X is rolling out a new feature called Starterpacks to all users in the coming weeks, the companys head of product has announced. Its made up of compilations of accounts new users can follow based on their interests. If that sounds familiar, its because Bluesky launched a very similar feature thats also called starter packs back in 2024. Bluesky allows ordinary users to curate their own packs as long as each one doesnt exceed 50 accounts. They can then share those lists broadly on the platform or directly with new users via QR code. X, on the other hand, compiled and curated its own lists. In his announcement, X head of product Nikita Bier said the company scoured the world for the top posters in every niche and country. X then compiled them into Starterpacks to help new users find the best accounts big or small for their interests. Before X announced its own take on the feature, other social media services had already launched their clones of Blueskys tool. Threads version, which rolled out in late 2024, puts collections of recommended profiles as suggestions in the feeds of new users. Mastodon launched its own in 2025, which gives existing users the freedom to choose whether they can or cant be included in the lists. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-is-also-launching-bluesky-like-starter-packs-050057033.html?src=rss
Marshall plans to add seamless multi-room audio to its Bluetooth speakers via a newly announced music streaming hub called Heddon. The $300 hub makes it possible to connect and synchronize multiple older Marshall speakers together, not unlike Sonos' audio devices.Rather than use Wi-Fi to get multiple speakers playing the same audio, though, the Marshall Heddon uses Auracast. The hub connects to services like Spotify Connect or Tidal over Wi-Fi, or other devices through Google Cast and AirPlay, and then shares that audio over Auracast to the Marshall Acton III, Stanmore III and Wobrun III speakers. You can control playback over a connected Marshall app and the Heddon also has RCA ports to connect other speakers or a record player to the system.Because the Heddon requires a Wi-Fi connection, Marshall says it could add features to the system over-time, but even in the short term, the hub should meaningfully extend the life of the company's speakers. Rather than switch to newer models with built-in Wi-Fi, you can just grab a Heddon. Sonos offers similar functionality through its Sonos Port and Sonos Amp accessories, and third-party hubs from companies like WiiM can add even more options. The Marshall Heddon is more streamlined in comparison, but if you're already invested in the company's speakers, or planning to build out your audio system with them, the hub could be a helpful tool to have.The Marshall Heddon is available to purchase now for $300. Marshall says that customers purchasing an Acton III, Stanmore III or Woburn III can get a Heddon at half price, and the hub is included for free when you buy two or more eligible Marshall home speakers.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/marshalls-new-heddon-hub-adds-multi-room-audio-to-speakers-with-auracast-210500811.html?src=rss
Apple has been spinning its wheels for many months over its approach to artificial intelligence, but a strategy finally appears to be emerging for the company. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported today that Apple's long-awaited Siri overhaul will allegedly involve transforming the voice assistant into an AI chatbot, internally called Campos. Sources have reportedly told Gurman that Apple chatbot will completely replace the current Siri interface in favor of a more interactive model similar to those used by OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. He also cited sources who claimed that while Apple has been testing a standalone Campos app, the company doesn't plan to release it for customers. Instead, the new chatbot will emphasize deep software integrations when it rolls out, reportedly as part of the iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 wave late next year. However, there will reportedly be a new features for the current iteration Siri coming in the iOS 26.4. Those additions will include the much-delayed updates Apple first promised for the platform back in 2024.Pivoting to a chatbot gives some additional context to Apple's recent move to collaborate with frequent rival Google; the companies announced earlier in January that Gemini models will be used to power the upcoming versions of Siri. Gemini has become ubiquitous in the Google ecosystem, and it makes sense for Apple to leverage outside help in this segment where it has already been trailing its competitors. Although Apple may not have a standalone app for its Siri chatbot, the company does appear to be considering new places to host its AI resource. Additional reports today claimed that 2027 could also see the release of a wearable AI pin.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-is-reportedly-overhauling-siri-to-be-an-ai-chatbot-205303818.html?src=rss
