Teenage Engineering’s latest Microphone is the most unserious yet brilliant piece of music tech we’ve seen

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Teenage Engineering has never been content to stay within conventional product categories, consistently pushing boundaries between instruments, toys, and art objects. Their approach to music hardware combines Swedish design sensibilities with genuine technical innovation, creating devices that feel both familiar and revolutionary. The company’s latest announcement signals another bold expansion into uncharted territory, moving beyond synthesizers and samplers into the world of vocal performance.

Today’s unveiling of the “Riddim N’ Ting” bundle showcases this adventurous spirit, pairing the recently released EP-40 Riddim sampler with the brand-new EP-2350 Ting microphone. The Ting represents Teenage Engineering’s first foray into microphone design, but it is far from a traditional vocal mic. Instead, it is a compact effects processor, sample trigger, and vocal manipulator rolled into one handheld device, complete with motion sensors and live-adjustable parameters that let performers tilt and move the mic to control everything from echo intensity to robotic voice modulation in real time.

Designer: Teenage Engineering

So the Ting itself is this ridiculously lightweight object, weighing a scant 90 grams, that feels less like a piece of serious audio equipment and more like a prop from a retro sci-fi film. That’s the point. It houses four primary effects: a standard echo, an echo blended with a spring reverb, a high-pitched “pixie” effect, and a classic “robot” voice. A physical lever and an internal motion sensor allow you to manipulate the effect parameters by physically moving the mic, turning a vocal performance into a kinetic activity. Four buttons on the side are dedicated to triggering samples, which come preloaded with sound system staples like air horns and lasers but are fully replaceable. It’s a dedicated hype-mic, a performance tool designed for immediate, tactile fun rather than pristine vocal capture.

Its lo-fi audio character is a feature, not a bug, leaning into the saturated, gritty vocal sounds that define dub and dancehall sound system culture. While you could draw parallels to devices like Roland’s VT-4 for vocal processing or Korg’s Kaoss Pad for real-time effects, the Ting’s genius is its form factor. It integrates these functions directly into the microphone itself, removing a layer of abstraction and making the performance more immediate. It connects to any system via a 3.5mm line out, but it’s clearly designed to be the perfect companion for its partner device. This is where the workflow becomes a self-contained creative loop.

That partner, the EP-40 Riddim, is the anchor for all the Ting’s chaotic energy. While it follows the established format of the EP-series, its focus is sharp. It’s a sampler and groovebox loaded with over 400 instruments and sounds curated by legendary reggae producers like King Jammy and Mad Professor. The specs are solid: 12 stereo or 16 mono voices, a 128MB system memory, and a subtractive synth engine for crafting classic bass and lead tones. It includes seven main effects and twelve punch-in effects, all tailored for dub-style mixing. Connectivity is standard for Teenage Engineering, with stereo and sync I/O, MIDI, and USB-C. It’s a capable sampler on its own, but its true purpose is realized when paired with the Ting.

Together, they form a portable, battery-powered sound system in a box. The workflow is obvious and effective: you build a beat on the Riddim, then plug the Ting directly into its input to lay down vocals, trigger hype samples, and perform live dub-outs with the effects. For their launch, Teenage Engineering is bundling them together and offering the Ting for free, a clever move that ensures this new, weirder device gets into users’ hands immediately. It’s a compelling package that champions spontaneity and play. It proves that the most engaging technology isn’t always about higher fidelity or more features, but about creating a more direct and enjoyable path from an idea to its execution.

The post Teenage Engineering’s latest Microphone is the most unserious yet brilliant piece of music tech we’ve seen first appeared on Yanko Design.

Co-op game Overcooked may become a competition reality TV show on Netflix

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Hilarious co-op video game Overcooked is making the move to the real world. A24 has acquired the rights to the popular indie hit and Deadline reports that the company is working with Netflix to develop the concept into an unscripted competition reality TV series. I adore this idea, and with the right people behind it, I think it could be a masterwork of reality TV. According to the reports, this is the first time independent film and TV studio A24 will make a reality show, but Netflix has already had some success with food and cooking programs, such as with the absolute gem that is Nailed It! 

