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Sony unveils its first-ever wireless fight stick, codenamed Project DefiantThe fight stick is launching in 2026 and is designed for PS5 and PCThe controller can be used wirelessly via PlayStation Link technology for ultra-low latency gameplay, or wired using a USB-C connectionSony has revealed its first-ever wireless fight stick, codenamed Project Defiant, and it's releasing in 2026.Announced during PlayStation's June State of Play, Project Defiant is designed for a variety of fighting games and can be used wirelessly or wired for the PlayStation 5 and PC."This sleek new controller will give players more flexibility to play their favorite fighting games, whether that is wirelessly with the innovative PlayStation Link technology that provides ultra-low latency, or through a wired connection on PS5 or PC," said Edwin Foo, Vice President, Product Development, SIE, in a PlayStation blog post.Project Defiant features a high-quality digital stick that’s custom-designed by Sony, toolless interchangeable restrictor gates (square, circle, and octagon) for the stick, buttons with mechanical switches, and a touch pad like the one found on the DualSense wireless controller.The controller also boasts a sturdy, ergonomic design for long gaming sessions, features a storage compartment for restrictor gates for convenience, and a PS Link USB adapter.Like the DualSense wireless controller, Project Defiant also supports the ability to wirelessly wake up the user's PS5 by pressing and holding the PS button on the top side of the device.As previously mentioned, input timing has been refined thanks to Sony's PS Link wireless technology, but there's also an option for players to plug in to play by using a wired USB-C connection.Sony has also confirmed that the fight stick will come packaged with a sling carry case, which includes a lever gap to keep the digital stick safe, allowing players to take the hardware on the go.Since Project Defiant is just a codename, we'll likely learn the name of the fight stick closer to launch.You might also like...Nintendo Switch 2 launch day live: all the latest news and updates as the console starts arriving with fans and at retailersNioh 3 has been announced for 2026, but PS5 owners can play an exclusive demo right nowThe first trailer for 007 First Light reveals a young James Bond and it's coming to PC and console in 2026, including Nintendo Switch 2