Apple will reportedly try to succeed where Humane failed (miserably). On Wednesday, The Information reported that the iPhone maker is working on an AI pin. The wearable is said to resemble a slightly thicker AirTag and include multiple cameras, a speaker, microphones, and wireless charging.The report coincides with another from Bloomberg that claims that Apple will revamp Siri as a ChatGPT-style chatbot. When combined with the recent announcement that Google's Gemini will power Siri AI, it looks like the company is finally making a more defined play for a piece of the generative AI pie. On the other hand, the wearable pin is reportedly only in the very early stages and could still be canceled.The pin is described as a thin, flat, circular disc with an aluminum and glass exterior. It includes two cameras (standard and wide-angle) for taking photos and videos of the user's surroundings. It also has three microphones. It includes a speaker and a physical button along one edge. It has a magnetic inductive charging interface, similar to the Apple Watch's charging mechanism.Given the way Apple markets itself as a privacy-focused company, it will be interesting to see how the company pitches the public on what sounds like an incognito recording device. Although on that note, the App Store still hosts the Grok app, which egregiously violates privacy by generating nearly-nude deepfakes of real people despite Apple's rules explicitly prohibiting such apps.The Information says Apple could release its AI pin as early as 2027. The company sounds confident in the device's appeal, as it reportedly plans to produce around 20 million units at launch.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/apple-is-reportedly-developing-a-wearable-ai-pin-204705065.html?src=rss
Microsoft has announced that the Xbox app is now available on all Arm-based Windows 11 PCs. The app's release follows an update Microsoft made to its Prism emulator in December 2025, which translates x86 and x64 apps to Arm, and now includes support for AVX and AVX2. Both extensions play a role in making games run efficiently on Windows.Windows on Arm users will be able to use the Xbox app to purchase, download and stream PC games, and Microsoft says that "more than 85 percent of the Game Pass catalog" now runs on Arm PCs. Unlike Valve's SteamOS, Windows on Arm also supports anti-cheat software like Epic's Easy Anti Cheat, which means you can access a wider library of online multiplayer games in comparison to what you can get on the Steam Deck.Microsoft has been working on getting Windows running on Arm for years at this point, and the company made a major push with its own Arm-based hardware and the launch of the Copilot+ PC program in 2024. Many Copilot+ PCs use Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips, the latest of which the company announced in September 2025. Up until this point Microsoft's handheld efforts have been focused on PCs running AMD chips, but expanded support for Arm and Qualcomm's own teases certainly makes it seem like an Arm-based Windows 11 handheld could be announced sooner rather than later.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/microsoft-ports-the-xbox-app-to-arm-based-windows-pcs-191049475.html?src=rss
Threads has grown enough for Meta to fully integrate it into its advertising machine. On Wednesday, the company said that, with the platform now hosting 400 million monthly active users, ads are expanding globally to all users. The inevitable move follows a test in 30 countries early last year.Ads on Threads are powered by Meta's AI-powered advertising system. They'll use the "same level of personalization" (i.e., tracking and profiling) as Facebook and Instagram. Image, video and carousel ad formats will all appear natively in Threads feeds.Meta said the ad expansion will begin next week, but the full rollout will take months. "Ads on Threads expansion to all users will be gradual, with ad delivery initially remaining low as we reach global user availability in the coming months," the company wrote in a blog post.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-expanding-ads-to-all-users-globally-183900439.html?src=rss
Apple TV+ has become one of the best streaming services for sci-fi, with hits like Pluribus, Severance, Foundation and many more. There are so many shows that it's easy to forget the one that started it all. For All Mankind was the platform's very first attempt at sci-fi and it's finally coming back after two years for season five on March 27.
The next season will run for ten episodes on a weekly basis. It concludes on May 29, with new installments dropping each Friday.
What follows are some slight spoilers for the show, so read with caution. The streamer dropped a short teaser to announce the release date and it shows Alex Baldwin, grandson of the show's original star, careening around Mars on some sort of motorcycle.
For All Mankind started as an alt-history show that explored what would happen if Russia beat the USA to the moon in the 1960s. However, it has since become famous for time jumps. The next installment takes place in an alternate version of the 2010s and continues the story of competing space agencies after turning Mars into a viable colony.
Apple
Many of the original stars are still kicking around, but the characters are extremely old at this point. Check out this image of an aged Ed Baldwin, still played by Joel Kinnaman. Other returning cast members include Edi Gathegi, Coral Pea and Wrenn Schmidt. New cast members include Sean Kaufman, Mireille Enos, Costa Ronin, Ruby Cruz and Ines Asserson.
The show doesn't get a lot of buzz when compared to some of Apple TV's newer sci-fi properties, but it must still get eyeballs. The platform recently announced a spinoff that will be set in the Soviet Union. It's called Star City but we don't have much information beyond that.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/for-all-mankind-returns-on-march-27-for-a-fifth-season-183212860.html?src=rss
Amazon is introducing an AI-powered assistant to One Medical, the tech-forward primary care provider it acquired in 2023. Dubbed 'Health AI,' Amazon says the tool "provides 24/7 personalized health guidance based on your medical records."
