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Finding the right gift for a new graduate in your life can be tough. Default ideas like a fancy watch or a monogrammed bag can be pricey and, let’s face it, boring. Tech can be a good option, and no, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a solid gadget that they’d like.While expensive stuff like iPhones, smartwatches and game consoles may come to mind immediately, they aren’t the only options out there. And sometimes all it takes is a practical gadget like a power bank to make someone’s life a little easier — that’s especially applicable to new grads who are focusing all of their attention on snagging that new job or applying for further education. Here’s Engadget’s list of the best gifts under $50 for new graduates.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-gifts-for-grads-under-50-114506320.html?src=rss

NVIDIA's RTX 5060 finally has a release date. When the company announced the budget 50-series graphics cards last month, it gave the higher-end Ti model a firm April 19 launch but limited the base 5060 model to a vague "May" window. On Tuesday, we learned that the card with a $299 MSRP arrives on May 19.

The RTX 5060 has 8 GB of GDDR7 VRAM, 19 TFLOPS Blackwell shader cores, 5th-gen tensor cores with 614 AI TOPS performance and 4th-gen RT (ray tracing) cores that can reach 58 TFLOPS. It also has 3,840 CUDA Cores.

According to NVIDIA's benchmarks, the RTX 5060 reaches 234 fps in Hogwarts Legacy, 148 fps in Cyberpunk 2077, 220 fps in Avowed and 330 fps in Marvel Rivals. Those numbers are all set for 1080p with maxed-out graphics and 4x frame generation.

NVIDIA

Based on today's prices, those are impressive numbers for a $299 card. But if you can snag one at all, you'll likely be hard-pressed to find one at that price. For that, you can thank Donald Trump. The Verge notes that retailers jacked up graphics card prices even before his tariffs kicked in. In addition, the US president recently killed the de minimis exemption, which spared goods under $800 from extra taxes. (Remember when he said he would make America affordable again?) So, consider yourself one of the lucky few if you find one on launch day for anything close to $299.

The GeForce RTX 5060 will go on sale on May 19 at noon ET from NVIDIA's retail partners. In addition to the standalone desktop card, the laptops with the mobile version of the RTX 5060 will launch at the same time, starting at $1,099.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/nvidias-geforce-rtx-5060-gpu-arrives-on-may-19-160939549.html?src=rss

Trying to figure out the best vacuum for your needs? There are a few different kinds of cleaner on the market, each with their pros and cons.The most common and popular type these days is the stick vacuum. These vacuums are lightweight, nimble and versatile. However, more traditional upright or cylinder vacuums are typically more robust and pack more cleaning power.For small cleaning tasks you can't beat a handheld vacuum, while tech-forward shoppers might find themselves considering a robot vacuum that does all the hard work for them. For deep cleaning hard floors, you can also pick up wet-and-dry vacuums, although they're more limited when it comes to dust-busting on carpet.This article runs though all the main types of vacuums, covering the benefits and drawbacks of each type, so you can pick the right option for your needs.

Stick vacuums

Perhaps the most popular vacuum type right now is the stick vacuum. The motor, dust cup, handle and controls form part of a single unit, onto which a wand and floorhead are attached. Almost all stick vacs are modular, so the floorhead could be swapped for a detail tool, or the wand could be removed and a cleaner head attached directly to the motor unit to turn it into a handheld. Most stick vacuums are cordless.Today's best cordless stick vacuums are versatile, lightweight and easy to maneuver. However, the suction power is typically less than that of a corded upright, and the build quality less robust too (here's more on how long a vacuum cleaner should last).While overall a stick vacuum will be lighter than either an upright or a canister vacuum, the weight is concentrated near the handle, so there's still a fair amount of effort and control required from the user.

(Image credit: Future)

Pros

✅ Lightweight ✅ Easy to maneuver✅ Versatile in use

Cons

❌ Weight focused near handle❌ Perhaps less suction❌ Less robust build

Upright vacuum cleaners

An upright is a more traditional style of vacuum. It tends to be able to stand upright on its own, with a larger floorhead and a large dust cup mounted lower down on the machine. Although rather bulky and heavy, the fact the weight is focused towards the bottom of the vacuum means they're nice and stable.You won't be able to lift an upright vacuum up like you would a stick vac, so most have a flexible tube onto which detail tools can be attached for cleaning areas above the ground, or tackling areas like stairs. Most upright vacuums are corded, and tend to pack more power than stick vacuums.While today's best upright vacuums aren't as flexible or nimble as a stick vacuum, they're robust, efficient and great for deep cleaning.

(Image credit: Future)

Here are the some general pros and cons for upright vacuums – do note that specifics will vary by model.

Pros

✅ Powerful suction✅ Robust build✅ Large dust cup

Cons

❌ Bulky and heavy❌ Less easy to maneuver

Canister vacuum cleaner

Canister vacuums – sometimes called cylinder vacuums – consist of a unit that houses the mechanical components and dust cup, and a flexible hose with a cleaning wand attached to it. The base unit has wheels, and you pull it along the floor behind you as you clean. You have plenty of freedom when cleaning each area because the wand and floorhead are nice and light, but moving to a new area is a little more unwieldy because you'll have to tow the base unit across the floor. You will also need to be careful not to whack the canister part against door frames or walls.Most canister vacuums are corded, and sometimes the cord can be retracted for neat storage inside the canister unit. They also generally have a bag for dust (here's more on bagged vs bagless vacuums, and the pros and cons involved there).

(Image credit: Future)

Here are the some general pros and cons for canister / cylinder vacuums – do note that specifics will vary by model.

Pros

✅ Wand light in the hand✅ Robust in build

Cons

❌ Towing canister is unwieldy❌ Can easily hit walls

Robot vacuum cleaners

Robot vacuums are a more modern type of vacuum, and one that's becoming increasingly popular. They use sensors and cameras to navigate around your home, cleaning as they go, with next-to-no input required from you. Most of today's best robot vacuums can mop as well as vacuuming, too. Depending on the model you go for, the dock might take care of other maintenance tasks for you, from emptying the small onboard dustbin to cleaning its mop pads.On the down-side, robovacs can't clean anything except the floor, so you'll still need a manual vacuum for your stairs, for instance. If your home is over multiple floors, you'll need to either buy extra bots or carry one up and down the stairs as required. The suction can't match that of most manual vacuums either – these are really for light, regular cleaning rather than deep cleans.

(Image credit: Future)

Here's a quick run-down of the general pros and cons of robot vacuums. If you decide you do want a robovac, here's more on how to choose a robot vacuum.

Pros

✅ Hands-off option✅ Can be operated remotely✅ Some also mop

Cons

❌ Can only clean floors❌ Can't climb stairs❌ Less suction

Handheld vacuums

Handheld vacuums are compact, light vacuums for when you need to quickly clean up a small mess, or for awkward cleaning tasks where a full-sized vacuum will be too bulky – for example, the interior of your car. They tend to have short battery life, relatively low suction and a small suction path, and a tiny dust cup. As such, they're not for large cleaning tasks and won't replace your main vacuum cleaner.For our top recommendations in this area, check out our guides to the best handheld vacuum cleaners and the best car vacuums.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

Pros

✅ Can get into awkward nooks✅ Easy to store✅ Great for small cleanups

Cons

❌ Short battery life❌ Small dust cup❌ Low suction

Wet and dry vacuums

Wet and dry vacuums are hybrid vacuuming and mopping machines for all kinds of spillages. While some can used in vacuum-only mode, most are designed for deeper cleaning on hard floor (and sometimes also on carpet).This category is quite broad – it includes things like the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, which is just a stick vacuum with an optional mopping head that can be swapped on, but also the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro, which is an all-in-one wet cleaner. Our guide to the best wet and dry vacuums has more recommendations.

(Image credit: Future)

Pros

✅ For wet and dry spills✅ Intensive cleaning

Cons

❌ Limited use on carpet❌ Can be messy and smelly

Meta is facing its biggest existential threat in its history. Years after the Federal Trade Commission first sued the social network in an attempt to unwind its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, the trial that will shape its future is finally underway. FTC v. Meta began last month when CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand, and is expected to last for several weeks.

