Amazon Luna’s December lineup of games has been announced, and there are plenty of early Christmas presents to sink your teeth into. For those unaware, Prime members automatically qualify for Luna standard, the entry-level tier of Amazon’s cloud gaming service, and each month the company also hands out a number of codes for PC games that permanently join in your library once redeemed.
Among those claim-and-keep-forever games this month are the underrated open-world Lego racing game, Lego 2K Drive, the very pretty Metroidvania, Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, and a couple of retro Fallout games, just in time for the new season of the Prime Video show. Here’s the full list of games for December. Most come in the form of codes you can redeem on GOG, but a couple are tied to the Epic Games Store or Legacy Gaming.
LEGO 2K Drive
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus
Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game
Fallout 2
Forgotten Realms: The Archives - Collection One
Gylt
Forgotten Realms: The Archives - Collection Two
Christmas Adventure: Candy Storm
Gunslugs 2
Ashworld
Forgotten Realms: The Archives - Collection Three
Dreamscaper
On the cloud side of things, Luna members can stream the likes of Fallout 4: Game of the Year Edition, with Fallout 3 and fan favorite New Vegas already available. Quite the month for wasteland wanderers, then. Mafia: Definitive Edition, Hollow Knight and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition also feature in the current library.
Amazon relaunched its revamped Luna service at the end of October, when it also added a beginner-friendly collection of smartphone-controlled multiplayer games for Prime subscribers to play at no additional cost.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/amazon-lunas-december-lineup-includes-hollow-knight-lego-2k-drive-and-a-few-fallout-games-180048528.html?src=rss
I’ve accepted the fact that in my lifetime, my home country will probably never win the World Cup, seeing as we’ve never come close to qualifying for one. So the next best thing would be to see the World Cup trophy in person, although that is also still a long shot given that the trophy tour will never pass by this side of the world. So the next best thing would be to see a replica of some sort and as I’m a LEGO fan as well, this newest build would be the perfect thing to own. It’s one of those rare occasions where my love for collecting LEGO sets and my passion for football intersect in the most beautiful way possible.
The LEGO® Editions FIFA World Cup Official Trophy (43020) is for the soccer (or football, as the rest of the world calls it) fan in you that would love to display the trophy on your shelf. It’s meant to hype up the 2026 World Cup tournament happening in the US, Canada, and Mexico in June-July 2026, which is one of, if not the world’s most popular sporting tournament. It’s a LEGO-fied replica of the trophy, featuring authentic details that capture the essence of the real thing. In case, like me, this is the closest you’ll ever come to actually touching this prestigious trophy, at least you can say you built it brick by brick with your own hands.
Even though the World Cup is one of the most-watched sporting events every four years, drawing billions of viewers from around the globe, this is actually the first time that football fans will be able to build an official replica 1:1 scale model of the trophy. The iconic design features two human figures holding up the earth, symbolizing the global unity that football brings. The build is made up of 2,842 LEGO elements, making it a substantial and satisfying project that will keep you engaged for hours. What’s particularly impressive is that it has the highest number of gold-colored bricks used in a single LEGO set, giving it that authentic metallic sheen that makes the real trophy so mesmerizing under stadium lights.
The attention to detail is remarkable. The build also includes a printed plaque under the base which lists all the countries that have lifted the current trophy design since it was introduced in 1974. This includes legendary winners like Brazil, Germany, Argentina, France, and Italy. It’s a nice touch that adds historical context and makes the replica feel more authentic and commemorative. For collectors and football historians, this detail alone makes the set worth having.
You even get a special easter egg when you pull out the slip in a hidden compartment in the upper globe section. You’ll see the actual FIFA World Cup 2026 logo and a cute branded minifig holding up a mini trophy toy. Basically you get a small trophy within the trophy replica, kind of like an inception-style setup. You can pull out this mini scene and display it next to the trophy replica so you sort of get two kinds of decorations. It’s these thoughtful little surprises that LEGO is known for, and they really enhance the overall building experience and display value.
The building process itself is designed to be both challenging and rewarding. With nearly 3,000 pieces, you’ll need to set aside several hours to complete it, but the step-by-step instructions make it accessible even if you’re not a LEGO expert. The modular construction means you build from the base up, just like the journey teams take to reach the final. There’s something meditative about clicking those golden bricks into place, watching the trophy take shape before your eyes.
The main trophy itself measures around 14.5 inches high once finished, making it a substantial display piece that commands attention without overwhelming your space. It’s a perfect gift for kids aged 12 and above or adults like me who are fans of both the sport and LEGO builds. Whether you display it in your living room, office, or dedicated collection space, it’s sure to be a conversation starter, especially during World Cup season.
