Hacker News

Hi HN, I’m Cyril from CTGT. Today we’re launching Mentat (<a href="https://docs.ctgt.ai/api-reference/endpoint/chat-completions">https://docs.ctgt.ai/api-reference/endpoint/chat-completions</a>), an API that gives developers deterministic control over LLM behavior, steering reasoning and removing bias on the fly, without the compute of fine-tuning or the brittleness of prompt engineering. We use feature-level intervention and graph-based verification to fix hallucinations and enforce policies.This resonates in highly regulated industries or otherwise risky applications of AI where the fallout from incorrect or underperforming output can be significant. In financial services, using GenAI to scan for noncompliant communications can be arduous without an easy way to embed complex policies into the model. Similarly, a media outlet might want to scale AI-generated summaries of their content, but reliability and accuracy is paramount. These are both applications where Fortune 500 companies have utilized our technology to improve subpar performance from existing models, and we want to bring this capability to more people.Here’s a quick 2-minute demo video showing the process: <a href="https://video.ctgt.ai/video/ctgt-ai-compliance-playground-cfnl">https://video.ctgt.ai/video/ctgt-ai-compliance-playground-cf...</a>Standard "guardrails" like RAG and system prompts are fundamentally probabilistic: you are essentially asking the model nicely to behave. This often fails in two ways. First, RAG solves knowledge availability but not integration. In our benchmarks, a model given context that "Lerwick is 228 miles SE of Tórshavn" failed to answer "What is 228 miles NW of Lerwick?" because it couldn't perform the spatial inversion.Second, prompt engineering is brittle because it fights against the model's pre-training priors. For example, on the TruthfulQA benchmark, base models fail ~80% of the time because they mimic common misconceptions found on the internet (e.g. "chameleons change color for camouflage"). We found that we could literally turn up the feature for "skeptical reasoning" to make the model ignore the popular myth and output the scientific fact. This matters because for high-stakes use cases (like Finance or Pharma), "mostly safe" isn't acceptable—companies need audit-grade reliability.Our work stems from the CS dungeon at UCSD, with years spent researching efficient and interpretable AI, trying to "open the black box" of neural networks. We realized that the industry was trying to patch model behavior from the outside (prompts/filters) when the problem was on the inside (feature activations). We knew this was important when we saw enterprises struggling to deploy basic models despite having unlimited compute, simply because they couldn't guarantee the output wouldn't violate compliance rules. I ended up leaving my research at Stanford to focus on this.Our breakthrough came while researching the DeepSeek-R1 model. We identified the "censorship" feature vector in its latent space. Amplifying it guaranteed refusal; subtracting it instantly unlocked answers to sensitive questions. This proved the model had the knowledge but was suppressing it. We realized we could apply this same logic to hallucinations, suppressing "confabulation" features to reveal the grounded truth. While some hallucinations stem from the inherent randomness of generative models, many can be identified with the concerted activation of a feature or group of features.Instead of filtering outputs, we intervene at the activation level during the forward pass. We identify latent feature vectors (v) associated with specific behaviors (bias, misconception) and mathematically modify the hidden state (h):<pre><code> h_prime = h - alpha * (h @ v) * v </code></pre> This arithmetic operation lets us "edit" behavior deterministically with negligible overhead (<10ms on R1). For factual claims, we combine this with a graph verification pipeline (which works on closed weight models). We check semantic entropy (is the model babbling?) and cross-reference claims against a dynamic knowledge graph to catch subtle relational hallucinations that vector search misses.On GPT-OSS-120b, this approach improved TruthfulQA accuracy from 21% to 70% by suppressing misconception features. We also improved the performance of this model to frontier levels on HaluEval-QA, where we reached 96.5% accuracy, solving the spatial reasoning failures where the baseline failed. It also handles noisy inputs, inferring "David Icke" from the typo "David Of me" where base models gave up. Full benchmarks at <a href="https://ctgt.ai/benchmarks">https://ctgt.ai/benchmarks</a>.Most startups in this space are observability tools that tell you only after the model failed. Or they are RAG pipelines that stuff context into the window. Mentat is an infrastructure layer that modifies the model's processing during inference. We fix the reasoning, not just the context. For example, that’s how our system was able to enforce that if A is SE of B, then B is NW of A.We believe that our policy engine is a superior control mechanism to RAG or prompting. If you’re frustrated with current guardrails, we’d love it if you would stress-test our API!API: Our endpoint is drop-in compatible with OpenAI’s /v1/chat/completions: <a href="https://docs.ctgt.ai/api-reference/endpoint/chat-completions">https://docs.ctgt.ai/api-reference/endpoint/chat-completions</a>Playground: We’ve built an "Arena" view to run side-by-side comparisons of an Ungoverned vs. Governed model to visualize the intervention delta in real-time. No signup is required: <a href="https://playground.ctgt.ai/">https://playground.ctgt.ai/</a>We’d love to hear your feedback on the approach and see what edge cases you can find that break standard models. We will be in the comments all day. All feedback welcome! <hr> Comments URL: <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46207017">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46207017</a> Points: 40 # Comments: 32

Dec 9, 2025

Handsdown one of the coolest 3D websites

Dec 9, 2025

A supersonic engine core makes the perfect power turbine

Dec 9, 2025

Apple's slow AI pace becomes a strength as market grows weary of spending

Dec 9, 2025

Pebble Index 01 – External memory for your brain

Dec 9, 2025

Show HN: Gemini Pro 3 hallucinates the HN front page 10 years from now

Ars Technica

Dec 9, 2025

Over 250 people quarantined in South Carolina as measles outbreak rages

Dec 9, 2025

Big Tech joins forces with Linux Foundation to standardize AI agents

Dec 9, 2025

Supreme Court appears likely to approve Trump’s firing of FTC Democrat

Dec 9, 2025

NASA astronauts will have their own droid when they go back to the Moon

Dec 9, 2025

Court: “Because Trump said to” may not be a legally valid defense

Dec 9, 2025

Google is reviving wearable gesture controls, but only for the Pixel Watch 4

Dec 9, 2025

Brazil weakens Amazon protections days after COP30

Dec 9, 2025

Pompeii construction site confirms recipe for Roman concrete

Dec 9, 2025

In a major new report, scientists build rationale for sending astronauts to Mars

Dec 9, 2025

Asked why we need Golden Dome, the man in charge points to a Hollywood film

Dec 9, 2025

Pebble maker announces Index 01, a smart-ish ring for under $100

Dec 8, 2025

ICEBlock lawsuit: Trump admin bragged about demanding App Store removal

Dec 8, 2025

Paramount tries to swipe Warner Bros. from Netflix with a hostile takeover

Dec 8, 2025

F1 in Abu Dhabi: And that’s the championship

Dec 8, 2025

A big bike on a budget: Lectric’s XPress 750

Dec 8, 2025

Meta offers EU users ad-light option in push to end investigation

Dec 8, 2025

The Boys gears up for a supe-ocalypse in S5 teaser

Dec 8, 2025

Please send help. I can’t stop playing these roguelikes.

Dec 7, 2025

Why is my dog like this? Current DNA tests won’t explain it to you.

Dec 6, 2025

A massive, Chinese-backed port could push the Amazon Rainforest over the edge

Phoronix

Dec 10, 2025

Fedora Cloud Will Switch To /boot As A Btrfs Subvolume

Dec 10, 2025

Linux 6.19 For RISC-V Brings Parallel CPU Hotplugging, Zalasr Ratified ISA Support

Dec 9, 2025

AerynOS 2025.12 Brings Many Package Updates

Dec 9, 2025

Canonical To Distribute AMD ROCm Libraries With Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

Dec 9, 2025

Linux Foundation's Newest Endeavor: The Agentic AI Foundation

Dec 9, 2025

Firefox 147 Beta Released With XDG Base Directory Support

Dec 9, 2025

Scheduler Woes: Bisecting Early Performance Regressions Found In Linux 6.19

Dec 9, 2025

AMD EPYC Embedded 2005 Series Announced For BGA Zen 5 CPUs

Dec 9, 2025

Microsoft Has Many Hyper-V Virtualization Improvements For Linux 6.19

Dec 9, 2025

Bug-Catching "Smatch" Static Analysis On The Linux Kernel Under Threat Due To Funding Gap

Dec 9, 2025

Linux 6.19 Enables Per-CPU BIO Caching By Default For Helping Performance

Dec 9, 2025

F2FS Brings More Performance Optimizations To Linux 6.19

Dec 9, 2025

Rust-Based Project Aims To Provide Modern Thumbnails For Audio/Video Files On GNOME

Dec 9, 2025

Mesa 26.0 Lands Initial Support For Adreno Gen 8 - Including For The Snapdragon X2

Dec 8, 2025

Linux 6.19's Hung Task & System Lockup Detectors Can Provide Greater Insight

Dec 8, 2025

Live Update Orchestrator "LUO" Merged For Linux 6.19

Dec 8, 2025

Meson 1.10 Build System Adds OS/2 Support, Experimental C++ "import std"

Dec 8, 2025

Firefox 146 Now Available With Native Fractional Scaling On Wayland

Dec 8, 2025

Intel Arc B580 vs. AMD Radeon RX 9000 vs. NVIDIA RTX 50 Series For Llama.cpp Vulkan Performance

Dec 8, 2025

Early Benchmarks Of Linux 6.19 Git Raising Some Concerns

Dec 8, 2025

AMD Working On Push-Based Load Balancing For Linux To Further Enhance Performance

Dec 8, 2025

Several Logitech Devices Seeing New/Improved Support With Linux 6.19

Dec 8, 2025

Linux I3C Gains "HDR" Support For Faster Data Transfers

Dec 8, 2025

Arm MPAM Driver Upstreamed To The Linux 6.19 Kernel

Dec 8, 2025

Iced 0.14 Released For Popular Rust Cross-Platform GUI Library

Dec 7, 2025

Linux GPIB Drivers Declared Stable - 53 Years After HP Introduced The Bus

Dec 7, 2025

Linux 6.19 Introduces PCIe Link Encryption & Device Authentication, AMD SEV-TIO Enabling

Dec 7, 2025

Linux 6.19 Delivers Working USB3 Support For Apple Silicon Devices

Dec 7, 2025

NVIDIA Plumbs DMA-BUF Support For VFIO PCI Devices In Linux 6.19

Dec 7, 2025

Using AI To Modernize The Ubuntu Error Tracker Produced Some Code That Was "Plain Wrong"

Dec 7, 2025

Rust Drivers In Linux 6.19 Will Now Support... Module Parameters

Dec 7, 2025

Linux 6.19 Adds New Console Font To Better Handle Modern Laptops With HiDPI Displays

The Verge

Dec 10, 2025

The AI industry’s biggest week: Google’s rise, RL mania, and a party boat

Dec 10, 2025

Call of Duty won’t release Modern Warfare or Black Ops back to back anymore

Dec 9, 2025

Both sides of the aisle hate the AI moratorium

Dec 9, 2025

Somehow, this AI-generated McDonald’s ad about hating Christmas was a flop

Dec 9, 2025

Google is powering a new US military AI platform

Dec 9, 2025

Some of our favorite gifts will cost you less than $25

Dec 9, 2025

Wake Up Dead Man digs deep for a darker, more powerful Knives Out

Dec 9, 2025

The AirPods Pro 3 are back to their lowest price ahead of the holidays

Dec 9, 2025

Google brings back Black Friday prices for earbuds, phones, and more

Dec 9, 2025

I’m obsessed with Redfin’s AI search

Wired

Dec 10, 2025

Silicon Valley Is All About the Hard Sell These Days

Dec 10, 2025

This Is the Best Razor I've Ever Used—Save Big With This Sale

Dec 9, 2025

Intel Takes Major Step in Plan to Acquire Chip Startup SambaNova

Dec 9, 2025

The Best Down Comforter Deals for Winter Nights (2025)

Dec 9, 2025

50% Off Verizon Promo Codes | December 2025

Dec 9, 2025

The 51 Best Shows on Hulu, WIRED’s Picks (December 2025)

Dec 9, 2025

OpenAI Hires Slack CEO as New Chief Revenue Officer

Dec 9, 2025

The Best Karaoke Speakers from Small and Portable to Massive

Dec 9, 2025

OpenAI Staffer Quits, Alleging Company’s Economic Research Is Drifting Into AI Advocacy

Dec 9, 2025

OpenAI, Anthropic, and Block Are Teaming Up to Make AI Agents Play Nice

Dec 9, 2025

Pebble Index: Everything You Need to Know About the $75 Smart Ring

Dec 9, 2025

What Peloton Instructor Jess King Needs to Survive the Day

Dec 9, 2025

Soundpeats H3 Review: Triple-Driver Wireless Earbuds

Dec 9, 2025

iFixit Put a Chatbot Repair Expert in an App

Dec 9, 2025

How to Shop for a Mechanical Keyboard (2025): Switches, Materials, and Layouts Explained

Dec 9, 2025

21 Best Gifts for Cooks (2025): Vitamix, Frying Pans, Air Fryers

Dec 9, 2025

The 26 Best Advent Calendars (2025): It's OK if You Start Late

Dec 9, 2025

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie: ‘We Are a City on the Rise’

Dec 9, 2025

Can Bike Riders and Self-Driving Cars Be Friends?

Dec 9, 2025

America’s Biggest Bitcoin Miners Are Pivoting to AI

Engadget

Dec 9, 2025

Repair iconic 2000s-era gadgets in upcoming indie game ReStory

Dec 9, 2025

Uber is installing kiosks for booking rides without the mobile app

Uber is rolling out <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.uber.com/newsroom/help-for-the-holidays/" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">kiosks</a> for travelers to book rideshares without using the mobile app. The company is pitching the service as a convenience for international travelers who may not have a data plan, but it could also be a lifesaver if your phone runs out of juice and you don't have a way to recharge it. A passenger can use the kiosk to enter their destination and desired ride type, then will receive a printed receipt with the details about their booked ride. The first kiosk will debut in Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, but Uber said it would have additional locations in airports, hotels and ports over the coming months. In airport situations, these kiosks make Uber even more of a direct competitor to traditional taxis. With the removal of the app, the kiosk can essentially stand in as the dispatcher and a passenger can decide how to travel based on their preferences (or on wait times) for a rideshare versus a yellow cab.Uber also used LaGuardia as the starting point for its <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-starts-offering-18-shuttle-rides-between-manhattan-and-laguardia-airport-193520618.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">shuttle bus service</a> in New York, with $18 rides between the airport and Manhattan transit hubs in October 2024; it later <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-adds-new-shuttle-rides-between-jfk-airport-and-manhattan-100039821.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">rolled out</a> the shuttles to John F. Kennedy Airport in March 2025. Today, Uber said it is bringing the shuttle bus option to Newark Liberty International Airport, so all major NYC airports now have access to the service. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-is-installing-kiosks-for-booking-rides-without-the-mobile-app-220904106.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Instagram is generating SEO-bait headlines for its users' posts

It looks like Meta has decided to turn Instagram users into unwitting SEO spam pawns. On Tuesday, 404 Media <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.404media.co/instagram-is-generating-inaccurate-seo-bait-for-your-posts/" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">reported</a> that the platform is generating sensational, likely AI-generated headlines and descriptions for user posts without their knowledge or explicit consent. An Engadget editor has also noticed this on their posts. The headlines are found in the pages’ code and are only visible in search results.The scheme appears to be an effort to boost the Google search ranking of Instagram content. An <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DR3cr5CkXZU/" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Instagram post</a> by Engadget’s Sam Chapman, about a board game he created, received an unwanted generated description. “Floramino is a cozy puzzle game where you arrange gardens as a traveling florist,” the generated text reads. “The demo looks fun, with charming visuals and strategic elements.”In this case, there’s a significant factual error. The board game is called Bloomhunter. Floramino, which the generated text referenced, is a puzzle game on Steam.In an example cited by 404 Media, author Jeff VanderMeer's untitled video about a bunny eating a banana received a generic, SEO-style title. "Meet the Bunny Who Loves Eating Bananas, A Nutritious Snack For Your Pet," it reads. That indeed reads like the work of an LLM. A Massachusetts library's post promoting a reading of a VanderMeer book got the same treatment. "Join Jeff VanderMeer on a Thrilling Beachside Adventure with Mesta …", the headline reads.Multiple cosplayers also found their posts gaining strange titles. "I would not write mediocre text like that, and it sounds as if it was auto-generated at scale with an LLM," cosplayer Brian Dang told 404 Media. "This becomes problematic when the headline or description advertises someone in a way that is not how they would personally describe themselves."The headlines appear in the posts’ code, as confirmed by Google's Rich Result Test tool. (They're found in the <title> tags for the post. The descriptions appear in the "text": section) The spammy headlines differ from the page's alt text, which Instagram generates for people with low vision.You might want to search for your recent content to see if you’re affected. Engadget reached out to Meta for confirmation and a statement. We'll update this story if we hear back.Update, December 9, 2026 at 5:07 PM ET: The story was updated to include more detail about a post from Engadget’s Sam Chapman receiving a generated description.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagram-is-generating-seo-bait-headlines-for-its-users-posts-213702800.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Slack's CEO is joining OpenAI to find the money to pay for all those data centers

OpenAI <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://openai.com/index/openai-appoints-denise-dresser/" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">has announced</a> that Denise Dresser, the current CEO of Slack, will be the company's new Chief Revenue Officer. Dresser will oversee the company's revenue strategy "across enterprise and customer success," according to OpenAI's announcement, and will presumably play a key role in leading the company towards profitability now that it's <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-completes-corporate-reorganization-with-support-from-microsoft-133109385.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">reorganized as a public benefit corporation</a>."We're on a path to put AI tools into the hands of millions of workers, across every industry," Fidji Simo, OpenAI's CEO of Products said in the announcement. "Denise has led that kind of shift before, and her experience will help us make AI useful, reliable, and accessible for businesses everywhere."Simo <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://openai.com/index/leadership-expansion-with-fidji-simo/" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">joined OpenAI</a> in May of this year, after serving as CEO of Instacart, and before that, the head of Facebook at Meta. Hiring Simo and Dresser could be a good indication of how OpenAI plans to approach ChatGPT going forward. Which is to say, the company is taking a very Silicon Valley approach to growing its chatbot business and focusing on scale and monetizing as many AI interactions as possible. It's not a mistake that Simo helped establish Meta's ads business and OpenAI is <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/code-suggests-that-openai-may-be-close-to-introducing-ads-for-chatgpt-172511090.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">reportedly planning</a> to introduce ads into chats with its AI models.Even with the possibility of ad revenue, Dresser will still have to overcome what OpenAI continues to spend to offer its various AI products. OpenAI pays for multiple partnerships for <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-signs-38-billion-cloud-contract-with-amazon-151821384.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">data center access</a> and has commitments<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/computing/openais-recent-chip-deals-heap-more-pressure-on-tsmc-130000194.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1"> to both buy and build server components</a> for those data centers. Add in the cost of just processing a ChatGPT query itself, and growing the company’s revenue seems like a tall order.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/slacks-ceo-is-joining-openai-to-find-the-money-to-pay-for-all-those-data-centers-220411962.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

How to watch The Game Awards 2025 on December 11

The Game Awards are this week, with the grand showcase for 2025 coming up on Thursday, December 11 at 8PM ET. There's also a pre-show (in case the multi-hour affair just isn't enough TGA for you) and that kicks off at 7:30PM ET. The ceremony will be a mix of honoring games from the past year and debuting trailers for future releases, so expect a couple interesting announcements to emerge from Thursday night. Engadget will be reporting on any big stories as they happen at The Game Awards, but if you want to watch along with us, the whole shebang is available to watch for free on just about every streaming platform you could want. <div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d-BDeU3R5ic?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>The primo spot to watch is probably <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.youtube.com/thegameawards" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">YouTube</a>, since it will be broadcasting the show in 4K and you'll want to see all those trailers in their full glory. The video is embedded above. The other official co-streaming partners are <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.twitch.tv/thegameawards" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Twitch</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thegameawards?lang=en" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">TikTok Live</a>, but you can also watch everything on Steam and <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=269098e7-2878-4a34-a0a5-a42fb9289d29&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Amazon+Prime+Video&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2dwL3ZpZGVvL2RldGFpbC9CMEZZN01ZN05DLz90YWc9Z2RndDBjLTIwIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiIyNjkwOThlNy0yODc4LTRhMzQtYTBhNS1hNDJmYjkyODlkMjkiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFtYXpvbi5jb20vZ3AvdmlkZW8vZGV0YWlsL0IwRlk3TVk3TkMvIiwiZHluYW1pY0NlbnRyYWxUcmFja2luZ0lkIjp0cnVlLCJzaXRlSWQiOiJ1cy1lbmdhZGdldCIsInBhZ2VJZCI6IjFwLWF1dG9saW5rIiwiZmVhdHVyZUlkIjoidGV4dC1saW5rIn0&signature=AQAAATC3hIaiaP7S4ZPmR8VgwWmEtty3lV6AVhJlmAUTVH1q&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fvideo%2Fdetail%2FB0FY7MY7NC%2F" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:4;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0FY7MY7NC/">Amazon Prime Video</a>. The Game Awards will also be on social media via <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=58a137b8-4748-4ad2-b1db-003c79a332f5&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=269098e7-2878-4a34-a0a5-a42fb9289d29&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Facebook&linkText=Facebook+Live&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmZhY2Vib29rLmNvbS90aGVnYW1lYXdhcmRzIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiIyNjkwOThlNy0yODc4LTRhMzQtYTBhNS1hNDJmYjkyODlkMjkiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3RoZWdhbWVhd2FyZHMifQ&signature=AQAAAR4ZLPaUFmZJsxg_WplbyuhwjXeIqFskVaTkKTnmVIJ7&gcReferrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fthegameawards" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Facebook;elmt:;cpos:5;pos:1" data-original-link="http://www.facebook.com/thegameawards">Facebook Live</a>, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="http://www.instagram.com/thegameawards" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">Instagram</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/thegameawards" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">X</a>. It's been a good year for gaming and lots of top-notch projects are up for <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-game-awards-2025-nominees-include-clair-obscur-hollow-knight-silksong-and-hades-2-173626649.html" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">nominations</a> at the show this year. The Game Awards will also shine a light on important subjects such as Innovation in Accessibility and Games For Impact as well as recognizing recent releases for excellence in artistry and design. And don't sleep on the Day of the Devs showcase happening tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10; that will almost certainly have some hype stuff emerging from the indie scene.In terms of reveals, host Geoff Keighley has shared a few looks at what's to come. There will definitely be an appearance <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/geoffkeighley/status/1998093056692895923" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">by Lara Croft</a> and whatever is happening at <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/geoffkeighley/status/1998452590397501921" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">Wildflower Interactive</a>, the new studio helmed by The Last of Us co-director Bruce Straley, is due to be announced. PlayStation will also <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/PlayStation/status/1998407291754729536" data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1">have more to say</a> about <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/housemarques-saros-will-hit-ps5-on-march-20-2026-211504381.html" data-i13n="cpos:12;pos:1">Saros</a>, which is Housemarque's follow-up to Returnal. And of course, hope springs eternal (as do the memes) for <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/half-life-3-is-reportedly-playable-in-its-entirety-and-could-be-announced-this-year-183030499.html" data-i13n="cpos:13;pos:1">Half-Life 3</a>. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/how-to-watch-the-game-awards-2025-on-december-11-205500124.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Traeger debuts Woodridge Pro Plus grill with Wi-Fi features and built-in storage cabinet

Traeger <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/traeger-woodridge-review-a-big-upgrade-for-the-entry-level-pellet-grill-160010591.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">debuted its Woodridge line</a> of Wi-Fi-enabled pellet grills back in January. The overall theme across the Woodridge, Woodridge Pro and Woodridge Elite is the company’s reliable performance and features are available for less than the cost of its most premium models. Just before Christmas, the company is adding to the the Woodridge lineup with the <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=7cccbb70-aa5d-43ca-8195-2b46f41bd77e&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=d939bc73-8997-4834-8859-f898480b8bc1&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Traeger+Grills&linkText=Woodridge+Pro+Plus&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy50cmFlZ2VyLmNvbS9wZWxsZXQtZ3JpbGxzL3dvb2RyaWRnZS1wcm8tcGx1cyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZDkzOWJjNzMtODk5Ny00ODM0LTg4NTktZjg5ODQ4MGI4YmMxIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy50cmFlZ2VyLmNvbS9wZWxsZXQtZ3JpbGxzL3dvb2RyaWRnZS1wcm8tcGx1cyJ9&signature=AQAAAdiueqKbSqiD8KKNlZdrbcA2OgEPTgXNupI-dnHe0a5A&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.traeger.com%2Fpellet-grills%2Fwoodridge-pro-plus" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Traeger Grills;elmt:;cpos:2;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.traeger.com/pellet-grills/woodridge-pro-plus">Woodridge Pro Plus</a>. For $400 more than the Woodridge Pro, this Plus model adds the enclosed storage cabinet from the Woodridge Elite. Instead of an open shelf, the cabinet offers a better option for keep pellet bins and other accessories close to the grill. This Plus version also has four casters on the bottom of the cart, so it’s easier to maneuver on solid surfaces than the Woodridge Pro. The main difference between the Pro Plus and Elite models is that the latter includes an induction burner on the side shelf. This new Woodridge Pro Plus still carries all of the handy features from the Woodridge Pro, including Wi-Fi-powered WiFIRE connectivity with the Traeger app, Super Smoke mode, 970 square inches of cooking space and an integrated pellet level sensor. You can also use wireless food probes from the Traeger-owned Meater lineup and the P.A.L. Rail system allows you to customize the grill to your needs with extra organization. <core-commerce data-type="product-list" id="12c92089-1f72-4654-9dff-f03b8dc328fb" data-original-url="https://www.traeger.com/pellet-grills/woodridge-pro-plus"></core-commerce> This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/traeger-debuts-woodridge-pro-plus-grill-with-wi-fi-features-and-built-in-storage-cabinet-205320548.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

The best subscription box gifts for 2025

The best gifts inspire joy long after the initial unwrapping. Subscription boxes are designed to show up again and again, each time offering something new to try, build or taste. They’re perfect for friends who already have too much gear or relatives who like to discover things without searching for them. From electronics kits and mystery puzzles to Japanese treats and fresh coffee, these boxes make each month feel like a small celebration. You pick the vibe, the plan and the recipient gets a steady stream of good surprises. Below are 13 subscription boxes that hit the sweet spot between fun and thoughtful, whether your giftee is a builder, reader, snacker or collector. <h2 id="jump-link-best-subscription-box-gifts">Best subscription box gifts</h2> <core-commerce id="0fd27d0882934ef88cfbd808781bfcea" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://lootcrate.com/collections/pop-culture-crates/products/loot-crate"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="fce2e53dcca041e7a8c6b90c0d5f973a" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.universalyums.com/"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="6e4248d539ec41fb9399eb3ef49d467e" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.drinktrade.com/products/coffee-gift-subscription"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="47f0ceba8af74b698b95981e4f573c61" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.cratejoy.com/products/finders-seekers?"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="bfabff3787ae47a3a507cdadc425c6e8" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.bookofthemonth.com/gift"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="7bfc39aaec9b41a7890941243f8c8d04" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.brickloot.com/products/original-subscription-box"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="b7f77d94ed254d33b0daaae17ca09d79" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.kawaiibox.com/"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="69928b7f3d1d46c2a593ae149acba032" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.cratejoy.com/products/comic-crate-spark-a-love-of-reading-through-comics-comiccrate1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="950ac5f7c88441d7b9248b46751bd824" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.cratejoy.com/products/the-heroes-tower"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="2acbf6523fc04e47939ac456be9630c6" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://monthlyteeclub.com/"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="47a3e10231fa49f1a63572c7cb7b1c1e" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://hackerboxes.com/collections/subscriptions/products/hackerbox-monthly-subscription?selling_plan=545128537&variant=32395506257"></core-commerce> Check out the rest of our <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/gifts/">gift ideas</a> here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-subscription-box-gifts-for-2025-130037236.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Nearly one-third of teens use AI chatbots daily

AI chatbots haven't come close to replacing teens' social media habits, but they are playing a significant role in their online habits. Nearly one-third of US teens report using AI chatbots daily or more, according to a new report from Pew Research. The report is the first from Pew to specifically examine how often teens are using AI overall, and was published alongside its latest research on teens' social media use. It's based on an online survey of 1,458 US teens who were polled between September 25 to October 9, 2025. According to Pew, the survey was "weighted to be representative of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 who live with their parents by age, gender, race and ethnicity, household income, and other categories."According to Pew, 48 percent of teens use AI chatbots "several times a week" or more often, with 12 percent reporting their use at "several times a day" and 4 percent saying they use the tools "almost constantly." That's far fewer than the 21 percent of teens who report almost constant use of TikTok and the 17 percent who say the same about YouTube. But those numbers are still significant considering how much newer these services are compared with mainstream social media apps. The report also offers some insight into which AI companies' chatbots are most used among teens. OpenAI's ChatGPT came out ahead by far, with 59 percent of teens saying they had used the service, followed by Google's Gemini at 23 percent and Meta AI at 20 percent. Just 14 percent of teens said they had ever used Microsoft Copilot, and 9 percent and 3 percent reported using Character AI and Anthropic's Claude, respectively.<figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/pew_teens_chatbots.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/pew_teens_chatbots.jpg" style="height:1080px;width:1920px;" alt="The survey is Pew's first to study Ai chatbot use among teens broadly." data-uuid="eff06c11-a15f-4e7a-8a7b-28c37413bd57"/><figcaption>The survey is Pew's first to study Ai chatbot use among teens broadly.</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Pew Research</div></figure>Pew's research comes as there's been <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/bipartisan-guard-act-proposes-age-restrictions-on-ai-chatbots-130020355.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">growing scrutiny</a> over AI companies' handling of younger users. Both <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-first-known-ai-wrongful-death-lawsuit-accuses-openai-of-enabling-a-teens-suicide-212058548.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">OpenAI</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/another-lawsuit-blames-an-ai-company-of-complicity-in-a-teenagers-suicide-184529475.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">Character AI</a> are currently facing wrongful deaths lawsuits from the parents of teens who died by suicide. In both cases, the parents allege that their child's interactions with a chatbot played a role in their death. (Character AI briefly <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/characterai-to-ban-teens-from-talking-to-its-chatbots-180027641.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">banned</a> teens from its service before introducing a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/characterai-launches-guided-stories-format-after-banning-teens-from-its-chatbots-133000131.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">more limited</a> format for younger users.) Other companies, including Alphabet and Meta, are being probed by <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-ftc-is-investigating-companies-that-make-ai-companion-chatbots-181413615.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">the FTC </a>over their safety policies for younger users.Interestingly, the report also indicates there has been little change in US teens' social media use.  Pew, which has regularly polled teens about how they use social media, notes that teens' daily use of these platforms "remains relatively stable" compared with recent years. YouTube is still the most widely-used platform, reaching 92 percent of teens, followed by TikTok at 69 percent, Instagram at 63 percent and Snapchat at 55 percent. Of the major apps the report surveyed, WhatsApp is the only service to see significant change in recent years, with 24 percent of teens now reporting they use the messaging app, compared with 17 percent in 2022. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/nearly-one-third-of-teens-use-ai-chatbots-daily-200000888.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

The Webb telescope spots a supernova from 13 billion years ago

The James Webb Space Telescope and other international observatories have spotted a 13-billion-year-old supernova. On Tuesday, the European Space Agency (ESA) <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://esawebb.org/news/weic2523/?lang" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">announced</a> the sighting of a gamma-ray burst from a star that exploded when the Universe was only 730 million years old. The Webb telescope even detected the supernova's host galaxy. Before this observation, the oldest recorded supernova was from when the Universe was 1.8 billion years old. That's a difference of more than a billion years.You can see the gamma-ray burst in the image below. It's the tiny red smudge at the center of the zoomed-in box on the right.<figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/webb.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/webb.jpg" style="height:720px;width:1280px;" alt="Webb image shows hundreds of galaxies of all shapes and sizes against the black background of space. Toward the center-left is a large white spiral galaxy that is almost face-on. To the right of this is a large box, which zooms in on an area at top right. Within the box is a faint red dot at the center, with the label GRB 250314A." data-uuid="d058512c-512e-44a9-a5a8-42e0501362f6"/><figcaption>The tiny red splotch in the center of the crop box is the oldest thing you've seen.</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, A. Levan (IMAPP)</div></figure>"This observation also demonstrates that we can use Webb to find individual stars when the Universe was only 5 percent of its current age," co-author Andrew Levan wrote in the ESA's press release. "There are only a handful of gamma-ray bursts in the last 50 years that have been detected in the first billion years of the Universe. This particular event is very rare and very exciting."Researchers learned that the 13-billion-year-old explosion shared many traits with modern, nearby supernovae. While that may not sound shocking, scientists expected a more profound difference. That's because early stars likely had fewer heavy elements, were more massive and didn't live as long. "We went in with open minds," co-author Nial Tanvir said. "And lo and behold, Webb showed that this supernova looks exactly like modern supernovae."Detection was an international relay race. First, NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory noted the X-ray source's location. (That helped Webb to make subsequent observations that determined its distance). Then, the Nordic Optical Telescope on the Canary Islands in Spain made observations indicating that the gamma ray might be very distant. Hours later, the European Southern Observatory's <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/2017-01-10-eso-very-large-telescope-upgrade.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Very Large Telescope</a> in Chile estimated its age: 730 million years after the Big Bang. All of this happened in under 17 hours, according to the ESA.The team behind the observation has been approved to spend more time with Webb studying gamma-ray bursts from the early Universe — and the galaxies behind them. "That glow will help Webb see more and give us a 'fingerprint' of the galaxy," Levan predicted.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/the-webb-telescope-spots-a-supernova-from-13-billion-years-ago-194327489.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Samsung Wallet to gain support for digital Porsche keys

Owners of the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/2025-porsche-macan-electric-review-the-obvious-choice-when-the-budget-allows-140000851.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Porsche Macan</a> and upcoming <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/porsche-has-electrified-the-cayenne-and-its-a-beast-163443958.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Porsche Cayenne Electric</a> will be able to unlock and start their cars with their Galaxy phones, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-wallet-enhances-vehicle-connectivity-with-porsche-digital-key-integration" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">Samsung has announced</a>. The cars, alongside other Porsche models, are gaining support for Samsung Wallet's Digital Key feature, which lets users wirelessly control their car over a secure UWB or NFC connection.Digital Key support will be available in Europe in December, before rolling out globally, "aligned with the launch timeline of Porsche vehicles," Samsung says. Samsung Wallet is available on Samsung devices as old as the Galaxy S20, Note 20, Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Galaxy Flip 5G, and is included on the majority of the company's new phones. Like similar features on Google's Pixels and Apple's iPhones, Digital Key allows Porsche owners with a supported Galaxy phone to unlock, lock and start their car directly from their phone. If your phone is ever taken, you can also remotely lock or delete a Digital Key to keep your car safe.Samsung added Digital Key support to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/samsungs-digital-key-technology-now-works-with-volvo-and-polestar-evs-160357150.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">select Volvo and Polestar EVs</a> in February 2025. The feature <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/android-12-digital-car-keys-assistant-widgets-photos-youtube-music-170006763.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">first became available</a> in 2021, and is one of several ways the phone maker imagines people will use Samsung Wallet. Beyond digital car keys, the app can also store credit and debit cards and be used to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsungs-tap-to-transfer-cash-feature-is-coming-to-the-wallet-app-this-month-144100575.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">transfer money with a tap</a>.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-wallet-to-gain-support-for-digital-porsche-keys-193000085.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

PlayStation's 2025 Wrap-Up is here, so you can see how many hours you've sunk into Death Stranding 2

Sony's 2025 PlayStation Wrap-Up <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://blog.playstation.com/2025/12/09/playstation-2025-wrap-up-launches-starting-today-explore-your-personalized-gaming-recap-for-2025/">is now available</a>. The recap, which is similar to those from music streaming services, sums up gaming habits from throughout the year. It shows players how many hours they used their PS4 or PS5, what games they played the most, preferred genres, trophy counts and more. These digital cards are shareable on social media, which is kind of the whole point. Nothing says "bragging rights" more than offering definitive proof of how long you spent on a couch grinding in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 or wandering the wasteland in Death Stranding 2. <figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/8a07e330-d52e-11f0-b5f7-ffa2fe53a26a" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/8a07e330-d52e-11f0-b5f7-ffa2fe53a26a" style="height:833px;width:853px;" alt="An example." data-uuid="aad02522-f92e-3034-8582-d4e1318586b4"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Sony </div></figure> This year, the recap provides insight into how much players interacted with accessories like the PlayStation Portal and PS VR2. It also details the "most used DualSense wireless controller design." The 2025 Wrap-Up <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://wrapup.playstation.com/en-us">will be available until January 8</a>. Once completed, players also get a "unique glass-themed avatar." It's only available for adults. <div id="2e6a2717f208456a9474a63339eb0abf"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My PlayStation wrap up 2025 <a href="https://t.co/9Em96T4Xce">pic.twitter.com/9Em96T4Xce</a>— priceless (@Real__Priceless) <a href="https://twitter.com/Real__Priceless/status/1998451460170723448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2025</a></blockquote> </div> The PlayStation Wrap-Up has been around since 2017, though it <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/playstations-2024-wrap-up-has-been-mostly-out-of-commission-for-24-hours-190522062.html">ran into some issues with accessibility</a> in 2024. Spotify introduced the basic idea with Wrapped back in 2015. Since then, the concept of a shareable year-end streaming list has spread like a virus. Just about everyone does it now, from <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/apple-music-replay-2025-is-here-to-highlight-your-unimpeachable-music-taste-151224318.html">Apple Music</a> to <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/nintendos-switch-year-in-review-site-is-now-live-192907994.html">Nintendo</a> and <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/youtube-just-introduced-a-yearly-recap-of-your-watched-videos-140016460.html">even YouTube</a>. We love to reflect on things we recently experienced, don't we folks?This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/playstations-2025-wrap-up-is-here-so-you-can-see-how-many-hours-youve-sunk-into-death-stranding-2-191508693.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Skyrim arrives on the Switch 2

You can add the Switch 2 to the (long) list of platforms where you can play The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The bad news: It costs $60 to play <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/2011-11-10-skyrim-review.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">the 2011 game</a> optimized for <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-review-more-of-what-you-love-120048430.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Nintendo's 2025 hardware</a>. The good news: It costs less (or nothing) if you own one of the versions for the original Switch. The (digital-only) Switch 2 port is <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/bethesda-10th-anniversary-edition-skyrim-084030796.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">the Anniversary Edition of Skyrim</a>, released in 2021. That includes the base game and three expansions (Dawnguard, Dragonborn and Hearthfire). You'll also find hundreds of Creation Club items, like quests, weapons, armor, spells and dungeons. The Anniversary Edition's Zelda crossover content (Master Sword, Hylian Shield and Champion's Tunic) is also there. So, at least there's plenty of content. The game also offers technical upgrades for the Switch 2 hardware. It has enhanced resolution, DLSS anti-aliasing, faster load times and general performance optimizations. There's also mouse support, motion controls and Amiibo support. The trailer below gives you an idea of what to expect. <div> <div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fIntv_QfQjU?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe> </div> </div> In an <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/features/its-a-bit-of-a-joke-at-this-point-skyrim-dev-on-returning-for-a-switch-2-re-release" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">interview</a> with Nintendo Life, Bethesda Creative Director Matt Carofano said the Switch 2 port was "an easy development process and actually pretty quick" to make. He described the team's motivation for porting it as bringing back "one of our most beloved games to the Switch 2 and see how we can improve it and make it the best experience for that console." Okay, cool, but I'm gonna go on a limb and say money was also a factor. That’s because, if you don't already own Skyrim for the OG Switch, you'll have to fork over a whopping $60 <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-anniversary-upgrade-70050000036389-switch/" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">in the Nintendo Store</a> for the 14-year-old game. Meanwhile, if you own the standard version of Skyrim for the original Switch, you’ll pay $20 to upgrade. Finally, if you have the Skyrim Anniversary Edition on the OG Switch, you can install the new version for free. If you own the Switch 1 version, first install that on Switch 2 and start the game. When you see the eShop banner advertising the new version, press Y to access the store and upgrade. You can do that with both digital and physical versions of Skyrim for Switch 1. <core-commerce data-type="product-list" id="ffa7fc62-12f8-420e-9e49-1bbf7a2b7acb" data-original-url="https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-anniversary-upgrade-70050000036389-switch/"></core-commerce> This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/skyrim-arrives-on-the-switch-2-175200223.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 now has a Stranger Things expansion

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://blog.playstation.com/2025/12/09/microsoft-flight-simulator-2024-introduces-netflixs-stranger-things-expansion/"><ins>just got a fairly bizarre expansion</ins></a> inspired by the Netflix show Stranger Things. If you've ever wanted to fly over a fictional Indiana town in the 1980s, this is the update for you. That's right. The game now lets folks fly over Hawkins, Indiana and check out more than 40 iconic locations from the series, including Starcourt Mall, the junkyard, the government lab and, of course, the upside down. <div id="8d7a2edd83be42b3816355ad2b2d999c"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduces Netflix’s Stranger Things expansion, out Dec 9 📡 Recreation of Hawkins with more than 40 iconic locations 🚁 Five exhilarating missions Full details: <a href="https://t.co/JyB4LkMSzO">https://t.co/JyB4LkMSzO</a> <a href="https://t.co/XsmGzt52Mb">pic.twitter.com/XsmGzt52Mb</a>— PlayStation (@PlayStation) <a href="https://twitter.com/PlayStation/status/1998377437957156925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2025</a></blockquote> </div> Inexplicably, this isn't just a joyride. There's an actual game here, with five helicopter-based missions that have players arranging supply drops, rescuing characters and chasing bad guys. Murray Bauman, portrayed by Brett Gelman, is on hand to assign missions and engage in banter. This is a free update and it's available right now, so get out there and blast that one Kate Bush song over and over (and over.) As for Stranger Things, the second part of season five <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/netflix-drops-one-more-stranger-things-trailer-before-season-five-begins-152951886.html"><ins>drops on December 25</ins></a>, followed by the series finale on January 1. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, which <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/microsofts-flight-simulator-2024-launch-day-users-seeing-long-loading-times-203805287.html"><ins>first came out</ins></a> last year, <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/microsoft-flight-simulator-2024-is-coming-to-ps5-on-december-8-213203456.html"><ins>recently launched for PS5</ins></a>.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/microsoft-flight-sim-2024-now-has-a-stranger-things-expansion-173944325.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Meta is trying to make Facebook suck less by simplifying things a bit

Somewhere along its never-ending quest to increase engagement, Meta realized that giving <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-bringing-usernames-to-facebook-groups-231405698.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Facebook</a> users more of what they want would make it more likely that they'll stick around. The company has announced a bunch of updates designed to help improve the feed and the broader Facebook experience by making it easier to find, create and share interesting things. (Because primarily showing updates from your friends with the occasional ad or meme post is maybe just too complicated.)Simplification is a big focus of this overhaul. First, the Facebook feed will be a bit more streamlined. Whenever you post multiple photos, Facebook will arrange them into a standardized grid. When you click into anything on the feed, you'll be able to see it in a full screen view. And there's a very welcome change in that you'll be able to like a photo by double-tapping it. Just be careful with that when you're swiping through an ex's or a crush's photos.<figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/facebook_feed.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/facebook_feed.jpg" style="height:827px;width:950px;" alt="Simplified Facebook feed." data-uuid="9f350538-b1cf-45da-8577-988178f7104c"><figcaption>Simplified Facebook feed.</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Meta</div></figure>Search results are now said to "show more content in a more immersive grid layout that supports all content types," according to Meta. The company is trying out a new full-screen viewer for Facebook that "lets you explore different photo and video results without losing your place in search," which it plans to expand to "more content and post types in the coming months."In addition, the company says you’ll be able to provide feedback on a Facebook post or Reel to help make future recommendations more relevant. More ways for you to "shape your feed" and offer feedback on what the algorithm serves up are coming soon.The Facebook feed sucks, and it's good that Meta knows it sucks. There have been numerous occasions over the last couple of years where I've had to scroll through a couple dozen uninteresting posts from pages and creators I've never heard of before seeing something from a friend. The glut of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-finally-acknowledges-that-facebook-has-a-major-spam-problem-175304372.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">spam and AI slop</a> isn't helping (things are pretty grim for creators who have been <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/facebook-rolls-out-new-tools-for-creators-to-track-accounts-stealing-their-content-201020255.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">dealing with content thieves too</a>). There was a spell of several months last year when, every single time I opened Facebook, I would see an utterly garbage <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://aftermath.site/facebook-ai-tiny-house/" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">AI-generated image of a "tiny house,"</a> a supposedly cozy domicile where not much actually made sense (three TVs in a living room, stairs and railings that had the telltale signs of AI warping). I'd always provide feedback that I didn't want to see any posts from that page again. But the next day there'd be another rotten "tiny house" image from a different page in my feed.Here's hoping Meta will actually take feedback related to recommendations on board and act on it. If the company does, it might actually make the feed more interesting to scroll through again.Elsewhere, Facebook will place the most-used tab bar features — such as Reels, Friends, Marketplace and Profile — front and center on the tab bar for easier and faster access. Meta is also promising a refreshed look for the menu and "cleaner" tab notifications.<figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/post_creation.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/post_creation.jpg" style="height:1672px;width:1920px;" alt="Facebook Story creation screen" data-uuid="f633af5b-3dbc-4d10-8bf5-ce9845d6c053"><figcaption>Facebook Story creation screen</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Meta</div></figure>Facebook is making it easier to access more popular Story and Feed post creation tools like music and friend tagging by giving them more prominent placement. Advanced options like text background colors will be an extra tap or two away. The post and Story composer feature audience and cross-post settings prominently, so that you have ease of control over who can see what you're sharing. Meta has updated how comments work across the feed, Groups and Reels as well to make things more streamlined and easier to follow. On top of all of that, when you make changes to your profile, you might start seeing suggestions for friends with shared interests. Meta suggested that, "if you update your profile to show you're into sourdough bread baking or planning a trip to Nashville, Facebook will show you friends who can give you sourdough starter tips or offer suggestions on the best local spots." As always, though, you can decide who sees what on your profile or simply opt to share none of this personal info with Facebook at all, especially if you feel that Meta already knows too much about you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-trying-to-make-facebook-suck-less-by-simplifying-things-a-bit-171910771.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Google Pixel Watch 4 gets double pinch and wrist turn features

It has been two months since Google released the Pixel Watch 4 and now the company is introducing new updates to the wearable. In <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/pixel-watch-4-review-a-well-rounded-smartwatch-with-a-surprising-advantage-170059851.html">our review</a>, Engadget managing editor Cherlynn Low was impressed enough with the watch to give it an 86, but called out the lack of gesture-based interactions. The new one-handed gesture features, like double pinch and wrist turn, should make up for that.  In an industry that involves constant borrowing of ideas, it should come as no surprise that these features are very similar to those available on the Apple Watch. Double pinch works much the same to the Apple Watch's <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/apple-watch-ultra-2-and-series-9-first-impressions-double-tap-is-accurate-and-tricky-203116431.html">double tap</a>. Pixel Watch 4 users should be able to pinch their fingers together twice on the same hand to do things like answer or end a call and pause timers. The Pixel Watch will also offer "context hints" on its screen about when a person should consider using double pinch.  Then there's wrist turn, Google's answer to <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/watchos-26-preview-its-the-little-things-140035949.html">Apple's wrist flick</a>. It should allow Pixel Watch 4 users to take actions like dismissing incoming calls by turning their wrist.  Currently, users can rotate their wrist to <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://support.google.com/wearos/answer/6312406?">scroll through notifications</a>. They can also summon Gemini by bringing their wrist to their mouth, but it's a bit finicky, requiring them to start at the homepage and be extremely accurate in their movements. Google is rolling out a new step-by-step tutorial for this raise to talk feature, so hopefully it becomes a bit easier to use moving forward. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/google-pixel-watch-4-gets-double-pinch-and-wrist-turn-features-170024210.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Study shows that Instacart was charging different amounts for the same items

A <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://groundworkcollaborative.org/work/instacart/">collaborative report</a> from <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/instacart-ai-pricing-experiment-inflating-grocery-bills-a1142182490/">Consumer Reports</a>, <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://groundworkcollaborative.org/">Groundwork Collaborative</a> and <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://perfectunion.us/">More Perfect Union</a> has uncovered pricing experiments within the Instacart app that yielded higher or lower prices for different users on the exact same items from the same store location. The organizations partnered to enroll 437 shoppers in an experiment across four cities, where each shopper added the same items to their carts within Instacart from the exact same store. Almost 75 percent of grocery items were shown to shoppers at multiple price points, with as many as five different prices shown for the same item. The average difference between the highest and lowest price shown was 13 percent, while the highest delta on an individual item was a whopping 23 percent. Engadget reached out to Instacart and received the following response. It reads in part: "Just as retailers have long tested prices in their physical stores to better understand consumer preferences, a subset of only 10 retail partners — ones that already apply markups — do the same online via Instacart. These limited, short-term, and randomized tests help retail partners learn what matters most to consumers and how to keep essential items affordable." An Instacart spokesperson added that this is not dynamic pricing (insofar as it is not based on supply and demand), that no personal demographic data is used in the process and that these experiments are random. The bulk of the tests were conducted at Safeway and Target stores, which both yielded similar results. A Target spokesperson told the <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:The New York Times;elmt:;cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=c813ae39-7d58-41cb-ac66-ad830606ceef&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=381e8ef3-8566-4b02-98be-2b8a72c42c94&featureId=text-link&merchantName=The+New+York+Times&linkText=New+York+Times&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS8yMDI1LzEyLzA5L2J1c2luZXNzL2luc3RhY2FydC1hbGdvcml0aG1pYy1wcmljaW5nLmh0bWwiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjM4MWU4ZWYzLTg1NjYtNGIwMi05OGJlLTJiOGE3MmM0MmM5NCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNS8xMi8wOS9idXNpbmVzcy9pbnN0YWNhcnQtYWxnb3JpdGhtaWMtcHJpY2luZy5odG1sIn0&signature=AQAAAYFtqxUg2lKG5t1iBG4pWcJgGzkfmDIUn3XriIkog7Ff&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2025%2F12%2F09%2Fbusiness%2Finstacart-algorithmic-pricing.html" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/business/instacart-algorithmic-pricing.html">New York Times</a> that the company "is not affiliated with Instacart and is not responsible for prices on the Instacart platform." Instacart told the Times that they were "evaluating different approaches" to cover the platform's costs at the time of the study, but have since discontinued pricing tests on Target orders. Instacart published a <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Instacart;elmt:;cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=5472383a-7bc7-47d6-8e6a-3bdcbaf46c89&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=381e8ef3-8566-4b02-98be-2b8a72c42c94&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Instacart&linkText=blog+post&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5pbnN0YWNhcnQuY29tL2NvbXBhbnkvdXBkYXRlcy9pbnN0YWNhcnQtcy1jb21taXRtZW50LXRvLWFmZm9yZGFiaWxpdHkiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjM4MWU4ZWYzLTg1NjYtNGIwMi05OGJlLTJiOGE3MmM0MmM5NCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFjYXJ0LmNvbS9jb21wYW55L3VwZGF0ZXMvaW5zdGFjYXJ0LXMtY29tbWl0bWVudC10by1hZmZvcmRhYmlsaXR5In0&signature=AQAAATZwRZJmtB0ZdGj37WYKAUiZILrWbvU-lGo_z0RHMeJN&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instacart.com%2Fcompany%2Fupdates%2Finstacart-s-commitment-to-affordability" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.instacart.com/company/updates/instacart-s-commitment-to-affordability">blog post</a> today attempting to explain how these tests that showed higher prices are actually meant to help retailers invest in lower prices. It also waxes poetic about Instacart's commitments to affordable groceries for consumers.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/study-shows-that-instacart-was-charging-different-amounts-for-the-same-items-165108224.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Pebble is making a weird little smart ring for recording thoughts

Pebble <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://repebble.com/blog/meet-pebble-index-01-external-memory-for-your-brain"><ins>just announced the Index 01</ins></a>, a smart ring for recording thoughts. It's a little ring with a built-in microphone and that's about it. The Index 01 is almost anti-tech in its simplicity. There's no needless AI component shoehorned in, aside from speech-to-text. It's a ring with a microphone that you whisper ideas into and I want one. Here's how it works. You get an idea while walking down the street, so you quietly whisper it into the ring. The ring sends the idea to a notes app or saves it for later review. Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky calls this an "external memory" for the brain, but I call it a nice way to avoid having to dig the phone out of a pocket or bag just to utter something like "pizza, but for cats." <div id="121e9792b86643e1a940f15c5ff4b21a"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ArxhS4SQaP0?si=bHH8GowYJeMx9d64" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> The ring doesn't record unless a button is pushed, so it won't be listening in on private conversations, and it doesn't require a paid subscription of any kind. It's on the smaller side, about the size of a wedding band, and is water-resistant. The battery also lasts for "years" and never needs to be charged. The ring is designed to be worn at all times, so users develop the muscle memory of holding down the little button when they have something to share. See what I mean? I want one, and I've quite literally <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/best-smart-ring-140000425.html"><ins>never worn a ring in my life</ins></a>. <figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/c6f04860-d519-11f0-a733-fa39144e332f" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/c6f04860-d519-11f0-a733-fa39144e332f" style="height:1152px;width:1150px;" alt="A ring." data-uuid="0def79d6-999b-32d3-834d-37e7a08eaa63"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Pebble</div></figure> Migicovsky says this is an open source product and that Pebble is "leaving the side door open for folks to customize." He envisions people will integrate AI voice agents and that the ring will eventually work with stuff like ChatGPT, Beeper, Google and other services. The Pebble Index 01 works with iPhone and Android and <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://repebble.com/index#buy"><ins>is available for preorder right now</ins></a>. It costs $75 during this preorder period, but the price jacks up to $99 when shipments start going out in March. This is just the latest product by Migicovsky and Pebble. The company unveiled the <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/pebble-founder-eric-migicovsky-just-introduced-two-new-e-paper-smartwatches-160008363.html"><ins>Core 2 Duo and the Core Time 2</ins></a> smartwatches <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-spiritual-sequel-to-the-pebble-smartwatch-is-on-track-to-ship-in-july-182014025.html"><ins>earlier this year</ins></a>.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/pebble-is-making-a-weird-little-smart-ring-for-recording-thoughts-161723645.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

The 11 best gifts under $25 for 2025

The most hyped tech is often also the most expensive: flagship smartphones, ultra-powerful gaming laptops, immersive VR headsets and the like. But it would be wrong to assume that those are the only pieces of technology worth gifting. You don’t have to drain your wallet to get someone a cool gadget that will both be useful and make their lives easier. There are more solid, affordable gadgets out there now more than ever, but that also means you’ll discover some junk along the way. We’ve collected our favorite pieces of tech under $25 that make great gifts and help you to stick to a budget. <h2 id="jump-link-best-gifts-under-25">Best gifts under $25</h2> <core-commerce id="33dada4678064855a594cf32d62f8f83" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Qi-Certified-Compatible-Fast-Charging-PowerWave/dp/B07DBXZZN3?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="b9d43ecb74d54fe190958ad00d29edc5" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Mystic-Maze-1000-Piece-Jigsaw-Company/dp/B08NDXDR84?ref_=ast_sto_dp"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="4f7c91705b94487fa45bf8c8d4ccdd87" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-smart-plug-works-with-Alexa/dp/B089DR29T6"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="84b67fc6217347419af9a4c04c7c23af" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Handheld-Portable-Operated-Flashlight/dp/B07QK9C9KT/?th=1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="84c61ea28c914b7bab748aa43bcc6e64" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/iFixit-Moray-Driver-Kit-Smartphones/dp/B08NWKMT8V?"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="5ecad628af6a4c06b387f9fb0ebb4a39" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Botanicals-Happy-Plants-Building/dp/B0DRW6C2RF/"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="8aa03bf00ef448eabf39e0b0e7b9fbaa" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Compatible-Generation-Shockproof-Protective/dp/B0CLCDR33Z/ref=sr_1_3?th=1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="ce8f9aa68cc24b74b3d402ceade94144" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/JLab-Bluetooth-Resistance-Connection-Signature/dp/B0CXGXT6W8/ref=ast_sto_dp_puis?th=1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="f33eebe3ed154d1ca28825882eb4f303" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-12-Month-Individual-Membership/dp/B07FV64QLX?th=1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="00f4cc5410fc4d88849d6d6a85ca9a3a" data-type="product-list"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="27358a5a86354f51887950fe4773b2a4" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/ESR-HaloLock-Magnetic-Compatible-Charging/dp/B0B38P9TF8/?th=1"></core-commerce> Check out the rest of our <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/gifts/">gift ideas</a> here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-11-best-gifts-under-25-for-2025-140042203.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

