It turns out everyone likes to share their music suggestions, even monarchs. Apple Music has announced a new show called The King's Music Room, hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. Yes, we know you've been dying to discover the getting ready playlist he made for the coronation that cost taxpayers 72 million ($93 million).
The show's March 10 release coincides with Commonwealth Day and the playlist reportedly features artists from across continents the release calls out artists such as Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue and Davido. "Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me," King CharIes III states during the introduction. "It has that remarkable ability to bring happy memories flooding back from the deepest recesses of our memory, to comfort us in times of sadness, and to take us to distant places. But perhaps, above all, it can lift our spirits to such a degree, and all the more so when it brings us together in celebration. In other words, it brings us joy." He'll also share his, sure to be fascinating, encounters with some of the musicians.
If you're dying to know what Britain's longest heir apparent listened to over the years while waiting his turn then tune in to The King's Music Room on Monday, March 10 at 6AM GMT. It will also air at additional times on Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Hits throughout music and Tuesday. Those looks into the King's soul are free, though Apple Music subscribers can access it at anytime. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/apple-music-gives-britains-monarch-the-aux-143036505.html?src=rss
SpaceX has lost another Starship, as the vehicle's eighth test flight ended in an explosion just like its seventh. The first few minutes of the flight went according to plan: SpaceX launched the Starship rocket from its Starbase facility in Texas at 6:30PM Eastern time on March 6, and its first stage Super Heavy booster flew back down and was successfully captured by the launch tower's "chopstick" arms. The event marked the third time SpaceX was able to capture the booster with the tower's mechanical appendages.
The vehicle's upper stage called the "Ship" was supposed to deploy four dummy Starship satellites as part of the test run before splashing down into the Indian Ocean around 50 minutes later. But eight minutes into the flight, the Ship lost multiple Raptor engines, causing it to lose altitude until it ultimately exploded over the Caribbean. Several people who witnessed the event posted videos of the Ship's debris streaking across the sky.
Just saw Starship 8 blow up in the Bahamas @SpaceX @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/rTMJu23oVx Jonathon Norcross (@NorcrossUSA) March 6, 2025
As TechCrunch notes, SpaceX revealed in February that the seventh Starship test flight exploded because it suffered from propellant leaks that resulted in fires. The company took several measures to prevent the same thing from happening, such as adding vents and a new purge system to make the ship resistant to leaks. SpaceX also conducted a longer static fire test to make sure its changes and adjustments were working properly.
The company posted on X that the Starship's eighth test flight "experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly" during its ascent burn. However, it it still has to review data from the flight to be able to determine the root cause of the issue. In another statement posted on its website, the company said that "an energetic event in the aft portion of Starship" prior to the ascent burn led to the loss of the engines. SpaceX lost contact with the Ship completely at around nine minutes and 30 seconds after liftoff. The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted flights departing from and into some of Florida's busiest airports due to "space launch debris." It also told TechCrunch that it's requiring SpaceX to conduct a "mishap investigation" to determine the cause of the failure, so we'll likely get a more detailed report from the company in the future. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/spacexs-starship-explodes-again-during-its-eighth-test-flight-140018375.html?src=rss
With the Zenbook A14, ASUS has reached a new milestone of portability. It's a 14-inch laptop that weighs just 2.2 pounds, making it feel more like a tablet than a computer when you pick it up. And with its unique Ceraluminum case, which feels like a cross between ceramic and metal, the Zenbook A14 is a more viable premium notebook than LG's chintzy ultra-light Gram lineup. But there's always a tradeoff between size and power, and in this case ASUS has delivered the slowest Copilot+ PC we've seen yet. But I suppose that just makes it a true lightweight.
Now to be clear, the Zenbook A14 is a serviceable laptop for light productivity work. Since it's a Copilot+ AI PC, it comes with at least 16GB of RAM, so it can easily deal with juggling dozens of browser tabs and your typical office and photo editing apps. But the A14's Snapdragon X X1 chip limits its ability to do anything truly demanding, so don't expect it to be playing many games or rendering video. And since it's powered by that Arm chip, the Zenbook also has to run apps designed for Intel and AMD CPUs in a slower emulation. Some software won't work at all, including very old apps, and games like Fortnite that use anti-cheat software.
