Renders show off Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26+

It looks like Samsung is sticking with its Plus line of Galaxy phones, according to a report by Android Headlines. This comes after rumors swirled that the company would be dropping the Plus line in favor of the slim Edge handset. This report indicates that not only is Samsung keeping the Plus, but it's ditching the well-reviewed Edge entirely.

A leaker has given us a peek at the forthcoming S26+ and it looks similar to the company's other modern smartphones. The camera island has been tweaked a bit. The leak shows a small, raised camera island, which is different from the design of the S25+.

Also, the leaked images seem to suggest that the S26+ won't have the full-width camera that was rumored to be coming with the S26 Edge. That phone is now reportedly cancelled, so we don't know when we'll get that camera.

The publication suggests that the S26+ will be 7.35mm thick, which is in line with the S25+. It also seems to be decidedly chunkier than the S25 Edge, so this is likely not a covert rebrand. The Verge has suggested that the company is also ditching the long-rumored S26 Pro. In other words, we'll likely be getting a standard S26, the S26+ and the S26 Ultra next year. That's the same naming convention as this year.

We won't have too long to wait for actual details from Samsung. The company typically reveals new Galaxy phones sometime in January. It's been reported that Samsung is dropping the Edge due to poor sales. However, Dutch fansite Galaxy Club has reported that the company is still developing a slim handset for release sometime in the coming years.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/renders-show-off-samsungs-upcoming-galaxy-s26-194014359.html?src=rss

Northern lights could be visible in 15 states this week

US residents across 15 states could be in for a show tonight and throughout the week. Incoming coronal mass ejections may spark geomagnetic storms that blaze up the northern lights for all to see, according to a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Forecasters anticipate geomagnetic activity and aurora displays from November 10 until November 12 in states such as New York, Minnesota, Iowa and Alaska, among others. This is due to a trio of coronal mass ejections that began on November 7.

This week's view.
NOAA

As previously stated, the latest NOAA aurora forecast map notes that 15 US states are fully or partially above the view line. This isn't an exact science, as it's entirely possible that those living below the view line could get a glimpse of something in the night sky. Auroras are fickle, so it's also possible that the lightshow will be understated. A number of conditions have to align for the perfect display.

If you're planning on heading out tonight for a look, here are some tips. Make sure to find a north-facing vantage point with a clear view of the horizon. You want to be as far from light pollution as possible, so head away from large cities. Use a mobile phone to scan the skies as the camera is actually better at picking up faint lights before being visible to the naked eye. This can help pinpoint where to focus attention.

The last truly powerful and widespread aurora event in the US took place last year. That geomagnetic storm was one of the strongest in the past two decades. It's unlikely this week's activity will be quite as striking.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/northern-lights-could-be-visible-in-15-states-this-week-180056871.html?src=rss

Resident Evil’s mobile spinoff arrives on November 18

Capcom has announced that its Resident Evil mobile spinoff will be available on November 18. Resident Evil Survival Unit will be downloadable in more than 150 countries throughout the world via iOS and Android. This title is free to play, but you know the drill. There will be plenty of stuff available to buy in the game.

We've been tracking this one for a while and it certainly looks intriguing. Survival Unit is a strategy game, complete with base-building mechanics and real-time battles "against powerful creatures inspired by the Resident Evil universe."

The major hook here is that you can play as characters from across the franchise, like Leon S. Kennedy, Jill Valentine and Claire Redfield. How can these protagonists exist in the same game? It's all thanks to some multiversal shenanigans. The title is set in a parallel universe, which also opens up the door for more unannounced characters to show up.

Resident Evil Survival Unit is being co-developed by Joycity, the company behind 3on3 FreeStyle Rebound, and Aniplex, which made Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2. Both devs are working "in close collaboration" with Capcom.

Hopefully this will tide folks over while waiting for the next mainline franchise title, Resident Evil Requiem. This is technically Resident Evil 9 and it comes out on February 26, 2026.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/resident-evils-mobile-spinoff-arrives-on-november-18-161418205.html?src=rss

TCL’s new budget-friendly QLED TV line starts at $600

TCL just announced a new line up of budget-friendly QLED TVs with plenty of bells and whistles. The T7 Series offers quantum dot technology and a native refresh rate of 144Hz. The sets are available in multiple sizes, from 55-inches all the way up to 85-inches. That last one will certainly fill up the living room.