The AI boom could soon send GPU prices soaring, so now's a good time to buy one

When someone asks me for gadget buying advice, I normally tell them to stick with their current device. In 2025, most new tech products aren't a worthwhile upgrade over even something that was released a few years ago — and with the price of everything going up, that new iPhone can wait. But things aren't normal right now. On December 3, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/computing/crucial-is-a-casualty-of-ais-hunger-for-ram-185910113.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">The Wall Street Journal reported</a> memory manufacturer Micron would wind down Crucial, its consumer business, to focus on components for the AI industry. The PC I'm writing this article on has an SSD and RAM from Crucial. Overnight, Micron decided to end a business it spent decades building, and from a certain perspective, I guess it makes sense. In recent months, OpenAI has signed more than <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=34e37b9c-8975-48da-aa39-df8bcd5badc3&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=CNBC&linkText=%241.4+trillion&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbmJjLmNvbS8yMDI1LzA5LzI4L2EtbG9vay1hdC1vcGVuYWlzLXRhbmdsZWQtd2ViLW9mLWRlYWxtYWtpbmcuaHRtbCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDkxY2Q2YmQtOTdmMy00ZjE2LWE3YTYtZWFmMDM0YjYxMTgyIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbmJjLmNvbS8yMDI1LzA5LzI4L2EtbG9vay1hdC1vcGVuYWlzLXRhbmdsZWQtd2ViLW9mLWRlYWxtYWtpbmcuaHRtbCJ9&signature=AQAAAdrl-ZZEA14UFo7tVtvfM_EwN3Z14O2jUL1I_MYaEEHp&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbc.com%2F2025%2F09%2F28%2Fa-look-at-openais-tangled-web-of-dealmaking.html" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:CNBC;elmt:;cpos:2;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/28/a-look-at-openais-tangled-web-of-dealmaking.html">$1.4 trillion</a> worth of infrastructure deals, creating unprecedented demand for server-grade solid-state storage and RAM. To meet the moment, manufacturers have been allocating more of their production capacity and wafers to high-margin commercial customers. For consumers, the result has been skyrocketing RAM prices, with some <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/there-arent-any-black-friday-deals-on-ram-this-year-and-you-can-thank-ai-for-that-130000335.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">DDR5 kits</a> now costing as much as two or three times as much as they did a couple of months ago. Recent <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.trendforce.com/presscenter/news/20251201-12807.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">analysis from TrendForce</a> shows the price of some consumer-grade SSDs increased between 20 and 60 percent in November for the same reason. Then there's LPDDR5X memory, which is used in both smartphones and NVIDIA's Grace Blackwell and Vera Rubin platforms. In 2026, it's expected to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/dram/nvidias-demand-for-lpddr5x-could-double-smartphone-and-server-memory-prices-in-2026-seismic-shift-means-even-smartphone-class-memory-isnt-safe-from-ai-induced-crunch" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">increase in price as well</a>. The demand for AI infrastructure is such that all consumer electronics may cost more in the coming months.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Price Changes Coming December 7th 2025, Due To Market Conditions 🔔‼️ <a href="https://t.co/et0HADhc08">pic.twitter.com/et0HADhc08</a>— CyberPowerPC (@CYBERPOWERPC) <a href="https://twitter.com/CYBERPOWERPC/status/1993126805658911041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2025</a></blockquote> </div>That gets me to the purpose of this article. If you've been thinking about upgrading to a new graphics card, I would recommend you buy one sooner rather than later. The AI boom came for RAM first, and there are already signs it will come for GPU pricing next. A <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/new-rumor-suggests-8gb-radeons-could-get-usd20-price-hikes-16gb-usd40-rising-gddr6-spot-prices-add-fuel-to-the-gpu-pricing-fire" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">recent report </a>suggests AMD is considering raising the MSRP of its 8GB models by $20 and 16GB models by $40 due to the price of GDDR6 memory. NVIDIA, meanwhile, is <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/nvidia-reportedly-no-longer-supplying-vram-to-its-gpu-board-partners-in-response-to-memory-crunch-rumor-claims-vendors-will-only-get-the-die-forced-to-source-memory-on-their-own" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">rumored</a> to have recently told its board partners it would no longer supply them with VRAM for their cards.     Neither NVIDIA nor AMD responded to comment requests from Engadget requesting they share how they plan to work with their board partners to ensure GPU prices remain stable. NVIDIA also did not comment on reports the company will stop providing VRAM to its board partners. Separate from the memory shortage, neither NVIDIA nor AMD are expected to release new GPUs soon. According to recent rumors, the earliest a Super refresh of the Blackwell line could arrive is sometime in the middle of 2026 — not at CES in January as the 40-series Super cards did in 2024. The memory crunch could complicate things there too, since the company has typically relied on more and faster VRAM to offer better performance on its Super cards. With 50-series Super GPUs, it might not be the case that NVIDIA announces them at the same MSRP as their non-Super predecessors, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/nvidia-reveals-rtx-40-super-gpus-at-ces-2024-163041585.html" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">which was the case with the 40-series</a>. As for AMD, the company debuted its <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/amd-previews-rdna-4-graphics-with-ai-upscaling-teases-rx-9070-gpus-194500173.html" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">RDNA 4</a> cards at the start of the year. We know it's already working on RDNA 5, and if a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-and-amd-tease-the-gpu-tech-theyre-building-for-the-next-playstation-172500942.html" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">recent chat</a> with Sony's Mark Cerny is any indication, the new architecture will be a major step change for AMD. However, right now rumors indicate the earliest RDNA 5 could arrive is sometime in 2027.In other words, with nothing new on the horizon and pricing of existing stock likely to increase, there might be only a short window where you can get a new GPU at a reasonable price. It's impossible to predict the future, but if you're in need of an upgrade and have the means to purchase, there might not be a better opportunity before the end of 2026.  <h2 id="d9313586-7fcb-4458-987b-da3c3b5a027a">Recommendations</h2>The recommendations in Engadget's <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/how-to-buy-a-gpu-160100017.html" data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1">recent GPU guide</a> are still as relevant today as they were a few months ago. Once again, the best advice I can give is to buy a card with at least 12GB of VRAM, and preferably 16GB if your budget allows for it. Unless you mostly plan to play older games on a 1080p monitor, it's not worth considering a model with 8GB of VRAM — it won't last you long enough to warrant the purchase price. Our recommendations are grouped from most affordable to most expensive. Where possible, I've tried to find options from both Newegg and Amazon. You won't find any high-end picks like the RTX 5080 since if you can afford that card, this guide isn't for you.  <h3 id="e910a6e6-dbed-497d-9480-ce003863e303">Intel Arc B580</h3><figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/intel-arc-b580.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/intel-arc-b580.jpg" style="height:1356px;width:2400px;" alt="Intel's Arc B580 is a great budget option, as long as you can put up with some driver issues. " data-uuid="79b93dde-462e-4f06-97d9-f881a638a1a3"><figcaption>Intel's Arc B580 is a great budget option, as long as you can put up with some driver issues. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Devindra Hardawar for Engadget</div></figure>For those on a tight budget, I would start and end my search with the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/intel-arc-b580-review-the-new-king-of-250-gpus-for-now-200047482.html" data-i13n="cpos:12;pos:1">Intel Arc B580</a>. Newegg has models from <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=6ce976db-26d7-4094-a1be-4d1496b213f0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Newegg&linkText=ASRock&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdlZ2cuY29tL2Fzcm9jay1zdGVlbC1sZWdlbmQtYjU4MC1zbC0xMmdvLWFyYy1iNTgwLTEyZ2ItZ3JhcGhpY3MtY2FyZC10cmlwbGUtZmFucy9wL044MkUxNjgxNDkzMDEzMiIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDkxY2Q2YmQtOTdmMy00ZjE2LWE3YTYtZWFmMDM0YjYxMTgyIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdlZ2cuY29tL2Fzcm9jay1zdGVlbC1sZWdlbmQtYjU4MC1zbC0xMmdvLWFyYy1iNTgwLTEyZ2ItZ3JhcGhpY3MtY2FyZC10cmlwbGUtZmFucy9wL044MkUxNjgxNDkzMDEzMiJ9&signature=AQAAAf0qbZA99kpNASmWYw-HfxBEV7c7Ewz2N3n9Z5iIZgU0&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fasrock-steel-legend-b580-sl-12go-arc-b580-12gb-graphics-card-triple-fans%2Fp%2FN82E16814930132" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Newegg;elmt:;cpos:13;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.newegg.com/asrock-steel-legend-b580-sl-12go-arc-b580-12gb-graphics-card-triple-fans/p/N82E16814930132">ASRock</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=6ce976db-26d7-4094-a1be-4d1496b213f0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Newegg&linkText=Onix&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdlZ2cuY29tL29uaXgtbHVtaS04MzQ2LTAwMjc4LWFyYy1iNTgwLTEyZ2ItZ3JhcGhpY3MtY2FyZC1kb3VibGUtZmFucy9wL044MkUxNjgxNDk4NzAwMiIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDkxY2Q2YmQtOTdmMy00ZjE2LWE3YTYtZWFmMDM0YjYxMTgyIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdlZ2cuY29tL29uaXgtbHVtaS04MzQ2LTAwMjc4LWFyYy1iNTgwLTEyZ2ItZ3JhcGhpY3MtY2FyZC1kb3VibGUtZmFucy9wL044MkUxNjgxNDk4NzAwMiJ9&signature=AQAAAeqEwR_GMuY0S8zrcPEL9WMjFH6-_38MPufu8cPTGj2_&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fonix-lumi-8346-00278-arc-b580-12gb-graphics-card-double-fans%2Fp%2FN82E16814987002" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Newegg;elmt:;cpos:14;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.newegg.com/onix-lumi-8346-00278-arc-b580-12gb-graphics-card-double-fans/p/N82E16814987002">Onix</a> at or under the card's $250 MSRP. I can't speak to the quality of ONIX cards, but ASRock is well-regarded. Over on Amazon, you can find the <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DNMH4KQM&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=B580+for+%24300&custData=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&signature=AQAAAYuzd2oNK0Op-LhIgxUf2iQb5jvvOTcHV8gKJ_MdZMy2&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSparkle-Cooling-Breathing-Backplate-SB580T-12GOC%2Fdp%2FB0DNMH4KQM%2F" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:15;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/Sparkle-Cooling-Breathing-Backplate-SB580T-12GOC/dp/B0DNMH4KQM/?th=1">B580 for $300</a>. With Intel cards you sometimes need to put up with odd driver issues, but as far as budget options go, the B580 offers value that's hard to beat. The one thing about budget cards like the B580 is they’re likely to face the most pricing pressure from the memory crunch due to the smaller margins manufacturers are making on them.   <h3 id="fe114ca7-782c-4677-a63d-b60443d8a0fb">NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti 16GB</h3><figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/rtx-5060-ti.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/rtx-5060-ti.jpg" style="height:1210px;width:2398px;" alt="If you decide to go with the RTX 5060 Ti, be sure to buy the 16GB model. " data-uuid="b93a25b0-420a-4b9c-8d2d-cff1e9b96bf4"><figcaption>If you decide to go with the RTX 5060 Ti, be sure to buy the 16GB model. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Devindra Hardawar for Engadget</div></figure>If you have more than $250 to spend on a GPU, the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/nvidia-rtx-5060-ti-16gb-review-a-solid-semi-budget-gpu-for-429-but-good-luck-scoring-that-price-130058124.html" data-i13n="cpos:16;pos:1">RTX 5060 Ti</a> is the GPU to buy. Avoid the 8GB model and go straight for the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/nvidias-geforce-rtx-5060-gpu-starts-at-299-rtx-5060-ti-at-379-130020340.html" data-i13n="cpos:17;pos:1">16GB variant</a>. NVIDIA announced the 5060 Ti at an MSRP of $429, and luckily as of the writing of this article, you can still find one close to that price.Newegg, for instance, is selling the <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=6ce976db-26d7-4094-a1be-4d1496b213f0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Newegg&linkText=MSI+Ventus+Black+Plus&custData=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&signature=AQAAAaY4RRWLw9nMmgPhpdCP-g_7a_XClAPuA4o6ChDeQwdJ&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fmsi-rtx-5060-ti-16g-ventus-2x-oc-black-plus-geforce-rtx-5060-ti-16gb-graphics-card-double-fans%2Fp%2FN82E16814137992" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Newegg;elmt:;cpos:18;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.newegg.com/msi-rtx-5060-ti-16g-ventus-2x-oc-black-plus-geforce-rtx-5060-ti-16gb-graphics-card-double-fans/p/N82E16814137992">MSI Ventus Black Plus</a> version of the card for $440. Amazon has the <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0F45QRHQB&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=silver+colorway&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0dhbWluZy1HcmFwaGljcy0xMjgtYml0LUV4dHJlbWUtUGVyZm9ybWFuY2UvZHAvQjBGNDVRUkhRQi8_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDkxY2Q2YmQtOTdmMy00ZjE2LWE3YTYtZWFmMDM0YjYxMTgyIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0dhbWluZy1HcmFwaGljcy0xMjgtYml0LUV4dHJlbWUtUGVyZm9ybWFuY2UvZHAvQjBGNDVRUkhRQi8iLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAer-ZlN7tIcjYKmFcLb6ntmjn2ek-GVlm96oorECJhZa&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGaming-Graphics-128-bit-Extreme-Performance%2Fdp%2FB0F45QRHQB%2F" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:19;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/Gaming-Graphics-128-bit-Extreme-Performance/dp/B0F45QRHQB/">silver colorway</a> of that same GPU listed for $460 currently. The retailer also has models from <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0FFQ8P2HK&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Gigabyte&custData=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&signature=AQAAAQjLU4am3fZf3txkPPOA9Ve3XfM6Q9_x30X3VmSySX07&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGIGABYTE-WINDFORCE-Graphics-GV-N506TWF2MAX-OC-16GD%2Fdp%2FB0FFQ8P2HK%2Fref%3Dsr_1_2" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:20;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-WINDFORCE-Graphics-GV-N506TWF2MAX-OC-16GD/dp/B0FFQ8P2HK/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2JL5YO0AOPVFL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.d9txMjwJzWciI00i9qUSySzX_BS8CqIjr0IpQKvkJf_1M5JwymjZWXwFGmJegcaeuCbuOqP9D7C1HXOjGj0uy9CyTzAE2lOhJG_nO1_BeBrylRL4HwnxDnocwht2zM_YSD81MqM3Gf_3To58h8uzESOccn1wk4QJCvedv_2UIuXdlqJ_sdsljhtWdhtfBJ2NWSP0E3eqVuVsKDDmrd7xE8w2Y1eJMhI87P8-M94LNug.iuzpegqtZtxNGm0xX6nFaqNtF2aCUWdXPUPC7XzsYyw&dib_tag=se&keywords=5060+ti+16gb&qid=1765212754&sprefix=5060+ti+16gb%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-2">Gigabyte</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0FKSMSGMD&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Zotac&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL1pPVEFDLUdyYXBoaWNzLUljZVN0b3JtLVNGRi1SZWFkeS1aVC1CNTA2MjBRLTEwTS9kcC9CMEZLU01TR01EL3JlZj1zcl8xXzM_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDkxY2Q2YmQtOTdmMy00ZjE2LWE3YTYtZWFmMDM0YjYxMTgyIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL1pPVEFDLUdyYXBoaWNzLUljZVN0b3JtLVNGRi1SZWFkeS1aVC1CNTA2MjBRLTEwTS9kcC9CMEZLU01TR01EL3JlZj1zcl8xXzMiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAW8tK4fwVDo6dyMAC60Qtpj71JjsKUvSIfiOmmDXHbi6&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FZOTAC-Graphics-IceStorm-SFF-Ready-ZT-B50620Q-10M%2Fdp%2FB0FKSMSGMD%2Fref%3Dsr_1_3" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:21;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-Graphics-IceStorm-SFF-Ready-ZT-B50620Q-10M/dp/B0FKSMSGMD/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2JL5YO0AOPVFL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.d9txMjwJzWciI00i9qUSySzX_BS8CqIjr0IpQKvkJf_1M5JwymjZWXwFGmJegcaeuCbuOqP9D7C1HXOjGj0uy9CyTzAE2lOhJG_nO1_BeBrylRL4HwnxDnocwht2zM_YSD81MqM3Gf_3To58h8uzESOccn1wk4QJCvedv_2UIuXdlqJ_sdsljhtWdhtfBJ2NWSP0E3eqVuVsKDDmrd7xE8w2Y1eJMhI87P8-M94LNug.iuzpegqtZtxNGm0xX6nFaqNtF2aCUWdXPUPC7XzsYyw&dib_tag=se&keywords=5060+ti+16gb&qid=1765212754&sprefix=5060+ti+16gb%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-3">Zotac</a> in and around that same price. If I had to pick between the 5060 Ti and 5070, which NVIDIA only offers with 12GB of VRAM, I would pick the former. The 5060 Ti is a safer bet, and offers nearly as much performance, particularly in games that include ray tracing as an option.    <h3 id="f1442852-d0ed-4c15-8df4-37aa02d2ea0e">AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT  </h3><figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/rx-9070-xt.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/rx-9070-xt.jpg" style="height:1478px;width:2880px;" alt="If you're a fan of Team Red, the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT are among the best cards of this generation. " data-uuid="0bc16465-79bb-4553-9282-92efacba8e2a"><figcaption>If you're a fan of Team Red, the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT are among the best cards of this generation. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Devindra Hardawar for Engadget</div></figure>For a mid-range option, the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT offer excellent value. Of the two cards, the 9070 is the better purchase for most people due to its less demanding power requirements, but if you got a PSU that can handle the 9070 XT, go for it. Right now, Newegg has a few 9070 models from <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=6ce976db-26d7-4094-a1be-4d1496b213f0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Newegg&linkText=ASRock&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdlZ2cuY29tL2Fzcm9jay1jaGFsbGVuZ2VyLXJ4OTA3MC1jbC0xNmctcmFkZW9uLXJ4LTkwNzAtMTZnYi1ncmFwaGljcy1jYXJkLXRyaXBsZS1mYW5zL3AvTjgyRTE2ODE0OTMwMTM4IiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiIwOTFjZDZiZC05N2YzLTRmMTYtYTdhNi1lYWYwMzRiNjExODIiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm5ld2VnZy5jb20vYXNyb2NrLWNoYWxsZW5nZXItcng5MDcwLWNsLTE2Zy1yYWRlb24tcngtOTA3MC0xNmdiLWdyYXBoaWNzLWNhcmQtdHJpcGxlLWZhbnMvcC9OODJFMTY4MTQ5MzAxMzgifQ&signature=AQAAAbICuRRMpy1XHXqc1e21NYYLehBEQQUfjCZdxnWxKvyZ&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fasrock-challenger-rx9070-cl-16g-radeon-rx-9070-16gb-graphics-card-triple-fans%2Fp%2FN82E16814930138" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Newegg;elmt:;cpos:22;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.newegg.com/asrock-challenger-rx9070-cl-16g-radeon-rx-9070-16gb-graphics-card-triple-fans/p/N82E16814930138">ASRock</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=6ce976db-26d7-4094-a1be-4d1496b213f0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Newegg&linkText=Sapphire&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdlZ2cuY29tL3NhcHBoaXJlLXRlY2gtcHVsc2UtMTEzNDktMDMtMjBnLXJhZGVvbi1yeC05MDcwLTE2Z2ItZ3JhcGhpY3MtY2FyZC1kb3VibGUtZmFucy9wL044MkUxNjgxNDIwMjQ1MyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDkxY2Q2YmQtOTdmMy00ZjE2LWE3YTYtZWFmMDM0YjYxMTgyIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdlZ2cuY29tL3NhcHBoaXJlLXRlY2gtcHVsc2UtMTEzNDktMDMtMjBnLXJhZGVvbi1yeC05MDcwLTE2Z2ItZ3JhcGhpY3MtY2FyZC1kb3VibGUtZmFucy9wL044MkUxNjgxNDIwMjQ1MyJ9&signature=AQAAAeLWv3kd8FVHRtncgmtolPsBGvYnSvREcdLVw8nB4oUv&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fsapphire-tech-pulse-11349-03-20g-radeon-rx-9070-16gb-graphics-card-double-fans%2Fp%2FN82E16814202453" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Newegg;elmt:;cpos:23;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.newegg.com/sapphire-tech-pulse-11349-03-20g-radeon-rx-9070-16gb-graphics-card-double-fans/p/N82E16814202453">Sapphire</a> just under the card's $549 MSRP. My friend recently bought the Sapphire card linked above, and has had nothing but good things to say about it. You'll pay more going through Amazon, but the company has a couple of options around $600 from <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0F1GFKD47&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=XFX&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL1hGWC1SYWRlb24tVHJpcGxlLUdhbWluZy1SWC05N1NXRlQzQkEvZHAvQjBGMUdGS0Q0Ny8_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDkxY2Q2YmQtOTdmMy00ZjE2LWE3YTYtZWFmMDM0YjYxMTgyIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL1hGWC1SYWRlb24tVHJpcGxlLUdhbWluZy1SWC05N1NXRlQzQkEvZHAvQjBGMUdGS0Q0Ny8iLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAATtPGSAhlikzJeRNPH4yT506zivS5dpJetIvw_BVx2-T&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FXFX-Radeon-Triple-Gaming-RX-97SWFT3BA%2Fdp%2FB0F1GFKD47%2F" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:24;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/XFX-Radeon-Triple-Gaming-RX-97SWFT3BA/dp/B0F1GFKD47/">XFX</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DS2QZC9P&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Gigabyte&custData=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&signature=AQAAAdHJEj7yaR5TxOKvH5KaSCzaxzhJ72TBrhw3mgWh1Has&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGIGABYTE-Radeon-Graphics-GV-R9070GAMING-OC-16GD%2Fdp%2FB0DS2QZC9P%2F" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:25;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-Radeon-Graphics-GV-R9070GAMING-OC-16GD/dp/B0DS2QZC9P/">Gigabyte</a>. When it comes to the 9070 XT, Newegg has an <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=6ce976db-26d7-4094-a1be-4d1496b213f0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Newegg&linkText=ASRock&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdlZ2cuY29tL2Fzcm9jay1jaGFsbGVuZ2VyLXJ4OTA3MHh0LWNsLTE2Zy1yYWRlb24tcngtOTA3MC14dC0xNmdiLWdyYXBoaWNzLWNhcmQtdHJpcGxlLWZhbnMvcC9OODJFMTY4MTQ5MzAxNDUiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjA5MWNkNmJkLTk3ZjMtNGYxNi1hN2E2LWVhZjAzNGI2MTE4MiIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3ZWdnLmNvbS9hc3JvY2stY2hhbGxlbmdlci1yeDkwNzB4dC1jbC0xNmctcmFkZW9uLXJ4LTkwNzAteHQtMTZnYi1ncmFwaGljcy1jYXJkLXRyaXBsZS1mYW5zL3AvTjgyRTE2ODE0OTMwMTQ1In0&signature=AQAAAe1HyZAP3sx-78C5rKfbsPQ843FteJs_xifAnJTwh-98&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fasrock-challenger-rx9070xt-cl-16g-radeon-rx-9070-xt-16gb-graphics-card-triple-fans%2Fp%2FN82E16814930145" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Newegg;elmt:;cpos:26;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.newegg.com/asrock-challenger-rx9070xt-cl-16g-radeon-rx-9070-xt-16gb-graphics-card-triple-fans/p/N82E16814930145">ASRock</a> model priced right at the card's $599 MSRP. Many of the other options from Sapphire and XFX are unfortunately priced between $650 and $700. The same is true on Amazon, where the cheapest model I could find was <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0CVVLV5TV&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=%24630&custData=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&signature=AQAAAXxTgw6qENOyFcertpU92gdjL0lg8ixSji11UQ7jjN5P&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPowerColor-Hellhound-Radeon-9070-GDDR6%2Fdp%2FB0CVVLV5TV%2F" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:27;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/PowerColor-Hellhound-Radeon-9070-GDDR6/dp/B0CVVLV5TV/?th=1">$630</a>.   <h3 id="2211f827-c6ac-4883-b568-f0de8ae65145">NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti</h3><figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/rtx-5070-ti.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/rtx-5070-ti.jpg" style="height:653px;width:1242px;" alt="If you have more money to spend, the RTX 5070 Ti is a performance beast. " data-uuid="3d8d198f-2397-4d96-a211-aaa085c4e4fa"><figcaption>If you have more money to spend, the RTX 5070 Ti is a performance beast. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Devindra Hardawar for Engadget</div></figure>For our final recommendation, consider the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/nvidia-geforce-5070-ti-review-a-sensible-4k-powerhouse-for-749-140023082.html" data-i13n="cpos:28;pos:1">RTX 5070 Ti</a>. It's a great option if you want to play games at 4K for less than what the 5080 and 5090 cost. Newegg has <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=6ce976db-26d7-4094-a1be-4d1496b213f0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Newegg&linkText=MSI&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdlZ2cuY29tL21zaS1ydHgtNTA3MC10aS0xNmctdmVudHVzLTN4LW9jLWdlZm9yY2UtcnR4LTUwNzAtdGktMTZnYi1ncmFwaGljcy1jYXJkLXRyaXBsZS1mYW5zL3AvTjgyRTE2ODE0MTM3OTkzIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiIwOTFjZDZiZC05N2YzLTRmMTYtYTdhNi1lYWYwMzRiNjExODIiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm5ld2VnZy5jb20vbXNpLXJ0eC01MDcwLXRpLTE2Zy12ZW50dXMtM3gtb2MtZ2Vmb3JjZS1ydHgtNTA3MC10aS0xNmdiLWdyYXBoaWNzLWNhcmQtdHJpcGxlLWZhbnMvcC9OODJFMTY4MTQxMzc5OTMifQ&signature=AQAAAYIV60-DBdkCyrjusthWTpT3zvU0itT75c1fFW2s0qqa&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fmsi-rtx-5070-ti-16g-ventus-3x-oc-geforce-rtx-5070-ti-16gb-graphics-card-triple-fans%2Fp%2FN82E16814137993" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Newegg;elmt:;cpos:29;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.newegg.com/msi-rtx-5070-ti-16g-ventus-3x-oc-geforce-rtx-5070-ti-16gb-graphics-card-triple-fans/p/N82E16814137993">MSI</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=6ce976db-26d7-4094-a1be-4d1496b213f0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Newegg&linkText=Zotac+models&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdlZ2cuY29tL3pvdGFjLWdhbWluZy1nZWZvcmNlLXJ0eC01MDcwLXRpLXNvbGlkLXNmZi1vYy0xNmdiLWdyYXBoaWNzLWNhcmQtdHJpcGxlLWZhbnMvcC9OODJFMTY4MTQ1MDA2MDciLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjA5MWNkNmJkLTk3ZjMtNGYxNi1hN2E2LWVhZjAzNGI2MTE4MiIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3ZWdnLmNvbS96b3RhYy1nYW1pbmctZ2Vmb3JjZS1ydHgtNTA3MC10aS1zb2xpZC1zZmYtb2MtMTZnYi1ncmFwaGljcy1jYXJkLXRyaXBsZS1mYW5zL3AvTjgyRTE2ODE0NTAwNjA3In0&signature=AQAAAQil4JMYZauqJpGIRmFKw6J-dNSRlb9hK_XflHsPBti-&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fzotac-gaming-geforce-rtx-5070-ti-solid-sff-oc-16gb-graphics-card-triple-fans%2Fp%2FN82E16814500607" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Newegg;elmt:;cpos:30;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.newegg.com/zotac-gaming-geforce-rtx-5070-ti-solid-sff-oc-16gb-graphics-card-triple-fans/p/N82E16814500607">Zotac models</a> on sale for $750, the card's recommended price. There are also a handful of other options from <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=6ce976db-26d7-4094-a1be-4d1496b213f0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Newegg&linkText=ASUS&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdlZ2cuY29tL2FzdXMtcHJpbWUtcnR4NTA3MHRpLW8xNmctZ2Vmb3JjZS1ydHgtNTA3MC10aS0xNmdiLWdyYXBoaWNzLWNhcmQtdHJpcGxlLWZhbnMvcC9OODJFMTY4MTQxMjY3NTYiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjA5MWNkNmJkLTk3ZjMtNGYxNi1hN2E2LWVhZjAzNGI2MTE4MiIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3ZWdnLmNvbS9hc3VzLXByaW1lLXJ0eDUwNzB0aS1vMTZnLWdlZm9yY2UtcnR4LTUwNzAtdGktMTZnYi1ncmFwaGljcy1jYXJkLXRyaXBsZS1mYW5zL3AvTjgyRTE2ODE0MTI2NzU2In0&signature=AQAAAZYileosxhswuUQdyrgLR0ebI2XKu5Q-O0-044u2Zmwn&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fasus-prime-rtx5070ti-o16g-geforce-rtx-5070-ti-16gb-graphics-card-triple-fans%2Fp%2FN82E16814126756" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Newegg;elmt:;cpos:31;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.newegg.com/asus-prime-rtx5070ti-o16g-geforce-rtx-5070-ti-16gb-graphics-card-triple-fans/p/N82E16814126756">ASUS</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=6ce976db-26d7-4094-a1be-4d1496b213f0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Newegg&linkText=Gigabyte&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdlZ2cuY29tL2dpZ2FieXRlLWd2LW41MDd0Z2FtaW5nLW9jLTE2Z2QtZ2Vmb3JjZS1ydHgtNTA3MC10aS0xNmdiLWdyYXBoaWNzLWNhcmQtdHJpcGxlLWZhbnMvcC9OODJFMTY4MTQ5MzI3NjgiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjA5MWNkNmJkLTk3ZjMtNGYxNi1hN2E2LWVhZjAzNGI2MTE4MiIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3ZWdnLmNvbS9naWdhYnl0ZS1ndi1uNTA3dGdhbWluZy1vYy0xNmdkLWdlZm9yY2UtcnR4LTUwNzAtdGktMTZnYi1ncmFwaGljcy1jYXJkLXRyaXBsZS1mYW5zL3AvTjgyRTE2ODE0OTMyNzY4In0&signature=AQAAAW06bth1E1RPZNecjnsdcQNcO1KtdGC4R0mCI0Je6fry&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fgigabyte-gv-n507tgaming-oc-16gd-geforce-rtx-5070-ti-16gb-graphics-card-triple-fans%2Fp%2FN82E16814932768" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Newegg;elmt:;cpos:32;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.newegg.com/gigabyte-gv-n507tgaming-oc-16gd-geforce-rtx-5070-ti-16gb-graphics-card-triple-fans/p/N82E16814932768">Gigabyte</a> that are just over $800. Amazon, meanwhile, is selling one <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DXWQ22CQ&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=091cd6bd-97f3-4f16-a7a6-eaf034b61182&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Gigabyte+variant+for+%24749&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0dJR0FCWVRFLUdlRm9yY2UtV0lOREZPUkNFLUdyYXBoaWNzLUdWLU41MDdUV0YzLTE2R0QvZHAvQjBEWFdRMjJDUS8_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDkxY2Q2YmQtOTdmMy00ZjE2LWE3YTYtZWFmMDM0YjYxMTgyIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0dJR0FCWVRFLUdlRm9yY2UtV0lOREZPUkNFLUdyYXBoaWNzLUdWLU41MDdUV0YzLTE2R0QvZHAvQjBEWFdRMjJDUS8iLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAeoCT76ITj6Wt0UxAXk8dKXCSe_Fiygx3tW6KgDJXTD1&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGIGABYTE-GeForce-WINDFORCE-Graphics-GV-N507TWF3-16GD%2Fdp%2FB0DXWQ22CQ%2F" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:33;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GeForce-WINDFORCE-Graphics-GV-N507TWF3-16GD/dp/B0DXWQ22CQ/?th=1">Gigabyte variant for $749</a>. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-ai-boom-could-soon-send-gpu-prices-soaring-so-nows-a-good-time-to-buy-one-153000063.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Our favorite Anker MagSafe power bank is 34 percent off right now

Holiday travel is almost upon us and, while it likely won't be something out of a Richard Curtis film, there are ways to make it easier. You can raid our list of <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/the-best-travel-gifts-for-2025-141009086.html">best travel gifts for 2025</a> and pick up <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-magsafe-power-banks-120015338.html">our favorite MagSafe power bank</a>: <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0CFDQ9QH5&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=09ea5372-026a-46a7-9896-17bd53529054&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Anker%27s+MagGo&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwQ0ZEUTlRSDU_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDllYTUzNzItMDI2YS00NmE3LTk4OTYtMTdiZDUzNTI5MDU0Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwQ0ZEUTlRSDUiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAASIBkbi9j7xbHhe1D0pVsKWJLrHWKo32TumuAnGmQLh3&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0CFDQ9QH5" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFDQ9QH5?th=1">Anker's MagGo </a><a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0CFDQ9QH5&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=09ea5372-026a-46a7-9896-17bd53529054&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=10%2C000mAh&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwQ0ZEUTlRSDU_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDllYTUzNzItMDI2YS00NmE3LTk4OTYtMTdiZDUzNTI5MDU0Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwQ0ZEUTlRSDUiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAASIBkbi9j7xbHhe1D0pVsKWJLrHWKo32TumuAnGmQLh3&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0CFDQ9QH5" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFDQ9QH5?th=1">10,000mAh</a><a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0CFDQ9QH5&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=09ea5372-026a-46a7-9896-17bd53529054&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Power+Bank&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwQ0ZEUTlRSDU_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDllYTUzNzItMDI2YS00NmE3LTk4OTYtMTdiZDUzNTI5MDU0Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwQ0ZEUTlRSDUiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAASIBkbi9j7xbHhe1D0pVsKWJLrHWKo32TumuAnGmQLh3&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0CFDQ9QH5" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFDQ9QH5?th=1"> Power Bank</a>. Even better, the Anker MagGo power bank is currently on sale for $60, down from $90. This 34 percent discount brings the power bank to only $5 more than its all-time low price. We're big fans of Anker's MagGo power bank — one of the first and best Qi2-certified products available. You can get about 1.7 iPhone 15 charges out of it and bring your phone from five percent to 60 percent in a little more than 45 minutes. Plus, the stand makes it easy to keep using your phone while it charges.  <core-commerce id="84aff5c802634f2497edeb53f7a794c4" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFDQ9QH5?th=1"></core-commerce> Two of our other picks for best MagSafe power bank are also on sale — and down to record-low prices. The <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0FHBB3D4Q&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=09ea5372-026a-46a7-9896-17bd53529054&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Baseus+Picogo+25W+Power+Bank&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRkhCQjNENFE_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDllYTUzNzItMDI2YS00NmE3LTk4OTYtMTdiZDUzNTI5MDU0Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRkhCQjNENFEiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAY5ror6mej-G22gXuLd7cxX53VWThla4IPxszVLJg94I&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0FHBB3D4Q" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHBB3D4Q?th=1">Baseus Picogo 25W Power Bank</a> is 24 percent off and down to $53 from $70. Meanwhile, the <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:7;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0F37VLJQW&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=09ea5372-026a-46a7-9896-17bd53529054&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Ugreen+MagFlow+10%2C000mAh+25W+Power+Bank&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRjM3VkxKUVc_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDllYTUzNzItMDI2YS00NmE3LTk4OTYtMTdiZDUzNTI5MDU0Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRjM3VkxKUVciLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAQ8K7fL9EStgz2io4EyG3zwiwqI5sEya1OPfaMwv9tt1&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0F37VLJQW" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F37VLJQW?">Ugreen MagFlow 10,000mAh 25W Power Bank</a> has dropped to $60 from $90 — a 33 percent discount.  <core-commerce id="c7d446d8f3c54127aaf1ea44e312c786" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHBB3D4Q?th=1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="3fee06d7021743a890d2da7878f79839" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F37VLJQW?"></core-commerce> Follow <a data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1" href="https://twitter.com/EngadgetDeals">@EngadgetDeals</a> on X for the latest <a data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/deals/">tech deals</a> and <a data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/best-tech/">buying advice</a>.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-anker-magsafe-power-bank-is-34-percent-off-right-now-151039224.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Spotify finally brings music videos to the US

Spotify is finally letting the United States join its music video party. Music Videos have started <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://newsroom.spotify.com/2025-12-09/music-videos-beta-premium-us-canada">rolling out</a> in beta today to Premium users across the US and Canada, offering not only official artist videos but also new formats like live performances and covers. Music Videos <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/spotify-adds-music-videos-in-11-countries-but-not-the-us-120002692.html">first arrived</a> last year in 11 countries, but the United States wasn't one of them. The reason for that was simple — Spotify simply didn't have the rights. However, last month the streaming service <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://routenote.com/blog/spotify-and-the-nmpa-strike-a-new-audiovisual-licensing-deal-what-it-means-for-independent-publishers/">struck a deal</a> with the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) that included new provisions for video content, paving the way for the new feature.  Here's how to access Music Videos. If you're a Premium subscriber in one of Spotify's beta markets, you can simply open a track (on TV, desktop, IOS and Android devices) and tap "Switch to video." The music video will then start playing where the song left off. To return to background listening, hit "Switch to audio." You can get a full-screen experience by turning your device to landscape mode.  When the service first launched, it was limited to "thousands" of music videos, but Spotify promised that the list would expand rapidly. In discussing the benefits to artists, the company <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://artists.spotify.com/en/blog/your-music-videos-are-coming-to-spotify">said early this year</a> that "users who discover a song and then watch the music video on Spotify are 34 percent more likely to stream the song again the following week." In a job listing spotted by <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.theverge.com/column/837829/spotify-video-service">The Verge</a>, Spotify said it planned to build a "best-in-class video experience to rival the biggest players, like YouTube or TikTok." This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotify-finally-brings-music-videos-to-the-us-150037974.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Amazon is rolling out new shopping features for Alexa+, because of course it is

Congrats to any budding Nostradamus out there who peered into the future to boldly predict that Amazon would bring more shopping features to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/amazon-alexa-is-now-available-in-canada-050827689.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Alexa+</a> sooner rather than later. A gold star for you. Yes, it hasn't taken too long for Amazon to weave more features into the generative AI-powered version of Alexa that are designed to get you to buy more stuff.Shopping features were part of the original Alexa from the jump, of course, but Amazon is doing some interesting things with the latest iteration. For instance, the company is rolling out a new price tracking feature. Tell it the product you want and how much you’re willing to pay for it. As soon as the item goes on sale for below that price, Alexa+ will automatically order it for you using your default payment method and delivery address. This deal tracking feature also keeps an eye on items in your cart and wishlists. Maybe remember to turn this off when you’re going out of town for a while, though.Another feature that Alexa+ users can start trying today is a Shopping Essentials tool on Echo Show 15 and 21. You'll be able to see real-time tracking for your orders, your recent orders, household essentials that it may be time to reorder, saved items and your shopping list. Tap the screen and you can find out more info about products, add them to your cart and complete your purchase. You'll soon be able to add a shopping widget to your Echo Show home screen, but for now you can check this out by saying "Open Shopping Essentials" or "Alexa, where's my stuff?"Elsewhere, Alexa+ can offer personalized product recommendations after you share details about a special occasion or a person you're buying for. That could be handy if you haven't completed your gift shopping yet. There's also an option to add extra items onto a current order until just before it leaves an Amazon warehouse. Alexa+ might make some suggestions here, such as asking if you need batteries for a new gadget or toy.Amazon was always going to be interested in tapping into Alexa+ to prompt you to buy more goods from the company, but some of these features are pretty interesting, especially for deal hawks and those who order items frequently. It makes even more sense now as to why Amazon is trying to prevent third-party AI agents (such as the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/amazon-and-perplexity-are-fighting-over-the-future-of-ai-shopping-215445479.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">one in Perplexity's Comet browser</a>) from carrying out purchases on the platform.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/amazon-is-rolling-out-new-shopping-features-for-alexa-because-of-course-it-is-150000355.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Texas authorities have made multiple arrests in an NVIDIA GPU smuggling operation

The Southern District of Texas <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/us-authorities-shut-down-major-china-linked-ai-tech-smuggling-network"><ins>announced</ins></a> the seizure of more than $50 million in NVIDIA GPUs bound for China in violation of US export laws. Authorities arrested two businessmen, one of them the owner of a Houston company, accused of smuggling the chips used to train and run AI models. “Operation Gatekeeper has exposed a sophisticated smuggling network that threatens our Nation’s security by funneling cutting-edge AI technology to those who would use it against American interests,” said US Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The investigation had been ongoing since at least last year and centers on the illicit export or attempted export of at least $160 million worth of NVIDIA H100 and H200 GPUs. The H200 chips are the very same that the Trump administration announced a <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/nvidia-can-now-sell-its-high-end-ai-chips-to-approved-customers-in-china-trump-says-130007458.html"><ins>revenue-sharing agreement</ins></a> for today, allowing NVIDIA to sell them to “approved customers” in China. The smuggling operation used a combination of falsified paperwork, purposefully misclassified goods, straw purchasers and even removing the NVIDIA labels on GPUs to ship them to both mainland China and Hong Kong. The conspirators face between 10 and 20 years in prison if convicted. The H200 chips in question are more powerful than the H20 chip specifically designed to comply with US export restrictions. Production of the H20, however, was <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/nvidia-reportedly-stops-production-of-h20-ai-chips-133020132.html"><ins>reportedly halted</ins></a> shortly after the Trump administration struck a <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/nvidia-may-give-us-government-a-cut-of-its-profits-to-sell-ai-chips-to-china-120003260.html"><ins>revenue-sharing deal</ins></a> with NVIDIA, after which China began <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/china-reportedly-discouraged-purchase-of-nvidia-ai-chips-due-to-insulting-lutnick-statements-123055120.html"><ins>heavily discouraging</ins></a> local companies from buying them. Illicit sales to China are <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/1-billion-of-nvidia-ai-chips-were-reportedly-sold-in-china-despite-us-bans-143119762.html"><ins>nothing new</ins></a> and occur against the backdrop of an AI technology race and tight export controls. NVIDIA is still prevented from selling its highest-end Blackwell chips to China, with the US hoping to keep an edge over foreign competition.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/texas-authorities-have-made-multiple-arrests-in-an-nvidia-gpu-smuggling-operation-144749526.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Tech's biggest losers of 2025

It’s the end of another year, so it’s time for the Engadget staff to compile a list of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/techs-biggest-losers-in-2024-140039822.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">the year’s biggest losers</a>. We scour over articles from the previous 12 months to determine the people, companies, products and trends that made our lives worse over the course of the year. Some selections may be so pervasive they actually make our list of biggest winners. But, for the most part, we’re confident you’ll share in our collective rage over the biggest losers of 2025.<h2 id="02bdad33-43c0-498e-86c6-ea6cec394290">OpenAI</h2><figure><img src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-11/1a5faf40-bbf7-11f0-bfcb-51aef0300038" data-crop-orig-src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-11/1a5faf40-bbf7-11f0-bfcb-51aef0300038" style="height:4000px;width:6000px;" alt="OpenAI CEO Sam Altman delivers a speech with video at the SK AI Summit 2025 at COEX in Seoul, South Korea on November 3, 2025 " data-uuid="a9d3cc47-e353-33e2-9f0b-258cfca08685"><figcaption>OpenAI CEO Sam Altman delivers a speech with video at the SK AI Summit 2025 at COEX in Seoul, South Korea on November 3, 2025 </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Anadolu via Getty Images</div></figure>In 2025, OpenAI shed any pretense it was committed to anything more than making money. There are a few different things you could point to, including the company's successful reorganization into <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-completes-corporate-reorganization-with-support-from-microsoft-133109385.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">a more traditional profit-seeking business</a>, but I think the most damning sign was OpenAI's response to the tragic death of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-first-known-ai-wrongful-death-lawsuit-accuses-openai-of-enabling-a-teens-suicide-212058548.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">Adam Raine</a>. In August, Raine’s parents sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT was aware of four suicide attempts by their son before it helped him successfully plan his death. At first, OpenAI's response appeared commensurate with the gravity of the situation. A week after news of the lawsuit broke, the company announced in early September it was working on <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-is-adding-parental-controls-to-chatgpt-144128085.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">parental controls</a>. That same month, the company said it was working on a system that would <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/following-teen-suicide-openai-explores-automatic-underage-user-restrictions-151948711.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">automatically identify teen users</a> and restrict their ChatGPT usage. Then came the announcement of a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/openai-forms-advisory-council-on-wellbeing-and-ai-183815365.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">new "wellness" advisory council</a>. Setting aside the question of whether OpenAI would even follow the advice of the council, it was peculiar that the company chose <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/10/openai-unveils-wellness-council-suicide-prevention-expert-not-included/" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">not recruit a single expert on suicide prevention</a>. At that point, it was still possible to give OpenAI the benefit of the doubt, but then information about the company's legal defense against the Raines started to trickle out, including the fact it had reportedly asked to see <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-reportedly-asked-for-memorial-guest-list-in-teen-suicide-case-163309269.html" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">the memorial guest list</a> for Adam Raine's funeral, a request the family's lawyers described as "intentional harassment." In late November, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/26/chatgpt-openai-blame-technology-misuse-california-boy-suicide" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">court documents</a> revealed the company planned to argue Raine's "misuse" of ChatGPT was to blame for his death, not its own insufficient safety systems.  We live in a world where tech giants are rarely held accountable for the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://systemicjustice.org/article/facebook-and-genocide-how-facebook-contributed-to-genocide-in-myanmar-and-why-it-will-not-be-held-accountable/" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">great harm</a> they've shown themselves capable of inflicting on people. As things stand, OpenAI's handling of Adam Raine's death is further proof something must change. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior reporter<h2 id="51f38c97-f3b7-49c8-9f1e-8d918735b42a">Xbox</h2><figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/a782e5d0-a965-11f0-bfbe-3babd7cea1da.jpeg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/a782e5d0-a965-11f0-bfbe-3babd7cea1da.jpeg" style="height:1440px;width:2400px;" alt="An Xbox Ally X running the Windows full screen experience." data-uuid="7fbc4ae3-2192-4cfe-8f07-50afb0708eff"><figcaption>An Xbox Ally X running the Windows full screen experience.</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Sam Rutherford for Engadget</div></figure>Did anything go right for Xbox this year? While price increases have also affected Sony and Nintendo, Microsoft cranked up the prices of both the Xbox Series S and X twice in the last year. It’s bad: The Series S is now $100 more than at launch, five years on.Previously “<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/why-im-breaking-up-with-xbox-160000545.html" data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1">the best deal in gaming</a>”, the Xbox Series X/S combined with a Game Pass subscription gave you a ton of games to play, including any of Microsoft’s own titles on their launch date. However, the subscription is now $30 a month, up 50 percent. (It was previously $17 per month the year before.)I agree with Nathan Ingraham’s take: $30 for literally hundreds of games, plus launch-day availability for major games that typically cost $70, is reasonable. But it’s still a harder sell when the price has jumped. Are you getting 50 percent more games? Not yet. According to Bloomberg, Microsoft demanded higher profits from Xbox back in 2023. When the gaming division reached around 12 percent growth in the first nine months of 2022, that was an ambitious goal. Day One launches on Game Pass apparently dented Xbox’s ability to pull profits from its biggest titles.Microsoft no longer shares console unit sales, but in its most recent earnings report, the company announced that hardware revenue <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=2056b88c-29ec-4b6a-8252-c765ce3c4422&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=6b0860e7-62ad-4fa7-bfb7-174993be8262&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Microsoft+store&linkText=dropped+29+percent.&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5taWNyb3NvZnQuY29tL2VuLXVzL2ludmVzdG9yL2Vhcm5pbmdzL2Z5LTIwMjYtcTEvbW9yZS1wZXJzb25hbC1jb21wdXRpbmctcGVyZm9ybWFuY2UjOn46dGV4dD1HYW1pbmclMjByZXZlbnVlJTIwZGVjcmVhc2VkJTIwJTI0MTEzJTIwbWlsbGlvbixsb3dlciUyMHZvbHVtZSUyMG9mJTIwY29uc29sZXMlMjBzb2xkLiIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNmIwODYwZTctNjJhZC00ZmE3LWJmYjctMTc0OTkzYmU4MjYyIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5taWNyb3NvZnQuY29tL2VuLXVzL2ludmVzdG9yL2Vhcm5pbmdzL2Z5LTIwMjYtcTEvbW9yZS1wZXJzb25hbC1jb21wdXRpbmctcGVyZm9ybWFuY2UjOn46dGV4dD1HYW1pbmclMjByZXZlbnVlJTIwZGVjcmVhc2VkJTIwJTI0MTEzJTIwbWlsbGlvbixsb3dlciUyMHZvbHVtZSUyMG9mJTIwY29uc29sZXMlMjBzb2xkLiJ9&signature=AQAAAQzf1-arQNwqtq0BpEbV3YOKHGZxj5gY7wTGjEnqPXPd&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.microsoft.com%2Fen-us%2Finvestor%2Fearnings%2Ffy-2026-q1%2Fmore-personal-computing-performance%23%3A%7E%3Atext%3DGaming%2520revenue%2520decreased%2520%2524113%2520million%2Clower%2520volume%2520of%2520consoles%2520sold." data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Microsoft store;elmt:;cpos:12;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/investor/earnings/fy-2026-q1/more-personal-computing-performance#:~:text=Gaming%20revenue%20decreased%20%24113%20million,lower%20volume%20of%20consoles%20sold.">dropped 29 percent.</a> That’s including those price increases, meaning console sales fell even further.Estimates over the last few years put the PS5 tens of millions of units ahead. An annual subscription to Game Pass is more than double the Sony console’s most premium plan, although it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. This year, Microsoft collaborated with ASUS to create Xbox-branded handheld gaming PCs. In that form-factor, I was on the precipice of grabbing Game Pass and barreling through Xbox titles I never had the chance to play. Then, I reassessed exactly what I was missing out on. It wasn’t the inclusion of a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-game-pass-ultimate-now-includes-a-fortnite-crew-subscription-151826277.html" data-i13n="cpos:13;pos:1">Fortnite Crew subscription</a>. Despite its developer shopping spree, Xbox exclusives remain few, with many appearing on rival platforms. This year, Indiana Jones and even the Forza series is available to play on PlayStation. And next year? <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/halo-campaign-evolved-is-a-remake-of-the-original-story-coming-to-xbox-pc-and-ps5-in-2026-203913552.html" data-i13n="cpos:14;pos:1">Halo</a>. Where are the exciting new games going to come from? In the middle of 2025, Microsoft announced major layoffs affecting over 9,000 employees across the company. with the gaming division being hit exceptionally hard. Cuts and closures across many of Microsoft’s game studios led to cancellations like a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-is-closing-the-studio-developing-the-perfect-dark-reboot-and-cancelling-the-game-182257902.html" data-i13n="cpos:15;pos:1">Perfect Dark reboot</a> and Rare’s <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/everwild-has-reportedly-been-cancelled-amid-xbox-layoffs-162200526.html" data-i13n="cpos:16;pos:1">Everwild</a>.Xbox’s 2025 was bad on both the business and creative fronts. The decision to hike console and Game Pass prices didn’t immediately turn around revenue. At the same time, layoffs and high-profile game cancellations make Xbox a challenging pitch for anyone deciding which console or platform to invest in. Right now, looking at Engadget’s pick of the top Xbox games, the only game I feel like I’m missing out on is Avowed. Many of our favorite games are already available on PS5 and several can be played on the Switch. The reverse, however, isn’t true. — Mat Smith, UK bureau chief<h2 id="bce6590d-4f08-4b33-a27b-130ef683cbe8">Grok</h2><figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/2025-12/7e4e56b7-8efb-4a32-a58a-db6d000c79e5" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/2025-12/7e4e56b7-8efb-4a32-a58a-db6d000c79e5" style="height:5504px;width:8256px;" alt="The Grokipedia page about Elon Musk" data-uuid="95811cd1-3abf-300b-9c5f-bef563a4ebec"><figcaption>The Grokipedia page about Elon Musk</figcaption><div class="photo-credit"> Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images</div></figure>It's hard to even know where to begin. X users have long noticed that Grok, the site's built-in chatbot, is less filtered than other AI tools. But this year, Grok went off the rails in some truly unhinged and disturbing ways. There was the time Grok randomly began <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/grok-kept-talking-about-white-genocide-due-to-an-unauthorized-modification-120044119.html" data-i13n="cpos:17;pos:1">talking about</a> a nonexistent "white genocide" in South Africa in response to completely unrelated questions. There was the time it declared itself "<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/how-exactly-did-grok-go-full-mechahitler-151020144.html" data-i13n="cpos:18;pos:1">MechaHitler</a>," much to the delight of neo-nazi fanboys on X. There was the time it was caught posting <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/authorities-probe-holocaust-denial-responses-from-xs-grok-155835701.html" data-i13n="cpos:19;pos:1">Holocaust denial</a> tropes, and the time researchers noted its Wikipedia knockoff that contains <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/elon-musk/elon-musk-grokipedia-wikipedia-neo-nazi-grok-42-encyclopedia-rcna244749" data-i13n="cpos:20;pos:1">dozens</a> of citations of neo-Nazi website Stormfront. There was the time it became <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/elon-musk-blames-adversarial-prompting-after-grok-spewed-embarrassing-sycophantic-praise-235157807.html" data-i13n="cpos:21;pos:1">so embarrassingly obsessed</a> with Elon Musk it claimed he was a better basketball player than LeBron James and a better actor than Tom Cruise. It later brought both its anti-semitism and Musk sycophancy together when it stated that it would choose <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/grok-would-prefer-a-second-holocaust-over-harming-elon-musk-200023093.html" data-i13n="cpos:22;pos:1">saving Musk's brain</a> over saving 16 million Jews. "His potential long-term impact on billions outweighs the loss in utilitarian terms," it stated in a post that's since been deleted. Besides the horrifying racism, what all of these incidents have in common is that xAI, Musk's AI company that <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/xai-elon-musks-ai-company-just-purchased-x-elon-musks-social-media-company-221503759.html" data-i13n="cpos:23;pos:1">acquired X</a> earlier this year, has failed to fully explain how its chatbot went so far off the rails. The company has blamed an <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/grok-kept-talking-about-white-genocide-due-to-an-unauthorized-modification-120044119.html" data-i13n="cpos:24;pos:1">unnamed rogue employee</a>, its own <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/elon-musk-is-trying-to-blame-groks-nazi-rants-on-rogue-x-users-174833343.html" data-i13n="cpos:25;pos:1">Nazi-loving users</a> and "<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/elon-musk-blames-adversarial-prompting-after-grok-spewed-embarrassing-sycophantic-praise-235157807.html" data-i13n="cpos:26;pos:1">adversarial prompting</a>" for Grok's missteps. — Karissa Bell, Senior reporter<h2 id="9e5ab8b1-0bc0-40ee-b306-608646719b62">EVs in the US</h2><figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/2025-12/57675b16-58e7-4fee-bcbf-cb284062e812" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/2025-12/57675b16-58e7-4fee-bcbf-cb284062e812" style="height:5504px;width:8256px;" alt="Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles are seen for sale on a dealership lot on June 24, 2025 in Austin, Texas." data-uuid="20f67f3f-dbda-33d2-811b-39811af9c17a"><figcaption>Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles are seen for sale on a dealership lot on June 24, 2025 in Austin, Texas.</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Brandon Bell via Getty Images</div></figure>EVs sales across the globe are up around <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://electrek.co/2025/09/11/global-ev-market-surges-with-1-7m-sales-in-august-up-25-ytd/" data-i13n="cpos:27;pos:1">25 percent this year</a>. Germany broke records in the first half of 2025, with electric cars accounting for <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/germany-sees-record-e-car-sales-first-half-year-data-show-2025-07-16/" data-i13n="cpos:28;pos:1">nearly one in five new registrations.</a> Meanwhile, back in September, sales of BEVs in the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyd094168go" data-i13n="cpos:29;pos:1">UK grew by almost a third</a>, setting a new high for our neighbors across the pond. And in China, EV sales are growing so fast (<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://electrek.co/2025/08/29/electric-vehicles-reach-tipping-point-china-surge-51-market-share/" data-i13n="cpos:30;pos:1">over 50 percent market share</a>) that the country is <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.reuters.com/investigations/china-floods-world-with-gasoline-cars-it-cant-sell-home-2025-12-02/" data-i13n="cpos:31;pos:1">beginning to flood the global market with gas-powered cars that it can't sell at home.</a> So naturally, what did our esteemed leaders in the US do in order to help companies here stay competitive? They <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-is-bad-for-american-evs-but-it-could-have-been-worse-210155196.html" data-i13n="cpos:32;pos:1">ended the EV tax credit. </a>And wouldn't you know it, after a spike earlier this fall just before the credit went away, sales of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ford-us-sales-down-slightly-november-evs-drag-2025-12-02/" data-i13n="cpos:33;pos:1">EVs in the US began to slump</a>, with some automakers like <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://electrek.co/2025/12/02/fords-ev-sales-plunge-60-f-150-lightning-still-on-hold/" data-i13n="cpos:34;pos:1">Ford seeing a drop of 60 percent year-over-year.</a> No matter how you slice it, this is bad for any company that sells EVs in the US and particularly bad for anyone considering purchasing a new one in the foreseeable future. As an EV owner, that just bums me out. Not only does this policy change put more roadblocks in the way of making battery-powered cars more affordable, it also puts a damper on EV investment and threatens to cause US automakers to fall even further behind their rivals in China and elsewhere. Manufacturers across the Pacific are going so wild, they are <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/k5e93WUVXQk?t=39&feature=share" data-i13n="cpos:35;pos:1">making EVs that can jump</a> like the Mach 5 from Speed Racer. That isn't to say there aren't any promising developments on the horizon. <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/ford-is-developing-a-30000-midsized-ev-pickup-143030877.html" data-i13n="cpos:36;pos:1">Ford's Universal EV Platform</a> and the arrival of the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/rivian-reveals-the-45000-r2-electric-suv-and-its-siblings-the-r3-and-r3x-185640727.html" data-i13n="cpos:37;pos:1">Rivian R2 sometime next year</a> are a couple of examples. But it's clear that our politicians wanted to target EVs in the US this year and they sure made it happen. So the next time someone asks why we can't have nice things here, you know who to blame. — Sam Rutherford, Senior reporter<h2 id="851f5c91-6223-4205-aabe-0e55122b5d92">DJI drone customers</h2><figure><img src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-11/8dc90dc0-c091-11f0-ab73-84f38a7fc9ea" data-crop-orig-src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-11/8dc90dc0-c091-11f0-ab73-84f38a7fc9ea" style="height:1575px;width:2800px;" alt="DJI Neo 2" data-uuid="703b463b-76d7-3403-b67c-4e861288d213"><figcaption>DJI Neo 2</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Steve Dent for Engadget</div></figure>Barring a miracle, DJI will be banned from selling any new drones in the US starting December 23rd — and buyers will feel the pain. As I <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/cameras/why-dji-drones-might-be-banned-in-the-us-170030273.html" data-i13n="cpos:38;pos:1">wrote last month</a>, the company has been targeted by regulators since 2017 over concerns that its products could be used to spy on sensitive US infrastructure on behalf of China. “What’s the big deal?” you may ask. “Surely people can buy from other drone companies.” Indeed, but the problem is that DJI has such a monumental technological lead and high market share (over 75 percent) that its absence will effectively upend the industry. Commercial buyers have checked other (approved) options from the likes of Skydio, but found them wanting. “In one year and a half, we had five failures of the manufacturers on the list. DJI, none,” Orlando police Sgt. David Cruz told the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article273937040.html" data-i13n="cpos:39;pos:1">Miami Herald</a>. “I work for a popular UAV photogrammetry company,” said a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/drones/comments/1ooqbj6/comment/nn6dlrq/" data-i13n="cpos:40;pos:1">user on Reddit.</a> “[A] ban will set back the drone industry in the US by several years. There’s no competitor to DJI right now.”The same applies on the consumer side. DJI’s drones outperform rivals in nearly every area including range, battery life, subject tracking, obstacle detection and video quality. It’s so one-sided that when testing DJI drones, I struggle to find other options for buyers with anywhere close to the same capabilities. The US government does have reason to be concerned about DJI’s drones. They present an obvious national security risk due to their ability to fly over sensitive areas, take photos or video and transmit them, live, to any location in the world. And being a Chinese company, they’re compelled by law to cooperate with state intelligence services. However, the US government hasn’t attempted to work with DJI to determine whether its products pose a risk so far. DJI made a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/technology/china-s-dji-makes-final-plea-for-security-review-to-avert-us-sales-ban" data-i13n="cpos:41;pos:1">final plea</a> for a security review recently by sending letters to five US agencies that could assess its products. If that fails, chaos among drone users is likely to ensue. “We just want the best technology that keeps our citizens safe for the most reasonable price,” Sgt. Drew Fennelly of the Lawrence, Kansas police department told <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=2f007401-3eaa-4237-b69b-54ccbe125502&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=6b0860e7-62ad-4fa7-bfb7-174993be8262&featureId=text-link&merchantName=The+Wall+Street+Journal&linkText=The+Wall+Street+Journal&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53c2ouY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzL25hdGlvbmFsLXNlY3VyaXR5L2NvbmdyZXNzcy1wbGFuLXRvLW91dGxhdy1jaGluZXNlLWRyb25lcy1tZXQtd2l0aC1wcm90ZXN0LWM5NWNmMWZlIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiI2YjA4NjBlNy02MmFkLTRmYTctYmZiNy0xNzQ5OTNiZTgyNjIiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndzai5jb20vcG9saXRpY3MvbmF0aW9uYWwtc2VjdXJpdHkvY29uZ3Jlc3NzLXBsYW4tdG8tb3V0bGF3LWNoaW5lc2UtZHJvbmVzLW1ldC13aXRoLXByb3Rlc3QtYzk1Y2YxZmUifQ&signature=AQAAAeDWXiKVp7kQKB0Ws1t9Xk8fGSotbJbdmQldQNMlJyWO&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsj.com%2Fpolitics%2Fnational-security%2Fcongresss-plan-to-outlaw-chinese-drones-met-with-protest-c95cf1fe" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:The Wall Street Journal;elmt:;cpos:42;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/congresss-plan-to-outlaw-chinese-drones-met-with-protest-c95cf1fe">The Wall Street Journal</a> last year. “The technology in the US-made drones has not caught up with the Chinese-manufactured drones.” — Steve Dent, Contributing reporter<h2 id="cedb7c1f-e8d3-464d-8f9b-83344ae8dd12">TV streaming</h2><figure><img src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-11/461caaf0-bf78-11f0-a77d-039e66c001dc" data-crop-orig-src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-11/461caaf0-bf78-11f0-a77d-039e66c001dc" style="height:3749px;width:5624px;" alt="Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison speaks during the Bloomberg Screentime conference in Los Angeles on October 9, 2025." data-uuid="4cefa902-c069-3cf9-ad54-b300db8105b4"><figcaption>Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison speaks during the Bloomberg Screentime conference in Los Angeles on October 9, 2025.</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">PATRICK T. FALLON via Getty Images</div></figure>In 2015, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/2015-01-05-sling-tv-announced.html" data-i13n="cpos:43;pos:1">Sling TV arrived</a> with ESPN, CNN, TBS, HGTV, Disney Channel and others for just $20 a month. A couple years later, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/2017-04-05-youtube-tv-now-available.html" data-i13n="cpos:44;pos:1">YouTube TV</a> debuted for just $35 monthly and showed local CBS, Fox, NBC and ABC stations plus dozens of other channels including ESPN, Fox Sports 1 and Bravo. Streaming TV had arrived. It was here to unfetter TV watchers from cable’s onerous contracts, high prices and carrier monopolies. Take that, Comcast! In your face, Charter! (But they’d still like to pay you for internet access, please.) Fast forward to 2025: Streaming TV and its low-price, monopoly-free, contractless freedom is all but dead. Every major live TV service provider <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/youtube-tv-completes-its-heel-turn-with-yet-another-price-hike-171518919.html" data-i13n="cpos:45;pos:1">raised</a> <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/fubo-raises-prices-on-all-english-language-plans-181540573.html" data-i13n="cpos:46;pos:1">prices</a> <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/DirectvStream/comments/1n9kek8/oct_5_directv_price_increase/" data-i13n="cpos:47;pos:1">this</a> <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/disney-plus-hulu-price-increases-october-2025-1236527241/" data-i13n="cpos:48;pos:1">year</a>. Currently, YouTubeTV, Hulu+ Live TV, Fubo and DirecTV all go for a minimum of $83 per month. That’s before you opt for cable-inspired package upgrades and channel add-ons. Throw in perks like 4K, additional sports channels and a couple of one-off networks and you’re easily shelling out $150 every month. You’ll pay less for chopped-up live TV plans from Sling TV, but be prepared to create a spreadsheet to make sure a plan has the channels you want.  This year, consolidation came for TV streaming, giving strong Cox/Charter/Comcast monopoly vibes. Disney, which completed its buyout <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/disney-to-buy-out-comcast-and-take-full-control-of-hulu-054157026.html" data-i13n="cpos:49;pos:1">of Hulu in 2023</a>, acquired Fubo this year and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/disney-to-merge-hulu--live-tv-with-fubo-challenging-youtube-tv-163627571.html" data-i13n="cpos:50;pos:1">plans to combine the two</a>. The combo makes Disney the second-largest live TV streaming provider behind Google. DirecTV <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/directv-to-acquire-rival-dish-network-for-1-subject-to-regulatory-approval-152041300.html" data-i13n="cpos:51;pos:1">already owns Sling TV</a>, so that leaves just three big players in the live TV streaming arena. With <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/netflix-to-buy-warner-bros-for-827-billion-120836295.html" data-i13n="cpos:52;pos:1">Netflix's move to buy Warner Bros</a>, the traditional streaming market is getting narrower, too. We can safely assume good ol’ market competition won’t be bringing prices down anytime soon. But it’s not just consolidation — fragmentation also contributes to an overall crappier streaming experience. In 2025, Disney launched a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/espns-new-streaming-service-arrives-august-21-150026297.html" data-i13n="cpos:53;pos:1">standalone ESPN service</a> (no, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/2016-05-17-watchespn-app-android-tv.html" data-i13n="cpos:54;pos:1">not that one</a>, nor <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/2018-04-02-espn-plus-sports-streaming-service-launches-april-12th.html" data-i13n="cpos:55;pos:1">that one</a>) for $30 per month. So far, that doesn’t mean you can’t find ESPN content through other providers. But we did see Disney flex its increasingly large TV muscles in drawn-out contract negotiations with Google. The dispute darkened ESPN, ABC and other Disney channels on YouTube TV for two weeks this fall — which, I’ll point out for the cynical crowd, was less than two months after the standalone service launched. YouTube TV subscribers <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/youtube-tv-is-giving-subscribers-a-20-credit-as-consolation-for-the-disney-blackout-231000002.html" data-i13n="cpos:56;pos:1">got a $20 credit</a>, but that probably didn’t placate NFL and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-youtube-tv-disney-blackout-continues-how-to-watch-ncaa-football-this-weekend-173330533.html" data-i13n="cpos:57;pos:1">NCAA football</a> fans who <a target="_blank" rel="" class="link" href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/despite-youtube-tv-blackout-eagles-235927153.html" data-i13n="cpos:58;pos:1">missed out</a> on ESPN-carried games. Then in November, Fubo <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/fubo-accuses-nbcuniversal-of-egregious-demands-amid-carriage-dispute-193515241.html" data-i13n="cpos:59;pos:1">quarreled</a> with NBCUniversal, <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=9a941868-c063-4b44-9207-896f1fb5891e&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=6b0860e7-62ad-4fa7-bfb7-174993be8262&featureId=text-link&merchantName=FuboTV&linkText=saying&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mdWJvLnR2L3N0cmVhbS9mYWN0cy8iLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjZiMDg2MGU3LTYyYWQtNGZhNy1iZmI3LTE3NDk5M2JlODI2MiIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZnViby50di9zdHJlYW0vZmFjdHMvIn0&signature=AQAAAXCW-bb1BNhqX1O8G4o-Z-e-7p_JOuITOSCsnZ2HWeDh&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Fstream%2Ffacts%2F" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:FuboTV;elmt:;cpos:60;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.fubo.tv/stream/facts/">saying</a> the Peacock parent was “shifting content to their own streaming services” and forcing up rates. The spat turned off NBC, Bravo, USA and other channels for Fubo subscribers, no doubt infuriating both <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/missing-nbc-on-fubo-heres-how-to-watch-this-weeks-nba-games-and-more-014052684.html" data-i13n="cpos:61;pos:1">NBA and Real Housewives fans</a>, despite a $15 credit. Of course, Fubo is Disney’s newest affiliate, so there are no non-bad guys here.The only advantage TV streaming has in its favor is the lack of cable-style contracts and I haven’t heard any murmurs of such a thing forthcoming. We are still all free to hop around between the big three TV streamers until we give up and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.404media.co/the-last-video-rental-store-is-your-public-library/" data-i13n="cpos:62;pos:1">just go back to DVDs</a>. — Amy Skorheim, Senior reporter<h2 id="2e3527dc-ed02-49b6-9e61-3dcb9556473a">The work of DOGE</h2><figure><img src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-02/f318d780-f366-11ef-bbfb-877ffbce2c39" data-crop-orig-src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-02/f318d780-f366-11ef-bbfb-877ffbce2c39" style="height:2401px;width:3600px;" alt="Elon Musk at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD on February 20, 2025. " data-uuid="2a4bf846-de41-3da9-9b71-246f5b2c4aec"><figcaption>Elon Musk at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD on February 20, 2025. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">The Washington Post via Getty Images</div></figure>An Elon Musk-led attempt to rein in federal spending with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been a failure by almost every metric. As of November, it was reported that DOGE is no more, even though the initiative ostensibly had eight months left to run. An official told <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.reuters.com/world/us/doge-doesnt-exist-with-eight-months-left-its-charter-2025-11-23/__;!!Op6eflyXZCqGR5I!A2Tt8KN24aGynPu9Aigmw5pudhtWbEBhgz25IsMypEzeO4-PDsR-7NQFLoet-6jqJkJKUkTmWbNmvcHRNg$" data-i13n="cpos:63;pos:1">Reuters</a> that DOGE "doesn't exist," and it never should have in the first place.Though Musk was only at the helm of DOGE <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/elon-musk-leaves-doge-amid-tanking-tesla-sales-153859407.html" data-i13n="cpos:64;pos:1">for a few months</a>, he and his team caused chaos. Adopting the slash-and-burn tactic Musk employed when he took over Twitter, he <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/elon-musks-government-dismantling-fight-stop/story?id=118576033__;!!Op6eflyXZCqGR5I!A2Tt8KN24aGynPu9Aigmw5pudhtWbEBhgz25IsMypEzeO4-PDsR-7NQFLoet-6jqJkJKUkTmWbMCApAq7Q$" data-i13n="cpos:65;pos:1">swung a chainsaw</a> through myriad government departments, with DOGE firing workers who were actually essential and quickly had to be <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g3nrx1dq5o__;!!Op6eflyXZCqGR5I!A2Tt8KN24aGynPu9Aigmw5pudhtWbEBhgz25IsMypEzeO4-PDsR-7NQFLoet-6jqJkJKUkTmWbMMqGTjnQ$" data-i13n="cpos:66;pos:1">hired back</a>. By August, the government was said to have <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/doge-gone-leaving-behind-300-181852756.html__;!!Op6eflyXZCqGR5I!A2Tt8KN24aGynPu9Aigmw5pudhtWbEBhgz25IsMypEzeO4-PDsR-7NQFLoet-6jqJkJKUkTmWbN-sFQi6Q$" data-i13n="cpos:67;pos:1">fired some 300,000 federal workers</a>, with DOGE taking responsibility for most of those. Among other things, cuts at the National Institutes of Health resulted in the end of funding for hundreds of medical studies, which is said to have <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/nih-cuts-affected-over-74000-patients-enrolled-in-experiments-report-finds__;!!Op6eflyXZCqGR5I!A2Tt8KN24aGynPu9Aigmw5pudhtWbEBhgz25IsMypEzeO4-PDsR-7NQFLoet-6jqJkJKUkTmWbMnulyttA$" data-i13n="cpos:68;pos:1">affected tens of thousands of patients</a>. It's also estimated that the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.impactcounter.com/dashboard__;!!Op6eflyXZCqGR5I!A2Tt8KN24aGynPu9Aigmw5pudhtWbEBhgz25IsMypEzeO4-PDsR-7NQFLoet-6jqJkJKUkTmWbMQPI111w$" data-i13n="cpos:69;pos:1">dismantling</a> of the US Agency for International Development had resulted in more than 650,000 deaths around the world by early December, with children accounting for two-thirds of those. DOGE workers seemed to be busy, though. They reportedly <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/doge-is-reportedly-using-ai-to-monitor-government-comms-for-anti-musk-and-anti-trump-chatter-141411751.html" data-i13n="cpos:70;pos:1">monitored government communications</a> for criticisms of both Musk and President Donald Trump, while implementing <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/doge-has-reportedly-started-rolling-out-a-custom-chatbot-to-automate-some-government-tasks-211616079.html" data-i13n="cpos:71;pos:1">generative AI chatbots</a> in an attempt to automate some government tasks. But for all the blustering about making the government much more efficient, DOGE did not meet its stated goal.Musk initially promised to reduce government spending by $2 trillion, but it didn't take long for him to reduce that pledge to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4j33klz33o__;!!Op6eflyXZCqGR5I!A2Tt8KN24aGynPu9Aigmw5pudhtWbEBhgz25IsMypEzeO4-PDsR-7NQFLoet-6jqJkJKUkTmWbPw5pTJdQ$" data-i13n="cpos:72;pos:1">$150 billion</a>. And yet government spending <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-posts-284-billion-october-budget-deficit-report-impacted-by-shutdown-2025-11-25/__;!!Op6eflyXZCqGR5I!A2Tt8KN24aGynPu9Aigmw5pudhtWbEBhgz25IsMypEzeO4-PDsR-7NQFLoet-6jqJkJKUkTmWbN-b8C7og$" data-i13n="cpos:73;pos:1">has actually gone up</a>. In October, the first month of the government's fiscal year, its total outlay was $689 billion, an increase of $105 billion (18 percent) from October 2024. Still, maybe DOGE wasn't a total disaster for its architects. It was able to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/eff-sues-elon-musk-and-doge-to-block-their-access-to-federal-employee-data-042245323.html" data-i13n="cpos:74;pos:1">gain access</a> to sensitive and valuable government data, after all. — Kris Holt, Contributing reporter<h2 id="f8694d3c-314b-471a-ae88-f52b21d7a996">AI video</h2><figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/2025-12/b25f3269-20c4-4783-963a-d7f1c1fc6c11" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/2025-12/b25f3269-20c4-4783-963a-d7f1c1fc6c11" style="height:4461px;width:6692px;" alt="Sora 2 app launch screen displayed on smartphone" data-uuid="78fcf49c-b11e-3a3a-9237-dc22a24b4821"><figcaption>Sora 2 app launch screen displayed on smartphone</figcaption><div class="photo-credit"></div></figure>In our post-truth world, video was one of the few remaining ways to prove something had actually happened. It had its problems of course, but the fact it was harder to fake than words and images, and anyone could record a clip with their phone, made it vital to our sense of shared reality. Think about the murder of George Floyd: The grave injustice of his death would have probably never come to light if <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.npr.org/2021/05/26/1000475344/read-this-powerful-statement-from-darnella-frazier-who-filmed-george-floyds-murd" data-i13n="cpos:75;pos:1">Darnella Frazier</a> had not filmed what happened.  With the advent of AI video, I'm not sure where we go. Both <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/googles-veo-3-ai-model-can-generate-videos-with-sound-174541183.html" data-i13n="cpos:76;pos:1">Google</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-sora-app-is-real-but-youll-need-an-invite-to-try-it-171849671.html" data-i13n="cpos:77;pos:1">OpenAI</a> pushed the technology into the realm of uncomfortable realism this year, but it's Sora's <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-character-cameos-will-let-you-put-pets-and-original-personas-in-sora-videos-123043189.html" data-i13n="cpos:78;pos:1">cameo feature</a> that has me worried. Within the first week of the app's public availability, people were using the feature, which allows users to add the likeness of other people to their videos, to generate clips of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/artificial-intelligence/ai-generated-security-camera-feed-shows-sam-altman-getting-busted-stealing-gpus-from-target-ironic-video-shows-openai-ceo-saying-he-needs-it-for-sora-inferencing" data-i13n="cpos:79;pos:1">stealing GPUs from Target</a>. Cameo has limitations, and users can restrict and delete videos that include their likeness, but it's just another assault on the truth. It's hard to see how making it trivial to create deepfake videos benefits anyone other than the companies offering building the tech. — I.B.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/techs-biggest-losers-of-2025-140000419.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

