VSCO, the photo filter and editing app that spawned an entire culture, has released a dedicated camera app called VSCO Capture. The free iOS‑only app is a camera with live previews where users can choose from over 50 different presets with real‑time film effects and manual settings like shutter speed and exposure for fine‑tuning. The app takes the guesswork out of how your photo will look after you apply VSCO's iconic filters.
“VSCO Capture is a direct response to our community’s desire to get closer to the lens, to reduce editing fatigue and find more joy in the process of making authentic, stylized photography using their phone,” said Eric Wittman, CEO of VSCO.
The app's non‑destructive presets retain the original captured image so users can modify them later and change filters after the fact. VSCO Capture supports RAW and ProRAW formats for maximum flexibility when editing. Capture syncs instantly with the main VSCO app for additional edits and sharing.
VSCO Capture is available for download now on iOS.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/vsco-launches-dedicated-capture-app-with-live-previews-184005036.html?src=rss
New Jersey citizens will now be able to flash their driver's license from their smartphones after Governor Phil Murphy signed a digital ID measure into law, joining the ranks of over a dozen other states to do so. The law also allows for digital non‑driver identification cards for those without driver's licenses.
The bill also enshrines privacy and security protocols for those using the digital IDs, including safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to the underlying data. It outlines protections when using them, prohibiting any entities from requiring users to hand over their devices when presenting the digital ID. The bill clarifies that presenting a digital ID does not imply consent to a search or access to any other data on the device.
“Digital driver's licenses will make life easier for drivers across New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “Innovation has always been at the core of who we are as a state, and my administration has embraced that spirit to deliver practical solutions that improve everyday life for our people. By bringing government services into the digital age, we’re setting a new standard for how the public interacts with state agencies.”
Participation in the program is voluntary, so those who wish to keep using their physical IDs may do so. The state has set aside $1.5 million toward launching the program. It remains unclear whether these digital IDs will be compatible with Google Wallet and Apple Wallet, or if New Jersey intends to create its own digital ID app like Louisiana, New York and others.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/new-jersey-is-the-latest-state-to-embrace-digital-ids-140408431.html?src=rss
Financial Times is reporting that $1 billion worth of NVIDIA AI chips were smuggled into China in the three months after the Trump administration tightened semiconductor export controls. Citing sales contracts, company documents and people with direct knowledge, the publication says that a thriving black market arose for American semiconductors. Products sold included NVIDIA's top‑tier B200 chips, which have become the silicon of choice for American big tech when training AI models. Sale of these chips to China is banned by the United States.
With journalists on the ground in China, Financial Times reports on a veritable web of third‑party data center operators, middlemen and purportedly smuggled ready‑built racks that have all materialized to meet the demand for NVIDIA's most powerful chips. Along with the B200, the H100 and H200 are also restricted yet highly sought after. All of these are far more capable than the weaker H20 chip, which was designed to comply with export restrictions for sale to China, though even that model has faced on and off export bans.
NVIDIA, for its part, told Financial Times it has “no evidence of any AI chip diversion” and that “trying to cobble together data centers from smuggled products is a losing proposition, both technically and economically.” NVIDIA explained, “Data centers require service and support, which we provide only to authorized NVIDIA products.”
Images produced by Financial Times show boxes of server racks emblazoned with company logos such as Supermicro and ASUS being advertised on social media in China. Those companies deny any knowledge of how their products ended up on the Chinese black market, and Financial Times is not alleging any such involvement.
Reporting suggests that some Southeast Asian countries have become hubs for Chinese groups to obtain restricted chips. Having these server racks shipped to Thailand or Malaysia may circumvent US export controls. The US Department of Commerce is reportedly considering increasing export controls on advanced AI chips to these countries.
The demand for these products is without question, and as one Chinese distributor told Financial Times, “History has proven many times before that given the huge profit, arbitrators will always find a way.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/1-billion-of-nvidia-ai-chips-were-reportedly-sold-in-china-despite-us-bans-143119762.html?src=rss
FILE - President and CEO of Nvidia Corporation Jensen Huang delivers a speech during the Computex 2025 exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan, Monday, May 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, File)
Tonal, the wall‑mounted smart gym, has introduced a new feature that the company says uses "cutting‑edge AI" to improve your workouts. The feature is called Daily Lift, and it analyzes your recent lifts and recovery, then builds a personalized workout plan that adapts to you daily. Every day, a user can pull up a customized strength-training session that is based on their most recent data with just a tap.
