News

Meta is finally acknowledging that Facebook’s feed is filled with too many spammy posts. In an update, the company says it plans to start “cracking down” on some of the worst offenders. “Facebook Feed doesn’t always serve up fresh, engaging posts that you consistently enjoy,” the company writes. “We’re working on it.”

Specifically, Meta says it will lower the reach of creators that share posts with "long, distracting captions” as well as posts with captions that are irrelevant or unrelated to the shared content. These accounts will also no longer be eligible for monetization. Likewise, the company says it’s taking “more aggressive” steps to combat “spam networks that coordinate fake engagement.” This includes making comments from these accounts less visible, and removing Facebook pages meant to “inflate reach.” Meta is also testing a feature that allows users to anonymously downvote comments in order to flag them as not “useful.”

The update comes as Meta is trying to revamp Facebook to make it more appealing to “young adults.” The company recently brought back a tab for friends content, in an update Mark Zuckerberg described as making the platform more like “OG Facebook.” Notably though, Meta’s update doesn’t mention one of the more persistent forms of engagement bait that’s emerged on Facebook over the last year: AI slop.

The phenomenon, which has been extensively documented by 404 Media, involved bizarre, often nonsensical AI-generated images — like the now infamous “Shrimp Jesus” — that serve little purpose other than to farm engagement for people trying to make money on or off Facebook. These spammers are often aided by Facebook’s own algorithm, which boosts the posts, researchers have found.

AI slop and engagement bait aren’t the only types of low-quality posts that have overwhelmed users’ Facebook feeds in recent years. I regularly see posts from pages that seem to do nothing but screenshot old Reddit posts from r/AITA, or recycle old news about celebrities I don’t follow or particularly care about. Meta’s reports on the most widely-viewed content on its platform regularly feature anodyne posts that are engineered to rack up millions of comments, like those that ask users to comment “amen” or solve basic math equations. Posts like that may not fit neatly into Meta’s latest crackdown, though it’s unlikely many Facebook users are actually enjoying this content.

The company does note it’s also trying to “elevate” the creators that are actually sharing original content, including by cracking down on accounts that steal their work. But given how much easier it is to make AI slop than good original content, it could be a long time before Meta is able to get Facebook’s spam problem under control.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-finally-acknowledges-that-facebook-has-a-major-spam-problem-175304372.html?src=rss

The joint ESA and NASA Solar Orbiter mission has delivered a stunning new image of the Sun and its corona. The sun-observing satellite originally launched in 2020, and besides making the Sun look cool, the data it's captured has impacted things like our understanding of solar wind.

Today's photo shows off the spun-sugar-like particles caught in the magnetic field of the Sun's atmosphere, the dark "filaments" of cooler material weaving their way in between and bursting active areas that emit solar flares. The ESA says the photo is technically a composite of 200 separate images taken with the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager, around 77 million km from the Sun. The EUI allows the traditionally unobservable parts of the Sun's atmosphere or corona to be visible in photographs.

ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team, E. Kraaikamp (ROB)

Solar Orbiter has regularly provided a clear look at our closest star, and even offered insights into Venus as it made its way to its current position observing the Sun. For more details on the image, and interactive labels explaining the different regions of the Sun, check out the ESA website. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/can-i-offer-you-a-nice-image-of-the-sun-in-these-trying-times-181135043.html?src=rss

Razer has unveiled two new iterations of its Pro Click mouse with an eye toward comfort. The Pro Click V2 is a standard mouse model, while the Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition is the first vertical mouse design from the company. More and more peripheral manufacturers are offering vertical designs, which can be a more ergonomic mouse option, particularly if you experience discomfort when spending long stretches at a computer.

The Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition has eight programmable buttons and promises a battery life of up to six months. It has a 71.7 degree tilt, so a user holds it in a handshake-like grip, which can reduce strain for long use sessions. There's also a support on the base that aims to cut down on wrist friction. This model retails for $120.

The standard Pro Click V2 model costs $100. It has an additional ninth button but its battery life is only up to 3.5 months. It has a slight angle of 30 degrees for a more natural grip.

RGB lighting has long been a hallmark of Razer's products, and whether you love it or love to hate it, that colorful visual signature is present on both mice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/razer-has-a-vertical-mouse-now-183226307.html?src=rss

Back when Meta first introduced its Twitter competitor Threads, many noted that the company had failed to secure the threads.com domain and instead launched the website at threads.net. At the time, the Threads dot com domain belonged to a messaging app startup that said it was reluctant to rebrand its business.

But that startup was later acquired by Shopify and Meta did eventually acquire the coveted threads.com domain for an undisclosed amount. Now, Meta is finally moving Threads’ website to threads.com, and adding some much needed functionality to the web version of Threads.

The update adds a new composer that pops up in its own window so you can continue to browse your feeds as you type out a new post. It also allows you to scroll your various custom feeds in a single-column view (much like Threads’ mobile app), and finally adds a menu shortcut for saved posts. (Previously, the only way to view saved posts on web was to add it as a pinned column.)