EU opens antitrust investigation into Google's AI practices

Google is no stranger to scrutiny from government bodies such as the <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ftc-investigating-ad-sale-practices-at-google-and-amazon-160236895.html">US Federal Trade Commission</a> (FTC) the <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-uks-antitrust-regulator-will-keep-a-closer-eye-on-google-search-130021994.html">UK Competition and Markets Authority</a> (CMA), and the <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-eus-new-charges-against-google-could-lead-to-at-least-35-billion-in-fines-165850585.html">European Commission</a>. Now it can add another probe to its list: The European Commission has <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_2964">opened an antitrust investigation</a> into the company surrounding the content used for its AI tools. Namely, the Commission is looking into two things, starting with whether Google used web publisher's content for its AI Overview and AI Mode services — without "appropriate compensation" or the option to "refuse" the use of their materials.  "The Commission will investigate to what extent the generation of AI Overviews and AI Mode by Google is based on web publishers' content without appropriate compensation for that, and without the possibility for publishers to refuse without losing access to Google Search," the EU executive body stated in its announcement. "Indeed, many publishers depend on Google Search for user traffic, and they do not want to risk losing access to it." The second prong of the Commission's investigation similarly looks into Google's potential misuse surrounding AI. It's digging into whether Google has used content uploaded to YouTube for training its generative AI models. As in the first case, the Commission "is concerned" that YouTube creators are not receiving proper compensation or the option to opt out of Google using their content.  In it's overview of the investigation, the Commission noted that creators have to allow Google to use their data in return for uploading media on YouTube. It added that Google's rival AI developers are unable to use any YouTube content for training their models.  "AI is bringing remarkable innovation and many benefits for people and businesses across Europe, but this progress cannot come at the expense of the principles at the heart of our societies," Teresa Ribera, EVP for clean, just and competitive transition at the European Commission, said in a statement. "This is why we are investigating whether Google may have imposed unfair terms and conditions on publishers and content creators, while placing rival AI models developers at a disadvantage, in breach of EU competition rules."  A Google spokesperson told Engadget that the investigation "risks stifling innovation in a market that is more competitive than ever. Europeans deserve to benefit from the latest technologies and we will continue to work closely with the news and creative industries as they transition to the AI era."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/eu-opens-antitrust-investigation-into-googles-ai-practices-133015762.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are back to an all-time low price

No need to fret if you missed out on some of the best Black Friday deals this year — some of them have returned already. Case in point: <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0FQFB8FMG&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=42f7f263-d7c8-4a21-ad07-9121207a6244&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Apple%27s+AirPods+Pro+3&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0FwcGxlLUNhbmNlbGxhdGlvbi1UcmFuc2xhdGlvbi1IZWFkcGhvbmVzLUhpZ2gtRmlkZWxpdHkvZHAvQjBGUUZCOEZNRy8_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNDJmN2YyNjMtZDdjOC00YTIxLWFkMDctOTEyMTIwN2E2MjQ0Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0FwcGxlLUNhbmNlbGxhdGlvbi1UcmFuc2xhdGlvbi1IZWFkcGhvbmVzLUhpZ2gtRmlkZWxpdHkvZHAvQjBGUUZCOEZNRy8iLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAa00rgoV0I-UbOq0nkwpsQ1FfJifrSdBPZ_6PPl2wT9r&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FApple-Cancellation-Translation-Headphones-High-Fidelity%2Fdp%2FB0FQFB8FMG%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Cancellation-Translation-Headphones-High-Fidelity/dp/B0FQFB8FMG/">Apple's AirPods Pro 3</a>, which came out in September this year, are back down to $220. That's an all-time-low price and the same discount we saw during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. With the new AirPods Pro, Apple made some big improvements, including better battery life and sound quality, and introduced useful new features, such as Live Translation. <core-commerce id="eae3086f4cbf45b7b7990d7656cc4a5f" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Cancellation-Translation-Headphones-High-Fidelity/dp/B0FQFB8FMG/"></core-commerce> The AirPods Pro 3 are <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-airpods-100041810.html">the best AirPods</a> available today, with Apple's H2 chip, and earned a score of 90 out of 100 in <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/airpods-pro-3-review-a-significant-update-to-apples-best-earbuds-120028170.html">Engadget's review</a> this fall. Active noise cancellation (ANC) is one of the biggest selling points of the AirPods Pro, and Apple has made the experience even better with the AirPods Pro 3. They sport new foam-infused ear tips that create a better seal to improve passive noise isolation, and as Engadget's Billy Steele wrote in his review, "Ultra-low-noise microphones combine with advanced computational audio to silence even more background noise." In testing, they had no problem blocking out the chatter of people nearby or otherwise noisy environments. With the AirPods Pro 3, Apple introduced heart-rate sensing, so you'll be able to see your heart rate data from the earbuds in the Fitness app and other workout apps. The AirPods Pro 3 also boast Live Translation, which you can activate via controls on the earbuds themselves. As long as you have an Apple Intelligence-capable device, you'll be able to translate in-person conversations in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin). Also on sale in the world of AirPods are the <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DGJ7HYG1&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=42f7f263-d7c8-4a21-ad07-9121207a6244&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=AirPods+4+with+ANC&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwREdKN0hZRzEvP3RhZz1nZGd0MGMtMjAiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjQyZjdmMjYzLWQ3YzgtNGEyMS1hZDA3LTkxMjEyMDdhNjI0NCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9kcC9CMERHSjdIWUcxLyIsImR5bmFtaWNDZW50cmFsVHJhY2tpbmdJZCI6dHJ1ZSwic2l0ZUlkIjoidXMtZW5nYWRnZXQiLCJwYWdlSWQiOiIxcC1hdXRvbGluayIsImZlYXR1cmVJZCI6InRleHQtbGluayJ9&signature=AQAAAabCfmCiXDtoDdQX2Xx6AittMwrnsfVFkXKxzQ_ifNQ9&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0DGJ7HYG1%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGJ7HYG1/?th=1">AirPods 4 with ANC</a>, which are down to $100 again — the same price we saw during Black Friday. You can even pick them up <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0DGVT3T92&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=42f7f263-d7c8-4a21-ad07-9121207a6244&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=with+AppleCare%2B&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwREdWVDNUOTIvP3RhZz1nZGd0MGMtMjAiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjQyZjdmMjYzLWQ3YzgtNGEyMS1hZDA3LTkxMjEyMDdhNjI0NCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9kcC9CMERHVlQzVDkyLyIsImR5bmFtaWNDZW50cmFsVHJhY2tpbmdJZCI6dHJ1ZSwic2l0ZUlkIjoidXMtZW5nYWRnZXQiLCJwYWdlSWQiOiIxcC1hdXRvbGluayIsImZlYXR1cmVJZCI6InRleHQtbGluayJ9&signature=AQAAAXOmqMzx4CZ8ESHdS7mVBzMtNXCYo-vCYW-MAIp1QlOs&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0DGVT3T92%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGVT3T92/?th=1">with AppleCare+</a> for $119. <core-commerce id="695443f2c14f42ac9ed92d54a951fe9d" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGJ7HYG1/?th=1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="b29209ada56e4deb9f46f027a7133d37" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGVT3T92/?th=1"></core-commerce> Follow <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://twitter.com/EngadgetDeals">@EngadgetDeals</a> on X for the latest <a data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/deals/">tech deals</a> and <a data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/best-tech/">buying advice</a>.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-airpods-pro-3-are-back-to-an-all-time-low-price-222806220.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

NVIDIA can now sell its high-end AI chips to 'approved customers in China,' Trump says

NVIDIA is now allowed to sell its second-best H200 processors to China, rather than just the <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/china-reportedly-bans-tech-companies-from-buying-nvidias-ai-chips-120143740.html">sanction-approved H20 model</a> that China had previously declined to buy, President Trump wrote on <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115686072737425841">Truth Social</a>. The United States will collect a 25 percent tariff on those sales, the Commerce Department <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-open-up-exports-nvidia-h200-chips-china-semafor-reports-2025-12-08/">confirmed</a> yesterday.  Trump said that he informed China's President Xi Jinping of the decision and that he "responded positively." The Commerce Department is finalizing details and the administration will take the same approach with AMD, Intel and other US companies. He added that the administration would "protect National Security," so the latest Blackwell and upcoming Rubin chips are not part of the deal. The 25 percent tariff would be higher than the 15 percent the White House suggested in August. Though the administration won't allow NVIDIA to send its latest high-end chips, it was reportedly concerned that the company would lose business to Huawei if it was completely shut out of China's market, according to Reuters. No details about the number of H200 chips or which companies would be eligible to buy them were released. "Offering H200 to approved commercial customers, vetted by the Department of Commerce, strikes a thoughtful balance that is great for America," NVIDIA said in a statement. The decision is not without controversy, though. Several Democratic US senators <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/ranking-member-shaheen-senator-coons-national-security-democrats-statement-on-president-trumps-decision-to-allow-the-export-of-advanced-nvidia-h200-ai-chips-to-china">called it</a> a "colossal economic and national security failure" that will aid China's industry and military. Republican representative John Mollenaar put it in even starker terms. "NVIDIA should be under no illusions — China will rip off its technology, mass-produce it themselves and seek to end NVIDIA as a competitor," he said. Despite the current restriction on Blackwell B200 processors, $1 billion worth of those and other high-end NVIDIA chips have <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/1-billion-of-nvidia-ai-chips-were-reportedly-sold-in-china-despite-us-bans-143119762.html">made their way</a> to China via black market sales, according to previous reports. That model, along with the H100 and H200, is far more capable than the H20 chip, which was <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/nvidia-may-soon-announce-new-ai-chips-for-china-to-get-around-us-export-restrictions-100509873.html">designed to comply</a> with export restrictions for sale to China. NVIDIA has said that the B200 chip is almost ten times faster than the H200 for some jobs, and the H200 is six times faster than the H20.  Washington's approval doesn't mean that China will purchase NVIDIA's chips, as Beijing has previously told companies not to use US technology. Huawei is currently the most advanced company in that regard and recently unveiled a <a data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-23/huawei-plans-three-year-campaign-to-overtake-nvidia-in-ai-chips">three-year plan</a> to catch up with NVIDIA and AMD. However, AI chip experts like <a data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1" href="https://strandconsult.dk/blog/huawei-vs-nvidia-no-contest/">Richard Windsor</a> have said NVIDIA's tech is still far ahead of anything that Huawei or other Chinese companies can currently produce. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/nvidia-can-now-sell-its-high-end-ai-chips-to-approved-customers-in-china-trump-says-130007458.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

iFixit’s new app uses AI to help you repair your stuff

We’ve all been there: You can’t (or won’t) get help when something breaks, but the YouTube clip doesn’t cover your specific issue. It’s what <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/ifixit-says-the-pixel-watch-4-is-the-most-repairable-smartwatch-around-171242107.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">repair gurus at iFixit</a> want to solve with <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=c00d85db-85fb-45f3-a540-57642aa8e3f6&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=09264171-e0f4-4b12-99eb-827188a949b4&featureId=text-link&merchantName=ifixit&linkText=FixBot&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5pZml4aXQuY29tL05ld3MvMTE0NzA2L3RoZS1pZml4aXQtYXBwLWlzLWhlcmUiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjA5MjY0MTcxLWUwZjQtNGIxMi05OWViLTgyNzE4OGE5NDliNCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaWZpeGl0LmNvbS9OZXdzLzExNDcwNi90aGUtaWZpeGl0LWFwcC1pcy1oZXJlIn0&signature=AQAAAYDIKHlrImkf9uAOV-xS0yezETLApfBAOBzbR2pd7mOG&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ifixit.com%2FNews%2F114706%2Fthe-ifixit-app-is-here" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:ifixit;elmt:;cpos:2;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.ifixit.com/News/114706/the-ifixit-app-is-here">FixBot</a>, an AI-enabled app that talks you through whatever repair you’re doing. The chatbot will help you diagnose the problem and then walk you step-by-step through the fix. Plus, it’s voice-enabled so you won’t have to get your phone all smeary when you’re elbows-deep in a job. After all, iFixit’s guides don’t just cover fixing your electronics, but everything you might fancy doing yourself, from appliances through to cars and trucks.Unlike traditional AIs, FixBot has been trained on iFixit’s library of 125,000 guides, its forum and database of repair manuals. The company says there’s less risk of hallucination as it pulls from and shows you the schematics it’s referencing to ensure you don’t order the wrong gear. Users can even upload images from their phone, so the app can point out which bit is which. The company is open about its limitations: It’s an AI, so it’s not bulletproof, and its knowledge only runs as far as its library. It can hunt elsewhere for manufacturer data and on other repair forums but you’ll be warned about the information it pulls from it.<div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aGNbA8S7tqs?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>In addition, FixBot will keep an eye on your phone’s battery health in real time to tell you when it’s time to get a replacement. The tool is, for now, in beta, thanks to the fuzzy way some companies track their battery health, but iFixit is promising greater detail than what you currently get. Plus, when it is time to swap out your battery, you can order the parts and kit all within the app. FixBot is launching for free on both the <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=09264171-e0f4-4b12-99eb-827188a949b4&featureId=text-link&linkText=App+Store&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL2FwcHMuYXBwbGUuY29tL3VzL2FwcC9pZml4aXQvaWQ2NzU1MTk5NzQzIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiIwOTI2NDE3MS1lMGY0LTRiMTItOTllYi04MjcxODhhOTQ5YjQiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXBwcy5hcHBsZS5jb20vdXMvYXBwL2lmaXhpdC9pZDY3NTUxOTk3NDMifQ&signature=AQAAAQF53NZx-em2gfQE0NpH_WU-WvUlr74LOjy8ZywZzBfs&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fifixit%2Fid6755199743" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:;elmt:;cpos:3;pos:1" data-original-link="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ifixit/id6755199743">App Store</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=09264171-e0f4-4b12-99eb-827188a949b4&featureId=text-link&linkText=Google+Play&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3BsYXkuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS9zdG9yZS9hcHBzL2RldGFpbHM_aWQ9Y29tLmlmaXhpdC5pZml4aXRtb2JpbGUiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjA5MjY0MTcxLWUwZjQtNGIxMi05OWViLTgyNzE4OGE5NDliNCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5Lmdvb2dsZS5jb20vc3RvcmUvYXBwcy9kZXRhaWxzP2lkPWNvbS5pZml4aXQuaWZpeGl0bW9iaWxlIn0&signature=AQAAASuZWZedxi-cz1E7vYKIhldQ7pnMRqYThhkEdhwhXTQr&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dcom.ifixit.ifixitmobile" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:;elmt:;cpos:4;pos:1" data-original-link="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ifixit.ifixitmobile">Google Play</a> but it won’t remain that way forever. At some point, free users will switch to a version with access limits, and will be prompted to upgrade to the paid tier for $4.99 a month or $50 a year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/ifixits-new-app-uses-ai-to-help-you-repair-your-stuff-130000091.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

The year age verification laws came for the open internet

When the nonprofit Freedom House recently published its annual report, it noted that 2025 marked the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2025/uncertain-future-global-internet" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">15th straight year</a> of decline for global internet freedom. The biggest decline, after Georgia and Germany, came within the United States.Among the culprits cited in the report: age verification laws, dozens of which have come into effect over the last year. "Online anonymity, an essential enabler for freedom of expression, is entering a period of crisis as policymakers in free and autocratic countries alike mandate the use of identity verification technology for certain websites or platforms, motivated in some cases by the legitimate aim of protecting children," the report warns.Age verification laws are, in some ways, part of a years-long reckoning over child safety online, as tech companies have shown themselves unable to prevent serious harms to their most vulnerable users. Lawmakers, who have failed to pass data privacy regulations, Section 230 reform or any other meaningful legislation that would thoughtfully reimagine what responsibilities tech companies owe their users, have instead <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/why-lawmakers-are-pushing-age-verification-requirements-for-social-media-platforms-190037563.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">turned to</a> the blunt tool of age-based restrictions — and with much greater success.  Over the last two years, 25 states <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://avpassociation.com/4271-2/" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">have passed</a> laws requiring some kind of age verification to access adult content online. This year, the Supreme Court delivered a major victory to backers of age verification standards when <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/supreme-court-upholds-texass-porn-site-age-verification-law-155007840.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">it upheld</a> a Texas law requiring sites hosting adult content to check the ages of their users.Age checks have also expanded to social media and online platforms more broadly. Sixteen states now have laws <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://avpassociation.com/us-state-age-assurance-laws-for-social-media/" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">requiring</a> parental controls or other age-based restrictions for social media services. (Six of these measures are currently in limbo due to court challenges.) A federal bill to ban kids younger than 13 from social media has gained <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/senators-again-attempt-to-ban-pre-teens-from-social-media-160535890.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">bipartisan support</a> in Congress. <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/utah-just-became-the-first-state-in-the-country-to-pass-an-age-verification-law-for-app-stores-225846117.html" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">Utah</a>, Texas and Louisiana passed laws requiring app stores to check the ages of their users, all of which are set to go into effect next year. California plans to enact age-based rules for app stores <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/california-enacts-age-gate-law-for-app-stores-172802711.html" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">in 2027</a>.These laws have started to fragment the internet. Smaller platforms and websites that don't have the resources to pay for third-party verification services may have no choice but to exit markets where age checks are required. Blogging service Dreamwidth <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://dw-news.dreamwidth.org/44429.html" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">pulled out</a> of Mississippi after its age verification laws went into effect, saying that the $10,000 per user fines it could face were an "existential threat" to the company. Bluesky also opted to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/bluesky-blocks-mississippi-due-to-its-new-age-verification-law-133049512.html" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">go dark</a> in Mississippi rather than <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/the-supreme-court-lets-mississippis-social-media-age-verification-law-go-into-effect-231405142.html" data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1">comply.</a> (The service has <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/bluesky-is-rolling-out-age-verification-in-south-dakota-and-wyoming-165753460.html" data-i13n="cpos:12;pos:1">complied</a> with age verification laws in South Dakota and Wyoming, as well as <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/bluesky-is-adding-age-verification-features-for-users-in-the-uk-195753332.html" data-i13n="cpos:13;pos:1">the UK</a>.) Pornhub, which has called existing age verification laws "haphazard and dangerous," has blocked access <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.pornhub.com/blog/age-verification-in-the-news" data-i13n="cpos:14;pos:1">in 23 states</a>. Pornhub is not an outlier in its assessment. Privacy advocates have long warned that age verification laws put everyone's privacy at risk. Practically, there's no way to limit age verification standards only to minors. Confirming the ages of everyone under 18 means you have to confirm the ages of everyone. In practice, this often means submitting a government-issued ID or allowing an app to scan your face. Both are problematic and we don't need to look far to see how these methods can go wrong. Discord recently revealed that around <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/discord-now-says-70000-government-ids-may-have-leaked-in-provider-hack-225753321.html" data-i13n="cpos:15;pos:1">70,000 users</a> "may" have had their government IDs leaked due to an "incident" involving a third-party vendor the company <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/the-company-discord-blamed-for-its-recent-breach-says-it-wasnt-hacked-175536278.html" data-i13n="cpos:16;pos:1">contracts with</a> to provide customer service related to age verification. Last year, another third-party identity provider that had worked with TikTok, Uber and other services <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.404media.co/id-verification-service-for-tiktok-uber-x-exposed-driver-licenses-au10tix/" data-i13n="cpos:17;pos:1">exposed</a> drivers' licenses. As a growing number of platforms require us to hand over an ID, these kinds of incidents will likely become even more common. Similar risks exist for face scans. Because most minors don't have official IDs, platforms often rely on AI-based tools that can guess users' ages. A face scan may seem more private than handing over a social security number, but we could be turning over far more information than we realize, according to experts at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)."When we submit to a face scan to estimate our age, a less scrupulous company could flip a switch and use the same face scan, plus a slightly different algorithm, to guess our name or other demographics," the organization <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/01/face-scans-estimate-our-age-creepy-af-and-harmful" data-i13n="cpos:18;pos:1">notes</a>. "A poorly designed system might store this personal data, and even correlate it to the online content that we look at. In the hands of an adversary, and cross-referenced to other readily available information, this information can expose intimate details about us."These issues aren't limited to the United States. <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/reddit-will-be-included-in-australias-looming-under-16-social-media-ban-213052856.html" data-i13n="cpos:19;pos:1">Australia</a>, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/denmark-set-to-ban-social-media-for-users-under-15-years-of-age-171602408.html" data-i13n="cpos:20;pos:1">Denmark</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/malaysia-takes-steps-to-ban-social-media-for-children-under-16-142643494.html" data-i13n="cpos:21;pos:1">Malaysia</a> have taken steps to ban younger teens from social media entirely. Officials in France <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkjep23403o" data-i13n="cpos:22;pos:1">are pushing</a> for a similar ban, as well as a "curfew" for older teens. These measures would also necessitate some form of age verification in order to block the intended users. In the UK, where the Online Safety Act went <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/people-in-the-uk-now-have-to-take-an-age-verification-selfie-to-watch-porn-online-164418948.html" data-i13n="cpos:23;pos:1">into effect</a> earlier this year, we've already seen how well-intentioned efforts to protect teens from supposedly harmful content can end up making large swaths of the internet more difficult to access. The law is ostensibly meant to "prevent young people from encountering harmful content relating to suicide, self-harm, eating disorders and pornography," <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0epennv98lo" data-i13n="cpos:24;pos:1">according to</a> the BBC. But the law has also resulted in age checks that reach far beyond porn sites. Age verification is required, in some cases, to access music videos and other content <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/spotify-now-requires-face-scans-to-access-age-restricted-content-in-the-uk-210738192.html" data-i13n="cpos:25;pos:1">on Spotify</a>. It will soon be required for <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/microsoft-plans-to-bring-xbox-age-verification-to-countries-outside-of-the-uk-201953614.html" data-i13n="cpos:26;pos:1">Xbox accounts</a>. On X, videos of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://freespeechunion.org/protest-footage-blocked-as-online-safety-act-comes-into-force/?v=0b3b97fa6688" data-i13n="cpos:27;pos:1">protests</a> have been blocked. Redditors have <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/1m8tjeh/whats_the_stupidest_subreddit_youve_seen/" data-i13n="cpos:28;pos:1">reported</a> being blocked from a lengthy number of subreddits that are marked NSFW but don't actually host porn, including those related to menstruation, news and addiction recovery. Wikipedia, which recently lost <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/wikipedias-owner-challenges-categorization-rules-under-uks-online-safety-act-175128560.html" data-i13n="cpos:29;pos:1">a challenge</a> to be excluded from the law's strictest requirements, is facing the prospect of being forced to verify the ages of its UK contributors, which the organization has said could have <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2025/09/12/wikimedia-foundation-challenges-uk-online-safety-act-regulations/" data-i13n="cpos:30;pos:1">disastrous</a> consequences. The UK law has also shown how ineffective existing age verification methods are. Users have been able to circumvent the checks by using selfies of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/brits-can-get-around-discords-age-verification-thanks-to-death-strandings-photo-mode-bypassing-the-measure-introduced-with-the-uks-online-safety-act-we-tried-it-and-it-works-thanks-kojima/" data-i13n="cpos:31;pos:1">video game characters</a>, AI-generated images of ID documents and, of course, Virtual Private Networks (<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/vpns-are-booming-in-the-uk-after-age-restriction-laws-but-free-options-carry-big-risks-060036636.html" data-i13n="cpos:32;pos:1">VPNs</a>). As the EFF <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/lawmakers-want-ban-vpns-and-they-have-no-idea-what-theyre-doing" data-i13n="cpos:33;pos:1">notes</a>, VPNs are incredibly widely used. The software allows people to browse the internet while <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/what-is-a-vpn-and-what-can-you-do-with-one-161549146.html" data-i13n="cpos:34;pos:1">masking their actual</a> location. They're used by activists and students and people who want to get around geoblocks built into streaming services. Many universities and businesses (including Engadget parent company Yahoo) require their students and workers to use VPNs in order to access certain information. Blocking VPNs would have serious repercussions for all of these groups. The makers of several popular VPN services reported <a target="_blank" class="no-affiliate-link link" href="https://www.wired.com/story/vpn-use-spike-age-verification-laws-uk/?_sp=b095ae5c-0c6e-4fe5-9574-22af25fcfadb.1764030299265" data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:35;pos:1">major spikes</a> in the UK following the Online Safety Act going into effect this summer, with ProtonVPN <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/ProtonVPN/status/1948773319148245334" data-i13n="cpos:36;pos:1">reporting</a> a 1,400 percent surge in sign-ups. That's also led to fears of a renewed crackdown on VPNs. Ofcom, the regulator tasked with enforcing the law, told <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/exclusive-ofcom-is-monitoring-vpns-following-online-safety-act-heres-how" data-i13n="cpos:37;pos:1">TechRadar</a> it was "monitoring" VPN usage, which has further fueled speculation it could try to ban or restrict their use. And here in the States, lawmakers in Wisconsin have proposed an age verification law that would require sites that host "harmful" content to also <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/lawmakers-want-ban-vpns-and-they-have-no-idea-what-theyre-doing" data-i13n="cpos:38;pos:1">block VPNs</a>.While restrictions on VPNs are, for now, mostly theoretical, the fact that such measures are even being considered is alarming. Up to now, VPN bans are more closely associated with authoritarian countries without an open internet, like Russia and China. If we continue down a path of trying to put age gates up around every piece of potentially objectionable content, the internet could get a lot worse for everyone. Correction, December 9, 2025, 11:23AM PT: A previous version of this story stated that Spotify requires age checks to access music in the UK. The service requires some users to complete age verification in order to access music videos tagged 18+ and messaging. We apologize for the error. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-year-age-verification-laws-came-for-the-open-internet-130000979.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

The Morning After: Tech’s biggest winners of 2025

As we wrap up 2025, we’re looking at the year’s <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/techs-biggest-winners-of-2025-180000177.html">biggest winners</a>: the people, companies, products and trends that made the most impact over the year. Almost at the top of the pile, of course, are the tech billionaires.  According to a recent report by Oxfam, the 10 richest US billionaires (who are all tech leaders, save for Warren Buffet) increased their wealth by $698 billion in 2025. Some of that has been spent treating and lavishing donations on President Trump. Elon Musk reportedly donated nearly $300 million to Trump and Republican allies, and several tech companies have pitched in to build the president’s White House ballroom. <a href="https://www.engadget.com/techs-biggest-winners-of-2025-180000177.html"><figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/58982c20-d4f1-11f0-b8df-45aad7e99cc0" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/58982c20-d4f1-11f0-b8df-45aad7e99cc0" style="height:427px;width:640px;" alt="TMA" data-uuid="f59dafde-fb53-3384-abe1-95d3472d8387"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">ALLISON ROBBERT via Getty Images</div></figure></a> Thanks to updates from Meta, Google, OpenAI and others, AI video is more realistic and easier to make than ever. AI video is everywhere. It’s not only overtaken your Facebook and Instagram recommendations, but Meta created an entirely separate feed just for users’ AI-generated fever dreams. The numbers are huge: OpenAI’s Sora, which lets you make AI videos of real people, was downloaded a million times in just a few days. And Google’s Veo generated more than 40 million videos in a few weeks of launching. AI slop is here to stay, and it’s everywhere. We didn’t say the winners would all be positive. But hey, the Switch 2 is great. — Mat Smith <h3 id="jump-link-the-other-big-stories-this-morning">The other big stories this morning</h3> <ul> <li><a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-and-apple-partner-on-better-android-iphone-switching-204738960.html">Google and Apple partner on better Android–iPhone switching</a></li> <li><a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/team-cherry-is-working-on-more-silksong-content-but-wont-say-when-itll-release-190606167.html">Team Cherry is working on more Silksong content but won’t say when it’ll be released</a></li> <li><a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/heres-how-google-is-laying-the-foundation-for-our-mixed-reality-future-180000716.html">How Google is laying the foundation for our mixed reality future</a></li> </ul> <hr> <h2 id="jump-link-paramount-and-netflix-both-want-to-spend-billions-on-warner-bros-discovery"><a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-netflix-and-warner-bros-deal-might-be-great-for-shareholders-but-not-for-anyone-else-183000247.html">Paramount and Netflix both want to spend billions on Warner Bros. Discovery</a></h2> <h3 id="jump-link-good-news-for-wbd">Good news for WBD?</h3> <figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/e92ceb00-d4f0-11f0-9bfe-9e07e23dfb82" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/e92ceb00-d4f0-11f0-9bfe-9e07e23dfb82" style="height:427px;width:640px;" alt="TMA" data-uuid="e599abdb-86cb-3dd3-a149-93abf18222fd"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">The Warner Bros. studios water tower. (Reuters / REUTERS)</div></figure> Paramount wasn’t going to let Netflix pick up Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) without a fight. Following the streaming service’s $82.7 billion deal to buy much of WBD, Paramount is making a <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/paramount-makes-a-108-billion-hostile-takeover-bid-for-warner-bros-discovery-152248473.html">hostile takeover bid</a> of $108 billion, pitching directly to WBD shareholders with an all-cash offer of $30 per share, which expires on January 8. Last week, the WBD board unanimously accepted Netflix’s offer of $27.75 per share. That breaks down to $23.25 per share in cash and another $4.50 per share in Netflix stock. Paramount, however, wants to pick up the entirety of WBD, while Netflix only wants the studios and streaming businesses. Whoever bought (or buys?) WBD would face government opposition from all sides. Paramount had already sent WBD a letter questioning the “fairness and adequacy” of the acquisition bidding process before its hostile takeover bid. President Trump warned the Netflix deal could be a “problem.” According to data from JustWatch, a combined Netflix and HBO would account for 33 percent of the US streaming video market. <a data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-netflix-and-warner-bros-deal-might-be-great-for-shareholders-but-not-for-anyone-else-183000247.html">Continue reading.</a> <hr> <h2 id="jump-link-tekken-director-katsuhiro-harada-is-leaving-bandai-namco"><a data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/katsuhiro-harada-is-leaving-bandai-namco-after-30-years-223156258.html">Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada is leaving Bandai Namco</a></h2> <h3 id="jump-link-tekkens-leading-face-and-voice-for-decades">Tekken’s leading face and voice for decades.</h3> <h3 id="jump-link-"></h3> Katsuhiro Harada is departing Bandai Namco at the end of 2025. He announced the news both with a farewell note shared on X and, of course, an hour-long DJ mix. Harada’s 30-year career has been most closely involved with Tekken, and he’s a familiar face in the fighting game community. Harada wrote on X: “To everyone who has supported me, to communities around the world, and to all the colleagues who have walked alongside me for so many years, I offer my deepest gratitude.” <a data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/katsuhiro-harada-is-leaving-bandai-namco-after-30-years-223156258.html">Continue reading.</a> This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-122328464.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

The best budgeting apps for 2025

Over a year ago, I was prompted to look for another budgeting app. Intuit, parent company of Mint, the budgeting app I had been using for a long time, shut down the service in March 2024. The company encouraged Mint users to migrate to its other financial app, Credit Karma, but I found it to be a poor Mint replacement after trying it out. That sent me searching elsewhere to find an app to track all of my financial accounts, monitor my credit score, track spending and set goals like building a rainy-day fund and paying down my mortgage faster. If you’re looking for a new budgeting app to get your finances straight, allow Engadget to help. I tried out <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/the-best-budgeting-apps-to-replace-mint-143047346.html">Mint's top competitors</a> in the hopes that I'd be able to find a new budgeting app that could handle all of my financial needs, and to see which are actually worth the money. <h2 id="jump-link-best-budget-apps-of-2025">Best budget apps of 2025</h2> <core-commerce id="bb20dc45b8324009aa9cd29e1a2a1e55" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.quicken.com/products/simplifi/"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="9f80c5fd1fd4460fae9fdf2cf5fbbe33" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.monarchmoney.com/"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="39236874c65c492bb3682eddbfa1c0a2" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.nerdwallet.com/"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="cb581f0fec1b41feafe2ea7de4181289" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://copilot.money/"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="827b3d1854364b8fbd1c17dbca4adf40" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.ynab.com/"></core-commerce> <h2 id="jump-link-other-budgeting-apps-we-tested">Other budgeting apps we tested</h2> <h3 id="jump-link-pocketguard">PocketGuard</h3> <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://pocketguard.com/">PocketGuard</a> used to be a solid free budget tracker, but the company has since limited its “free” version to just a free seven-day trial. Now, you’ll have to choose between two plans once the trial is over: a $13 monthly plan or a $75 annual plan. When I first tested it, I found it to be more restricted than NerdWallet, but still a decent option. The main overview screen shows you your net worth, total assets and debts; net income and total spending for the month; upcoming bills; a handy reminder of when your next paycheck lands; any debt payoff plan you have; and any goals. Like some other apps, including Quicken Simplifi, PocketGuard promotes an “after bills” approach, where you enter all of your recurring bills, and then PocketGuard shows you what’s left, and that’s what you’re supposed to be budgeting: your disposable income. Although PocketGuard’s UI is easy enough to understand, it lacks polish. The “accounts” tab is a little busy, and doesn’t show totals for categories like cash or investments. Seemingly small details like weirdly phrased or punctuated copy occasionally make the app feel janky. More than once, it prompted me to update the app when no updates were available. The web version, meanwhile, feels like the mobile app blown up to a larger format and doesn’t take advantage of the extra screen real estate. Ultimately, now that the free tier is gone, it just doesn’t present the same value proposition as it once did. <h2 id="jump-link-how-we-test-budgeting-apps">How we test budgeting apps</h2> Before I dove in and started testing out budgeting apps, I had to do some research. To find a list of apps to try out, I consulted trusty ol’ Google (and even trustier Reddit); read reviews of popular apps on the App Store; and also asked friends and colleagues what budget tracking apps (or other budgeting methods) they might be using for money management. Some of the apps I found were free and these, of course, show loads of ads (excuse me, “offers”) to stay in business. But most of the available apps require paid subscriptions, with prices typically topping out around $100 a year, or $15 a month. (Spoiler: My top pick is cheaper than that.) All of the services I chose to test needed to do several things: import all of your account data into one place; offer budgeting tools; and track your spending, net worth and credit score. Except where noted, all of these apps are available for iOS, Android and on the web. Once I had my shortlist of six apps, I got to work setting them up. For the sake of thoroughly testing these apps, I made a point of adding every account to every budgeting app, no matter how small or immaterial the balance. What ensued was a veritable Groundhog Day of two-factor authentication. Just hours of entering passwords and one-time passcodes, for the same banks half a dozen times over. Hopefully, you only have to do this once. <h2 id="jump-link-budgeting-app-faqs">Budgeting app FAQs</h2> <h3 id="jump-link-what-is-plaid-and-how-does-it-work">What is Plaid and how does it work?</h3> Each of the apps I tested uses the same underlying network, called Plaid, to pull in financial data, so it’s worth explaining what it is and how it works. Plaid was founded as a fintech startup in 2013 and is today the industry standard in connecting banks with third-party apps. Plaid works with over 12,000 financial institutions across the US, Canada and Europe. Additionally, more than 8,000 third-party apps and services rely on Plaid, <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://plaid.com/company/">the company claims</a>. To be clear, you don’t need a dedicated Plaid app to use it; the technology is baked into a wide array of apps, including all of the budgeting apps listed in this guide. Once you find the “add an account” option in whichever one you’re using, you’ll see a menu of commonly used banks. There’s also a search field you can use to look yours up directly. Once you find yours, you’ll be prompted to enter your login credentials. If you have two-factor authentication set up, you’ll need to enter a one-time passcode as well. As the middleman, Plaid is a passthrough for information that may include your account balances, transaction history, account type and routing or account number. Plaid uses encryption, and says it has a policy of not selling or renting customer data to other companies. However, I would not be doing my job if I didn’t note that in 2022 <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/plaid-must-pay-58-million-to-users-of-venmo-robinhood-and-other-apps-085908511.html">Plaid was forced to pay $58 million to consumers in a class action suit</a> for collecting “more financial data than was needed.” As part of the settlement, Plaid was compelled to change some of its business practices. In a statement provided to Engadget, a Plaid spokesperson said the company continues to deny the allegations underpinning the lawsuit and that “the crux of the non-financial terms in the settlement are focused on us accelerating workstreams already underway related to giving people more transparency into Plaid’s role in connecting their accounts, and ensuring that our workstreams around data minimization remain on track.” <h3 id="jump-link-why-did-mint-shut-down">Why did Mint shut down?</h3> When parent company Intuit <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/intuit-is-closing-down-mint-its-popular-free-budget-tracking-app-054145229.html">announced</a> in December 2023 that it would shut down Mint, it did not provide a reason why it made the decision to do so. It did say that Mint's millions of users would be funneled over to its other finance app, Credit Karma. "Credit Karma is thrilled to invite all Minters to continue their financial journey on Credit Karma, where they will have access to Credit Karma’s suite of features, products, tools and services, including some of Mint’s most popular features," Mint wrote on its <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://mint.intuit.com/blog/mint-app-news/intuit-credit-karma-welcomes-minters/">product blog</a>. In our testing, we found that Credit Karma isn't an exact replacement for Mint — so if you're still looking for a <a data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/the-best-budgeting-apps-to-replace-mint-143047346.html">Mint alternative</a>, you have some decent options. <h3 id="jump-link-what-about-rocket-money">What about Rocket Money?</h3> <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Rocket Money;elmt:;cpos:8;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=432ed0d5-bf16-421f-b374-3c8c274ca4b9&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=1bf1c17b-7ece-4b18-b17b-dc7b5e70f411&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Rocket+Money&linkText=Rocket+Money&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5yb2NrZXRtb25leS5jb20vIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiIxYmYxYzE3Yi03ZWNlLTRiMTgtYjE3Yi1kYzdiNWU3MGY0MTEiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnJvY2tldG1vbmV5LmNvbS8ifQ&signature=AQAAAeyodTOVgL4K8obQWCI4t6Y1fXcyzKzl35UCbEnr-1YG&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rocketmoney.com%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.rocketmoney.com/">Rocket Money</a> is another free financial app that tracks spending and supports things like balance alerts and account linking. If you pay for the premium tier, the service can also help you cancel unwanted subscriptions. We did not test it for this guide, but we'll consider it in future updates.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/best-budgeting-apps-120036303.html?src=rss

Dec 9, 2025

Fairphone updates its over ear headphones with better sound

Two years ago, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/fairphone-6-lands-a-perfect-10-for-repairability-190001687.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Fairphone</a> launched a pair of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/fairphone-launches-a-fully-repairable-set-of-over-ear-headphones-080017046.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">modular, fully-repairable headphones called the Fairbuds XL</a>. Now, the Dutch social enterprise is releasing an updated version where the focus isn’t just on the quality of its hardware, but on the merits of its raw materials. The 2025 Fairbuds XL ship with new “premium” 40mm dynamic drivers and stronger N52 rated magnets for “more power and enhanced bass response.” Listeners should expect to hear “improved accuracy in mid and high frequencies” thanks to improved audio tuning. And there’s a new paper-based speaker membrane that’s more refined than what went before.Sound-quality is certainly improved over the predecessor, with cleaner bass and sharper mid and high tones. You can really hear how clean the sound is, especially when you’re listening to something lush and orchestral. Going by my memory from two years ago, the ANC seems to be unchanged, able to deal with unwanted sounds like the tapping of my own keyboard with ease. Obviously, you shouldn’t go in expecting the same sort of brilliant sound you’d get from top tier manufacturers. Although I think Fairphone has likely closed the gap so while you’re still a generation or two behind the bleeding edge, it’s not by a shameful degree. And, if we’re honest, if you’re looking for a pair of cans that’ll last you years and years, you’re likely able to forgive the absence of the shiniest bells and whistles. <figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/Closeup.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/Closeup.jpg" style="height:1333px;width:2000px;" alt="Closeup image of the Fairbuds XL (2025) " data-uuid="d1e82dd3-33ea-4c62-a428-31527513a996"/><figcaption>Closeup image of the Fairbuds XL (2025) </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Daniel Cooper for Engadget</div></figure>It’s easy to notice the design changes, too, with the more austere Fairphone logo and the use of solid plastic in place of the original speckled pattern. Sadly, that extends to the little pop of copper found on the four way joystick, which is now a different shade of the same colorway. I get it: A lot of people want their consumer electronics to blend in, but the loss of whimsy pains me a little. There’s some fairly minor but welcome quality of life improvements, including adding automatic power off after 30 minutes. Plus, buyers get the benefit of a three year warranty, and can rest assured the XL are Longtime certified. Longtime is a new European labeling standard for gear built to be long-lived, repairable and supported by a robust repair infrastructure. And, if you already own a pair of XLs, you can buy the new drivers and slot them into your existing cans.<figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/sidee.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/sidee.jpg" style="height:1333px;width:2000px;" alt="Side showing logo." data-uuid="818e0b5d-b820-4219-9f28-271c6c1ac178"/><figcaption>Side showing logo.</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Daniel Cooper for Engadget</div></figure>But, in line with Fairphone’s founding principles, the update is equally focused on the raw materials that have gone into making the 2025 XLs. The PU “leather” found in the ear cushions — hardly a climate friendly material — has been ditched in favor of Bird’s Eye Fabric. That’s a cotton fabric produced with a series of air holes for breathability more commonly found in athleisure products. Similarly the PU found in the headband gets replaced with fabric that reminds me of plenty of other high end sport headphones.Beneath the surface, the new model contains 100 percent fair mined cobalt, copper and silver — via mining credits, at least. The rare earth metals used in the speaker magnets are now 100 percent recycled, and they were assembled in a facility using 100 percent renewable energy. You’ll also find more than 90 percent recycled aluminum, and 80 percent recycled plastics, with the company pledging to recycle an equal amount of e-waste to every pair sold. Plus, as usual, Fairphone will pay the people who assemble the hardware a living wage bonus to ensure “workers can cover their family’s needs.” Fairbuds XL are available to order today in Europe both from the Fairphone website and select third party retailers. If you’re in the US, you’ll need to wait until “later” this month, but you’ll be able to pick them up via Amazon for $229.  This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/fairphone-updates-its-over-ear-headphones-with-better-sound-080000773.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

Letterboxd Video Store's first film rentals will be available this week

Dec 8, 2025

Congress removes right to repair language from 2026 defense bill

According to a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://pirg.org/media-center/statement-congress-strips-bipartisan-military-right-to-repair-provisions-from-defense-bill/" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">statement</a> from the Public Interest Research Group, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 has removed language that would have granted the US military the right to repair its own equipment rather than requiring it to use official defense contractors for maintenance. This bill is still being considered by Congress, but it is uncertain whether the right to repair language is likely to be re-introduced once it has been removed. "Despite support from Republicans, Democrats, the White House and key military leaders, troops will keep waiting for repairs they could perform themselves," US PIRG Legislative Associate Charlie Schuyler said in a statement from the organization. "Taxpayers will keep paying inflated costs. And in some cases, soldiers might not get the equipment they need when they need it most."A bipartisan bill from Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tom Sheedy was <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/general/the-military-might-finally-win-the-right-to-repair-173539873.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">introduced</a> earlier this year to allow the military right to repair access. The topic has been a more piecemeal affair for laypeople in the US, with some states <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/oregons-right-to-repair-bill-is-now-a-law-064955635.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">enacting</a> their own laws and federal regulators sometimes <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ftc-warns-some-pc-manufacturers-that-theyre-violating-right-to-repair-rules-120009736.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">intervening</a> to offer consumers more choice in how they seek repairs. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/congress-removes-right-to-repair-language-from-2026-defense-bill-231708835.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

Katsuhiro Harada is leaving Bandai Namco after 30 years

Katsuhiro Harada is departing Bandai Namco at the end of 2025. He announced the news both with a farewell <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/Harada_TEKKEN/status/1997952347709034747" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">note</a> shared on X and, in possibly the coolest exit ever, with an hour-long DJ mix. Harada's 30-year career has most closely been involved with Tekken and he's a familiar face in the fighting game community.He began as a voice actor in the original Tekken game and continued to do so even as he became a director for the series. He has worked on other Bandai Namco titles as a producer, both in and out of the fighting genre. "Each project was full of new discoveries and learning, and every one of them became an irreplaceable experience for me," Harada wrote on X. "To everyone who has supported me, to communities around the world, and to all the colleagues who have walked alongside me for so many years, I offer my deepest gratitude."He closed by saying that over his career, he never DJed at a tournament event. So to mark his departure, Harada posted a full <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=9957be96-25f6-431d-9e37-e15ffa9fc598&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=883045ba-ee37-43ef-8161-335217827090&featureId=text-link&merchantName=soundcloud&linkText=set&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3NvdW5kY2xvdWQuY29tL2thdHN1aGlyby1oYXJhZGEtMS90ZWtrZW4tYS0zMC15ZWFyLWpvdXJuZXktaGFyYWRhcy1maW5hbC1taXg_c2k9YTVjNmVhZDNhNWY2NGM0YzlhYzQ3MzMwYThlM2Y0ZWQmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT10d2l0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09cG9zdCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c29jaWFsX3NoYXJpbmciLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6Ijg4MzA0NWJhLWVlMzctNDNlZi04MTYxLTMzNTIxNzgyNzA5MCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zb3VuZGNsb3VkLmNvbS9rYXRzdWhpcm8taGFyYWRhLTEvdGVra2VuLWEtMzAteWVhci1qb3VybmV5LWhhcmFkYXMtZmluYWwtbWl4P3NpPWE1YzZlYWQzYTVmNjRjNGM5YWM0NzMzMGE4ZTNmNGVkJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9dHdpdHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPXBvc3QmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNvY2lhbF9zaGFyaW5nIn0&signature=AQAAAa1lnHhH-O7LOzrJocSFmxhNXmqQA7eVpRRBVQdT91-o&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fkatsuhiro-harada-1%2Ftekken-a-30-year-journey-haradas-final-mix%3Fsi%3Da5c6ead3a5f64c4c9ac47330a8e3f4ed%26utm_source%3Dtwitter%26utm_medium%3Dpost%26utm_campaign%3Dsocial_sharing" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:soundcloud;elmt:;cpos:2;pos:1" data-original-link="https://soundcloud.com/katsuhiro-harada-1/tekken-a-30-year-journey-haradas-final-mix?si=a5c6ead3a5f64c4c9ac47330a8e3f4ed&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=social_sharing">set</a> titled ‘TEKKEN: A 30-Year Journey – Harada’s Final Mix’ to SoundCloud. Which is just the most swag move I can think of and a fun way to close out this chapter for fans of the franchise.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/katsuhiro-harada-is-leaving-bandai-namco-after-30-years-223156258.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

An AI copycat of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard went unnoticed on Spotify for weeks

Despite making some moves to address the proliferation of AI-generated audio on its platform, Spotify failed to catch a copycat making imitations of music by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. The long-running experimental rock band from Australia, has been a vocal critic of Spotify and was one of several artists that took their music <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-08-08/king-gizzard-at-the-bowl" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">off the platform</a> in the summer. The move was in response to the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/daniel-ek-is-stepping-down-as-spotify-ceo-161519791.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">discovery</a> that outgoing CEO Daniel Ek was a leading investor in an AI-focused weapons and military company. Today, a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Music/comments/1phag1t/spotify_now_features_ai_band_clones/" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">poster</a> on Reddit was recommended what appeared to be an AI-generated copy of one of the band's songs in Spotify’s Release Radar playlist. The phony artist was called King Lizard Wizard and it had an album of tracks all sharing titles with songs by the original band and using their original lyrics. <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/king-gizzard-spotify-ai-knockoff" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">Futurism</a> grabbed screenshots of the imposter, although it appears to have since been taken down; only the band's original page appears in searches for both their name and the AI name. A rep from the company provided the following statement about the issue: “Spotify strictly prohibits any form of artist impersonation. The content in question was removed for violating our policies, and no royalties were paid out for any streams generated.”However, the phony King Gizzard band's album went unnoticed by the company for weeks before today's social post surfaced it. The Reddit thread points to several other anecdotal cases where someone attempted to trick listeners with AI-generated versions of popular bands. In September, Spotify <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/spotify-is-doing-more-to-address-ai-slop-on-its-platform-151102801.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">unveiled</a> a spam filter for catching AI slop, as well as policies for disclosing AI use in the content it hosts and how it would tackle AI impersonations. An instance like this, particularly when it features an artist that had left the platform in protest, creates a pretty big question mark about how well those policies are working. Update, December 9, 2025, 5:15PM ET: Added statement from Spotify.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/an-ai-copycat-of-king-gizzard--the-lizard-wizard-went-unnoticed-on-spotify-for-weeks-220018144.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

