The Pixel 10a is official, though details are limited. On Wednesday, Google posted a teaser video showing the mid-range phone dancing around colorful backgrounds. You can pre-order the Pixel 10a on February 18.
Google hasn't yet revealed the phone's specs. In the short video, we can see a blue model that's virtually indistinguishable on the outside from the Pixel 9a. And alleged leaks point to a phone with few changes on the inside. That (unconfirmed) list includes a 6.285-inch display, dual rear cameras (48MP wide and 13MP ultra-wide) and a 5,100mAh battery.
Google
The teaser's tagline appears to be an attempt to assure Pixel fans that there will, in fact, be meaningful upgrades. "A phone with more in store, in store soon," it reads. Hopefully, its pricing and specs will be "in store" for us soon as well.
In the meantime, you can visit the Google Pixel website to register for more info.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/you-can-pre-order-the-pixel-10a-on-february-18-180712018.html?src=rss
Anthropic has announced that its chatbot Claude will remain ad-free. This is in direct contrast to rival company OpenAI, which recently brought ads to ChatGPT for many users.
The company says that "including ads in conversations with Claude would be incompatible" with the chatbot becoming a "genuinely helpful assistant for work and for deep thinking." The reasoning here is rather simple. People tend to share personal details with chatbots, for better or for worse, and getting ads based on that stuff would be creepy. Imagine asking for mental health advice and getting an ad for St. John's wort or something.
Anthropic notes that other conversations "involve complex software engineering tasks, deep work or thinking through difficult problems. The appearance of ads in these contexts would feel incongruousand, in many cases, inappropriate."
The company said that integrating advertising would "work against" the Claude Constitution, which counts "being generally helpful" as a core principle. "Introducing advertising incentives at this stage would add another level of complexity. Our understanding of how models translate the goals we set them into specific behaviors is still developing; an ad-based system could therefore have unpredictable results," it writes in a blog post.
There are some real world concerns here. AI companies gobble up all money in sight and the returns haven't exactly been stellar. Ads are an easy way to recoup some of that investment, which is likely why OpenAI went that route. Engadget reached out to Anthropic to inquire about any kind of forthcoming financial hurdles that could force it to change course. A representative pointed to today's blog post and said it's "all the information we have to share at this time."
We do know that Anthropic remains committed to commerce-based agentic AI. It said it will "continue to build features that enable our users to find, compare or buy products, connect with businesses and more."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-says-it-wont-bring-ads-to-claude-unlike-rival-chatgpt-171243642.html?src=rss
You can find a lot of good deals for Presidents Day, but to say its a tech-deal boon would be an overstatement. The best Presidents Day deals are usually on mattresses, appliances and furniture, but you can find some decent tech sales thrown in as well. This year, Presidents Day comes right after Valentines Day and Super Bowl 2026, which means there are even more chances to save as sales and discounts overlap. If youre looking for a new streaming device, a fresh iPad or an upgraded vacuum so you can enter the spring-cleaning season properly, we have you covered. These are the best President Day sales on tech we could find this year.
Presidents Day deals under $50
Roku Streaming Stick Plus 2025 for $24 (40 percent off): This is one of the most affordable ways to get 4K streaming on almost any TV set. The dongle has a sleek design, it comes with handy remote that can also control your TVs power and volume and the device gives you access to Rokus TV operating system, which has tons of ways to watch free content.
Anker Nano 45W USB-C charger for $30 ($10 off): Ankers latest 45W charger has a small smart display on it that can show you real-time charging stats. Its compact design is great for travel, as are its foldable prongs.
Blink Mini 2K+ 2 cameras for $45 (50 percent off): Blinks latest plug-in security cameras support 2K video and improved audio quality. Like previous versions, these cameras have two-way talk, motion alerts and support for Alexa voice commands.
TurboTax Deluxe for $45 (44 percent off): While it pains us to recommend Intuits software, it may be the best (and cheapest) option for some this tax season particularly those who don't qualify for Free File.
Anker Nano 5K ultra-slim magnetic power bank for $46 (16 percent off): This Qi2 power bank measures less than a half inch thick and snaps onto the backs of the latest iPhones for wireless charging. Its 5K capacity will be enough to top up your phone when its close to empty, preventing you from searching for a charger or outlet.