It will be available for purchase starting March 2026 in the lead up to the tournament, giving fans plenty of time to build and display it before the first match kicks off. LEGO also said they will be rolling out new products and experiences to celebrate this momentous tournament that will feature 48 teams, the most of any edition. This expansion makes the 2026 World Cup historic in its own right, and having this replica feels like owning a piece of that history.
Based on what we've seen, Replaced is a gaming art director's dream. The long-delayed indie title has lush pixel-art environments, set in a cyberpunk fever dream. And now we finally know when it's arriving. Mark your calendar for March 12, 2026.
If you've been following Replaced's journey, you'll know that's four years after its original release date. Shit happens! In this case, that included having to relocate from Belarus to Cyprus after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. It will be the first game from developer Sad Cat Studios. Thunderful Games is publishing.
Gaming still from Replaced. "Pit's Diner," set in a dystopian cyberpunk world (pixel art). Various shady characters mill about.
Sad Cat Studios / Thunderful Games
Replaced is set in a dystopian alternate 1980s America. In this timeline, nuclear winter has reshaped the world. "Step into a world where neon lights flicker over rain-soaked streets, industrial decay meets futuristic technology, and every shadow holds a secret," the blurb reads. You play as R.E.A.C.H., an AI unwillingly trapped in a human body.
As for gameplay, it's a 2.5D cinematic action platformer. "Chain precise melee strikes with satisfying ranged attacks to take down enemies in high-intensity encounters while keeping the flow of exploration," the description reads. Expect plenty of running, climbing and kicking ass.
You can see some of the dazzling art direction, fluid movement, and smooth combat in the new trailer below. You can wishlist Replaced now through Steam or Xbox.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pixel-art-cyberpunk-game-replaced-arrives-in-march-170253220.html?src=rss
As a refresher, this is the third generation of the Kindle Scribe line of E Ink writing tablets. This year was the first time Amazon made three different versions of the Scribe, turning it into a series of products. At the entry-level, the Scribe without a front light will start at $430, while the model with a front light starts at $480. The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, which, as it name suggests, can render colors, will start at $630.
All three flavors will feature the updated hardware and design that’s a bit more symmetrical than previous generations, which had a thicker bezel on one side. They’re also thinner than older Scribes and come with redesigned Kindle software that can help make note-taking a bit more efficient. Based on my hands-on with the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, it also seemed to render colors more vividly than competing devices like the reMarkable Paper Pro, though I’ll definitely need to get a review unit in for better comparison.
For now, check out our hands on of the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft and review of the reMarkable Paper Pro and even of the last-gen Kindle Scribe to see if this is something you might want. While December 10 is cutting it pretty close to the holiday gifting season, it’s still weeks ahead of Christmas, so it might still be worth keeping an eye on.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/amazons-kindle-scribe-colorsoft-finally-has-a-release-date-december-10-170000910.html?src=rss
Meta is reportedly planning steep cuts to its metaverse division, according to Bloomberg. This is happening just a few years after the company changed its name from Facebook to reflect its renewed interest in that same metaverse.
Bloomberg notes that the metaverse department could get hit with significant budget cuts in the near future, with layoffs potentially occurring early next year. The budget cuts could go as high as 30 percent and will likely impact the virtual worlds product Meta Horizon Worlds and the Quest virtual reality headset. The publication did note that this isn't a done deal just yet.
Company insiders say this is all part of Meta's annual budget planning for 2026 and that the cuts were discussed at a series of meetings at CEO Mark Zuckerberg's compound in Hawaii. The metaverse team was reportedly asked for deeper-than-average cuts because the technology hasn't exactly taken the world by storm.
As a matter of fact, the whole metaverse idea has been a dud with investors, who see it as a drain on resources. Consumers aren't exactly keen on the idea either, even if they still buy VR headsets and traditional games. It's one thing to throw on a headset to shoot bad guys for 20 minutes but it's a whole other thing to, well, wander around a fake Abercrombie & Fitch for hours looking to spend real money on fake clothing for an avatar.
The report does suggest that Zuckerberg still believes that people will one day spend the majority of their time in virtual worlds, but these cuts signal that he understands that this idea is still years or decades away from fruition. The metaverse sits within a company division called Reality Labs that has lost more than $70 billion since 2021. Zuckerberg has also largely refrained from mentioning the metaverse in public and in earnings calls.
So what will Meta be spending money on instead? It's reportedly focused on further developing large AI models and chatbots, in addition to hardware products linked to AI experiences like those Ray-Ban smart display glasses.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/meta-is-reportedly-going-to-slash-spending-on-the-metaverse-164547153.html?src=rss
There is a little of everything in an Escape Trailer. It’s compact yet spacious and lightweight yet robust. The Chilliwack, Canada-based trailer manufacturer has been through five fiberglass “egg trailers” and now for the sixth edition, it has launched the Escape 13’, which according to the company is ‘it’s lightest and most compact trailer yet.’