Tonal says these workouts are built using the same training methodology that Tonal's coaches rely on. The workouts are intended to provide new movements and new challenges to expose the user to a variety of different exercises.
Like many home‑workout companies, Tonal grew substantially in the post‑pandemic world of work‑from‑home before laying off 35 percent of its workforce in 2022. This year the home‑gym company launched the AI‑enabled Tonal 2 hardware, featuring a sleeker design and expanded features. Like a lot of "smart" home exercise equipment, the wall‑mounted unit remains a niche and expensive gadget, retailing for almost $4,300.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/tonals-ai-created-workouts-will-adapt-to-your-daily-progress-170037100.html?src=rss
Uber has announced that Women Preferences, a feature which will allow women riders to be matched exclusively with women drivers and vice versa, is being tested in the US. This feature was first launched in Saudi Arabia in 2019. Competitor Lyft has also operated its Women+ Connect program since 2023.
In the next few weeks, Women Preferences pilots will begin in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Detroit. Once live, women riders will see an option called Women Drivers when requesting a trip on demand. Reservations can also be made to pre-book a trip with a woman driver. For something less certain, riders can set a preference for a woman driver in their Uber app settings. While this won't guarantee a woman driver, it does increase the chances.
On the driver's side of things, the new feature functions in much the same way. Women drivers will have the option to request trips with women riders at all times of day by toggling on the "Women Rider Preference" in their app settings.
Since its 2019 launch, Uber has expanded this feature to 40 countries, based on user demand and rider feedback. Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft have been working to increase rider and driver safety by improving safety tools and expanding ID verification programs.
It’s notable that while Lyft’s Women+ Connect program acknowledges that the program includes nonbinary drivers and riders, Uber’s Women Preferences does not. Much of this was in response to lawsuits and alarming reports of sexual assault and violence during rides.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/uber-will-help-pair-women-riders-and-drivers-in-the-us-163022755.html?src=rss
It's nearly time for some students to think about going back to school for the new semester, so now's the time to stock up on essential tech. No student should return to campus without some extra charging accessories, and now you can save a bit on some of our favorite Anker gear. Key among the deals is the Anker Laptop Power Bank, which carries 25,000mAh of portable power. It includes three 100W USB‑C ports, two of which have retractable USB‑C cables built in so you don't have to remember to bring your own in order to charge your stuff.
This particular model was our top pick for best premium power bank, but it's on sale for 30 percent off. At $95 during the sale, it's still a premium product, but this is near the lowest price we've ever seen.
Anker carries a vast catalog of products, and several others are on sale right now. Among them is this high‑powered 140W Anker Laptop Charger, which currently has a $20 clippable coupon on Amazon. It sports four different USB ports all with their own power outputs for different device classes, and all four can be used at once. A handy touch display shows total power output, output per port and features temperature monitoring to ensure ideal charging conditions.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-of-our-favorite-anker-power-banks-is-30-percent-off-right-now-142805818.html?src=rss
Honda and Acura EV owners can now take advantage of the sprawling Tesla Supercharger network with the release of the first Honda-approved NACS-CCS DC fast-charging adapter. This means that Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX owners can join the growing ranks of non-Tesla EVs that you might see filling up at any one of the more than 23,500 selected Tesla Superchargers.
"Combined with other growing charging networks, Honda and Acura EV drivers now have added peace of mind with a wider range of dependable DC fast charging options nationwide," said Ryan Harty, assistant vice president of Sustainability and Business Development at American Honda Motor Company.
While Honda and its subsidiary brand Acura only have one fully-electric model each at the moment, this lays the groundwork for future models to use the Supercharger network.
Prologue and ZDX drivers will now see Tesla Superchargers marked on their built-in Google Maps for easier navigation. Once they arrive, drivers will use the Tesla app to begin charging. Integration with HondaLink and Acura EV apps that will allow plug and charge capability are currently under development, according to Honda.
