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LG's in-vehicle entertainment platform will soon come integrated with an Xbox app for select internet-connected vehicles. Yes, people will be able to play full games on their infotainment systems, as long as they have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription so that they can stream titles available on the service, as well as games they already own. They'll, of course, need to switch on internet access on their cars and to use a compatible Bluetooth controller to be able to play games, including Don’t Starve, Mafia: The Old Country and Forza Horizon 5. 

The companies didn't say how they're ensuring that drivers themselves don't play games while on the road, such as during traffic stops. A 2020 study revealed that drivers are increasingly playing games behind the wheel, while an earlier study showed that advanced infotainment systems can take a driver's attention off the road. Both LG and Xbox, however, specifically mentioned that the feature is for passengers. "Whether you’re waiting at an EV charging station or trying to entertain your passengers on an extended road trip, pass the time by playing games keeping everyone entertained and making the journey feel more fun," Xbox wrote in its announcement. 

Back in 2021, reports came out that Tesla allowed drivers to play a selection of games on their cars' infotainment system even while they're in motion. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigated the so-called "Passenger Play" function, which previously only allowed games to run while the vehicle is parked until an update changed it. Tesla responded by quickly disabling the feature if a car is on the move. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-and-lg-are-bringing-cloud-gaming-to-cars-133016305.html?src=rss

Canon has announced the EOS C50, its smallest cinema camera yet with features designed to appeal to social media creators and filmmakers alike. It has an RF mirrorless mount and all-new full-frame sensor that supports up to 7K 60p internal RAW recording and 32MP photo capture, making it a do-it-all camera for working pros.

Despite the small size and light 1.5 pound weight, the EOS C50 is feature-rich. The full-frame CMOS sensor has a dual ISO system that operates in Canon Log 2 (C-Log 2) at ISO 800 and 6400 for better low-light performance. It allows up to 12-bit Cinema RAW Light recording at up to 7K 60p and RAW HQ at 7K 30p, plus high-bitrate XF-AVC S and XF -HEV C modes. The C50 is also the company's first cinema camera with 3:2 open gate recording that allows for lossless conversion to other formats — finally matching a feature found in Panasonic's mirrorless cameras. 

Canon

Canon stretched that capability with something it calls simultaneous crop recording. When shooting 4K, you can output 2K social media video at the same time in 9:17, 9:16 or 1:1 vertical formats. That will be handy for YouTube creators who also use Instagram or TikTok to promote videos. 

Since it's part of Canon's Cinema lineup, the C50 offers pro features like two full-size XLR audio inputs (via an optional top handle), a zoom rocker, waveform/peaking displays, C-Log3 support and a dedicated start-stop button. It also comes with Canon's excellent Dual Pixel autofocus system and AI subject tracking that detects the eyes, face, head and body of people or animals. Other key features include SD-UHS II and CFexpress slots and a time code terminal. However, the C50 lacks in-body stabilization, relying instead on optical lens and electronic stabilization.

The C50 may be Canon's best hybrid cinema camera yet as well, with 32MB photos and burst shooting at up to 40 fps. Canon also introduced the new RF 85mm F/1.4 L VCM Hybrid Lens designed for portrait shooting for video and photos. Finally, for compact camera enthusiasts, Canon has released an updated version of its 2016 Elpha 360 HS, the Elpha 360 HS A, with a microSD slot in place of the original SD slot. 

The Canon EOS C50 camera will ship toward the end of Q4 2025 for $3,899 and the new RF85mm F/1.4 L VCM lens will arrive this month for $1,649. The PowerShot Elph 360 HS A hits stores in October 2025 for $380. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/canons-tiny-c50-cinema-camera-can-shoot-widescreen-and-vertical-video-simultaneously-130001859.html?src=rss

We're now just hours away from setting our eyes on the iPhone 17 lineup. Apple will reveal the newest smartphones during its big September "Awe dropping" iPhone event this afternoon at 1PM ET. The Engadget team will be liveblogging the iPhone event from Cupertino in real-time if you want to follow along. (You can watch the iPhone 17 event on YouTube, too.) The newest phones will come equipped with the latest iOS 26 features preinstalled, along with any new features Apple reveals today. So what can we expect to see? While Apple keeps all the details under lock and key, we actually have a very strong idea as to what we'll be seeing, thanks to leaks from Asian supply chains, case manufacturers and some credible media reports. Oh, and there are plenty of more fanciful rumors, too. Here's our best bet as to what will be coming out of Cupertino next in just a few days. 

What are the latest iPhone 17 rumors?

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is the industry's best-known Apple whisperer, and his event preview offers a tidy overview of what to expect on Tuesday. That includes four new iPhone 17 models, with an all-new superthin model, dubbed the iPhone Air, leading the pack. We'll also likely see the baseline iPhone 17, as well as the usual Pro and big-screen Pro Max models, which will offer the line's best cameras and extras. 

Additionally, expect up to three new Apple Watch models, with the satellite-connected Apple Watch Ultra 3 and a possible new entry-level Apple Watch SE flanking the Apple Watch Series 11. Rounding out the new products should be the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds, which are said to add heart-rate monitoring and a live translation feature. 

While all of those reports largely jibe with earlier rumors, Gurman's report includes screen sizes and handset sizes down to the millimeter. In fact, he had previously outlined most of the same expectations in a recent appearance on the Engadget Podcast. 

But he's not the only one with exact measurements: Plenty of case makers, including Dbrand, have unveiled their cases for the complete iPhone 17 line (including the 17 Pro case shown above), further solidifying expectations on dimensions and screen sizes for the new models. That said, we're still treating everything as unconfirmed until Apple's official announcements hit on Tuesday. 

While we don't expect any big leaps forward on the Apple Intelligence front at Tuesday's event, Gurman's subsequent report notes that Apple is continuing to experiment with AI models from Google, Anthropic and OpenAI, and may license technology from one or more of them ahead of a major Siri upgrade that could arrive as soon as March 2026.

In addition, supposed battery capacities for the iPhone 17 models have appeared in a Chinese regulatory database, as shared on X by account ShrimpApplePro (via MacRumors). If the numbers are accurate, the iPhone 17 will get a 3.7 percent increase in battery capacity versus last year's model, the 17 Pro will gain a whopping 18.7 percent and the Pro Max gets an 8.6 percent improvement over the already strong 16 Pro Max battery. Not surprisingly, the leak lists the iPhone Air at around 3,100 mAh, or about 16 percent under the capacity of the iPhone 17 number. It will be interesting to see how Apple addresses that power shortfall if and when the company shares these numbers during or after its announcement.

How much will the iPhone 17 cost?

Apple's announced plan to expand US-based manufacturing partners seems to give it at least some shielding from the steepest Trump administration tariffs that have already triggered price increases on everything from PlayStations to Switch consoles to high-end cameras to Sonos speakers. But given that President Trump's trade policies can change from week to week, and Apple's continuing reliance on Asia-based supply chains, price shocks remain an ongoing possibility. The bigger question is: Will Apple absorb any higher costs, or pass them on to consumers? 

If prices do creep up, Apple may choose to pair it with an "upgrade." Consider this recent rumor posted by MacRumors from a leaker known as "Instant Digital," suggesting that the default storage of the iPhone 17 line may start at 256GB, doubling the current 128GB baseline. While that could be accompanied by a price increase of $50, Apple could at least pitch it as a "better value." That said, the company doubled the default RAM of its Mac computers from 8GB to 16GB at no extra cost in 2024 — but that was before the current Trump tariff cycle started.

Now, on the eve of the iPhone announcement, a report from JPMorgan mixes and matches the rumors above. As recounted in 9to5Mac, the iPhone line's starting prices will still stretch from $799 to $1,199 — just as they do now — with the Air possibly getting a $50 increase versus the iPhone Plus model it's replacing, and the 17 Pro costing an additional $100, but including more storage. 