With decades of experience behind their conviction and handling of fiberglass, Escape Trailer has stayed true to its signature construction style allowing it to trim the weight. For the interested, the E13 is built with 100 percent molded fiberglass creating a true one-piece shell. To the tiny camping trailer, it means a lightweight and incredibly durable body, which is fuel-efficient to tow and easy to maintain over the decades.
In the past few days (if we doubted it in any little) a couple of new compact trailers, Escape 13 included, have proven that great adventures can pack well in small packages. A little space can be tailored to feel spacious enough to live without a compromise in convenience and safety. This was substantiated recently by the Scamp X off-road trailer. The first molded fiberglass egg trailer from Scamp Trailers, a popular Minnesota–based RV manufacturer of the ‘70s.
Purpose-built to tread off-the-paved-roads, Scamp X transforms the beloved egg camper into a serious off-roader, which the Escape 13 doesn’t really match up, but the latter’s interior makes up for it. On the outside, the two trailers are molded fiberglass shells but, on the inside, the E13 is created to maximize space and ensures small-scale camping is done right. If you love the vibe, the new trailer comes in 13 different exterior colors to choose from.
At 13 feet, the aerodynamic Escape 13 measuring 13’8” L x 6’7” W x 6’1” H is built on a single 3,500 lb. axle to make towing it easier even with smaller vehicles. With its dry weight of just 1,850 lbs and a GVWR of 2,500 lbs. the camper should be towable easily by small SUVs and even crossovers.
When you hop in through a side entry you witness a small, but surprisingly spacious interior that is planned to sleep three people comfortably. For this, the trailer is equipped with a double bed, a convertible dinette, and a well-equipped kitchen area. The compact galley kitchen has a dual burner stainless steel cooktop, a sink, and a 3 cu.ft. refrigerator.
A 12,000 BTU furnace keeps the residence in a cozy temperature, while Escape Trailer provides the E13 with porta potty that hides away from sight in one of the wooden cabinets. The maple wood cabinetry and overhead compartments span almost the entire part of the interior, sufficing the users’ storage requirements. The trailer features a screen door, while the acrylic windows allow natural light to make the interior feel slightly more expansive. All of this, Escape Trailers is making available starting at CA$33,600 ($24,000).
The December Pixel Drop introduces a wealth of exciting updates to Pixel phones, tablets, and watches, elevating their functionality and user experience to new heights. This comprehensive update brings forth a range of enhancements, including Gemini’s advanced AI capabilities, improved photo-sharing tools, and expanded safety features, all designed to make your Pixel devices smarter, more […]
Apple is preparing to make a significant impact in the external monitor market with the anticipated release of its new Studio Display models in early 2026. These displays are expected to deliver notable advancements in display technology, performance, and usability, catering specifically to creative professionals and Mac users who demand high-quality solutions. Reports suggest that […]
If you like both electric vehicles and emotional roller coasters, 2025 was an excellent year. However, for those of us whose nerves are already sufficiently frazzled, the highs and lows of the last 12 months were a bit hard to stomach.
In 2025, we saw the introduction of new, compelling models like the Lucid Gravity and refreshed Nissan Leaf, the latter available at a price on par with its internally combusted competition. From a product availability standpoint, 2025 was the year the EV market started feeling more mature and less manic.
But 2025 also saw new heights of anti-EV vitriol stirred up during a particularly traumatic election cycle. The means of propulsion or badge on the hood of your commuter machine suddenly became an indicator of your political affiliations. Put simply, the car you drive is now a political statement, and it’s the latest unprecedented situation in an exhaustingly long and dire string of unprecedented situations. Yes, it's been a long year, and the pessimism of 2025 will surely carry us well into 2026, but not all hope is lost for EVs.
Tesla and the DOGE effect
Elon Musk flashes his T-shirt that reads "DOGE" to the media as he walks on South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, March 9, 2025.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
We've certainly seen some civic-minded CEOs in the past as auto executives have a long history of mixing their corporate interests with their political panderings. Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca was even considered a potential presidential candidate once upon a time. However, we have never seen the kind of ass kissing and cronyism we were privy to in this year's fickle friendship between Elon Musk and President Trump.
Musk was (hyper) active on the Trump campaign trail, and wasted no time digging into what he described as government overspending. While the Department of Government Efficiency's efficacy is debatable, it certainly proved quite effective at decimating the accounts of Tesla investors. Between January and March, Tesla's stock price dropped by nearly half. Things didn't turn around until Musk left DOGE in May.
