Netflix's next Tudum fan event will take place on May 31 in Los Angeles. For the first time, the company will stream the event live on its own platform. Past iterations have been livestreamed on YouTube, Twitch and Netflix's social channels.
Tudum, which is meant to sound like the audio effect that plays at the start of any Netflix program, is the streaming business' showcase of its content lineup. The company has used this event in previous years to share behind-the-scenes tidbits and first looks at upcoming programming. The 2023 Tudum drew 11,000 attendees in São Paulo, Brazil and 78 million viewers streamed it, according to the company.
While there will probably be some fun announcements and reveals, the most notable takeaway is that Netflix is pushing more definitively into the live event space. A Chris Rock comedy special in 2023 was the company's first livestream. It also snapped up the rights to livestream the Screen Actors Guild awards on its platform and hosted a flashy boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul in 2024. However, the Tyson/Paul match had extensive technical issues. Airing its own event and keeping those millions of eyeballs on its own platform will be positive steps for the company's ambitions in this space. Assuming everything works.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-will-stream-its-2025-tudum-event-on-netflix-222604357.html?src=rss
The Caesars Superdome will host Super Bowl LXI on Sunday, February 9. Here's how to tune in to the big game! (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Chris Graythen via Getty Images
The Kansas City Chiefs have won their third AFC Championship in a row, sending them to Super Bowl LIX where they'll face NFC champions the Philadelphia Eagles. The two teams both made it to the championship game back in 2023 when the Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35; will the Eagles get their revenge this year, or will the Chiefs nab an unprecedented third win in a row? We'll find out on Super Bowl Sunday!
Super Bowl LIX will be played at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA on Sunday, Feb. 9 with a 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff. The 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show will feature Kendrick Lamar, who just confirmed that SZA will be joining him. The championship game will be broadcast nationally on Fox this year and will be available on platforms like DirecTV and Fubo. Looking for a free way to tune in? The Super Bowl will also be livestreamed on Tubi — in 4K, no less!
Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the Super Bowl.
When is Super Bowl LIX?
The 2025 Super Bowl will be held on Sunday, Feb. 9.
What time does the Super Bowl start?
Super Bowl LIX kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
How to watch the Super Bowl live
Super Bowl LIX will air nationally on Fox and stream live on Tubi.
How to stream the Super Bowl for free this year
Tubi will be livestreaming Fox's coverage of the Super Bowl this year — the first time the free platform has done so. It will also be available in the Fox Sports app on mobile platforms. Beyond that, you can also sign up for free trials of DirecTV Stream, Fubo, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, each of which carry Fox in most locations. Two important caveats: Verify that your locality includes a Fox stream by inputting your ZIP code on their respective sites. And if you don't want to pay, make sure you cancel before the trial subscription ends — they can be as short as three days, so plan ahead.
How to watch the 2025 Super Bowl without cable
The Tubi option above is the easiest go-to starting point for free Super Bowl streaming — but no one knows how the service will hold up under what's certain to be its most intensive influx of concurrent users. There are plenty of worthwhile backups, each of which offer more comprehensive options for cordcutters beyond the game itself — say, watching SportsCenter on ESPN before or after the game. And most of our picks for best live TV streaming services offer free trials, so you can check them out risk-free. If you time it right, your free trial can include the Super Bowl broadcast, too.
Where is the 2025 Super Bowl?
The 2025 Super Bowl will be held at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The venue has been host to seven previous Super Bowl games.
Who is performing in the Super Bowl 59 halftime show?
Kendrick Lamar is headlining Super Bowl LIX, with a guest appearance by SZA.
Who is playing in the Super Bowl 2025?
AFC champions the Kansas City Chiefs will play NFC champs the Philadelphia Eagles.
More ways to watch Super Bowl LIX
Thanks to the wide array of streaming options detailed above, you'll be able to watch the Super Bowl on nearly any current device with a screen. There are plenty of Super Bowl TV deals ahead of the game if you need to upgrade that aging 40-inch screen with the dead pixels in the corner. And for as little as $40 or less, a new Roku or Fire TV device will ensure that you have all of these apps (including Tubi) if they're not already built-in to your screen. See our list of best streaming devices for the full range of options.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/super-bowl-2025-how-to-watch-the-chiefs-vs-eagles-on-sunday-february-9-214817647.html?src=rss
The Video Game History Foundation has unveiled its digital library, a massive undertaking that makes the organization's own materials as well as some private collections available for anyone to read. This project was first announced in December 2023, and the collection is still in early access. The VGHF said it would continually be working to digitize and add more content to the library.
Even though this will be an ongoing endeavor, there is already a whole lot to check out. The library includes out-of-print publications like Electronic Gaming Monthly and Nintendo Power alongside industry trade magazines, which casual players might never have the chance to read otherwise. There are also materials from behind the scenes of game development, such as video recordings of developer Cyan's work on the landmark game Myst and interviews with the team. You can also find press kits, promotional materials and all sorts of other ephemera. Everything is free to browse, just like a regular public library.
