Motorola has refreshed its budget Moto G and Moto G Power phones. The two 5G handsets have larger displays than last year's models with a 0.1-inch bump to 6.7 inches and 6.8 inches, respectively. Both have a high-brightness mode that reaches 1,000 nits to help make the screens more visible in bright daylight. They have a 120Hz refresh rate as well.
The Moto G 2025 and Moto G Power 2025 each have Dolby Atmos support, along with bass boost tech and hi-res audio. What's more, they each have a 5,000 mAh battery and run on the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset.
The Moto G starts at $200. It boasts a 50MP main camera and Gorilla Glass 3, along with an IP52-rated water-repellent design. The handset, which will be available in forest gray and sapphire blue, has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD) in its base configuration.
Motorola
As for the latest Moto G Power, that doubles the Moto G's RAM and base storage, while it has Gorilla Glass 5 instead of 3. It should be more robust as well, since it has IP68/69 water protection. The Moto G Power starts at $300 and will be available in leaf green and slate gray.
The Moto G 2025 will arrive at select US retailers on January 30 and the Moto G Power will hit shelves one week later, on February 6. Folks in Canada will need to wait until May 2 for both handsets, which run Android 15 out of the box.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/motorola-refreshes-its-moto-g-and-moto-g-power-phones-with-slightly-larger-displays-140027125.html?src=rss
The UK's Competition and Market's Authority (CMA) has launched an antitrust investigation into Google's search services, following similar steps from the likes of Japan, the United States and the European Union. It's the CMA's first probe under the UK's Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act, which went into effect on January 1, 2025. The regulatory body previously announced it would launch two separate investigations this month.
The CMA's investigation will look at whether Google is hindering outside innovation, giving its own services preference and collecting or using data without users' consent. "Millions of people and businesses across the UK rely on Googles search and advertising services with 90 percent of searches happening on their platform and more than 200,000 UK businesses advertising there," said Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, in a release. "Thats why its so important to ensure these services are delivering good outcomes for people and businesses and that there is a level playing field, especially as AI has the potential to transform search services."
The DMCC Act allows the CMA to designate certain companies with "Strategic Market Status" (SMS) around a specific digital activity in this case Google's search and search advertising services. The companies must have a global turnover of 25 million or 1 billion in the UK.
This label allows the CMA to have greater regulatory power over these services and implement pro-competition directives. For example, if the CMA gives Google's search and search advertising services an SMS designation then it could force the company to make collected data available to competitors or to give publishers greater control over how Google utilizes their data. The investigation can take up to nine months and the CMA is asking for comments until February 3 from interested parties.
Google has fought previous calls investigations into its search engine. However, in December, the company shared proposed changes to its search services in the US, following the Department of Justice's call for it to sell off Chrome. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/uk-opens-antitrust-investigation-into-googles-search-practices-140002739.html?src=rss
DJI continues its streak of innovative (and highly leaked) drones with the launch of the Flip, a lightweight and people-safe model that folds in a new direction downward to accommodate the large, shrouded propellers. The new model should appeal to beginners and experienced users alike with features like a large sensor, 4K 100p video, safety features, a three-axis gimbal and an affordable price.
The company says the Flip "combine[s] the simplicity of the DJI Neo with the stunning photo capabilities of the DJI Mini," but in many ways, it's better than both. It borrows a LiDAR system from the Air 3S for obstacle detection and the Flip's propellers are protected on all sides, making it all but impossible to hurt someone with them. DJI says the support structure for the guards is made of carbon fiber string that's 1/60th the weight of polycarbonate material and just as strong. That made it possible to keep the weight under 249 grams, so buyers will be able to fly it without a permit in most countries.
DJI
For beginners, the Flip is just like the Neo in that users can place it in their hand and select from one of six intelligent shooting modes like Dronie or Boomerang. Then, it'll take off automatically and perform that flight mode, capturing high-quality video at up to 4K 60p while avoiding obstacles using the LiDAR sensor. That'll help creators who are new to drones safely grab quick and interesting aerial shots.
More advanced users can also fly it with a controller, either the RC 2 with a screen or the RC-N3 without one. That allows full manual control and also unlocks DJI's FocusTrack tech (with ActiveTrack 4.0, Spotlight 2.0, and Point of Interest 3.0), letting you track yourself or another subject automatically. At the same time, it'll avoid forward obstacles using the LiDAR and objects below with the 3D infrared system. However, the Flip can't track obstacles behind it, so users need to beware when flying backward.
