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07.02.2025 15:50 This week, Devindra chats with Volvo Group CTO Lars Stenqvist about the company’s progress developing zero emissions trucks, both of the electric variety and experimental hydrogen options. While it’s a completely different company from Volvo Cars, Volvo Group still impacts consumers as one of the largest producers of heavy trucks. Stenqvist dives into how Volvo is thinking about new technology, and we chat a bit about how it’s approaching completely autonomous vehicles. Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News! Subscribe! iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Podcasts Credits Host: Devindra HardawarGuest: Lars Stenqvist, CTO Volvo GroupProducer: Ben EllmanMusic: Dale NorthThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/engadget-podcast-volvo-groups-cto-on-his-vision-for-zero-emission-trucks-123006981.html?src=rss

07.02.2025 15:50 In just few days, Apple could finally unveil a new iPhone SE. According to Bloomberg, the company will announce its latest lower-cost model as soon as next week before it goes on sale later this month. The last iPhone SE was released back in 2022, and the publication says that Apple Stores have been running low on stocks in recent weeks. A few days ago, a Twitter user who goes by "Majin Bu" posted a video of a device that's supposedly Apple's upcoming low-cost iPhone model. Unlike the current version, it no longer has a home button marking the death of a feature that once identified the company's mobile devices. The upcoming iPhone SE will reportedly have a camera notch at the top, which Apple had removed from its latest phones in favor of its Dynamic Island design. It's also expected to have a USB-C port, which will allow Apple to sell it in the European Union, where all mobile devices are required to have USB-C charging capability. Apple had to stop selling the 2022 version and the iPhone 14 in the region late last year when the rule came into effect. Bloomberg previously reported that the new iPhone SE will be the first Apple device to use the company's in-house cellular modem, replacing the Qualcomm chips it's been using up until now. The phone is also expected to have Face ID and Apple Intelligence, made possible by the company's A18 processor. The publication's sources said Apple isn't likely to hold a launch event for the device and will simply just start selling it on its website. At launch, the older version carried a retail price of $429, but that was two years ago — you can probably expect the new model with its more modern specs to cost a bit more.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-will-reportedly-announce-a-new-iphone-se-next-week-120006642.html?src=rss

07.02.2025 15:50 UK officials have ordered Apple to create a backdoor that would allow them to see what users worldwide have saved on their iCloud accounts, according to The Washington Post. Their order reportedly demands blanket capability to view all of a user's fully encrypted material whenever they want, wherever the target is located. While only certain iCloud data is end-to-end encrypted by default, users can choose to activate Advanced Data Protection for better security. With the optional setting enabled, the majority of a user's data is protected by encryption, including their iCloud Backup, Photos and Notes. Except encryption won't do users any good if authorities in the UK decide to take a look at their iCloud content. Apple will likely stop offering encrypted storage to users in the UK, The Post's sources said, so it wouldn't have to promise them greater security knowing that authorities will be able to access their account. As the publication notes, though, it doesn't solve the issue of authorities demanding a backdoor entrance for all accounts, even for users outside the region. Authorities issued the order under the UK Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, which covers how they can get their hands on data and information for law enforcement purposes. When the UK government made changes to the Act last year, it said they were meant to "ensure the intelligence services and law enforcement have the powers they need to keep pace with a range of evolving threats from terrorists, hostile state actors, child abusers and criminal gangs." The company won't be able to confirm receiving the order, because it would be a criminal offense to do so. But it if did indeed get one, then Google, which has more users around the world, might also receive one soon if it hasn't gotten one yet. Apple received a draft of the order when those changes were being debated by government officials last year. In a written submission protesting them, it said that the planned provisions "could be used to force a company like Apple, that would never build a back door into its products, to publicly withdraw critical security features from the UK market." The Post says the company can still appeal the notice, but it can't use that appeal to put off its compliance. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/uk-officials-are-reportedly-demanding-backdoor-access-to-apple-icloud-accounts-113556534.html?src=rss

