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Samsung's Ballie Robot Launches This Summer with Gemini AI

2025-04-09

Samsung's Ballie Robot Launches This Summer with Gemini AI

Samsung announced today that its Ballie robot will go on sale in the US and South Korea this summer. This diminutive robot will ship with a Gemini AI model thanks to a partnership with Google Cloud. Ballie boasts multimodal capabilities, processing voice, audio, and visual data to manage smart home devices and even offer health and styling advice. While pricing remains unannounced, this iteration of the robot, first shown at CES 2024 (after a 2020 debut), finally arrives after delays.

(www.engadget.com)

Hardware Robot

Nintendo Switch 2: June 5th Release, $450 Price Tag

2025-04-02

Nintendo Switch 2: June 5th Release, $450 Price Tag

Nintendo has finally revealed the Switch 2's release date: June 5th, priced at $450. Pre-orders start April 9th. This upgraded console boasts a 7.9-inch 1080p screen (up to 4K in docked mode), 120Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and a massive 256GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD Express cards. New Joy-Cons feature mouse functionality, and GameChat allows voice chat with up to 12 players. The Switch 2 offers backward compatibility with most Switch games and introduces GameShare for easy family and friend game sharing. Launch titles include Mario Kart World.

(www.engadget.com)

Game

Wikimedia Bandwidth Explodes: AI Training Bots to Blame

2025-04-02

Wikimedia Bandwidth Explodes: AI Training Bots to Blame

Wikimedia Foundation reports a 50% bandwidth increase since January 2024, primarily due to AI training bots scraping its openly licensed content. This surge in bot traffic, exceeding even spikes from high-profile events like Jimmy Carter's death, threatens to slow down access for human users. The bots disproportionately access less frequently used pages, straining Wikimedia's infrastructure. The foundation, reliant on donations, faces increasing costs and is exploring sustainable solutions for AI developers to access its content while ensuring the continued accessibility of its resources for everyone.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech Wikimedia

Arkansas Social Media Age Verification Law Struck Down

2025-04-01

Arkansas Social Media Age Verification Law Struck Down

A federal judge has struck down an Arkansas law requiring social media companies to verify the ages of their users, ruling it unconstitutional. This is a win for social media companies and digital rights groups who opposed the law, which mandated age verification for users under 18 and parental consent. The judge deemed the law overly broad, a content-based restriction on speech violating the First Amendment. While this is a victory for NetChoice, which challenged the law, age verification legislation is unlikely to disappear soon, with similar laws in other states still pending.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech age verification constitutional law

Samsung's 2025 Bespoke Lineup: AI-Powered Appliances for the Smart Home

2025-03-30

Samsung's 2025 Bespoke Lineup: AI-Powered Appliances for the Smart Home

Samsung finally unveiled its full 2025 Bespoke appliance lineup, initially teased at CES. The highlight is the Bespoke 4-door French-door refrigerator, available with 9-inch and a massive 32-inch Family Hub+ screen (capable of playing TikTok!). AI Vision Inside recognizes 37 fresh and 50 processed food items, generating shopping lists. A hybrid cooling system combines compressor and Peltier technology for energy efficiency and quiet operation; a space-saving Kitchen Fit model is also available. The smart oven recognizes 80 recipes, records cooking processes; a quiet dishwasher auto-detects food residue; the AI washer/dryer completes cycles in 68 minutes; and a cordless stick vacuum boasts 400AW suction and 100-minute runtime. Pre-orders offer up to $1000 off and an extra year of warranty.