So while the Zenbook A14 may seem like a MacBook Air killer at first glance, it's more of a reminder of how well Apple has balanced that laptop. Sure, it's half a pound heavier, but the MacBook Air can also edit videos, render 3D and play games in a pinch. You won't feel the same sort of performance limitations you'll undoubtedly encounter on the Zenbook A14.
That being said, there's still an audience for an ultra-light, under-powered laptop. The A14 is an ideal machine for writing on the go, since you can travel with it effortlessly and it offers a whopping 18 hours and 16 minutes of battery life (according to the PCMark 10 benchmark). And let's face it, the Zenbook's sluggish gaming chops may actually boost your productivity.
I could see it being a perfect secondary computing device if you've already got a desktop or heftier laptop setup at home. And if you really just need to browse the web, reply to emails and watch the occasional video, you probably won't notice its performance issues.
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
Hardware
The Zenbook A14 makes a startling first impression long before you see it in action. Its retail box feels alarmingly weightless, as if it only contains air and some cardboard cushioning. And once you open it up, it's hard to comprehend how a 14-inch laptop can weigh a mere 2.2-pounds. It also feels as well balanced as an artisanal chef's knife, making it easy to hold. As impressed as I was by the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16 last year, the Zenbook A14 feels like a stronger example of how far the company has come from producing cheap MacBook clones.
Also adding to the Zenbook A14's overall polish is that aforementioned Ceraluminum case, which simply feels nice to hold. It's warm and inviting to touch, whereas Apple's MacBooks and most other all-metal laptops almost always feel cold (especially in heavily-chilled offices). As we've seen on other recent ASUS notebooks, Ceraluminum also feels sturdy, as there's no flex on the A14's slight frame.
The company clearly spent time fine-tuning the usability of such a light machine. Opening it up with one hand is effortless, thanks to a new hinge design that keeps the A14 from tilting backwards as you raise the screen. I've tested other light notebooks, including earlier Zenbook models, that required two hands: one to hold the computer's keyboard section down, and another to lift the display. I can tell you from experience that it's helpful to be able to flip open your computer with one hand while holding a crying kid in the other.
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
The Zenbook A14 sports an impressively thin profile when it's open, but it's also well-built enough to keep its screen steady when typing on your lap. That may seem like a niche point, but I've grown to despise unstable displays on lesser thin notebooks. It's yet another sign of ASUS getting the little things right in the A14.
And speaking of getting things right, I appreciated that ASUS was able to squeeze in a ton of ports: two USB-C connections, one USB Type A, a full-sized HDMI connection and a headphone jack. Apple, meanwhile, only includes two USB-C ports, a MagSafe charging connection and a headphone jack on the MacBook Air.
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
In use: A serviceable Arm-based Windows laptop
It's a shame that all of ASUS' thoughtful hardware design is held back by the Snapdragon X X1, an eight-core system on a chip (SOC) meant for ultra-slim and low-power devices. In benchmarks and general usage, it's clearly a much slower solution than the X Elite and X Plus chips that graced the Surface Pro and other Copilot+ systems. As I mentioned up top, that's the major compromise ASUS had to make to deliver such a slim notebook, and for some, it may be a complete dealbreaker.
The Zenbook A14 handled my basic productivity workflow just fine: browsing on Chrome and Edge with dozens of tabs, while also running Slack, Spotify and occasional photo editing apps. But in comparison to the Surface Pro and Laptop, it's like driving an entry-level car instead of a true luxury offering. And that's a shame since it's priced similarly to those PCs. Best Buy currently lists our review unit, which includes 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, for $1,100. If those specs were paired with a better processor, I'd consider the A14 a smart purchase. Instead, it feels like a machine that should clearly be under $1,000 with 16GB of RAM and a smaller SSD.