07.02.2025 11:01 Acer just revealed two new gaming laptops at IEM Katowice, a Counter-Strike tournament in Poland. These are entries in the company’s Predator Helios Neo AI line of laptops, so they are filled to the brim with both bells and whistles. The Helios Neo 16 AI and 18 AI can be outfitted with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU. Both of these computers also boast sleek, minimalist designs, with RGB logos on the lid and “dynamic 4-zone” RGB keyboards. They support up to 64GB of RAM and up to 2TB of internal storage. The laptops also come with Intel Killer Ethernet and integrate with Wi-Fi 6E, so online gaming sessions should be zippy as can be. Both models support NVIDIA G-SYNC, Advanced Optimus and MUX Switch. Acer The Neo 16 AI includes an OLED WQXGA display with a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. The Helios Neo 18 AI features a Mini LED WQXGA panel with a 250Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. The Neo 16 is being advertised as a great option for portable gaming, while the Neo 18 is being marketed as a desktop replacement. The Predator Helios Neo 16 AI will be available in the US sometime in April, with prices starting at $1,900. The Neo 18 AI goes on sale this May, with prices starting at $2,200. Acer has been busy lately. The company announced a trio of new laptops at CES 2025, in addition to a nifty-looking handheld gaming machine.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/acer-just-announced-two-new-gaming-laptops-with-great-specs-and-sleek-designs-090051373.html?src=rss

07.02.2025 11:01 Gaming can get expensive fast, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to level up your setup. Whether you're playing on PC, console or even mobile, the best gaming accessories can improve your experience without emptying your wallet. From responsive controllers and comfy headsets to high-speed mousepads and budget-friendly mechanical keyboards, you can still get that pro-gamer feel without breaking the bank.The right accessories can make a huge difference — whether it’s a headset with crystal-clear audio to hear every enemy footstep or a controller with extra grip for those intense battles. We've rounded up the best gaming accessories that deliver great performance and value, so you can upgrade your gear without regret. Best budget gaming headsets Best budget gaming keyboards Best budget gaming mice This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/best-budget-gaming-accessories-130040522.html?src=rss

07.02.2025 06:00 Hasbro Entertainment and Legendary Entertainment have joined forces to bring Magic: The Gathering to the big and small screens. The pair have signed a licensing deal to create "a live-action feature film and television universe" inspired by the card game. First up will be a movie, with other media to follow, but that's all that's been revealed so far. Longtime MTG fans might feel skeptical about this announcement, because this isn't the first time the intellectual property has been promised some kind of film or television adaptation. The card game's Fandom wiki page lists many of the proposed movie projects over the years. First up was a plan for multiple movies with Universal all the way back in 2008, which never yielded anything. Then Hasbro made an attempt at a movie with Twentieth Century Fox in 2014, but that was also never heard from again. Netflix has also been attached to two different rumored Magic projects, but it seems like the streamer's animated TV series might really come to pass, with a post on Tudum from September 2024 promising that it's really happening and in production. Legendary Entertainment has had several projects drawing on geek culture, usually bringing a big budget and a dark edge to their work. Most recently the studio worked on Dune and Dune: Part Two, and it also was involved in Christopher Nolan's take on Batman in The Dark Knight movies as well as the Warcraft movie. MTG has a lot of lore to draw on, so there's plenty of fodder for a cinematic universe. Here's hoping the producers and talent have the understanding to turn all that potential into a good movie.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/magic-the-gathering-lands-deal-for-film-and-tv-adaptions-with-legendary-entertainment-000159168.html?src=rss