Again, these prices are only projections and haven't been confirmed by Apple.

When will the iPhone 17 series be announced?

As noted above, the date has been confirmed for Tuesday, September 9. That lines up with Apple's traditional schedule, and the earlier report from iphone-ticker.de (via MacRumors). 

This generation of Apple smartphones may be the last to be fully released in September, however. There have been hints that the introduction of the iPhone 18 collection in 2026 will be split into a pro-tier announcement in the fall and a standard model announcement the following spring.

What will the new iPhone 17 lineup include?

Design leaks suggest that Apple is building an ultra-thin smartphone, likely to be named the iPhone 17 Air to match Apple's ultralight laptop designation. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in January (and reaffirmed in his September event preview) that the iPhone 17 Air will be equipped with a basic A19 chip and will only have a single camera lens. It will also supposedly use Apple's new in-house modem, which was introduced in February on the iPhone 16e. 

As a guest on the latest Engadget Podcast, Gurman told Engadget's Devindra Hardawar and Igor Bonifacic the rumored iPhone Air will be rough around the edges at first. He believes the 17 Air will "lag in both" when it comes to camera and battery performance. "The battery life is going to be subpar compared to a base-level 17 or Pro model," he says. The ultimate goal, he notes, is to get all the functionality of the Pro models into the Air models.

An investor note from Apple analyst Jeff Pu indicated that the Air will have a titanium frame. If his reports are accurate, the lightweight smartphone will be the only entry in the iPhone 17 lineup to use that metal; the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to be made of aluminum, which is lighter. Other speculation had suggested that the Air would use a blend of aluminum and titanium, so the exact materials may not be known until the official announcement.

Additionally, an August 4 MacRumors report said the internal battery pack of the iPhone Air is just 2.49mm thick — half the thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro battery. The leak was posted on the Korean-language Naver blog, where they show the alleged batteries of the iPhone 17 Air and 17 Pro side by side. The same account claimed the 17 Air's battery capacity was a mere 2,800 mAh, MacRumors noted. (That's below the battery capacity of current iPhone 16 models.)

At the very least, it sounds like the iPhone 17 Air won't take away the charging port and rely only on wireless connectivity. Bloomberg said that while Apple had investigated making the iPhone 17 Air without a single port, the company (fortunately) changed plans. He also says that the rumored phone will have a 6.6-inch screen and include the Dynamic Island and Camera Control button. 

On a similar topic, an iPhone 17 Pro production leak appears to have revealed an all-aluminum chassis, according to MacRumors. Originally posted by leaker Majin Bu, the image shows a shell that has a large round hole on the back (where the Apple logo typically is) to allow for MagSafe charging. MacRumors says this could just be a molding but notes that the aluminum frame (versus the current titanium in Pro iPhone models) would yield a significantly lower weight.

That same leaker (Majin Bu), whom MacRumors classifies as a "hit-or-miss leaker," suggests the iPhone 17 Pro will have better wireless signal strength thanks to an updated antenna design. The individual posted a render on X that shows a new antenna system that wraps around the iPhone 17 Pro's supposedly wider rear camera bump. Again, this is a render, not a real-world photo. That said, we can't knock the goal of better wireless reception, so we're hoping this one has a degree of truth to it.

Leaker Majin Bu also claims "TechWoven" cases could be introduced, per a MacRumors report. The cases match the rumored design on the iPhone 17 models, with the wide camera bump. The leaker noted there are two lanyard holes for "convenient and secure carrying," so it could be worn around your neck. The colors would come in grey/black, blue, green, purple and orange. Additionally, he said there will be new Liquid Silicone cases in eight colors, including Deep Orange, Pale Orange, Grass Green, Celadon, Fog Purple, Grey Blue, Dark Blue and Midnight Black. He also recently showed a clear iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max case with the large rear camera bump cutout. The case isn't fully transparent and instead has a white rectangular piece that covers the MagSafe area.  

The new Pro iPhones are said to have a full-width "camera island" on the rear, which would mark the first time an Apple model opted for that design. This feature can be seen in the purported iPhone 17 "spotted in the wild." The pics, highlighted on MacRumors, show a black cased iPhone (17 Pro?) with the distinct back panel. Is it the real deal? The dual angles lend a degree of credibility in a social media landscape increasingly polluted with AI-enhanced fakes, but your guess is as good as ours.

I just spotted a test development iPhone in the wild 🤩🤩🤩 pic.twitter.com/iS3PtKWqxJ

— Fox Pupy 🦊🧡 (@Skyfops) July 28, 2025

Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro‌ models could have the brightest display yet, according to leaker "Instant Digital," MacRumors reports. The goal is to make it "more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods." The article points out that existing 16 Pro models can double their maximum brightness while in direct sunlight, making it easier to see what's on the screen.

We've also gotten what seems to be a reliable look at what the color lineup will be for the new smartphones. Macworld reported that the iPhone 17 will be available in black, white, steel gray, green, purple and light blue. The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly have four color options: black, white, light blue and light gold. While the Air colors will be less saturated, the visuals for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will go bold. The options for the Pro models are expected to be black, white, gray, dark blue and orange.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes there actually will be a new orange color offered for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, as well as a light blue color for the iPhone 17 Air, he confirmed in his August 24 Power On newsletter.

On July 30, Tom's Guide highlighted an X post from Sonny Dickson — a longtime and generally reliable leaker of unreleased iPhone information — showing "dummy" iPhone 17 models in the new colors that were the source of the aforementioned Macworld story. While these are literally just mock-ups — not real, leaked iPhones — it's interesting to see how the design and color rumors translate into a real-world look and feel.

To add the the rumors, a Weibo leaker known as Digital Chat Station suggests the iPhone 17e will come equipped with a new design that includes the Dynamic Island, MacRumors reports. According to the post, the new phone will have the A19 chip and could have a 6.1-inch OLED display with a front-facing 12-megapixel camera and a rear-facing 48-megapixel camera. However, it's important to note this report refers to the 17e model that would be expected to launch no earlier than February 2026, if it followed the same release pattern as the iPhone 16e.

What will iOS 26 be like?

Apple upended its numbering conventions with WWDC 2025, and will match the name of each new operating system to the year it's released. So when the next wave of iPhones hits, they'll be running on iOS 26.

On the design side, the smartphone OS introduced during the big developer showcase took a contentious approach dubbed Liquid Glass. Apple has been scaling down the amount of transparency effects in the subsequent beta tests of iOS 26, but it will still have a glass-like visual.

The feature list includes big and small updates. On the more impactful side, the Phone and Photos apps have been redesigned. There will be several features leveraging artificial intelligence, such as live translation capabilities coming to Phone, FaceTime and Messages. Apple is also currently testing a sensitive content warning for child accounts that will freeze FaceTime video if nudity is detected by on-device machine learning tools. And the company is also launching Visual Intelligence, which will use AI to search for elements in an image.

iOS 26 also has a litany of minor, quality of life improvements. Group texts are getting support for polls. And for the slow risers out there, iOS 26 will finally let you escape the tyranny of the nine minute snooze alarm. 

The next iOS is now available as a public beta. Here are our initial impressions of the Liquid Glass design and other new features. iOS 26 is compatible with all models back through iPhone 11.

What other products are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17?

If Apple follows its usual pattern, the iPhone 17 will be announced alongside new Apple Watch products. That would be the Apple Watch Series 11 (if Apple sticks to the same naming scheme), and maybe an Apple Watch Ultra 3 and/or an updated Apple Watch SE. (They'll all run watchOS 26, of course.) As noted above, a new version of the Apple AirPods Pro (which received its last big update in 2022) is expected, and there's a possibility we'll see new AirTags trackers (first released in 2021), though those could be announced later.

