Technology - Kalakshar US

Sony bought a chunk of Bandai Namco to boost anime fan community engagement

Sony has entered into a “strategic business alliance” with Bandai Namco holdings, acquiring about 2.5 percent of the Japanese media conglomorate and gaming publisher with a 68 billion yen ($465 million) investment, the companies announced. The aim, Sony said, is to expand the fan community “for IP such as anime and manga around the world and strengthen… engagement, particularly in the anime field where rapid market growth is anticipated.”

The companies noted that they have historically collaborated on fields like games, anime and music, but plan to extend this into a “broader range of areas.” Bandai Namco specifically called out the “production and distribution of anime and other video content, as well as merchandising.” In other words, the two companies may want to join the current (and successful) trend of creating series and movies from video game and other content. At the same time, they plan to develop and promote new IP in the anime and manga areas, according to the press release.

The deal lines up with Sony’s recently stated aim to maximize the value of its content across gaming and entertainment ecosystems. And clearly, converting video game IP to films and series has proven to be highly lucrative, from franchises ranging from Minecraft to Mario Bros. to The Last of Us.

Bandai Namco added that the companies plan to provide “the optimal products and services at the optimal timing in the optimal regions.” In other words, it will focus some content more in some regions than others, depending on demand. Hopefully, we can expect some announcements around new content based on Bandai Namco IP in the near future.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/sony-bought-a-chunk-of-bandai-namco-to-boost-anime-fan-community-engagement-120047367.html?src=rss

Lego’s Game Boy set is here, sadly not playable

After teasing it earlier this year, Lego has unveiled its Game Boy set. The 421-piece model is a “brick-built replica of the original Game Boy” and has buttons you can press, including the +Control Pad, A and B buttons and Select and Start — though you can’t play games on it, obviously. It even comes with brick replicas of Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Super Mario Land game paks, along with corresponding lenticular screens or a Nintendo start screen.

Once built, you can set the Lego Game Boy and paks on a buildable display stand “for the ultimate piece of retro-inspired home or office gaming decor,” Lego says. Other details you can admire include a contrast adjustment and volume dial, along with the Game Pak slot.

The Game Boy set is not Lego’s first crack at a Nintendo-based product. Back in 2020, the company released a set based on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The new Lego Game Boy set is now available for pre-order on Amazon for $59 with shipping starting October 1, 2025.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/legos-game-boy-set-is-here-sadly-not-playable-122138597.html?src=rss

What to expect at the Google Pixel 10 launch event on August 20

After largely focusing Google I/O 2025 on the ways the company wants Gemini to change everything from searching the web to filmmaking, Google is finally ready to launch new hardware. The next Made by Google event is on the books for August 20, and Google has already confirmed what at least one of its new Pixel 10 phones will look like.

As in past years, Google isn’t the only source for information on its new phones and wearables. Nearly all the new hardware the company is expected to announce has leaked in one form or another ahead of the event. With that in mind and after sifting through what’s leaked, here’s what Google is likely to show off at the Pixel 10 launch event in New York City on August 20.

Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL and 10 Pro Fold

Android Headlines / Onleaks

Google’s invitation for the event says that the company is sharing “the latest on our Pixel phones, watches, buds and more,” which more or less confirms the company will introduce a slate of products that’s similar to what it launched in 2024. That means a Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold are absolutely on the menu.

Google’s tease of the Pixel 10 confirmed what leaked renders have already signaled: the company isn’t abandoning the new design language the Pixel 9 established. The pill-shaped camera bump and flat front display will still be present on the Pixel 10, and the real changes will be in the details, like for example, how the flat sides of the Pixel 10 join with the phone’s back.

Those subtle changes will apparently also include the thickness of the Pixel 10s. While both the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL and 10 Pro Fold will use the same sized OLED screens as their Pixel 9 counterparts, they’ll be housed in thicker and heavier bodies, according to Android Headlines. Google’s new Pixels are also supposed to come in new colors. The Pixel 10 will come in “Frost” (a royal blue), “Lemongrass” (a yellow), “Indigo” (a light purple) and “Obsidian” (a dark gray), while the Pixel 10 Pro / Pro XL will come in Obsidian, “Porcelain” (off-white), “Moonstone” (a bluish gray) and “Jade” (a light green). Less information is known about the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, though recent leaks suggest it’ll come in Moonstone and Jade, as well.