07.02.2025 00:50 Two US Congress members plan to introduce bipartisan legislation to ban China’s DeepSeek AI chatbot from government devices. The bill’s announcement came after a security expert said DeepSeek not only poses a threat to US AI stocks; it’s also a national security risk. The chatbot has recently been the most downloaded app in the US. U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Darin LaHood , each party’s senior-most member on the House Select Committee on Intelligence, plan to introduce the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act.” If all of this sounds familiar, the move echoes Congress’ blocking of TikTok from government devices in 2022. That was the opening salvo in a saga that culminated in the US-wide ban the app is now staring down. The alarm follows an independent analysis from Feroot Security claiming that DeepSeek’s code sends user data directly to the Chinese government-owned China Mobile. “We see direct links to servers and companies in China that are under control of the Chinese government,” Feroot analyst Ivan Tsarynny said in an interview with ABC News. “This is something we’ve never seen before.” “Our personal information is being sent to China, there is no denial, and the DeepSeek tool is collecting everything that American users connect to it,” Tsarynny told the Wall Street Journal. ABC reported on Wednesday that multiple cybersecurity experts verified Feroot’s findings. The US Navy and NASA have already banned DeepSeek from their employees’ devices. Texas is the only state to have blocked the app from government devices. Three other countries have already beat the US to the punch in banning the app: Italy, South Korea and Australia. LaHood warned of the app’s dangers. “The national security threat that DeepSeek — a CCP-affiliated company — poses to the United States is alarming,” the Representative wrote in a press release. “DeepSeek’s generative AI program acquires the data of US users and stores the information for unidentified use by the CCP. Under no circumstances can we allow a CCP company to obtain sensitive government or personal data.” “We must get to the bottom of DeepSeek’s malign activities,” Gottheimer wrote. “We simply can’t risk the CCP infiltrating the devices of our government officials and jeopardizing our national security.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/us-lawmakers-want-deepseek-banned-from-government-devices-212230100.html?src=rss

07.02.2025 00:50 Members of the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are being forced to choose between staying at their jobs or taking a government buyout, NPR reports. The buyout program is one of several methods the current administration is deploying to shrink the federal government under the guidance of the "Department of Governmental Efficiency" , an advisory group lead by Elon Musk. CISA was creating during the first Trump Administration in 2018 to protect key infrastructure from cyber attacks and advise the government and its partners on building more secure infrastructure in the future. The agency played an important role in investigating Salt Typhoon in 2024, the hacking group that breached US telecom companies to get at government officials. Considering cybersecurity is becoming more critical, not less, short-staffing the agency could lead to problems. The consequences of hollowing out or effectively eliminating key government agencies and departments don't seem to be a concern of DOGE or the Trump Administration, however. Along with CISA, staff at the IRS, CIA and Department of Education have also reportedly received the buyout ultimatum. The offer gives government employees until midnight on February 6 to accept a buyout and receive pay through October, or come back to work in-person, agree to new performance standards and promise to be "reliable, loyal and trustworthy," according to USA Today. The deal mirrors a similar offer Musk made to Twitter employees after he acquired the social media platform in 2022, even down to language describing it as a "Fork in the Road." A key difference between then and now is budget. The government hasn't set aside money to pay a bunch of employees to do nothing for eight months, and its not clear it plans to, because Congress ultimately controls government spending. Beyond that, a legal fight might make the whole thing moot. A US district judge in Boston has already ruled against the buyout deal, giving government employees until at least Monday to make a decision, Reuters writes, and there's the possibility of another extension still on the table. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/protecting-the-us-from-hackers-apparently-isnt-in-trumps-budget-195915036.html?src=rss