In short, this is amazingly cool for gaming nerds.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-video-game-history-foundations-online-library-is-now-open-213118544.html?src=rss
In one of his first major acts since taking over as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr has directed the agency to open an investigation into NPR and PBS. Carr informed informed both organizations of the probe in a letter in a letter that was first reported by The New York Times.
In the letter, Carr says that the public media companies may be running afoul of FCC rules regarding noncommercial educational broadcast stations or NCEs. “I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials,” he writes. “In particular, it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements.”
FCC guidelines prohibit NCEs from airing the kinds of commercials that typically appear on other TV and radio stations. Sponsors are, however, permitted to “receive on-air acknowledgements,” as Carr notes.
In statements, both NPR and PBS said they comply with FCC regulations. “NPR programming and underwriting messaging complies with federal regulations, including the FCC guidelines on underwriting messages for noncommercial educational broadcasters,” NPR CEO Katherine Maher said. “We are confident any review of our programming and underwriting practices will confirm NPR's adherence to these rules. We have worked for decades with the FCC in support of noncommercial educational broadcasters who provide essential information, educational programming, and emergency alerts to local communities across the United States.”
A spokesperson for PBS said that the organization “is proud of the noncommercial educational programming we provide to all Americans through our member stations,” and that “we work diligently to comply with the FCC’s underwriting regulations and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that to the Commission.”
President Donald Trump, who named Carr FCC as chair last year, has made no secret of his disdain for PBS and NPR, which he threatened to defund during his first term in office and during his campaign last year. Likewise, Trump confidante and DOGE head Elon Musk, has also mused about eliminating funding for public media.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/trumps-fcc-is-coming-from-npr-and-pbs-now-too-205240249.html?src=rss
UNITED STATES Ð MARCH 29: Congress is threatening to cut funding for National Public Radio, whose headquarters are located in Washington as seen in this photo taken on March 29, 2011. (Photo By Bill Clark/Roll Call)
Forza Horizon 5 and its predecessors have long been exclusive for Xbox and PC. However, the latest installment of the driving game, which takes place in a beautifully rendered depiction of Mexico, will cross over to the PlayStation nation later this year. The exact date has not been announced yet. When it does become available, the PS5 will have cross-play support, which was already offered between Xbox and PC, and players will be able to purchase all the same Car Packs, such as the Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure expansions.
Along with PlayStation support, Forza Horizon 5 will also be getting a free content update called Horizon Realms. This will include a selection of the more popular limited-time Evolving World accolades, but developer Playground Games hasn't revealed any additional details yet.
Forza Horizon 5 is just the latest once-exclusive Xbox game to bridge the console divide. The game has been out since November 2021, so opening it up to a new audience could help boost sales long after they'd usually be petering out. In a similar vein, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle debuted as an Xbox exclusive in December, but will roll out to PlayStation some time this spring. Other former exclusives that have left the Microsoft silo include Sea of Thieves, Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment and Grounded.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/forza-horizon-5-will-be-cruising-onto-the-playstation-5-this-spring-201714287.html?src=rss
The well-regarded Apple Watch Series 10 is on sale via Amazon for $329, which is a discount of $70. This is a record-low price for the company’s smartwatch, tying a deal found on Black Friday.
This model actually topped our list of the best smartwatches, as we said it “does everything right that the Series 9 did” while adding “small but useful features.” These include a bigger screen that’s easier to see from different angles and an overall thinner form factor. The large display comes in handy, particularly when looking for road names on Maps and adjusting settings.
We heaped praise on Apple’s smartwatch in our official review, calling out the improved battery life, enhanced tracking metrics and newly-designed speakers. The Series 10 also keeps an eye on sleep apnea metrics, which is pretty cool. It’s still the best smartwatch around for iPhone owners, and a decent option for everyone else.
On the downside, this is an extremely iterative improvement when compared to the Series 9. There’s nothing game-changing here, though all of the design tweaks are appreciated. If you currently own a Series 9, you may want to wait until the announcement of the Series 11. Past as prologue, this is likely to happen sometime in September.
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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-series-10-is-cheaper-than-ever-200034162.html?src=rss
Max is set to expand its viewing options, starting with the first race of this year's NASCAR Cup Series this Sunday. For the first time, the streaming service will offer a multiview option with the NASCAR Driver Cam feature, which Max plans to offer during every race on the 2025 schedule.
Every car — as many as 40 per race — will have a 1080p driver cam. Fans will be able to watch up to four of these at once. They can select individual driver cams or choose between two pre-set options featuring four streams each. Max says the drivers included in these will be selected "based on the most compelling matchups and storylines each week," as well as a fan vote on X and Instagram.
