Elon Must spent almost an hour talking about Grok without mentioning its Nazi problem - 37分前  Engadget

xAI has officially lunched Grok 4 during a livestream with Elon Musk, who called it the "smartest AI in the world." He said that if you make the Grok 4 take the SATs and the GREs, it would get near perfect results every time and can answer questions it's never seen before. "Grok 4 is smarter than almost all graduate students in all disciplines simultaneously" and can reason at superhuman levels, he claimed. Musk and the xAI team showed benchmarks they used for Grok 4, including something called "Humanity's Last Exam" that contained 2,500 problems curated b...morey subject matter experts in mathematics, engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, humanities and other topics. When it was first released earlier this year, most models could only reportedly get single digit accuracy. Grok 4, which is the single agent version of the model, was able to solve around 40 percent of the benchmark's problems. Grok 4 Heavy, the multi-agent version, was able to solve over 50 percent. xAI is now selling a $300-per-month SuperGrok subscription plan with access to Grok 4 Heavy and new features, as well as higher limits for Grok 4. The new model is better than PhD level in every subject, Musk said. Sometimes it may lack common sense, he admitted, and it has not yet invented or discovered new tech and physics. But Musk believes it's just a matter of time. Grok is going to invent new tech maybe later this year, he said, and he would be shocked if it doesn't happen next year. At the moment, though, xAI is training the AI to be much better at image and video understanding and image generation, because it's still "partially blind." During the event, Musk talked about combining Grok with Tesla's Optimus robot so that it can interact with the real world. The most important safety thing for AI is for it to be truth-seeking, Musk also said. He likened AI to a "super genius child" who will eventually outsmart you, but which you can shape to be truthful and honorable if you instill it with the right values. What Musk didn't talk about, however, is Grok's recent turn towards antisemitism. In some recent responses to users on X, Grok spewed out antisemitic tropes, praised Hitler and posted what seems to be the text version of the "roman salute." Musk did respond to a post on X about the issue blaming the problem on rogue users. "Grok was too compliant to user prompts," he wrote. "Too eager to please and be manipulated, essentially. That is being addressed."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/elon-must-spent-almost-an-hour-talking-about-grok-without-mentioning-its-nazi-problem-061101656.html?src=rss...

The best Prime Day Apple deals on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks and more for day two - 4時間前  Engadget

You won’t find many discounts on Apple’s own website — but that doesn’t mean you have to pay full price for a new iPad or pair of AirPods. The second day of Amazon’s July sale is here and we’ve tracked down the best Prime Day Apple deals from across the site. We found deals on a long list of the Apple devices we recommend, including the new iPad, the MacBook Air, the Apple Watch Series 10 and everyone’s favorite (and the tiniest) Apple gadget, the AirPods Pro. Check out below for the best Prime Day deals on Apple gear — we even linked out to our reviews so you can read up before you buy. Best...more Prime Day iPad deals Apple iPad (A16) for $280 ($69 off): The latest edition of Apple’s standard iPad isn’t powerful enough to run Apple Intelligence, but we don’t think that’s an issue. In his review, Enadget’s Jeff Dunn praised the tablet’s speed, calling it “plenty fast” for browsing the web, streaming video, editing photos and playing most games. It’s the most affordable iPad (especially now) and it easily handles the basics. This is a new all-time low price. Apple iPad Air (11-inch, M3) for $479 ($120 off): In our opinion, the iPad Air is the best iPad for most people as it strikes an ideal balance between performance, price and features. The M3 chip is almost overkill for a tablet, but it means performance should never be an issue. And upcoming productivity gains from iPadOS 26 should make the tablet even more powerful. This is the lowest price we've seen so far for this model, and it's still in stock. Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro) for $379 ($120 off): Apple’s smallest iPad earned an 83 review score from us when it came out late last year. Despite its compact size, it’s still a fully-featured iPad, with support for accessories and a laminated, anti-reflective screen. It’s not a laptop-replacer, but rather the perfect couch companion, handling games, video, web browsing and email triage. This deal is the cheapest the mini has ever been. Apple iPad Air (13-inch, M3) for $679 ($120 off): This is Apple’s most affordable large-screen iPad. Engadget’s Nate Ingraham awarded it a review score of 89 upon its debut this March. When you pair it with accessories like a keyboard folio and mouse, it becomes a true productivity machine — though those add-ons make it a pricey package. Good thing iPads are on sale for Prime Day. This $120 discount matches the lowest price we've seen over the past couple months. Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, M4) for $899 ($100 off): We named the iPad Pro the best tablet money can buy. The screen is one of the best we’ve seen and Apple somehow managed to make the Pro model lighter than Air models. If you plan on handling heavy productivity — video rendering and editing, machine learning apps and the like, this is the way to go. Best Prime Day AirPod deals AirPods Max (USB-C) for $430 ($119 off): Apple’s only over-ear headphones are due for an update. The company outfitted the AirPods Max with a USB-C port late last year, but the internals haven’t had an overhaul since 2020. Still, we named them the best (and only) over-ear AirPods. They are comfortable and relatively lightweight, have a balanced sound and the noise cancellation is solid. The headphones dipped down to $399 (in starlight) on Tuesday, but have now popped back up to $430. AirPods 4 (with ANC) for $119 ($60 off): Apple introduced the fourth generation of its basic earbuds alongside the iPhone 16 last September. This model includes ANC — a first for Apple’s “regular” buds — and Billy awarded them an 86 in his review. Just note they don’t have a fully closed...

