If you're looking to pre-order Apple's new Studio Display XDR monitor today but have an older Mac, beware of some potential issues. According to the compatibility list spotted by Apple Insider, the new display will only work at 60Hz and not at its full 120Hz refresh rate on some older and less powerful Silicon models. Moreover, support for older Intel Macs isn't mentioned at all for either the Studio Display XDR or cheaper Studio Display.
All Apple Silicon Macs will work with both monitors, including those with the oldest M1 chips, according to the support pages. However, the compatibility list for the Studio Display XDR includes this nugget: "Mac models with M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, and M3 support Studio Display XDR at up to 60Hz. All other Studio Display XDR features are supported." So even if you have a hotrod M1 Ultra-based Mac, the Studio Display XDR's refresh rate is capped at 60Hz — despite the fact that the chip can drive third-party monitors at 120Hz.
Similarly, only the iPad Pro M5 supports the Studio Display XDR at 120Hz, with all other compatible models (in the iPad Pro and iPad Air family) limited to 60Hz.
Intel Mac support isn't mentioned at all in the compatibility list for either display, though they may function in some limited manner when connected. Intel Macs just received their last new OS update with macOS Tahoe (and only three more years of security updates), but it's still surprising that they're not compatible with Apple's latest monitors.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/apples-new-studio-display-xdr-monitor-has-limited-functionality-on-older-silicon-macs-082212069.html?src=rss
Apple continues its gradual unveiling of new products this week with the launch of the Studio Display and an all-new 27-inch Studio Display XDR. The latter is a higher-end model aimed at content creators with a 27-inch 5K Retina XDR display that features a mini-LED display with 2,000-plus dimming zones, up to 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness and a wider color gamut for improved accuracy. It looks like a replacement for the expensive, nearly seven-year-old 32-inch 6K Pro XDR Display, which is no longer for sale on Apple's website.
The Studio Display XDR also has a 120Hz refresh rate, addressing complaints about the relatively anemic 60Hz refresh rate of previous models. At the same time, it comes standard with a new tilt- and height-adjustable stand, with a height range of 105mm.
Apple
Apple calls the Studio Display XDR the "world's best pro display" for things like HDR video editing and medical displays. Brightness levels are certainly outstanding at 1,000 nits SDR and 2,000 nits HDR, and the 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 80 percent Rec.2020 coverage are also top-notch. The new model should even be fine for some light gaming thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate and Adaptive Sync support, though many buyers may want a 32-inch or larger display like the now-discontinued Pro XDR model.
Other features include a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View support and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity with a second port for downstream high-speed accessories or additional daisy-chained displays. It can also act as a Thunderbolt hub, while offering up to 140W of charging power through the included Thunderbolt 5 Pro cable, enough to fast-charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Apple
Along with the Display XDR, Apple also announced a new version of the standard Studio Display. As before, it comes with a 27-inch 5K Retina display with up to 600 nits of brightness and P3 wide color, either with standard or optional nano-texture glass (a $300 option). However, it now includes an improved 12MP Center Stage camera along with Desk View to show your face and an overhead view of your desk at the same time. You also get a studio-quality three-microphone array and six speaker sound system with Spatial Audio.
That display now supports Thunderbolt 5 connectivity as well, providing higher-speed connections for accessories and the ability to daisy-chain displays. However, max charging power on this model is limited to 96W, still enough to fast-charge a 14-inch MacBook Pro. The Studio Display comes standard with a tilt-adjustable stand, but you can get it with a tilt- and height-adjustable standard for $400 more as before.
The Studio Display XDR will be available tomorrow for pre-order starting at $3,299, while the new Studio Display also goes on pre-order on March 4 starting at $1,599 without the nano-texture display or heigh-adjustable stand.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/apple-reveals-its-new-5k-mini-led-studio-display-xdr-141515587.html?src=rss
Users of Meta's AI smart glasses in Europe may be unknowingly sharing intimate video and sensitive financial information with moderators outside of the bloc, according to a report from Sweden's Svenska Dagbladetreleased last week. Employees in Kenya doing AI "annotation" told the journalists that they've seen people nude, using the toilet and engaging in sexual activity, along with credit card numbers and other sensitive information.
With Meta's Ray-Ban Display and other glasses with AI capabilities, users can record what they're looking at or get answers to questions via a Meta AI assistant. If a wearer wants to make use of that AI, though, they must agree to Meta's terms of service that allow any data captured to be reviewed by humans. That's because Meta's large language models (LLMs) often require people to annotate visual data so that the AI can understand it and build its training models.