07.02.2025 00:50 Looking for a new streamer to fill the endless daily void? A year of Peacock Premium is on sale for just $30. Just use the code “WINTERSAVINGS” at checkout. This is a major discount of over 60 percent, as the typical price is $80. It’s important to note that, despite the name, this isn’t the actual premium tier. It includes ads, which could be a dealbreaker for some. However, there’s plenty to watch on this platform for those okay with the occasional long and harrowing commercial about random pharmaceuticals. Peacock, after all, easily made our list of the best streaming services. The platform is home to all kinds of original content, from Rian Johnson’s Poker Face to that surprisingly fun Twisted Metal adaptation. It’s also the only place to watch the dearly-departed AI-centric sci-fi romp Mrs. Davis. During its early years, Peacock invested heavily in scripted comedy and a lot of that stuff is still on the platform. This includes shows like Rutherford Falls, Bust Down and MacGruber. More recently, the streamer has found success with shows like Ted, Hysteria! and Laid. It also has all kinds of reality TV shows, if that’s your bag, as NBC owns Bravo. If this deal interests you, get on it quick. The aforementioned coupon code stops working on February 18. Also, this deal is only for new subscribers. 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/get-one-year-of-peacock-premium-for-only-30-195123398.html?src=rss

06.02.2025 20:20 The Entertainment Software Association is making a fresh attempt to launch a gaming event. The new project is called iicon, or the "interactive innovation conference." It's not as catchy a name as E3, and sadly for the average gaming fan, it's probably not an event they'll care about as much as E3. On the positive side, most of the big businesses in games that would have hosted sprawling booths at Los Angeles Convention Center back in the day have already signed on to this new endeavor. Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, Disney, EA, Epic Games, Ubisoft, Square Enix, Take Two Interactive, Amazon Games and Warner Bros. Games are all named as participants. However, the announcements on social media promote iicon as being for "visionaries," "changemakers" and "innovators," so our best guess is that this event will swing more toward the corporate side of gaming where people might use that language unironically. If that's the case, this won't really be a replacement for the heyday of E3, when studios big and small would showcase their upcoming projects and drop internet-breaking surprises. Instead, the inaugural event in April 2026 sounds like it will focus more on moving the needle, brand alignments and synergy. Since the old ESA event's decline and eventual demise in 2023, the consumer side of gaming is mostly being served by splashy events run by Geoff Keighley: the Summer Game Fest and the Game Awards. Both have already announced their 2025 dates.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-esa-wants-to-replace-e3-with-a-bunch-of-buzzwords-191544789.html?src=rss

06.02.2025 20:20 Amazon has shared a list of video games that Prime members can snag for free this month, and there are some real gems. It’s a nice mix of AAA and indie titles. Additionally, the company revealed some new titles coming to the cloud-gaming platform Luna. BioShock Infinite Complete Edition is available right now. This version includes the full game, as originally released back in 2013, plus all of the various DLC and add-ons that came after. We called it “an easy story to fall in love with” in our official review, and that certainly stands to this day. The Talos Principle: Gold Edition is also ready to play right now. Just like Bioshock, this is the full game plus all of the DLC. We loved this story-driven puzzle title upon its release in 2015, calling it “mysterious and haunting, creative and beautiful.” It’s also super fun. Incidentally, there’s a remake coming sometime this year. Other titles coming to Prime Gaming this month include Wolfenstein: Youngblood on February 20 and Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut on February 27. On the indie front, the co-op shooter AK-xolotl: Together is available right now and the pixelated roguelike western Colt Canyon drops on February 20. Prime Gaming members in many parts of the world, including the US and much of Europe, also have access to the company’s cloud-gaming platform Luna. A bunch of new titles have hit the service this month, all of which are available to play right now. These include Devil May Cry 5, Batora: Lost Haven, Fallout New Vegas: Ultimate Edition and Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition. Other freshly-dropped games include the fantastic action RPG Nobody Saves the World Complete and Batora: Lost Haven.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/prime-gamings-february-freebies-include-bioshock-infinite-and-wolfenstein-youngblood-182321261.html?src=rss