On Edge and Chrome, I noticed slight hiccups when I was jumping between tabs and multiple windows. And those were native apps developed for Arm processors! Snapdragon chips need to emulate older x64 and x86 Windows apps, which introduces even more slowdown. While writing this review in Evernote (an x64 app), the A14 would often have trouble smoothly scrolling down long notes, and it would sometimes take a few seconds to load older notes. (Evernote owner Notion says it "does not officially support ARM processors at this time," which means users are out of luck if they encounter more significant issues.)
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
One upside to running a fairly slow processor? Excellent battery life. In the PCMark 10 battery benchmark, the Zenbook A14 lasted 18 hours and 16 minutes. That's around 30 minutes more than Dell's Copilot+ XPS 13 with a Snapdragon X Elite, and it's also two and a half hours longer than last year's Intel Core Ultra-powered Zenbook S14.
I appreciated the Zenbook A14 the most when I wasn't trying to benchmark it or search for its occasional slowdowns. It's a wonderful machine to grab when you just want to focus on writing, clearing out e-mail or finalizing accursed corporate training. Its keyboard is responsive and comfortable to type on, though I wish its touchpad measured clicks more accurately.
The Zenbook A14 is also great for catching up on Netflix shows in bed, since it feels practically weightless and video looks tremendous on its 14-inch OLED screen. Its speakers sound terribly tinny, though, so I'd use headphones for any serious binge-watching sessions. I was also surprised that its 1080p webcam actually produced decent footage, and it also lets you log into the A14 easily with Windows Hello IR support.
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
Should you buy the Zenbook A14?
Given the combined issues of Arm compatibility and a slow processor, I wouldn't recommend the Zenbook A14 as a primary computer for most people, even though it's priced like a true MacBook Air competitor. If anything, it's a bit of an experiment by ASUS to see what compromises consumers will tolerate to get such a lightweight laptop. Instead of an impossibly light and underpowered notebook, most people would be better off with something like the Zenbook 14 OLED, which currently sells for $1,050 with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Sure, it weighs 2.8 pounds instead of 2.2, but it's still pretty portable.
Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air, which starts at $999 with an M4 chip, is a half pound heavier than the Zenbook A14, but far more capable overall. Even the older M2 chip is faster than the Snapdragon X, and macOS has a wider selection of Arm-compatible apps, as well as faster emulation than Windows.
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
Wrap-up
If ASUS goal was to make an impressively premium ultra-light laptop, it almost got there with the Zenbook A14. While it outdoes the MacBook Air in weight and value, its slow processor makes it far less capable than Apples ultraportable. Perhaps one day, with future revisions and more capable hardware, ASUS could finally deliver a powerful near-two-pound laptop. For now, though, youre better off waiting for a discount so the A14 can serve as a secondary PC.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/asus-zenbook-a14-review-a-lightweight-in-every-sense-133013668.html?src=rss
Brazil has ordered Apple to allow users to bypass the App Store and sideload apps within 90 days, according a report in Valor Econômico seen by 9to5Mac. The new ruling follows similar orders issued in Europe and elsewhere that were referenced by the Brazilian court. "[Apple] has already complied with similar obligations in other countries, without demonstrating a significant impact or irreparable damage to its business model," wrote judge Pablo Zuniga.
Late last year, Brazil's antitrust regulator CADE ordered Apple to allow users to download apps and make purchases from outside its App Store, with a 20-day deadline and fines for not complying. However, Apple appealed that ruling on the grounds that the changes would be too difficult to implement within the time frame. The court agreed, calling the injunction "disproportionate and unnecessary," buying Apple more time but forcing it to face a public hearing in Brazil.
Following another appeal, this time by CADE, the court ordered Apple to allow sideloading and third-party app stores within the next three months or face fines.
The litigation was launched by the Latin American e-commerce firm Mercado Libre, which complained about developers being forced to pay hefty commissions through Apple's App Store. That was followed later by other developers including Match and Epic Games.
