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Sonos plans to raise prices across its lineup of products later this year in order to minimize the impact of tariffs on its earnings, the company has revealed alongside its financial results for the third quarter of 2025. It hasn't listed the products and their new prices yet, but it said that it's evaluating any changes it might need to its promotional strategies and that it has flexibility to move production between Vietnam and Malaysia as needed. To note, the Trump administration had imposed a 20 percent tariff on imports from Vietnam and a 19 percent tariff on imports from Malaysia. Sonos also said that it will invest on diversifying its geographic footprint and expanding its presence in markets that represent only a small share of its revenue today to drive growth. 

A Sonos spokesperson confirmed that not everything in the company's lineup will go up in price, but it sounds like products in its main product categories will get more expensive. We don't yet know the specifics on what products are getting more expensive yet.

The company took steps to diversify its supply chain last year, which led to its manufacturing facilities in the two aforementioned countries. It now only relies on Chinese plans for products bound to the US for a limited number of accessories, such as speaker stands. Still, for the third quarter of 2025, tariffs reduced Sonos' gross margin for the third quarter by $2.1 million and its cash flow by $3.5 million. In the fourth quarter of the year, which covers the holiday shopping season, Sonos expects tariffs to reduce its gross margin by $5 million and to remove between $8 to $10 billion from its cash flow. 

Overall, Sonos posted a revenue of $344.8 million in the third quarter, which is almost $100 million larger than its revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024. It's not a secret that 2024 was a tough year for the company. It rolled out a major update that broke its app, which led to the delay of product releases as it worked to fix the issue. Former Sonos CEO Patrick Spence even stepped down in the beginning of 2025 and was replaced by ex-Snap executive Tom Conrad.

Update, August 11, 2024, 11:08AM ET: This story has been updated to note that not all of Sonos' products are getting price increases. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/sonos-is-raising-prices-this-year-to-make-up-for-tariff-expenses-123031336.html?src=rss

Unlike two of its biggest rivals, Sony waited until April to unveil its latest soundbars rather than debut them at CES in January. And even then, the two most premium options in the company’s 2025 lineup remain untouched. Instead, Sony gave us the Bravia Theater Bar 6 ($650): a 3.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar that comes with a wireless subwoofer and a modest set of features. However, the caveats here are real headscratchers, especially on a soundbar launching this year.

What’s good about the Bravia Theater Bar 6?

Overall sound quality has never been an issue on the Sony soundbars I’ve tested, and the Theater Bar 6 continues with that trend. You can expect crisp, warm sound with excellent clarity and solid directional audio. Even over Bluetooth, this speaker-sub combo is great for music, doing justice to the subtle details of Miles Davis’ Mies ‘54: The Prestige Recordings. Classic jazz is a great way to judge a speaker’s merits, and on the Bar 6, this recently remastered album is dynamic and inviting throughout all 20 tracks.

The soundbar also delivered great audio in movies and TV. I was sucked into battle scenes during the second season of Andor, even though the limitations of the Theater Bar 6’s 3.1.2-channel configuration quickly became apparent. Its five-driver arrangement does well, thanks to three front-firing units and two angled up-firing speakers. Those latter two components really help with filling the overhead space during the action in shows like Andor, compensating for the limited number of drivers (and their positioning) as much as possible. And all of that makes the Theater Bar 6 a solid option for smaller spaces, especially if you have lower ceilings and won’t be sitting far from the TV.

The Theater Bar 6 won’t win any design awards, but that’s okay. There are plenty of people, myself included, who don’t really want their soundbar to stand out on the TV stand or mantle. The focus should be the display, not the speaker. This model is quite plain, but it also has a relatively low profile, so even if your TV has a short stand, the Theater Bar 6 won’t block the picture.

What’s not so great about the Bravia Theater Bar 6? Billy Steele for Engadget

The first strike against the Bravia Theater Bar 6 is the lack of Wi-Fi connectivity. If you want a wireless connection to the soundbar, Bluetooth is your only option. What’s more, no Wi-Fi means no AirPlay, Chromecast or Spotify Connect — all of which should be standard on a $650 model in 2025. Sony did make it easy to switch from the HDMI input over to Bluetooth in the Bravia Connect app, and that change happens quickly after you’ve paired your phone with the soundbar once.

Speaking of the app, it doesn’t actually help you install firmware updates to the Theater Bar 6. Instead, it prompts you to transfer the files from a computer to a thumb drive to get them to the soundbar. Yes, really. Sony says the lack of Wi-Fi is why this workaround is required. No matter the reason, having to dig a thumb drive out of your junk drawer to install updates is a big inconvenience, and it shouldn’t really be a thing in the mid 2020s.

