HyperX has announced its latest flagship wireless gaming headset, and once again, the brand’s primary mission statement seems to be chasing eternal life for headphone batteries. The Cloud Alpha 2 will last, according to its maker, for up to 250 hours on a full charge.
While that number halves if you make use of the headsets’s simultaneous Bluetooth connectivity, a more than 10-day battery life is impressive for any wireless headset. Its new multi-layer 53mm drivers are engineered to reduce distortion as much as possible, while spatial audio is supported via HyperX’s Ngenuity software.
The Cloud Alpha 2 isn’t actually the longest-lasting headset HyperX has made. The honor still belongs to its 2022 predecessor, which could last for up to 300 hours on a single charge. On paper, losing 50 hours of battery life on a newer headset could be viewed as a disappointment, but the Cloud Alpha 2’s ace card is its eye-catching RGB base station. With its colorful programmable buttons and pleasingly chunky-looking dial, you can tweak audio settings, launch shortcuts, adjust the volume and switch between connected devices. HyperX says the control station is the first of its kind on a wireless gaming headset.
The Cloud Alpha 2 is compatible with PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, Mac and mobile devices wireless over a 2.4Ghz connection, as well as Xbox provided you’re happy to go wired. It comes with a detachable 10mm boom mic, but you won’t find any active noise-canceling tech built in. HyperX promises all-day comfort from breathable microfiber earpads and the memory foam support around the steel headband
The HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 headset costs $300 and is available now.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/hyperxs-claims-its-latest-headset-lasts-250-hours-on-a-single-charge-155125206.html?src=rss
The AI-ification of Google seemingly knows no bounds, and now it wants you to turn to AI for booking flights, too. Rolling out in the US, Canada and India over the next week, Flight Deals lives within Google Flights, and is designed for "flexible travelers whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip."
Rather than going through the usual process of manually selecting dates, times and destinations, you just tell the AI-powered assistant your travel intentions using natural language prompts. It’ll then pull through the best deals it can find, paying attention to any additional information you provide.
Flight Deals leverages real-time Google Flights data to ensure you’re always shown up-to-date flights and deals from various airlines and booking operators. Google says the tool is first launching in beta and will use feedback from users to improve its capabilities over time. The company plans to add an option to exclude basic economy fares in the US and Canada, for example.
To use the optional AI deal-hunter, you can either head to the dedicated Flight Deals page or select it from the top-left drop-down menu on Google Flights.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/flight-deals-is-googles-new-ai-powered-travel-search-tool-161502688.html?src=rss
Teenage Engineering, the hip Swedish tech/design brand that makes synths of all kinds (and a portable game machine with a crank) has built another computer chassis. And it’s free! But you also can’t get one, right now at least. (Sorry about that.)
Described by its maker as a "small form factor, mini-ITX computer case," the Computer-2 is made of a single sheet of semi-transparent plastic with snap hooks and living hinges for screw-free assembly. The engineering wizards at Teenage Engineering set out to design the "cheapest computer case in the world," and thanks to its intentionally minimalist design they were eventually able to settle on a price of $0.
The DIY computer case accommodates a mini-ITX motherboard, an SFX power supply and a dual-slot graphics card of up to 180mm in size. Given the comically affordable nature of the product, it probably goes without saying that you don’t get any other PC components included.
The Computer-2 is not the first product of this kind that Teenage Engineering has put out. It was preceded by 2021’s Computer-1, which was similarly design-led but made of aluminum and notably not free. The new "computer case you can’t buy" is limited to one per person and Teenage Engineering has already cleared out its initial stock. You can register to be notified if additional cases are released on the company’s website. We’ve also reached out to Teenage Engineering to find out if this was just a limited release or if they intend to regularly keep the Computer-2 in stock.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/teenage-engineering-is-giving-away-a-free-computer-chassis-but-its-already-sold-out-142328176.html?src=rss
When Nintendo announced that it was adding GameCube games to its (inexplicably Switch 2-only) Nintendo Switch Online offering, people were understandably excited about the likes of Super Mario Sunshine and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker joining the service. And I was one of them (even if I’d personally lose little sleep if Super Mario Sunshine was fired directly into the sun).
But as much as I want the obvious GameCube classics on my Switch 2, it’s the more underrated gems I’ve heard so much about from hardcore Nintendo fans over the years that really pique my interest. Games like Chibi-Robo!, for example, which Nintendo has confirmed as the next title joining the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion pack library on August 21.
