Samsung Galaxy S25 smartphones are on sale for record-low prices, making this a great time to upgrade. The standard S25 is down to $700, which is a discount of $100. The slightly-beefier S25+ now costs $800 instead of $1,000. Finally, the S25 Ultra has been discounted to $1,100 from $1,300. All of these deals are available via Amazon.
This is Samsungs latest and greatest smartphone line, having just released back in January. We appreciated the base S25 in our official review, calling out the solid build quality and incredible battery life. The processor is also noticeably more powerful than last years model. This makes the whole Gemini AI experience smoother, if thats something youre into.
The camera system is fantastic, though virtually unchanged from the S24. This isnt necessarily a bad thing, as Samsung phones offer a top-tier experience for shutterbugs. The S25 and its cousins are tangibly thinner, which is nice, and the 2X AMOLED screen is plenty bright, at 2,600 nits.
The S25 Ultra is pricier, but did make our list of the best Android phones. The 6.9-inch screen is glorious, with an anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2 panel, and the new 50MP ultra-wide camera sensor is useful. It does have some extra horsepower, but it seems to be used primarily to boost the AI experience. If you want the speediest AI around, go for the Ultra. If you just want a great smartphone, consider the S25 or the S25+.
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/samsung-galaxy-s25-series-phones-are-on-sale-for-record-low-prices-170952808.html?src=rss
It's your lucky day if you've been looking for a good deal on a power bank or charging station. A sale on many Anker products is taking place at Amazon. One power bank, the Anker 621, is 35 percent off. That discount brings it down to $26, which is almost a record low. The device typically costs $40.
This model is MagSafe-compatible, meaning it'll attach magnetically to an iPhone 12 and above (but, annoyingly, not the new iPhone 16e unless you resort to a workaround) and charge your phone wirelessly. However, if you plug a cable into the Anker 621's USB-C port, you can top up your phone's battery a little faster at a rate of 12W vs. 7.5W for wireless charging. The power bank has a capacity of 5,000mAh, which Anker says is enough to charge an iPhone 15 to 85 percent of its capacity from zero and an iPhone 14 to 80 percent.
Anker makes some of the best power banks and best portable chargers around, in our opinion. There are lots of options to consider as part of this sale.
A new power bank that Anker introduced at CES has a large enough capacity to top up an M3-powered MacBook Air's battery approximately 1.3 times, per the brand. This model has dropped by 18 percent from $110 to $90. This particular power bank can charge four devices simultaneously it has two built-in USB-C cables, another USB-C port and a USB-A port. It supports fast charging at up to 100W as well.
Elsewhere, a 3-in-1 charging cube is down to $104, which marks a 31 percent discount given that it usually costs $150. This compact device can charge your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time.
There are a few other deals that caught our eye. An Anker Zolo power bank with a built-in USB-C cable is just $13, which is half off. It has a capacity of 10,000mAh, which Anker says is enough to fully charge an iPhone 15 Pro twice over. Meanwhile, Prime members can pick up a travel-friendly 3-in-1 charging station (that can top up your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods batteries simultaneously) for $88, which is a $21 discount.
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/anker-power-banks-and-charging-stations-are-up-to-35-percent-off-right-now-155626053.html?src=rss
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has announced it's investigating how TikTok, Reddit and Imgur protect children on their platforms.
The probe into TikTok is looking at how the platform uses it young users' (13 to 17 year olds) personal data for recommendations and suggested content, while the investigation into Reddit and Imgur focuses on both how the platforms are using children's personal information and how they're using measures that estimate or confirm a child's age.
"If social media and video sharing platforms want to benefit from operating in the UK they must comply with data protection law," UK Information Commissioner John Edwards stated. "The responsibility to keep children safe online lies firmly at the door of the companies offering these services and my office is steadfast in its commitment to hold them to account." The UK doesn't yet know if these companies have infringed on personal data protections.
In 2023, the ICO handed down a 12.7 million ($16.1 million) fine to TikTok. The platform had allowed up to 1.4 million children under 13 on it in 2020, and used their data without parental consent. The ByteDance-owned company has also faced backlash in the US around young users, with mixed results. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/uk-watchdog-investigates-chidrens-safety-on-tiktok-and-reddit-153052793.html?src=rss
Mobile World Congress 2025 has officially kicked off in Barcelona. Google is on the ground previewing two AI features that will begin rolling out to Android devices starting later this month.
The first is Live Video, which Google first showed at I/O 2024 last May. The tool takes advantage of Gemini's multi-modal capabilities to allow users to show the chatbot what their phone's camera sees. As you can see from the demo Google shared, Gemini is able to answer a question about mid-century modern decor and offer a suggestion when it comes how to apply that knowledge to pottery.