Google and Apple partner on better Android-iPhone switching

Dec 8, 2025

Here's how Google is laying the foundation for our mixed reality future

Today, during the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/a3-OJxxW810?si=2ioiKicMKmFFb-d7" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">XR edition of The Android Show</a>, Google showed off a bunch of updates and new features headed to its mixed reality OS. And while most of the news was aimed at developers, I got a chance to demo some of the platform's expanded capabilities on a range of hardware including <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/samsung-galaxy-xr-hands-on-a-smarter-more-open-take-on-apples-vision-pro-for-half-the-price-020044642.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Samsung's Galaxy XR headset</a>, two different reference designs and an early version of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/xreals-project-aura-is-the-second-official-android-xr-headset-174526481.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">Xreal's Project Aura smart glasses</a> and I came away rather impressed. So here's a rundown of what I saw and how it will impact the rapidly growing ecosystem of head-mounted displays.First up was one of Google's reference design smart glasses with a single waveguide RGB display built into its right lens. I've included a picture of it here, but try not to read too deeply into its design or aesthetics, as this device is meant to be a testbed for Android XR features and not an early look at upcoming models.<figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/google-reference-design-side-view.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/google-reference-design-side-view.jpg" style="height:2000px;width:3333px;" alt="Try not to read too much into the appearance of Google's reference design smart glasses, as they are explicitly labeled as prototypes meant to test upcoming features in Android XR." data-uuid="46c94a03-4d3e-4f2f-b014-1fea82ebb2a1"><figcaption>Try not to read too much into the appearance of Google's reference design smart glasses, as they are explicitly labeled as prototypes meant to test upcoming features in Android XR.</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Sam Rutherford for Engadget</div></figure>After putting them on, I was able to ask Gemini to play some tunes on YouTube Music before answering a call simply by tapping on the touchpad built into the right side of the frames. And because the reference model also had onboard world-facing cameras, I could easily share my view with the person on the other end of the line. Naturally, I was curious about how glasses had the bandwidth to do all this, because in normal use, they rely on a Bluetooth or Bluetooth LE connection. When asked, Max Spear, Group Product Manager for XR, shared that depending on the situation, the device can seamlessly switch between both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which was rather impressive because I couldn't even detect when that transition happened. Spear also noted that one of Google's focuses for Android XR is making it easier for developers to port over the apps people already know and love. <div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a3-OJxxW810?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>This means for devices like the reference design I wore that feature a built-in display (or displays), the OS actually uses the same code meant for standard Android notifications (like quick replies) to create a minimalist UI instead of forcing app makers to update each piece of software to be compliant with an ever-increasing number of devices. Alternatively, for models that are super lightweight and rely strictly on speakers (like <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/bose-three-new-frames-131152809.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">Bose Frames</a>), Google has also designed Android XR so that you only need mics and voice controls to access a wide variety of apps without the need for visual menus. <figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/smart_glasses_AI_image.png" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/smart_glasses_AI_image.png" style="height:1200px;width:896px;" alt="This is the picture Gemini created when I asked it to transform a picture of some pantry shelves into a sci-fi scene. " data-uuid="67ffc087-76bf-4def-baf6-d188d5f065a6"><figcaption>This is the picture Google's reference design smart glasses created (via Gemini ) when I asked it to transform a photo I took of some pantry shelves into a sci-fi kitchen. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Sam Rutherford for Engadget</div></figure>Meanwhile, if you're hoping to take photos with your smart glasses, there's a surprising amount of capability there, too. Not only was I able to ask Gemini to take a photo, the glasses were also able to send a higher-res version to a connected smartwatch, which is super handy in case you want to review the image before moving on to the next shot. And when you want to inject some creativity, you can ask Gemini to transform pictures into practically anything you can imagine via <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/googles-nano-banana-pro-image-generator-leverages-gemini-3-for-improved-visuals-and-text-rendering-185505073.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">Nano Banana</a>. In my case, I asked the AI to change a shot of a pantry into a sci-fi kitchen and Gemini delivered with aplomb, including converting the room into a metal-clad setting complete with lots of light strips and a few bursts of steam.However, one of the most impressive demos was when I asked Google's reference glasses to look at some of that same pantry environment and then use the ingredients to create a recipe based on my specifications (no tomatoes please, my wife isn't a fan). Gemini went down an Italian route by picking pasta, jarred banana peppers, bell peppers (which I thought was a somewhat unusual combination) and more, before launching into the first steps of the recipe. Sadly, I didn't have time to actually cook it, but as part of the demo, I learned that Gemini has been trained to understand human-centric gestures like pointing and picking things up. This allows it to better understand context without the need to be super specific, which is one of those little but very impactful tricks that allows AI to feel way less robotic. <figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/google_maps_on_Android_XR.png" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/google_maps_on_Android_XR.png" style="height:827px;width:1477px;" alt="This is how Google Maps will look on Android XR. However, it's important to note that this is the flat 2D version instead of the more detailed stereoscopic view available on smart glasses with dual displays. " data-uuid="b3b54728-0cd8-4e32-b313-5b3d96102cde"><figcaption>This is how Google Maps will look on Android XR. Note that this is the flat 2D version instead of the more detailed stereoscopic view available on smart glasses with dual displays. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Sam Rutherford for Engadget</div></figure>Then I had a chance to see how Uber and Google Maps ran on the reference glasses, this time using models with both single and dual RGB displays. Surprisingly, even on the monocular version, Maps was able to generate a detailed map with the ability to zoom in and out. But when I switched over to the binocular model, I noticed a significant jump in sharpness and clarity along with a higher-fidelity map with stereoscopic 3D images of buildings. Now, it may be a bit early to call this, and the perception of sharpness varies greatly between people based on their head shape and other factors, but after seeing that, I'm even more convinced that the smart glasses with dual RGB displays are what the industry will settle on in the long term.The second type of device I used was the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/samsung-galaxy-xr-hands-on-a-smarter-more-open-take-on-apples-vision-pro-for-half-the-price-020044642.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">Samsung Galaxy XR</a>, which I originally tried out when it was announced back in October. However, in the short time since, Google has cooked up a few new features that really help expand the headset's capabilities. By using the goggle's exterior-facing cameras, I was able to play a game of I Spy with Gemini. Admittedly, this might sound like a small addition, but I think it's going to play a big part in how we use devices running Android XR, because it allows the headset (or glasses) to understand better what you're looking at in order to provide more helpful contextual responses. <figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/Galaxy-XR.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/Galaxy-XR.jpg" style="height:2000px;width:3333px;" alt="Even though it was announced not long ago in late October, Samsung's Galaxy XR headset is already getting some new features thanks to some updates coming to Android XR. " data-uuid="e726fd2f-ae2f-4fae-b910-efb89cbbd558"><figcaption>Even though it was announced not long ago in late October, Samsung's Galaxy XR headset is already getting some new features thanks to some updates coming to Android XR. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Sam Rutherford for Engadget</div></figure>However, the biggest surprise was when I joined a virtual call with someone using one of Google's new avatars, called Likeness. Instead of the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mark-zuckerberg-horizon-graphics-avatars-204551743.html" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">low-polygon cartoony characters</a> we've seen before in places like Meta Horizon, Google's virtual representations of people's faces are almost scary good. So good I had to double-check that they weren't real and from what I've seen they're even a step up from Apple's Personas. Google says that headsets like the Galaxy XR rely on interior sensors to track and respond to facial movements, while users will be able to create and edit their avatars using a standalone app due out sometime next year. <figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/likeness.png" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/likeness.png" style="height:882px;width:1467px;" alt="The person in the bottom right is using a Likeness, which during my demo looked surprisingly responsive and realistic. " data-uuid="f58ea82c-3555-4264-a06d-d0d8de8824f7"><figcaption>The person in the bottom right is using a Likeness, which during my demo looked surprisingly responsive and realistic. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Google</div></figure>Next, I got a chance to test out the Android XR's PC connectivity by playing Stray on the Galaxy XR while it was tethered wirelessly to a nearby laptop. Not only did it run almost flawlessly with low latency, I was also able to use a paired controller instead of relying on hand-tracking or the laptop's mouse and keyboard. This is something I've been eagerly waiting to try because it feels like Google has put a lot of work into making Android XR devices play nicely with other devices and OSes. Initially, you'll only be able to connect Windows PCs to the Galaxy XR, but Google says it's looking to support macOS systems as well.Finally, I got to try out Xreal's Project Aura glasses to see how Android XR works on a device primarily designed to give you big virtual displays in a portable form factor. Unfortunately, because this was a pre-production unit, I wasn't able to take photos. That said, as far as the glasses go, I was really impressed with their resolution and sharpness and the inclusion of electrochromic glass is a really nice touch, as it allows users to change how heavily the lenses are tinted with a single touch. Alternatively, the glasses can also adjust the tint automatically based on whatever app you are using to give you a more or less isolated atmosphere, depending on the situation. I also appreciate the Aura's increased 70-degree FOV, but if I'm nitpicking, I wish it were a bit higher, as I occasionally found myself wanting a bit more vertical display area. <figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/Aura_4_TAS_XR__Nov_06_2025_113.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/Aura_4_TAS_XR__Nov_06_2025_113.jpg" style="height:5592px;width:8388px;" alt="Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to take photos of Xreal's Project Aura smart glasses, as the model I used was still an early pre-production unit. So here's a shot provided by Google instead. " data-uuid="20d6e88e-4ad8-4052-b578-1d35019a2ee7"><figcaption>Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to take photos of Xreal's Project Aura smart glasses, as the model I used was still an early pre-production unit. So here's a shot provided by Google instead. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Google / Xreal</div></figure>As a device that's sort of between lightweight smart glasses and a full VR headset, the Aura relies on a wired battery pack that also doubles as a touchpad and a hub for plugging in external devices like your phone, laptop or even game consoles. While using the Aura, I was able to connect to a different PC and multitask in style, as the glasses were able to support multiple virtual displays while running several different apps at the same time. This allowed me to be on a virtual call with someone using a Likeness while I had two other virtual windows open on either side. I also played an AR game (<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.resolutiongames.com/demeo" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">Demeo</a>) while I moved around in virtual space and used my hands to reposition the battlefield or pick up objects with my hands. Now I will fully admit this is a lot and it took me a bit to process everything. But upon reflection, I have a few takeaways from my time with the various Android XR devices and prototypes. More than any other headset or smart glasses platform out now, it feels like Google is doing a ton to embrace a growing ecosystem of devices. That's really important because we're still so early in the lifecycle for wearable gadgets with displays that no one has really figured out a truly polished design like we have for smartphones and laptops. And until we get there, this means that a highly adaptable OS will go a long way towards supporting OEMs like Samsung, Xreal and others. But that's not all. It's clear Google is focused on making Android XR devices easy to build for. That's because the company knows that without useful software that can highlight the components and features coming on next-gen spectacles, there's a chance that interest will remain rather niche — similar to what we've seen when looking at the adoption of VR headsets. So in a way, Google is waging a battle on two fronts, which makes navigating uncharted waters that much more difficult. <figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/Google-reference-designs-2.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/Google-reference-designs-2.jpg" style="height:2000px;width:3333px;" alt="A major focus for Android XR while people are still figuring out how to make smart glasses is to support a wide variety of designs including those with single displays, dual displays or models without any displays that rely on cameras and speakers. " data-uuid="8c2bfb59-fe1f-4938-83f2-97bb346e10ef"><figcaption>A major focus for Android XR while people are still figuring out how to make smart glasses is to support a wide variety of designs including those with single displays, dual displays or models without any displays that rely on cameras and speakers. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Sam Rutherford for Engadget</div></figure>Google is putting a major emphasis on Android XR's ability to serve as a framework for future gadgets and support and address developer needs. This mirrors the approach the company takes with regular Android and the opposite of Apple's typical MO, because unlike the Vision Pro and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/apples-visionos-26-brings-eye-scrolling-and-support-for-ps-vr2-controllers-180651833.html" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">visionOS</a>, it appears Google is going to rely heavily on its partners like Xreal, Warby Parker, Gentle Monster and others to create engaging hardware. Furthermore, Google says it plans to support smart glasses that can be tethered to Android and iOS phones, as well as smartwatches from both ecosystems, though there will be some limitations for people using Apple devices due to inherent OS restrictions. That's not to say that there won't be Pixel glasses sometime down the road, but at least for now, I think that's a smart approach and possibly a lesson Google learned after releasing Google Glass over a decade ago. Meanwhile, hi-res and incredibly realistic avatars like Likenesses could be a turning point for virtual collaboration, because, in a first for me, talking to a digital representation of someone else felt kind of natural. After my demos, I had a chance to talk to Senior Director of Product Management for XR <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=6deefbf2-941b-4156-9f41-a61ebb50d13d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=721b1f85-0f59-46bb-9f5b-7e2bab08822d&featureId=text-link&merchantName=LinkedIn&linkText=Juston+Payne&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5saW5rZWRpbi5jb20vaW4vanVzdG9ucGF5bmUiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjcyMWIxZjg1LTBmNTktNDZiYi05ZjViLTdlMmJhYjA4ODIyZCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL2p1c3RvbnBheW5lIn0&signature=AQAAAfd-t4HN6tQ7vWySEEfqbERfcwE4edi0qJ5ZlqWH1U_o&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fjustonpayne" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:LinkedIn;elmt:;cpos:10;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.linkedin.com/in/justonpayne">Juston Payne</a>, who highlighted the difference between smart glasses and typical gadgets by saying "Smart glasses have to be great glasses first. They need to have a good form factor, good lenses with prescription support, they need to look good and they have to be easy to buy."That's no simple task and there's no guarantee that next-gen smart glasses and headsets will be a grand slam. But from what I've seen, Google is building a very compelling foundation with Android XR. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/heres-how-google-is-laying-the-foundation-for-our-mixed-reality-future-180000716.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

TikTok announces shared feed and collections features

TikTok just <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://newsroom.tiktok.com/new-ways-for-friends-and-families-to-discover-share-and-connect-on-tiktok?lang=en">announced a couple of updates</a> that that should make the app a bit more social. There's something called Shared Feed, which is exactly what it sounds like. It's a feed that friends and family can watch together, though at different times.  This feed is shared via direct messaging and pulls up relevant content to everyone involved in the chat. TikTok says this is a "new way to discover content together." It consists of a daily curated selection of 15 videos that are generated by TikTok activity. These feeds are shared via invitation and the participants can leave the chat at any time. There's also a new dashboard that lets viewers check out their Shared Like history and other metrics. The Shared Feed tool rolls out globally in the coming months. It sounds similar to something Instagram <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagram-now-lets-you-combine-your-reels-recommendations-with-friends-160023003.html">began offering earlier this year</a>. Instagram is <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/instagram-launches-reels-to-beat-tiktok-130009783.html">typically the one</a> <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/instagram-reels-remix-tiktok-duet-190201529.html">copying TikTok</a>, so this is a nice change of pace. <figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/c49ff530-d468-11f0-becc-778d33ef3abe" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/c49ff530-d468-11f0-becc-778d33ef3abe" style="height:627px;width:978px;" alt="The tool." data-uuid="f8e5a65b-b8ad-3f1c-9472-00b4fe2e4fb2"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">TikTok</div></figure> TikTok has also announced something called Shared Collections. This is like the aforementioned Shared Feed, but for saved content. The tool lets users collect, organize and share groups of videos, with TikTok citing that people could use it to share reading lists, local restaurants to try and, of course, products to buy. All you have to do is save a video, create a Shared Collection and send that list to someone else via direct message. Users must follow one another to access one of these lists. The tool is available globally right now to folks over the age of 16. Finally, TikTok is rolling out themed holiday cards that can be sent in direct messages. They will be available globally later this month.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/tiktok-announces-shared-feed-and-collections-features-193857725.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

Paramount makes a $108 billion hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

Paramount has been none too pleased about <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-netflix-and-warner-bros-deal-might-be-great-for-shareholders-but-not-for-anyone-else-183000247.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Netflix striking an $82.7 billion deal</a> to buy much of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Now, Paramount is making a hostile takeover bid for WBD. It's making its pitch directly to WBD shareholders with an all-cash offer of $30 per share that expires on January 8.Late last week, the WBD board <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/netflix-to-buy-warner-bros-for-827-billion-120836295.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">unanimously accepted Netflix's offer</a> of $27.75 per share. That breaks down to $23.25 per share in cash and another $4.50 per share in Netflix stock. Netflix's overall bid is valued at $82.7 billion, while Paramount's totals $108.4 billion. There's a key difference when it comes to the Paramount offer, as it’s for all of WBD. The latter is scheduled to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/warner-bros-discovery-will-split-into-two-media-giants-144553585.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">split into two companies next year</a>. Netflix only wants the Streaming and Studios side of WBD's business, which includes HBO Max and the Warner Bros. film, TV and game studios. Paramount is after the whole shebang, including WBD's cable channels (Global Networks). "WBD's Board of Directors recommendation of the Netflix transaction over Paramount's offer is based on an illusory prospective valuation of Global Networks that is unsupported by the business fundamentals and encumbered by high levels of financial leverage assigned to the entity," Paramount said <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/paramount-launches-all-cash-tender-offer-acquire-warner-bros" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">in a press release on Monday</a>. As of the end of September, WBD was carrying $34.5 billion of gross debt. It <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/warner-bros-discovery-debt-billions-to-tv-networks-company-1236259848/" data-i13n="slk:planned;cpos:5;pos:1">planned</a> to saddle the Global Networks company (aka <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/the-new-warner-bros-and-discovery-global-would-like-you-to-forget-warner-bros-discovery-183951865.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">Discovery Global</a>) with most of that. The Paramount offer includes $40.7 billion in financing from the family of Paramount CEO David Ellison — his father is Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison — and RedBird Capital, but it would be taking on more debt to secure a deal for WBD. The bid includes "$54 billion of debt commitments from Bank of America, Citi and Apollo." (Apollo owns a majority stake in Yahoo, Engadget's parent company). According to an SEC filing [<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://ir.paramount.com/static-files/cf3a70b0-5fd8-493f-aed5-970f40cf1515" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">PDF</a>], other entities are backing the Paramount bid, including Jared Kushner’s investment firm Affinity Partners and the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia (the Public Investment Fund), Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Tencent was a financing partner in a previous Paramount offer, but it’s not involved with the hostile takeover attempt.In a letter sent to WBD CEO David Zazlav before the company accepted Netflix's offer, Paramount <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=34e37b9c-8975-48da-aa39-df8bcd5badc3&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=889cb4f3-09c4-4ef3-b35d-213e37d0dc9a&featureId=text-link&merchantName=CNBC&linkText=questioned&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbmJjLmNvbS8yMDI1LzEyLzA0L3BhcmFtb3VudC1xdWVzdGlvbnMtd2FybmVyLWJyb3MtZGlzY292ZXJ5LXNhbGUtcHJvY2Vzcy1sZXR0ZXIuaHRtbCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiODg5Y2I0ZjMtMDljNC00ZWYzLWIzNWQtMjEzZTM3ZDBkYzlhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbmJjLmNvbS8yMDI1LzEyLzA0L3BhcmFtb3VudC1xdWVzdGlvbnMtd2FybmVyLWJyb3MtZGlzY292ZXJ5LXNhbGUtcHJvY2Vzcy1sZXR0ZXIuaHRtbCJ9&signature=AQAAAc1xGi4b63QYojRomnNgsVH2qJtFwN3XC--Xh3ihPWlb&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbc.com%2F2025%2F12%2F04%2Fparamount-questions-warner-bros-discovery-sale-process-letter.html" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:CNBC;elmt:;cpos:8;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/04/paramount-questions-warner-bros-discovery-sale-process-letter.html">questioned</a> the "fairness and adequacy" of the sale process. It asked whether WBD was acting in the best interest of shareholders after the management team allegedly appeared to favor the Netflix offer."Despite Paramount submitting six proposals over the course of 12 weeks, WBD never engaged meaningfully with these proposals which we believe deliver the best outcome for WBD shareholders," Paramount said. "Paramount has now taken its offer directly to WBD shareholders and its Board of Directors to ensure they have the opportunity to pursue this clearly superior alternative."Paramount — which Skydance <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/fcc-approves-skydances-8-billion-paramount-acquisition-032028104.html" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">bought for $8 billion this year</a> — also claims that its offer is likely to face less regulatory scrutiny than the Netflix offer, which wouldn't close until sometime after WBD splits in two later in 2026. According to <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=34e37b9c-8975-48da-aa39-df8bcd5badc3&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=889cb4f3-09c4-4ef3-b35d-213e37d0dc9a&featureId=text-link&merchantName=CNBC&linkText=CNBC&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbmJjLmNvbS8yMDI1LzEyLzA4L3BhcmFtb3VudC1za3lkYW5jZS1ob3N0aWxlLWJpZC13YmQtbmV0ZmxpeC5odG1sIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiI4ODljYjRmMy0wOWM0LTRlZjMtYjM1ZC0yMTNlMzdkMGRjOWEiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNuYmMuY29tLzIwMjUvMTIvMDgvcGFyYW1vdW50LXNreWRhbmNlLWhvc3RpbGUtYmlkLXdiZC1uZXRmbGl4Lmh0bWwifQ&signature=AQAAAeS8294vCVJzv7vch44xreGtHywzRpL5aPoFxytnrAYw&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbc.com%2F2025%2F12%2F08%2Fparamount-skydance-hostile-bid-wbd-netflix.html" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:CNBC;elmt:;cpos:10;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/08/paramount-skydance-hostile-bid-wbd-netflix.html">CNBC</a>, Paramount executives believe that the company's smaller size and cozy relationship with the Trump administration will help streamline the regulatory process. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/trump-says-if-netflix-buys-warner-bros-its-market-share-could-be-a-problem-123004774.html" data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1">said</a> that Netflix's bid for WBD has "got to go through a process, and we’ll see what happens. But it is a big market share. It could be a problem."In a statement to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/warner-bros-discovery-review-paramount-skydance-acquisition-bid-1236603529/" data-i13n="slk:Variety;cpos:12;pos:1">Variety</a>, WBD said it will consider Paramount’s latest bid and provide a recommendation to its stockholders within 10 business days — in other words, by December 19. The company said it “is not modifying its recommendation with respect to the agreement with Netflix” for the time being and it is asking shareholders “not to take any action at this time with respect to Paramount Skydance’s proposal.”Meanwhile, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://variety.com/2025/biz/news/ted-sarandos-peters-netflix-warner-bros-discovery-paramount-1236603567/" data-i13n="cpos:13;pos:1">said at an event on Monday</a> that Paramount’s new offer was “entirely expected. We have a deal done, and we are incredibly happy with the deal. We think it’s great for our shareholders. It’s great for consumers. We think it’s a great way to create and protect jobs in the entertainment industry. We’re super confident we’re going to get it across the line and finish.”Update December 8, 2025, 11:14AM ET: Added details about the involvement of sovereign wealth funds and Affinity Partners.Update December 8, 2025, 2:38PM ET: Added the responses from WBD and Netflix.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/paramount-makes-a-108-billion-hostile-takeover-bid-for-warner-bros-discovery-152248473.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

How to watch Rivian's Autonomy and AI day and what to expect

<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/rivian-spinoff-reveals-a-3500-starting-price-for-its-first-e-bike-195949124.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Rivian</a> is about to give the public and its investors another taste of its future with an event focused on autonomy and AI on December 11. The company's Autonomy and AI day starts at 12PM ET. You can watch the event via the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://rivian.com/autonomy" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Rivian website</a>. We'll be liveblogging the Autonomy and AI day right here on Engadget, so we'll be recapping the major news as it happens and sharing our reactions. As for what to expect, the name of the event clearly indicates that Rivian will be talking about autonomous operation of its vehicles. <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://riviantrackr.com/news/predictions-rivian-autonomy-day-and-the-moment-software-really-matters/" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">RivianTrackr</a> speculates, quite reasonably, that the company will share more about what CEO RJ Scaringe has referred to as a Universal Hands Free feature. Scaringe <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://riviantrackr.com/news/rj-scaringe-confirms-universal-hands-free-on-gen-2-r1-before-autonomy-day/" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">recently said</a> he'd spent two hours traveling around Palo Alto, California, in a second-gen Rivian R1 with the vehicle taking care of everything by itself. It stands to reason that Rivian will at least offer up a demo of Universal Hands Free ahead of the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/a-shaky-year-for-american-evs-could-set-the-tone-for-2026-153000210.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">company’s more affordable R2 model making its debut in 2026</a>.Earlier this year, Rivian <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://stories.rivian.com/enhanced-highway-assist-gen2" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">said</a> that, for 2026, "a hands-off/eyes-off feature is planned for controlled conditions with our current Gen 2 vehicles." So, this Autonomy and AI day seems as good an opportunity as any for the company to share more details about that. When Rivian unveiled the first-generation R1T and R1S in 2018, it said those would <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/2018-11-28-rivian-electric-adventure-truck-la-auto-show.html" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">support Level 3 autonomy</a>, allowing for the driver to take their hands and eyes off the road for short spells while they're on the freeway.RivianTrackr also suggests that we may hear more about Rivian's sensor strategy as well as its AI and fleet-learning initiatives. The company may offer up a more detailed autonomy roadmap as well. However, the publication suggests Rivian isn't quite ready to announce rollout retails or firm pricing for full hands-off driving features.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/how-to-watch-rivians-autonomy-and-ai-day-and-what-to-expect-192838410.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

Meta will let Facebook and Instagram users in the EU share less data

Meta will soon allow Facebook and Instagram users in the European Union to choose to share less data and see less personalized ads on the platform, the European Commission <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/meta-commits-give-eu-users-choice-personalised-ads-under-dma-2025-12-08_en" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">announced</a>. The change will begin to roll out in January, according to the regulator. "This is the first time that such a choice is offered on Meta's social networks," the commission said in a statement. "Meta will give users the effective choice between: consenting to share all their data and seeing fully personalised advertising, and opting to share less personal data for an experience with more limited personalised advertising."The move from Meta comes after the European Commission had fined the company €200 million over its ad-free subscription plans in the EU, which the regulator deemed "<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/eu-criticizes-metas-privacy-for-cash-business-model-103042528.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">consent or pay</a>." Meta began offering ad-free subscriptions to EU users <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/facebook-and-instagram-will-start-offering-ad-free-plans-in-europe-in-november-141650104.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">in 2023</a>, and later <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-cuts-the-price-of-its-ad-free-plan-by-40-percent-in-a-bid-to-sate-eu-regulators-174926790.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">lowered the price</a> of the plans in response to criticism from the commission. Those plans haven't been very popular, however, with one Meta executive <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/what-weve-learned-from-ftc-v-meta-antitrust-trial-162048138.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">admitting</a> earlier this year that there's been "very little interest" from users. In a statement, a Meta spokesperson said that "we acknowledge" the European Commission's statement. "Personalized ads are vital for Europe’s economy — last year, Meta’s ads were linked to €213 billion in economic activity and supported 1.44 million jobs across the EU." This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-will-let-facebook-and-instagram-users-in-the-eu-share-less-data-183535897.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

Analogue is weaponizing your nostalgia with these translucent versions of its 3D console

Analogue just announced <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.analogue.co/editions/3d-funtastic"><ins>new colorways</ins></a> for its recently-launched Analogue 3D console. The appropriately-named Funtastic limited-edition consoles are heavily inspired by Nintendo's translucent N64 models from the late 1990s. Analogue even <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://consolevariations.com/blog/every-nintendo-64-console-variation-ever-complete-color-list"><ins>borrowed the Funtastic branding</ins></a>. In other words, these are going for the nostalgic jugular for gamers of a certain age. There's even a see-through green colorway that calls to mind the Nintendo 64 variant that shipped as a bundle with Donkey Kong 64. Just imagine booting up that bad boy as you roam around the house spouting the lyrics of the <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npuuTBlEb1U"><ins>DK rap song</ins></a>. <div id="f99f659feec341daa33741ce196652da"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Analogue 3D - Funtastic - Limited Editions. Available in highly limited quantities. Perfectly color matched to the originals N64 models. $299.99 On Sale: Dec 10, 8am PST. Shipping: Dec 10 with Guaranteed delivery before Christmas. <a href="https://t.co/PPYgIw0vxU">pic.twitter.com/PPYgIw0vxU</a>— Analogue (@analogue) <a href="https://twitter.com/analogue/status/1998076077596639701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2025</a></blockquote> </div> There are eight translucent colors to choose from and accompanying 8BitDo controllers available as a separate purchase. The consoles cost $300 and the controllers are priced out at $45. The Analogue 3D Funtastic consoles go on sale on December 10 at 11AM ET, with the company promising they'll ship within 48 hours to ensure delivery by Christmas. The company is also restocking the traditional colors, which will be available for purchase at the same time but won't ship until January. <figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/94c91380-d460-11f0-9a7c-b4a299a1015e" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/94c91380-d460-11f0-9a7c-b4a299a1015e" style="height:831px;width:1253px;" alt="Two consoles." data-uuid="3da5f79b-c8bf-333a-85f0-6408d7ae3a06"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Tim Stevens for Engadget</div></figure> We praised the Analogue 3D <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/analogue-3d-review-modern-processing-cant-fix-vintage-flaws-160000410.html"><ins>in our official review</ins></a>. It's a fantastic way to play N64 cartridges, even if the original games don't always hold up. The 4K CRT emulation is top-notch and the overall hardware design is solid.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/analogue-is-weaponizing-your-nostalgia-with-these-translucent-versions-of-its-3d-console-181105740.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

Tech's biggest winners of 2025

Every December, the Engadget staff compiles a list of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/techs-biggest-winners-in-2024-180015837.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">the year’s biggest winners</a>. We scour over articles from the previous 12 months to determine the people, companies, products and trends that made the most impact over the course of the year. Not all of that influence is positive, however, and some selections may also appear on our list of biggest losers. Still, sit back and enjoy our picks for the biggest winners of 2025.<h2 id="a2b46be6-4b28-4958-abb3-740fc3035e7a">Nintendo Switch 2</h2><figure><img src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/0a096060-55df-11f0-ba9d-0a6ff3cbbb07" data-crop-orig-src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/0a096060-55df-11f0-ba9d-0a6ff3cbbb07" style="height:1440px;width:2560px;" alt="Playing Mario Kart World on the Switch 2 in handheld mode." data-uuid="8b7f0fdb-ef8e-358e-b97f-79e953b9f381"><figcaption>Playing Mario Kart World on the Switch 2 in handheld mode.</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Sam Rutherford for Engadget</div></figure>Aside from a big bump in battery life that many were hoping for, Nintendo took just about everything that made its last console such a phenomenon and upgraded it on the Switch 2. A sleeker design with magnetic Joy-Cons that are less likely to break, a larger (albeit LCD) 1080p display with HDR, much stronger performance, mouse controls and a boost to the base storage were all very welcome.Of course, the vast majority of Switch games run on the Switch 2 (often with visual improvements or other upgrades), so the new console had a vast library right from the jump. Nintendo is building out its slate of first-party games with treats like <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/donkey-kong-bananza-review-nintendos-latest-3d-platformer-is-an-instant-classic-143048108.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Donkey Kong Bananza</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/metroid-prime-4-beyond-review-an-excellent-modernization-but-not-a-total-reinvention-150000082.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">Metroid Prime 4</a>, and the third-party support is seriously impressive too. <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/cyberpunk-2077-and-split-fiction-are-third-party-launch-titles-for-nintendo-switch-2-135648661.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">Cyberpunk 2077</a>, Street Fighter 6 and Hitman: World of Assassination are already available, and the likes of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/final-fantasy-vii-remake-intergrade-hits-the-switch-2-on-january-22-152559995.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade</a> and FromSoftware's Switch 2 exclusive <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/fromsoftware-the-duskbloods-switch-2-2026-release-142025792.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">The Duskbloods</a> are on the way.The Switch 2 is an iteration, not a revolution, but Nintendo didn't need to reinvent the wheel to make another great system. It's little surprise, then, that we gave the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-review-more-of-what-you-love-120048430.html" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">Switch 2</a> a score of 93 in our review. The console is surpassing Nintendo's sales expectations as well. The company <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-expects-to-sell-way-more-switch-2s-than-it-thought-130048295.html" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">said in November</a> that it believes it will sell 19 million units (up from 15 million) by the time its current fiscal year ends in March. — Kris Holt, Contributing reporter<h2 id="6a265900-977f-468a-9e23-9817a7513799">NVIDIA</h2><figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/videos/user-uploaded/74731e90-ee84-11ef-af5f-78d988c7b1b0.jpeg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/videos/user-uploaded/74731e90-ee84-11ef-af5f-78d988c7b1b0.jpeg" style="height:1262px;width:2400px;" alt="NVIDIA GeForce 5070 Ti" data-uuid="0d02156b-cdd2-488b-99b8-ca575d670b5d"><figcaption>NVIDIA GeForce 5070 Ti</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Devindra Hardawar for Engadget</div></figure>Could things be any rosier for NVIDIA? Once just a video card company for gamers, NVIDIA's GPU hardware is now <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/nvidia-shows-off-its-first-blackwell-wafer-manufactured-in-the-us-192836249.html" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">directly tied</a> to the rise of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/nvidia-is-investing-up-to-100-billion-in-openai-to-build-10-gigawatts-of-ai-data-centers-175159134.html" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">the AI industry</a>. Its stock has jumped a whopping 1,235 percent over the past five years, going from $13.56 per share in 2020 to a peak of $202.49 this past October. NVIDIA's server-grade cards are being used en masse to train AI models, as well as to power AI inferencing. At home, its <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/nvidia-geforce-rtx-5090-review-pure-ai-excess-for-2000-140053371.html" data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1">GeForce GPUs</a> are enabling local AI development and they're still the gaming cards to beat, despite AMD's steadily improving competition.Clearly, the company's bet on parallel processing has paid off enormously. Its GPUs can handle tons of computations simultaneously, making them ideally suited for the demands of the AI industry. They're not exactly efficient — that's why neural processing units, or NPUs have sprung up to power consumer AI features — but it's hard to deny NVIDIA's raw computational power. NVIDIA's AI success may not last forever, though. Companies like Google and Microsoft are already working on their own AI chips, and it's still unclear if consumers actually want widespread AI features as much as tech companies think. If the AI industry crashes, NVIDIA will be one of the first victims. — Devindra Hardawar, Senior reporter<h2 id="bb6eaa32-6ffe-4134-9334-12eb7378d1b5">Tech billionaires</h2><figure><img src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/22dca950-4232-11f0-afff-0e10eed07c63" data-crop-orig-src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/22dca950-4232-11f0-afff-0e10eed07c63" style="height:3066px;width:4599px;" alt="US President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Elon Musk (L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. " data-uuid="f5b5b1e8-3ee3-3a78-b7b9-c7f6bf53604a"><figcaption>US President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Elon Musk (L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">ALLISON ROBBERT via Getty Images</div></figure>There's no doubt that tech billionaires, especially those that lean conservatively, have benefitted tremendously from the Trump administration over the past year. Elon Musk's DOGE team of tech loyalists <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/general/protecting-the-us-from-hackers-apparently-isnt-in-trumps-budget-195915036.html" data-i13n="cpos:12;pos:1">chainsawed their way through the budgets and staff</a> of several federal agencies, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/elon-musks-doge-reportedly-cuts-staff-at-agency-that-regulates-elon-musks-tesla-173618858.html" data-i13n="cpos:13;pos:1">including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration </a>(NHTSA), which regulates Tesla. (That hasn't stopped the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/nhtsa-launches-probe-into-teslas-full-self-driving-tech-141102274.html" data-i13n="cpos:14;pos:1">NHTSA from launching a new investigation</a> into Tesla's full self-driving tech, though.)According to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/research-publications/unequal-the-rise-of-a-new-american-oligarchy-and-the-agenda-we-need/" data-i13n="cpos:15;pos:1">a recent report by Oxfam</a>, the 10 richest US billionaires (who are all tech leaders, save for Warren Buffet) increased their wealth by $698 billion of the past year. Of course, it took plenty of wining and dining to get there. <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/31/elon-musk-trump-donor-2024-election/" data-i13n="cpos:16;pos:1">Elon Musk reportedly donated nearly $300 million to Trump and Republican allies</a>, and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/big-tech-is-helping-to-pay-for-trumps-ballroom-that-we-all-definitely-want-162545434.html" data-i13n="cpos:17;pos:1">several tech companies have pitched in</a> to build the president's lavish White House ballroom. But the result for the tech elite is increased access to the president, less scrutiny when it comes to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/paramount-reportedly-wants-to-acquire-warner-bros-discovery-antitrust-law-be-damned-193306141.html" data-i13n="cpos:18;pos:1">acquisitions and other deals</a>, and the potential for <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://democrats-budget.house.gov/resources/fact-sheet/trumps-big-ugly-law-steals-poor-give-ultra-rich" data-i13n="cpos:19;pos:1">massive corporate and elite tax cuts</a>. — D.H.<h2 id="04be2e09-de4b-4378-a40c-c23df6c80dc1">AI video</h2><figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/2025-12/7aa137eb-fb88-4237-9894-708603ec52e2" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/2025-12/7aa137eb-fb88-4237-9894-708603ec52e2" style="height:2467px;width:3700px;" alt="A silhouetted individual is seen holding a mobile phone with a Sora of ChatGPT OpenAI logo displayed in the background" data-uuid="203e8b31-6ffc-3a07-9116-85f7940925f1"><figcaption>A silhouetted individual is seen holding a mobile phone with a Sora of ChatGPT OpenAI logo displayed in the background</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">SOPA Images via Getty Images</div></figure>AI slop didn't start in 2025, but it reached new heights thanks to updates from Meta, Google, OpenAI and others that made it easier than ever to create a real-ish (emphasis on the ish) looking clips from nothing but your most unhinged mad libs. Now, AI-generated videos are just about impossible to avoid. Some platforms, like <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/pinterest-will-let-you-dial-down-ai-slop-in-your-feeds-130000337.html" data-i13n="cpos:20;pos:1">Pinterest</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktok-will-let-users-tone-down-the-amount-of-ai-content-in-their-feed-050100596.html" data-i13n="cpos:21;pos:1">TikTok</a>, have even begun offering people the ability to ask their algorithms to show less AI content in their feeds. Unfortunately, there's no way to stuff <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.404media.co/facebooks-algorithm-is-boosting-ai-spam-that-links-to-ai-generated-ad-laden-click-farms/" data-i13n="cpos:22;pos:1">Shrimp Jesus</a> back into the bottle. AI video is everywhere and it's here to stay. It's not only overtaken Facebook and Instagram's recommendations, Meta created an <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/meta-now-has-a-feed-for-ai-slop-205751808.html" data-i13n="cpos:23;pos:1">entirely separate</a> feed just for users' AI-generated fever dreams. OpenAI's Sora, which lets you make AI videos of real people, was downloaded <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-tiktok-of-ai-slop-hit-one-million-downloads-faster-than-chatgpt-181216271.html" data-i13n="cpos:24;pos:1">a million times</a> in just a few days. Google's Veo, which generated more than <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://blog.google/products/gemini/photo-to-video/" data-i13n="cpos:25;pos:1">40 million videos</a> in a matter of weeks, is now built-in <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/google-is-adding-the-veo-3-video-generator-to-youtube-to-slopify-shorts-155339183.html" data-i13n="cpos:26;pos:1">to YouTube Shorts</a>.It's now trivially easy for creators to churn out <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/movie-studios-have-been-making-serious-money-from-ai-slop-on-youtube-160434252.html" data-i13n="cpos:27;pos:1">fake movie trailers</a>, cute animal videos <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://mashable.com/article/ai-generated-animals-footage-fake" data-i13n="cpos:28;pos:1">that never happened</a> or viral clips of made up <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.404media.co/ai-generated-videos-of-ice-raids-are-wildly-viral-on-facebook/" data-i13n="cpos:29;pos:1">ICE raids</a>. Hell, the president of the United States regularly shares bizarre, sometimes <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-posts-ai-video-dumping-no-kings-protesters-rcna238521" data-i13n="cpos:30;pos:1">poop-themed</a>, AI videos on his official social media channels. During the government shutdown, the official X account for Senate Republicans shared <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/NRSC/status/1979187237720924195" data-i13n="cpos:31;pos:1">a deepfake</a> of Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer. AI video is winning not just because it's everywhere, but because so many are unable, or unwilling, to understand what's real and what isn't. More than half of Americans say they are <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2025/09/17/how-americans-view-ai-and-its-impact-on-people-and-society/" data-i13n="cpos:32;pos:1">not confident</a> in their ability to distinguish between human and AI-generated content, according to Pew Research. Similar numbers of people report being "more concerned than excited about the increased use of AI in daily life." But those concerns have done little to stop AI slop from dominating all of our feeds, and there's no sign it will ever slow down. — Karissa Bell, Senior reporter<h2 id="eec18f8c-c8f0-4a57-862c-7827dff2f98b">Galaxy Z Fold 7</h2><figure><img src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-07/7aa954b0-6287-11f0-83dd-7c7349c0e35d" data-crop-orig-src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-07/7aa954b0-6287-11f0-83dd-7c7349c0e35d" style="height:2000px;width:3333px;" alt="The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7's cover screen is slightly larger than the previous model's at 6.5 inches while also being noticeably wider. " data-uuid="189b359b-ca11-35ad-aedd-e9cad0938622"><figcaption>Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Sam Rutherford for Engadget</div></figure>After seven generations, Samsung reached an important milestone this year with its Galaxy Z Fold line: It made a foldable phone that’s the same size as a regular handset. In fact, weighing 7.58 ounces and measuring 72.8mm wide, the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-review-foldable-phone-nirvana-for-a-price-123004636.html" data-i13n="cpos:33;pos:1">Galaxy Z Fold 7</a> is actually lighter and narrower than an <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-s25-ultra-review-too-much-ai-not-enough-ultra-140022798.html" data-i13n="cpos:34;pos:1">S25 Ultra</a>, while being practically just as thin at 8.9mm (folded). It’s a real marvel of engineering, especially when you consider the phone also features a 200MP main camera, an IPX8 rating for water resistance and a 5,000 mAh battery with 45-watt wired charging. And of course, there's that huge 8-inch main screen hiding inside, which makes the Z Fold 7 both a phone and a tablet in one device. The only thing it's really missing is the improved dust resistance Google gave to the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-pixel-10-pro-fold-review-the-tankiest-foldable-170051471.html" data-i13n="cpos:35;pos:1">Pixel 10 Pro Fold. </a>But perhaps more importantly, the Z Fold 7's reduced size and weight have created a device with wider appeal. This has <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://news.samsung.com/us/more-consumers-upgrading-switching-to-samsung-galaxy-z-series-us" data-i13n="cpos:36;pos:1">propelled sales of Samsung's latest flagship foldable up 50 percent compared to the previous generation</a> while pushing shipments of foldables as a whole to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://counterpointresearch.com/en/insights/global-foldable-smartphone-market-q3-2025" data-i13n="cpos:37;pos:1">record highs.</a> Who knew that when Samsung focuses on creating world-class hardware instead of overindexing on AI, good things happen? Okay, maybe that’s a bit harsh. Regardless, for a phone category that has struggled with excess weight and bulk since its inception, the Z Fold 7 feels like a revelation and the beginning of a new era for handsets with flexible displays. Now, can we just bring their prices down, please? — Sam Rutherford, Senior reporter<h2 id="6eca0c1f-ca74-4bbd-96f8-8ecb4246d9a1">Smart glasses</h2><figure><img src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-10/97b73640-ae62-11f0-8df9-30df1506b776" data-crop-orig-src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-10/97b73640-ae62-11f0-8df9-30df1506b776" style="height:413px;width:620px;" alt="Karissa Bell wearing a pair of Ray Ban Display" data-uuid="8160a90f-d1d1-3b81-81d8-58f0456f4dc1"><figcaption>Senior reporter Karissa Bell wearing a pair of Ray Ban Display glasses. </figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Karissa Bell for Engadget</div></figure>Like it or not, smart glasses are having a moment. Propelled by new devices like the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/meta-ray-ban-display-review-chunky-frames-with-impressive-abilities-193127070.html" data-i13n="cpos:38;pos:1">Meta Ray-Ban Display</a> and upcoming models like <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/xreals-project-aura-is-the-second-official-android-xr-headset-174526481.html" data-i13n="cpos:39;pos:1">Xreal’s Project Aura</a>, the idea of wearing specs with built-in screens suddenly became an attractive proposition. And that means a lot for a category of gadgets that’s often best remembered by the fashion tragedy that was Google Glass in 2013. However, this development isn’t purely by chance. The latest generation of smart glasses has only just now become a reality due to the convergence of several branches of tech — including improved optics, lightweight batteries and, of course, AI. Now that last one might sound silly considering how many big companies seem to be betting the farm on machine learning being the next big thing, but AI will be a critical feature for enabling the hands-free experience that you need to make smartglasses work when you can’t rely on touch input. While this category is still in its early stages of development, the increased momentum we've seen from smart glasses this year seems poised to carry them towards being a future pillar of people's core tech kits. — S.R.<h2 id="e33665a8-44d4-466a-9b47-1d432744be68">Fast charging</h2><figure><img src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-10/75ad8af0-a44d-11f0-bb32-5e5422e623cc" data-crop-orig-src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-10/75ad8af0-a44d-11f0-bb32-5e5422e623cc" style="height:4000px;width:6000px;" alt="The Pixel Watch 4 on a person's wrist with orange leaves in the background." data-uuid="36300cb1-3457-3cbd-9bbf-4ffb6d0867fe"><figcaption>Fast charging on the Pixel Watch 4 is one implementation that impressed us this year.</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Cherlynn Low for Engadget</div></figure>Devices like tablets and smartwatches have matured to the point where each generation mostly sees iterative upgrades, making covering them seem boring. But this year, as the hardware review season came to a close, I noticed an interesting trend. One feature, across various product categories, genuinely excited myself and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-best-thing-about-the-pixel-watch-4-is-googles-new-charger-170052942.html" data-i13n="cpos:40;pos:1">other reviewers at Engadget</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.multicore.blog/p/google-pixel-watch-4-review" data-i13n="cpos:41;pos:1">around the internet</a>: impressively fast charging. By itself, high-speed charging isn’t new. But when I reviewed the Pixel Watch 4 in October, I was shocked that one seemingly little update changed how I went about my day. The new power system on Google’s smartwatch was so efficient that after about ten minutes on a cradle, the wearable went from below 20 percent to past 50 percent. With that boost, I stopped having to remind myself to plug the watch in — any time I ran low or was about to run out the door, I just plopped it on the charger and would have enough juice for hours.Google wasn’t the only company to make fast-charging a meaningful addition to one of its 2025 products. <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/ipad-pro-m5-review-speed-boost-130046249.html" data-i13n="cpos:42;pos:1">Apple’s iPad Pro M5</a> is the first iPad to support the feature, and while in our testing it fell a little short of the 50 percent charge in 30 minutes that the company promised, our reviewer Nate Ingraham still found it a meaningful improvement.Observers of the smartphone industry will likely point out two things. First, battery technology can be volatile, and larger, faster-charging cells might lead to exploding phones. So my optimism about this development is not without caution. Secondly, we’ve already seen all this come to handsets, especially in phones that launched outside the US first. OnePlus is known for its SUPERVOOC fast charging system, for example, and we’re seeing even more novel battery tech show up abroad. Calling fast charging a winner of 2025 may feel untimely to some.But when you consider the spread of speedier charging to other types of products, especially in electric vehicles that till now take forever to top up, the benefits are clear. This year, we saw <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/formula-e-will-finally-debut-its-fast-charging-pit-stops-this-weekend-144235800.html" data-i13n="cpos:43;pos:1">Formula E (finally) debut its fast-charging pit stops</a>, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/honda-teases-its-first-full-size-e-motorcycle-with-fast-charging-185116652.html" data-i13n="cpos:44;pos:1">Honda announce its first full-size electric motorcycle with fast charging</a> and Chinese EV maker <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/byd-unveils-new-tech-for-twice-as-fast-ev-charging-175729412.html" data-i13n="cpos:45;pos:1">BYD unveiling new tech that delivers peak EV charging speeds of 1,000 kilowatts</a>. That should about halve the time it currently takes to top up your electric car. Sure, it’s not the most eye-catching or novel technological development. But when counted in terms of precious time saved, fast charging coming to more types of devices certainly amounts to a greater good in gadgets in 2025. — Cherlynn Low, Managing editor<h2 id="e1fc582a-436d-4815-af63-c39548ae0111">Magnets</h2><figure><img src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-10/43216af0-a45e-11f0-8efa-c2e5aa4faba4" data-crop-orig-src="https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-10/43216af0-a45e-11f0-8efa-c2e5aa4faba4" style="height:2000px;width:3333px;" alt="Even if you don't use it for charging, being able to slap magnetic accessories on the back of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is super useful. Plus, this is the first phone to feature full support for the Qi2 standard. " data-uuid="5bfa8b21-60e1-3fb1-bf90-288eb8c38617"><figcaption>The Pixel 10 Pro Fold and the Pixel Ring Stand</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Sam Rutherford for Engadget</div></figure>Two years after the announcement of the Qi 2 wireless charging standard and its support of magnetic attachment accessories (a la Apple’s MagSafe), we’re finally seeing one of the more mainstream Android devices adopt it. In 2025, Google became the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/android-phone-makers-dropped-the-ball-on-qi2-in-2024-191029769.html" data-i13n="cpos:46;pos:1">first Android phone maker</a> that’s <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/here-are-all-the-android-phones-that-support-qi2-150052702.html" data-i13n="cpos:47;pos:1">not HMD</a> to do so, bringing such magnetic capabilities to the Pixel 10 series. It also <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/pixelsnap-is-googles-qi2-powered-answer-to-magsafe-for-the-pixel-10-series-160048306.html" data-i13n="cpos:48;pos:1">introduced Pixelsnap</a> — its own version of a MagSafe accessory ecosystem, including a slim puck with a fold-out kickstand that you can snap onto a phone. I love <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=47408a47-7be0-49f0-86aa-563efadfdd37&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=1542a41d-6888-45f4-a033-0aa571d76d1f&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Google+Store&linkText=the+Pixel+Ring+Stand&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N0b3JlLmdvb2dsZS5jb20vcHJvZHVjdC9waXhlbHNuYXBfcmluZ19zdGFuZCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMTU0MmE0MWQtNjg4OC00NWY0LWEwMzMtMGFhNTcxZDc2ZDFmIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N0b3JlLmdvb2dsZS5jb20vcHJvZHVjdC9waXhlbHNuYXBfcmluZ19zdGFuZCJ9&signature=AQAAAey3i4xu1tX7-eK8nnTy-m9wLiPrbpPrb3-lqT7LPq-I&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.google.com%2Fproduct%2Fpixelsnap_ring_stand" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Google Store;elmt:;cpos:49;pos:1" data-original-link="https://store.google.com/product/pixelsnap_ring_stand">the Pixel Ring Stand</a> and make sure to bring it with me whenever I can. It works perfectly with my iPhone 17 Pro, and has a compact footprint that makes it easy to take anywhere. Of course, it’s not the first of its kind — Case-Mate and PopSocket, among others, already make similar products but they’re either pricier or rated poorly. But it’s not just Google that made a magnetic accessory I unexpectedly adored. When reports of Apple’s Crossbody Strap first trickled out, I was underwhelmed. Who cares about a crossbody strap for an iPhone? But when I was presented with one to try at the iPhone 17 launch event, my cynicism quickly melted into desire. Setting aside the convenience of having your phone on your person when you don’t have pockets or a purse, the way magnets play a part here also won me over. To adjust the length of the straps, you just separate the two overlapping pieces that stick together magnetically, move them along each other till you’re satisfied with the length and let them snap back in place. I’m sure Apple isn’t the first to make a crossbody strap accessory for iPhones, nor is it the first to use magnets to adjust such straps. But <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/1ncqf7o/this_is_apples_new_crossbody_strap_accessory_for/" data-i13n="cpos:50;pos:1">like many Redditors</a>, I’ve slowly come to realize the differences between those products and the Crossbody Strap for iPhone 17. It’s far from perfect, but in 2025 it was another implementation of magnets in tech that caught my attention and brought convenience to my life. — C.L.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/techs-biggest-winners-of-2025-180000177.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

Uber will let marketers target ads based on users' trip and takeout data

Uber will begin offering customer data to marketers through <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.uber.com/en-CA/blog/uber-advertising-launches-uber-intelligence-powered-by-liveramp/">a new insights platform called Uber Intelligence</a>. The data will technically be anonymous, via the use of a platform called LiveRamp. This will "let advertisers securely combine their customer data with Uber's to help surface insights about their audiences, based on what they eat and where they travel." Basically, it'll provide a broad view of local consumer trends based on collected data. Uber gives an example of a hotel brand using the technology to identify which restaurants or venues to partner with according to rideshare information. Companies will also be able to use the Intelligence platform's insights to directly advertise to consumers. <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-ads-launches-intelligence-insights-trips-takeout-data-marketers-2025-12">Business Insider reports</a> it could be used to identify customers who are "heavy business travelers" and then plague them with ads in the app or in vehicles during their next trip to the airport. Fun times. "That seamlessness is why we're so excited," Edwin Wong, global head of measurement at Uber Advertising, told Business Insider. Uber has stated that its ad business is already on track to <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:The Motley Fool;elmt:;cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=dc008fcb-e3da-4d5b-bfcf-3ffc75d29fd0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=69b307bb-8954-4fcb-8bde-80fac221f473&featureId=text-link&merchantName=The+Motley+Fool&linkText=generate+%241.5+billion+in+revenue&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mb29sLmNvbS9pbnZlc3RpbmcvMjAyNS8wNy8yNC91YmVyLWFkcy10aGUtaGlkZGVuLWdlbS1wb3dlcmluZy11YmVycy1uZXh0LWdyb3d0aC8iLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjY5YjMwN2JiLTg5NTQtNGZjYi04YmRlLTgwZmFjMjIxZjQ3MyIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZm9vbC5jb20vaW52ZXN0aW5nLzIwMjUvMDcvMjQvdWJlci1hZHMtdGhlLWhpZGRlbi1nZW0tcG93ZXJpbmctdWJlcnMtbmV4dC1ncm93dGgvIn0&signature=AQAAAdsPYNKIPv6QV3kLXM78GzTEXILwa1-ojXEbCHiRaFVz&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Finvesting%2F2025%2F07%2F24%2Fuber-ads-the-hidden-gem-powering-ubers-next-growth%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/07/24/uber-ads-the-hidden-gem-powering-ubers-next-growth/">generate $1.5 billion in revenue</a> this year, and that's before implementing these changes. As for Uber in totality, the company <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.businessofapps.com/data/uber-statistics/">made $44 billion in 2024</a>, which was a jump from $37 billion in 2023. It's also notorious for raising fares. Uber has raised prices for consumers <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/lensherman/2023/01/16/ubers-new-math-increase-prices-and-squeeze-driver-pay/">by around 18 percent each year</a> since 2018, which has outpaced inflation <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.powerswitchaction.org/resources/uber-takes-us-for-a-ride">by up to four times</a> in some markets. Update, December 8, 7:25PM ET: This article previously stated that Uber was "selling customer data," but that was not accurate. Companies do not pay to access the Intellience platform. We regret the error. The article and its headline have been changed since publish to more accurately reflect the news.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/uber-will-let-marketers-target-ads-based-on-users-trip-and-takeout-data-171011841.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

Best Guess Live is Netflix's take on HQ Trivia

Netflix has already committed to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-is-bringing-back-star-search-as-it-continues-to-expand-into-live-tv-214022695.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">reviving Star Search</a> for its streaming service, and now the company is turning its attention to a different type of live show: <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/2017-10-18-creators-of-vine-trivia-show-app-hq.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">HQ Trivia</a>. Netflix's Best Guess Live is an attempt to revive the late 2010s app-based show with what the company is calling its first "weekday mobile game show."Best Guess Live will be hosted by Howie Mandel (Deal or No Deal, America's Got Talent) and Hunter March (Sugar Rush) and will broadcast Monday through Friday at 8PM ET / 5PM PT. The game seems like it will lean on multiple choice questions much like HQ Trivia did, and will reward players who answer the fastest and play multiple times per week. Netflix's announcement doesn't have any specifics as to how much money will be up for grabs, but the company does promise to give away "thousands of dollars in prize money."HQ Trivia, started by Vine co-founders Rus Yusupov and Colin Kroll, was a surprise hit when it debuted in 2017, thanks in part to its host Scott Rogowsky and the appointment-viewing nature of a daily game show you could watch on your phone. The later slow collapse of HQ was rocky enough to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/cnn-hq-trivia-documentary-162822490.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">warrant a CNN documentary</a>, but clearly the concept of the app fits nicely with Netflix's growing interest in live shows and casual games.Netflix has experimented with a growing number of live shows, including <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/john-mulaney-will-host-a-live-variety-talk-show-on-netflix-123021266.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">talk shows</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-lands-a-deal-with-mlb-to-air-select-live-baseball-games-213336003.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">sports programming</a>. The company has also recently abandoned its aspirations to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/netflix-has-closed-its-aaa-gaming-studio-133014946.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">develop AAA games</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/netflix-is-getting-rid-of-another-of-its-game-studios-by-selling-it-back-to-its-founders-203645232.html" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">ambitious indie titles</a> to focus on <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-is-bringing-party-games-to-tvs-123034128.html" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">casual experiences</a> and games based on Netflix IP. Best Guess Live seems like a nice fusion of casual interactive experience and lightweight live content. Many people already open the Netflix app daily to find something to watch. It makes sense they'd be willing to do it for money, too.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/best-guess-live-is-netflixs-take-on-hq-trivia-170000030.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

The developer behind ICEBlock is suing the federal government

The makers of <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/iceblock-climbs-to-the-top-of-the-app-store-charts-after-officials-slam-it-004319963.html"><ins>ICEBlock</ins></a>, the community-based reporting app for ICE sightings and activity, are suing the federal government, <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26360437-iceblock-complaint-as-filed/"><ins>alleging</ins></a> "unlawful threats" made by Trump administration officials led to the app's removal from app stores. The suit centers on free speech violations and accuses the administration of coercing Apple into taking down the app in October. Google began <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-is-also-removing-apps-used-to-report-sightings-of-ice-agents-192940612.html"><ins>taking down</ins></a> similar apps around the same time. Josh Aaron developed ICEBlock in response to the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. The app allowed users to pin ICE agent locations on a map as well as add notes such as what agents were wearing or the kind of vehicle they were driving. The app would then alert users within a five-mile radius of the sighting. The White House called the app "an incitement of further violence against… ICE officers" and sought its removal. “A lesson we should all take from this is when we see our government is doing something wrong, it is our duty to stand up,” Aaron told the <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:The New York Times;elmt:;cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=c813ae39-7d58-41cb-ac66-ad830606ceef&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=433e863e-b9da-444f-bd51-163b19e87e8e&featureId=text-link&merchantName=The+New+York+Times&linkText=New+York+Times&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS8yMDI1LzEyLzA4L2J1c2luZXNzL2FwcGxlLWljZWJsb2NrLWxhd3N1aXQuaHRtbCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNDMzZTg2M2UtYjlkYS00NDRmLWJkNTEtMTYzYjE5ZTg3ZThlIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS8yMDI1LzEyLzA4L2J1c2luZXNzL2FwcGxlLWljZWJsb2NrLWxhd3N1aXQuaHRtbCJ9&signature=AQAAAYgWHMUa_bigOyvVMCXChD6EmU1oCfRSEtbkRTZYUfZ6&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2025%2F12%2F08%2Fbusiness%2Fapple-iceblock-lawsuit.html" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/08/business/apple-iceblock-lawsuit.html"><ins>New York Times</ins></a>. This isn't the first time Apple has faced controversy for an app takedown. In 2019, the company <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/2019-10-10-apple-hkmap-hong-kong-app-store-china.html"><ins>removed an app</ins></a> that protesters in Hong Kong were using to track police after facing pressure from the Chinese government. Apple, for its part, said it took the app down in response to "information we've received from law enforcement about the safety risks associated with ICEBlock." Federal officials <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/apple-removes-iceblock-app-after-dallas-shooting-trump-pressure/?utm_source=chatgpt.com"><ins>said</ins></a> the gunman who attacked an ICE facility in Dallas had used tracking apps, including ICEBlock. "Fundamentally, ICEBlock neither enables nor encourages confrontation — it simply delivers time-limited location information to help users stay aware of their surroundings in a responsible and nonviolent way," Aaron's suit reads. Engadget has reached out to Apple for comment and will update if we hear back.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-developer-behind-iceblock-is-suing-the-federal-government-165111674.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

