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Anker took it's excellent Nebula X1 projector and said, "what if that but louder?" The result is the Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro that marries Anker's 4K, 3,500 lumen Google TV projector with a 160W Soundcore speaker, offering what should be an incredible outdoor entertainment machine. 

Marrying these products wasn't just a matter of jamming them into the same box. The subwoofer was set up to float inside the assembly on a spring-type system to avoid vibrating the laser-powered 4K video. And to get some semblance of soundstage, the 80W soundbar speakers fold out to the left and right of the projector, with two wireless satellites completing the 7.1.4 surround effect. It even supports Dolby Atmos, which the projector on its own doesn't do, while also offering IP43 protection from light rain and dust, another feature absent on the Nebula X1. 

Anker

Otherwise, it's the same excellent triple-laser, glass lens projector I tested last month that offers outstanding image quality, a simple automatic setup thanks to the motorized lens and surprising portability. Considering it's mean for outdoor use, it puts a lot of dedicated indoor projectors to shame in terms of brightness and color accuracy. When not beaming movies, the system can also be used in audio-only Bluetooth speaker mode.

The Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro will launch on September 23rd on Kickstarter (at between $4,000 to $5,000), just as the Nebula X1 projector did. It will then come to retail a bit later, around March 2026. The company is also offering the opportunity to leave a $100 deposit and get $500 off. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/ankers-soundcore-nebula-x1-pro-is-the-ultimate-party-projector-130255687.html?src=rss

LinkedIn will now require some users to verify their identity before they change job titles in an attempt to cut down on scams on the platform. The new identity verification rules will specifically apply to executives and recruiters who interact with job seekers or represent a company in one form or another.

As part of these changes, LinkedIn says users who add or update their title to anything recruiter-related (recruiter, talent acquisition, etc.) will have to verify their workplace on their profiles. The same identity verification rules will apply to executives, as well, which LinkedIn says covers titles like "Executive Director, Managing Director, and Vice President." Verifying your workplace requires you to provide an official email address that uses your company's domain name. The new requirement only applies to people changing roles, existing recruiters and executives won't have to verify.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn has offered similar verification tools to select companies upon request, but now the platform says it'll open up the option to every company with a LinkedIn page via a new "Premium Company Page subscription." A verified company should be easier to trust when paired with verified employees.

While LinkedIn is best known as a home for thought leadership and a necessary evil in job hunts, it's also the site of a large amount of fraud. Scammers impersonate company employees to collect data from fake job postings or conduct elaborate investment schemes, as CNBC reported in 2022. LinkedIn has automated systems for weeding out fake accounts, and rolled out an earlier wave of anti-scam features focused on job postings in 2023, but this new system should offer even more security.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/linkedin-will-require-recruiters-and-executives-to-verify-their-identity-to-cut-down-on-scams-130040435.html?src=rss

Amazon has introduced a new eero product at IFA 2025, which can provide you with connectivity in case your home internet goes out. The new product called eero Signal connects to any USB-C-powered eero device on a network that supports Wi-Fi 6 and up. It's meant to be a cellular backup, available two versions: A 4G LTE one that will cost you $100 and a 5G one that will set you back $200. Signal can detect outages and automatically connect you to a cellular network with its multi-carrier eSIM that's already included with the price of the device. It also switches back to your home internet once it detects that it's back online. 

To note, Signal isn't meant for standalone use. It's only meant as a backup that requires an existing primary internet connection and will only work in a single location. The device was designed to keep you connected when you would've had no home internet otherwise. You will need an annual eero Plus subscription to be able to enjoy its benefits, though it's coming to eero Business as well. An annual eero Plus plan will set you back $99 a year for all its perks, including access to a VPN, an antivirus, a password manager and 10GB of backup data. If you live in a place that experiences frequent outages, you can get the new annual eero Plus 100 plan that will come with 100GB of backup data for $200 a year. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/amazon-launches-cellular-dongle-to-provide-backup-connectivity-for-eero-routers-123028654.html?src=rss

Google must pay $425 million to the plaintiffs of a class action lawsuit that accused the company of collecting users' data even after they've turned off a tracking feature, a federal jury has decided. The lead plaintiff sued Google back in July 2020, arguing that the company still harvested data even though it tells users they can disable tracking under Web & App Activity through its connection with other apps, such as Uber and Instagram. US District Judge Richard Seeborg then certified the lawsuit as class action, involving 98 million Google users and 174 million devices. 

The plaintiffs' lawyers asked for $31 billion in damages, but the jury only found Google liable on two of the three privacy violation claims. Google didn't violate the California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act and didn't act out of malice, the jury found. As a result, the jury concluded that the plaintiffs aren't entitled to any punitive damages.

In a statement, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said that the decision "misunderstands how [their] products work." He added that the company's privacy tools give users control over their data and insisted that Google honors people's choice to turn off personalization. Castaneda said that Google plans to appeal. 

