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LinkedIn has long been a platform for showing off professional accomplishments. Now, the company is leaning into the rise of vibe coding by allowing users to show off their proficiency with various AI coding tools directly on their profiles.The company is partnering with Replit, Lovabl, Descript and Relay.app on the feature and is working on integrations with fellow Microsoft-owned GitHub as well as Zapier. LinkedIn has always allowed users to add various skills and certifications to their profiles. But what makes the latest update a bit different is that users aren't self-reporting their own qualifications. Instead, LinkedIn is allowing the companies behind the AI tools to assess an individual's relative skill and assign a level of proficiency that goes directly to their profile. For example, AI app maker Lovabl could award someone a "bronze" in "vibe coding," while the platform Replit uses numerical levels and Relay.app may determine that someone is an "intermediate" level "AI Agent Builder," according to screenshots shared by LinkedIn. These levels should dynamically update as people get more experience using the relevant tools, according to LinkedIn. Lovabl's vibe coding rating system.LinkedInOf course, the update also comes at a time when companies have used these same kinds of AI tools to lay off thousands of workers. So while there's may be value in showing off your vibe coding skills, there are still many workers who likely aren't as excited about ceding more ground to AI. When I asked, LinkedIn's head of career products Pat Whealan about this he said that AI-specific skills are an increasingly important signal to recruiters and the latest update will make it easier for them to assess candidates' skills. But he added that the intention isn't to make AI-specific skills the sole focus. "This is less about replacing any of those other existing signals, and more about showing new ways that people are doing work," he tells Engadget. "And how do we give a verifiable signal to both hirers and other people looking at their profile, that they actually are using these tools on a regular basis."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/linkedin-will-let-you-show-off-your-vibe-coding-expertise-140000776.html?src=rss
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Last summer, Google announced that Android 16 would include a desktop interface built from Samsung DeX, a mirroring and phone integration tool for PC. Thanks to a (now permissions-restricted) bug report discovered on Google's Issue Tracker, we have what is almost certainly a first look at the Android-on-desktop project, codenamed Aluminium OS. First spotted by 9to5Google, the bug report was about Chrome incognito tabs and included two screen recordings. The description said the recordings were from an HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook. The video shows a 'chrome://version/' page where one can see the OS listed as Android 16. 9to5Google also said the bug report listed "ALOS" as the operating system, understood to stand for Aluminium OS, along with a corresponding build number that matches the one seen in the screen recordings. The UI looks like a clear blend of ChromeOS and Android aesthetics, with an Android-style taskbar across the bottom and status bar across the top, with familiar battery and Wi-Fi indicators. The videos also show the Play Store, windowed apps, split-screen multitasking and a version of Chrome with an extensions button, which is currently only available on the desktop version. Google has yet to comment on the leak, so users may have to wait for future Android 16 updates for a more in-depth look at the upcoming desktop experience.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/our-first-look-at-googles-android-for-pc-interface-leaks-in-a-bug-report-133006008.html?src=rss
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The UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is recommending measures to give publishers more control over how their content is used in Googles AI overviews. The aim is to provide a fairer deal for content publishers, particularly news organizations, the CMAs chief executive Sarah Cardell said in a press release. With Google accounting for more than 90 percent of search inquiries in the UK, the CMA recently designated the company with strategic market status for search under the Digital Market Act. That allows the regulator to apply conduct requirements on Google to promote competition and avoid antitrust issues.With those new powers, the CMA proposed a number of measures today. The first is a set of controls that would allow publishers to opt out of their content being used for features like AI Overviews or to train AI models. Google would also need to properly attribute publisher content. Another measure would require Google to apply fair search result rankings for businesses, with an effective process for raising and investigating issues. Google would also need to provide a choice screen for alternative search options on Android mobile and Chrome browsers. These targeted and proportionate actions would give UK businesses and consumers more choice and control over how they interact with Googles search services as well as unlocking greater opportunities for innovation across the UK tech sector and broader economy, Cardell said in a statement.In response, Google wrote that its exploring updates to let sites specifically opt out of Search generative AI features. The aim, it said, is to keep search helpful for people who want information quickly while allowing publishers to better manage content. Any new controls need to avoid breaking Search in a way that leads to a fragmented or confusing experience for people, the company wrote, adding that its optimistic it can meet the CMAs requirements.When its new designation was announced in October 2025, Google complained that some of the proposed interventions would inhibit UK innovation and growth. Citing a study, the company said that similar measures imposed by the European Union produced negative results that have cost businesses $114 billion.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/uk-wants-to-give-web-publishers-a-fairer-deal-with-googles-ai-overviews-132742850.html?src=rss