Say hello to Chibi-Robo!
Join him on his quest to restore order to the Sanderson house and save the world in Chibi-Robo!, coming to Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics on #NintendoSwitch2 for #NintendoSwitchOnline + Expansion Pack members on Aug 21! pic.twitter.com/BWjL2CbHdL
Chibi-Robo! is a 2005 platform-adventure game about a friendly little robot whose main goal is to help the Sanderson family by taking on various housework-related missions and performing generally good deeds on request. Chibi-Robo’s helpfulness isn’t limited to humans, though. In its quest to spread happiness, it also assists several animals and even enchanted toys along the way. As a player, you have to keep an eye on the robot’s battery life and use power outlets dotted around the house to recharge it. Fail to do so and it’ll collapse, and you’ll lose a chunk of the in-game currency you’ve collected.
Chibi-Robo! looks like a typically charming Nintendo game in every respect, but it was actually originally conceived by now-defunct developer Skip Ltd. as a point-and-click adventure game, with Bandai as the publisher. Exactly how or why the game ended up moving over to Nintendo remains a mystery, but director Kenichi Nishi told Time ExtensionthatShigeru Miyamoto took a particular liking to the character design. The legendary Mario creator then went on to play something of an overseer role in the game’s development under its new publisher.
Chibi-Robo! spawned a number of handheld spinoffs, but the original game remains the one with cult classic status. It’s also become increasingly hard to play over the years, with Nintendo choosing not to port the game forward. These days you can expect to pay as much as $200 for a second-hand physical copy. As someone who categorically does not have that kind of cash to chuck at a 20-year-old video game (or any game for that matter), I’m looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about when it lands on Switch 2 next week.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-is-putting-an-extremely-rare-gamecube-game-on-switch-2-next-week-171049667.html?src=rss
There are dozens of VPNs to choose from, but to think they're all created equally would be a mistake. Some are better than others, and NordVPN sits squarely in the better category. Now, you can save up to 77 percent on most of NordVPN's plans. Arguably the best plan for most people is the NordVPN Plus plan, which you can get two years of access for only $108 right now. That's 73 percent off the usual rate, and NordVPN throws in an addition three months for free, so you're actually getting a 27-month subscription for the sale price.
As well as Nord’s VPN service, a Plus plan also includes the Threat Protection Pro anti-malware tool, password management and an ad- and tracker-blocker. A Prime plan additionally comes with encrypted cloud storage or NordProtect, which insures you against identity theft and monitors dark web activity. That's also on sale — down to $189 on the same two-year commitment with those three additional months thrown in, which works out to a 77 percent savings on the regular price.
When Engadget’s Sam Chapman reviewed NordVPN earlier this year, he praised its excellent download speeds, exclusive features and extensive server network. Less impressive is its clunky interface and inconsistent design when jumping between different platforms running a NordVPN app. While it doesn't quite make the cut in our guide to the best VPNs available right now, it generally performed well in speed tests and Threat Protection Pro is really worth having.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/nordvpn-deal-get-up-to-77-percent-off-two-year-plans-151807441.html?src=rss
Are you a TV watcher with commitment issues? Sling TV thinks it has the answer in the shape of its new one-day passes. The app-based alternative to traditional cable will sell you a $5 Day Pass that allows you to stream live TV (including sports)from any channel included in its Sling Orange plan for 24 hours.
Sling Orange costs $46 per month and includes the likes of the Disney Channel and various ESPN channels (including ESPN 4K) as plan exclusives. You also get access to channels like TBS, TNT, CNN, AMC and Comedy Central that are shared across both Sling Orange and the more expensive Sling Blue plan. On paper, Orange seems like a good choice for sports fans, given ESPN’s exclusive presence, but bear in mind that Fox Sports is a Blue plan-only channel.
Sling TV’s new Day Pass offering arrives just ahead of the new football season, and allows people who really want to watch a particular game without committing long term to do so. The streaming service is also introducing Weekend ($10) and Week ($15) passes for when you’re hoping to catch multiple traditional Pay-Per-View events or binge a series on a single pass. You can access more channels by adding one of Sling’s category-specific packages, like Sports Extra, News Extra or Entertainment Extra. Sling Extras cost $1 per package for a Day Pass, $2 for a Weekend Pass and $3 for a Week Pass.
