Sony is ending production of recordable Blu-ray, MiniDisc and MD Data disc media, along with MiniDV cassettes, the company announced. Last year, Sony said that it would gradually end production of recordable optical media and production at its Tagajo City plant due to poor sales. Now, production will definitively halt next month and "there will be no successor models," according to the Japanese web page.
In the announcement, Sony referred to "Blu-ray Disc media," by which it means recordable media only, not Blu-ray discs used to distribute movies (Engadget asked Sony to confirm that it's only halting recordable optical disc production). Sony currently offers 11 products in the recordable category, ranging from 25GB to 128GB, in both R (write once) and RE (write multiple times).
While Sony is ceasing production of recordable Blu-ray discs, they're still available from Verbatim and possibly others. However, MiniDiscs may be hard to come by as Sony was one of the few remaining manufacturers so you may want to stock up while they're still for sale.
MiniDisc, mostly used for audio recording, has seen a bit of a resurgence among audiophiles due in part to the tactile experience compared to streaming. It was widely used by professionals as it supports live recording and still has a presence in studios because a lot of content has been archived to that format. (Fun fact: the character Neo in The Matrix stores his ill-begotten wares, whatever they are, on MiniDiscs.)
Once popular for movie collection and file archiving, recordable Blu-ray and other optical media were effectively killed by streaming services, cheap memory, and cloud storage. All of the formats Sony killed have been around for decades, with BD-RE arriving 2002, MiniDisc in 1992, MD Data in 1993 and MiniDV cassettes, primarily used for video production, first appearing in 1995.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/sony-is-halting-production-of-recordable-blu-ray-minidiscs-and-minidv-cassettes-140030225.html?src=rss
This year, Samsung unified the design language of its S-series flagships, making the S25, S25+ and the S25 Ultra look and feel the same (barring the camera). The curving sides of the S24 Ultra are finally gone, replaced with the solid, squared-off lines seen on the cheaper Galaxy S handsets. Flatter sides make the device easier to grip, slide into your pocket, or prop up when youre trying to photograph them for a tech website.
Ill be honest, they look like iPhones. And older Galaxy S phones. And, well, even older iPhones. Smartphones have hopped from flat to curves for as long as smartphones have existed.
Samsung
With Samsung, weve gripped onto rounded sides from the debut of Galaxy S (2010) through to 2015. Then, the Galaxy S6 (2015) had more flattened sides before the series returned to curves for the S8 (2017). It stayed that way until the more recent S24, with recent years gradually hammering out those curves. The S25 series, now, has flat sides for every model.
Are flatter sides actually easier to grip? I dont know. Im a hypocrite. Ive found multiple reviews and impressions pieces where I love flat sides. Ive found the same number of stories where I loved curved devices. Why should you ever believe me again? Im sure there are tech journalists who have stuck with one form factor being better, but I couldnt find them.
Engadget
Each time it happens and the company explains its change, the designers say this lack of curves/ introduction of curves is better than whatever it was last year. In an interview with Vanity Fair in 2024, Jony Ive said that Apple chose rounded edges for the iPhone 6 series because they made larger phones feel less clunky. That was when the iPhone 6 Plus had a heady 5.5-inch screen, which seems quaint in 2025.
My theory is that our hands get used to whatever phone form factor weve used for the last couple of years. That means when the design gets shaken up (or you swap to a different manufacturer), one has to pay more attention to holding it. But that effect fades.
If the two most significant, most influential phone makers have settled on flat sides, then there are reasons for it. Until theres an even bigger reason to return, once again, to curves.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/curvy-sides-flat-edges-the-galaxy-s25-and-the-arbitrary-shape-of-smartphones-130047461.html?src=rss
Welcome to a new newsletter, with a bit of a new direction. While our mid-week edition tackles news specifics, this end-of-the-week missive combines the biggest news with more context, more things to read and watch, recommendations, easter eggs, inside baseball and stuff that interests our readers, alongside the breaking news, reviews and features you expect from Engadget.
Wed love your feedback on what youd like to see covered in these meatier editions hit me up at tma(at)engadget.com.
Luckily for me, we kick things off with Samsungs big Unpacked event, launching three new phones and teasing two yes, two! more coming soon.
Everything Samsung announced, including prices and launch dates (February 8 Ill save you a click), we collated here, but it was largely a fallow year for Galaxy S hardware, barring a substantially more powerful chip.
While the Galaxy S25 Ultra et al. might not thrill, Samsung managed to breadcrumb several devices with no launch date. First, at its San Jose event, the company revealed its mixed reality headset in person, finally even if it was just a functionless headset for photos and gawping at.
Then there was the Galaxy S25 Edge a device I didnt think existed. (And something that wasnt shown at my satellite event in London we got a not-great projection mapping brand activation across Londons Thames river. Boo.)
Like Samsung did a year ago with its Galaxy Ring teaser, we got a fleeting glimpse of the rumored slim Galaxy phone, actually called the Galaxy S25 Edge. Its slim, has two cameras and... thats about all we know. Bloomberg reports it will cost less than the S25 Ultra when it arrives later this year.
