Netflix has inked a deal with FIFA to snag exclusive US broadcasting rights to the next two Women’s World Cup tournaments, according to a report by ESPN. This contract covers both the 2027 and 2031 events.

Neither entity has described the financial value of the deal, but it has been reported to be the most significant contract that FIFA has ever signed with a streaming service for a major tournament. FIFA president Gianni Infantino called it a “landmark moment for sports media rights and a “truly historic day for broadcasting and for women's football.”

This happened because FIFA unbundled the media rights for the women’s event for the very first time, which goes into effect after Fox airs the next Men’s World Cup in 2026. The 2027 Women’s World Cup is being held in Brazil. The 2031 event doesn’t have a home yet, but the US is expected to make a bid.

This is a fairly big deal for Netflix, given that FIFA reported that a full 1.12 billion people watched the 2019 Women’s World Cup, which the US won. This is a global number, of course, but the 2023 tournament recorded the highest-ever US domestic viewership. The sport is certainly catching on over on this side of the pond.

Netflix has been making big moves into the world of live sporting events as of late. There was that utterly ridiculous Jake Paul/Mike Tyson fight, but the platform will soon be home to the weekly WWE Monday Night Raw broadcast.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-scores-the-broadcasting-rights-to-the-fifa-womens-world-cup-174017963.html?src=rss

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© Unsplash/Chris Leipelt

T-Mobile and Starlink are marching forward with their plan to offer cell service via the latter's satellites. The companies received FCC approval for the project last month, and now the provider is opening up registrations for anyone who wants to beta test the creatively dubbed T-Mobile Starlink direct-to-cell satellite service.

The first beta test is slated for 2025. It will focus on text messaging at the outset. Voice and data connectivity is slated to become available at a later date. Any T-Mobile postpaid voice customers with a compatible device can sign up for the free beta. There are limited spots available, however, and the provider says it's prioritizing first responder agencies and individuals for the program.

T-Mobile Starlink was previously granted emergency approval for a temporary activation to bolster communications during hurricanes Helene and Milton. "Even without the full constellation in place, customers with capable devices were able to receive critical emergency alerts and send and receive messages when satellites were overhead," T-Mobile said. "The system proved helpful for many that lost mobile and/or broadband access and provided critical data that will help further refine service."

With the help of Starlink, T-Mobile is planning to provide coverage to the 500,000 square miles of US land that's not covered by terrestrial cell towers. The direct-to-cell satellite constellation is designed to integrate into T-Mobile's existing network with the idea that it'll work like regular cell service. Eventually, the provider says, T-Mobile Starlink will be "available in most outdoor areas where you can see the sky."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/t-mobile-opens-beta-test-signups-for-its-starlink-satellite-cell-service-175926913.html?src=rss

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© Starlink

Swedish indie studio Hazelight is synonymous with co-op gaming, so of course its next project is built for two players — but this time, it also features two genres. Split Fiction is a co-op adventure where players leap between sci-fi and fantasy worlds in a bid to escape the clutches of a greedy publishing corporation. It supports local and online play, and, fittingly, it uses split-screen.

In Split Fiction, you play as Mio and Zoe, two writers who end up trapped in the same bubble of a creativity-stealing machine controlled by an evil publisher. Mio is a sci-fi author and Zoe writes fantasy, and their two worlds have come to life around them. Together, they have to escape by jumping between the sci-fi and fantasy realms, surviving the unique dangers in each fictional space. It sounds like a classic story about the power of friendship and platforming.

The game's debut trailer, which premiered at The Game Awards, showcases two richly stylized worlds and a variety of mechanics in each. Mio's sci-fi realm has neon lights, robots, lasers, hoverboards and gravity bikes, while Zoe's fantasy space has dragons, magic, adorable villages, giants and castles. Each level has a unique mechanic. For instance, in one fantasy level you hatch dragons and their abilities evolve from carrying you between platforms, to rolling you up like an armadillo, and finally to full-on dragon riding.

Hazelight and its founder, Josef Fares, are as much a part of The Game Awards as Hideo Kojima at this point, and the studio's previous title, It Takes Two, won Game of the Year in 2021. Amazon is adapting It Takes Two into a movie, with Sonic the Hedgehog film writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller tackling the script.

Hazelight

Like Hazelight's previous games, Split Fiction is being published by EA under its indie-focused EA Originals label. Split Fiction is due to hit PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on March 6, 2025, and it'll cost $50. On PC, it's coming to Steam, the Epic Games Store and the EA app. Crucially for the co-op aspect, it supports cross-platform play among PS5, Xbox and Steam.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/it-takes-two-studio-returns-with-dueling-sci-fi-and-fantasy-worlds-in-split-fiction-014152431.html?src=rss

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Uber is rebranding its local delivery service, formerly Uber Connect, in time for the holidays. Launched in 2020, it now has a name that better clarifies its purpose: Uber Courier.

