The YouTube TV Disney blackout continues: How to watch college football on ESPN, ABC and more

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YouTube TV is currently not carrying any Disney-owned channels.
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To put it in terms sports fans know well, we're entering week two of the standoff between Disney and YouTube TV, but the odds aren't looking good for either team this weekend. The Walt Disney Co. pulled its channels from YouTube TV on Oct. 30 after the two companies failed to reach new terms on their latest carriage agreement and the blackout of more than 20 channels is now entering its second week with no end in sight. YouTube TV subscribers were unable to see any college football games on ABC or ESPN last weekend, and it's looking like this weekend will be just as frustrating for sports fans. (Disney is encouraging fans to let YouTube TV know how they feel, even as Pat McAfee — whose program appears on both YouTube and ESPN — pushed back against Disney.)

YouTube TV had previously stated that if Disney’s channels remain off the platform for an extended period, customers will receive a $20 monthly credit. YouTube has confirmed this credit hasn't been activated yet for customers, but if and when it is, the discount provides little consolation if you want to watch this weekend's college games or your favorite shows like Abbott Elementary, Grey's Anatomy and Dancing with the Stars the night they air. If you do want to watch any live shows or sports this weekend, you'll need to seek out alternative viewing methods. And unfortunately for YouTube TV's negotiating position, there are plenty of options. 

One of the cheapest ways to watch ESPN is with a Sling Day Pass — for just $5/day, you can tune into any and all ESPN programming with no other commitments. If you want a full switch from YouTube TV, there's Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, or Fubo, where you can watch all the Disney-owned channels. (Remember, unlike a lot of cable plans, you can easily pause or cancel YouTube TV or any of these alternatives, so long as you have month-to-month subscriptions.) Below, we've outlined some of your best options to watch ESPN, the Disney Channel, ABC and more, all pulled from our list of best live TV streaming services to cut cable, as well as a comprehensive list of which channels have been affected, and the biggest sporting events of the week that won't be available to YouTube TV subscribers.

If you're wondering what games you might miss as a result of the YouTubeTV/Disney blackout, here's a list of some upcoming sports you may not want to miss:

Friday, Nov. 7 

9 p.m. | Tulane at Memphis | ESPN

Saturday, Nov. 8 

12 p.m. | No. 5 Georgia at Mississippi State | ESPN 

12 p.m. | No. 7 BYU at No. 8 Texas Tech | ABC 

12 p.m. | SMU at Boston College | ACC Network 

12 p.m. | James Madison at Marshall | ESPN2 

12 p.m. | Southern Miss at Arkansas State | ESPNU 

3:30 p.m. | No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 22 Missouri | ABC 

3:30 p.m. | Syracuse at No. 18 Miami (Fla.) | ESPN 

3:30 p.m. | Kansas at Arizona | ESPN2 

4 p.m. | Auburn at No. 16 Vanderbilt | SEC Network 

4 p.m. | Kennesaw State at New Mexico State | ESPN+ 

4 p.m. | Georgia State at Coastal Carolina | ESPN+ 

5 p.m. | Texas State at Louisiana | ESPN+ 

7 p.m. | Wake Forest at No. 14 Virginia | ESPN 

7 p.m. | Cal at No. 15 Louisville | ESPN2 

7 p.m. | Florida State at Clemson | ACCN 

7:30 p.m. | LSU at No. 4 Alabama | ABC 

7:30 p.m. | Florida at Kentucky | SEC Network

8:15 p.m. | Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers | ESPN/ABC

Get Hulu + Live TV at a great price

You may have heard that Sling offers day, weekend and week passes to its streaming programming for as little as $5 per day. That is an option if you're looking for just some of the ESPN channels (the Sling Orange tier), but ABC isn't included. (If you're just looking to catch one of this week's big games, like Monday Night Football on ESPN, it's a great short-term solution.) If you want a longer-term solution, you can get both ESPN and ABC with Sling's Orange and Blue package ($30 a month to start, $61 thereafter), but you'll need to add on the Sports Extra package for ESPNU, which requires an additional charge. 