The company says Health AI can explain lab results, help manage medications, and book appointments for patients. Amazon also says it can "analyze images" but doesn't specify whether this means medical imaging or user uploaded photos. While the company specifically says the tool "complements, but does not replace," a patient's healthcare provider, it also vaguely says the AI can "answer general and complex health questions" while "considering your unique health history."
"Health AI recognizes when symptoms, situations, or specific queries require or benefit from human clinical judgment," reads the company's announcement, while giving few details on just how much medical advice the AI tool is empowered to give.
Use of AI tools brings up data privacy concerns, and Amazon says it follows HIPAA-compliant privacy and security practices. The company says that a user's conversations with Health AI are "not automatically added to your medical record." This of course implies the option to do just that. It also says the company doesn't sell members' protected health information.
One Medical has a limited number of brick-and-mortar offices in major metros throughout the US, but the focus of the company seems to be telehealth services. These services are offered as part of an annual subscription, which is discounted for Amazon Prime members. This is only the latest investment Amazon has made in the healthcare space. In recent years the tech giant has begun same-day prescription deliveries in certain markets, and built vending machines for prescription drugs.
Health AI follows the trend of AI companies competing to enter healthcare with their AI-powered chatbots. Google added an AI health coach to the Fitbit app last year, and OpenAI announced a dedicated health portal within ChatGPT in January.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/amazon-is-adding-ai-powered-assistant-to-one-medical-180803368.html?src=rss
Two high-profile upcoming Ubisoft games have been starting to look more and more like vaporware with each passing year. One of them is Beyond Good & Evil 2, which we were assured is still in development last year. The other is the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, which is now officially canceled, along with five other games on Ubisofts release slate.
The news came in a media briefing attended virtually by VGC, in which the French company also announced delays to seven other games as part of a major restructuring. As reported by VGC, the only canceled game currently named by Ubisoft is the remake of its 2003 classic, which was first announced in 2020 and has by all accounts been in various stages of development hell ever since. Three of the others were original new IPs and one was a mobile game.
Ubisoft isnt putting names to the more than half dozen delayed games either, but VGCs report says one was supposed to come out in the first quarter of this year, and will now release before April 2027. While its yet to be officially announced, a remake of Assassins Creed: Black Flag has been heavily rumored for several months and is likely one of the games that has slipped.
Ubisoft also outlined its new organizational model, which will see the company split into five "creative houses" that function as independent business units. One of these is the previously announced, Tencent-backed Vantage Studios, which will oversee a number of the companys flagship franchises, including Rainbow Six, Assassins Creed and Far Cry.
In its Wednesday briefing, Ubisoft also confirmed recent reports that its closing its Stockholm and (recently unionized) Halifax studios, with others, including Star Wars Outlaws developer Massive Entertainment due to be restructured as a result of the new model. Ubisoft declined to tell VGC exactly how many layoffs could occur in the wake of the large-scale reorganization of the company.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time-remake-among-six-games-canceled-by-ubisoft-175801132.html?src=rss
Volvo hasn't exactly had a great run of EVs lately. The rollout of its flagship EX90 was stymied out of the gate by a bevy of software glitches. The EX30, meanwhile, was too expensive when it launched the promised $35,000 model was incompatible with the currently chaotic global tariff situation.Now, it's time for a new generation of EV from Volvo, one that's radically different at its core with a gigacast frame, a much higher-density battery and enough digital and literal horsepower to impress the most jaded of automotive enthusiasts. Mix in high-performance chipsets from both NVIDIA and Qualcomm, plus Google's Gemini AI onboard, and on paper, it has a lot to offer. After getting an early look at the thing at its unveiling in Sweden, I feel like this EV is ready and able to face off against BMW's new iX3 and Mercedes-Benz's upcoming GLC.Let's start with the basics: The EX60 slots in the Volvo product lineup right alongside the existing XC60, Volvo's most popular model in the U.S. It's a two-row, mid-size SUV that seats five, the sort of thing perfect for those with small families or big dogs. It'll be available in three different basic configurations, starting with the single-motor, rear-drive, 