The Apple rumor mill got a big shot in the arm in mid-August thanks to the reported inclusion of product ID numbers in recent beta software builds. Per MacRumors, it's a laundry list of new hardware, including long-rumored product updates like the Apple TV, HomePod mini, new Apple Studio Display monitor and two fresh iPads. 

Of course, even if that list is totally accurate, we may not see those products until 2026 — if ever. So don't expect all of products to share the stage with the iPhone 17, especially since Apple likes to keep its star performer at the center of attention. 

That said, keep in mind that Apple has recently been having Mac-centric announcements in late October (as it did last year to debut new M4 Macs), so there's always the chance of another shoe dropping a few weeks down the road.  

Update, September 9, 2025: Noted the iPhone 17 event starts soon (within hours).

Update, September 8, 2025, 12:22PM ET: Added new rumor about battery capacity in the new iPhone 17 devices.

Update, September 7, 2025, 12:32PM ET: Added Mark Gurman's latest reporting on Apple's possible AI partnerships. 

Update, September 6, 2025, 8:45AM ET: Added Mark Gurman's latest full predictions on what's expected at the Tuesday Apple event. 

Update, September 4, 2025, 3:23PM ET: Added new rumors about the iPhone 17 Air battery/eSIM, and camera details for the latest lineup.

Update, September 3, 2025, 3:24PM ET: Added new rumor about the increased brightness of the iPhone 17 pro models.

Update, September 2, 2025, 3:56PM ET: Added new details about the potential iPhone 17 lineup prices, and a new Clear Case rumor. 

Update, August 30, 2025, 8:45AM ET: Added commentary from Mark Gurman's guest appearance on the Engadget Podcast about the rumored iPhone 17 Air.

Update, August 27, 2025, 5:44PM ET: Added official Apple iPhone 17 event date, and a rumor about its event logo.

Update, August 25, 2025, 5:15PM ET: Added new reports about the iPhone 17 Pro's orange color as well as new rumored Liquid Silicone cases.

Update, August 22, 2025, 11:52AM ET: Added new details about the colors of the rumored TechWoven case.

Update, August 20, 2025, 7:12PM ET: Added new rumor about potential TechWoven case for iPhone 17 series.

Update, August 18, 2025, 6:23PM ET: Added new rumor about the iPhone 17e potentially having the Dynamic Island.

Update, August 15, 2025, 2:05PM ET: Added new rumor about the all-aluminum chassis on the iPhone 17.

Update, August 13, 2025, 10:02PM ET: Added a list of the products that are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17s. 

Update, August 11, 2025, 7:27PM ET: Added a render of a rumored new antenna design for the iPhone 17 Pro.

Update, August 8, 2025, 4:43PM ET: Added new speculation and reports about iPhone 17 pricing.

Update, August 6, 2025, 4:05PM ET: Added latest details about the potential iPhone 17 event date.

Update, August 4, 2025, 5:23PM ET: Added latest battery leaks about the iPhone 17 models.

Update, August 1, 2025, 8:15AM ET: Added new photos showing potential iPhone 17 colors.

Update, July 30, 2025, 11:08AM ET: Added latest leaks and rumors about the iPhone 17, and updated information on the iOS 26 public beta.

Update, July 17, 2025, 4:40PM ET: Added latest information about iOS 26, possible materials for the Air, and the color options for the different models.

Update, March 17, 2025, 2PM ET: Added details about the rumored price and features of the iPhone 17 Air.

Update, April 11, 2025, 3:45PM ET: Added details from Front Page Tech's new video that claims to reveal details from a leaked iOS 19 build.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apples-announcing-its-iphone-17-lineup-today-rumors-prices-new-features-and-what-else-you-need-to-know-153024452.html?src=rss

The day has finally arrived: Today at 1PM ET, Apple is all but certain to unveil the iPhone 17 line. This year is shaping up to be a departure from recent September product rollouts, with the strong possibility of an all-new superthin iPhone (dubbed "iPhone Air") expected to join the company's lineup. Also on tap could be new Apple Watch models — including the first truly new Ultra model in two years — and (maybe) the long-awaited AirPods Pro 3. Intrigued? You can watch the Apple iPhone 17 event unspool in real-time, livestreamed on YouTube from Cupertino. Even better, Engadget is liveblogging the iPhone 17 launch, with three team members on-site at Apple Park to provide their hands-on impressions. 

Bloomberg Apple reporter Mark Gurman confirmed his expectation for all of the above products to arrive as expected today in his recent event preview story. Gurman had previously reported many of those details, including the expected battery and camera compromises of that rumored thin iPhone Air. You can hear him share his full analysis of the upcoming lineup — and even a peek at some 2026 iPhone models — during his recent guest appearance on the Engadget Podcast.

Expected to be roughly 5.55 mm thick, the iPhone Air would be the thinnest iPhone yet, besting 2014's iPhone 6 which, at 6.9 mm, was the previous svelteness champ. And they've only gotten chunkier since then. (The iPhone 16 Pro has a depth of 8.25 mm.) The Air would also give Apple a direct rival to Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge, which we found to be more than a gimmick.

Apple (screenshot)

But the iPhone Air's thin design will likely lead to some compromises. It's rumored to have only a single 48 MP camera and a smaller battery — one that's about 16% less capacious than the iPhone 17's power source, if a late-breaking leak on X is to be believed. That said, Taiwan's TrendForce, a market research firm quoted in a recent MacRumors story, suggests that the Air will sport a high-density "silicon anode battery" that could theoretically provide more power from a smaller frame. 

The Pro lineup could offer some design tweaks and performance improvements. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are rumored to switch from titanium to aluminum. And that heat-mapped Apple logo featured in Apple's "Awe dropping" invitations may be indicative of better thermal cooling in the new Pro models, too. They could also see the rear camera array expand to an entire "island" that extends across most of the phone's backside. It's expected to house three cameras (as before), but multiple rumors have suggested it will have an improved telephoto one. The zoom lens could jump to 48MP, which would strengthen its digital zooming / cropping chops. The phones may also add an anti-glare coating, similar to those found on iPads.

The standard iPhone 17 could see some welcome display upgrades. At least one supply chain source claimed it will add a 120Hz variable refresh rate (ProMotion) display, which the Pro series has used since 2021.

Apple

One thing we know without a doubt is that the new iPhones will launch with iOS 26, which brings Apple's biggest design refresh in years. It's easy to imagine the company highlighting the new model's displays as the best way to experience the new Liquid Glass visual language. As for the naming scheme, there haven't been any leaks pointing to a similar hardware rebranding ("iPhone 26," "iPhone 26 Pro," etc.). But hey, Apple does like surprises.

Engadget's iPhone 17 rumor roundup gives you a deeper dive into what to expect from the new models.

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Apple's fall event isn't just for iPhones. The company is also expected to roll out new Apple Watch models. 5G and a processor upgrade are expected for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It may also let you send texts via satellite, handy for those who use it out in the wilderness. Regardless of the details, Apple hasn't launched a new rugged and premium model since 2023 (apart from a new color), so it's due for an upgrade.

The Series 11 model is unlikely to depart dramatically from the Series 10. After all, that model introduced a new design, with a thinner body and larger screen. (And Apple has historically kept those around in three-year cycles.). But a faster chip also seems logical. Perhaps we'll see 5G arrive on the standard wearable, too.

The Apple Watch lineup and the company's Fitness team has been in the news of late too. In addition to ongoing legal battles over the wearable's blood oxygen monitoring feature, Apple's vice president of fitness technologies Jay Blahnik has been accused of creating a toxic workplace environment, according to a New York Times report. It's unlikely that the company even mentions either of these situations at its event on September 9, but it is interesting background information for the fitness and wearable portions of its presentation.