Need your local ABC programming? Your station may have its own free local streaming news channel (many do), you can see if The Roku Channel carries your local station's news, or download your local news station app if it's a Nexstar channel. 

The other alternative — if you're within the broadcast radius of a local ABC affiliate — is to get an over-the-air antenna. You can plug in your ZIP code at antennaweb.org to see what channels are in your area. This off-brand unit has worked very well in our initial testing — it's under $30, and the channels are truly free. 

Every channel that's owned by The Walt Disney Company is currently blacked out on YouTube TV. Those channels are:

  • ABC

  • ABC News Live

  • ACC Network

  • Disney Channel

  • Disney Junior

  • Disney XD

  • ESPN

  • ESPNews

  • ESPN2

  • ESPNU

  • Freeform

  • FX

  • FXM

  • FXX

  • Localish

  • Nat Geo

  • Nat Geo Wild

  • SEC Network

  • ESPN Deportes

  • Baby TV Español

  • Nat Geo Mundo

Update Nov. 6 2025, 4:38PM ET: This story has been updated to include viewing info for weekend college football games, as well as the next Monday Night Football.

Update Nov. 5 2025, 12:32PM ET: This story has been updated to include detailed info on tonight's ESPN NBA games.

Update Nov. 3 2025, 6:36PM ET: This story has been updated to include YouTube TV's latest response to Disney's request to restore its channels for just 24 hours.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-youtube-tv-disney-blackout-continues-how-to-watch-college-football-on-espn-abc-and-more-173330237.html?src=rss

This 3-in-1 Mouse Just Fixed Everything Wrong with Magic Mouse

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The computer mouse has barely evolved in decades. Sure, we’ve added more buttons, improved the sensor technology, made them wireless, and added haptic feedback, but the fundamental interaction remains stubbornly unchanged. The Melt Mouse arrives to challenge that stagnation with a radical proposition that transforms a single device into a mouse, a trackpad, and a customizable shortcut pad, all wrapped in a seamless aluminum body with clean lines and an uninterrupted surface.

What makes this device remarkable goes beyond its ability to multitask. The Melt Mouse represents a philosophical shift in how we think about input devices. Rather than cluttering your workspace with separate peripherals for different tasks, Melt Interface has created a unified tool that adapts to your workflow instead of forcing you to adapt to it.

Designer: Melt Interface

The design language clearly draws inspiration from Apple’s Magic Mouse aesthetic. That same smooth, button-free glass surface and minimalist aluminum construction creates an immediate visual connection. However, where Apple’s approach prioritizes form over function to sometimes frustrating results, the Melt Mouse appears to learn from those missteps.

The charging port sits in a practical location rather than underneath the device. The ergonomic profile offers more substantial palm support than the Magic Mouse’s notoriously flat design. This feels like taking Apple’s design philosophy and asking what happens when you actually prioritize the user experience alongside the visual appeal.

Where the Magic Mouse offers basic touch gestures, the Melt Mouse takes that concept considerably further. The entire top surface consists of a single curved plane of micro-textured glass that functions as a precision touchpad. The surface recognizes multi-finger gestures while maintaining the ergonomic advantage of a mouse form factor. For tasks requiring pixel-perfect precision in design work, it offers up to 6,000 DPI resolution.

Physical buttons have disappeared from the front, replaced by haptic feedback technology that provides tactile responses mimicking traditional scroll wheels and clicks. The system promises silent operation while maintaining sensory confirmation for each action. Users can customize the pressure sensitivity, adjusting from light taps to firm presses depending on preference. This button-free approach maintains the minimalist profile while potentially reducing mechanical failure points over time.

The device offers mode-switching through customizable gestures like double tapping or long pressing. These actions transform the mouse into a trackpad, number pad, or shortcut pad on demand. Twelve dots appear on the glass surface in numpad mode, providing visual reference points for number entry. Those same twelve positions become programmable shortcuts that can trigger macros or application-specific commands. The software allows different profiles for different applications, with the mouse adapting its shortcut layout accordingly.