369-horsepower, 310-mile EX60 P6. Next up is the AWD dual-motor, 503-hp, 320-mile P10, and finally the top-shelf, 670-hp, 400-mile P12.670 horsepower in an SUV of this size seems frankly excessive to me, but then it does have a lot of weight to move around 5,137 pounds to be exact. Thats thanks in large part to the P12's 112-kilowatt-hour net battery pack which is about 50 percent bigger than the one inside a Tesla Model Y. The P6 is a relatively svelte 4,663 pounds thanks to its smaller 80-kWh net battery pack, while the P10 has 91 kWh.Volvo EX60VolvoBeyond the powertrain divisions, the Volvo EX60 will also be available in a variety of different trims with varying amounts of equipment, including the Volvo Cross Country edition with air suspension and a 20mm boost of ride height. Prices are said to start "around $60k" for an EX60 P10 Plus with a 21-speaker Bose system, but a 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system with Dolby Atmos will be available for those who really need all the channels.Of course, Atmos support is no good without a good source, and to that end, the EX60 will be the first Volvo with Apple Music built in. That'll be part of the company's Android Automotive-based infotainment system, running on a curved 15-inch OLED screen and powered by a Qualcomm 8255 chipset. Its paired with a low, wide gauge cluster set far back on the dashboard behind the steering wheel.This will also be Volvo's first car with integrated Gemini, and indeed one of the first cars on the road with Google's smart agent. You can, of course, do typical Gemini things like ask about the weather or the nuances of René Descartes's concepts on dualism. Beyond that, Volvo CTO Anders Bell said that it will eventually gain access to the car's outward-looking cameras, meaning you'll be able to ask for more details on whatever it is you can see looming on the horizon.Volvo EX60VolvoVolvo calls the car's software-defined architecture and the hardware that powers it HuginCore, named for Huginn, the raven of Norse mythology and represents Odin's mind and senses. Qualcomm powers the infotainment side of the avian experience, but when it comes to active safety, the EX60 relies on an NVIDIA Drive AGX Orin chipset. Unlike the EX90, the EX60 will not use a LiDAR sensor.Volvo CTO Bell downplayed the absence of the sensor. "We realized we can now achieve many more meaningful and safe automated functions without LiDAR than we could have years ago," he said. Per Bell, LiDAR was never really in the plan for the EX60 anyway, a decision looking all the brighter given the recent bankruptcy of Volvo's former LiDAR partner Luminar.The car's cameras and radar sensors all tuck nicely into the new exterior of the EX60, which certainly doesn't look miles off from the EX90 or indeed the current, gas-powered XC60. But the pronounced flares on the front fenders are a nice touch of personality on an otherwise understated SUV.At the core of the EX60 is a new platform Volvo calls SPA3, with a chassis made using gigacasting. This refers to the force required to inject molten aluminum into massive castings, allowing more of the car to be made from fewer components. Volvo says the carbon footprint of the EX60 is lower even than that of the much smaller EX30.The battery packs use the on-trend cell-to-pack construction method, which means all the cells are lumped together into a single unit. Typically, this boosts density at the cost of repairability, a tradeoff most manufacturers seem willing to make in pursuit of higher range and lower costs. However, Bell said that the company has actually made pack maintenance easier by optimizing the layout of the ancillary equipment.Volvo EX60Volvo"The absolute vast majority, 90 percent of anything that ever needs to be repaired on a battery pack is electronics," he said. In the EX60, Volvo positioned the battery electronics beneath the rear seat to make them even easier to access. "We save a lot of weight, save a lot of cost."The EX60 will be Volvo's first car to use the Tesla-style NACS charging standard, and the largest two packs will support charging speeds up to 370 kW. That drops to 320 kW on the 80-kWh net P6.In practical terms, though, they're all roughly the same. Each model charges from 10 to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes, adding between 160 and 173 miles of range in 10 minutes. That's not quite the 200 miles BMW's iX3 can manage in the same time, but it is close.The iX3 will probably be the EX60's fiercest competition when Volvo opens up orders later this spring. The EX60's $60,000 price for a midrange P10 Plus puts it right in line with the $60,000 that BMW says to expect for its iX3. Mercedes hasn't set American pricing for its GLC yet, but that, too, will be on alot of shoppers' lists to compare.I've already been impressed by how both the iX3 and the GLC drive. Sadly, Volvo wouldn't let me behind the wheel of its EX60 just yet, but hopefully I can report back with impressions soon to start to see how all these stack up on the road. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/volvo-ex60-suv-preview-400-mile-range-670-hp-and-google-gemini-onboard-173000033.html?src=rss
