JPMorgan Chase is taking over the Apple Card

Apple announced today JPMorgan Chase will be the new issuer for the Apple Card. The official news arrived shortly after The Wall Street Journal reported that the two businesses had reached a deal regarding Apple's credit card service. According to the tech company, the transition to the new provider should take about two years to complete, but customers can continue to use their Apple Cards as usual during the interim. Apple has already published an FAQ about the change, but the main takeaway is that the status quo is currently continuing and customers will receive information at a later date if any action is required. Mastercard will remain the Apple Card payment network under the new partnership.

Goldman Sachs was Apple's collaborator when it launched the Apple Card in 2019. We've seen signs for a few years, though, that Goldman Sachs had been looking for a way out of its arrangement. Apple didn't disclose many details around either the current or future deals for its credit card, however the WSJ report claims the negotiations with JPMorgan Chase have been underway for more than a year. Sources told the publication that Goldman Sachs is offloading about $20 billion in outstanding customer balances at a discount of more than $1 billion.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/jpmorgan-chase-is-taking-over-the-apple-card-232711979.html?src=rss

JPMorgan Chase is taking over the Apple Card

Apple announced today JPMorgan Chase will be the new issuer for the Apple Card. The official news arrived shortly after The Wall Street Journal reported that the two businesses had reached a deal regarding Apple's credit card service. According to the tech company, the transition to the new provider should take about two years to complete, but customers can continue to use their Apple Cards as usual during the interim. Apple has already published an FAQ about the change, but the main takeaway is that the status quo is currently continuing and customers will receive information at a later date if any action is required. Mastercard will remain the Apple Card payment network under the new partnership.

Goldman Sachs was Apple's collaborator when it launched the Apple Card in 2019. We've seen signs for a few years, though, that Goldman Sachs had been looking for a way out of its arrangement. Apple didn't disclose many details around either the current or future deals for its credit card, however the WSJ report claims the negotiations with JPMorgan Chase have been underway for more than a year. Sources told the publication that Goldman Sachs is offloading about $20 billion in outstanding customer balances at a discount of more than $1 billion.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/jpmorgan-chase-is-taking-over-the-apple-card-232711979.html?src=rss

JPMorgan Chase is taking over the Apple Card

Apple announced today JPMorgan Chase will be the new issuer for the Apple Card. The official news arrived shortly after The Wall Street Journal reported that the two businesses had reached a deal regarding Apple's credit card service. According to the tech company, the transition to the new provider should take about two years to complete, but customers can continue to use their Apple Cards as usual during the interim. Apple has already published an FAQ about the change, but the main takeaway is that the status quo is currently continuing and customers will receive information at a later date if any action is required. Mastercard will remain the Apple Card payment network under the new partnership.

Goldman Sachs was Apple's collaborator when it launched the Apple Card in 2019. We've seen signs for a few years, though, that Goldman Sachs had been looking for a way out of its arrangement. Apple didn't disclose many details around either the current or future deals for its credit card, however the WSJ report claims the negotiations with JPMorgan Chase have been underway for more than a year. Sources told the publication that Goldman Sachs is offloading about $20 billion in outstanding customer balances at a discount of more than $1 billion.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/jpmorgan-chase-is-taking-over-the-apple-card-232711979.html?src=rss

ChatGPT is launching a new dedicated Health portal

OpenAI is launching a new facet for its AI chatbot called ChatGPT Health. This new feature will allow users to connect medical records and wellness apps to ChatGPT in order to get more tailored responses to queries about their health. The company noted that there will be additional privacy safeguards for this separate space within ChatGPT, and said that it will not use conversations held in Health for training foundational models. ChatGPT Health is currently in a testing stage, and there are some regional restrictions on which health apps can be connected to the AI company's platform.