Presidents Day deals on Apple devices
Apple iPhone Air MagSafe battery pack for $79 (20 percent off): This magnetic power bank will add up to 65 percent additional battery charge to the iPhone Air, but note that it only works with Apples new, ultra-slim smartphone. Weve tested plenty of others that also work with other iPhone and smartphone models.
Apple Watch Series 11 for $299 ($100 off): The latest flagship Apple Watch has excellent performance, a boosted battery life and a lightweight design that you can comfortably wear all day long and even into the night to track sleep.
iPad mini (A17 Pro ) for $399 ($100 off): The updated iPad mini runs on the A17 Pro chip for improved performance, plus it has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, a 12MP ultra wide camera with Center Stage, USB-C charging and compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro.
Beats Studio Pro for $170 (51 percent off): Beats updated these cans to have improved sound quality, and you can really hear the difference from models that came before it. These headphones also have solid Transparency mode, good voice performance and USB-C audio.
Beats Solo 4 headphones for $130 (35 percent off): These on-ear headphones support spatial audio and dynamic head tracking, and they have up to 50 hours of battery life. The fast fuel feature allows them to get up to five hours of playback time with just a quick 10-minute power-up.
More Presidents Day deals on tech
Disney+ and Hulu bundle (one month) for $10 ($3 off)
Shark Steam & Scrub steam mop for $125 (22 percent off)
Levoit LVAC-200 cordless vacuum for $150 (25 percent off)
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds for $179 (22 percent off)
Roku 55-inch 4K smart TV for $248 (29 percent off)
Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar for $369 ($130 off)
Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones for $398 (13 percent off)
Anker Nebula Capsule 3 projector for $540 (28 percent off)
Hisense 75-inch QD7 Mini-LED 4K smart TV for $548 (16 percent off)
DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo drone bundle for $575 (20 percent off)
Google Pixel 10 Pro for $899 (18 percent off)
Sony 55-inch Bravia XR8B 4K smart TV for $998 (9 percent off)
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/presidents-day-sales-2026-the-best-tech-deals-from-apple-sony-roku-and-others-163000379.html?src=rss
Egyptian regulators have banned Roblox, a popular children's video game, Bloomberg reports. The nation's Supreme Council for Media Regulation is coordinating with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority on the decision to ensure its enforcement.
The state-owned outlet reported that Senator Walaa Hermas Radwandid had proposed regulation of the platform to protect childrens moral and educational values." The senator outlined his concerns with the nature of the Roblox platform, including the ability to communicate directly with strangers as well as "potential psychological and behavioral effects on young users." In a statement to Bloomberg, Roblox stated that it has "built rigorous safeguards that go beyond those of many other platforms."
Egypt joins others including Iraq, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and the UAE that have banned or heavily restricted the US-based gaming platform; Turkey and Russia also enacted blanket bans on Roblox recently, citing the "promotion of homosexuality" and "LGBT propaganda."
Roblox has a significant presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The company's most recent economic impact report claims it added $15 million to total GDP across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Qatar and the UAE between 2021 and 2024.
Roblox recently tightened its age verification requirements for certain in-game features following pressure from numerous US state attorneys general over child safety, though the new system is reportedly a mess.
All of this comes against the backdrop of globally internet restrictions, especially for social media services. A raft of nations including Australia, Spain and Denmark have moved to ban social media entirely for children.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/egypt-to-block-roblox-for-all-users-161343443.html?src=rss
Amazons next-generation AI assistant is now available to everyone in the US for $20 per month, or for free if youre a Prime member. Amazon has also introduced a try-before-you-buy free tier for non-Prime members, but its limited to text-based chat.
Alexa+ has been in early access since last year, and Amazon says its listened to user insights ahead of rolling out the update nationwide today. If youre a Prime member, you can start using the new assistant by saying "Alexa, upgrade to Alexa+" or by heading to Alexa.com and signing into your Amazon account. The Alexa website is also where youll find the new free Alexa chat feature, which lets you ask questions and research various topics with usage limits.
