Google will stop serving political advertisements in the European Union. The decision, announced in The Keyword blog, is in response to an upcoming new rule for the bloc that "introduces significant new operational challenges and legal uncertainties for political advertisers and platforms." The company says the Regulation on Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising has an overly broad definition for political advertising and raised concerns that technical guidance around the policy may not be given until close to October 2025, when the rules will take effect.
In addition to no longer serving that ad content ahead of next October, Google said that paid political advertisements will also not be allowed on YouTube in the EU. The company said that similar regulations have already led it to stop serving political ads in Canada, France and Brazil.
Google's advertising and ad tech have been subjected to scrutiny by the European government in recent years. The company faced (but ultimately avoided) fines for "abusive" advertising practices in 2019, and last year was hit with antitrust accusations. And Google has also engaged in other eyebrow-raising behavior in the bloc. Just yesterday, the company began what it called a "small, time-limited test" to omit results from EU-based news publishers in search, Google News and the Discover feed.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-will-stop-serving-political-ads-in-the-eu-including-on-youtube-210604043.html?src=rss
Valve’s Steam store is more than just a place to buy computer games online. It’s an active community of gamers. Unfortunately, a sizable portion of those gamers are posting an “unprecedented” amount of hateful, racist and anti-Semetic content on the gaming site’s cyber social gathering place Steam Community, according to a report from the Anti-Defamation League.
The organization found 1.83 million unique pieces of “extremist or hateful content” from 1.5 million unique users in 73,824 groups. The content included “explicitly anti-Semitic symbols” and “tens of thousands of instances” of users showing support for foreign terrorist groups. The online gaming community even included an alarming number of “copypastas,” more than half of which were variations of Nazi swastikas.
ADL
The report also found a “significant number” of Steam avatars with hateful symbols. Investigators uncovered 827,758 users with extremist or racist-signaling avatar images including the cartoon character Pepe the Frog in Nazi regalia or adorned with stereotypical tropes and looks, swastikas, the white supremacist skull or “siege” mask and the Nazi Eagle. Another 15,129 avatars contained images of flags, emblems or logos of terrorist groups, the majority of which referred to the jihadist group ISIS.
The ADL even uncovered images that “glorify violent extremists” and violent hate crimes. The report found references to and stills from tragedies like the 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand shooting and the stabbing of five people in Eskisehir, Turkey committed by an 18 year old wearing neo-Nazi imagery.
Even the “Collections” and “Mods” community on the gamer gathering site contained hundreds of mods that contained hateful imagery. An unidentified user named after the Christchurch shooter Brian Tarrant took the Valve physics sandbox game Garry’s Mod and made the “Australian S**poster collection.” The user recreated Tarrant’s body armor look and posted screenshots implying the character is killing Muslims just as Tarrant did in 2019.
ADL
Other users utilized the Garry’s Mod game to create maps that also celebrated tragedies like the Columbine High School shooting and the Tops supermarket white supremacist shooting in Buffalo. The maps inspired even more racist comments and reactions such as “make synagogue next” and “remember labs, subscribe to PewDiePie,” a chilling reference to a comment Tarrant made on a livestream just before he committed his shooting.
The ADL accused Valve, Steam's owner, of not taking enough action to remove or curb the use of these images in its communities. The report claims Valve has a “highly permissive approach to content policy” and only took action “in rare notable cases.”
“Steam has selectively removed extremist content, largely based around extremist groups publicized in reporting or in response to government pressure,” the ADL report says. “However, this has been largely ad hoc, with Valve failing to systematically address the issue of extremism and hate on the platform.”
We’ve reached out to Valve for a comment on the ADL’s report.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/adl-report-finds-steam-is-rife-with-racist-posts-and-images-203934592.html?src=rss
While many candles offer a fleeting glow, few can turn their gentle warmth into an enchanting transformation. Enter the Chouchin Candle, a pillar candle that redefines the art of candlelight by becoming a traditional Japanese “Chouchin” lantern as it burns. What begins as a simple flame evolves into an intricate dance of soft light and elegant form.
Thanks to innovative wax technology developed by Pegasus Candle Co. Ltd, the Chouchin Candle mesmerizes while merging practicality and tradition. No dishes, no mess—just the magic of soft, ambient light for hours on end.
The Problem: Conventional Candles Are Messy and Mundane
Candles have long symbolized warmth and peace, but most come with their share of issues. The wax often melts unevenly, drips messily, and demands a dish or tray to protect your table. Worse, their glow can be fleeting and uninspired, failing to transform a space into something special.
Even decorative candles frequently disappoint, burning out quickly or melting into unremarkable shapes. While lighting a candle can be calming, managing its aftermath can feel anything but. That’s where the mess-free Chouchin Candle truly shines—both literally and figuratively.
Why is this the Best Japanese Candle?