The FTC is hoping to prove to US District judge James Boasberg that Meta’s acquisitions of its one-time rivals were anticompetitive and hurt US consumers. Meta, meanwhile, has argued that Instagram and WhatsApp were only able to grow to the billion-user services they are because of its investment into them over the last decade or more.

While the case is unlikely to be fully settled anytime soon, the trial has successfully uncovered tons of new details about the inner workings of Meta and its approach to potential competitors. And testimony from former execs like Instagram cofounder Kevin Systrom and longtime COO Sheryl Sandberg have shed new light on the company’s past.

Instagram’s former CEO speaks

Facebook’s 2012 acquisition of Instagram is a central part of the FTC’s case against Meta. The government has argued that Mark Zuckerberg bought Instagram in order to neutralize it as a competitor and is trying to force Meta to divest it. So it was more than a little eyebrow raising when Instagram’s cofounder and former CEO Kevin Systrom took the stand and didn’t exactly come to Meta’s defense.

While Zuckerberg had testified that Meta had helped Instagram grow, Systrom testified that Zuckerberg saw Instagram as a “threat” to Facebook’s growth and intentionally withheld company resources as a result. “As the founder of Facebook, he felt a lot of emotion around which one was better, meaning Instagram or Facebook," Systrom said.

Sheryl Sandberg thought Zuckerberg overpaid for Instagram

Facebook’s decision to pay $1 billion for Instagram — an app that had no revenue and just a handful of employees — seemed like an incredible sum to many onlookers at the time. Among them, though, was Zuckerberg’s former top lieutenant. The trial unearthed an exchange between the two from 2012 in which Zuckerberg asked if $1 billion was too much to pay. She replied that “yes, of course it’s way too much.”

On the stand, however, Sandberg said that she had been wrong. “I don’t think anyone today would say we paid too much for Instagram,” she said, in testimony reported by Bloomberg.

Zuckerberg knew the company could face a breakup

In one notable email exchange, Zuckerberg speculated that the company could one day face antitrust action that would force the company to divest Instagram. "I'm beginning to wonder whether spinning Instagram out is the only structure that will accomplish a number of important goals," Zuckerberg mused in a 2018 email. "As calls to break up the big tech companies grow, there is a non-trivial chance that we will be forced to spin out Instagram and perhaps WhatsApp in the next 5-10 years anyway."

Zuckerberg considered nuking friend lists to boost engagement

In 2022, facing rising competition from TikTok, Zuckerberg apparently was growing concerned that Facebook’s “cultural relevance is decreasing quickly.” To address this, he suggested deleting users’ friends lists as often as once a year in an effort to get people to “start again.” Bizarrely, he referred to this plan as “double down on friending,” as Business Insider noted.

Zuckerberg, apparently aware that the plan was somewhat risky, even suggested that Facebook could test out the idea in a “smaller country” first in order to gauge the effect it might have on users. However, Tom Alison, who oversees the Facebook app for Meta, quickly shot him down, according to The Verge, telling Zuckerberg the plan was not “viable.”

When asked about it directly on the stand, Zuckerberg simply stated that “we never did that.” Still, the fact that he even considered such a drastic move is telling. Zuckerberg floated the idea in 2022, at a time when TikTok’s popularity among US teens was surging and Meta was becoming increasingly alarmed at TikTok’s dominance. In the same email, Zuckerberg also questioned Alison about whether Facebook could move to a “follow model.”

Just how threatened they were by TikTok

Zuckerberg has previously talked about how Meta was “slow” to recognize the threat posed by TikTok. But the FTC trial has unearthed new details about Meta’s response to the app’s rise. In her testimony, Sandberg said that Meta was already feeling pressure from TikTok in 2018. By 2020, the company had invested more than $500 million into building its competitor, Reels, according to an internal email noted by The New York Times. That effort saw the company hire more than 1,000 new employees to bolster the company’s video efforts.

Zuckerberg also touched on TikTok, saying that the app quickly became a “highly urgent” threat to Meta. “We observed that our growth slowed down dramatically,” Zuckerberg said, referring to TikTok’s rise. That may sound surprisingly candid for Zuckerberg, but his remarks were also strategic for Meta’s defense. The company has argued that TikTok is an even bigger threat to its business than Instagram or WhatsApp ever was, and has slammed the government for claiming that TikTok isn’t a direct rival.

Europeans aren’t buying Meta’s ad-free subscriptions

As the European Union has adopted stricter tech regulations over the last few years, the new laws have forced tech giants to change their products in sometimes meaningful ways. For Meta, one such change has been the addition of ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram that are only available via subscription in the EU. The company began offering it in 2023 and has slashed the price of it more recently following legal scrutiny.

But even with a price cut, it seems ad-free subscriptions to Facebook and Instagram are unpopular. On the stand, Meta’s Chief Revenue Officer John Hegeman testified that there has been “very little interest” in the plan with only “about .007 percent” of users opting in, according to testimony reported by The Verge.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/what-weve-learned-from-ftc-v-meta-antitrust-trial-162048138.html?src=rss

Recteq makes pellet grills, but those can’t do it all when it comes to backyard cooking. So when the company sought to create an alternative for gas grillers, without making an actual gas grill, it needed to do something radically different.

With its newly launched X-Fire Pro, Recteq may have done that. The company says that its Dual Mode Cooking combines the best of wood pellets and gas, offering a temperature range between 225 and 1,250 degrees Fahrenheit. But it wasn't just about getting to that high level of heat. For Recteq, harmonizing the dual capabilities with an intuitive design was most important.

“Part of our development process was going after the gas grill market, attracting new users to the pellet grill universe,” Recteq’s VP of products Ben Lesshafft said. “We really felt the best way to do that was to meet them on their turf.”

Gas grills are very easy to use. They feel more familiar to most people because they function a lot like a stove and light with the press of a button. Primarily designed for higher-heat cooking, these are the grills you want for burgers, steaks and other cookout essentials when you don’t want to futz with the extra care and clean up of charcoal. Turn it on, cook your food, turn it off. What’s more, gas grills have multiple burners, which allow backyard cooks to adjust and maintain multiple temperature zones as needed.

Recteq

With the X-Fire Pro Recteq needed to create a similar two-burner/fire pot setup. Just one of those wouldn’t be enough to adequately cover the 825 square inches of cooking space on such a large grill. That’s especially true when there’s a direct heat option involved. However, the dual fire pots aren’t what’s necessary for the 1,250-degree performance. For that, the company utilizes the fire pots from its Bullseye Deluxe model that’s also capable of 1,000-degree searing.

Lesshafft walked me through how Recteq achieves this, employing a specially designed, “gasification-style” fire pot that ignites the wood gas that’s produced when the pellets burn. With a double-walled construction for this crucial component, something that works similarly to the airflow channels on a Solo Stove fire pit, the company can ignite that wood gas at temperatures above 500-600 degrees for “an accelerated amount of heat.”

Now that Recteq can reach an extreme amount of heat by fully exploiting the pellets, it needs to allow food to come in direct contact with the flames. “That’s the adjustable damper,” Lesshafft said. “You can go fully closed, partially open, almost all the way open and wide open.” The damper and an Adaptive Sear Control feature are only available on the right-side fire pot though.

On the left, there’s a perforated steel deflector covering the heat source. This allows for the hot and cold sides of the grill, or hot and not-so-hot, both of which are common cooking setups for gas grilling. You’ll need higher heat for searing a steak, but more indirect heat for bringing it fully to temperature. Or maybe you have people over who all like their steaks cooked differently. Either way, gas grills allow you to have varied heat zones and so does the X-Fire Pro’s Grill Mode.

Recteq

Of course, the X-Fire Pro also had to be a pellet grill, and that brings us back to Recteq’s area of expertise. “Nobody with a gas grill brags about pork butt, brisket and ribs,” Lesshafft quipped.

Pellet grills are better at low-and-slow smoking. Sure, you can do baking, roasting and limited searing on most models, but the bread and butter here is smoked meat, seafood and other dishes. Most pellet grills these days offer some form of connectivity — Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or both — so that you can keep tabs on progress without standing outside the entire time. This is typically done with an app that also allows you to to adjust the cooking temperature of the grill, activate certain modes or shut it down from afar.