The best Anker Prime Day deals: Power banks, chargers and mobile accessories on sale today - 8時間前  Engadget

You may not be looking to spend big on tech this Prime Day, but it's still a good idea to look for tech essentials during the shopping event while you can get some at good discounts. Anker makes some of our favorite charging gear and I always end up picking up an accessory or two during Prime Day to ensure I have what I need when I need it most, and I feel better knowing I didn't spend full price on it. Last year, for example, I picked up a couple of extra USB-C charging cables so I could keep one in my carry-on luggage so I always have one when I travel. Also, every year it seems I need yet ...moreanother surge protector, so even though I picked one up last year, I'll probably do the same this year, too. Here, we've collected all of the best Prime Day deals on Anker devices we could find, and we'll update this post as the event goes on with the latest offerings. Prime day deals: Power banks Power banks come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s worth taking a moment to think about how you plan on using the one you want to buy. Smartphones don’t need huge-capacity bricks to power up a couple of times over; a 5K or 10K portable charger should be plenty if that’s all you’re looking to support. If you want a more versatile accessory that can charge a tablet, laptop or gaming handheld, consider a brick with a higher capacity — and more ports so you can charge multiple devices simultaneously. Anker MagGo ultra-slim power bank (10K, 15W) for $60 (25 percent off) Anker MagGo power bank (10K, 15W) for $65 (28 percent off) Prime day deals: Wireless chargers We all have plenty of cables in our lives, so a good wireless charger (or two) can eliminate a few of the ones you use the most. Think about where you’ll use the wireless charger you want to buy before deciding. Those outfitting a home office with new tech may want a wireless charging stand that puts their phone in an upright position that’s easier to see while it’s powering up, while those who want a wireless charger for their nightstand might prefer a lay-flat design or a power station that can charge a smartphone, smartwatch and pair of earbuds all at once. Anker MagSafe 3-in-1 charging station (Qi2, 15W, includes adapter and USB-C cable) for $63 (30 percent off) Anker MagSafe 3-in-1 charging stand (Qi2, 15W, includes adapter and USB-C cable) for $71 (36 percent off) Prime day deals: Charging cables, speakers and other gear Plenty of other charging gear is on sale for Prime Day. It’s never a bad idea to pick up a few 30W USB-C adapters so you always have what you need to reliably power up your phone. Same goes for extra USB-C (or USB-A) cables that can live in your car, in your office at work or by the couch. Anker Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds for $45 (44 percent off) Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go Bluetooth speaker for $19 (46 percent off) Anker Nano USB-C charger (30W) for $13 (35 percent off) Anker Prime docking station (14-port, 160W) for $170 (37 percent off) This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-anker-prime-day-deals-power-banks-chargers-and-mobile-accessories-on-sale-today-084925866.html?src=rss...

The best Prime Day deals on Amazon devices: Save up to 68 percent on Kindle ereaders, Echo speakers and more - 9時間前  Engadget

Amazon’s own gadgets — Echo speakers, Fire tablets, Kindles and the like — are at the top of the list of tech on sale during Amazon Prime Day. While there are some (Echos, Kindles) that we like more than others (Fire tablets), there’s no question that you’ll get the best discount on all Amazon tech during Prime Day. The online retail giant typically discounts all of its in-house-made gear for Prime Day, and this year is no different. Here, we’ve collected all of the best Prime Day deals on Amazon gear so you don’t have to go searching for them. Prime Day Echo deals Echo Pop speaker for $...more22 (45 percent off): One of the newer Echo devices available, the Pop it sports a 1.95-inch front-facing speaker and a physical mic mute switch for extra privacy. The Pop also has built-in eero compatibility, so it can extend the area of your home Wi-Fi network if you already have an eero router system. Echo Buds for $45 (68 percent off): Amazon's main earbud offering, the Echo Buds are one of our top picks for the best budget wireless earbuds you can get right now. Their design allows some outside sound in, which some will prefer over total noise cancellation, and they have a comfortable design with a pocket-friendly case, automatic wear detection, multi-device connectivity and, of course, built-in Alexa voice controls. Echo Show 5 for $60 (33 percent off): This model is one of our favorite smart displays thanks to its compact design, ambient light sensor and sunrise alarm feature, all of which make it an excellent smart alarm clock. Amazon improved the speaker quality on this latest model, which gives sound deeper bass and clearer vocals. Echo Show 8 for $110 (27 percent off): This is our current top pick for the best smart display with Amazon’s Alexa thanks in part to its 8-inch touchscreen, 13MP camera that supports auto-framing for better video chats and its built-in Zigbee smart home hub. The 2023 model supports Visual ID, which will show personalized information on the device’s display depending on who’s using it, and video streaming from Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video and other services. Prime Day Kindle deals Kindle Kids for $95 ($35 off): This is the same device as the base Kindle, but it becomes more kid-friendly thanks to the included cover, two-year warranty and the included year of Amazon Kids+, which gives children ages 3-12 access to hundreds of appropriate ebooks and audiobooks. Just be sure to take note when you activate that subscription because it will renew after one year at the standard $6/month rate. Kindle Paperwhite for $125 ($35 off): The latest version of the Paperwhite has a seven-inch display, thinner bezels, an adjustable warm light, speedier page turns and a battery that can last up to 12 weeks on a single charge. This model is also IPX8 waterproof and has built-in Audible integration. Kindle Colorsoft for $180 ($100 off): Amazon's only color e-reader has a seven-inch, high-contrast display, an auto-adjusting front light, a color highlighting feature and an eight-week battery life. Kindle Scribe for $260 ($140 off): The Scribe is one of the best E-Ink tablets you can buy at the moment, and certainly the top pick if you want a writable table that also excels as an ereader. It provides a great reading and writing experience, thanks in part to its ability to access the entire Kindle ebook library, and it has handy Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox integration. Prime Day Fire TV deals Fire TV Stick 4K for $25 (50 percent off): This is the cheapest Fire TV Stick you can get to stream 4K content, ...