In the sound department, the only real knock against the Theater Bar 6 is more about the constraints of 3.1.2-channel audio. Even with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, this system will be limited in its abilities to deliver immersive sound. Sure, Sony’s S-Fore Pro and Vertical Surround Engine do well to virtualize a more robust living room setup, but that tech only goes so far.

You might think a pair of rear speakers would bolster the sound, and Sony does offer the Bravia Theater System 6 ($770) as a 5.1-channel all-in-one package. However, it doesn’t include the Theater Bar 6 and its subwoofer. Instead, that bundle comes with a different soundbar that doesn’t have up-firing drivers, which means it might lack overhead sound and dampen the impact of immersive content. Unfortunately, if you want to add rear speakers to the Theater Bar 6, you’re out of luck. None of Sony’s currently available options are compatible with this soundbar.

Lastly, and this isn’t a huge issue for most people, but the Theater Bar 6’s included subwoofer is big. Bigger than most of the competition? No, but it’s large nonetheless. I’ll admit I’ve been spoiled by the QS700F that I recently reviewed, thanks to its subwoofer’s compact design. But if speakers in this category start trending smaller, the one that accompanies the Bar 6 will definitely end up being one of the chunkier models.

Wrap-up The up-firing speakers assist with Dolby Atmos.  Billy Steele for Engadget

From a pure sound quality standpoint, the Theater Bar 6 excels at both its music and TV duties. Sure, it’s limited by its 3.1.2-channel configuration, but there’s a definite use case for that type of setup — especially if you’re short on living room space. The audio is crisp and clear, and it’s also warm and inviting, which makes this soundbar well-suited for all kinds of content.

Despite my heaping on all of that praise, the Bar 6 simply has too many drawbacks that I can’t overlook. The lack of Wi-Fi on a $650 soundbar is absurd, mostly because it strips users of the convenience of AirPlay, Chromecast and other wireless connection options. I also can’t get over the need to use a thumb drive for updates when OTA downloads for new firmware have been the norm on soundbars for years.

For those reasons, the Samsung QS700F is the better option in this price range since it combines great sound with an orientation feature that automatically recofigures the output direction based on placement. Sony and Samsung are in a tight race in regards to audio performance with the Theater Bar 6 and the QS700F, but only one of those 2025 soundbars will save you from some headaches.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/sony-bravia-theater-bar-6-review-great-sound-greater-frustration-144512450.html?src=rss

Despite the impending loss of federal rebates, Ford plans to give US EV production a huge boost. After hyping it last week as a "breakthrough" and "Model T moment," the company has announced the Ford Universal EV Platform to be shared by a new family of products. The first of those will be a midsized pickup with a starting price of around $30,000, likely similar in configuration to the popular Maverick. It will use the company's upcoming prismatic LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries. 

Ford will invest $5 billion, including $2 billion at its Louisville, Kentucky factory on top of $3 billion already announced for its BlueOval battery plant. It will expand the Louisville facility by 52,000 square feet and "create or secure" nearly 4,000 direct jobs, Ford added. 

Ford's only two EVs right now are the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E, both of which use one-off platforms. With the Universal EV Platform, Ford will be able to build multiple vehicles including vans, cars and pickups that should be easier to build and thus cheaper. "The result: a simple, efficient, flexible ecosystem to deliver a family of affordable, electric, software-defined vehicles," the company said. 

Ford said that the platform will reduce parts by 20 percent versus a typical vehicle, with fewer fasteners and workstations and a 15 percent quicker assembly time. The company is also promising a lower cost of ownership over five years "than a three-year-old used Tesla Model Y." 

Ford

The company also touted its LFP prismatic batteries as enabling space and weight savings along with cost reductions, due to the cobalt-free and nickel-free composition. However, the company's choice of LFP for its next-gen EVs has not been without controversy. Since Ford is licensing tech from China's CATL, it may lose out on tax credits of up to $700 million if Congress passes a bill banning federal support for battery plants that use tech or materials from China. 

The first vehicle will be a mid-sized four-door electric pickup set to launch in 2027. Ford hasn't yet revealed the name or shown a photo, but it will supposedly have more room than Toyota's latest RAV4 without even counting the frunk and truck bed. Buyers will be able to lock gear like bikes or surfboards into that bed, eliminating the need for roof or trailer hitch racks. It will have a low center of gravity from the battery, instant torque and a 0 to 60 mph time "as fast as a Mustang EcoBoost [around 4.5 seconds], with more downforce," Ford said.

Ford hasn't detailed other vehicles that will be built on the platform, but an animation shows a variety ranging from utility vans to crossovers to SUVs to sedans, along with the aforementioned pickup. One rumor states that the new pickup could be called the Ranchero (based on a trademark filing) or it may use the Ranger name. In any case, it's clearly a big deal for Ford, since the company will have no less than three announcements for it. More info for the midsized electric truck, including reveal date, starting price, battery range and charge times "will be communicated later," Ford simply said. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/ford-is-developing-a-30000-midsized-ev-pickup-143030877.html?src=rss

The debate over whether AI chipmakers should be allowed to sell their products to China has taken an unusual turn. The US government has reportedly given NVIDIA and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) permission to make the sales but for one big catch: 15 percent of the sales. The news was first reported by The Financial Times, which cited multiple people familiar with the agreement. 

