It's been available for over two years, but Apple's 10th-generation iPad is still the newest model available for the base iPads. Our choice for best budget iPad is a great option for some last-minute present shopping. That's especially the case, right now, as the Apple 10th-gen iPad is down to $250 from $349.
The great markdown comes courtesy of a 20 percent discount and a $29 off coupon that you can apply on the product page. It's available on the Wi-Fi model with 64GB and with a silver finish. The deal also doesn't include AppleCare+, but, for this great a price, all the specificities might be worth it.
Apple's 10th-gen iPad has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a 2360x1640p resolution. We gave it an 85 in our review thanks to features like its landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front camera and an updated design from its predecessor. It also offers up to 10 hours of battery and recharges using a USB-C port, so you don't have to worry about a lightning charger.
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/the-10th-gen-ipad-is-back-on-sale-for-250-143153900.html?src=rss
There's no arguing that AI still has quite a few unreliable moments, but one would hope that at least its evaluations would be accurate. However, last week Google allegedly instructed contract workers evaluating Gemini not to skip any prompts, regardless of their expertise, TechCrunch reports based on internal guidance it viewed. Google shared a preview of Gemini 2.0 earlier this month.
Google reportedly instructed GlobalLogic, an outsourcing firm whose contractors evaluate AI-generated output, not to have reviewers skip prompts outside of their expertise. Previously, contractors could choose to skip any prompt that fell far out of their expertise such as asking a doctor about laws. The guidelines had stated, "If you do not have critical expertise (e.g. coding, math) to rate this prompt, please skip this task."
Now, contractors have allegedly been instructed, "You should not skip prompts that require specialized domain knowledge" and that they should "rate the parts of the prompt you understand" while adding a note that it's not an area they have knowledge in. Apparently, the only times contracts can skip now are if a big chunk of the information is missing or if it has harmful content which requires specific consent forms for evaluation.
One contractor aptly responded to the changes stating, "I thought the point of skipping was to increase accuracy by giving it to someone better?"
Google has not responded to a request for comment. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-accused-of-using-novices-to-fact-check-geminis-ai-answers-143044552.html?src=rss
Spoilers for The New Next Generation.
When Starfleet said it had dispatched the Enterprise to help the Cerritos close the rift, I was worried. Lower Decks has spent the last four years stepping out the shadow of its more famous predecessor. Its grand finale didnt need a focus-pulling cameo from any of the Next Generation cast (or even a subtle one from Steven Culp). Mercifully, none came, and we got one last chance to spend half an hour with the Cerritos crew on their last ride. For now, at least.
The length of the Previously On sequence was clue enough this was going to be an overstuffed episode. In fact, it felt as if creator Mike McMahan set himself the task of resolving every plotline in one episode. You can imagine some of these would have been addressed in some future episode had the show not been canceled. But even with a slightly longer runtime, the episode moves far too fast for you to really savor it.
As usual, the Cerritos is the only vessel close enough to deal with the fallout from last weeks episode. On the way to close the rift, the crew meet Maah and Malor, who are fleeing a fleet of Klingon warships led by Relga, Dorg and Barghs sister. The fleet chases the Cerritos to the rift which is pumping out waves of dimension-hopping uncertainty. That sets up a wonderful scene where the Cerritos is remade in different ship classes as it pushes toward the center of the rift.
All of this unfolds while Rutherford fights both with his implant and his general distaste for the Cerritos. Tendi and TLyn are battling for supremacy as the senior science officer on the ship, and Boimlers still using his alternate selfs diary to advance his career. A normal half hour show can accommodate an A and B story; here were down to G or H, at least. Given a lot of the fun of this show is just in spending time with these characters, its a shame their farewells are rattled through as boxes ticked off on a list.
There are plenty of wonderful moments, like when Mariner and Boimler go to Freeman and are instantly believed. In-universe, the characters have earned enough trust to be taken at their word and its touching. Its also a sign of how far weve come compared to, say, the days of Shut up Wesley. Or when Rutherford realizes whats wrong and is able to solve the issue by remembering the California Class is Starfleets Swiss Army Knife. Or when Boimler smashes his Padd to protect Mariner, as their friendship is more important than his career.