This data can end up in places like Nairobi, Kenya, often moderated by underpaid workers. Such actions are subject to Europe's GDPR rules that require transparency about how personal data is processed, according to a data protection lawyer cited in the report.
However, Svenska Dagbladet's reporters said they needed to jump through some hoops to see Meta's privacy policy for its wearable products. That policy states that either humans or automated systems may review sensitive data, and puts the onus on the user to not share sensitive information.
Meta declined to comment directly on the story, and simply said that "when live AI is being used, we process that media according to the Meta AI Terms of Service and Privacy Policy." To find out more, check out Svenska Dagbladet's detailed reporting on the subject.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/metas-ai-display-glasses-reportedly-share-intimate-videos-with-human-moderators-135939855.html?src=rss
Google Home has some significant new quality-of-life updates and a new AI-powered feature, the division's head honcho Anish Katturkan announced on X. Many of them, including a function called "Live Search," are powered by the company's Gemini for Home service launched in October 2025 as the official replacement for Google Assistant on smart devices.
"We launched Gemini for Home in Early Access specifically to learn from real-world usage," Katturkaran said. "With millions of you now testing and shaping this experience every day, we're pushing regular voice improvements to address your feedback."
The Live Search feature does just what it says, letting you query Gemini about the current state of your home based on what the cameras see. For instance, you can ask things like "Hey Google, is there a car in the driveway?" However, the feature is only available for Google Home Premium advanced subscribers who pay a $20 per month ($200 per year) fee.
Gemini for Home now uses updated models to improve the quality and accuracy of answers too and will more reliably play newly-released songs. Other key updates include better targeting for smart home devices by room, house and device, reduced instances of cutting off a speaker prematurely, better reliability for user-created automations by voice and more. Too see all those changes, check out Google Home's latest changelog,
Finally, Google Home announced "enhanced support" for the Nest x Yale lock, including comprehensive passcode management (including for guests), a more robust activity history, real-time notifications for lock events and enhanced lock settings like single touch locking.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/googles-homes-latest-feature-is-gemini-powered-live-search-for-cameras-112216551.html?src=rss
Vivo barely has a presence outside of China but that seems to be changing with the company's next flagship phone. At Mobile World Conference 2026, the company unveiled the X300 Ultra smartphone that comes with a 200MP telephoto sensor, along with multiple accessories designed for pro photographers and content creators, including a SmallRig video cage and 400mm Zeiss telephoto extender lens.
Vivo didn't go into detail about the phone's specs, but you can likely expect a high-end processor, screen, battery and other internal components when it's fully unveiled later on. Vivo did say that like the X300 Pro, the X300 Ultra will have an impressive 200MP telephoto sensor, and is likely to offer features like 4K 120fps Dolby Vision HDR recording. Vivo's Daniel Goetz said it couldn't yet reveal the specs for its primary camera sensor — which will likely be deeply involved with the new device's push into video.
Mat Smith for Engadget
Another thing Vivo revealed is that you'll be able to get the Vivo X300 Ultra with a 400mm equivalent lens accessory called the Vivo Zeiss Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra. That will allow about an 8x zoom compared to the native field-of-view, plus much more when combined with the high-quality digital zoom. It will also offer "gimbal-grade" optical image stabilization and motion-tracking focus technology, Vivo says.
The device's camera mount is part of an ecosystem that remains consistent with the X200 Pro, so the camera automatically reads the connected lens. This means the first-gen telephoto extender will also work with Vivo's newest flagship. The large 1/1.4-inch telephoto sensor and high megapixel count allow shooting up to 30x zoom (roughly 800mm) while retaining high levels of detail, according to Vivo.
Along with the lens, Vivo is introducing a "pro-grade camera cage" designed by the well-known accessory company SmallRig. It's expandable and offers multiple cold shoe mounts and quick-release ports so you can easily add things like handles, lights and microphones. It also comes with dedicated physical buttons for tactile shutter and zoom adjustment, plus a multi-level piezo cooling fan to keep the phone running cool. You also get an "External Lens Expansion Frame" to accommodate the X300 Ultra Telephoto Extender. Other SmallRig collaborations include Bluetooth connected gri controllers, which you can see above, mounted on the X300 Pro.
During a brief teaser presentation, we learned a few more details. The telephoto camera will include three degrees of optical image stabilization, and you'll be able to shoot video in Log with your favorite LUT active in the X300 Ultra's preview view. The video you record, however, will still be an unedited Log file. Color grading will also be available inside the device.
For videographers, it will also natively support ACES (Academy Color Science), making it easier to fit into professional workflows in DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut Pro without requiring specific color conversion.