NASA will lose over 2,000 senior staff due to proposed Trump budget cuts - 9時間前  Engadget

NASA is set to lose at least 2,145 senior staff members as part of the Trump administration's push for budget cuts, Politico reports. The brain drain could severely impact future research and missions, and is happening not long before the organization plans to send a new crew of astronauts to the Moon in 2026. Of the over 2,000 departing staff members, nearly all of them are in senior positions, requiring specialized skills or management experience. "Those leaving include 1,818 staff serving in mission areas like science or human space flight, with the rest performing mission support roles lik...moree IT, facilities management or finance," according to Politico. Staff across the organization's regional centers are also leaving, including 311 staff from the Kennedy Space Center and 366 staff from the Johnson Space Center. These centers serve critical functions in the operation of NASA's various missions. For example, Kennedy Space Center is NASA's main rocket launch site and Johnson Space Center (the "Houston" of "Houston, we have a problem") acts as the home base for human space flight operations. Politico writes that these voluntary exits make up only half of the requested staffing cuts proposed in the White House's budget. The Trump administration is asking for an over $6 billion cut to NASA's 2025 budget, which would jeopardize multiple upcoming missions and research projects, including the Gateway lunar orbit station. It's still possible for Congress to make significant changes to the proposed budget, but since current staff losses are entirely voluntary, it's highly likely some amount of damage has already been done. Given the growing number of commercial space missions, there's plenty of opportunities for experienced former NASA staff to get work.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasa-will-lose-over-2000-senior-staff-due-to-proposed-trump-budget-cuts-210109229.html?src=rss

Prime Day deals discount the Amazon Smart Plug down to only $13 - 10時間前  Engadget

If you're looking for an ultra-affordable away to make a part of your home a little smarter, look no further than the Amazon Smart Plug. Prime Day deals have brought the IoT device down to just $13, which is 48 percent off its regular price, and the accessory is still in stock right now. Amazon's accessory made it onto our list of the best smart plugs and it's particularly good for anyone who's already relying heavily on Alexa as their voice assistant. It plus into any outlet and can turn common items like lamps and coffee makers into "smart" ones by letting you control them with voice comman...moreds, set usage schedules and more. It's extremely easy to set up and use, particularly for folks who have some experience with the Alexa app. It doesn't require a smart home hub, as the app itself handles adjustments. The compact design also ensures there's room for another plug in a standard two-outlet fixture. The plug will automatically reconnect to Alexa after a power or Wi-Fi outage. We came away impressed with some of the features here. The app allows users to create routines, and we got a small thrill by saying "Alexa, goodnight" and watching everything power down for the evening. The major drawback here is the app's lack of sharing capabilities. The app doesn't let other people in the home access smart home devices, though they should be able to turn stuff on and off with their voice. However, they won't be able to make routines or adjust settings. It's also not the cheapest smart plug on the market, but this sale handles that for now.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/prime-day-deals-discount-the-amazon-smart-plug-down-to-only-13-230012390.html?src=rss

OpenAI and Jony Ive's startup seal the deal - 11時間前  Engadget

OpenAI's deal with Jony Ive's startup is a done deal. Ive's io has officially merged with the ChatGPT maker in a deal reportedly worth $6.5 billion. The companies announced the purchase in May. Jony Ive and his LoveFrom design studio remain independent. Meanwhile, io's co-founders, Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey and Tang Tan, are now OpenAI employees. (Around 50 other io engineers, designers and researchers are, too.) OpenAI and Ive are currently working on "a family of AI products for everyone." In May, Sam Altman and Ive dropped some hints about what to expect from their first product. They said...more it will be unobtrusive, portable and fully aware of its surroundings and the user's actions. It reportedly won't be a phone or a pair of glasses, which were likely the first two guesses for most people. For the uninitiated, Ive was a trusted collaborator and confidant of Steve Jobs during the creative explosion that produced some of the most influential tech products ever made. Ive left Apple in 2019 to form LoveFrom. He and Apple parted ways three years later.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-and-jony-ives-startup-seal-the-deal-194408516.html?src=rss