(www.engadget.com)

Hardware Smart Appliances Samsung Bespoke

Ubisoft Spins Off Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six into New Subsidiary Backed by Tencent

2025-03-27

Ubisoft Spins Off Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six into New Subsidiary Backed by Tencent

Ubisoft is restructuring after several challenging years, creating a new subsidiary focused on its flagship franchises: Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six. This subsidiary, backed by a $1.25 billion investment from Tencent (granting Tencent a minority stake), will consolidate development teams from various studios. This move allows Ubisoft to streamline operations and refocus on other IPs like The Division and Ghost Recon. The investment comes after cost-cutting measures and amidst recent struggles. While the company will continue developing multiplayer and free-to-play titles, the announcement emphasizes a renewed commitment to high-quality single-player experiences.

(www.engadget.com)

Game Ubisoft

AI-Powered Lip-Sync Tech Brings Swedish Sci-Fi Film to American Theaters

2025-03-25

AI-Powered Lip-Sync Tech Brings Swedish Sci-Fi Film to American Theaters

The Swedish sci-fi film "Watch the Skies" (originally titled "UFO Sweden") will hit American AMC theaters on May 9th. Using Flawless AI's TrueSync technology, the film underwent "visual dubbing," seamlessly matching actors' lip movements to English audio without reshoots. This lowers the barrier to entry for foreign films, potentially attracting a wider audience. The technology is SAG-AFTRA compliant and promises to revolutionize global film distribution. The film, about a teenager searching for her father, believed abducted by aliens, will screen in 100 AMC locations across the US.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech

Samsung Co-CEO Jong-hee Han Dies Suddenly

2025-03-25

Samsung Co-CEO Jong-hee Han Dies Suddenly

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman and Co-CEO Jong-hee Han died suddenly of a heart attack at age 63, according to Reuters and CNBC. Han joined Samsung in 1988, leading the visual display R&D in 2011 before heading the TV business. In 2021, he took the helm of Samsung DX, encompassing mobile and consumer electronics, and became Co-CEO in 2022. Despite lacking mobile experience, he oversaw 15 years of global TV sales leadership. Just a week before his death, he apologized at the shareholder meeting for poor stock performance and the company's inadequate response to the AI semiconductor market, acknowledging regulatory hurdles in semiconductor M&A but promising tangible results this year. Following his passing, his co-CEO, Young-Hyun Jun, is now Samsung's sole CEO.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech

US and Canada Video Game Workers Form Industry-Wide Union

2025-03-19

US and Canada Video Game Workers Form Industry-Wide Union

A landmark industry-wide union for video game workers in the US and Canada, the United Videogame Workers-CWA (UVW-CWA), has officially launched. Aiming to unite artists, writers, designers, QA testers, programmers, freelancers, and more, the union seeks to empower workers regardless of studio or employment status. Debuting at GDC's "Video Game Labor at a Crossroads" panel, the UVW-CWA will circulate a petition to garner support and highlight the recent wave of industry layoffs—a significant issue, given that 10% of developers lost their jobs in 2024. The union operates on a direct-join model, allowing workers to bypass traditional unionization processes. While its industry-wide adoption and recognition by major publishers remain uncertain, it represents a significant step in the ongoing struggle between game industry workers and corporate entities.

(www.engadget.com)

Game union

RCS Messaging Gets End-to-End Encryption: A Major Security Upgrade

2025-03-14

RCS Messaging Gets End-to-End Encryption: A Major Security Upgrade

After months of anticipation, RCS messaging has received a major update: end-to-end encryption (E2EE). Based on the MLS protocol, this upgrade ensures the security and confidentiality of RCS messages between iOS and Android devices. Google's RCS already supported E2EE, but only if all participants used Google Messages with RCS chats enabled. Apple also contributed to this industry effort and has pledged to add E2EE support to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates, further enhancing message security and preventing third parties from intercepting sensitive information.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech End-to-End Encryption Message Security

Meta Wins Arbitration Case, Halts Publication of Tell-All Memoir

2025-03-13

Meta Wins Arbitration Case, Halts Publication of Tell-All Memoir

Meta has won an arbitration case against Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former policy executive, preventing the sale and promotion of her tell-all memoir, "Careless People." The book details Zuckerberg's attempt to bring Facebook to China and alleges misconduct by Meta's current policy chief. The arbitrator ruled Wynn-Williams violated a non-disparagement agreement. Meta calls the book "old news" and has received support from multiple former employees.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech Non-disparagement agreement