In July, NVIDIA announced that the US government would approve export licenses to sell its H20 AI GPUs after blocking their sale in April. NVIDIA created these specific chips — which are less powerful than ones sold in the US — in response to restrictions on sales to China. It previously developed the A800 and H800 chips for the Chinese market, but those were also banned. 

Now, NVIDIA and AMP were both reportedly granted export licenses for China last week, after agreeing to give the government 15 percent of their profits. AMP will provide the share from sales of its MI308 chip. 

There's significant debate over whether selling AI chips to China will endanger US national security. At the end of July, 20 national security experts and past government officials — including President Trump's former deputy national security advisor, Matt Pottinger — wrote a letter to Howard Lutnick, the US Secretary of Commerce, stating as much. 

The signatories "believe this move represents a strategic misstep that endangers the United States’ economic and military edge in artificial intelligence." They worry it will restrict the number of chips available for the US and be used by China's military, among other concerns. NVIDIA disagrees, claiming the export licenses will allow it to compete with Chinese businesses. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/nvidia-may-give-us-government-a-cut-of-its-profits-to-sell-ai-chips-to-china-120003260.html?src=rss

Sure, you've remembered to pack the most important things as you prep to go back to campus for the new semester. But the little things can get you in college. It's not uncommon to discover that, a few days into your new class schedule, you forgot to pack small things like an extra charger, a portable battery pack or a beater pair of earbuds. These unassuming things can make a big difference in how you work and play while at college, so do yourself a favor and think about all the small things you need to make this semester your best one yet. To prevent you from playing catch-up, we’ve compiled the best gadgets for school under $50 so you can cross the most crucial ones off your list before you even set foot on campus.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/school-tech-under-50-140026676.html?src=rss

It may have been decades since you last heard the crunching screeches of connecting with dial-up Internet, but AOL said it will discontinue its dial-up service on September 30, officially marking the end of an era in Internet history. As first spotted by PC Gamer, AOL made the surprising announcement in a post buried in its AOL Help pages. Along with the dial-up service, AOL Dialer software and AOL Shield browser will also be discontinued by the end of September.

It may come as a shock to most that AOL still runs its dial-up Internet service, but some thousands of users still rely on this outdated method as an affordable way to access the Internet in more rural areas. However, these user numbers in the "low thousands" are a far cry from AOL's heyday, which reportedly saw tens of millions of subscribers, most likely thanks to the stacks of free trial CDs people would find in their mailboxes. Nowadays, dial-up Internet fails to compete against the likes of much faster broadband options, which include cable, fiber and satellite alternatives.

Even though AOL's dial-up service eventually lost relevancy, it stuck around for 34 years before meeting the same fate as other '90s tech icons like Blockbuster, Discmans and AOL Instant Messenger. Now, the only time you'll really hear that iconic America Online serenade is through recreations on social media.

AOL is part of the company that owns Engadget. 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/computing/aols-dial-up-internet-still-exists-but-not-for-much-longer-193004233.html?src=rss

A Siri that does way more than just setting a timer or writing down a reminder may still be nearly a year away. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple plans to release an overhauled version of Siri in the spring, which will be enhanced by the new App Intents feature. Gurman reported that the upgraded Siri will handle more complex tasks within apps, like commenting on an Instagram post, adding an item to your cart in a shopping app or editing a specific photo and sending it afterwards.

After a disappointing delay, Apple is playing catch-up to deliver on previous claims of an improved Siri. According to Gurman, the company is testing App Intents with its own apps, but also third-party apps, including AllTrails, Amazon, Facebook, Threads, Temu, Uber, WhatsApp and YouTube. For apps that handle more sensitive info, like banking apps, Gurman said that Apple may look into certain restrictions or completely avoid these apps for App Intents.

Apple gave us the first glimpse of this smarter Siri during WWDC 2024, where Apple Intelligence was the focus of the annual conference. However, the company delayed the release for the updated Siri in March, explaining that "it's going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features" and adding that the upgrades be rolled out "in the coming year." Apple even got sued for false advertising after releasing a TV ad featuring Bella Ramsey that showed off Siri's new capabilities that weren't available to the public following the release of the iPhone 16.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/an-updated-siri-that-interacts-with-apps-reportedly-wont-be-here-until-next-spring-183000378.html?src=rss

Rod Fergusson, the general manager of the Diablo franchise for the last five years, is leaving Blizzard. Fergusson announced the move on social media, but didn't say where he's going next. Before joining Blizzard in 2020 to lead Diablo, Fergusson was studio head at The Coalition, where he oversaw Gears of War.