They also ship with the company's proprietary AI processor that automatically optimizes color, contrast and clarity. This should lead to some stunning 4K HDR performance. To that end, the TVs integrate with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

The sound is also on point here. The televisions offer Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital+ audio processing. The whole thing is powered via Google TV that allows for hands-free voice control via built-in microphones.

The prices here are fairly reasonable, considering the tech involved. These TVs start at $600 for the 55-inch model and go up to $1,400 for the 85-inch model. We don't have a release date just yet. 

These aren't the only interesting displays the company has announced this year. The QM6K Mini LED is available in sizes up to 98-inches, with a starting price of $700 for the smallest model. The QM7K is another Mini LED that ships with Bang & Olufsen speakers.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/tcls-new-budget-friendly-qled-tv-line-starts-at-600-140024183.html?src=rss

Amazon is testing an AI tool that automatically translates books into other languages

Amazon just introduced an AI tool that will automatically translate books into other languages. The appropriately-named Kindle Translate is being advertised as a resource for authors that self publish on the platform.

The company says the tool can translate entire books between English and Spanish and German to English. Amazon promises that more languages are coming down the pike. It's available right now in a beta form to select authors enrolled in the Kindle Direct Publishing platform. There's a broader rollout planned for a later date.

Books that use this service will have a clear Kindle Translate label, which might serve as a warning to consumers. Translating a book isn't a matter of just swapping out words. There's a whole lot of nuance and intent behind those words and it's unclear if the algorithm will be able to handle all of that. Major literary works often take years to get a decent translation out the door. Just ask Americans who often have to wait eons to gobble up the latest book by someone like Haruki Murakami.

This is a modern AI tool, so it's worth considering potential hallucinations. Nothing ruins a read more than a nonsensical chapter that was completely made up by a bot. Amazon does say that "all translations are automatically evaluated for accuracy before publication." Authors can preview the content before publishing it, but they are unlikely to know the language it's being translated into. We'll have to see how this all shakes out.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/amazon-is-testing-an-ai-tool-that-automatically-translates-books-into-other-languages-183056809.html?src=rss

Lego’s Star Trek USS Enterprise set arrives on Black Friday

There's an official Lego set that recreates the iconic Enterprise-D from Star Trek: The Next Generation, after first being teased a few months back. It'll be available on November 28 at a cost of $400. That's Black Friday, for those at home keeping score.

This is a fairly large set, with 3,600 pieces and all kinds of knick-knacks pulled from the show. It ships with nine minifigures, including Captain Picard, Guinan and Worf. Riker even comes with a trombone and Data accompanies his beloved cat, Spot. Every main character is here, even Wesley Crusher. Ensign Ro Laren makes an appearance, for those who want to recreate the crackling tension between her and Picard.

The ship itself is represented in all of its glory. The saucer section is detachable and there's a shuttle bay door that opens. Inside, there are two cute little shuttlepods. All told, the model measures around 10.5 inches tall, 23.5 inches long and 18.5 inches wide. It comes with a stand so it'll look great on that Trek-themed mantle.

The set will be available for preorder soon, but we don't have an actual date on that. It costs $400. Now that we finally have an official Lego Enterprise, where is the Lego Voyager and Lego Deep Space Nine? Get on that.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/legos-star-trek-uss-enterprise-set-arrives-on-black-friday-173414532.html?src=rss

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s first DLC launches on December 10

The first paid DLC for Pokemon Legends: Z-A arrives on December 10, which is a mere seven weeks after the game originally hit store shelves. Mega Dimension costs $30, which might pour more gasoline on the "Nintendo charges too much" fire. However, there's plenty of neat stuff coming with this update for Switch and Switch 2. 

First of all, there's a sizable post-game story. The current title isn't completely devoid of post-game content, but doesn't have much by way of story. This will be a good way to get back in touch with the various denizens of Lumiose City. Speaking of, the trailer shows an iconic character or two returning from Pokémon X and Y who were missing from Z-A.

The story looks to involve travel to an alternate dimension of some kind, thanks to the legendary Pokémon Hoopa. This means that players will traverse a different version of Lumiose City, complete with plenty of new Pokémon to catch. These include creatures that aren't actually native to the region, including standouts like Baxcalibur and Corviknight.