The other new feature, screensharing, works exactly as you would imagine. You can share your screen with Gemini to ask questions about what you see in front of you on a website or app. Google isn't exactly pushing the envelope with either feature. ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode has offered both live video and screensharing since the end of last year, but the nice thing here is you won't need to jump into a separate app to take advantage of Gemini's new capabilities.
As mentioned, Google will begin rolling out live video and screensharing to Gemini Advanced subscribers starting later this month. Gemini Advanced is included in the company's $20 per month Google One AI Premium plan. If you're a Verizon customer, the carrier recently added the subscription as a perk for some plans.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/gemini-live-video-and-screensharing-arrive-on-android-devices-later-this-month-151743457.html?src=rss
Apples iPad mini 7 (A17 Pro) from 2024 is currently on sale for $399, a record low for this compact iPad. Its perfect for those who find a full-sized iPad too large for their needs, but make no mistake this tablet can punch above its weight.
The iPad mini 7 runs on the same Apple A17 Pro chip found in iPhone 15 Pro series devices. Its not the most powerful chipset available, but its enough for daily tasks, light gaming, reading and streaming content. Apple claims that the iPad mini 7s battery can last 10 hours, but our tests revealed that the number was usually closer to eight, depending on the apps youre running.
If you have an Apple Pencil Pro (sold separately), this iPad mini supports it. You can quickly start writing notes with the tap of a button, which calls up a blank document. Its the perfect tool for artists or those who prefer a tablet stylus.
Despite the absence of features like Face ID or refresh rates above 60Hz, the iPad mini 7 is a convenient yet powerful device you can bring anywhere. Thats why its on our best iPads list.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-ipad-mini-7-is-back-on-sale-for-100-off-143830970.html?src=rss
Ive been wondering why everyone seems so hyped on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Its the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, an independent French studio with fewer than 30 employees, and its attracted massive partnerships in video games and film over the past five years. Expedition 33 has a high-profile cast of voice actors, including Andy Serkis, Charlie Cox, Shala Nyx and Jennifer English. It received an Epic MegaGrant in 2022, it was picked up by Pacific Drive publisher Kepler Interactive in 2023, and it was a tentpole of Xboxs first showcase of 2025. Even though the game isnt out until April, Story Kitchen has already signed on to turn it into a live-action film.
At the very least, Expedition 33 has seemed like an easy game to fall in love with.
After playing just over three hours of Expedition 33, I understand all of it the hype, the quick love and the quiet excitement generated by the games writing, acting, world and mechanics. Expedition 33 is innovative and absolutely stunning.
Expedition 33 feels like a prestige drama set in a surreal, slightly gothic 3D landscape. Tonally its drenched in melodrama, and visually its reminiscent of Game of Thrones, but with Belle Époque stylings and mountains of diabolical magic. The realm of Lumire has been consumed by a powerful being called the Paintress she paints a new number on the tower each year and all people of that age instantly die. Shes been counting down for more than half a century, killing the oldest citizens first, and shes just painted the number 33. The people of Lumire send out annual expeditions to stop the Paintress, but so far, theyve all been met with death. The heroes of expedition 33 have one year to live.
When we meet Gustave in the preview, things arent going well for expedition 33. His party has been ambushed by a mysterious white-haired man someone so old that he shouldnt be able to exist in this world and Gustave is alone. Gustave has a magical robot arm and a very French moustache, and he sets off through lush forests and dark, wet caves to track down other survivors. He does find some, but only after he nearly kills himself in despair. Lune, a strong-willed and scholarly mage, appears just in time to save Gustave from himself, and together they meet up with Maelle, Gustaves introverted but powerful foster sister.
Sandfall Interactive
Your party supports six playable characters in the full game, but the preview focuses on these three. The prestige-drama vibes stem from their interactions, and particularly their personality clashes. In one cutscene, Lune and Gustave find themselves sitting around a campfire on a starry night, screaming at each other about the ethics of utilitarianism. Between tirades, Gustave screams, Fuck the mission!
Eventually their intensity subsides and the conversation returns to a tentatively amicable space. At the end of the scene, the shot pans to Lune, who smirks and says, Fuck the mission? Really?
Gustave sheepishly responds, Sorry. And suddenly, Im deeply invested in the relationship between Lune and Gustave, but also Maelle and all of the friends theyve come to save. It doesnt hurt that these cutscenes are truly gorgeous, with realistic skin textures and dirt smudges in close-up shots, and beautiful performances by all actors.