Samsung/YouTUbe
And then theres the mysterious teaser for some possible bifold device see the screengrab above. This would be a foldable concertina, like devices weve seen from Huawei. Samsung teased the display tech back at CES 2022 and subsequent trade events. Is it now ready?
Will the companys foldables become the new home for Samsung hardware innovation? Is the Galaxy Fold series now truly the new Galaxy Note?
Mat Smith
The biggest stories you might have missed
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 review: Pure AI excess for $2,000
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: Faster and way more... AI-ier
Star Trek: Section 31 review: An embarrassment from start to end
Today, in 1984
The first Mac(intosh).
BBC
Apple demonstrated its first Macintosh computer in front of 3,000 people. Graphical computing on the Macintosh wasnt as commercially successful as Microsofts DOS and Windows, but this was the first successful mass-market desktop personal computer with a graphical user interface, built-in screen and mouse. Yes, a mouse! The epic Ridley Scott-directed ad, 1984, also teased it.
Time to watch that ad again.
President Trump and tech
The new leader got straight to work.
It was a busy first week for President Trump.
The Trump Administration no longer lets asylum seekers make appointments with app
Donald Trump pardons Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht
Trump executive order rescinds Bidens AI framework
Trump delays TikTok ban for at least 75 days via executive order
President Trump withdraws the US from the Paris climate agreement (again)
Reintroducing: Ask Engadget!
AMA or AEA.
I'm used to fighting robots.Engadget
What can we answer for you that a hallucinating AI cant? When is the best time to buy a new iPhone? Do I need a high-res screen on my gaming laptop? My smart home is trying to kill me. While Google/ ChatGPT/ social media can often help, were bringing back Ask Engadget. Whatever it is, I made my boss create an entirely new email address: askmat(at)engadget.com. So help me help you. (Keep me gainfully employed in an era of bots and AI.)This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-123633309.html?src=rss
It feels like CES again with a slew of tech news this week! In this episode, Devindra dives into his final thoughts on NVIDIA's $2,000 GeForce RTX 5090, a super-powered video card with a healthy dose of AI. Senior Reporter Sam Rutherford also joins to explain everything Samsung launched at its Galaxy S25 Unpacked event. And of course, we'll chat about some of the technology industry and policy changes from the new Trump administration. Stay tuned to the end of this episode for our chat with YouTube GM Jack Greenberg about some new features headed to YouTube Premium.
Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!
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Topics
TikTok was only banned for 14 hours, what happened? 1:27
Devindras NVIDIA RTX 5090 Review: more power than most people need 13:53
Samsung Unpacked announces Galaxy S25 series and teases a thinner phone 30:25
What the new administrations Executive Orders mean for AI, EVs and the environment 54:23
Pop culture picks 1:03:41
Whats coming to Youtube Premium with project manager Jack Greenberg 1:07:06
Credits
Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Karissa BellProducer: Ben EllmanMusic: Dale NorthThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/engadget-podcast-diving-into-nvidias-rtx-5090-and-samsungs-galaxy-s25-launch-123008612.html?src=rss
Singapore telco Singtel has rolled out free access to Perplexity Pro, marking a strategic move to democratize AI tools while strengthening customer relationships. The year-long subscription, typically priced at SGD 270, is being offered to all of Singtel's broadband, mobile and TV subscribers.
Tesla has officially launched the redesigned Model Y in North America and Europe, a couple of weeks after the vehicle was announced for the Asia Pacific region. The new version isn't replacing the original Model Y, though at least not yet and Tesla is selling both of them on its website. At the moment, you can only get the long-range all wheel drive launch series variant for the new Model Y in the US with prices starting at $46,490. The launch series is a limited edition release with exclusive badging on the rear liftgate, puddle light, doorsill plate and other parts of the car.
While the new Model Y retains the older version's proportions, it has rounder edges, with its smaller headlights and taillights bookending a redesigned lightbar. Inside, it has ambient lighting wrapping around most of the car, ventilated seats and a 15.4-inch touchscreen in the front. The second row seats have power recline and can fold flat. Passengers sitting in the back row will also have access to a Bluetooth-enabled 8-inch rearscreen display with a touch panel.
The new long-range all wheel drive Model Y has an estimated range of 325 miles, has a top speed of 125 mph and can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. To compare, the old Model Y long-range AWD can reach 311 miles on one charge, has a top speed of 135 mph and can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Deliveries for the new Model Y begin in March. If you'd still rather get the old version, its prices start at $31,490, though take note that it's getting a $4,000 price hike in Canada.
Tesla
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/teslas-new-model-y-arrives-in-the-us-055746103.html?src=rss
Threads is adding a new feature that lets users get a little more creative in remixing posts from other people. The app now has a markup tool that allows users to scribble on top of posts they want to reshare, Adam Mosseri shared in a post.
Markup abilities appear in the menu for quoting and reposting. But instead of simply quoting a post, it launches an editing tool where you can add highlights, arrows or doodles on top of a screenshot of the post. Mosseri said the feature is intended so you can add your creative take on posts, but the tools are fairly limited for now. You can only add yellow highlights or red arrows and doodles, though Mosseri said there would be more to come soon from Meta.