The often ridiculous antics of Overcooked are a wonderful match for that type of lighthearted competition show. In the game, one to four players work together to cook customers' food orders as quickly as possible while the environment creates silly, unexpected obstacles. Unfortunately, there's no way the Netflix legal team will green light challenges where contestants might fall into actual lava, and recreating the space travel levels would probably blow the budget. But I can see all sorts of Overcooked-style mayhem from sliding on icy floors or suddenly moving countertops. I’m also imagining a lot of dashing between inconveniently placed kitchen appliances and occasionally plunging the contestants into total darkness. There’s no timeline given in Deadline’s report, but I cannot wait for this to exist.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/co-op-game-overcooked-may-become-a-competition-reality-tv-show-on-netflix-222406920.html?src=rss

Snap and Perplexity sign $400 million deal to put AI search directly in Snapchat

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Snap and Perplexity AI have struck a $400 million deal that will bring the AI search engine directly to Snapchat sometime in "early 2026," the two companies announced. With the partnership, Perplexity's AI search engine will be a prominent part of Snapchat's "chat" interface so users can "ask questions and get clear, conversational answers drawn from verifiable sources, all within Snapchat."

The news was announced alongside the company's third-quarter earnings. The company said that revenue from the deal — Perplexity is paying Snap $400 million for the integration — is "expected to begin contributing" to the company's bottom line in 2026. In a letter to shareholders, CEO Evan Spiegel also hinted that Snap could pursue similar partnerships with other AI companies. "This collaboration makes AI-powered discovery native to Snapchat, enhances personalization, and positions Snap as a leading distribution channel for intelligent agents, laying the groundwork for a broader ecosystem of AI partners to reach our global community," he wrote. 

Snap, like its peers, has been leaning into generative AI in recent years. The company has its own LLM-powered chatbot, called MyAI, which uses models from OpenAI, Google and, soon, Perplexity AI. Snap has also introduced AI-powered lenses and creation tools, which have helped boost its Snapchat+ subscription service.  

Spiegel also teased other AI-powered updates coming to Snapchat. He said the company is working on a new AI video generation feature called "AI Clips" that "will allow creators to generate short, shareable videos from simple prompts." He didn’t say when the feature might launch.

Outside of Snapchat, Snap is also planning on launching a new version of its AR glasses, called Specs, sometime next year. Spiegel didn’t offer any new details about the device, which he has previously promised will be lighter-weight than the current version. He did, however, suggest the company was considering working with potential hardware partners. He said Snap would be “putting Specs into their own standalone, 100% owned subsidiary” to give the company more flexibility to pursue such arrangements.

Update, November 5, 2025, 3:08PM PT: Added more details from Snap’s earnings call.


This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/snap-and-perplexity-sign-400-million-deal-to-put-ai-search-directly-in-snapchat-221101734.html?src=rss

Former FTC Chair Lina Khan will help Zohran Mamdani build his new administration

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A familiar face will be helping Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani set up his new administration before he takes office in 2026. Lina Khan, former Federal Trade Commission Chair under President Joe Biden, has been officially announced as one of Mamdani's transition co-chairs, alongside Grace Bonilla, Maria Torres-Springer and Melanie Hartzog.

Mamdani's platform is focused on affordability, with fighting corporate corruption a key way he hopes to lower prices for New Yorkers. Mamdani's proposed policies include working to ban hidden fees and non-compete clauses, while funding challenges to utility company rate hikes. It's not surprising that Khan and Mamdani would be aligned. As Chair, Khan is best known for trying to rebuild the FTC's anti-monopolist backbone, but she was similarly interested in banning non-compete clauses and hidden junk fees. Khan has also publicly expressed her appreciation for the Mamdani campaign's focus on small businesses in The New York Times Opinion section.

"I think what we saw last night was New Yorkers not just electing a new mayor, but clearly rejecting a politics where outsized corporate power and money too often end up dictating our politics," Khan said at a press conference announcing her new role. "And a clear mandate for change, where New Yorkers can get ahead and where all workers and small businesses can thrive, not just get by."