Screenshot via Threads

Meta is also stepping up its efforts to lure users directly from X. The company says it’s testing a new feature that allows users to upload a list of people they follow on X and find the corresponding accounts on Threads. The feature, currently labeled as being in “beta,” sounds a bit clunky according to Meta’s in-app description. It notes that downloading data from X can take as long as three days, so it’s not exactly a simple process. But in addition to giving users a way to find familiar accounts on Threads, it could also give Meta some valuable insight into users’ habits on other platforms.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-is-moving-to-threadscom-and-adding-a-bunch-of-new-web-features-190006238.html?src=rss

Remedy's first foray into co-op shooters, FBC: Firebreak, is officially launching on June 17. Following employees tasked with cleaning up The Oldest House, the mysterious headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Control, the game balances team-based action with the supernatural abilities and enemies that made Control so interesting.

In our hands-on with the game, the biggest and most positive point of comparison for Firebreak''s chaotic action was Left 4 Dead, but the game's unique collection of "jobs" (Remedy's name for missions) includes plenty of weirder tasks, too, like dealing with ominously multiplying sticky notes. Remedy plans to support Firebreak with new jobs after launch and into 2026. All new playable content will be for free, save for cosmetics, which Remedy plans to charge for.

The developer originally announced it was making a multiplayer game set in the Control universe in 2021, when the game was still being published by 505 Games. Following the success of Alan Wake II, Remedy acquired the rights to the entire Control franchise from 505 Games in 2024.

FBC: Firebreak will be available on June 17 for $39.99 on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC. A $49.99 "deluxe edition" will also be available with exclusive cosmetics. If you subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass or PlayStation Plus Premium or Extra, you'll be able to download and play the game for no additional cost.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/remedys-co-op-shooter-fbc-firebreak-comes-out-june-17-190054471.html?src=rss

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are happening right now, or at least they were until supplies dried up at almost every major retailer. By now, some have headed over to eBay, where, naturally, there are markups on pre-ordered, next-gen consoles.At least that's what they appear to be, but the truth is far more encouraging.It's been a bit of a bumpy road for the Nintendo Switch 2. While early hands-on reports lauded the product for its bigger size, larger screen, faster processor, more storage, and refashioned Joy-Cons, some were annoyed it didn't come with an OLED screen.Next, impending US tariffs put the pre-order process on hold, with it slipping from April 8 to today, April 24.At least Nintendo put in the effort to manage direct sales by confining these first orders to those who have a Nintendo Switch Online membership for at least the last 12 months and those who could also prove they've played at least 50 hours on the platform.Those efforts should have cut down the number of early buyers to a more manageable size and also shooed away scalpers. Meanwhile, other retailers like Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, and Target opened up pre-orders without those stipulations. And considering how fast supplies have drained, it's not clear scalpers still didn't do their dirty work.

(Image credit: Future)

At least a few enterprising eBay sellers think so. We found three separate listings that look like pre-order scalp deals. Two of them are for around $500, which is not bad, just $50 over the list price.However, these listings include the phrase "Read Description!" and that's where you learn that you are bidding not on the actual console but on a printout of someone else's proof of a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order.Why would eBay sellers do this? Apparently, it's a noble deed. Here's one description (the all caps are theirs):"*THIS IS A LISTING TO PREVENT BOTS/RESELLERS ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS**You are purchasing a picture of my pre-order, and a picture of a switch two console. NOT THE ACTUAL SYSTEM AGAIN TO PREVENT BOTS AND RESELLERS*Another one wrote, "This is a picture of a Nintendo Switch 2!! Do not buy this! If you pay for it, I will mail you a literal PICTURE of a Switch 2. This listing is to combat b*ts and sc*lpers. Be warned! No refunds, no cancellations."It's interesting that the second one calls out bots, systems that might automate the mass purchase and then mass eBay listing of scalped items.Does it work? Not necessarily. We had no trouble finding a $749.99 listing, which had 28 watchers at the time of writing, and that's described as a Target pre-order of a Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle.No matter what, it's clear that it pays to read those eBay descriptions, and if you don't want to overpay for the Nintendo Switch 2, maybe wait until general sales open up next month.And you can see TechRadar's live tracker on Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in the United States, here.

You might also like

Nintendo says Switch 2 delivery by June 5 is 'not guaranteed'2.2 million people have applied to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan as the...Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders live: GameStop site crashes ...

April 24, 2015 – ten years ago today was the day the Apple Watch was launched. It changed the company’s product lineup forever, ushering in a compelling smartwatch for the masses. In the years that followed, it got wearers to try to close their rings daily. I’m one of them – in fact, I’ve worn an Apple Watch for ten years straight since my original 42mm Apple Watch Sport.While you can earn a limited-edition award today on your Apple Watch, if you’re lucky enough and manage to make it to an Apple Store, you can score a physical piece of history: a pin that celebrates “Global Close All Your Rings Day,” and that looks mighty fine.Similar to the enamel pins Apple distributes to in-person developers at WWDC or the ones you can purchase and then trade at Disney Parks around the world, this is a sizable pin adorned with colors and a graphic matching the limited-edition digital award.