"After five years driving the Diablo franchise with four big launches, it’s time to step away from Blizzard/Microsoft, sword in hand, and see what’s next," Fergusson wrote in a post on Bluesky. "I’m proud of what we’ve built and excited for what’s ahead for Diablo, and for me." His departure comes after significant layoffs this summer at Microsoft, Blizzard's owner, which affected its gaming division.

In a reply to Fergusson's announcement, Xbox head Phil Spencer posted, "You brought strength, hellfire, and vision to one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. Playing Diablo IV with you was a blast—thanks for everything you gave to the game and the community."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/rod-fergusson-leaves-blizzard-after-five-years-leading-diablo-180049767.html?src=rss

A post on Ubisoft's news page reportedly announced that FX is working on a TV show adaptation of the Far Cry franchise. The page has since been taken down and entering the website redirects to Ubisoft's landing page for company news. However, several Redditors have been circulating what they saw in the press release.

According to the alleged Ubisoft post, the Far Cry franchise adaptation will be an "anthology drama" where "each season will be set in a new world with a different cast of characters following the video game franchise's signature standalone storytelling format." The series is reportedly being co-created by Rob Mac, known for creating and starring in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Noah Hawley, who created Fargo and Legion for FX. The leaked release supposedly detailed that Hawley will serve as the showrunner for the series, while also filling the role of executive producer along with Mac. Several production studios have reportedly joined the project, including Ubisoft Film & Television, which is working on other video game adaptations for the Assassin's Creed and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell franchises.

While FX hasn't confirmed anything officially, the leaked cast and crew could be a sign of the next big hit in the world of video games adapted into TV. The recent success of Fallout and The Last of Us indicates a healthy appetite from viewers and Hawley's previous experience could be an appropriate fit for the Far Cry franchise's raw, but darkly comedic style.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/ubisoft-may-have-prematurely-revealed-fxs-tv-adaptation-of-far-cry-162918984.html?src=rss

It's been a few years since we last heard anything about the Space Invaders movie that is reportedly in the works, but a new report suggests things are inching forward again. According to Deadline, Ben Zazove and Evan Turner (The Out-Laws) are now on board to write the movie for Warner Bros.' New Line Cinema.

A movie adaptation of Taito's classic arcade game has been brewing for over a decade now, after Warner Bros. bought the rights to spin it into a film back in 2014. It was reported in 2019 that screenwriter Gregg Russo (Mortal Kombat 2021) had been tapped to write the script, but it seems some changes have been made in the years since. There's no word yet on a release date or how it'll approach the alien invasion story. Video game adaptations have been having a bit of a moment lately, though, so they may be looking to ride that momentum and actually bring this one to life now. Time will tell.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-space-invaders-movie-is-apparently-still-happening-210851306.html?src=rss

DJI's obstacle avoidance system could be just as useful on land as it is in the air. DJI, known for its dominance in the drone market, has entered the smart home world with a range of robot vacuums called ROMO. Beyond its drones, gimbals and action cameras, the Chinese company previously branched out into other product categories, including portable power stations and e-bikes.

For those wondering why DJI settled on robot vacuums as its next venture, it makes sense considering the company's "omnidirectional obstacle sensing" found in its drones. The same system that helps DJI drones avoid crashes when capturing cinematic footage easily translates into a robot vacuum that can navigate a home without running into furniture. Along with obstacle detection that can measure down to millimeters, DJI built its ROMO models with two flexible cleaning arms, an extremely high 25,000 Pa suction and a base station that the vacuum will automatically dock and clean itself in.

To make it more efficient, DJI packed in machine learning algorithms that help the ROMO vacuums figure out the best route for cleaning. The onboard intelligence can even detect if an area is especially dirty and spend more time there. To make it less of a nuisance, the ROMO uses a noise reduction system while vacuuming and you can control it hands-free with voice commands.

DJI

DJI is offering the ROMO in three models: the entry-level ROMO S that starts at around $650, the midrange ROMO A with a transparent vacuum design that goes for around $750 and the top-of-the-line ROMO P that has both a transparent vacuum and base station for at least $950. DJI is releasing the ROMO to China first, but says overseas availability is coming later this year. While robot vacuums don't pose as much of a security risk as drones, DJI is currently trying to figure out how to avoid a ban in the US when the National Defense Authorization Act goes into effect at the end of this year. Unless DJI is audited and cleared by one of the US' national security agencies by then, any new DJI drones would be blocked from being imported or sold in the US.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/dji-repurposed-its-drones-obstacle-detection-tech-for-robot-vacuums-191136030.html?src=rss

Following the rollout of OpenAI's latest GPT-5 model earlier this week, a certain user base was adamantly calling for the return of the previous GPT-4o model. Outspoken users complained about the writing quality of the updated model, with some even going so far as to grieve the loss of GPT-4o, which some said they considered a friend and confidant.

