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13.02.2025 00:50 Iconic game designer Jeff Minter is back with another modern take on a long-forgotten Atari title. Minter has turned his psychedelic eye toward the 1984 arcade cabinet I, Robot. His version ups the visuals and takes serious liberties with the original design, adopting techno music and some new game modes. The original I, Robot was a flop, despite being made by Dave Theurer, the guy behind Missile Command and Tempest. Maybe it was just ahead of its time. After all, it was the very first commercial video game to use real-time, flat-shaded 3D polygon graphics. The game came out a full eight years before Sega’s Virtua Racing and more than a decade before the PlayStation and N64 brought 3D gaming into the mainstream. The original title had players control a robot as it jumped around mazes to flip the color of tiles and shoot enemies. There was also a giant eyeball that had to be avoided at all costs. Minter’s version keeps the core gameplay mechanic, but increases the speed and incorporates new gameplay elements. For instance, there are new tube shooter levels and an exploration mode called Ungame. It looks pretty nifty. If the name Jeff Minter seems vaguely familiar, he’s the person who made Tempest 2000 and its various sequels. More recently, he remade an unreleased Atari prototype called Akka Arrh that originally dates back to 1982. He also provided the visuals for a Nine Inch Nails video. Minter’s version of I, Robot will be released this spring on pretty much every platform, including Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. The design team is also working on a port for PlayStation VR2.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/acclaimed-designer-jeff-minter-is-back-with-a-remake-of-the-80s-arcade-curio-i-robot-194037105.html?src=rss

13.02.2025 00:50 MyFitnessPal, a popular, free food logging app, is getting into AI, specifically letting AI plan your meals for you. Following an acquisition of a startup called Intent, MyFitnessPal is adding an AI-generated meal planning feature for subscribers. The meal plans the updated MyFitnessPal app will be able to create take into account subscribers' "goals, preferences, dietary habits, and routines," according to MyFitnessPal, via information the app already has on you, and what looks like a survey. The feature will also be part of an end-to-end experience. Any plan the app creates can be automatically translated into a grocery list for the next time you're at the store, or an order to a grocery delivery service if you'd prefer to do as little as possible. MyFitnessPal Given the sheer number of recipe and diet videos you can stumble upon across social media, trying to simplify the process of planning what you're going to eat makes sense. Using AI to do it does seem like it could have some unintended consequences, though. Knowing AI's ability to hallucinate, even if MyFitnessPal isn't generating recipes from scratch, it still feels like you could end up with some oddball meal combinations or incorrect grocery lists. The only way to know for sure is to try the AI meal planner for yourself, and if you're interested, you can already sign-up for a waitlist so you're able to try it out as soon as its available. MyFitnessPal says meal planning will officially launch in the spring in the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and require joining a new $99.99 annual subscription tier called "Premium+" to use.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/myfitnesspal-is-going-to-let-ai-play-your-nutrionist-191239496.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50 We're in the tail end of winter here, but it's snowing as I write this. Not a lot, but just enough to be a potential frustration to the move I have planned for later this week. Basically, winter weather sucks, and one of the worst things about it is how unpredictable it can be. The Weather Company, owners and developers of the Weather Channel app know this, and have just released a feature to try and make planning for storms a little easier. It's called probabilistic snowfall, and it aims to give you greater insight into just how severe or impactful a storm might be. You'll still see the standard "50 percent chance of snowfall" in your forecasts, but in the 72 hours leading up to snow, you'll also see the percent change for specific snowfall amounts. For example, you'll see that there's an 80 percent chance of snow overall, but you'll also see bars detailing how likely more specific snowfall amounts are. In this screenshot from the app, you can see that five to eight inches is the most likely outcome, followed by eight to 12 inches — enough snow that you might want to change your plans to deal with it. According to Rachel Chukura, head of product at The Weather Company, that was precisely the vision behind the feature. "The idea is that users can see the different probabilities and know there could be variations, she said. "That's important because of all the decisions we make