The NASCAR Driver Cam will include an audio mix of scanner team radios and ambient car noise. Each driver's stream will also have live stats such as their position, race status, lap number and stage, along with telemetry data like their car's speed and RPM. Leaderboards will be available in multiview too. You'll be able to pause, rewind and fast forward the live video, and each driver's stream will be available on demand after races.
It's an intriguing, and arguably overdue, step by Max that could help make NASCAR races feel more immersive. Rival streaming platforms such as DAZN and YouTube TV have long offered sports multiview options.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/nascars-driver-streams-finally-bring-multiview-to-max-194522437.html?src=rss
Just days after announcing a version of ChatGPT designed for US government use, OpenAI is further entangling itself with the federal government. The company announced Thursday it would provide approximately 15,000 scientists associated with the US National Laboratories access to its latest frontier AI models. OpenAI will work with Microsoft to deploy its o1 model “or another o-series” variant on Venado, the Los Alamos National Laboratory’s recently unveiled NVIDIA Grace Hopper-powered supercomputer.
According to OpenAI, researchers from the Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Labs will use the company’s technology to assist work they’re doing to protect the national power grid from cyberattacks, identify new ways to treat and prevent diseases and study the fundamental laws of physics, among other initiatives.
"OpenAI’s collaboration with the US National Labs builds on the long-standing tradition of the US government collaborating with private industry to ensure that technological innovation leads to meaningful improvements in healthcare, energy, and other critical fields," the company said.
Perhaps controversially, OpenAI says its AI models will also enhance work involving nuclear weapons — specifically a program “focused on reducing the risk of nuclear war and securing nuclear materials and weapons worldwide.” According to the company, this support is “critical” to its “commitment to national security.” It adds that OpenAI researchers with security clearance will offer “careful and selective review of use cases and consultations on AI safety.”
Before today, the Los Alamos National Laboratory was already using ChatGPT. For instance, one of the lab’s divisions is studying how AI models like GPT-4o could be safely used to advance bioscientific research. More broadly, federal, state and local government workers at 3,500 agencies across the country have sent more than 18 million messages to the chatbot since 2024, according to OpenAI.
This is the latest move by OpenAI apparently intended to curry favor with the Trump administration.. Last week, OpenAI announced it was partnering with SoftBank to build $500 billion worth of AI infrastructure across the US. Before that, Altman personally contributed $1 million to President Trump’s inauguration.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-partners-with-us-national-laboratories-on-research-and-nuclear-weapon-safety-192934593.html?src=rss
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures after delivering remarks on AI infrastructure, as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the Roosevelt room at White House in Washington, U.S., January 21, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Summer Game Fest isn’t just a single livestream, as the whole thing lasts until June 9. A Day of the Devs event will begin immediately following the end of the showcase. The following days will see the annual Play Days media event, produced by Iam8bit. This is an invite-only exhibit held in downtown LA that will feature "more than 40 of the gaming industry's top publishers."
On Friday, June 6, @SummerGameFest returns to show you what’s next in video games from more than 40 leading game publishers.
Live from YouTube Theater in LA.
Followed by SGF: Play Days from @iam8bit and a new thought-leader event in Los Angeles.
Beyond that, SGF is holding a brand new business-to-business event curated by former GamesIndustry.biz boss Christopher Dring. Geoff Keighley says that this forum will get into “some of the key changes, challenges and opportunities facing the global video game industry.” Ever since E3 took a nosedive, there really hasn’t been a space for this kind of B2B-focused information exchange. We don’t know if this particular chat will be livestreamed or available to the public in any way.
We also don’t have an exact time or date for this newly-announced element of SGF. However, event organizers promise “thought leaders from gaming, entertainment and beyond, bringing multiple industries together on one stage for insightful discussions.”
The Play Days event may be cordoned off for members of the media, but the main showcase will be open to regular gamers. Sign up with SGF to receive more information as to how to attend in person. Tickets will be available sometime in the next few months.
That’s all we know for now. There haven’t been any clues as to what could get revealed in June, either at the main showcase or at Day of the Devs. The buzz machine will crank up as we close in on summer.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/summer-game-fest-returns-to-the-youtube-theater-on-june-6-191516812.html?src=rss
UPS is continuing to withdraw from its business relationship with Amazon. By the second half of 2026, UPS said it will cut its shipping volumes for Amazon by more than 50 percent under the companies' revised arrangement.
"Amazon is our largest customer, but it’s not our most profitable customer," CEO Carol Tomé said during an investor call about the shipping and logistics company's latest financials.
Business with Amazon accounted for about 11 percent of UPS' 2024 revenue, which totaled $91.1 billion. Amazon was a larger share of UPS' revenue during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic; in 2020, the retailer was responsible for 13.3 percent of its annual revenue. UPS shared similar plans to cut back its business with Amazon in 2023 as its revenue from the retailer dwindled from quarantine-era levels.
