AI That Thinks in Vectors, cut costs by up to 40% and reply faster

AI That Thinks in Vectors, cut costs by up to 40% and reply faster

What if the very foundation of how artificial intelligence generates language was about to change? For years, AI systems have relied on token-based models, carefully crafting sentences one word at a time. While effective, this approach has always carried inherent limitations: it’s slow, resource-intensive, and struggles to convey deeper meaning in a single step. Enter […]

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A new Death Stranding series is coming to Disney+ in 2027

Hideo Kojima has unveiled Death Stranding Isolations (working title), an original anime series based on his franchise, coming to Disney+ in 2027. The gaming legend made the announcement at a Disney+ event in Hong Kong alongside series director Sano Takayuki. It will be the first Kojima Productions' partnership with a global streaming platform, with Kojima serving as an executive producer.  

The series will tell a new story set within the Death Stranding universe and not draw from any of the games' narratives. All we know so far is that it "will follow a young man and woman as they set out on an adventure" and that traditional hand-drawn 2D animation will be used. Concept art displayed at the event was created by Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 character designer, Ilya Kuvshinov. 

Death Stranding (the game) originally launched in 2019 starring Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen and Léa Seydou. The franchise finally got a sequel earlier this year with Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

In 2023, Kojima revealed that production company A24 was collaborating with Kojima Productions on a Death Stranding live action film project. At the time, he said that "I aim to present a new dimension of cinematic adaptation that goes beyond merely turning a game into a live-action movie." That film will be directed by Michael Sarnoski (A Quiet Place: Day One).

Live action series and movies based on games seem to be everywhere of late, but the number of animated productions is also growing. Many of those are on Netflix, including Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, Arcane, Castlevania and Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. Death Stranding Isolations (working title), appears to be the first gaming IP-based animation series for Disney+. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/a-new-death-stranding-series-is-coming-to-disney-in-2027-133018605.html?src=rss

Spotify is adding recaps for audiobooks

Spotify is testing a new feature that could make it easier to pick up an audiobook that you've ignored a little too long. The streaming service is rolling out recaps for audiobooks that can summarize the story up to where a user stopped listening. Recaps will be available once a user has gotten 15 to 20 minutes into the audiobook and will be updated to reflect the point the listener has reached without spoiling anything yet to come. It could help listeners to finish audiobooks they haven't revisited in awhile without needed to restart from the beginning, and it might be handy just to refresh your memory on the plot. 

This is an AI-powered feature, but Spotify noted that it will not be training any large language models on authors' content or developing voice generation from narrators' performances. For now, recaps are only available on Spotify's iOS app for a select number of English-language titles. The company said it plans to add recaps for more content in the future.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/spotify-is-adding-recaps-for-audiobooks-133000324.html?src=rss

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale for 42 percent off in Amazon’s Black Friday deals

Amazon Black Friday deals almost always include discounts on Fire TV devices and Fire TV sets. This year is no different, and some of the best discounts bring Fire TV streaming dongles down to near record-low prices. Case in point: the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is 41 percent off and down to only $35.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is one of Engadget's favorite streaming devices. The stick supports a solid mix of advanced technologies for its price: Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, 4K and HDR10+. As long as the rest of your entertainment setup can handle it, you'll get a high-quality picture and sound. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E, enabling better, faster connectivity with compatible routers.

The 4K Max has the fastest processor of any Amazon Fire TV Stick, so expect zippy navigation. It also supports Amazon's Ambient Experience. This mode displays art (like on Samsung's The Frame) while the device is in standby. It's also a solid choice for gaming: It supports Xbox cloud streaming and works well as a retro game emulator, too.

The UI is where Amazon appears to be subsidizing the device's low cost. Expect to see loads of Prime Video content promos, along with other ads. But for $35 (compared to its MSRP of $60), you may find it easier to justify that tradeoff.

Also on sale is Amazon's Fire TV Stick HD, our pick for the best budget streaming stick. This model doesn't support 4K; instead, it limits you to 1080p at 60 fps. At $18 for Black Friday, it's certainly cheap. But if you have a 4K TV (or plan to soon), you may want to consider the slightly more expensive model.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-fire-tv-stick-4k-max-is-on-sale-for-42-percent-off-in-amazons-black-friday-deals-132100743.html?src=rss

Parallel Coding is Here : Are Your Workflows Ready for 10 Variations at Once?

Parallel Coding is Here : Are Your Workflows Ready for 10 Variations at Once?

