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.
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
Patreon has spent the last few years pitching itself as a healthier alternative to algorithmic social platforms for creators. Now, the membership service is adding a bunch of new social features for its creators in an attempt to make its platform more of a viable alternative to mainstream social media.
The updates include a new post format, called Quips, that allows creators to share non-paywalled updates that can include text, photos or video. Patreon users can browse quips from creators via the app's redesigned "home" feed, which now includes recommended posts. (Patreon says users can opt to only see posts from creators they're already following if they wish.) The company is also working on a saved posts feature and a tagging feature so creators can @-mention each other in their posts.
All that may sound a lot like social media, but Patreon CEO Jack Conte says the updates are meant to give creators a way to grow their audience without relying on platforms that aren't as invested in their success. "I don't think of it as competing with Instagram … I feel like we're competing with what Instagram should have and could have become, but did not," he said in an update shared on his Patreon.
Patreon's "Quips" will make the service feel more like social media.
Patreon
With the updates, the company is also walking a fine line between offering creators an alternative to social media and becoming the type of algorithmic platform it has railed against. Conte seems aware of this tension, noting that the membership-only tab will still deliver updates only from creators people are already following. "If we pivot too much to discovery and you don't see the creators that you're subscribed to and love, then we're not doing our job of helping you cultivate long-term relationships, and we have to fix that," he said.
At the same time, he says there are early signs that the changes will be positive for creators. According to Conte, creators who have tried a beta version of Quips have already seen a significant rise in new free memberships from the feature. So far, there's been a much smaller rise in paid subscribers, with "somewhere in the 5 to 10 percent" range of new paid memberships coming from Quips, though Conte says he's "optimistic" about its potential to drive paid growth,
Patreon plans to roll out these updates slowly, with full availability coming sometime next year. In the meantime, creators who want access to Quips sooner can join a waitlist to be added to the beta.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/patreon-is-adding-a-discovery-feed-to-help-creators-avoid-social-media-platforms-173000049.html?src=rss
PayPal has introduced a Venmo cash back rewards program that the company is calling Venmo Stash. The program is designed to scale rewards with user engagement, offering more cash back to those who use more of the platform's suite of products.
The rewards are earned when users spend on their Venmo Debit Mastercard, but only at “curated bundles” of certain brands. Unless users are judicious about only using their Venmo debit cards at these brands, this could mean a net monthly cash back far below what is advertised.
In the company’s announcement, Paypal depicts brands like McDonald’s, TikTok Shop, Uber and Uber Eats bundled together, while another bundle shows Amazon, DoorDash, Domino's and Walgreens. Users can change their bundle of brands every 30 days.
Cash back tiers start at 1 percent when users spend at their chosen brands, scaling to 2 percent when auto reloads are turned on to keep a balance in Venmo. The highest tier is 5 percent cash back, which requires customers to receive monthly Direct Deposits on Venmo of at least $500. PayPal says it will be introducing more ways to earn rewards next year.
The fine print for Venmo Stash mentions a monthly reward cap, the amount of which is only visible during the enrollment process. Once this cap is reached, no more rewards can be earned until the next calendar month.
PayPal has been making moves lately in hopes of enticing new customers. Earlier this year it offered a free year of Perplexity Pro to its users, along with early access to the AI powered Comet browser.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/venmo-introduces-a-rewards-program-for-its-debit-card-users-170807513.html?src=rss
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
Nintendo gear is always sought after during the holiday shopping season, but this year likely more so than others. The Nintendo Switch 2 is the console launch of 2025 and it will undoubtedly be at the top of many wish lists for both kids and adults alike. If you were hoping to save a bit on the console during the Black Friday shopping season, you may be disappointed. The Nintendo Black Friday sale was announced earlier this month, and unsurprisingly, there aren't a lot of true "deals" to be had. This is typical of Nintendo — legit Nintendo Black Friday deals are hard to come by even in the best Black Friday gaming deals — but there are ways to at least get the best value for your money if you're going to pick up a Switch 2 before the year is out.
As has been the case for many years, the marquee Nintendo deals for the holidays come in the form of console bundles. When the Switch 2 launched earlier this year, it was available as just the console only for $449 or bundled with Mario Kart World for $499. Both options are still available now. Considering the games by themselves cost $70 each, you do save a bit by picking up a console bundle. you can pick up the console and its bundles at most retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and others.