Since then, Tesla's price has returned to its highs before the DOGE debacle. Its sales, however, have not. Q1 deliveries declined by 13 percent, then 14 percent in Q2. Deliveries bounced back 7 percent in Q3 as everyone scrambled to buy before the EV credits expired, but profits plunged 37 percent. Tesla's market share in the US electric vehicle space has halved, leading perennial pitchman Musk to start hawking everything from AI agents to spandex-clad robots — anything to distract from the numbers.
And it's apparently working. Musk's $1 trillion pay package was approved by Tesla’s shareholders without much worry. This could make him the world's first trillionaire, but only if he meets a series of aggressive targets and deadlines for sales, an area where the man has struggled in the past.
The big, beautiful sales spike
A Tesla with a sticker referring to the car's purchase is shown on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Concord, Mass.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Elon Musk and Donald Trump's bromance wasn't the only fallout from the latter's second term. So, too, died the $7,500 federal EV incentive, which expired in September as part of President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill." That actually spurred a short-term sales spike ahead of the deadline. Many manufacturers even set new EV sales records riding that wave, but there's a disconcerting trough to come.
We still need to wait a bit to see just how bad Q4 EV sales are going to be, but early indications are not looking good. J.D. Power's October report says that EV sales in September were a record high, making up 12.9 percent of new vehicle sales in the US. In October, after the credit expired, they fell to a mere 5.2 percent.
That's a worrying drop, and it's already affecting product planning.
Cuts in EV production
Honda's Super-One Prototype isn't coming to the US.
Tim Stevens for Engadget
When I was in Japan last month, getting an early look at some next-gen hybrids from Honda, I wasn't expecting to hear talk of midterm American elections from the company's executives. But that's what was on CEO Toshihiro Mibe's mind. He's watching American voting trends closely to determine the nature of the company's upcoming releases.
Mibe said that Honda has already canceled plans for some EVs here in America, instead focusing on a broader selection of hybrid models. It's not the only company to do so. Ram also canceled its 1500 EV truck, but the hybrid version is still supposedly on the way.
Scout Motors, too, has been focusing more on its extended-range hybrid offerings. The company's initial pitch was purely electric trucks and SUVs. Lately, it's been prioritizing its extended-range EV options based on the feedback from its 130,000 pre-orderers. 80 percent of them want the onboard generator, an add-on that may prove a saving grace for this EV startup.
There is reason for optimism
Some manufacturers may be throttling back on their EV aspirations, but others are forging ahead. There's a delightful collection of battery-powered machines coming next year, and that's worth getting excited about.
Again, the 2026 Nissan Leaf should be a hugely popular choice as its production ramps up. It's already hitting dealerships now, and with a starting price under $30,000, it'll be hard to beat. But, Chevrolet is going to try with a refreshed Bolt EV for similar money.
If you've got more to spend, you've got more options. BMW's stellar iX3 crossover SUV is due soon, as are both the electric CLA sedan and GLC SUV.
The most anticipated EV of the year, though, might just be the Rivian R2. This electric SUV will join the stellar R1S and R1T, expanding Rivian's segment footprint while also hopefully expanding its market reach. A $45,000 starting price makes it far more attainable than any of the company's previous offerings.
A photograph of the Rivian factory producing the company's R1 SUV variant.
Nathan Heleine / Rivian
If the prospect of a fun, affordable SUV from Rivian doesn't have you excited for the upcoming year in EVs, maybe some promising news from Europe will. After cutting its own EV incentive program in 2023, Germany's EV sales fell off a cliff, dropping 28 percent in 2024. Cue the predictions of the demise of EVs by many local pundits.
Since then, though, EV sales slowly climbed back up, and lately they've been booming, with German road traffic agency KBA saying the total number of newly registered electric vehicles increased by nearly 50 percent in October (year over year). Electric cars now make up 19 percent of the market there, and that's despite Tesla's sales cratering.
There's no guarantee that the American market will follow a similar rebound, especially if the anti-EV political messaging continues. Me, though, I've decided I'm staying optimistic, as exhausting as that can be these days.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/a-shaky-year-for-american-evs-could-set-the-tone-for-2026-153000210.html?src=rss
Apple is preparing for a fantastic year in 2026, with its iPhone lineup showcasing a blend of refined updates and bold innovations. From the anticipated debut of a foldable iPhone to enhanced premium models and budget-friendly options, the company is redefining its approach to smartphone design and strategy. A staggered release schedule further highlights a […]
Official Trophy (43020) is for the soccer (or football, as the rest of the world calls it) fan in you that would love to display the trophy on your shelf. It’s meant to hype up the 2026 World Cup tournament happening in the US, Canada, and Mexico in June-July 2026, which is one of, if not the world’s most popular sporting tournament. It’s a LEGO-fied replica of the trophy, featuring authentic details that capture the essence of the real thing. In case, like me, this is the closest you’ll ever come to actually touching this prestigious trophy, at least you can say you built it brick by brick with your own hands.
