From Engadget · 40 stories
OpenAI's head of safety leaving amid company restructuring
Johannes Heidecke, OpenAI's head of safety, will leave as part of a company restructuring. Saachi Jain will step in as interim head of safety, with safety teams now reporting to Mia Glaese, the new vice president of research and safety.
Engadget reviews Steam Machine, Samsung Music Studio 7, Oura Ring 5
Engadget summarizes recent reviews, highlighting products like the Steam Machine, Samsung Music Studio 7, and Oura Ring 5. The Steam Machine faces criticism for its performance and price, while the Music Studio 7 speaker is praised for sound quality, and the Oura Ring 5 is noted for its compact design and battery life improvements.
Samsung Gallery to lose OneDrive sync capability by October 1
Samsung will end its integration of the Gallery app with Microsoft OneDrive on October 1. This change will prevent photos stored in OneDrive from appearing in the Gallery app and affect sync-dependent features on Samsung devices.
Engadget Indie's Pitch Features Lovecraftian Game Penguin Colony
Engadget showcases Penguin Colony, a Lovecraftian horror game by ORIGAME DIGITAL addressing colonial themes. The game aims to re-examine Lovecraft’s problematic legacy while providing an experimental gaming experience reminiscent of the PS2 era.
GameStop's Pokémon cards marked up over 300% amid scalping concerns
GameStop is charging over 300% more for Pokémon trading cards compared to standard retail prices. This increase highlights ongoing issues of price gouging in the trading card market, prompting Nintendo to consider measures against such practices.
New indie games: Palworld 1.0 and Permaban announced
Palworld 1.0 and Permaban have been recently released in the indie games market. These titles offer unique gameplay experiences—Palworld combines Pokémon-like creature collection with survival mechanics, while Permaban is a nostalgic forum moderation simulation set in the mid-2000s.
New York City implements Click-to-Cancel rule for subscriptions
New York City has introduced a Click-to-Cancel rule requiring easy online cancellation of subscriptions, effective October 1. This regulation aims to simplify the cancellation process and enforce transparency, reviving a previously abandoned FTC initiative.
Metal spheres from space wash ashore in Queensland, Australia
Six metallic spheres, thought to be pressure vessels from a foreign rocket, have washed up on Forrest Beach in Queensland, Australia. The Australian Space Agency is investigating the objects' origins, while local businesses are creatively responding to the phenomenon.
Microsoft Teams launches Workplace Check-in feature for tracking employee locations
Microsoft Teams has rolled out a Workplace Check-in feature that automatically updates employee work locations via Wi-Fi connections. While marketed as a convenience, it raises concerns over privacy and workplace surveillance as employees may feel pressured to opt in.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma appointed to advise Federal Reserve on jobs after layoffs
Asha Sharma, CEO of Xbox, has been appointed to advise the Federal Reserve on jobs, shortly after announcing 3,200 layoffs at the company. The task force will assess the economic impacts of new technologies, including AI, on employment, highlighting concerns in the labor market amid industry-wide job cuts.
Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2 get RAM upgrade, price increases after July 14
Retroid is upgrading its Pocket 5 and Flip 2 handhelds to 12GB of RAM at no extra cost for orders made before July 14. After this date, the prices will increase by $10, reflecting rising RAM costs in the tech industry.
DIY adapter for Game Boy Camera lets users photograph Jupiter
Chris Graue shared schematics for a 3D-printed adapter that connects a Game Boy Camera to telescopes. This enables users to take astrophotographs, democratizing access to retro tech and astronomy experimentation.
Sony launches $120 IER-M500 in-ear monitors for professional use
Sony has launched the IER-M500 in-ear monitors designed for musicians and sound technicians. Priced at $120, these earphones offer comfort and noise isolation suitable for stage performances, marking Sony's return to high-end IEMs.
New York bans smart glasses in all courthouses, first state in the US
New York has enacted a ban on smart glasses in all its courthouses, effective July 20. The decision aims to prevent unauthorized recording of court proceedings, responding to concerns about privacy and security.
BBC and Channel 4 in Discussions to Merge Streaming Services Again
The BBC and Channel 4 are in preliminary discussions to merge their streaming services, intending to create a UK alternative to Netflix. This marks another attempt following previous unsuccessful initiatives in 2007 and 2017, highlighting ongoing challenges in competing against major American streaming platforms.
Valve Steam Machine review highlights drawbacks compared to modern gaming consoles
The Valve Steam Machine, priced at $1,049, is found lacking compared to current-gen gaming consoles. It features AMD hardware and runs SteamOS, but struggles with demanding games and fails to impress overall.
Apple's Widow's Bay leads new shows with 19 Emmy nominations
Apple TV's horror-comedy series, Widow's Bay, received 19 nominations, the highest for any new show this year. This recognition underscores Apple's growing success in genre television, contributing to its third-place ranking in total Emmy nominations behind HBO Max and Netflix.
Roku leads in market share but lags in user satisfaction against competitors
Roku maintains a 40% market share among US streaming platforms but falls short in user satisfaction compared to competitors like Amazon Fire TV and Samsung. A survey indicates Roku struggles in key areas such as content discovery and user experience, which may hinder its appeal to younger viewers after Fox's acquisition.
Amazon developing 'Moonraker' for more powerful Alexa assistant
Amazon is developing an enhanced version of its Alexa assistant, codenamed 'Moonraker', to improve multi-step task handling. This upgrade aims to bolster Alexa's competitiveness against emerging AI models from Google, Anthropic, and OpenAI.
NASA transfers Area 400 in Maryland to US Fish and Wildlife Service
NASA transferred 103 acres of Area 400 to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, now part of Patuxent Research Refuge. The transfer supports wildlife conservation amid concerns of potential development on the land.
Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender trailer released with July 25 premiere date
The trailer for Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender was released, confirming a July 25 streaming date on Paramount+. This sequel film will continue the story of Team Avatar as adults, dealing with new threats and characters, but will not have a theatrical release.
Orbitals Debuts as Split-Screen Co-Op Game with Retro Anime Style
Orbitals, a two-player puzzle adventure game, was showcased at Summer Game Fest 2026 as a Switch 2 exclusive. It features asymmetrical gameplay, nostalgic art inspired by '90s anime, and local and online multiplayer options.
NASA reveals detailed images of Centaurus A from James Webb's fourth anniversary
NASA has released the most detailed images of Centaurus A, celebrating the fourth anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope. These images reveal intricate structures of dust-rich stars and stellar nurseries, enhancing understanding of galaxy and black hole evolution.
xAI rebranded as SpaceXAI following merger with SpaceX
xAI has officially rebranded as SpaceXAI following its merger with SpaceX, announced on X. This change signifies the consolidation of Musk's AI and space ventures under one brand, aiming to establish orbital data centers for AI operations.
Rise of Wired Headphones as Consumers Shift from Bluetooth
Sales of wired headphones have surged in 2025, reversing a previous decline. Factors include cost-effectiveness, battery issues with Bluetooth devices, and consumer fatigue with modern technology.
AI character Tilly Norwood to star in feature film "Misaligned"
Tilly Norwood, an AI character, is set to star in a feature-length film titled "Misaligned," reported by Variety. Produced by Particle6 Productions, the film is described as a coming-of-age story in a fictional 'Tillyverse' involving Norwood's quest to become more human.
Alibaba wins temporary reprieve from US military designation ban
A US judge has ruled that Alibaba cannot be treated as a Chinese military company under new lobbying restrictions. This ruling comes after Alibaba sued the US government, claiming it violated the company's constitutional rights, impacting its ability to lobby effectively in the US.
Popular smartphones nearing end of software support pose security risks
Many widely-used smartphones are entering their last year of software support, meaning they will soon stop receiving critical security updates. As manufacturers end support, devices may become vulnerable to emerging security threats, putting users' sensitive data at risk.
Wi-Fi 7 routers often mislabel features, causing consumer confusion
Many routers marketed as Wi-Fi 7 lack key features defining the standard, misleading consumers. Trademark loopholes and federal bottlenecks complicate the market further, stressing the need for greater consumer awareness about router capabilities.
Space Shuttle Endeavour to have permanent exhibit at California Science Center
The California Science Center will showcase the Space Shuttle Endeavour in a permanent exhibit starting November 13, 2026. This new display will allow visitors to view Endeavour in launch position and ascend a gantry elevator for an astronaut-simulated experience.
Microsoft report reveals profit shifting strategies to lower European tax liabilities
Microsoft's recent compliance report highlights its strategy of reporting high profits in low-tax regions and low profits in higher-tax countries. This practice raises questions about corporate taxation transparency and could influence future regulations across Europe.
Tesla launches Model Y Long Wheelbase in the US at $62,000
Tesla has debuted the Model Y Long Wheelbase in the US and Puerto Rico, featuring a six-seat configuration and starting at $61,990. Deliveries are set to begin in September 2023, expanding Tesla's offerings in the midsize SUV market.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword release date moved up to September 4, 2026
Capcom has advanced the release date of Onimusha: Way of the Sword from September 25 to September 4, 2026, to avoid competition with other game launches including GTA 6. This adjustment allows more separation from heavy hitters like Control Resonant and Silent Hill: Townfall, which release just before the original date.
Threads spam linked to large crypto scam network targeting users
A series of spam accounts on Meta's Threads app are promoting a large crypto scam network that operates over 10,000 malicious websites. This unusual tactic employs nonsensical posts and low-resolution images to evade moderation and attract attention without directly linking to scams.
Empire Interactive Halts 3DO Revival Due to Ownership Disputes
Empire Interactive has canceled plans to revive the 3DO console, citing legal disputes over ownership rights. The emergence of multiple parties claiming rights to the console and its games led to the decision, highlighting complexities in retro game revivals.
X unveils Live Studio, $1M incentives for creators to boost live video streaming
X announced a $1 million fund to incentivize creators for live streaming on its platform. The launch of Live Studio offers tools for easier streaming, which may enhance user engagement and creator monetization.
Hyundai and Kia introduce Plasma Care UVC sanitization system for vehicles
Hyundai and Kia have launched the Plasma Care UVC sanitization system, which uses Far-UVC technology to reduce bacteria and odors in vehicle cabins. This innovation addresses hygiene concerns without the risks associated with conventional UV light, marking a significant step in automotive sanitation.
Pixel Watch 5 Leak Shows No Chip Upgrade, But Increased RAM
A Google Play Console listing for the Pixel Watch 5, codenamed "godric," indicates it will retain the Qualcomm SW5100 chip, similar to previous models. However, the device is expected to feature 3 GB of RAM, an increase from 2 GB, which could support new Gemini Intelligence features.
Oura Introduces Smaller Ring 5, Focuses on Design and Wearability
Oura has launched the Ring 5, a significantly smaller and lighter version of its predecessor, the Ring 4. The new ring maintains its existing health tracking features but emphasizes design enhancements over functional upgrades. It requires a subscription for complete access, impacting consumers evaluating compact smart wearables.
Plaud Launches Plaud One AI Earbuds with eSIM-Enabled Case for Standalone Recording
Plaud has released the Plaud One Explorer Edition, AI-enabled earbuds available for preorder at $250. These earbuds and their charging case can record and transcribe conversations, integrating with the Plaud Agent to generate work products like emails and documents, and feature built-in 4G connectivity for standalone operation.