What happens when the tools we use to create software evolve faster than the methods we rely on to manage them? This isn’t just a hypothetical question, it’s the reality developers face as AI-powered platforms like Codeex Cloud and Claude Code redefine the software development process. These parallel coding tools can generate and test multiple […]

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10 Hidden iPhone Tricks That Are Productivity Gold

10 Hidden iPhone Tricks That Are Productivity Gold

Your iPhone is more than just a communication device—it’s a versatile tool designed to help you stay organized, focused, and efficient. By using its features, you can simplify your daily routine and enhance your productivity. Whether you’re managing tasks, reducing distractions, or integrating your devices, these strategies will help you unlock your iPhone’s full potential. […]

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The best Secret Santa gift ideas for 2025: Affordable gifts you can still get from Lego, Apple, Yeti and more

Secret Santa gift exchanges can be chaotic in the best way. One minute you’re drawing a name from a hat, the next you’re scrambling to figure out what they’d actually like. The trick is finding something that’s thoughtful, gets a laugh or feels useful without going over budget. Luckily there are plenty of gifts that do exactly that, whether you’re shopping for the office exchange, a family swap or a friend group tradition. From clever gadgets to playful desk toys and little luxuries, these ideas prove you can spend less than $50 and still land the perfect Secret Santa present.

Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-secret-santa-gift-ideas-for-2025-affordable-gifts-you-can-still-get-from-lego-apple-yeti-and-more-130014284.html?src=rss

Uber’s ‘Send a Ride’ feature makes it easier to pay someone else’s fare

In anticipation of what's expected to be a more hectic than usual season of holiday travel, Uber is adding a collection of new gifting and ridesharing features to its app. The most convenient of the new features is "Send a Ride," a way to purchase Uber rides for someone else.

Send a Ride lets you cover the cost of a ride directly from the Uber app, making it possible to pay for something like an airport pickup in advance. Uber says you'll be able to set a number of rides and a spending limit in the app (like two rides for up to $50 each) and then the app will generate a link that you can share with whomever you want to receive the rides. When they click the link, credit will automatically be added to their account and applied to their next trip.

For anyone whose winter travel includes skiing and snowboarding, Uber Ski is a new seasonal ride option Uber is adding that lets you book a ride to and from "nearly 40 of the top mountains across North America and Europe." When you select Uber Ski in the app, you can reserve an UberXL for up to two guests with gear or an UberXXL for up to four guests with gear. Uber also says it will sell the Epic Pass, a ticket that gets you access to Vail Resorts, directly through the Uber app. 

If you're figuring out your own ride home from the airport, Uber is also expanding its Uber Share for Airports option that lets you split a ride home with people heading in the same general direction. Uber Share is now available at over 50 airports worldwide, including new additions John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia AirPort and Orlando International Airport.

Finally, starting in December, Uber will let you add a free video message from stars like Megan Thee Stallion, the Jonas Brothers or Tracee Ellis Ross to any Uber Eats order you send as a gift. The videos don't sound like they'll be personalized like a video from Cameo, but whoever you send the gift to will be able to choose their own delivery time so they're available when their gift arrives.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/ubers-send-a-ride-feature-makes-it-easier-to-pay-someone-elses-fare-130000110.html?src=rss

Google will allow ‘experienced users’ to sideload unverified Android apps

In August, Google announced that it will implement a new safety feature that would require developers to verify their identities if they want Android users to be able to sideload their apps. Now, the company has started inviting developers that distribute exclusively outside of the Play Store to the early access of the identity verification feature in Android Developer Console. Google has also revealed in the same announcement that despite its new rule, it will give experienced users the option to sideload even unverified apps on their Android devices.

The company said it received feedback from developers and power users who want to retain the ability to download unverified apps. That is why it’s now building “a new advanced flow that allows experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn't verified.” Google didn’t delve into how it designed the feature and how it will determine if someone is a “power user,” but it’s already gathering feedback about it and will share more details in the coming months. It did say that it designed the flow to ensure users aren’t duped into bypassing safety checks by scammers, including showing them clear warnings about the risks involved.

As Google explained in its announcement, one common attack in Asia involves scammers calling victims and making them download malware disguised as legitimate applications. They pretend to be employees from a bank, warning victims that their account has been compromised and instructing them to sideload an app to secure their funds. The scammers would also pressure their targets to ignore security warnings while they’re sideloading the application. The malware in the bad actors’ app will then steal the victim’s login and intercept two-factor codes needed to access their bank account.

“While we have advanced safeguards and protections to detect and take down bad apps, without verification, bad actors can spin up new harmful apps instantly,” Google said. “It becomes an endless game of whack-a-mole. Verification changes the math by forcing them to use a real identity to distribute malware, making attacks significantly harder and more costly to scale.” It’s still early days for Google’s developer verification requirement, however, and it won’t be rolling out widely until late 2026.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-will-allow-experienced-users-to-sideload-unverified-android-apps-130000130.html?src=rss

Jensen Huang’s Stark Warning : China Could Seize the AI Lead Faster Than Expected

Jensen Huang’s Stark Warning : China Could Seize the AI Lead Faster Than Expected

What if the future of global power wasn’t decided by military strength or economic might, but by who leads in artificial intelligence? NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has sent shockwaves through the tech world with his bold assertion: China is on track to win the AI race. While the United States has long been seen as […]

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