For Smoke Mode on the X-Fire Pro, only the left fire pot runs. That perforated deflector I mentioned is designed in such a way that the heat is pushed towards the middle of the grill. It’s similar to how an offset smoker (stick burner) works. Even though the active fire pot is on the left side of the cooking chamber, “the temperature balance is remarkably stable,” Lesshafft noted.

To completely synthesize the two types of grills into a single unit, Recteq also had to design controls that would be easy to understand for both gas and pellet grill users. “We wanted to create a lot of things that were familiar to the gas consumer,” he explained. “That’s the knobs on the front, a lot of stainless [steel], and even when you turn it on, that’s the LED rings around the lights.”

There are four knobs in total. The one on the left controls the two grill modes: Smoke and Grill. When you select the latter, all of the LEDs around those knobs light up red. There are two knobs for burner/fire pot control, allowing you to select low, medium, high or maximum. There’s also an Adaptive Sear Control knob which allows you to adjust how much direct flame is coming in contact with your food.

Recteq

When it’s time for Smoke Mode, turn that far left knob and the X-Fire Pro’s controls transform the machine into a traditional pellet grill. The LEDs around the four center knobs change from red to white, and the controller that’s mounted on the side shelf turns on. Here, you’ll adjust settings for those low-and-slow cooks and monitor temperatures. If you’re unfamiliar with pellet grilling, the controller’s display will help with tips like a reminder to keep the lid closed while smoking.

Most people who’ve cooked with a pellet grill are familiar with using a phone app to track temperatures and access remote controls. Recteq offers that in Smoke Mode on the X-Fire Pro, which means no one will be babysitting a pork shoulder or brisket grillside for 8-12 hours. Like much of the competition, this runs on your home Wi-Fi network.

While the grill is designed to run in two completely separate modes, you can switch between them with ease. If you wanted to reverse sear a steak, for example, you could just smoke it first at 225 and then open the lid and change to Grill Mode. The left fire pot is already going, but this would activate the one on the right for the desired exterior finish. Going from Grill Mode to Smoke Mode “requires a little bit more patience,” Lesshafft said, since the metal chamber has gotten hot and it will take a while for the grill to cool down to the appropriate temperature.

“We really tried to design it with the ultimate amount of versatility,” he said.

Recteq

And in the end, that appears to be what Recteq did. The company put two separate grills in one machine, catering to backyard cooks who are familiar with each one individually. And in doing so, it built a unique grill that stands out from most of the competition. The X-Fire Pro isn’t a pellet grill with enough searing performance to make it passable, it’s a high-heat beast. It offers a lot more flavor than gas by burning pellets, and it’s much easier to check your fuel levels here than when you’re dealing with a tank.

“We want to deliver what they need [in a gas grill],” Lessshafft concluded. “Should you want to dip your toe in the water of some food you can’t get on a gas grill, this gives you the vehicle to do that too.”

I’ll be putting an X-Fire Pro to the test soon so see if it’s worth the steep $1,550 investment. Yes, you can find a decent gas grill to pair with a solid pellet grill for less than that. But you’d have two cooking appliances on your deck or patio, and you’d still have to contend with the anxiety of propane tank levels before each grilling session. Recteq’s new model should remedy that, and if the performance claims hold up, it will also put a novel piece of grilling gear in your backyard.

Time will tell if Recteq has truly merged the two styles of cooking.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/best-of-both-worlds-how-recteq-designed-a-pellet-grill-for-gas-grillers-163047921.html?src=rss

High-end Danish audio brand Bang & Olufsen has announced the third generation of its Beosound A1 Bluetooth speaker. The updated A1 remains as portable as its predecessor, retaining its puck-shaped design and minimalist appearance, but there are some key upgrades under its pearl-blasted aluminum shell.

Arguably the most important of these is the larger woofer, which delivers a bass of 64dB, a 2dB improvement on the second-generation model. While that admittedly sounds modest on paper, B&O claims it’s one that makes the speaker capable of comfortably filling a room with meaty sound. If you happen to have an older A1 around, you can form a stereo pair with the latest model for even more sonic muscle.

Battery life has also been increased to 24 hours, which is a sizable six hours more than its predecessor. And while it uses the slightly older Bluetooth 5.1 standard, the new A1 supports Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair, both of which cut down on the steps required to pair devices. The previous speaker’s three-microphone setup also makes its way to the A1 3rd Gen, allowing you to take calls from the device itself.

The updated speaker has an IP67 dust and waterproof rating, and sports a modular design that allows you to replace or upgrade broken or outdated components over time. Bang & Olufsen say it’s the first speaker in the world to get a Bronze certification from Cradle to Cradle. The C2C is a globally recognized sustainability standard that assesses a product from its supply chain through to production, and coaches companies in minimizing waste. The Bronze level awarded to the Beosound A1 is the lowest on C2C’s scale, but it’s evidence that Bang & Olufsen is paying mind to sustainability.

The Bang & Olufsen A1 3rd Gen can be purchased in the same Natural Aluminium finish as its predecessor, as well as the two new “nature-inspired” colorways of Honey Tone and Eucalyptus Green. It’s available to buy today and costs $349.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/bang--olufsens-third-gen-beosound-a1-bluetooth-speaker-has-more-battery-life-and-bass-164546063.html?src=rss

Squid Game season 3: key information- Arrives on Netflix on June 27, 2025- A teaser trailer has been released- Cast has been confirmed for the new season- Season 3 will be the show’s last- Hwang Dong-hyuk talks spin-offs and franchise

It's official: Squid Game season 3 will launch on June 27, 2025 – and its arrival will mark the end of the tremendously volatile and thought-provoking Netflix show.It is, in fact, one of the best Netflix series available to watch on the best streaming service which broke Netflix records by bringing in 1.65 billion viewing hours for Squid Game season 1.Squid Game invites 456 players to compete for a mouth-watering 4.56 million won prize. To win? Compete in childhood games. Sure, that sounds simple enough, until the players learn about the deadly consequences. Player 456, Gi-hun, won the huge prize pot in season 1, but he was also the only player to leave with their life. So, he returned to play again in Squid Game season 2 to exact revenge by teaming up with fellow players – though we know how that turned out...Season 3 was always on the cards – way before season 2 even came out – and so the cast and crew shot back-to-back, hence the 2025 release date. We're glad we don't have to wait much longer to see how the events of the season 2 finale unfold, but a wait is a wait regardless.So, while we ponder the next move, there’s plenty to know about Squid Game season 3 from release date, to expected cast, to plot synopsis news and rumors, and more.Full spoilers for Squid Game seasons 1 and 2 to follow.

Squid Game season 3 release date

Prepare for the final game.Squid Game Season 3 premieres 27 June.#NextOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/wnEv6gpBKMJanuary 30, 2025

As mentioned, Squid Game season 3 will be released on Netflix worldwide on June 27. It's unclear how many episodes it'll comprise or if they'll all arrive on launch day.However, considering all episodes of the survival drama's first two seasons dropped on release day, we suspect that'll be the case for its final hurrah, too.

Squid Game season 3: has Netflix released a trailer?

Yes, a teaser was released on May 6, 2025 and it reveals the hit Netflix show's most disturbing detail yet.The marketing for this show has been great, in our opinion, and this teaser says so much without any dialogue. It teases some upcoming scenes, new games, and the aftermath of a failed rebellion.

Squid Game season 3: who can we expect to return for the cast?

Front Man's devastating season 2 ending means this character has more to give (Image credit: No Ju-han/Netflix)

Spoilers follow for Squid Game season 2.

Netflix has confirmed Squid Game season 3's returning cast. Here they are:

Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun (Player 456)Lee Byung-hun as Front ManWi Ha-jun as Hwang Jun-hoYim Si-wan as Myung-gi (Player 333)Kang Ha-neul as Dae-ho (Player 388)Park Sung-hoon as Hyun-ju (Player 120)Yang Dong-geun as Yong-sik (Player 007)Kang Ae-sim as Geum-ja (Player 149)Jo Yuri as Jun-hee (Player 222)Lee David as Min-su (Player 125)Roh Jae-won as Nam-gyu (Player 124)Park Gyu-young as No-eul

Squid Game season 3: what is the plot?

Squid Game season 3 will pick up the pieces of the season 2 finale (Image credit: Netflix)

Full spoilers follow for Squid Game seasons 1 and 2.

