI model from a ChatGPT inventor is thrilling developers](https://missmacknog.com/a-new-kind-of-ai-model-from-a-chatgpt-inventor-is-thrilling-developers/): Jev, a new kind of AI model, is showing developers a cheaper and faster path to software intelligence. - [Disney’s first CTO led an AI startup it once accused of copying its characters](https://missmacknog.com/disneys-first-cto-led-an-ai-startup-it-once-accused-of-copying-its-characters/): The former CEO of Character.AI, which Disney previously sent a cease-and-desist letter to, will serve as the company's first-ever chief technology officer. - [In India, the new iPhone can arrive faster than a pizza](https://missmacknog.com/in-india-the-new-iphone-can-arrive-faster-than-a-pizza/): Availability of Apple's iPhone 18 Pro series turned patchy within hours of its debut on India's quick-commerce apps. - [Google’s new ‘CC’ is an AI agent that helps families run their households](https://missmacknog.com/googles-new-cc-is-an-ai-agent-that-helps-families-run-their-households/): Google is refocusing its CC AI agent on household coordination, letting families share emails, schedules, and tasks so the AI can manage calendars, fill out forms, make shopping lists, plan meals, and more. - [Anthropic says Claude 'leads' 26 percent of its AI R&D work](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-says-claude-leads-26-percent-of-its-ai-rd-work/): The company shared the stat alongside three measurements that help communicate the pace of AI development. - [FAA says laser strikes on aircraft fell for the third consecutive year](https://missmacknog.com/faa-says-laser-strikes-on-aircraft-fell-for-the-third-consecutive-year/): The FAA says the 4,470 laser strikes recorded so far this year is "still too high." - [Candy Crush developers are planning a strike for next week](https://missmacknog.com/candy-crush-developers-are-planning-a-strike-for-next-week/): King's staff want to get negotiations back on track after years of bargaining. - [Lofi Girl returns with a new house music station and vinyl compilation](https://missmacknog.com/lofi-girl-returns-with-a-new-house-music-station-and-vinyl-compilation/): The old "where'd lofi girl go" trick again, I see. - [Scammers have been inserting fake songs onto real artist's pages on Spotify and other platforms](https://missmacknog.com/scammers-have-been-inserting-fake-songs-onto-real-artists-pages-on-spotify-and-other-platforms/): A distribution loophole lets scammers collect royalties uploading fake songs to profiles for real bands. - [Snap introduces a standalone AI assistant, Specs Intelligence](https://missmacknog.com/snap-introduces-a-standalone-ai-assistant-specs-intelligence/): The new assistant works with the company's new AR glasses, but will also have its own mobile and desktop apps. - [Snap Specs hands on: Standalone AR glasses are here](https://missmacknog.com/snap-specs-hands-on-standalone-ar-glasses-are-here/): The glasses come with AR apps that actually feel useful, but is that enough to get people excited for the $2,195 device? - [Japanese company develops a humanoid robot 'ambulance' for on-the-spot repairs](https://missmacknog.com/japanese-company-develops-a-humanoid-robot-ambulance-for-on-the-spot-repairs/): It turns out that breaking down at work isn't a uniquely human experience. - [Apple's redesigned Health app is available now in the iOS 27.2 developer beta](https://missmacknog.com/apples-redesigned-health-app-is-available-now-in-the-ios-27-2-developer-beta/): New features like Health Age bring Apple's app more in line with competitors like Whoop and Oura. - [Hyper Light Drifter dev at risk of closing after laying off 'nearly everyone'](https://missmacknog.com/hyper-light-drifter-dev-at-risk-of-closing-after-laying-off-nearly-everyone/): A tough end for another indie darling. - [How to get Spotify's best audio quality](https://missmacknog.com/how-to-get-spotifys-best-audio-quality/): Spotify's default audio settings let you enjoy music wherever you go, but you're not always getting the best quality. A few tweaks can make all the difference. - [How to manually update Android Auto (and what it might mean if you can't)](https://missmacknog.com/how-to-manually-update-android-auto-and-what-it-might-mean-if-you-cant/): The Android Auto app lives in the Play Store, so start