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

Much like the Activity Rings on your Apple Watch for Move, Exercise, and Stand, the design of the pin features the matching colors: reddish pink, lime green, and blue. You’ll see that you’ve crushed your goals and then some as well. It features a gold trimming around the edges, as well.I made my way over to the Apple Store in Grand Central Terminal in New York City around midday, but sadly, there were no pins left. Apple says the pins are available at Apple Stores while supplies last, and all you need to do is go up to an employee and ask for one.While Grand Central was all out, an employee was kind enough to let me see one of the pins they had secured earlier in the day. It looks quite lovely, and yes, it’s a rare free thing from Apple you can score. My colleague Lance Ulanoff did manage to get one from the flagship Apple Store on 5th Avenue in NYC.Now, if you don’t manage to make it over to an Apple Store today or if you’re local spot is already out of the limited-edition pins, fear not. You can, of course, complete the Global Close All Your Rings Day challenge on your Apple Watch and score the digital award and some custom digital goodies. Think iMessage stickers that look quite delightful.

A quick look back

(Image credit: Jacob Krol)

Way back in 2015, I was in college, and I remember eagerly awaiting the delivery of a silver 42mm Apple Watch Sport. I was stoked and excited to have secured a launch-day delivery.I screenshotted every bit of the setup process and even took some photos and videos on my iPhone 6. I remember using the smartwatch around campus, my first few calls, and even calling an Uber from my wrist. It also helped me get a bit more active, a trend that the Apple Watch still encourages me to do daily.It’s probably the most personable and impactful piece of technology I’ve used. The evolution to a sleeker, more powerful, and even, dare I say, helpful wearable has been a unique thing to, ahem, watch.Ten years with the Apple Watch have gone by quickly – I went from an original to the Series 3, then the Series 4, Series 5, Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, and finally the Series 10 and Ultra 2. I also reviewed the SE and the second-generation SE, somewhere in between.I’m still as excited about the future of wearables as ever, and I hope they will eventually have even more standalone features. For now, though, the Apple Watch is an excellent communication tool with some fun apps and powerful activity tracking.For those wondering, I currently use a Series 10 and Ultra 2 as my daily drivers.

You might also like

Apple Watch users who close their rings today will get a cool free package of limited-edition digital prizesI've been wearing an Apple Watch for 10 years, and it changed me in ways I never expectedRanked: the 10 biggest milestones in Apple Watch's 10-year history

It’s been 20 years since the first YouTube video was published, and in that time, the platform and its content have undergone some pretty radical changes.Over time, YouTube has progressed from being a personal video sharing platform to a hub of online comedy and creativity, gaining the attention of mainstream media (like ourselves, with the TechRadar Podcast and our weekly videos!) and audiences of all ages.It’s had its fair share of highs and lows, from major collective advertiser action against inappropriate content to misinformation-riddled algorithmic pipelines, but it’s also given rise to some incredibly talented performers (Bo Burnham, Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa, The Weeknd), and created new forms of entertainment.I asked the team at TechRadar to submit some of their all-time favorite YouTube memories, and there are some corkers ahead.

1. Yee

Simple, succinct, yet oddly evocative, “Yee” stands the test of time as an abstract piece of art. Its obscurity is what makes it even more special; the original uploader explains that he manipulated the Italian dub of an old cartoon to create it, and that’s been enough over the course of 13 years to amount to nearly 100 million views on this nine-second clip.Part of its popularity stems from it being the first video in the popular and aptly named “Important videos” playlist, which serves as somewhat of a time capsule for a YouTube of old (albeit with some dated jokes that don’t quite land today).

2. Evolution of Dance

This was one of the first videos I really remember taking the internet by storm, and not just those of us who had quickly become YouTube natives.From parents and teachers to the kids they governed, the Evolution of Dance was the talk of the digital town, demonstrated by its current 314 million views.It's a concept that's now been rinsed dry, so much so that despite its massive popularity, the original video gets buried in YouTube search. Still, the dancer in the video is comedian Judson Laipply, hailed by many as the "World's First YouTube Celebrity." Just in case you want to check out what he's been up to since.

3. Weezer - Pork and Beans

Before YouTube Rewind, there was Weezer's "Pork and Beans" music video, which surprised fans and onlookers alike by featuring a host of then-familiar YouTube faces; from Chris Crocker (Leave Britney Alone), Gary Brolsma (Numa Numa), the Dramatic Look Gopher, lightsabers etc, all of which could rightly earn their own spots on this list. We only have twenty spots, though, so this entry serves as multiple birds with one stone.The music video even won a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video in 2009, and beyond serving as an awesome time capsule for a long-lost era of YouTube content, the meaning behind the song remains relevant in our increasingly hate-filled digital landscape; do what you love, be who you are and most of all, enjoy your candy with pork and beans.

4. OK Go - Here it Goes Again

Now remastered in HD, OK Go's "Here it Goes Again' is another iconic YouTube music video, but once again offers a twist; it's a one-take, low-budget masterpiece that justifiably broke the internet when it first released.Creative, fun, and suitably home-grown, it represented everything the audience on YouTube wanted, because it's feasibly possible for anyone watching to try and make themselves, and that's just what they did.Again, this music video won a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video in 2007, but the best reward of all is that OK Go is still at it to this day, posting similarly creative music videos as recently as two weeks ago.