We may also see the AirPods Pro 3 at the event. It's been about three years since Apple last upgraded its premium earbuds. The new model could also bring some biometric sensors to the earphones: an in-ear heart-rate monitor and (maybe) temperature sensing. Live translation is also rumored, although that may not be exclusive to the third-gen model. But don't expect major design changes, if the latest reports from leaker Majin Bu (via MacRumors) are to be believed: In addition to a "slight reduction in size," Bu notes the case will lose the physical pairing button, while gaining capacitive controls.

We aren't holding our breath for any major developments around Apple's AI or its overhauled Siri, which was announced last summer. Mark Gurman reported ahead of Tuesday's event that Apple is working on an AI search product that it plans to launch with the new Siri, but these aren't scheduled to arrive until March.

Will there be other announcements? Time will tell, but now we know we won't have to wait long to find out. The official countdown clock has begun, and the answers are just days away.

Update, September 9, 2025, 8:35AM ET: Added final details and link to Engadget's liveblog. 

Update, September 8, 2025, 5:49PM ET: Added a new leak that appears to confirm a lower battery capacity for the iPhone Air.

Update, September 7, 2025, 1:53PM ET: Added a new report from Mark Gurman about the timeline for Apple's upgraded Siri and AI search.

Update, September 6, 2025, 10:20AM ET: Added a link to Mark Gurman's latest Bloomberg story, which confirms and expands on his months of previous reporting on the imminent new Apple hardware.

Update, September 4, 2025, 7:20PM ET: Added a new report that the iPhone Air may feature a high-density battery. 

Update, September 3, 2025, 2:20PM ET: Included a reference and link to the theory that the invitation graphic suggests a new cooling system for the upcoming iPhones.

Update, September 2, 2025, 11:15AM ET: Tweaked the intro to accurately reflect how far we are from the event at this point in time, and added a paragraph on recent happenings around Apple's Watch and Fitness products.

Update, August 29, 2025, 2:32PM ET: Added insights from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman based on his appearance on the Engadget Podcast.

Update, August 28, 2025, 10:45AM ET: Added new report on AirPods 3 case details. 

Update, August 26, 2025, 5:41PM ET: Added confirmation of official event invitation, date and time. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-will-unveil-iphone-17-and-more-at-the-awe-dropping-event-today-heres-everything-we-know-090059199.html?src=rss

We've officially made it to iPhone season (it comes around every September), and today, Apple is finally going to showcase its latest iPhone 17 lineup. That means we'll get to separate fact from rumor once and for all. Apple has dubbed the upcoming event "Awe dropping," so we're hoping for several big announcements that'll warrant the tagline. The show starts at 1PM ET/10AM PT.

If you want to tune in to hear what Tim Cook and crew have to say about the presumed iPhone 17, you can stream the show on Apple's website or YouTube channel. We've also got the livestream embedded below, and you can split-screen it with our Apple liveblog for real-time news and analysis.

With just hours until the "Awe dropping" event, it seems like we've already gotten a lot of advanced insights about what the iPhone 17 lineup has in store. Apple introduced the software side of the equation with the iOS 26 unveil at WWDC this summer, and since then we've gotten some pretty reliable insights on the hardware.

The big reveal is expected to be an ultralight smartphone, likely called the iPhone 17 Air. This would be Apple's first application of its Air nomenclature for mobile, and when we had Bloomberg's Mark Gurman on the Engadget Podcast at the end of August, he suggested that the first iteration of the smartphone might come with some compromises — specifically, a smaller battery and fewer cameras, to better accommodate its svelte frame. We also anticipate seeing a base iPhone 17, an iPhone 17 Pro, and an iPhone 17 Pro Max, all of which should offer more iterative upgrades to last year's iPhone 16 line.

Beyond the smartphones, the "Awe dropping" event could also include three new Apple Watches and updated AirPods Pro earbuds. Gurman, again reporting for Bloomberg, notes that Apple has several other devices in the works as well, including a new AirTag, Apple TV and iPad Pro, but it's not as certain if those will pop up at this specific event. Either way, you can tune in shortly to hear about all the new product launches.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-watch-apple-debut-the-iphone-17-lineup-today-at-its-awe-dropping-event-130040406.html?src=rss

It's still back-to-school season and, regardless of whether you've picked up a textbook recently, that will always mean its time to pick up new supplies. Thankfully, there are some great deals currently running, including a new all-time low price for the USB-C Apple Pencil. 

Right now, you can pick up the USB-C Apple Pencil for $50, down from $79. The 37 percent discount is available as part of Woot's warehouse clean out and will run for six more days or until the accessory sells out. Notably, Woot states that it will deliver the new Pencils in non-retail packaging and that they don't qualify for AppleCare. 

Apple released its USB-C Pencil in 2023 as part of its switchover from Lightning ports. It's compatible with iPad models including the Pro 11- and 13-inch (M4), Air 11- and 13-inch (M2), mini (A17 Pro and sixth-generation) and 10th-generation iPad. It works really well as a standard option for writing, navigating an iPad and other casual uses. However, it doesn't offer some of the same perks as its more expensive counterparts, such as handling pressure sensitivity and magnetic charging. 

Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-usb-c-apple-pencil-drops-to-a-new-all-time-low-123045887.html?src=rss

Nepal's government has lifted its ban on social media apps including Facebook and X after at least 19 people were killed yesterday during protests, The Guardian reported. "We have withdrawn the shutdown of the social media. They are working now," said communications minister Prithvi Subba Gurung. In a new development, Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has resigned due to the unrest, his aide told Reuters.

Last week, the government announced it was blocking 26 social media platforms due to noncompliance with a new law requiring them to register in the nation. That action led to criticism from groups like the Federation of Nepali Journalists and Digital Rights Nepal, which called the sudden closure "controlling." 

Then on Monday, thousands of Nepalese youths started "Gen Z" protests across the country. While triggered by the social media ban, they were fueled by perceived corruption among elites in the nation and the lack of economic opportunities for young people. One site that wasn't banned, TikTok, showed videos featuring children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and pricy vacations, in contrast to the struggles of regular people. "We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalized in Nepal," a 24-year-old student told The Guardian. 

During the demonstrations, protesters attempted to enter a Kathmandu parliament building and were repelled by police using water cannon, batons and rubber bullets. However, Amnesty International said live ammunition was also used and police confirmed that 19 people had died in the protests and hundreds were injured. 

The unrest has continued despite the ban being lifted, with reports of protesters setting fire to the homes of some politicians and ministers being rescued by military helicopters, according to local media. "We are still standing here for our future ... We want this country corruption-free so that everyone can easily access education, hospitals, medical [facilities] ... for a bright future," protester Robin Sreshtha told Reuters. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/nepal-lifts-social-media-ban-after-19-people-were-killed-during-protests-120007652.html?src=rss

Apple’s annual iPhone event kicks off later today, and we may finally see the iPhone Air. That would appear alongside the usual iPhone refresh, with an array of iPhone 17 devices. We’re expecting four models again: iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Some reports suggest bigger batteries will appear across the series. Still, the rumored iPhone Air will be the technical star, expected to be the thinnest iPhone ever, even slimmer than the iPhone 6. However, there may be some compromises, such as a single 48-megapixel camera and a smaller battery.

Engadget

The Air may be the only entry in the iPhone 17 lineup to use titanium this year. The iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to be made of aluminum, which is lighter. That could have some users concerned with toughness, compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, which had a titanium frame. Talking of the iPhone Pro, multiple rumors have suggested it will have an improved telephoto camera, with the zoom lens jumping to 48MP resolution, which would strengthen its digital zooming abilities.

Peripheral-wise, TechWoven cases could also appear. These cases match the rumored design on the iPhone 17 models, with the wide camera bump. The leaks suggest the cases will have two lanyard holes for carrying around your new phone.

We’re also expecting to see new Apple Watch models, including a Watch Ultra 3. That would be the first major update to the rugged series in two years. It may include 5G connectivity and satellite texting. A new Apple Watch Series 11 is also likely, but it’s not expected to shake things up.