there if you want to update. - [Are USB-C flash drives better than USB-A ones?](https://missmacknog.com/are-usb-c-flash-drives-better-than-usb-a-ones/): USB-A and USB-C flash drives both have their purposes. USB-C is increasingly common, but USB-A isn't going anywhere yet. - [Microsoft will hold a Windows and Surface event on October 7](https://missmacknog.com/microsoft-will-hold-a-windows-and-surface-event-on-october-7/): The event is focused on "Windows, NVIDIA RTX Spark, Surface, and the broader PC ecosystem," with Satya Nadella and Jensen Huang among the speakers. - [Wired vs wireless speakers: What are the pros and cons?](https://missmacknog.com/wired-vs-wireless-speakers-what-are-the-pros-and-cons/): Wired and wireless speakers each offer different trade-offs, advantages and disadvantages. Plus, what audio you put through them has a big effect. - [MediaTek is using TSMC's cutting edge 2nm process for its latest chip](https://missmacknog.com/mediatek-is-using-tsmcs-cutting-edge-2nm-process-for-its-latest-chip/): You may not hear much about MediaTek these days, but it's still going strong. - [Spotify can now exclude your kids' music taste from recommendations](https://missmacknog.com/spotify-can-now-exclude-your-kids-music-taste-from-recommendations/): Will this mark the end of Disney songs popping up in your Daily Mix? - [The pros and cons of using a MagSafe charger](https://missmacknog.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-using-a-magsafe-charger/): MagSafe charging has become the standard for modern iPhones and MacBooks, but there are some downsides to charging this way. - [Spotify finally lets parents exclude kids’ music from Wrapped and recommendations](https://missmacknog.com/spotify-finally-lets-parents-exclude-kids-music-from-wrapped-and-recommendations/): Parents can finally get the kids' music out of Spotify Wrapped and other personalized playlists. - [Early Anthropic hire, former METR COO have found a way to rein in rogue AI agents](https://missmacknog.com/early-anthropic-hire-former-metr-coo-have-found-a-way-to-rein-in-rogue-ai-agents/): Their startup, Artificial Intelligence Underwriting Company (AIUC) has raised $40 million in a Series A round led by Ribbit Capital, with participation from First Harmonic. - [Insight Partners’ Deven Parekh on why the firm is diversifying while everyone else bets the farm on OpenAI and Anthropic](https://missmacknog.com/insight-partners-deven-parekh-on-why-the-firm-is-diversifying-while-everyone-else-bets-the-farm-on-openai-and-anthropic/): Insight Partners' Devin Parekh opens up about losing Legora to General Catalyst, why he's fine holding stakes in rival AI labs, and why — even as everyone else piles into OpenAI and Anthropic — his $90 billion firm is deliberately staying diversified. - [Larry Ellison cancels $7.5 billion sale of Oracle stock](https://missmacknog.com/larry-ellison-cancels-7-5-billion-sale-of-oracle-stock/): Oracle had previously disclosed that Ellison planned to sell 50 million shares worth around $7.5 billion. - [The 9 buzziest startups from Y Combinator’s latest Demo Day, according to VCs](https://missmacknog.com/the-9-buzziest-startups-from-y-combinators-latest-demo-day-according-to-vcs/): From floating reactors to brain chips: VCs picked their favorite YC startups from the summer batch. - [What’s behind the AI industry’s latest warnings of doom?](https://missmacknog.com/whats-behind-the-ai-industrys-latest-warnings-of-doom/): On Equity, we discussed the AI industry's latest debate about whether it poses an existential threat to humanity. - [Obama urges Democrats to have a ‘clear plan’ for AI safeguards](https://missmacknog.com/obama-urges-democrats-to-have-a-clear-plan-for-ai-safeguards/): Obama recently said that Democrats need to make artificial intelligence one of their “central agendas” and “have a very clear plan” to address concerns around the technology’s economic impact and safety. - [Kimi-maker Moonshot AI targets $2B in annual revenue](https://missmacknog.com/kimi-maker-moonshot-ai-targets-2b-in-annual-revenue/): While K3's usage figures have declined slightly in recent months, OpenRouter data currently shows as many as 300 billion tokens being generated each day by K3 models on the system. - [Roblox is making it easier to build games with AI — and play them outside