The body gets machined from a single block of aluminum with an anodized finish that adds durability and refined tactile quality. The seamless construction eliminates gaps where dirt accumulates or mechanisms fail. Every surface transition flows smoothly into the next, creating an object that looks substantial on any desk setup. The shape follows the natural resting position of your hand, with curves that cradle your palm.

Customization extends beyond software to the physical design through the MagSole system. The bottom sole attaches magnetically and swaps effortlessly between five different colors. This allows users to match the mouse to their desk setup or simply change the look based on mood. The magnetic attachment system makes switching between colors a matter of seconds without tools or complicated mechanisms.

Wireless connectivity keeps desks free from cable clutter while maintaining the responsiveness required for professional creative work. Two physical buttons remain on the side of the device for functions that benefit from traditional tactile feedback. The combination of wireless freedom, sensor accuracy, and hybrid input methods creates a technical foundation designed to support rather than limit creative possibilities. Customizable software manages profiles, shortcuts, and sensitivity settings across different applications.

Melt Interface has created something that challenges assumptions about mouse design. The Melt Mouse demonstrates that minimalist aesthetics and multiple functions can coexist in a single device. By combining mouse, trackpad, and shortcut pad capabilities into one seamless package, they’ve proposed a new direction for interaction design that attempts to bridge physical and digital workflows through consolidated hardware.

The post This 3-in-1 Mouse Just Fixed Everything Wrong with Magic Mouse first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Looped Umbrella Stand Soaks Up Rain and Looks Like Art

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There’s something quietly revolutionary happening in the world of everyday objects, and it starts with something as humble as where you put your umbrella. Arihant Israni and Anoushka Braganza have created InBetween, a piece that challenges our assumptions about what functional design can be. It’s not just a place to stash wet umbrellas. It’s a whole vibe.

Let’s be honest: most umbrella stands are afterthoughts. They’re plastic cylinders hiding in corners, collecting dust and forgotten receipts. But what if that neglected corner could hold something beautiful? What if the act of coming home on a rainy day could feel a little more intentional, a little more like a ritual worth noticing?

Designers: Arihant Israni and Anoushka Braganza

That’s where InBetween comes in. The design is built around flowing loops that curve and connect, creating this continuous rhythm that feels almost hypnotic. It’s sculptural in a way that makes you stop and look twice. The loops aren’t just aesthetic choices, they’re functional, too, each one cradling an umbrella while creating negative space that gives the whole piece a sense of movement. Even when it’s sitting still, it feels alive.

The designers say the form is inspired by the idea of transitions, those moments between leaving and arriving, between chaos and calm. And honestly? You can see it. There’s something about the way the curves flow into each other that captures that feeling of moving through your day, of pausing to shake off the rain before stepping into your space. It’s design that understands that our homes aren’t just backdrops. They’re where we reset, where we breathe.

Now let’s talk about the base, because this is where things get really interesting. It’s made from Diatomaceous Earth, which sounds incredibly science-y but is actually just fossilized algae. And here’s the genius part: it’s naturally porous and absorbent, which means it soaks up all that rainwater dripping off your umbrella without you having to do anything. No puddles, no mess, no gross waterlogged mats that smell like mildew after a week. The material is also antimicrobial, so it resists mold and odor naturally. It dries fast, stays clean, and if it ever needs refreshing, you just give it a light wipe or a gentle sanding. That’s it. In a world where everything seems to require constant maintenance and upkeep, there’s something deeply satisfying about a product that just works quietly in the background.

But beyond the practical magic, there’s a conceptual layer here that makes InBetween feel special. The base becomes this mediator between outside and inside, between the storm you just walked through and the calm you’re entering. It’s material intelligence meeting emotional design, and it works on both levels.