While Mamdani has served as a New York state assemblyman, his relative lack of experience has been used as a consistent criticism of his candidacy for mayor. Clearly, that didn't matter to voters, but Mamdani's chosen transition team members suggest he plans to surround himself with people who are experienced. In the case of Khan, that includes a transition co-chair who’s willing to be openly critical of corporate power. The Trump administration has effectively remade the FTC in its image, but there's more than one place the influence of big businesses can be checked.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/former-ftc-chair-lina-khan-will-help-zohran-mamdani-build-his-new-administration-220304723.html?src=rss

More than a backpack, the solar-powered Makeshift Traveler is helping California’s homeless live better

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The best part about my job is, I get to see so many interesting products designed for a spectrum of users. While some cater to the elite and embody luxury, others — such as the HomeMore Project’s Makeshift Traveler — truly touch the heart because of the purpose behind their creation. Since the introduction of the first Makeshift Traveler (a backpack, per se; more on it below), the not-for-profit organization behind the creation has delivered upward of 1,200 units to individuals experiencing homelessness in California.

The target with the fourth edition, built in 2025 with enhanced design and new features, is to deliver another 2,000 units across 25 cities in California and counting. The project that started from Tenderloin in San Francisco has, with feedback from unhoused people, reached a point where it’s more than an ordinary backpack. It’s a self-sustaining unit that is designed to provide connectivity, shelter, resources, and assistance to the homeless.

Designer: The HomeMore Project

Conceived with the idea to empower the unsheltered homeless community in California, the Makeshift Traveler backpack, with an integrated solar panel, allows the owner to charge their phone and stay connected. The backpack comes integrated with a 4-watt polycrystalline solar panel connected to an internal 10,000-mAh rechargeable power bank, and allows the user to connect their mobile device through the integrated USB port. The backpack comes with many additional utilities, such as a tent and sleeping bag, and also has an FM radio and flashlight inside the pack, which can be charged directly by the power bank.

The Makeshift Traveler requires almost six hours of sunlight to juice up the internal power bank, which can deliver enough power to charge up to three standard smartphone batteries in one full charge. On overcast days or in areas of less sun, the backpack’s power station is chargeable via a wall charger.

As for the construction, the outer surface of the pack is water and weather-proof and is constructed from recycled plastic bottles. With a solar panel embedded on the top and a rain poncho in the pocket at the bottom, the Makeshift Traveler backpack comes with a urethane-coated nylon pillow that can be puffed by stuffing in a piece of clothing. Along with the utilities, the backpack with an anti-theft zipper also features an ID card, a hygiene kit, a 24 oz water bottle, Bombas socks, and an informational brochure listing 15 local partner services ranging from shelter, mental health services, food distribution, wellness, and more.

Of course, this is not an open market product. You cannot get it off the shelf, but if you’re concerned and interested in donating, you can check out the HomeMore Project’s website. Or if you want to wait and ponder introducing a backpack into your community, you have about a year to do so. The fifth edition of the Makeshift Traveler is on the cusp – to release in 2016 – and it will come with reflectors on the front and rear for better nighttime visibility in the dark.

The post More than a backpack, the solar-powered Makeshift Traveler is helping California’s homeless live better first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple will reportedly use a custom version of Gemini to power the new Siri

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When Apple introduces its more capable version of Siri in 2026, it increasingly sounds like it'll have Google to thank. Bloomberg reports that Apple is finalizing plans to use a custom version of Gemini to power the new Siri and plans to pay Google handsomely for the privilege.

The new Siri will still use some of Apple's homegrown models, but will also rely on a version of Gemini running on the company's Private Cloud Compute servers to "handle Siri's summarizer and planner functions," Bloomberg writes. Those functions "help the voice assistant synthesize information and decide how to execute complex tasks." Since using apps on people's behalf is core to Apple's pitch for its updated assistant, Gemini appears to be playing a critical role.

Apple will reportedly pay $1 billion annually to use Google's technology, a fraction of what Google has reportedly paid the company to make Google Search the default search option on Apple's devices. The partnership will likely not be advertised, though, and Apple plans to eventually replace Google's model with its own. Specifically, with "a one trillion parameter cloud-based model that it hopes to have ready for consumer applications as early as next year," according to Bloomberg.

Siri can use ChatGPT for specific requests as part of Apple Intelligence, and Gemini was rumored to be added as another AI option in March 2024. After Apple delayed Siri a year later in 2025, though, the need for more substantial help reportedly became necessary. The possibility of Siri being backed by Gemini was first reported in August, when Google was asked to create a version of its model that could run securely on Apple's servers. The iPhone maker was previously rumored to have explored deals with both Anthropic and OpenAI before that.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-will-reportedly-use-a-custom-version-of-gemini-to-power-the-new-siri-203046995.html?src=rss

The Foursquare founder’s new app is an AI-powered ‘DJ’ for neighborhood updates

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Foursquare founder Dennis Crowley has unveiled his latest venture and yes, it's another location-based social app. But, rather than the check-ins Crowley first popularized more than 15 years ago, "BeeBot" has a very 2025 take on the concept. Instead, the app is an AI-powered "DJ" that can deliver contextual audio updates to your ears as you move through your day. 

