Tag Archives: region|US

Yahoo is adding generative AI to its search engine

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Yahoo has announced a new AI-powered "answer engine", dubbed Yahoo Scout. The new tool is available now in beta and is powered by Anthropic's Claude.

The company says Scout "synthesizes" info from the web, as well as Yahoo's own data and content when constructing responses to user's natural-language search queries. Yahoo says the interface will include interactive digital media, structured lists and tables and visible source links aimed at making answers easier to verify. (Disclosure: Yahoo is the parent company of Engadget.)

Alongside Scout, Yahoo is announcing an "intelligence platform" across its varied products. This will include features like AI summaries in Yahoo Mail, “key takeaways” in Yahoo News and game breakdowns in Yahoo Sports. Scout will also integrate into Yahoo Shopping to offer insights and shoppable links, and Yahoo Finance, where it can populate company financials, analyst ratings and explain stock moves as they occur. Yahoo says the answer engine behind Scout will become more personalized and focus on "deeper experiences" as time goes on.

Google offered a glimpse of generative AI in search back in 2023, and the company's AI Mode for search was made widely available in the US last year. The company has been similarly at work integrating its AI model across its product portfolio, including Gmail and shopping.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/yahoo-is-adding-generative-ai-to-its-search-engine-172706249.html?src=rss

Gemini 3 is now Google’s default model for AI Overviews

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Google has begun rolling out two upgrades for Search. Starting today, Gemini 3 is the default model powering AI Overviews. When the company debuted its new family of AI systems last November, it first deployed Gemini 3 in AI Overviews through a router that was programmed to direct the most difficult questions to the new system. Now Google is making Gemini 3 the standard for all users globally. In practice, Gemini 3 should prove better at generating more credible and relevant summaries. 

As for that second upgrade, now you can jump into AI Mode conversation directly from an AI Overview. Google first previewed this feature late last year.

"In our testing, we’ve found that people prefer an experience that flows naturally into a conversation — and that asking follow-up questions while keeping the context from AI Overviews makes Search more helpful," said Robby Stein, vice president of product for Google Search. "It’s one fluid experience with prominent links to continue exploring: a quick snapshot when you need it, and deeper conversation when you want it."

If you're using Google Search on a mobile device, you can jump directly into an AI Mode conversation from an AI Overview starting today. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/gemini-3-is-now-googles-default-model-for-ai-overviews-170000302.html?src=rss

How to get NBC without Fubo ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics

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After more than two months of contract disputes, NBCUniversal's lineup of channels are still not being carried by Fubo, which is a bummer for anyone hoping to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics. Once again, NBC will be the primary place to watch the Winter Games, but Fubo subscribers will need to find alternate viewing methods if they want to watch events like figure skating, ice hockey, luge or skiing this year. The Olympics will also be broadcast on the USA Network and CNBC, and those channels are similarly blacked out on Fubo.

While the two media companies continue their negotiations, subscribers have had no choice but to sign up for other services — or at least test drive the ones that offer free trials — so if you're a Fubo subscriber and you want to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics, here are some answers to your biggest questions, including which NBC channels are missing from the Fubo lineup, where to watch them, and when to tune in for Olympics coverage. 

Olympics coverage will be broadcast daily on NBC, USA, and CNBC. NBC will be the main hub for all U.S. coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, showing daily live coverage of many popular events and a primetime broadcast each night spotlighting the top moments from competition.

The Olympics officially run from Feb. 6-22 and and you'll also be able to stream every single event live on Peacock. If you want to tune in to daily coverage on NBC, USA, and CNBC, you can also find those on platforms like DirecTV and Hulu + Live TV.