Nintendo Switch game deals
When it comes to deals on Nintendo Switch 2 games, the Nintendo eShop will have Cyber Deals starting on November 20, running through December 3. The shop will feature "holiday offers on select games," so it appears we'll all just have to go to the online store on November 20 to see the games on offer.
Switch 2 accessories were conspicuously absent from the announced deals, but there's always a chance they'll receive discounts from third-party retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. A handful of official Nintendo accessories made it onto our best Switch 2 accessories list, but you can find plenty of good ones from other manufacturers as well. If you're keen on getting a first-party accessory, though, for yourself or as a gift for someone else, here's where you can find some of the most popular ones.
Even if you can't get huge discounts on Nintendo consoles or new games this year, that doesn't mean you can't find decent deals on other Nintendo gear. There are plenty of great ideas for gifts for the Nintendo fan in your life, and Engadget's Sam Rutherford got to see a bunch of them in person when he attended Nintendo's holiday showcase. From collectibles to clothing to plushies and holiday decor, there's really a ton to choose from — but you may want to pace yourself if you're also a Nintendo fan finding things that you want to pick up for yourself in the process of looking for good gifts. Here are just some of the best Nintendo gift ideas that you can look out for during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/nintendo-switch-2-black-friday-deals-are-still-live-big-savings-on-switch-games-and-accessories-plus-the-best-switch-2-bundles-for-the-holiday-shopping-season-155223014.html?src=rss
It's arriving too late to be part of a Sam Porter Bridges Halloween costume this year, but Kojima Productions has a new collaboration lined up that could be just the ticket for cosplayers or anyone who may wish to enhance their lower-body strength and stability. The studio has teamed up with exoskeleton maker Dnsys for a limited run of a model based on Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.
Dnsys claimed this was the first collaboration between an exoskeleton maker and a game studio. Kojima Productions art director Yoji Shinkawa worked with the company on the design, which draws from the color palettes of the game and is based on an existing Dnsys model. It has lights similar to the exoskeleton Sam wears in the game, and they indicate the battery level.
DNSYS ✖️ DEATH STRANDING 2 co-branded exoskeleton is here 👍
📦 Dnsys Z1 Exoskeleton Pro – DEATH STRANDING 2 ON THE BEACH Limited Edition It enhances lower-body strength and stability, allowing humans to keep moving through complex terrain and extreme environments. 🦵🦿… pic.twitter.com/Yi1E6RnKNC
The Dnsys Z1 Exoskeleton Pro - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Limited Edition (to give its full name) is said to mimic the game's load-balancing system by offloading up to 200 percent of the wearer's body weight from their knees to help protect the joints. Dnsys said it adds 50 percent more power to steps and "intelligent gait control" to improve balance on stairs and uneven terrain. According to the company's press release, you'll "instantly feel up to 44 lbs lighter during vertical movements." The exoskeleton is slated to offer over four hours of continuous support and there's a quick-swap battery system.
Exoskeletons can be very useful, particularly for those who could do with extra support and/or have mobility issues. Or maybe you want to look the part while you carry some very heavy cargo on your back and listen to Chvrches and Bring Me the Horizon.
This limited-edition exoskeleton will be available on December 2. Pricing will be announced then. The regular price of a dual-leg Dnsys Z1 system is $1,500, so you can probably expect the Death Stranding 2 variant to be in that ballpark. You can also try your luck at scoring the exoskeleton for free through a giveaway.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-latest-death-stranding-collab-is-an-actual-exoskeleton-151215509.html?src=rss
Amazon is in the middle of rolling out Alexa+, the long-awaited, AI-infused update for its voice assistant. At the same time, the company has also been giving a fair bit of attention to Amazon Music, adding things like Alexa+ integration and AI-powered playlists. And as of today, Amazon is rolling out a new community-focused feature called Fan Groups. As the name suggests, Fan Groups are a way for users to connect around different musical interests — and what makes this more fun to me is that these aren’t limited to Amazon-curated groups.
Once Fan Groups fully rolls out, anyone will be able to create a public group in Amazon Music based around a genre, region, time period or anything else you want to focus the group on. Right now, Fan Groups are only available in Canada during a a beta period, but they’ll come to other countries (including the US) early next year. Amazon has had testers building out some Fan Groups in the meantime so that testers don’t walk into a ghost town.
