Engadget news and specs on a new mobile launch for android, IOS, windows, and international phones

Engadget official Instagram

View this post on Instagram

Where does virtual reality go next? Right now, there seem to be two paths: Portable and self-contained headsets or those connected to computers and consoles. Valve is clearly betting on the second way with the Index, its first VR hardware. It crams in just about every feature you’d expect from a high-end headset, including some truly transformative finger-sensing controllers. It’s just too bad the entire Index package costs $999, putting it out of reach for most people. It’s a boundary-pushing headset meant to keep the VR industry from getting stale.

A post shared by Engadget (@engadget) on Jun 28, 2019 at 10:31am PDT

1. Bipartisan SCAM Act would require online platforms to crack down on fraudulent ads

   Without meaningful deterrents, Big Tech companies will do what's profitable, regardless of the cost to consumers. But a new bipartisan bill could add a check that would make them

   ...

2. The best digital frames for 2026

   A digital photo frame shouldn’t be complicated. At its best, it’s just a good-looking screen that can be set up quickly that reliably shows the photos you care about. Unfortunately, that’s not always how things play out. The market is flooded with cheap digital frames that promise simplicity but end up delivering washed-out displays, clunky apps and a frustrating experience — leading you to

   ...

3. Games Done Quick's Back to Black 2026 event kicks off tomorrow

   Hot on the heels of AGDQ in January, Games Done Quick is hosting its second speedrunning event of the year, Back to Black 2026, starting tomorrow, February 5. The four-day event is organized by ...

4. Roblox’s '4D' creation toolset is now available in open beta

   Roblox launched an open-source AI model that generates 3D objects on the fly early last year and now that toolset is getting a massive boost. The platform has introduced a model that ...

5. Overwatch will drop the '2' as Jetpack Cat and four other heroes arrive on February 10

   Blizzard is running a series of showcases for several of its major franchises and on Wednesday, it was time for Overwatchto step up to the plate. That’s Overwatch,

   ...

6. The best VPN deals: Up to 87 percent off ProtonVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, NordVPN and more

   The groundhog has predicted six more weeks of winter, which means more time indoors on our devices — and that means it's a great time to improve your cybersecurity. By subscribing to a ...

7. X's 'open source' algorithm isn't a win for transparency, researchers say

   When X's engineering team published the code that powers the platform's "for you" algorithm last month, Elon Musk said the move was a victory for transparency. "We know the algorithm is dumb and needs massive improvements, but at least you can see us struggle to

   ...

8. You can pre-order the Pixel 10a on February 18

   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

   ...

9. ExpressVPN deal: Two-year plans are up to 81 percent off

   If you're looking to up your privacy game on the internet in the new year, you can do so for a little less than usual thanks to ExpressVPN's latest deal. Its two-year plans are up to 81 percent off right now: the Advanced tier is on sale for $88 for two years, plus four additional free months. The Basic plan is where

   ...

10. Anthropic says it won't bring ads to Claude, unlike rival ChatGPT

    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

    ...