Customers can now buy the Honda-approved adapter from their authorized Honda and Acura dealership in the US or online. The adapter will retail for $225.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/honda-and-acura-ev-owners-gain-access-to-tesla-supercharger-network-180654467.html?src=rss
Elgato’s latest capture card supports 4K at 60 fps to capture rich in‑game imagery in all its glory. The Game Capture 4K S works with just about any modern console, PC or handheld gaming device, including the Switch 2. Retailing for $160, this is the CORSAIR subsidiary’s best value yet for capturing in 4K. Elgato's higher-end 4K X supports 4K capture at 144 fps but costs quite a bit more.
Though a more affordable model, the 4K S doesn't skimp where it matters. The new capture card features zero-latency passthrough to your main display, and Elgato says latency in software previews can be as low as 30 milliseconds. Short of the most competitive FPS games, this is fast enough to play on a single screen if you must. If you are trying to capture a game like Valorant or CS2 and care more about frame rate than raw resolution, the 4K S can record at 1440p120 or 1080p240.
The 4K S also supports HDR10 passthrough up to 4K60, HDR10 capture to 1080p60 on Windows, VRR support and it has an analog audio jack for native team chat. The device is plug-and-play over USB-C for Windows 11, macOS and iPadOS. For those whose creative workflow lives on iPad, the 4K S can capture directly to iPad models with a USB-C port. Thanks to UVC compliance, the device is compatible with OBS Studio, Streamlabs, Zoom, TikTok Live Studio and other major broadcast apps.
Elgato is also releasing its newest capture application, Elgato Studio, which will replace 4KCU in the coming months. The software auto-detects the 4K S and offers ultra-low latency on previews. It will also include features like a snapshot tool for social media clips and allow creators to try out beta features through the software.
The Game Capture 4K S is available now for $159.99.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/elgatos-new-game-capture-4k-s-is-switch-2-compatible-164745527.html?src=rss
OpenAI has struck a deal with Oracle to add an astounding 4.5 gigawatts of US data center capacity to power the massive workload required by its large language models. The companies haven't specified where these new centers will be built, but Bloomberg is reporting that Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin and Wyoming are all under consideration.
The ChatGPT maker says this new capacity is a part of the Stargate Project, and that together with its one GW campus in Abilene, Texas, the company is projecting more than five GW of total capacity running over two million AI chips once the new centers are complete. Oracle began delivering its GB200 racks last month for the Abilene site as it begins operations. OpenAI estimates that the massive undertaking will create over 100,000 jobs, though data centers historically employ few full-time workers, with most of the jobs tied to construction.
While details on budget were not shared, OpenAI says that these new data centers represent significant progress toward its promise of investing $500 billion in the United States to build out 10 GW of AI infrastructure over the next four years. These investments, which are all part of The Stargate Project, are being made alongside SoftBank and Oracle as partners, though SoftBank is not financing this phase.
This announcement comes as big tech companies are pouring billions into new data centers and power agreements to sustain the growth of AI and power future models. Google recently closed a £3 billion deal to secure 3,000 megawatts of hydroelectric power, while Microsoft is planning to restart the nuclear power plants of Three Mile Island.
In a press release announcing the new project, Open AI said " Stargate is an ambitious undertaking designed to meet the historic opportunity in front of us. That opportunity is now coming to life through strong support from partners, governments, and investors worldwide—including important leadership from the White House, which has recognized the critical role AI infrastructure will play in driving innovation, economic growth, and national competitiveness."
OpenAI and others are racing to build compute power at an industrial scale, with some US states offering massive tax incentives to land the projects.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-partners-with-oracle-to-built-out-45-gigawatts-in-data-center-capacity-143423570.html?src=rss
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Open AI CEO Sam Altman speaks during Snowflake Summit 2025 at Moscone Center on June 02, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Snowflake Summit 2025 runs through June 5th. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Slack, the cloud‑based team messaging juggernaut, is charging ahead with further integration of AI into users’ day‑to‑day experience. The company is introducing a series of tools aimed at improving productivity and improving team communication.