5. Dr. Jean's Banana Dance (Aka the Guacamole Song)

If you don't know how to make guacamole, oh boy, do I have a treat for you, because this earworm won't ever let you forget how.Its original intention as a children's learning and enrichment video is noble, but unlike some of the other child-friendly content that dominate rankings for YouTube's most-viewed videos of all time, Dr. Jean's ditty found its audience in teens and young adults.From its foreboding tone to its overly simplistic steps for homemade guac and the pure elation as Dr. Jean jives in front of her favorite dip, it's a masterpiece of memery and a testament to how YouTube's audience can make anything viral.

6. Geraldine Loves Star Wars

A personal favorite of mine, Geraldine Loves Star Wars is a bona fide work of art. The subversion of expectations when you click into the video and see a dog at a veterinary clinic, the anticipation for the connection to Star Wars, and the sweet, sweet pay-off at the punchline. It must be seen to be appreciated.While far from the most viral on this list, Geraldine deserves her moment in the sun. Or, I guess, in space.

7. HowToBasic

If you were expecting the biggest “How to” YouTube channel to be jam-packed with useful content, you'd be wrong, because HowToBasic took YouTube's growing popularity as a search engine and transformed it into a comedy format that has stood the test of time. Some of the jokes, however, haven't, so proceed with caution if you plan on traipsing through the back catalogue.Still, HowToBasic earns its place as an important part of YouTube's history, and up until four months ago, it was still publishing regularly.

8. RocketJump

RocketJump was one of, if not the first, YouTube production studio, releasing hit after hit in its Video Game High School series back in the day and continuing right up until the present to be a powerhouse in short-form video production.

9. Psy - Gangnam Style

The first YouTube video to hit one billion views, Psy’s Gangnam Style, was the gift that kept giving in 2012. From its catchy tune to its iconic dance routine, Gangnam Style surpassed Justin Bieber’s “Baby” as the most viewed music video on YouTube, holding the title for five years before it was eventually overtaken by "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa.Even world leaders got involved, with British Prime Minister David Cameron and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attempting the dance, and President Barack Obama citing the song’s success as a reflection of growing international interest in Korean culture.

10. Tiny Desk Concerts

Starting way back in 2008, NPR Music's Tiny Desk series appeared on my radar only a few years ago, but I'm immensely glad it did. For the uninformed, they're essentially intimate performances by some of the world's biggest artists with a limited live audience and lasting no more than 30 minutes.Our very own Rowan Davies wrote a fabulous piece listing his top 7 Tiny Desk performances of all time that you should check out.

11. Double Rainbow (all the way!)

Do you remember where you were when you first revelled in a man's joy at spotting a double rainbow from his Yosemite Valley home? Despite its relatively meagre 51 million views, "Double Rainbow" felt like one of those videos that everyone saw back in the early days of YouTube, with creator Paul "Bear" Vasquez receiving coverage on news outlets and social media for his jubilant reaction and appreciation for nature's gifts.Vasquez shared that prior to the video, he'd been surviving as a struggling artist, and the video's success allowed him to live comfortably. Sadly, he passed in 2020, but his joy will live on in many of our hearts.

12. Tom Scott makes a video every week for a decade

There are plenty of YouTube creators who made weekly videos for a decade, but none quite like Tom Scott. He gained popularity following the launch of his "Things You Might Not Know" series in 2014, a high-production educational series with slick editing and often obscure topics that captured the interest of millions.In a move that shocked many, after a decade of publishing every week, Scott announced he was taking a break from YouTube in 2024. His departure was particularly poignant amidst a series of other "old-school" creators stepping back from the platform that made them following changes that have made self-made content less and less sustainable.

13. Luis Fonsi - Despacito

"Despacito" remains the most-viewed music video on YouTube of all time at 8.7 billion views, unless you count "Baby Shark" (we don't) which has almost double the views; these two videos also happen to be the most viewed on YouTube of all time.To this day, it's not entirely clear why this song in particular reached such lofty heights; that's not to say it's bad, but I also wouldn't say it's momentous. Justin Bieber's remix likely played a role, which in itself has a respectable 685 million views, but Despacito clearly tapped into the algorithm just so, allowing it to reach almost unparalleled levels of virality.

14. I like trains/asdf movie

If you’re old enough to remember t-shirts covered in moustaches and the mere mention of “bacon” counting as a joke, you probably count asdfmovie as a formative piece of cinema. Created by Thomas “Tomska” Ridgewell (also of Eddsworld fame, see number 17), asdfmovie serves as a madcap time capsule for the random humor that had internet denizens giggling through the early 2010s. The series – comprised of the original short and 14 sequels – is the genesis for some truly beloved memes; think “Mine Turtle”, “Pie Flavor”, and of course “I Like Trains”, which simply has to be watched to be understood. Though some of the less refined random humor of the 2010s has become a little hard to watch in the years since, TomSka’s knack for rapid punchlines and endearingly simple character design means asdfmovie still feels timeless. A YouTube classic, through and through.