Squid Game Season 3 picks up in the aftermath of Season 2’s shocking cliffhanger. And although protagonist Gi-hun is at his lowest ever point, having just lost his friend and saw his uprising crushed, he's not giving up.Netflix has teased that "Gi-hun will be forced to make some important choices in the face of overwhelming despair as he and the surviving players are thrust into deadlier games that test everyone’s resolve. With each round, their choices lead to increasingly grave consequences."

Everyone say hi to Chul-su 👋 Squid Game 3 coming 2025. pic.twitter.com/hCgNexjJbCJanuary 1, 2025

If you watched through the credits, you will have also seen the teaser (above) featuring the giant robot from Red Light, Green Light - Young-hee - and her robot boyfriend, introduced on Twitter/X as Chul-su. It adds: “Squid Game 3 coming 2025,” as if to suggest Chul-su will star as a new robot in an entirely new game. The bigger tease here though is that there’s more games to be played, which has been one of the biggest allures of Squid Game. It’s in the name, after all.

Will Squid Game return after season 3?

(Image credit: Netflix)

No, season 3 has been confirmed as Squid Game’s final season. But, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has shared his future plans for a Squid Game franchise with The Hollywood Reporter: “One of the ideas I’m tossing around is what happened between season one and two. There’s a three-year gap. So, for example, what was the Front Man doing during those three years?” said Hwang. “What was the Recruiter doing? When I have some downtime, I like to just toss some ideas around and go wild with my imagination. So I guess we can be open to anything.”And, back in 2022, Deadline reported that Dong-hyuk also had a satirical series based on the creation of Netflix's Squid Game in early development. At time of writing, it was rumored to be called The Best Show on the Planet.If you're craving more from Squid Game, the franchise has already expanded with Squid Game: The Challenge, a real-world adaptation of the show, which debuted in November 2023 and was subsequently renewed for a second season. Casting of which is now closed, though a release date is still unknown.

For more Netflix-focused coverage, read our guides on Stranger Things season 5, 3 Body Problem season 2, Arcane season 2, and The Witcher season 4.

Nvidia's RTX 5060 Ti 8GB GPU suffers up to 10% performance loss using PCIe 4.0This comes after speculation that its PCIe 5.0 x8 specification and 8GB VRAM capacity would be a downsideIt means gamers will have to buy a PCIe 5.0 motherboard for better performance using the GPU

Nvidia's RTX 5000 series launch isn't complete yet, with the RTX 5060 now set to launch on May 19. However, RTX 5060 Ti 8GB GPU owners may be suffering a significant performance loss without realizing it.According to ComputerBase, the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB GPU suffers a performance loss of up to 10% when using PCIe 4.0 over PCIe 5.0. This was previously rumored before its launch, as one of MSI's models was leaked, revealing its PCIe x8 specification, which was purported to be a detriment to the 8GB VRAM version.We can now clarify that this is the case, as ComputerBase's tests reveal an average FPS of 44.3 using PCIe 5.0, versus an average FPS of 37.9 using PCIe 5.0 on the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB GPU, based on performance across several games.This is an important matter for those using PCIe 4.0 motherboards; the 8GB GPU is already weaker than its 16GB counterpart and the likes of the RTX 5070 Ti, so further performance losses may hit consumers much harder. It points towards 8GB GPUs yet again, and whether they are enough to handle triple-A gaming today – and the evidence shows, they can't.

(Image credit: ComputerBase)

More of a reason why 8GB GPUs must go...

Considering the 8GB VRAM capacity, I had a strong feeling that the rumor regarding the PCIe performance limitations was legitimate, and that appears to be the case.Gamers using more powerful GPUs like the RTX 5070 Ti or RTX 5080 might suffer little-to-no performance loss using PCIe 4 or lower instead of PCIe 5.0; and even if there was a sizable performance loss, it wouldn't be nearly enough to be frustrated over.However, with a much weaker 8GB GPU (and frankly, one that most consumers won't want to pursue), those performance drops will be more important as performance won't be great in GPU-intensive games to begin with. A lot of this can be resolved by lowering graphics settings or gaming at 1080p, but 8GB VRAM capacities can only last so long before it's completely untenable.If the message wasn't clear enough already, it's best to choose another card over the RTX 5060 Ti – unless you're okay with 8GB of VRAM and buying a new PCIe 5.0 motherboard...

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The latest trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 is here and it gives us a more than two minutes and thirty seconds worth a footage of the highly anticipated upcoming open-world game.That might not sound like a lot, but it revealed loads of new details about the GTA 6's central characters, setting, plus dropped a wealth of story hints.One of the most striking things about the trailer, however, is just how stunning everything looks. GTA 6 might be one of the most beautiful games that I've ever seen, with a level of photo-realism that looks leagues ahead of what other studios have achieved in this current console generation.Developer Rockstar Games has always been a leader in the visual department, but GTA 6 seems set to take it all to a new level. A message at the end of the trailer reveals that it was all captured on PlayStation 5, which is incredibly promising.The trailer released alongside a countless new screenshots uploaded to the Rockstar website, which really help showcase the extreme visual fidelity. It's got loads of shots of characters, including our protagonists Lucia and Jason, plus plenty of gorgeous environments.Here's a gallery of all the latest screenshots in one place.

Jason Duval

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One of our two protagonists, Jason Duval is an ex-soldier working for a local drug running operation. He has high ambitions, however, spurred on by his lover Lucia.

Lucia Caminos

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The other protagonist, Lucia. An experienced fighter with a rough upbringing, she's just come out of prison and wants to dreams of providing a comfortable life for her mother.

Cal Hampton

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A friend of Jason, conspiracy theorist Cal Hampton lounges around sipping beers and snooping in on the radio comms of the local coastguard.

Boobie Ike

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Prominent Vice City figure Boobie Ike has a sprawling empire of enterprises that ranges from real estate operations to a strip club and recording studio. He's just started a new record label, Only Raw Records.

Dre'Quan Priest

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Gangster turned aspiring music mogul Dre'Quan Priest aims to climb the Vice City scene. He's part of Only Raw Records with Boobie and is trying to raise his profile by finding the next big hit.

Real Dimez

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Bae-Luxe and Roxy, or Real Dimez, are two viral musicians with one successful hit under their belt. They're now working with Only Raw Records to try and replicate that success.

Raul Bautista

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Experienced bank robber Raul Bautista is searching for new crew members for his next big score.

Brian Heder

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Drug runner Brian Heder lets Jason live in one of his houses rent free, provided that he helps with the shakedowns of local businesses and keeps his third wife Lori entertained.

Vice City

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Vice City, one of the major locations in GTA 6. The sunny metropolis was first seen in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and is based on parts of the real-world Miami and Miami Beach.In addition to the city, the GTA 6 map encompasses parts of the wider state of Leonida.

Leonida Keys

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Inspired by the Florida Keys, Leonida Keys is a beautiful but dangerous archipelago filled with all kinds of strange and unusual characters.

Grassrivers

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The Grassrivers are moist and humid swamplands with no shortage of alligators or even more deadly locals.

Port Gellhorn

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A decaying coastal town, Port Gellhorn was once a popular tourist destination. Now it's run-down with a strong criminal presence.

Ambrosia

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An industrial zone in Leonida, Ambrosia is known for its sprawling sugar refinery. It's also home to a menacing biker gang.

Mount Kalaga

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Mount Kalaga is a huge national park right up against the state's northern border. It's got a thriving population of wildlife, including plenty of deer and fish.

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You might know the story by now: Framework makes repairable, modular laptops where you can sub in new components for old or broken ones. It’s been two years since the company debuted an AMD mainboard for the Laptop 13 and so it’s time for the first replacement to arrive. The new model gets AMD’s Ryzen AI 300, a series of power-efficient chips for notebooks that can do all the Copilot+ AI nonsense the industry insists people need and want.

Framework sent me the new AMD mainboard to slot into the existing chassis, along with a new bezel and input cover. Rather than the usual solid colors, the company is now offering translucent plastic versions for all those late ‘90s kids who owned Game Boy Colors. I prefer the tinted translucent version over the clear transparent one, but you can judge for yourself in the pictures.

