Apple may shift all of its US iPhone production from China to India in an effort to avoid Trump's tariffs, according to a report from The Financial Times. The goal is to manufacture all 60 million iPhone devices sold to American customers in India by 2026, doubling current production numbers in the nation. That would be a stark shift, as Apple has manufactured the majority of its iPhone products in China since they debuted in 2007.
Apple first started building iPhones in India back in 2017 and late in 2023, pledged to build up to 50 million iPhones in the nation within three years with suppliers Foxconn and Tata. With that in mind, it would only have to boost that number by 10 million to achieve the new 60 million unit goal.
Those tariffs of up to 145 percent announced earlier this month have thrown electronic manufacturing into turmoil, despite announced exemptions for smartphones and computers. India, by contrast, has only been subject to a 10 percent US tariff. However, the nation could still be subject to a 26 percent tariff once a 90-day grace period is lifted, particularly as Trump has called India a tariff abuser and tariff king.
Apple reportedly airlifted $2 billion worth of iPhones to the US from India in March to bypass impending China levies. Trump's stated goal with tariffs has been to shift more manufacturing to the US. However, many experts have said that would be virtually impossible, particularly in the electronics industry. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-may-shift-all-us-bound-iphone-production-from-china-to-india-133049630.html?src=rss
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are on sale right now for $179, which is a discount of $50. Just head on over to Wellbots and pop in the code ENGAD50 to score the deal.
This is Googles latest and greatest audio product and easily made our list of the best wireless earbuds. They are smaller and more comfortable than the previous version, which is great. Despite the product shrinkage, the sound has also been improved. The bass is punchy and the highs are crisp.
The battery life is also slightly improved when compared to the original earbuds. You can expect eight hours of use with ANC on, but this increases to 30 hours when you consider the included charging case. These are the companys first earbuds with a Tensor chip, which allows for ultra-low latency audio processing and multi-path signal handling.
Other perks include conversation detection, multipoint Bluetooth and the ability to customize what long-pressing the button does. These earbuds can also automatically switch between devices linked to a Google account, which is great for Android users but doesnt do much for Apple fans.
For those on a serious budget, the Google Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds are also $50 off via Wellbots. Enter the same ENGAD50 code to bring the price down to just $49.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/googles-pixel-buds-pro-2-are-50-off-right-now-130054223.html?src=rss
For earbuds in the $150 range, theres usually not a lot to get excited about. Sure, those models typically offer the basics with decent sound quality, but very few have a stand-out feature that leaves a lasting impression. For its ATH-CKS50TW2 ($149), Audio-Technica sought to do this with extremely long battery life and a neat trick that will help you make the most of it. Theres a lot more to like on this set, including a list of tools that rival more expensive alternatives, but the ATH-CKS50TW2 is far from a complete package. The satisfying audio performance and ability to use them for over 20 hours on a charge might be enough to entice you to overlook those shortcomings.
The good: battery life, magnets and sound quality
When Audio-Technica announced the ATH-CKS50TW2 at CES, the first item on the spec sheet that struck me was the battery life. The company says you can expect up to 25 hours on a full charge without active noise cancellation (ANC) and up to 40 more hours from the charging case. With ANC enabled, youll still get a whopping 15 hours of listening time, which is about double what a lot of the competition offers these days. Importantly, those claims actually held true during my tests.
To maximize those numbers, the company equipped the ATH-CKS50TW2 with so-called Magnetic Switch technology. Specifically, the earbuds snap together with magnets to turn off before you put them in the case. Much of the competition doesnt power down until the earbuds are inside of the case, but with the ATH-CKS50TW2, you dont need to worry about that extra step. Simply take them off and snap them together, then youll know youre no longer wasting precious battery power while the buds are resting on your desk. This also means the ATH-CKS50TW2 wont always be charging in the case when youre not using them, which should help extend battery longevity.