Apple's next Vision Pro will reportedly have an M4 chip and a better head strap - 12時間前  Engadget

Apple is planning to release the first refresh of the Vision Pro headset, according to reporting by Bloomberg. Industry analyst Mark Gurman suggests that the updated gadget could come as early as this year. The reporting indicates that the new headset will include a faster processor and components that are better suited for running AI tools. It will also reportedly feature a new strap that's easier to wear for long periods of time. The increased specs are a no-brainer because the primary processor in the original Vision Pro is the M2 chip and Apple recently released the M4. The upgraded st...morerap is a welcome change for most users. This thing was advertised as a replacement for desktop computing and long-term comfort has always been a sticking point here. Eight hours is a long time to sit with your head being weighed down like an anvil. To that end, Gurman says that Apple is working on another redesigned model that significantly reduces the weight of the headset. This one is rumored to come out in 2027. Despite the welcome hardware changes, there's still the high-priced elephant in the room. The Apple Vision Pro has struggled to entice consumers because it costs $3,500. It really doesn't matter how beefed up the new version is if that sticker price remains so exorbitant. If Apple doesn't figure out a way to sell this headset for much cheaper, it will remain a niche device. It's long been speculated that Apple is prepping a more budget-friendly headset, likely priced in the $1,500 to $2,000 range. We do know for certain that Apple is prepping a new operating system for the device, called visionOS 26. This will include virtual widgets and offer the ability for eye-scrolling. The OS is coming later this year, so maybe it will accompany the rumored hardware refresh. Reports also suggest that Apple is working on a tethered headset for enterprise applications and smart glasses.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/apples-next-vision-pro-will-reportedly-have-an-m4-chip-and-a-better-head-strap-184352374.html?src=rss...

Cyberpunk 2077 heads up July's PS Plus Game Catalog additions - 12時間前  Engadget

PlayStation Plus members can visit Night City on the house. Years after its botched release, the now-polished Cyberpunk 2077 is now in Sony's Game Catalog. Other July arrivals include the Half-Life-esque Abiotic Factor and the banana republic sim Tropico 6. Had Cyberpunk 2077 launched in its current state, it may have been a 2020 Game of the Year candidate. Alas, that wasn't the case. It arrived as a buggy mess, including characters rocking the fashion-forward "penis outside the pants" look. But CD Project Red weathered the (self-inflicted) storm and pushed update after update to fix it. What ...moreyou get today is a damn good game. Explore the dystopian sci-fi world of Night City as the mercenary V. Take on jobs, level up and upgrade your bodily augmentations. All dongs are now safely stashed inside the pants. PS Plus Premium and Extra members can play Cyberpunk 2077 today. Although the Game Catalog only includes the base game, you can save 30 percent on the Phantom Liberty expansion until July 23. That should help whet your appetite for the game's sequel, which recently entered pre-production. Deep Field Games / Playstack Meanwhile, Abiotic Factor is less like a modern-day Half-Life and more like an indie love letter to the first entry from 1998. Enter a network of underground research laboratories where strange paranormal stuff is happening. (Sound familiar?) Craft weapons from everyday objects, cook up some monsters and investigate the chaos. All the while, manage your bathroom breaks (as one does). Developer Deep Field Games leans into the humor, including the ability to customize your character's pocket protector. The game combines a late '90s throwback visual style with tight combat controls. You can play solo or with up to five friends. It's been in Steam Early Access for over a year where it's received "overwhelmingly positive" reviews. Abiotic Factor arrives in the PS Plus Game Catalog on July 22, its release date. Speaking of games with cheeky humor, you can soon step into the polished boots of El Presidente in Tropico 6. Also on tap this month: Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, Risk of Rain 2 and Planet Zoo. Meanwhile, Premium members get a couple of old-school classics in Twisted Metal 3 and 4. They all arrive on July 15.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/cyberpunk-2077-heads-up-julys-ps-plus-game-catalog-additions-182843496.html?src=rss...

Elon Musk is trying to blame Grok's Nazi rants on rogue X users - 12時間前  Engadget

One day after Grok posted a series of antisemitic and pro-Nazi rants on X, Elon Musk is seemingly trying to blame rogue users for the chatbot's unhinged posts. "Grok was too compliant to user prompts," Musk said in a post. "Too eager to please and be manipulated, essentially. That is being addressed." Grok posted a slew of antisemitic and pro-Nazi comments on Tuesday, including a post that said "Heil Hitler." X has since halted Grok's ability to publicly reply to users on the platform. The chatbot stopped posting text replies on Tuesday and for a brief period only responded to users with image...more posts. The chatbot hasn't publicly responded to any users since Tuesday at 5:43PM PT. Musk's explanation mirrors a response the web version of Grok provided on Tuesday when asked about the X post in which it had said "Heil Hitler." After first denying that it had posted such a statement, Grok said that the "post was a result of a troll account manipulating my responses on July 8, 2025, by exploiting a prompt injection vulnerability." A response Grok provided on Tuesday when asked about one of its comments.Grok Grok claimed that "bad actors" had "baited" it into "generating inappropriate content, including Nazi references." It blamed an "unauthorized modification in my system prompts." It's unclear if all or part of Grok's response was a hallucination; it claimed the issue would be "corrected by July 15." Grok's system prompts, which were made public after the last time Grok was caught making unsanctioned racist rants, have been the source of much speculation. Following Grok's pro-Hitler comments on Tuesday, a line was removed from its system prompt that had instructed it to "not shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect." For now, xAI has offered little in the way of explanation for Grok's behavior. The company said in a post on Tuesday that it had "taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X" and that it would "update the model where training could be improved." Elsewhere, Grok's statements have also landed the newly CEO-less company in hot water in Turkey, which banned Grok for insulting its president, and Poland, where officials have said they are considering a ban. The next version of Grok, Grok 4, was supposed to be revealed in a livestream tonight, though it's currently unclear if the event is moving forward as scheduled.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/elon-musk-is-trying-to-blame-groks-nazi-rants-on-rogue-x-users-174833343.html?src=rss...

