Technology - Kalakshar US

Plex raises subscription prices for the first time in a decade

Streaming service Plex is raising its prices for the first time in ten years. The company just announced an increase for its premium subscription service Plex Pass, which offers a number of additional features like offline access and themes. The standard service is still free, if you’re looking to set up a simple media server to stream some movies or shows.

Plex Pass will soon cost $7 per month, which is an increase of $2 per month. A yearly subscription will come in at $70, a fairly substantial lift from $40. Finally, the coveted lifetime pass is shooting up to $250 from $120. These are some serious upticks, but I guess that’s what happens when you don’t raise prices for a decade.

The changes go into effect on April 29, so the Plex-curious still have more than a month to pick up a lifetime pass at the original $120 asking price. The monthly and yearly price impacts both new and pre-existing customers. The company says it’s doing this to keep up with rising industry costs. Remote streaming is also set to fall under a subscription, albeit a cheaper one at $2 per month.

“These changes weren’t made lightly, and we’ve spent a lot of time weighing the best path forward to ensure we can continue to balance value with a best-in-class personal media experience for years to come,” a blog post from the company says.

However, there are some new tools coming to accompany these price increases. It’s integrating with Common Sense Media to bring ratings and reviews aimed at parents to Plex Pass holders. It’s also working on a new server management app that will launch in the near(ish) future. The primary playback is also getting a much-needed refresh.

The platform is eliminating the mobile unlock fee, which is a one-time activation fee that was required to remove the one-minute playback limitation when streaming content from a media server to a mobile device. Recently, Plex added public reviews and profiles.

The Plex Pass price increase comes as the entire streaming industry begins tightening its belt. Just about every platform has gotten more expensive in the last couple of years.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/plex-raises-subscription-prices-for-the-first-time-in-a-decade-182622032.html?src=rss

Apple’s first custom designed modem did surprisingly well in benchmarks

Apple just introduced its first proprietary cellular modem, the C1, as part of the recently-launched iPhone 16e. Ookla, the company behind Speedtest, just ran the C1 modem through a series of benchmark tests and it did surprisingly well, even when compared to the Qualcomm chips that accompany the pricier iPhone 16 handsets.

The C1 misses out on mmWave 5G support, but can still hold its own in the speed department. The company found that the iPhone 16e offered average download speeds of 560Mbps for the top 90th percentile of users on AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. The standard iPhone 16, with the Qualcomm chip, is faster in this scenario, with average download speed of 756Mbps. The difference, however, isn’t stark.

Ookla

Things change when you move from the top 90th percentile to the bottom 10th percentile. In this case, the iPhone 16e actually outperforms the standard model. The average data speed for the 16e here reached nearly 218Mbps, whereas the Qualcomm-based model averaged 210Mbps. Interestingly, the newest iPhone model was fastest when using AT&T and Verizon’s networks. It was slower on T-Mobile.

As for upload speeds, the 16e outperformed the traditional iPhone 16 in nearly every test. Apple has touted the C1 as the “most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone,” and that doesn’t seem to be hyperbole.

Ookla’s tests match our experience, as detailed in the official iPhone 16e review. We found that the C1 modem outperformed even the iPhone 16 Pro in certain use cases. However, it’s always worth noting that this chip doesn’t support ultrawideband 5G.

So Apple’s investment to build an in-house modem looks to have been a worthy endeavor, just like those speedy M-series chips. The company reportedly has big plans for future iterations. Not only is the C2 likely on the way, but Apple is planning on creating an all-purpose processor that contains an integrated modem. This could allow for some serious energy and cost benefits.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apples-first-custom-designed-modem-did-surprisingly-well-in-benchmarks-164422205.html?src=rss

The EU’s new charges against Google could lead to at least $35 billion in fines

The EU is moving forward with competition-based regulatory actions against Google and Apple. The European Commission (EC) announced two preliminary charges against Google for failing to comply with Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations related to Google Search and the Play Store, which could lead to fines of $35 billion. The regulatory body also ordered Apple to make iOS more open to third-party devices like smartwatches, headphones and TVs. The decisions come in the face of US President Donald Trump threatening additional tariffs on nations that regulate US Big Tech companies.

As part of an investigation that began last March, the EC charged Google on Tuesday with violating the DMA by favoring its own services (such as shopping, hotel booking, transportation and financial and sports results) in search results over third-party competitors. The regulators said the company gives its services “more prominent treatment compared to others” by displaying them with enhanced visual formats and filtering mechanisms.