Mat Smith for Engadget
Vivo showed off the phone at MWC 2026 in Barcelona to a fair amount of enthusiasm. The company emphasized that the X300 Ultra will be the first device in the series to reach international markets, including all European regions in which it already does business. It didn't specify the price. The X300 Pro costs about €1,400 in Europe. Availability in the US is still TBC.
The move, Vivo said, "signals Vivo's more proactive and confident approach to expanding its presence in the global premium smartphone segment." Given the likely price, though, it's debatable if pro creators will want to buy this instead of, say, a pretty nice mirrorless camera and lens.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/vivos-x300-ultra-goes-global-and-gets-a-huge-400mm-zeiss-telephoto-lens-105058478.html?src=rss
Motorola has unveiled the Edge 70 Fusion, its latest mid-range model with an impressive display and OIS-enabled camera with a Sony sensor. Though other specs are modest, the cameras, display and Pantone-inspired, fabric-like colors make it a good choice for fashion-forward and budget conscious buyers in Europe and other (non-US) territories.
The Edge 70 Fusion is a more modestly specced version of last year's Edge 70 that's thicker at 7.2mm compared to 5.9mm but has a better screen. Motorola says it has the world's first "quad-curved" display that folds into the sides for smoother lines and a more elegant look. The AMOLED screen is also huge at 6.78 inches and has a 144Hz refresh rate with Pantone-validated color accuracy, while hitting a peak 5,200 nit brightness, easily enough for sunny outdoor use.
Motorola
The 50MP main camera is also impressive, using Sony's Lytia 710 sensor with optical image stabilization and an f/1.8 aperture. That's accompanied by a 13MP ultra-wide macro camera and a 32MP from selfie camera with 4K recording.
The Edge 70 fusion is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 with Cortex-A720 and A520 cores, along with an Adreno 810 GPU, promising about a 15 percent bump in performance over the last model. It supports 68W wired (no wireless) fast charging and carries a 5,200mAh battery. It will be relatively tough as well, with IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings and MIL-STD-810H durability.
It's a solid value with prices starting at $430 in Europe (about $503) when it goes on sale later this month in colors like Patone Orient Blue, Pantone Country Air and Pantone Sporting Green. There's no indication that it will be available in the US, though.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/motorolas-edge-70-fusion-phone-has-a-huge-curved-144hz-display-093035809.html?src=rss
Qualcomm's Snapdragon Elite chips are reserved for the best Android phones and laptops, and now the company has introduced the first in the Elite series for wearables. The Snapdragon Wear Elite processor is designed for smartwatches and AI devices like pendants and promises up to a fivefold increase in single-thread CPU performance, Qualcomm announced.
The new processor is built on a 3nm process to improve speed and efficiency over previous models, while boosting the number of cores to five (one big core at 2.1GHz and 4 little cores at 1.9GHz). With those changes, the company is promising up to five times faster single-threaded performance, with GPU speeds boosted up to seven times.
Qualcomm
The Snapdragon Wear Elite is also equipped with a new NPU that allows low-power AI use cases like keyword recognition along with noise cancellation. It's also the first Snapdragon wearable processor with a dedicated Hexagon NPU supporting AI models with two billion parameters. That will allow new "personal AI experiences," the company said, like context-aware recommendations, natural voice interactions, life logging and AI agents that can orchestrate tasks on your behalf.
Wear OS devices with the chip should see up to 30 percent improved battery life and charging speeds of up to 50 percent in ten minutes. It also allows for more types of connectivity, including 5G reduced capability, micro-power Wi-Fi, NB-NTN for satellites, Bluetooth 6.0, GNSS and UWB. However, manufacturers will be able to source versions of the chip without some of those wireless features.
Whether the Snapdragon Wear Elite will give Wear OS watch manufacturers a better chance to chip into the 50-plus percent market share of Apple's Watch remains to be seen. The first devices using the chip will start to ship in the "next few months," Qualcomm said. "Leading global partners are supporting the platform including Google, Motorola and Samsung."
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/qualcomms-snapdragon-wear-elite-chip-is-made-for-smartwatches-and-ai-devices-080744412.html?src=rss
Google will finally be able to provide real-time driving and walking directions in South Korea, The New York Times reported. The company has received permission from the nation's Transport Ministry to export geographic data out of the country, which will allow it to provide GPS services as well as detailed listings for restaurants and other businesses.
"We welcome today’s decision and look forward to our ongoing collaboration with local officials to bring a fully functioning Google Maps to Korea," Google's senior executive Cris Turner told the NYT in a statement. However, the approval is contingent “on the condition that strict security requirements are met,” a spokesperson from the Transport Ministry said. Those conditions reportedly restrict Google from displaying sensitive military sites and longitude and latitude coordinates.