in terms of what weather we think is coming. What time do you need to leave for your commute, will there be a school delay, and so on." And while the company is starting with snowfall forecasts, they also hope to bring it to more forecasting tools over time. I've been using the feature for about a week, just in time to see it pop up for the small storm we had in Philadelphia last night. I obviously can't say how accurate it is, as I'm not out there measuring snowfall with a ruler. But the few inches we got overnight were in line with the probabilistic forecast, and it was helpful leading up to the storm to know I likely didn't have to worry about the weather truly being an inconvenience. The feature is part of the Weather Channel app's premium subscription, which costs $30 per year. Besides probabilistic snowfall, that also removes ads, shows longer-term forecasts on the radar, adds a 30-mile lightning strike map and provides more detailed 15-minute weather breakdowns. While most people out there will stick with the default weather app on their phones, or just use the free version of the Weather Channel or other similar apps, there's definitely something to be said for greater insight into how likely you are to get crushed by a snowstorm.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/the-weather-channel-app-can-show-how-likely-you-are-to-get-specific-snowfall-amounts-165900316.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50  Roll up, gamers. It's time for your latest influx of PlayStation knowledge. Sony is hosting its first State of Play stream of 2025 today at 5PM ET. The showcase will focus on PS5 games. You'll be able to watch it on the PlayStation website or the brand's YouTube and Twitch channels. Or, you know, by hitting the big play button on the YouTube video embedded above. The State of Play will run for about 40 minutes, so there should be lots of juicy details here. Ghost of Yotei and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach are both slated for 2025 debuts, so we could get release dates for those. For what it's worth, Death Stranding 2 director Hideo Kojima recently teased that he was working on a new trailer and he's appearing at an SXSW panel next month to talk about the game. Other first-party projects such as Marvel’s Wolverine, Marathon and Fairgame$ could get a look in during the State of Play. It seems far too early for us to get another peek at Naughty Dog's Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, though there's a chance that we'll finally find out the exact release date for season two of The Last of Us on HBO. As for third-party games, it's a pretty safe bet that we'll see a trailer and release date for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater since, whoops, Sony itself leaked those last week. Forza Horizon 5 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are making the leap over from Xbox this spring, so release date reveals for those during the State of Play would make sense. Rumors also suggest that Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, a remastered collection of the first three Gears of War games and even the Halo series, Xbox's crown jewel, will cross the great divide to PlayStation. Perhaps we'll learn about some of those during the stream too. In any case, you'll be able to find coverage of all the big State of Play news on a cool website called Engadget dot com.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/watch-sonys-state-of-play-showcase-here-at-5pm-et-165148390.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50 The iPad mini 7 is once again on sale for $100 off via Amazon. This applies to every design variation, so the 128GB standard model is now $400 and the 512GB Wi-Fi/cellular version is $850. However, not all of the colors have been blessed by the discount fairy. Most colorways get a discount of some kind, but it may not apply to all of the hardware variations. Apple’s latest and greatest diminutive tablet easily found a place on our list of the best iPads. It’s a solid refresh without any real tradeoffs when compared to the full-sized tablet. It supports the Apple Pencil Pro, the A17 Pro chip is plenty powerful and the overall design is comfortable to hold. It’s an iPad mini. We called it a “solid and necessary update to the best small tablet on the market” in our official review. We came away impressed by the stereo speakers, which sound much better than one would expect. The display is nice, despite maxing out at a 60Hz refresh rate, and the camera array takes surprisingly decent shots, even in low light. It’s great for everyday computing tasks and, of course, for playing mobile games like Balatro. This model doesn’t include an M-series chip, though the A17 Pro is plenty powerful. Also, the battery life isn’t going to be winning any awards. We struggled to squeeze ten hours of it. This model also lacks Face ID, which could be an issue for some users. Beyond these minor nitpicks, however, this is a near-perfect teensy tablet. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-ipad-mini-7-is-back-on-sale-for-100-off-162536671.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50  Hark thee, foul tarnished. Those who have yearned for fresh battles against hideously wicked beasts in The Lands Between need not wait an age for such misadventures. Elden Ring Nightreign has a release date, and it’s not too far away. The co-op title will land on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC on May 30. We first learned about the Elden Ring spinoff at The Game Awards in December. FromSoftware’s original blockbuster game arrived in 2022 and that was followed by the mammoth Shadow of the Erdtree expansion last year. This time around, you can team up with two other players or go it alone in a procedurally generated version of Limgrave, the first main area of Elden Ring. You'll be able to choose one of eight Nightfarers, each with their own set of abilities, to play as on your run. The aim is to survive three in-game days and nights until a battle with a final boss. FromSoft appears to have taken a little inspiration from battle royale games like Fortnite, as the playable area shrinks over time. Even if your entire team sees the dreaded "you died" screen before completing a run, you'll still receive a relic you can use to upgrade your characters and align them more with your personal playstyle. Some lucky ducks will actually be able to try Elden Ring Nightreign in closed beta tests that are taking place this weekend. Pre-orders for the game are now available too. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/elden-ring-nightreign-arrives-on-may-30-153416886.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50 The MacBook Pro is certainly not a necessity for everyone and the steep price ensures that . But, every once in a while, a sale makes the superior laptop seem worth it. Right now is one of those times, with the new 14-inch MacBook Pro available for $1,400, down from $1,599. The sale comes courtesy of a 10 percent off discount and an additional $39 coupon on the product page . The 14-inch MacBook Pro has 16GB of memory and 512GB SSD storage in either Space Black or Silver. Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro came out late last year and scored a solid 92 in our review. This rating — along with naming the device our pick for best MacBook for creatives — comes thanks to perks such as it fast M4 chips. It also has an exceptionally long battery life, bright display and Sharp 12MP Center Stage webcam. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-14-inch-m4-macbook-pro-is-200-off-at-amazon-151507181.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50 How do you follow up a product that has reigned as the king of mirrorless cameras for the last four years? For Sony, the answer with the A1 was simple: just improve everything. The result is the $6,500 A1 II, a powerful pro-level hybrid mirrorless camera that’s Sony’s best to date. The A1 II is equipped with a 50-megapixel stacked sensor, not a global sensor like the A9 III, so it’s not quite as fast. However, its blend of speed and resolution makes it the most versatile camera in Sony’s lineup. It also impresses on the video side with 8K 30 fps 10-bit capture, along with 4K slo-mo at up to 120 fps. I expect a lot out of a Sony flagship camera, though, and while the A1 II has lots of small improvements, there’s nothing terribly innovative. It’s also up against impressive competition like the $4,300 Canon EOS R5 II and $4,000 Nikon Z8. Plus, there’s the similarly priced pro-level Canon R1 and Nikon Z9. So despite its strengths, I found Sony’s new flagship to be slightly disappointing. Body and handling The A1 II is Sony’s best-handling camera to date. In terms of design and control placement, it’s nearly identical to the company’s high-end A9 III. At 743 grams , it’s heavier than the 617-gram A1, but still a featherweight compared to other professional models like the three-pound Z9. The new grip has slightly softer materials and more rounded contours, so it’s more comfortable and secure to hold than the hard-edged A1. That’s a big help to working pros with heavy lenses. If you like manual controls, the A1 II is a dream. It has three primary dials, compared to just two on rival flagships. There’s a mode selector ring to choose photo, video and so-called Slow Quick modes, along with a dual-control wheel for both shooting and autofocus. Around back, there’s yet another dial, plus a joystick and numerous customizable buttons. The A1 II’s menu system has been refreshed to match the A9 III. It now offers a “home” setting for your most-used features, and everything is neatly organized into sub-menus. Sony also added an easy-to-use section for customizing buttons, dials, the quick menu and more. Steve Dent for Engadget Despite the price difference, it’s natural to compare the A1 II’s design and setup with the Canon R5 II as both are high-performance, high-resolution cameras. The R5 II does feel a bit nicer thanks to the more rounded shape and softer materials. But