Visually, the stand fits into almost any space. The minimalist aesthetic and organic geometry mean it doesn’t scream for attention, but it definitely holds its own. Whether you’re living in a sleek modern apartment, a cozy studio, or something in between (pun intended), it adapts. The deep, muted burgundy tones in the images give it warmth without being loud. It’s the kind of piece that elevates a space just by existing in it.

What really gets me about InBetween is how it reframes something we barely think about. We’re so used to design being about big statements, about the couch or the coffee table or the art on the wall. But what about all the little moments? What about the act of setting down your umbrella when you get home, shaking off the rain, taking a breath before you move further into your day? InBetween turns that mundane gesture into something worth noticing. It’s a reminder that thoughtful design doesn’t have to be loud or expensive or complicated. Sometimes it’s just about paying attention to the details, about understanding that every object in our lives has the potential to be more than just functional.

In a culture obsessed with productivity and optimization, there’s something radical about slowing down enough to appreciate the poetry of an umbrella stand. InBetween proves that even the most ordinary objects can become opportunities for beauty, mindfulness, and a little bit of wonder. And honestly? We could all use more of that.

The post This Looped Umbrella Stand Soaks Up Rain and Looks Like Art first appeared on Yanko Design.

The IOC and Saudi Arabia call it quits on their Olympic esports partnership

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The esports partnership between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Saudi Arabia is no more. On Thursday, the IOC said that it and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) have "mutually agreed" to part ways. The breakup comes weeks after Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and other investors bought EA for $55 billion.

The IOC and SOPC agreed on a 12-year esports partnership in 2024. At the time, the IOC was reportedly in talks with publishers of Rocket League, Street Fighter and League of Legends. The two sides discussed holding the Olympic Esports Games every two years. (The first games were initially scheduled for this year, but were pushed back to 2027.) Potential hosts for later installments were said to include South Korea and the US.

Instead, the two sides are now "committed to pursuing their own esports ambitions on separate paths," according to the IOC. The organization now plans to "spread the opportunities presented by the Olympic Esports Games more widely." It still wants the inaugural games to happen "as soon as possible."

The AP notes that the dissolution comes seven months into Kristy Coventry's IOC presidency. We don't know the details of how the deal came apart. However, the IOC wants to connect with younger fans through esports, but in a way that "Olympic values are respected." Saudi Arabia's Esports World Cup features MOBAs, shooters and fighting games.

If the IOC wants to project a squeaky-clean image while connecting with young gamers, it may have an uphill battle. (For the record, games don't lead to violence.)

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-ioc-and-saudi-arabia-call-it-quits-on-their-olympic-esports-partnership-163148341.html?src=rss

How to Fix Your Beautiful But Cluttered Desk

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You know that feeling when you sit down at your desk and immediately feel overwhelmed? It’s not you. It’s your desk. More specifically, it’s the fact that modern desks have basically turned into minimalist slabs with zero storage solutions. Sure, they look sleek in furniture showrooms, but try working on one every day and you’ll quickly realize something crucial is missing.

Enter Tidy Desk and their Desk Dock System, a collection of add-on storage solutions that feel less like accessories and more like the missing pieces modern workspaces desperately need. The brand has essentially created what I’d call “remedial design” for the era of beautiful but impractical furniture. And honestly, it’s about time someone did.

Designer: Tidy Desk

The star of the show is the Invisible Laptop Dock, which does exactly what the name suggests. It hides your laptop under your desk while keeping it accessible and properly ventilated. Think about it: your laptop just sits there taking up premium real estate on your desk surface, surrounded by a tangle of charging cables and dongles. The Invisible Laptop Dock mounts underneath, giving you full access to all ports from both sides, so whether you’re using a single USB-C dock or plugging in multiple cables, everything stays organized and out of sight. What makes this particularly clever is that it doesn’t just hide your laptop. It actually improves your workflow. One customer put it perfectly when they said, “Finally got my laptop out of the way. Desk looks cleaner and somehow I just focus better now.” That connection between visual clutter and mental clarity isn’t just aesthetic preference. It’s psychology at work.