15. Annoying Orange

Though we may look back on the Annoying Orange as a profoundly unnerving invention, time was that this anthropomorphized piece of fruit ruled YouTube’s home page. Created by Dane Boedigheimer – also known as Daneboe – Annoying Orange appeared in a series of rather repetitive shorts where he annoyed and provoked other edible characters, usually ending in one (or all) of them getting sliced up by the humans roaming the kitchen. Fun!Though certainly a bizarre product of its time, Annoying Orange was actually one of the first YouTube series to step beyond the confines of the internet, becoming a major media franchise with a Cartoon Network series, collectable plushies, comic books, and multiple mobile games. We offer a citrusy salute to this aggravating pioneer.

16. Eddsworld

Teenage animator Edd Gould struck gold when he launched Eddsworld, an animated online sitcom starring fantastical versions of himself and his friends, in 2004. By the time the series gained major prominence on YouTube, people were starting to look at the site as more than a place for cat videos and clips of people falling over; this shift allowed the talent, humor, and imagination that defined Eddsworld to propel the series into the highest echelons of YouTube fame – the team even had a climate change episode commissioned by the United Nations. Gould tragically passed away in 2012, but Eddsworld has been kept alive in years since by a succession of the series’ stars, including fellow British YouTube icon TomSka and Matt Hargreaves.

17. XXL 2016 cypher

An iconic clip, preserved on YouTube for generations of freestylers to come – just be mindful of the (very) strong language.

Five rappers. Four minutes. 231 million views. The 2016 XXL Cypher is one of the things people think of when they point to the summer of 2016 as the peak of our modern era. Though sites like DatPiff had sponsored rap music’s move to the internet long before platforms like YouTube took off, the SoundCloud rap movement saw social media become the true home of popular rap for the first time. While detractors called these artists “mumble rappers”, decrying their simpler flows and bold fashion choices, XXL took a higher path, covering its 2016 “Freshmen” issue with the leaders of the new wave.As in years prior, these freshmen were required to perform in a series of freestyle cyphers uploaded to YouTube, and whichever staffer decided to match up Kodak Black, Lil Yachty, Denzel Curry, Lil Uzi Vert, and 21 Savage that day was cooking like nobody has ever cooked before. The short runtime belies the perfect storm of vibes within – you can’t blink without missing an iconic moment, from Kodak Black rinsing the DJ Drama’s beat choice to the whole crew providing ad-libs for each other by the end.

18. VSauce

Michael Stevens – better known as VSauce – is YouTube’s most beloved educator. The explosion of his channel, and the later additions of VSauce2 and VSauce3, in the early to mid 2010s remains an essential piece of YouTube history that evidences the platform’s potential as a safehaven for knowledge. With dozens of quirky educational videos under their belts, the VSauce crew has opened the eyes of millions of fans to the bizarre puzzles and cosmic oddities that populate our universe, answering questions like “What Is The Speed Of Dark?” and “Is Anything Real?”VSauce’s output has slowed in recent years, but to me this only highlights the beauty of YouTube’s platform – all of Stevens and co.’s videos are available at any time, for free.

19. Potter puppet pals

One of the best parodies in YouTube history kicks off our list, the perfect example of the community’s long history of reworking pop culture for its own hilarious projects. “Potter Puppet Pals” was a series of finger-puppet shows orchestrated by Neil Cicierega, offering a light hearted and totally surreal spin on the Harry Potter series of films (some of which were yet to be released at the time!)The best known and best loved episode in the Potter Puppet Pals series is “The Mysterious Ticking Noise”, which sees a metronomic sound coerce Harry, Hermoine, Ron, and Dumbledore into an acapella symphony, yelling out their own names in time with the ticking. At the end, the noise is revealed to be a pipe bomb, a hilariously out-of-place twist that set the tone for hundreds of YouTube parodies to come – I still hear Cicierega yelling out “Dumbledore” whenever I think of the Wizarding World!

20. YouTube Rewind (2018)

Ah, YouTube Rewind, you were so good until you were so unapologetically bad. YouTube began producing "Rewind" videos in 2010, making a yearly recap with some of its biggest creators and culminating in the iconic 2018 flop video featuring Will Smith's iconic "Ah, that's hot" line. It became the most disliked video on YouTube, despite being produced by the platform itself, with many viewers calling it soulless, corporate and out of touch with the audience.At the time, YouTube was embroiled in criticism of some of its largest creators, monetization challenges and waves of online drama, but to this day people still resent the video for what it represents about changes to the platorm. YouTube only went on to make one more Rewind, which also proved unpopular, before packing in the whole practice in 2020.