AI writing assistance has been built directly into Slack Canvas, allowing users to create assets like project briefs as well as refine the content they create using natural‑language prompts. Writing assistance can also be used to generate and assign action items, refine raw meeting notes, create FAQs and more. AI writing assistance seems to be in vogue, as Google has also been developing AI writing assistance tools integrated into Google Workspace, and Apple offers similar tools via Apple Intelligence.
Slack
AI message context will help users understand the lingo of their organization and help ensure they don’t get lost in long threads by pulling surrounding context to explain a message when a user hovers over it. This tool will provide explanations for project names, internal tools or team‑specific shorthand. This will presumably help new team members get up to speed more quickly while they learn whatever random acronyms their company uses. AI‑generated channel recaps and thread summaries will similarly help users catch up when joining an ongoing project or conversation.
If you’re heads down working on a high‑priority task, Slack will use AI action items to understand what you’re working on and only interrupt your workflow if something provides a meaningful update or is more important than what you’re working on at the time.
Slack
The company also said it will be widening the availability of AI translation, which allows teammates to read and contribute in their preferred language, as well as Enterprise Search, which surfaces information across connected apps, data and conversations from the likes of Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive and more.
Slack
Slack has been rapidly incorporating AI tools into the platform recently. This should come as no surprise since Slack has been owned by Salesforce since 2021. The software company is among the most bullish on the future of AI and its applications in the workplace. We know that Slack has been using data from your chats to train its machine‑learning models, and recently Salesforce moved to ensure that rival software firms were not using or accessing the same data.
These tools and more are available to users with a paid Slack plan, though not every new AI tool is included at the lower price tiers. The higher the subscription tier, the more of these tools are included. Slack says that Enterprise Search, channel recaps, AI meeting notes and translations are available now. In contrast, AI‑assisted message explanations, action items, writing assistance in Canvas and profile summaries are coming soon and may be released throughout the year.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/slack-is-getting-a-host-of-new-ai-tools-120023607.html?src=rss
Google is bringing AI‑generated summaries to Discover, the personalized stream of articles and videos found in the Google app curated based on a user's interests. The search giant remains undeterred by the imperfect nature of AI Overviews, or what it might mean for publishers whose content largely makes up Google's search results.
TechCrunch has reported that some Android and iOS users in the US are seeing cards containing AI‑generated summaries on their Discover page. These cards appear with news sites’ logos in the top left of the card, with an accompanying snippet that is presumably generated from the body or headlines of those publishers’ content. When users tap "see more," the card expands to show all the contributing articles for the summary. Each summary card carries a warning that it was generated by AI, which it notes "can make mistakes."
A Google spokesperson told TechCrunch that this is a US launch of a new feature, not a test. The feature will first focus on trending lifestyle topics like sports and entertainment. In speaking with TechCrunch, Google claimed the summaries would make it easier for people to decide which pages they want to visit, though publishers are already vocal that Google’s AI tools are tanking clickthrough traffic. Some estimates say as many as 64 percent of search results that include AI Overviews end without a click.
Google has been aggressively rolling out AI‑powered features. Tools like AI Overviews, AI mode in Search and AI‑generated video summary represent, in part, Google’s determination to maintain its user base in the face of would‑be search‑engine replacements like ChatGPT.
The pace of this new rollout was not made clear.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-adds-ai-generated-summaries-to-discover-144341141.html?src=rss
If you've been hunting high and low for a Nintendo Switch 2, then get ready to visit your local Best Buy on July 17. The electronics retailer will be restocking the handheld in all of its stores to coincide with the release of Donkey Kong Bananza, the first 3D Donkey Kong game in almost 30 years.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been one of the hottest launches of the summer, and it remains in short supply due to high demand. Even the Amazon listing for the Switch 2 is available only by invitation, would-be buyers have to put in a request. This Best Buy event feels like the most substantial restock since the launch of the console last month.
The Switch 2 has received a warm reception thanks to its larger 7.9-inch screen with HDR and a more polished design. The console also features significantly better performance than the first generation — so much so that Cyberpunk 2077 was released for the Switch 2.