But Tidy Desk didn’t stop at laptops. They’ve expanded the Desk Dock System to include custom solutions for specific tech gear. The Focusrite 2i2 Dock is designed specifically for the popular audio interface, keeping it locked in place and accessible without eating up desk space. There’s also a Fast Connect LaCie Dock for external hard drives, featuring USB-C with 10 Gbps data transfer speeds and multiple ports. These aren’t generic cable management clips. They’re thoughtfully designed docks that treat each piece of equipment as if it deserves its own intentional home.

The whole system operates on a simple premise: why should we adapt to poorly designed furniture when we can just fix the problem? The rise of sit-stand desks and aesthetic-focused workspace design has given us gorgeous offices, but at the cost of practicality. Drawers disappeared. Cable management became an afterthought. And suddenly everyone was posting photos of their “clean desk setup” while their actual workspace looked like a rat’s nest of wires and adapters. What Tidy Desk understands is that minimalism isn’t about having less stuff. It’s about having the right systems to manage your stuff invisibly. Their tagline says it all: “Craft Your Perfect Workspace.” From cable management to laptop docks, the system aims to keep you focused, organized, and actually proud of your setup.

The products are surprisingly affordable too, with most items ranging from $35 to $37. That’s less than what many people spend on decorative desk accessories that don’t actually solve any problems. And the modular approach means you only buy what you need. Got a laptop and a Focusrite interface? Get those two docks. Just need cable management? Grab that piece. The system grows with your needs.

There’s something refreshing about design that acknowledges real-world messiness instead of pretending we all live in impossibly tidy showrooms. Another user review captures this perfectly: “Didn’t think hiding a few cables would do much, but damn it actually helps. Feels like my mind’s clearer when my desk is too.” Since we’re living at a time where we’re obsessed with standing desks, ergonomic chairs, and expensive monitors, it’s oddly satisfying to see someone focus on the unglamorous stuff that actually makes daily work better. Because at the end of the day, your desk should work for you, not against you.

The post How to Fix Your Beautiful But Cluttered Desk first appeared on Yanko Design.

Today’s best iPad deals include $100 off the iPad mini

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We generally think Apple’s iPads are the best tablets for most people, but they don’t come cheap. To help those looking to grab one today get the most value possible, we’re keeping an eye on sale prices and rounding up the best iPad deals we can find each week.

This week’s selection includes the return of a $100 price drop for the iPad mini, along with a $50 discount for the entry-level iPad and early discounts on the recently updated iPad Pro. Beyond tablets, the MacBook Air, Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 have all dropped to new all-time lows, while a four-pack of AirTags is also steeply discounted at $65. It’s worth remembering that official Black Friday sales are just around the corner, so we expect to see more deals in the days and weeks ahead. But if you can’t hold out a little longer, here are all the top deals on Apple gear that we could find this week.

Apple iPad (A16) for $299 ($50 off): The entry-level iPad comes with a faster A16 chip, 2GB more RAM and 128GB of storage by default. It earned a score of 84 in our review — if you only need a tablet for roaming the internet, watching shows and doing some lighter productivity tasks, it should do the job. With the new iPadOS 26 update, it also has most of the same multitasking features available with the more expensive models. We've seen this price for much of the past several months — it's $20 above the tablet's all-time low, but it's still a bit cheaper than buying direct from Apple. Also at Walmart, Best Buy and Target.

Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, M5) for $945 ($54 off): Apple's newest iPad only came out less than a month ago, but it's already $50 or so off at various retailers. At Amazon, the base model with an M5 chip and 256GB of storage is down to a slightly less pricey $945. We gave this iPad Pro a score of 85 in our review. It has a class-leading OLED display and an impressively thin design, while the new M5 chip is more than powerful enough to do just about anything you'd want to do with an iPad. It's the only Apple tablet to support fast charging, too. That said, it's still far more iPad than casual buyers ever need, so it's best suited for hardcore iPad users and those with cash to burn. Also at Best Buy and B&H for $949.