Rounding out the Apple hardware barrage, we might see the AirPods Pro 3. These could introduce new biometric sensors, like an in-ear heart-rate monitor. While the new iPhones will launch with iOS 26, we don’t expect any major announcements about Apple’s AI endeavors or an overhauled Siri. At least, for now.

The Apple Awe Dropping event kicks off at 1PM ET/ 10AM PT. Will we be there? Yes, of course we will. Check out Engadget’s iPhone 17 event liveblog right here.

— Mat Smith

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The news you might have missed

• This pettable Poké Ball is a Tamagotchi-style toy with over 150 Pokémon inside and I need it now

• Rimac introduces its take on solid-state batteries for electric vehicles

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• Apple iPhone 17 event liveblog

Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels like a strong step forward for the series The next embraces real-time action and more epic fights. Nintendo

We spent some limited time with Pokémon Legends: Z-A and its revamped combat system, which that finally ditches turn-based combat for real-time action. So far, this new entry in the long-running series is showing promise for a follow-up that could shake up the Ppokémon meta in the right direction.

Continue reading.

Meta reportedly suppressed research about how dangerous its VR headsets are for kids Current and former staff have come forward.

According to a report by The Washington Post, Meta allegedly suppressed research that suggested kids were exposed to certain dangers when using its VR headsets. Current and former employees have presented documents to Congress that describe incidents in which children were groomed by adult predators in VR, but allege that internal reports were edited to omit the worst of these offenses. Meta has denied these allegations.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-what-to-expect-from-apples-iphone-17-event-today-111528492.html?src=rss

A fast, reliable SSD can make a huge difference to how your computer feels day to day. From quicker boot times to near-instant file transfers, solid-state drives outpace traditional hard drives in almost every way. They’re also more durable, run silently and use less power, making them a smart upgrade for laptops, desktops and even gaming consoles.

The tricky part is choosing the right one. Between SATA drives, blazing-fast NVMe models and newer PCIe Gen 5 options, there’s a lot to weigh up in terms of speed, capacity and price. To make things easier, we’ve picked the best SSDs across a range of needs and budgets so you can upgrade with confidence.

Table of contents

• Best SSDs in 2025

• How we test SSDs

• What to look for in a PC SSD

• What to look for in portable and USB flash drives

• A note on console storage

• SSD FAQs

Best SSDs in 2025

How we test SSDs

I’ve either tested or personally use daily every storage drive recommended on this list. Out of our top picks, I bought four with my own money after doing about a dozen hours of research. Separately, Engadget Senior Reporter Jeff Dunn has also tested a handful of our recommendations, including the Crucial X9 Pro listed above.

What to look for in a PC SSD

The most affordable way to add fast storage space to a computer is with a 2.5-inch SATA drive. It’s also one of the easiest if you don’t want to worry about compatibility since almost every computer made in the last two decades will include a motherboard with Serial ATA connections. For that reason, the best SATA SSDs are an excellent choice if you want to extend the life of an older PC build. Installation is straightforward, too. Once you’ve secured the internal SSD in a drive cage, all you need to do is to connect it to your motherboard and power supply.

The one downside of SATA drives is that, in terms of responsiveness, they’re slower than their high-performance NVMe counterparts, with SATA III limiting data transfers to 600MB/s. But even the slowest SSD will be significantly faster than the best mechanical drives. And with high-capacity, 1TB SATA SSDs costing about $100, they’re a good bulk-storage option.

If your PC is newer, there’s a good chance it includes space for one or more M.2 SSDs. The form factor represents your ticket to the fastest SSDs on the market, but the tricky part is navigating all the different standards and specs involved.

M.2 drives can feature either a SATA or PCIe connection. SSDs with the latter are known as Non-Volatile Memory or NVMe drives and are significantly faster than their SATA counterparts, with Gen3 models offering sequential write speeds of up to 3,000MB/s. These drives rely on NVMe NAND technology for their superior performance and durability. You can get twice the performance with a Gen4 SSD, but you’ll need a motherboard and processor that supports the standard.

If you’re running an AMD system, that means at least a Ryzen 3000 or 5000 CPU and an X570 or B550 motherboard. With Intel, meanwhile, you’ll need at least an 11th or 12th Gen processor and a Z490, Z590 or Z690 motherboard. Keep in mind that Gen4 SSDs typically cost more than their Gen3 counterparts as well.

More expensive still are the latest Gen5 models, which offer sequential read speeds of up to 16,000MB/s. However, even if your computer supports the standard, you’re better off buying a more affordable Gen4 or Gen3 drive. At the moment, very few games and applications can take advantage of Gen3 NVMe speeds, let alone Gen4 and Gen5 speeds. What’s more, Gen5 NVMe drives can run hot, which can lead to performance and longevity issues. Your money is better spent on other components, like upgrading your GPU, for now.

As for why you would buy an M.2 SATA drive over a similarly specced 2.5-inch drive, it comes down to ease of installation. You add M.2 storage to your computer by installing the SSD directly onto the motherboard. That may sound intimidating, but in practice the process involves a single screw that you first remove to connect the drive to your computer and then retighten to secure the SSD in place. As an added bonus, there aren’t any wires involved, making cable management easier.

Note that you can install a SATA M.2 SSD into an M.2 slot with a PCIe connection, but you can’t insert an NVMe M.2 SSD into a M.2 slot with a SATA connection. Unless you want to continue using an old M.2 drive, there’s little reason to take advantage of that feature. Speaking of backward compatibility, it’s also possible to use a Gen4 drive through a PCIe 3 connection, but you won’t get any of the speed benefits of the faster NVMe.

One last thing to consider is that M.2 drives come in different physical sizes. From shortest to longest, the common options are 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110. (The first two numbers represent width in millimeters and the latter denote the length.) For the most part, you don’t have to worry about that since 2280 is the default for many motherboards and manufacturers. Some boards can accommodate more than one size of NVMe SSD thanks to multiple standoffs. That said, check your computer’s documentation or firmware before buying a drive to ensure you’re picking up a compatible size.

If you’re buying a replacement SSD for the Steam Deck or Steam Deck OLED, things are less complicated. For Valve’s handheld, you will need a 2230 size NVMe. Simple. If you don’t want to open your Steam Deck, it’s also possible to expand its storage by installing a microSD card. Engadget has a separate guide dedicated to SD card storage, so check that out for additional buying advice.

I alluded to this earlier, but the best buying advice I can offer is don’t get too caught up about being on the bleeding edge of storage tech. The sequential read and write speeds you see manufacturers list on their drives are theoretical and real-world performance benchmark tests vary less than you think.

If your budget forces you to choose between a 1TB Gen3 NVMe and a 512GB Gen4 model, go for the higher-capacity one. From a practical standpoint, the worst thing you can do is buy a type of SSD that’s too small for needs. Drives can slow dramatically as they approach capacity, and you will probably end up purchasing one with a higher gigabyte capacity in the future.

What to look for in portable and USB flash drives

Portable SSDs are a somewhat different beast to their internal siblings. While read and write speeds are important, they are almost secondary to how an external drive connects to your PC. You won’t get the most out of a model like the SanDisk Extreme Pro V2 without a USB 3.2 Gen 2 x 2 connection. Even among newer PCs, that’s something of a premium feature. For that reason, most people are best off buying a portable drive with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt connection. The former offers transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps. The best external hard drives also allow you to transfer data from your Windows PC to a Mac, or other device, if compatible. Be sure to consider this beforehand if you plan to use your portable drive across multiple devices.

Additionally, if you plan to take your drive on trips and commutes, it’s worthwhile to buy a model with IP-certified water and dust proofing. Some companies like Samsung offer rugged versions of their most popular drives, including the Samsung SSD T7 Shield, with a high endurance rating. For additional peace of mind, 256-bit AES hardware encryption will help prevent someone from accessing your data if you ever lose or misplace your external SSD.