Given that a Prime membership costs less ($15 per month) than Alexa+ on its own, Amazon is no doubt hoping that the introduction of its now more conversational Alexa assistant will entice some would-be subscribers. Amazon also offers a 30-day free trial of Prime to first-time customers.
As well as allowing more complex and naturally flowing interactions, Alexa+ also has new agentic capabilities, making it more effective at managing your schedule, providing recommendations, making reservations and controlling your smart home devices. Its also a more personalized experience, with the idea being that Alexa keeps an eye on your digital activity so it gives you more useful answers.
Whether the overhauled Alexa will work for everyone remains to be seen. In our preview last summer, Engadgets Cherlynn Low wrote about her conflicted feelings on the next-gen assistant. While impressed by its ability to handle more complex tasks, she found the experience to be inconsistent and "just incompetent enough to be annoying."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/alexa-is-now-available-nationwide-with-a-free-text-based-version-for-non-prime-members-to-try-155550342.html?src=rss
Most marketers and salespeople say B2B buyers are less trusting of prospecting today compared with in the past, according to recent research. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
AI-driven search, AI browsers, and LLMs are reshaping how people and machines use the web. Discover why websites still matter and how brands can adapt. Read more. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
Despite its supremely sleek design, the iPhone Air actually has a pretty respectable battery life, lasting for somewhere in the region of 27 hours if youre continuously streaming video. But youre still going to be wary of it dying on you if youre on a trip or just having a particularly screen-heavy day. Thats where Apples iPhone Air MagSafe battery pack comes in, and its currently on sale for $79.
This accessory only works with the iPhone Air, but much like the phone it attaches to, its extremely slim at 7.5mmm, so crucially doesnt add so much bulk when attached that it defeats the point of having a thin phone in the first place. The MagSafe Battery isnt enormous at 3,149mAh (enough to add an extra 65 percent of charge to the Air), but it can wirelessly charge the AirPods Pro 3 as well, making it an even more useful travel companion. You can also charge your iPhone while charging the battery pack.
At its regular price of $99, the MagSafe battery pack is an admittedly pricey add-on to what is already an expensive phone, but for $20 off its well worth considering what Engadgets Sam Rutherford called an "essential accessory" for some users in his iPhone Air review.
Many Apple loyalists will always insist on having first-party accessories for their iPhone, but there are plenty of third-party MagSafe chargers out there too, a lot of them considerably cheaper than Apples lineup. Be sure to check out our guide for those.
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-iphone-air-magsafe-battery-is-cheaper-than-ever-144516608.html?src=rss
Its hard to tell the difference between Apples second-generation AirTag and the almost-five-year-old original just by looking at them. In fact, the only way to tell is the many scratches on my old tracker, picked up from all those years attached to my keyring, living in my pocket.
While the price is still $29, Apples latest tracker packs some core upgrades. The new AirTag has a second-generation ultra-wideband (UWB) chip that extends its Precise Finding range up to 50 percent, though it requires an iPhone 15 or newer to do so. Its also apparently 50 percent louder and has a new, higher-pitched chime. Still no keyring hole, though.
The new AirTag looks the same. Its arguably the most understated hardware design Apple has ever made, with no buttons or ports, just a company logo on one side. Its made from a combination of a stainless steel plate and a (now 85-percent recycled) plastic enclosure. Its like a thick coin, a little bigger than a quarter, and slips into any small pocket or wallet. The battery can be replaced by rotating the backing off, but it's still solid enough that I never felt there was a risk of coming off accidentally.
Apples accessories to attach the AirTag to your keys are still more expensive than the tracker itself. However, compared to when the original tracker launched, theres now a rich collection of third-party options from the likes of Mophie, Belkin and more, many of which are more reasonably priced at around $15. A $35 keyring for a $29 tracker is a very tough sell, Apple.
Apple's new AirTag promises increased range and a louder ring chime.
Mat Smith for Engadget
Setting up a new AirTag is just as effortless as its predecessor. Pull out the plastic tag, connecting the battery, and a notification will pop up on your nearby iPhone. You can then name it, assign it to an item and itll join your list of findable Apple hardware.