If you're hoping to use the Flip as an FPV drone, you can forget about that. Unlike the Neo, it doesn't support the Goggles N3 and Motion 3 controller combo, and there's no word if it'll do so in the future.
Steve Dent for Engadget
The Flip can fly forward at up to 26 MPH in sport mode (with object detection disabled) pretty fast for such a small drone. Given the light weight and large surface area when unfolded, though, it's not going to be the best drone in high winds. However, the large propellers also mean the Flip is far quieter than the Neo in flight, meaning it'll be more practical to use at events like weddings or concerts.
The batteries are feather light at 83.5 grams, but pack in 3,110 mAh of power, allowing the Flip to remain aloft for about 34 minutes max (about 28 minutes in the real world). They can be charged either directly on the drone or much more quickly using the four-battery charger in the Fly More kit (70 minutes for two batteries with 65W of power). To keep the weight down, the Flip has no built-in internal storage, so you'll need a high-speed microSD card.
DJI
The Flip supports DJI's O4 transmission system with live video up to 1080p at 60fps. That allows for a maximum range of 8 miles in the US, or 5 miles in Europe darn good for such a small device. Like the Neo, the Flip can also be controlled by a smartphone via WiFi, but only out to 50m at most.
With the same 1/1.3-inch sensor as the Mini 4 Pro, you can expect to get about the same (very good) video and photo quality. The flip supports 4K at up to 60fps or 4K at 100fps in slow-motion mode, in either regular, HDR or D-LogM quality. Unlike with the Mini 4 Pro, though, the camera doesn't, er, flip sideways to allow for full resolution vertical shooting, so that's limited to 2.7K a bit of a bummer for TikTok or Insta creators.
DJI's latest drone appears to be a response, in part, to its rival HoverAir. HoverAir also makes lightweight drones with shrouded propellers that fold down, while offering palm takeoff and creator-friendly features. However, the Flip has larger propellers and double the flight time.
DJI
One small downside I noticed is that the Flip's propellers don't have a huge amount of ground clearance, so they tend to snag even in short grass on takeoff. As such, you'll generally need to take off from a flat, smooth surface or your hand. For more detailed information, stay tuned for my full Engadget review arriving shortly.
Otherwise, the Flip looks like another solid drone from DJI, providing more benefits than the Neo (and far less noise) for just over $200 more. The Flip is now available at $439 with the RC-N3 controller, $639 with the RC 2 screen controller or $779 in the Fly More kit with the RC 2 screen controller, charging hub, carrying case and two extra batteries.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/djis-flip-combines-the-best-of-its-lightweight-drones-for-439-130054569.html?src=rss
Welcome back to the newsletter. We are changing things up, so expect to see at least two editions each week, with the occasional special edition. The newsletter will continue to live on Engadget.com too, but if you havent subscribed, you should do that.
Next week, Samsung will reveal its next family of Galaxy phones. Not the foldables, no, but the traditional S series devices. Going on track record, we can expect to see three S25 devices: standard, Plus and Ultra.
Theres unlikely to be a huge change to aesthetics, but we expect some subtle differences rounded corners, flatter edges and (of course) thinner bezels. Inside, at least in the US, the S25 series will probably be powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Elite, designed for on-device generative AI. The chip promises 45 percent faster single- and multi-core performance while using 27 percent less power than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, so it could improve battery life too.
Some rumors suggest a Galaxy S25 Slim with a you guessed it slimmer design. Its all very on trend. However, given the FCC certifications only appear to cover the usual trio of flagships, that device may not arrive until later in the year. (If at all.)
Expect an awful lot of AI razzle-dazzle too. One rumor suggests the Galaxy S25 series will include an AI Agent that provides personalized clothing suggestions and transport information, even though Google and myriad third-party apps already fully service the latter. Id put money on a laborious bragging segment from Samsung and its AI tricks many of which will fall by the wayside. A request: Please steal the Pixels Add Me photo feature.
Well be reporting live from Samsungs first Unpacked event of 2025. Mark your calendar for January 22!