How much value you get from Sling’s offering will depend on your viewing habits. If you find yourself buying lots of passes each month it’s probably worth considering a standard Sling Blue or Orange plan, but if you’re only interested in catching the occasional game, Sling TV’s flexibility could be appealing.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/sling-tv-launches-a-5-day-pass-for-commitment-free-cable-150021645.html?src=rss
The back-to-school season is a good time to save on tech, whether you're returning to campus or not. While some discounts are reserved for students, others are available to everyone. One of the best right now is on Apple's M3-powered iPad Air, which is somewhat of a goldilocks tablet — one that will be a great option for just about everyone. You can grab it for $150 off at Amazon right now.
This deal applies to each configuration of the 11-inch and 13-inch versions of the most recent iPad Air. So, the 11-inch model is as low as $449, while the 13-inch model is down to $649. The same deals can be found at Best Buyand Target if you prefer to shop somewhere other than Amazon. This is an all-time low price and beats the deal we saw on Prime Day by $30.
The iPad Air M3 is more of an iterative refresh than a grand overhaul, but the spec bump means it’ll last you a long time before the tablet’s performance becomes a problem. This iPad occupies the position of "best for most" in our iPad buying guide, reinforcing that goldilocks analogy. The M3 chip is the main draw here, with Geekbench 6 scores proclaiming it around 16 percent more powerful than the M2 iPad Air, which is no slouch itself.
Beyond the chip, it has a superior display and speakers to the entry-level model, and wider accessory support. You also get the option of a 13-inch display, which is great for artists or anyone who sees the iPad as a viable laptop replacement.
If there’s an obvious downside to the iPad Air M3, it’s that it doesn't have the nice 120Hz OLED display of the iPad Pro. This is hardly surprising, as Apple often focuses on display tech to differentiate its Pro and non-Pro devices, but it’s probably time the refresh rate on the middle-of-the-road iPad at least jumped up to ProMotion. Face ID is long overdue too. If you can live with these caveats, though, the iPad Air is an excellent option, particularly at this price.
There are a couple of other iPads on sale at Amazon right now, too, if you think the Air is too much for your needs. The iPad A16, Apple's entry-level tablet, is down to $299, while the latest iPad mini is on sale for $399. Both models were slightly cheaper during Prime Day in July, but these discounts are still worth considering if you're looking to pick up a newer iPad for less.
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-ipad-air-m3-is-150-off-right-now-162908718.html?src=rss
OpenAI finally released its long-awaited GPT-5 model this week, unsurprisingly proclaiming it its best yet with regards to coding, accuracy, safety and more. CEO Sam Altman even compared the jump up in quality to when the iPhone first adopted a Retina display in a press briefing ahead of the announcement. Big talk indeed.
Given ChatGPT’s integration with Apple Intelligence, you might be wondering when the latest model will arrive on the devices that support it. The answer is sooner rather than later: Apple says that Apple Intelligence will leverage GPT-5 in iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26. Those software updates are set to arrive in their final form, as they traditionally do, at the tail end of the summer, so you won’t have to wait long. The news was first reported by 9to5Mac.
Currently, ChatGPT is an optional add-on to Apple’s own AI model. It can be accessed by Siri when you’re making a request that Apple Intelligence on its own might not be able to handle, with Apple using the example of questions about photos and documents. ChatGPT also integrates with Camera Control in your iPhone’s Camera app to learn more about your environment, and if you connect your ChatGPT account you can save your requests in your personal history.
ChatGPT has to be activated as an extension to Apple Intelligence in settings, and if you turn it off you won’t have to worry about Siri turning to an external model if you’re concerned about it doing so. OpenAI says GPT-5 is its safest model to date, thanks in part to a new feature called Safe Completions, which means it will attempt to give the most helpful answer it can within safety parameters imposed by its maker.
GPT-5 is free for everyone, but OpenAI offers tiered paid plans for heavier users, from its $20 per month ChatGPT Plus subscription, right up to the $200 per month Pro plan that offers unlimited use. If you have one of these plans, you can log in through Apple Intelligence and gain all the same benefits.