From cutscenes to combat, Expedition 33 is radiant.
Sandfall Interactive
Environments in the preview grow more surreal as Gustave, Lune and Maelle travel closer to the Paintress, whos hidden herself across deep seas and expansive land masses. They travel through raw areas shattered by magic, boulders hovering in mid-air and ornate buildings haphazardly embedded in odd places, broken and inhospitable. Anthropomorphized rock enemies roam the lands and there are bits of chroma currency, essentially to find, and some upgrades hidden off the linear path. Were not talking Avowed levels of shinies, but a minimal sense of curiosity is definitely rewarded.
When exploring, you can swap among party members without breaking stride, and Lune emerged as my clear favorite. Instead of running, Lune speed-hovers a few inches above the ground, and embodying her is like soaring through a dream. Running (or hovering really fast) feels great in the game, and so does the grapple system that flings you across gaps and up buildings. There are also climbable handholds and ropes of light that act as elevators, and all of it works a treat.
The games dreamlike feeling only crystallizes in Flying Waters, a region that looks and behaves as if its at the bottom of the ocean bubbles, shipwrecks, whales and all but without a drop of water to be found. You breathe, walk, run and jump as normal here, but there are schools of fish swimming through the air and the waterline is visible high above you. Its wonderfully trippy.
I could spend the rest of this preview just gushing about Expedition 33s fabulous environments, characters and enemies, or its top-notch writing, music and graphics but lets talk combat.
Sandfall Interactive
Expedition 33 is a turn-based game with clear JRPG influences, but it adds a twist to the traditional battle system: quick-time prompts. Your party members have the ability to use an item, deploy a specific skill, or plain-old attack, plus they have a Free Aim move that can snipe enemy weak points before a full strike. There are elemental weapons to equip and upgrade, and each character runs on a distinct battle mechanic. Gustave has an overcharge system that powers up his robot arm for a special move, Lune uses elemental stains to stack specific damge, and Maelle switches among three fencing stances. Balancing healing, buffs, defensive moves and attacks is a delicate dance in Expedition 33, and the preview really started to sing once I had all three members nicely leveled up, kitted out and slinging various types of elemental damage.
Unlike traditional turn-based play, there are real-time prompts embedded in your skill attacks, and executing these delivers bonus damage and effects. The Final Fantasy series has toyed with this idea to mixed success, but in Expedition 33 its a critical, finely tuned system, and I love the tension it creates. Quick-time elements infuse the familiar turn-based loop with a twitchy kind of clarity, adding a few extra dopamine hits to the classic press-and-wait rhythm. Each QTE prompt is tricky without being punishing, and its not just offensive moves that get the real-time treatment. Dodging, parrying and jumping are essential skills in Expedition 33, and these mechanics demand your attention with every enemy turn.
In short, no, you wont be able to set the controller down during combat in Expedition 33. And, yes, Im totally here for it.
Sandfall Interactive
Maybe its because each character strikes a dramatic pose whenever its their turn, but combat has a distinct Persona flair (and this is a great thing in my book). Meanwhile, the games soundtrack has echoes of Nier: Automata and Tetris: Effect, and altogether, even boss battles can be a bit of an emotional experience.
In the interest of keeping this preview under 3,000 words, Im not going to get into the specifics of upgrade trees and resource types, but I will say that I found these systems to be purposeful and responsive. I was pleased with how often my party leveled up, there were ample traits to tweak for each character, and the effects of my stat manipulation were immediately apparent in combat. Rest assured, Expedition 33 is an RPG.
Though this is just based on a preview, Expedition 33 seems incredibly polished. Not only does it play seamlessly on a macro level, but it also gets the smallest details right, including voice-acted memories, haptic feedback that kicks in when a grapple point is in range, an opaque text box thats both readable and seamlessly integrated into every scene, and the ability to put a rose in Gustaves hair, even in cutscenes. The entire preview is impressive.
Sandfall Interactive
That said, I wonder whether Expedition 33 is too impressive, technically speaking. I played the preview at a stable 1080p/60 on a gaming PC with an RTX 4070 Super, and I didnt encounter any issues, but locking to 60 fps at 1440p was beyond my setup. This feels like a game thats going to break a lot of hearts and PC parts. And its not just PC Im curious to see how Expedition 33 will run on any console that isnt a PlayStation 5 Pro.