DOJ Doubles Down: Google Must Sell Chrome, Limit Default Search Deals

2025-03-08

DOJ Doubles Down: Google Must Sell Chrome, Limit Default Search Deals

The Justice Department is sticking to its guns in the antitrust case against Google, upholding a previous administration's proposal to force the sale of the Chrome browser and ban payments to companies like Apple for default search engine status. The DOJ argues this will break Google's search monopoly and foster competition. While Google offered alternative remedies, the DOJ deemed them insufficient. A judge will decide on the final solution in April, with significant implications for the tech industry.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech

1Password's New Location-Based Feature: Nearby Items

2025-03-06

1Password's New Location-Based Feature: Nearby Items

1Password has rolled out a location-aware feature allowing users to tag passwords with physical locations. When near a tagged location, relevant credentials automatically appear in the 1Password mobile app. This 'Nearby Items' feature streamlines access to information, eliminating the need to search or recall specific account names. Location data can be added to any existing or new password entry, and a map view facilitates location setting and viewing. 1Password assures users that location data remains local and never leaves the device. The feature is available to all 1Password customers now.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech password management location services

Google's 'Results About You' Tool Gets a Refresh: Easier Removal of Personal Info

2025-02-26

Google's 'Results About You' Tool Gets a Refresh: Easier Removal of Personal Info

Google's 'Results About You' tool, launched in 2022 and updated in 2023, helps users manage their online personal information. Recent updates include a redesigned hub and the ability to update outdated search results. Users can now submit removal requests directly from search results and refresh searches to get the latest information. While not a major overhaul, the updates improve user experience and streamline personal information management. However, the tool isn't available worldwide.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech Search

Warner Bros. Discovery Axes Game Studios, Cancels Wonder Woman Game

2025-02-25

Warner Bros. Discovery Axes Game Studios, Cancels Wonder Woman Game

Warner Bros. Discovery announced sweeping cuts to its games division, shutting down three studios and canceling the planned Wonder Woman game. Monolith Productions (creators of the Middle-earth: Shadow games), Player First Games (developers of the struggling MultiVersus), and WB Games San Diego were all closed due to a disappointing 2024 performance. The company will now focus on four core franchises: Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC, and Game of Thrones, shifting to a strategy of 'fewer but bigger franchises'.

(www.engadget.com)

Game

OpenAI Bans Chinese Users for Using ChatGPT to Develop AI Surveillance Tool

2025-02-22

OpenAI Bans Chinese Users for Using ChatGPT to Develop AI Surveillance Tool

OpenAI banned a group of Chinese users for attempting to use ChatGPT to debug and edit code for an AI-powered social media surveillance tool. The tool monitored anti-Chinese sentiment on platforms like X, Facebook, and YouTube, with the intention of sharing insights with Chinese authorities. OpenAI detected the users' activities, noting their consistent use of ChatGPT during Chinese business hours and the high volume of prompts suggesting manual, rather than automated, operation. This marks the first time OpenAI has uncovered such an AI tool, raising concerns about the misuse of AI technology.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech AI surveillance

Netflix Accidentally Adds Content to Apple TV App, Then Quickly Removes It

2025-02-14

Netflix Accidentally Adds Content to Apple TV App, Then Quickly Removes It

On Thursday, Netflix accidentally added some of its content to the Apple TV app, sparking online excitement and speculation. However, a Netflix spokesperson confirmed it was an error and the content has since been removed. While briefly available, the content primarily consisted of Netflix originals like Stranger Things and The Crown, but suffered from significant bugs. Features such as incomplete seasons, broken watchlists, and unreliable 'Continue Watching' functionality were reported. The incident is speculated to be a result of an internal test gone public. For now, Netflix content remains exclusive to its own app.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech

YouTube: TV Overtakes Mobile as Primary Viewing Device in the US

2025-02-11

YouTube: TV Overtakes Mobile as Primary Viewing Device in the US

YouTube reports that in the US, TVs have surpassed mobile devices as the primary way people watch its content. Despite the rise of smartphones, big-screen TVs and their remotes remain dominant, based on YouTube's watch time data. Nielsen confirms YouTube's leading position in streaming watch time for two years running. Furthermore, YouTube announced a new feature, "Watch With," enabling creators to provide live commentary and reactions to games and events, currently in testing.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech TV viewing

ESA's iicon: A Corporate-Focused Gaming Event Replacing E3?

2025-02-06

ESA's iicon: A Corporate-Focused Gaming Event Replacing E3?

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is launching iicon, the "interactive innovation conference," aiming to fill the void left by E3's demise. While lacking E3's catchy name, major players like Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft are onboard. However, marketing focuses on "visionaries" and "innovators," suggesting a corporate-centric event prioritizing partnerships and brand synergy over consumer-focused game reveals. This contrasts sharply with E3's heyday of major announcements. The inaugural iicon will be in April 2026, while consumer-facing events like Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards continue to dominate.

(www.engadget.com)

Game gaming industry

Canon's New Livestreaming App Doesn't Support Canon Cameras (Yet)

2025-01-20

Canon's New Livestreaming App Doesn't Support Canon Cameras (Yet)

Canon launched "Live Switcher Mobile," an iOS livestreaming app supporting up to three camera views. Surprisingly, it only works with Apple devices and currently lacks support for Canon cameras. The free version is limited to 720p with ads and watermarks. A $18 monthly subscription unlocks 1080p, removes ads, and adds features like picture-in-picture. While lacking some features of free alternatives like OBS Studio, Canon promises upcoming Canon camera support.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech Livestreaming App

LinkedIn's AI Job Match: Fewer Applications, Better Matches

2025-01-15

LinkedIn's AI Job Match: Fewer Applications, Better Matches

LinkedIn launched a new AI-powered feature called "Job Match" designed to help job seekers find more suitable roles. Going beyond simple keyword matching, it analyzes a candidate's experience to assess their fit for specific positions. LinkedIn aims to reduce unqualified applications, improving efficiency for both job seekers and recruiters. While available to all users, LinkedIn Premium subscribers receive more detailed match information. Despite the intense competition following 2024's tech layoffs, LinkedIn believes this feature can address a significant portion of the job search challenge by increasing transparency.

(www.engadget.com)

AI Job Search

Decentralized Instagram Alternative Pixelfed Launches iOS and Android Apps

2025-01-15

Decentralized Instagram Alternative Pixelfed Launches iOS and Android Apps

Pixelfed, a decentralized image-sharing platform, has launched official iOS and Android apps, offering a privacy-focused alternative to Instagram. Built on the ActivityPub protocol, Pixelfed interoperates with other decentralized social networks like Mastodon. Previously only available via web and third-party clients since its 2018 launch, the mobile apps represent a significant step towards broader adoption. Recent changes to Instagram's policies, including the removal of third-party fact-checking and adjustments to its hate speech policies, have driven many users to seek alternatives like Pixelfed.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech decentralized social network

Meta's Nick Clegg Departs After Seven Years

2025-01-02

Meta's Nick Clegg Departs After Seven Years

Nick Clegg, Meta's President of Global Affairs and former British Deputy Prime Minister, is leaving the company after seven years. His departure follows a period marked by significant policy decisions, including the handling of Donald Trump's account and navigating the evolving relationship between big tech and regulators. He'll be replaced by Joel Kaplan, a veteran policy executive with strong ties to the Republican party. Clegg's exit signifies a shift in the dynamics between tech giants and societal pressures.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech Policy