Im also happy to report that Audio-Technica brought its trademark warm, inviting sound profile to the ATH-CKS50TW2. More specifically, the stock audio isnt overly tuned, so bass remains pleasantly thumpy when needed and dialed down when its not. The bassline of Kendrick Lamars tv off booms while the hi-hats, claps and vocals cut through clear. When you switch over to something more mellow with less low-end bombast like Turnpike Troubadours Be Here, you get the full gamut of the acoustic instruments and light drums without bass overpowering the mix.
It doesnt deliver the enhanced clarity and pristine detail that more expensive, flagship-level earbuds do, but the ATH-CKS50TW2 is plenty good for $150. In fact, this may be the best option in terms of sound quality in this price range. On Jason Isbells Foxes in the Snow, for example, the acoustic guitar the lone instrument on the album doesnt have the expressive nuance as it does on Technics AZ100 or Bowers and Wilkins Pi8. But Ill admit the ATH-CKS50TW2 holds its own against similarly priced competition. That, and the extended battery life alone make these earbuds a compelling package.
The not so good: design, controls and a missing feature
By 2025 standards, the ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds are big and bulky. They also feel unbalanced, with much of the weight sitting well outside the curves of your ears. This means theyre not as comfortable as smaller models and feel unsteady. I never had issues with them falling out, but they feel like they could, which isnt great. Perhaps Audio-Technica needed the extra space for bigger batteries, which Im guessing will be an acceptable trade-off for users searching for longer listening times between charges.
Audio-Technica gave the ATH-CKS50TW2 physical controls, which is usually a good thing. Like some of the companys previous models, the buttons are small, positioned along the top edge of the earbuds. Due to the design of the ATH-CKS50TW2 though, you have to hold the earbuds in place while pressing those buttons. Its cumbersome, mostly due to the size and weight of each bud. The bulky, unbalanced construction has trickle-down effects on other aspects of the listening experience.
Billy Steele for Engadget
The ATH-CKS50TW2 is missing a crucial feature wear detection. But the company has done well to include ANC, Hear-Through (ambient sound) mode, a five-band EQ, soundscapes, media controls and battery updates in its app. Theres also a private timer and low latency mode for games and video. You can even adjust how many steps volume adjustments will jump and test your microphone to see if optional noise reduction is needed during calls. Additionally, a quick-attention, Talk-Through mode that reduces volume and activates ambient sound for brief chats too. But you wont find the simple, and handy, automatic pausing when you remove the earbuds from your ears.
The final verdict on the ATH-CKS50TW2
My initial assumption was correct: the main reason to buy the ATH-CKS50TW2 is the extremely long battery life. I dont think the Magnetic Switch feature is necessary to hit the promised runtime, but its nice to know the earbuds are off without having to put them in the case where theyll recharge even when you dont need them to. Audio-Technicas sonic prowess is on display here as well, albeit to a lesser degree than some of the companys other earbuds and headphones.
The design isnt the most comfortable and the controls are awkward to use, but the full list of the ATH-CKS50TW2s features is quite long. espite a few flaws, theres plenty to like here, including the two most important things for a lot of users: sound and battery life.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/audio-technica-ath-cks50tw2-review-long-battery-life-and-satisfying-sound-for-150-130042531.html?src=rss
OpenAI is giving free ChatGPT users limited access to its Deep Research tool without the need to pay for it. In addition, the company has expanded the tool's limits for all users by rolling out a lightweight version of it powered by its o4-mini model. It says the o4-mini Deep Research feature produces slightly shorter responses, but is "nearly as smart, more cost-efficient and delivers similarly high-quality results" as the original version. OpenAI previously released the tool for use by paying Pro, Plus, Team, Edu and Enterprise subscribers. But even they have a limited number of Deep Research queries per month.