In the latest OpenAI update that labels GPT-5 as the "smartest, fastest, most useful model yet," the company removed the option to choose which model to use and defaults to GPT-5 instead. With the new model, GPT-5 uses a "real-time router" that switches between a more efficient model for basic questions and a deeper reasoning alternative for more complex demands. 

The initial rollout ran into some issues that made GPT-5 seem "way dumber," according to OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman, who also opened up a Reddit AMA to offer more insight into the changes. On Reddit, Altman responded to a question by saying GPT-5's writing quality is better than previous models, but asked users if this felt true. In response, several Redditors voiced their opinion that the GPT-5 felt "sterile" and "much worse" and answered "briefly and dryly." In response to the initial outcry, Altman posted on X that OpenAI would let Plus subscribers choose between using GPT-5 or GPT-4o.

"We for sure underestimated how much some of the things that people like in GPT-4o matter to them, even if GPT-5 performs better in most ways," Altman said on X.

The return of GPT-4o was celebrated, but there's still no guarantee that OpenAI will keep its older model around indefinitely. In the same X post, Altman said that OpenAI "will watch usage as we think about how long to offer legacy models for." In the meantime, OpenAI is focusing on finishing the GPT-5 rollout and making changes that will "make it warmer." However, for users who have grown attached to GPT-4o as more than just an AI chatbot, this could be the beginning of the end.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-brings-gpt-4o-after-users-melt-down-over-the-new-model-172523159.html?src=rss

The astronauts part of SpaceX's Crew-10 mission are on their way back home. Their Dragon capsule called Endurance is scheduled to splash down at approximately 11:33 AM Eastern time off the coast of California. Endurance undocked from the International Space Station at 6:15PM Eastern on August 8 with NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov onboard. They stayed on the ISS for five months and left a week after Crew-11 arrived to take their place. 

While they were on the space station, Crew-10 helped expand our knowledge on the physiological and psychological changes humans undergo on long-duration missions that range from weeks to a year. They also observed how blood flows from the brain to the heart in microgravity, among the other studies and experiments they conducted. 

As NASA notes, this will be its first Commercial Crew mission to splash down into the Pacific Ocean, as previous capsules splashed down off the coast of Florida. NASA will broadcast the crew's return, with its coverage starting at 10:15AM today, August 9. You can watch Endurance splash down into the ocean on NASA+ or on the YouTube video embedded below. NASA will also hold a teleconference after retrieving the astronauts and will broadcast the event on its website. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/watch-nasas-spacex-crew-10-astronauts-return-to-earth-133004329.html?src=rss

Welcome to our latest recap of what's going on in the indie game space. This week, Nintendo held its latest Indie World showcase to spotlight titles that are coming to Switch and Switch 2, as well as some that arrived on the eShop on the day of the presentation.

One of the latter was UFO 50, which featured on many best of 2024 lists after it debuted on PC. Another was Is This Seat Taken?, which is about placing picky people in the right seats. This chill puzzle game from Poti Poti Studio and publisher Wholesome Games Presents arrived on Steam, iOS and Android as well this week. It has a look that reminds me a little of last year’s pretty platformer, Schim.

Looking further ahead, the Indie World revealed the October release date for Ball x Pit, a Breakout-esque roguelite I'm very excited for. In addition, Mina the Hollower, the next game from Shovel Knight studio Yacht Club Games that we already knew was coming to Steam on Halloween, has been confirmed for a Switch and Switch 2 release on the same day.

The showcase also revealed that Neverway, a creepy life-sim RPG from a studio founded by Pedro Medeiros (the pixel artist of Celeste) and Murder Engine creator Isadora Sophia, is coming to Switch and Steam in 2026. Meanwhile, sci-fi RPG Caves of Qud is coming to Switch as a console exclusive later this year. This is a turn-based, sci-fi roguelike RPG from Freehold Games and publisher Kitfox Games that's rated overwhelmingly positive on Steam after nearly 10,000 player reviews (a quick scan indicates that those who get into Caves of Qud can sink hundreds of hours into it).

Elsewhere, The International Game Developers Association, The International Game Developers Association Foundation and Women in Games International teamed up for an interesting announcement this week. The organizations are collaborating on a project called Port Quest, which is designed to help successful developers bring their games to mobile platforms. Studios who take part can receive assistance from industry veterans, access to workshops and more.

Applications are open now and will close on September 15. Those chosen to participate will be featured in a showcase. However, only games that have earned at least $10,000 per month for the last six months are eligible. The games can't have previously been made available on mobile devices either.

New releases

A game called Ritual of Raven, from Spellgarden Games and publisher Team17, arrived on Steam and Switch this week. It's billed as a "cozy, story-based farming sim" but you're not going to be making your character till the land, plant seeds and carefully nurture crops here. 