The announcement from OpenAI acknowledges that this new development "is not intended for diagnosis or treatment," but it's worth repeating. No part of ChatGPT, or any other artificial intelligence chatbot, is qualified to provide any kind of medial advice. Not only are these platforms capable of making dangerously incorrect statements, but feeding such personal and private information into a chatbot is generally not a recommended practice. It seems especially unwise to share with a company that only bothered paying even cursory lip service to the psychological impacts of its product after at least one teenager used the chatbot to plan suicide.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/chatgpt-is-launching-a-new-dedicated-health-portal-210150083.html?src=rss

Quake is now Steam Deck Verified

Bethesda announced on X today that Quake is now a Steam Deck Verified title. The 1996 game from the legendary id Software has also been designated Handheld Optimized for the Xbox ROG Ally devices. As one of the OG boomer shooters, Quake still commands a sizable and passionate fan base, and it's now available on just about every gaming platform imaginable. 

Since rolling out its verification program, several thousands of games have been designated as supported for the Steam Deck. Valve has more recently been preparing to have additional gaming devices run its SteamOS platform. Even though Xbox ROG Ally is the only one now, there's already a special extension of verification to note if a title is more broadly compatible with Steam's operating system. And don't forget that Valve's anticipated Steam Machine is due out some time early this year, so it wouldn't be surprising to have those verification checkmarks start to carry more weight in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/quake-is-now-steam-deck-verified-223009852.html?src=rss

Riot Games’ 2XKO will hit consoles on January 20

Riot Games has a pretty long legacy as a PC gaming studio, but the company is spreading out into consoles with its newest title. 2XKO will land on consoles on January 20, to coincide with the start of its first season. The game will be available globally for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S with cross-play support, allowing current players to access their existing progress on a PC account.  

The formula for most recent Riot projects (with the notable exception of Valorant), has been to take the extensive character roster from its long-standing League of Legends MOBA and place them into other game genres. 2XKO is the company's foray into a 2v2 fighting game. Ten familiar LoL champions were on the debut linup when it launched in early access on October 7.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/riot-games-2xko-will-hit-consoles-on-january-20-185627826.html?src=rss

Razer’s Project Motoko is a concept gaming headset that doubles as an AI wearable

We see plenty of far-out ideas on the CES show floor, and this year Razer brought in a concept piece called Project Motoko. The device is Razer's take on blurring the line between a gaming headset and an AI-powered wearable for daily life. Or it's a way for Ghost in the Shell fans to feel affronted by Razer taking The Major's name in vain, take your pick. 

Project Motoko is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon platforms. The headset has a pair of first-person view cameras positioned at eye level that can support real-time object and text recognition. It also has a wide field of attention that can capture things happening beyond the normal human eye's peripheral vision, and its microphone array is designed to capture both near and distant audio. In addition to taking in environmental details, Project Motoko can also operate as a wearable AI assistant, and the model is compatible with several different chatbots. The company's press release noted that it can integrate with Grok, OpenAI and Gemini.

"Project Motoko is more than a concept, it’s a vision for the future of AI and wearable computing," Nick Bourne, Razer's global head of mobile console division, said in the press release about the device. "By partnering with Qualcomm Technologies, we’re building a platform that enhances gameplay while transforming how technology integrates into everyday life. This is the next frontier for immersive experiences."

Sometimes concept designs we see at CES remain just that: thought experiments with no plan for commercial release. However, according to a rep from Razer: "Our goal is to bring this headset to market in the near future, with a dev-kit available first followed by a full retail release." It should be interesting to see if Razer does commit to Project Motoko in the longer term. Razer is also well-established as a brand for serious gamers, so seeing the company explore making an AI wearable that could appeal to a broader audience, if still a geeky one, is an intriguing move.

Update, January 6, 2026, 1:08PM ET: Added statement from Razer rep about future commercial prospects.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/razers-project-motoko-is-a-concept-gaming-headset-that-doubles-as-an-ai-wearable-140000534.html?src=rss

NVIDIA announces DLSS 4.5 at CES 2026

Just like last year, NVIDIA has used some of its time on the CES stage to introduce an upgraded version of its real-time image-upscaling technology. The new DLSS 4.5 promises sharper visuals with the 2nd Generation Super Resolution Transformer, which the company says will deliver better temporal stability, reduced ghosting and improved anti-aliasing. The DLSS 4.5 also includes Dynamic Multi Frame Generation, which maximizes frame per second to monitor refresh rate, delivering up to 4K 240Hz path traced performance.