Roblox](https://missmacknog.com/roblox-is-making-it-easier-to-build-games-with-ai-and-play-them-outside-roblox/): At its annual Roblox Developer Conference (RDC), the company announced several new features, including new game-creation tools, expanded NPC capabilities, and the ability to make games available across platforms, including the web. - [Central Eurasia names its 2026 Road to Battlefield winners: Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ](https://missmacknog.com/central-eurasia-names-its-2026-road-to-battlefield-winners-cerberus-weglobal-ai-and-looq/): Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ took the top three spots at the regional final of Road to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026 and will represent Central Eurasia in the Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco this October. - [Nscale adds former OpenAI exec Fidji Simo to its board ahead of potential IPO](https://missmacknog.com/nscale-adds-former-openai-exec-fidji-simo-to-its-board-ahead-of-potential-ipo/): The No. 2 exec at OpenAI also led Instacart through its IPO in 2023. - [Matt Mullenweg tells (trolls?) Automattic staff, saying he’s back in control after CEO ouster](https://missmacknog.com/matt-mullenweg-tells-trolls-automattic-staff-saying-hes-back-in-control-after-ceo-ouster/): In a Slack message seen by TechCrunch, Matt Mullenweg told Automattic employees he’s back in control of the company, days after its board put him on leave. Automattic has not yet confirmed the apparent reversal. - [Thrive Capital led VCs into pro sports ownership; Collaborative Fund just upped that play](https://missmacknog.com/thrive-capital-led-vcs-into-pro-sports-ownership-collaborative-fund-just-upped-that-play/): Collaborative Fund just bought into D.C. United and its stadium, with firm founder Craig Shapiro pitching it as a way to showcase for the firm's startups. - [Jensen Huang explains why Nvidia will grow an astounding 70% next year](https://missmacknog.com/jensen-huang-explains-why-nvidia-will-grow-an-astounding-70-next-year/): Nvidia has its finger in every pie, and sees another year of plenty in its future, Jensen Huang says. But, he insists, its deals are not circular. - [Mark Wahlberg is coming to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, and he wants to talk about your work, not his](https://missmacknog.com/mark-wahlberg-is-coming-to-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-and-he-wants-to-talk-about-your-work-not-his/): Mark Wahlberg joins Bruce K. Lee at Disrupt to discuss investing, entrepreneurship, healthcare, wellness, and building businesses. - [OpenAI puts Pro subscriptions on hold due to Astra demand](https://missmacknog.com/openai-puts-pro-subscriptions-on-hold-due-to-astra-demand/): The company said Pro subscriptions put the most strain on its systems, so it's pausing sign-ups while adding more capacity. - [Anthropic details distillation campaigns from Alibaba, Moonshot AI, and DeepSeek](https://missmacknog.com/anthropic-details-distillation-campaigns-from-alibaba-moonshot-ai-and-deepseek/): A new report released Thursday by Anthropic alleges persistent distillation attacks by China-based AI companies, which have escalated in recent months as competition in the space has intensified. - [Google is making it easier to switch between password managers on Android](https://missmacknog.com/google-is-making-it-easier-to-switch-between-password-managers-on-android/): Google's new feature will transfer your passkeys as well. - [Yoto just announced two new audio devices for kids](https://missmacknog.com/yoto-just-announced-two-new-audio-devices-for-kids/): Some upgrades make these more capable and easier to use for small hands. - [The Boring Company raises $3B in round led by UAE](https://missmacknog.com/the-boring-company-raises-3b-in-round-led-by-uae/): The company said it plans to dig more than 150 kilometers of tunnels in the Middle Eastern country. - [Nintendo's latest sale is 'made possible' by the tariff refunds it's hoarding](https://missmacknog.com/nintendos-latest-sale-is-made-possible-by-the-tariff-refunds-its-hoarding/): Another way to appreciate customers might be returning their money. - [Instagram now lets you add tagged photos to your profile grid](https://missmacknog.com/instagram-now-lets-you-add-tagged-photos-to-your-profile-grid/): Instagram