Ive been testing the range of the new AirTag, and if anything, the 50 percent increase in Precision Finding range is a conservative estimate. Naturally, tracking can be affected by building structure, walls, a lack of nearby Find My network devices and other interference, but the next-generation AirTags getting closer screen consistently appeared on my phone when I was around 80 feet away. The older tracker, however, needed me to be around 30-40 feet away to do the same. The benefit of Precision Finding was limited on the debut AirTag, because its range was so tiny especially in busy environments. The hardware upgrades now make it truly useful. The new AirTag is also faster to connect and more responsive to my movements and sudden turns, thanks, I expect, to the new ultra-wideband chip.
You can now also use newer Apple Watches (Series 9, Ultra 2 and up) with precision location detection. After updating her Apple Watch Series 11 to the latest software, my colleague Cherlynn Low reported that locating the new AirTag was pretty much the same as on an iPhone. She did find it slightly counterintuitive to have to first add the Find My shortcut to the Control Center on the watch instead of going to the Find My Items app to do so, but ultimately, once she did that, it mirrored the existing setup for Precision Finding on iPhones.
Apple's new AirTag promises increased range and a louder ring chime.
Mat Smith for Engadget
Apple also redesigned the AirTags speaker assembly, which it says makes sounds 50 percent louder. Possibly the most effective audio upgrade is a higher-pitched chime thats easier to hear over ambient noise and in busy public spaces. I could hear it ringing out from the other side of my gyms locker room, while inside a locker, over music playing in the background. My old AirTag was inaudible until I was a few feet away from my locker. I always thought the sound on the original AirTag was a little too low-key for something you were urgently trying to find. (Id love to be able to customize the chime, though.)
Its the Find My network that makes the AirTag shine. Apples massive footprint of over a billion devices, from iPhones to Macs, continues to offer a tracking range and finer precision than GPS and Bluetooth alone. If anything, this network is even more built out since the launch of the first Apple tracker.
Since we tested the first AirTag, Apple has added multiple new features, usually through iOS updates, that expanded the utility and versatility of its trackers. In iOS 17, you could share an AirTag throug Family Sharing. In iOS 18.2, Share Item Location allowed you to share your tracking information with third parties (such as airlines or train companies), improving the chances of finding the AirTag.
There have also been subsequent safety upgrades, including expanding unknown tracker alerts to Android devices without needing to install an app. Apple also reduced the time an AirTag takes to emit a sound when separated from its owner, shifting the interval to a random range between 8 and 24 hours. At launch, this was a three-day span.
Wrap-up
Apple's second-gen AirTag is still $29.
Mat Smith for Engadget
Do you need the new AirTag? While improved in every way, its pretty much the same device. However, the AirTags simplicity and ease of use are second to none when it comes to Bluetooth trackers. If you already own a single AirTag for your keys or wallet, upgrading to the second-gen iteration and repurposing the old one to track, say, your luggage, makes a lot of sense. You get the more precise location tracking and sensing for your smaller item, while you can reduce your bag anxiety if your suitcase doesnt make it to your destination.
There's no doubt the second-gen AirTags are improved, and thankfully, upgrading to the new capabilities doesnt come at too steep a cost. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/apple-airtag-2026-review-143000427.html?src=rss
Nintendo has lined up its first showcase of the year. The next Nintendo Direct is taking place on February 5 at 9AM ET, the company has announced. It will run for around 30 minutes.As previous reports suggested, it will focus on third-party titles from partners instead of first-party games from Nintendo itself. So if you were hoping for new Mario or Zelda announcements, that may not happen during this event. Still, you can expect to hear about new games that are coming to Switch and Switch 2. You can tune into the Direct via the YouTube video embedded above. FromSoftwares The Duskbloods, a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, is slated to arrive this year, so we may get another look at that (or the Switch 2 version of Elden Ring, for that matter). Meanwhile, Resident Evil Requiem will hit the console later this month, so it wouldnt be surprising to see Capcom making an appearance during this Direct.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendos-first-direct-showcase-of-2026-is-scheduled-for-february-5-141931154.html?src=rss