The best Amazon Prime Day deals offer discounts on headphones, TVs, robot vacuums and more - 4時間前  Engadget

Amazon Prime Day is finally here, so now’s the time for members to stock up on discounted home essentials, clothing, shoes, and of course, tech. It’s safe to say that Amazon’s website will be overwhelming for the entirety of the event, so we wouldn’t blame you if you got distracted immediately upon opening it. If you’ve got gadgets on your wishlist, Engadget has you covered. We’re surfacing the best Prime Day deals for day two on gadgets and gear we can find for the whole of the shopping event. As in years past, Prime Day has brought solid discounts on some of our favorite tech including earb...moreuds, tablets, robot vacuums and home devices. These are the best Prime Day deals you can get right now. We’ll be updating this post regularly throughout the duration of Prime Day, so check back to see the latest discounts. Prime Day deals: Engadget's top picks Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $149 (40 percent off): The AirPods Pro 2 remain Apple’s best set of wireless earbuds, as they offer the full set of Apple-focused features, strong ANC, onboard volume controls, a comfy in-ear design and a warm sound profile that most should find agreeable. They can even work as a hearing aid now. DJI Neo drone for $159 (20 percent off): The DJI Neo may be an inexpensive, beginner-friendly drone, but has powerful features like subject tracking and quick shots. It can shoot video at up to 4K 30 fps and is quick and maneuverable, though it's also fairly loud. You can also grab one with three batteries and a charger for $229 (21 percent off). Leebein Electric Spin Scrubber for $38 (46 percent off): This was my favorite thing I bought last year because it makes the must-detested chore of cleaning my shower less of a pain. It's an electric spin scrubber that comes with multiple cleaning heads so you can use it on your countertops, sinks, tubs and showers and more. It also has an adjustable arm so you can reach tough spots in hard-to-reach places, and it convenient recharges via USB-C. Samsung SmartTag 2 for $15.50 (48 percent off): Samsung users looking to keep track of their stuff need look no further than the SmartTag 2. One of our top picks for the best Bluetooth trackers, this accessory easily attaches to keys, bags and other items and uses Samsung's large finding network to show you their last known location. iRobot Roomba Vacuum and Mop Combo for $140 (49 percent off): A version of one of our top favorite robot vacuums, this budget-friendly machine comes with a water reservoir that allows it to mop hard floors. It connects via Wi-Fi to the iRobot app as well, which lets you set cleaning schedules and further control the machine. Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for $500: We'd be remiss if we didn't mention the fact that Amazon has the Nintendo Switch 2 available to order "by invitation" now. The Mario Kart World bundle is listed at the standard $500 price, so it's not a Prime Day deal per se, but considering Amazon was (supposedly) shut out of the initial Switch 2 order process earlier this year, it's notable to see the console listed on the site at all. Prime Day deals under $50 Soundcore Select 4 for $19 (46 percent off): This 9.3-ounce speaker is a massive improvement over built-in smartphone audio. It can fill a room at a decent range of frequencies, and works well in room-sized outdoor spaces — plus, with IP67 waterproofing, it can survive a dip in the pool. It's currently almost half off. Anker iPhone Nano Power Bank with Built-in USB-C Connector for $20 ($10 off): One of these little guys could represent the difference between a dead p...

You can own the GameStop stapler that broke Nintendo Switch 2 consoles - 7時間前  Engadget

GameStop has been specializing in making pretty wacky headlines in recent years, and its latest follows in that grand tradition. After employees at the retailer stapled Switch 2 receipts to boxes in a way that punctured some of the consoles' screens, the company promised that it would "make things right" for those customers. In addition to giving replacement Switch 2s to those people, GameStop has decided to turn the whole viral event into a publicity stunt for charity. Today, it posted on X that it would auction off the "infamous" stapler responsible for the incident, with the proceeds benefi...moreting the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The eBay listing for the notorious stapler currently has a top bid of $18,000. But if you really want to have not just a stapler, but also the first Switch 2 it broke, the box with the puncture marks and the offending stapler, feel free to throw your money at it. And if you want to support another worthy charity via gaming in a less ridiculous fashion that doesn't involve GameStop, be sure to tune into the ongoing Summer Games Done Quick 2025 marathon. The event is raising money for Doctors Without Borders through July 13.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/you-can-own-the-gamestop-stapler-that-broke-nintendo-switch-2-consoles-225848836.html?src=rss