The following is a list of channels owned or licensed by NBC that are not currently available on Fubo, including NBC, USA, and CNBC:

  • NBC Local Affiliates

  • Telemundo Local/National

  • NBC Sports 4K

  • NBC Sports Bay Area

  • NBC Sports Bay Area Plus

  • NBC Sports Boston

  • NBC Sports California

  • NBC Sports California Plus

  • NBC Sports California Plus 3

  • NBC Sports Philadelphia

  • NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus

  • American Crimes

  • Bravo

  • Bravo Vault

  • Caso Cerrado

  • CNBC

  • CNBC World

  • Cozi

  • Dateline 24/7

  • E! Entertainment Television

  • E! Keeping Up

  • Golf Channel

  • GolfPass

  • LX Home

  • Million Dollar Listing Vault

  • MS NOW (formerly MSNBC)

  • NBC NOW

  • NBC Sports NOW

  • NBC Universo

  • True CRMZ

  • New England Cable News

  • Noticias Telemundo Ahora

  • Oxygen True Crime

  • Oxygen True Crime Archives

  • Real Housewives Vault

  • SNL Vault

  • Syfy

  • Telemundo Accion

  • Telemundo al Dia

  • The Golf Channel

  • Today All Day

  • Universal Movies

  • USA Network

Per Fubo, NBC channels were pulled from the platform because of a disagreement over their long-standing content distribution agreement that has yet to be resolved.

Negotiations between the companies are ongoing, and after more than two months, there is still no projected return date.

Peacock is the most comprehensive place to see every Olympic event, and you can even find discounts and deals on subscriptions now. Every channel necessary to watch the Olympics is available on DirecTV, and Hulu + Live TV, too. Here are some of your choices if you're looking for another way to watch the 2026 Winter Games.

Try Hulu + Live TV for free

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-get-nbc-without-fubo-ahead-of-the-2026-winter-olympics-163805696.html?src=rss

Pinterest is conducting a massive round of layoffs to prioritize ‘AI-powered products and capabilities’

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Pinterest is planning on laying off up to 15 percent of its workforce, according to a report by CNBC. The company has been posting stellar earnings reports these past few quarters, so why punish employees? You already know the answer. It's AI.

The company said it's "reallocating resources" to AI projects and prioritizing "AI-powered products and capabilities." It's also cutting down on office space, presumably because AI algorithms don't require cubicles and the occasional low-grade snack.

Pinterest noted in a recent security filing that it expects these cuts to the workforce will be complete by the end of the third quarter in September. The company had 4,500 global employees as of April, so the layoffs should impact up to 675 people.

It will also be reshaping its sales and marketing strategies, likely to highlight new AI initiatives. To that end, Pinterest introduced an AI-powered shopping tool a few months back.

"Our investments in AI and product innovation are paying off," Pinterest CEO Bill Ready said in November. "We’ve become a leader in visual search and have effectively turned our platform into an AI-powered shopping assistant for 600 million customers."

Unfortunately, becoming a "leader in visual search" has created some headaches for end users. The platform has become overridden with AI-generated slop, leading the company to introduce a dial to reduce the prevalence of artificial content.

Pinterest is just the latest company to downsize in favor of AI. A consulting firm found that AI was the stated blame for around 55,000 layoffs in the US last year. 

This leads some to question the veracity of this reasoning, as some entities could be engaging in something called AI-washing. This is when companies exaggerate the use of AI and blame it for standard cost-cutting layoffs, leading investors to think "ooh, shiny."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/pinterest-is-conducting-a-massive-round-of-layoffs-to-prioritize-ai-powered-products-and-capabilities-163440004.html?src=rss

The EU tells Google to give external AI assistants the same access to Android as Gemini has

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The European Commission has started proceedings to ensure Google complies with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in certain ways. Specifically, the European Union’s executive arm has told Google to grant third-party AI services the same level of access to Android that Gemini has. "The aim is to ensure that third-party providers have an equal opportunity to innovate and compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape on smart mobile devices," the Commission said in a statement. 

The company will also have to hand over "anonymized ranking, query, click and view data held by Google Search" to rival search engines. The Commission says this will help competing companies to optimize their services and offer more viable alternatives to Google Search. 

"Today’s proceedings under the Digital Markets Act will provide guidance to Google to ensure that third-party online search engines and AI providers enjoy the same access to search data and Android operating system as Google's own services, like Google Search or Gemini," said Henna Virkkunen, the Commission’s executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy. "Our goal is to keep the AI market open, unlock competition on the merits and promote innovation, to the benefit of consumers and businesses."

