The latest update Apple rolled out for the iPhone allows T-Mobile customers a select few, for now to be able to send text messages even in locations where they have no coverage. iOS 18.3 adds support for SpaceX and T-Mobile's direct-to-cell satellite service, which is currently being trialed after the companies opened signups for beta testing in December. As Bloomberg notes, the service used to be only compatible with certain Android phones, including Samsung models like the Z Fold and S24 along with select devices running Android 15. Meanwhile, Apple already has a partnership with Globalstar that provides users with texting capabilities when they're out of coverage.
Users who've signed up to participate in the fledgling service's beta trials have reportedly started receiving texts. "You can now stay connected with texting via satellite from virtually anywhere," the message reads, according to Bloomberg. And for iPhone users, it asks them to "update to iOS 18.3" to "start experiencing coverage beyond." Once they do download the update, they'll see a toggle in their cellular data settings to activate the capability.
At the moment, the direct-to-cell service only offers text messaging. If a beta tester finds themselves in rural areas and other locations that typically don't have coverage, they'll be able to use Starlink's satellite network to send a text. In the future, the plan is to add voice and data connectivity to give people more options in far-flung locations. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/apple-enables-support-for-t-mobile-and-starlink-satellite-network-on-the-iphone-130022775.html?src=rss
Going against the (malted) grain of Dry January, one of Japan's largest secondhand book retailers has partnered with a Saitama-based brewery to launch a limited-edition beer. Unlike traditional boldly-flavored IPAs, BOOK IPA takes a more subtle approach. COEDO's brewers deliberately toned down the bitterness while maintaining herbal and citrus notes, with an alcohol content of 6% that aims to 'open the senses' without overwhelming them.The collaboration, launched on 20 January 2025, brings together two companies with complementary approaches to sustainability: ValueBooks through its secondhand marketplace that extends the lifecycle of books, and COEDO through its practice of upcycling local ingredients like sweet potatoes in its brewing process. A preview campaign generated significant interest, with over 5,000 customers signing up in July 2024.BOOK IPA's label was created by illustrator Kyoka Tanno, who also designs book covers. Priced at JPY 1,650 for a three-bottle set, the brew represents the first of what ValueBooks hopes will become a series of reading-optimized beers, with future releases planned to match different literary genres. The partnership highlights how brands can find shared values in unexpected places in this case, combining circular practices from publishing and brewing to create an experiential product appealing to their overlapping audiences.
Just Salad is serving up a new recipe for customer satisfaction with Salad AI, a tool that takes the guesswork out of ordering a customized salad. Acting as a thoughtful personal chef, it inquires about the user's dietary preferences, nutritional goals and flavor cravings through a simple survey in the brand's mobile app. Whether they're following a vegan diet, watching their carbs or seeking some crunch in their lunch, the AI assistant processes these preferences to suggest four salad creations, complete with personalized dressing recommendations and nutritional details.Salad AI plays into the continued demand for food options that align with people's highly personal tastes, health goals and values. It also introduces them to new flavor combinations they might not have discovered on their own a smart way for a fast-casual restaurant chain to fend off gastronomic ennui. The tool simultaneously reduces decision fatigue while offering customers a seemingly limitless, just-for-you abundance. With the unparalleled levels of customization that AI brings, how will your brand deliver exactly what customers want, before they even know they want it?
Old-school Doom fans have something new to chew on until The Dark Ages arrives. Doom + Doom II, the latest in a long line of rereleases of the two id Software classics, was updated on Tuesday with multiplayer mod support. And balance was restored in Hades.
At launch in August, the bundle available for PC, PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X/S and Switch supported mods and multiplayer, but not the two together. The games second update, which Bethesda pushed on Tuesday, only adds multiplayer mod support if everyone in your match does a little planning.
First, hosts need to activate each mod before entering the multiplayer menu. In addition, all players in the match have to subscribe to the same mod before joining. Only mods authored with Vanilla DOOM, DeHackEd, MBF21 or BOOM are compatible.