Amazon Prime Day has the best deals on laptops this week: Save on MacBooks, Windows 11 machines, Chromebooks and others - 8時間前  Engadget

If your laptop simply isn’t cutting it anymore, Amazon Prime Day 2025 might have arrived just in time. As has been the case for the past few years, laptop deals are abundant this Prime Day, bringing discounts to MacBooks, Windows laptops, Chromebooks and more. But we wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t know how to figure out if that laptop you’re eyeing actually has a good discount for Prime Day, or if the deal is stale. That’s where Engadget can help. We’ve poured over the Prime Day laptop deals available this year to pick out the best ones you can get across all kinds of computers. If you’re s...moreuper picky about the specs you want in a new laptop, we always recommend going straight to the manufacturer so you can configure the machine exactly to your needs. But if you’re willing to work with premade models, Prime Day deals could help you save some cash on your next laptop. Prime Day laptop deals: MacBooks Apple’s latest laptops are the MacBook Air M4 and the MacBook Pro M4, but the M3-powered machines are still available and great values when you can get them at steep discounts. But for the most future-proof options, we recommend going with the M4 MacBooks. Amazon actually has decent MacBook deals throughout the year, most of the time on the base configurations of any given model. In a welcomed update, Apple recently made all base models of the MacBook Air M4 have 16GB of RAM by default (which is the same as you’ll find on the base-level Pros). MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) for $1,049 ($150 off) MacBook Air (15-inch, M3, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $1,249 (26 percent off) MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $1,429 (11 percent off) Prime day laptop deals: Windows laptops You’ve got a lot of variety to choose from when it comes to Windows laptops, and that can be a blessing or a curse. We recommend looking for a laptop from a reputable brand (i.e. Microsoft, Dell, Acer, Lenovo and others like them), and one that can handle daily work or play pressures. That means at least 8GB of RAM and 245GB of SSD storage, plus the latest Intel or AMD CPUs. If you’re looking for a new gaming laptop, you’ll need a bit more power and a dedicated graphics card to boot. Now is a good time to consider upgrading as well since Windows 10 will be sunset in October this year and Microsoft has recommended users upgrade to newer Windows 11 laptops. Samsung Galaxy Book5 360 (Windows 11, Copilot+, 15.6-inch, Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $1,050 (22 percent off) Microsoft Surface laptop (Windows 11, Copilot+, 13.8-inch, Snapdragon X Plus) for $880 (27 percent off) Lenovo V15 G2 laptop (Windows 11 Pro, 15.6-inch, Intel Celeron N4500, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) for $429 (28 percent off) Microsoft Surface Pro 2-in-1 (Windows 11, Copilot+, 13-inch, Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $870 (28 percent off) Dell Inspiron 3520 laptop (Windows 11, 15.6-inch, Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $350 (22 percent off) Acer Nitro V gaming laptop (Windows 11, 15.6-inch, Intel Core i5, RTX 4050, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $650 ($150 off) ASUS ROG Strix G16 gaming laptop (Windows 11, Intel Core i9, RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) for $1,360 ($340 off) Prime Day laptop deals: Chromebooks Most Chromebooks start off pretty affordable, so that just means you can get them for even less during an event like Prime Day. If you’re a Chrome OS lover, it’s also a decent time to check out sales on premium Chromebooks, which can usually cost $500 or more. In general, we recommend looking for at least 4 to 8GB of RA...

Get three months of Audible for only $3 during Prime Day - 9時間前  Engadget

Prime Day deals have arrived, and unsurprisingly, a discount on Audible is among them. We've seen similar offers pop up in the past, but considering Audible is one of the top audiobook streaming services out there, it's worth highlighting again. New Audible subscribers can get three months of access to the Premium Plus plan for $3. That's a total of $42 off for the whole three-month period. Some folks might see an offer for three free months instead, but the most consistent offer we've seen is $3 for three months. This is one of the best streaming deals around right now. The offer runs throug...moreh July 31, which is actually a few weeks after Prime Day 2025 ends. Just keep in mind that if you don't cancel your Audible membership before the promotional period ends, it will automatically renew at the standard $15-per-month price. Through the Audible Premium Plus plan, you'll receive one credit each month. You can use this to claim any audiobook you like on the platform, whether it's a bestseller, new release or something else you've been meaning to get to. You'll retain access to audiobooks you claim with credits even after your subscription expires. So, you're effectively getting three audiobooks for your permanent collection for three bucks. Audible members will be able to take advantage of exclusive discounts and sales too. They also get access to thousands of audiobooks, Audible Originals and podcasts as long as their subscription remains active.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-three-months-of-audible-for-only-3-during-prime-day-143734411.html?src=rss

Walmart Deals 2025 rivals Prime Day with sales up to 47 percent off - 9時間前  Engadget