Apple iPad Pro (13-inch, M5) for $1,247 ($52 off): The 13-inch iPad Pro is virtually the same as the 11-inch version, only it's bigger. It's also more expensive, but the extra screen space might be worth it if you're committed to using the Pro as your main computer. Amazon isn't listing this as a discount, but rest assured it's still about $50 off Apple's MSRP. Again, given that these tablets were just launched, any sort of price drop is worth noting. Also at Best Buy and B&H for $1,249.

Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $750 ($250 off): Apple's latest MacBook Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops, and it earned a score of 92 in our review. It's not a major overhaul, but the design is still exceptionally thin, light and well-built, with long battery life and a top-notch keyboard and trackpad. Now it's a bit faster. (Though we'd still love more ports and a refresh rate higher than 60Hz.) This is a new all-time low for the base model with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, but higher-end configurations are also $250 off.

Apple MacBook Air (15-inch, M4) for $950 ($250 off): The 15-inch MacBook Air is nearly identical to the smaller version; apart from its roomier display, it adds better speakers and a more spacious trackpad. This deal marks another all-time low, and other configs are similarly discounted. Also at Walmart.

Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS) for $199 ($50 off): This is the first major discount we've seen for the third-gen version of Apple's entry-level smartwatch, which was released in September. The big upgrade here is the always-on display, which means you no longer have to wake the watch to check the time or your notifications. (This tech was previously limited to the more expensive Apple Watch models.) The watch now runs on the same S10 chip as its higher-end siblings as well, plus it still covers the essential health and fitness features. If you’re in the market for your first smartwatch, or if you only want a watch for step counting, sleep tracking and notifications, it's a strong value. Just note that this deal only applies to the Starlight finish as of this writing.

Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) for $280 ($119 off): As a general rule, most people should buy the newest version of whatever Apple product they want. That said, the new Apple Watch Series 11 is only a minor upgrade over the Series 10: The battery lasts a little longer, the glass is more scratch-resistant, the cellular model has 5G support and that’s about it. If you’re mostly worried about saving cash and still need the more advanced health features the SE lacks — such as an ECG app and hypertension alerts — this is the best discount we've seen for last year’s model.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 (49mm) for $700 ($100 off): The Ultra 3 is a much more niche device than Apple's other wearables, aimed at serious athletes and adventurers more than the typical gym-goer. It's the biggest and most rugged Apple Watch, with the brightest display (up to 3,000 nits), longest battery life (up to 42 hours) and most advanced components. It also supports satellite communications. This discount doesn't make it cheap by any means, but it does represent a new low. 

Apple Mac mini (M4) for $499 ($100 off): The newest version of Apple’s tiny desktop PC has a smaller overall footprint, a faster M4 chip, 16GB of RAM as standard (finally), two front-facing USB-C ports, an extra Thunderbolt 4 port and the ability to drive three external displays. It doesn't have any USB-A ports, however. We gave the M4 Pro model a review score of 90. This deal is for the entry-level version with a base M4 chip, 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD — we’ve seen it fall as low as $469 before, but this is still a decent savings. Also at Best Buy, Walmart and B&H.

Apple Pencil Pro for $99 ($30 off): The top-end option in Apple’s confusing stylus lineup, the Pencil Pro supports pressure sensitivity, wireless charging, tilt detection, haptic feedback and Apple’s double tap and squeeze gestures, among other perks. It’s a lovely tool for more intricate sketching and note-taking, but the catch is that it’s only compatible with the M4 iPad Pro, M2 and M3 iPad Air and most recent iPad mini. We've seen this deal fairly often over the course of the year, but it's a fine discount compared to buying from Apple directly. Also at Best Buy, Walmart and Target.