Some of the same features contribute to a great thumbstick drive. Our favorite picks for best budget external SSD models feature USB 3.0 connections and some form of hardware encryption.

A note on console storage Seagate

If PC gaming isn’t your thing and you own an Xbox Series X|S or PS5, outfitting your fancy new console with the fastest possible storage is far more straightforward than doing the same on PC. With a Series X or Series S, your options are limited to options from Seagate and Western Digital. The former offers 512GB, 1TB and 2TB models, with the most affordable starting at a not-so-trivial $90. Western Digital’s Expansion Cards are less expensive, with pricing starting at $80 for the 512GB model. The good news is that both options are frequently on sale. Your best bet is to set an alert for the model you want by using a price tracker like CamelCamelCamel.

With Sony’s PlayStation 5, upgrading the console’s internal storage is slightly more involved. Instead of employing a proprietary solution, the PS5 uses NVMe storage. Thankfully, there aren’t as many potential configurations as you would find on a PC. Engadget maintains a comprehensive guide to the best SSDs for PS5; in short, your best bet is a high-capacity Gen4 drive with a built-in heatsink. Check out that guide for a full list of gaming SSD recommendations, but for a quick go-to, consider the Corsair MP600 Pro LPX I recommend above. It meets all the memory specifications for Sony’s latest console and you won’t run into any clearance issues with the heatsink. Corsair offers 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and 8TB versions of the drive. Expect to pay about $110 for the 1TB variant and about $200 for 2TB.

For those still playing on a previous generation console, you can get slightly faster game load times from a PlayStation 4 by swapping the included hard drive to a 2.5-inch SSD, but going out of your way to do so probably isn’t worth it at this point and you’re better off saving your money for one of the new consoles and updating your operating system instead.

SSD FAQs What size SSD is best?

There is no one size fits all rule for SSDs, but we generally recommend getting at least a 1TB SSD if you’re looking to upgrade PC or game console storage, or looking to add an external drive to your toolkit. A 1TB drive will be plenty for most people who need extra storage space for photos, documents and programs. If you’re a hardcore gamer, you may want to invest in even more storage considering many high-profile titles today can take up a ton of space.

Is a 256GB SSD better than a 1TB hard drive?

The short answer is that it depends on what you need your drive for. In general, SSDs are faster and more efficient than HDDs, but HDDs are usually cheaper. We recommend springing for an SSD for most use cases today — upgrading a PC, saving important photos and documents, storing games long term, etc. But if you’re focused on getting the most amount of extra space possible (and sticking to a budget), an HDD could be a good option for you.

Does bigger SSD mean faster?

Getting a bigger SSD doesn’t always translate into a faster drive overall. A bigger SSD will provide a higher storage capacity, which means more space for storing digital files and programs. To understand how fast an SSD will be, you’ll want to look at its read/write speeds: read speeds measure how fast a drive can access information, while write speeds measure how fast the drive can save information. Most SSDs list their approximate read/write speeds in their specs, so be sure to check out those numbers before you make a purchase.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-ssds-140014262.html?src=rss

Apple Music is one of the few streaming services that offers high-resolution audio (aka “lossless”) at no extra charge. But enjoying that extra quality on your phone usually requires some extra hardware. That is the purpose of this guide, — to help you find exactly what you need depending on how you prefer to listen. Every product listed below will help you squeeze more audio quality out of your Apple Music subscription. In fact, whatever music service you use, your listening experience will be enhanced. Best of all, most of these recommendations are compatible with Android, Mac and Windows devices, too.

Fortunately, as data plans become more generous and technology advances, listening to these larger-files in their full glory is less of a challenge. There are still some hardware hurdles though, especially if you use AirPods (or any wireless headphones) as Bluetooth technology is theoretically capable of delivering some higher-resolution audio, and Apple products don’t support the required technology (codecs such as Aptx, LDAC etc.). Confusingly, there are also different levels of “lossless” on Apple Music, with standard “CD quality” audio and then “Hi-Res Lossless” files that are recorded at even higher data rates. But don’t worry, we have a solution for you below, no matter how you prefer to listen to your music.

Of course, a DAC or dongle is only part of the equation — your headphones or speakers are also just as important. So if you’re looking for the absolute best audio experience be sure to check out our guide to the best headphones. Although these options are wireless, many can be used with a cable, too, making them the perfect pairing for our recommendations below.

Best DACs for 2025

DAC FAQs What does DAC stand for?

DAC stands for digital to analogue converter. A digital-to-analog converter takes the digital (D) music from your phone or computer and converts (C) it into analog (A) sound you can hear. All phones and PCs have them, but since handsets moved to USB-C, Lightning or Bluetooth for music, the task of converting that signal was generally outsourced to either your adapter or your wireless headphones.

DACs can be used with phones, laptops and desktops but tend to be much simpler than a regular external audio interface. One basic distinction is that DACs are usually for listening only whereas an audio interface might have ports to plug in microphones and instruments (but an external audio interface is also technically a DAC). Some high-end DACs even include XLR outputs for better connectivity with professional audio equipment.

The best DACs tend to be lightweight, making them more suitable for mobile use, although it still gets a little tricky with the iPhone as you still might need to add another dongle to make it play nice with Lightning. Also, not all DACs support all the higher audio resolutions like DSD. Most standalone DACs require external power or an onboard battery, though some can use the power from whatever you plug them into — in which case expect a hit to your battery life.

Why do I need new hardware to listen to music?

The short answer is, you don’t. You can play “hi-res” audio files on most phones and PCs, you just might not be getting the full experience. If your device’s audio interface tops out at 44.1 or 48kHz (which is fairly common and covers the vast majority of music online) then that’s the experience you’ll get. If you want to enjoy better sounding music at a higher sample rate and bit-depth (aka resolution), you’ll need an interface that supports it and wired headphones, potentially using a headphone amp for an enhanced experience.

It’s worth pointing out that “lossless” and “hi-res” are related terms, but not the same thing and will vary from service to service. Apple uses ALAC encoding which is compressed, but without “loss” to the quality (unlike the ubiquitous .aac or .mp3 file formats). CDs were generally mastered to at least 16-bit / 44.1kHz which is the benchmark that Apple is using for its definition of lossless. In audio circles, a general consensus is that hi-res is anything with a sample rate above 44.1kHz. Increasingly, though, the term is being used for anything 96kHz and above.

This, of course, isn’t only about Apple’s new streaming formats. External DACs and audio interfaces are a great way to get the best sound and upgrade your listening experience generally. Especially if you want to get into the world of more exotic (read: pricey) headphones, as they often even require a DAC to provide enough clean digital signal to drive them. For audiophile headphones, a phone or laptop’s internal sound chipset often doesn’t have the oomph needed to deliver a hi-fi experience, meaning a better DAC could make all the difference in sound quality.

Okay, but can’t I just use the headphone adapter for my phone?

No. Well, yes, but see above. A Lightning or USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter often is an audio interface and most of the ones you’re buying for $7 (or that come free in the box) do not support hi-res audio beyond 48kHz / 24-bit. Android is a little more complicated, as some adapters are “passive” and really just connect you to the phone’s internal DAC like old school headphones. Others (active ones) have a DAC built-in and good luck finding out what your specific phone and the in-box adapter delivers. (Hint: connect it to a PC and see if it comes up as an audio interface. You might find some details there if it does).

What about Bluetooth headphones?

Chances are that over the last few years you’ve migrated from wired to wireless headphones (thanks, Apple). The world of Bluetooth headphones changes things a little when it comes to seeking better audio performance. What matters here is twofold, the headphones you’re using (as those will technically be the “DAC”) and the codec — the method used to send the musical data over to the headphones.