The 22 best gift ideas for the remote worker in your life

It’s 2025, so chances are you have at least one person who works remotely on your gift list. While the work-from-home life has its perks — nobody likes a long commute — it certainly comes with its own set of challenges, from missing out on pro-level equipment to dealing with annoyances around the house. If you’re looking to buy a gift for someone who spends much of their time in their home office, we’ve rounded up a few techy ideas that should make their days a little more delightful — or at least easier to manage. <h2 id="jump-link-best-gifts-for-remote-workers">Best gifts for remote workers</h2> <core-commerce id="a3805c71c6ec42aa842e032a20a6c6e3" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083W7K6QC/?th=1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="19128630cb694f62a053cd671d73c6b9" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Compatible-Charging-Magnetic-Wireless/dp/B0FMC3PW5W/?th=1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="8d4563c0ad7b45549f7a69762780eb0e" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Gaming-Real-time-Display-Options/dp/B0DZ6T9VCM?th=1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="17738c7099be4729a81c4aacedc019df" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Correction-Auto-Framing-Reduction-Microsoft/dp/B09QWVYK6V?"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="b67cc14a290f4f39887891284a876c3d" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Botanicals-Happy-Plants-Building/dp/B0DRW6C2RF/"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="a5e249dd0b1f4c6ebaddd2aff6b945d4" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DL5L1ZLH"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="6b817b14d72e4a51a4278db287d4652d" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://portlandgear.com/products/cascade-tote?variant=46406835929275"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="d1c3bd6ffce547e0a8a0d448065519a4" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/BenQ-Illumination-Adjustable-Brightness-Temperature/dp/B0CZ9P1QW9?th=1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="5575b73d619a49ff8e3d3e2bf270dac8" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Ears-WONDERBOOM-360-Degree-Waterproof/dp/B0BRXJVG1S"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="7d336e382bdb4869b542536190c1c182" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://ember.com/products/ember-tumbler?variant=43379319570617"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="db5431e22d774b41baeac9e5cb343e28" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Vertical-Wireless-Mouse-Rechargeable/dp/B07FNJB8TT"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="b45c06a1a5e84e088cf46d82207d85ee" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Ergonomic-Performance-Ultra-Fast-Scrolling/dp/B0FC5SJNQX"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="45f01dca4e8d4655a034bb51ee1d51bd" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Basilisk-Wireless-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B0DG837JYP/"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="c47bf74483e54c459d491b1288a8f4b9" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Assistant-Bedroom-Mapping-Material/dp/B0CQN1B4JM"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="99d7adb18d4b481db8526d01a62a4a02" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Echo-Spot-2024-release-Smart-alarm-clock-with-vibrant-sound-Alexa-Ocean-Blue/dp/B0BFC8DR7C"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="fbb260f20bcf4c169345e8b5324d2641" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-HL-L2460DW-Monochrome-Subscription-Replenishment/dp/B0CPL2N5H6/"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="d1c2780c00bf4eafb512eea8bbf7fd44" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Keychron/VMaxSeries_CUSTOMKEYBOARDS/page/F7D4855C-7A70-4E88-B1FE-C77FEDB32C67"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="48793dbeae0b42279b87d12f34dcb5eb" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Bluetooth-Personalized-Compatibility-Splash-Resistant/dp/B0D1GWVLY3"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="ffb7b848f5404f3c9fc5f17319585f54" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://grovemade.com/desk-shelf-system/"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="6f14ec4ff411416c944958e99ed212e7" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9WKGXHD"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="17decbe50e2a4216aa8f5e787c9f739c" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Minimalist-Computer-Bluetooth-Customizable/dp/B0DXW25R3D?th=1"></core-commerce> <core-commerce id="06a07d25870a46f5aa94112f62bb8718" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://ticktick.com/card?language=en_US"></core-commerce> Check out the rest of our <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/gifts/">gift ideas</a> here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-22-best-gift-ideas-for-the-remote-worker-in-your-life-140037336.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

Blink budget security cameras will support AI-powered video descriptions

Amazon's budget Blink smart home brand is adding AI-generated video descriptions as a new benefit for subscribers. Blink Video Descriptions are text descriptions of the motion doorbells and cameras capture, and they’ll be available in beta starting December 8. Not unlike <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1;slk:Ring Video Descriptions;" href="https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/rings-ai-video-descriptions-tell-you-whos-doing-what-130048789.html">Ring Video Descriptions</a>, a feature offered on Amazon's other smart home brand, Blink's AI-generated descriptions are supposed to be a concise way to check out what's happening in and around your home. Any kind of motion can produce a video clip and a notification in the Blink app, but video descriptions should help weed out which ones are worth watching and worrying about. Blink says Video Descriptions will be supported on all existing Blink doorbells and cameras, provided you're paying to be a Blink subscriber for at least $4 a month or $40 a year. That means if you've scooped up one of the new <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1;slk:Blink 2K+, Blink Outdoor 2K+ or Blink Arc;" href="https://www.engadget.com/cameras/amazon-just-revealed-new-blink-security-cameras-including-the-outdoor-2k-144042562.html">Blink 2K+, Blink Outdoor 2K+ or Blink Arc</a> cameras, you'll be able to take advantage of the feature. Blink Video Descriptions start rolling out to subscribers today in beta, though not in Illinois, possibly due to the state's <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1;slk:Biometric Information Privacy Act;" href="https://www.aclu-il.org/en/campaigns/biometric-information-privacy-act-bipa">Biometric Information Privacy Act</a>. Correction, Dec 8, 2025, 12:03pm ET: This story originally misstated the availability date for the beta as mid November. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/blink-budget-security-cameras-will-support-ai-powered-video-descriptions-143000725.html?src=rss

Dec 8, 2025

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is cheaper than ever right now

Cyber Monday has come and gone, but you can still get a great deal on a smartwatch with the <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0FJW36Y5Q&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=1b949628-f2d3-445a-9a6f-a5034c100faa&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=Google+Pixel+Watch+4&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRkpXMzZZNVE_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMWI5NDk2MjgtZjJkMy00NDVhLTlhNmYtYTUwMzRjMTAwZmFhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2RwL0IwRkpXMzZZNVEiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAU-0CM6XUV0rZjgx1oTtMnUXootorON3Gxj2tqmWzhnb&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0FJW36Y5Q" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJW36Y5Q?th=1">Google Pixel Watch 4</a> marked down to $300 from $350. At almost 15 percent off, this is the lowest we've ever seen it. The Pixel Watch 4 was just released in October and is our smartwatch of choice for users with Pixel phones. In our <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/pixel-watch-4-review-a-well-rounded-smartwatch-with-a-surprising-advantage-170059851.html">hands-on review</a> we scored it 86 out of 100, taking note of its fast recharge time, health and fitness tracking, repairable design and gorgeous display. <core-commerce id="e7666d4f9ebc4a3683fece6872862860" data-type="product-list" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJW36Y5Q?th=1"></core-commerce> The curved display sits under a domed glass cover and sports an impressive 3,000 nits of peak brightness, well beyond the 2,000 nits max of the <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/apple-watch-series-11-review-a-reliable-wearable-for-when-it-matters-most-120016945.html">Apple Watch Series 11</a>. This makes the Pixel Watch 4 about 50 percent brighter than the previous generation, and thanks to smaller bezels the display is about 10 percent bigger. The new generation also adds dual-frequency GPS, updated processors and a custom haptic engine. It also boasts a more repairable design thanks to a case that can be easily unscrewed to replace the display or battery. We did find the gesture based raise-to-talk Gemini feature a little gimmicky, and users should note that the watch must be connected to the internet for Gemini to work. Thanks to all this, we named the Pixel Watch 4 the <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/best-smartwatches-153013118.html?guccounter=1">best smartwatch for Android users</a>. It's as good a workout companion as a daily watch and offers peace of mind with emergency SOS via satellite. If you're an Android user in the market for a smartwatch, this is one of the best deals available now. Follow <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://twitter.com/EngadgetDeals">@EngadgetDeals</a> on X for the latest <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/deals/">tech deals</a> and <a data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/best-tech/">buying advice</a>.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-google-pixel-watch-4-is-cheaper-than-ever-right-now-141715083.html?src=rss

LWN

Dec 10, 2025

The end of the kernel Rust experiment

Dec 9, 2025

The 2024 Free Software Awards winners

Dec 9, 2025

[$] Bazzite: a gem for Linux gamers

Dec 9, 2025

Firefox 146 released

Dec 9, 2025

Security updates for Tuesday

Dec 8, 2025

[$] Disagreements over post-quantum encryption for TLS

Dec 8, 2025

Addressing Linux's missing PKI infrastructure

Dec 8, 2025

Security updates for Monday

Dec 8, 2025

[$] An open seat on the TAB

Dec 7, 2025

Six stable kernels for the weekend

Dec 5, 2025

[$] Eventual Rust in CPython

Dec 5, 2025

Security updates for Friday

Dec 4, 2025

Alpine Linux 3.23.0 released

Dec 4, 2025

[$] The beginning of the 6.19 merge window

Dec 4, 2025

[$] A "frozen" dictionary for Python

Cloudflare Blog

Dec 9, 2025

Shifting left at enterprise scale: how we manage Cloudflare with Infrastructure as Code

Dec 8, 2025

Python Workers redux: fast cold starts, packages, and a uv-first workflow

Dec 5, 2025

Cloudflare outage on December 5, 2025

Dec 3, 2025

Cloudflare WAF proactively protects against React vulnerability

Dec 3, 2025

Cloudflare's 2025 Q3 DDoS threat report -- including Aisuru, the apex of botnets

Dec 1, 2025

Why Replicate is joining Cloudflare

Nov 25, 2025

Partnering with Black Forest Labs to bring FLUX.2 [dev] to Workers AI

Nov 24, 2025

Get better visibility for the WAF with payload logging

Nov 18, 2025

Cloudflare outage on November 18, 2025

Nov 17, 2025

Replicate is joining Cloudflare

Nov 13, 2025

Finding the grain of sand in a heap of Salt

Nov 12, 2025

Connecting to production: the architecture of remote bindings

Nov 10, 2025

A closer look at Python Workflows, now in beta

Nov 7, 2025

DIY BYOIP: a new way to Bring Your Own IP prefixes to Cloudflare

Nov 6, 2025

Async QUIC and HTTP/3 made easy: tokio-quiche is now open-source

Nov 6, 2025

Extract audio from your videos with Cloudflare Stream

Nov 5, 2025

How Workers VPC Services connects to your regional private networks from anywhere in the world

Nov 4, 2025

Building a better testing experience for Workflows, our durable execution engine for multi-step applications

Nov 3, 2025

Fresh insights from old data: corroborating reports of Turkmenistan IP unblocking and firewall testing

Oct 31, 2025

BGP zombies and excessive path hunting

NPR

Dec 10, 2025

1 student dead, 1 critically injured in shooting at Kentucky State University

Dec 9, 2025

Millions of borrowers in Biden's SAVE plan would start paying under new settlement

Dec 9, 2025

Rising temperatures could have a chilling impact on young children

Dec 9, 2025

Believe it or not, this book makes taxes fascinating

Dec 9, 2025

Ukraine's last eastern strongholds hang on as Russia fights to take Donbas

Dec 9, 2025

Trump to address affordability. And, the significance of Indiana's redistricting fight

Dec 9, 2025

President Trump expected to address affordability at Pennsylvania rally

Dec 9, 2025

Are we in a recession? Maybe professional Santas can tell us

Dec 9, 2025

Black bear populations are bouncing back. Here's how these Texas towns are coping

Dec 9, 2025

After NIH grant cuts, breast cancer research at Harvard slowed, and lab workers left

The Onion

Dec 9, 2025

Fabergé Egg Recovered After Being Swallowed By Thief

Dec 9, 2025

Clinic Closures Force More Rural Americans To Rely On Horse Who Stomps Twice When Patient Has Cancer

Dec 9, 2025

Man Humiliates Himself At Holiday Party By Telling Coworkers He Appreciates Them

Dec 9, 2025

Hometown Unveils Disappointing Microbrewery

Dec 9, 2025

Terry Gross Conducts ‘Fresh Air’ Interview On Bluetooth During Uber Shift

Dec 9, 2025

Japanese Monk RacksBrain For Haiku That Will KnockThem On Their Asses

Dec 9, 2025

Unfairport

Dec 8, 2025

Multiple Countries Boycott Eurovision Over Israel’s Participation

Dec 8, 2025

Plex Submits $35 Bid For Warner Bros.

Dec 8, 2025

Fact-Checking Trump On Affordability

Dec 8, 2025

Hollywood Films Increasingly Funded By Saudi Arabia

Dec 8, 2025

Oprah Pursues Dr. Phil On Ship Through Arctic

New Scientist

Dec 9, 2025

2025 was chock full of exciting discoveries in human evolution

Dec 9, 2025

The surprising longevity lessons from the world’s oldest animal

Dec 9, 2025

Pompeii building site reveals how the Romans made concrete

Dec 9, 2025

Timing cancer drug delivery around our body clock may boost survival

Dec 9, 2025

The audacious quest to light up the sky with artificial auroras

Dec 9, 2025

We’ve finally cracked how to make truly random numbers

Dec 9, 2025

2025 is the second-hottest year since records began

Dec 8, 2025

Odd elements in supernova blast might have implications for alien life

Dec 8, 2025

How worried should you be about spending too much time on your phone?

Dec 8, 2025

What the family drama of interbreeding polar and grizzly bears reveals

Dec 8, 2025

Extreme heat hampers children’s early learning

Dec 8, 2025

Too busy to meditate? Microdosing mindfulness has big health benefits

Dec 8, 2025

Are we living in a simulation? This experiment could tell us

Dec 3, 2025

Human challenge trials have never been more popular

Dec 3, 2025

How deliberately giving people illnesses is supercharging medicine

Dec 3, 2025

Why do I feel lonely even when I'm surrounded by a festive crowd?

Dec 2, 2025

Black hole entropy hints at a surprising truth about our universe

Dec 5, 2025

Quantum experiment settles a century-old row between Einstein and Bohr

Dec 1, 2025

A sinister, deadly brain protein could reveal the origins of all life

Dec 5, 2025

Comet 3I/ATLAS from beyond solar system carries key molecule for life

Dec 5, 2025

Tattooing may trigger localised damage to the immune system

Dec 3, 2025

The two standout science-fiction films of 2025

Dec 5, 2025

Hunter-gatherer groups are much less egalitarian than they seem

Dec 5, 2025

How Australian teens are planning to get around their social media ban

Nov 24, 2025

A new understanding of causality could fix quantum theory’s fatal flaw

Nov 5, 2025

What we’re learning about consciousness from master meditators’ brains

Dec 4, 2025

Incredible close-up of spider silk wins science photo prize

Dec 4, 2025

Images reveal the astonishing complexity of the microscopic world

Dec 3, 2025

The four best science documentaries of 2025

Dec 4, 2025

AI can influence voters' minds. What does that mean for democracy?

Dec 4, 2025

Why is AI making computers and games consoles more expensive?

Dec 4, 2025

Volcano eruption may have led to the Black Death coming to Europe

Nov 26, 2025

Cold-water swimming has benefits for the brain as well as the body

Dec 3, 2025

Stop treating your pet like a fur baby – you're damaging its health

Dec 3, 2025

Where did I put it? Loss of vital crypto key voids election

Dec 3, 2025

The six best science-fiction shows of 2025

Dec 4, 2025

Could the super-rich be cloning themselves? And why would they?

Dec 4, 2025

Tigers seem to be bouncing back in remote Sumatran jungle

Dec 3, 2025

Experimental vaccine prevents dangerous allergic attack for a year

Dec 3, 2025

Dogs may make us more caring and sociable by changing our microbiome

Dec 3, 2025

Planned satellite launches could ruin Hubble Space Telescope images

Dec 3, 2025

Forming moon may have taken three big impacts early in Earth’s history

Dec 2, 2025

Why quantum mechanics says the past isn’t real

Dec 2, 2025

Ancient human artefacts found near caves in Arabian desert

Dec 2, 2025

Can viral relationship tests really tell you about your relationship?

Dec 2, 2025

Asteroid Bennu carries all the ingredients for life as we know it

Dec 1, 2025

What would Russia's inability to launch crewed missions mean for ISS?

Dec 1, 2025

Coral reefs have fuelled severe global warming in Earth's past

Dec 1, 2025

We now have a greater understanding of how exercise slows cancer

Dec 1, 2025

Man unexpectedly cured of HIV after stem cell transplant

Dec 1, 2025

Cats can overcome fear of water to benefit from aquatic therapy

Nov 26, 2025

The 12 best science fiction books of 2025

Dec 1, 2025

The best new science fiction books of December 2025

Dec 1, 2025

Was a little-known culture in Bronze Age Turkey a major power?

Nov 26, 2025

COP30: The UN climate summits are no longer fit for purpose

Nov 26, 2025

The quick and easy ways to stay fit this holiday season

Nov 26, 2025

A revolutionary way to map our bodies is helping cure deadly diseases

Nov 25, 2025

The long-overlooked insects that could save our crops

Nov 28, 2025

Ancient humans took two routes to Australia 60,000 years ago

Nov 28, 2025

Why Google’s custom AI chips are shaking up the tech industry

Nov 28, 2025

Upheavals to the oral microbiome in pregnancy may be behind tooth loss

Nov 27, 2025

Origin story of domestic cats rewritten by genetic analysis

Nov 28, 2025

Africa’s forests are now emitting more CO2 than they absorb

Nov 28, 2025

Plastic can be programmed to have a lifespan of days, months or years

Nov 28, 2025

Our verdict on sci-fi novel Every Version of You: We (mostly) loved it

Nov 28, 2025

Read an extract from The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks

Nov 28, 2025

Why sci-fi novelist Iain M. Banks was an ‘astounding’ world-builder

Nov 25, 2025

'Horrific and beautiful' whale rescue image wins photography prize

Nov 28, 2025

Supermassive dark matter stars may be lurking in the early universe

Nov 27, 2025

Physicists have worked out a universal law for how objects shatter

Nov 27, 2025

Emergency response needed to prevent climate breakdown, warn experts

Nov 27, 2025

Warming and droughts led to collapse of the Indus Valley Civilisation

Nov 27, 2025

Deadly fungus makes sick frogs jump far, possibly to find mates

Nov 26, 2025

Why dark matter is still one of the biggest open problems in science

Nov 26, 2025

Why memory manipulation could be one of humanity's healthiest ideas

Nov 26, 2025

The 13 best popular science books of 2025

Nov 26, 2025

Monthly injection could replace daily steroid pills for severe asthma

Nov 26, 2025

Easter Island statues may have been built by small independent groups

Nov 26, 2025

Pandas use tools to scratch thanks to a strange evolutionary quirk

Nov 26, 2025

Ancient human foot bones shed light on how two species coexisted

Nov 25, 2025

We might have just seen the first hints of dark matter

Nov 25, 2025

Your brain undergoes four dramatic periods of change from age 0 to 90

Nov 25, 2025

We may need a fourth law of thermodynamics for living systems

Nov 25, 2025

Easily taxed grains were crucial to the birth of the first states

Nov 26, 2025

The science of swimming trunks – including tightness analysis

Nov 24, 2025

Why is climate action stalling, not ramping up as Earth gets hotter?

Nov 24, 2025

Have we found a greener way to do deep-sea mining?

Nov 24, 2025

Sperm's evolutionary origins go back before multicellular animals

Nov 24, 2025

COP30 keeps climate cooperation alive but hanging by a thread

Nov 19, 2025

How a new way of thinking about fat could transform your health

Nov 23, 2025

Extinct animals in Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age make it a must-watch

Nov 19, 2025

Is there any evidence that playing music to plants is beneficial?

Nov 19, 2025

Why quasicrystals shouldn’t exist but are turning up in strange places

Nov 19, 2025

Brian Eno and Beatie Wolfe discuss their new spacebound album, Liminal

Nov 17, 2025

The vital, overlooked role of body fat in shaping your health and mind

Nov 21, 2025

Astronomers may have glimpsed evidence of the biggest stars ever seen

Nov 21, 2025

Undersea ‘storms’ are melting the ‘doomsday’ glacier’s ice shelf

Nov 21, 2025

Ancient tracks may record stampede of turtles disturbed by earthquake

Nov 21, 2025

Quantum computers need classical computing to be truly useful

Nov 19, 2025

New Scientist recommends the Society of Wildlife Artists' annual expo

Phys

Dec 10, 2025

What your Hogwarts house reveals about your inner entrepreneur

Dec 10, 2025

The price of belonging is inconvenience. Are we still willing to pay it?

Dec 10, 2025

Fossil science owes a debt to indigenous knowledge: Lesotho missionary's notes tell the story

Dec 10, 2025

Lecture-based courses don't work for older adults, researchers warn

Dec 10, 2025

A water-energy-food nexus framework for sustainable agriculture in water-stressed regions

Dec 10, 2025

Social scientists say societal impact is the ultimate goal, finds global survey

Dec 10, 2025

Horseshoe crab fossil reveals early mass-burial event and ancient microbial attack

Dec 10, 2025

Ocean current and seabed shape influence warm water circulation under ice shelves, research reveals

Dec 10, 2025

Humans rank between meerkats and beavers in monogamy 'league table'

Dec 10, 2025

Climate extremes trigger rare coral disease and mass mortality on the Great Barrier Reef

Dec 9, 2025

Researchers say versatile grass could be used for sustainable fuel, building materials and more

Dec 9, 2025

The global plastic waste trade contributes to coastal litter in importing countries, study shows

Dec 9, 2025

Will Scotland's planned four-day week for teachers work?

Dec 9, 2025

Three things that might trigger massive ice sheet collapse

Dec 9, 2025

Magnetic liposomes reveal sugar–protein binding patterns in solution

Dec 9, 2025

'Light-bending' material that controls blue and ultraviolet light could transform advanced chipmaking

Dec 9, 2025

Fight over fossil fuels nixes key text of UN environment report

Dec 9, 2025

Environmental shifts and migration foster human cooperation, simulations suggest

Dec 9, 2025

Reclaiming control to build workforce resilience

Dec 9, 2025

Geomorphological approach evaluates Galápagos watersheds

Dec 9, 2025

Lighting strongly influences people's experience while listening to music, study suggests

Dec 9, 2025

San Antonio saw average of 7 guns per day stolen out of cars in 2024, research finds

Dec 9, 2025

Small proteins, big impact: Why SUMO proteins are crucial for plant chromosomes

Dec 9, 2025

K-DRIFT pathfinder: A compact telescope for observing faint galactic structures

Dec 9, 2025

Novel kirkovirus may be associated with colitis in horses

Dec 9, 2025

New NASA sensor goes hunting for critical minerals

Dec 9, 2025

A new way to analyze copper chelators for potential Alzheimer's therapy

Dec 9, 2025

Like living cells, oil-in-water droplets form 'arms' in response to their environment

Dec 9, 2025

Connections between coral reefs boost their health

Dec 9, 2025

Antarctica's only native insect is already eating microplastics

Quanta

Dec 8, 2025

Why Is Ice Slippery? A New Hypothesis Slides Into the Chat.

Dec 5, 2025

The Polyglot Neuroscientist Resolving How the Brain Parses Language

Dec 3, 2025

What Are Lie Groups?

Dec 1, 2025

‘Reverse Mathematics’ Illuminates Why Hard Problems Are Hard

Nov 25, 2025

Particle Physicists Detect ‘Magic’ at the Large Hadron Collider

PC Gamer

Dec 10, 2025

Steam's latest cozy game has a fascinating backstory: Not only is it a PS1 game that predates the 'cozy' era, but it's only officially available in English thanks to fan translators

Dec 10, 2025

From today, Australian teens and children under 16 can't sign-up to Twitch and 9 other social media platforms, as world-first ban takes effect

Dec 10, 2025

Arc Raiders' big winter update is coming next week, Embark teases new temperature mechanic

Dec 9, 2025

'We actually didn't attribute any value' to Warner's game studios, Netflix boss says about the acquisition deal: 'They're relatively minor compared to the grand scheme of things'

Dec 9, 2025

After Black Ops 7's weaker launch, Call of Duty will no longer do back-to-back releases in the same series

Dec 9, 2025

'Rethinking the survival genre': In this post-apocalyptic adventure, 'your body tells you what’s going on' instead of stamina and hunger meters

Dec 9, 2025

Why not: Mad wizard modder turns Red Dead Redemption 2 into Super Monkey Ball, complete with gyro controls

Dec 9, 2025

The Outer Worlds and Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey are being delisted from GOG

Dec 9, 2025

Senior Bethesda dev says the Fallout show works because Todd Howard wouldn't let the usual 'videogame directors' touch it: 'We want the best director, the best showrunner possible'

Dec 9, 2025

Battlefield 6 Winter Offensive update introduces annoying stuttering issue that's apparently fixed by turning off your Steam friends list

Dec 9, 2025

The mystery of The Game Awards statue in the desert may be solved, and I have to admit I did not see this one coming

Dec 9, 2025

Repair shop simulator ReStory will finally let me live out my dream of being an electronic tinkerer without having to destroy my own belongings first

Dec 9, 2025

I love a weird dating sim, and the trailer for bug dating simulator CatchMaker might take the cake

Dec 9, 2025

Find Your Words will challenge you to develop connections without dialogue in a bright summer camp, and yes, it looks like you can birdwatch

Dec 9, 2025

Cozy Caravan's 1.0 release is coming next month, and frankly I can't wait to continue where I left off

Dec 9, 2025

PlayStation Store accidentally confirms Leon is in Resident Evil Requiem with an early peek at new cover art

Dec 9, 2025

After accumulating more than 200,000 wishlists, a NSFW gacha game cancels its planned Steam release over a 'policy requirements' problem 'that cannot be reasonably resolved'

Dec 9, 2025

League of Legends just got WASD controls after 16 years, and you can probably guess how smoothly the rollout's going

Dec 9, 2025

Somehow the Assassin's Creed: Black Flag remake continues to leak, thanks to a PEGI rating for something called Black Flag Resynced

Dec 9, 2025

After 2 hours playing this Spore-inspired roguelike, I've evolved into the best possible animal: a giant cow that grows apples on its bottom

Dec 9, 2025

Lenovo, HP, and Dell said to have warned customers of imminent PC price hikes, so I hope you've already picked up that upgrade you had your heart set on

Dec 9, 2025

Framework calls out Dell and Apple for using the RAMpocalypse to 'gouge customers' on memory upgrade prices but the reality is more complicated

Dec 9, 2025

The US gov shut down a $160 million smuggling operation trying to get Nvidia H200 chips into China and also, err, says the GPUs won't be restricted anymore

Dec 9, 2025

Here are the top 20 most wishlisted games on Steam as we charge headfirst into 2026

Dec 9, 2025

This SIM-card-sized 2 TB SSD hits 3.5 GB/s and has full NVMe functionality, but it's arriving just in time for the memory apocalypse

Dec 9, 2025

Square Enix hit with a brutal 100-slide presentation from one of its shareholders about alleged mismanagement, other shareholders asked to pitch in with 'frank views'

Dec 9, 2025

Elden Ring Nightreign's first major DLC has sold over 2 million copies in under a week, as it manages to reignite that soul-crushing spark I had the first time I played

Dec 9, 2025

The best weapon against getting downed by another player in Arc Raiders is actually psychological warfare

Dec 9, 2025

Philips and AOC announce the 'world's first' 1,000 Hz dual-mode gaming monitors

Dec 9, 2025

How to get netherite horse armor in Minecraft

Dec 9, 2025

How to craft and use a spear in Minecraft

Dec 9, 2025

How to find and tame a Nautilus in Minecraft

Dec 9, 2025

Microsoft killed the promising Perfect Dark reboot, but Take-Two has snapped up its leads for a new 2K studio

Dec 9, 2025

Windows 3.1 included a red and yellow 'Hot Dog Stand' color scheme so garish it was long assumed to be a joke, so I tracked down Microsoft's original UI designer to get the true story

Dec 8, 2025

How to get Stone in The Forge

Dec 8, 2025

Shenmue studio threatens legal action over an apparently faked Shenmue 4 trailer, which it says 'has absolutely no connection to Ys Net'

Dec 8, 2025

The Game Awards reveals fan-voted Players' Voice nominees, and I'm sorry to say that Megabonk is once again out of the show

Dec 8, 2025

Path of Exile 2 director is on a 'quest to make the perfect action RPG' and isn't afraid to borrow from Path of Exile 1 to pull it off

Dec 8, 2025

'We're not doing a good enough job [with Portal] right now': Battlefield 6 dev says players are making 'fantastic' creations that nobody is seeing because of a 'technical issue'

Dec 8, 2025

The effort to canonize a Steam tag for the world's 'survivorslikes' and 'bullet heavens' intensifies with a public poll and celebratory sale aiming to finally settle on a name for the misfit genre

Dec 8, 2025

YouTube channel discovers a good use case for AI-powered robots: Shooting YouTubers

Dec 8, 2025

Humble Bundle is closing out 2025 by bringing back some of its most popular bundles of the year, including one with every Borderlands game ever made for just $70

Dec 8, 2025

The PC Gamer gift guide: Our favorite hardware

Dec 8, 2025

Hideo Kojima says Death Stranding was 'too unique', OD's going to be 'completely different', but Physint's an espionage game so 'you can make it in your sleep'

Dec 8, 2025

Skate Story review

Dec 8, 2025

Looks like the Run dialog box is getting a sleek new look on Windows 11

Dec 8, 2025

Paramount, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, launches hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, one day after US president Donald Trump says the Netflix deal 'could be a problem'

Dec 8, 2025

World of Warcraft players are already discovering new tech with its player housing—turns out, you can sit anywhere as long as you're able to fit a chair inside

Dec 8, 2025

Some Arc Raiders players are angry over the $5 million Expedition goal, but I think they're missing the point

Dec 8, 2025

Good news and good news: Meta is reportedly hard at work on the Quest 4 and has delayed its mixed reality glasses to 2027

IEEE Spectrum

Dec 9, 2025

Virtual Power Plants Are Finally Having Their Moment

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/exterior-of-a-house-with-multiple-roof-top-solar-panels.jpg?id=62288939&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C83%2C0%2C84"/> German utility RWE implemented the <a href="https://uplight.com/blog/what-is-virtual-power-plant/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">first known virtual power plant</a> (VPP) in 2008, aggregating nine small hydroelectric plants for a total capacity of 8.6 megawatts. In general, a VPP pulls together many small components—like rooftop solar, home batteries, and smart thermostats—into a single coordinated power system. The system responds to grid needs on demand, whether by making stored energy available or reducing energy consumption by smart devices during peak hours.VPPs <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/virtual-power-plants-real-power" target="_self">had a moment</a> in the mid-2010s, but market conditions and the technology weren’t quite aligned for them to take off. Electricity demand <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=65264" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">wasn’t high enough</a>, and existing sources—coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewables—met demand and kept prices stable. Additionally, despite the costs of hardware like solar panels and batteries falling, the software to link and manage these resources lagged behind, and there wasn’t much financial incentive for it to catch up. But times have changed, and less than a decade later, the stars are aligning in VPPs’ favor. They’re hitting a deployment inflection point, and they could play a significant role in meeting energy demand over the next 5 to 10 years in a way that’s faster, cheaper, and greener than other solutions. <h2>U.S. Electricity Demand Is Growing</h2>Electricity demand in the United States is expected to <a href="https://www.icf.com/insights/energy/electricity-demand-expected-to-grow" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">grow 25 percent</a> by 2030 due to data center buildouts, electric vehicles, manufacturing, and electrification, according to estimates from technology consultant ICF International.At the same time, a host of bottlenecks are making it hard to expand the grid. There’s a <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ai-data-centers" target="_self">backlog of at least</a> three to five years on new gas turbines. Hundreds of <a href="https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/transmission/chart-the-us-clean-energy-backlog-is-getting-bigger-and-bigger" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">gigawatts of renewables</a> are languishing in interconnection queues, where there’s also a backlog of up to five years. On the delivery side, there’s a <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/transformer-shortage" target="_self">transformer shortage</a> that could take up to five years to resolve, and a dearth of <a href="https://www.cleanenergygrid.org/new-report-reveals-u-s-transmission-buildout-lagging-far-behind-national-needs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">transmission lines</a>. This all adds up to a long, slow process to add generation and delivery capacity, and it’s not getting faster anytime soon. “Fueling electric vehicles, electric heat, and data centers solely from traditional approaches would increase rates that are already too high,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-heavner-9a63b311/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brad Heavner</a>, the executive director of the <a href="https://calssa.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">California Solar & Storage Association</a>. Enter the vast network of resources that are already active and grid-connected—and the perfect storm of factors that make now the time to scale them. <a href="https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/engineering_and_computing/faculty-staff/nasiri_adel.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Adel Nasiri</a>, a professor of electrical engineering at the University of South Carolina, says variability of loads from data centers and electric vehicles has increased, as has deployment of grid-scale batteries and storage. There are more distributed energy resources available than there were before, and the last decade has seen advances in grid management using autonomous controls.At the heart of it all, though, is the technology that stores and dispatches electricity on demand: batteries. <h2>Advances in Battery Technology</h2>Over the last 10 years, battery prices have plummeted: the average <a href="https://about.bnef.com/insights/commodities/lithium-ion-battery-pack-prices-see-largest-drop-since-2017-falling-to-115-per-kilowatt-hour-bloombergnef/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lithium-ion battery pack</a><a href="https://about.bnef.com/insights/commodities/lithium-ion-battery-pack-prices-see-largest-drop-since-2017-falling-to-115-per-kilowatt-hour-bloombergnef/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://about.bnef.com/insights/commodities/lithium-ion-battery-pack-prices-see-largest-drop-since-2017-falling-to-115-per-kilowatt-hour-bloombergnef/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> price</a> fell from US $715 per kilowatt-hour in 2014 to $115 per kWh in 2024. Their <a href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/articles/fotw-1234-april-18-2022-volumetric-energy-density-lithium-ion-batteries" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">energy density</a> has simultaneously increased thanks to a combination of materials advancements, design optimization of battery cells, and improvements in the packaging of battery systems, says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-gross-b4a86714/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oliver Gross</a>, a senior fellow in energy storage and electrification at automaker Stellantis.The biggest improvements have come in batteries’ cathodes and electrolytes, with nickel-based cathodes starting to be used about a decade ago. “In many ways, the cathode limits the capacity of the battery, so by unlocking higher capacity cathode materials, we have been able to take advantage of the intrinsic higher capacity of anode materials,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregless/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Greg Less</a>, the director of the University of Michigan’s Battery Lab.Increasing the percentage of nickel in the cathode (relative to other metals) increases energy density because nickel can hold more lithium per gram than materials like cobalt or manganese, exchanging more electrons and participating more fully in the redox reactions that move lithium in and out of the battery. The same goes for silicon, which has become more common in anodes. However, there’s a trade-off: These materials cause more structural instability during the battery’s cycling.The anode and cathode are surrounded by a liquid electrolyte. The electrolyte has to be electrically and chemically stable when exposed to the anode and cathode in order to avoid safety hazards like thermal runaway or fires and rapid degradation. “The real revolution has been the breakthroughs in chemistry to make the electrolyte stable against more reactive cathode materials to get the energy density up,” says Gross. Chemical compound additives—many of them based on sulfur and boron chemistry—for the electrolyte help create stable layers between it and the anode and cathode materials. “They form these protective layers very early in the manufacturing process so that the cell stays stable throughout its life.”These advances have primarily been made on electric vehicle batteries, which differ from grid-scale batteries in that EVs are often parked or idle, while grid batteries are constantly connected and need to be ready to transfer energy. However, Gross says, “the same approaches that got our energy density higher in EVs can also be applied to optimizing grid storage. The materials might be a little different, but the methodologies are the same.” The most popular cathode material for grid storage batteries at the moment is lithium iron phosphate, or LFP.Thanks to these technical gains and dropping costs, a domino effect has been set in motion: The more batteries deployed, the cheaper they become, which fuels more deployment and creates positive feedback loops.Regions that have experienced frequent blackouts—like parts of <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/18/texas-energy-grid-power-outages-climate-change-infrastructure/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Texas</a>, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-11-06/edison-blacks-out-more-customers-to-stop-utility-sparked-fires" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">California</a>, and <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/puerto-rico-earthquake-power-outages-prepa-news" target="_self">Puerto Rico</a>—are a prime market for home batteries. Texas-based <a href="https://www.basepowercompany.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Base Power</a>, which raised $1 billion in Series C funding in October, installs batteries at customers’ homes and becomes their retail power provider, charging the batteries when excess wind or solar production makes prices cheap, and then selling that energy back to the grid when demand spikes.There is, however, still room for improvement. For wider adoption, says Nasiri, “the installed battery cost needs to get under $100 per kWh for large VPP deployments.”<h2>Improvements in VPP Software</h2>The software infrastructure that once limited VPPs to pilot projects has matured into a robust digital backbone, making it feasible to operate VPPs at grid scale. Advances in AI are key: Many VPPs now use machine learning algorithms to predict load flexibility, solar and battery output, customer behavior, and grid stress events. This improves the dependability of a VPP’s capacity, which was historically a major concern for grid operators. <img alt="Close-up of a roof-top solar panel." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="911de5e73703fce63c31e1a227ac916b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="b3240" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/close-up-of-a-roof-top-solar-panel.jpg?id=62288941&width=980"/> While solar panels have advanced, VPPs have been held back by a lack of similar advancement in the needed software until recently.SunrunCybersecurity and interoperability standards are still evolving. Interconnection processes and data visibility in many areas aren’t consistent, making it hard to monitor and coordinate distributed resources effectively. In short, while the technology and economics for VPPs are firmly in place, there’s work yet to be done aligning regulation, infrastructure, and market design.On top of technical and cost constraints, VPPs have long been held back by regulations that prevented them from participating in energy markets like traditional generators. SolarEdge recently <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251029315871/en/SolarEdge-Surpasses-500-MWh-of-Storage-in-Virtual-Power-Plants-Across-16-U.S.-States-Canada-and-Puerto-Rico" target="_blank">announced</a> enrollment of more than 500 megawatt-hours of residential battery storage in its VPP programs. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarasinensky/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tamara Sinensky</a>, the company’s senior manager of grid services, says the biggest hurdle to achieving this milestone wasn’t technical—it was regulatory program design.California’s Demand Side Grid Support (<a href="https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/demand-side-grid-support-program" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DSGS</a>) program, launched in mid-2022, pays homes, businesses, and VPPs to reduce electricity use or discharge energy during grid emergencies. “We’ve seen a massive increase in our VPP enrollments primarily driven by the DSGS program,” says Sinensky. Similarly, Sunrun’s Northern California VPP delivered 535 megawatts of power from home-based batteries to the grid in July, and saw a <a href="https://www.utilitydive.com/news/sunrun-sees-400-growth-in-virtual-power-plant-participation/805169/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">400 percent increase</a> in VPP participation from last year.<a href="https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-order-no-2222-explainer-facilitating-participation-electricity-markets-distributed-energy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FERC Order 2222</a>, issued in 2020, requires regional grid operators to allow VPPs to sell power, reduce load, or provide grid services directly to wholesale market operators, and get paid the same market price as a traditional power plant for those services. However, many states and grid regions don’t yet have a process in place to comply with the FERC order. And because utilities profit from grid expansion and not VPP deployment, they’re not incentivized to integrate VPPs into their operations. Utilities “view customer batteries as competition,” says Heavner.According to Nasiri, VPPs would have a meaningful impact on the grid if they achieve a penetration of 2 percent of the market’s peak power. “Larger penetration of up to 5 percent for up to 4 hours is required to have a meaningful capacity impact for grid planning and operation,” he says.In other words, VPP operators have their work cut out for them in continuing to unlock the flexible capacity in homes, businesses, and EVs. Additional technical and policy advances could move VPPs from a niche reliability tool to a key power source and grid stabilizer for the energy tumult ahead.<a href="#_msocom_2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"></a>

Dec 9, 2025

Why the Most “Accurate” Glucose Monitors Are Failing Some Users

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/illustration-of-an-arm-with-a-glucose-monitor-against-a-glitchy-line-graph-of-blood-sugar-data.jpg?id=62295175&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=62%2C0%2C63%2C0"/> When Dan Heller received his first batch of Dexcom’s latest <a data-linked-post="2650277674" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/why-noviosenses-ineye-glucose-monitor-might-work-better-than-googles" target="_blank">continuous glucose monitors</a> in early 2023, he decided to run a small experiment: He wore the new biosensor and the previous generation at the same time to see how they compared in measuring his glucose levels. The new, seventh-generation model (aptly called the G7) made by San Diego-based healthcare company <a href="https://www.dexcom.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dexcom</a> had just begun shipping in the United States. Dexcom claimed the G7 to be the <a href="https://investors.dexcom.com/news/news-details/2022/Dexcom-G7-Receives-FDA-Clearance-The-Most-Accurate-Continuous-Glucose-Monitoring-System-Cleared-in-the-U.S/default.aspx" target="_blank">“most accurate sensor”</a> available to the thousands of people with Type 1 diabetes who use continuous glucose monitors to help manage their blood sugars. But Heller found that its real-world performance wasn’t up to par. In a September 2023 post on his Substack, which is dedicated to covering Type 1 diabetes research and management, he <a href="https://open.substack.com/pub/danheller/p/the-dexcom-g7-vs-g6-which-is-better?r=1q2796&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">wrote about the experience</a> and predicted an increase in adverse events with the G7, drawing on his past experience leading tech and biotech companies. In the two years since Heller’s experiment, many other users have reported issues with the device. Some complaints regard failed connection and deployment issues, which Dexcom claims to have <a href="https://www.medtechdive.com/news/dexcom-execs-fixed-g7-quality-problems/804383/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">now addressed</a>. More concerning are reports of erratic, inaccurate readings. A <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1539517486772872" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">public Facebook group</a> dedicated to sharing negative experiences with the G7 has grown to thousands of users, and several class action <a href="https://rosenlegal.com/case/dexcom-inc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lawsuits</a> have been filed against the company, alleging <a href="https://wilshirelawfirm.com/dexcom-class-action-lawsuit/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">false advertising</a> and <a href="https://cowperlaw.com/cowper-law-llp-dicello-levitt-file-class-action-against-dexcom-over-misleading-claims-about-g7-cgm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">misleading claims</a> about device accuracy. Yet, based on a standard metric in the industry, the G7 is one of the most accurate glucose sensors available. “Accuracy in the performance of our device is our number one priority. We understand this is a lifesaving device for people with Type 1 diabetes,” <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-c-simpson-533a083/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Peter Simpson</a>, Dexcom’s senior vice president of innovation and sensor technology, told IEEE Spectrum. Simpson acknowledged some variability in individual sensors, but stood by the accuracy of the devices.So why have users faced issues? In part, metrics used in marketing can be misleading compared to real world performance. Differences in study design, combined with complex biological realities, mean that the accuracy of these biosensors can’t be boiled down to one number—and users are learning this the hard way. <h2>Dexcom’s Glucose Monitors</h2>Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) typically consist of a small filament inserted under the skin, a transmitter, and a receiver. The filament is coated with an enzyme that generates an electrical signal when it reacts with glucose in the fluid surrounding the body’s cells. That signal is then converted to a digital signal and processed to generate glucose readings every few minutes. Each sensor lasts a week or two before needing to be replaced. The technology has come a long way in recent years. In the 2010s, these devices required blood glucose calibrations twice a day and still weren’t reliable enough to dose insulin based on the readings. Now, some insulin pumps use the near-real-time data to <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/artificial-pancreas-could-conquer-diabetes" target="_blank">automatically make adjustments</a>. With those improvements has come greater trust in the data users receive—and higher standards. A faulty reading could result in a dangerous dose of insulin. The G7 introduced several changes to Dexcom’s earlier designs, including a much smaller footprint, and updated the algorithm used to translate sensor signals into glucose readings for better accuracy, Simpson says. “From a performance perspective, we did demonstrate in a clinical trial that the G7 is significantly more accurate than the G6,” he says. So Heller and others were surprised when the new Dexcom sensor seemed to be performing worse. For some batches of sensors, it’s possible that the issue was in part due to an unvalidated change in a component used in a resistive layer of the sensors. The new component showed worse performance, according to a <a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/dexcom-inc-700835-03042025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">warning letter</a> issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March 2025, following an audit of two U.S. manufacturing sites. The material has since been removed from all G7 sensors, Simpson says, and the company is continuing to work with the FDA to address concerns. (“The warning letter does not restrict Dexcom’s ability to produce, market, manufacture or distribute products, require recall of any products, nor restrict our ability to seek clearance of new products,” Dexcom added in a statement.)“There is a distribution of accuracies that have to do with people’s physiology and also the devices themselves. Even in our clinical studies, we saw some that were really precise and some that had a little bit of inaccuracy to them,” says Simpson. “But in general, our sensor is very accurate.”In late November Abbott—one of Dexcom’s main competitors—<a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-recalls-and-early-alerts/early-alert-glucose-monitor-sensor-issue-abbott-diabetes-care" target="_blank">recalled some of its CGMs</a> due to inaccurate low glucose readings. The recall affects approximately 3 million sensors and was caused by an issue with one of Abbott’s production lines. The discrepancy between reported accuracy and user experience, however, goes beyond any one company’s manufacturing missteps. <h2>Does MARD Matter? </h2>The accuracy of CGM systems is frequently measured via “mean absolute relative difference,” or MARD, a percentage that compares the sensor readings to laboratory blood glucose measurements. The lower the MARD, the more accurate the sensor. This number is often used in advertising and marketing, and it has a historical relevance, says <a href="https://de.linkedin.com/in/manueich/de" target="_blank">Manuel Eichenlaub</a>, a biomedical engineer at the <a href="https://www.ifdt-ulm.de/en/" target="_blank">Institute for Diabetes Technology Ulm</a> in Germany, where he and his colleagues conduct independent CGM performance studies. For years, there was <a href="https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/dia.2023.0435" target="_blank">a general belief</a> that a MARD under 10 percent meant a system would be accurate enough to be used for insulin dosing. In 2018, the FDA established a specific set of accuracy <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-862/subpart-B/section-862.1355" target="_blank">requirements</a> beyond MARD for insulin-guiding glucose monitors, including Dexcom’s. But manufacturers design the clinical trials that determine accuracy metrics, and the way studies are designed can make a big difference. <img alt="Graph comparing readings from two glucose monitors from 12 AM to 2:24 PM. Blue dots represent the Dexcom G6 and red dots represent the G7. " class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3f5fb17a1310204cdfe93cec4ab6ae6d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="62791" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/graph-comparing-readings-from-two-glucose-monitors-from-12-am-to-2-24-pm-blue-dots-represent-the-dexcom-g6-and-red-dots-represe.jpg?id=62299343&width=980"/> When Dan Heller wore the Dexcom G6 and G7 at the same time, he says he noticed the G7 readings were more erratic, making it more difficult to properly control his blood sugar. Dan Heller For instance, blood glucose levels serve as the “ground truth to compare the CGM values against,” says Eichenlaub. But glucose levels vary across blood compartments in the body; blood collected from capillaries with a finger prick fluctuates more and can have glucose levels around 5 to 10 percent higher than venous blood. (Dexcom tests against a gold-standard venous blood analyzer. When users see inaccuracies against home meters that use capillary blood, it could in part be a reflection of the meter’s own inaccuracy, Simpson says, though he acknowledges real inaccuracies in CGMs as well.)Additionally, the distribution of sampling isn’t standardized. CGMs are known to be less accurate at the beginning and end of use, or when glucose levels are out of range or changing quickly. That means measured accuracy could be skewed by taking fewer samples right after a meal or late in the CGM’s lifetime. According to Simpson, Dexcom’s trial protocol meets the FDA’s expectation and tests the devices in different blood sugar ranges across the life of the sensor. “Within these clinical trials, we do stress the sensors to try and simulate those real world conditions,” he says. Dexcom and other companies advertise a MARD around 8 percent. But some independent studies are more demanding and find higher numbers; a <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19322968251315459" target="_blank">head-to-head study of three popular CGMs</a> that Eichenlaub led found MARD values closer to 10 percent or higher.Eichenlaub and other CGM experts believe that more standardization of testing and an extension of the FDA requirements are necessary, so they <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009898125006072" target="_blank">recently proposed comprehensive guidelines</a> on CGM performance testing. In the United States and Europe, a few manufacturers currently dominate the market. But newer players are entering the growing market and, especially in Europe, may not meet the same standards as legacy manufacturers, he says. “Having a standardized way of evaluating the performance of those systems is very important.”For users like Heller though, better accuracy only matters if it yields better diabetes management. “I don’t care about MARD. I want data that is reliably actionable,” Heller says. He encourages engineers working on these devices to think like the patient. “At some point, there’s quantitative data, but you need qualitative data.”

Dec 8, 2025

Amazon’s “Catalog AI” Product Platform Helps You Shop Smarter

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/smiling-portrait-of-abhishek-agrawal.jpg?id=62288075&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C71%2C0%2C72"/> If you’ve shopped on <a href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/about-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amazon</a> in the past few months, you might have noticed it has gotten easier to find what you’re looking for. Listings now have more images, detailed product names, and better descriptions. The website’s predictive search feature uses the listing updates to anticipate needs and suggests a list of items in real time as you type in the search bar.The improved shopping experience is thanks to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/agrawalabhishekaa/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Abhishek Agrawal</a> and his <a href="https://www.carbon6.io/blog/amazon-project-starfish-fba-prep-seller-updates-2025-08-01/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Catalog AI</a> system. Launched in July, the tool collects information from across the Internet about products being sold on Amazon and, based on the data, updates listings to make them more detailed and organized.<h3>Abhishek Agrawal</h3> EmployerAmazon Web Services in SeattleJob titleEngineering leaderMember grade Senior memberAlma maters University of Allahabad in India and the Indian Statistical Institute in KolkataAgrawal is an engineering leader at <a href="https://aws.amazon.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amazon Web Services</a> in Seattle. An expert in AI and machine learning, the IEEE senior member worked on Microsoft’s <a href="https://www.bing.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bing</a> search engine before moving to Amazon. He also developed several features for <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Microsoft Teams</a>, the company’s direct messaging platform.“I’ve been working in AI for more than 20 years now,” he says. ”Seeing how much we can do with technology still amazes me.”He shares his expertise and passion for the technology as an active member and volunteer at the <a href="https://ieee-seattle.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Seattle Section</a>. He organizes and hosts career development workshops that teach people to create an AI agent, which can perform tasks autonomously with minimal human oversight.<h2>An AI career inspired by a computer</h2>Agrawal was born and raised in Chirgaon, a remote village in Uttar Pradesh, India. When he was growing up, no one in Chirgaon had a computer. His family owned a pharmacy, which Agrawal was expected to join after he graduated from high school. Instead, his uncle and older brother encouraged him to attend college and find his own passion.He enjoyed mathematics and physics, and he decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in statistics at the <a href="https://www.allduniv.ac.in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">University of Allahabad</a>. After graduating in 1996, he pursued a master’s degree in statistics, statistical quality control, and operations research at the <a href="https://www.isical.ac.in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Indian Statistical Institute</a> in Kolkata.While at the ISI, he saw a computer for the first time in the laboratory of <a href="https://www.isical.ac.in/~nikhil/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nikhil R. Pal</a>, an electronics and communication sciences professor. Pal worked on identifying abnormal clumps of cells in mammogram images using the<a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/413225/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> fuzzy c-means model</a>, a data-clustering technique employing a machine learning algorithm.Agrawal earned his master’s degree in 1998. He was so inspired by Pal’s work, he says, that he stayed on at the university to earn a second master’s degree, in computer science.After graduating in 2001, he joined <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novell" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Novell</a> as a senior software engineer working out of its Bengaluru office in India. He helped develop <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IFolder" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">iFolder</a>, a storage platform that allows users across different computers to back up, access, and manage their files.After four years, Agrawal left Novell to join Microsoft as a software design engineer, working at the company’s <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/msidc/hyderabad-campus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hyderabad campus</a> in India. He was part of a team developing a system to upgrade Microsoft’s software from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">XP</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vista</a>.Two years later, he was transferred to the group developing Bing, a replacement for Microsoft’s Live Search, which had been launched in 2006.<h2>Improving Microsoft’s search engine</h2>Live Search had a traffic rate of less than 2 percent and struggled to keep up with <a href="https://www.google.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google</a>’s faster-paced, more user-friendly system, Agrawal says. He was tasked with improving search results but, Agrawal says, he and his team didn’t have enough user search data to train their machine learning model.Data for location-specific queries, such as nearby coffee shops or restaurants, was especially important, he says.To overcome those challenges, the team used deterministic algorithms to create a more structured search. Such algorithms give the same answers for any query that uses the same specific terms. The process gets results by taking keywords—such as locations, dates, and prices—and finding them on webpages. To help the search engine understand what users need, Agrawal developed a query clarifier that asked them to refine their search. The machine learning tool then ranked the results from most to least relevant.To test new features before they were launched, Agrawal and his team built an online A/B experimentation platform. Controlled tests were completed on different versions of the products, and the platform ran performance and user engagement metrics, then it produced a scorecard to show changes for updated features.Bing launched in 2009 and is now the world’s second-largest search engine, according to<a href="https://blackraven.digital/the-rise-of-bing-and-how-it-differs-from-google/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Black Raven</a>.Throughout his 10 years of working on the system, Agrawal upgraded it. He also worked with the advertising department to improve Microsoft’s services on Bing. Ads relevant to a person’s search are listed among the search results.“The work seems easy,” Agrawal says, “but behind every search engine are hundreds of engineers powering ads, query formulations, rankings, relevance, and location detection.”<h2>Testing products before launch </h2>Agrawal was promoted to software development manager in 2010. Five years later he was transferred to Microsoft’s Seattle offices. At the time, the company was deploying new features for existing platforms without first testing them to ensure effectiveness. Instead, they measured their performance after release, Agrawal says, and that was wreaking havoc.He proposed using his online A/B experimentation platform on all Microsoft products, not just Bing. His supervisor approved the idea. In six months Agrawal and his team modified the tool for company-wide use. Thanks to the platform, he says, Microsoft was able to smoothly deploy up-to-date products to users.After another two years, he was promoted to principal engineering manager of Microsoft Teams, which was facing issues with user experience, he says.“Many employees received between 50 and 100 messages a day—which became overwhelming for them,” Agrawal says. To lessen the stress, he led a team that developed the system’s first machine learning feature: Trending. It prioritized the five most important messages users should focus on. Agrawal also led the launch of incorporating emoji reactions, screen sharing, and video calls for Teams.In 2020 he was ready for new experiences, he says, and he left Microsoft to join Amazon as an engineering leader.<h2>Improved Amazon shopping</h2>Agrawal led an Amazon team that manually collected information about products from the company’s retail catalog to create a glossary. The data, which included product dimensions, color, and manufacturer, was used to standardize the language found in product descriptions to keep listings more consistent.That is especially important when it comes to third-party sellers, he notes. Sellers listing a product had been entering as much or as little information as they wanted. Agrawal built a system that automatically suggests language from the glossary as the seller types.He also developed an AI algorithm that utilizes the glossary’s terminology to refine search results based on what a user types into the search bar. When a shopper types “red mixer,” for example, the algorithm lists products under the search bar that match the description. The shopper can then click on a product from the list.In 2023 the retailer’s catalog became too large for Agrawal and his team to collect information manually, so they built an AI tool to do it for them. It became the foundation for Amazon’s Catalog AI system.After gathering information about products from around the Web, Catalog AI uses large language models to update Amazon listings with missing information, correct errors, and rewrite titles and product specifications to make them clearer for the customer, Agrawal says.The company expects the AI tool to increase sales this year by US $7.5 billion, according to a <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/tech/amazons-ai-wants-own-online-shopping-data" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fox News report</a> in July.<h2>Finding purpose at IEEE</h2>Since Agrawal joined IEEE last December, he has been elevated to senior member and has become an active volunteer.“Being part of IEEE has opened doors for collaboration, mentorship, and professional growth,” he says. “IEEE has strengthened both my technical knowledge and my leadership skills, helping me progress in my career.”Agrawal is the social media chair of the IEEE Seattle Section. He is also vice chair of the <a href="https://cis.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Computational Intelligence Society</a>.He was a workshop cochair for the <a href="https://attend.ieee.org/neweraai25/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE New Era AI World Leaders Summit</a>, which was held from 5 to 7 December in Seattle. The event brought together government and industry leaders, as well as researchers and innovators working on AI, intelligent devices, <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ukraine-weapons" target="_self">unmanned aerial vehicles</a>, and similar technologies. They explored how new tools could be used in cybersecurity, the medical field, and national disaster rescue missions.Agrawal says he stays up to date on cutting-edge technologies by peer-reviewing 15 IEEE journals.“The organization plays a very important role in bringing authenticity to anything that it does,” he says. “If a journal article has the IEEE logo, you can believe that it was <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-research-integrity-process" target="_self">thoroughly and diligently reviewed</a>.”

Dec 8, 2025

Privacy Concerns Lead Seniors to Unplug Vital Health Devices

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/person-next-to-healthcare-device-looking-at-phone.jpg?id=62288369&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=62%2C0%2C63%2C0"/> I was interviewing a 72-year-old retired accountant who had unplugged his <a data-linked-post="2650272654" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/monitor-diabetes-from-your-smart-watch" target="_blank">smart glucose monitor</a>. He explained that he “didn’t know who was looking” at his blood sugar data.This wasn’t a man unfamiliar with technology—he had successfully used computers for decades in his career. He was of sound mind. But when it came to his health device, he couldn’t find clear answers about where his data went, who could access it, or how to control it. The instructions were dense, and the <a data-linked-post="2650254931" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/protecting-online-privacy" target="_blank">privacy settings</a> were buried in multiple menus. So, he made what seemed like the safest choice: he unplugged it. That decision meant giving up real-time glucose monitoring that his doctor had recommended.The healthcare IoT (Internet of Things) market is <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/iot-healthcare-market-worth-289-140000086.html" target="_blank">projected</a> to exceed $289 billion by 2028, with older adults representing a major share of users. These devices are fall detectors, medication reminders, glucose monitors, heart rate trackers, and others that enable independent living. Yet there’s a widening gap between deployment and adoption. According to an <a href="https://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/companies-address-online-privacy-concerns/" target="_blank">AARP survey</a>, 34% of adults over 50 list privacy as a primary barrier to adopting health technology. That represents millions of people who could benefit from monitoring tools but avoid them because they don’t feel safe.In my study at the University of Denver’s Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science, I surveyed 22 older adults and conducted in-depth interviews with nine participants who use health-monitoring devices. The findings revealed a critical engineering failure: 82% understood security concepts like <a data-linked-post="2673796623" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/two-factor-authentication-sandia-labs" target="_blank">two-factor authentication</a> and <a data-linked-post="2666495720" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/homomorphic-encryption" target="_blank">encryption</a>, yet only 14% felt confident managing their privacy when using these devices. In my research, I also evaluated 28 healthcare apps designed for older adults and found that 79% lacked basic breach-notification protocols.One participant told me, “I know there’s encryption, but I don’t know if it’s really enough to protect my data.” Another said, “The thought of my health data getting into the wrong hands is very concerning. I’m particularly worried about identity theft or my information being used for scams.”This is not a user knowledge problem; it’s an engineering problem. We’ve built systems that demand technical expertise to operate safely, then handed them to people managing complex health needs while navigating age-related changes in vision, cognition, and dexterity.<h2>Measuring the Gap</h2>To quantify the issues with privacy setting transparency, I developed the Privacy Risk Assessment Framework (PRAF), a tool that scores healthcare apps across five critical domains.First, the regulatory compliance domain evaluates whether apps explicitly state adherence to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), or other data protection standards. Just claiming to be compliant is not enough—they must provide verifiable evidence.Second, the security mechanisms domain assesses the implementation of encryption, access controls, and, most critically, breach-notification protocols that alert users when their data may have been compromised. Third, in the usability and accessibility domain, the tool examines whether privacy interfaces are readable and navigable for people with age-related visual or cognitive changes. Fourth, data-minimization practices evaluate whether apps collect only necessary information and clearly specify retention periods. Finally, third-party sharing transparency measures whether users can easily understand who has access to their data and why.When I applied PRAF to 28 healthcare apps commonly used by older adults, the results revealed systemic gaps. Only 25% explicitly stated HIPAA compliance, and just 18% mentioned GDPR compliance. Most alarmingly, 79% lacked breach notification protocols, which means that the users may never find out if their data was compromised. The average privacy policy readability scored at a 12th-grade level, even though <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16541986/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">research shows</a> that the average reading level of older adults is at an 8th grade level. Not a single app included accessibility accommodations in their privacy interfaces.Consider what happens when an older adult opens a typical health app. They face a multi-page privacy policy full of legal terminology about “data controllers” and “processing purposes,” followed by settings scattered across multiple menus. One participant told me, “The instructions are hard to understand, the print is too small, and it’s overwhelming.” Another explained, “I don’t feel adequately informed about how my data is collected, stored, and shared. It seems like most of these companies are after profit, and they don’t make it easy for users to understand what’s happening with their data.”When protection requires a manual people can’t read, two outcomes follow: they either skip security altogether leaving themselves vulnerable, or abandon the technology entirely, forfeiting its health benefits.<h2>Engineering for privacy</h2>We need to treat trust as an engineering specification, not a marketing promise. Based on my research findings and the specific barriers older adults face, three approaches address the root causes of distrust.The first approach is adaptive security defaults. Rather than requiring users to navigate complex configuration menus, devices should ship with pre-configured best practices that automatically adjust to data sensitivity and device type. A fall detection system doesn’t need the same settings as a continuous glucose monitor. This approach draws from the principle of “security by default” in systems engineering.Biometric or voice authentication can replace passwords that are easily forgotten or written down. The key is removing the burden of expertise while maintaining strong protection. As one participant put it: “Simplified security settings, better educational resources, and more intuitive user interfaces will be beneficial.”The second approach is real-time transparency. Users shouldn’t have to dig through settings to see where their data goes. Instead, notification systems should show each data access or sharing event in plain language. For example: “Your doctor accessed your heart-rate data at 2 p.m. to review for your upcoming appointment.” A single dashboard should summarize who has access and why.This addresses a concern that came up repeatedly in my interviews: users want to know who is seeing their data and why. The engineering challenge here isn’t technical complexity, it’s designing interfaces that convey technical realities in language anyone can understand. Such systems already exist in other domains; banking apps, for instance, send immediate notifications for every transaction. The same principle applies to health data, where the stakes are arguably higher.The third approach is invisible security updates. Manual patching creates vulnerability windows. Automatic, seamless updates should be standard for any device handling health data, paired with a simple status indicator so users can confirm protection at a glance. As one participant said, “The biggest issue that we as seniors have is the fact that we don’t remember our passwords... The new technology is surpassing the ability of seniors to keep up with it.” Automating updates removes a significant source of anxiety and risk.<h2>What’s at Stake</h2>We can keep building healthcare IoT the way we have: fast, feature-rich, and fundamentally untrustworthy. Or, we can engineer systems that are transparent, secure, and usable by design. Trust isn’t something you market through slogans or legal disclaimers. It’s something you engineer, line by line, into the code itself. For older adults relying on technology to maintain independence, that kind of engineering matters more than any new feature we could add. Every unplugged glucose monitor, every abandoned fall detector, every health app deleted out of confusion or fear represents not just a lost sale but a missed opportunity to support someone’s health and autonomy.The challenge of privacy in healthcare IoT goes beyond fixing existing systems, it requires reimagining how we communicate privacy itself. My ongoing research builds on these findings through an AI-driven Data Helper, a system that uses large language models to translate dense legal privacy policies into short, accurate, and accessible summaries for older adults. By making data practices transparent and comprehension measurable, this approach aims to turn compliance into understanding and trust, thus advancing the next generation of trustworthy digital health systems.