Update, 12:19PM ET: This story includes confirmation to Engadget that GPT-5 will be in Apple's forthcoming iOS, iPadOS and macOS updates planned for next month.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-will-bring-gpt-5-to-apple-intelligence-in-ios-ipad-os-and-macos-26-143210831.html?src=rss
We’re into the back half of summer already (which may be good or bad news depending on how hot it is where you reside), and it won’t be too long before the weather outside becomes decidedly more frightful. When that happens, a smart thermostat becomes an especially wise addition to your home.
They help to optimize the temperature to ensure you stay comfortable, while also keeping your energy bills down. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat is one of the more popular options for a variety of reasons, and right now you can pick one up for $230, which is $50 off the regular price. Just use the code ENGA50 at the checkout to apply the discount.
This is one of the best prices you’ll find this particular thermostat at, and $10 cheaper than it was at the beginning of the year. When you factor in the additional savings it can help you make on your bills, Google’s thermostat is an even more compelling proposition.
The latest Google Nest Learning Thermostat leverages AI to deliver more accurate readings, offering advice on how to reduce your energy consumption. This is in addition to automatically adjusting various settings in your home depending on factors like the ambient temperature it’s reading. It features a wireless temperature sensor that Google says is able to last for up to three years before you’ll need to replace it. You can buy these separately, too, and dot them around your home, connecting up to six to a single thermostat.
The LCD display is 60 percent larger than that of its predecessor and can be customized with smartwatch-like faces, while more color options help the device to blend in with your particular home style. It also uses Soli radar sensors to determine your proximity to the device, adjusting things like font size accordingly.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/googles-latest-nest-learning-thermostat-is-50-off-right-now-140033869.html?src=rss
The PS5 might be lacking the cadence of first-party exclusives that made its predecessor so successful, but that doesn’t appear to be slowing it down. Sony has announced that the console had shifted just north of 80 million units as of June 30, 2025. This puts it just behind the Xbox 360 (84 million) and well on the way to overtaking the PS3 (around 87 million) in lifetime sales.
The 80.3 million figure was confirmed in Sony’s first set of quarterly results for the current financial year, during which time it sold 2.5 million PS5s, a slight downturn from 2.8 million in the previous quarter. Compared to the same period in the last financial year, however, the company has actually shifted around 100,000 more consoles in the last three months.
Sony also sold approximately 66 million PS4 and PS5 games this quarter, almost 7 million of which were first-party titles. That’s around a 12 million year-on-year increase in overall software sales. Digital accounted for 83 percent of PS4 and PS5 games sold in the last quarter, which is a larger share than in any three-month period in the previous financial year.
The last few years saw Sony briefly shift its focus towards live service games, but one of those was a well-documented disaster, and others have since been cancelled. Clearly none of that has noticeably hurt software sales, though, as Sony has continued to grow in that area.
The PS5 turns five this November, and attention will then turn to whether it will hit the all-important 100 million mark in its lifetime. The PS4 managed that in five years and seven months, and at the time it was the fastest console to reach that number. It also didn’t have to contend with tariffs. PS5 prices increased in the UK, Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, with Sony blaming a “challenging economic environment” in which it is fighting against high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates. The company has since said it is not ruling out moving PS5 manufacturing to the US in the future.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ps5-sales-have-passed-the-80-million-mark-161131719.html?src=rss
When UFO 50, the dizzyingly ambitious fictional game compendium from the creator of Spelunky, landed on PC last year, a Switch port felt inevitable. We’ve had to wait nearly 12 months for that to happen, but it’s finally here.
Rudely shadow-dropped into a sizzle reel at the end of Nintendo’s (otherwise largely underwhelming) Indie World showcase this morning, UFO 50 is available on Switch (and presumably Switch 2, barring any strange compatibility issues) for $25 right now. For those who missed it on PC, you’re getting a wildly varied set of retro-styled games belonging to a console that never existed, all designed by a made-up developer called UFO Soft from the 80s. Confused?
The high concept fictional premise is basically just a good excuse for the six modern-day indie developers actually responsible for the game to pay tribute to the 8- and 16-bit games they remember so fondly. The included games span just about every genre of the era, from platformers and puzzle games, to turn-based strategy, pure arcade titles and bafflingly fully-fledged RPGs. UFO 50 really is a remarkable achievement, and the Switch is the perfect platform for it.