Pokémon will also be able to beef up past level 100 in the DLC, giving players another reason to grind beyond shiny hunting. We don't know if the interdimensional Lumiose City will include new collectibles, like an updated batch of hidden Colorful Screws. I sure hope so. I love parkouring around the city.

This isn't the only DLC available for the game. Game Freak actually just dropped a little free update with a new sidequest. Use the game's Mystery Gift function to unlock it.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is legitimately a fun game, despite what folks on the internet want you to think. They aren't completely in the wrong. It can be buggy. The graphics don't exactly scream "AAA title in 2025" and the tutorial section is pretty annoying. The city could use a bit more life and the map can be confusing. It's still super fun, even if Wild Zone 17 will likely haunt my dreams for years to come.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/pokemon-legends-z-as-first-dlc-launches-on-december-10-162144665.html?src=rss

Overcooked 2 drops for Switch 2 today and it makes full use of Camera Play

The Switch 2 edition of Overcooked 2 drops today, which is something we've known was coming since September. Now it's here and ready to ruin relationships and friendships.

The developer promises "enhanced graphics in-line with PC" and 4K 60 fps gameplay when docked. This should be a night-and-day graphical upgrade when compared to the original Switch version.

Perhaps the biggest news here is Camera Play integration. This is a feature exclusive to Nintendo's new console and it leverages a connected camera to throw up the faces of players under their avatars. Overcooked 2 is already a frantic experience, but now you'll be able to see the look on the faces of your friends as you royally screw up a burger order.

It's worth noting that the Switch 2 doesn't come with a camera, but the company offers one as a standalone accessory. It also integrates with many USB-C cameras, including this Mario-themed work of art.

The Switch 2 version also works with Game Share, which lets people hop onto a multiplayer match without actually owning the game. Basically, the person who owns the game "shares" it with someone who doesn't.

It's also cross-platform with the original Switch, which is neat given the massive user base. Upgrading seems like a simple affair, as DLC, save files and star ratings all carry over. This upgrade costs $10 and buying the game outright costs $30. However, there's a 20 percent discount for the first week.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/overcooked-2-drops-for-switch-2-today-and-it-makes-full-use-of-camera-play-140021993.html?src=rss

Shazam for iOS just got a Liquid Glass makeover

Apple just launched a redesign of the popular song-identifying app Shazam, which was spotted by 9to5Mac. This update takes full advantage of the company's recently-launched Liquid Glass visual language.

The company promises a "sleek" new look, but that's not the only change. This visual redesign should make it much easier to quickly glance at recent songs you've identified via the Home tab. They now appear directly on the home screen.

There's also a revamped toolbar that lets you quickly swap between different tabs, including one that lists nearby concerts. The search icon is now separated into its own button on the bottom of the app.

Just make sure that your device is running iOS 26 to check it out. The update is available right now, which should please millions upon millions of Shazam users. It's still the quickest and best way to identify a random song. As for Liquid Glass, the company recently introduced the ability to add a frostier, more opaque appearance.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/shazam-for-ios-just-got-a-liquid-glass-makeover-194954181.html?src=rss

Fitbit Black Friday deals are here early and one of our favorite fitness trackers is on sale for $100

Fitbit is holding an early Black Friday and there are plenty of noteworthy deals. The Charge 6 fitness tracker is on sale for $100, which is a nice discount of $60 and 38 percent off. The deal applies to multiple colorways.

The Charge 6 topped our list of the best fitness trackers, and for good reason. It features built-in GPS, which means it doesn't have to be tethered to a phone when doing some cardio. The heart rate monitor is much more accurate when compared to the Charge 5 and the battery lasts a full week before requiring a trip to the outlet.

All told, it tracks 20 exercise types, in addition to sleep. The Charge 6 features a full-color AMOLED display that's easy on the eyes and a relatively thin design. This makes it feel fairly premium, especially when compared to rival devices.

On the downside, there's no real integration with Apple Health. This could be a dealbreaker for some. Also, some health data is hidden behind a Fitbit Premium paywall. That service costs $10 each month.

This isn't the only Fitbit product on sale right now. The Inspire 3 fitness tracker is available for $70, which is a discount of 30 percent.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/fitbit-black-friday-deals-are-here-early-and-one-of-our-favorite-fitness-trackers-is-on-sale-for-100-185704387.html?src=rss