But, thats a consideration for review time. The preview for Expedition 33 illuminates why Sandfall Interactive has received so much pre-launch attention and support. Expedition 33 is composed of beautiful contradictions: Its a JRPG but it comes from a Western studio. Its a fantasy RPG built outside the restrictions of Dungeons & Dragons rulesets. Is an indie game that looks, sounds and feels AAA. Most of all, Expedition 33 is refreshing.
Expedition 33 is due to hit PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on April 24.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/clair-obscur-expedition-33-preview-stunning-visuals-innovative-combat-prime-melodrama-140052194.html?src=rss
Lenovo is showing business laptops lovers some attention by announcing several new ThinkPads at Mobile World Congress 2025, including a new form factor for the T-series line, and updated internals across the business laptop lineup.
The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 is by far the most interesting of the bunch, with a new convertible body that's similar to Lenovo's Yoga laptops, and supports the magnetic Yoga Pen stylus. The laptop comes with up to a 14-inch, 400-nit WUXGA touch display, and inside, you can get up to a Intel Core Ultra 7 H or U 200 series chip, 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 1TB of storage. If you're looking for an option without a 360-degree hinge, the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 and ThinkPad T14 Gen 6 will also now come with either Intel Core Ultra or AMD Ryzen AI Pro chips, up to 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of storage.
Lenovo
Lenovo describes the new ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 as "one of the lightest ThinkPad designs ever," at only 2.05 lbs, but that light weight doesn't mean the laptop misses out on the latest internals. The X13 Gen 6 comes with either a Intel Core Ultra or AMD Ryzen AI Pro chip, up to 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM and your choice of a 41Wh or 54.7Wh battery. The new ThinkPad can also support Wi-Fi 7 and an optional 5G connection, if you want to take it on the go.
Chip updates round out the remaining ThinkPads, with the ThinkPad E14 Gen 7 and E16 Gen 3 gaining support for up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 U or H 200 series chip and up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM, while the ThinkPad T16 Gen 4 is caps out at 32GB of RAM.
Lenovo is making the majority of its new ThinkPads available this summer, with the ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1, ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 and ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 arriving in June 2025 for $1,719, $1,674 and $1,139, respectively. The ThinkPad T14 Gen 6 and ThinkPad T16 Gen 4 are launching a little earlier in May for $1,359 and $1,623. And rounding things out, the ThinkPad E14 Gen 7 and E16 Gen 3 are coming in "Q2 2025" for $849 and $859.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/lenovo-is-updating-its-thinkpad-lineup-with-new-chips-and-form-factors-at-mwc-2025-230055977.html?src=rss
Lenovo hasnt even released its futuristic laptop with a rollable screen. But that hasnt stopped the company from taking that notebooks core components and remixing it into a whole new thing at MWC 2025.
Officially called the ThinkBook codename Flip AI PC Proof of concept (yes, that is its official name and its a real mouthful), the laptop uses the same flexible OLED featured in its rollable sibling, except this time instead of disappearing inside its chassis, the display folds outwards. This allows what is normally a 13-inch panel to double in size to 18.1 inches at a moment's notice. Notably, because the Flips screen bends instead of sliding in and out of the bottom half of the system, Lenovo can utilize the panels full area unlike the ThinkBook Rollable, which can only extend up to 16.7 inches.
In its vertical mode, this provides a ton of extra space for documents or multitasking. However, the screen can also be folded back into tablet mode or something akin to a 2-in-1s tent mode for times when you might want to share your display with someone on the other side of the table.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Somewhat impressively, a fancy monitor isnt the only trick the Flip has. Down below, Lenovo created what it calls a Smart ForcePad, which features a three-layer illuminated dashboard that adds customizable controls and icons to its surface. Its a neat trick that expands what a basic touchpad can do, though its not exactly a huge leap from what weve seen on rival machines from Acer and others. Finally, on the inside, the Flip should have solid performance thanks to the inclusion of an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 32GB of RAM and PCIe SSD storage.
As a fan of anything with a flexible screen, its fascinating to see how quickly Lenovo was able to take the components used in the ThinkBook Plus Gen6 Rollable and turn them into something else. That said, as this was a very early prototype (a Lenovo representative said it was only one of two in the world at the time), there are some obvious issues that need to be ironed out before this thing ever gets close to an official release.
The first is that for a system with a screen this tall, its hinge wasnt fully up to the task of keeping everything stable, as even a light tap would cause the whole panel to sway back and forth in a disconcerting way. The model I used also lacked that kickstand that appears in some of Lenovos promotional images, which would have further increased its sturdiness.