The lightweight version of deep research is powered by a version of OpenAI o4-mini and is nearly as intelligent as the deep research people already know and love, while being significantly cheaper to serve.Responses will typically be shorter while maintaining the depth and pic.twitter.com/H2UD5GThVj OpenAI (@OpenAI) April 24, 2025
Plus users, for instance, only had access to 10 inquiries, whereas Pro subscribers paying $200 monthly had a limit of 125. Now, when users hit their limit on the original version, ChatGPT will switch over to the lightweight one. Plus and Team subscribers are now getting an extra 15 Deep Research inquiries a month on top of their 10, while Pro users are getting an additional 125 tasks powered by the lightweight version of the tool on top of their 125. Enterprise and Edu users are getting access to the lightweight tool next week and will get 15 more inquiries every month. As for free users, they can use the tool powered by o4-mini to get up to five answers monthly.
Deep Research has the capacity to analyze websites and various sources to create thorough reports with citations. The company says the tool is "fine-tuned on the OpenAI o3 reasoning model," but the lightweight version is "significantly cheaper to serve."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-deep-research-tool-is-coming-to-free-accounts-123031773.html?src=rss
A company backed by Jeff Bezos, Slate Auto, just came out of stealth mode to unveil its first EV, and it's incredibly interesting. The Slate Pickup is a tiny and boxy, almost Kei-like truck that will be sold in a barebones configuration for as little as $27,500, or $20,000 with the Federal US tax credit. That would make it one of the cheapest EVs available, but there is a catch: it doesn't come with a stereo, touchscreen or even paint options, and the 150 mile range makes it more of an urban runner than a cross country machine.
A good analogy to the Slate Pickup is a home-built PC that comes with the basics but can then be infinitely customized. For the entry-level model (the "Blank Slate"), you get two seats, a bed large enough to hold a sheet of plywood, plastic composite body panels and any paint color you like, as long as it's grey. Curb weight is 3,500 pounds and it's 25-inches shorter than a Ford Maverick. There's no infotainment system, just a universal phone mount and USB power. Power windows? Heck no, it comes standard with crank opening (it does have AC though). And with just a 52.7 kWh battery, range is limited to 150 miles, though it does support 150kW fast charging.
With that as a base, you can start expanding into DIY territory with more than 100 available accessories. Want more passengers? Choose from two SUV options and you'll be able to seat up to five, or go for the open air kit. Those are delivered in a flat pack and designed to be user-installed.
If you want a color scheme that better reflects your personality, get a wrap and decals. There are a number of exterior options, like a spare tire carrier, rear and front bumper upgrades, fender flares, running boards, a lift kit and tower rack lighting. Inside, you can add small or large screens, speakers and yes, a power window kit. The pickup also comes with "Slate access points" that will support future and even homemade accessories.
The battery pack can also be expanded to 84.3 kWh for a target range of 240 miles. With the standard battery, the company says you'll be able to charge to 80 percent in 30 minutes at 120kW using the fast charger. Power is limited compared to other EVs at 201 HP and 195 pound feet of torque, giving the Slate Pickup a 0-60 MPH time of 8.0 seconds and top speed of 90 mph (estimated).
Slate Auto
Where most automakers try to max out a vehicle's features, Slate is banking on a subset of buyers that don't care about, say, self-driving but do enjoy DIY personalization. In its video, the company points out that it took out everything "that wasn't a car" like "a fancy screen, colored lighting, cooled seats, self driving, self parking and automated cup holders." However, it will still comply with Federal safety standards for 2027 as it will be equipped with features like automatic emergency braking and a standard backup camera (with view displayed on the dash since there's no touchscreen).
It remains to be seen if there's a big enough market for such buyers, but the Slate Pickup is certainly affordable. The company is promising you'll pay under $20,000 for the base model if you include federal tax credits (which Trump could kill at any time, by the way) thanks to its direct, Tesla-like sales model. If you're interested, refundable vehicle reservations are now open at $50 at slate.auto. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/slate-auto-unveils-its-us-made-barebones-electric-pickup-costing-just-20000-120029155.html?src=rss
4chan, one of the trolliest places on the internet, could be gone for good following last week's hack. In this episode, Devindra and Cherlynn break down what 4chan was and why it's influence can be found practically everywhere now. It's like we're living in a poster's paradise. Also, we discuss YouTube's 20th birthday and all of the memories (and frustrations) it's given us over the years.