now lets you bring tagged photos to your main profile feed, and here's how to do it. - [2028 Volvo XC40 First Look: Hello new tech, goodbye EV](https://missmacknog.com/2028-volvo-xc40-first-look-hello-new-tech-goodbye-ev/): Volvo refreshed the XC40, but it's sadly doing away with the all-electric EX40 in the US. - [Google has removed the Pixel Tablet from its store](https://missmacknog.com/google-has-removed-the-pixel-tablet-from-its-store/): Google has erased the listing for the Pixel Tablet from its e-commerce store, signaling that the device has been discontinued. - [AI research startup Listen Labs scrubbed a $1.5B funding round for Salesforce talks](https://missmacknog.com/ai-research-startup-listen-labs-scrubbed-a-1-5b-funding-round-for-salesforce-talks/): Listen Labs walked away from a signed Series C term sheet from Menlo Ventures, sources say. - [Automattic’s board forces CEO Matt Mullenweg into leave of absence](https://missmacknog.com/automattics-board-forces-ceo-matt-mullenweg-into-leave-of-absence/): Mullenweg said in a company Slack message that it was against his will. - [OpenAI adds a prominent AI doomer to its board of directors](https://missmacknog.com/openai-adds-a-prominent-ai-doomer-to-its-board-of-directors/): Paul Christiano, an influential AI researcher focused on alignment, is joining the OpenAI Foundation as a member of its board. - [‘Gambling with our lives’: Anthropic researcher quits, warns against self-improving AI ](https://missmacknog.com/gambling-with-our-lives-anthropic-researcher-quits-warns-against-self-improving-ai/): Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon resigned over AI extinction fears, calling for pacing agreements between labs. - [Shipt becomes the latest delivery app with an AI shopping assistant](https://missmacknog.com/shipt-becomes-the-latest-delivery-app-with-an-ai-shopping-assistant/): Users can ask the assistant to do things like "Create a cart for my Saturday tailgate for 25 people and include some brunch items," or "Build a cart for easy school lunches and after-school snacks," Shipt says. - [Uber invests $10M in Indian fleet operator Carrum at $168M valuation](https://missmacknog.com/uber-invests-10m-in-indian-fleet-operator-carrum-at-168m-valuation/): Carrum Mobility operates about 5,100 vehicles in India and is Uber's largest fleet partner for its premium Uber Black service in the country. - [AI spend per employee slumped at top firms in August — summer doldrums or a warning sign?](https://missmacknog.com/ai-spend-per-employee-slumped-at-top-firms-in-august-summer-doldrums-or-a-warning-sign/): Falling token costs, cheaper models, and less spend per employee — AI adoption isn't playing out the way hyperscalers hoped. - [Group of bipartisan lawmakers ask US government to ban several hack-for-hire firms](https://missmacknog.com/group-of-bipartisan-lawmakers-ask-us-government-to-ban-several-hack-for-hire-firms/): The three Indian companies are accused of using hackers to steal information used to sway litigation. - [Phil Schiller’s App Store exit reportedly driven by wariness over future plans](https://missmacknog.com/phil-schillers-app-store-exit-reportedly-driven-by-wariness-over-future-plans/): Schiller reportedly had reservations about new CEO John Ternus' goal of bringing in more recurring revenue from the App Store. - [Authors push back as publishers and agents make claims on Anthropic settlement](https://missmacknog.com/authors-push-back-as-publishers-and-agents-make-claims-on-anthropic-settlement/): Authors say publishers seem to be claiming more than their fair share of settlement payments. - [Travis Kalanick’s Atoms might be getting into the robotaxi business](https://missmacknog.com/travis-kalanicks-atoms-might-be-getting-into-the-robotaxi-business/): The Uber founder has said that Atoms will allow him to complete "unfinished business." - [TechCrunch Mobility: Tesla Cybercab hits the road — and a snag](https://missmacknog.com/techcrunch-mobility-tesla-cybercab-hits-the-road-and-a-snag/): Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for the future of transportation and now, more than ever, the role AI is playing in it. - [Seattle Times and Newsday are the latest publications to sue OpenAI and Microsoft](https://missmacknog.com/seattle-times-and-newsday-are-the-latest-publications-to-sue-openai-and-microsoft/): Two more news organizations are suing OpenAI and Microsoft over the supposed use of their journalism to train AI. - [Judge blocks X rival from using Twitter name, but allows ‘Tweet’ for now](https://missmacknog.com/judge-blocks-x-rival-from-using-twitter-name-but-allows-tweet-for-now/): A federal judge temporarily barred an X rival from using the Twitter name, but found that X was likely to have abandoned the “Tweet” trademark and bird logo. 