The Commission plans to wrap up these proceedings in the next six months, effectively handing Google a deadline to make all of this happen. If the company doesn't do so to the Commission's satisfaction, it may face a formal investigation and penalties down the line. The Commission can impose fines of up to 10 percent of a company's global annual revenue for a DMA violation.

Google was already in hot water with the EU for allegedly favoring its own services — such as travel, finance and shopping — over those from rivals and stopping Google Play app developers from easily directing consumers to alternative, cheaper ways to pay for digital goods and services. The bloc charged Google with DMA violations related to those issues last March. 

In November, the EU opened an investigation into Google's alleged demotion of commercial content on news websites in search results. The following month, it commenced a probe into Google's AI practices, including whether the company used online publishers' material for AI Overviews and AI Mode without "appropriate compensation" or offering the ability to opt out.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-eu-tells-google-to-give-external-ai-assistants-the-same-access-to-android-as-gemini-has-154157081.html?src=rss

Apple’s AirPods 4 with ANC are on sale for $119

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Apple's AirPods 4 have a ton of improvements over the previous generation, but the version with active noise cancellation takes things up a notch. With them, you can get noise-cancelling power without the in-ear design of the AirPods Pro 3 that may bother some folks.

They're even more enticing when they're on sale, like right now. The AirPods 4 with ANC are down to $119 at the moment, or $60 less than their usual price. While we've seen the ANC model as low as $99, the $119 price tag is the best deal we've seen so far this year.

Apple released its fourth-generation AirPods in late 2024 and they're still our pick for best budget AirPods on the market. We gave the ANC model an 86 in our review thanks to their effective noise canceling, better sound quality and features like adaptive audio. Overall, at $60 off, they're a great option to pick up. 

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

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-airpods-4-with-anc-are-on-sale-for-119-153239333.html?src=rss

The Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold will cost $2,900 in the US

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As promised, Samsung is bringing its Galaxy Z Trifold smartphone to shoppers in the US. The unique foldable goes on sale on January 30. 

The phone was announced along with its select markets' sale dates at the close of 2025. We didn't have price information for Samsung's domestic market at that time, and even though we were anticipating the Galaxy Z Trifold to cost a bundle, the actual cost is more absurd than we'd guessed. In reality, getting your hands on this slim triple-screen smartphone will run you $2,900. 

Putting aside the ludicrous expense, this smartphone is pretty dang cool. After his hands-on experience with the phone at CES 2026, Engadget senior writer Sam Rutherford had overall positive things to say about the device, despite it demanding some tradeoffs in bulk. To borrow his own phrase: "I kind of hate how much I like the Galaxy Z TriFold."

Maybe as this cutting edge design becomes easier to manufacture, prices will eventually drop into the realm of reality for the average consumer. But if you’re a person who would buy a separate smartphone and tablet, combining both into a single device might feel worth the price tag. For now, anyone willing to pay the premium in the US will receive the model that has 512GB of storage and only comes in a black color.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-samsung-galaxy-z-trifold-will-cost-2900-in-the-us-140000013.html?src=rss

Lego has a new round of Star Wars sets that work with the Smart Brick

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Lego unveiled its Smart Play system at CES 2026 earlier this month, with a selection of sets designed for the engaging feature. Now, the toy company has announced five new compatible sets — all Stars Wars themed — available now for pre-order. Anthony Daniels, the original C-3PO, shared the news during the Nuremberg Toy Fair. 

The Smart Play system, Lego's newest venture, involves a Smart Brick, Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures. Each Smart Brick has proximity sensors, an accelerometer, a speaker and more. The Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures relay what's happening to the Brick. For example, if you whoosh a spaceship through the air, the Smart Brick should make a sound that imitates that. Vader, of course, also makes his deep breathing sound. Plus, it requires no screens or apps, so the fun remains in its true, tactical form. 

The five new Smart Play sets span the Star Wars universe: 

These sets join three initially announced Star Wars Smart Play ones: Darth Vader's TIE Fighter ($70), Luke's Red Five X-Wing ($90) and Throne Room Duel & A-Wing ($150). However, these three are "all-in-one" sets, meaning they come with the Smart Bricks. The newly announced options don't come with a Smart Brick, requiring an extra purchase, but will have the Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures that will know what to do. 