The company faced several similar privacy lawsuits in the past. Another 2020 lawsuit accused Google of tracking users in Incognito mode, and the company agreed to settle the $5 billion lawsuit in 2023. A year later, it admitted that it can indeed collect information in Incognito and promised to destroy billions of data collected from Incognito tracking to settle the complaint.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-ordered-to-pay-425-million-in-app-data-collection-lawsuit-120048799.html?src=rss

Since the start of last summer, DuckDuckGo has offered a handful of AI chatbots from OpenAI, Anthropic and others directly through its browser. And while it's mostly low-cost models like GPT-4o mini and Claude 3.5 Haiku on offer, the feature, Duck.ai, allows you to use those tools without sacrificing your privacy. As a service, that appears to have resonated with DuckDuckGo users, and now the company is reorienting its Privacy Pro subscription around access to more advanced models from those providers. 

The good news? The price of the service — either $10 per month or $100 billed annually — remains unchanged, and you still get all the previous perks included in the package. What is changing is the name. It's now simply known as the DuckDuckGo subscription, and, in addition to offering access to the company's own VPN, as well as its personal information removal and identity protection services, it allows you to use some of the latest models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta. The full list features GPT-4o, GPT-5, Sonnet 4.0 and Llama 4 Maverick. As before, any conversations you have with those chatbots through DuckDuckGo are anonymized and your data won't be used for training future systems. 

"Today, we're expanding Duck.ai by giving DuckDuckGo subscribers access to more advanced AI models, covered by the same strong protections," said DuckDuckGo. "The base version of Duck.ai is not changing; it’s still free to use, with no account necessary. We’re just adding more models for subscribers."

If you don't want to use the new AI perks, you don't have to; DuckDuckGo allows users to hide all the AI buttons found in its browser's search, desktop and mobile settings. That said, the company notes it's exploring the option of offering higher subscription tiers with access to even more advanced AI models in the future.   

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/duckduckgos-subscription-now-offers-some-of-the-latest-chatbots-from-openai-and-anthropic-120000845.html?src=rss

Hue just did its biggest product launch ever as part of IFA 2025 and a key product is the new entry-level Essential smart bulb lineup. Though still not as cheap as some products you can find on Amazon, it's designed to take on budget rivals like Govee and Aqara with bulbs starting under $20. 

The new range includes A19 bulbs, GU10 spots and strip lights with and without color options. Effectively, you're not losing a lot compared to the regular color/white bulbs. They still run on the same platform and offer Bluetooth out of the box along with extra features enabled when using a bridge or Matter-over-Thread.

To highlight the differences, Hue released a feature comparison sheet. You can't dim the Essential bulbs as much, they offer a reduced range of whites (2200 to 6500K compared to 1000 to 20000K) and color quality is less accurate. The latter is arguably the most important feature for folks who use smart bulbs to sync with their TVs or require precise matching between bulbs. 

Hue

You'll be able to buy the Hue Essential bulbs starting this month, with the new A19 bulbs priced at $25 individually or $60 in a four-pack. The Essential strip light arrives in December for $60 in a 5 meter length (16 feet) or $100 for 10 meters (33 feet). You can also grab the A19 bulb in a starter kit in the US starting at $80 for the Essential E27 2 pieces and Hue Bridge V2, up to $100 for the Essential E27 4 pieces and Hue Bridge V2. 

Another primary piece of Hue's smart lighting puzzle is the Hue Bridge Pro. It has a more serious black look compared to the white models of the past to signify the extra power. That includes five times the processing performance and 15 times the memory of the Hue Bridge V2 that came out 10 years ago. 

Hue

Along with the extra power, the Huge Bridge Pro debuts a new feature called Hue Motion Aware. That transforms Hue Bulbs (including 95 percent of existing models) into motion sensors able to detect movement and trigger actions or security alerts. 

Hue says you can easily upgrade a current Hue Bridge "with just a few clicks," and Signify will release support for combining multiple Bridges into a single Bridge Pro by year's end. The Bridge Pro arrives in North America in September 2025 for $90.

Hue OmniGlow strip lightingJuanCruzDuranPhotographer for Hue

Hue also refreshed its strip lighting with several new products including the flagship OmniGlow (starting at $140 for a 3 meter length and arriving in November), the first Hue strip with no visible hotspots via CSP tech to accent your decor with a seamless glow. It also introduced the Flux lineup with indoor, outdoor, ultra-bright and neon options (in sizes up to 10m) starting at $70 for 3 meters, for applications ranging from indoor accents to outdoor facades. Also new are the Festavia string lights that can be used for holiday decor or year round in a permanent model for rooflines, patios and balconies. Those start at $160 for 7m lengths or $120 for 9 meters for the permanent model with availability in September. 

Signify also introduced a new A19 bulb that can replicate the entire spectrum of daylight while offering 40 percent great efficiency compared to its predecessor. Finally, the company announced a Sonos partnership that will allow you to operates Philips Hue lights using voice controls, and eventually "integrate light and sound in new intuitive ways." 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/hue-takes-on-cheaper-rivals-with-the-entry-level-essential-smart-bulb-lineup-110415932.html?src=rss

Hue is best known for its smart lights, but recently the company ventured into home security with its Secure lineup of cameras. Now, parent Signify is releasing its first video doorbell, the Hue Secure, with several unique features it hopes will make it stand out against formidable competition from Nest and Amazon's Ring. 