The Chouchin Candle isn’t just about wax and flame; it’s about creating a journey. At first light, it appears as an elegant pillar candle. Over time, its true form emerges as the interior wax melts and the outer shell stays perfectly intact, transforming into a traditional Chouchin lantern—a symbol of warmth, guidance, and protection in Japanese culture, historically used to illuminate paths and celebrations. This captivating transformation blends tradition with modern elegance, brought to life through patented wax technology from Pegasus Candle Co. Ltd. By using different wax types, the exterior remains firm while the interior melts, diffusing a soft, magical glow.
Beyond aesthetics, this candle is built for everyday practicality. Unlike typical candles that require a dish to catch dripping wax, the Chouchin Candle’s non-melting outer layer ensures no wax escapes. It can be placed anywhere—no accessories needed. With a 70-hour burn time, it’s as long-lasting as it is beautiful, providing months of gentle light when used a few hours each day.
Who is this Ambient Candle For?
Whether you are a design aficionado or someone seeking a calming ritual before bedtime, the Chouchin Candle elevates your experience. Crafted by Japanese artisans, it blends traditional aesthetics with modern functionality. The light dances through its unique pattern, casting serene reflections that create a truly relaxing atmosphere.
Its minimalistic design complements any interior style, bringing a touch of Japan to homes around the world. Imagine unwinding in a softly lit room, the flickering glow enhancing your surroundings and soothing your senses. Dimming lights before bed is known to improve sleep quality, so why not make the most of your nighttime routine with this one-of-a-kind candle?
Simple, timeless, and innovative, the Chouchin Candle transforms not just wax but your entire space, making every moment a little more special.
Nintendo has announced its various Black Friday promotions, and they're worth paying attention to if you want to pick up some big games on a rare sale. These include discounts on first-party Switch titles as well as some extras with a special version of the Switch Lite. The deals will be available at popular retailers like Best Buy, Target and Walmart. These discounts are for physical copies of games only, so the Nintendo eShop won't be involved. The sale starts on Sunday, November 24 and runs through Saturday, November 30.
Perhaps the jewel in Black Friday’s crown is a $20 discount on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The game is normally $70, so this drops the price down to $50. The game is an absolute blast and builds on all of the good stuff originally introduced in Breath of the Wild. This time, however, new abilities allow for even more unique solutions to puzzles.
Super Mario Odyssey, which is still the franchise’s latest 3D platformer, will shoot down to just $30. The same price will apply to the remake collection Pikmin 1 + 2. Joy-Con controllers, carrying cases and other accessories will also be on sale.
There will even be a deal on an actual Switch console bundle. The Nintendo Switch Lite: Hyrule Edition is going to cost $210, but it comes with some serious perks. This bundle ships with the gold-colored console and a full year of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. This provides access to all kinds of retro games, from the NES all the way to the N64.
There’s a caveat here. The Nintendo Switch isn’t long for this world, as a sequel is imminent. Adults may want to wait for the new console, but a Switch Lite is still a great gift for a kid. However, nobody has any idea what Trump’s promised tariffs will do to console prices, so maybe even the Switch Lite will cost $600 next year. Who the heck knows anymore.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/nintendo-just-announced-its-black-friday-deals-and-they-include-tears-of-the-kingdom-for-50-194609765.html?src=rss
Amazon and PBS have entered a partnership that will bring content from the public media operation to Prime Video. More than 150 local PBS channels and the PBS Kids Channel will launch as a free ad-supported TV (or FAST) offering on Prime Video over the coming months. The press release from PBS noted that this is the first time this collection of programming will be available on a major streaming service for free.
PBS Distribution is also launching two new FAST channels that will be available exclusively on Prime Video for a limited time beginning November 26. These channels are PBS Drama and PBS Documentaries. It seems Amazon is looking to focus on a lineup of FAST channels within Prime Video for free viewing, since the company announced that it is closing Freevee.
Having yet another place to watch public media content is a happy development for PBS fans. The broadcaster recently launched a FAST channel with Roku called PBS Retro, specifically with shows from the 1980s and 1990s for those of us who want to dive into a little nostalgic escapism.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/pbs-programming-is-coming-to-prime-video-190443155.html?src=rss
Did you think Teenage Engineering would go another entire year without dropping something both absurdly cool and outrageously expensive? Think again. The company just announced the long-rumored OP-XY groovebox. It looks like an OP-1 Field, but plays like the relatively-ancient OP-Z. It also costs $2,300.
The OP-XY is described by the company as an "all-in-one powerful synthesizer and composer with deep, direct sequencing capabilities.” That sounds about right. The primary workflow here is sequencing, as opposed to the faux tape recording found with its OP-1 siblings. The groovebox features a shrunken-down keyboard and a strip of 16 LED-equipped buttons to control the sequencer.
There’s a multisampler inside the box, in addition to some great-sounding synth engines, drum kits and a bevy of useful effects, including the punch-in effects from the original OP-Z. As for specs, this little beast ships with 512GB of RAM, a dual CPU system that’s "capable of ultrafast processing power and efficiency” and 8GB of internal storage.
Teenage Engineering boasts about the groovebox’s "brain chord progression.” This lets players program chord sequences by “letting your hands do the talking.” We don’t exactly know what that means, as hands are typically involved when programming any chord sequence. We’ll have to wait for a hands-on experience to get the gist. It does allow for live recording, which is nice.