The EC also charged the company with preventing Google Play app developers from informing customers of alternative channels for cheaper offers. Although the commission said Alphabet has a right to charge a developer fee for steering a customer to another channel, it claimed that what the company demands in return goes beyond what is justified — “a high fee over an unduly long period of time for every purchase of digital goods and services.”

“The two preliminary findings we adopt today aim to ensure that Alphabet abides by EU rules when it comes to two services widely used by businesses and consumers across the EU, Google Search and Android phones,” EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said in a statement.

The European Commission

European Union

The DMA, which was passed in 2022, allows European regulators to fine companies up to 10 percent of their global revenue. The commission can double the penalty to 20 percent for repeat offenders. Alphabet brought in over $350 billion last year.

The commission stresses that the charges aren’t final, and Alphabet can still defend its decisions in writing before they are finalized.

The EU’s moves follow through on a recent promise to enforce its regulatory laws despite tariff threats from Trump as part of his escalating trade war with other nations. He wrote a memo in late February, saying he would consider tariffs in response to “digital services taxes, fines, practices and policies” on American companies. In turn, the EC said it would “respond swiftly and decisively to defend its rights and regulatory autonomy against unjustified measures.”

Kara Durrette via Getty Images

Although the EC’s decision for Apple doesn’t (yet) involve charges, it offered measures the company must comply with to avoid them in the future. First, the company must provide greater compatibility with third-party devices that connect to iPhones. Unless Apple wants to face fines of over $39 billion, it will have to improve areas like notifications for third-party smartwatches, data transfer speeds (like peer-to-peer Wi-Fi and NFC) and the pairing process on connected accessories from competing companies.

The EC also ordered Apple to improve access to technical documentation for developers to make their products interact with iPhones and iPads.

“Effective interoperability for third-party connected devices is an important step towards opening Apple’s ecosystem,” Ribera said in a statement. “This will lead to a better choice for consumers in the fast-growing market for innovative connected devices.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-eus-new-charges-against-google-could-lead-to-at-least-35-billion-in-fines-165850585.html?src=rss

Skate Story is coming to PS5 as well as PC this year

Skate Story has been one of my most anticipated games ever since I first clapped eyes on it all the way back in 2020, so it was great to get an update on it as part of Sony’s annual PS Indie Day. It’s been confirmed that the striking skateboarding adventure is coming to PS5, as well as PC. Publisher Devolver Digital plans to release it later this year.

Solo developer Sam Eng describes Skate Story as “a game about a demon made of glass who needs to skate the Underworld and consume The Moon to fulfill the devil’s contract.” To achieve that, you’ll need to work your way through nine layers of hell. The only way to beat bosses is by skating fast and pulling off an array of dope tricks, which deal damage. There’s a time limit on the boss battle against the Moon that’s shown in the latest trailer — you only have until a song ends to defeat the celestial body.

There are more than 70 tricks for you to learn and improve, and you’ll level up by completing skate trials. Other characters you’ll encounter include a “pillowy demon who owns a laundromat” and a “jittery subway train” you can become pals with and then “experience poetry about the multilight of the Moon.”

As odd as that all sounds, absolutely everything I’ve seen and heard about Skate Story has hit the right spot for me. I especially can’t get enough of those visuals.

Eng promises to reveal more details about Skate Story this summer. Given that Devolver typically runs a showcase alongside Summer Game Fest, we’ll probably hear more about the game in early June. In the meantime, you can get a taste of what’s in store by checking out our Skate Story hands-on.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/skate-story-is-coming-to-ps5-as-well-as-pc-this-year-163303910.html?src=rss

Microsoft launches a new gamepad keyboard layout for Windows 11

There is something so incredibly frustrating about typing on a digital keyboard with a controller. Whether for streaming or gaming, the slowness with which you often have to find each letter is just painful. Well, thankfully, there’s an improvement on the way for Xbox controllers, with Microsoft announcing a new gamepad keyboard for Windows 11’s touch keyboard.

Microsoft

The updated keyboard should make it easier to use the on-screen one with an Xbox controller. It brings greater navigation to the controller and helpful shortcuts. For example, the X button can function as backspace, the Y button as the spacebar and the menu button as enter. Microsoft also states that it has vertically aligned the keyboard keys for smoother use.

Microsoft first shared that it was beta testing this technology back in September. Now, it’s available in the Release Preview version of Windows 11, so you should be able to try it out for yourself within the next few weeks. Hopefully it saves you a lot of time and frustration (and that streamers will come up with their own solutions soon).

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-launches-a-new-gamepad-keyboard-layout-for-windows-11-154011591.html?src=rss

The Nest Learning Thermostat is back on sale for $240 in the Amazon Spring Sale

Google’s Nest Learning Thermostat is on sale for $240 right now, as part of the Amazon Spring Sale. That’s close to a record low price for the 4th-gen device that was released just last year. This deal is available for multiple colorways, including silver, gold and black.