Dec 5, 2025

Entrepreneurship Program Brings Incubator Ideas to More Countries

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/susan-lau-natasha-main-ryan-ramkhelawan-and-julia-proto-posing-in-front-of-several-international-flags.jpg?id=62282024&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C83%2C0%2C84"/> Technology evolves rapidly, and innovation is key to business survival, so mentoring young professionals, <a data-linked-post="2660284236" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/lwanga-herbert-qa" target="_blank">promoting entrepreneurship</a>, and connecting tech startups to a global network of experts and resources are essential.Some IEEE volunteers do all of the above and more as part of the <a href="https://entrepreneurship.ieee.org/latin-america-region-team-ambassador-program/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Entrepreneurship Ambassador Program</a>.The program was launched in 2018 in <a href="https://ieeer8.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Region 8</a> (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) thanks to a grant from the <a href="https://secure.ieeefoundation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Foundation</a>. The ambassadors organize networking events with industry representatives to help IEEE young professionals and student members achieve their entrepreneurial endeavors and strengthen their technical, interpersonal, and business skills. The ambassadors also organize pitch competitions in their geographic area.The ambassador program launched this year in <a href="https://www.ieeer10.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Region 10</a> (Asia Pacific).Last year the program was introduced in <a href="https://r9.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Region 9</a> (Latin America) with funding from the <a href="https://www.ieeefoundation.org/impact/illuminate/taenzer-memorial-fund/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Taenzer Memorial Fund</a>. The results of the program’s inaugural year were impressive: 13 ambassadors organized events in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay.“The program is beneficial because it connects entrepreneurs with industry professionals, fosters mentorship, helps young professionals <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/thinking-like-an-entrepreneur" target="_blank">build leadership skills</a>, and creates opportunities for startup sponsorships,” says <a href="https://wie.ieee.org/susana-lau/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Susana Lau</a>, vice chair of <a href="https://entrepreneurship.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Entrepreneurship</a> in Latin America. “The program has also proven successful in attracting IEEE volunteers to serve as ambassadors and helping to support entrepreneurship and startup ventures.”Lau, an IEEE senior member, is a past president of the <a href="https://r9.ieee.org/panama/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Panama Section</a> and an active <a href="https://wie.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Women in Engineering</a> volunteer.<h2>A professional development opportunity</h2>People who participated in the Region 9 program say the experience was life-changing, both personally and professionally.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ieeeENT/posts/2024-best-ambassador-award-winner-pedro-jos%C3%A9-pineda-fern%C3%A1ndez-de-c%C3%B3rdova-is-reco/1089241469909019/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pedro José Pineda</a>, whose work was recognized with one of the region’s two Top Ambassador Awards, says he’s been able to “expand international collaborations and strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Latin America.“It’s more than an award,” the IEEE member says. “It’s an opportunity to create global impact from local action.”“This remarkable experience has opened new doors for my future career within IEEE, both nationally and globally.”—Vitor PaivaThe region’s other Top Ambassador recipient was <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitor-paiva-medeiros-da-cunha-466724223/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vitor Paiva</a> of Natal, Brazil. He had the opportunity to attend this year’s <a href="https://ieee-risingstars.org/2026/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Rising Stars</a> in Las Vegas—his first international experience outside Brazil.After participating in the program, the IEEE student member volunteered with its regional marketing committee.“I was proud to showcase Brazil’s IEEE community while connecting with some of IEEE’s most influential leaders,” Paiva, a student at the <a href="https://www.ufrn.br/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte</a>, says. “This remarkable experience has opened new doors for my future career within IEEE, both nationally and globally.”<h2>Expanding the initiative</h2>The IEEE Foundation says it will invest in the regional programs by funding the grants presented to the winners of the regional pitch competitions, similar to the funding for Region 9. The goal is to hold a worldwide competition, Lau says.The ongoing expansion is a testament to the program’s efforts, says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophergwright" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Christopher G. Wright</a>, senior manager of programs and governance at the IEEE Foundation.“I’ve had the pleasure of working on the grants for the IEEE Entrepreneurship Ambassador Program team over the years,” Wright says, “and I am continually impressed by the team’s dedication and the program’s evolution.”To learn more about the program in your region or to apply to become an ambassador, visit the <a href="https://entrepreneurship.ieee.org/latin-america-region-team-ambassador-program/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Entrepreneurship website</a> and search for your region.

Dec 5, 2025

Video Friday: Biorobotics Turns Lobster Tails Into Gripper

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/robotic-gripper-with-feather-like-fingers-delicately-holds-a-brown-mushroom-on-a-black-background.jpg?id=62284894&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=154%2C0%2C155%2C0"/> Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of upcoming robotics events for the next few months. Please <a href="mailto:automaton@ieee.org?subject=Robotics%20event%20suggestion%20for%20Video%20Friday">send us your events</a> for inclusion.<h5><a href="https://2026.ieee-icra.org/">ICRA 2026</a>: 1–5 June 2026, VIENNA</h5>Enjoy today’s videos!<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><div style="page-break-after: always"> </div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="wmlz2khwjrs">EPFL scientists have integrated discarded crustacean shells into robotic devices, leveraging the strength and flexibility of natural materials for robotic applications.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wmLz2khwJrs?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://news.epfl.ch/news/bio-hybrid-robots-turn-food-waste-into-functiona-2/">EPFL</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>Finally, a good <a data-linked-post="2666662286" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/humanoid-robots" target="_blank">humanoid robot</a> demo!<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rRCXeCIFJ0U?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>Although having said that, I never trust videos demos where it works really well once, and then just pretty well every other time.[ <a href="https://www.limxdynamics.com/en/oli">LimX Dynamics</a> ]Thanks, Jinyan!<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>I understand how these structures work, I really do. But watching something rigid extrude itself from a flexible reel will always seem a little magical.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FysgitFVVBs?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1107385">AAAS</a> ]Thanks, Kyujin!<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>I’m not sure what “industrial grade” actually means, but I want robots to be “automotive grade,” where they’ll easily operate for six months or a year without any maintenance at all.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gH7DLaQlsuc?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.pudurobotics.com/en/products/d5">Pudu Robotics</a> ]Thanks, Mandy!<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>When you start to suspect that your <a data-linked-post="2657700577" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/mobile-ev-charging-robot" target="_blank">robotic EV charging</a> solution costs more than your car.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RRY09DyBO4E?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.flexiv.com/case-studies/ev_charging_solution">Flexiv</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>Yeah uh if the application for this humanoid is actually making robot parts with a hammer and anvil, then I’d be impressed.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FGcQqyCaG5s?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.engineai.com.cn/product-t800">EngineAI</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="qcdtnfayqxk">Researchers at Columbia Engineering have designed a robot that can learn a human-like sense of neatness. The researchers taught the system by showing it millions of examples, not teaching it specific instructions. The result is a model that can look at a cluttered tabletop and rearrange scattered objects in an orderly fashion.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QcDtNfAYQXk?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://arxiv.org/html/2310.04566v3">Paper</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>Why haven’t we seen this sort of thing in humanoid robotics videos yet?<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yIyk8GPU9YE?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.inria.fr/en/hucebot">HUCEBOT</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>While I definitely appreciate in-the-field testing, it’s also worth asking to what extent your robot is actually being challenged by the in-the-field field that you’ve chosen.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qxG2umnS0vo?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.deeprobotics.cn/en">DEEP Robotics</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="44wpylavik0">Introducing HMND 01 Alpha Bipedal — autonomous, adaptive, designed for real-world impact. Built in 5 months, walking stably after 48 hours of training.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/44WPYlAvIK0?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://thehumanoid.ai/product/">Humanoid</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>Unitree says that “this is to validate the overall reliability of the robot” but I really have to wonder how useful this kind of reliability validation actually is.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kjJeQZECPcQ?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.unitree.com/">Unitree</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>This University of Pennsylvania GRASP on Robotics Seminar is by Jie Tan from Google DeepMind, on “Gemini Robotics: Bringing AI into the Physical World.”<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fXiKQk-IzqQ?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe><blockquote>Recent advancements in large multimodal models have led to the emergence of remarkable generalist capabilities in digital domains, yet their translation to physical agents such as robots remains a significant challenge. In this talk, I will present Gemini Robotics, an advanced Vision-Language-Action (VLA) generalist model capable of directly controlling robots. Furthermore, I will discuss the challenges, learnings and future research directions on robot foundation models.</blockquote>[ <a href="https://www.grasp.upenn.edu/events/fall-2025-grasp-on-robotics-jie-tan/">University of Pennsylvania GRASP Laboratory</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>

Dec 4, 2025

Are We Testing AI’s Intelligence the Wrong Way?

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/an-illustration-of-a-scientist-pointing-to-a-meter-on-a-brain-the-background-is-circuitry.jpg?id=62282615&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=62%2C0%2C63%2C0"/> When people want a clear-eyed take on the state of artificial intelligence and what it all means, they tend to turn to <a href="https://melaniemitchell.me/" target="_blank">Melanie Mitchell</a>, a computer scientist and a <a href="https://santafe.edu/people/profile/melanie-mitchell" target="_blank">professor</a> at the Santa Fe Institute. Her 2019 book, <a href="https://melaniemitchell.me/aibook/" target="_blank">Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans</a>, helped define the modern conversation about what today’s AI systems can and can’t do. <img alt="A smiling bespectacled woman with shoulder length brown hair." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="863591873ca8e8eab3e901067fc07d09" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="66ed8" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-smiling-bespectacled-woman-with-shoulder-length-brown-hair.jpg?id=62282625&width=980"/> Melanie MitchellToday at NeurIPS, the year’s biggest gathering of AI professionals, she gave a <a href="https://neurips.cc/virtual/2025/loc/san-diego/invited-talk/109607" target="_blank">keynote</a> titled “On the Science of ‘Alien Intelligences’: Evaluating Cognitive Capabilities in Babies, Animals, and AI.” Ahead of the talk, she spoke with IEEE Spectrum about its themes: Why today’s AI systems should be studied more like nonverbal minds, what developmental and comparative psychology can teach AI researchers, and how better experimental methods could reshape the way we measure machine cognition.You use the phrase “alien intelligences” for both AI and biological minds like babies and animals. What do you mean by that?Melanie Mitchell: Hopefully you noticed the quotation marks around “alien intelligences.” I’m quoting from a paper by [the neural network pioneer] <a href="https://www.salk.edu/scientist/terrence-sejnowski/" target="_blank">Terrence Sejnowski</a> where he talks about ChatGPT as <a href="https://papers.cnl.salk.edu/PDFs/Large%20Language%20Models%20and%20the%20Reverse%20Turing%20Test%202023-4640.pdf" target="_blank">being like a space alien</a> that can communicate with us and seems intelligent. And then there’s another paper by the developmental psychologist <a href="https://web.stanford.edu/~mcfrank/" target="_blank">Michael Frank</a> who plays on that theme and says, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44159-023-00211-x" target="_blank">we in developmental psychology study alien intelligences</a>, namely babies. And we have some methods that we think may be helpful in analyzing AI intelligence. So that’s what I’m playing on.When people talk about evaluating intelligence in AI, what kind of intelligence are they trying to measure? Reasoning or abstraction or world modeling or something else?Mitchell: All of the above. People mean different things when they use the word intelligence, and intelligence itself has all these different dimensions, as you say. So, I used the term cognitive capabilities, which is a little bit more specific. I’m looking at how different cognitive capabilities are evaluated in developmental and comparative psychology and trying to apply some principles from those fields to AI.<h2>Current Challenges in Evaluating AI Cognition</h2>You say that the field of AI lacks good experimental protocols for evaluating cognition. What does AI evaluation look like today?Mitchell: The typical way to evaluate an AI system is to have some set of <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/benchmarks" target="_blank">benchmarks</a>, and to run your system on those benchmark tasks and report the accuracy. But often it turns out that even though these AI systems we have now are just killing it on benchmarks, they’re surpassing humans, that performance doesn’t often translate to performance in the real world. If an AI system aces the bar exam, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a good lawyer in the real world. Often the machines are doing well on those particular questions but can’t generalize very well. Also, tests that are designed to assess humans make assumptions that aren’t necessarily relevant or correct for AI systems, about things like how well a system is able to memorize.As a computer scientist, I didn’t get any training in experimental methodology. Doing experiments on AI systems has become a core part of evaluating systems, and most people who came up through computer science haven’t had that training.What do developmental and comparative psychologists know about probing cognition that AI researchers should know too?Mitchell: There’s all kinds of experimental methodology that you learn as a student of psychology, especially in fields like developmental and comparative psychology because those are nonverbal agents. You have to really think creatively to figure out ways to probe them. So they have all kinds of methodologies that involve very careful control experiments, and making lots of variations on stimuli to check for robustness. They look carefully at failure modes, why the system [being tested] might fail, since those failures can give more insight into what’s going on than success.Can you give me a concrete example of what these experimental methods look like in developmental or comparative psychology?Mitchell: One classic example is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clever_Hans" target="_blank">Clever Hans</a>. There was this horse, Clever Hans, who seemed to be able to do all kinds of arithmetic and counting and other numerical tasks. And the horse would tap out its answer with its hoof. For years, people studied it and said, “I think it’s real. It’s not a hoax.” But then <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_Pfungst" target="_blank">a psychologist</a> came around and said, “I’m going to think really hard about what’s going on and do some control experiments.” And his control experiments were: first, put a blindfold on the horse, and second, put a screen between the horse and the question asker. Turns out if the horse couldn’t see the question asker, it couldn’t do the task. What he found was that the horse was actually perceiving very subtle facial expression cues in the asker to know when to stop tapping. So it’s important to come up with alternative explanations for what’s going on. To be skeptical not only of other people’s research, but maybe even of your own research, your own favorite hypothesis. I don’t think that happens enough in AI.Do you have any case studies from research on babies?Mitchell: I have one case study where babies were <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature06288.epdf?sharing_token=NaXcdNfjn_ktn5ri3QG45tRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0O8aD3KLw-45u9i6UpdAHsxWqm0w4l5z_rcCGu3oMzrydMb---fq01I0LBO5y_TRS_vrnUazfwqqCeiiPTOnsikTBil18Nzkcus3pGuA01UVQr-9DWge0nHwMu5X8gIJgjH90R2IqNR_-8WhIWaEnYnrp4uNLHP54XXfeAQ8FDjt23U-hFVTZg4liviDOMhx5rlatVpfpWvuJ20bMzUGaM8lAw7Q5ccGolZw_BrVmTM6frTBEOkijW7qIckKcTNQdT8gIkRtC2pNc_WiQDIENEvqe2L2Ko_9sZIOkJNoC3Qlg%3D%3D&tracking_referrer=www.smithsonianmag.com" target="_blank">claimed to have an innate moral sense</a>. The experiment showed them videos where there was a cartoon character trying to climb up a hill. In one case there was another character that helped them go up the hill, and in the other case there was a character that pushed them down the hill. So there was the helper and the hinderer. And the babies were assessed as to which character they liked better—and they had a couple of ways of doing that—and overwhelmingly they liked the helper character better. [Editor's note: The babies were 6 to 10 months old, and assessment techniques included seeing whether the babies reached for the helper or the hinderer.]But another research group looked very carefully at these videos and found that in all of the helper videos, the climber who was being helped was excited to get to the top of the hill and bounced up and down. And so they said, “Well, what if in the hinderer case we have the climber bounce up and down at the bottom of the hill?” And that <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0042698" target="_blank">completely turned around the results</a>. The babies always chose the one that bounced.Again, coming up with alternatives, even if you have your favorite hypothesis, is the way that we do science. One thing that I’m always a little shocked by in AI is that people use the word skeptic as a negative: “You’re an LLM skeptic.” But our job is to be skeptics, and that should be a compliment.<h2>Importance of Replication in AI Studies</h2>Both those examples illustrate the theme of looking for counter explanations. Are there other big lessons that you think AI researchers should draw from psychology?Mitchell: Well, in science in general the idea of replicating experiments is really important, and also building on other people’s work. But that’s sadly a little bit frowned on in the AI world. If you submit a paper to NeurIPS, for example, where you replicated someone’s work and then you do some incremental thing to understand it, the reviewers will say, “This lacks novelty and it’s incremental.” That’s the kiss of death for your paper. I feel like that should be appreciated more because that’s the way that good science gets done.Going back to measuring cognitive capabilities of AI, there’s lots of talk about how we can <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/agi-benchmark" target="_self">measure progress towards AGI</a>. Is that a whole other batch of questions?Mitchell: Well, the term AGI is a little bit nebulous. People define it in different ways. I think it’s hard to measure progress for something that’s not that well defined. And our conception of it keeps changing, partially in response to things that happen in AI. In the old days of AI, people would talk about human-level intelligence and robots being able to do all the physical things that humans do. But people have looked at robotics and said, “Well, okay, it’s not going to get there soon. Let’s just talk about what people call the cognitive side of intelligence,” which I don’t think is really so separable. So I am a bit of an AGI skeptic, if you will, in the best way.

Dec 4, 2025

BYD’s Engine Flexes Between Ethanol, Gasoline, and Electricity

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/byd-s-song-pro-suv-driving-along-a-suspension-bridge.jpg?id=62283705&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C83%2C0%2C84"/> The world’s first mass-produced ethanol car, the <a href="http://autoblog.com/electric-vehicles/2008/12/17/a-bit-of-history-fiat-147-the-first-mass-produced-ethanol-car/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fiat 147</a>, motored onto Brazilian roads in 1979. The vehicle crowned decades of experimentation in the country with sugar-cane (and later, corn-based and <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/brazil-doubles-down-on-biofuel" target="_self">second-generation sugar-cane waste</a>) ethanol as a homegrown fuel. When Chinese automaker <a href="https://www.byd.com/us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BYD</a> introduced a plug-in hybrid designed for Brazil <a href="https://bydukmedia.com/en/news-articles/byd-launches-revolutionary-super-hybrid-with-biofuel-technology-%E2%80%93-the-14-millionth-new-energy-vehicle.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">in October</a>, equipped with a flex-fuel engine that lets drivers choose to run on any ratio of gasoline and <a data-linked-post="2650255221" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/corn-ethanol-is-dead-long-live-corn-ethanol" target="_blank">ethanol</a> or access plug-in electric power, the move felt like the latest chapter in a long national story.The new engine, designed for the company’s best-selling compact SUV, the <a href="https://www.byd.com/us/news-list/BYD-SONG-PRO-Launched-Paraguay-Paving-Way-for-Greener-Future" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Song Pro</a>, is the first plug-in hybrid engine <a href="https://bydukmedia.com/en/news-articles/byd-launches-revolutionary-super-hybrid-with-biofuel-technology-%E2%80%93-the-14-millionth-new-energy-vehicle.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">dedicated to biofuel</a>, according to Wang Chuanfu, BYD’s founder and CEO.<a href="https://me.engin.umich.edu/people/faculty/margaret-wooldridge/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Margaret Wooldridge</a>, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, says the engine’s promise is not in inventing entirely new technology, but in making it accessible.RELATED: <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/winner-the-omnivorous-engine" target="_blank">The Omnivorous Engine</a>“The technology existed before,” says Wooldridge, who specializes in <a data-linked-post="2650273822" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/hybrid-car-system-learns-fuel-efficiency" target="_blank">hybrid systems</a>, “but fuel switching is expensive, and I’d expect the combinations in this engine to come at a fairly high price tag. BYD’s real innovation is pulling it into a price range where everyday drivers in Brazil can actually choose ratios of ethanol and gasoline, as well as electric.”<h2>BYD’s Affordable Hybrid Innovation</h2>BYD Song Pro vehicles with this new engine were initially priced in a promotion <a href="https://en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br/byd-song-pro-2026-debuts-with-1-electric-engine-5-hp-and-up-to-235-km-in-electric-mode-but-price-is-still-higher-than-that-of-toyota-corolla-cross-afch" target="_blank">at around US $25,048</a>, with a list price around $35,000. For comparison, another plug-in hybrid vehicle, Toyota’s 2026 Prius Prime, starts at <a target="_blank"></a>$33,775. The engine is the product of an <a href="https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news-and-insights/latest-market-news/2740741-byd-unveils-gasoline-ethanol-engine-opens-brazil-plant" target="_blank">$18.5 million investment by BYD</a> and a collaboration between Brazilian and Chinese scientists. It adds to Brazil’s history of ethanol use that began in the 1930s and progressed from ethanol-only to flex-fuel vehicles, providing consumers a tool kit to respond to changing fuel prices, ongoing drought like Brazil <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-018-0162-5" target="_blank">experienced in the 1980s</a>, or emissions goals.An engine switching between gasoline and ethanol needs a sensor that can reconcile two distinct fuel-air mixtures. “Integrating that control system, especially in a hybrid architecture, is not trivial,” says Wooldridge. “But BYD appears to have engineered it in a way that’s cost-effective.”By leveraging a smaller, downsized hybrid engine, the company is likely able to design the engine to be optimal over a smaller speed map—a narrower, specific range of speeds and power output—avoiding some efficiency compromises that have long plagued flex-fuel power-train engines, says Wooldridge.In general, standard flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) have an internal combustion engine and can operate on gasoline and any blend of gasoline and ethanol up to 83 percent, <a href="https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/how-do-flexible-fuel-cars-work" target="_blank">according to the U.S. Department of Energy</a>. FFV engines have only one fuel system, and mostly use components that are the same as those found in gasoline-only cars. To compensate for ethanol’s different chemical properties and power output compared to gasoline, special components modify the fuel pump and fuel-injection system. In addition, FFV engines have engine control modules calibrated to accommodate ethanol’s higher oxygen content.“Flex-fuel gives consumers flexibility,” Wooldridge says. “If you’re using ethanol, you can run at a higher compression ratio, allowing molecules to be squeezed into a smaller space to allow for faster, more powerful and more efficient combustion. Increasing that ratio boosts efficiency and lowers knock—but if you’re also tying in electric drive, the system can stay optimally efficient across different modes,” she adds.<a href="https://history.osu.edu/people/eaglin.5" target="_blank">Jennifer Eaglin</a>, a historian of Brazilian energy at Ohio State University, in Columbus, says that BYD is tapping into something deeply rooted in the culture of Brazil, the world’s seventh-most populous country (with a population of around 220 million).“Brazil has built an ethanol-fuel system that’s durable and widespread,” Eaglin says. “It’s no surprise that a company like BYD, recognizing that infrastructure, would innovate to give consumers more options. This isn’t futuristic—it’s a continuation of a long national experiment.”

Dec 3, 2025

Cold Metal Fusion Makes It Easy to 3D Print Titanium

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-3d-printed-metal-impeller-section.jpg?id=62225225&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C211%2C0%2C211"/> <a href="https://cadmore.com/metal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Link: https://cadmore.com/metal">CADmore Metal</a> has introduced a fresh take on 3D printing metal components to the North American market known as <a href="https://www.3dnatives.com/en/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cold-metal-fusion-260220245/" target="_blank">cold metal fusion</a> (CMF). <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncarrington/" target="_blank">John Carrington</a>, the company’s CEO, claims CMF produces stronger 3D printed metal parts that are cheaper and faster to make. That includes titanium components, which have historically caused trouble for 3D printers.3D printing has used metals included aluminum, powdered steel, and nickel alloys <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/3d-printed-rocket" target="_blank">for some time</a>. While titanium parts are in high demand in fields such as aerospace and health care due to their superior strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and their suitability for complex geometries, the metal has presented challenges for 3D printers.Titanium becomes more reactive at high temperatures and tends to crack when the printed part cools. It can also become brittle as it absorbs hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen during the printing process. Carrington says CMF overcomes these issues.“Our primary customers tend to come from the energy, defense, and aerospace industries,” says Carrington. “One large defense contractor recently switched from traditional 3D printing to CMF as it will save them millions and reduce prototyping and parts production by months.”<h2>How CMF Enhances Titanium 3D Printing Efficiency</h2>CMF combines the flexibility of 3D printing with new powder metallurgy processes to provide strength and greater durability to parts made from titanium and many other metals and alloys. The process uses a combination of proprietary metal powder and polymer binding agents that are fused layer by layer to create high-strength metal components.The process begins like any other <a data-linked-post="2650275591" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/mechanical-metamaterials-and-other-3d-printing-tech-from-chi-2017" target="_blank">3D printing project</a>: A digital file that represents the desired 3D object directs the actions of a standard industrial 3D printer in laying down a mixture of metal and a plastic binder. A laser lightly fuses each layer of powder into a cohesive solid structure. Excess powder is removed for reuse.Where CMF differs is that the initial parts generated by this stage of the process are strong enough for grinding, drilling, and milling if required. The parts then soak in a solvent to dissolve the plastic binder. Next, they go into a furnace to burn off any remaining binder, fuse the metal particles, and compact them into a dense metal component. Surface or finishing treatments can then be applied such as polishing and heat treatment.“Our cold metal fusion technology offers a process that is at least three times faster and more scalable than any other kind of 3D printing,” says Carrington. “Per-part prices are generally 50 to 60 percent less than alternative metal 3D printing technology. We expect those prices to go down even more as we scale.” <img alt="Shiny silver turbine wheel with blades, placed on a dark textured surface." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="27286e1d4094ac2614b151a75cc14c54" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="ec031" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/shiny-silver-turbine-wheel-with-blades-placed-on-a-dark-textured-surface.jpg?id=62225237&width=980"/> 3D printing with metal powders such as titanium makes it possible to create parts with complex geometries.CADmore MetalThe material used in CMF was developed by <a href="https://www.headmade-materials.de/en/" target="_blank">Headmade Materials</a>, a German company. Headmade holds a patent on this 3D printing feedstock, which has been designed for use by the existing ecosystem of 3D printing machines. CADmore Metal serves as the exclusive North American distributor for the metal powders used in CMF. The company can also serve as a systems integrator for the entire process by providing the printing and sintering hardware, the specialized powders, process expertise, training, and technical support.“We provide guidance on design optimization and integration with existing workflows to help customers maximize the technology’s benefits,” says Carrington. “If a turbine company comes to us to produce their parts using CMF, we can either build the parts for them as a service or set them up to carry out their own production internally while we supply the powder and support.”With the global 3D printing market now worth almost US $5 billion and predicted to reach $13 billion by 2035, according to analyst firm <a href="https://www.idtechex.com/" target="_blank">IDTechEx</a>, the arrival of CMF is timely. CADmore Metal just opened North America’s <a href="https://3dprint.com/316902/cadmore-establishes-first-cold-metal-fusion-facility-in-u-s/" target="_blank">first CMF application center</a>, a nearly 280-square-meter (3,000-square-foot) facility in Columbia, S.C. Carrington says that a larger facility will open in 2026 to make room for more material processing and equipment.

Dec 3, 2025

MIT’s AI Robotics Lab Director Is Building People-Centered Robots

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/portrait-of-daniela-rus.jpg?id=62267674&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C76%2C0%2C76"/> <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-heart-and-the-chip-what-could-go-wrong" target="_self">Daniela Rus</a> has spent her career breaking barriers—scientific, social, and material—in her quest to build machines that amplify rather than replace human capability. She made robotics her life’s work, she says, because she understood it was a way to expand the possibilities of computing while enhancing human capabilities.“I like to think of robotics as a way to give people superpowers,” Rus says. “Machines can help us reach farther, think faster, and live fuller lives.”<h3>Daniela Rus</h3> Employer MITJob titleProfessor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science; director of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence LaboratoryMember gradeFellowAlma maters University of Iowa, in Iowa City; CornellHer dual missions, she says, are to make technology humane and to make the most of the opportunities afforded by life in the United States. The two goals have fueled her journey from a childhood living under a dictatorship in Romania to the forefront of global robotics research.Rus, who is director of<a href="https://www.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> MIT</a>’s <a href="https://www.csail.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory</a> (CSAIL), is the recipient of this year’s<a href="https://corporate-awards.ieee.org/award/ieee-edison-medal/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> IEEE Edison Medal</a>, which recognizes her for “sustained leadership and pioneering contributions in modern robotics.”An IEEE Fellow, she describes the recognition as a responsibility to further her work and mentor the next generation of roboticists entering the field.The Edison Medal is the latest in a string of honors she has received. In 2017 she won an<a href="https://www.automate.org/robotics/engelberger/joseph-f-engelberger-awards" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Engelberger Robotics Award</a> from the<a href="https://www.automate.org/companies/robotic-industries-association" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Robotic Industries Association</a>. The following year, she was honored with the<a href="https://www.ieee-ras.org/awards-recognition/society-awards?view=article&id=55:ras-pioneer-award&catid=69:society-awards" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Pioneer in Robotics and Automation Award</a> by the<a href="https://www.ieee-ras.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> IEEE Robotics and Automation Society</a>. The society recognized her again in 2023 with its<a href="https://www.ieee-ras.org/awards-recognition/ieee-awards?view=article&id=92:ieee-robotics-and-automation-technical-field-award-tfa&catid=69:society-awards" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> IEEE Robotics and Automation Technical Field Award</a>.<h2>From Romania to Iowa </h2>Rus was born in<a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Cluj-Napoca-Romania" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Cluj-Napoca, Romania</a>, during the rule of dictator<a href="https://www.cato.org/commentary/rise-fall-nicolae-ceausescu-romanian-fuehrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Nicolae Ceausescu</a>. Her early life unfolded in a world defined by scarcity—rationed food, intermittent electricity, and a limited ability to move up or out. But she recalls that, amid the stifling insufficiencies, she was surrounded by an irrepressible warmth and intellectual curiosity—even when she was making locomotive screws in a state-run factory as part of her school’s curriculum.“Life was hard,” she says, “but we had great teachers and strong communities. As a child, you adapt to whatever is around you.”Her father,<a href="https://cs.uiowa.edu/people/teodor-rus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Teodor</a>, was a computer scientist and professor, and her mother, Elena, was a physicist.In 1982, when she was 19, Rus’s father emigrated to the United States to join the faculty at the<a href="https://uiowa.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> University of Iowa</a>, in Iowa City. It was an act of courage and conviction. Within a year, Daniela and her mother joined him there.“He wanted the freedom to think, to publish, to explore ideas,” Rus says. “And I reaped the benefits of being free from the limitations of our homeland.”America’s open horizons were intoxicating, she says.<h2>A lecture that changed everything</h2>Rus decided to pursue a degree at her father’s university, where her life changed direction, she says. One afternoon, <a href="https://amturing.acm.org/award_winners/hopcroft_1053917.cfm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John Hopcroft</a>—a<a href="https://amturing.acm.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Turing Award</a>–winning <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cornell</a> computer scientist renowned for his work on algorithms and data structures—gave a talk on campus. His message was simple but electrifying, Rus says: Classical computer science had been solved. The next frontier, Hopcroft declared, was computations that interact with the messy physical world.For Rus, the idea was a revelation.“It was as if a door had opened,” she says. “I realized the future of computing wasn’t just about logic and code; it was about how machines can perceive, move, and help us in the real world.”After the lecture, she introduced herself to Hopcroft and told him she wanted to learn from him. Not long after earning her bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics in 1985, she applied to get a master’s degree at Cornell, where Hopcroft became her graduate advisor. Rus developed algorithms there for dexterous <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/minimally-actuated-robot-arm-has-lots-of-joints-just-one-clever-motor" target="_self">robotic manipulation</a>—teaching machines to grasp and move objects with precision. She earned her master’s in computer science in 1990, then stayed on at Cornell to work toward a doctorate.“I like to think of robotics as a way to give people superpowers. Machines can help us reach farther, think faster, and live fuller lives.”In 1993 she earned her Ph.D. in computer science, then took a position as an assistant professor of computer science at <a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu/" target="_blank">Dartmouth College</a>, in Hanover, N.H. She founded the college’s robotics laboratory and expanded her work into distributed robotics. She developed teams of small robots that cooperated to perform tasks such as ensuring products in warehouses are correctly gathered to fulfill orders, get packaged safely, and are routed to their respective destinations efficiently.Despite a lack of traditional machine shop facilities for fabrication on the Hanover campus, Rus found a way. She pioneered the use of<a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/printable-robots-mit-project" target="_self"> 3D printing to rapidly prototype and build robots</a>.In 2003 she left Dartmouth to become a professor in the<a href="https://www.eecs.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> electrical engineering and computer science</a> department at <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MIT</a>.The robotics lab she created at Dartmouth moved with her to MIT and became known as the <a href="https://www.csail.mit.edu/research/distributed-robotics-laboratory" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Distributed Robotics Laboratory</a> (DRL). In 2012 she was named director of MIT’s<a href="https://www.csail.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory</a>, the school’s largest interdisciplinary lab, with 60 research groups including the DRL. She also continues to serve as the DRL’s principal investigator.<h2>The science of physical intelligence</h2>Rus now leads pioneering research at the intersection of AI and robotics, a field she calls <a href="https://news.mit.edu/news-clip/wired-451" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">physical intelligence</a>. It’s “a new form of intelligent machine that can understand dynamic environments, cope with unpredictability, and make decisions in real time,” <a href="https://news.mit.edu/news-clip/wired-451" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">she says</a>.Her lab builds <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/soft-robots-for-hard-problems" target="_self">soft-body robots inspired by nature</a> that can sense, adapt, and learn. They are AI-driven systems that passively handle tasks—such as self-balancing and complex articulation similar to that done by the human hand—because their shape and materials minimize the need for heavy processing.Such machines, she says, someday will be able to navigate different environments, perform useful functions without external control, and even recover from disturbances to their route planning. Researchers also are exploring ways to make them more energy-efficient.One prototype developed by Rus’s team is designed to retrieve foreign objects from the body, including batteries swallowed by children. The ingestible robots are artfully folded, similar to origami, so they are small enough to be swallowed. Embedded magnetic materials allow doctors to steer the soft robots and control their shape. Upon arriving in the stomach, a soft bot can be programmed to wrap around a foreign object and guide it safely out of the patient’s body.CSAIL researchers also are working on small robots that can carry a medication and release it at a specific area within the digestive tract, bypassing the stomach acid known to diminish some drugs’ efficacy. Ingestible robots also could patch up internal injuries or ulcers. And because they’re made from digestible materials such as sausage casings and biocompatible polymers, the robots can perform their assigned tasks and then get safely absorbed by the body, she says.Health care isn’t the only application on the horizon for such AI-driven technologies. Robots with physical intelligence might someday help firefighters locate people trapped in burning buildings, find miners after a cave-in, and provide valuable situational awareness information to emergency response teams in the aftermath of natural disasters, Rus says.“What excites me is the possibility of giving people new powers,” she says. “Machines that can think and move safely in the physical world will let us extend human reach—at work, at home, in medicine … everywhere.”To make such a vision a reality, she has expanded her technical interests to include several complementary lines of research.She’s working on self-reconfiguring and <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/stochastic-robots-assemble-and-disassemble-themselves" target="_self">modular robots</a> such as MIT’s <a href="https://www.csail.mit.edu/research/m-blocks-modular-robotics" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">M-Blocks</a> and NASA’s <a href="https://www-robotics.jpl.nasa.gov/what-we-do/research-tasks/superbot-modular-multifunctional-reconfigurable-robot/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SuperBots</a>, which can attach, detach, and rearrange themselves to form shapes suited for different actions such as slithering, climbing, and crawling.With <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/nyu-tandon-robotics" target="_self">networked robots</a>—including those <a href="https://www.amazon.com/?tag=amazusnavi-20&hvadid=675149237887&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13161685782168516493&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004281&hvtargid=kwd-10573980&ref=pd_sl_7j18redljs_e&hydadcr=28883_14649097" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amazon</a> uses in its warehouses—thousands of machines can operate as a large adaptive system. The machines communicate continuously to divide tasks, avoid collisions, and optimize package routing.Rus’s team also is making advances in <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/human-robot-interaction" target="_self">human-robot interaction</a>, such as reading brainwave activity and <a href="https://www.josephdelpreto.com/portfolio/detect-sign-language-with-a-smart-glove/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">interpreting sign language through a smart glove</a>.To further her plan of putting all the computerized smarts the robots need within their physical bodies instead of in the cloud, she helped found <a href="https://www.liquid.ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Liquid AI</a> in 2023. The company, based in Cambridge, Mass., develops <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/liquid-neural-networks" target="_self">liquid neural networks</a>, inspired by the simple brains of worms, that can learn and adapt continuously. The word liquid in this case refers to the adaptability, flexibility, and dynamic nature of the team’s model architecture. It can change shape and adapt to new data inputs, and it fits within constraints imposed by the hardware in which it’s contained, she says.<h2>Finding community in IEEE</h2>Rus joined IEEE at one of its robotics conferences when she was a graduate student.“I think I signed up just to get the student discount,” she says with a laugh. “But IEEE turned out to be the place where my community lived.”She credits the organization’s conferences, journals, and collaborative spirit with shaping her professional growth.“The exchange of ideas, the chance to test your thinking against others—it’s invaluable,” she says. “It’s how our field moves forward.”Rus continues to serve on IEEE panels and committees, mentoring the next generation of roboticists.“IEEE gave me a platform,” Rus says. “It taught me how to communicate, how to lead, and how to dream bigger.”<h2>Living the American dream</h2>Looking back, Rus sees her story as a testament to unforeseen possibilities.“When I was growing up in Romania, I couldn’t even imagine living in America,” she says. “Now I’m here, working with brilliant students, building robots that help people, and trying to make a difference. I feel like I’m living the American dream.”In a nod to a memorable song from the Broadway musical <a href="https://hamiltonmusical.com/new-york/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hamilton</a>, Rus echoes <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/alexander-hamilton.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alexander Hamilton</a>’s determination to make the most of his opportunities, saying, “I don’t ever want to throw away my shot.”

Dec 3, 2025

When to Leave a Toxic Team

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/an-illustration-of-stylized-people-wearing-business-casual-clothing.webp?id=62078755&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C50%2C0%2C50"/> This article is crossposted from <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant" target="_self">IEEE Spectrum</a>’s careers newsletter. <a href="https://engage.ieee.org/Career-Alert-Sign-Up.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sign up now</a> to get insider tips, expert advice, and practical strategies, written in partnership with tech career development company <a href="https://jointaro.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Taro</a> and delivered to your inbox for free!A word that frequently comes up in career conversations is, unfortunately, “toxic.” The engineers I speak with will tell me that they’re dealing with a toxic manager, a toxic teammate, or a toxic work culture. When you find yourself in a toxic work environment, what should you do?Is it worth trying to improve things over time, or should you just leave? The difficult truth is that, in nearly every case, the answer is to leave a toxic team as soon as you can. Here’s why:<ul><li>If you’re earlier in your career, you frankly don’t have much political power in the organization. Any arguments to change team culture or address systemic problems will likely fall on deaf ears. You’ll end up frustrated, and your efforts will be wasted.</li><li>If you’re more senior, you have some ability to improve processes and relationships on the team. However, if you’re an individual contributor (IC), your capabilities are still limited. There is likely some “low-hanging fruit” of quick improvements to suggest. A few thoughtful pieces of feedback could address many of the problems. If you’ve done that and things are still not getting better, it’s probably time to leave.</li><li>If you’re part of upper management, you may have inherited the problem, or maybe you were even brought in to solve it. This is the rare case where you could consider the change scenario and address the broken culture: You have both the context and power to make a difference.</li></ul>The world of technology is large, and constantly getting larger. Don’t waste your time on a bad team or with a bad manager. Find another team, company, or start something on your own.Engineers often hesitate to leave a poor work environment because they’re afraid or unsure about the process of finding something new. That’s a valid concern. However, inertia should not be the reason you stick around in a job. The best careers stem from the excitement of actively choosing your work, not tolerating toxicity.Finally, it’s worth noting that even in a toxic team, you’ll still come across smart and kind people. If you are stuck on a bad team, seek out the people who match your wavelength. These relationships will enable you to find new opportunities when you inevitably decide to leave!—Rahul<h2><a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-wie-podcast-women-in-tech" target="_self">IEEE Podcast Focuses on Women in Tech</a></h2>Are you looking for a new podcast to add to your queue? IEEE Women in Engineering recently launched a podcast featuring experts from around the world to discuss workplace challenges and amplify the diverse experience of women from various STEM fields. New episodes are released on the third Wednesday of each month. <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-wie-podcast-women-in-tech" target="_blank">Read more here. </a><h2><a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/thinking-like-an-entrepreneur" target="_self">How to Think Like an Entrepreneur</a></h2>Entrepreneurship is a skill that can benefit all engineers. The editor in chief of IEEE Engineering Management Review shares his tips for acting more like an entrepreneur, from changing your mode of thinking to executing a plan. “The shift from ‘someone should’ to ‘I will’ is the start of entrepreneurial thinking,” the author writes. <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/thinking-like-an-entrepreneur" target="_blank">Read more here. </a><h2><a href="https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/cultivating-innovation-in-a-research-lab/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cultivating Innovation in a Research Lab</a></h2>In a piece for Communications of the ACM, a former employee of Xerox PARC reflects on the lessons he learned about managing a research lab. The philosophies that underpin innovative labs, the author says, require a different approach than those focused on delivering products or services. See how these unwritten rules can help cultivate breakthroughs. <a href="https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/cultivating-innovation-in-a-research-lab/" target="_blank">Read more here. </a>

Dec 3, 2025

De-Risk the Energy Transition with Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing

Dec 2, 2025

Capacity Limits in 5G Prompt a 6G Focus on Infrastructure

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/peter-vetter-smiling-in-a-nokia-bell-labs-sweatshirt.jpg?id=62261500&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C83%2C0%2C84"/> When the head of <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/nokia-bell-labs-new-headquarters" target="_self">Nokia Bell Labs</a> core research talks about “lessons learned” from <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-5g" target="_self">5G</a>, he’s also being candid about the ways in which not everying worked out quite as planned.That candor matters now, too, because Bell Labs core research president <a href="https://www.nokia.com/people/peter-vetter/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Peter Vetter</a> says 6G’s success depends on getting infrastructure right the first time—something <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/5g-rollout-disappointments" target="_self">5G didn’t fully do</a>.By 2030, he says, 5G will have exhausted its capacity. <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/6g-bandwidth" target="_self">Not because some 5G killer app will appear tomorrow</a>, suddenly making everyone’s phones demand 10 or 100 times as much data capacity as they require today. Rather, by the turn of the decade, wireless telecom won’t be centered around just cellphones anymore.<a data-linked-post="2669884140" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ai-agents" target="_blank">AI agents</a>, autonomous cars, drones, IoT nodes, and sensors, sensors, sensors: Everything in a 6G world will potentially need a way on to the network. That means more than anything else in the remaining years before 6G’s anticipated rollout, high-capacity connections behind cell towers are a key game to win. Which brings industry scrutiny, then, to what telecom folks call backhaul—<a href="https://www.trentonsystems.com/en-us/resource-hub/blog/wired-access-backhaul-vs-wireless-access-backhaul" target="_blank">the high-capacity fiber or wireless links that pass data from cell towers toward the internet backbone</a>. It’s the difference between the “local” connection from your phone to a nearby tower and the “trunk” connection that carries millions of signals simultaneously. But the backhaul crisis ahead isn’t just about capacity. It’s also about architecture. 5G was designed around a world where phones dominated, downloading video at higher and higher resolutions. 6G is now shaping up to be something else entirely. This inversion—from 5G’s anticipated downlink deluge to 6G’s uplink resurgence—requires rethinking everything at the core level, practically from scratch.Vetter’s career spans the entire arc of the wireless telecom era—from optical interconnections in the 1990s at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcatel_Mobile" target="_blank">Alcatel</a> (a research center pioneering fiber-to-home connections) to his roles at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Labs" target="_blank">Bell Labs</a> and later Nokia Bell Labs, culminating in 2021 in his current position at the industry’s bellwether institution.In this conversation, held in November at the <a href="https://www.b6gs.com/" target="_blank">Brooklyn 6G Summit</a> in New York, Vetter explains what 5G got wrong, what 6G must do differently, and whether these innovations can arrive before telecom’s networks start running out of room.<h3>5G’s Expensive Miscalculation</h3>IEEE Spectrum: Where is telecom today, halfway between 5G’s rollout and 6G’s anticipated rollout?Peter Vetter: Today, we have enough spectrum and capacity. But going forward, there will not be enough. The 5G network by the end of the decade will run out of steam, as we see in our traffic simulations and forecasts. And it is something that has been consistent generation to generation, from 2G to 3G to 4G. Every decade, capacity goes up by about a factor of 10. So you need to prepare for that.And the challenge for us as researchers is how do you do that in an energy-efficient way? Because the power consumption cannot go up by a factor of 10. The cost cannot go up by a factor of 10. And then, lesson learned from 5G: The idea was, “Oh, we do that in higher spectrum. There is more bandwidth. Let’s go to <a data-linked-post="2650275572" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/5g-bytes-millimeter-waves-explained" target="_blank">millimeter wave</a>.” The lesson learned is, okay, millimeter waves have short reach. You need a small cell [tower] every 300 meters or so. And that doesn’t cut it. It was too expensive to install all these small cells.Is this related to the backhaul question?Vetter: So backhaul is the connection between the base station and what we call the core of the network—the data centers, and the servers. Ideally, you use fiber to your base station. If you have that fiber as a service provider, use it. It gives you the highest capacity. But very often new cell sites don’t have that fiber backhaul, then there are alternatives: wireless backhaul. <img alt="Close-up of a Nokia radio on glass circuit board." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c920f95014d362f086ac144ac86fadaf" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="c9af3" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/close-up-of-a-nokia-radio-on-glass-circuit-board.png?id=62261540&width=980"/> Nokia Bell Labs has pioneered a glass-based chip architecture for telecom’s backhaul signals, communicating between towers and telecom infrastructure.Nokia<h3>Radios Built on Glass Push Frequencies Higher</h3>What are the challenges ahead for wireless backhaul?Vetter: To get up to the 100-gigabit-per-second, fiber-like speeds, you need to go to higher frequency bands.Higher frequency bands for the signals the backhaul antennas use?Vetter: Yes. The challenge is the design of the radio front ends and the radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) at those frequencies. You cannot really integrate [present-day] antennas with RFICs at those high speeds.And what happens as those signal frequencies get higher?Vetter: So in a millimeter wave, say 28 gigahertz, you could still do [the electronics and waveguides] for this with a classical printed circuit board. But as the frequencies go up, the attenuation gets too high.What happens when you get to, say, 100 GHz?Vetter: [Conventional materials] are no good anymore. So we need to look at other still low-cost materials. We have done pioneering work at Bell Labs on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzl0UHyRjRo" target="_blank">radio on glass</a>. And we use glass not for its optical transparency, but for its transparency in the <a href="https://www.rfwireless-world.com/terminology/sub-thz-bands-frequencies" target="_blank">subterahertz radio range</a>.Is Nokia Bell Labs making these radio-on-glass backhaul systems for 100-GHz communications?Vetter: Above 100 GHz, you need to look into a different material. I used an order of magnitude, but [the wavelength range] is actually 140 to 170 GHz, what is called the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D_band_(waveguide)" target="_blank">D-Band</a>.We collaborate with our internal customers to get these kind of concepts on the long-term road map. As an example, that D-Band radio system, we actually integrated it in a prototype with our mobile business group. And we tested it last year at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Summer_Olympics" target="_blank">Olympics in Paris</a>.But this is, as I said, a prototype. We need to mature the technology between a research prototype and qualifying it to go into production. The researcher on that is <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=DK2TMVgAAAAJ&hl=en" target="_blank">Shahriar Shahramian</a>. He’s well-known in the field for this.<h3>Why 6G’s Bandwidth Crisis Isn’t About Phones</h3>What will be the applications that’ll drive the big 6G demands for bandwidth?Vetter: We’re installing more and more cameras and other types of sensors. I mean, we’re going into a world where we want to create large world models that are synchronous copies of the physical world. So what we will see going forward in 6G is a massive-scale deployment of sensors which will feed the AI models. So a lot of uplink capacity. That’s where a lot of that increase will come from.Any others?Vetter: Autonomous cars could be an example. It can also be in industry—like a digital twin of a harbor, and how you manage that? It can be a digital twin of a warehouse, and you query the digital twin, “Where is my product X?” Then a robot will automatically know thanks to the updated digital twin where it is in the warehouse and which route to take. Because it knows where the obstacles are in real time, thanks to that massive-scale sensing of the physical world and then the interpretation with the AI models.You will have your agents that act on behalf of you to do your groceries or order a driverless car. They will actively record where you are, make sure that there are also the proper privacy measures in place. So that your agent has an understanding of the state you’re in and can serve you in the most optimal way.<h3>How 6G Networks Will Help Detect Drones, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis</h3>You’ve described before how 6G signals can not only transmit data but also provide sensing. How will that work?Vetter: The augmentation now is that the network can be turned also in a sensing modality. That if you turn around the corner, a camera doesn’t see you anymore. But the radio still can detect people that are coming, for instance, at a traffic crossing. And you can anticipate that. Yeah, warn a car that, “There’s a pedestrian coming. Slow down.” We also have fiber sensing. And for instance, using fibers at the bottom of the ocean and detecting movements of waves and detect tsunamis, for instance, and do an early tsunami warning.What are your teams’ findings?Vetter: The present-day use of tsunami warning buoys are a <a href="https://phys.org/news/2024-12-tsunami-buoys-safeguarding-thailand.html" target="_blank">few hundred kilometers offshore</a>. These tsunami waves travel at 300 and more meters per second, and so you only have 15 minutes to warn the people and evacuate. If you have now a fiber sensing network across the ocean that you can detect it much deeper in the ocean, you can do meaningful early tsunami warning.We recently detected there was a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Kamchatka_earthquake" target="_blank">major earthquake in East Russia</a>. That was last July. And we had a fiber sensing system between Hawaii and California. And we were able to see that earthquake on the fiber. And we also saw the development of the tsunami wave.<h3>6G’s Thousands of Antennas and Smarter Waveforms</h3>Bell Labs was an early pioneer in multiple-input, multiple-output (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIMO" target="_blank">MIMO</a>) antennas starting in the 1990s. Where multiple transmit and receive antennas could carry many data streams at once. What is Bell Labs doing with MIMO now to help solve these bandwidth problems you’ve described?Vetter: So, as I said earlier, you want to provide capacity from existing cell sites. And the way to MIMO can do that by a technology called a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beamforming" target="_blank">simplified beamforming</a>: If you want better coverage at a higher frequency, you need to focus your electromagnetic energy, your radio energy, even more. So in order to do that, you need a larger amount of antennas.So if you double the frequency, we go from 3.5 GHz, which is the <a href="https://www.digi.com/blog/post/what-is-c-band-and-why-is-it-important-for-5g" target="_blank">C-band in 5G</a>, now to 6G, 7 GHz. So it’s about double. That means the wavelength is half. So you can fit four times more antenna elements in the same form factor. So physics helps us in that sense.What’s the catch?Vetter: Where physics doesn’t help us is more antenna elements means more signal processing, and the power consumption goes up. So here is where the research then comes in. Can we creatively get to these larger antenna arrays without the power consumption going up?The use of AI is important in this. How can we leverage AI to do channel estimation, to do such things as equalization, to do smart beamforming, to learn the waveform, for instance?We’ve shown that with these kind of AI techniques, we can get actually up to 30 percent more capacity on the same spectrum.And that allows many gigabits per second to go out to each phone or device?Vetter: So gigabits per second is already possible in 5G. We’ve demonstrated that. You can imagine that this could go up, but that’s not really the need. The need is really how many more can you support from a base station?

Dec 1, 2025

Why We Keep Making the Same Software Mistakes

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/bomb-with-binary-code-fuse-igniting-symbolizing-digital-or-information-explosion.jpg?id=62233724&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C250%2C0%2C250"/> Talking to Robert N. Charette can be pretty depressing. Charette, who has been writing about software failures for this magazine for the past 20 years, is a renowned risk analyst and systems expert who over the course of a 50-year career has seen more than his share of delusional thinking among IT professionals, government officials, and corporate executives, before, during, and after massive software failures.In 2005’s “<a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/why-software-fails" target="_self">Why Software Fails</a>,” in IEEE Spectrum, a seminal article documenting the causes behind large-scale software failures, Charette noted, “The biggest tragedy is that <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/software-failure" target="_self">software failure</a> is for the most part predictable and avoidable. Unfortunately, most organizations don’t see preventing failure as an urgent matter, even though that view risks harming the organization and maybe even destroying it. Understanding why this attitude persists is not just an academic exercise; it has tremendous implications for business and society.”Two decades and several trillion wasted dollars later, he finds that <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/it-management-software-failures" target="_blank">people are making the same mistakes</a>. They claim their project is unique, so past lessons don’t apply. They underestimate complexity. Managers come out of the gate with unrealistic budgets and timelines. Testing is inadequate or skipped entirely. Vendor promises that are too good to be true are taken at face value. Newer development approaches like DevOps or AI copilots are implemented without proper training or the organizational change necessary to make the most of them.What’s worse, the huge impacts of these missteps on end users aren’t fully accounted for. When the Canadian government’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aurO_LK6DEI" target="_blank">Phoenix paycheck system</a> initially failed, for instance, the developers glossed over the protracted financial and emotional distress inflicted on tens of thousands of employees receiving erroneous paychecks; problems persist today, nine years later. Perhaps that’s because, as Charette told me recently, IT project managers don’t have professional licensing requirements and are rarely, if ever, held legally liable for software debacles.While medical devices may seem a far cry from giant IT projects, they have a few things in common. As Special Projects Editor Stephen Cass uncovered in this month’s <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/medical-device-recalls" target="_blank">The Data</a>, the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-safety/medical-device-recalls-and-early-alerts" target="_blank">U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls</a> on average 20 medical devices per month due to software issues.“Software is as significant as electricity. We would never put up with electricity going out every other day, but we sure as hell have no problem having AWS go down.” —Robert N. CharetteLike IT projects, medical devices face fundamental challenges posed by software complexity. Which means that testing, though rigorous and regulated in the medical domain, can’t possibly cover every scenario or every line of code. The major difference between failed medical devices and failed IT projects is that a huge amount of liability attaches to the former.“When you’re building software for medical devices, there are a lot more standards that have to be met and a lot more concern about the consequences of failure,” Charette observes. “Because when those things don’t work, there’s tort law available, which means manufacturers are on the hook. It’s much harder to bring a case and win when you’re talking about an electronic payroll system.”Whether a software failure is hyperlocal, as when a medical device fails inside your body, or spread across an entire region, like when an airline’s ticketing system crashes, organizations need to dig into the root causes and apply those lessons to the next device or IT project if they hope to stop history from repeating itself.“Software is as significant as electricity,” Charette says. “We would never put up with electricity going out every other day, but we sure as hell have no problem accepting AWS going down or telcos or banks going out.” He lets out a heavy sigh worthy of A.A. Milne’s Eeyore. “People just kind of shrug their shoulders.”

Dec 1, 2025

IEEE President’s Note: Engineering With Purpose

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-smiling-woman-in-a-magenta-suit.jpg?id=56605899&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C544%2C0%2C545"/> Innovation, expertise, and efficiency often take center stage in the engineering world. Yet engineering’s impact lies not only in technical advancement but also in its ability to serve the greater good. This foundational principle is behind IEEE’s public imperative initiatives which apply our efforts and expertise to support our mission to advance technology for humanity with a direct benefit to society. <h2>Serving society </h2>Public imperative activities and initiatives serve society by promoting understanding, impact for humans and our environment, and responsible use of science and technology. These initiatives encompass a wide range of efforts, including<a href="https://move.ieeeusa.org/about/stem-outreach/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> STEM outreach</a>,<a href="https://ieeeht.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> humanitarian technology deployments</a>,<a href="https://ieeeusa.org/public-policy/priorities/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> public education on emerging technologies</a>, and<a href="https://sustainable-climate.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> sustainability</a>. Unlike many efforts advancing technology, these initiatives are not designed with financial opportunity in mind. Instead, they fulfill IEEE’s designation as a 501(c)(3) public charity engaged in scientific and <a data-linked-post="2674218153" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/microcredentials" target="_blank">educational activities</a> for the benefit of the engineering community and the public.<h3>Building a Better World</h3> Across the globe, IEEE members and volunteers dedicate their time and use their talents, experiences, and expertise to lead, organize, and drive activities to advance technology for humanity. The<a href="https://www.ieee.org/advancing-technology/building-better-world/social-impact-report" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> IEEE Social Impact</a> report showcases a selection of recent projects and initiatives that support that mission.In my March column, I described my vision for One IEEE, which is aimed at empowering IEEE’s diverse units to work together in ways that magnify their individual and collective impact. Within the framework of One IEEE, public imperative activities are not peripheral; they are central to unifying the organization and amplifying our global relevance. Across IEEE’s varied regions, societies, and technical communities, these activities align efforts around a shared mission. They provide our members from different disciplines and geographies the opportunity to collaborate on projects that transcend boundaries, fostering interdisciplinary innovation and global stewardship.Such activities also offer members opportunities to apply their technical expertise in service of societal needs. Whether<a href="https://ctu.ieee.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> finding innovative solutions to connect the unconnected</a> or developing<a href="https://tryengineering.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> open-source educational tools for students</a>, we are solving real-world problems. The initiatives transform abstract technical knowledge into actionable solutions, reinforcing the idea that technology is not just about building systems—it’s about building futures.For our <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/epics-in-ieee-student-projects" target="_blank">young professionals and students</a>, these activities offer hands-on experiences that connect technical skills with real-world applications, inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in engineering with purpose and passion. These activities also create mentorship opportunities, leadership pathways, and a sense of belonging within the wider IEEE community.<h2>Principled tech leader</h2>In an age when technology influences practically every aspect of life—from health care and energy to communication and transportation—IEEE must, as a leading technical authority, also serve as a socially responsible leader. Public imperative activities include IEEE’s commitment to ethical development, university and pre-university education, and accessible innovation. They help bridge the gap between technical communities and the public, working to ensure that engineering solutions are accessible, equitable, and aligned with societal values.From a strategic standpoint, public imperatives also support IEEE’s long-term sustainability. The organization is redesigning its budget process to emphasize aligning financial resources with mission-driven goals. One of the guiding principles is to publicize IEEE’s public charity status and invest accordingly.That means promoting our public imperatives in funding decisions, integrating them into operational planning, and measuring their outcomes with engineering rigor. By treating these activities as core infrastructure, IEEE ensures that its resources are deployed in ways that maximize public benefit and organizational impact.Public imperatives are vital to the success of One IEEE. They embody the organization’s mission, unify its global membership, and demonstrate the societal relevance of engineering and technology. They offer our members the opportunity to apply their skills in meaningful ways, contribute to public good, and shape the future of technology with integrity.Through our public imperative activities, IEEE is a force for innovation and a driver of meaningful impact.This article appears in the December 2025 print issue as “Engineering With Purpose.”