Although Amazon does rely on outside companies for some shipping, those relationships have sometimes turned tenuous as the retailer continues to grow its in-house options for delivering orders. In 2019, FedEx took a similar path of uncoupling its services from Amazon when it announced that it would not renew its ground-delivery contract with the big tech partner. A few months later, Amazon blocked third-party sellers from using FedEx ground-delivery services.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ups-plans-to-slash-its-shipping-business-with-amazon-by-half-185913504.html?src=rss
FILE PHOTO: United Parcel Service's (UPS) newly launched electric delivery truck is seen in Compton, California, U.S., September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Lisa Baertlein/File Photo
Meta’s Threads app is getting some new Instagram-like features. According to Instagram head Adam Mosseri, Threads is adding a dedicated media tab which highlights users’ posts with photos and video, as well as photo tagging abilities.
According to Mosseri, the media tab feature is “a long overdue request from the community.” Both X and Bluesky have a “media” section in users’ profiles (Bluesky also recently added a separate tab just for video). Threads’ photo tagging feature, on the other hand, will look familiar to most Instagram users. When sharing a photo in a post, you can search for other users’ handles to tag. Those tags will then be visible to others.
Meta
Mosseri also said that Threads’ markup tool, which was introduced last week, will now be available to all the app’s users globally. That feature allows users to doodle on top of other people’s posts.
Meta has significantly ramped up the pace of updates for Threads in recent months as the app has faced increased competition from Bluesky. That included copying a few of its smaller rival’s features. So far, though, Meta’s strategy seems to be working. Threads has now grown to 320 million monthly users, 100 million of whom return daily, according to Mosseri. The company also recently began to test its first ads on the service.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-is-getting-a-dedicated-media-tab-and-photo-tagging-184322350.html?src=rss
Many of us in the northern hemisphere are contending with the harsh realities of winter and while the weather outside is often awful, at least we can try to be more comfortable when we're home. A smart thermostat can prove useful on that front as it can optimize the conditions in your home, whether you're there or away. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat is a popular model, and the latest iteration is on sale. It can now be yours for $240, which is $40 off the regular price.
The thermostat actually dropped to a slightly lower price of $230 during the holidays. Still, a 14 percent discount is nothing to sniff at — especially if the device can help to significantly reduce your energy bills.
Google claims that the latest Nest Learning Thermostat delivers more accurate readings thanks to the help of AI. The device can offer suggestions on how to lower your energy usage though, as you might expect, it can automatically adjust settings in your home based on factors like the ambient temperature.
To help measure that, the thermostat comes with a wireless temperature sensor that is said to run for up to three years before a battery replacement is needed. Extra sensors are available to purchase separately — three for $100 or $36.45 for one (usually $40, but that's on sale too). You can connect as many as six to a single Nest Learning Thermostat and placing them around your domicile.
The latest thermostat is more customizable than its predecessors as it has several smartwatch-style faces. You might change the colors or make it appear more like a digital clock. The display is 60 percent larger this time too. In addition, the Nest Thermostat uses integrated Soli radar sensors to determine how close you are to it and automatically adjust the user interface. For instance, as you move back from the display, the thermostat will increase the font size to make text more legible.
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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-2024-google-nest-learning-thermostat-is-40-off-right-now-181024491.html?src=rss
Back in December, Sony announced the limited availability of PS5 themes that captured the retro-goodness of old-school PlayStation consoles. That availability window closes at the end of January, which is a bummer, but the company just said that the “classic PlayStation, PS2, PS3 and PS4 limited-time console themes” will be coming back “in the months ahead.”
There’s no specific time frame here, as Sony notes that it has to do some “work behind the scenes” to make this happen. However, it’s good to know that January 31 will not spell the end for these nostalgic themes.
Thank you for the fantastic response to the classic PlayStation, PS2, PS3, and PS4 limited-time console themes, which will be leaving tomorrow.
Due to the positive response on these 4 themes, we’re doing some work behind the scenes to bring these special designs back in the… pic.twitter.com/KYk5DHQ3wO
The bad news? Those hoping that the “positive response” to the four retro themes would lead to Sony making more unique backgrounds could be out of luck. The company said “there aren’t plans to create additional themes in the future.” There goes my dream of a PSP theme, complete with those cute bubbles.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sonys-retro-ps5-themes-are-disappearing-but-not-forever-175304974.html?src=rss
Over a year since it dipped into generative artificial intelligence, Samsung’s Galaxy S-series phones are now the vanguard for its gen-AI features. This year, we’re getting even deeper hooks into Google’s Gemini AI assistant and more built-in software tricks than ever before. At the same time, however, the Galaxy S25 arrives with marginal hardware upgrades over last year’s S24.