Mat Smith
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The biggest tech stories you missed
Amazon Prime will no longer let clothes shoppers try before you buy after this month
CES 2025 was more shoppable than conceptual
Celebs and tech luminaries want to create a fully open social media ecosystem
iPhone Air rumors and an entry-level iPad
According to Bloomberg, the iPhone 17 Air will be 2mm thinner.
The rumored ultra-thin iPhone weve heard about for the last few months will get Apples Air branding. In his Power On newsletter, Bloombergs Mark Gurman said the iPhone 17 Air will be roughly 2 millimeters thinner than any other phone model.
It will have a base-level A19 chip and a single-lens camera system, Gurman notes, and will serve as a testing ground for future technologies. A single-lens camera could be an intriguing decision now three sensors is the standard for Apples most premium phones.
Now, how about a MacBook mini?
Continue reading.
Sonos CEO steps down after disastrous app launch
After eight years on the job.
Sonos
Sonos CEO Patrick Spence is leaving the company after last years disastrous app launch, in which its redesign was missing core features. Back in May 2024, the company rolled out a mobile app rife with bugs and missing features like alarms and sleep timers. Some customers even complained that entire speaker systems would no longer work after updating to the new app. Sonos stock price has fallen by around 13 percent since the app launched. Sonos laid off over 100 people in August as it tried to fix the software and revenue fell 16 percent in the fiscal fourth quarter, which ended on September 28.
Spences payout package includes $7,500 per month until June, a cash severance of $1.9 million and shares in Sonos. I aspire to screw up an app update.
Continue reading.
Meta deleted links to Instagram competitor Pixelfed
Sharing the Instagram alternative was briefly considered spam.
Meta appeared to block links to Pixelfed, a decentralized photo-sharing platform, on Facebook, according to users on both Bluesky and 404 Media. A small group of posts that linked to pixelfed.social was deleted, with Facebooks Community Standards on spam used as a justification.
Theres a bigger impetus for users to jettison Instagram: Meta just announced dramatic changes to how it plans to moderate speech on its platforms. The company is ending both its third-party fact-checking program and made changes to its Hateful Conduct policy last week. A Meta spokesperson said removing the posts to Pixelfed was a mistake, and theyd be reinstated.
Continue reading.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121522357.html?src=rss
With TikTok likely just days away from being banned in the US, the apps users are pushing some previously little-known apps to the top of Apple and Googles stores. The app that has so far seemed to benefit the most is a Chinese social media app called RedNote or Xiaohongshu, which translates to "little red book."
The TikTok-like app for shortform video is currently the number one app in Apples App Store and is in the 34th spot in Googles Play Store. RedNote has been gaining popularity as many TikTok creators have begun posting about their experiences trying out the Chinese app. Meanwhile, over on RedNote, a number of creators have shared videos about welcoming TikTok refugees to the service.
The app is set up very much like TikTok, with the ability to vertically scroll through feeds of shortform videos based on your interests. Much of the apps interface is in Chinese, so it can be a bit confusing to navigate, though there are some helpful videos on TikTok that explain how to change the apps language to English.
While RedNote seems to have come out of nowhere, the app has been popular in China for years. CNBC reports that the more than decade-old app is seen as a challenger to ByteDances Douyin and e-commerce giant Alibaba, with about 300 million users.
RedNote isnt the only app thats been boosted by anxious TikTok users. Another ByteDance app, Lemon8, is also trending in both Apple and Googles stores, where its in the second and first spot, respectively. But while TikTok itself has at times boosted the app, Lemon8 will likely face the same fate as TikTok should the Supreme Court side with the Biden Administration, which seems likely.
Another video app called Flip, which describes itself as where social meets shopping, is also trending in both app stores. The app, from Los Angeles-based Humans, Inc., features shortform videos and an in-app storefront. Its currently ranked number 14 in Googles store and number four in Apples. The company was valued at more than $1 billion last year, according to Crunchbase.
Another app that has seemingly benefited from the impending TikTok ban is something called ReelShort. While the apps name sounds like a play on Instagrams reels and YouTube Shorts both of which are well established TikTok clones the app seems to be less of a TikTok clone and more of a wannabe streaming platform. The app features bite-sized clips of longer movies with bizarre titles like The Heiress Blacklisted her Husband and In Love with the Alpha. ReelShort is number seven in the App Store number two in Google Play.