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If this page […] - [Media Verification](https://missmacknog.com/media-verification/): Media Verification Official MissMacknOG Media Badge Check This page verifies the identity and active status of an authorized independent media representative for MissMacknOG. Event staff may use this page to confirm authenticity. Name: Katina Alford Title: Founder & Creative Director Outlet: MissMacknOG Independent Media Base: Los Angeles, California (United States) If this page is displayed […] - [Press Media Page](https://missmacknog.com/press-media-page/): This page provides official information and guidelines for journalists, bloggers, creators, brands, and media outlets interested in featuring or collaborating with MissMacknOG (Katina Alford). 1. About MissMacknOG MissMacknOG (Katina Alford) is a professional model, singer, and digital creator based in Los Angeles. With years of experience in modeling, music, and creative direction, she has built […] - [Accessibility Statement](https://missmacknog.com/accessibility-statement/): Last Updated: March 2026 Accessibility Commitment: MissMacknOG.com is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users, including individuals with disabilities. We continuously work to improve the accessibility and usability of our website and aim to comply with applicable accessibility standards and best practices, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. 1. Our Commitment To […] - [Terms Of Sale](https://missmacknog.com/terms-of-sale/): Last Updated: March 2026 Welcome to the MissMacknOG Shop. By placing an order for any physical product, you agree to the Terms of Sale outlined below. 🛒 1) Scope of These Terms These Terms of Sale apply to physical products purchased from missmacknog.com. Digital products, memberships, and access to member areas are governed by the […] - [Before Booking Please Read](https://missmacknog.com/before-booking-please-read/): Last Updated: March 2026 By booking a virtual Meet & Greet or collaboration session with MissMacknOG, you agree to the rules and terms below. These guidelines are in place to protect the experience, maintain professionalism, and ensure clear expectations for all participants. ✨ Virtual Meet & Greet And Booking Collaboration House Rules 1. My Meet […] - [ 📱Install The MissMacknOG App](https://missmacknog.com/install-the-missmacknog-app/): Last Updated: March 2026 No app store is required. You can add MissMacknOG to your home screen for faster access to the Members Lounge, Bougie Parlor, Digital Den, and everything inside the House. Once installed, the MissMacknOG icon will appear on your device like a regular app for quick entry. 🍏 iPhone / iPad (Safari) […] - [🍃ASMR CONFESSIONS🍃](https://missmacknog.com/asmr-confessions/): This is my quiet corner of the Lounge — a soft place for you to unwind, listen, and find gentle whispers, late-night reflections, and calming sounds created exclusively for MissMacknOG members. Each session is like a private, intimate voice note from me to you. 💚 WHAT YOU’LL FIND INSIDE 🌙 Soft-spoken voice notes — short, […] - [Bougie Parlor](https://missmacknog.com/bougie-parlor/) - [🕊️House Of MissMacknOG](https://missmacknog.com/house-of-missmacknog/): Cart Vibe Check Confessions Loading Your Shopping Aura… Cart Energy: Active New vibe each time you visit the shop ♫ Satin Boulevard House Shop Collection Swipe to browse all tracks → 0:00 0:00 Total Plays 0 Welcome to the House of MissMacknOG Browse each category to explore the estate 💎The Bougie Parlor Luxury motion with […] - [Digital Den](https://missmacknog.com/digital-den/): DIGITAL DEN Digital Den Confessions Loading Your Digital Den Confessions... DEN MODE: ACTIVE New vibe each time you visit the den MissMacknOG Digital Den ♫ Velvet Voltage Digital Den Collection Swipe to browse all tracks → 0:00 0:00 Total Plays 0 🃏 Digital Den Solitaire A soft, relaxing solitaire experience designed for quiet Digital Den […] - [💖 Bougie Week Peek Access](https://missmacknog.com/%f0%9f%92%96-bougie-week-peek/): Welcome to Bougie Week Peek — your seven-day taste of the glam life. ✨ Playful, polished, and unapologetically you — this preview tier lets you peek behind the curtain and experience a touch of the magic that members enjoy all year long. 