the A1 II has a larger array of controls, so it’s easier and faster to shoot with it once you get used to them. Sony also has a more intuitive menu system that makes it easier to find key settings. Then there’s the A1 II’s sublime electronic viewfinder . Though it has the same resolution as the A1 at 9.44 million dots, it no longer drops in resolution at its default 120 fps frame rate. With that, it’s so sharp and bright that it blows away any argument for an optical viewfinder. Sony even provides two eyepiece cups, including what it calls a “squishy” option that molds around your eye to block out light, giving me a fully immersive experience. With all of that, this is easily the best EVF I’ve ever used. Vloggers complained about the lack of a fully articulating display on the A1. Sony addressed that by outfitting the A1 II with a bright, 3-inch, 2.1-million-dot screen that not only tilts up and down but also fully swivels — ideal for both photographers and content creators. As before, the A1 II has a dual card slot system with support for both SD UHS II and Sony’s CFexpress Type A cards that no one else uses. Those are faster than SD, but not as fast as the CFexpress Type B slots found on the R5 II, Z8 and others. Steve Dent for Engadget The Z-type battery delivers a decent 520 shots on a charge, which is just slightly less than the 530 on the A1. It comes with a nice array of ports, including full-sized HDMI and high-speed USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 that allows rapid 10Gbps file transfers. You also get mic and headphone ports, a 2.5 Gbps ethernet connection and a flash sync port. Even the Wi-Fi was upgraded with 2x2 MIMO support that allows 2.5Gbps transfer speeds instead of 1Gbps as before. Performance The A1 II is the fastest high-resolution camera available, letting you hit burst speeds up to 30 fps when shooting RAW with continuous autofocus enabled in electronic mode, or 10 fps with the mechanical shutter. Those speeds match or beat its main rivals, but aren’t an improvement over the four-year-old A1. That’s a bit of a surprise, given that the A1 II has a much faster Bionz XR image processor borrowed from the A9 III. The autofocus is a big improvement, though. It locks onto subjects quicker than before, so I saw fewer out-of-focus shots when firing off bursts. The A1 II also has Sony’s latest algorithms and AI features from the A9 III that make subject-recognition faster and more user-friendly. It can now recognize human bodies, faces and eyes, along with animals, birds, insects and several types of vehicles. On top of that, the A1 II is Sony’s first camera to automatically identify those subjects so you don’t have to tediously select them yourself. In other words, if you’re photographing birds and happen to see a bear, you won’t waste valuable time switching modes. Sony is a bit late to the game with this auto subject selection, as Canon and other brands have had it for a while. However, the A1 II has the best implementation I’ve seen to date, as it chooses and locks onto subjects more quickly. Like other cameras, it can get tripped up in situations with multiple subjects, occasionally selecting the wrong one. With human subjects, Canon has an edge thanks to its face-memorization feature on the R1 and R5 that will always try to lock onto a specific person. Steve Dent for Engadget While the A1 II has both a mechanical and electronic shutter, the stacked sensor’s fast readout speeds mean you can use the latter almost exclusively. Even in sports like golf with high speed movements, skewing and distortion is rarely an issue when using the electronic shutter, and you can shoot photos silently without disturbing participants. Pre-capture is a key new feature, letting you keep up to 70 frames when half-pressing the shutter button, before fully pressing it. That reduces the odds of missing a decisive moment in a scene. When it comes to stabilization, the A1 II also represents a first for the company. It offers 8.5 stops, beating the A9 III by a half-stop and matching the EOS R5 II and R1. Thanks to that, I was able to nail sharp photos even at ridiculously slow shutter speeds, like a full second. That’s ideal when you need to shoot in low light or deliberately blur moving subjects without using a tripod. While the A1 II is quick, it didn’t bring the generational leap I expected compared to a four-year-old camera. My professional photographer friends felt the same way and won’t be upgrading. Image quality The A1 II is not just fast, but also delivers high resolution, and that combination is why you pay the big bucks. Images are sharper than just about any full-frame camera, with the exception of Sony’s own A7R V. Dynamic range is excellent and colors are accurate when shooting JPEGs, though I prefer Canon’s warmer images straight out of the camera. The new model has the same sensor as the A1, but Sony managed to boost dynamic range very slightly at higher ISOs. As a result, you get minimal noise up to around ISO 6,400 and images are very usable at ISO 