While its unlikely any of these apps will remain popular for long, the fact that so many relatively unknown apps have risen to the top of the app stores so quickly is yet another sign of how influential TikToks users and creators can be. It also highlights how banning TikTok alone wont curb the influence of Chinese tech companies in the US.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/chinese-social-media-app-rednote-is-the-number-one-app-as-tiktok-ban-looms-235929802.html?src=rss
Last week, Meta decided it would replace its professional fact-checking program with X-style "Community Notes" and it looks like a version of the feature is already being tested on Threads. Alessandro Paluzzi, a developer who frequently posts leaked details on Meta's apps, shared three screenshots that show an early look of what the Community Notes will look like in Threads.
Paluzzi's images show a new "Write Community Note" option in the menu you can access in the corner of a Threads post. If you select it, it looks like you'll be able to anonymously submit your note, and if it's rated as helpful, it will appear under the post. The whole setup is not dissimilar from how X uses Community Notes, which started as a feature called "Birdwatch" on Twitter before Elon Musk acquired and renamed the company.
Alessandro Paluzzi
Engadget has reached out to Meta for information on the new Threads feature and will update this post if we learn more.
Community Notes are just one of the ways Threads is changing under Meta's new approach to moderation. The app, which was against the sharing and promoting of "political" content, will now also suggest political posts. Instagram and Threads head Adam Mosseri demonstrated how you can adjust the amount of political content you see in your feed in a short video shared to Threads today. Meta is giving users three options to choose from: "See less," which attempts to weed out political content, "Standard," which suggests some political content and "See more," which treats political content like everything else on the app.
It's not clear that Community Notes or toggles for political content address the actual issues users have with Threads, or if they'll make anyone happier. They do fit with the "free speech warrior" image Meta is trying to project, though.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-is-starting-to-test-community-notes-232150151.html?src=rss
Alarmo, the most important hardware announcement Nintendo's made in the last year, will soon be available to a lot more people. Nintendo says the motion-tracking alarm clock will be able to be purchased "in stores at participating retailers" in March, without the need for a Nintendo Switch Online subscription or a visit to a physical Nintendo store.
Nintendo's alarm clock originally launched in October 2024. It combines beloved sound effects from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Pikmin 4 with motion sensors that can track your tossing and turning. This gives the Alarmo some rudimentary sleep tracking features, and morning alarms that can get louder the more you flop around, only stopping when you actually sit up.
Nintendo Sound Clock: #Alarmo will be available in stores at participating retailers in March 2025, no Nintendo Switch Online membership required. Available while supplies last. pic.twitter.com/qhVo0NMKjx Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 13, 2025
As Engadget's review found, Alarmo is pricey at $100, and not particularly great as a sleep tracker. The alarm clock can only track one person at a time, which keeps anyone who shares a bed from accessing its most charming feature. But if you're weak to Nintendo nostalgia or have a child who's already a fan, the clock is a cute way to start your morning routine.
In March, retailers will only have Alarmo "while supplies last," but hopefully by then, die-hard Nintendo fans will already be saving up for their next big purchase.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/nintendos-goofy-alarm-clock-will-be-available-to-everyone-in-march-222912137.html?src=rss
Meta appeared to be blocking links to Pixelfed, a decentralized photo-sharing platform, on Facebook, according to both users on Bluesky and 404 Media. A small group of posts that linked to "pixelfed.social" was deleted, with Facebook's "Community Standards on spam" used as a justification.
When asked to comment, a Meta spokesperson said removing the posts was a mistake and that they'd be reinstated.
Pixelfed runs on the ActivityPub protocol and is part of the wider "fediverse" of decentralized posting platforms. It functions a lot like Instagram in its ability to let you share, like, and comment on images, but because its on ActivityPub, your posts could show up in other apps or be ported to entirely different takes on photo sharing if you want. Meta is slowly adopting parts of ActivityPub into Threads, which makes it possible to post to Threads and Mastodon at the same time, for example.
The timing of these deletions is enough to make anyone suspicious. Meta just announced pretty dramatic changes to how it plans to moderate speech on its platforms. The company decided to end both its third-party fact checking program and change its Hateful Conduct policy last week. The company's loosening standards now allow for speech that would be defined as hateful under any normal circumstance, based on what Wired was able to dig up.