To start with, the Hue doorbell comes with a 2K fisheye camera, more resolution than Nest and some of Ring's doorbell products, potentially offering more detailed video. Hue is also offering a 24-hour video history for free, letting you avoid paying for a subscription if you only want to keep a day's worth of clips. In addition, the camera can work with Google Home and Samsung SmartThings, along with Hue's own app. It won't be compatible with Apple Home at launch, but will be updated to work with it later. Signify will also add Matter support sometime this fall. 

Hue

Along with 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi compatibility, the Hue Secure video doorbell come with a Zigbee radio. That lets it pair with Hue lights, so you can set it up to automatically turn on other Hue lights (inside your foyer or outside the door, for instance) when someone approaches the front door. However, if you want a chime to compliment the Hue Secure by providing sound alerts when the doorbell rings, you'll need to buy the $60 Hue Smart Chime that's sold separately — as the new doorbell doesn't work with any third-party chimes for now. 

Hue's Security video doorbell arrives in October in North America, Europe and the UK for $170 (£140). Signify will also release a new 2K wired camera in Europe that's an update to the original Hue security cameras. That model will cost €180 or €200 with a stand, with no word yet on US availability.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/hues-secure-video-doorbell-can-turn-on-hue-lights-when-someone-comes-to-the-door-100017068.html?src=rss

Samsung just launched the Galaxy S25 FE smartphone at IFA. It's available right now, starting at $650. The handset is available in four colorways.

This is a midrange member of the Galaxy S25 family, after the company released the S25, S25 Plus and S25 Ultra back in January and the ultra-thin S25 Edge in May. The base-level S25 starts at $800, so this is a slightly cheaper way to get in on all of that Galaxy action.

This phone actually ships with the company's One UI 8 operating system. The other S25 models shipped with One UI 7, but have since begun receiving software updates to bring them up to speed. This introduces a refreshed user interface with new icons and better animations, more AI integration and improved split-screen performance.

It features an Exynos 2400 CPU, which should get the job done but won't be quite as snappy as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite that ships with the rest of the lineup. There's a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with up to 1,900 nits of peak brightness. The camera system is decent, with a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens and an 8MP telephoto lens. There's also a 12MP front-facing camera.

Despite being a bit underpowered when compared to the rest of the lineup, the S25 FE still accommodates all of those fancy Galaxy AI bells and whistles. This includes the company's Generative Edit photo software, an on-device assistant and more. So this is a relatively affordable entryway into that world.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-launches-the-galaxy-s25-fe-at-ifa-2025-093026581.html?src=rss

Someone recently asked me: Who even cares about Android tablets anymore? If that's you, you're probably feeling the same indifference towards premium Android tablets. Even Google has conceded it won’t be making new tablets and seems to have already forgotten about the Pixel Tablet. But that’s not stopping Samsung from releasing the 11th-generation Galaxy Tab S11 series, comprising the 11-inch standard model and 14.6-inch Ultra. The latter is the more interesting of the pair, as it’s not only what Samsung says is its thinnest tablet ever, but also offers new Dex multitasking features and, of course, AI tools. Plus, in case you forgot, the company’s hallmark S Pen stylus still exists, and has received yet another redesign alongside the launch of the series.

These days, my stylus use is limited to the ones for e-paper writing tablets like the reMarkable Paper Pro and the Kindle Scribe, but I remain a huge fan of the S Pen. I’ve loved Samsung’s stylus since my time as an Omnia II owner, back when it was like a mini retractable pointer that extended like old car antennas. The version accompanying the Tab S11 Ultra has a hexagonal shape to its grip that makes it more closely resemble a No. 2 pencil, and its nib has also been tweaked to be more conical.

From my brief time with it at a hands-on session, the latest S Pen didn’t feel remarkable. It’s certainly a lot lighter than the reMarkable Paper Pro’s Marker Plus. But despite its similarity to a No. 2 pencil, Samsung’s new stylus didn’t feel better to hold or write with than the Kindle Scribe’s pen, which is a simple cylindrical piece. I actually like how smooth the latter’s edges are, and both seemed to deliver similarly fluid and responsive writing. I didn’t feel much resistance as I dragged the S Pen’s nib across the Tab S11 Ultra’s screen to scrawl out “Hello Engadget.”

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Unlike some previous S Pens that had Bluetooth-powered special features like remote camera control, this version has no additional connectivity. It draws power from the tablet’s screen like other EMR (electromagnetic resonance) tablets and won’t need to be charged. Samsung did make it attach magnetically to the S11 Ultra, which can help prevent you misplacing it in a cafe, for example. But from previous experience, I can say that the magnets aren’t strong enough to keep the S Pen on the tablet if you toss it in a purse or bag. You’ll need a case with a dedicated holder to truly secure the stylus.

Speaking of, Samsung has made some new covers and keyboards for the Tab S11 Ultra, since its pogo pins have been moved from the bottom edge to its rear. This means none of your old or existing Samsung keyboard cases will be compatible, and you’ll have to buy the new version if you want to turn the S11 Ultra into a competent 2-in-1. Samsung improved the cases for its latest tablet, though, and it seems the repositioned pogo pins have allowed the company to make its origami covers a single piece instead of a two-parter. The new Pro keyboard case won’t be available at launch, so you’ll have to wait to get it and perhaps rely on a Bluetooth accessory in the meantime. Or you can get the Slim Keyboard, which doesn’t have a trackpad.