When you first open the Groups tab, which will be part of Amazon Music’s bottom navigation, you’ll see a top rail with Groups you’ve joined and a scrolling list of ones you can check out. Some of the examples Amazon showed off include “K-pop Now,” “Red Dirt Americana” and “Indie Insiders,” all of which feel pretty self-explanatory. Each group includes a “featured” playlist at the top and then a scroll of posts by people who’ve joined the group.
Members can share any song, album or playlist on Amazon Music along with a comment; you can then have a discussion on the post. It’ll be familiar to anyone who has used a Facebook Group over the years. Somewhat interestingly, Amazon is also letting you share external links Beyond the “posts” view, there’s also a music-only tab that just shows everything that has been shared to the group. One of the more intriguing features in Fan Groups is the ability to just hit “play” and listen to everything that’s been shared over time — it’s something that should be good for exploration as well as just seeing if the group’s tastes are aligned with your own.
In the quick demo I saw of Fan Groups, it felt like the rare new social tool that could be useful. Music is obviously an extremely social art, one that so many love sharing with other fans. Discovery is also a huge part of being a music fan, and I appreciate the fact that Amazon is building a way to get recommendations from other human beings and not just algorithms and AI. The only issue is that getting traction for a social network built inside of a specific service isn’t the easiest thing to do — you could just as easily share music on Facebook or any number of other apps. But the potential for finding new music and sharing what you’re into with other fellow obsessives make this feature worth a look once it fully launches.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-musics-fan-groups-are-a-refreshingly-old-school-way-to-share-and-find-tunes-150000084.html?src=rss
Sony is bringing things home with State of Play Japan. The "special episode" will feature the same type of PlayStation gaming announcements as a typical State of Play broadcast, but with a focus solely on Japan and Asia.
While we don't know exactly what Sony will unveil, it promises 40 minutes of everything "from beloved series to distinctive indie creations, the show, hosted by voice actor Yuki Kaji, will be packed with great games, interviews, and new looks at anticipated titles." Maybe if we all think hard enough we can manifest updates on Phantom Blade Zero or Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, which we first learned about at Playstation's State of Play in June.
The whole show will air in Japanese on the PlayStation YouTube channel for Japan, but the general PlayStation YouTube channel will show State of Play Japan with English subtitles.
Catch State of Play Japan live on Tuesday, November 11 at 2PM PT / 5pm ET.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/how-to-watch-playstations-state-of-play-japan-tomorrow-140519040.html?src=rss
Editor’s note (11/10/25): After spending another month with the MX Master 4, our impressions remain largely unchanged. The new textured plastic finish and silicone thumb rest have shown no signs of wear, and we’ve continued to see no erratic behavior with the electromagnetic scroll wheel. Battery life still lines up with Logitech’s rating, while the haptic feedback and Actions Ring functionality remain useful if inessential. We’ve added an official review score to this post as a result. Our original hands-on is below.
Original post (9/30/25): If you’ve shopped around for a wireless mouse at any point in the past decade, you’ve probably seen lots of people recommending a Logitech MX Master. There’s good reason for that: They aren’t cheap, but they’re usually comfortable, versatile and loaded with features designed to make working in front of a monitor all day a little less annoying. The current MX Master 3S has sat at the top of our own wireless mouse buying guide for some time now.
Now, three years after releasing the 3S, Logitech is rolling out the new MX Master 4, which costs $120 and will ship in October. I’ve been able to test it out for the past few weeks.
For the most part, this is an iterative update, with the same general shape, battery life, 8K DPI sensor and ultra-quiet clicks as the MX Master 3S before it. It is a touch heavier (150 grams vs. 141g), wider (3.48 inches vs 3.32 in.) and taller (5.05 inches vs. 4.92 in.) than the last model, and the main click buttons are slightly larger. But if you found the 3S or older MX Master 3 comfortable, you should have few issues here. That said, this is still a hefty mouse designed for palm grippers and right-handed users: Its gentle contours, generous hump, ample thumb rest and large buttons will fit like a glove if that describes you, but lefties and those with especially petite hands won’t agree.