The service launched with support for sending and receiving items to and from local addresses. Since then, it’s expanded to include pickups of pre-purchased items from local stores. So, if traffic is a nightmare, you’re on a tight schedule and you can spare an extra expense, tap the Courier button in the Uber app and have an Uber delivery person head to, for example, the Best Buy pickup counter to grab something you ordered online and bring it to you (or take it to someone else).

Uber Courier can also pick up and deliver your packages to the post office. That may be worth the cost to avoid the existential dread of standing in a long line of impatient people under fluorescent lighting, waiting for burned-out and underpaid government employees to weigh your package and ring you up.

Uber

Those traveling with little ones have more options for Uber rides this holiday season. The rideshare company is expanding its Uber Car Seat service, which already covered New York City, Los Angeles and Orlando. Starting today, you can also use it in Orlando, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Miami and San Francisco. When you reserve an Uber Car Seat in advance, your driver will come equipped with a Nuna Rava convertible car seat for your baby or toddler.

Uber is running a promotion for Uber Car Seat until January 2. The code FESTIVESEAT10 lets you save “up to $20” on two Car Seat rides.

The company is also rolling out services that dive into the deep end of holiday traditions. These include the delivery of Christmas trees or Hanukkah bushes, on-demand carolers equipped with booze and... Macaulay Culkin (naturally).

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-rebrands-its-courier-service-and-expands-on-demand-car-seats-to-four-more-cities-130040912.html?src=rss

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A $16 deck of cards based on the Balatro design is up for pre-order on Fangamer, and it’s expected to ship in March. The mockups show subtly pixelated cards that mimic the art style of the game. They have a red design on the rear — the red deck is the default set in the game.

But what of the jokers, the cards that make Balatro a lot more than a poker spin-off? You only get four: Joker, Juggler, Blueprint and Gros Michel. One of those is the popular banana card, at least. It’s a little frustrating they’re not available to buy now. For other people, I mean, for the holiday. Yes. For me? No.

— Mat Smith

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The 7 best white elephant gifts for 2024

Not just gag gifts.

Picking the right white elephant gift means toeing a fine line: The goal isn’t simply to buy something terrible and make someone take it home. Rather, it should be just useful or amusing enough that it won’t immediately get tossed into the trash. And yes, there’s some Secret Santa gold in this list.

Continue reading.

HBO’s Max is the latest service to try to recreate cable

Linear channels you can stream.

Max is testing streamable channels in the US, with a selection of 24/7 feeds of HBO programming, including HBO and HBO 2 simulcasts. Other channels will showcase prestige drama, comedy and classic shows. Rival streamers have their own linear channels, including Disney+, Paramount+ and Peacock. And if you didn’t think that was dragging us back to the cable era, bundles are back. One gets you Max, Disney+ and Hulu for $30 per month, while Comcast offers a package of Netflix, Peacock and Apple TV+ for $15 per month.

Continue reading.

Peloton is introducing a new audio-focused strength training app

The company’s latest pivot focuses on software and strength.

Peloton

The beleaguered fitness company’s new strength-training app is called Peloton Strength+. The iOS-only app will give current and future Peloton subscribers access to audio-guided gym-based strength workouts. It includes a tool for generating new workouts based on how much time you have, your experience level or available equipment. There will also be instructional how-to videos and “in-ear coaching” to keep you on track while you’re working out. Peloton Strength+ will be available for a limited time at $1 per month for the first six months. After that, a Strength+ subscription will cost $9.99 per month. Peloton All Access, Guide and App+ subscribers will get it bundled into their existing service.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-you-can-buy-a-deck-of-balatro-cards-121523094.html?src=rss

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© LocalThunk/Playstack

As Rust Cohle famously put it in HBO's True Detective, "Time is a flat circle." So it's maybe not a huge surprise that Max is the latest service to bring cable-style linear channels to a premium streaming service.

It's starting to test such channels in the US. Some ad-free subscribers will see a Channels option on the homepage of adult profiles. This will take you to a selection of 24/7 feeds of HBO programming, including HBO and HBO 2 simulcasts. Other channels will showcase prestige drama, comedy and classic HBO shows, movies and documentaries.

The channels work pretty much like any linear TV network in the modern age. You can restart shows, rewind and fast-forward. On select devices, you’ll be able to switch between channels directly in the player, without having to go back to the channels hub.

This initial rollout lays the groundwork for more themed channels, which will start arriving next year. According to The Verge, Max may even offer personalized streaming channels down the road.