The episode ends with the rift being stabilized, creating a permanent interdimensional wormhole to the multiverse. Starfleet tows Starbase 80 there, with William Boimler tasked with exploring the various dimensions therein. But such a high-profile assignment needs an experienced head, and so Captain Freeman is assigned to take command of Starbase 80. It means Mariner has to say goodbye to her mom, and Freeman goodbye to her dedicated crew of misfits.
Ransom takes command of the Cerritos, with Mariner and Boimler acting as joint first officers, at least for now. Rutherford has his implant removed, and its suddenly obvious to everyone how into Tendi he has been all this time. TLyn and Tendi are now happily science besties, sharing the role as the Cerritos heads off to explore new parts of the galaxy. And Ransoms choice of phrase for his warp command is perfectly in keeping with his love of exercise, and no I wont be sharing it here.
You can never quite escape Star Trek once its on your CV, and Ive said before this isnt the last time well see the Cerritos crew. Animation doesnt need your actors to stay the same age and we could easily see a revival in a few years or so. McMahan was clear the fifth season was also being used to set up potential spin-off ideas, so theres plenty of scope for more. Which is why Im not going to write an obituary for Lower Decks, it doesnt need one.
Still, its mad to think how things have changed since Lower Decks debuted as the goofy wildcard alongside its more august siblings. Discovery and Picard were meant to be reputable shows with Lower Decks little more than the class clown for diehard fans. Both of those turned out to be far less than the sum of their parts, while Lower Decks held the spirit of Star Trek far more effectively than its so-called betters. It was the only one of that trio to emerge with anything close to a coherent legacy, and with genuine affection from fans.
Lower Decks knows this, and ends its episode with a celebration of the Cerritos and Star Trek more generally. The show exists as a celebration of the day-to-day work that would never be lionized in those brasher, shoutier, punch-fightier Treks. The USS Cerritos is an island of misfit toys who have gathered together to make themselves and each other that little bit better. Hell, that could be a comment on Star Trek, or its fans more generally, but its great being one of those misfit toys.
Cerritos Strong!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/star-trek-lower-decks-ends-on-a-new-beginning-140003832.html?src=rss
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) spending bill has just been release and it grants DJI a year's grace before it's potentially banned in the US, The Verge reported. It was expected that DJI and rival Autel could be banned by the end of 2024 because of the Countering CCP Drones Act provision. However, the bill gives DJI an extra year to prove to an "appropriate national security agency" that its products don't pose a national security risk in the US.
Failing that, the bill authorizes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to place DJI's drones on its covered list for 2026, meaning retailers would no longer be able to import them. It also means that the products (including drones and cameras like the Osmo Pocket 3) would be prohibited from connecting to US networks, and their internal radios would no longer be authorized by the FCC. That would technically prohibit the use of DJI products already owned by consumers, though the US wouldn't likely stop consumers from doing so.
In a reply on its Viewpoints blog, DJI said it's "good news" that the ban wasn't included in this year's budget. However, it pointed out that "drones manufactured in China are singled out for scrutiny and the legislation does not designate a specific agency to undertake the required study." The latter point could cause the company harm "simply because no agency chose to take on the work of studying our product," it wrote.
The main reason DJI is still alive is through the support of drone enthusiasts and content creators, along with law enforcement and search and rescue organizations. "In the event that a bill like this would go fully through and would potentially ban the use of Chinese drones for public safety, it'd be catastrophic for the public safety drone industry," said Law Enforcement Drone Association spokesperson Brendan Karr in a letter to Congress.
However, US representatives believe they're a risk. "DJI drones pose the national security threat of TikTok, but with wings. This Chinese-controlled company cannot be allowed to continue to operate in the US," said Republican Representative Elise Stefanik. "These Chinese-manufactured drones allow for the CCP, the Chinese Communist Party, to access data in a backdoor manner and ultimately surveil Americans," added Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/dji-evades-us-ban-but-has-one-year-to-prove-its-products-arent-a-national-security-threat-133042749.html?src=rss
A company called Elevation Lab has released an accessory for the Apple AirTag that extends its battery life by up to 10 years and makes it waterproof. The TimeCapsule is essentially a case that contains your AirTag and two AA batteries. You don't need to open your AirTag and tinker with it you only have to remove its backplate and coin battery before attaching it to the case. As you can see, it will make your tracking device a lot bigger and considerably heftier, so it's mostly ideal for use with large objects, such as vehicles and big suitcases.