Doom: The Dark Ages is set to launch on May 15. It takes place in the medieval wastelands of Hell and adds new goodies like mech battles and a ridable cyber dragon. If that isnt an elevator pitch for a Doom game, I dont know what is.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/doom--doom-ii-now-supports-multiplayers-mods-214215269.html?src=rss
Jack Dorseys Block has created its own open-source AI agent. Called codename goose, the tool allows users to complete tasks using popular large language models.
You can think of Goose as an assistant that is ready to take your instructions, and do the work for you, Block explains in a blog post. According to the company, the agent can autonomously complete engineering tasks like looking for bugs or making code changes.
Users can configure goose to run on their preferred LLM. Iit supports Anthropic, Gemini, OpenAI and others, though the company says it works best with Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Sonnet and OpenAI's o1 model. Its also compatible with extensions, which allows it to plug into popular developer tools, like GitHub and Google Drive,
Block is, of course, known for its financial apps, Square and Cash App, as well as the music streaming service Tidal, which it acquired in 2021. Those may not be industries you immediately associate with AI development, but Block founder Jack Dorsey is a longtime advocate for open-source software. The company also notes that goose could eventually extend to non-engineering use cases as well. Block engineer Brad Axen told ZDNET that the company envisions more creative uses for goose, like music generation.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/jack-dorseys-block-has-an-ai-agent-too-212706083.html?src=rss
Here's one for the fashion-conscious retro gamers out there. Atari has teamed up with watchmaker Nubeo to release an Asteroids-themed watch to celebrate the game's 45th anniversary (even though it came out in 1979).
The watch has a multi-layered disc system that's designed to reflect the gameplay of Asteroids. Atari says it's powered by "a Japanese automatic movement." The watch has a stainless steel 50mm case and a sapphire lens. It also has a 20 ATM rating for water resistance at depths of up to 200 meters, so it should be sturdy enough if you want to wear it while scuba diving.
The timepiece even comes in a case that looks like an Atari VCS. Atari and Nubeo created five colorways for it: nebula blue, supernova red, nova nightfall, plasma pumpkin and celestial citrine. Best of all, the watch glows in the dark.
Atari/Nubeo
Actually telling what time it is on this thing might take you a moment or two, though. A pair of UFOs indicate the time in hours and minutes. As for the A-shaped spaceship in the center and the shots it fires, that's your second hand. But the display looks quite chaotic, as a number of asteroids spin around on the discs as well.
Look, I really like my Apple Watch for lots of reasons, not least because I can actually play some video games on it, like the absorbing Galaxy Mix (there's an Asteroids clone that's apparently playable on the device too). Maybe I'll just need to become one of those people who wear two watches, since I want the Asteroids timepiece as well.
You'll likely need to act quickly if you want one, though. Nubeo only made 125 of each variant. The colorways are listed for $499 each on the Atari and Nubeo websites. Good luck!
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/good-luck-figuring-out-what-time-it-is-on-this-cool-asteroids-watch-205505602.html?src=rss
CVS is launching a new app today and it could address one of the more obnoxious elements of in-person drugstore shopping: locked cabinets. One way the CVS Health app can expedite the store experience is by letting select users access products behind those clear plastic panels through their phones, without asking for assistance from an employee.
This tool is being tested in just three stores for now and is only available to loyalty program members. And within those limits, shoppers will need to log into the app, join the store's Wi-Fi and enable Bluetooth on their phones to unlock cabinets on their own.
For any irritated customer who has been delayed by the clear plastic cage, or for any busy store employee called away just for their keys, the addition of a mobile tool for accessing locked cabinets sounds like a welcome idea. Tilak Mandadi, executive vice president at CVS Health, told The Wall Street Journal that the pilot program has gone well so far, and the company's next step will be expanding the feature to 10-15 stores.