The flashiest change here is the addition of haptic feedback, which is built into a small panel within the mouse’s thumb rest. You can customize the intensity of this effect through Logitech’s Options+ software — or turn it off entirely — but it essentially brings a modicum of smartphone-style feedback to your desktop. When you first pair the mouse, for one, you’ll feel a little bump. The same goes if you move between devices using Logitech’s “Flow” feature. When battery is low, it’ll vibrate. If you’re trying to precisely line up a graphic in an app like Photoshop, you’ll get a little buzz when you’ve moved it to the exact right spot.
Jeff Dunn for Engadget
You’ll also feel it when you hover over options in the Actions Ring, a customizable overlay that presents different shortcuts depending on the app you’re using. This pops up when you click the side panel; you could use it quickly access the screenshot tool while in Chrome, for instance, or the brightness and contrast sliders in Photoshop.
If all of this sounds like a gimmick, well, yeah it kind of is. It’s not the kind of thing anyone needs. But the effect is surprisingly subtle on the default “medium” setting, and there’s a level of reassurance that comes with feeling a confirmed action instead of just seeing it. I found it more pleasant than distracting. The catch is that only a few apps will natively support the MX Master 4’s haptics at launch: Photoshop, Lightroom and Zoom, with Adobe Premiere Pro to follow soon after. You’ll still be able to utilize the haptic feedback on a system level on Windows and macOS, and Logitech is releasing an SDK for more developers to integrate the functionality, but we’ll have to see how many do so.
Another change is with the mouse’s coating, which trades the 3S’ rubbery finish for a lightly textured plastic around the top. (The thumb rest area and right side still use a denser rubber.) Some users have complained about older MX Master mice peeling and wearing down after extended use; time will tell how well the new model holds up, but it should avoid the same sort of sweat-induced degradation. Either way, I’ve found it smooth to the touch without being slippery. I also haven’t been able to replicate the accuracy issues some 3S buyers have had with that mouse’s electromagnetic scroll wheel, which is still made of a high-quality metal and lets you conveniently swap between a notched and free-spin scroll on the fly.
Customizing the Actions Ring in Logitech's Options+ app.
Logitech/Jeff Dunn for Engadget
There are other minor tweaks and improvements. The receiver included with the Windows model is now USB-C instead of USB-A. The horizontal scroll wheel on the side — which remains a blessing for navigating spreadsheets — is now more exposed and extends a little farther with each spin. The PTFE feet on the bottom are a bit larger for a smoother glide. The dedicated gesture button is no longer awkwardly integrated into the thumb rest; instead, it’s been pulled out ahead of the two programmable side buttons. Logitech says there’s a more powerful chip inside the mouse to improve connection quality. The edges around the main click buttons are now translucent: nothing major, but a bit more stylish. The screws on the bottom are now exposed, too, which Logitech says should be helpful for recycling purposes down the road.
The rest is largely the same as before, which isn’t a bad thing. The best feature here is still the virtually silent main buttons, which keep a pleasing level of travel but will never bother anyone around you. Battery life is still rated at a solid 70 days, which seems about right — I haven’t charged the mouse in about a month and the Options+ app says I still have about 50 percent juice left. The design still feels super sturdy, with no flexing or creaking. The side buttons feel firm and tactile. Options+ is resource-heavy but still intuitive enough for reprogramming buttons and customizing app-specific settings. It can still track on a variety of surfaces, including glass or the fabric of my couch. You can still connect to three devices simultaneously and switch between them with a button on the bottom, too.
Logitech
On the downside, there’s no USB-C cable included in the box anymore, and the polling rate is still set at a basic 125Hz, which means tracking isn’t quite as buttery smooth as it could be. (Though you'd never want to use something this heavy for gaming.) The Mac version doesn’t come with a USB receiver, and there’s still no built-in storage compartment for the dongle with either model. You also need to keep Options+ open to feel the haptic feedback, which is annoying, especially if your work limits use of third-party software.
Some of those complaints have been issues for a while, so it’s frustrating to see them three years later. Still, they’re probably not dealbreakers. The MX Master 4 may not be a essential upgrade if you’re happy with an older MX Master mouse, and if those didn’t work for you before, this one probably won’t work for you now. But if you’re a power user in the market for a new productivity mouse, we’d expect this newest iteration to be as popular as its predecessors.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-logitech-mx-master-4-comes-with-haptic-feedback-less-rubber-and-the-same-general-shape-070129482.html?src=rss
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