💋 Watch, explore, and vibe out for the week — no pressure, just […] - [Membership Tiers](https://missmacknog.com/membership-tiers/): My Exclusive Videos Aren’t On Social Media Anymore They Live Here Now 💎 Enter The MissMacknOG Experience Explore the memberships below, then continue to the Join page to complete your registration 💖 Bougie Week Peek $10 / 7 Days Your 7-day taste of the MissMacknOG world — short, exclusive, unforgettable 💋 Chic Access $40 / […] - [⚠️ MissMacknOG Disclaimer](https://missmacknog.com/%e2%9a%a0%ef%b8%8f-missmacknog-disclaimer/): 👩🏽‍🎨 Created by Katina Alford 🌟 This website and all related media featuring Katina Alford / MissMacknOG™ are created exclusively for artistic, creative, and entertainment purposes. All images, videos, and performances reflect professional modeling, acting, and digital art expression. 💃 While some visual content may include expressive or sensual movement—such as dancing, twerking, or performance […] - [About Katina](https://missmacknog.com/about-katina/): Professional Portfolio — MissMacknOG Model Actress Singer Producer Creative Visionary With an extensive background across fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment, I bring editorial artistry and public-facing confidence to every project — blending versatility, poise, and cinematic storytelling. My work lives where visual style, emotion, and atmosphere meet — whether in front of the camera, behind the […] - [Terms Of Service](https://missmacknog.com/terms-of-service/): Welcome to MissMacknOG’s private, subscription-based digital content platform. By creating an account, purchasing access, or viewing content, you agree to the terms outlined below. 🔞 1) Age Requirement You must be 18 years or older to access this website. Minors are strictly prohibited. 🎟️ 2) Personal Use License Only All content on this site — […] - [Membership Thank You](https://missmacknog.com/membership-thank-you/): 🌅 Modeling isn’t posing — it’s translating emotion. Every frame is a mood I once lived. ✨ Welcome to the MissMacknOG Experience I’m honored to have you here as a member. Your support means the world. 💖 🎉 Thank you! Your membership is active. 📩 A confirmation email is on the way with your plan […] - [Members Lounge](https://missmacknog.com/members-lounge/): 📻 Radio Estate Transmission A private audio drop from inside the MissMacknOG estate. Your browser does not support the audio element. This is where my exclusive dance videos, behind-the-scenes moments, private drops, and members-only content live 💖 Bougie Week Peek $10 / 7 Days — Your 7-day taste of the MissMacknOG world Claim Access » […] - [👑 Petty & Expensive Access](https://missmacknog.com/go-vip/): Welcome to Petty & Expensive — where confidence meets luxury. 💎 You didn’t just join a tier, you joined a mood. Every moment here was crafted for the bold, the brilliant, and the beautifully unapologetic. ✨ Stay bold, stay brilliant — this space was made for energy like yours. Premium perks. Limitless access. The legacy […] - [💋 Chic Access](https://missmacknog.com/chic-access/): Welcome to Chic Access — one full month to slip into the vibe and stay a little longer in the glam life. ✨ Enjoy curated drops, flirty visuals, and confident energy that feels like a private show made just for you. Every clip is designed to keep your sparkle steady and your mood lifted. 💋 […] - [💎 Drip Dynasty Access](https://missmacknog.com/drip-dynasty/): Welcome to Drip Dynasty — the tier where the glow never clocks out. ✨ Enjoy full access to my motion gallery: flirty loops, slow-burn clips, and vibe-heavy moments you won’t find anywhere else. Think VIP couch with a front-row view. 