You might also like

YouTube is giving its TV app a much-needed redesign soon – here’s what it looks likeYouTube Premium is the only digital subscription I'm keeping for the whole of 2025 – here's whyI was watching YouTube on my TV before it became more popular than phones – here are 3 reasons why it’s better on the big screenBest streaming service 2025: Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Max, Disney Plus and more

Lenovo plans to start production in Saudi Arabia by 2026The biggest benefit is 10% vs. 245% reciprocal taxUS PC market is 27% of global market

Major PC makers like Lenovo, HP and Dell are reportedly exploring building new manufacturing plants in Saudi Arabia in order to avoid high US tariffs on Chinese-made goods.A new report by DigiTimes (via Tom's Hardware) said Lenovo looks to be the furthest alone, having announced a PC and server assembly plant in Riyadh in January this year, backed by a $2 billion investment from a Saudi Public Investment Fund subsidiary.With production set to start by 2026, the Hong Kong-based OEM's plans would see it open a new Middle East and Africa (MEA) headquarters in Saudi Arabia, "[enhancing] its global presence."

Using Saudi Arabia to avoid Chinese tariffs

DigiTimes says HP and Dell have also sent teams to Saudi Arabia to scout out potential factory sites following local government invitations.The biggest attraction for manufacturers to relocate to Saudi Arabia are the 10% reciprocal tariffs, compared with 245% for China.Having a base in Riyadh would also enable the likes of Lenovo, HP and Dell to have better access to the MEA markets – a factor acknowledged by Lenovo.In 2024, Lenovo shipped 11,872 desktops and notebooks to the US, making it the third-biggest in terms of volume with a 17.2% market share, behind Dell (22.8%) and HP (25.3%).With 69,210 PCs sold across the US last year, the country accounted for 27% of all global PC shipments, highlighting the nation's buying power.Lenovo, HP and Dell aren't the only companies looking to get out of China to reduce costs. TSMC and Apple recently announced their own manufacturing investments within the US, spanning production, R&D, training and more.However, the PC market's immediate future remains uncertain. "In addition to the direct impact of tariffs, the stop-start nature of announcements and delays have cast uncertainty around pricing for consumer electronics this year," Canalys Analyst Greg Davis explained.

You might also like

Need an upgrade? These are the best business laptops and best mobile workstationsChinese tech companies want to enter the US market despite trade and tariff warFor something with more power, consider the best workstations

Teamgroup X2 MAX seamlessly merges speed, storage, and sleek portabilityGaming consoles benefit from fast game launchesDual connectors ensure universal device support for effortless data sharing

At a time when large files, ultra-HD videos, and next-gen games demand ever-faster transfer speeds, traditional USB flash drives are beginning to feel sluggish.That’s why SSD-type portable storage devices like TeamGroup’s latest X2 MAX are stepping in to bridge the gap between USB convenience and the kind of performance expected from top-tier SSDs.The X2 MAX, available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, offers read speeds of up to 1,000MB/s and write speeds of up to 900MB/s, easily outpacing even the best external HDD options. That’s a notable achievement for a device that weighs just 12 grams.

No cables, no hassle – just plug-and-play

Built on USB 3.2 Gen2x1 technology, the X2 MAX delivers transfer rates approaching those of high-end portable SSDs.Unlike many USB flash drives, the X2 MAX features both Type-C and Type-A connectors, offering broad compatibility across Windows PCs, Macs, and tablets.TeamGroup says the device also supports modern gaming consoles, including PlayStation and Xbox systems, with 10Gbps high-speed transfer. This means it can host hundreds of gigabytes of game data and still launch titles quickly - a major step up from legacy USB drives.Beyond speed and compatibility, the X2 MAX includes a five-year warranty and features a high-efficiency aluminum alloy shell to maintain stable performance under heavy load. It requires no cable and supports plug-and-play use across multiple platforms. With a slim length of just under 76mm, it easily fits in a pocket.We’ve previously reviewed similar SSD-type portable storage such as the Adata Elite UE800 1TB and the SP 2TB USB flash drive. Other market alternatives include the SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Dual Drive, Transcend 2TB External SSD, and the SSK 2TB SSD.

You may also like

These are the largest SSDs and hard drives on the marketAnd these are the best microSD cards you can buy right nowChinese tech companies want to enter the US market despite trade and tariff war

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are now officially open in North America. After (what felt like) a long delay after the original April 9 pre-order date, Nintendo finally opened up pre-orders in the US and Canada on April 24. The console will be widely available on June 5, but if you signed up ahead of time on Nintendo’s site, you should have received an email that will give you access to place your order via Nintendo.

If you didn't get an email and you registered your interest with Nintendo, you're not alone. The company updated its pre-order page to say that some may not receive their pre-order email until after the June 5 launch date.

Elsewhere across the internet, participating third-party retailers also opened up Switch 2 pre-orders. Stores including GameStop, Walmart, Best Buy, Target and others are both selling the $450 console and the $500 Mario Kart World bundle. But as of right now, most retailers have sold out of their stock.

How to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2

Along with Nintendo, third-party retailers like Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and Target opened their pre-orders on April 24 as scheduled. Best Buy, Walmart and Target pre-orders opened at midnight, while GameStop in-person and online pre-orders started at 11am. As of now, all of those retailers have either sold out of their stock, or list the console as "coming soon." We also expect the Switch 2 to be available from Amazon, but links are not live on the site yet.