Once you get a working keyboard connected, you’ll likely have a nice time getting work done on the S11 Ultra. That’s thanks in large part to the improved Dex mode, Samsung’s multitasking software for Android devices. The new tablet ships with One UI 8, which gets new multitasking features like Extended Mode and support for up to four dedicated customizable workspaces. The former basically lets you wirelessly extend your display to other screens, like another tablet or even a laptop or monitor, to simulate a dual-monitor setup. I didn’t get to see this for myself yet, so I can’t speak to the latency and ease of use, but the idea is nice in theory, and is something iPads can’t do yet.

You might not even need extra screens, though, since the Tab S11 Ultra’s display is a roomy 14.6 inches, which Samsung says is its largest yet. It offers the vibrancy and brightness that’s typical of the company’s AMOLEDs, meaning colors are richly saturated and make for an enjoyable multimedia experience. Like recent models, the S11 Ultra’s panel refreshes at up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations, and has a fairly sharp resolution of 2,960 x 1,848. If you really care about numbers, then know that the Tab S11 Ultra gets up to 1,600 nits of brightness, as well.

All this is powered by a 3nm MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ processor, which the company said is a first for its tablets and brings 20 percent improved CPU and GPU performance over the previous generation. The neural processing unit (NPU) also sees a jump of 30 percent, according to Samsung. That means AI tools like Writing Assist and Drawing Assist should be faster and smoother.

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

In addition to those tools, which help you adjust the tone of your messages or turn your rough sketches into full-fledged art, the Tab S11 Ultra will also support Google’s Gemini Live so you can have more natural conversations with the assistant. Samsung is also rolling out a Galaxy AI overlay for its Notes and browser apps, allowing you to drag around a moveable panel on top of those windows for easier reference.

Despite how I started this article, I’ve actually long been a fan of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S line. I love how thin and sturdy they are — they just feel like sharp gadgets to wield. And at just 5.1mm (0.2 inches) thin and weighing just 1.53 pounds (692 grams), the Tab S11 Ultra is impressively svelte. Holding it up with just one hand while I aimed my camera at it felt effortless, and despite measuring 8.2 x 12.8 inches, the tablet was relatively easy to maneuver.

By the way, the S11 Ultra’s bezels measure 5.2mm, meaning even the barely-there borders are thicker than the device. And in case you needed a comparison, the 13-inch iPad Pro from 2024 was also 5.1mm thin. The Tab S11 Ultra has a bigger screen while keeping that slim profile. It also is rated IP68 so it can withstand about the same amount of dust and water ingress as the average smartphone today.

While I wasn’t able to test the battery life of the Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra at the hands-on event, I think their respective 8,400mAh and 11,600mAh cells should provide ample runtime to get work done on the go. Samsung says they’ll both last about 13 hours on a charge. I’ll take this opportunity to point out that the Tab S11 is a much less premium device, with noticeably thicker bezels around its 10.9-inch screen. It supports Wi-Fi 6E, while the Ultra gets up to Wi-Fi 7, and it has a headphone jack if you still want one. The Ultra, meanwhile, does not have a 3.5mm audio socket.

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

In most other respects, the Tab S11 and its Ultra sibling share similar specs. Both have 13-megapixel rear cameras and 12MP front sensors, though the Ultra has an additional 8MP ultrawide setup. They support the redesigned S Pen, have in-screen fingerprint sensors, use the same processor, start at the same 12GB of RAM and go up to 2TB of storage, all while running Android 16.

I’m truly intrigued and tempted by the Tab S11 Ultra’s promise of portable productivity in a handsome package, but I simply don’t use tablets in my life. My personal laptop is a Samsung Galaxy Book, and that feels like a suitable medium-screen to join my small screen (phone), big screen (TV) and tiny screen (watch). I don’t need to throw a smedium screen into the mix. I already have a Kindle and a reMarkable Paper Pro that take the place of books and notebooks, too.

That said, for the non-Apple people who use tablets as laptop replacements, artists who want to sketch in color or simply anyone who just likes a 15-inch thin and light touchscreen for whatever reason, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra should be a worthy option. It’s just going to be quite the hefty investment at $1,200 to start. That’s costlier than most laptops, and doesn’t include accessories like keyboard cases or mice yet. The base Tab S11 goes for $800, which is also more expensive than the plethora of midrange laptops on the market, so you’ll be paying a premium for portability.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/samsung-galaxy-tab-s11-ultra-hands-on-really-thin-redesigned-s-pen-and-remember-dex-093015036.html?src=rss

Eufy just introduced a couple of new devices at the IFA conference in Germany, including something called the MarsWalker. This little doodad picks up robot vacuums and carries them up and down stairs. That's pretty neat, considering stairs are the bane of any robovac's existence.

The company says the MarsWalker automatically recognizes common stair types, including straight, L-shaped and U-shaped. It transports the vacuum between floors and drops it off at the base station when needed. Eufy boasts that the device allows for "truly hands-free, whole-home cleaning while avoiding the cost of buying multiple devices."