Details on whether stand-alone consoles, the Mario Kart World bundle or package deals with Donkey Kong Bananza will be available in Best Buy stores have not been shared. One thing we do know, however, is that Best Buy says that stock will be “limited,” so you’ll probably want to show up before your store opens.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/best-buy-is-restocking-the-nintendo-switch-2-on-july-17-174637818.html?src=rss
Amazon Prime Day is officially over after a record-long affair, but there are still standout deals available. You can currently snag the Apple Watch Series 10 for $279, or $120 off its usual retail price. That’s tied for the lowest price we've ever seen. A deal offering 30 percent off a current-generation Apple product doesn’t come around often. The cellular version is also $120 off during this sale.
It’s hard to believe the Apple Watch has hit its tenth generation, but this latest model remains our top overall pick among smartwatches. In our hands-on review, we loved the comprehensive health and fitness tracking features available on the Apple Watch 10.
The ECG monitoring, fall detection and sleep tracking are particularly helpful in offering a fuller picture of your health, as well as peace of mind for our older loved ones. While we miss the blood oxygen monitoring app that Apple is still fighting over in the courts, the Series 10 impressed us as the sleekest Apple Watch yet. Thanks to its thinner case, the Apple Watch is finally starting to feel and look more like a normal accessory on your wrist than a somewhat bulky tech gadget. Overall, we gave the Apple Watch 10 earned a review score of 90 out of 100.
If you're in the market for a new Apple Watch but are interested in a lower price point, you might consider the second-generation Apple Watch SE. This more affordable model is currently discounted to $169, saving you over 30 percent from its retail price of $249. While it lacks some of the more advanced functionality found in the Series 10, it still provides great core features like fitness and sleep tracking, crash detection, heart rate monitoring and an excellent Retina display.
Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-series-10-is-still-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-151308930.html?src=rss
Amazon Prime Day may be officially over, but there are still a lot of great deals hanging around. Apple's AirPods Pro 2 remains deeply discounted at just $149. That's a full $100 off the usual retail price and the lowest price we've ever seen.
The second generation of AirPods Pro earned our overall pick for best wireless earbuds for iPhone. We also rated them as the best AirPods overall. In our hands-on review, we were impressed with their Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode, allowing users to hear as much or as little of their environment as desired.
We felt that this second generation brought notable audio quality improvements thanks to the upgraded amplifier, driver and transducer. Seamless switching between Apple devices was another standout feature.
We still wish battery life were a bit better, with the earbuds offering just six hours per charge plus another 30 when recharging with the case. We noted that after all these years the design of the AirPod hasn't changed much, but seeing as this is an instantly recognizable product, we can understand not messing with a good thing.
If you're in the market for some quality AirPods but want to spend even less, the AirPods 4 are also still on sale. At $119 for the ANC model and $89 for the standard edition, you're looking at over 30 percent off either version.
Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-airpods-pro-2-are-still-on-sale-at-a-record-low-price-134541675.html?src=rss
The drama surrounding the significantly delayed release of Subnautica 2 continues with Charlie Cleveland, co-founder and former director of Unknown Worlds Entertainment, announcing via a post on X that he and unnamed others have filed a lawsuit against Krafton, the studio's parent company since 2021.
Cleveland, along with Ted Gill and Max McGuire, were relieved of their leadership roles at Unknown Worlds last week by Krafton.Bloomberg reportedthat they had been effectively "pushed out." This occurred shortly before Krafton would reportedly owe Unknown Worlds leadership a $250 million bonus for meeting certain goals.
The alleged lawsuit follows Krafton's recent statement accusing Cleveland and other studio leadership of "abandoning their responsibilities." The parent company claims these executives' behavior led to significant delays in Subnautica 2 's early access release, which is now slated for early 2026. Krafton also claimed that approximately 90 percent of the $250 million bonus was already paid out to Cleveland, Gill and McGuire.
In his post, Cleveland strongly refuted Krafton's claims, asserting that Subnautica 2 is in fact "ready for early access" and that any allegations regarding abdication of leadership and financial motivations are false. "Subnautica has been my life’s work and I would never willingly abandon it," Cleveland wrote.