As Elevation Lab says in its announcement, the TimeCapsule could make it easier to manage multiple AirTags. You won't have to change their batteries every year anymore just to make sure they'll work as intended if you lose your stuff. That said, the batteries you use will dictate how long it would take before you have to unscrew the case and replace them.
The Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries Elevation Lab reommends are 1.5V each and have a capacity of over 3,000mAh, which is why they can power an AirTag for up to a decade. Other AA batteries will work with the case, but they may not be as effective, depending on their specs. The amount you spend for the whole setup will depend on the batteries you choose, but the case itself will set you back $20.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/elevation-labs-timecapsule-is-a-waterproof-10-year-battery-case-for-your-airtag-130100521.html?src=rss
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear TikTok owner ByteDances appeal of a law that could ban the app. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act is set to go into effect on January 19, the day before President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration. ByteDance claimed the law violates free speech rights, a position the ACLU has supported. The Justice Department defended the law in lower courts, citing concerns that the Chinese government could influence the company and collect data about American citizens.
The Supreme Courts response was fast only two days after the company filed its appeal. Oral arguments are scheduled for January 10.
Mat Smith
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YouTube is helping high-profile actors and athletes monetize their AI likenesses
Its teaming with talent agency CAA to test likeness management technology.
YouTube is teaming up with one of the worlds largest talent agencies, CAA, to help its high-profile actors and athletes monitor their AI likenesses. The platform will test its likeness management technology with unnamed award-winning actors and top NBA and NFL athletes. Down the road, it will announce further testing for top YouTube creators, creative professionals and other talent agencies. Its largely aimed at removing depictions of their likenesses.
Continue reading.
Apple might give up on turning its iPhone into a monthly subscription
Its about avoiding regulatory pressures and regulation.
Apple is shelving its plans to offer the iPhone for a monthly subscription, according to a Bloomberg report. The idea of an Apple hardware subscription was first rumored in 2022, but a hardware subscription might have required Apple to follow the same regulations as credit card companies. Its part of a retreat from the headaches of financial services. Apple Pay Later shut down in June 2024, replaced with access to Affirm loans in Apple Pay as part of iOS 18, while the Apple Card is also reportedly in limbo as it tries to find a replacement partner for Goldman Sachs.
Continue reading.
LGs transparent OLED T television can be yours for just $60,000
It can flit between transparent and standard modes with the push of a button.
LG
LGs transparent wireless OLED TV is now available. The 77-inch OLED T has 4K resolution, the companys wireless transmission tech for video and audio and the ability to shift between transparent and opaque modes with the push of a button. And you pay just $60,000 for the privilege. Heres what we thought when we saw it early this year.
Continue reading.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121550707.html?src=rss
Honda is officially introducing two Series 0 electric vehicle prototypes at CES next year, and the company says they'll be available for purchase around the world sometime in 2026. The vehicles will be based on the futuristic-looking concepts the company presented at CES 2024, including a flagship model called the Saloon that featured an aerodynamic design. They'll be the company's first entries in the Series 0 lineup, which are also expected to feature an advanced driver-assisted system and, over the coming years, AI-powered automated driving features.
In addition to presenting the prototypes themselves, Honda will also introduce a new proprietary vehicle operating system that the Series 0 cars will use. Plus, it will give you a look at the SoC powering the vehicles during the event. Honda trailed behind competitors in terms of making the transition to electric vehicles, but its first electric SUV, the Prologue, became one of the best-selling EVs in the US after its release in the country earlier this year. The company will unveil its new EV prototypes during its press conference in Las Vegas that will be held on January 7 at 10:30AM PT/1:30 PM ET. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube, but we'll also keep you updated on the latest news from CES 2025.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/honda-is-unveiling-two-series-0-ev-prototypes-at-ces-2025-120017862.html?src=rss
Steam Replay, Valves take on Spotify Wrapped for games youve played through Steam, is available now for your perusal. Valves offered the year-end presentation since 2022, and it can be a pretty revealing glimpse into how time-consuming most games have become in the last two years (or how much one game can really stick in your craw).