The 2nd Gen Transformer Super Resolution is available now for all RTX GPUs, while the Dynamic 6x Frame Generation will arrive some time in spring 2026 for the RTX 50 series. It will also be available for more than 400 games through the NVIDIA app.  

Another new feature is RTX Remix Logic, which allows real-time environmental reactions to in-game events. For instance, when a door is opened on screen, the NVIDIA tech can present changes to volumetric conditions, display different weather simulations with particles or alter materials. More than 30 different common events can be detected, and the RTX Remix Logic can make adaptations to volumetrics, particles, material properties and light properties.

NVIDIA noted that it now has native clients for both Linux and Fire TV. That's the roundup of major gaming updates from the company's CES presentation, but NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang had plenty to talk about earlier today.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nvidia-announces-dlss-45-at-ces-2026-053000128.html?src=rss

Acer goes big on the haptic trackpad for CES with the Swift 16 AI laptop

Acer has a handful of laptop updates at this year's CES show. The headlining item is the addition of the Acer Swift 16 AI to the company's flagship line. This laptop has what the company says is currently the world's largest haptic touchpad at 5.5mm by 109.7mm, and it can support up to MPP 2.5 stylus inputs. The screen is a 16-inch 3K OLED WQXGA+ touch display with HDR, a 120 Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. On the inside, the Swift 16 AI can be kitted with up to an Intel Core Ultra X9 388H processor with built-in Intel Arc B390 graphics. The whole package is in a 14.9mm thin chassis and the machine weighs 1.55kg (about 3.4 lbs). 

Closeup of the trackpad on the Acer Swift 16 AI laptop
Closeup of the trackpad on the Acer Swift 16 AI laptop
Acer (modified)

Another notable element in the company's CES announcements is Acer Swift Edge 14 AI, one of two new lightweight laptops revealed at the event. The Swift Edge 14 AI measures just 13.95mm thick and weighs 0.99kg (about 2.2 lbs). It is powered by up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 386H. The max spec 14-inch screen has a 3KWQXGA+ OLED touch display with 120 Hz refresh rate.

Both machines can have up to 32GB of RAM and are part of the Copilot+ PC program. Storage in the Swift 16 AI maxes out at 2TB while the Swift Edge 14 AI be up to 1TB.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/acer-goes-big-on-the-haptic-trackpad-for-ces-with-the-swift-16-ai-laptop-230000750.html?src=rss

TCL unveils its X11L SQD-Mini LED TVs at CES 2026

TCL introduced the next entry in its flagship line of televisions during CES. The X11L SQD-Mini LED Series is available for pre-order now in three sizes. But like much of the gear on show in Las Vegas this week, it doesn't come cheap. The 75-inch model of the X11L costs $7,000, the 85-inch option is $8,000 and the 98-inch model goes for $10,000. That’s more than double the costs of the QD-Mini LED TV the brand unveiled at last year’s CES.

The most notable addition in TCL's latest screen is the company's new Deep Color System. This tech leverages Super Quantum Dots, combined with its CSOT UltraColor Filter, and the Advanced Color Purity Algorithm. While a mini LED screen can't match the true blacks of an OLED, the X11L has TCL's Halo Control System to reduce the presence of bloom. The television also has 20,000 discrete dimming zones and boasts peak brightness of 10,000 nits. 

Well-known brand Bang & Olufsen continues to be responsible for the TV's audio system. The models use an upgraded AI processor to deliver enhanced color, contrast, clarity, motion, upscaling and sound. It's also integrated with Gemini for Google TV.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/tcl-unveils-its-x11l-sqd-mini-led-tvs-at-ces-2026-205532386.html?src=rss