It’s also worth checking to see if your headphones support aptX and which version. Look out for aptX HD, aptX Adaptive and (for the highest quality) aptX Lossless which are all better than standard and becoming more common, albeit slowly. It’s worth noting that both your phone or media player and your headphones need to support the same aptX codec. Currently, no iPhone supports any type of aptX, though dongles exist that will offer that functionality.

Other higher-resolution Bluetooth codecs exist, like Sony’s LDAC, but Qualcomm’s AptX has wider support thanks to its prevalence in Android devices. Some high-end wireless headphones might even come with a headphone jack for wired connections when higher-quality audio is needed.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/the-best-dac-for-lossless-high-resolution-music-iphone-android-160056147.html?src=rss

Judge William Alsup has rejected the record-breaking $1.5 billion settlement Anthropic has agreed to for a piracy lawsuit filed by writers. According to Bloomberg Law, the federal judge is concerned that the class lawyers struck a deal that will be forced "down the throat of authors." Alsup reportedly felt misled by the deal and said it was "nowhere close to complete." In his order, he said he was "disappointed that counsel have left important questions to be answered in the future," including the list of works involved in the case, the list of authors, the process of notifying members of the class and the claim form class members can use to get their part of the settlement. 

If you'll recall, the plaintiffs sued Anthropic over the company's use of pirated copies of their works to train its large language models. Around 500,000 authors are involved in the lawsuit, and they're expected to receive $3,000 per work. "This landmark settlement far surpasses any other known copyright recovery," one of the lawyers representing the authors said in a statement. However, Alsup had an "uneasy feeling about hangers on with all [that] money on the table." He explained that class members "get the shaft" in a lot of class actions once the monetary settlement has been established and lawyers stopped caring. 

Alsup told the lawyers that they must give the class members "very good notice" about the settlement and design a claim form that gives them the choice to opt in or out. They also have to ensure that Anthropic cannot be sued for the same issue in the future. The judge gave the lawyers until September 15 to submit a final list of works involved in the lawsuit. He also wrote in his order that the works list, class members list and the claim form all have to be examined and approved by the court by October 10 before he grants the settlement his preliminary approval. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/judge-rejects-anthropics-record-breaking-15-billion-settlement-for-ai-copyright-lawsuit-033512498.html?src=rss

Bluesky has added a built-in bookmarking feature so users finally have a way to privately save posts on the platform. The update is out now on Bluesky's website and app.

Bookmarks on Bluesky work pretty much like they do on any other service. Save a post and you can revisit it later from the "saved posts" section of the app and website. It's overall a basic feature — there's currently no way to organize your saves into folders, for example — but it's a very long overdue addition to the platform. 

Up to now, Bluesky users have technically been able to save posts via a workaround. Bluesky developer Jaz created a custom "pinned" feed that allowed subscribers to save posts by replying with a 📌 emoji. But while this provided a handy way to save posts in the absence of an official bookmarking feature, it wasn't private since it created a public reply for every save. Now, though, there's a handy tool to convert your previously "pinned" posts into private bookmarks. You can also opt to delete your public "pins" or leave them as is. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/bluesky-finally-has-a-private-bookmarking-feature-224110038.html?src=rss

Rimac Technology has unveiled a new battery pack platform for electric vehicles that uses only solid-state batteries. The company has been an EV supplier for notable car brands including Aston Martin and Koenigsegg, as well as making electric supercar Nevara. Rimac collaborated with ProLogium and Mitsubishi Chemical Group on the product, which it claims will offer a lighter, safer and more energy-dense EV battery. It introduced this tech, alongside new composite and hybrid battery EV developments, at the IAA Mobility 2025 event.

Solid-state batteries are being touted as an important new development for EVs. European R&D operation Imec released a study into this tech last year that backed claims that these batteries did indeed have the potential to improve efficiency while bringing down costs.

However, the commercial development of solid-state batteries has been slow going. Despite a flurry of partnerships several years ago, the targets for getting EVs fully powered by the tech onto the road may still be some time away. For instance, Nissan said it aims to have its first EV solely using solid-state batteries released by its 2028 fiscal year. Rimac didn't offer even a rough timeline for when it might have its new battery tech available for customers. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/rimac-introduces-its-take-on-solid-state-batteries-for-electric-vehicles-215915664.html?src=rss

Google is opening up AI Mode to more languages. Starting today, the AI chatbot the company is integrating into Google Search is available in Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and Brazilian Portuguese. 

The company has been rapidly expanding access to the search experience. In May, Google started offering it to everyone in the US (and later the UK and India) after starting public tests just two months earlier. 

Google added more features to AI Mode in July, including support for the Gemini 2.5 Pro model and Deep Search. As of last month, AI Mode has been present in more than 180 countries. But until now, AI Mode had only been available in English. This is the first language support expansion for the chatbot. 

"Building a truly global Search goes far beyond translation — it requires a nuanced understanding of local information," Hema Budaraju, Google's vice president of search product management wrote in a blog post. "With the advanced multimodal and reasoning capabilities of our custom version of Gemini 2.5 in Search, we’ve made huge strides in language understanding, so our most advanced AI search capabilities are locally relevant and useful in each new language we support."

Google has been claiming recently that traffic to websites from Search is "relatively stable" since the rollout of AI Overviews and that "the web is thriving." However, the company admitted something very different in a court filing last week. Its lawyers stated that "the open web is already in rapid decline." That, plus the expansion of AI Mode, will surely be welcomed with open arms by publishers who are seriously feeling the pinch of declining web traffic.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-expands-ai-mode-beyond-english-for-the-first-time-192245955.html?src=rss

Vodafone made a commercial starring an AI avatar posing as a real lady. This is interesting because Vodafone is a major global brand and not a fly-by-night TikTok company using a ridiculous deepfake of Jackson Galaxy to sell cat toys.

The tells in the commercial are obvious and what one would expect. The AI avatar's hair is a bit off, which ruins the charade that this is a real person. The physical mannerisms and speaking tone are also wonky. A facial mole moves around at one point. It's AI. You know the drill.

The company responded to a question on a message board as to why it couldn't put "a real person in front of the camera" by saying this is simply an experiment. It said it was “testing different styles of advertising — this time with AI,” and that “AI is so much a part of everyday life these days that we also try it out in advertising.”

This isn't the first Vodafone ad to feature generative AI. It released a fully AI-generated commercial last year that spurred a bit of controversy, despite looking absolutely awful. Social media platforms are also becoming increasingly littered with AI-generated virtual influencers. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/vodafone-is-testing-an-ai-actor-to-sell-its-products-instead-of-paying-a-human-to-do-it-185301360.html?src=rss

Amazon Music has just launched new AI-powered weekly playlists based on the "preferences and mood" of listeners. This just means it scrapes what you've already been listening to and extrapolates further. It doesn't apply modern technology to gauge the actual mood of users.

The company says the playlists include "a curated mix of familiar favorites from their most listened-to artists and latest favorites to new discoveries." It's not dissimilar to how other music streaming platforms create personalized playlists, but these are focus on a specific theme that changes every week and are created using Amazon's Bedrock generative AI platform. The themes themselves are based on factors like sound, genre or mood and personalized on your listening history and change every week.

Amazon

The snappy names reflect those themes and suggest the type of songs included, like "Empowerment Anthems" and "Melodic Flex." This seems similar to Spotify's Daylists, which also use cute little names. The Amazon playlists can be saved to the library or shared with friends via text or social media.

“The feature represents another way we’re harnessing AI to help fans connect with more music that resonates with them," said Ryan Redington, General Manager of Amazon Music. He also said this brings a "new dimension" to the service by "creating personalized playlists celebrating their favorite artists while introducing new music that matches their unique tastes." Again, personalized playlists are nothing new.

Download the latest update to the app to get started. These weekly playlists are currently only available to US listeners and drop on Mondays.