While there’s a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” you’ll need to stare hard at the spec sheets to spot the differences between this year’s phone and the 2024 model. With the Galaxy S25, there’s a triple-camera system, a 6.2-inch Full HD+ screen and support for the ever-improving Galaxy AI, which the company seems to be prioritizing this year — even if it isn’t quite enough to carry an entirely new device.
Hardware and design
Photo by Mat Smith for Engadget
Barring a powerful new chip, the S25 is a massive serving of deja vu from a hardware perspective. You could revisit last year’s S24 review to get the gist.
Samsung decided thinner is the new direction this time around. Galaxy S25 Edge aside, this year’s range has been slimmed down. I think the S25 is tangibly thinner – but that’s because I was able to compare it with a Galaxy S24 side-by-side. It’s less of a selling point when measuring a change of 0.4 millimeters.
After several years of carrying around and testing phones with screens over 6.5 inches, having the S25 with me is refreshing. Even if the 6.2-inch screen is a little small for extensive Netflix or YouTube watching, like the 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Pro, it remains plenty big for pretty much everything else. The 2X AMOLED screen tops out at 2,600 nits, which is plenty bright enough, with variable refresh rates that top out at 120Hz.
I received the Silver Shadow S25 with a frosted sheen, which I love. It’s not the most eye-catching option, however. I think the rich Navy blue is my pick. But who are we kidding? Most of us throw our phones into cases – and I’ll do the same once my case gets here.
Oddly enough, one of the upgrades with the S25 involves adding a case: support for faster Qi2 charging (and magnetic latching) is only possible through compatible cases. Those cases, however, weren’t available for this review. My colleague Sam Rutherford explains it all here; but at least there’s some compatibility, which was lacking in last year’s Galaxy phones.
Cameras
Photo by Mat Smith for Engadget
Samsung makes some of the best smartphones for photography, which is lucky because the S25’s camera sensors appear identical to last year's. Which themselves are the same as the year before. Hmm.
As a refresher, that includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide shooter and a 10MP 3x telephoto camera with a front-facing 12MP camera. if you’re looking for 5x zoom and high-res sensors, you should check out the Galaxy S25 Ultra (or the Pixel 9 Pro) — but the setup on the base S25 still works well, despite the aging sensors.
I was pleasantly surprised with the S25’s sheer consistency. Most of my photos were crisp and objects were in focus, although I preferred the iPhone 16’s results in darker conditions. I found that the Galaxy S25 tends to process images differently between the telephoto and primary sensor, with some night-time shots coming out a bit amber-hued.
Samsung’s claims that the new Snapdragon 8 Elite would help low-light performance are also accurate. The company says that with the chip's power, the S25 series can better analyze noise, even detecting moving and static objects and processing them differently. Samsung’s computational photography has also improved when it comes to difficult shooting conditions. Digital zoom, at 10x, seems crisper and offers more usable photos than its predecessors.
If you’re willing to dip into a separate camera app, Samsung’s Expert RAW features another new option: virtual aperture. I’ve struggled to discern a tangible difference while shooting with the S25. It appears to be a more advanced version of Portrait mode, without requiring the phone to identify a person or subject to apply a soft bokeh to the background. The effect is moderately successful, but demands a good level of light. I found it struggled to apply a virtual aperture effect in dark environments.
Unfortunately, the feature is hidden away in the experimental section of Samsung’s Expert RAW camera app, which needs to be downloaded separately. This camera app is for power users who demand manual controls, and it’s great that it’s available. However, lots of (maybe most) prospective S25 buyers won’t need it, or even know it exists
Another under-the-hood improvement is within S25’s gallery, where the search feature has improved categorization and makes it generally easier to find what you’re looking for. As I typed, it’d suggest WhatsApp images, locations and more. Samsung says it’s added 2.7 times more keywords, which is delightfully specific.
While photography is still similar, spec-wise, on the S25, Samsung has substantially improved video for more seasoned cinematographers. This year’s phones will also capture video in HDR by default, while a new Galaxy Log mode means you can capture log video for improved dynamic range. It’ll also mean you can apply more accurate color grading if you like to edit videos and get in deep. Video is also recorded in 10-bit color, offering more latitude for editors. Still, like I said, this is for folks already neck-deep in using LUTs, with a compatible editing app at the ready.
With Audio Eraser. Samsung has caught up with Apple and Google. This is its own post-processing feature for recording video in louder environments. It taps into AI to nix specific environmental noises, like wind, water and traffic. The effect isn’t quite as impressive in real life as during Samsung’s S25 launch keynote, however.
When faced with the erratic street traffic noise, Audio Eraser’s automatic setting compressed the audio pretty severely, leaving my voice sounding a little gurgly and crunchy. It’s similar to audio with noise cancellation on Google Meet and WhatsApp voice notes. I was definitely more audible – but it wasn’t easy listening.
The upgrades are welcome, but given the iPhone 16’s Camera Control button and the Pixel 9’s latest software tricks like Add Me, Samsung’s cameras have had a weaker showing than the competition.