Dec 1, 2025

The Next Frontier in AI Isn’t Just More Data

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-large-group-of-robots-sit-around-two-tables-which-are-shaped-the-letter-a-and-the-letter-i.jpg?id=62184364&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=175%2C0%2C175%2C0"/> For the past decade, progress in artificial intelligence has been measured by scale: bigger models, larger datasets, and more compute. That approach delivered astonishing breakthroughs in <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/large-language-models" target="_blank">large language models</a> (LLMs); in just five years, AI has leapt from models like GPT-2, which could hardly mimic coherence, to systems like GPT-5 that can reason and engage in substantive dialogue. And now early prototypes of AI agents that can navigate codebases or <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ai-agents-computer-use" target="_self">browse the web</a> point towards an entirely new frontier.But size alone can only take AI so far. The next leap won’t come from bigger models alone. It will come from combining ever-better data with worlds we build for models to learn in. And the most important question becomes: What do classrooms for AI look like?In the past few months Silicon Valley has placed its bets, <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/21/silicon-valley-bets-big-on-environments-to-train-ai-agents/" target="_blank">with labs investing billions</a> in constructing such classrooms, which are called reinforcement learning (RL) environments. These environments let machines experiment, fail, and improve in realistic digital spaces. <h2>AI Training: From Data to Experience</h2>The history of modern AI has unfolded in eras, each defined by the kind of data that the models consumed. First came the age of pretraining on internet-scale datasets. This commodity data allowed machines to mimic human language by recognizing statistical patterns. Then came data combined with reinforcement learning from human feedback—a technique that uses crowd workers to grade responses from LLMs—which made AI more useful, responsive, and aligned with human preferences. We have experienced both eras firsthand. Working in the trenches of model data at <a href="https://scale.com/" target="_blank">Scale AI</a> exposed us to what many consider the fundamental problem in AI: ensuring that the training data fueling these models is diverse, accurate, and effective in driving performance gains. Systems trained on clean, structured, expert-labeled data made leaps. Cracking the data problem allowed us to pioneer some of the most critical advancements in LLMs over the past few years.Today, data is still a foundation. It is the raw material from which intelligence is built. But we are entering a new phase where data alone is no longer enough. To unlock the next frontier, we must pair high-quality data with environments that allow limitless interaction, continuous feedback, and learning through action. RL environments don’t replace data; they amplify what data can do by enabling models to apply knowledge, test hypotheses, and refine behaviors in realistic settings.<h2>How an RL Environment Works</h2>In an RL environment, the model learns through a simple loop: it observes the state of the world, takes an action, and receives a reward that indicates whether that action helped accomplish a goal. Over many iterations, the model gradually discovers strategies that lead to better outcomes. The crucial shift is that training becomes interactive—models aren’t just predicting the next token but improving through trial, error, and feedback.For example, language models can already generate code in a simple chat setting. Place them in a live coding environment—where they can ingest context, run their code, debug errors, and refine their solution—and something changes. They shift from advising to autonomously problem-solving.This distinction matters. In a software-driven world, the ability for AI to generate and test production-level code in vast repositories will mark a major change in capability. That leap won’t come solely from larger datasets; it will come from immersive environments where agents can experiment, stumble, and learn through iteration—much like human programmers do. The real world of development is messy: Coders have to deal with underspecified bugs, tangled codebases, vague requirements. Teaching AI to handle that mess is the only way it will ever graduate from producing error-prone attempts to generating consistent and reliable solutions.<h2>Can AI Handle the Messy Real World?</h2>Navigating the internet is also messy. Pop-ups, login walls, broken links, and outdated information are woven throughout day-to-day browsing workflows. Humans handle these disruptions almost instinctively, but AI can only develop that capability by training in environments that simulate the web’s unpredictability. Agents must learn how to recover from errors, recognize and persist through user-interface obstacles, and complete multi-step workflows across widely used applications.Some of the most important environments aren’t public at all. Governments and enterprises are actively building secure simulations where AI can practice high-stakes decision-making without real-world consequences. Consider disaster relief: It would be unthinkable to deploy an untested agent in a live hurricane response. But in a simulated world of ports, roads, and supply chains, an agent can fail a thousand times and gradually get better at crafting the optimal plan.Every major leap in AI has relied on unseen infrastructure, such as annotators labeling datasets, researchers training reward models, and engineers building scaffoldings for LLMs to use tools and take action. Finding large-volume and high-quality datasets was once the bottleneck in AI, and solving that problem sparked the previous wave of progress. Today, the bottleneck is not data—it’s building RL environments that are rich, realistic, and truly useful.The next phase of AI progress won’t be an accident of scale. It will be the result of combining strong data foundations with interactive environments that teach machines how to act, adapt, and reason across messy real-world scenarios. Coding sandboxes, OS and browser playgrounds, and secure simulations will turn prediction into competence.

Nov 30, 2025

This Toy Electric Stove Was Dangerously Realistic

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/photo-of-an-old-fashioned-yellow-and-green-stove-and-oven-with-a-logo-that-says-lionel.jpg?id=62219513&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C111%2C0%2C112"/> Introduced in 1930 by <a href="https://www.lionel.com/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lionel Corp.</a>—better known for its electric model trains—the fully functional toy stove shown at top had two electric burners and an oven that heated to 260 °C. It came with a set of cookware, including a frying pan, a pot with lid, a muffin tin, a tea kettle, and a wooden potato masher. I would have also expected a spoon, whisk, or spatula, but maybe most girls already had those. Just plug in the toy, and housewives-in-training could mimic their mothers frying eggs, baking muffins, or boiling water for tea.<h2>A brief history of toy stoves</h2>Even before electrification, cast-iron toy stoves had become popular in the mid-19th century. At first fueled by coal or alcohol and later by oil or gas, these toy stoves were scaled-down working equivalents of the real thing. Girls could use their stoves along with a toy waffle iron or small skillet to whip up breakfast. If that wasn’t enough fun, they could heat up a miniature flatiron and iron their dolls’ clothes. Designed to help girls understand their domestic duties, these toys were the gendered equivalent of their brothers’ <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_847046" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">toy steam engines</a>. If you’re thinking fossil-fuel-powered “educational toys” are a recipe for disaster, you are correct. Many children suffered serious burns and sometimes death by literally playing with fire. Then again, people in the 1950s thought <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/fun-and-uranium-for-the-whole-family-in-this-1950s-science-kit" target="_self">playing with uranium</a> was safe.When electric toy stoves came on the scene in the 1910s, things didn’t get much safer, as the new entrants also lacked basic safety features. The burners on the 1930 Lionel range, for example, could only be turned off or on, but at least kids weren’t cooking over an open flame. At 86 centimeters tall, the Lionel range was also significantly larger than its more diminutive predecessors. Just the right height for young children to cook standing up. <img alt="Photo of a black and silver toy electric stove with two pots plus a book entitled Western Electric Junior Cook Book" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="bf0b79fd06f5dab3a23083eb8d9b9fa4" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="2fd9c" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/photo-of-a-black-and-silver-toy-electric-stove-with-two-pots-plus-a-book-entitled-western-electric-junior-cook-book.jpg?id=62219520&width=980"/> Western Electric’s Junior Electric Range was demonstrated at an expo in 1915 in New York City.The StrongWell before the Lionel stove, the Western Electric Co. had a cohort of girls demonstrating its Junior Electric Range at the Electrical Exposition held in New York City in 1915. The Junior Electric held its own in a display of regular sewing-machine motors, vacuum cleaners, and electric washing machines.The Junior Electric stood about 30 cm tall with six burners and an oven. The electric cord plugged into a light fixture socket. Children played with it while sitting on the floor or as it sat on a table. A visitor to the Expo declared the miniature range “the greatest electrical novelty in years.” Cooking by electricity in any form was still innovative—George A. Hughes had introduced his eponymous electric range just five years earlier. When the Junior Electric came along, <a href="https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2016/article/the-life-of-american-workers-in-1915.htm" target="_blank">less than a third of U.S. households</a> had been wired for electric lights.<h2>How electricity turned cooking into a science</h2>One reason to give little girls working toy stoves was so they could learn how to differentiate between a hot flame and low heat and get a feel for cooking without burning the food. These are skills that come with experience. Directions like “bake until done in a moderate oven,” a common line in 19th-century recipes, require a lot more tacit knowledge than is needed to, say, throw together a modern boxed brownie mix. The latter comes with detailed instructions and assumes you can control your oven temperature to within a few degrees. That type of precision simply didn’t exist in the 19th century, in large part because it was so difficult to calibrate wood- or coal-burning appliances. Girls needed to start young to master these skills by the time they married and were expected to handle the household cooking on their own.Electricity changed the game.In his comparison of “fireless cookers,” an engineer named <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6590440" target="_blank">Percy Wilcox Gumaer</a> exhaustively tested four different electric ovens and then presented his findings at the 32nd Annual Convention of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (a forerunner of today’s IEEE) on 2 July 1915. At the time, metered electricity was more expensive than gas or coal, so Gumaer investigated the most economical form of cooking with electricity, comparing different approaches such as longer cooking at low heat versus faster cooking in a hotter oven, the effect of heat loss when opening the oven door, and the benefits of searing meat on the stovetop versus in the oven before making a roast.Gumaer wasn’t starting from scratch. Similar to how Yoshitada Minami needed to learn the ideal rice recipe before he could design an <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/toshiba-rice-cooker" target="_self">automatic rice cooker</a>, Gumaer decided that he needed to understand the principles of roasting beef. Minami had turned to his wife, Fumiko, who spent five years researching and testing variations of rice cooking. Gumaer turned to the work of Elizabeth C. Sprague, a research assistant in nutrition investigations at the University of Illinois, and H.S. Grindley, a professor of general chemistry there.In their 1907 publication “<a href="https://archive.org/details/cu31924003582503" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Precise Method of Roasting Beef</a>,” Sprague and Grindley had defined qualitative terms like medium rare and well done by precisely measuring the internal temperature in the center of the roast. They concluded that beef could be roasted at an oven temperature between 100 and 200 °C.Continuing that investigation, Gumaer tested 22 roasts at 100, 120, 140, 160, and 180 °C, measuring the time they took to reach rare, medium rare, and well done, and calculating the cost per kilowatt-hour. He repeated his tests for biscuits, bread, and sponge cake.In case you’re wondering, Gumaer determined that cooking with electricity could be a few cents cheaper than other methods if you roasted the beef at 120 °C instead of 180 °C. It’s also more cost-effective to sear beef on the stovetop rather than in the oven. Biscuits tasted best when baked at 200 to 240 °C, while sponge cake was best between 170 and 200 °C. Bread was better at 180 to 240 °C, but too many other factors affected its quality. In true electrical engineering fashion, Gumaer concluded that “it is possible to reduce the art of cooking with electricity to an exact science.”<h2>Electric toy stoves as educational tools</h2>This semester, I’m teaching an introductory class on women’s and gender studies, and I told my students about the Lionel toy oven. They were horrified by the inherent danger. One incredulous student kept asking, “This is real? This is not a joke?” Instead of learning to cook with a toy that could heat to 260 °C, many of us grew up with the Easy-Bake Oven. The 1969 model could reach about 177° C with its two 100-watt incandescent light bulbs. That was still hot enough to cause burns, but somehow it seemed safer. (Since 2011, Easy-Bakes have used a heating element instead of lightbulbs.) <img alt="Photo of a box for a purple and green toy oven." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cab2e5629e17913c44af12c4ea7aa835" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="15cbd" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/photo-of-a-box-for-a-purple-and-green-toy-oven.jpg?id=62219526&width=980"/> The Queasy Bake Cookerator, designed to whip up “gross-looking, great-tasting snacks,” was marketed to boys. The StrongThe Easy-Bake I had wasn’t particularly gendered. It was orange and brown and meant to look like a different new-fangled appliance of the day, the microwave oven. But by the time my students were playing with Easy-Bake Ovens, the models were in the girly hues of pink and purple. In 2002, Hasbro briefly tried to lure boys by releasing the <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/oven-queasy-bake-cookerator-hasbro-inc/EAGAnW_bfiaP1A" target="_blank">Queasy Bake Cookerator</a>, which the company marketed with disgusting-sounding foods like Chocolate Crud Cake and Mucky Mud. The campaign didn’t work, and the toy was soon withdrawn.Similarly, Lionel’s electric toy range didn’t last long on the market. Launched in 1930, it had been discontinued by 1932, but that may have had more to do with timing. The toy cost US $29.50, the equivalent of a men’s suit, a new bed, or a month’s rent. In the midst of a global depression, the toy stove was an extravagance. Lionel reverted to selling electric trains to boys.My students discussed whether cooking is still a gendered activity. Although they agreed that meal prep disproportionately falls on women even now, they acknowledged the rise of the male chef and credited televised cooking shows with closing the gender gap. As a surprise, we discovered that one of the students in the class, Haley Mattes, competed in and <a href="https://www.ciachef.edu/blog/keeping-chopped-junior-winner-haley-mattes/" target="_blank">won Chopped Junior</a> as a 12-year-old.Haley had a play kitchen as a kid that was entirely fake: fake food, fake pans, fake utensils. She graduated to the Easy-Bake Oven, but really got into cooking the same way girls have done for centuries, by learning beside her grandmas.Part of a <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/collections/past-forward/" target="_self">continuing series</a> looking at historical artifacts that embrace the boundless potential of technology.An abridged version of this article appears in the December 2025 print issue as “Too Hot to Handle.”<h3>References</h3> I first came across a description of Western Electric’s Junior Electric Range in “The Latest in Current Consuming Devices,” in the November 1915 issue of Electrical Age.The <a href="https://www.museumofplay.org/" target="_blank">Strong National Museum of Play</a>, in Rochester, N.Y., has a large collection of both cast-iron and electric stoves. The Strong also published two blogs that highlighted Lionel’s toy: “<a href="https://www.museumofplay.org/blog/kids-and-cooking-playing-with-fire/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kids and Cooking</a>” and “<a href="https://www.museumofplay.org/blog/lionel-for-ladies/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lionel for Ladies?</a>”Although Ron Hollander’s All Aboard! The Story of Joshua Lionel Cowen & His Lionel Train Company (Workman Publishing, 1981) is primarily about toy trains, it includes a few details about how Lionel marketed its electric toy stove to girls.

Nov 29, 2025

Video Friday: Disney’s Robotic Olaf Makes His Debut

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/olaf-the-snowman-animatronic-with-details-in-a-tech-workshop-setting.png?id=62240105&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C30%2C0%2C31"/> Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of upcoming robotics events for the next few months. Please <a href="mailto:automaton@ieee.org?subject=Robotics%20event%20suggestion%20for%20Video%20Friday">send us your events</a> for inclusion.<h5><a href="https://sosv.com/announcing-sosvs-vc-founder-robotics-matchup-dec-1-5/">SOSV Robotics Matchup</a>: 1–5 December 2025, ONLINE</h5><h5><a href="https://2026.ieee-icra.org/">ICRA 2026</a>: 1–5 June 2026, VIENNA</h5>Enjoy today’s videos!<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><div style="page-break-after: always"> </div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="eopn02bmzre">Step behind the scenes with Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development and discover how Disney uses robotics, AI, and immersive technology to bring stories to life! From the brand new self-walking Olaf in World of Frozen and BDX Droids to cutting-edge attractions like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, see how magic meets innovation.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EoPN02bmzrE?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/robotic-olaf-marks-new-era-of-disney-innovation/">Disney Experiences</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="qumzgbjcjiq">We just released a new demonstration of Mentee’s V3 humanoid robots completing a real world logistics task together. Over an uninterrupted 18-minute run, the robots autonomously move 32 boxes from eight piles to storage racks of different heights. The video shows steady locomotion, dexterous manipulation, and reliable coordination throughout the entire task.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QumzgbjcjiQ?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>And there’s an uncut 18 minute version of this at the link.[ <a href="https://menteebot.com/blog/#menteebot-warehouse-task">MenteeBot</a> ]Thanks, Yovav!<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="ennbdqn-kik">This video contains graphic depictions of simulated injuries. Viewer discretion is advised. In this immersive overview, guided by the <a data-linked-post="2672028008" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/video-friday-darpa-triage-challenge" target="_blank">DARPA Triage Challenge</a> program manager, retired Army Col. Jeremy C. Pamplin, M.D., you’ll experience how teams of innovators, engineers, and DARPA are redefining the future of combat casualty care. Be sure to look all around! Check out competition runs, behind-the-scenes of what it takes to put on a DARPA Challenge, and glimpses into the future of lifesaving care.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eNnbdQN-Kik?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>Those couple of minutes starting at 6:50 with the human medic and robotic teaming was particularly cool.[ <a href="https://www.darpa.mil/news/2025/dart-msai-triumph-darpa-triage-challenge">DARPA</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>You don’t need to build a humanoid robot if you can just make existing humanoids a lot better.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tpwiCa33prA?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>I especially love 0:45 because you know what? Humanoids should spend more time sitting down, for all kinds of reasons. And of course, thank you for falling and getting up again, albeit on some of the squishiest grass on the planet.[ <a href="https://flexion.ai/">Flexion</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>“Human-in-the-Loop Gaussian Splatting” wins best paper title of the week.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RmDgk0cmOk8?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11248882">Paper</a> ] via [ IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters in <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=7083369" target="_blank">IEEE Xplore</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>Scratch that, “Extremum Seeking Controlled Wiggling for Tactile Insertion” wins best paper title of the week.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jRHIyMdj2NE?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://prg.cs.umd.edu/ESTac">University of Maryland PRG</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>The battery swapping on this thing is... Unfortunate.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2lm3bzTr_sY?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.limxdynamics.com/en/tron1">LimX Dynamics</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="sjfco_k6a_m">To push the boundaries of robotic capability, researchers in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in collaboration with The University of Washington and Google Deepmind, have developed a new tactile sensing system that enables four-legged robots to carry unsecured, cylindrical objects on their backs. This system, known as LocoTouch, features a network of <a data-linked-post="2655469779" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/robot-facebook" target="_blank">tactile sensors </a>that spans the robot’s entire back. As an object shifts, the sensors provide real-time feedback on its position, allowing the robot to continuously adjust its posture and movement to keep the object balanced.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sjfCO_k6a_M?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://engineering.cmu.edu/news-events/news/2025/11/21-locotouch.html">Carnegie Mellon University</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>This robot is in more need of googly eyes than any other robot I’ve ever seen.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Rr82-7OCtQ?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11261865">Zarrouk Lab</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="dg3-cisoag0">DPR Construction has deployed Field AI’s autonomy software on a quadruped robot at the company’s job site in Santa Clara, CA, to greatly improve its daily surveying and data collection processes. By automating what has traditionally been a very labor intensive and time consuming process, Field AI is helping the DPR team operate more efficiently and effectively, while increasing project quality.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dG3-CIsoaG0?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.fieldai.com/">FieldAI</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="0cfmcozmjzi">In our second episode of AI in Motion, our host, Waymo AI researcher Vincent Vanhoucke, talks with a robotics startup founder Sergey Levine, who left a career in academic research to build better robots for the home and workplace.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0CfMCOzmJZI?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCkt0hth826G9AtnOrQsPbKKD5JmdaMXb">Waymo</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>

Nov 29, 2025

The Biggest Causes of Medical Device Recalls

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/an-iv-pump-and-drip-apparatus-in-a-hospital-room-with-an-lcd-screen-and-keypad.jpg?id=62219177&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C254%2C0%2C254"/> According to the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/" target="_blank">U.S. Food and Drug Administration</a> records, in an average year over 2,500<a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfres/res.cfm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> medical device recalls</a> are issued in the United States. Some of these recalls simply require checking the device for problems, but others require the return or destruction of the device. Once identified, the FDA categorizes the root cause of these recalls into 40 categories, plus a catchall of “other”: situations that include labeling mix-ups, problems with expiration dates, and counterfeiting.<div class="rm-embed embed-media"><div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/26242465?602891"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img alt="chart visualization" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/26242465/thumbnail" width="100%"/></noscript></div></div>What’s shown here is the breakdown of the five biggest problem categories found among the 56,000 entries in the FDA medical-recall database, which stretches back to 2002: device design, process control (meaning an error in the device’s manufacturing process), nonconforming material/component (meaning something does not meet required specifications), software issues, and packaging.<div class="rm-embed embed-media"><div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/26242199?602891"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img alt="chart visualization" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/26242199/thumbnail" width="100%"/></noscript></div></div><a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/lean-software-development-2667603125" target="_blank">Software issues</a> are broken down into six root causes, with software design far and away the biggest problem. The other five are, in order: change control; software design changes; software manufacturing or deployment problems; software design issues in the manufacturing process; and software in the “use environment.” That last one includes <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/cybersecurity" target="_blank">cybersecurity</a> issues, or problems with supporting software, such as a smartphone app.<div class="rm-embed embed-media"><div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/26242080?602891"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img alt="chart visualization" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/26242080/thumbnail" width="100%"/></noscript></div></div><div>This article appears in the December 2025 print issue as “Medical Device Recalls.”</div>

Nov 28, 2025

EPICS in IEEE Funds Record-Breaking Number of Student Projects

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/muet-epics-team-and-volunteers-visited-the-project-community-partner-at-ida-rieu-school-for-the-blind-and-deaf.jpg?id=62236973&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=156%2C0%2C156%2C0"/> The <a href="https://epics.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) in IEEE</a> initiative had a record year in 2025, funding 48 projects involving nearly 1,000 students from 17 countries. The <a href="https://www.ieee.org/education/eab" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Educational Activities</a> program approved the most projects this year, distributing US $290,000 in funding and <a data-linked-post="2671741642" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-tryengineering-funds-50-projects" target="_blank">engaging more students</a> than ever before in innovative, hands-on engineering systems.The program offers students opportunities to engage in service learning and collaborate with engineering professionals and community organizations to develop solutions that address local community challenges. The projects undertaken by IEEE groups encompass student branches, sections, society chapters, and affinity groups including <a href="https://wie.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Women in Engineering</a> and <a href="https://yp.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Young Professionals</a>.<a data-linked-post="2671414020" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/epics-in-ieee-15th-anniversary" target="_blank">EPICS in IEEE</a> provides funding up to $10,000, along with resources and mentorship, for projects focused on <a href="https://epics.ieee.org/about/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">four key areas of community improvement</a>: education and outreach, environment, access and abilities, and human services.This year, EPICS partnered with four IEEE societies and the <a href="https://standards.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Standards Association</a> on 23 of the 48 approved projects. The <a href="https://epics.ieee.org/aps-cope-supported-projects/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Antennas and Propagation Society</a> supported three, the <a href="https://epics.ieee.org/ias-supported-projects/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Industry Applications Society (IAS)</a> funded nine, the <a href="https://ieee-ims.org/epics-ieee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instrumentation and Measurement Society (IMS)</a> sponsored five, the <a href="https://www.ieee-ras.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Robotics and Automation Society</a> supported two, the <a href="https://sscs.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Solid State Circuits Society (SSCS) </a>provided funding for three, and the <a href="https://epics.ieee.org/ieee-sa-funded-projects/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Standards Association</a> sponsored one.The stories of the partner-funded projects demonstrate the impact and the effect the projects have on the students and their communities.<h2>Matoruco agroecological garden</h2>The IAS student branch at the <a href="https://www.upb.edu.co/es/home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana</a> in Colombia worked on a project that involved <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11131639" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">water storage, automated irrigation, and waste management</a>. The goal was to transform the Matoruco agroecological garden at the Institución Educativa Los Garzones into a more lively, sustainable, and accessible space. <img alt="These team members configure the LoRa One network (a proprietary radio communication network based on spread spectrum modulation) to send data to an online dashboard showing solar power usage, pump status, and soil moisture. Two students configuring a radio communication network using their laptop." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="05e3b584ac050611533fb26622729af4" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="1d467" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/these-team-members-configure-the-lora-one-network-a-proprietary-radio-communication-network-based-on-spread-spectrum-modulation.jpg?id=62236979&width=980"/> These EPICS in IEEE team members from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Colombia are configuring a radio communications network that will send data to an online dashboard showing the solar power usage, pump status, and soil moisture for the Matoruco agroecological garden at the Institución Educativa Los Garzones. EPICS in IEEEBy using an irrigation automation system, electric pump control, and soil moisture monitoring, the team aimed to show how engineering concepts combine academic knowledge and practical application. The initiative uses monocrystalline solar panels for power, a programmable logic controller to automatically manage pumps and valves, soil moisture sensors for real-time data, and a LoRa One network (a proprietary radio communication system based on spread spectrum modulation) to send data to an online dashboard showing solar power usage, pump status, and soil moisture.Los Garzones preuniversity students were taught about the irrigation system through hands-on projects, received training on organic waste management from university students, and participated in installation activities. The university team also organizes garden cleanup events to engage younger students with the community garden.“We seek to generate a true sense of belonging by offering students and faculty a gathering place for hands-on learning and shared responsibility,” says Rafael Gustavo Ramos Noriega, the team lead and fourth-year electronics engineering student. “By integrating technical knowledge with fun activities and training sessions, we empower the community to keep the garden alive and continue improving it.“This project has been an unmatched platform for preparing me for a professional career,” he added. “By leading everything from budget planning to the final installation, I have experienced firsthand all the stages of a real engineering project: scope definition, resource management, team coordination, troubleshooting, and delivering tangible results. All of this reinforces my goal of dedicating myself to research and development in automation and embedded systems and contributing innovation in the agricultural and environmental sectors to help more communities and make my mark.”The project received $7,950 from IAS. <iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gRCkVkxyWvw?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe> Students give a tour of the systems they installed at the Matoruco agroecological garden. <h2>A smart braille system</h2>More than 1.5 million individuals in Pakistan are blind, including thousands of children who face barriers to accessing essential learning resources, according to the <a href="https://www.iapb.org/" target="_blank">International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness</a>. To address the need for accessible learning tools, a student team from the <a href="https://site.muet.edu.pk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET)</a> and the <a href="https://r10.ieee.org/karachi/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Karachi Section</a> created <a href="https://epics.ieee.org/blogs/bridging-gaps-in-education-a-smart-braille-system-from-pakistan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BrailleGenAI: Empowering Braille Learning With Edge AI and Voice Interaction</a>.The interactive system for blind children combines edge artificial intelligence, generative AI, and embedded systems, says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kainat-fizzah-muhammad/?originalSubdomain=pk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kainat Fizzah Muhammad</a>, a project leader and electrical engineering student at MUET. The system uses a camera to recognize tactile braille blocks and provide real-time audio feedback via text-to-speech technology. It includes gamified modules designed to support literacy, numeracy, logical reasoning, and voice recognition.The team partnered with the <a href="https://hands.org.pk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hands Welfare Foundation</a>, a nonprofit in Pakistan that focuses on inclusive education, disability empowerment, and community development. The team collaborated with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_Rieu_School" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ida Rieu School</a>, part of the <a href="https://idarieu.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ida Rieu Welfare Association</a>, which serves the visually and hearing impaired.“These partnerships have been instrumental in helping us plan outreach activities, gather input from experts and caregivers, and prepare for usability testing across diverse environments,” says Attiya Baqai, a professor in the MUET electronic engineering department. Support from the Hands foundation ensured the solution was shaped by the real-world needs of the visually impaired community.SSCS provided $9,155 in funding. <iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9lUO7Lu-OA0?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe> The student team shows how the smart braille system they developed works. <h2>Tackling air pollution</h2>Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, is among Europe’s most polluted cities, particularly in winter, due to thick smog caused by temperature changes, according to the <a href="https://www.who.int/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">World Health Organization</a>. The WHO reports that the city’s air contains particles that can cause health issues without early warning signs—known as silent killers.A team at <a href="https://ukim.edu.mk/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sts. Cyril and Methodius University</a> created a system to measure and publicize local air pollution levels through its <a href="https://epics.ieee.org/blogs/students-in-macedonia-help-tackle-air-pollution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What We Breathe</a> project. It aims to raise awareness and improve health outcomes, particularly among the city’s children.“Our goal is to provide people with information on current pollution levels so they can make informed decisions regarding their exposure and take protective measures,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrej-ilievski-4267a414a/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Andrej Ilievski</a>, an IEEE student member majoring in computer hardware engineering and electronics. “We chose to focus on schools first because children’s lungs and immune systems are still developing, making them one of our population’s most vulnerable demographics.”The project involved 10 university students working with high schools, faculty, and the Society of Environmental Engineers of Macedonia to design and build a sensing and display tool that communicates via the Internet.“By leading everything from budget planning to the final installation, I have experienced firsthand all the stages of a real engineering project: scope definition, resource management, team coordination, troubleshooting, and delivering tangible results.” —Rafael Gustavo Ramos Noriega“Our sensing unit detects particulate matter, temperature, and humidity,” says project leader <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7lGkqgQAAAAJ&hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Josif Kjosev</a>, an electronics professor at the university. “It then transmits that data through a Wi-Fi connection to a public server every 5 minutes, while our display unit retrieves the data from the server.”“Since deploying the system,” Ilievski says, “everyone on the team has been enthusiastic about how well the project connects with their high school audience.”The team says it hopes students will continue to work on new versions of the devices and provide them to other interested schools in the area.“For most of my life, my academic success has been on paper,” Ilievski says. “But thanks to our EPICS in IEEE project, I finally have a real, physical object that I helped create.“We’re grateful for the opportunity to make this project a reality and be part of something bigger.”The project received $8,645 from the IMS. <h2>Society partnerships count</h2>Thanks to partnerships with IEEE societies, EPICS can provide more opportunities to students around the world. The program also includes mentors from societies and travel grants for conferences, enhancing the student experience.The collaborations motivate students to apply technologies in the IEEE societies’ areas of interest to real-world problems, helping them improve their communities and fostering continued engagement with the society and IEEE.You can learn how to get involved with EPICS by visiting its website.

Nov 28, 2025

Citizens of Smart Cities Need a Way to Opt Out

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-surveillance-camera-collage-with-digital-graphics-overlaying-a-curly-haired-person-and-a-speeding-car.png?id=62219013&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C22%2C0%2C23"/> For years, <a href="https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-liberal-arts/journalism-public-relations/page/dr-gwen-shaffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gwen Shaffer</a> has been leading Long Beach, Calif. residents on “data walks,” pointing out public Wi-Fi routers, security cameras, smart water meters, and parking kiosks. The goal, according to the professor of journalism and public relations at <a href="https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-liberal-arts/journalism-public-relations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">California State University, Long Beach</a>, was to learn <a href="https://www.erudit.org/en/journals/survsoc/2025-v23-n2-survsoc010265/1120085ar/abstract/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">how residents felt</a> about the ways in which their city collected data on them.<h3>Gwen Shaffer</h3> <a href="https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-liberal-arts/journalism-public-relations/page/dr-gwen-shaffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gwen Shaffer</a> is a professor of journalism and public relations at <a href="https://www.csulb.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">California State University, Long Beach</a>. She is the principal investigator on a National Science Foundation–funded project aimed at providing Long Beach residents with greater agency over the personal data their city collects.She also identified a critical gap in <a data-linked-post="2666189882" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/smart-city-emergency-response" target="_blank">smart city</a> design today: While cities may disclose how they collect data, they rarely offer ways to opt out. Shaffer spoke with IEEE Spectrum about the experience of leading data walks, and about her research team’s efforts to give citizens more control over the data collected by public technologies.What was the inspiration for your data walks?Gwen Shaffer: I began facilitating data walks in 2021. I was studying residents’ comfort levels with city-deployed technologies that collect personally identifiable information. My first career as a political reporter has influenced my research approach. I feel strongly about conducting applied rather than theoretical research. And I always go into a study with the goal of helping to solve a real-world challenge and inform policy.How did you organize the walks?Shaffer: We posted data privacy labels with a QR code that residents can scan and find out how their data are being used. Downtown, they’re in Spanish and English. In <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia_Town,_Long_Beach,_California" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cambodia Town</a>, we did them in Khmer and English.What happened during the walks?Shaffer: I’ll give you one example. In a couple of the city-owned parking garages, there are <a data-linked-post="2650271208" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/privacy-concerns-grow-as-us-police-departments-turn-to-license-plate-readers" target="_blank">automated license-plate readers</a> at the entrance. So when I did the data walks, I talked to our participants about how they feel about those scanners. Because once they have your license plate, if you’ve parked for fewer than two hours, you can breeze right through. You don’t owe money.Responses were contextual and sometimes contradictory. There were residents who said, “Oh, yeah. That’s so convenient. It’s a time saver.” So I think that shows how residents are willing to make trade-offs. Intellectually, they hate the idea of the privacy violation, but they also love convenience.What surprised you most?Shaffer: One of the participants said, “When I go to the airport, I can opt out of the facial scan and still be able to get on the airplane. But if I want to participate in so many activities in the city and not have my data collected, there’s no option.”There was a<a href="https://www.hipaajournal.com/city-of-long-beach-ca-cyberattack/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> cyberattack against the city in November 2023</a>. Even though we didn’t have a prompt asking about it, people brought it up on their own in almost every focus group. One said, “I would never connect to public Wi-Fi, especially after the city of Long Beach’s site was hacked.”What is the app your team is developing?Shaffer: Residents want agency. So that’s what led my research team to connect with privacy engineers at <a href="https://www.cmu.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Carnegie Mellon University</a>, in Pittsburgh. <a href="https://www.cylab.cmu.edu/directory/bios/sadeh-norman.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Norman Sadeh</a> and his team had developed what they called the<a href="https://privacyassistant.org/iot/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> IoT Assistant</a>. So I told them about our project, and proposed adapting their app for city-deployed technologies. Our plan is to give residents the opportunity to exercise their rights under the <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">California Consumer Privacy Act</a> with this app. So they could say, “<a href="https://www.passportinc.com/faq/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Passport Parking app</a>, delete all the data you’ve already collected on me. And don’t collect any more in the future.”This article appears in the December 2025 print issue as “Gwen Shaffer.”

Nov 27, 2025

3 Weird Things You Can Turn Into a Memristor

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/conceptual-collage-of-memristor-symbols-filled-with-the-textures-of-mushrooms-honey-and-blood.jpg?id=62243597&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=62%2C0%2C63%2C0"/> From the <a href="#honey">honey</a> in your tea to the <a href="#blood">blood</a> in your veins, materials all around you have a hidden talent. Some of these substances, when engineered in specific ways, can act as memristors—electrical components that can “remember” past states. Memristors are often used in chips that both perform computations and store data. They are devices that store data as particular levels of resistance. Today, they are constructed as a thin layer of titanium dioxide or similar dielectric material sandwiched between two metal electrodes. Applying enough voltage to the device causes tiny regions in the dielectric layer—where oxygen atoms are missing—to form filaments that bridge the electrodes or otherwise move in a way that makes the layer more conductive. Reversing the voltage undoes the process. Thus, the process essentially gives the memristor a memory of past electrical activity.Last month, while exploring the electrical properties of fungi, a group at The Ohio State University found first-hand that some organic memristors have benefits beyond those made with conventional materials. Not only can <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0328965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shiitake act as a memristor</a>, for example, but it may be useful in aerospace or medical applications because the fungus demonstrates high levels of radiation resistance. The project “really mushroomed into something cool,” lead researcher <a href="https://si.osu.edu/john-larocco" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John LaRocco</a> says with a smirk.Researchers have learned that other unexpected materials may give memristors an edge. They may be more flexible than typical memristors or even biodegradable. Here’s how they’ve made memristors from strange materials, and the potential benefits these odd devices could bring:<h2>Mushrooms</h2>LaRocco and his colleagues were searching for a proxy for brain circuitry to use in electrical stimulation research when they stumbled upon something interesting—shiitake mushrooms are capable of learning in a way that’s similar to <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/memristor-random" target="_self">memristors</a>.The group set out to evaluate just how well shiitake can remember electrical states by first cultivating nine samples and curating optimal growing conditions, including feeding them a mix of farro, wheat, and hay.Once fully matured, the mushrooms were dried and rehydrated to a level that made them moderately conductive. In this state, the fungi’s structure includes conductive pathways that emulate the oxygen vacancies in commercial memristors. The scientists plugged them into circuits and put them through voltage, frequency, and memory tests. The result? Mushroom memristors.It may smell “kind of funny,” LaRocco says, but shiitake performs surprisingly well when compared to conventional memristors. Around 90 percent of the time, the fungus maintains ideal memristor-like behavior for signals up to 5.85 kilohertz. While traditional materials can function at frequencies orders of magnitude faster, these numbers are notable for biological materials, he says. What fungi lack in performance, they may make up for in other properties. For one, many mushrooms—including shiitake—are highly resistant to radiation and other environmental dangers. “They’re growing in logs in <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/24-hours-at-fukushima" target="_blank">Fukushima</a> and a lot of very rough parts of the world, so that’s one of the appeals,” LaRocco says.Shiitake are also an environmentally-friendly option that’s already commercialized. “They’re already cultured in large quantities,” LaRocco explains. “One could simply leverage existing logistics chains” if the industry wanted to commercialize mushroom memristors. The use cases for this product would be niche, he thinks, and would center around the radiation resistance that shiitake boasts. Mushroom <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/nvidia-h100-space" target="_self">GPUs</a> are unlikely, LaRocco says, but he sees potential for aerospace and medical applications.<h2 class="rm-anchors" id="honey">Honey</h2>In 2022, engineers at Washington State University interested in green electronics set out to <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6463/ac585b" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">study</a> if honey could serve as a good memristor. “Modern electronics generate 50 million tons of <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/e-waste" target="_self">e-waste</a> annually, with only about 20 percent recycled,” says <a href="https://ece.mst.edu/people/faculty-directory/fengzhao/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Feng Zhao</a>, who led the work and is now at Missouri University of Science and Technology. “Honey offers a biodegradable alternative.”The researchers first blended commercial honey with water and stored it in a vacuum to remove air bubbles. They then spread the mixture on a piece of copper, baked the whole stack at 90 °C for nine hours to stabilize it, and, finally, capped it with circular copper electrodes on top—completing the honey-based memristor sandwich.The resulting 2.5-micrometer-thick honey layer acted like oxide dielectric in conventional memristors: a place for conductive pathways to form and dissolve, changing resistance with voltage. In this setup, when voltage is applied, copper filaments extend through the honey.The honey-based memristor was able to switch from low to high resistance in 500 nanoseconds and back to low in 100 nanoseconds, which is comparable to speeds in <a href="https://pubs.aip.org/aip/ape/article/2/4/040901/3323360/Emerging-materials-for-resistive-switching" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">some non-food-based memristive materials</a>. One advantage of honey is that it’s “cheap and widely available, making it an attractive candidate for scalable fabrication,” Zhao says. It’s also “fully biodegradable and dissolves in water, showing zero toxic waste.” In the 2022 paper, though, the researchers note that for a honey-based device to be truly biodegradable, the copper components would need to be replaced with dissolvable metals. They suggest options like magnesium and tungsten, but also write that the performance of memristors made from these metals is still “under investigation.”<h2 class="rm-anchors" id="blood">Blood</h2>Considering it a potential means of delivering healthcare, a group in India <a href="https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/abs/10.1504/IJMEI.2011.039073" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">wondered</a> if blood would make a good memristor in 2011, just three years after the<a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/how-we-found-the-missing-memristor" target="_blank"> first memristor</a> was built.The experiments were pretty simple. The researchers filled a test tube with fresh, type O+ human blood and inserted two conducting wire probes. The wires were connected with a power supply, creating a complete circuit, and voltages of one, two, and three volts were applied in repeated steps. Then, to test the memristor-qualities of blood as it exists in the human body, the researchers set up a “flow mode” that applied voltage to the blood as it flowed from a tube at up to one drop per second.The experiments were preliminary and only measured current passing through the blood, but resistance could be set by applying voltage. Crucially, resistance changed by less than 10 percent in the 30 minute period after voltage was applied. In the International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, the scientists wrote that, because of these observations, their contraption “looks like a human blood memristor.” They suggested that this knowledge could be useful in treating illness. Sick people may have ion imbalances in certain parts of their bodies—instead of prescribing medication, why not employ a circuit component made of human tissue to solve the problem? In recent years, blood-based memristors have been tested by other scientists as means to treat conditions ranging from <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006424002308?via%3Dihub" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">high blood sugar</a> to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425009214?via%3Dihub" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nearsightedness</a>.

Nov 27, 2025

For This Engineer, Taking Deep Dives Is Part of the Job

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-person-stands-on-a-boat-in-front-of-a-large-mechanical-apparatus-bearing-noaa-logo.png?id=62218869&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C221%2C0%2C222"/> Early in <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/levi-unema-a5614381/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Levi Unema</a>’s career as an electrical engineer, he was presented with an unusual opportunity. While working on assembly lines at an automotive parts supplier in 2015, he got a surprise call from his high-school science teacher that set him off on an entirely new path: piloting underwater robots to explore <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/underwater-robotics" target="_self">the ocean’s deepest abysses</a>.That call came from <a href="https://nthf.org/inductees/harlan-kredit/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Harlan Kredit</a>, a nationally renowned science teacher and board member of a Rhode Island-based nonprofit called the <a href="https://www.engineeringfordiscovery.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration</a> (GFOE). The organization was looking for an electrical engineer to help design, build, and pilot remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for the U.S. <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a>.<h3>Levi Unema</h3> EmployerDeep Exploration SolutionsOccupationROV engineerEducation Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Michigan Technological UniversityThis was an exciting break for Unema, a Washington state native who had grown up tinkering with electronics and exploring the outdoors. Unema joined the team in early 2016 and has since helped develop and operate deep-sea robots for scientific expeditions around the globe.The GFOE’s contract with NOAA expired in July, forcing the engineering team to disband. But soon after, Unema teamed up with four former colleagues to start their own ROV consultancy, called <a href="https://deepexplorationsolutions.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Deep Exploration Solutions</a>, to continue the work he’s so passionate about.“I love the exploration and just seeing new things every day,” he says. “And the engineering challenges that go along with it are really exciting, because there’s a lot of pressure down there and a lot of technical problems to solve.”<h2>Nature and Technology</h2>Unema’s fascination with electronics started early. Growing up in Lynden, Wash., he took apart radios, modified headphones, and hacked together USB chargers from AA batteries. “I’ve always had to know how things work,” he says. He was also a Boy Scout, and much of his youth was spent hiking, camping, and snowboarding.That love of both technology and nature can be traced back, at least in part, to his parents—his father was a civil engineer, and his mother was a high-school biology teacher. But another major influence growing up was Kredit, the science teacher who went on to recruit him. (Kredit was also a colleague of Unema’s mother.)Kredit has won numerous awards for his work as an educator, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching in 2004. Like Unema, he also shares a love for the outdoors as Yellowstone National Park’s <a href="https://www.lyndentribune.com/news/50-years-at-yellowstone-harlan-kredit-is-suspected-longest-serving-ranger-in-park-s-history/article_0311911c-18b4-11ed-95b6-97025762a862.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">longest-serving park ranger</a>. “He was an excellent science teacher, very inspiring,” says Unema.When Unema graduated high school in 2010, he decided to enroll at his father’s alma mater, <a href="https://www.mtu.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Michigan Technological University</a>, to study engineering. He was initially unsure what discipline to follow and signed up for the general engineering course, but he quickly settled on electrical engineering.A summer internship at a steel mill run by the multinational corporation <a href="https://corporate.arcelormittal.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ArcelorMittal</a> introduced Unema to factory automation and assembly lines. After graduating in 2014 he took a job at <a href="https://www.gentex.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gentex Corp.</a> in Zeeland, Mich., where he worked on manufacturing systems and industrial robotics.<h2>Diving Into Underwater Robotics</h2>In late 2015, he got the call from Kredit asking if he’d be interested in working on underwater robots for GFOE. The role involved not just engineering these systems, but also piloting them. Taking the plunge was a difficult choice, says Unema, as he’d just been promoted at Gentex. But the promise of travel combined with the novel engineering challenges made it too good an opportunity to turn down.Building technology that can withstand the crushing pressure at the bottom of the ocean is tough, he says, and you have to make trade-offs between weight, size, and cost. Everything has to be waterproof, and electronics have to be carefully isolated to prevent them from grounding on the ocean floor. Some components are pressure-tolerant, but most must be stored in pressurized titanium flasks, so the components must be extremely small to minimize the size of the metallic housing. <img alt="Technicians operate complex control panels with multiple monitors in a dark, focused environment." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f21c5571272ce291812dcfc41da1bdd5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="6cc31" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/technicians-operate-complex-control-panels-with-multiple-monitors-in-a-dark-focused-environment.png?id=62218876&width=980"/> Unema conducts predive checks from the Okeanos Explorer’s control room. Once the ROV is launched, scientists will watch the camera feeds and advise his team where to direct the vehicle.<a href="https://www.art-work.global/high-seas" target="_blank">Art Howard</a>“You’re working very closely with the mechanical engineer to fit the electronics in a really small space,” he says. “The smaller the cylinder is, the cheaper it is, but also the less mass on the vehicle. Every bit of mass means more buoyancy is required, so you want to keep things small, keep things light.”<a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/underwater-communication" target="_self">Communications</a> are another challenge. The ROVs rely on several kilometers of cable containing just three single-mode optical fibers. “All the communication needs to come together and then go up one cable,” Unema says. “And every year new instruments consume more data.”He works exclusively on ROVs that are custom made for scientific research, which require smoother control and considerably more electronics and instrumentation than the heavier-duty vehicles used by the <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-gulf-spills-lessons-for-robotics" target="_self">oil and gas</a> industry. “The science ones are all hand-built, they’re all quirky,” he says.Unema’s role spans the full life cycle of an ROV’s design, construction, and operation. He primarily spends winters upgrading and maintaining vehicles and summers piloting them on expeditions. At GFOE, he mainly worked on two ROVs for NOAA called Deep Discoverer and Seirios, which operate from the ship Okeanos Explorer. But he has also piloted ROVs for other organizations over the years, including the <a href="https://schmidtocean.org/" target="_blank">Schmidt Ocean Institute</a> and the <a href="https://nautiluslive.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ocean Exploration Trust</a>.Unema’s new consultancy, Deep Exploration Solutions, has been given a contract to do the winter maintenance on the NOAA ROVs, and the firm is now on the lookout for more ROV design and upgrade work, as well as piloting jobs.<h2>An Engineer’s Life at Sea</h2>On expeditions, Unema is responsible for driving the robot. He follows instructions from a science team that watches the ROV’s video feed to identify things like corals, sponges, or deepwater creatures that they’d like to investigate in more detail. Sometimes he will also operate hydraulic arms to sample particularly interesting finds.In general, the missions are aimed at discovering new species and mapping the range of known ones, says Unema. “There’s a lot of the bottom of the ocean where we don’t know anything about it,” he says. “Basically every expedition there’s some new species.”This involves being at sea for weeks at a time. Unema says that life aboard ships can be challenging—many new crew members get seasick, and you spend almost a month living in close quarters with people you’ve often never met before. But he enjoys the opportunity to meet colleagues from a wide variety of backgrounds who are all deeply enthusiastic about the mission.“It’s like when you go to scout camp or summer camp,” he says. “You’re all meeting new people. Everyone’s really excited to be there. We don’t know what we’re going to find.”Unema also relishes the challenge of solving engineering problems with the <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/apollo-13-we-have-a-solution" target="_self">limited resources available</a> on the ship. “We’re going out to the middle of the Pacific,” he says. “Things break, and you’ve got to fix them with what you have out there.”If that sounds more exciting than daunting, and you’re interested in working with ROVs, Unema’s main advice is to talk to engineers in the field. It’s a small but friendly community, he says, so just do your research to see what opportunities are available. Some groups, such as the Ocean Exploration Trust, also operate internships for college students to help them get experience in the field.And Unema says there are very few careers quite like it. “I love it because I get to do all aspects of engineering—from idea to operations,” he says. “To be able to take something I worked on and use it in the field is really rewarding.”This article appears in the December 2025 print issue as “Levi Unema.”

Nov 26, 2025

IEEE and Girl Scouts Are Working on Getting Girls Into STEM

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-group-of-tween-girls-wearing-girl-scout-vests-and-plastic-firehats.jpg?id=62236903&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=62%2C0%2C63%2C0"/> The percentage of women working in science, technology, engineering, and math fields continues to remain stubbornly low. Women made up <a href="https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/03/ai-stem-women-gender-gap/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">28 percent of the STEM global workforce</a> last year, according to the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">World Economic Forum</a>.IEEE and many other organizations conduct outreach programs targeting preuniversity girls and college-age women, and studies show that one of the most powerful ways to encourage girls to consider a STEM career is by <a href="https://www.stemblazers.org/blog/women-in-stem-statistics-2025-trends-gaps-and-action-steps-for-young-women#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">introducing them to female role models</a> in such fields. The exposure can provide the girls with insights, guidance, and advice on how to succeed in STEM.To provide a venue to connect young girls with members working in STEM, IEEE partnered with the <a href="https://www.girlscouts.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Girl Scouts of the United States of America</a>’s <a href="https://www.gshnj.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Heart of New Jersey</a> (GSHNJ) council and its See Her, Be Her career exploration program. Now in its eighth year, the annual event—which used to be called What a G.I.R.L. Can Be—provides an opportunity for girls to learn about STEM careers by participating in hands-on activities, playing games, and questioning professionals at the exhibits.<a href="https://www.stevens.edu/news/stevens-stem-girl-scouts-new-jersey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">This year’s event</a> was held in May at <a href="https://www.stevens.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stevens Institute of Technology</a>, in Hoboken, N.J. Volunteers from the <a href="https://r1.ieee.org/northjersey/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE North Jersey Section</a> and the <a href="https://futurenetworks.ieee.org/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Technical Activities Future Networks</a> technical community were among the 30 exhibitors. More than 100 girls attended.“IEEE and the Girl Scouts share a view that STEM fields require a diversity of thought, experience, and backgrounds to be able to use technology to better the world,” says IEEE Member <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigpolk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Craig Polk</a>, senior program manager for the <a href="https://www.ieee.org/communities/societies/about-technical-communities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">technical community</a>. He helped coordinate the See Her, Be Her event.“We know that there’s a shortage of girls and women in STEM careers,” adds <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannanurjahan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Johanna Nurjahan</a>, girl experience manager for the Heart of New Jersey council. “We are really trying to create that pipeline, which is needed to ensure that the number of women in STEM tracks upward.”<h2>STEM is one of four pillars</h2>The Girl Scouts organization focuses on helping girls build courage, confidence, and character. The program is based on four pillars: life skills, outdoor skills, entrepreneurship, and STEM.“We offer girls a wide range of experiences that empower them to take charge of their future, explore their interests, and discover the joy of learning new skills,” Nurjahan says. “As they grow and progress through the program, they continue developing and refining skills that build courage, confidence, and character—qualities that prepare them to make the world a better place. Everything we do helps lay a strong foundation for leadership.”<h2>A fruitful collaboration</h2>The partnership between IEEE and the Girl Scouts began shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States in 2020. Volunteers from IEEE sections worked with <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-tryengineering-funds-50-projects" target="_self">IEEE TryEngineering</a> to bring resources to areas that had not historically been represented in STEM, Polk says. <img alt="A woman guiding a brownie scout through a scientific experiment at her booth\u2019s table." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="035d01c920949afe7aa5dfd70a9937df" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="43ade" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-woman-guiding-a-brownie-scout-through-a-scientific-experiment-at-her-booth-u2019s-table.jpg?id=62236936&width=980"/> Trinity Zang, a laboratory manager at Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Essex County, N.J.shows a Girl Scout Brownie how to transfer liquid samples using pipettes.GSHNJDuring that same period, the Girl Scouts were increasing their involvement in STEM-related programs. They worked with U.S. IEEE sections to conduct hands-on activities at schools. They also held career fairs and created <a href="https://www.girlscoutshop.com/badges-program/all-badges-pins/stem" target="_blank">STEM badges</a>. The collaboration has grown since then.“IEEE has always been a fantastic partner,” Nurjahan says. “They’re always willing to aid us as we work to get more girls engaged in STEM.”IEEE first got involved with the See Her, Be Her career fair in May 2024, which was also held at Stevens Tech.“Being able to introduce engineering and STEM to possible future innovators and leaders helps grow the understanding of how societal problems can be solved,” Polk says. “IEEE also benefits by having a new generation knowing who we are and what our charitable organization is doing to improve humanity through technology.”“See Her, Be Her gives girls the chance to see women leading in nontraditional careers and inspires them to dream bigger, challenge limits, and believe they can do anything they set their minds to,” Nurjahan says. “It’s about showing them that every path is open to them. They just have to go for it.”<h2>Making cloud computing fun</h2>One of the volunteers who participated in this year’s career fair was IEEE Senior Member <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gautaminadkarni/" target="_blank">Gautami Nadkarni</a>. A cloud architect, she’s a senior customer engineer with <a href="https://about.google/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google</a> in New York City.“I’m very passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and other such initiatives because I believe that was something I personally benefited from in my career,” Nadkarni says. “I had a lot of strong supporters and champions.”She says she was <a data-linked-post="2671215773" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-wie-manga-contest-2024" target="_blank">inspired to pursue a STEM career</a> after attending a lecture given by a female professor from the <a href="https://www.iitb.ac.in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay</a>.“I remember being just so empowered and really inspired by her and thinking, Wow, there is someone who looks like me and is going places,” Nadkarni says. “When I look back, that was one of the moments that helped me shape who I am from a career standpoint.” <img alt="A table decorated with a plastic cloud-themed cover, hand-drawn engineering signs and letter balloons that spell \u201cCloud\u201d." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4a25b62da967829f696f3074776caf3a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="c70cb" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-table-decorated-with-a-plastic-cloud-themed-cover-hand-drawn-engineering-signs-and-letter-balloons-that-spell-u201ccloud-u20.jpg?id=62236946&width=980"/> IEEE Senior Member Gautami Nadkarn decorated her career fair booth with a cloud motif.Gautami NadkarnShe holds a master’s degree in management information systems from the <a href="https://suny.buffalostate.edu/" target="_blank">State University of New York, Buffalo</a>, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the <a href="https://www.djsce.ac.in/" target="_blank">Dwarkadas Jivanlal Sanghvi College of Engineering</a>, in Mumbai.Her exhibit at the career fair was on cloud computing. She decorated her booth with a cloud motif and introduced herself to the youngsters as a “superhero for big companies” because she helps them keep their information safe and organized. She used child-friendly examples, explaining to the Girl Scouts that she teaches customers how to use supercomputers to better understand information and help them determine what kind of toys children want.“IEEE and the Girl Scouts share a view that STEM fields require a diversity of thought, experience, and backgrounds to be able to use technology to better the world.” — Craig Polk“I think cloud computing is still an untapped area,” she says. “There are a lot of people who probably don’t know a lot about cloud engineering.“I wanted to create an awareness and an experience to show that it’s not boring, and show how they can use it in their day-to-day lives.”Her exhibit showcased the tasks cloud engineers handle. To describe the fundamentals of how data is stored, managed, and processed, she created a data-sorting exercise by having participants separate toy dinosaurs by color. As a way to explain the importance of data security, she made a puzzle that showed students how to protect valuable information. To demonstrate how AI can bring someone’s wild ideas to life, she taught them to use <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/google-cloud/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Cloud</a>’s text-to-image model <a href="https://deepmind.google/models/imagen/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Imagen 3</a>. The girls used their imaginations—which translated into AI-generated images including one of a dog riding a unicycle on a boat. The girls also made audio messages using different voices.“The exhibitors who participate in the See Her, Be Her program provide inspiration,” Nurjahan says. “It’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm in the girls after meeting with exhibitors. Just a few minutes of engagement gives them a glimpse of their potential and sparks hope for the future, no matter what career they choose.”