You can access the data dump directly through the Steam app, your Steam Deck or the web. For 2024, Valve tracked the number of games and demos youve played, the number of achievements youve unlocked, your longest gaming streak and the games you spent the majority of your time playing. The company also collected data on how much of your time spent playing was on Steam Deck, which genres you tend to prefer and shared some details on how the median Steam users plays. For example, the median Steam user only played four games this year, and unlocked 13 achievements.
Valve
According to my Replay, the majority of my time on Steam this year was spent playing 1000xRESIST, Arco, Animal Well and Balatro. Since Ive basically treated the Steam Deck like a console from the moment I bought one, its also where I spent 100 percent of my time using Steam in 2024. I suspect thats unusual for the average user, but its really the only surprise I found combing through Valves data.
If you dig up anything interesting in your Steam Replay, Valve has made it easy to make your Replay public so you can share with friends. If youre particularly proud of how much youve completed in 2024, you can also attach an overview of your stats directly to your Steam profile.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/steam-replay-2024-is-available-now-so-you-can-compare-your-balatro-playtime-with-friends-234027828.html?src=rss
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Californias plan to phase out and ban the sale of new gas-powered cars and light trucks by 2035. ABC News reported the EPA gave California the waivers it needed to enact the Advanced Clean Cars II Regulations (ACC II) devised and approved by the California Air Resources Board in 2022.
The EPA also approved Californias plan to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from heavy-duty vehicles in order to reduce the amount of smog in the air. The state will require an initial 75 percent reduction in NOx pollution followed by a 90 percent reduction a few years later.
The ACC II provides a year-to-year blueprint for phasing out the selling of combustion-engine vehicles. The plan sets a 2026 deadline by which 35 percent of the states car sales must be electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids or models with hydrogen fuel cells. Then by 2030, the electric vehicle sale threshold rises to 68 percent before reaching its ultimate 100 percent sale requirement by 2035. Consumers and dealerships will still be able to buy, sell and drive used ICE and hybrid cards until the ACC II. California Air Resources Board chair Liane Randolph estimated the ACC II could lead to a 50 percent drop in pollution by 2040.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom hailed the decision and ACC II in a statement as evidence that California can rise to the challenge of protecting our people by cleaning our air and cutting pollution.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/epa-gives-thumbs-up-to-californias-new-gas-powered-car-sale-ban-232048688.html?src=rss
Another day, another new Threads feature. Metas app will soon be rolling out a feature that allows users to re-share photos and videos to their timelines with credit to the original poster but without the original post attached.
Once available, users will need to long press on a photo or video from their feed and select use media. Theyll then be able to draft a new post with the image of the clip attached, with a watermark from the original poster showing in the top left corner. This is a quick, easy way to add your creative takes to trending images and clips without quote posting, Threads chief Adam Mosseri wrote in a post.
The feature is presumably meant to make it easier for people to reshare other users work with some credit for its original creator. Mosseri has fielded a number of complaints on Threads from frustrated users who see their work ripped off without credit. In a post last month, Mosseri said that Meta was trying to shift more distribution from aggregators to creators on both Instagram and Threads, though he acknowledged it can be very difficult to do so when the original post was lifted from a non Meta-owned platform. On Instagram, the company recently tweaked its algorithm in an attempt to boost creators over aggregators.
Judging by some of the reactions to Threads latest update, however, a number of creators are still unhappy with Metas approach. It just seems like blatant content theft, one photographer replied. Quoting the post is a far more effective way of sharing someone's content with your own comments while crediting the creator, another user said.
In a separate post, Meta noted that individual creators are able to disable media reuse in their apps settings, so it is possible to block your posts from being shared this way. (There are also settings to prevent others from quote posting entirely.) However, for those worried about accounts straight up ripping off their posts in the interest of engagement farming, theres still little any user can do to prevent less scrupulous accounts from copying their content with screenshots or other means.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-new-use-media-feature-is-its-latest-attempt-to-fight-stolen-memes-and-engagement-farming-224119483.html?src=rss