The app, which is a successor to the company's CVS Pharmacy app, also includes resources for managing prescriptions and immunizations. And because it's a software product in the year 2025, CVS Health uses some artificial intelligence. The app is launching with AI-powered search options and is expected to add an AI chat tool for checking medication refills and order status later in the year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/cvs-tries-to-juice-app-signups-with-cabinet-unlocking-feature-203954391.html?src=rss
Looking to upgrade your gaming rig? Dell is selling one of its most popular Alienware gaming monitors at a deep discount. The 32-inch model is more than $400 off, now costing $765 instead of $1,200. The display is on sale for $900 outright, but enter "MONITORS15" at checkout for an additional 15 percent off. The 34-inch model is $250 off, but there's no available coupon code.
This is one of our favorite gaming monitors and we called it an incredible ultrawide OLED. It boasts a curved QD-OLED panel. It also features 4K resolution and a max refresh rate of 240Hz, which is a fantastic metric for gaming. These monitors allow access to Dolby Vision, NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD Free-Sync.
The ports are also on point. These displays include a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, a single USB-B upstream port, four USB-A downstream ports and a single USB-C port. One of the USB-A ports also supports BC1.2 power-charging.
Dell
The 34-inch model is actually cheaper, at $650, but there are some trade offs. This one doesnt support G-Sync and offers a max refresh rate of 165Hz. The 25-inch and 27-inch variants arent on sale, and arent even curved, but the coupon code does work. Respectively, this brings the price down to $300 and $510.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-more-than-400-off-one-of-our-favorite-alienware-gaming-monitors-195620194.html?src=rss
If you own a Garmin GPS watch, you may want to power it down for a while. Users on Reddit and Garmins forums (via The Verge) report that a botched software update is leaving the wearables in a blue triangle boot loop, putting them out of commission until further notice.
A pinned message from the company on its forums reads, We are aware of an issue causing some devices to be stuck on the start up screen or a blue triangle. To resolve this, press and hold the power button until the device turns off, then power it back on, and sync with the Garmin Connect app or Garmin Express. However, the instructions also say customers should contact support if that doesnt work.
Engadget reached out to Garmin for further comment, and well update this story if we hear back.
Garmin
Some crafty Redditors claim to have traced the issue to a file related to GPS functionality. Some reported that following Garmins reset instructions worked, while others said it was only temporary, with the issue returning later. The problem appears to affect various models, including the Forerunner, Venu, Fenix, Vivoactive and Epix lines.
If your Garmin smartwatch has no problems (... so far), you may save yourself a headache by powering it down and waiting for an official solution from Garmin. If youve encountered the issue and want to roll the dice, this Reddit thread includes some unofficial and untested by Engadget fixes and workarounds.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/some-garmin-gps-watches-are-stuck-in-a-blue-triangle-boot-loop-193920555.html?src=rss
Waymo posted on X today that it has opened fully autonomous rides on LA freeways to its employees. The company noted that this is a preliminary step toward bringing its vehicle fleet onto highways for all passengers in the city.
Freeways are an intrinsic part of the LA experience. To better serve our expansive 79-square-mile service area, we're beginning to provide our employees with access to fully autonomous rides on LA freewaysa key step toward expanding this capability to all riders. pic.twitter.com/oWqVQ1hlJz Waymo (@Waymo) January 28, 2025
After getting approval to begin local robotaxi operation in March 2024, Waymo offered autonomous rides in LA at a small scale, with a waitlist for interested customers. In November, the waitlist ended so any Angelenos could call for a ride. But for a sprawling city like LA, having access to a highway is all but essential for getting around, so adding freeways to the cars' capability would mark a big improvement in how useful Waymo robotaxis will be there.
Waymo, which is owned by Google parent company Alphabet, has set its sights on its first international expansion. The business said it anticipates starting vehicle tests and mapping in Japan early this year. On the home front, Waymo is also slated to launch in Austin and Atlanta in early 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/waymos-autonomous-robotaxis-are-starting-to-merge-onto-la-freeways-191035547.html?src=rss