It uses four control arms that "dynamically adapt to stair structures," along with a track-drive system that "grips each step securely." The company notes that it has been designed to prevent slips.

There are a couple of caveats here. First of all, we don't have the price yet. If this ends up being around the price of an actual robot vacuum, it might be better just to get two for a multi-story home. Also, it only works with a few Eufy models and no third-party devices. Still, it's cool to see robot vacuums finally adapting to stairs. It's been a slow road to get here. The MarsWalker will be released in the first half of 2026.

Eufy

The company also announced a new robovac at IFA which fully integrates with the MarsWalker. The Omni S2 includes an aromatherapy system, which is fairly novel, and adaptive wheels to clear thresholds like thick rugs. It'll be available in January, with a cost of $1,600.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/eufys-marswalker-allows-its-robot-vacuums-to-climb-stairs-083020319.html?src=rss

Apple continues to seek a foothold in the artificial intelligence race, and its next effort could bring the company into web search. Mark Gurman at Bloomberg reports that Apple is building a search platform that it may incorporate into its AI-driven overhaul of Siri. Sources said the tool, internally called World Knowledge Answers, could also be added to the Safari web browser and the Spotlight smartphone search interface.

Apple's efforts in AI have been under the microscope since the lackluster introduction of Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024. Since then, the company appears to still be foundering, with its revitalized and AI-empowered Siri now not due to arrive until 2026. This proposed search tool would be part of that planned Siri re-launch next spring.

Some core aspects of Siri are still up in the air. The company has reportedly trialed using Google's Gemini to power a version of the AI assistant, although it hasn't committed to using that approach. Considering an outside partnership for this critical feature is one path Apple could take to bolstering its AI offerings. CEO Tim Cook has also said the company is open to acquisitions to pursue its current roadmap. There were even rumors that the company had its eyes on snapping up Perplexity.

Apple has historically avoided getting involved in search, but this development could reflect how more of its potential customers are turning to AI chatbots to access information online. And particularly if the company brings an AI option to Safari, Apple might be able to compete more directly to other tech majors that offer their own-branded chatbots, such as Google with Gemini or Microsoft with Copilot. It could also draw closer to parity with AI companies that are entering the browser game, such as Perplexity and OpenAI.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apples-latest-ai-project-may-be-a-web-search-tool-230618495.html?src=rss

OpenAI has announced that it's making its Projects feature available to free users of ChatGPT. Projects let you organize chats with the company's AI assistant around a specific subject, and were previously one of several privileges only enjoyed by paid subscribers.

While on some level Projects are glorified folders for ChatGPT conversations, the ability to set custom instructions for how the AI responds or limit what information and files it can reference, makes the feature a useful option for power users. As part of this rollout, OpenAI is also increasing the number of files that can be added to a project for ChatGPT to reference. Free users can upload five, Plus subscribers can upload 25 and Pro subscribers can upload 40. Whether you pay for ChatGPT or not, you'll also be able to customize the color and icon for your project, too.

OpenAI has made a habit of slowly trickling down paid features to its free users over the last few years. Things like Deep Research and ChatGPT Voice started off as exclusives for the company's subscribers before becoming available to everyone. Offering a formerly premium feature with limits is itself a way to get free customers to become paid ones. OpenAI's decision to make the recently released GPT-5 model available to everyone at launch, but with harsher limits on how many times free users can use it follows a similar logic.

Projects are available for free users on the web and in the ChatGPT app for Android. OpenAI says the iOS ChatGPT app will receive the feature "over the coming days."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-rolls-out-chatgpt-projects-to-free-users-215027802.html?src=rss

Roblox announced that it aims to roll out age estimation technology to all of its users by the end of 2025. Users on the gaming and social network will have to confirm their age in order to access communication features within the platform under the new policy. Roblox initially rolled out an age verification option to teen accounts in July as part of an effort to keep users younger than 13 from accessing select chat features.

In addition to confirming ages for individual accounts, Roblox also said it plans to adopt new systems that will limit communication between adults and minors unless they already know each other offline. Age verification can be completed by providing a selfie that Roblox and its partner will analyze or by submitting an accepted form of identification.

Roblox has drawn criticism for what many claim are failures to adequately protect younger users from bad actors, including facing lawsuits. The platform started rolling out more stringent policies aimed at child safety last year. These rules kept some interactive features away from the under 13 age group, while other additions were aimed at giving parents tools to curate their children's experience.

Age verification is becoming a go-to method to try and protect minors from accessing inappropriate content online. Utah was the first state to adopt a requirement to prove users' ages in order to access app stores, and other states like Mississippi are placing similar requirements on social media networks. There have been legal challenges, however. The tech sector has been arguing that their platforms should not be responsible for confirming ages, while digital privacy advocates have questioned whether sufficient protections have been enacted to keep users' personal information safe with these new laws.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/roblox-will-require-age-verification-for-all-users-to-access-communication-features-203653330.html?src=rss

Acer maintains two different gaming product lines and it's updating both of them at IFA 2025. Among the new gear is a gigantic new 18-inch Predator laptop, an ultra high-refresh rate monitor and multiple entry-level Nitro laptops and monitors.