It's not unreasonable to imagine users might consider jumping ship to an alternative like Pixelfed in response, and the platform did share on Saturday that it was "seeing unprecedented levels of traffic to pixelfed.social." It's also not unreasonable to imagine the new right-leaning Meta might preemptively block its competitors, just like X did with links to Mastodon and Substack. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-admits-it-deleted-links-to-decentralized-instagram-competitor-pixelfed-194624098.html?src=rss
Samsung just announced new sleep-tracking tools available via the companys Health app. This includes a new analysis tool that leverages other SmartThings enabled devices. Each morning, users receive a sleep environment report that takes factors like temperature, humidity, air quality and light intensity into account.
The app will also let folks automatically adjust room settings via the aforementioned connected devices. This should help people create the ideal sleep environment.
Theres another tool called sleep time guidance that suggests the optimal bedtime and wake-up time for each individual user. This is determined by analyzing sleep patterns, nightly habits and room conditions. Finally, the app now includes a new mindfulness tracker that helps manage mood, breathing and stress levels.
The company also made some announcements regarding the Galaxy Ring, just ahead of Samsung Unpacked on January 22. New sizes of the smart ring will be available for purchase on that date, which include two larger variants. This brings the number of available ring sizes to 11, with three color options. Additionally, the device is coming to new regions. These countries include Greece, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan and many more.
This news likely indicates that there wont be a Galaxy Ring 2 announced at Unpacked. Instead, the event should focus on new smartphones and (of course) AI junk, er, I mean tools.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/samsung-introduces-new-sleep-tracking-metrics-that-take-advantage-of-smartthings-enabled-devices-182052999.html?src=rss
I think its safe to say that most humans on this planet are growing, how can I put this lightly, weary of the current billionaire stewards of our social media ecosystem. X is a hateful mess. Meta is trying to become a hateful mess. TikTok is likely on its way out. Social media is just not that fun or useful anymore.
However, a cadre of celebrities and notable ex-Twitter users are trying to save social media from billionaire capture by creating something called FreeOurFeeds. These folks want to build a new social media ecosystem, one that is focused on the public good instead of profit-driven incentives, as reported by User Mag.
So thrilled to be working with folks like @audreyt, @doctorow, @shoshanazuboff, @Moonalice and @jimmy_wales on #FreeOurFeeds.Weve got a chance here: Blueskys open protocol is an incredible opportunity to reimagine social media and take it back from fickle billionaires. https://t.co/QSjbg6MAIV Eli Pariser | @elipariser@mastodon.social (@elipariser) January 13, 2025
Some of the big names behind this project include actor Mark Ruffalo, actor/director Alex Winter and sci-fi writer/journalist Cory Doctorow. Brian Eno is involved, as is Jimmy Wales (the founder of Wikipedia.) The plan involves building new social media apps on top of the pre-existing AT Protocol, which is a decentralized framework that Bluesky runs on. This would ostensibly give users significant control over their data, algorithms and the entire online experience.
The last two decades have seen the world sleepwalk into a situation where a handful of companies dictate our entire social media experience. Now, for the first time we have an opportunity to rewrite the rules. Blueskys underlying technology, the AT protocol, could offer a new pathway for the social web. said Sherif Elsayed-Ali, Executive Director of the Future of Technology Institute.
There are a couple of major hurdles here. Bluesky is still backed by venture capital, so the team has to raise money to ensure the underlying technology is put on an independent pathway, so that the future of social media can be freed from the whims of any one company or group of billionaires.
The foundation also requires money to start building critical infrastructure. All told, the organization hopes to raise $30 million over the next three years. Theres a GoFundMe right now, with the intent to raise an initial $4 million. Initial funds will be spent to launch a public interest foundation that will attempt to make Blueskys underlying tech fully resistant to billionaire capture.
Before you dismiss this notion as a bunch of rich celebrities holding out a donation can, lets remember that even the wealthiest celebrity doesnt hold a handle to the billionaires that control the levers of power. Mark Ruffalo, likely the most notable member of the group, is worth around $30 million and Alex Winter is worth $4 million.
Elon Musk is worth $416 billion and Mark Zuckerbergs worth is creeping up on $220 billion. Musk is worth, wait for it, around 14,000 times more than Ruffalo. The difference between million and billion is pretty serious.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/celebs-and-tech-luminaries-including-mark-ruffalo-want-to-create-a-fully-open-social-media-ecosystem-174641161.html?src=rss