Mainboard with AMD Ryzen AI 300

Daniel Cooper for Engadget

Would-be buyers have three options: They can buy a new pre-built laptop with Ryzen AI 300, a DIY edition to assemble or just get the mainboard on its own. Either way, you get the pick of a Ryzen 5 340, Ryzen 7 350 or the flagship Ryzen 9 HX 370 capable of harnessing up to 96GB of RAM. Naturally, the price will start to climb the greater your technological ambitions.

I was supplied with the midrange Ryzen 7 350, which took me about 11 minutes or so to swap into the existing AMD model. It’s amusing to think it took me the better part of an hour the first time I did this but once you’re fluent, it becomes effortless. If you, like me, lost the muscle memory to swap components at the turn of the millennium, don’t feel like this is beyond you.

The Ryzen 7 350’s performance is fine for the sort of tasks you’d expect to do with a 13-inch notebook. I didn’t find there was a clear, epoch-shifting leap between what I got out of this and the 7840U it replaced. If you’re using it for the usual stuff — work, browsing and watching videos — then it’ll handle that all with aplomb.

As usual, the best reason to recommend the AMD model over its Intel equivalent is for its greater strength in gaming. After all, you can easily get 50 to 60 fps in titles like Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto V, making this an effective all-rounder.

There are two downsides to Framework’s modular approach, one of which is that the hardware will always look more functional than its rivals. The second, and more critical, is that all of the CPU cooling has to be integrated onto the mainboard itself. Whereas a lot of machines can be designed around thermal management, this one can’t because everything is modular. So the fan on top of the mainboard has to do all of the work with one hand tied behind its back. Consequently both the Intel and AMD versions of Framework’s laptops are noisy in ways more modern machines aren’t.

Framework says it addressed the noise issue by redesigning the heatpipe, improving the fan algorithm and switching to Honeywell’s PTM7958 thermal paste. Sadly, as many hours as the company may have put in here, you’re still going to have to deal with plenty of fan noise and heat under heavy load. And while AMD promised the 300 AI was designed to be more power-efficient, the new processor further dents this thing’s battery life. I didn’t get anything close to a full day on a charge here, but that seems to be the way with so many laptops these days.

Input cover (Second generation)

Daniel Cooper for Engadget

I’ve always commended Framework for its commitment to improving every hardware component as it goes. This time around, the company worked with manufacturing partner Lite-On to give its keyboard a makeover. It focused on hard-to-spot improvements like printing the caps in a slightly thinner weight, replacing the fingerprint sensor and redesigning the Shift and Enter keys.

Thankfully, what hasn’t changed is the 1.5mm key travel, and founder Nirav Patel told me years ago that he had no interest in trying to fix what wasn’t broken. This means the keyboard itself remains as easy to use as it was before, albeit with a slightly quieter typing action. The keys aren’t as loose in their housing as they were on the older model, which is another sign of higher quality. Users can also pick from keyboards with a dedicated Windows Copilot key or the Framework key, depending on your operating system loyalties.

More importantly, the company addressed feedback that the wide keys would rattle when the speaker played at high volumes. There’s a new scaffold supporting the Shift and spacebar to reduce vibration when the sound gets loud. I think the original problem was overstated, but perhaps my audio picks aren’t as bass-heavy as some other folks. Regardless, the changes here are welcome and when I’ve watched explosion-heavy audio, I found little to no rattle at all.

The compromises

Framework

It’s not as simple to swap an Intel mainboard for an AMD one as there are issues with hardware compatibility. Similarly, the AMD boards support different USB standards for different expansion card slots, as you can see in the picture. This is true for AMD boards no matter the manufacturer, but it’s one thing to remember before you make your purchase.

In summary

Daniel Cooper for Engadget

If you are already inside Framework’s ecosystem then feel free to sleep on this upgrade. Yes, the AI 300 is better than the chip it replaces but not to the extent I’d suggest you shell out several hundred dollars on one. If you aren’t, then you’ll probably be swayed by Framework’s broader pitch rather than this specific update. My suspicion is that the company’s maturing ecosystem is ideally placed to take advantage of the current geopolitical brouhaha. After all, if the cost of every notebook is at risk of leaping through the roof, being able to keep one machine running for longer is compelling. And, if you’re looking to leap in, you should grab one of the discounted Ryzen 7040 machines before they go. After all, if you find the performance a little slow in a few years’ time, you’ll be well-placed to take advantage of the next generation upgrade when it arrives.

I know there are some who feel Framework’s underlying platform is getting a little stale, which I do understand. Tech consumers are constantly clamoring for a newer, flashier doodad, and when the Laptop 13 first launched, it already looked a generation behind rival 13-inch notebooks in the same class. When the Laptop 13 first launched, it already looked a generation behind rival 13-inch notebooks in the same class. Five years down the line, it won’t beat any machines from Dell, Acer or ASUS in look or feel.

But while it may not have the razzle or dazzle, it does have the staying power, and that’s going to be a bigger asset in the next few years. If you’re the sort of person who would buy a Lenovo Thinkpad and run it until it falls apart, then this is a better option. After all, with a Framework, you won’t even have to worry about it falling apart.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/framework-laptop-13-2025-with-amd-ryzen-ai-300-review-the-usual-iterative-upgrade-172031005.html?src=rss

Nvidia’s DOCA Argus promises real-time protection for AI compute environmentsThe system runs off-host to detect and respond without performance impactCisco and Nvidia are working to secure scalable AI infrastructure deployments

Nvidia is extending its AI ambitions into cybersecurity with the launch of DOCA Argus, a new software framework aimed at protecting AI infrastructure in real time.Part of Nvidia’s DOCA software platform, Argus runs on its BlueField networking hardware to detect and respond to threats as they happen, without relying on traditional host-based security tools.“Cyber defenders need robust tools to effectively protect AI factories, which serve as the foundation for agentic reasoning,” said David Reber, chief security officer at Nvidia. “The DOCA Argus framework delivers real-time security insights to enable autonomous detection and response - equipping defenders with a data advantage through actionable intelligence.”

Built to work with existing enterprise security setups

Argus is designed to operate independently of the system it monitors, avoiding integration into the host OS.This makes it invisible to attackers and avoids slowing down the system it protects. It works across containerized and multi-tenant environments, including deployments using Nvidia NIM microservices.Nvidia says Argus uses memory forensics to detect threats up to 1,000 times faster than existing agentless solutions. Because it doesn’t run on the host, it won’t impact performance.The system is built to work with existing enterprise security setups like SIEM, SOAR, and XDR platforms.Cisco is working with Nvidia to create a Secure AI Factory using this architecture.“Now is the time for enterprises to be driving forward with AI, but the key to unlocking innovative use cases and enabling broad adoption is safety and security,” said Jeetu Patel, executive vice president and chief product officer at Cisco.DOCA Argus is part of Nvidia’s broader cybersecurity AI platform, which includes BlueField hardware and the Morpheus AI framework. The goal is to improve visibility and threat response across AI infrastructure.Argus is trained using Nvidia’s internal security data, with the aim of reducing false alerts and focusing only on real threats. This, the company says, will help security teams avoid alert fatigue and act faster

(Image credit: Nvidia)

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The only thing missing from Wordle's status as a cultural institution was a day devoted to it, and now we have that, too.Welcome to Wordle Day, or May 6, to be precise. Why today? "Because Wordle uses five letters with six guesses to find a secret word, we thought May 6 would be the perfect date to celebrate the game that has sparked a joyful daily routine for so many people across the globe," said New York Times Wordle Editor Tracy Bennett.Okay, that makes some self-serving sense, and who are we to argue with that logic when most of us are hooked on daily plays of the word game that asks us to figure out a five-letter word in six tries?If you have any questions about Wordle's popularity or why it deserves a day, look at these stats. According to the NYT, there have been, to date, 5.3 billion Wordle game plays. A massive 2.8 million people use the same starter word every day.Wordle' is certainly an institution here, where our daily Wordle today column provides some hints then walks you through how we solved it. I hope you don't read those posts before trying to solve the puzzle on your own, but you do you.