Crowley describes BeeBot as an "app for AirPods," though it will work with any type of headphones, as well as smart glasses with audio capabilities like Meta's. "Whenever you put your AirPods in, it turns on," Crowley explains in a post on Medium. "Whenever you take your AirPods out it turns off. And when it’s 'on' it’ll push you snippets of audio about the people, places, and events that are nearby.'

To do this, you'll need to give the app access to your location and share a handful of "keywords" about your interests. You can also share your contacts to get updates from friends who are using the app. The BeeBot "DJ," which of course has an AI voice, will then be able to talk to you as you throughout the dat and alert you to interesting events, landmarks or updates from friends who happen to be nearby. 

In some ways, it sounds like Crowley is trying to re-create some of the serendipitous IRL social interactions enabled by the original version of Foursquare. BeeBot doesn't have "mayorships," badges or any of the gamification features that helped popularize FourSquare, but it's meant to have some of the "same playful spirit," of OG Foursquare, according to Crowley. (Foursquare shut down its city guide app of the same name earlier this year, though its check-in app, Swarm, lives on.)

 And, because it's 2025, there's also a whole bunch of AI thrown in, including "a mix of different LLMs" and "synthetic voices." The app is "powered by a TikTok-style algorithm," Crowley says, "but one that’s focused on what’s happening nearby and IRL." 

There also seems to be a bit of DNA from Marsbot, the short-lived (and IMO very underrated) chat-based app Foursquare launched in 2016 that could proactively provide personalized restaurant recommendations. While BeeBot isn't as heavily focused on neighborhood recommendations as Foursquare, it is meant to proactively let you know about nearby happenings you might be interested in or even a bit of gossip from friends. In addition to friends' status updates, the app will draw on local Substacks and newsletters for relevant info about a given area.  

Crowley says the DJ's audio cues may "occasionally" interrupt your music or podcast to give an update, though users should expect to hear these only a couple times throughout the day. BeeBot won't interrupt voice or video calls. 

BeeBot, which is the inaugural project of Crowley's new company Hopscotch Labs, is out now in the App Store, though it's still "very much a work in progress," according to Crowley. "I feel like the version of the product we’re sharing with folks today is kind of where Foursquare was when it launched at SXSW in 2009 – an interesting vision, a good-enough execution, but something that still needs to be shaped by the people using it to fully blossom."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/the-foursquare-founders-new-app-is-an-ai-powered-dj-for-neighborhood-updates-202326296.html?src=rss

B&O Just Launched a $5,000+ Soundbar That Costs More Than Your First Car

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Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound Premiere lands like a spaceship in a room full of toasters. That’s not an exaggeration; it’s just what happens when a company known for treating speakers like sculpture decides to rethink the soundbar. This thing doesn’t just sit under your TV. It commands the room, a slab of pearl-blasted aluminum that looks like it was milled from a single ingot of the future. And yes, it costs £3,900, which is about as much as most people pay for rent, but let’s be real, if you’re the kind of person who buys a soundbar as a statement, you’re not exactly shopping for Black Friday deals.

The Premiere’s design is what happens when industrial designers are given free rein and a budget that doesn’t flinch. The up-firing tweeter sits center stage like a jewel, surrounded by 1,925 precision-machined perforations, a nod to Bang & Olufsen’s 1925 founding year, because of course it is. The aluminum chassis isn’t just for show; it houses ten custom drivers, including four racetrack woofers and a tweeter that looks like it belongs in a museum. The side-firing and up-firing drivers are part of the visual language, a reminder that this isn’t a black plastic slab pretending to be invisible. Then there’s the lighting: 90 LEDs that pulse and shift with your adjustments, because why should your soundbar be any less extra than the rest of your smart home?