This is just the latest AI-forward move by a music-streaming platform. Spotify recently introduced prompt-driven playlists and an AI DJ that takes requests. This isn't even Amazon Music's first dip into AI-infested waters. The platform already uses AI-enhanced search results that can be used to create playlists.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/amazon-music-launches-ai-powered-weekly-playlists-based-on-preferences-and-mood-174239246.html?src=rss

Meta allegedly suppressed research that suggested kids were exposed to certain dangers when using its VR headsets, according to a report by The Washington Post. Current and former employees have presented documents to Congress that describe incidents in which children were groomed by adult predators in VR, but allege that internal reports were edited to omit the worst of these offenses. Meta has denied these allegations.

Two of these researchers claim they met with a German family in which a child younger than ten had been approached by strangers online while using a Meta VR headset. Some of these strangers allegedly sexually propositioned the child. When the employees issued the harrowing report, their boss allegedly ordered that the aforementioned claims be deleted. When the internal report was eventually published, it spoke of some parents being scared of this type of thing but didn't mention the above incident.

The trove of documents presented to Congress reportedly indicate guidance from Meta's legal team instructing researchers to avoid collecting data about children using VR devices. The memo suggests this is "due to regulatory concerns," likely referring to fallout from congressional hearings that took place in 2021.

The documents also include warnings from employees that children younger than 13 were bypassing age restrictions to use VR headsets. However, Meta has since lowered the minimum age down to ten.

Meta spokeswoman Dani Lever told The Post that the documents were "stitched together to fit a predetermined and false narrative" and that the company doesn't prohibit research about children under 13. “We stand by our research team’s excellent work and are dismayed by these mischaracterizations of the team’s efforts,” she said.

The company didn't confirm or deny the events regarding the family in Germany, but said that if the anecdote was deleted from the official record it was to ensure compliance with a US federal law governing the handling of children's personal data or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) from the EU.

That one prohibits companies from collecting personal information without consent, but the researchers maintain they received consent from the child's mother. They also say they received a signed contract from the mother at the start of the interview.

A Senate Judiciary subcommittee is scheduled to discuss these allegations at a hearing later in the week. This particular subcommittee examines laws and regulations regarding online safety.

Thank you, @ChuckGrassley, @MarshaBlackburn, and @HawleyMO, for calling out Meta and demanding answers about the exploitation of young people on its platforms! And thank you for highlighting our FTC complaint about child privacy violations on Meta's Horizon Worlds. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KS3hBUal8g

— Fairplay (@fairplayforkids) September 3, 2025

It was recently revealed that Meta is opening up its Horizon Worlds VR hangout app to preteens, so long as they get parental approval. This led the Senate Judiciary Committee to pen a letter demanding information as to the presence of minors on the app and the company's alleged failures to protect the privacy and safety of children.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-reportedly-suppressed-research-about-how-dangerous-its-vr-headsets-are-for-kids-162509006.html?src=rss

OpenAI is throwing its resources behind a mostly AI-generated animated film that was the brainchild of one of the company's employees. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, the film will be called Critterz and will follow forest creatures who go on an adventure after their village is disrupted by a stranger. Chad Nelson, a creative specialist at OpenAI, started designing the characters three years ago with the intention of making a short film using OpenAI's DALL-E image-generation tool.

The goal of the film is, in part, to show that animated films can be made for less money and in less time with AI. The team behind the film has set a budget of less than $30 million and a production schedule of only nine months. Both are a fraction of what it takes to produce a typical Hollywood animated picture. According to Nelson, OpenAI is hoping that if Critterz is successful, it might pave the way for adoption of more AI in the industry.

London-based Vertigo Films will produce the film along with Native Foreign, a studio in Los Angeles that specializes in using AI alongside more traditional video production methods. Native Foreign previously produced a faux Planet Earth-style short film, also titled Critterz, written and directed by Nelson. It used DALL-E to create all the visuals for the short, which Native Foreign then brought to life with (limited) animation.

The production team will hire human voice actors for the film's characters and will hire artists to draw sketches that will then be fed into OpenAI's chat and image-generating tools. The script for Critterz was penned by some of the same writers behind Paddington in Peru. The team aims to premiere the film at next year's Cannes Film Festival in May.

Over the last few years, many Hollywood workers have fought to protect their livelihoods against AI encroachment. In 2023, after a protracted strike, SAG-AFTRA reached an agreement that would require "informed consent and compensation" should a studio wish to use AI-generated likenesses of any current or deceased SAG-AFTRA members. All of this comes against the backdrop of enormous lawsuits against AI companies by creatives and studios alike.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-tech-to-be-used-to-in-a-full-length-animated-film-155921502.html?src=rss

You don't necessarily have to break the bank to pick up a cordless vacuum and avoid the scourge of cables while you're cleaning up debris from your floors. Our favorite budget cordless vacuum already delivered good value for money, and now it's on sale, making it an even more enticing proposition. The Levoit LVAC-300 has dropped down to $270.

This cordless vacuum's list price is $350, meaning that you're getting a discount of $80 or 23 percent. It's not quite a record-low price (we've seen it drop to $250 in the past), but it's still a good deal.

The Levoit LVAC-300 is our pick for the best budget cordless vacuum. It offers good suction power for a model in this price range, and it has easier handling and a more polished design compared with our previous recommendation in that subcategory. It feels fairly smooth when you move it across your floors as well.

It's easy to assemble and take apart the LVAC-300. Removing the battery is a cinch too (alas, there's no charging dock for this one). You can turn on this vacuum with a single button press. Another button switches between Eco, Mid and Turbo modes. The latter of those can drain your battery quite rapidly if you use it a lot, though you can keep an eye on the battery level using the digital display. Levoit says the battery will run for up to 60 minutes on a single charge in Eco mode but just 12 minutes in Turbo mode.

At 0.75 liters, the bin size is pretty decent. The LVAC-300 has a HEPA filter and Levoit says it can capture "99.99 percent of particles as small as 0.3μm with air purifier-level efficiency." In our testing, we felt that it did a solid job of vacuuming up dirt, dust bunnies, pet hair and coffee grounds. Overall, we reckon the LVAC-300 is a good, budget-friendly cordless vacuum that might be best suited for apartment dwellers and those with small- to medium-sized homes (or if you just want such a device on hand to take care of a quick clean up).

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-of-our-favorite-cordless-vacuums-is-23-percent-off-right-now-144255672.html?src=rss

Ford has unveiled a new F-150 Lightning variant called the STX that brings extra range and a rugged attitude to the lineup. The model is likely a response to slipping F-150 Lightning sales and was designed based on customer feedback, the company said. It will replace the current XLT model at the same starting price. 

Slotting in near the bottom of the lineup after the Lightning Pro, the STX trim offers an upgrade in range and power over the XLT. The new dual motor system delivers 536 horsepower while retaining 775 pound-feet of torque, up from the XLT's 452 horsepower. Range will go up substantially to 290 miles compared to 240 miles on the current model.

Ford

There are also cosmetic changes for those who want their pick-ups to look rugged. The STX trim adds new off-road wheels, all-terrain tires and running boards borrowed from the F-150 Tremor. It features a new grille, optional black vinyl floor, blue accent lines and STX badging everywhere you look including on the seats. On top of the regular paint options, it will come in two new colors: Argon Blue and Marsh Gray. 

Ford expects the F-150 Lightning STX to be its top seller next year, according to internal sales projections. "Customers have been asking for a rugged F-150 Lightning with more range than the standard range XLT," said marketing manager Will Marchand in a press release. "Until now, if these owners wanted a rugged F-150 Lightning, they had to turn to the aftermarket to build the truck they wanted." The new model will appear in Ford dealerships early next year starting at $63,345, not including destination charges.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/fords-f-150-lightning-stx-replaces-the-xlt-while-boosting-range-and-power-130846462.html?src=rss