However, the biggest potential problem with the Flip may be difficult to address because its inherent to its core design. When the laptop is collapsed down into a clamshell for traveling, the way its screen folds exposes the flexible display to items that might scratch it. And while its possible to get around this by using a form-fitting laptop sleeve, that seems a bit too dangerous, even for someone like me whos been using foldable phones for half a decade. Upon further consideration, I wouldnt be surprised if this design challenge is a big reason Lenovo decided to bring the ThinkBook Rollable to market instead of the Flip.
Currently, Lenovo has no plans to bring the Flip to full production, but even so, its nice seeing what a company can come up with when it's not scared to show off unfinished devices.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/lenovos-codename-flip-is-another-wild-take-on-a-flexible-screen-laptop-230051495.html?src=rss
Lenovo has announced new laptops with generative AI features for this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC), including the Yoga Pro 9i Aura edition. Lenovo's Aura edition branding is the result of a partnership with Intel to create a set of "distinct software, hardware and AI features" that make "computing a more personalized, productive, and protected experience." The Yoga Pro 9i Aura edition is powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor and ships with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, which is the company's most affordable model in the RTX 50 series.
It has a 16-inch 3.2K PureSight Pro display with a double layer of OLED pixels that increases its overall brightness to 1600nits peak, as well as boosts its power efficiency. The display also supports 100 percent sRGB, P3 and Adobe RGB color gamut that provide true-to-life color accuracy. Like the previous versions of the Yoga Pro 9i, the Aura edition comes with the Lenovo Creator Zone, an on-device AI suite that can make third-party video, photo and music applications for creators easier to use. Lenovo's Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition will be available starting in the second quarter of 2025, with prices starting at $1,799.
The company has also introduced the 15-inch IdeaPad Slim 3x, a Copilot+ PC that runs on Snapdragon X chip, Qualcomm's new platform designed to put Copilot+ PCs within reach for more people. IdeaPad Slim 3x can also process AI tasks on device and comes with a dedicated key for Microsoft's Copilot assistant. One more interesting feature is the device's open SSD slot that can fit an extra SSD for those who want to expand the laptop's storage capacity. The model will be available starting this month for at least $649.
Lenovo
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/lenovos-new-ai-laptops-for-mwc-include-the-yoga-pro-9i-aura-edition-and-the-ideapad-slim-3x-230024761.html?src=rss
You might be surprised to learn that the first laptop with built-in solar panels is nearly 15 years old. But to me, the bigger shock is that with all the recent advancements in photovoltaic cells, manufacturers havent revisited this idea more often. But at MWC 2025, Lenovo is changing that with its Yoga Solar PC Concept.
Weighing 2.6 pounds and measuring less than 0.6 inches thick, the Yoga Solar PC Concept is essentially the same size as a standard 14-inch clamshell. And because its underlying design isnt all that different from Lenovos standard Yoga family, it doesnt skimp on specs either. It features an OLED display, up to 32GB of RAM, a decent-sized 50.2 WHr battery and even a 2MP IR webcam for use with Windows Hello.
However, all those components arent nearly as important as the solar cells embedded in its lid. Lenovo says the panels use Back Contact Cell technology so that its mounting brackets and gridlines can be placed on the rear of the cells. This allows the panels to offer up to 24 percent solar energy conversion, which is pretty good as that matches the efficiency you get from many high-end home solar systems. Furthermore, the PC also supports Dynamic Solar Tracking to automatically adjust the cells settings to maximize the amount of energy they can gather.
Lenovo says this means the Yoga Solar PC can generate enough juice to play an hour of videos after only 20 minutes in the sun. But what might be more impressive is that even when the laptop is indoors, it can still harvest power from as little as 0.3 watts of light to help top off its battery. Finally, to help you understand how much power it's gathering, Lenovo created a bespoke app to track how much light the panels absorb.
Unfortunately, Lenovo doesnt have any plans to turn this concept into a full commercial device. But after playing around with it, I was pleasantly surprised to see how solid and sturdy its chassis felt. Unlike a lot of prototype devices, the Yoga Solar PC Concept doesnt feel like that much of a stretch technologically compared to other notebooks on sale today. Its PV cells sit safely behind a sheet of glass (or possibly plastic, Lenovo wouldnt confirm which one) while also adding a bit of distinctive visual flair.
However, the biggest hurdle (and possibly a big reason why we havent seen more laptops like this) is that for people who want to use solar panels to charge their devices, its probably easier and more versatile to rely on a standalone solar array instead of something built-in to the gadget itself. Regardless, Lenovos Yoga Solar PC is a surprisingly polished concept that Id love to see get more attention in the future.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-lenovo-solar-pc-concept-feels-like-a-device-whose-time-has-come-230022723.html?src=rss