All of the Smart Play Star Wars sets are available to pre-order as of today. They should be available starting March 1. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lego-has-a-new-round-of-star-wars-sets-that-work-with-the-smart-brick-131210482.html?src=rss

California will investigate TikTok’s alleged censorship of anti-Trump posts

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California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that his office is investigating whether TikTok is truly censoring content critical of Trump, days after ByteDance finalized a deal to spin off its business in the US. Newsom made the announcement in response to a post on X, claiming that you can no longer send messages in the app with the word “Epstein” in it. Newsom’s office, in a separate post, said it was able to independently confirm instances wherein TikTok suppressed content critical of President Donald Trump.

The governor’s office told Politico that it tried to send a direct message with the word “Epstein” in it and got a warning that it could not be sent because it may violate TikTok’s community guidelines. Newsom’s team is now “launching a review of this conduct and is calling on the California Department of Justice to determine whether it violates California law.”

If you’ll recall, ByteDance finalized a deal for a new US entity just as TikTok was about to be banned in the US. ByteDance only owns 19.9 percent of the new entity called the TikTok USDS Joint Venture, while the new investors own 80 percent. Oracle, Silver Lake and Emirati fund MGX have a 15 percent stake each. The US business will now retrain TikTok’s algorithm on US data and will also be in charge of content moderation.

After the US entity’s announcement, users started complaining about technical issues affecting TikTok’s recommendation algorithm and other features. Some claimed that they had difficulties posting videos about ICE over the weekend. TikTok blamed its issues, including bugs, slower loading times and timed-out uploads, on a power outage at one of its US data centers. It said it’s now working to restore its services.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/california-will-investigate-tiktoks-alleged-censorship-of-anti-trump-posts-130000558.html?src=rss

The Morning After: Apple’s new louder, high-precision AirTag

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Between the new Macs, iPhones and rumored AI gadgets, Apple surprised us with an upgraded, second-generation AirTag. It has Apple’s latest Ultra Wideband chip — the same one used in the iPhone 17 lineup and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It also uses Precision Finding to reach items up to 50 percent further away than the previous AirTag model. This feature will now work with any Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2 or newer.

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Apple

Apple says the new tag is 50 percent louder and features a “distinctive new chime.” So you can show off that you’ve got the new kind of AirTag. Sadly, there’s still no keyring hole, so you might want to invest in a holder… with a keyring. There are cheaper options than Apple’s leather version, fortunately. I personally like Elevation Lab’s AirTag Wallet Holder.

— Mat Smith

With its two protagonists, the game alternates between gory action and tension.

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Capcom

Capcom is attempting a delicate balancing act with Resident Evil Requiem. The ninth mainline entry seems to split between the gory action of Resident Evil 4 and the claustrophobic dread of Resident Evil 7. After a four-hour hands-on, the distinction is clear: Leon Kennedy handles the heavy lifting with (mostly) violence, while newcomer Grace navigates a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse in a hospital filled with zombies and other monstrosities.

Requiem introduces “nuanced” zombies who retain fragments of their past lives — think blind patients or territorial chefs you can distract. 

Continue reading.

There were a lot of bugs.

TikTok says it’s still working to fix the “multiple bugs” in its US service following a power outage at one of its data centers. Users are having issues logging in and uploading videos and are seeing strange behavior from the “for you” algorithm. Some creators have also noticed that new uploads seem to be getting no views or likes.

The company released a statement yesterday saying a power outage had caused a “cascading systems failure” that is still affecting the app. The statement, however, didn’t address reported issues with the app’s recommendation algorithm. Since Sunday, users have reported seeing a wave of generic videos flood their feeds, which are usually hyper-personalized to the user.

Continue reading.

It will reportedly show off the revamped Siri in ‘the second half of February.’

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple plans to reveal its new Siri in “the second half of February,” demonstrating some new Gemini-powered capabilities — whatever they may be. 

After this, Gurman said the new Siri will be available in iOS 26.4, which is also slated to enter beta testing in February before its public release in March or early April. It’s been a long time coming; Apple teased its next-gen Siri back at WWDC 2024, but it’s still not made it to devices.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-apples-new-louder-high-precision-airtag-120500942.html?src=rss