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Topics
4chan is dead, RIP? 2:08
Youtube turns 20 15:59
Nintendos Switch 2 is finally available for preorder at the same price 33:03
Apple and Meta fined a combined 800m under Europes New Digital Markets Act 34:44
OpenAI might be interested in Chrome if Google was compelled to sell 35:30
Google pays Samsung an enormous amount to put Gemini on phones 37:50
The Washington Post partners with OpenAI to bring its content to ChatGPT 38:43
Around Engadget 41:52
Listener Mail: Transitioning from Windows to Mac for CAD / 3D design 47:01
Pop culture picks 54:55
Credits
Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Cherlynn LowProducer: Ben EllmanMusic: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/engadget-podcast-the-death-of-4chan-for-now-113033187.html?src=rss
Nintendo may not have enough Switch 2 consoles for everyone, it seems. Its struggling to meet demand both in Japan and the US, where pre-orders were already delayed due to the tariff fiasco. The official release date for the console, June 5, remains unchanged. However, if you signed up ahead of time on Nintendos site, you may have received an email granting you access to place your order through Nintendo.
The company recently emailed users to inform them it has noted very high demand for the console, so your invitation email may arrive after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, scheduled for June 5. Yeah, your chance to pre-order might happen after the console has already gone on sale.
In Japan, when Nintendo offered the chance to register your interest in purchasing a Switch 2, 2.2 million people applied. Thats almost two percent of the countrys population.
You dont have to buy your console direct from Nintendo, of course, but getting the Switch 2 elsewhere has also been challenging. Best Buy, Walmart and Target pre-orders opened at midnight yesterday, while GameStop in-person and online pre-orders started at 11am. And all of those retailers have either already sold out, or list the console as coming soon.
Did you manage to get an order in? And did you get the Piranha Plant camera?
Mat Smith
The biggest stories you might have missed
MasterClass subscriptions are 40 percent off right now
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Remedys co-op shooter FBC: Firebreak comes out June 17
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Duolingo will help you learn chess
Fetch my red bob!
After adding music and math to its app, Duolingo is now introducing lessons for the true love language: chess. Lessons for beginners and intermediate players will initially be in beta in its iOS app.
The app will start by asking you how much you know about chess, then tailor lessons based on your level I assume it asks you what the horsey piece is called. If you already know how each piece moves, youll face Duolingos Oscar in mini -puzzles, where you have to capture certain pieces using a specified piece. You can also play full level-appropriate games against Oscar but no other humans for now.
Continue reading.
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 review
An original hit RPG.
Engadget
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has many excited. Maybe its the dreamy Belle Époque aesthetic and design. Maybe its the gloriously pulpy concept of an all-powerful Paintress dooming humankind to an ever-shortening mortal clock. Maybe its the characters, bolstered by a starry voice-artist roster, and nuanced animation and story. (Maybe, at this point in gaming, its the $50 price tag.) The surprise boss, however, might be the remake of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, which stealth-launched the day before Expedition 33. Our lives can only take one RPG at a time this compelling, gorgeous RPG is worth your time. And its already on Xbox Game Pass.
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Razer has a vertical mouse now
Yes, there's RGB lighting.
Razer
Razers Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition is the companys first vertical mouse. Vertical designs can be a more ergonomic mouse options, particularly if you experience discomfort when spending long stretches at a computer. Like me, hi.
The Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition has eight programmable buttons and promises a battery life of up to six months. It has a 71.7-degree tilt, so you hold it in a handshake-like grip, which can reduce strain in long-use sessions. Theres also a support on the base that aims to cut down on wrist friction. The cost of ergonomic comfort? $120.
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Motorolas new wireless headphones are worn like jewelry
Dangle dangle.