The end of the game’s PC exclusivity could mean that Xbox and PlayStation ports will also arrive at some point, but it arrives on Switch as a console exclusive for now at least.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ufo-50-a-brilliant-tribute-to-retro-gaming-is-out-for-the-switch-right-now-141756694.html?src=rss
ESPN’s long-awaited new standalone streaming service will launch on August 21, alongside an overhauled ESPN app that gives users a "more personalized, dynamic viewing experience." Simply (and potentially confusingly) called ESPN, the new platform arrives just ahead of the new NFL season and the US Open tennis competition, as well as a number of other returning sports that ESPN broadcasts.
ESPN’s streaming service will be offered with a choice of two plans. The $30 per month ($300 annually) "unlimited" offering includes access to all of ESPN’s linear networks, as well as ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+ and ACCNX. With this plan, you’ll have access to all of ESPN’s live events, on-demand content and original documentaries, and if you bundle it with Disney+ and Hulu you’ll pay nothing extra for the first 12 months. This is a launch offer, so no guarantees it’ll apply for long.
The alternative is ESPN’s "select" plan, which costs $12 per month ($120 per year) and includes access to all content on ESPN+, the company’s other streaming subscription service that will continue to operate beyond the arrival of the new platform. ESPN says existing ESPN+ subscribers will automatically be put onto an ESPN select plan.
ESPN also announced today that it has agreed a deal to exclusively broadcast all WWE Premium Live Events in the US, from 2026. All WWE PLEs will stream on ESPN’s new platform, with major events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam and the Royal Rumble available to watch in their entirety. You’ll be able to stream 2026’s NFL Draft, as well as a new daily show dedicated to the draft.
Alongside the new streaming service, ESPN has also redesigned its app to offer a more personalized experience. New features include an updated multiview screen, integrated game stats, betting information and built-in fantasy sports management.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/espns-new-streaming-service-arrives-august-21-150026297.html?src=rss
Elon Musk’s chatbot is seldom out of the news. When it isn’t vomiting antisemetic rhetoric or fixating on conspiracy theories without invitation, it’s inviting you to romance its anime-inspired AI companions. Grok’s NSFW credentials now extend to xAI’s new image and video generator. Grok Imagine is exclusive to paying SuperGrok and Premium+ X subscribers and, as reported by TechCrunch, has a baked-in text-to-image and video feature with a number of modes that dictate its results.
As you might expect, submitting prompts to Grok Imagine while in the embarrassingly named "Spicy" mode results in sexualized content in the form of images or short clips. TechCrunch was able to test the feature and said that while some of its requests came back blurred out or moderated, it was able to generate "semi-nude imagery" without resistance from the ever-obliging bot. Images reportedly only take a few seconds to produce and more are auto-generated as you scroll through the results.
Grok Imagine can also generate content featuring celebrities, but there appears to be additional restrictions in place for this. TechCrunch was unable to prompt it to produce an image of a pregnant Donald Trump, for example, with the chatbot instead generating an image of Trump standing next to a pregnant woman, or holding a baby.
Elon Musk is unsurprisingly very enthusiastic about his company’s latest toy, claiming on X that the number of images generated using Grok Imagine grew from 14 million to 20 million in the space of a day. He has also talked up its potential as a meme motherload and promised its existing capabilities will "improve radically" over time.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/surprising-no-one-groks-image-and-video-generator-now-has-an-nsfw-spicy-mode-171057865.html?src=rss
The Grok logo appears on a smartphone screen in this photo illustration in Athens, Greece, on July 18, 2025. (Photo by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Even a few years after launch, the AirPods Pro 2 remain some of the best wireless earbuds you can get — particularly if you primarily use other Apple devices on the daily. If you're looking to upgrade from an old pair or want a fresh set for the new school year, you can pick up the AirPods Pro 2 for $169 right now. That's 32 percent off their usual price and one of the best prices we've seen this year.
Apple’s flagship AirPods were $100 off — a record-low $149 — during Prime Day, so we have seen them even cheaper than this, but for a non-sale period, Amazon’s current deal is worth considering. The AirPods Pro 2 are our top choice for iPhone users looking for wireless earbuds, thanks to much beefier sound than the original model, rock solid ANC and transparency modes, and seamless switching between Apple devices.
Throw in spatial audio support, hands-free Siri and more than acceptable battery life, and the AirPods Pro 2 are hard to top. Not everyone gets on with the sometimes fiddly touch gestures, but a lot of wireless headphones struggle with this. If there’s anything to give you pause, it’s that we might be getting the AirPods Pro 3 sooner rather than later. But if that’s the case, you can be confident you’ll pay a lot more than $169 for the privilege.