These channels could help you avoid wasting time instead of scrolling through Max while figuring out what to watch. If you’re in the mood to laugh, maybe just turn on HBO Comedy. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will surely be hoping that channels increase engagement and keep people using the streaming service. After all, lots of folks simply switch on the likes of CBS because they want to watch something and they trust the network’s brand enough to deliver a show that suits them.

Max already offers linear channels in Europe. Crave, a Canadian streaming service that has exclusive rights to the HBO library in that market, offers HBO and HBO 2 simulcasts as well. WBD notably pulled shows including Westworld and The Nevers from Max a couple of years ago. Roku and Tubi now offer free, ad-supported channels featuring HBO shows and other WBD programming.

Rivals also have their own linear channels, including Disney+, Paramount+ and Peacock. Amazon, meanwhile, is shutting down Freevee and moving its programming to Prime Video.

As if it weren't already evident enough that media conglomerates are trying to bring back the heady success that cable saw for decades, they're teaming up with each other through streaming bundles. One gets you Max, Disney+ and Hulu for $30 per month, while Comcast offers a package of Netflix, Peacock and Apple TV+ for $15 per month.

Saving you money (compared with subscribing to these services separately) while dumping a ton of programming you don't care about into your lap? This is all really just cable 2.0.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/streaming-is-just-tv-all-over-again-165115834.html?src=rss

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© Warner Bros. Discovery

RPG fans who love Hironobu Sakaguchi's work may be familiar with Fantasian, a 2021 Apple Arcade exclusive. Now, Fantasian is coming to Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC on December 5.

As The Verge puts it, Fantasian is Final Fantasy in all but name. The port to these platforms is called Fantasian Neo Dimension and doesn’t differ much from the original apart from added voice acting. The addition of voices will elevate the experience, and you’d be pleased to know that Square Enix is publishing this port, which ensures it gets the best treatment before release.

One unique mechanic Fantasian has is the Dimengeon, a portmanteau of dimension and dungeon. If you activate this device in-game, the random battles will be stored and waiting for you to fight. The Dimengeon has a limit, which means you’ll have to face your foes eventually.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fantasian-an-apple-arcade-rpg-is-now-coming-to-consoles-and-pc-141543706.html?src=rss

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© Mistwalker/Square Enix

Cyber Monday streaming deals have come in strong again this year, and one of the best is on Disney+ and Hulu. The Duo Basic bundle is on sale for $3 per month for one whole year, which comes out to $36 for the entire time period. This bundle gives you access to Hulu’s basic tier with ads and Disney+’s basic tier with ads, and only new users or subscribers who canceled their plans at least a month ago are eligible to redeem the discount. If you're only interested in the Hulu part of the deal, you can get Hulu's ad-supported tier for $0.99 per month for one year, which comes out to just $12 for the first year. But both offers end tonight, so you have a few more hours to take the plunge if you haven't already.

The Duo Basic bundle gives you the basic tier of Hulu and Disney+, both with ads, and only new users or subscribers who canceled their plans at least a month ago are eligible to redeem the discount. Note that there's no ESPN Plus included — but if you're not into sports, that's a nice net savings here.

This bundle with ads contains content from Disney+ and Hulu. The content is still the same as with ad-free plans, including movies and series like Deadpool & Wolverine, Frozen, Godmothered and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, the anticipated Star Wars series only on Disney+. If some of these newer shows aren’t to your liking, there are likely older classics worth your time in the library.

After 12 months, the subscription will renew at the regular price if automatic renewal is enabled. Disney+ is one of the best streaming services out there, focusing on providing family-friendly content but also with some more mature content. If you want even more adult-oriented shows and series, Hulu fits the bill. Both have original content as well.

There are a number of other Cyber Monday streaming deals still available now as part of Cyber Monday subscription deals. Key among them are discounts on one year of Peacock and six months of Max. Here are more details:

• Hulu (ad-supported) for $0.99 per month for one year (90 percent off): If you're only interested in the Hulu portion of Disney's deal, you can get Hulu's ad-supported tier for one year for $12 — that comes out to just $0.99 per month. While you'll have to deal with ads, you get access to Hulu Originals, six user profiles, two simultaneous streams and access to a library with thousands of TV shows and movies to choose from.

• Peacock annual subscription for $20 (75 percent off): This Peacock Cyber Monday deal brings the price of one year of access to the ad-supported tier down to only $20. Note that the subscription will automatically renew at the regular rate after the first year, and the deal is only available to new subscribers who are not currently paying for Peacock.

• Max 6-month subscription for $18 (70 percent off): This Max Cyber Monday deal gives you access to the Ads tier for $3 per month for the first six months, coming out to a total of only $18 for the promo period. New and returning Max subscribers can take advantage of this.