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Rarely does a set of open-fit earbuds actually impress me. I tend to find them underwhelming because overall sound quality is subpar compared to the more traditional in-ear models. Any promise of noise reduction, or a far-fetched claim of noise cancellation, usually doesnt hold true. The first time I used the Shokz OpenFit Pro ($249.95) I was immediately met with better audio performance than Id just experienced on Sonys new LinkBuds Clip and noise reduction technology that actually lessened some distractions. These arent the perfect set of open earbuds, but they have a lot more to offer than most of the competition. Design Shokz has a number of over-the-ear hook earbud designs under its belt, and they all carry the OpenFit name. That is also an apt description of these products since they all sit outside of your ear canal, which inherently allows you to remain aware of your surroundings. The company currently offers the OpenFit 2 and 2+ in addition to the OpenFit Air, at prices ranging from $120 to $200. The OpenFit Pro looks similar to its predecessors, albeit with a slightly smaller main housing and more pops of silver. Those ear hooks have a titanium wire inside and are wrapped in ultra-soft silicone. Theyre plenty flexible and provide a secure yet comfortable fit for daily wear and workouts. Both earbuds of the OpenFit Pro have tiny physical controls for media playback, volume adjustments, calls and noise settings. The various actions are customizable through the Shokz app. During several weeks of testing, these buttons responded quickly to my clicks and using them didnt cause the OpenFit Pro to shift out of place. The OpenFit Pro comes with a charging case that's larger than most other earbuds, which is understandable since Shokz had to accommodate that ear hook. However, the case is quite flat, so it doesnt take up too much room and easily fits in a small pocket. Theres a USB-C port around back for charging and a Bluetooth pairing button inside. The case also supports wireless charging, if your charging pad is large enough. Noise reduction vs. noise cancellation The OpenFit Pro is the first set of Shokz earbuds with what the company calls Open-Ear Noise Reduction. This is essentially the companys take on active noise cancellation (ANC), but its designed to be effective with earbuds that dont enter your ear canals. Since your ears aren't completely sealed off from the noise of the outside world, Shokz is limited in just how much sound it can reduce. But Im happy to report the companys microphone and algorithm combo is actually quite effective. Shokz says its noise reduction works best in moderately loud environments, like offices and cafes. Ive found the OpenFit Pro does well to reduce the distraction of constant noise sources like HVAC systems, fans and white noise machines. The earbuds completely silenced a particularly raucous HVAC fan in my hotel room during CES. It's not the most effective at cutting down environmental noise, but in exchange you get a more comfortable set of earbuds while also remaining somewhat alert and aware of your surroundings Other OpenFit Pro features The rectangular housings of the OpenFit Pro hold larger drivers Billy Steele for Engadget The OpenFit Pro is Shokz most premium set of earbuds, so the features dont end at noise reduction. Head tracking, customizable EQ, multipoint pairing, find my earbuds and wear detection are also available here. The companys app displays battery percentages for each earbud and the case right at the top of the main screen with access to the rest of its tools just below. You dont have to go searching and tapping through menus until youve found what youre looking for. As someone who has to contend with a lot of headphone apps, I appreciate when all of the options are quickly available from the home screen. Like other companies offer on their open-type earbuds, Shokz has given the EQ settings a few presets specifically designed for the open nature of the product. Those include a Vocal option that boosts mids for audiobooks or calls and a Private mode that reduces high frequency sounds to prevent leakage. I usually kept the OpenFit Pro around 70 percent volume, which is loud enough that a nearby neighbor in a quiet room could hear the muffled rage of Incendiarys Echo of Nothing. Another audio feature thats worth mentioning is Dolby Atmos support. More specifically, the OpenFit Pro is optimized for Dolby Atmos, thanks in part to the aforementioned Dolby Head Tracking. You can disable the enhanced audio and head tracking individually in the Shokz app, but I found leaving Atmos on all the time, even when I wasnt listening to Dolby Atmos music, gave the earbuds a more immersive, more detailed sound profile. Sound quality and calls Overall sound quality is another area where the OpenFit Pro shines. Many open-design earbuds struggle to manage much bass or detailed highs, both of which Shokz has addressed with its driver design. Dual 11x20mm diaphragms power a larger, rectangular driver thats the equivalent of a 16.7mm round driver ina normal set of earbuds. For comparison, most in-ear models typically use 10-12mm drivers, with smaller designs housing 6-8mm units. Shokz says it tuned the OpenFit Pro with what it calls OpenBass 2.0 and DirectPitch 3.0, features that provide better bass performance and audio thats beamed more directly into your ears. All of that combines for some truly impressive audio performance in a set of open earbuds. The OpenFit Pro still doesnt muster the bombastic bass that earbuds like the WF-1000XM5 offer, but the low-end performance here is greatly improved over other open models like the LinkBuds Clip. While Thrices Silhouette still has enough driving kick drum, bass guitar and riffs to do the track justice, there isnt as deep