He also firmly denied accusations that he and other executives intended to keep the promised $250 million bonus for themselves, saying, "I’m in this industry because I love it, not for riches. Historically we’ve always shared our profits with the team and did the same when we sold the studio. You can be damned sure we’ll continue with the earnout/bonus as well."
Details about the lawsuit, including the jurisdiction, named parties or specific causes of action remain unclear. Subnautica 2 is still slated for an early access launch sometime in 2026, though it remains to be seen if this new legal drama will cause further delays.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/subnautica-studio-co-founder-says-hes-suing-parent-company-krafton-153412484.html?src=rss
Tech big and small is on sale for Prime Day this year, and yes, there are plenty of solid gadgets that are both small and cheap. We have a whole list of the best Prime Day deals under $50, and key among them is a sale on the Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds. They have dropped to only $45 for Prime Day, which is the best price we've seen — and they're still in stock during the last day of the sale.
The Anker Soundcore Space earbuds are currently our top pick for best budget wireless earbuds. While their performance doesn’t rival that of more premium products, we felt the Space A40’s feature set offered excellent value for such a budget-friendly set of earbuds.
These earbuds connect via Bluetooth, support connection to two devices at once, and come in a case that supports wireless charging. We were most impressed with the Space A40’s active noise cancellation (ANC), a feature rarely seen at this price point. While it’s not the most sophisticated ANC on the market, it does its job in blocking out the steady rumble of a train or jet engine. Battery life is solid for a budget pair of earbuds, reaching roughly eight to 10 hours depending on use, with another 40 hours or so supplied by the case.
In-ear fit is comfortable, as the round earpieces are pretty light and evenly balanced. The audio quality is impressive for its price point, offering a warm sound that can be fine-tuned with an EQ in the Soundcore app. A subpar built-in mic means the Space A40s don’t have the best transparency mode and aren’t the best for phone calls in noisy areas, but overall for $45 these are a great deal.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-budget-wireless-earbuds-are-still-available-and-nearly-half-off-for-prime-day-145248189.html?src=rss
Digidayis reporting that media conglomerates Hearst and Condé Nast have signed multi-year licensing agreements with Amazon to allow its AI shopping assistant Rufus access to the vast library of content held by the two companies. Between Hearst and Condé Nast, Rufus will have access to Cosmopolitan, GQ, Vogue and The New Yorker, just to name a few.
A Hearst spokesperson confirmed to Digiday that the licensing deal with Amazon will allow Rufus broad access to its newspapers and magazines. The publication also received confirmation from Condé Nast. Further details on the arrangements have not been shared.
Rufus is a chatbot built to answer shoppers' questions on product recommendations and other shopping-related needs. The AI tool is trained on Amazon's catalog, customer reviews, community Q&As, and "information from across the web." The strong commerce angle found in much of the Hearst and Condé Nast catalog makes the publishers suitable matches for the AI to train on.
This follows a slew of licensing deals over the last few years between content publishers and tech giants seeking more content on which to train AI. For Condé Nast, this actually marks the second major AI deal for the media company since it entered into a multi-year partnership with OpenAI last year to display content from its various publications in ChatGPT.
Amazon recently struck a licensing arrangement with The New York Times and its adjacent properties, all while the iconic newspaper is embroiled in a lawsuit against Microsoft and OpenAI for copyright infringement.
From Disney and Universal suing Midjourney to Reddit signing an AI deal, these latest signings are a continuation of the existential back-and-forth between content creators protecting their intellectual property and AI companies' seemingly endless appetite for more content on which to train their various models.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazon-strikes-ai-licensing-deal-with-hearst-and-conde-nast-134849930.html?src=rss
20 March 2025, Bavaria, Munich: The logo and lettering of global online mail order company Amazon can be seen under the blue sky on the façade of Amazon Germany's headquarters in Parkstadt Schwabing in Munich (Bavaria) on March 20, 2025. Amazon.com, Inc. is a listed US-American, globally active online mail order company. In Germany, the Group is one of the US companies with the highest turnover. Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Prime Day is almost over and that means you can still save a ton on some of the latest gadgets on the market through the end of the day today. Case in point: the Apple iPad Air with M3 chip. The slab that was released this March is down to $479 right now, which is a 20 percent discount from its usual price.