Wordle Golf Game score sheet (Image credit: The New York Times)

Wordle is also a competitive sport. In my house, my wife and I end each evening completing several puzzles, including Wordle, Connections, Strands, and Quordle (the only non-NYT game).Wordle is invariably our first stop, and, yes, there is a competition to see who can solve it in the fewest tries. So, it should come as no surprise that to celebrate this totally made-up day, The New York Times introduced Wordle Golf.This is not another word game (thank goodness, I can't take on any more). Instead, it's a reimaginging of the standard Wordle competition into a golf game format.As with golf, there are 18 holes...or, er...puzzles. You can play against seven other players (or more if you, I guess, print out more Wordle Golf sheets).Each game is scored similarly to a golf game, meaning you want the lowest score (more strokes in golf raise your score and are generally considered a bad thing).The scoring system for Wordle Golf breaks down like this:

6 points for a guess on the sixth try5 points for a "Bogey" or fifth attempt guess.A guess in four is "Par" and worth 4 points,Three is worth 3 points and considered a "Birdie"2 guesses is worth 2 points and a rare "Eagle"1 is the miracle of a "Hole in one" and worth 1.

In theory, you can spend most of May playing Wordle Golf, but it does mean that no one should skip a day.It's a silly game, but probably less difficult and frustrating than 18 holes on a real golf course.Who knows, if you're a real Wordle pro, this might be just the kind of challenge you've been waiting for. Let's just hope there's not another "CORER". That was the word, according to The New York Times, that broke 5.6 million streaks.

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You can save today on our top security camera pick for Alexa users. Amazon has the Blink Outdoor 4 for half price. A single camera (usually $100) only costs $50, which is only $10 more than its all-time low for Black Friday. And the half-off savings also apply to multi-camera bundles.

The Blink Outdoor 4's name is somewhat deceiving because it works just as well for indoor use. The weather-resistant camera records in up to 1080p and supports black-and-white infrared for nighttime recording. The wireless camera is powered by a pair of AA batteries.

If the impressive Blink Outdoor 4 has an asterisk, it's the company's subscription scheme. First, you can cover the fundamentals without one. These include motion alerts, full HD recording, two-way audio, night vision, customizable motion sensitivity, activity zones and privacy zones. But advanced features like person detection, 60 days of cloud storage, motion event recording and an extended live view require a Blink Basic ($3 monthly or $30 annually) or Blink Plus ($10 monthly or $100 annually) plan. The more expensive one adds unlimited cameras, the ability to snooze notifications and an extended warranty. Otherwise, they’re the same.

Fortunately, if storage and multi-camera support are the only things pulling you toward a monthly fee, there's a subscription-free workaround. Pop a cheap USB drive into the Blink Sync Module 2 (included) and store your clips locally. This option loads your recordings a tad slower than cloud storage, but it isn't a dramatic difference.

Amazon's sale ranges from $50 for a single camera to $315 for an eight-pack. Every bundle (which also includes two-, three-, four-, five- and six-camera systems) is half off.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/blink-outdoor-4-security-cameras-are-half-price-right-now-173641806.html?src=rss

I recently had the opportunity to review the flagship model in the Epson’s new ‘Premium Residential’ Q Series of projectors, the QL7000. I had plenty to say in my Epson QL7000 review, but the highlight was undoubtedly its unmatched brightness.You see, projectors generally provide low brightness compared to the best TVs, and any ambient room light will lessen the dynamic range of pictures, blunting the impact of highlights and raising black levels so that shadows end up lacking detail.For most owners of the best projectors, watching a movie, TV news and sports means dimming the lights or darkening the room completely.Home theater enthusiasts go to great lengths to create ‘blackout’ conditions for viewing, painting rooms a dark gray and adding treatments to walls and windows to prevent any stray light from reducing the contrast of the projected image.Pricier examples of the best 4K projectors such as the JVC DLA-NZ800 and Sony Bravia Projector 8 top out at a relatively modest 2,700 lumens brightness.The Epson QL7000, in contrast, has a specified 10,000 lumens brightness, a level that you typically see in professional projectors used for large entertainment venues.Yes, the QL7000 is the brightest projector I’ve ever tested, and by a significant margin, with its projected image easily viewed in daylight. So surely it's a home run, right?

The benefits – and limits – of brightness

The Epson QL7000 (Image credit: Future)

As I noted in my review, “Even when watching in a bright room with light streaming in from windows, the crisp, clear 4K image beamed by the QL7000 had a true window-on-reality quality.”That’s not something I’ve ever come close to being able to say about any other projector I’ve tested, and the QL7000’s stunning brightness made watching the NBA basketball playoffs on the big screen an incredible treat.Bright as it may be, the Epson QL7000's black levels and shadow detail came up short in my testing. Although the projector’s powerful brightness elevated its contrast ratio to 68,000:1 (with its laser light output set to 30%) – a great result – shadows lacked the inky quality you can get from top home theater projectors, and that ultimately made movie watching less satisfying than sports viewing.I haven’t personally reviewed the JVC DLA-NZ800 projector mentioned above. But I have seen it, plus its even more expensive NZ900 big brother demonstrated at trade shows, and the deep, well-defined shadows both models deliver set a very high home theater projector bar.In TechRadar’s JVC NZ800 review, this section struck me as particularly apt: “Moving on to HDR, the NZ800 proves to be a stellar performer, delivering all the specular highlights of the sun-bleached desert landscapes of Dune Part Two, pulling out every detail in shadows during the nighttime action of The Crow, and reproducing the rich and saturated colours of La La Land, helping to replicate the Technicolor musicals to which it pays homage.”Of course, if you were to watch those same movies on the NZ800 in a bright room rather than the fully optimized, blacked-out conditions I experienced it in, the picture would quickly lose the powerful contrast that brought out detail in blacks, and made La La Land’s colorful costumes pop on the screen. And sports? Forget it.

Picking nits

Image 1 of 2JVC DLA-NZ800 (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2Sony Bravia Projector 8 (Image credit: Future)

Brightness isn’t everything when it comes to picture quality – contrast and black detail are equally important.

The recent DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives, a motion picture and theater industry trade group) HDR specification calls for theater projection systems to provide a peak brightness of 300 nits. That level is substantially less than what the Epson QL7000 is capable of (I measured 1,005 nits on a 10% white HDR pattern in Natural mode with 100% laser light output setting, and 1,340 nits in Dynamic mode).If a movie theater projection system were to meet the DCI specification (many don’t), it would provide around the same peak brightness as top home theater projectors from Sony and JVC. So, even with a projector designed for home, you’re getting an equally bright, and in many cases brighter, image than what you get in a movie theater.But brightness isn’t everything when it comes to picture quality – contrast and black detail are equally important.In an optimized home theater setting, fastidiously controlling the environment allows for the light emanating from the projector to be the only source of light hitting the screen, which maximizes black levels and perceived contrast.This gives home projectors another leg up on theater projection systems, where contrast is necessarily limited by the mandatory lighted exit signs located near the front of the room.The Epson QL7000's super-bright picture makes it an impressive projector that's uniquely suited for daytime viewing of sports. However, for movie fans, contrast and shadow detail are arguably of greater value when it comes to getting the best overall picture quality.And, given the right viewing conditions, even a projector with an average brightness level can get you pretty close to perfection.

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Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff claims Microsoft did "horrible things" to Slack before its acquisitionBenioff accused Microsoft of running its own playbookThe OpenAI partnership could be turning into a competition

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has criticized Microsoft's history with Slack, warning it may repeat its anticompetitive tactics used against the online collaboration platform in its partnership with OpenAI.Benioff declared Microsoft had done "horrible things" to Slack before Salesforce acquired it in 2020, referring to a "playbook" of things it could reopen to the detriment of OpenAI.Slack submitted a complaint against Microsoft for its bundling of Teams into the Microsoft 365 suite – which was undone in 2024 – but that clearly hasn't stopped Benioff from wanting to get the last word.

Salesforce's fight with Microsoft continues

Speaking to SaaStr CEO Jason Lemkin in a recent video podcast, Benioff explained: "You can see the horrible things that Microsoft did to Slack before we bought it.""That was pretty bad and they were running their playbook and did a lot of dark stuff," he added... "That playbook should get ripped up and thrown away."Benioff also drew parallel to Microsoft's behavior during the 1990s browser wards with Netscape.He described Microsoft as a "company that wants to own it all, control it all," accusing Nadella's company of snapping up startups and executing its own playbook.Microsoft's billions of dollars in investment into OpenAI put it in a good place for a partnership to use its GPT models, but more recently, a change to the partnership saw reduced exclusivity rights for Microsoft, which has also allegedly been exploring using different models to power Microsoft 365 Copilot – an unconfirmed move at this stage."In the case of OpenAI, a partnership is gonna become a competition," Benioff said.