A Threads spokesperson confirms that the feature will function similarly to quote posts in that the original user is notified if someone chooses to mark up their post. You can also use the who can reply and quote setting to disable markups on your own posts.
The app is also making two other features its already previewed official: post scheduling and analytics. The features will likely be particularly useful for brands, creators and others who manage a professional presence on the site, which has so far lacked many of the more advanced business-focused tools Metas other platforms have. Both could also come in handy should Meta begin to introduce ads to Threads, a move thats reportedly in the works for the beginning of 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-now-lets-you-scribble-on-top-of-other-users-posts-231129612.html?src=rss
If you subscribe to Amazon Prime or Prime Video and are looking to expand your streaming horizons, Amazon has a deal for you. Prime subscribers can get a bundled subscription to the ad-free version of Max and Starz for just $21 per month, $7 off the bundle's normal $28 per month price.
Max has a solid back catalog of classic Hollywood films programmed by Turner Classic Movies, original films and TV shows from HBO, and cartoons from Cartoon Network, on top of a chaotic collection of reality TV programming from HGTV, Food Network, and more. If you were thinking of checking out The White Lotus when the show returns in February or the second season of The Last of Us in April, this bundle is a pretty good reason to hop on the Max bandwagon.
Starz has a less must-see original programming when compared to Max or Prime Video outside of the ever-popular Outlander but it's a great streaming service if you're looking to watch movies that recently left theaters.
You're able to get this bundle deal even if you don't currently have a Prime subscription. You can sign-up for a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime to enjoy the bundle at $21 per month, and just add on an extra $15 a month once your trial is up. Prime Video itself has an interesting library worth combing through, too. Including a recent adaptation of Fallout if shows based on video games are what floats your boat.
Because this deal is through Prime Video, you'll have to access Max and Starz as Prime Video Channels rather than through their individual streaming apps, but it's a small annoyance for an otherwise solid deal.
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/entertainment/streaming/amazon-prime-members-can-get-ad-free-max-and-starz-for-21-per-month-223245603.html?src=rss
OpenAI has begun previewing a new tool called Operator that can navigate within a web browser. According to a blog post published Thursday, the software is powered by what the company calls a Computer-Using Agent. CUA is trained to interact with graphical user interfaces (GUIs) the buttons, menus, and text fields people see on a screen just as humans do, says OpenAI of the model. This gives it the flexibility to perform digital tasks without using OS- or web-specific APIs.
The current release of Operator builds on OpenAIs GPT-4o model. It combines the vision capabilities of that algorithm with advanced reasoning trained through reinforcement learning. Operator has the ability to break tasks into multi-step plans and adaptively self-correct when challenges arise. According to OpenAI, that capability represents the next stage in AI development.
Instacart
As with past research previews, OpenAI warns that Operator is still early and has limitations, and that it wont perform reliably in all scenarios just yet. For instance, depending on the complexity of the task and interface involved, the agent greatly benefits from the user taking a few extra moments to write a more detailed prompt. Per The Verge, Operator will give the user control if it ever gets stuck on a task. It will also hand control over whenever a website asks for sensitive information, including login credentials. The company says it designed the tool to refuse harmful requests and block disallowed content.
OpenAI is making Operator first available to users of its $200 per month ChatGPT Pro subscription. It is also partnering with companies like Instacart to offer the agent on their platforms, though there again youll need a ChatGPT Pro subscription to test the integration.
Operator joins a growing list of AI agents that can either navigate a web browser or an entire operating system. Anthropic was the first to offer the capability with the release of its Claude 3.5 Sonnet model in October, followed more recently by Google with its Gemini 2.0 model and Project Mariner.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-operator-can-surf-the-web-for-you-210029243.html?src=rss
Epic Games had previously announced plans to bring third-party games to its mobile app, which is available worldwide on Android devices and on iOS in the European Union. The company will also offer a rotating selection of titles for free on mobile. Bloons TD 6 and Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee will be the first two free titles. In a post on X, Epic said it was still fixing some bugs before launching the new games on its platform.
But the company made waves today with a move that could encourage popular games to join its free games program. Epic plans to cover the cost of the Core Technology Fee on iOS for participants' first year. Apple charges a CTF of 50 euro cents for any install of an iOS app once it surpasses 1 million annual downloads and uses a third-party store. Apps with global revenue of less than 10 million have a three-year grace period.
A blog post from Epic and shared with The Verge says that covering the fees "is not financially viable for every third party app store or for Epic long term, but well do it while the European Commission investigates Apples non-compliance with the law." The law in question is the Digital Markets Act, a digital competition law in Europe which has already targeted Apple.
Fees levied by Apple and Google for use of their platforms has been a source of great debate in the tech and gaming spheres. Epic Games has been in conflict with Apple several times over the years, alleging the tech giant has engaged in anti-competitive behavior.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/epic-games-to-cover-some-ios-fees-in-ongoing-war-with-apple-204525888.html?src=rss