The updated Predator Helios 18P AI is an even more powerful version of the Predator Helio 18 the company showed off at CES 2024, offering "desktop-level AI" in what's still technically a portable body. Inside, you can get up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU and 6TB of SSD storage. For the display of the panel, you'll get a Mini LED 4K panel, which should work well for creative workflows and gaming. Acer also says the new Helios uses its "proprietary thermal solution" to keep cool, which is a combination of thin metal fans, "liquid metal thermal grease" and vector heat pipes.

Acer has new gaming desktop PCs, the Predator Orion 7000 and Orion 5000, which can use GeForce RTX 5090 or 5080 GPUs, respectively. The more exciting announcement, though, is the new Predator monitor. The Predator X27U F8 Monitor is a 26.5-inch OLED, with a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution and a ridiculous 720Hz refresh rate if you're willing to run the monitor at 720p rather than 1440p. The X27U F8 monitor also supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering.

Acer

On the Nitro side of the house, Acer has two new gaming laptops on offer. The Acer Nitro V 16 can be built with up to an Intel Core 9 processor and a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU. With NVIDIA inside, the laptop supports NVIDIA DLSS 4 for improved graphics performance. The laptop also comes with a 2,560 x 1,600 display that has up to an 180Hz refresh rate for fluid motion during fast-paced games. The Acer Nitro V 16S, while similar, is more focused on portability. The laptop has up to an Intel Core 9 processor, but only a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU, the same 180Hz display, in a metal body that's 19.9mm thin. That's not quite MacBook Air dimensions, but it's better than nothing.

Acer is pairing those new laptops with a collection of new Nitro monitors. The largest option is the 39.7-inch curved Nitro XZ403CKR monitor, which uses a 5K panel, has built-in 5W speakers and supports AMD FreeSync Premium for fluid gameplay. If you like 5K but don't want a curved screen, there's the 27-inch Nitro XV270X, which includes two built-in 2W speakers. You can get similar speakers on the 27-inch Nitro XV273U W1 monitor, which has a 27-inch 1440p display that reaches 500 nits of peak brightness. Finally, there's also the Nitro XV275K V6, which features a 27-inch 4K display, AMD FreeSync Premium and dual HDMI 2.1 ports.

Acer hasn't announced a final price or release for the Predator Helios 18P AI laptop, but did confirm it will be available in North America at launch. The Predator X27U F8 monitor, meanwhile, will go on sale in Q1 2026 for $1,300.

For the Nitro laptops, Acer says the Nitro V 16 will be available in the US in October starting at $1,000, with the Acer Nitro V 16S arriving a month later in November for $1,100. For the Nitro monitors, all three will be available in Q1 2026. The Acer Nitro XV25K V6 starts at $700, the Acer Nitro XV273U W1 starts at $300, the Acer Nitro XV270X starts at $900 and the Acer Nitro XZ403CKR starts at $1,000.

Update, September 3 2025, 3:34PM ET: Updated the article to clarify that the Predator X27U F8 Monitor only hits its 720Hz refresh rate when it's displaying content in 720p.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/acers-new-gaming-lineup-includes-an-18-inch-ai-laptop-and-a-720hz-monitor-090009032.html?src=rss

A PlayStation State of Play showcase all about 007 First Light shed some light on how Hitman developer IO Interactive's James Bond game works. The stream also disclosed what was, until now, a top-secret nugget of intel: the release date. 007 First Light is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam and Epic Games Store on March 27.

The State of Play included a partial playthrough of the first mission, which sees Bond stealthily tailing a suspicious bellhop through a fancy hotel. Some time later, Bond breaks into a car to chase down a target, which leads into an explosive shootout. In a neat touch, Bond is granted a license to kill when enemies are about to shoot at him. One of my favorite bits from the gameplay deep dive showed Bond pushing an enemy off a ledge and using the baddie to break his own fall. 

Bond uses all the tricks of the trade, including distractions, gadgets and sweet talking NPCs. As with the Hitman series, you'll have plenty of options as to how to complete your objectives. Being a Bond project, of course there's plenty of product placement too. You can read more details about what to expect from the game in our preview. 

In addition, IO Interactive revealed the game's main cast during the State of Play. Patrick Gibson (The Tudors, Dexter: Original Sin) is playing 007. The cast also includes Priyanga Burford as M, Alastair Mackenzie as Q, Kiera Lester as Miss Moneypenny, Lennie James as John Greenway and Noemie Nakai as Miss Roth. What are the odds that at least one of those will turn out to be a double agent? 

Pre-orders are open now. If you do lock in a pre-order for the $70 base edition, you'll get a free upgrade to 007 First Light – Deluxe Edition, which includes 24 hours of early access, as well as exclusive outfits and skins for weapons and gadgets.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/007-first-light-is-coming-to-ps5-xbox-series-xs-nintendo-switch-2-and-pc-on-march-27-191011686.html?src=rss

IO Interactive seemingly wrapped up its assassination series Hitman in 2023, launching the anthology on practically every game platform. But it’s not done with sneaking, subterfuge, and… sniper rifles. The game developer announced that it was making a new James Bond game, teasing an "unrefined" Bond in training – yes, it’s another reimagined origin story.

At a closed-door briefing at Gamescom, I watched the team play through some early parts of 007 First Light, with Bond part of a team of more seasoned spies hunting down a rogue double-‘o’ agent. Ah, that sounds like a Bond plot.