🥂 Stream, replay, and soak it in at your own pace — your membership keeps […] - [Digital Refund Policy](https://missmacknog.com/refund_returns/): Last Updated: March 2026 Applies to all digital products and memberships offered by MissMacknOG™ on missmacknog.com. ✅ All Sales Are Final Because digital items are delivered instantly and cannot be returned, all sales are final. Once access to digital content (including GIFs, videos, downloads, or member areas) is granted, no refunds, returns, exchanges, or chargebacks […] - [Logout](https://missmacknog.com/logout/): “Stepping out? Mhm, go ahead. I’ll keep everything warm, shiny, and bougie till you return.” - [Password Reset](https://missmacknog.com/password-reset/): Forgot your password? 💭 No stress—icons misplace their keys all the time. Drop your email above and I’ll quietly slide the access back to you. - [Login](https://missmacknog.com/login-2/): “Welcome back, love. Slip inside and pick up right where the good vibes left off.” - [Membership Registration](https://missmacknog.com/membership-registration/): ✨ Welcome to Your Portal Your legacy starts here. Manage your membership, access exclusive content, and stay connected to the network. ✨ 💋 If you made it this far, you clearly understood the assignment 📝 😉 Shhh… insiders only. What happens in the Lounge stays in the Lounge ✨ Membership Access Claim Your Status Choose […] - [Lost Password](https://missmacknog.com/lost-password/): [user_registration_lost_password] - [Contact & Support](https://missmacknog.com/contact-support/): Whether you’re interested in booking, collaborations, or connecting, you can reach me directly below. Stay connected across platforms 📸 Instagram 🐦 X 🎬 YouTube Email Support techbaddie@missmacknog.com Office Hours Mon–Fri · Appointment Based Location Los Angeles, California Contact & Support If you have a question about an order, the website, accessibility, media inquiries, or general […] - [My Account](https://missmacknog.com/my-account/): ACCOUNT ACCESS HUB Access Your MissMacknOG Accounts This page is your central access point for both your shop account and your members-only experience. Select the section below that matches what you’d like to manage. Account Access Hub Manage Your Shop Orders, Downloads & Subscriptions This section is your MissMacknOG Store account control panel. Use it […] - [Checkout](https://missmacknog.com/checkout/) - [Cart](https://missmacknog.com/cart/) - [Shop](https://missmacknog.com/shop/) - [Privacy Policy](https://missmacknog.com/privacy-policy/): At missmacknog.com, your privacy is very important to me. This privacy policy outlines how I collect, use, and protect your personal information when you visit or interact with my website. 📋 1. Information We Collect Full name & email address (account creation and communication) Payment information (processed securely through third-party providers like Stripe, PayPal — […] ## Products - [Buy Me a Coffee ☕](https://missmacknog.com/product/buy-me-a-coffee-%e2%98%95/): Your support helps me continue creating, maintaining my platform, and showing up consistently — and it’s genuinely appreciated. Thank you for being here and for supporting in whatever way feels right to you. Support is completely optional and never expected. A simple way to support my work and what I’m building. No product included — just appreciation and support. - [Golden Whisper](https://missmacknog.com/product/golden-whisper/): 💛 Golden Whisper is soft motion + warm glow — gentle, polished, and quietly captivating. - [Velvet Gaze](https://missmacknog.com/product/velvet-gaze/): 🌙 Velvet Gaze is smooth, graceful motion wrapped in soft light — a calm portrait with a luxury glide. - [Nightfall Stillness](https://missmacknog.com/product/nightfall-stillness/): 🖤 Delicate Blossom is bold-soft luxury — a still moment with a slow pulse and a confident edge. - [Delicate Blossom](https://missmacknog.com/product/delicate-blossom/): 🌸 Delicate Blossom is a delicate motion portrait that feels intimate, calm, and clean — a quiet moment in motion. - [Honeyed Ease](https://missmacknog.com/product/honeyed-ease/): 🍎 Honeyed Ease is a warm, effortless digital motion portrait with relaxed elegance — smooth lighting, slow motion, and a naturally intimate feel. ☀️🍯 - [Golden Light Reverence](https://missmacknog.com/product/golden-light-reverence/): 💡 Golden Light Reverence is a cinematic digital motion portrait illuminated by soft golden glow — tranquil, dreamy, and beautifully minimal. ✨🕯️ - [Serene Green Glow](https://missmacknog.com/product/serene-green-glow/): 🌿 Serene Green Glow is a soft, peaceful digital motion portrait featuring a calm gaze and warm skin tones — quiet beauty captured in gentle movement. 