of a growl as the song has on flagship options from Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. The OpenFit Pro case is large, but it's not overly bulky Billy Steele for Engadget Theres also more clarity and detail in the tuning here than on other open models, which is on full display when listening to albums like Wet Legs alternative masterpiece moisturizer. I love how I can hear the texture of the guitars and drums, and even the vocals, which are the kind of subtle details open earbuds typically lack. I should also mention that overall sound quality will depend on how the OpenFit Pro sits on your ears. I can easily improve the bass tone if I slightly push the earbuds in closer to my ear canals, but all of the observations I just made were with the earbuds in their natural resting position. Shokz says the three-microphone setup that assists with its noise reduction tech also helps with calls. That configuration, combined with AI-powered voice recognition, should be able to block over 99 percent of background noise and deliver sharper vocal clarity overall. While that first part holds true the OpenFit Pro does a great job canceling any ambient roar the overall voice quality here is below average. It will certainly work for casual chats, but I wouldnt recommend it for regular work calls or any scenario where you might need to record what youre saying. My voice sounded muffled during calls and voice memos, more like I would over speakerphone than a set of carefully tuned earbuds. OpenFit Pro battery life Shokz promises up to 12 hours of battery life on the OpenFit Pro with up to 50 hours of total use when you factor in the charging case. Thats with noise reduction disabled though; you can expect up to six hours with that turned on (24 hours total with the case). During weeks of testing, I never encountered any issues hitting those figures and the OpenFit Pro never struggled to get through a full work day of music, podcasts and calls using a combination of the default Open Mode and Noise Reduction mode. As I mentioned, the charging case can be topped up wirelessly if you have a compatible accessory thats large enough. And if you find yourself with a pair of completely dead earbuds, Shokz includes a quick-charge feature that gives you up to four hours of use in 10 minutes. The competition The OpenFit Pro earbuds sitting in their charging case Billy Steele for Engadget If youre looking for something that closely resembles the design of the OpenFit Pro, Shokz other OpenFit models are likely your best alternatives. The $200 OpenFit 2+ offers 11 hours of battery life and Dolby Audio with both physical buttons and touch controls. The most affordable option, the OpenFit Air ($120), lasts up to six hours on a charge but doesnt have enhanced audio or wireless charging. As you step down from the OpenFit Pro, youre missing out on noise reduction, Dolby Atmos and longer battery life. JBL will soon have three models of its own to rival the Shokz OpenFit line. The Soundgear Sense is currently available for $165 and the Sense Pro and Sense Lite are coming in March for $200 and $150, respectively. These all have a variety of seemingly handy features, but none of them offer any kind of noise reduction and they all have shorter battery life than the OpenFit Pro and OpenFit 2+. I also cannot vouch for them as I havent tested any of JBLs open designs yet. Wrap-up Shokz has achieved a rare feat. The company managed to build a set of open-fit earbuds that retain all of those inherent benefits while also providing some relief from distractions with noise reduction. No, the over-the-ear hook design isnt for everyone especially if you wear glasses but the comfy, secure fit and IP55 rating make these a great choice for workouts. The OpenFit Pro is also good enough to be your all-around set of earbuds, and that noise reduction can be beneficial in the office or your favorite work from home space. Sound quality is better than youll find on most open earbuds as well, but youll probably enjoy not having anyting crammed into your ears most. And you dont have to make too many sacrifices here for that satisfaction. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/shokz-openfit-pro-review-reducing-distractions-while-keeping-your-ears-open-130000443.html?src=rss
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China has agreed to import its first batch of NVIDIAs H200 AI chips after the government initially rejected the idea, Reuters reported. Several hundred thousand H200 chips were approved for sale in the country following NVIDIAs CEO Jensen Huangs visit there last week, according to two people familiar with the matter. The US government allowed the sale of NVIDIAs H200 processors to vetted and approved companies in China late last year. The first sales have been allocated mainly to three unnamed Chinese internet companies and the government is accepting applications for future approvals, according to the sources. NVIDIAs most powerful AI chip, the Blackwell B200, is still restricted for export to China. Despite that, over $1 billion worth of those and other high-end NVIDIA chips made their way to China via black market sales, according to previous reports. The H200 is NVIDIAs second most powerful AI GPU behind the B200, which is reportedly 10 times faster for some jobs. However, the H200 is still far more capable than NVIDIAs H20, which was the only chip approved for export to China prior to the Trump administrations H200 approval in December. Initially, Chinas government rejected that chip in favor of domestically developed semiconductors.China is trying to become self-reliant for its AI chips and infrastructure, with Huawei currently offering the best processors domestically. However, AI chip experts have said NVIDIA's tech is still far ahead of anything that Huawei or other Chinese companies can currently produce.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/china-finally-approves-the-first-batch-of-nvidia-h200-ai-gpu-imports-130000335.html?src=rss
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