The gameplay was separated into three parts. First, the creative, exploratory sandbox part, as Bond tries to elbow his way into a bougie mansion – when he should be readying the escape car. Like Hitman, Bond can sneak around, triggering items to draw away guards or distract from his own actions. He scrambles up a building to get in through an open window, while vaguely flirting with staff and pretending he’s meant to be there. The team explained that social interactions will form another part of how the rookie agent can interact with people and progress through areas and toward goals.

Some features differentiate First Light from the aforementioned bald-headed assassination games. First of all, it’s far less centered on all the killing (at least until the full-throttle action sections later), with the team attempting to reflect Bond adventures beyond bullets and grizzly ends.

There’s also an Omega-branded Q Watch that attempts to elegantly fold in HUD features like location markers, weaponry, and gadget selection. It’ll also help analyze the environment for interactive parts and opportunities for Bond. Players will apparently have a degree of freedom to decide how they approach missions and areas, even if we only saw one approach during this presentation. It did manage to convey the stress and pressure I’d expect to feel from an IO Interactive game.

The early demo diverges from Hitman familiarity elsewhere. IO Interactive said that while 007 will offer a linear adventure of sorts, players will still have “control of their adventure.” A blend of action setpieces and more measured, thinking, exploratory sections should separate it from other games and other Bond games, too, which have typically been first-person shooters, some of which are terrible.

The demo jumps ahead as Bond follows the rogue agent in an exciting-looking car chase. These reminded me of Uncharted car segments, filled with destruction and chaos. Bond drives through a Swiss market, with something catching on his car tires for the rest of the chase, while there are jumps, explosions, and near-misses as you fight to catch up. It’s a shame that, at this early stage at least, you can tell that regardless of your honed driving skills, you will never catch up to your quarry until the game wants you to. The chase ends at a very well-guarded airbase.

This leads into the other facet of First Light: gunplay and way too many oil drums and trucks filled with gasoline. The final segment includes Bond rushing the airbase and chasing a military transport craft as it takes off. Fighting is a mix of duck-and-cover, using the environment, and, if all else fails, throwing your gun once it’s out of bullets.

There’s a great point after Bond barely makes it on board the plane just before it takes off. He uses his Q Watch to tilt the plane, swinging cargo and enemies into the walls of the plane or even out the cargo door. Eventually, 007 is flung from the plane too, and as he falls, has to claim a parachute.

It’s a real change of pace from the early part of the demo but suggests First Light might cover all the Bond movie beats. I might not be sold on another Bond origin story, but hopefully, IO Interactive can successfully blend three different types of game together.

007 FIrst Light is scheduled to arrive on March 27 for the PS5, Xbox Series X / S, Switch 2 and PC.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/007-first-light-hitman-meets-action-movie-183551755.html?src=rss

We finally have our Lara Croft, well over two years after Prime Video's Tomb Raider series was first announced. Game of Thrones alum Sophie Turner has been cast in the role, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She had better start trying on khaki shorts and blue sleeveless shirts.

Turner acknowledges the "massive shoes to fill" from previous actors that have played the role, shouting out Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander. She also says she can't wait for audiences "to see what we have cooking."

We also now know when the show will enter production. Filming starts on January 19. We don't know when the series will come out, but at least we know it's a real thing that's going to get filmed.

Sophie Turner set to star as Lara Croft in upcoming Tomb Raider series from Amazon MGM Studios.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge serves as creator, writer, executive producer and co-showrunner.

Jonathan Van Tulleken set as director and executive producer and Chad Hodge joins as… pic.twitter.com/m7aaaZH9Sk

— Amazon MGM Studios (@AmazonMGMStudio) September 3, 2025

Additionally, the platform has announced that Chad Hodge will join Phoebe Waller-Bridge as a co-showrunner. Bridge was revealed as the creator well over a year ago. Hodge is best known for his work on shows like Good Behavior and movies like Single All the Way.

Bridge may be best known for creating the romantic comedy series Fleabag, but she has had plenty of experience with action-heavy projects. She created the series Killing Eve and co-wrote a James Bond film. She also starred in the most recent Indiana Jones movie, which is a franchise the Tomb Raider games cribbed from.

As for those games, Amazon is also publishing the next entry in the long-running franchise. Crystal Dynamics is developing it, which is the company that has been in charge of the mainline titles since 2003.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/amazons-tomb-raider-series-will-star-sophie-turner-as-lara-croft-183035877.html?src=rss

Ubisoft is releasing a free Discovery Tour app covering the history of Baghdad, the setting of Assassin's Creed Mirage. The game launched in 2023 without Ubisoft's "Discovery Tour" feature, a mode that's previously been packed into Assassin's Creed games — starting with 2017's Assassin's Creed Origins — and uses the game's open-world maps and character models to illustrate the history and cultural specifics of their chosen setting.

This new app takes a slightly different approach, reworking the map of Assassin's Creed Mirage to deliver a two hour narrative adventure set in 9th century Baghdad. The Discovery Tour app also includes "encyclopedic entries on the history, art, and culture of medieval Baghdad and the Abbasid Caliphate" and an augmented reality feature that lets you view 3D models of famous artifacts.