Just like the OP-Z, there’s a built-in gyroscope that allows players to adjust parameters by simply moving the device around. As for connectivity, there’s a USB-C port, a 3.5mm stereo input, MIDI in, MIDI sync and a new multi-output port that can send MIDI, CV, gate or sync data. It even has Bluetooth MIDI.
Teenage Engineering
It’s also an absolute head-turner in the looks department. This thing is a stunner, dropping the toy-like OP-Z aesthetic for something that eerily resembles the OP-1 Field, albeit with a color swap to matte black. There’s a bright OLED display and many of the same multi-function buttons and knobs found with the original OP-1 and the Field. It looks very cool and I want it.
As previously mentioned, there’s a rub. The OP-XY costs $2,300. You read that right. That’s $300 more than the OP-1 Field. Heck. You could buy a brand new standard OP-1 and an OP-Z and still have some money leftover to buy cables and other accessories. Despite the price, I’m cautiously optimistic about this one. I absolutely love the OP-1 Field and I don’t care who knows it.
This is really the first ultra-expensive instrument the company has released since the aforementioned OP-1 Field. Last year’s EP-133 and its medieval-flavored follow-up both cost $300. The OP-XY is available right now.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/teenage-engineering-is-back-with-another-droolworthy-and-expensive-groovebox-183918448.html?src=rss
Depending on what activities you do, the upcoming holidays can either be the most joyful or the most stressful time of the year. Generally, children have the most fun during gatherings especially if there are toys and games involved. The spirit of play and fun sometimes goes out the window for grown ups but LEGO® thinks everyone needs reminding that there’s nothing more important than playing together this Holiday.
Designer: LEGO®
Cataclaws is a new icon that LEGO® is launching just in time for the holidays to become a “CAT-alyst” for play. The bricky rather than furry creature was actually born out of the minds of kids to remind both the young and the old that there’s no limit to where LEGO® bricks can take our creativity and imagination. This time it’s a tuxedo cat wearing a red and white beanie that will encourage people to play around this time of the year.
The brick-built feline is introduced in a short film showing it going on an adventure around the city to turn boring or tense situations into something more fun. In the video, you’ll also see 20 different products and builds, including a freezing cold queen, a cat who can’t wait to be king, and characters from a galaxy far far away. There are also some mini Cataclaws builds within the video if you want to play spot the Cataclwas.
If you want to dress up your LEGO® feline, they will also be selling a Cataclaws Christmas sweater while you can build the beanie yourself by following the building instructions. We’ll probably see Cataclaws in other campaigns next year as they are making it their new icon.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has started the process of placing Google under federal supervision, an action which could create new standards for how the federal government can oversee big tech if the effort is successful. Falling under the CFPB's supervision would subject Google to regular inspections and scrutiny, although the exact aims of the department's efforts have not been fully disclosed. However, it has been an ongoing project for some time, as sources told The Washington Post that Google has been fighting against this move by the CFPB for months.
This department was created in 2008 in response to the financial crisis that year, and its objective is to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive financial practices. The CFPB primarily focuses on businesses such as banks and credit unions, but Director Rahit Chopra has voiced an interest over recent years in subjecting tech companies that offer financial products to similar oversight. For instance, the bureau began an investigation into app store payments systems from Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, PayPal and Square back in 2021.
The preliminary moves by the CFPB to oversee Google, and the agency's entire scope of operation, will likely be impacted by Donald Trump's return to the presidency in early 2025.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-is-being-targeted-for-oversight-by-the-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-181032853.html?src=rss
Baseus Spacemate 11-in-1 Docking Station (Mac version) wins CES Innovation Awards 2025 for its versatile design, fast data transfer, and multi-display support.
Apple devices are some of the most sought after this time of year and, believe it or not, you can find some decent Black Friday deals on them if you know where to look. At the moment, one such deal is on the Apple Watch Series 10: Apple’s newest wearable is on sale for $329, which is $70 off and a record low. That price is for the smaller 42mm model without LTE functionality, and the 46mm size is also $70 off and down to $359.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is our pick for the best smartwatch overall, but it's probably best to look at other options if you're an Android user. After all, you'll need a compatible iPhone to set up the wearable and get the most out of it.
We gave the Apple Watch Series 10 a score of 90 in our review. Apple redesigned the smartwatch to offer a larger screen and thinner frame, both of which were plus points in our book. The wide-angle OLED panel offers better viewing angles. The wearable has in-depth fitness and health tracking too, with new functions including sleep apnea detection.
We found that there was a slight increase in battery life thanks to efficiency improvements, but some alternative smartwatches run for much longer on a single charge. Overall, this is a somewhat iterative update compared with the Series 9 and 8, but if you're upgrading from an older Apple Watch (or buying one for the first time), you may find the features, performance and charging speed to be impressive.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-series-10-is-70-off-during-amazons-black-friday-sale-180028994.html?src=rss