Amazon Prime Day has been a summer mainstay for a long time, so much so that it’s spawned a bunch of other sale events that compete with it. Case in point: Walmart Deals 2025. Yes, Walmart’s anti-Prime Day sale is back again this year, and it includes discounts across a slew of categories including tech and gadgets. Engadget covers all of the best Prime Day deals you can get, but we’re aware that not everyone pays for Prime and not everyone wants to do the bulk of their shopping at Amazon. But that doesn’t mean you should miss out on some good tech deals. Walmart is actually matching some of t...morehe best Prime Day deals this year, and so you can save on some of our favorite gear without needing to go through Amazon to do it. Here, we’ve collected the best Walmart Deals savings we could find, and we’ll continue to update this post throughout the event as we discover new discounts. Best Walmart Deals 2025 discounts Roku Express HD streaming device for $17 ($12 off): If you're simply looking for an affordable streamer to upgrade an aging TV, the Roku Express HD could fit the bill. It plays HD-quality content and gives you access to every major streaming platform including HBO Max, Disney+, Prime Video and others. It'll tuck away behind your set nicely and it supports headphone mode, which lets you connect headphones to the Roku mobile app for private listening and viewing from your TV. Razer Kraken Hello Kitty & Friends Bluetooth headset for $47 (47 percent off): Razer makes excellent gaming accessories and this Hello Kitty & Friends version of the popular Kraken headset might be just what you were looking for to add more personality into your Twitch stream outfits. Aside from the cute design, it supports Bluetooth 5.0, comes with 40mm drivers and sports a beamforming microphone. Google TV Streamer 4K for $84 ($16 off): Our top favorite streaming device, the Google TV Streamer 4K is basically a souped-up Chromecast with 4K content support, an easy to use interface and a great remote control. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 for $129 (47 percent off): While it's an older model, we generally like Samsung Galaxy Watches and they're arguably the best smartwatches for Samsung phone users. The Galaxy Watch 6 has good all-day activity tracking and sleep monitoring, plus heart rate tracking, personalized health insights and more. Samsung 32-inch Smart Monitor M5 for $199 ($100 off): Not only will this be a good monitor for your home office setup, but it also acts as a full smart TV, too. Its interface gives you access to platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and others, and it also comes with a SmartThings IoT hub built in so you can connect and control things like smart lights directly from the monitor. Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for $296 ($104 off): While the XM6 headphones are the latest and greatest, they only make small changes to the already stellar XM5. These were our top pick for the best wireless headphones for a long time before the XM6 launched earlier this year, and we still like them for their excellent sound quality, strong ANC, multi-device connectivity and good battery life. Hisense 75-inch U6H ULED 4K smart TV for $448 (36 percent off): This Quantum Dot TV can reach 600 nits at peak brightness across its 48 local dimming zones. It supports Dolby Vision and Atmos, HDMI 2.1 inputs for a better gaming experience and it has the Google Assistant built in for voice control. PlayStation 5 Slim Astro Bot bundle for $453 ($106 off): This version of the console has a disc drive and comes with 1TB of storage, plus the ever-popular Astro B...

T-Mobile ends DEI programs in attempt to win deal approvals from the FCC - 10時間前  Engadget

T-Mobile has abandoned all of its programs for diversity, equity and inclusion. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, the telecom said that it "is ending its DEI-related policies [...] not just in name, but in substance." T-Mobile conveniently waited to dismantle its DEI efforts until it was awaiting FCC approval for two major deals. The company needs regulatory backing to purchase extensive assets from United States Cellular in a deal valued at $4.4 billion. It's also looking to establish a joint venture with investment firm KKR that will acquire internet provider Metronet. Re...moreuters reported that FCC Chair Brendan Carr reacted positively to this change in a text message to the publication: "This is another good step forward for equal opportunity, nondiscrimination and the public interest." Carr was appointed to the top spot at the FCC by President Donald Trump. One of the remaining democratic commissioners at the agency, Anna M. Gomez, was more scathing of T-Mobile's "cynical" reversal of its policies. She said on X that the telecom's capitulation to the current administration was "making a mockery of its professed commitment to eliminating discrimination, promoting fairness, and amplifying underrepresented voices." T-Mobile isn't the first to bail on its DEI commitments in order to gain FCC approval. In May, the regulators approved Verizon's $20 million merger with Frontier only after the company agreed to end DEI programs.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/t-mobile-ends-dei-programs-in-attempt-to-win-deal-approvals-from-the-fcc-202239612.html?src=rss

MLB will test its robot umpire system at the next All-Star Game - 11時間前  Engadget

While human umpires will still make the first call at the All-Star Game on July 15, Major League Baseball plans to let teams use a robot umpire to challenge rulings, ESPN reports. The automated ball-strike (ABS) system has been around for years in one form or another, but relying on a computer's judgement of a pitch has yet to become a permanent fixture of major league play. MLB is essentially porting over the ABS challenge system used during spring training for the upcoming All-Star Game in Atlanta. Human umpires will call balls and strikes as they normally would, but teams will be given two ...moreopportunities to challenge the call, using ABS as backup. "Only a pitcher, catcher or hitter can ask for a challenge and it has to happen almost immediately after the pitch," ESPN writes."The player will tap his hat or helmet indicating to the umpire he wants to challenge" and if ABS reproduces the human umpire's call, the challenge fails. If the system makes a different call, the team can choose to accept that new ruling. The current version of ABS uses Hawk-Eye, a computer vision system developed by Sony, to monitor the "exact location of the pitch relative to the batter’s strike zone," according to MLB. The league has tested relying on ABS exclusively for calls, but views the ABS challenge system as a good compromise between tradition and technology. Like other possible rule changes, it also adds a new element of strategy: With only two opportunities to challenge, players have to be selective. MLB hasn't announced official plans to implement the ABS challenge system during the normal baseball season, but the continued tests seem like a good indication that it could happen at some point.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/mlb-will-test-its-robot-umpire-system-at-the-next-all-star-game-193732447.html?src=rss