Android Headlines

The most visible external change that’ll be introduced on the Pixel 10 is the addition of a new telephoto camera. The new telephoto camera is a 11-megapixel 5x telephoto, Android Authority reports, similar to the one on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Meanwhile, the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL are expected to feature a 50-megapixel wide, 48-megapixel ultrawide, 48-megapixel telephoto and 48-megapixel selfie cameras. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold could feature a different lineup, with a similar main camera, but 12-megapixel ultrawide and telephoto cameras, and 11-megapixel selfie cameras.

Inside the new phones, Google is laying the groundwork for future performance gains with a new Tensor G5 chip. It’s likely be much more power-efficient thanks to the company switching to a 3nm design produced by TSMC. Reports suggest the chip might not be all that different in terms of raw power, but the Tensor G5 is likely designed to be extra capable when it comes to using local AI features.

Pixel Watch 4

91mobiles / Onleaks

The third time was the charm for the Pixel Watch 3, so the main task Google has with the Pixel Watch 4 is to not squander the solid base it already has. Leaks for the company’s new smartwatches have been limited so far, but renders of the Pixel Watch 4 shared by 91mobiles do suggest Google has a few changes planned.

Namely, much like the company’s phones, the new Pixel Watch seems like it’ll be a little bit thicker and come with smaller bezels. The Pixel Watch 4 should be available to purchase in the same 41mm and 45mm sizes as before, but a thicker frame that could accommodate a larger battery, or a new wireless charging system. Notably, the renders are missing the charging pins used on the Pixel Watch 3.

Beyond that, Google has already indicated how Wear OS is evolving. The new Wear OS 6 update is debuting on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, and will presumably be available on the Pixel Watch 4 at launch. It includes built-in access to Gemini, among other tweaks. Given Google also manages the Fitbit Premium subscription, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if the Pixel Watch 4 gets some exclusive fitness tracking features, too.

Pixel Buds 2a

Billy Steele for Engadget

Google launched the Pixel Buds Pro 2 last year, and it typically doesn’t update its premium earbuds on a yearly cadence. So instead, Tom’s Guide reports Google might pair the Pixel 10 with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in a new color, and save its new hardware announcements for a sequel to the Pixel Buds A-series called the Pixel Buds 2a.

Unlike the company’s premium wireless earbuds, the A-series Pixel Buds have historically skimped on things like active noise cancellation to hit a lower price. There’s little reporting on where Google will take the Pixel Buds 2a, but you can expect the new earbuds to come in some of the new colors being introduced on the Pixel 10.

Pixelsnap

The Qi2 wireless charging standard is available for all phone makers to use, but it hasn’t been widely adopted among Android phone makers. Qi2 uses magnets to offer improved charging speeds, just like Apple’s MagSafe, and the Pixel 10 could mark Google’s adoption of Qi2 through a new feature called “Pixelsnap.”

A report from Android Authority suggests the Pixel 10 will include the necessary magnets to make Qi2 happen, and will be introduced alongside a lineup of Pixelsnap accessories. Adding some weight to the report, the Wireless Power Consortium has announced that its faster Qi2 25W charging is coming to “major Android phones.” It would make sense if Google’s Pixel 10s were included.

Gemini and other exclusive software features

Gemini is Google’s current favorite, and the company is pushing the AI assistant everywhere it makes sense. The last few Pixel Drops — Google’s regular Pixel-focused software updates — have primarily included Gemini features. It would make sense for Google to include a few more software exclusives on the Pixel 10.

Google is hosting the Pixel 10 launch event on August 20 at 1PM ET / 10AM ET. The company has invited press to attend in person, and you can read coverage of everything Google announces right here on Engadget.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/what-to-expect-at-the-google-pixel-10-launch-event-on-august-20-214510264.html?src=rss

Sony is finally making it possible to pair a DualSense with more than one device

Sony is bringing a welcome quality-of-life feature to the PlayStation 5. In the next PS5 system update beta, players will be able to have their DualSense controllers synced with multiple hardware platforms at the same time. That means you could swap a controller from a PS5 to your gaming PC to your smartphone without needing to re-pair the DualSense each time.