Designer: Bang & Olufsen

You’d think all this design flair would come at the cost of actual performance, but the specs tell a different story. Ten amplifiers push 70 watts to the woofers and 50 watts to the rest, delivering a frequency range of 32 Hz to 23 kHz. The Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 decoding is paired with Bang & Olufsen’s proprietary True Image algorithm, which supposedly creates a soundstage wider than the unit itself. The company calls it Wide Stage Technology, and while I haven’t heard it yet, the idea of a soundbar that can convincingly fake a surround setup without extra speakers is intriguing. The max output of 102 dB at 1 meter means this thing can get loud, but the real test will be how it handles the subtleties: dialogue clarity, spatial separation, that kind of thing.

The connectivity suite is what you’d expect from a flagship product in 2025, but with a few Bang & Olufsen twists. HDMI eARC with 8K passthrough is table stakes at this point, but the inclusion of an Ethernet switch with three 1Gbit ports is a nice touch for anyone tired of juggling network cables. Bluetooth 5.4 and AirPlay 2 are here, obviously, but the real party trick is Beolink Surround, which lets you wire up additional B&O speakers for a true multi-channel setup. The fact that you can still use analog audio via USB-C (with an adapter) feels like a nod to the audiophiles who refuse to let go of their turntables. And yes, there’s a voice assistant option, but it requires an external Google device, because Bang & Olufsen would rather you use their app than bark commands at a microphone.

Now, the elephant in the room. £3,900 is a lot for a soundbar, but let’s put it in context. The Premiere isn’t competing with Sony or Sonos; it’s competing with high-end AV receivers and speaker setups that cost twice as much. The Haute Edition, limited to 25 pieces and priced at £11,000, is another story entirely. That’s not a soundbar; that’s a flex. Each one is hand-milled with a pattern that takes 17 hours to carve, because why not? It comes with a numbered certificate and a wooden box for the remote, because at that price, you’re not just buying audio equipment; you’re buying a piece of design history. Or at least, that’s the pitch.

The real question is whether the Premiere can justify its existence beyond being a conversation piece. Bang & Olufsen has a reputation for building products that sound as good as they look, but the soundbar market is crowded with solid performers at a fraction of the cost. The Premiere’s trick will be convincing people that its spatial audio and design justify the premium. For now, it’s hard to deny that this is one of the most interesting pieces of audio gear to come out in years. Whether it’s worth the price of a used car is another matter entirely. But if you’re the kind of person who sees a soundbar as an extension of your aesthetic, the Premiere might just be the centerpiece you’ve been waiting for.

The post B&O Just Launched a $5,000+ Soundbar That Costs More Than Your First Car first appeared on Yanko Design.

DAZN is available through Amazon Prime Video in the US and UK

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DAZN, a sports streaming service that covers everything from MMA to golf, is now available as an add-on subscription through Amazon Prime Video in the US and UK. The streaming service was previously available in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and Canada.

Subscribing to DAZN requires an additional $30 a month subscription on top of what users already pay for Prime Video ($9 a month for a standalone plan or the cost of an Amazon Prime subscription). The service includes access to a mixture of live sports coverage including "more than 185 fight nights per year" and "over 300 live soccer games from Italy's Lega Series A," according to Amazon. 

While it costs extra, the service makes for a nice complement to the sports content that's already available through Prime Video for no additional fee, like Thursday Night Football, select NBA games, the NASCAR Cup Series and the Masters golf tournament in 2026.

Access to live games is increasingly the defining feature of most video streaming platforms. Amazon has its carveouts, YouTube TV has NFL Sunday Ticket and Apple continues to hold down MLS and now, F1 racing.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/dazn-is-available-through-amazon-prime-video-in-the-us-and-uk-195348836.html?src=rss

Shazam for iOS just got a Liquid Glass makeover

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Apple just launched a redesign of the popular song-identifying app Shazam, which was spotted by 9to5Mac. This update takes full advantage of the company's recently-launched Liquid Glass visual language.

The company promises a "sleek" new look, but that's not the only change. This visual redesign should make it much easier to quickly glance at recent songs you've identified via the Home tab. They now appear directly on the home screen.

There's also a revamped toolbar that lets you quickly swap between different tabs, including one that lists nearby concerts. The search icon is now separated into its own button on the bottom of the app.

Just make sure that your device is running iOS 26 to check it out. The update is available right now, which should please millions upon millions of Shazam users. It's still the quickest and best way to identify a random song. As for Liquid Glass, the company recently introduced the ability to add a frostier, more opaque appearance.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/shazam-for-ios-just-got-a-liquid-glass-makeover-194954181.html?src=rss