Read more Apple coverage:

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/todays-best-ipad-deals-include-100-off-the-ipad-mini-150020786.html?src=rss

Creative Labs is crowdfunding a modular Sound Blaster audio hub

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Creative Labs, the maker of Sound Blaster audio cards, has launched a Kickstarter for a modular audio hub called Sound Blaster Re:Imagine. The universal hub, which is reminiscent of Elgato's Stream Deck, is meant to allow routing from any input to any output with the press of a button. Users can connect their gaming consoles, PC and musical instruments to the Re:Imagine, as well as speakers, wired headsets and wireless headphones, transitioning seamlessly between them.

The system uses magnetic modules including a 3-inch smart screen, four-button pad, rotary knob and dual sliders that can all be rearranged on the base unit. The Horizon base with five slots is the default design for the Kickstarter project, with an expanded six-slot Vertex base listed as a stretch goal.

Re:Imagine sports an octa-core ARM processor with a small NPU, 8GB of RAM, 16GB of flash storage and is expandable thanks to a microSD card slot. The hub's audio prowess is powered by a high-resolution 32-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and it supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The hub runs on Linux and can be used in a standalone setup, or as a PC-tethered audio hub.

The Re:Imagine also comes with an AI DJ that can generate music, a built-in DOS emulator for retro gaming, one-tap audio recording and more. The modular hub is also developer-friendly, with an included SDK and sample source code that encourage users to build their own custom apps and then share them with the Creative Labs community.

The Kickstarter campaign will run through December and lists an estimated shipping date of July 2026.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/creative-labs-is-crowdfunding-a-modular-sound-blaster-audio-hub-161957129.html?src=rss

Trump’s FCC is officially moving to make it easier for internet companies to charge hidden fees

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The Republican-led FCC has voted on and approved a proposal that would make it harder for consumers to receive itemized bills with accurate information from their ISPs, as originally spotted by CNET. This proposal revises previous "unnecessary" requirements on the grounds that a fact-based list of charges "may confuse customers."

These changes would minimize the benefit of the so-called "nutrition labels" which are otherwise known as Broadband Facts labels. You've likely run into these simple itemized labels when shopping for a broadband plan. They tell consumers exactly what we are paying for, even if it may "confuse" our fragile little minds.

The FCC passed a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on October 28 that would significantly scale back the Broadband Facts label. ISPs have been required to publish these labels since April, 2024. All Republican commission members voted to approve the change, while the lone Democrat dissented.

As previously noted, this is technically just an NPRM. So it's not a done deal just yet. There will be a final vote in the near future, but it's expected to pass given the political makeup of the commission.

Once passed, ISPs will no longer be required to read these labels over the phone to customers, make them available in account portals or give a complete accounting of fees to customers. The FCC previously stated that these transparency requirements are "unduly burdensome and provide minimal benefit to consumers." I happen to think that knowing what I'm shelling $100 out for each month to be of maximal benefit. Maybe that's just me.

These labels were initially proposed all the way back in 2016, before being implemented by the Biden administration in 2024. They offer a breakdown of every little thing that goes into a bill for a service plan, including many "hidden fees" that ISPs don't include in advertised plan prices.

It's worth noting that the labels will technically still exist, they will just be harder to find and won't be all that useful. Raza Panjwani, senior policy counsel at New America’s Open Technology Institute, refers to this as a political "two-step." He told CNET that the modus operandi here is to make the labels "less useful" and then say "Oh, look, it's not that useful. We should get rid of it."

Anna Gomez, the only Democrat on the commission, called the proposal "one of the most anti-consumer items I have seen" and expressed extreme displeasure with the results of the vote. “What adds insult to injury is that the FCC does not even explain why this proposal is necessary,” she said. “Make it make sense.”

Despite claims to the contrary by Brendan Carr and the current FCC, consumers actually like these labels. A 2024 study of nearly 5,000 broadband customers found an 85 percent satisfaction rate.