This is a modern thermostat, so that means AI. The device offers suggestions on how to lower energy usage and can automatically adjust settings in the home based on factors like ambient temperature and daily schedules.

It ships with a wireless temperature sensor for accurate measurements. This sensor can run for three years before needing a new battery. This model can accommodate six of these sensors, for large properties, but that requires some additional purchases. A three-pack of the sensors typically costs $100.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is more customizable than its predecessors, with the ability to select from several smartwatch-style faces. It’s also much larger than previous models and includes Soli radar sensors to determine how close a person is. The display will adjust accordingly, with an increased font size when standing far away and vice versa.

The installation is fairly simple, but will still require some light wiring. The only real bad thing to say about this thermostat is that $280 is a whole lot of money. That concern is mostly alleviated by today’s sale.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-nest-learning-thermostat-is-back-on-sale-for-240-in-the-amazon-spring-sale-150539398.html?src=rss

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 drop to a record-low price for the Amazon Spring Sale

Although the Amazon Spring Sale doesn’t start in earnest until next week, there are a bunch of early deals to be had. Among them is an offer that sees Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 drop to a record low price. The earbuds are currently $179, which is $50 (or 22 percent) off.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are our pick for the best wireless earbuds for Google phones. For one thing, they fit more comfortably and securely after a redesign made them smaller than the Pixel Buds Pro.

Improvements to audio quality helped the Pixel Buds Pro 2 obtain a score of 88 in our review. Revisions to the acoustics and drivers — as well as the inclusion of a Tensor chip to take care of active noise cancellation (ANC) and audio signal processing — help the earbuds deliver ample, punchy bass, as well as full mids and crisp highs.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer up to eight hours of use on a single charge with ANC enabled. When you factor in the charging case, you’ll get up to 30 hours of total listening time when ANC is on. The earbuds have an IP54 rating, indicating that they’re protected from dust and water splashes.

In terms of features, the earbuds include hands-free access to the Gemini voice assistant. Spatial audio is available, albeit only for certain video streaming apps for now. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer automatic switching between devices that are linked to your Google account. Other features include conversation detection, a hearing wellness tool and Find My Device.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/googles-pixel-buds-pro-2-drop-to-a-record-low-price-for-the-amazon-spring-sale-152844540.html?src=rss

Amazon Spring Sale 2025: Early deals from Apple, Bose, Sonos and others, plus everything we know so far

As was the case last year, Amazon will have another big sale to usher in spring for 2025. The Amazon Spring Sale is officially on the books, taking place from March 25 through March 31. The online retail giant is billing this as a good way for folks to stock up on end-of-season winter items, and save on all things fashion, beauty and household and outdoor gear.

If last year was any indication, the Amazon Spring Sale won’t be as much of a boon for tech deals as, say, Prime Day in July. However, there are always a number of decent deals that pop up on wireless earbuds, tablets and more. Considering the spring nature of the sale, we expect to see discounts on robot and cordless vacuums, household tech like air purifiers and even some smart home gear. With that in mind, here are the best early Amazon Spring Sale deals you can shop right now.

Best Amazon Spring Sale deals so far

Mac mini M4 for $529 ($70 off): If you prefer desktops, the upgraded M4 Mac mini is one that won’t take up too much space, but will provide a ton of power at the same time. Not only does it come with an M4 chipset, but it also includes 16GB of RAM in the base model, plus front-facing USB-C and headphone ports for easier access.

Dyson AM09 heater and fan for $300 (36 percent off): The AM09 has been around for ages, and for good reason. It’s an excellent heater during cold months and fan during warm months, so you can use it all year round. Jet Focus control lets you choose from Focused or Diffused for personal or whole-room heating or cooling, and the handy sleep timer lets you set when the device turns off in intervals from 15 minutes up to nine hours.

Bose QuietComfort headphones for $249 ($100 off): These Bose over-ear headphones provide excellent noise cancellation, a comfortable fit and up to 24 hours of listening time on a single charge. A quick-charge feature will net you 2.5 hours of battery life in just 15 minutes of charging, so you’ll rarely have to go without them, too.

Sonos Ray for $179 ($100 off): This is our favorite midrange soundbar thanks to its compact, attractive design and easy setup. It’s best for those who have a smaller living room or den they want to outfit with better TV sound. Also available at Sonos in their March Madness sale.

Apple AirTags (four-pack) for $70 ($29 off): These are the best Bluetooth trackers for iPhone users thanks to their vast finding network and accurate ultra wideband features for locating your things when they’re close by. Just attach them to your keys, wallet or bag with the right AirTag holder and keep track of everything in the Find My app.