Moto
Motorola is introducing the Moto Buds Loop, the companys first take on wireless open-ear earbuds. Instead of completely covering your ear, the Moto Buds Loops cuff the outside, almos like a piercing, blocking out less of the world around you, while still letting you hear your music. Motorola says the earbuds have 12mm drivers and Sound by Bose technology, which means theyre tuned for clarity and balance. They also use a combination of AI and dual microphones to minimize background noise.
Continue reading.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-112054646.html?src=rss
In larger than life projections on Shanghai's SuHe Haus building, Night Bloom reimagines climate narratives through Chinese Sign Language and Visual Vernacular (the latter is a sign-based storytelling method using expressive movement). The one-off performance, which took place on 29 March 2025, featured three deaf dancers portraying a blend of climate themes and deaf expression. Sudden storms and wilting plants represented exclusion, for example, while flourishing gardens symbolized hope and renewal. The art piece was co-created by British artist Cathy Mager and Shanghai deaf performer Hu Xiaoshu, and developed through a yearlong collaboration between deaf communities in China and the UK.Reaching beyond artistic expression, Night Bloom highlights how deaf communities are navigating both the climate crisis and communication barriers. During extreme weather events, for example, deaf individuals often receive warnings too late due to the absence of sign language alerts. The project also questions whose voices are heard in climate discourse research shows that marginalized communities, including people with disabilities, are disproportionately impacted by climate change, yet are often not afforded a say in the decision-making that directly affects them. Night Bloom aims to highlight these challenges while raising awareness of sign language as a critical tool in climate communication.Bringing art into public spaces isnt new. But Night Bloom leverages eye-catching aesthetics to surface a powerful message and spark conversations. What urgent message does your brand need to communicate? And could a familiar format deliver it in an unexpected, impactful way?
AI company Perplexity announced in February that it was building its own browser called Comet. In a recent interview with the TBPN podcast, CEO Aravind Srinivas gave some insight as to why the business appeared to be branching out from its artificial intelligence focus: It's to collect user data and sell them targeted advertisements.
"Thats kind of one of the other reasons we wanted to build a browser, is we want to get data even outside the app to better understand you," he said. We plan to use all the context to build a better user profile and, maybe you know, through our discover feed we could show some ads there.
If that all sounds familiar, it could be become Google's Chrome browser has taken a similar approach. In fact, Comet is built on Chromium, the open-source browser base from Google. That's not to say Perplexity wouldn't take the chance to go straight to the source and acquire Chrome in the aftermath of Google's recent monopoly court ruling regarding online search. In the ongoing hearings about Google and its potential sale of Chrome, Chief Business Officer Dmitry Shevelenko said he thought Perplexity would be able to continue running the browser at its current scale. Unsurprisingly, he wasn't too keen on OpenAI acquiring the property.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/perplexity-is-building-a-browser-in-part-to-collect-customer-data-for-targeted-ads-230132091.html?src=rss
Remedy's first foray into co-op shooters, FBC: Firebreak, is officially launching on June 17. Following employees tasked with cleaning up The Oldest House, the mysterious headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Control, the game balances team-based action with the supernatural abilities and enemies that made Control so interesting.
In our hands-on with the game, the biggest and most positive point of comparison for Firebreak''s chaotic action was Left 4 Dead, but the game's unique collection of "jobs" (Remedy's name for missions) includes plenty of weirder tasks, too, like dealing with ominously multiplying sticky notes. Remedy plans to support Firebreak with new jobs after launch and into 2026. All new playable content will be for free, save for cosmetics, which Remedy plans to charge for.
The developer originally announced it was making a multiplayer game set in the Control universe in 2021, when the game was still being published by 505 Games. Following the success of Alan Wake II, Remedy acquired the rights to the entire Control franchise from 505 Games in 2024.
FBC: Firebreak will be available on June 17 for $39.99 on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC. A $49.99 "deluxe edition" will also be available with exclusive cosmetics. If you subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass or PlayStation Plus Premium or Extra, you'll be able to download and play the game for no additional cost.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/remedys-co-op-shooter-fbc-firebreak-comes-out-june-17-190054471.html?src=rss