At this point, we recommend signing up via Nintendo's website if you haven't already. It's free to sign up and you'll eventually get an email that will allow you to order the console, even if you have to wait until after the June 5 launch day. We will continue to update this post as time goes on with the latest Switch 2 pre-order information.

Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo

Amazon*

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle

Nintendo

Amazon*

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

*As of 1pm ET on Thursday, April 24, Amazon has not listed either Switch 2 console package for sale. We will update this article with direct links when they arrive, until then we're linking to the site's Nintendo-focused hub.

How to pre-order Switch 2 accessories

The Switch 2 has a number of accessories that you can buy separately. While the console didn't get a price adjustment when Nintendo announced the new pre-order date, many of these accessories did. The new Switch 2 camera now costs $55 instead of the original $50 price tag; the new Switch 2 Pro controller costs $85 instead of $80; an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers will set you back $95 instead of $90 and a Joy-Con charging grip is going for $40 instead of $35. Check out Nintendo's official statement for all of the accessory price adjustments. You can pre-order most of them now.

Samsung microSD Express Card – 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2 for $60

Nintendo

Amazon*

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Joy-Con 2 bundle for $95

Nintendo

Amazon*

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Switch 2 Pro Controller for $85

Nintendo

Amazon*

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Switch 2 camera for $55

Nintendo

Amazon*

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera for $60

Best Buy

Target

Joy-Con 2 charging grip for $40

Nintendo

Amazon*

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Joy-Con 2 Wheels (set of 2) for $25

Nintendo

Amazon*

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Switch 2 all-in-one carrying case for $85

Nintendo

Amazon*

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

*As of 1pm ET on Thursday, April 24, Amazon has not listed any first-party Switch 2 accessories for sale. We will update this article with direct links when they arrive, until then we're linking to the site's Nintendo-focused hub.

More Switch 2 details

We knew from the teaser trailer for the Switch 2 that Nintendo's new hardware would be bigger and would have a new approach to the detachable Joy-Cons. The new Joy-Con 2 have a new C button, mouse controls and a built in gyroscope for tilt control. The console has a built-in mic to support a new feature called Game Chat that will let you communicate with friends in-game. The device is indeed a bit larger, with a 7.9-inch LCD screen that supports a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR and a 1080p resolution.

When docked, you'll be able to play at up to 4K on your TV, and Nintendo says it improved the consoles internal speakers as well. The new dock also has a built-in fan to keep the console cool and help maintain performance during long play sessions. The Switch 2 has dual USB-C ports for charging, and the base storage amount has increased to 256GB. The Switch 2's storage can be expanded like the previous model, but it will only work with newer microSD Express cards.

Tariffs and the Nintendo Switch 2

During its most recent Direct presentation at the start of April, Nintendo showed off more of the Switch 2 than it ever had before. That included the reveal of the April 9 pre-order opening date, in addition to the original $450 starting price. Shortly after, President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on China and other countries, prompting Nintendo to delay pre-orders in the US and Canada.

In a reversal, President Trump then announced a 90-day pause on steep “reciprocal” tariffs affecting 75 countries, but also announced that the tariff imposed on China will go up even further (currently, it's up to 245 percent for that country).

We now know that the original $450 price for the Switch 2 will remain the same in the US and Canada, but based on its official statement, it appears Nintendo is leaving the door open for potential future price increases.

We also know that Nintendo started moving some of its Switch console manufacturing to Vietnam in 2019. The reciprocal tariff for Vietnam was set to be 46 percent, but that appears to be on hold for now in favor of a 10 percent reciprocal tariff that’s now in effect for the 90-day pause period.

It has been speculated that Nintendo will boost production of Switch 2 consoles in Vietnam so it can stay on schedule, even if it sells the console at a loss in the short term. It appears the company will have to seriously ramp up production to keep up with Switch 2 demand: according to Nintendo, 2.2 million people entered the pre-order lottery in Japan alone, which is far more devices than it is expected to deliver in that region on launch day.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-pre-orders-sold-out-at-most-retailers-including-gamestop-walmart-target-best-buy-and-others-140931201.html?src=rss

Lego has four new Fortnite sets coming soonThe Mecha Team Leader set lands on August 1There are three smaller Fortnite sets dropping on June 1

Lego is continuing its gaming collabs with four brand-new Fortnite sets – with the clear best of the bunch being a 2,503-piece recreation of the Mecha Team Leader.Long-time Fortnite fans will recognise this Power Rangers Megazord-esque titan from arguably the best live event of Chapter 1, The Final Showdown, which saw the Mecha Team leader face off against the monster of Polar Peak. And now you can recreate that clash yourself in real life (though you’ll need to provide your own stand-in for the thawed monster).The set does sit on the pricier end of things – it’ll cost $249.99 / £209.99 from Lego.com when it releases on August 1, 2025 – but once complete, the finished design will stand just over 45cm / 17.5-inches tall.