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Chuwi MiniBook X folds like a tablet, weighs under 1 kg, and still has 12 GB of RAMIncludes 512 GB user-replaceable SSD - rare for small laptopsIntel N150 chip limits performance but handles everyday tasks

A new iteration of Chuwi’s MiniBook X, a lightweight 10.5-inch convertible laptop, has been released, bringing back some of the charm once associated with netbooks - tiny, practical, and highly portable.Powered by an Intel N150 processor paired with 12th Gen Intel UHD Graphics, its performance is limited compared to mainstream CPUs. However, the inclusion of 12GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB user-replaceable SSD gives it enough capability for basic computing tasks.Measuring just 17.2mm thick and weighing 920g, the MiniBook X is a small Windows 11 Home laptop. It features a space gray chassis and a 10.51-inch IPS display with a 1920×1200 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio.

A portable laptop for basic tasks

One of the lightest laptops on the market, it features a 360-degree hinge that allows users to fold the screen behind the keyboard for tablet-style use.It supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax1) and Bluetooth 5.2 and includes two Type-C ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and M.2 expansion slots. However, the absence of USB-A ports may limit compatibility with some accessories.Power is delivered via USB-C at up to 36W, and the internal battery is rated at nearly 29Wh.While the processor limits overall performance, the MiniBook X’s compact size, full keyboard, and touchscreen provide flexibility. It may appeal to those looking for a budget-friendly laptop for note-taking and document editing - such as students or mobile professionals.The MiniBook X is priced at $352 through Chuwi’s online store, but a promotional discount running through May 7, 2025, brings the price down to approximately $314.Via Notebookcheck

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Microsoft announced a series of upcoming new features for Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11. One of the most compelling updates for Copilot+ PCs is agent, which provides on-device AI assistance for adjusting a PC's settings. Some of the example tweaks Microsoft gave for this application are issues such as "how to control my PC by voice" and "my mouse pointer is too small."

Not only can the agent answer these types of queries, but if the necessary permissions are granted, the AI can also make the requested changes for a user. The blog post specifies that only questions in English are "initially" supported, which hints that more languages will be added at a later date. This feature will first roll out to Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon chips, while thoe computers powered by Intel and AMD will get agents "soon."

Microsoft is also adding more actions to the Click to Do capability for Copilot AI assistance with whatever is currently active on a computer's screen. Copilot will be able to act on text or an image, including creating a bulleted list from selected text or drafting copy into Microsoft Word. Other new actions include scheduling a meeting, sending a message to Microsoft Teams and sending data to Microsoft Excel. Click to Do will also support engaging a computer's Reading Coach and Immersive Reader modes.

While most of Microsoft's recent messaging about Windows 11 has put Copilot+ PCs at front and center, but there will be some new goodies for the owners of other machines coming to the operating system. Users will be able to customize the Start menu and use AI-focused features in File Explorer. The Copilot app will also be getting support for sharing a screen with the AI assistant thanks to Copilot Vision on Windows.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/microsoft-introduces-agent-for-ai-powered-settings-controls-in-copilot-pcs-182056293.html?src=rss

Kingdel PHX18/K3 mini PC design sounds smart, but it's more of a gimmickRyzen chip brings power, but not enough ports to justify its priceOffers USB4, 8K video and three simultaneously connected displays

Modular computing devices are meant to offer flexibility, but the new Kingdel PHX18/K3 mini PC seems to prioritize form over function.The device offers respectable performance and some versatility, thanks to its two-piece magnetic design and AMD Ryzen processors. The base model includes an AMD Ryzen 5 6600U, a 6-core chip with integrated Radeon graphics. A more powerful configuration features the Ryzen 7 7840U with RDNA3 graphics.It comes with up to 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and storage starts with a 512GB NVMe SSD, expandable via a second M.2 slot in the modular base - up to 8TB in total.

Novel modular design, but needs more work

The PHX18/K3 separates the main computing unit from its base, allowing users to run the PC standalone via USB-C or attach the lower section for more ports and additional storage.While the modular design is novel, it raises questions. Why separate access to key connectors? Even with the base attached, it doesn’t offer much more than most integrated systems. Since the split doesn’t result in major savings or expanded functionality, the design feels like a solution in search of a problem.Connectivity includes USB4, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, dual 2.5G LAN ports, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. The system supports 8K video output at 60Hz with HDR and can drive up to three displays at once.That sounds impressive and suggests potential as a compact media or content workstation. But the PHX18/K3 struggles to justify its price. Starting at $329 for a barebones model, it's more expensive than alternatives that offer similar performance with integrated ports.The device ships with Windows 11 Pro but also supports Linux. It targets business users with niche needs for portability, modularity, and storage expansion.Outside of those edge cases, though, it's hard to see a compelling reason to choose it over more conventional, better-connected systems at lower prices.Via Androidpctv

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The Trump administration has announced plans to eliminate the Energy Star program, as originally reported by The Washington Post. This announcement occurred during an all-hands meeting of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Atmospheric Protection, in which the department was shuttered.

As for Energy Star, this program started all the way back in 1992 under the first Bush administration. This is the department that’s responsible for the iconic yellow stickers on home appliances. The long-standing public-private partnership certifies energy efficient appliances and helps consumers find tax credits for these fixtures.

Data indicates that the program has helped Americans save more than $500 billion in energy costs in the past 33 years. The organization states that the average American saves about $450 per year on energy bills by choosing appliances that have been Energy Star-certified.

The EPA hasn’t said when this would go into effect and when consumers would stop seeing Energy Star certifications on home appliances. It’s technically illegal for a presidential administration to end this program without Congress, but the same goes for many of Trump’s pronouncements and executive orders.

"Eliminating the Energy Star program would directly contradict this administration’s promise to reduce household energy costs," Paula Glover, president of the nonprofit coalition Alliance to Save Energy, told CNN. "For just $32 million a year, Energy Star helps American families save over $40 billion in annual energy costs. That’s a return of $350 for every federal dollar invested."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/trump-admin-announces-plans-to-shut-down-the-energy-star-program-184846271.html?src=rss

Puget System reveals 5-node 6U Rackstation for creative and testing workflowsEach chassis packs five systems with up to 192GB RAM capacitySupports Ryzen 9000 and unreleased Zen 5-based EPYC 4005 processors

Puget Systems has announced a new 5-Node 6U Rackstation built with game developers in mind. The new 5-Node 6U Rackstation reportedly offers an efficient, space-saving solution for studios needing flexible and powerful systems.Each chassis fits five individual workstations in the footprint of a large desktop, with up to 35 systems in a standard 42U rack.What’s interesting is that if you click here you’ll see the Ryzen 5-Node R550-6U entry in the middle of the page. Underneath this, it lists the AMD options - Ryzen 9000 and EPYC 4005.

EPYC 4005

Puget notes, “It can also be a great solution for multi-screen installations, saving space compared to five desktop towers or even 2U / 3U size systems.”Designed for tasks like 3D modeling or automated testing, each node supports the latest Ryzen CPUs (more on that in a minute) and top-tier GPUs. Nodes are individually serviceable, allowing for minimal downtime.Puget says artists can access systems remotely through tools like Parsec, while QA teams benefit from a versatile testbed. This setup gives teams more performance per rack without sacrificing flexibility or ease of management.The Zen 5-based EPYC 4005, codenamed Grado, is the follow-up to last year’s Raphael-based EPYC 4004 processors (AM5).We’ve seen leaks mentioning it before, as Tom’s Hardware notes, “Manufacturers are already preparing their motherboards for support,” and other leakers have uncovered references to it elsewhere, but it’s interesting to see it officially making an appearance in Puget’s new 5-Node 6U Rackstation.The entry notes that the Ryzen 5-Node R550-6U has five individual nodes, one GPU, and supports up to 192GB of RAM, but there are no other details regarding the EPYC 4005.AMD is expected to showcase it at Computex 2025 however, and with that being held from May 20 to May 23, 2025, we don’t have too long to wait.