As an aside, Americans pay a lot for internet service when compared to many other countries throughout the world. We pay around twice as much as customers in Europe and most of Asia.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/trumps-fcc-is-officially-moving-to-make-it-easier-for-internet-companies-to-charge-hidden-fees-155004909.html?src=rss

Perplexity signs deal to use Getty Images

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Perplexity AI has agreed to a multi-year licensing partnership with Getty Images that will allow its users to access the latter’s extensive library of images. Leveraging Getty’s API, Perplexity will integrate the visual media distributor’s huge collection of stock and editorial imagery within its AI search and discovery tools, with correct attribution being a key part of the agreement.

In a press release, Getty said that Perplexity will be "making improvements on how it displays imagery, including image credit with link to source, to better educate users on how to use licensed imagery legally." As generative AI tools become more widely accessible, thorny issues around copyright and attribution have been the source of a number of lawsuits, no shortage of which have been targeted at Perplexity.

In August, the company was sued by two Japanese media groups, Nikkei and Asahi Shimbun, for allegedly copying and storing article content from the pair’s servers illicitly, as well as crediting them with inaccurate information Perplexity supplied. It was also one of four companies sued by Reddit earlier this month for allegedly using scraped data without the correct license. Even the dictionary has taken the AI company to court.

Getty itself has bumped up against AI many times on the road to its new deal with Perplexity. Back in 2022 the company outright banned AI-generated art on its platform due the legal murkiness around copyright, and it later sued the AI art tool Stable Diffusion over for allegedly copying and processing millions of protected images from its collection.

On the Perplexity agreement, Getty Images’ Vice President Strategic Development, Nick Unsworth, said that "partnerships such as this support AI platforms to increase the quality and accuracy of information delivered to consumers, ultimately building a more engaging and reliable experience."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/perplexity-signs-deal-to-use-getty-images-152343900.html?src=rss

Honda EV Outlier Concept marks the electrified future of the brand

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Honda has just teased a glimpse of the future of the brand’s two-wheeler electric vision at the Japan Mobility Show. The future-forward ride showcased at the auto show evokes typical Akira vibes with a long-slung profile and was most likely inspired by the 80s anime movie.

Dubbed the EV Outlier Concept, the motorcycle is a sneak peek into the brand’s gradual detour from internal-combustion heritage. Its most striking feature is the installation of electric motors directly in the front and rear wheels, eliminating the conventional chain or belt drive and enabling truly free packaging around the chassis. By placing the propulsion at the wheels, Honda frees up space in the frame for batteries and centralizes weight for improved balance.

Designer: Honda

From the styling perspective, the concept is both minimalist and arresting. Honda describes key design cues as “Gliding, Ecstasy and Low.” Gliding refers to the smooth, quiet roll of an EV; ecstasy to the instant-on torque and responsiveness of electric drive; and low to the dramatically lowered seat and rider eye-line that give a new posture and presence. The front fascia features a continuous LED light band, the tail is tightly integrated into the form, and foot-pegs are set further forward than typical road bikes to establish a relaxed yet futuristic riding stance.

Mechanically, the EV Outlier Concept also deviates from the norm: at the front, instead of conventional telescopic forks, it uses a double-wishbone arrangement; at the rear, a low-mounted mono-shock linkage further centralizes mass. The open-center frame design offers structural freedom and better packaging of the battery pack, while the in-wheel motor layout allows Honda to adjust torque distribution between front and rear, supporting an all-wheel drive possibility.

However, Honda has not yet released detailed technical specifications such as battery capacity, motor output, range, or pricing. This is a concept designed to explore future design and engineering directions rather than an imminent production model. The company emphasizes that this vehicle is aligned with its broader goal of achieving full carbon-neutral products and operations by 2050.

The EV Outlier brings together design daring and engineering boldness: a low-slung, mono-spine form that feels part sci-fi, part high-performance machine; in-wheel motors that break the chain drive tradition; torque vectoring capability; and a riding experience re-imagined for electric propulsion. More than anything else,  the bike looks absolutely gorgeous.

 

The post Honda EV Outlier Concept marks the electrified future of the brand first appeared on Yanko Design.