Software
Photo by Mat Smith for Engadget
Software additions don’t stop at the camera app. There’s a scattering of new features across the board with the S25. The most immediately noticeable update is more of a duo: Now Bar and Now Brief. The Now Bar is a new lockscreen tile — part contextual info panel and part notification banner. With rolling Google Maps navigation instructions and media playing functions, we’ve seen many of these ideas on the iPhone’s Dynamic Island. Samsung’s version is more limited, at least for now.
Embarrassingly, only eight apps (or features) can appear on the Now Bar, including the clock, sports notifications from Google and a voice recorder. It’s underwhelming. If third-party app makers (or more Google apps) can make their way into the Bar, it could be more helpful, but as it is, it’s barely more than a lock-screen widget.
The Now Brief, similarly, could use a little more meat. I hate to make another Apple comparison, but it’s a more accessible version of the iPhone’s summaries generated in Notifications. The Now Brief populates with relevant notifications, weather summaries and even traffic guidance, all of which is possibly most valuable in the mornings. It will also generate daily summaries accessible from a widget on the S25’s home screen. I’ll be strapping on a Galaxy Watch to see how these interact with fitness goals and wellness, so stay tuned for more insight here.
(Sidenote: Google Discover, a swipe-left-from-home screen also offers a similar stream of news, notifications and other smartphone info. It has been around for years.)
Changes elsewhere seem more like rebranded features. AI Select (once called Smart Select) resides in the pull-out Edge Panel (and the screenshot toolbar) and will offer up suggested actions once you select or circle something onscreen. It can offer clever suggestions when it contextually detects an event to add to your calendar or something that needs translating. I’m not sure AI Select is noticeably better than Smart Select, but it’s at least on by default. You had to enable the former in Settings for it to appear in the Edge Panel. While it’s not completely straightforward, AI Select does work well as a shortcut, suggesting translation with foreign languages or offering to pull dates into your calendar with a tap.
This ties into Gemini AI upgrades, which appear first on the S25 series but will be coming to other Android phones that can run Gemini AI. With a long press of a button, your voice commands to Gemini can pull in information and then apply them to make a reminder, plan a route or send details through text message to a friend, or even a WhatsApp message. I’m looking forward to Android adding further third-party apps and services, but I've been waiting for more effortless uses for AI assistants. This is a step in that direction.
I’m also not entirely writing off the Now Brief. It could improve over time, especially with Samsung’s Personal Data Engine, which will attempt to join the dots between your smartphone interactions. As I finished this review, the Now Brief began offering audio highlights from The Guardian, even though I hadn’t yet installed the news organization’s app. However, Galaxy AI figured it out, it was the right choice: I don’t read the Daily Mail Online. I wish Google and Apple News would work that out without me having to actively block news sources.
Performance and battery life
Has Samsung solved our smartphone battery life woes? The Galaxy S25 clocked in at over 28 hours of video playback. That’s almost four hours more than last year’s S24, and given the hardware parity with the S25, it’s a testament to the processor efficiency upgrades this year. With more typical use, I was recharging the phone every two days. That’s not how often I usually have to charge smartphones during reviews — I’m very impressed.
With the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, those gains aren’t just in efficiency. The CPU multi-core performance hit 8,950 (up from 7,049 on the S24), while GPU scored 19,158, up from 15,082 last year. Not that there was that much need for such a leap.
Once again, the Galaxy S25 is fast and handled everything I threw at it effortlessly. However, back-to-back generative AI requests and shooting and uploading 4K video made the S25 heat up – it lacks the expanded vapor chamber that Samsung added to the S25 Ultra.
Wrap up
Photo by Mat Smith for Engadget
With the Galaxy S25, never has a Galaxy S series seemed more iterative. Fortunately, Samsung’s premium smartphones are in a commanding position, so even with a screen (an cameras) that are now two years old, the Galaxy S25 isn’t a bad smartphone. In fact, it’s a very good one.
I described the S25’s cameras as consistent and I think that applies to the entire phone. The screen is bright, smooth and rich, the battery life is, frankly, incredible, while both performance scores and my experience with it prove this is a powerful flagship phone.
I love the streamlined Gemini AI capabilities, which can take a voice command and easily turn it into a calendar entry, reminder and even plan my route. Even Galaxy AI diversions like the Portrait Studio offered more refined (and consistent) 3D cartoons and sketches of my portrait photos. I’m not sure Samsung’s features would warrant an AI subscription — I doubt many would pay for them as they stand.