(Image credit: Puget Systems)

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OpenAI has abandoned its controversial restructuring plan. In a dramatic reversal, the company said Monday it would no longer try to separate control of its for-profit arm from the non-profit board that currently oversees operations. "We made the decision for the nonprofit to retain control of OpenAI after hearing from civic leaders and engaging in constructive dialogue with the offices of the Attorney General of Delaware and the Attorney General of California," said Bret Taylor, the chairman of OpenAI.

OpenAI had originally argued its existing structure would not allow its nonprofit to "easily do more than control the for-profit." It also said it needed more money, a mere two months after securing $6.6 billion in new investment. "We once again need to raise more capital than we'd imagined," the company wrote in December. "Investors want to back us but, at this scale of capital, need conventional equity and less structural bespokeness."

OpenAI's previous plan called for the nonprofit to cede absolute control of the for-profit, in return for whatever degree of control came with the amount of stock it was granted through the reorganization process.

This was the controversial part of OpenAI's plan, with many, including former employees, labor and nonprofit groups and even Elon Musk, voicing opposition to the proposal. Now, the company says its nonprofit will retain control and become a "big shareholder in the PBC."

"How is the nonprofit going to maintain control? How will that purpose be advanced?" asks Jill Horwitz, a visiting professor of law at Northwestern University. "We know from the press that OpenAI plans to appoint all the board members of the operating entity. Will that happen forever? Who will they be? Will it be self-perpetuating? Will the for-profit investors have a say in who those board members are?"

Put another way, OpenAI hasn't said the exact structure that it intends to implement. According to Professor Michael Dorff, executive director of the Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law and Policy at UCLA, the company could adopt one of a few different options.

"If you had one class of stock, one vote per share, they would elect a board. You could just give the nonprofit the majority of the shares, and then they would then elect a majority of the board. They would therefore be in charge, at least for a while," he says.

"More stable governance arrangements could be done by having dual class shares, where the nonprofit would have a class of stock and they would be the only owners of that class of the stock that is either super voting shares, again, giving it a majority, or even better, you can define a class of stock and say it has the right to elect a majority of the board."

In short, the company hasn't said how it plans to ensure its nonprofit maintains control. The nonprofit may have a "big" stake to start, but there are a few different ways that stake could be diluted. Even if you set aside the idea of an IPO for now, the company could still issue new shares or carry out a stock split. In those scenarios, if OpenAI's non-profit doesn't own special shares, its control of the company would be weakened.

According to Bloomberg, Microsoft has yet to sign off on OpenAI's proposal. The company has invested nearly $14 billion into OpenAI. Under the terms of its October funding round, OpenAI had two years to transform itself into a for-profit business. If it failed to do so, the $6.6 billion it secured would turn into debt. We don't know for sure, but the question of control is likely front and center in the negotiations between Microsoft and OpenAI, with the company's financial future at stake. Complicating matters is that whatever arrangement the two come to, it needs to be rubber stamped by the state attorneys general of California and Delaware.

"We look forward to advancing the details of this plan in continued conversation with [the state AGs], Microsoft, and our newly appointed nonprofit commissioners," Altman wrote in his letter.

Parts of OpenAI's previous plan remain unchanged. As before, the company will reorganize its for-profit subsidiary into a public benefit corporation. In doing so, OpenAI still plans to eliminate the current capped profit structure that limits investor returns to 100x, with excess profits reserved for the nonprofit. OpenAI has yet to record a profit; as of last year, the company recorded around $5 billion in losses.

"This is not a sale, but a change of structure to something simpler," wrote OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a letter to employees shared by the company. "Instead of our current complex capped-profit structure—which made sense when it looked like there might be one dominant AGI effort but doesn't in a world of many great AGI companies—we are moving to a normal capital structure where everyone has stock."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-new-for-profit-plan-leaves-many-unanswered-questions-193942365.html?src=rss

Zoox, the Amazon-owned robotaxi company, announced a voluntary software recall for its vehicles. The company had paused its driverless vehicle operations for a review following an incident last month where a Zoox car and a passenger car collided in Las Vegas. According to the report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the crash did not cause any injuries. CNBC reports that Zoox has resumed usual operations following the software update.

"After analysis and rigorous testing, Zoox identified the root cause," the company said in a blog post today. "We issued a software update that was implemented across all Zoox vehicles. All Zoox vehicles on the road today, including our purpose-built robotaxi and test fleet, have the updated software."

Last year, the NHTSA investigated issues with Toyota Highlander cars equipped with Zoox's automated driving system exhibiting unexpected braking. Car models retrofitted with the Zoox system recently began testing and mapping in Los Angeles.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/zoox-issues-software-recall-for-all-robotaxis-following-las-vegas-collision-195501061.html?src=rss

Off-road giant Jeep wants to continue growing in EuropeGas-guzzling SUVs have been replaced by hybrid and electricNew Compass is set to be the most capable car in its class

Despite Jeep being about as American as peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches, the Stellantis-owned manufacturer is making waves in Europe with its line-up of electrified SUVs.The smaller Avenger model, which is available in fully electric, hybrid and petrol versions, has already proven a success story, blending the brand’s renowned off-road prowess with a compact and practical everyday crossover vehicle.Now the new Compass hopes to build on these successes with all-new looks and a highly electrified selection of powertrains. It will compete in the growing C-SUV segment in Europe, which Autocar claims is expected to be 90% electrified by the end of 2026.Turning its back on the gas-guzzling image that chunky models like the Wrangler and Gladiator bring to mind, the new Compass is built on the same Stellantis STLA Medium architecture as Peugeot, Vauxhall and Citroen mid-sized SUVs – many of which sport highly electrified powertrains.The combustion-powered Compass will have the option of "mild hybrid" and plug-in variants, which predominantly use the engine to power the car but either increases overall efficiency (mild hybrid) or adds all-electric driving options for a short distance (plug-in).But Jeep says the pure electric version comes with either a 211bhp or 229bhp motor mounted to the front axle, offering 311 miles of range from a smaller 73kWh battery or up to 404 miles from a range-topping 96kWh pack.

(Image credit: Jeep)

The most expensive all-electric models, badged 4xe, arrive with an additional motor on the rear axle, delivering Jeep’s famous Selec-Terrain all-wheel-drive and offering up to 370bhp and a staggering 3100Nm available at the rear wheels thanks to a 14:1 rear reducer.This allows the Compass to climb a 20% slope, Jeep says, even with zero traction on the front wheels, as the sheer grunt from the rear wheels can handle the heavy lifting.Charging rates are up to 160kW, allowing for a 10-to-80% recharge in 30 minutes, and the battery electric range is touted to be in excess of 400 miles.The 4xe model also receives improved ground clearance thanks to a 100mm increase in suspension height and a number of off-road-specific touches, such as knobbly tires and a more aggressive, scuff-resistant body kit.First Edition versions of the Compass, which feature all of the previously mentioned range-topping kit, are available to order now, with first deliveries expected at the end of the year in Europe. Further markets are expected to follow suit thereafter.

Tough cars are the toughest sell

(Image credit: Jeep)

Most automakers are having a rough time getting onboard with the electric revolution, not only persuading customers that it is a good idea, but also making the entire expensive endeavor profitable.However, there are a number of brands that will naturally find it harder than most, with Jeep mentioned in the same breath as Ferrari, Lamborghini and a handful of performance car-makers struggling to convince customers that electrification is the answer.After all, Jeep has forged a reputation over the past 80 years for producing highly capable, combustion-powered off-roaders that can go anywhere.By its very nature, the electric vehicle can’t exactly “go anywhere”. Well, not until someone invents a Jerry Can-sized portable battery that’s capable of adding at least 300 miles of range and can be topped up in a matter of minutes from any, easily accessible charging station.But Jeep knows that the only way to make money is to chase the most popular sectors, with the Avenger already proving a sales success in the compact SUV sector, shifting more than 2.5 million units worldwide.The company hopes it will achieve similar results with Compass in Europe and further afield.Although reassuring the North American market that battery electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains are a good alternative to the 3.6-liter V6 currently found in Gladiator models will be a much tougher task.

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