The AirPods Pro aren’t the only discounted AirPods right now. The AirPods 4 (without ANC) are down to $99. Usually priced at $129, you’re saving $30 on a much improved entry-level AirPods offering. They fit and sound better than any non-Pro AirPods before them, and inherit some previously Pro-only features thanks to the H2 chip. If you travel a lot you’ll also certainly rue the lack of ANC, but if that isn’t a deal breaker for you, the $99 price point might be tempting.
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-32-percent-off-right-now-142401006.html?src=rss
After kicking off its PS Plus 15th anniversary celebrations last month, Sony has announced the PS Plus Monthly games for August. From August 5, members of all of the service’s tiers will be able to add Lies of P (PS5, PS4), DayZ (PS4) and My Hero One’s Justice 2 (PS4) to their libraries.
The headliner is undoubtedly Lies of P, the surprisingly great Pinocchio-flavored soulslike from 2023. South Korea-based studio Neowiz’s twisted take on the oft-reimagined children’s novel stood out in what is now an overwhelmingly crowded genre, thanks to its stylish Belle Epoque-era setting and slick combat. There aren’t many better FromSoft tribute acts around. The post-apocalyptic survival game DayZ launched on PS4 with not-exactly-glowing reviews in 2019, but is still getting fairly regular updates in 2025. Meanwhile, 3D arena fighter My Hero One’s Justice 2 is worth checking out for fans of the My Hero Academia manga on which it’s based.
As it continues to mark 15 years of its Game Pass-rivalling subscription service, Sony has announced that from August 5, members can download a set of anniversary avatars. Themed around the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Diablo IV and God of War Ragnarok, as well as cult retro favorite Twisted Metal, these are also available to subscribers on all tiers.
As for last month’s games, you have until August 4 to add Diablo IV, The King of Fighters XV and Jusant to your game library.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/lies-of-p-leads-augusts-lineup-of-ps-plus-games-165600067.html?src=rss
Sex toy company Lovense is leaking the email addresses of its app users and allowing account takeovers without asking for a password, according to a security researcher. As reported by TechCrunch, BobDaHacker, who describes themself as an ethical hacker committed to exposing and reporting security vulnerabilities, published an extensive report in which they accuse Lovense of failing to fix a serious bug it was first made aware of in 2023.
According to the hacker (and later verified by TechCrunch), Lovense allows any username to be turned into their email address with the right know-how, a flaw they initially discovered after muting someone on the app. With their access to Lovense’s API, they were able to obtain the emails associated with any public username in less than a second when running the modified request process through an automated script. They noted that the vulnerable nature of these accounts is "especially bad for cam models" who use the Lovense platform for work, and may share their usernames for these purposes.
The researcher also realized that with a user’s email address (either one you already know or one obtained using the aforementioned disclosure bug), they could generate auth tokens that allowed them to take over the associated account without a password. This allegedly worked for the Lovense Chrome Extension and Lovense Connect app, as well as the company’s Cam101 and StreamMaster software — and even admin accounts.
BobDaHacker said they initially reported the bugs to Lovense with assistance from the sex tech hacking project The Internet Of Dongs in March 2025, and received $3,000 in total for flagging them via the HackerOne security platform. After a series of interactions with Lovense representatives, they were told in early June that the account takeover bug had been fixed during the previous month, which the researcher claims is not true. Regarding the email disclosure flaw, Lovense said in a statement printed by BobDaHacker that it could take up to 14 months to fix the issue, as a faster one-month fix would "require forcing all users to upgrade immediately," which it said would "disrupt support for legacy versions."
The researcher went on to say that they were contacted by a Twitter user who claimed to have found the same account takeover bug as far back as 2023, and were told shortly after reporting it to Lovense that the bug had been resolved, which wasn’t the case. They said a patch eventually fixed their method, which used an HTTP endpoint to convert a username into an email address, but that it wasn’t rolled out until early 2025. BobDaHacker said they had requested comment from Lovense but at the time of writing had not received one.