Up to four devices can be simultaneously paired with a single controller, and each of them will be mapped to one of the action buttons. To switch between them, first make sure the hardware you want to start using is on, then press the controller’s PS button and the corresponding action button at the same time. Hold for three seconds, and when you see blinking on the controller’s light bar, release both buttons.

It’s the sort of change that may not carry weight for all players. But for those of us who do like to hop between platforms, this is very exciting news. The current beta access is limited to an invite-only guest list, but Sony said it plans to roll out the feature globally “in the coming months.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-is-finally-making-it-possible-to-pair-a-dualsense-with-more-than-one-device-211715133.html?src=rss

Google DeepMind’s Aeneas model can restore fragmented Latin text

At its best, AI is a tool, not an end result. It allows people to do their jobs better, rather than sending them or their colleagues to the breadline. In an example of “the good kind,” Google DeepMind has created an AI model that restores and contextualizes ancient inscriptions. Aeneas (no, it’s not pronounced like that) is named after the hero in Roman mythology. Best of all, the tool is open-source and free to use.

Ancient Romans left behind a plethora of inscriptions. But these texts are often fragmented, weathered or defaced. Rebuilding the missing pieces is a grueling task that requires contextual cues. An algorithm that can pore over a dataset of those cues can come in handy.

Aeneas speeds up one of historians’ most difficult tasks: identifying “parallels.” In this setting, that means finding similar texts arranged by wording, syntax or region. DeepMind says the model reasons across thousands of Latin inscriptions. It can fetch parallels in seconds before passing the baton back to historians.

DeepMind says it turns each text into a historical fingerprint of sorts. “Aeneas identifies deep connections that can help historians situate inscriptions within their broader historical context,” the Google subsidiary wrote.

Google DeepMind

One of Aeneas’ most impressive tricks is restoring textual gaps of unknown length. (Think of it as filling out a crossword puzzle where you don’t know how many letters are in each clue.) The tool is also multimodal, meaning it can analyze both textual and visual input. DeepMind says it’s the first model that can use that multi-pronged method to figure out where a text came from.

DeepMind says Aeneas is designed to be a collaborative ally within historians’ existing workflows. It’s best used to offer “interpretable suggestions” that serve as a starting point for researchers. “Aeneas’ parallels completely changed my perception of the inscription,” an unnamed historian who tested the model wrote. “It noticed details that made all the difference for restoring and chronologically attributing the text.”

Alongside the release of Aeneas for Latin text, DeepMind also upgraded Ithaca. (That’s its model for Ancient Greek text.) Ithaca is now powered by Aeneas, receiving its contextual and restorative superpowers.

Researchers can take Aeneas for a spin at DeepMind’s “Predicting the Past” website. It also open-sourced the model’s code and dataset.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-deepminds-aeneas-model-can-restore-fragmented-latin-text-202004714.html?src=rss

FDA employees say the agency’s Elsa generative AI hallucinates entire studies

Current and former members of the FDA told CNN about issues with the Elsa generative AI tool unveiled by the federal agency last month. Three employees said that in practice, Elsa has hallucinated nonexistent studies or misrepresented real research. “Anything that you don’t have time to double-check is unreliable,” one source told the publication. “It hallucinates confidently.” Which isn’t exactly ideal for a tool that’s supposed to be speeding up the clinical review process and aiding with making efficient, informed decisions to benefit patients.

Leadership at the FDA appeared unfazed by the potential problems posed by Elsa. “I have not heard those specific concerns,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary told CNN. He also emphasized that using Elsa and participating in the training to use it are currently voluntary at the agency.

The CNN investigation highlighting these flaws with the FDA’s artificial intelligence arrived on the same day as the White House introduced an “AI Action Plan.” The program presented AI development as a technological arms race that the US should win at all costs, and it laid out plans to remove “red tape and onerous regulation” in the sector. It also demanded that AI be free of “ideological bias,” or in other words, only following the biases of the current administration by removing mentions of climate change, misinformation, and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Considering each of those three topics has a documented impact on public health, the ability of tools like Elsa to provide genuine benefits to both the FDA and to US patients looks increasingly doubtful.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/fda-employees-say-the-agencys-elsa-generative-ai-hallucinates-entire-studies-203547157.html?src=rss

Qi2 25W wireless charging is coming to iPhones and ‘major Android smartphones’

The newest version of the Qi2 wireless standard is coming to iPhones and some Android handsets. It has also received a snappy, new branding of Qi2 25W, denoting the wireless charging speed, which is miles better than the previous name of Qi2.2.