12,800. This is outstanding for a 50MP camera, and better than Canon’s EOS R5 II. Beyond that, and up to the camera’s maximum ISO 32,000, noise starts to become distracting. RAW files give photographers ample room to dial down blown out highlights or boost detail in shadow areas. If you need the maximum amount of dynamic range, you’ll want to shoot using the lossless compressed RAW format, as lossy compressed RAW files are noticeably worse in highly detailed images. The downside to the latter is that shooting them limits burst speeds to 20 fps and fills your memory card much faster. While image quality is outstanding, it’s not much of an improvement over the A1. For studio and landscape photographers who value image quality above all and already own an A1, the A1 II likely isn’t worth the investment. Video On paper, the A1 II is a powerhouse for video, offering up to 8K 30 fps recording and 4K 60 fps , with 10-bit log shooting available. It comes with a new feature that lets you load custom LUTs when shooting in log mode, so you can better judge your exposure. It also has a setting that lets you better match footage with Sony’s professional cinema cameras. That’s on top of the other improvements I already mentioned, like the fully articulating display and upgraded stabilization, that are also beneficial when recording video. Frame of 8K video from the Sony A1 II Steve Dent for Engadget Autofocus is much improved with more reliable tracking of moving subjects, as I found when shooting a fast-moving soccer event. It also supports the same subject tracking modes available when capturing photos . Looking closer, though, the video capabilities are slightly disappointing. Unlike the much cheaper Nikon Z8 and Canon EOS R5 II cameras, the A1 II doesn’t offer internal RAW recording, possibly because the CFexpress Type A slots can’t handle the required bandwidth. That can make a big difference with video quality and the ability to adjust colors and levels when editing. Still, when recording 8K or 4K 10-bit log video at the highest data rates, image quality and dynamic range are solid. The S-Log3 and 10-bit features give content creators a lot of room to tweak footage shot in dim interiors or a bright sunny day. The in-body stabilization may be the best I’ve seen on any camera to date. The optical mode does a great job removing any hand jitters if you don’t move around too much. And for walking or running, the electronic stabilization provides near GoPro-like smoothing, with none of the sudden jolts seen on other models. If you do need to move the camera quickly, rolling shutter is usually a non-issue. I only saw any distortion when shooting 8K video, and even then, it was minimal. Wrap-up Steve Dent for Engadget The A1 II is an awesome camera and near the top of the food chain in terms of speed and power. Nearly every aspect has been improved over the A1, including the stabilization, body design and autofocus. However, the innovation that Sony is known for is lacking here, and on top of that, the A1 II is very expensive. With that taken into account, I think it falls short. The A1 II is only a mild upgrade over the A1 and when it comes to video, it’s lagging behind the Nikon Z8 and Z9 as well as the Sony R5 II. If you already have the A1, I don’t think the A1 II offers enough extra to justify a new investment. And anyone who is more serious about video should consider either the Canon R5 II or Nikon Z8, as both offer higher-quality RAW video at up to 8K 60p for less money. However, for pros or serious amateurs going into the A1 lineup for the first time, who focus on photos and have no qualms about the $6,500 price, the Sony A1 II is a great pick.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/sony-a1-ii-review-a-powerhouse-camera-that-falls-short-of-its-own-high-standards-150053430.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50 The problem with good quality earbuds is that, of course, they don't come cheap. So, when a sale comes along that makes them more affordable, we're all over it. Right now, you can get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169, down from $249 — a 32 percent discount. They fell to a record low of $154 over the holidays, but this price is the best we've seen so far in 2025. Apple's AirPods Pro 2 came out in 2022 and yet we still rate them the best wireless earbuds for iPhone. At the time, we gave them a score of 88 thanks to big improvements from their predecessor, including fantastic sound and an amazing transparency mode. They'll last you six hours at a time with ANC on or seven hours without it. Notably, Apple's newest generation of earbuds are also on sale. The AirPods 4 are down to a new all-time low price of $100, from $129, thanks to a 22 percent discount. We also gave the AirPods 4 an 88 in our review, noting their improved fit, comfort and sound quality. Their biggest drawback is the lack of ANC but, if you don't need that, then this is a great deal. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/pick-up-apples-airpods-pro-2-while-theyre-on-sale-for-169-140656308.