• Paramount+ with Showtime two-month subscription for $6 (76 percent off): New and former subscribers can get two months of access to either the ad-supported tier Essentials or the Showtime tier for only $6 in this Paramount+ Cyber Monday deal. Essential lets you watch on three devices at once, while the premium tier includes access to Showtime originals and ad-free viewing (with the exception of live TV).

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/disney-and-hulu-cyber-monday-streaming-deal-ends-tonight-get-one-year-of-the-duo-basic-bundle-for-36-140024066.html?src=rss

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The satellite-to-phone service T-Mobile and Starlink first announced back in 2022 has gotten a lot closer to deployment. As SpaceNews and Reuters report, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted the companies conditional approval to provide T-Mobile subscribers coverage using Starlink satellites in locations that can't be reached by the carrier's network. Specifically, the FCC has given them permission to use up to 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites for the service, as long as they do not interfere with other networks. 

The commission has deferred on deciding whether to allow Starlink to increase its satellites' radio emission power in order to be able to provide real-time voice and video calls. From the very start, though, the companies intended to launch the service with messaging capabilities before expanding it until it can offer data and voice. When the companies introduced the project, T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said they were envisioning a future wherein you're connected on your mobile phone as long as you have a view of the sky, even if you're in the middle of the ocean. By providing subscribers with supplemental coverage from space, they'll still be able to stay in touch with loved ones — or ask for help in case of emergencies — from far flung locations cell towers don't typically reach. 

"The FCC is actively promoting competition in the space economy by supporting more partnerships between terrestrial mobile carriers and satellite operators to deliver on a single network future that will put an end to mobile dead zones," said FCC Chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel.

While the companies announced their teamup back in 2022, the commission only set a regulatory framework for supplemental coverage from space (SCS) services in March this year. Those rules are meant to ensure that satellite-to-phone services wouldn't affect the quality of 4G and 5G networks. AT&T previously raised concerns that T-Mobile's and Starlink's service, in its proposed state, could interfere with existing wireless services. The carrier also has plans for satellite services of its own in partnership with AST SpaceMobile and said it intends "to provide the demonstrations necessary to show that they will not cause interference to any authorized terrestrial system." 

T-Mobile and Starlink sent and received the first text messages using the technology back in January. In the months that followed, the FCC had given them permission to enable satellite texting in certain locations so that people could stay connected in hurricane-hit areas. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/t-mobile-and-spacexs-satellite-to-phone-service-gets-fcc-approval-134501756.html?src=rss

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If you've been looking for a good time to join — or return to — the Max streaming service, today's Cyber Monday deal is your perfect opportunity. Max is offering new and returning subscribers six months of access to its ad-supported tier for only $18. That comes out to $3 per month, which is a 70-percent discount from the service’s standard monthly price. That makes it an excellent time to finally catch up or binge-watch The Last of Us or House of the Dragon. 

The deal is only available in the US and will automatically renew during the six months — and beyond. If you don’t want to pay $10 monthly after the discount period, just remember to cancel before the renewal date. But don't delay, because today — Monday, December 2 — is the final day this deal is available. 

Max’s lineup has series and films like The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, Euphoria, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, The Penguin, Dune: Part Two, Everything Everywhere All at Once and Barbie. In addition, you get full series from HBO’s legendary archives, like The Sopranos, The Wire, Sex and The City, Game Of Thrones and Six Feet Under. It also includes current and old content from Warner Bros., A24, Adult Swim, ID and the DC Universe.

Again, today is your final opportunity for this deal, so head over to Max and log in or sign up.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/max-cyber-monday-streaming-deal-ends-tonight-get-six-months-of-access-for-only-18-165721378.html?src=rss

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© Engadget / Max

Twitch is now on the docket for X’s lawsuit against companies that stopped advertising on the social media site. X amended its lawsuit on Monday to include Twitch as a defendant in its lawsuit in a federal court in Wichita Falls, Texas, according to Reuters.

The new complaint claims that the gaming stream site owned by Amazon stopped purchasing ads on X at the end of 2022. X alleges that Twitch and other companies conspired with the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) network’s Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) initiative to withhold “billions of dollars in advertising revenue” from Elon Musk’s social media company. 

The plaintiff alleges the boycott violated federal antitrust laws and is demanding a jury trial to settle the matter. GARM also announced its discontinuation two days after X filed its lawsuit.

X Corp.’s joint lawsuit first filed in August also includes the WFA, the global food manufacturer Mars Incorporated, the drugstore chain CVS and the Danish energy company Ørsted A/S over the advertising boycott. X also has a lawsuit against the media watchdog group Media Matters for publishing a report showing X displayed ads next to antisemitic content on the platform.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-adds-twitch-to-its-advertising-boycott-lawsuit-215540775.html?src=rss

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© NurPhoto via Getty Images