The big hook here is right in the name. Qi2 25W provides up to 25 watts of power delivery to compatible products, which is a 66 percent increase over the pre-existing Qi2 platform. Paul Struhsaker, Executive Director of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) says that “Qi2 25W’s remarkably fast and efficient wireless charging will encourage increased penetration of wireless charging usage and accelerate the adoption of the new standard.”

Newer iPhones already use the Qi2 standard, so the company’s forthcoming adoption of Qi2 25W isn’t that big of surprise, though it is a welcome bit of news. Most Android phones, however, have never been Qi2-certified, so this is a potentially game-changing event for the platform. Some Android phones could technically integrate Qi2 charging, but it typically required a dedicated magnetic case of some kind.

Smartphones are just the latest category to adopt Qi2 25W. Several products, including power banks and chargers, were certified earlier this month. Qi2 25W, back when it was called Qi2.2, was first announced in April. The WPC says there are “several hundred” devices in the queue waiting to be tested and receive official certification. We still don’t know which Android phones are in that queue.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/qi2-25w-wireless-charging-is-coming-to-iphones-and-major-android-smartphones-183013979.html?src=rss

Sonos gets to keeps its CEO, as a treat

Sonos’ Very Bad 2024 is well documented. Its redesigned app endured a disastrous launch, to the extent that it was initially fundamentally broken. The company was then forced to delay two product launches in order to fix the botched software that its devices are so reliant on. And in the wake of the mess, the company’s then CEO Patrick Spence stepped down at the beginning of 2025. He was replaced by Tom Conrad on an interim basis, but after seemingly steadying what looked like a sinking ship, the former Snap executive has been handed the job permanently.

Conrad had been on the board of directors at Sonos since 2017 and conceded after taking the top job back in January that the company had “let far too many people down.” Shortly after that he announced that around 200 jobs would be cut as part of a “reorganizing’ of the company’s product division, before it reportedly canceled its long-rumoured video streaming device far into its development. This was followed by Sonos ending its partnership with IKEA in May.

Former CEO Patrick Spence said in an earnings call last year that the total cost of fixing the many issues with the Sonos app was between $20 and $30 million. In a significant recent update to its flagship Sonos Ace headphones, the company finally introduced the TrueCinema feature that was promised when the headphones launched in 2024. This uses a supported Sonos soundbar to measure the acoustics of your room and then channels the data into the delivery of spatial audio in the headphones, making it sound more convincing.

In a statement, Sonos’ now-permanent CEO said he was “excited to move from rebuilding to imagining the next generation of experiences.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/sonos-gets-to-keeps-its-ceo-as-a-treat-164559137.html?src=rss

A year later, the Sonos Ace is finally fulfilling its potential

2024 was an awful year for Sonos. Its long-awaited entry into a crowded headphones market was eclipsed by a bungled app launch which had a knock-on effect that impacted everything the company had planned to do for the rest of the year. Plus, those Ace headphones were missing a major feature.

One year later, that TrueCinema spatial audio enhancement is finally ready. And with that update, Sonos added a few more improvements to the Ace, including two-person TV Audio Swap, adaptive noise cancellation and better calls. I spent some time testing every aspect of the update that arrived in June to determine if Sonos’ headphones really are better after the tweaks.

TrueCinema is finally here

The first time I tried the Ace at a press event last spring, TrueCinema was one of the main parts of the demo. From the jump, Sonos was clear this wouldn’t arrive when the headphones first went on sale, but I also didn’t expect the company to take a full year to have it ready.

As a refresher, TrueCinema is a feature for the Ace that takes into account the acoustics of the room where one of its soundbars is located. It then creates spatial audio for the headphones based on that info when TV Audio Swap is active. According to Sonos, it supposedly “understands the dynamics of your space, acoustically treats it and makes it sound like you have a beautifully tuned 3D audio system right in your headphones.” It’s similar to the company’s TruePlay tuning that calibrates its soundbars to your living room or home theater space.

Sonos has championed TrueCinema as a more realistic listening experience. Since it simulates the characteristics of the room, it’s supposed to make it seem like you aren’t wearing headphones at all. I’m not convinced on that point, but the feature does significantly enhance the spatial audio capabilities of the Ace for TV Audio Swap.