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50 Google Pixel fans who don’t wish to break the bank often look to the more affordable A series of Pixel smartphones. The successor model of this series, the Pixel 9a, hasn’t been released yet, but at this point nearly everything important about the handset has been leaked. Here's everything we know so far. The Pixel 9a will come with a slightly modified Google Tensor G4 chip with the Exynos Modem 5300 found on the Pixel 8 series instead of the newer Modem 5400 on the other Pixel 9 smartphones, according to Android Authority. Android Headlines reported that other specs include 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage space, dimensions measuring 6.1x2.9x0.4 inches and a weight of 6.6 ounces . It’ll also get the largest battery on a Pixel device ever so far, with a capacity of 5,100mAh, which is 40mAh more than the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Pixel 9a will also reportedly have a 48-megapixel main sensor, 13MP ultrawide sensor and 13MP front camera. There’s a new pill-shaped camera housing instead of the familiar camera bump. It fits flush with the back of the phone, a welcome departure from previous models. The Pixel 9a is expected to come in four colorways, the names of which are not finalized: Iris , Obsidian , Peony and Porcelain . It's believed the handset will cost $499 for the 128GB version and $599 for the 256GB upgrade. A Verizon mWave model will reportedly tack on an extra $50 charge as well. According to a source who spoke to Android Headlines, the smartphone will launch on March 26, but Google will start accepting pre-orders on March 19.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/everything-we-know-about-the-rumored-google-pixel-9a-so-far-141908754.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50 Think you might have met someone “attractive, single and successful” on Facebook or Instagram? You might want to think again, Meta says. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, the company is once again warning users not to fall for romance scams. These kinds of schemes, in which scammers create fictitious identities to form online relationships with unsuspecting victims, aren’t exactly new. But the people behind these scams are apparently persistent. Meta says that already in 2025 it’s taken down more than 116,000 accounts and pages across Facebook and Instagram that were linked to romance scams. In 2024, it removed more than 408,000 such accounts. According to Meta, these scam accounts often originate in West African countries with scammers impersonating members of the US military or famous celebrities. In both cases, they’ll claim to be “looking for love” and will strike up conversations with people on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp as well as other messaging platforms. Eventually, the scammer will request gift cards, crypto, or other types of payments. Meta has taken steps to fight these types of schemes. The company said last year it would bring back facial recognition tech to address celebrity impersonation. It also works with other companies to shut down organized groups of scammers. Still, David Agranovich, director of threat disruption at Meta, noted that "scammers evolve consistently." Researchers also say that AI has made it even easier for scammers to assume convincing fictitious identities. “In the last three or four months, there's a couple of different tools that have come out where they're free, they're accessible, they're easy to use, and they allow the attacker to transform their face dynamically within the video call,” Rachel Tobac CEO of SocialProof Security said during a call with reporters. “They can also use these deepfake bots that allow you to build a persona, place phone calls, use a voice clone and a human actually doesn't even need to be involved.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-warns-users-not-to-fall-for-romance-scammers-posing-as-celebrities-or-military-140031858.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50 Adobe’s Firefly Video Model is in public beta as of today, meaning the days of praying you had a chance to test it are over. The company claims that it’s the first commercially safe generative AI video model in the market. Previously, it was only available in the Adobe Premiere Pro video editor with Generative Extend, but you can also access a standalone Firefly web app now. For those unaware, Adobe’s Firefly Video Model powers the Generate Video feature, which can generate video clips from a text prompt or image. It can also edit images, turn them into videos, create 3D worlds and more. The content is “safe” for commercial use too, since the AI applies watermarks signifying which parts have AI assistance, and that can be checked with the Adobe Content Authenticity web app’s Inspect tool. In other words, it’s “safe” because people can check if AI was used in the content due to embedded data. The Firefly web app integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud apps such as Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Express and more. Three new features available on the app today include video generation and scene-to-image generation with the ability to fine-tune footage, allowing users to make images from 3D sketches, plus audio and video translation into supported languages. Currently, there are two pricing plans: Firefly Standard and Firefly Pro. The former grants access to 2,000 video/audio credits a month and 20 five-second 1080p video generations, while the latter increases the number of credits to 7,000 and video generations to 70. A Firefly Premium plan for professionals is coming soon. You can now purchase a Firefly Standard subscription for $10 a month, while a Firefly Pro subscription costs $30 a month.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/adobes-firefly-generative-ai-video-app-is-now-in-public-beta-140030134.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50 Qualcomm is bringing AI to its mid-range mobile chip lineup with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 Mobile Platform, the company announced. The new chips also promise improved CPU and GPU performance, lower power requirements and faster Wi-Fi and mobile connectivity compared to the previous chip. The new AI features are made possible with support for Qualcom's on-device Gen AI support, allowing voice-activated assistants, background noise reduction during calls and more. It's also the first 6-series Snapdragon processor with support for INT4 that allows generative AI to run more efficiently on small devices. Qualcomm Qualcomm is also promising 11 percent improved CPU performance via its latest Kryo CPU and a 29 percent boost in GPU performance. Neither of those gains will stress your battery, thanks to a 12 percent savings in power. Qualcomm is also debuted its 5G Modem-RF systems that promises to improve 5G speeds and compatibility, while introducing Wi-Fi 6E connectivity via its FastConnect system. Other. new features include lossless audio and a triple ISP that will allow phones to take photos and record videos simultaneously. All of that means that Android users won't need to break the bank on flagship devices to get the latest AI features and decent speed. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 Mobile Platform will soon appear on Oppo, Honor and other devices, the company said. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/qualcomms-snapdragon-6-gen-4-is-its-first-mid-range-chip-with-ai-support-140005612.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50 Samsung is making a play to, well, repair its repairability image. The new Galaxy S25 UItra offers a slew of helpful features, including an accessible, easy to remove battery. Instead of Samsung's adhesives of the past, the S25 Ultra's battery can just pop right out, iFixit reports. This time around Samsung has included four sticky tabs that wrap around the battery. All you need to do is lift up these tabs and the battery comes out in a matter of seconds. This shift aligns with Europe's right-to-repair laws, which push companies to make repairs more accessible for device owners. iFixit We gave the Galaxy 25 Ultra an 89 in our review, thanks to its nearly 30 hours of battery life, anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2 panels and slimmer bezels. It also offers a new 50MP ultra-wide sensor on its ultra-wide lens and an excellent screen. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/with-the-galaxy-s25-samsung-finally-nailed-a-truly-repairable-battery-134546580.html?src=rss

12.02.2025 19:50 In surprising news, Apple has actually done something that could save you money. The company is now allowing users to migrate purchases from one Apple Account to another. Transfers can include items such as movies, books, music apps and more. The only catch: You can only move purchases from your secondary account, the one you use for Media and Purchases, to your primary account, the one signed in to iCloud and most other features. Before starting a migration, check that you are signed in to both accounts on your device and that the secondary account isn't part of Family Sharing or Purchase Sharing. Then, make sure you have two-factor authentication on for both accounts and that they are both linked to the same country and region. You'll also need to spend any remaining balance and not have any rentals or pre-orders. Then, transfer your things by going to the Media and Purchases tab and scrolling to Migrate Purchases. Follow the steps on your screen and then, once the migration is complete, log out of your secondary account on all devices. As a heads up, you'll no longer be able to use that other account for purchases. Users based in the US can now migrate their purchases. However, the new feature isn't available globally yet, as users in the European Union, UK and India can't access it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-finally-lets-you-move-your-digital-purchases-to-another-account-134535401.html?src=rss