Instead, this is more of a deckbuilder, as you'll collect tarot cards and make use of their magical powers to do the work for you. It seems like an interesting twist on the Stardew Valley formula, especially if you're into card-based games.

Kimchi: A Stars in the Trash Story is a free, short game from Valhalla Cats that dropped this week on Steam and Itch.io — just in time for International Cat Day. As a kitten named Kimchi, you'll explore a cat museum and solve puzzles as you learn about the history of cats.

This is a spinoff of Stars in the Trash, a hand-drawn platform adventure with a gorgeous aesthetic that came out late last year. I bought that game months ago but haven't gotten around to playing it. The arrival of Kimchi is a good reminder for me to do that.

I mentioned this one in a previous edition of this roundup, though I can't help but highlight it again (not least because I feel the need to switch things up after highlighting a couple of cozy games). Turbo Kid is a delightfully gory Metroidvania that acts as a quasi-sequel to a film of the same name that I utterly adore. It finally landed on Switch this week, alongside an update for a PC update that enhances a lot of the weapons and makes them easier to acquire. Outerminds says the update also brings performance improvements to lower-spec systems.

Upcoming

A foraging adventure called Out and About was supposed to debut this week, but it's been pushed back by a few days as Yaldi Games unfortunately didn't check the Early Access box in Steam's publishing tools. As such, the studio has had to delay the game's arrival until this Monday. That's a bit of a pity for a developer that's releasing its first-ever game, but Yaldi's transparency here is quite endearing.

In any case, Out and About will see you gathering fungi and wild plants to help you cook delectable dishes and put together herbal remedies. You'll also be helping to rebuild your community following a powerful storm. The game features real-life plants, so you might learn how to identify flora when you're out and about in the real world and perhaps do some actual foraging of your own.

Rogue Labyrinth looks absolutely gorgeous, with a look that reminds me of my favorite game of all time, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. In this story-driven action title from Tea Witch Games and publisher indie.io, you'll seemingly be able to turn anything into a projectile (including deflected enemy attacks) by whacking it with your smacking stick. 

You'll play as a nomad named Iris who returns home only to find that the place where you grew up has been converted into a labyrinth that hosts a reality show. The labyrinth is home to randomized biomes that feature monsters and allies alike. Rogue Labyrinth is coming to Steam on September 1. A demo, which I might just check out this weekend, is available now.

Atari revealed this week that Adventure of Samsara — a spiritual successor to Atari 2600 title Adventure from 1980 — is set to arrive on September 4. It's coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Steam and GOG.

In this pixel art Metroidvania from developer Ilex Games, you'll attempt to restore balance to the multiverse. To do that, you'll need to explore a series of connected biomes and take down tough bosses. Of course, you'll gain abilities and upgrades while you're on your journey, because that's how Metroidvanias work.

I think my favorite thing about Autumn with the Shiba Inu is that it's a sequel to a battle royale mystery visual novel called A Summer with the Shiba Inu, so I have two of these games to check out. This is a mystery visual novel from Quill Game Studios that puts you in the paws of Quei-Li, a freelance hacker tasked with uncovering information in a corruption case.

There are multiple endings here, which should encourage replayability, and I appreciate the lovely doggo illustrations by artist Alicia García Ochoa in the trailer. Autumn with the Shiba Inu is coming to Steam on August 14, and a trailer is available now.

Dude, Where Is My Beer? A New Hop is a point-and-click adventure in the vein of those LucasArts games from the '80s and '90s. In this project from Arik Games and Edo Brenes, you play as a dude who just wants to drink a pilsner when all that can be found are craft beers and gross IPAs (I can't stand IPAs, sorry). Since a master brewer has banned pilsners, you'll have to make your own by acquiring the right ingredients and gear, then entering a brewing contest.

This is a sequel to 2020's Dude, Where Is My Beer? and I love the Star Wars pun in the sequel's title. There's no release window for Dude, Where Is My Beer? A New Hop as yet, but there's a demo up on Steam now.

Let's wrap things up for this week with a game that's "inspired by analog horror, outsider art and the liminal landscapes of David Lynch and Andrei Tarkovsky." Concierge is a surrealist, non-linear game in which you'll use a camcorder to help uncover clues and solve puzzles and trials that might require some outside-the-box thinking. This project from two-person Brazilian duo Kodino Artes and publisher Digital Tribe Games looks pretty compelling to me. Concierge is coming to Steam on September 15.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/a-magical-farming-sim-cat-museum-exploration-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-120042340.html?src=rss

Nintendo has eyed adding a Playdate-style crank to the Switch 2, according to a recently spotted patent from Nintendo Patents Watch. The hypothetical accessory would add tracking rotational movement to an existing bag of Joy-Con 2 controller tricks that includes motion and mouse controls.  