For example, subtle details in movies — things like footsteps, as well as various beeps, clicks and taps in Rogue One — are a lot more obvious with TrueCinema. There’s more overall depth and direction to the sound as well, which makes this the optimal mode for watching TV or movies with Sonos’ headphones. I’m confident my review score would’ve been higher if this was part of the original package since it makes such an obvious improvement to sound quality.

TV Audio Swap for two

Billy Steele for Engadget

The marquee feature for the Sonos Ace for the last year has been TV Audio Swap. This allows you to send the sound from a compatible Sonos soundbar to the headphones for an individual listening experience. Of course, this means you can watch an action flick at full volume after your family goes to bed or to tune in to a sporting event without annoying your partner. This has worked well for me both during my review and in the time since.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a second pair of the Ace, so I can’t vouch for how well TV Audio Swap now works with a companion. But since the ability to send soundbar audio to two sets of Ace headphones is one of the main items in the recent software update, I can’t discuss the overall state of the device without mentioning this feature’s availability.

Improved ANC and clearer calls

Another aspect of the Ace’s update is improved active noise cancellation (ANC), but not in the way you might expect. The company didn’t figure out a way to block more noise per se, but it does account for any sound leaks that may impact performance. Sonos says its refined ANC setup can adapt to changes in fit caused by hair, glasses and hats in real time using the sensors inside the Ace. With that tweak, I noticed the slightest difference in ANC performance when sunglasses or a hat kept the ear pads from sitting flush on my face, but it’s not quite as good as a tight seal. I’d characterize this update as a modest improvement, but it’s still an improvement nonetheless.

Sonos also claims that this software update offers an improved call experience thanks to higher resolution audio. The company also added Sidetone, or the ability for you to pipe in your voice during calls when ANC is enabled. Plenty of companies have this, to varying degrees, and the effectiveness depends on how natural the sound is and whether or not you’re able to make any adjustments. In the case of the Ace, Sidetone acts as an enhanced ambient mode, and it definitely improves the call experience. Since I could speak normally and didn’t feel the need to shout to hear myself, video and voice calls felt more natural.

Wrap-up

A year after their debut, the Sonos Ace is living up to the lofty expectations the company set when the headphones arrived. After spending time with this batch of updates, I’m convinced the Ace would’ve benefitted from having all of this ready at launch, especially TrueCinema. Since one of the Ace’s main functions is personal living room listening, taking so long to deliver the feature that would boost sound quality this much is another misstep.

On the other hand, it’s good to see Sonos is still working to improve the Ace. When you consider the company spent most of 2024 fixing a majorly botched app redesign, it would have been understandable if Sonos left the Ace to languish until it was time for version 2.0. The company had to delay products last summer, and according to a report in March, it even canceled another entirely. When CEO Patrick Spence resigned in January, interim chief executive Tom Conrad expressed the need for “getting back to basics” (Conrad was named permanent CEO on July 23). Improving a major new product that was overshadowed by a poor run of form is certainly one way to reclaim some of your reputation. It also doesn’t hurt that the Ace is currently available for $149 less than its original $449 price.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/a-year-later-the-sonos-ace-is-finally-fulfilling-its-potential-170035355.html?src=rss

Tonal’s AI-created workouts will adapt to your daily progress

Tonal, the wall‑mounted smart gym, has introduced a new feature that the company says uses “cutting‑edge AI” to improve your workouts. The feature is called Daily Lift, and it analyzes your recent lifts and recovery, then builds a personalized workout plan that adapts to you daily. Every day, a user can pull up a customized strength-training session that is based on their most recent data with just a tap.

Tonal says these workouts are built using the same training methodology that Tonal’s coaches rely on. The workouts are intended to provide new movements and new challenges to expose the user to a variety of different exercises.

Like many home‑workout companies, Tonal grew substantially in the post‑pandemic world of work‑from‑home before laying off 35 percent of its workforce in 2022. This year the home‑gym company launched the AI‑enabled Tonal 2 hardware, featuring a sleeker design and expanded features. Like a lot of “smart” home exercise equipment, the wall‑mounted unit remains a niche and expensive gadget, retailing for almost $4,300.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/tonals-ai-created-workouts-will-adapt-to-your-daily-progress-170037100.html?src=rss