06.02.2025 20:20 Less than a year into his tenure at the company, OpenAI co-founder John Schulman is leaving Anthropic. The startup confirmed Schulman’s departure after The Information, Reuters and other publications reported on the exit. "We are sad to see John go but fully support his decision to pursue new opportunities and wish him all the very best,” said Jared Kaplan, Anthropic's chief science officer, in a statement the company shared with Engadget. Schulman left OpenAI last August alongside Peter Deng, the company’s former vice-president of consumer product. Schulman is considered one of the original architects of ChatGPT. Following his departure from OpenAI, Schulman said he was joining Anthropic to focus on AI alignment — the process of making machine learning models safe to use — and a desire to return “to more hands-on technical work.” Schulman hasn’t publicly said why he decided to leave Anthropic, nor what he plans to do next. His X profile still says he “recently joined” Anthropic.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-co-founder-john-schulman-has-left-anthropic-after-less-than-a-year-171124425.html?src=rss

06.02.2025 20:20 Spotting AI's work can be increasingly difficult as its capabilities and subtleties continue to improve. This continued shift makes labeling AI generated work all the more critical — something that is being done in bits and pieces. The latest development to do so comes from Google, which will now use SynthID technology to mark mages edited using Reimagine in Magic Editor. Google DeepMind launched SynthID in 2023, a technology that allows for imperceptible digital watermarks within any content created with generative AI. The company has previously used it in AI-powered programs such as Lyria, Imagen and Gemini. Now, SynthID will be making its literal mark on Magic Editor. The tool allows users to reimagine their photos by moving, erasing or adding special effects to different aspects of the image. The Reimagine feature is available for anyone 18 or older and on the Pixel 9 or later. Users who click Reimagine can enter a prompt to change bits of the image. Google recommends entering specific, simple phrases, such as "autumn leaves," and then explore potential options before picking one. The only difference is now that image will have a watermark from SynthID. It's available for anyone to see by clicking "About this image."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/googles-magic-editor-will-watermark-its-ai-tweaked-photos-170009281.html?src=rss

06.02.2025 20:20 The release date for arguably one of the most anticipated games around has emerged, albeit in low-key fashion. According to an apparent leak on the PlayStation Store — perhaps about as official as you can get without a splashy announcement elsewhere — Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is set to arrive on August 28. It's scheduled to hit PC and Xbox Series X/S as well as PS5. Sony had scrubbed the release date from the game's store page by the time of publication. A trailer for the remake of Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid 3 was hosted on Sony’s servers and also leaked. That featured the August 28 date too. It’s not the first time that a game or its release date have come to light in exactly this way. We first received official word of The Last of Us Part 1, a remake of the first game in the series for PS5 and PC, in similar fashion a few years ago. The same thing happened with the remaster of the sequel. It’s possible that Sony was preparing things behind the scenes ahead of a coordinated release date announcement for MGS Delta: Snake Eater. Given that a State of Play showcase is rumored to be taking place next week, it seems likely that the reveal was scheduled to take place then. But a release date that temporarily appeared on the PS Store — which was backed up by a trailer — is as clear an indicator as any that the remake will arrive this summer.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/metal-gear-solid-delta-snake-eater-release-date-leaks-on-the-playstation-store-153046876.html?src=rss

06.02.2025 20:20 When you click on an early access game on Steam, you might see a new note that could give an idea whether its developer has already abandoned the project. As SteamDB first reported, Steam has started adding notes on games' official pages if they haven't been updated in a while. Steam's early access program allows you to purchase work-in-progress titles to play on your PC. Each participating title has an information box, where developers answer questions, such as how long they expect the game to be in early access. That's where you can find the new warning, which tells you when a title was last updated. Not every game has a note that tells you when its last update was rolled out, though. Valve told PCGamer that it will only add the notice for an early access game if it hasn't been updated for a year. Specifically, the note will show up if it's been 12 months since a new build has been added to the game's default branch in Steamworks, or if it's been 12 months since the developer has notified players about an "update type event," which includes major updates, regular updates and patch notes. In the end, it's still up to you whether you want to download and play a game that hasn't had a recent update. But the warning could help you avoid projects that are pretty much dead if you don't want to waste your time and money on games that may never be fully released. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/steam-will-label-early-access-games-that-havent-been-updated-in-a-year-160018685.html?src=rss