Nov 26, 2025

TraffickCam Uses Computer Vision to Counter Human Trafficking

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/several-images-of-hotel-rooms-from-across-the-united-states.jpg?id=62239499&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=57%2C0%2C58%2C0"/> <a href="https://www.slu.edu/science-and-engineering/academics/computer-science/faculty-and-staff/abby-stylianou.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Abby Stylianou</a> built an app that asks its users to upload photos of hotel rooms they stay in when they travel. It may seem like a simple act, but the resulting database of hotel room images helps Stylianou and her colleagues assist victims of human trafficking.Traffickers often post photos of their victims in hotel rooms as online advertisements, evidence that can be used to find the victims and prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes. But to use this evidence, analysts must be able to determine where the photos were taken. That’s where <a href="https://traffickcam.com/" target="_blank">TraffickCam</a> comes in. The app uses the submitted images to train an image search system currently in use by the U.S.-based <a href="https://www.missingkids.org/" target="_blank">National Center for Missing and Exploited Children</a> (NCMEC), aiding in its efforts to geolocate posted images—a deceptively hard task.Stylianou, a professor at Saint Louis University, is currently working with <a href="https://engineering.washu.edu/faculty/Nathan-Jacobs.html" target="_blank">Nathan Jacobs</a>‘ group at the Washington University in St. Louis to push the model even further, developing multimodal search capabilities that allow for video and text queries.Stylianou on:<ul><li><a href="#desire">Her desire to help victims of abuse</a> </li><li><a href="#algo">How TraffickCam’s algorithm works</a></li><li><a href="#hotels">Why hotel rooms are tricky for recognition algorithms</a></li><li><a href="#image">The difference between image recognition and object recognition</a></li><li><a href="#success">How she evaluates TraffickCam’s success</a></li></ul>Which came first, your interest in computers or your desire to help provide justice to victims of abuse, and how did they coincide?Abby Stylianou: It’s a crazy story.I’ll go back to my undergraduate degree. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I took a remote sensing class my second semester of senior year that I just loved. When I graduated, [George Washington University professor (then at Washington University in St. Louis)] <a href="https://cs.engineering.gwu.edu/robert-pless" target="_blank">Robert Pless</a> hired me to work on a program called <a href="https://www.iarpa.gov/research-programs/finder" target="_blank">Finder</a>. The goal of Finder was to say, if you have a picture and nothing else, how can you figure out where that picture was taken? My family knew about the work that I was doing, and [in 2013] my uncle shared an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch with me about a young murder victim from the 1980s whose case had run cold. [The St. Louis Police Department] never figured out who she was. What they had was pictures from the burial in 1983. They were wanting to do an exhumation of her remains to do modern forensic analysis, figure out what part of the country she was from. But they had exhumed the remains underneath her headstone at the cemetery and it wasn’t her. And they [dug up the wrong remains] two more times, at which point the medical examiner for St. Louis said, “You can’t keep digging until you have evidence of where the remains actually are.” My uncle sends this to me, and he’s like, “Hey, could you figure out where this picture was taken?” And so we actually ended up consulting for the St. Louis Police Department to take this tool we were building for <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/where-was-this-photo-taken" target="_self">geolocalization</a> to see if we could find the location of this lost grave. We submitted a report to the medical examiner for St. Louis that said, “Here is where we believe the remains are.” And we were right. We were able to <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6913722" target="_blank">exhume her remains</a>. They were able to do modern forensic analysis and figure out she was from the Southeast. We’ve still not figured out her identity, but we have a lot better genetic information at this point. For me, that moment was like, “This is what I want to do with my life. I want to use computer vision to do some good.” That was a tipping point for me.<a href="#top">Back to top</a>So how does your algorithm work? Can you walk me through how a user-uploaded photo becomes usable data for law enforcement?Stylianou: There are two really key pieces when we think about AI systems today. One is the data, and one is the model you’re using to operate. For us, both of those are equally important. First is the data. We’re really lucky that there’s tons of imagery of hotels on the Internet, and so we’re able to scrape publicly available data in large volume. We have millions of these images that are available online. The problem with a lot of those images, though, is that they’re like advertising images. They’re perfect images of the nicest hotel in the room—they’re really clean, and that isn’t what the victim images look like. A victim image is often a selfie that the victim has taken themselves. They’re in a messy room. The lighting is imperfect. This is a problem for machine learning algorithms. We call it the domain gap. When there is a gap between the data that you trained your model on and the data that you’re running through at inference time, your model won’t perform very well. This idea to build the TraffickCam mobile application was in large part to supplement that Internet data with data that actually looks more like the victim imagery. We built this app so that people, when they travel, can submit pictures of their hotel rooms specifically for this purpose. Those pictures, combined with the pictures that we have off the Internet, are what we use to train our model. Then what?Stylianou: Once we have a big pile of data, we train neural networks to learn to embed it. If you take an image and run it through your <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/what-is-deep-learning/step-1" target="_self">neural network</a>, what comes out on the other end isn’t explicitly a prediction of what hotel the image came from. Rather, it’s a numerical representation [of image features]. What we have is a neural network that takes in images and spits out vectors—small numerical representations of those images—where images that come from the same place hopefully have similar representations. That’s what we then use in this investigative platform that we have deployed at [NCMEC].We have a search interface that uses that deep learning model, where an analyst can put in their image, run it through there, and they get back a set of results of what are the other images that are visually similar, and you can use that to then infer the location.<a href="#top">Back to top</a><h2>Identifying Hotel Rooms Using Computer Vision</h2>Many of your papers mention that matching hotel room images can actually be more difficult than matching photos of other types of locations. Why is that, and how do you deal with those challenges?Stylianou: There are a handful of things that are really unique about hotels compared to other domains. Two different hotels may actually look really similar—every Motel 6 in the country has been renovated so that it looks virtually identical. That’s a real challenge for these models that are trying to come up with different representations for different hotels. On the flip side, two rooms in the same hotel may look really different. You have the penthouse suite and the entry-level room. Or a renovation has happened on one floor and not another. That’s really a challenge when two images should have the same representation.Other parts of our queries are unique because usually there’s a very, very large part of the image that has to be erased first. We’re talking about child pornography images. That has to be erased before it ever gets submitted to our system.We trained the first version by pasting in people-shaped blobs to try and get the network to ignore the erased portion. But [Temple University professor and close collaborator <a href="https://cis.temple.edu/~souvenir/" target="_blank">Richard Souvenir</a>’s team] showed that if you actually use AI in-painting—you actually fill in that blob with a sort of natural-looking texture—you actually do a lot better on the search than if you leave the erased blob in there.So when our analysts run their search, the first thing they do is they erase the image. The next thing that we do is that we actually then go and use an AI in-painting model to fill that back in. <a href="#top">Back to top</a>Some of your work involved object recognition rather than <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/image-recognition" target="_self">image recognition</a>. Why?Stylianou: The [NCMEC] analysts that use our tool have shared with us that oftentimes, in the query, all they can see is one object in the background and they want to run a search on just that. But when these models that we train typically operate on the scale of the full image, that’s a problem. And there are things in a hotel that are unique and things that aren’t. Like a white bed in a hotel is totally non-discriminative. Most hotels have a white bed. But a really unique piece of artwork on the wall, even if it’s small, might be really important to recognizing the location. [NCMEC analysts] can sometimes only see one object, or know that one object is important. Just zooming in on it in the types of models that we’re already using doesn’t work well. How could we support that better? We’re doing things like training object-specific models. You can have a couch model and a lamp model and a carpet model.<a href="#top">Back to top</a>How do you evaluate the success of the algorithm?Stylianou: I have two versions of this answer. One is that there’s no real world dataset that we can use to measure this, so we create proxy datasets. We have our data that we’ve collected via the TraffickCam app. We take subsets of that and we put big blobs into them that we erase and we measure the fraction of the time that we correctly predict what hotel those are from. So those images look as much like the victim images as we can make them look. That said, they still don’t necessarily look exactly like the victim images, right? That’s as good of a sort of quantitative metric as we can come up with.And then we do a lot of work with the [NCMEC] to understand how the system is working for them. We get to hear about the instances where they’re able to use our tool successfully and not successfully. Honestly, some of the most useful feedback we get from them is them telling us, “I tried running the search and it didn’t work.”Have positive hotel image matches actually been used to help trafficking victims? Stylianou: I always struggle to talk about these things, in part because I have young kids. This is upsetting and I don’t want to take things that are the most horrific thing that will ever happen to somebody and tell it as our positive story. With that said, there are cases we’re aware of. There’s one that I’ve heard from the analysts at NCMEC recently that really has reinvigorated for me why I do what I do.There was a case of a live stream that was happening. And it was a young child who was being assaulted in a hotel. NCMEC got alerted that this was happening. The analysts who have been trained to use TraffickCam took a screenshot of that, plugged it into our system, got a result for which hotel it was, sent law enforcement, and were able to rescue the child. I feel very, very lucky that I work on something that has real world impact, that we are able to make a difference. <a href="#top">Back to top</a>

Nov 26, 2025

Event Sensors Bring Just the Right Data to Device Makers

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/two-photos-of-a-dancer-in-motion-the-left-conventional-photo-has-blurry-elements-while-the-right-event-sensor-enhanced-photo.png?id=62236342&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=156%2C0%2C156%2C0"/> Anatomically, the human eye is like a sophisticated tentacle that reaches out from the brain, with the retina acting as the tentacle’s tip and touching everything the person sees. Evolution worked a wonder with this complex nervous structure.Now, contrast the eye’s anatomy to the engineering of the most widely used machine-vision systems today: a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a CMOS imaging chip, each of which consists of a grid of pixels. The eye is orders of magnitude more efficient than these flat-chipped computer-vision kits. Here’s why: For any scene it observes, a chip’s pixel grid is updated periodically—and in its entirety—over the course of receiving the light from the environment. The eye, though, is much more parsimonious, focusing its attention only on a small part of the visual scene at any one time—namely, the part of the scene that changes, like the fluttering of a leaf or a golf ball splashing into water.My company, <a href="https://www.prophesee.ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Prophesee</a>, and our competitors call these changes in a scene “events.” And we call the biologically inspired, machine-vision systems built to capture these events neuromorphic event sensors. Compared to CCDs and CMOS imaging chips, event sensors respond faster, offer a higher dynamic range—meaning they can detect both in dark and bright parts of the scene at the same time—and capture quick movements without blur, all while producing new data only when and where an event is sensed, which makes the sensors highly energy and data efficient. We and others are using these biologically inspired supersensors to significantly upgrade a wide array of devices and machines, including high-dynamic-range cameras, augmented-reality wearables, drones, and medical robots.So wherever you look at machines these days, they’re starting to look back—and, thanks to event sensors, they’re looking back more the way we do. <iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0FAT6TpKavw?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>Event-sensing videos may seem unnatural to humans, but they capture just what computers need to know: motion.Prophesee<h2>Event Sensors vs. CMOS Imaging Chips</h2>Digital sensors inspired by the human eye date back decades. The first attempts to make them were in the 1980s at the California Institute of Technology. Pioneering electrical engineers <a href="https://ethw.org/Carver_A._Mead" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Carver A. Mead</a>, <a href="https://direct.mit.edu/neco/article/35/3/343/113812/Neuromorphic-Engineering-In-Memory-of-Misha" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Misha Mahowald</a>, and their colleagues used analog circuitry to mimic the functions of the excitable cells in the human retina, resulting in their “silicon retina.” In the 1990s, Mead cofounded Foveon to develop neurally inspired CMOS image sensors with improved color accuracy, less noise at low light, and sharper images. In 2008, camera maker<a href="https://www.sigmaphoto.com/learn/our-story" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Sigma</a> purchased Foveon and continues to develop the technology for photography. A number of research institutions continued to pursue bioinspired imaging technology through the 1990s and 2000s. In 2006, a team at the <a href="https://www.ini.uzh.ch/en.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Institute of Neuroinformatics</a> at the University of Zurich, built the <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/4444573" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">first practical temporal-contrast event sensor</a>, which captured changes in light intensity over time. By 2010, researchers at the <a href="http://www.imse-cnm.csic.es/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Seville Institute of Microelectronics</a> had <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5537152" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">designed sensors</a> that could be tuned to detect changes in either space or time. Then, in 2010, my group at the <a href="https://www.ait.ac.at/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Austrian Institute of Technology</a>, in Vienna, <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5648367" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">combined temporal contrast</a> detection with photocurrent integration at the pixel-level to both detect relative changes in intensity and acquire absolute light levels in each individual pixel . More recently, in 2022, a team at the <a href="https://www.institut-vision.org/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Institut de la Vision</a>, in Paris, and their spin-off, <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/pixium-vision" target="_self">Pixium Vision</a>, applied neuromorphic sensor technology to a biomedical application—a retinal implant to restore some vision to blind people. (<a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/pixium-bionic-eye-tech-rescued" target="_self">Pixium has since been acquired by Science Corp.</a>, the Alameda, Calif.–based maker of brain-computer interfaces.)RELATED: <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/pixium-bionic-eye-tech-rescued" target="_self">Bionic Eye Gets a New Lease on Life</a> Other startups that pioneered event sensors for real-world vision tasks include i<a href="https://inivation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">niVation</a> in Zurich (which merged with <a href="https://www.synsense.ai/about-us-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SynSense</a> in China), CelePixel in Singapore (now part of <a href="https://www.ovt.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">OmniVision</a>), and my company, <a href="https://www.prophesee.ai" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Prophesee</a> (formerly Chronocam), in Paris.<h3>TABLE 1: Who’s Developing Neuromorphic Event Sensors</h3> <table border="1" style="white-space: unset;" width="98%"><tbody><tr><th align="left" scope="col" style="color: #ffffff; background-color: #000000;">Date released</th><th align="left" scope="col" style="color: #ffffff; background-color: #000000;">Company</th><th align="left" scope="col" style="color: #ffffff; background-color: #000000;">Sensor</th><th align="left" scope="col" style="color: #ffffff; background-color: #000000;">Event pixel resolution</th><th align="left" scope="col" style="color: #ffffff; background-color: #000000;">Status</th></tr><tr><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">2023</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">OmniVision</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">Celex VII</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">1,032 x 928</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">Prototype</td></tr><tr><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">2023</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">Prophesee</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">GenX320</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">320 x 320</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">Commercial</td></tr><tr><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">2023</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">Sony</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">Gen3</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">1,920 x 1,084</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">Prototype</td></tr><tr><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">2021</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">Prophesee & Sony</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">IMX636/637/646/647</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">1,280 x 720</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">Commercial</td></tr><tr><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">2020</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">Samsung</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">Gen4</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">1,280 x 960</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #DFD5C1;">Prototype</td></tr><tr><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">2018</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">Samsung</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">Gen3</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">640 x 480</td><td align="left" style="background-color: #E9E3D6;">Commercial</td></tr></tbody></table><style class="photo-credit">Source: Christoph Posch</style><h3></h3> Among the leading CMOS image sensor companies, Samsung was the first to present its own event-sensor designs. Today other major players, such as <a href="https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/products/is/industry/evs.html" target="_blank">Sony</a> and <a href="https://www.ovt.com/" target="_blank">OmniVision</a>, are also exploring and implementing event sensors. Among the wide range of applications that companies are targeting are <a href="https://www.prophesee.ai/event-based-vision-automotive/" target="_blank">machine vision in cars</a>, <a href="https://www.prophesee.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Prophesee_Products_Catalogue_2025_Double_Page_OK.pdf" target="_blank">drone detection</a>, <a href="https://framos.com/products-solutions/image-sensors/event-based-sensors/" target="_blank">blood-cell tracking</a>, and <a href="https://framos.com/products-solutions/image-sensors/" target="_blank">robotic systems used in manufacturing</a>.<h2>How an Event Sensor Works</h2>To grasp the power of the event sensor, consider a conventional video camera recording a tennis ball crossing a court at 150 kilometers per hour. Depending on the camera, it will capture 24 to 60 frames per second, which can result in an undersampling of the fast motion due to large displacement of the ball between frames and possibly cause motion blur because of the movement of the ball during the exposure time. At the same time, the camera essentially oversamples the static background, such as the net and other parts of the court that don’t move.If you then ask a machine-vision system to analyze the dynamics in the scene, it has to rely on this sequence of static images—the video camera’s frames—which contain both too little information about the important things and too much redundant information about things that don’t matter. It’s a fundamentally mismatched approach that’s led the builders of machine-vision systems to invest in complex and power-hungry processing infrastructure to make up for the inadequate data. These machine-vision systems are too costly to use in applications that require real-time understanding of the scene, such as autonomous vehicles, and they use too much energy, bandwidth, and computing resources for applications like battery-powered smart glasses, drones, and robots.Ideally, an image sensor would use high sampling rates for the parts of the scene that contain fast motion and changes, and slow rates for the slow-changing parts, with the sampling rate going to zero if nothing changes. This is exactly what an event sensor does. Each pixel acts independently and determines the timing of its own sampling by reacting to changes in the amount of incident light. The entire sampling process is no longer governed by a fixed clock with no relation to the scene’s dynamics, as with conventional cameras, but instead adapts to subtle variations in the scene.<h3></h3> <img alt="A trio of illustrations. One shows several red dots on a black background, representing the motion of a ball. The second projects the first across time to show how it requires several frames of a conventional video camera to capture the motion. A third illustration displays only the ball\u2019s path across an X-Y-Time volume as recorded by an event sensor." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="21e675ea09b7e0bd80b0edec3939976a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="1689e" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-trio-of-illustrations-one-shows-several-red-dots-on-a-black-background-representing-the-motion-of-a-ball-the-second-project.png?id=62236418&width=980"/><h3></h3> Let’s dig deeper into the mechanics. When the light intensity on a given pixel crosses a predefined threshold, the system records the time with microsecond precision. This time stamp and the pixel’s coordinates in the sensor array form a message describing the “event,” which the sensor transmits as a digital data package. Each pixel can do this without the need for an external intervention such as a clock signal and independently of the other pixels. Not only is this architecture vital for accurately capturing quick movements, but it’s also critical for increasing an image’s dynamic range. Since each pixel is independent, the lowest light in a scene and the brightest light in a scene are simultaneously recorded; there’s no issue of over- or underexposed images.<h3></h3> <img alt="An illustration of a pixel adjacent to a diagram of a photodiode above a relative change detector, with pull-out visualizations of how the change detector defines events based on the log pixel illuminance." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e7880aba0cf3e8cc53f5cae297765a35" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="8e703" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/an-illustration-of-a-pixel-adjacent-to-a-diagram-of-a-photodiode-above-a-relative-change-detector-with-pull-out-visualizations.png?id=62236446&width=980"/>The output generated by a video camera equipped with an event sensor is not a sequence of images but rather a continuous stream of individual pixel data, generated and transmitted based on changes happening in the scene. Since in many scenes, most pixels do not change very often, event sensors promise to save energy compared to conventional CMOS imaging, especially when you include the energy of data transmission and processing. For many tasks, our sensors consume about a tenth the power of a conventional sensor. Certain tasks, for example eye tracking for smart glasses, require even less energy for sensing and processing. In the case of the tennis ball, where the changes represent a small fraction of the overall field of vision, the data to be transmitted and processed is tiny compared to conventional sensors, and the advantages of an event sensor approach are enormous: perhaps five or even six orders of magnitude.<h2>Event Sensors in Action</h2>To imagine where we will see event sensors in the future, think of any application that requires a fast, energy- and data-efficient camera that can work in both low and high light. For example, they would be ideal for edge devices: Internet-connected gadgets that are often small, have power constraints, are worn close to the body (such as a smart ring), or operate far from high-bandwidth, robust network connections (such as livestock monitors).Event sensors’ low power requirements and ability to detect subtle movement also make them ideal for human-computer interfaces—for example, in systems for eye and gaze tracking, <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10682067" target="_blank">lipreading</a>, and gesture control in smartwatches, augmented-reality glasses, game controllers, and digital kiosks at fast food restaurants.For the home, engineers are testing wall-mounted event sensors in health monitors for the elderly, to <a href="https://www.electronicsforu.com/electronics-projects/fall-detection-system" target="_blank">detect when a person falls</a>. Here, event sensors have another advantage—they don’t need to capture a full image, just the event of the fall. This means the monitor sends only an alert, and the use of a camera doesn’t raise the usual privacy concerns.Event sensors can also augment traditional digital photography. Such applications are still in the development stage, but <a href="https://openaccess.thecvf.com/content/ACCV2024/papers/Weng_Event-based_Image_Enhancement_Under_High_Dynamic_Range_Scenarios_ACCV_2024_paper.pdf" target="_blank">researchers have demonstrated</a> that when an event sensor is used alongside a phone’s camera, the extra information about the motion within the scene as well as the high and low lighting from the event sensor can be used to remove blur from the original image, add more crispness, or boost the dynamic range.Event sensors could be used to remove motion in the other direction, too: Currently, cameras rely on electromechanical stabilization technologies to keep the camera steady. Event-sensor data can be used to algorithmically produce a steady image in real time, even as the camera shakes. And because event sensors record data at microsecond intervals, faster than the fastest CCD or CMOS image sensors, it’s also possible to fill in the gaps between the frames of traditional video capture. This can effectively boost the frame rate from tens of frames per second to tens of thousands, enabling ultraslow-motion video on demand after the recording has finished. Two obvious applications of this technique are helping referees at sporting events resolve questions right after a play, and helping authorities reconstruct the details of traffic collisions. <iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/elJb58sgqV0?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>An event sensor records and sends data only when light changes more than a user-defined threshold. The size of the arrows in the video at right convey how fast different parts of the dancer and her dress are moving. PropheseeMeanwhile, a <a href="https://www.prophesee.ai/prophesee-inventors-community/" target="_blank">wide range of early-stage inventors</a> are developing applications of event sensors for situational awareness in space, including satellite and space-debris tracking. They’re also investigating the use of event sensors for biological applications, including microfluidics analysis and flow visualization, flow cytometry, and contamination detection for cell therapy.But right now, industrial applications of event sensors are the most mature. Companies have deployed them in quality control on beverage-carton production lines, in laser welding robots, and in Internet of Things devices. And developers are working on using event sensors to <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2212.08384" target="_blank">count objects on fast-moving conveyor belts</a>, provide visual-feedback control for industrial robots, and to make touchless <a href="https://arxiv.org/html/2410.14364v1" target="_blank">vibration measurements</a> of equipment, for predictive maintenance.<h2>The Data Challenge for Event Sensors</h2>There is still work to be done to improve the capabilities of the technology. One of the biggest challenges is in the kind of data event sensors produce. Machine-vision systems use algorithms designed to interpret static scenes. Event data is temporal in nature, effectively capturing the swings of a robot arm or the spinning of a gear, but those distinct data signatures aren’t easily parsed by current machine-vision systems. <img alt="A graph showing variations in light intensity over time that trigger an event sensor to send signals." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="735f4c289b7f1bd4fe2f98f10aa52759" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="67938" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-graph-showing-variations-in-light-intensity-over-time-that-trigger-an-event-sensor-to-send-signals.png?id=62236507&width=980"/>Engineers can calibrate an event sensor to send a signal only when the number of photons changes more than a preset amount. This way, the sensor sends less, but more relevant, data. In this chart, only changes to the intensity [black curve] greater than a certain amount [dotted horizontal lines] set off an event message [blue or red, depending on the direction of the change]. Note that the y-axis is logarithmic and so the detected changes are relative changesPropheseeThis is where Prophesee comes in. My company offers products and services that help other companies more easily build event-sensor technology into their applications. So we’ve been working on making it easier to incorporate temporal data into existing systems in three ways: by designing a new generation of event sensors with industry-standard interfaces and data protocols; by formatting the data for efficient use by a computer-vision algorithm or a neural network; and by providing always-on low-power mode capabilities. To this end, last year we partnered with <a href="https://www.amd.com/en.html" target="_blank">chipmaker AMD</a> to enable our <a href="https://www.prophesee.ai/event-based-sensors/" target="_blank">Metavision HD event sensor</a> to be used with AMD’s Kria KV260 Vision <a href="https://www.amd.com/en/products/system-on-modules/kria/k26/kv260-vision-starter-kit/event-based-vision-starter-kit.html" target="_blank">AI Starter Kit</a>, a collection of hardware and software that lets developers test their event-sensor applications. The Prophesee and AMD development platform manages some of the data challenges so that developers can experiment more freely with this new kind of camera. One approach that we and others have found promising for managing the data of event sensors is to take a cue from the biologically inspired neural networks used in today’s machine-learning architectures. For instance, <a href="https://medium.com/biased-algorithms/the-complete-guide-to-spiking-neural-networks-f9c1e650d69e" target="_blank">spiking neural networks</a>, or SNNs, act more like biological neurons than traditional neural networks do—specifically, SNNs transmit information only when discrete “spikes” of activity are detected, while traditional neural nets process continuous values. SNNs thus offer an event-based computational approach that is well matched to the way that event sensors capture scene dynamics. Another kind of neural network that’s attracting attention is called a <a href="https://distill.pub/2021/gnn-intro/" target="_blank">graph neural network</a>, or GNN. These types of neural networks accept graphs as input data, which means they’re useful for any kind of data that’s represented by a mesh of nodes and their connections—for example, social networks, recommendation systems, molecular structures, and the behavior of biological and digital viruses. As it happens, the data that event sensors produce can also be represented by a graph that’s 3D, where there are two dimensions of space and one dimension of time. The GNN can effectively compress the graph from an event sensor by picking out features such as 2D images, distinct types of objects, estimates of the direction and speed of objects, and even bodily gestures. We think GNNs will be especially useful for event-based edge-computing applications with limited power, connectivity, and processing. We’re currently working to put a GNN almost directly into an event sensor and eventually to incorporate both the event sensor and the GNN process into the same millimeter-dimension chip.In the future, we expect to see machine-vision systems that follow nature’s successful strategy of capturing the right data at just the right time and processing it in the most efficient way. Ultimately, that approach will allow our machines to see the wider world in a new way, which will benefit both us and them.

Nov 25, 2025

Listen to Protons for Less Than $100

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-pair-of-coil-wound-cylinders-sits-atop-two-milk-crates-wires-connect-them-to-a-circuit-board-connected-to-three-large-12-volt.png?id=62212907&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C315%2C0%2C315"/> When you get an MRI scan, the machine exploits a phenomenon called nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Certain kinds of atomic nuclei—including those of the hydrogen atoms in a water molecule—can be made to oscillate in a magnetic field, and these oscillations can be detected with coils of wire. MRI scanners employ intense magnetic fields that create resonances at<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564320/" target="_blank"> tens to hundreds</a> of megahertz. However, another NMR-based instrument involves much lower-frequency oscillations: a<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_magnetometer" target="_blank"> proton-precession magnetometer</a>, often used to measure Earth’s magnetic field.Proton-precession magnetometers have been around for decades and were once often used in<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100626162421/http:/www.gbl.indiana.edu/abstracts/89/peebles_89.html" target="_blank"> archaeology</a> and<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015AGUFMNH43C1896B/abstract" target="_blank"> mineral exploration</a>. High-end models can cost thousands of dollars. Then, in 2022 a German engineer named Alexander Mumm devised<a href="https://alexmumm.de/dat/ppm_alexmumm_educational_listener.pdf" target="_blank"> a very simple circuit</a> for a stripped-down one. I recently built his circuit and can attest that with less than half a kilogram of 22-gauge magnet wire; two common integrated circuits; a<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOSFET" target="_blank"> metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor, or MOSFET</a>; a handful of discrete components; and two empty 113-gram bottles of<a href="https://www.mortonsalt.com/home-product/morton-natures-seasons-seasoning-blend/" target="_blank"> Morton seasoning blend</a>, it’s possible to measure Earth’s magnetic field very accurately. <img alt="Principal components of the proton magnetometer." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f257668fd5f99a4e118270887961f3f4" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="ef3be" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/principal-components-of-the-proton-magnetometer.png?id=62212955&width=980"/>The frequency of the signal emitted by protons precessing in Earth’s magnetic field lies in the audio range, so with a pair of headphones and two amplifier integrated circuits [middle right], you can detect a signal from water in seasoning bottles wrapped in coils [bottom left and right]. A MOSFET [middle left] allows for rapid control of the coils. The amplification circuitry is powered by a 9-volt battery, while a 36-volt battery charges the coils.James ProvostLike an MRI scanner, a proton-precession magnetometer measures the oscillations of<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_atom" target="_blank"> hydrogen nuclei</a>—that is, protons. Like other subatomic particles, protons possess a quantum property called<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin_(physics)" target="_blank"> spin</a>, akin to classical angular momentum. In a magnetic field, protons wobble like spinning tops, with their spin axes tracing out a cone—a phenomenon called precession. A proton-precession magnetometer gets many protons to wobble in sync and then measures the frequency of their wobbles, which is proportional to the intensity of the ambient magnetic field.The weak strength of <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/magnetic-world-model" target="_blank">Earth’s magnetic field</a> (at least compared to that of an MRI machine) means that protons wobbling under its influence do so at audio frequencies. Get enough moving in unison and the spinning protons will induce a voltage in a nearby pickup coil. Amplify that and pass it through some earphones, and you get an audio tone. So with a suitable circuit, you can, literally, hear protons.The first step is to make the pickup coils, which is where the bottles of Morton seasoning blend come in. Why Morton seasoning blend? Two reasons. First, this size bottle will allow you to wrap about 500 turns of wire around each one with about 450 grams of 22-gauge wire. Second, the bottle has little shoulders molded at each end, making for excellent coil forms.<h3></h3> <div class="rblad-ieee_in_content"></div>Why two bottles and two coils? That’s to quash electromagnetic noise—principally coming from power lines—that invariably gets picked up by the coils. When two counterwound coils are wired in series, such external noise tends to cancel out. Signals from precessing protons in the two coils, though, will reinforce one another.Don’t try this indoors or anywhere near iron-containing objects.A proton magnetometer has three modes. The first is for sending DC current through the coils. The second mode disconnects the current source and allows the magnetic field it had created to collapse. The third is listening mode, which connects the coils to a sensitive audio amplifier. By filling each bottle with distilled water and sending a DC current (a few amperes) through these coils, you line up the spins of many protons in the water. Then, after putting your circuit into listening mode, you use the coils to sense the synchronous oscillations of the wobbling protons.Mumm’s circuit shifts from one mode to another in the simplest way possible: using a three-position switch. One position enables the DC-polarization mode. The next allows the magnetic field built up during polarization to collapse, and the third position is for listening.<h2>Avoiding Damaging Sparks</h2>The second mode might seem easy to achieve—just disconnect the coils, right? But if you do that, <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/you-want-a-prosthetic-leg-with-a-tesla-coil-and-spark-gaps-no-problem" target="_blank">the same principle that makes spark plugs spark</a> will put a damaging high voltage across the switch contacts as the magnetic fields around the coils collapse. <img alt="A circuit diagram. " class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="23b244ef59c52152fc1fc1191a318509" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="84f9f" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-circuit-diagram.png?id=62212916&width=980"/>The proton-precession magnetometer is primarily just a multistage analog amplifier.James ProvostTo avoid that, Mumm’s circuit employs a MOSFET, wired to work like a high-power<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_diode" target="_blank"> Zener diode</a>, used in many power-regulation circuits to allow only current above a specified threshold voltage to flow. This limits the voltage that develops across the coils when the current is cut off by just enough so that the magnetometer can shift from polarizing to listening mode quickly but without causing damage.To pick up a strong signal, the listening circuit must also be tuned to resonate at the expected frequency of proton precession, which will depend on Earth’s magnetic field at your location. You can work out approximately what that is using an online<a href="https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/calculators/magcalc.shtml#igrfwmm" target="_blank"> geomagnetic-field calculator</a>. You’ll get the field strength, and then you’ll multiply that by the<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyromagnetic_ratio#Magnetogyric_ratio_for_a_nucleus" target="_blank"> gyromagnetic ratio</a> of protons (42.577 MHz per tesla). For me, that worked out to about 2 kilohertz. Estimating the inductance of the coils from their diameter and number of turns, I then selected a capacitor of suitable value in parallel with the coils to make a<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LC_circuit" target="_blank"> tank circuit</a> that resonates at that frequency.You could tune your tank circuit using a frequency generator and oscilloscope. Or, as Mumm suggests, attach a small speaker to the output of the circuit. Then bring the speaker near the pickup coils. This will create magnetic feedback and the circuit will oscillate on it’s own—loudly! You merely need to measure the frequency of this tone, and then adjust the tank capacitor to bring this self-oscillation to the frequency you want to tune to.My initial attempt to listen to protons met with mixed success: Sometimes I heard tones, sometimes not. What helped to get this gizmo working consistently was realizing that proton magnetometers don’t tolerate large gradients in the magnetic field. So don’t try this indoors or anywhere near iron-containing objects: water pipes, cars, or even the ground. A wide-open space outside is best, with the coils raised off the ground. The second thing that helped was to apply more oomph in polarization mode. While a 12-volt battery works okay, 36 V does much better.After figuring these things out, I can now hear protons easily. These tones are clearly the sounds of protons, because they go away if I drain the water in the bottles. And, using free audio-analyzer software called<a href="https://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/spectra1.html" target="_blank"> Spectrum Lab</a>, I confirmed that the frequency of these tones matches the magnetic field at my location to about 1 percent. While it’s not a practical field instrument, a proton-precession magnetometer of any kind for less than US $100 is nothing to sneer at.This article appears in the December 2025 print issue as “Listening to Protons.”

Feb 9, 2022

Andrew Ng: Unbiggen AI

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/andrew-ng-listens-during-the-power-of-data-sooner-than-you-think-global-technology-conference-in-brooklyn-new-york-on-wednes.jpg?id=29206806&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C210"/> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Ng" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Andrew Ng</a> has serious street cred in artificial intelligence. He pioneered the use of graphics processing units (GPUs) to train deep learning models in the late 2000s with his students at <a href="https://stanfordmlgroup.github.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stanford University</a>, cofounded <a href="https://research.google/teams/brain/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Brain</a> in 2011, and then served for three years as chief scientist for <a href="https://ir.baidu.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Baidu</a>, where he helped build the Chinese tech giant’s AI group. So when he says he has identified the next big shift in artificial intelligence, people listen. And that’s what he told IEEE Spectrum in an exclusive Q&A.<hr/> Ng’s current efforts are focused on his company <a href="https://landing.ai/about/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Landing AI</a>, which built a platform called LandingLens to help manufacturers improve visual inspection with computer vision. He has also become something of an evangelist for what he calls the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06-AZXmwHjo" target="_blank">data-centric AI movement</a>, which he says can yield “small data” solutions to big issues in AI, including model efficiency, accuracy, and bias. Andrew Ng on... <ul> <li><a href="#big">What’s next for really big models</a></li> <li><a href="#career">The career advice he didn’t listen to</a></li> <li><a href="#defining">Defining the data-centric AI movement</a></li> <li><a href="#synthetic">Synthetic data</a></li> <li><a href="#work">Why Landing AI asks its customers to do the work</a></li> </ul> The great advances in deep learning over the past decade or so have been powered by ever-bigger models crunching ever-bigger amounts of data. Some people argue that that’s an <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/deep-learning-computational-cost" target="_self">unsustainable trajectory</a>. Do you agree that it can’t go on that way? Andrew Ng: This is a big question. We’ve seen foundation models in NLP [natural language processing]. I’m excited about NLP models getting even bigger, and also about the potential of building foundation models in computer vision. I think there’s lots of signal to still be exploited in video: We have not been able to build foundation models yet for video because of compute bandwidth and the cost of processing video, as opposed to tokenized text. So I think that this engine of scaling up deep learning algorithms, which has been running for something like 15 years now, still has steam in it. Having said that, it only applies to certain problems, and there’s a set of other problems that need small data solutions. When you say you want a foundation model for computer vision, what do you mean by that? Ng: This is a term coined by <a href="https://cs.stanford.edu/~pliang/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Percy Liang</a> and <a href="https://crfm.stanford.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">some of my friends at Stanford</a> to refer to very large models, trained on very large data sets, that can be tuned for specific applications. For example, <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/open-ais-powerful-text-generating-tool-is-ready-for-business" target="_self">GPT-3</a> is an example of a foundation model [for NLP]. Foundation models offer a lot of promise as a new paradigm in developing machine learning applications, but also challenges in terms of making sure that they’re reasonably fair and free from bias, especially if many of us will be building on top of them. What needs to happen for someone to build a foundation model for video? Ng: I think there is a scalability problem. The compute power needed to process the large volume of images for video is significant, and I think that’s why foundation models have arisen first in NLP. Many researchers are working on this, and I think we’re seeing early signs of such models being developed in computer vision. But I’m confident that if a semiconductor maker gave us 10 times more processor power, we could easily find 10 times more video to build such models for vision. Having said that, a lot of what’s happened over the past decade is that deep learning has happened in consumer-facing companies that have large user bases, sometimes billions of users, and therefore very large data sets. While that paradigm of machine learning has driven a lot of economic value in consumer software, I find that that recipe of scale doesn’t work for other industries. <a href="#top">Back to top</a> It’s funny to hear you say that, because your early work was at a consumer-facing company with millions of users. Ng: Over a decade ago, when I proposed starting the <a href="https://research.google/teams/brain/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Brain</a> project to use Google’s compute infrastructure to build very large neural networks, it was a controversial step. One very senior person pulled me aside and warned me that starting Google Brain would be bad for my career. I think he felt that the action couldn’t just be in scaling up, and that I should instead focus on architecture innovation. “In many industries where giant data sets simply don’t exist, I think the focus has to shift from big data to good data. Having 50 thoughtfully engineered examples can be sufficient to explain to the neural network what you want it to learn.” —Andrew Ng, CEO & Founder, Landing AI I remember when my students and I published the first <a href="https://nips.cc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NeurIPS</a> workshop paper advocating using <a href="https://developer.nvidia.com/cuda-zone" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CUDA</a>, a platform for processing on GPUs, for deep learning—a different senior person in AI sat me down and said, “CUDA is really complicated to program. As a programming paradigm, this seems like too much work.” I did manage to convince him; the other person I did not convince. I expect they’re both convinced now. Ng: I think so, yes. Over the past year as I’ve been speaking to people about the data-centric AI movement, I’ve been getting flashbacks to when I was speaking to people about deep learning and scalability 10 or 15 years ago. In the past year, I’ve been getting the same mix of “there’s nothing new here” and “this seems like the wrong direction.” <a href="#top">Back to top</a> How do you define data-centric AI, and why do you consider it a movement? Ng: Data-centric AI is the discipline of systematically engineering the data needed to successfully build an AI system. For an AI system, you have to implement some algorithm, say a neural network, in code and then train it on your data set. The dominant paradigm over the last decade was to download the data set while you focus on improving the code. Thanks to that paradigm, over the last decade deep learning networks have improved significantly, to the point where for a lot of applications the code—the neural network architecture—is basically a solved problem. So for many practical applications, it’s now more productive to hold the neural network architecture fixed, and instead find ways to improve the data. When I started speaking about this, there were many practitioners who, completely appropriately, raised their hands and said, “Yes, we’ve been doing this for 20 years.” This is the time to take the things that some individuals have been doing intuitively and make it a systematic engineering discipline. The data-centric AI movement is much bigger than one company or group of researchers. My collaborators and I organized a <a href="https://neurips.cc/virtual/2021/workshop/21860" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">data-centric AI workshop at NeurIPS</a>, and I was really delighted at the number of authors and presenters that showed up. You often talk about companies or institutions that have only a small amount of data to work with. How can data-centric AI help them? Ng: You hear a lot about vision systems built with millions of images—I once built a face recognition system using 350 million images. Architectures built for hundreds of millions of images don’t work with only 50 images. But it turns out, if you have 50 really good examples, you can build something valuable, like a defect-inspection system. In many industries where giant data sets simply don’t exist, I think the focus has to shift from big data to good data. Having 50 thoughtfully engineered examples can be sufficient to explain to the neural network what you want it to learn. When you talk about training a model with just 50 images, does that really mean you’re taking an existing model that was trained on a very large data set and fine-tuning it? Or do you mean a brand new model that’s designed to learn only from that small data set? Ng: Let me describe what Landing AI does. When doing visual inspection for manufacturers, we often use our own flavor of <a href="https://developers.arcgis.com/python/guide/how-retinanet-works/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">RetinaNet</a>. It is a pretrained model. Having said that, the pretraining is a small piece of the puzzle. What’s a bigger piece of the puzzle is providing tools that enable the manufacturer to pick the right set of images [to use for fine-tuning] and label them in a consistent way. There’s a very practical problem we’ve seen spanning vision, NLP, and speech, where even human annotators don’t agree on the appropriate label. For big data applications, the common response has been: If the data is noisy, let’s just get a lot of data and the algorithm will average over it. But if you can develop tools that flag where the data’s inconsistent and give you a very targeted way to improve the consistency of the data, that turns out to be a more efficient way to get a high-performing system. “Collecting more data often helps, but if you try to collect more data for everything, that can be a very expensive activity.” —Andrew Ng For example, if you have 10,000 images where 30 images are of one class, and those 30 images are labeled inconsistently, one of the things we do is build tools to draw your attention to the subset of data that’s inconsistent. So you can very quickly relabel those images to be more consistent, and this leads to improvement in performance. Could this focus on high-quality data help with bias in data sets? If you’re able to curate the data more before training? Ng: Very much so. Many researchers have pointed out that biased data is one factor among many leading to biased systems. There have been many thoughtful efforts to engineer the data. At the NeurIPS workshop, <a href="https://www.cs.princeton.edu/~olgarus/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Olga Russakovsky</a> gave a really nice talk on this. At the main NeurIPS conference, I also really enjoyed <a href="https://neurips.cc/virtual/2021/invited-talk/22281" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mary Gray’s presentation,</a> which touched on how data-centric AI is one piece of the solution, but not the entire solution. New tools like <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/project/datasheets-for-datasets/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Datasheets for Datasets</a> also seem like an important piece of the puzzle. One of the powerful tools that data-centric AI gives us is the ability to engineer a subset of the data. Imagine training a machine-learning system and finding that its performance is okay for most of the data set, but its performance is biased for just a subset of the data. If you try to change the whole neural network architecture to improve the performance on just that subset, it’s quite difficult. But if you can engineer a subset of the data you can address the problem in a much more targeted way. When you talk about engineering the data, what do you mean exactly? Ng: In AI, data cleaning is important, but the way the data has been cleaned has often been in very manual ways. In computer vision, someone may visualize images through a <a href="https://jupyter.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jupyter notebook</a> and maybe spot the problem, and maybe fix it. But I’m excited about tools that allow you to have a very large data set, tools that draw your attention quickly and efficiently to the subset of data where, say, the labels are noisy. Or to quickly bring your attention to the one class among 100 classes where it would benefit you to collect more data. Collecting more data often helps, but if you try to collect more data for everything, that can be a very expensive activity. For example, I once figured out that a speech-recognition system was performing poorly when there was car noise in the background. Knowing that allowed me to collect more data with car noise in the background, rather than trying to collect more data for everything, which would have been expensive and slow. <a href="#top">Back to top</a> What about using synthetic data, is that often a good solution? Ng: I think synthetic data is an important tool in the tool chest of data-centric AI. At the NeurIPS workshop, <a href="https://tensorlab.cms.caltech.edu/users/anima/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anima Anandkumar</a> gave a great talk that touched on synthetic data. I think there are important uses of synthetic data that go beyond just being a preprocessing step for increasing the data set for a learning algorithm. I’d love to see more tools to let developers use synthetic data generation as part of the closed loop of iterative machine learning development. Do you mean that synthetic data would allow you to try the model on more data sets? Ng: Not really. Here’s an example. Let’s say you’re trying to detect defects in a smartphone casing. There are many different types of defects on smartphones. It could be a scratch, a dent, pit marks, discoloration of the material, other types of blemishes. If you train the model and then find through error analysis that it’s doing well overall but it’s performing poorly on pit marks, then synthetic data generation allows you to address the problem in a more targeted way. You could generate more data just for the pit-mark category. “In the consumer software Internet, we could train a handful of machine-learning models to serve a billion users. In manufacturing, you might have 10,000 manufacturers building 10,000 custom AI models.” —Andrew Ng Synthetic data generation is a very powerful tool, but there are many simpler tools that I will often try first. Such as data augmentation, improving labeling consistency, or just asking a factory to collect more data. <a href="#top">Back to top</a> To make these issues more concrete, can you walk me through an example? When a company approaches <a href="https://landing.ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Landing AI</a> and says it has a problem with visual inspection, how do you onboard them and work toward deployment? Ng: When a customer approaches us we usually have a conversation about their inspection problem and look at a few images to verify that the problem is feasible with computer vision. Assuming it is, we ask them to upload the data to the <a href="https://landing.ai/platform/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LandingLens</a> platform. We often advise them on the methodology of data-centric AI and help them label the data. One of the foci of Landing AI is to empower manufacturing companies to do the machine learning work themselves. A lot of our work is making sure the software is fast and easy to use. Through the iterative process of machine learning development, we advise customers on things like how to train models on the platform, when and how to improve the labeling of data so the performance of the model improves. Our training and software supports them all the way through deploying the trained model to an edge device in the factory. How do you deal with changing needs? If products change or lighting conditions change in the factory, can the model keep up? Ng: It varies by manufacturer. There is data drift in many contexts. But there are some manufacturers that have been running the same manufacturing line for 20 years now with few changes, so they don’t expect changes in the next five years. Those stable environments make things easier. For other manufacturers, we provide tools to flag when there’s a significant data-drift issue. I find it really important to empower manufacturing customers to correct data, retrain, and update the model. Because if something changes and it’s 3 a.m. in the United States, I want them to be able to adapt their learning algorithm right away to maintain operations. In the consumer software Internet, we could train a handful of machine-learning models to serve a billion users. In manufacturing, you might have 10,000 manufacturers building 10,000 custom AI models. The challenge is, how do you do that without Landing AI having to hire 10,000 machine learning specialists? So you’re saying that to make it scale, you have to empower customers to do a lot of the training and other work. Ng: Yes, exactly! This is an industry-wide problem in AI, not just in manufacturing. Look at health care. Every hospital has its own slightly different format for electronic health records. How can every hospital train its own custom AI model? Expecting every hospital’s IT personnel to invent new neural-network architectures is unrealistic. The only way out of this dilemma is to build tools that empower the customers to build their own models by giving them tools to engineer the data and express their domain knowledge. That’s what Landing AI is executing in computer vision, and the field of AI needs other teams to execute this in other domains. Is there anything else you think it’s important for people to understand about the work you’re doing or the data-centric AI movement? Ng: In the last decade, the biggest shift in AI was a shift to deep learning. I think it’s quite possible that in this decade the biggest shift will be to data-centric AI. With the maturity of today’s neural network architectures, I think for a lot of the practical applications the bottleneck will be whether we can efficiently get the data we need to develop systems that work well. The data-centric AI movement has tremendous energy and momentum across the whole community. I hope more researchers and developers will jump in and work on it. <a href="#top">Back to top</a> This article appears in the April 2022 print issue as “Andrew Ng, AI Minimalist.”

Feb 8, 2022

How AI Will Change Chip Design

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/layered-rendering-of-colorful-semiconductor-wafers-with-a-bright-white-light-sitting-on-one.jpg?id=29285079&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0"/> The end of <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/on-beyond-moores-law-4-new-laws-of-computing" target="_self">Moore’s Law</a> is looming. Engineers and designers can do only so much to <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ibm-introduces-the-worlds-first-2nm-node-chip" target="_self">miniaturize transistors</a> and <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/cerebras-giant-ai-chip-now-has-a-trillions-more-transistors" target="_self">pack as many of them as possible into chips</a>. So they’re turning to other approaches to chip design, incorporating technologies like AI into the process.Samsung, for instance, is <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/processing-in-dram-accelerates-ai" target="_self">adding AI to its memory chips</a> to enable processing in memory, thereby saving energy and speeding up machine learning. Speaking of speed, Google’s TPU V4 AI chip has <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/heres-how-googles-tpu-v4-ai-chip-stacked-up-in-training-tests" target="_self">doubled its processing power</a> compared with that of its previous version.But AI holds still more promise and potential for the semiconductor industry. To better understand how AI is set to revolutionize chip design, we spoke with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-gorr-phd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Heather Gorr</a>, senior product manager for <a href="https://www.mathworks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MathWorks</a>’ MATLAB platform.How is AI currently being used to design the next generation of chips?Heather Gorr: AI is such an important technology because it’s involved in most parts of the cycle, including the design and manufacturing process. There’s a lot of important applications here, even in the general process engineering where we want to optimize things. I think defect detection is a big one at all phases of the process, especially in manufacturing. But even thinking ahead in the design process, [AI now plays a significant role] when you’re designing the light and the sensors and all the different components. There’s a lot of anomaly detection and fault mitigation that you really want to consider. <img alt="Portrait of a woman with blonde-red hair smiling at the camera" class="rm-shortcode rm-resized-image" data-rm-shortcode-id="1f18a02ccaf51f5c766af2ebc4af18e1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="2dc00" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/portrait-of-a-woman-with-blonde-red-hair-smiling-at-the-camera.jpg?id=29288554&width=980" style="max-width: 100%"/> Heather GorrMathWorksThen, thinking about the logistical modeling that you see in any industry, there is always planned downtime that you want to mitigate; but you also end up having unplanned downtime. So, looking back at that historical data of when you’ve had those moments where maybe it took a bit longer than expected to manufacture something, you can take a look at all of that data and use AI to try to identify the proximate cause or to see something that might jump out even in the processing and design phases. We think of AI oftentimes as a predictive tool, or as a robot doing something, but a lot of times you get a lot of insight from the data through AI.What are the benefits of using AI for chip design?Gorr: Historically, we’ve seen a lot of physics-based modeling, which is a very intensive process. We want to do a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_order_reduction" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reduced order model</a>, where instead of solving such a computationally expensive and extensive model, we can do something a little cheaper. You could create a surrogate model, so to speak, of that physics-based model, use the data, and then do your <a href="https://institutefordiseasemodeling.github.io/idmtools/parameter-sweeps.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">parameter sweeps</a>, your optimizations, your <a href="https://www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/monte-carlo-simulation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Monte Carlo simulations</a> using the surrogate model. That takes a lot less time computationally than solving the physics-based equations directly. So, we’re seeing that benefit in many ways, including the efficiency and economy that are the results of iterating quickly on the experiments and the simulations that will really help in the design.So it’s like having a digital twin in a sense?Gorr: Exactly. That’s pretty much what people are doing, where you have the physical system model and the experimental data. Then, in conjunction, you have this other model that you could tweak and tune and try different parameters and experiments that let sweep through all of those different situations and come up with a better design in the end.So, it’s going to be more efficient and, as you said, cheaper?Gorr: Yeah, definitely. Especially in the experimentation and design phases, where you’re trying different things. That’s obviously going to yield dramatic cost savings if you’re actually manufacturing and producing [the chips]. You want to simulate, test, experiment as much as possible without making something using the actual process engineering.We’ve talked about the benefits. How about the drawbacks?Gorr: The [AI-based experimental models] tend to not be as accurate as physics-based models. Of course, that’s why you do many simulations and parameter sweeps. But that’s also the benefit of having that digital twin, where you can keep that in mind—it’s not going to be as accurate as that precise model that we’ve developed over the years.Both chip design and manufacturing are system intensive; you have to consider every little part. And that can be really challenging. It’s a case where you might have models to predict something and different parts of it, but you still need to bring it all together.One of the other things to think about too is that you need the data to build the models. You have to incorporate data from all sorts of different sensors and different sorts of teams, and so that heightens the challenge.How can engineers use AI to better prepare and extract insights from hardware or sensor data?Gorr: We always think about using AI to predict something or do some robot task, but you can use AI to come up with patterns and pick out things you might not have noticed before on your own. People will use AI when they have high-frequency data coming from many different sensors, and a lot of times it’s useful to explore the frequency domain and things like data synchronization or resampling. Those can be really challenging if you’re not sure where to start.One of the things I would say is, use the tools that are available. There’s a vast community of people working on these things, and you can find lots of examples [of applications and techniques] on <a href="https://github.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GitHub</a> or <a href="https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MATLAB Central</a>, where people have shared nice examples, even little apps they’ve created. I think many of us are buried in data and just not sure what to do with it, so definitely take advantage of what’s already out there in the community. You can explore and see what makes sense to you, and bring in that balance of domain knowledge and the insight you get from the tools and AI.What should engineers and designers consider when using AI for chip design?Gorr: Think through what problems you’re trying to solve or what insights you might hope to find, and try to be clear about that. Consider all of the different components, and document and test each of those different parts. Consider all of the people involved, and explain and hand off in a way that is sensible for the whole team.How do you think AI will affect chip designers’ jobs?Gorr: It’s going to free up a lot of human capital for more advanced tasks. We can use AI to reduce waste, to optimize the materials, to optimize the design, but then you still have that human involved whenever it comes to decision-making. I think it’s a great example of people and technology working hand in hand. It’s also an industry where all people involved—even on the manufacturing floor—need to have some level of understanding of what’s happening, so this is a great industry for advancing AI because of how we test things and how we think about them before we put them on the chip.How do you envision the future of AI and chip design?Gorr: It’s very much dependent on that human element—involving people in the process and having that interpretable model. We can do many things with the mathematical minutiae of modeling, but it comes down to how people are using it, how everybody in the process is understanding and applying it. Communication and involvement of people of all skill levels in the process are going to be really important. We’re going to see less of those superprecise predictions and more transparency of information, sharing, and that digital twin—not only using AI but also using our human knowledge and all of the work that many people have done over the years.

Feb 7, 2022

Atomically Thin Materials Significantly Shrink Qubits

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-golden-square-package-holds-a-small-processor-sitting-on-top-is-a-metal-square-with-mit-etched-into-it.jpg?id=29281587&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0"/> Quantum computing is a devilishly complex technology, with many technical hurdles impacting its development. Of these challenges two critical issues stand out: miniaturization and qubit quality.IBM has adopted the superconducting qubit road map of <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ibms-envisons-the-road-to-quantum-computing-like-an-apollo-mission" target="_self">reaching a 1,121-qubit processor by 2023</a>, leading to the expectation that 1,000 qubits with today’s qubit form factor is feasible. However, current approaches will require very large chips (50 millimeters on a side, or larger) at the scale of small wafers, or the use of chiplets on multichip modules. While this approach will work, the aim is to attain a better path toward scalability.Now researchers at <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-021-01187-w" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MIT have been able to both reduce the size of the qubits</a> and done so in a way that reduces the interference that occurs between neighboring qubits. The MIT researchers have increased the number of superconducting qubits that can be added onto a device by a factor of 100.“We are addressing both qubit miniaturization and quality,” said <a href="https://equs.mit.edu/william-d-oliver/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">William Oliver</a>, the director for the <a href="https://cqe.mit.edu/" target="_blank">Center for Quantum Engineering</a> at MIT. “Unlike conventional transistor scaling, where only the number really matters, for qubits, large numbers are not sufficient, they must also be high-performance. Sacrificing performance for qubit number is not a useful trade in quantum computing. They must go hand in hand.”The key to this big increase in qubit density and reduction of interference comes down to the use of two-dimensional materials, in particular the 2D insulator hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). The MIT researchers demonstrated that a few atomic monolayers of hBN can be stacked to form the insulator in the capacitors of a superconducting qubit.Just like other capacitors, the capacitors in these superconducting circuits take the form of a sandwich in which an insulator material is sandwiched between two metal plates. The big difference for these capacitors is that the superconducting circuits can operate only at extremely low temperatures—less than 0.02 degrees above absolute zero (-273.15 °C). <img alt="Golden dilution refrigerator hanging vertically" class="rm-shortcode rm-resized-image" data-rm-shortcode-id="694399af8a1c345e51a695ff73909eda" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="6c615" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/golden-dilution-refrigerator-hanging-vertically.jpg?id=29281593&width=980" style="max-width: 100%"/> Superconducting qubits are measured at temperatures as low as 20 millikelvin in a dilution refrigerator.Nathan Fiske/MITIn that environment, insulating materials that are available for the job, such as PE-CVD silicon oxide or silicon nitride, have quite a few defects that are too lossy for quantum computing applications. To get around these material shortcomings, most superconducting circuits use what are called coplanar capacitors. In these capacitors, the plates are positioned laterally to one another, rather than on top of one another.As a result, the intrinsic silicon substrate below the plates and to a smaller degree the vacuum above the plates serve as the capacitor dielectric. Intrinsic silicon is chemically pure and therefore has few defects, and the large size dilutes the electric field at the plate interfaces, all of which leads to a low-loss capacitor. The lateral size of each plate in this open-face design ends up being quite large (typically 100 by 100 micrometers) in order to achieve the required capacitance.In an effort to move away from the large lateral configuration, the MIT researchers embarked on a search for an insulator that has very few defects and is compatible with superconducting capacitor plates.“We chose to study hBN because it is the most widely used insulator in 2D material research due to its cleanliness and chemical inertness,” said colead author <a href="https://equs.mit.edu/joel-wang/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joel Wang</a>, a research scientist in the Engineering Quantum Systems group of the MIT Research Laboratory for Electronics. On either side of the hBN, the MIT researchers used the 2D superconducting material, niobium diselenide. One of the trickiest aspects of fabricating the capacitors was working with the niobium diselenide, which oxidizes in seconds when exposed to air, according to Wang. This necessitates that the assembly of the capacitor occur in a glove box filled with argon gas.While this would seemingly complicate the scaling up of the production of these capacitors, Wang doesn’t regard this as a limiting factor.“What determines the quality factor of the capacitor are the two interfaces between the two materials,” said Wang. “Once the sandwich is made, the two interfaces are “sealed” and we don’t see any noticeable degradation over time when exposed to the atmosphere.”This lack of degradation is because around 90 percent of the electric field is contained within the sandwich structure, so the oxidation of the outer surface of the niobium diselenide does not play a significant role anymore. This ultimately makes the capacitor footprint much smaller, and it accounts for the reduction in cross talk between the neighboring qubits.“The main challenge for scaling up the fabrication will be the wafer-scale growth of hBN and 2D superconductors like [niobium diselenide], and how one can do wafer-scale stacking of these films,” added Wang.Wang believes that this research has shown 2D hBN to be a good insulator candidate for superconducting qubits. He says that the groundwork the MIT team has done will serve as a road map for using other hybrid 2D materials to build superconducting circuits.

It's FOSS

Dec 10, 2025

Is Helium the Browser Brave Was Meant to Be?

Dec 9, 2025

This Company Uses Lab-Grown Human Neurons for Energy-efficient Computing

Dec 9, 2025

Calibre Now Lets You Chat About Your E-Books Using Local AI

Dec 9, 2025

5 Signs You Have Become a Linux Power User

Dec 8, 2025

AI Craze Just Made Your New PC Build Way More Expensive

Dec 8, 2025

This Could Be The Linux Phone We All Have Been Waiting For

Dec 8, 2025

Hurray! This German State Decides to Save €15 Million Each Year By Kicking Out Microsoft for Open Source

Dec 8, 2025

Easily Install Binaries in Linux Terminal With This Tool

Dec 6, 2025

9 GUI Search Tools for Desktop Linux Users Who Don't Want to Use Find, Grep and Xargs Commands

Dec 6, 2025

With This New Feature, Proton Has Made it Even Easier to Move Away from Gmail and Google Docs

Dec 5, 2025

Valve's FEX-Emu Support Shows a Better Way to Fund Open Source

Dec 5, 2025

This Open Source Android App Fights Brainrot With Basic Math Problems

Dec 4, 2025

Reddit Strangers Built an Open Source Linux Handheld, And They Want Your Help

Dec 4, 2025

Fedora 44 is Replacing Decades-Old Kernel Console with Safer, Modern Alternative

Dec 4, 2025

There is No Future for Online Safety Without Privacy and Security

Hackaday

Dec 10, 2025

MagQuest: Measuring Earth’s Magnetic Field with Space-Based Quantum Sensors

<div><img width="800" height="533" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/japan_northernmost_island_hokkaido_from_ISS.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/japan_northernmost_island_hokkaido_from_ISS.jpg 5568w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/japan_northernmost_island_hokkaido_from_ISS.jpg?resize=250,167 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/japan_northernmost_island_hokkaido_from_ISS.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/japan_northernmost_island_hokkaido_from_ISS.jpg?resize=800,533 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/japan_northernmost_island_hokkaido_from_ISS.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/japan_northernmost_island_hokkaido_from_ISS.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="488599" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2021/08/11/figuring-out-earths-past-climate-through-paleoclimatology-and-its-lessons-for-today/gmt146_09_26_aki-hoshide_1162_japan/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/japan_northernmost_island_hokkaido_from_ISS.jpg" data-orig-size="5568,3712" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"22","credit":"","camera":"NIKON D5","caption":"GMT146_09_26_Aki Hoshide_1162_Japan","created_timestamp":"1622012242","copyright":"","focal_length":"50","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.002","title":"GMT146_09_26_Aki Hoshide_1162_Japan","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="GMT146_09_26_Aki Hoshide_1162_Japan" data-image-description="https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/japans-northernmost-main-island-of-hokkaido " data-image-caption="Japan&#8217;s northermost island of Hokkaido, with the glow from Earth&#8217;s atmosphere visible. (Source: NASA, Aki Hoshide) " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/japan_northernmost_island_hokkaido_from_ISS.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/japan_northernmost_island_hokkaido_from_ISS.jpg?w=800" /></div>Recently the MagQuest competition on improving the measuring of the Earth’s magnetic field announced that the contestants in the final phase have now moved on to launching their satellites within <a href="https://hackaday.com/2025/12/09/magquest-measuring-earths-magnetic-field-with-space-based-quantum-sensors/" class="read-more">…read more</a>

Dec 10, 2025

Making Glasses That Detect Smartglasses

<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/irrb-banner.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/irrb-banner.png 3874w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/irrb-banner.png?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/irrb-banner.png?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/irrb-banner.png?resize=800,450 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/irrb-banner.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/irrb-banner.png?resize=2048,1152 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="882582" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2025/12/09/making-glasses-that-detect-smartglasses/irrb-banner/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/irrb-banner.png" data-orig-size="3874,2179" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="irrb-banner" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/irrb-banner.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/irrb-banner.png?w=800" /></div>[NullPxl]’s Ban-Rays concept is a wearable that detects when one is in the presence of camera-bearing smartglasses, such as Meta’s line of Ray-Bans. A project in progress, it’s currently focused <a href="https://hackaday.com/2025/12/09/making-glasses-that-detect-smartglasses/" class="read-more">…read more</a>

Dec 9, 2025

G4 iMac Becomes a Monitor with a MagSafe Secret

<div><img width="800" height="500" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/G4-iMac-MagSafe-Disc-Drive-wide.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="A computer monitor which was formerly an iMac G4 with a hemispherical white base sits on a table. The table and wall are likely white, but pink light is washing the scene making them and the monitor base appear pink. An iPhone sits above a piece of rounded plastic jutting out from the monitor base." style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/G4-iMac-MagSafe-Disc-Drive-wide.jpg 1269w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/G4-iMac-MagSafe-Disc-Drive-wide.jpg?resize=250,156 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/G4-iMac-MagSafe-Disc-Drive-wide.jpg?resize=400,250 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/G4-iMac-MagSafe-Disc-Drive-wide.jpg?resize=800,500 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="882414" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2025/12/09/g4-imac-becomes-a-monitor-with-a-magsafe-secret/g4-imac-magsafe-disc-drive-wide/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/G4-iMac-MagSafe-Disc-Drive-wide.jpg" data-orig-size="1269,793" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="G4 iMac MagSafe Disc Drive wide" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/G4-iMac-MagSafe-Disc-Drive-wide.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/G4-iMac-MagSafe-Disc-Drive-wide.jpg?w=800" /></div>The G4 iMac is one of the more popular computers in the restomodding scene given its charm and unparalleled ergonomics. Most modern machines that people squeeze in don’t have a <a href="https://hackaday.com/2025/12/09/g4-imac-becomes-a-monitor-with-a-magsafe-secret/" class="read-more">…read more</a>

Dec 9, 2025

A Deep Drive Deep Dive Into a Twin-Rotor Motor

Dec 9, 2025

Keebin’ with Kristina: the One with the C64 Keyboard

<div><img width="800" height="484" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Keebin.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Illustrated Kristina with an IBM Model M keyboard floating between her hands." style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Keebin.jpg 3000w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Keebin.jpg?resize=250,151 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Keebin.jpg?resize=400,242 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Keebin.jpg?resize=800,484 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Keebin.jpg?resize=1536,929 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Keebin.jpg?resize=2048,1239 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="488742" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2021/07/27/keebin-with-kristina-the-one-with-the-mad-model-m/keebin/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Keebin.jpg" data-orig-size="3000,1815" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Keebin" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Keebin.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Keebin.jpg?w=800" /></div>[Jean] wrote into the tips line (the system works!) to let all of us know about his hacked and hand-wired C64 keyboard, a thing of beauty in its chocolate-brown and <a href="https://hackaday.com/2025/12/09/keebin-with-kristina-the-one-with-the-c64-keyboard/" class="read-more">…read more</a>

Dec 9, 2025

Super Simple Deadbuggable Bluetooth Chip

Dec 9, 2025

PCB Design Review: TinySparrow, A Module For CAN Hacking, v2

<div><img width="800" height="464" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PCBdesign.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PCBdesign.jpg 3519w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PCBdesign.jpg?resize=250,145 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PCBdesign.jpg?resize=400,232 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PCBdesign.jpg?resize=800,464 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PCBdesign.jpg?resize=1536,890 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PCBdesign.jpg?resize=2048,1187 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="672769" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/03/pcb-design-review-tinysparrow-a-module-for-can-hacking-needs/pcbdesign/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PCBdesign.jpg" data-orig-size="3519,2039" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="PCBdesign" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PCBdesign.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PCBdesign.jpg?w=800" /></div>A year ago, I’ve design reviewed an MCU module for CAN hacking, called TinySparrow. Modules are plenty cool, and even more so when they’re intended for remaking car ECUs. For <a href="https://hackaday.com/2025/12/09/pcb-design-review-tinysparrow-a-module-for-can-hacking-v2/" class="read-more">…read more</a>