This model remains our overall pick for best iPad, and we gave it a score of 89 out of 100 in our review. The powerful M3 chip was the star of the show. Testing shows the M3 is about 16 percent more powerful in both single- and multi-core performance than the M2.
The iPad Air is still Apple's most affordable large-screen iPad, which makes multitasking easier than on the base iPad. The M3 iPad Air is also compatible with the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air, which is a much-improved design based on the keyboard that was introduced alongside the iPad Pro M4.
This is the lowest we've ever seen the iPad Air with M3, so if you're in the market for an iPad, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal than this one. Most people will be happy with the iPad Air, but there are a couple of other Prime Day iPad deals worth considering too. The cheapest iPad, the iPad A16, is on sale for $280 right now, and the smallest iPad, the iPad mini, has dropped to a record low of $379.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-ipad-air-m3-is-still-in-stock-and-120-off-for-prime-day-094516584.html?src=rss
Amazon Prime Day is still going strong, and you can still get a bunch of great deals on Apple devices today. Key among them is a new all-time low on the AirPods Pro 2. You can grab them now for only $150, which is $100 off their usual price and the cheapest we've seen.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 were our overall pick for best wireless earbuds for iPhone, as well as our pick for best overall AirPods. In our hands-on review, we were impressed with the Active Noise Cancelling, as well as the transparency mode for when you’re trying to hear the outside world. We found that the audio quality on the 2nd generation of AirPods Pro was an improvement over the first, thanks to a new amplifier, driver and transducer. We also liked that you could seamlessly switch between Apple devices while using them.
We do wish the battery life was a bit better, as they offer just six hours of listening per charge with an additional 30 hours provided by the case. In looking at the design of these AirPods, we wouldn’t be mad at a bit of an update. I guess if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it? After all, the design of an AirPod is almost instantly recognizable, so perhaps Apple wants to keep it that way.
Far and away our biggest gripe is the price of the Apple AirPods Pro. $249 is a hefty price to pay for a set of earbuds, so we’re grateful that sales like Amazon Prime Day provide a great opportunity to snag a pair for far less. If you're looking to spend even less, both models of the AirPods 4 are also on sale for Prime Day. You can get the standard version for $89 or the model with active noise cancellation for $119.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-airpods-pro-2-are-still-on-sale-for-prime-day-and-down-to-a-record-low-price-135116935.html?src=rss
Dutch company Fairphone continues to lead the charge on consumer- and planet-friendly electronics, proving that a great phone doesn't have to be impossible to repair or environmentally unsustainable. The Fairphone 6 has just been released, coming two years after the last generation of the phone built to last. The folks over at iFixit wasted no time in conducting a teardown of this new entry to see how it stacks up against previous generations. The Fairphone 6 scored a perfect 10 out of 10, like every generation of Fairphone bar the very first.
Fairphones are modular, and have been designed with easy repair in mind, but there is one change from the previous generations that makes things harder. Whereas the last few Fairphones have used hard batteries that could be flipped out with your fingernail, the new handset packs a soft-pouch cell that’s thinner than its predecessors. That’s slimmed the phone down, but it does mean the battery is now held in place with five screws.
It’s the same with every other component on the handset, since none of the components are held in with glue. The lack of adhesives does account for the phone’s IP 55 rating, which is lower than the rest of the industry. But given you can’t exactly get Samsung to send you a video guide telling you how to open your phone with nothing more than a T5 Torx screwdriver, so there’s give and take.
iFixit is quick to point out that the Fairphone 6 isn’t a bleeding-edge smartphone, nor is it intended to be. It’s designed from the ground up to be as sustainable and repair-friendly as possible, and this means some trade-offs compared with flagship devices. The Fairphone 6’s use of USB 2.0, a less pixel-dense screen, and only 8GB of RAM are all necessary design choices when built with longer life cycles in mind. Nevertheless, this almost certainly won’t affect the day-to-day use of the handset for most consumers, and owning a device you can truly repair yourself just might be worth it.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/fairphone-6-lands-a-perfect-10-for-repairability-190001687.html?src=rss
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