It sounds like less of a playable history lesson than past Discovery Tours, but still an excellent use of the historical research that goes into each Assassin's Creed game. It's a bit unusual the app is being offered for free when Ubisoft has traditionally charged for Assassin's Creed games or its standalone Discovery Tour apps, but maybe that reflects Assassin's Creed Mirage's unique place in the series. The game was pitched as a back-to-basics stealth game without the open-world fluff of past games, and largely delivered.

Ubisoft's approach to Assassin's Creed might also be changing in general. The game franchise was spun-off alongside Far Cry and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six into a new subsidiary partially funded by Tencent earlier this year. Even grander plans to turn Assassin's Creed into an always-online live-service game still loom in the background, too.

You can download and try the Ubisoft's Discovery Tour App: Medievil Baghdad for yourself from the App Store and Play Store.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ubisofts-free-assassins-creed-mirage-discovery-tour-app-allows-you-to-explore-9th-century-baghdad-182020279.html?src=rss

Now that the Pixel 10 series has been out for a week, Google has begun rolling many of the software features it debuted with those phones to its older devices as part of the September Pixel drop. Starting today, if you own any Pixel device Google has released since 2021, including the Pixel 6 and Pixel Tablet, you can start to customize your device with the company's new Material 3 Expressive user interface.

Among other tweaks, Google made it possible to add "Live Effects," including a few that cover the weather, to your phone's lock screen wallpaper. Material 3 Expressive also gives you more control over how the contact cards your phone displays when your friends and family call you look. Even if you're not one to endlessly tweak Android's appearance, as part of the redesign Google has once again reworked the Quick Settings pane in hopes of making it easier to use.

As Google mentioned during last month's Pixel 10 event, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will receive a handful of new software features, beginning later this month. To start, there's Adaptive Audio, which Google says will allow the Pixel Buds Pro 2 to intelligently adjust the output of your earbuds to your surroundings. At the same time, Loud Noise Protection will limit the volume of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 to preserve your hearing. Two new gestures allow you to accept or dismiss a call by nodding or shaking your head. You can do the same when a text message arrives.

Google

Bluetooth audio on the whole is getting a few upgrades on Android, courtesy of LE Audio Auracast. With the new tech, you can now simultaneously pair two different sets of Bluetooth headphones with a single Android handset. In practice, this will allow you and a friend to listen to the same song or podcast from a single device. If you want to involve more people, you can use your phone to create a QR code, which both friends and strangers can then use to join a private broadcast. Google suggests this could be a fun way to host a silent disco. To make it as easy as possible to start an audio broadcast, Google has redesigned Android's Quick Share menu. A simple toggle allows you to switch between sending and receiving files, and there's a new indicator where you can follow the progress of your transfers.

As mentioned, the new audio features are made possible by Auracast, which enables public broadcasts of Bluetooth audio. Google began supporting Auracast with the third Android 16 beta, and now we're starting to see that support mature, with devices now from Google, Samsung and Xiaomi all ready to join in on the fun.

Of course, it wouldn't be a recent Google release if the company didn't include new AI features. On that front, the company is offering additional writing tools in Gboard. Like its iOS counterpart, the tool allows you to use an on-device model to edit your writing. The algorithm can tweak your messages to make them more formal, expressive or concise. It will also correct any spelling or grammatical errors.

Last but not least, Google is introducing an experience called Androidify, which allows you to use AI to create your own Android bot — you know, the cutesy mascot in most of the company's smartphone marketing. The experience is available online and through an app Google has released on the Play Store. To get started, you can upload a selfie, write a prompt and add some accessories to your bot. Afterward, Google's latest AI models will do the rest.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/googles-latest-pixel-drop-brings-the-material-3-expressive-ui-to-older-devices-180011681.html?src=rss

The sports broadcasting piracy network Streameast has been shut down after it was investigated for a year by a US-based anti-piracy group. Streameast is the largest illegal sports streaming platform in the world, and while active it offered its users free access to 80 unauthorised domains. This allowed people to pirate live soccer matches from the Premier League and Champions League, as well as NFL, NBA and MLB games. According to ACE, annual traffic to the site topped 1.6 billion visits.

The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), which describes itself as the "world’s leading content protection coalition dedicated to combatting the illegal acts of digital piracy," cooperated with Egyptian law enforcement on a sting that took place on August 24. ACE comprises more than 50 global entertainment companies and studios, including Disney, HBO, Fox, Netflix and Sony Pictures.

As reported by The Athletic, two men in Sheikh Zayed City — part of the Greater Cairo urban area — were arrested on suspicion of copyright infringement and have been detained. Laptops and smartphones were seized in the raid, and according to The Athletic, investigators discovered links between Streameast and a shell company in the UAE allegedly used to launder advertising revenue of more than $6 million over the last 15 years.

Streameast’s original domain is no longer active, but according to The Athletic’s report, there may now be a number of copycat sites seeking to fill the void left by the now defunct streaming platform. ACE told the sports journalism outlet that it's aware of these sites and is investigating whether they’re related.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-largest-illegal-sports-streaming-service-has-been-shut-down-after-sting-operation-173537889.html?src=rss