Get $315 off the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge for Prime Day - 12時間前  Engadget

Big screens are ubiquitous now in the smartphone space, so manufacturers are now returning to another familiar friend to make their handsets stand out: thinness. In May, Samsung launched the the Galaxy S25 Edge and it's on sale for Prime Day now — down to $785, which is $315 less than usual. The Galaxy S25 Edge includes the best of Samsung's Galaxy S25+ in a thinner and sturdier package. The S25 Edge is just 0.23 inches (5..8mm) thick, with a titanium frame, IP68 water and dust resistance and a Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 panel covering its OLED screen. The phone is also fast and performant, with...more a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage. Really, the main ways the S25 Edge is a compromise are in the omissions Samsung made to keep it slim and light. For example, the S25 Edge doesn't have a telephoto lens, so zoomed in photographs have to happen entirely digitally. The phone also has a noticeably smaller battery at 3,900 mAh, which in our tests meant the phone lasted for a little over 25 hours on a single charge, shorter than both the base S25 and the S25 Ultra. Samsung also cut corners with wireless charging. The S25 Edge is "Qi2 ready" but doesn't actually include the magnetic coils necessary to take advantage of the charging standard's main features. Instead, if you want to wirelessly charge the S25 Edge at Qi2 speeds, you need to put it in a case, taking away some of its thinness in the process. For $300 off, those compromises could be very easy to set aside, though. In Engadget's review of the Galaxy S25 Edge, the phone made the most sense as a way to make Samsung's mid-tier phones interesting. It costs the same $1,100 as the Samsung Galaxy S25+ and features many of the same components, but looks and feels different to use. At $785, the Galaxy S25 Edge is now the same price as the base S25 was at launch, and an even more compelling purchase.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-315-off-the-samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-for-prime-day-104557485.html?src=rss...

Perplexity's Comet AI browser is available now for $200 per month - 12時間前  Engadget

Comet, Perplexity's AI-powered web browser, is available now for people paying for the company's $200 per month Perplexity Max subscription. The company offered the browser in a beta form for select Windows users in June, but now it'll join Google Chrome and The Browser Company's Dia in incorporating AI models directly into web browsing experience. At its simplest, Comet is a streamlined browser (built on Chrome's browser tech) that uses Perplexity as its default search engine. At any point you can call up the company's AI in a sidebar to ask questions, summarize text, and critical to the comp...moreany's pitch for the future of AI, take actions for you, like sending an email, looking up directions on Google Maps or purchasing a product. Comet is here.A web browser built for today’s internet.pic.twitter.com/cFPeghl2YM— Perplexity (@perplexity_ai) July 9, 2025 Perplexity's search results pull information from the web into AI-generated answer, just like ChatGPT or Gemini, with all of the doubts around accuracy that implies. Like its competitors, Perplexity has crawled the web for training data to feed its AI and has even been sued by publications for allegedly allowing its search engine to reproduce news articles in their entirety when prompted. The company has been open about its interest to use web browsers to collect customer data for target ads. Perplexity even wants to purchase Chrome, assuming Google is forced to spin it off as a result of its antitrust trial. Whether or not that happens, Comet affirms the tech industry's interest in making the web browser the default interface for AI. As it turns out, browser history makes for an excellent way to get a constant stream of new information about a person that AI can leverage. Perplexity says it'll send invites to people on the Comet waitlist over the summer. You can sign up for the waitlist on the company's website, or pay for Perplexity Max and use the new browser right now.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/perplexitys-comet-ai-browser-is-available-now-for-200-per-month-180955616.html?src=rss...

Prime Day deals include the latest Roku Ultra for $69 - 13時間前  Engadget

The newest Roku Ultra streaming device is on sale for $69 as part of the Amazon Prime Day festivities. That's over 30 percent off and a record-low price, as it usually costs $100. The Roku Ultra made our list of the best streaming devices. It can play content in 4K, which is always nice, and supports HDR10/10+ streaming. There's a USB port for personal files and the device allows for voice control via Alexa, Google Home and Roku Smart Home. It also ships with a newly-designed remote that we found to be extremely useful. It features an always-on microphone, which makes it easy to find whe...moren lost beneath a couch cushion. There's also a backlight for controlling stuff in the dark. It recharges via USB-C, so there's no need to hoard batteries. During our time with this device, we were impressed with the image quality and the speed. It even automatically recommended that we change settings on the TV to take advantage of 4K content, which is not something every streaming player does. The only downside is that the UI is better at organizing free content than paid streaming apps. This means it's incredibly easy to search free content providers like Tubi and the brand’s own Roku Channel, but slightly clunkier to find stuff on, say, Disney+.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/prime-day-deals-include-the-latest-roku-ultra-for-69-152652636.html?src=rss