An Apple spokesperson told Valor Econômico that it believes in vibrant and competitive markets," but said that the changes will "harm the privacy and security" of iOS users. Apple plans to appeal the decision.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-must-allow-app-sideloading-in-brazil-within-90-days-judge-orders-130037196.html?src=rss
The Disney+ Hulu Duo Basic plan usually costs $11 a month, but the companies are giving a big discount this spring. You can secure four months of the joint Disney+ and Hulu streaming subscription for just $3 a month. That comes out to just $12 in total and a savings of $32 for the whole offer period. The deal is for new and returning subscribers and is only for the basic tier, which includes advertisements on both Disney+ and Hulu content. You can sign up for the sale price from today through March 30.
At a time when it feels like every streaming service, audio and video, is pushing their subscription costs ever-higher, it's a treat to get any amount of entertainment access for a discount. That's why we're big fans of the Disney+ Hulu Duo plans; even at the normal rate, it unites two of our favorite standalone content libraries in a single package that's a solid deal at its normal rates.
Snagging the basic tier for an even lower cost feels like a no-brainer, especially if you're invested in any facet of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, if you're counting the days until the second season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives or if you just like to hum along with Encanto in the background while you work.
Keep in mind that the ad-free Duo Premium plan isn't covered in this promotion, nor is the option that also bundles ESPN into the package. Access to Duo Premium will still run you $20 a month, while the Trio bundles begin at $17 a month.
Check out our coverage of the best streaming deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/four-months-of-the-disney-hulu-duo-basic-streaming-plan-is-on-sale-for-only-12-right-now-123511911.html?src=rss
Apple finally dropped some long-awaited updates this week: An M4 MacBook Air (now starting at $999!), M3 iPad Air, as well as a refreshed Mac Studio with M3 Ultra and M4 Max chips. In this episode, Cherlynn, Devindra and Deputy Editor Nathan Ingraham chat about all of Apple's new hardware, as well as some interesting tidbits from Mobile World Congress 2025. Devindra also dives into his reviews of NVIDIA's RTX 5070 and AMD's Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT. It turns out AMD has finally delivered some killer GPUs to counter NVIDIA's dominance.
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
MacBook Air refresh announced with an M4 chip and a slight price drop 2:04
Whats hot at Mobile World Congress 2025 23:10
Lenovos Solar PC 35:20
Xiaomi 15 Ultra (with a fancy Leica camera) 37:53
New releases from Nothing 39:16
Samsung releases a trio of A series devices 40:35
NVIDIA vs. AMD part : AMDs Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT edge out the GeForce RTX 5070 46:20
Pop culture picks 54:11
Credits
Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Cherlynn LowGuest: Nathan IngrahamProducer: Ben EllmanMusic: Dale North and Terrence O'BrienThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/engadget-podcast-the-m4-macbook-air-and-mobile-world-congress-2025-123012794.html?src=rss
Its been a weird time to dip into graphics cards, GPUs and another synonym for the GeForces and Radeons of this world.
AMD has tried for a while to undercut NVIDIA with slightly cheaper but less capable video cards but this time, with the Radeon 9070 and 9070 XT, it might have got the recipe right, especially in 4K and ray tracing performance.
Devindra Hardawar says the $599 Radeon 9070 XT, in particular, is a solid midrange GPU with excellent support for 1440p gaming and a bit of 4K. It has better ray tracing support than before, its faster than the plain Radeon 9070 and it finally has AI upscaling built in too. Not to mention, NVIDIAs similarly priced GPUs landed around the same time.
Its a good strategy better than fighting with NVIDIA at the extreme high end of GPUs. It makes more sense for AMD to focus on cards people can actually buy if you can.
Its a good time to look closer at that too. Buy. Hah! The gaming PC makers and people who need high-powered machines for their work know this already its a mess.
Not only is it impossible to find NVIDIAs 50 series GPU in stock, but as Igor Bonifacic noted, nearly every single model is way above NVIDIAs suggested price. This isnt a pandemic thing anymore, this isnt a crypto thing anymore (although thats stoked demand, of course).
Its like Taylor Swift tickets or a PS5 disc drive when the PS5 Pro broke cover its scalpers and opportunism from the middle-man companies that make the majority of GPUs out there.
Mat Smith
AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT review
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 review
The GPU market has broken foundations
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The Return of... Ask Engadget!