Based on the patent application, the crank accessory attaches to the side of a Joy-Con 2 magnetically, not unlike the controllers' wrist straps. Whichever game supports the accessory can use the Joy-Con 2's mouse sensor to track the rotations of the crank as an input. Fishing games or games with dedicated fishing mini-games, like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, seem like the obvious contenders for an accessory like this, but knowing Nintendo there are weirder possibilities, too. 

Nintendo

Another patent imagines a similar setup being used for a clickable wheel. The patent illustrations looks like a lighter, but the accessory could just as easily be used while dragging a Joy-Con 2 along a surface. It might even add extra resistance or friction to the Switch 2's mouse controls.

Given that these are patent applications, there's no guarantee Nintendo plans on turning either of them into real products. Still, they're a glimpse at the Switch 2's untapped potential for supporting goofy accessories, something that defined a good portion of the Wii's lifespan. 

The wildest Nintendo got with the original Switch was Nintendo Labo, cardboard accessories that turned the console into everything from a VR headset to a simple fishing rod. A crank might be the first of several adventurous accessories for Nintendo's new console.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-designed-a-playdate-like-crank-for-the-switch-2-211420947.html?src=rss

The dream of Chromebooks that double as gaming laptops appears to be on its last legs. 9to5Google reports that Google is ending support for Steam for Chromebooks starting January 1, 2026. Porting the application launcher was part of an extended push from the company to make Chromebooks a place to play games. Companies like ASUS and Acer announced and released gaming Chromebooks, but the idea never seemed to catch on.

Google's plan to retire Steam for Chromebooks was discovered when 9to5Google tried to install the launcher on a new laptop. "The Steam for Chromebook Beta program will conclude on January 1st, 2026," a new notice reads when you download Steam. "After this date, games installed as part of the Beta will no longer be available to play on your device. We appreciate your participation in and contribution to learnings from the beta program, which will inform the future of Chromebook gaming."

Engadget has contacted Google and Valve for confirmation that Steam for Chromebooks is being discontinued. We'll update this article if we hear back.

Reports that Steam would eventually be available on ChromeOS started as far back as 2020. The joint effort to port the launcher to Chromebooks was a surprise announcement at GDC 2022. Google released a Steam alpha that March, which ultimately worked better than expected. A beta version of the app came a few months later in November, adding support for several new Chromebooks. The app has existed in beta since then, without any major updates from Google or Valve.

One reason Google could be giving up is that the number of games that can actually run on Chromebooks is limited, thanks to the underpowered CPUs and integrated graphics that most ChromeOS devices use. Valve's Proton compatibility software — which helps Windows games run on the Linux-based Steam Deck — is technically available for Chromebooks, but it can't make up for a lack of processing power.

Without Steam, using either NVIDIA GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming is the best option for running modern console and PC games on your Chromebook. ChromeOS can also runs Android apps, but then you have to be comfortable playing what you can get from the Play Store.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/steam-for-chromebooks-is-reportedly-being-discontinued-194020340.html?src=rss

No product launch excites me more than the release of a new Tamagotchi. So when it comes time to review one, I like to first give myself a little while to just live with the device — to feel that initial delight and let it die down before I try to look at it critically. That way, I can more fairly assess whether we've actually got a toy that's worth the price tag and will hold a person's attention once the novelty wears off. 

But Tamagotchi Paradise arrived a few days ago, and while a proper review will be coming down the line, there's one thing we need to address right off the bat: This thing's fucking huge. 

It is slightly larger overall than the previous reigning beast of the Tamagotchi family, the Tamagotchi Pix (but a hair thinner). Tamagotchi Paradise is so big, it makes me want to resurrect out-of-fashion internet terms to describe it: absolute unit; "oh lawd, he comin'"; etc., etc. Leading up to the device's release, there were a lot of questions about how big it really is, so for anyone who hasn't yet had a chance to get their hands on one, here you go, I'm going to do my best to illustrate it for you.

Here's how Tamagotchi Paradise compares in size to:

Now, don't get me wrong, Tamagotchi Paradise's comically large build isn't necessarily a bad thing. Actually, I'm kind of into it. It's certainly harder to juggle this device with anything else I might be holding, like my phone or a drink, but it does have a nice heft to it and it feels pretty good in the hand. And thanks to its sheer bulkiness, I'm probably less likely to misplace it around the house, as I've been known to do with smaller models that easily slip between couch cushions. 

Will I be running two of these at the same time? Probably not, beyond the brief moments when I want to use the Connection features. My bag only has so much room. But is Tamagotchi Paradise so cumbersome that I won't be bringing one everywhere with me for the foreseeable future? I think we all know the answer to that. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/heres-the-absolutely-massive-tamagotchi-paradise-next-to-other-objects-in-the-wild-for-scale-172017149.html?src=rss

Nintendo just announced a forthcoming app called Hello Mario! that's headed to iOS, Android and the Switch in Japan. The free app seems pretty basic, as it's just a giant Mario head that users can poke and prod. That sounds eerily reminiscent of the intro screen of Super Mario 64.