And that brings me to a bigger point: Besides a powerful new chip and AI tricks, why isn’t the S25 cheaper? The Galaxy S25 is priced at $799 at launch, the same as the S24 and even the S23. The comparison you have to make isn’t only with the latest iPhone, but also cheaper Android phones, like the $499 Pixel 8a. Or, unfortunately, the year-old Galaxy S24. Unless you’re desperate for a bump in processing power and battery life, it would be wise to see how heavily last year’s models get discounted in the coming months.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-s25-review-170040665.html?src=rss
The generative intelligence platform DeepSeek has set the world on fire this week, but with great popularity comes increased scrutiny. Analysts with Wiz Research have found a fairly substantial hole in the software’s security. The research shows that DeepSeek left one of its critical databases exposed.
This means that whoever came across the database would be allowed access to more than one million records, including user data, system logs, API keys and even prompt submissions. The researchers also noted that they were able to find the database almost immediately, without too much scanning or probing.
Wiz Research has discovered "DeepLeak" - a publicly accessible ClickHouse database belonging to DeepSeek, exposing highly sensitive information, including secret keys, plain-text chat messages, backend details, and logs. pic.twitter.com/C7HZTKNO3p
“Usually when we find this kind of exposure, it’s in some neglected service that takes us hours to find—hours of scanning,” Nir Ohfeld, the head of vulnerability research at Wiz, told Wired. But this time, he said, “here it was at the front door.”
Wiz Research says it’s possible that a nefarious actor could have used this security hole to access other DeepSeek systems, but the company admits it only performed the base minimum assessment. This was to confirm its findings without further compromising user privacy. There is also no evidence that anyone else found the database.
Wiz staffers didn’t exactly know how to disclose their findings, given that DeepSeek is both a new entity and based in China. Researchers eventually sent their findings to every email address and LinkedIn profile they could find. The database was locked down within 30 minutes of the mass email.
“AI is the new frontier in everything related to technology and cybersecurity,” Ohfeld said. “Still we see the same old vulnerabilities like databases left open on the internet.”
As previously mentioned, DeepSeek took the world by storm in the past week or so. The disruptive AI model was allegedly created for just several million dollars. OpenAI runs through billions of dollars each year. This massive financial discrepancy sent the stock market into a tailspin, with many AI-adjacent stocks taking a plunge.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/security-researchers-found-a-big-hole-in-deepseeks-security-163536961.html?src=rss
You won't have to wait too much longer to find out how the story of Squid Game wraps up. Only a month after the second season premiered, Netflix has revealed that the final episodes of its biggest non-English language series ever will arrive on June 27. That's a remarkably short window, especially considering that there was a gap of over three years between the first and second seasons.
As was the case the last time around, the third season will pick up right where the previous one ended (no spoilers here, but season two ended on a cliffhanger). Meanwhile, Netflix has revealed that season two of Squid Game is already its third most-downloaded series of all time, behind the first season in top spot and Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.
Netflix announced the Squid Game season three release date as part of an expansive look at its 2025 film and TV slate. On the movie side, there's another Knives Out murder mystery to look forward to in the fall, as well as Guillermo del Toro’s take on Frankenstein this November. As for Netflix's shows, the animated adaptation ofDevil May Cry will debut on April 3.
The company reaffirmed that the next seasons of Black Mirror, Wednesday, The Witcherand Stranger Things will arrive this year, but no dates have been confirmed for those as yet. To speculate for a moment, a fall premiere date for Stranger Things season five seems likely. Both that and Squid Game are among the company's franchises and putting some distance between their final installments makes sense.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/squid-game-season-three-will-hit-netflix-on-june-27-162235783.html?src=rss
Nothing is launching a new device, the Phone 3a Series, on March 4. That's a year after the London-based company launched the Phone 2a, which is a budget version of the brand's Phone 2 model released in 2023. Nothing models with "a" in them are typically the less expensive versions of those without — its Ear a earbuds are also cheaper than the Ear, for instance, — but there's no Phone 3 for which the 3a would serve as a budget alternative. Most likely, the Phone 3a is simply named as such, because it would be in the same price range as the 2a that sold for at least $349 at launch.
"For the (a) Series we have a different set of users," Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis said. "When people buy a smartphone some are looking for the greatest specs, they want the latest innovations and processors. Yet there are some other users that are equally excited about tech, but are happy with just a great user experience — that’s who the (a) Series is for. We're really focused on the core user needs in terms of camera, screen, processor, and of course design."
If you want to be notified when Nothing unveils the Phone 3a on March 4 at 5AM ET, you can sign up to get an alert on the company's website. We'll, of course, keep you updated, as well. In addition to announcing the Phone 3a's upcoming launch, the company has also revealed that it has surpassed $1 billion in lifetime revenue since it was founded in October 2020, half of which Nothing earned in 2024.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/nothing-is-launching-the-phone-3a-series-on-march-4-150026313.html?src=rss
What a difference a year makes. When Microsoft announced the Surface Pro 10 and Laptop 6 for Business last March, it almost seemed as if the company was giving up on the consumer PC market entirely. Of course, just a few months later, we got the new Surface Pro and Laptop Copilot+ systems, which was also the debut of Microsoft's AI PC initiative. Now, the company is rounding out its Surface family by updating its Business machines — those meant for corporate customers — with Intel's new Core Ultra 200V AI PC processors. Say hello to the new Intel-equipped Surface Pro (11th Edition) and Surface Laptop (7th Edition) for Business.