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Is there a robot vacuum that wont destroy phone cables? How is US trade policy going to affect the price of my next phone? Do I need another phone? Ask Engadget returns, with an entirely new email address: askmat(AT)engadget.com.
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Nothings Phone 3a Pro is cheap, capable and looks stylish
Only $459.
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A sub-$500 smartphone that Engadget can endorse is a rare feat, but Nothing might have nailed it. Despite a premium Nothing Phone 3 not even existing, the companys see-thru phone series shoots straight for the cheap midrange. Many of the specs, like periscope zoom, a 120Hz 6.77-inch screen and a huge 5,000mah battery are typically in phones that are several hundred dollars more. Its all wrapped in a design full of character too. Check out my first impressions and expect a full review very soon.
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Apple unveils the M4 MacBook Air, with a price drop
It starts at $999.
An upgraded laptop with a price drop? In this economy? The new MacBook Air, with an M4 chip, will retail at $999, down $100 from the previous starting price. There are still two size choices: 13-inch and 15-inch. RAM for the M2 and M3 laptops is 16GB by default, and the M4 model matches that standard. Apple is promising up to 18 hours of battery life, and the Airs will have support for Apple Intelligence. Theres also a new look in the lineup, with a sky blue color adding a new option beside the usual shades of gray.
Continue reading.
The best action cameras for 2025
All the top models from GoPro, DJI and Insta360.
Engadget has been testing action cameras for more than 16 years and with that experience, we can help you find the right model for your budget and needs. In the past, GoProwas the go-to choice for first-person action filming, whether its surfing, rock climbing or offroading. But now, you have more choice, with models also available from DJI and Insta360. We break down all the different form factors and our best choices.
Continue reading.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121555319.html?src=rss
It's an exciting day if you're a fan of the BBC and the Google TV Streamer. BBC iPlayer is finally available on the streaming platform almost six months after Google launched it, 9to5Google reports. Google certified its TV Streamer for use with BBC iPlayer back in November 2024.
BBC One and BBC Two are now under the TV streamer's Channels tab, while BBC iPlayer appears on the Google Play Store with a new download option. BBC iPlayer allows anyone to pays for a TV license in the UK to watch their favorite shows and movies live, on-demand or downloaded to their device. It has already been available for use on Google TV and Android TV.
Google launched its TV Streamer in September as a replacement for the Chromecast line. It retails for $100 and features a smart home panel that allows users to see and control devices like lights, thermostats and doorbell cameras. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/bbc-iplayer-is-now-available-on-googles-tv-streamer-110029855.html?src=rss
It's the second anniversary of the Playdate's Catalog game store and to celebrate, you can get a bunch of great Playdate games and apps at a healthy discount in many cases for 50 percent off or more.
The sale starts today, March 6, and ends on March 10 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. Over 150 Playdate games are on sale, but if you're looking for a good place to start, 13 titles from our list of the best Playdate games are currently discounted:
Echo: The Oracle's Scroll for $6, down from $8.
Angel Pop for $4, down from $6.
Mars After Midnight for $3, down from $6.
Summit for $4, down from $6.
Reel-istic Fishing for $5, down from $8.
Under the Castle for $6, down from $10.
Core Fault for $3, down from $6.
You're Gonna Miss the Bus! for $3, down from $6.
The Keyper for $1, down from $3.
You Cannot Go Back! for $1, down from $3.
Penrose for $1, down from $2.
Four Corners for $3, down from $6.
The Botanist for $6, down from $9.
That's on top of other great options you can buy, like the fast-paced puzzle game XTRIS for $3, historical RPG Quest for X for $1 or roguelite mining game SpaceRat Miner for $6. Panic, the creators of the Playdate, introduced Catalog as a supplement to the Playdate's first "Season" of games when it was still uncertain if another one was going to happen. The tiny handheld supports sideloading games from third-party stores like Itch, but Catalog offers a more curated selection if you don't want to spend time finding something good.
Now that Panic's confirmed that a second season of Playdate games is on the way in 2025, this Catalog sale is a perfect opportunity to stock up on anything you might have missed before the new season launches.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/a-big-playdate-sale-discounts-13-of-our-favorite-games-000040558.html?src=rss