🌿✨ - [Cosmic Aura](https://missmacknog.com/product/cosmic-aura/): ✨ Cosmic Aura is a luxury digital motion portrait that feels soft, cinematic, and magnetic — a quiet glow that moves with you. For the ones who love elegance in motion. 💫 - [Neon Reverie 2 -GIF](https://missmacknog.com/product/neon-reverie-2/): 💜 Neon Reverie No. 2 is a smooth, late-night hallway groove — soft lines, slow motion, and hypnotic R&B energy you can feel even without the music. A calm, confident moment of body language and glow. For the ones who love elegant motion, moody lights, and a touch of MissMacknOG magic in every loop.   - [Neon Reverie -GIF](https://missmacknog.com/product/neon-reverie/): ✨ Neon Reverie — Soft neon glow. Slow-groove motion. A dreamy throwback vibe wrapped in quiet luxury. For the ones who love vintage rhythm, warm confidence, and a touch of MissMacknOG allure. - [Whipped Cream -GIF](https://missmacknog.com/product/whipped-cream/): 🧁 Whipped Cream is soft-focus sweetness in motion — playful swirls, cozy glow, and a touch of MissMacknOG charm. For the ones who like their vibe a little dreamy but still polished — smooth, creamy, and always camera-ready. - [Boots & Bounce -GIF](https://missmacknog.com/product/boots-bounce/): 🥾 Boots & Bounce is confident rhythm in motion ✨ easy groove, and a touch of MissMacknOG attitude. For the ones who love a simple fit with serious presence — smooth, steady, and made to loop on repeat. - [Cruise Control - GIF](https://missmacknog.com/product/cruise-control/): 🌅 Cruise Control is calm confidence in motion — sunlit ease, quiet luxury, and a touch of MissMacknOG allure. For the ones who glow without trying — smooth, steady, and always in control. - [Candy Drip -GIF](https://missmacknog.com/product/candy-drip/): 🍫 Candy Drip is playful luxury — a sweet rhythm with unapologetic MissMacknOG flair and quiet seduction in motion. It’s luxury wrapped in fun — smooth, glossy, and dripping confidence. - [Suite Energy -GIF](https://missmacknog.com/product/suite-energy/): 💯 Suite Energy glows in quiet confidence — luxury in motion with soft-flex tease and cruise-suite charm. Radiant, smooth, and confidently calm — a MissMacknOG signature for those who move with grace and intent. - [Sexy As I Wanna B 2](https://missmacknog.com/product/sexy-as-i-wanna-b-2/): 💋 Sexy As I Wanna Be is a digital coffee-table moment — curated curves, confidence, and quiet luxury in one intimate photo book. A MissMacknOG classic for the ones who love their visuals bold, beautiful, and kissed with a little tease. - [Bubble Glow -GIF](https://missmacknog.com/product/bubble-glow/): 🍑 Bubble Booty isn’t just motion — it’s rhythm in high definition. Playful, confident energy made for the ones who know every move is art. A MissMacknOG exclusive for the bold, the beautiful, and the effortlessly magnetic. 💯 - [Aura Loop -GIF](https://missmacknog.com/product/aura-loop/): 🌙 Aura Loop isn’t just movement — it’s a luxury vibe in orbit. A slow, magnetic loop that radiates confidence and soft allure. A MissMacknOG exclusive for those whose presence speaks louder than words. ✨ - [Jiggle Frequency -GIF](https://missmacknog.com/product/jiggle-frequency/): 👏🏽 Jiggle Frequency isn’t just motion — it’s a hypnotic jiggle in rhythm. Soft power, fluid motion, and confidence that moves on beat. A MissMacknOG exclusive for the ones tuned into the finer frequencies. ✨ - [Bougie Glow 2 -GIF](https://missmacknog.com/product/bougie-glow-2/): 💫 Bougie Glow II isn’t just motion — it’s rhythm refined. Smooth, magnetic flow for the ones who glow even when the lights are low. A MissMacknOG exclusive for the soft-flex elite. ✨ - [Bougie Glow](https://missmacknog.com/product/bougie-glow/): 🌟 Bougie Glow isn’t just motion — it’s magnetism in motion. Smooth, hypnotic energy for the ones who glow without trying. A MissMacknOG exclusive for the soft-flex elite. ✨ - [Petty & Expensive](https://missmacknog.com/product/petty-expensive/): 💋 Petty & Expensive — a digital mood made for main characters. One exclusive motion GIF that speaks fluent confidence and quiet luxury. [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)