This isn’t the first time Lovense users have stumbled upon privacy concern bugs. In 2017, a Redditor discovered that the Lovense app, which allows users to control their sex toys remotely, was recording audio without their consent and saving it to their phone. A commenter on the Reddit post, who claimed to be a Lovense representative, called the recordings a "minor software bug" that affected the Android version of the app and said at the time that it had been fixed in an update.
Updated 7/30/25 7:51 AM ET: In a statement to BleepingComputer, Lovense said that a fix is rolling out in the app stores: "The full update is expected to be pushed to all users within the next week. Once all users have updated to the new version and we disable older versions, this issue will be completely resolved."
The company's spokesperson stated that the exposed email addresses flaw was fixed at the end of June, although BobDaHacker says this issue still remains.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/a-lovense-security-flaw-may-be-letting-people-take-over-accounts-without-a-password-160528730.html?src=rss
Meta will stop allowing political advertising on its platforms in the European Union as of October 2025, blaming the EU’s new "unworkable" transparency rules for what it called a "difficult decision." In a statement released by the company on Friday, Meta said the EU’s incoming Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) regulations presented it with "significant operational challenges and legal uncertainties."
As of early October, users on any of Meta’s platforms in the EU will no longer see political, electoral or social issue ads, which Meta says can currently be placed by advertisers who complete an authorization process proving their identity. Ads of this nature are also required to include a "paid for by" disclaimer, and information about how much was spent on them must be publicly available.
Meta argues that the TTPA rules put extensive restrictions on ad targeting and delivery that create an "untenable level of complexity" for advertisers. The EU introduced the new regulations in order to address widespread concerns over foreign interference in elections, as well as the potential manipulation of important information that might influence how someone votes.
As well as labelling political advertising as such and providing information on its source and intention (which Meta says it already does), the soon-to-be-instated EU rules also list a number of conditions about how personal data is processed. The TTPA regulations will also forbid political ads from sponsors outside the EU sooner than three months before an election or referendum.
Meta said that users of its platforms will see less relevant ads as a result of the restrictions, and that it made its decision after "extensive engagement with policymakers" in which it made its concerns about the threat to the "principles of personalized advertising" clear. The company’s decision only applies to the EU, and Meta users, including politicians, living in member states will still be allowed to discuss and share political content provided it isn’t via paid advertising.
Meta isn’t the only company objecting to the incoming EU rule changes, which are also set to come into effect in October. Last year, Google stopped serving paid-for political ads in the EU, including on YouTube, and the company ultimately avoided fines for its allegedly "abusive" online advertising practices in 2019.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-will-stop-running-political-ads-in-the-eu-162232948.html?src=rss
FILE PHOTO: EU flags flutter in front of European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany July 18, 2024. REUTERS/Jana Rodenbusch/ File Photo
The annoying thing about coffee is that its ideal temperature is fleeting. Get caught up in a particularly lively debate in your morning meeting and by the time you return to your cup of joe, it’s cooled right down. That’s where Ember’s smart heated mugs come in, and right now one of its best models is $30 off.
The Ember Travel Mug 2 — this one is the 12-ounce variant — usually costs $130, but right now can be snagged for $100 when purchased online from Walmart. It can keep your beverage of choice at your preferred temperature between 120-145 degrees Fahrenheit for up to three hours on a full charge, thanks to the extended battery life. If that isn’t long enough, the included charging coaster can maintain optimum heat all day.
You can pair your mug with the Ember app to tweak the temperature (there’s also a touch display on the cup itself if you don’t want to open your phone), and this model also supports Apple’s Find My service, so you can locate it on your Apple device using the Find My app’s map if you misplace it.
The Ember Travel Mug 2+ is IP67-rated but bear in mind that it’s washable by hand only. This model is available in black.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/embers-travel-mug-2-with-find-my-is-30-off-right-now-135059507.html?src=rss
The latest version of iOS will arrive officially this fall, but you don’t need to wait to start testing the software on your iPhone, thanks to Apple’s public beta rollout. Here’s everything you need to know about setting up the iOS 26 beta, along with the respective betas for iPadOS 26 and watchOS 26, which Apple also revealed in its WWDC 2025 keynote.
Before we get started:, no, you haven’t accidentally slept through eight versions of major Apple OS updates. In case you missed the news, from now on all of the company’s various operating systems will be named after years to keep everything aligned and easy to follow. So rather than iOS 19, we’re getting iOS 26 this year, which refers to the year after each update rolls out. Presumably that’s because we’ll be using it for longer in 2026 than what will remain of this year once the full version is in the wild.