Airbnb’s redesign, and its push into enabling users to Airbnb more than just a vacation spot or getaway, has been out for a few weeks now. The idea is that you’ll Airbnb more than just a lovely cottage on a beach – also turning to the service, for example, when you want to experience a city that’s close to home or add some adventure to your trip abroad.We’ve already broken down the additions, including the launch of Experiences and Services, as well as the new look for the app. It all feels a lot sleeker, with visuals that adjust on the fly, a mini social network, and a passport of sorts that saves all the information from your trip. So, if you have a favorite spot, you can easily share it with a friend. It all feels very material.Here we're taking a look under the hood and finding out how Airbnb is making the app work better for you. The company has rebuilt its entire tech stack for the app and the service as a whole, meaning you'll find easier navigation with three choices at the top: Homes, Experiences, and Services.Furthermore, there's a redesigned profile that makes it easier for you to take a look back and even reconnect with people you've had experiences with. The rebuilding effort enables what's already launched, while also setting Airbnb up for the future, a note that Jud Coplan, VP of Product Marketing at Airbnb, shared with TechRadar.“One of the huge benefits of rebuilding the architecture and rethinking, really, the infrastructure of the app was that we created something that can expand beyond the 10 categories of services.” Coplan told me.He was referencing the 10 that currently exist – chefs, photographers, massages, spa treatments, personal training, hair treatments, makeup, nails, prepared meals, and catering – but hinted that expansion is very possible, adding, “We've created a new Airbnb that can go even beyond what we've been talking about today.”(Image credit: Airbnb)That could mean we see grocery deliveries integrated, so you can be well stocked when you arrive at your Airbnb to make dinner, or maybe that even means you can order directly to your home.It’s really an expansion of the platform to book these services, whether you’re in your home city or on a trip. Coplan told me how his family had booked an experience in their home city of San Francisco, a kind of a staycation excursion.The 10 aforementioned options are further themed by activity, such as cooking, city walks, learning a new skill, and even more exclusive ones featuring celebrities.During the keynote, Airbnb’s CEO, Brian Chesky, highlighted the importance of people, noting that it’s real folks who are experts offering these experiences and services, and it’s real people offering up their homes, lofts, or apartments for Airbnb.There is an element of AI being used here, one example being an AI-powered photo tour, as Coplan explained. “For homes, if you upload all your photos, we recognize them, we organize them, we present them really nicely,” all with the aim of making the listing easier and theoretically helping to encourage more bookings. There are also quick replies powered by AI, in which, for a host, the app will automatically suggest a response that could be sent.For services and experiences, the two new offerings from Airbnb utilize AI to recommend what you might find most appealing. It bases this off of “where they are in their journey, their past bookings, their current trip, what they've told us about in their profile,” explained Coplan.Lastly on AI, Coplan also shared that Airbnb began rolling out an AI assistant for customer service in the US in English, “that allows people to do is have a natural language conversation with customer service and get answers to questions really easily.” It’ll be interesting to see how this performs, and what feedback users provide.(Image credit: Airbnb)On the app’s new look and flow, it was clear that Coplan and the team at Airbnb focused on the human element, emphasizing that what one can book is all tied back to a real person. He noted that the color palette, animations, and dimensionality all tie back to the real world, giving a sense of what you might experience.Even more interesting, and maybe hinting at Airbnb’s future, is the community aspect. “We didn't want this to be a place where you have followers, where you meet people online,” explained Coplan. “The people you see are people that you know from the real world, and so that connections page within your profile, those are people you've traveled with and those are people you've met on your experiences.”It’s certainly a unique approach and a more intentional one, rooted in a shared experience. Now, it’s entirely opt-in, and there are privacy controls that allow you to turn off this community aspect.Separate from the community, but also housed within the profile, is a sort of passport-like experience, allowing you to look back at where you’ve been and easily share details. Much like a card in Apple Wallet, it has a shimmer and shine effect when you move your phone around.While Airbnb’s main event is its annual summer release, and that’s done with for 2025, I suspect we’ll hear more from it sooner than a year from now, and I’m intrigued to see just how far the tech stack can go. For now, I’m on the hunt for an experience to try.You might also likeI carried the Galaxy S25 Edge for two weeks and it slimmed down my pockets but didn’t blow me awayThe Airbnb app just got a massive redesign – here are 3 new features to look out forYour Amazon delivery person might soon be a robot, which isn't as terrible as it sounds

There's finally a Snapchat app for watchOS, bringing the social media platform to Apple's line of wearables. This has been a long time coming, given that the first Apple Watch graced our wrists over a decade ago.

The app lets users preview incoming messages and reply by using the keyboard, scribbling with a finger, voice dictation or sending out an emoji. Apple Watch wearers could already preview a Snapchat message by enabling them on an iPhone, but there wasn't a way to respond until now.

Snapchat says the app will be useful when doing things like alerting friends when arriving at a restaurant or when sending out a quick reply during a run. A company representative told us that it's good for people who want to "keep active conversations going while they're on the go."

They also indicated that previewing a message on an Apple Watch will not mark it as "read" on the mobile or web app, as it only shows the first 100 characters. The app cannot be used to view images or videos, but the company plans to "evolve the experience over time."

Despite coming ten years after the Apple Watch first launched, Snapchat has still outpaced many of its rivals. There isn't a dedicated Facebook app for the wearable, or a WhatsApp release. Facebook Messenger did have an app once upon a time, but it was pulled.

Snapchat's watchOS app comes just ahead of this year's WWDC event. Rumors indicate that Apple is planning on some major announcements throughout the event, including a complete redesign of its various operating systems and new Apple Intelligence features that I'm sure everyone will just love.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/snapchat-finally-has-a-watchos-app-after-a-decade-163733916.html?src=rss