(Image credit: Future / Lego / Fortnite)

You’ll also get a minifigure version of the Mecha Team Leader (complete with a sign showing support for its mech), as well as digital bonus items: 2 Mecha Team Leader and 2 Mecha Team Shadow Outfits, which are redeemable in Fortnite and Lego Fortnite.Just remember to be a bit more careful than its monstrous foe when removing your creation’s left arm if you try to recreate the robot’s iconic No Sweat emote.

Where we buildin' boys?

(Image credit: Lego / Epic Games)

If you’re after sets that are a little cheaper – and releasing sooner – the other three have you covered.The $22.99 / £17.99 Peely & Sparkplug’s Camp is just 250 pieces, but includes some essential Fortnite elements – including a Peely minifig, and a minifig scale Supply Llama. You’ll also get a Sparkplug minifigure alongside a redeemable code for a Sparkplug Outfit for the Lego Fortnite game.Next is the Durrr Burger Restaurant – a familiar in-game location that you can build IRL with this 546-piece set for $64.99 / £54.99.Alongside the restaurant’s storefront and some decoration, you’ll get a few minifigs, including the Beach Bomber and Beef Boss, as well as a redeemable code to get a bonus Beef Boss Outfit in Lego Fortnite.

(Image credit: Lego / Epic Games)

Lastly, you’ve got a set that might appeal to non-Fontite players in the $109.99 / £89.99, 1,084-piece Klombo set.I say that it might have more general appeal because Klombo’s design is that of a terrifying yet cute dinosaur-like beast that your minifigures can ride around. You’ll also get the awesome-looking Oro minifigure for a duo that would be right at home in a bunch of different non-Fortnite Lego worlds.Though Fortnite fans will still appreciate this build. Not only for the Klombo and Oro figures, but also the Island Adventure Peely minifig that they can also unlock in the Lego Fortnite game using a code.All three of these sets are available on Lego.com starting June 1 and could make the perfect gift for any Fortnite and LEGO fans you know.

You might also like

Fortnite next season release date and Chapter 6 Season 2 endFortnite's Star Wars season will include five updates over five weeks, a themed battle pass, and Darth Jar JarNintendo Switch 2 pre-orders live: latest UK stock updates as My Nintendo Store's pre-order date arrives, while US pre-orders remain delayed

LG Smart Monitor Swing is inspired by StanbyME, but built for everythingCharge your laptop with 65W USB-C — no extra charger neededTouchscreen and webOS make it usable without a computer

LG has announced the Smart Monitor Swing, a 31.5-inch 4K UHD touchscreen monitor designed to rethink how and where users interact with their screen.The monitor features an IPS panel with a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 and supports multitouch for direct interaction with apps and files.The Smart Monitor Swing includes three USB-C ports and two HDMI inputs for connectivity. One of the USB-C ports supports 65W Power Delivery, allowing it to charge most business laptops on the market. On the rear, a concealed adapter helps reduce cable clutter, a feature not commonly found on even the best business monitors.

(Image credit: LG)

More than just mobility

A key selling point is its all-in-one wheeled stand, adapted from the portable StanbyME smart TV design. The stand offers more than just mobility: it supports height adjustment, up-and-down tilt, left-right swivel, and a pivot for switching between landscape and portrait modes.LG’s proprietary webOS smart platform is also built in, giving users access to apps like Microsoft Office, YouTube, and others directly from the monitor. Like LG’s MyView Smart Monitor, it can run cloud PC services without needing a separate computer.While the Smart Monitor Swing borrows some standout features from the StanbyME, it omits the built-in battery and remote control in favor of a cleaner, productivity-focused design.Combining smart functionality with a portable frame, the LG Smart Monitor Swing is positioned to compete with the best portable monitor options available.While LG has not yet confirmed global pricing or availability, the monitor will launch in Korea on April 24 at 1,049,000 won (approximately $735).

You may also like

We've rounded up the best monitors for photo editing on the market todayAnd here are the best monitors for programming we've foundWestern Digital plans to launch 40TB HDD next year using HAMR technology

AI company Perplexity announced in February that it was building its own browser called Comet. In a recent interview with the TBPN podcast, CEO Aravind Srinivas gave some insight as to why the business appeared to be branching out from its artificial intelligence focus: It's to collect user data and sell them targeted advertisements.

"That’s kind of one of the other reasons we wanted to build a browser, is we want to get data even outside the app to better understand you," he said. “We plan to use all the context to build a better user profile and, maybe you know, through our discover feed we could show some ads there.”

If that all sounds familiar, it could be become Google's Chrome browser has taken a similar approach. In fact, Comet is built on Chromium, the open-source browser base from Google. That's not to say Perplexity wouldn't take the chance to go straight to the source and acquire Chrome in the aftermath of Google's recent monopoly court ruling regarding online search. In the ongoing hearings about Google and its potential sale of Chrome, Chief Business Officer Dmitry Shevelenko said he thought Perplexity would be able to continue running the browser at its current scale. Unsurprisingly, he wasn't too keen on OpenAI acquiring the property.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/perplexity-is-building-a-browser-in-part-to-collect-customer-data-for-targeted-ads-230132091.html?src=rss