It’s also important to keep in mind that any beta is software in a pre-release state, meaning it's far more likely you’ll encounter bugs, crashes and other issues with apps and in general use, which Apple and third-party developers will attempt to fix before the final version rolls out to users worldwide.
Install any beta at your own risk and think carefully before doing so with the device you use every day. It’s also very important that you back up any device you want to test software on before you download it.
If your iPhone isn’t listed above, that probably means it’s too old to run iOS 26, so you’ll need to upgrade to one of the listed models.
How to install the iOS 26 beta
Installing betas used to be a fiddly process, but it’s very easy these days. If it’s your first time installing an iOS public beta, you’ll need to first visit the Apple Beta Software Program website and sign up using your Apple credentials.
After that, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on your compatible iPhone, and choose “iOS 26 public beta”. You should then see the option to download and install the beta software.
Here are the supported models for the iPadOS 26 beta
iPad Pro (M4)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later)
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
iPad Air (M3)
iPad Air (M2)
iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
iPad (A16)
iPad (8th generation and later)
iPad Mini (A17 Pro)
iPad Mini (5th generation and later)
How to install the iPadOS 26 public beta
Like with iOS above, you’ll need to first visit the Apple Beta Software Program website and sign up using your Apple credentials if you’ve never taken part in one before.
After that, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on your supported iPad, and choose “iPadOS 26 public beta”. You should then see the option to download and install the beta software in the Software Update screen.
While Apple Watch users can also participate in beta programs in the same way as iOS and iPadOS testers, doing so carries greater risk. That’s because if you’re not enjoying the experience and decide you want to downgrade to watchOS 11, well, you can’t. Apple doesn’t allow it. And if you downgrade your watch’s paired iPhone to iOS 18, your Apple Watch won’t work correctly with your phone until it’s back on the new software version. You can, however, leave your Apple Watch on watchOS 11 when your phone is on the iOS 26 beta.
Be extremely sure, then, that you’re comfortable with the possibility of waiting it out for a few months with an Apple Watch plagued with issues before downloading the watchOS 26 beta. For most people, it likely isn’t worth the hassle.
watchOS 26 supported devices
You’ll need one of these models to run the watchOS 26 beta
Apple Watch SE. (2nd generation)
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra 2
How to install the watchOS 26 public beta
If you've assessed the risks for your Apple Watch and still choose to install the watchOS 26 beta, you’ll first need to have already updated your paired iPhone to the iOS 26 beta (see above).
After that, make sure your Apple Watch is paired to your iOS 26-running iPhone and open the Watch app on your iPhone. Then, navigate to General > Software Update, and choose the watchOS 26 public beta. After doing that, you should be able to download the beta software.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-install-the-ios-26-public-beta-171117199.html?src=rss
It’s always a good time to invest in an air purifier, but in the summer, when seasonal allergies can force sufferers to keep the windows closed, they’re especially useful. And right now our favorite overall air purifier can be picked up for 17 percent off when purchased from Amazon.
Down to $183 from its usual price of $220 (the same deal that was running during Prime Day), the Levoit Core 400S Smart Air Purifier reigns supreme in our guide thanks to its easy on-board controls, relatively quiet fan and, crucially, solid performance. This smart air purifier can clean the atmosphere in spaces of up to 1,733 square feet in no more than an hour. It’s also fairly cheap and easy to replace the filter if needed.
There’s an auto mode that ensures the air quality is maintained, but it plays nice with Alexa and Google Assistant too. All that said, don’t buy Levoit’s air purifier if, for whatever reason, you’re fashion-conscious about your household appliances. This barebones white cylinder is as un-fancy as it gets.
Amazon is also running a deal on Levoit’s Core 300S, which is our top choice for small rooms. It’s basically a smaller version of the aforementioned 400S, and has a lot of the same things in its favour. This model is 10 percent off right now, down to $135 from its usual list price of $150. This is the best price we’ve seen for this model all year.
If you only need an air purifier for even smaller rooms (like a bedroom), the Levoit Core 200S is $10 off with Amazon right now. We haven’t tested this model, but given the strength of the rest of the range, you can be confident it’ll likely be up to the job.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-smart-air-purifier-is-currently-17-percent-off-154251338.html?src=rss
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