The company says that Mario will react in various ways based on player input. His face will even turn "around and around on the screen" when manhandled. Nintendo says "parents and young children" should play together to "enjoy each reaction they see."

The app rolls out on August 26, but we don't know if it'll be released outside of Japan. We reached out to Nintendo for information on a global launch.

[トピックス]マリオをテーマにした新たな商品シリーズ「マイマリオ（MY MARIO）」 が8月26日に発売決定。https://t.co/FM1qHF1GN9https://t.co/FM1qHF1GN9

— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) August 8, 2025

Beyond the app, Nintendo is releasing a bunch of new Mario-themed products for kids. These include plush toys, teething toys, dinnerware, clothing and an interactive board book that also features Mario's mustached face. The highlight of this collection is likely a pair of wooden block sets that include Amiibo functionality.

Nintendo

These products will be available in Nintendo's Japan-based stores on August 26. A report by Video Games Chronicle has indicated that they will be available in other regions next year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/nintendos-upcoming-app-lets-kids-smoosh-marios-face-170150258.html?src=rss

OpenAI finally released its long-awaited GPT-5 model this week, unsurprisingly proclaiming it its best yet with regards to coding, accuracy, safety and more. CEO Sam Altman even compared the jump up in quality to when the iPhone first adopted a Retina display in a press briefing ahead of the announcement. Big talk indeed.

Given ChatGPT’s integration with Apple Intelligence, you might be wondering when the latest model will arrive on the devices that support it. The answer is sooner rather than later: Apple says that Apple Intelligence will leverage GPT-5 in iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26. Those software updates are set to arrive in their final form, as they traditionally do, at the tail end of the summer, so you won’t have to wait long. The news was first reported by 9to5Mac.

Currently, ChatGPT is an optional add-on to Apple’s own AI model. It can be accessed by Siri when you’re making a request that Apple Intelligence on its own might not be able to handle, with Apple using the example of questions about photos and documents. ChatGPT also integrates with Camera Control in your iPhone’s Camera app to learn more about your environment, and if you connect your ChatGPT account you can save your requests in your personal history.

ChatGPT has to be activated as an extension to Apple Intelligence in settings, and if you turn it off you won’t have to worry about Siri turning to an external model if you’re concerned about it doing so. OpenAI says GPT-5 is its safest model to date, thanks in part to a new feature called Safe Completions, which means it will attempt to give the most helpful answer it can within safety parameters imposed by its maker.

GPT-5 is free for everyone, but OpenAI offers tiered paid plans for heavier users, from its $20 per month ChatGPT Plus subscription, right up to the $200 per month Pro plan that offers unlimited use. If you have one of these plans, you can log in through Apple Intelligence and gain all the same benefits.

Update, 12:19PM ET: This story includes confirmation to Engadget that GPT-5 will be in Apple's forthcoming iOS, iPadOS and macOS updates planned for next month.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-will-bring-gpt-5-to-apple-intelligence-in-ios-ipad-os-and-macos-26-143210831.html?src=rss

As first reported by Bloomberg, Tesla is disbanding the team behind Dojo, its in-house AI-training supercomputer, and reassigning remaining staff to other projects within the company. This marks a shift in the company's compute sourcing strategy for its AI-focused initiatives such as autonomous driving and the Optimus robot. Head of Dojo Peter Bannon is leaving Tesla, which is the latest departure after roughly 20 Dojo team members recently left to form DensityAI.

In a response to the Bloomberg report on X, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said, "It doesn’t make sense for Tesla to divide its resources and scale two quite different AI chip designs. The Tesla AI5, AI6 and subsequent chips will be excellent for inference and at least pretty good for training. All effort is focused on that."

Musk is referring to Tesla's next-generation AI6 chip that will be made by Samsung following a $16.5 billion deal. These chips will drive the real-time decision-making onboard Tesla vehicles and robots. Shutting down Dojo effectively ends Tesla's long-shot ambition of creating its own in-house training architecture and consolidates the company's efforts on the AI5 and AI6 platforms.

While Musk says these chips are "pretty good" for training, the company will now rely heavily on vendors like NVIDIA for training-specific silicon, and is spending billions on those chips. AI5 production is targeted to begin in 2026 with AI6 to follow.

Like the rest of the big tech world, Musk's companies have been on an AI tear, with xAI's Grok chatbot now available in Tesla vehicles. The company is also piloting its Robotaxi fleet to mixed results.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/tesla-shuts-down-in-house-dojo-ai-supercomputer-project-155420734.html?src=rss