If you've been eagerly awaiting a cellular-equipped Surface Laptop, Microsoft also says it'll launch a 5G model later this year. Aside from that, the big change with Intel's new Core Ultra chips is their larger 48 TOPS NPU, which will allow them to handle more complex AI tasks than before. In comparison, the original Core Ultra chips had much smaller 10 TOPS NPUs. The upgrade will particularly relevant for advanced AI features like Windows Recall, which requires a 40 TOPS NPU at the very least (the minimum requirement for all Copilot+ systems).
Microsoft
Aside from better AI performance, you can expect Intel's Core Ultra 200V chips on the Surface Laptop 7 to be around 26 percent faster than the Laptop 5 when it comes to multitasking, while also delivering double the graphics performance and three times better battery life. We haven't seen performance metrics for the new Surface Pro, but Microsoft claims it offers double the battery life in Teams calls compared to the Surface Pro 9.
Microsoft
Just like other Copilot+ systems, the new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop also come with Microsoft's Pluton chip for security. The company says Pluton hardware will also get an update with a Key Storage Provider (KSP) feature later this year. It will "allow for more secure storage and management of cryptographic keys," according to Microsoft.
As for accessories, there's also a new $200 Surface USB 4 Dock, which includes two USB-C connections, USB-A, Ethernet and HDMI. It also supports fast charging for both new systems — and for that price, it damn well better.
Microsoft
The new Intel Core Ultra 200V-equipped Surface Pro and Surface Laptop will be available on February 18, starting at $1,500. And if you're looking for better battery life, you can opt for the Qualcomm Snapdragon variants as well (though be ready to deal with slower emulated apps and potential software and driver incompatibility).
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/microsofts-surface-pro-and-laptop-for-business-are-getting-intels-new-ai-pc-chips-150001906.html?src=rss
In November, Transport for London (TfL) announced new steps to regulate e-bikes, but a lack of legislation or power meant that most of the onus fell to e-bike services to do the right thing. Now, Lime CEO Wayne Ting has announced a £20 million ($24.8 million) five-point London Action Plan to help with overcrowding and poor parking, multiple publications report, including UKTN.
"The feedback we’ve received from London residents, community groups and elected officials is why we’re launching our London Action Plan," Ting stated. "We recognise the need for meaningful investments to accelerate change and improve parking, starting with more funding for dedicated e-bike parking, and additional operational capacity and processes."
An investment of £5 million ($6.2 million) will go into creating 2,500 additional e-bike parking spaces. Part of the plan will also include expanding Lime's on-street team to 400 people and aiming to move or collect about 4,000 bikes daily. Plus, Lime intends to use improved AI to confirm proper parking in end of trip photos.
The action plan directly responds to TfL's statement at the end of last year. "The new policy sets out that TfL will consider taking action against operators who allow their bikes to be parked outside of designated places on red routes and on TfL land, which includes areas such as station forecourts and bus garages," the organization said. "Operators are ultimately responsible for ensuring their bikes are deployed and parked bikes appropriately."
As someone living in London, I can certaintly attest that Lime bikes are scattered everywhere around the city. Lime claims that 49 percent of 18 to 34 year olds in London rent an e-bike weekly. The company also states that 2024 saw an 85 percent increase in annual journeys.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lime-announces-25-million-action-plan-to-help-fix-londons-e-bike-chaos-141559309.html?src=rss
If there are two things Netflix has been pushing over the last couple years its live sports and games. A large part of this initiative has come through its partnership with WWE to stream live shows. But, starting fall 2025, Netflix subscribers will also be getting exclusive access to WWE 2K video games on mobile.
The WWE 2K series first launched 25 years ago and has remained extremely popular. Now, the organization is leaning further into its partnership with Netflix to give the streamer unique access.
This announcement comes shortly after Monday Night Raw, WWE's flagship show, began weekly live streams on Netflix in the US, UK, Latin America, Canada and more. It's the first time in over 30 years that the show hasn't aired on a linear TV network. Netflix is reportedly paying WWE $5 billion over 10 years for the ability to air Monday Night Raw and other WWE programs.
WWE 2K will join over 100 games currently available in Netflix's library. It also won't require ads or in-app purchases. Subscribers can also check out some of the best games on Netflix include Kentucky Route Zero, Triviaverse and Before Your Eyes.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/netflix-is-the-exclusive-home-of-wwes-2k-fighting-game-on-mobile-140059055.html?src=rss
Nov 22, 2021; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view of the lumberjack tag team match during WWE Raw at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