South Korea has generally restricted the export of 1/5000 scale map data over national security concerns, as it's still technically at war with its neighbor North Korea. Google hasn't been able to provide mapping directions or business details since it arrived in the nation, though it has applied twice in 2007 and 2016.
This lack of data sharing has reportedly been a bone of contention in trade talks with the US. Google argued that it was unfairly handicapped by the restrictions that allowed local apps like Naver to thrive.
However, critics in the nation have expressed concern that Google could now come in and monopolize the market. "If Naver and Kakao are weakened or pushed out and Google later raises prices, that becomes a monopoly. Then, even companies that rely on map services — logistics firms, for example — become dependent [on Google]," geography professor Choi Jin-mu told Reuters.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-maps-will-finally-be-usable-in-south-korea-104301396.html?src=rss
Despite an ultimatum from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Anthropic said that it can't "in good conscience" comply with a Pentagon edict to remove guardrails on its AI, CEO Dario Amodei wrote in a blog post. The Department of Defense had threatened to cancel a $200 million contract and label Anthropic a "supply chain risk" if it didn't agree to remove safeguards over mass surveillance and autonomous weapons.
"Our strong preference is to continue to serve the Department and our warfighters — with our two requested safeguards in place," Amodei said. "We remain ready to continue our work to support the national security of the United States."
In response, US Under Secretary of Defense Emil Michael accused Amodei in a post on X of wanting "nothing more than to try to personally control the US military and is OK putting our nation's safety at risk."
The standoff began when the Pentagon demanded that Anthropic its Claude AI product available for "all lawful purposes" — including mass surveillance and the development of fully autonomous weapons that can kill without human supervision. Anthropic refused to offer its tech for those things, even with a "safety stack" built into that model.
Yesterday, Axios reported that Hegseth gave Anthropic a deadline of 5:01 PM on Friday to agree to the Pentagon's terms. At the same time, the DoD requested an assessment of its reliance on Claude, an initial step toward potentially labelling Anthropic as a "supply chain risk" — a designation usually reserved for firms from adversaries like China and "never before applied to an American company," Anthropic wrote.
Amodei declined to change his stance and stated that if the Pentagon chose to offboard Anthropic, "we will work to enable a smooth transition to another provider, avoiding any disruption to ongoing military planning, operations or other critical missions." Grok is one of the other providers the DoD is reportedly considering, along with Google's Gemini and OpenAI.
It may not be that simple for the military to disentangle itself from Claude, however. Up until now, Anthropic's model has been the only one allowed for the military's most sensitive tasks in intelligence, weapons development and battlefield operations. Claude was reportedly used in the Venezuelan raid in which the US military exfiltrated the country's president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife.
AI companies have been widely criticized for potential harm to users, but mass surveillance and weapons development would clearly take that to a new level. Anthropic's potential reply to the Pentagon was seen as a test of its claim to be the most safety-forward AI company, particularly after dropping its flagship safety pledge a few days ago. Now that Amodei has responded, the focus will shift to the Pentagon to see if it follows through on its threats, which could seriously harm Anthropic.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-refuses-to-bow-to-pentagon-despite-hegseths-threats-085553126.html?src=rss
Netflix has unveiled a trailer for its upcoming documentary Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere set to arrive on March 11th. It will be the first full-length Netflix documentary for Theroux, and see him interview "manosphere" influencers like Sneako, Justin Waller and HS Tikky Tokky, aka Harrison Sullivan. "I’ve made documentaries for over 30 years now, and in a way, this subject feels like the final boss," the filmmaker told GQ.
"From Miami to Marbella, meet the men that are reshaping and radicalising young men’s ideas about masculinity and manhood," Netflix's description reads. In the trailer, we see Theroux interview the influencers and get the tables turned on himself. "I know that they would be streaming or filming me and would put that content out," Theroux told Deadline. "And I hoped we’d get this feedback loop where there was a meta narrative that was then affecting my approach to the story."
On top of making documentaries (and being famous for Jiggle Jiggle), Theroux is known for his Louis Theroux Interviews... podcast in which he interviews stars like Sean Penn and Florence Pugh. Prior to that, he did stories on conspiracy theories, UFOS and the porn industry, topics that he said were once niche but are now driving the internet and culture.
"I wouldn’t be the first to point out that a lot of this is down to the influence of social media and the way in which it has given vent to the darkest parts of the human soul. Not just given vent to them, but actively amplified them and pushed them into our feeds. So yeah, this is not a niche subject."
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/watch-the-trailer-for-louis-therouxs-new-documentary-inside-the-manosphere-131726113.html?src=rss