AirPods Max (USB-C) for $480 ($70 off): If you’re looking for over-ear headphones with all of the conveniences of in-ear AirPods, the AirPods Max are one of your only options (with the others being Beats devices). The latest models have the same design as the originals, but now charge up via USB-C instead of Lightning.

Apple Watch Series 10 for $329 ($70 off): Apple’s flagship wearable is the best smartwatch you can buy, period. While the Series 10 was an iterative update, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It sports a slightly longer battery life, a slimmer design and wide-angle OLED screen for better viewing angles. It tracks workouts accurately and delivers alerts to your wrist efficiently.

Apple Watch SE for $199 ($50 off): Those on tighter budgets can opt for the Apple Watch SE and know they’re getting the core Apple wearable experience with few compromises. We consider it to be the best smartwatch for newbies.

Audible (three months) for $3 ($42 off): This deal gives you access to Audible Premium Plus, which includes one credit each month that you can spend on any book you’d like, along with listening access to thousands of other books, podcasts and Audible Originals. You also get to take part in Audible’s exclusive member sales.

Beats Fit Pro for $169 (15 percent off): These are the best wireless earbuds for working out thanks to their comfortable, secure fit, good sound quality with thumping bass and handful of convenient features provided by Apple’s H1 chipset. It provides quick-pairing and switching between Apple devices (and quick pairing with Android phones), Find My compatibility and hands-free Siri.

Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $90 (25 percent off): One of our favorites in our best air fryers guide, this Cosori model has nine preset cooking modes and a spacious cooking basket that can handle more food at once than you might expect. It’s not too large, so it can sit on your countertop all the time, and the basket has a safety release button that prevents accidental pulls.

TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro mesh Wi-Fi system for $280 (30 percent off): Our current pick for the best mesh Wi-Fi system you can get, this TP-Link bundle may be no-frills, but it gets the job done nicely. It’s easy to set up and provides excellent Wi-Fi 6E performance, plus the three included nodes can cover up to 7,200 square feet.

Dyson V15s Detect Submarine for $798 ($152 off): This Dyson cordless stick vacuum and mop is a top pick in our best cordless vacuums guide thanks to its sleek design and included mop attachment that easily swap in so you can clean tile, hardwood and other flooring with liquid solution. Yes, it’s expensive, but you’re essentially getting two cleaning machines in one — plus, when used as a vacuum, it has excellent suction power and great battery life.

iRobot Roomba Combo Vac and Mop for $159 (42 percent off): This “essential” Roomba is relatively no-frills, but it has the added benefit of being a mopping robot in addition to a vacuum. It includes a washable mopping pad and a water reservoir so you can clean hard floors, and it will autonomously vacuum just like all of iRobot’s other basic robovacs.

Samsung Evo Select microSD card (512GB) for $35 ($5 off): A value pick in our best microSD cards guide, this Evo Select card provides respectable read and write speeds, and it comes with a full-sized adapter.

Samsung T7 portable SSD (2TB) for $140 (48 percent off): We’re on the T9 series now, but if you’re looking to save a bit of cash, the T7 remains a great option for on-the-go storage. It supports read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s and sports a pocket-friendly design.

Amazon Spring Sale FAQs

When is the Amazon Spring Sale?

The Amazon Spring Sale 2025 runs from March 25 through March 31.

What is Amazon’s Spring Sale?

The Amazon Spring Sale is a multi-day sale event that has taken place at the end of March since 2024.

Do I have to be a Prime Member to shop the Amazon Spring Sale?

No, Amazon Spring Sale deals are available to all, including those who do not subscribe to Prime.

What types of deals can I expect to find during the Amazon Spring Sale?

In the past, we’ve seen a lot of spring cleaning and fashion items in sale during the Big Spring Sale. We expect this year to be no different. We at Engadget in particular will be on the lookout for discounts on our favorite spring cleaning tech, including robot vacuums, cordless vacuums and air purifiers, along with deals on kitchen and smart home gear.

Are there deals I can shop now ahead of the Amazon Spring Sale?

Yes, check out our list of the best Amazon Spring Sale deals you can get right now above.

How long does the Amazon Spring Sale last?

The Amazon Spring Sale lasts seven days this year, running from March 25 through March 31.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-spring-sale-2025-early-deals-from-apple-bose-sonos-and-others-plus-everything-we-know-so-far-130607836.html?src=rss

The Google Pixel 9a might be the new midrange smartphone king

A couple of weeks ago, Apple released a more affordable take on its flagship handsets with the iPhone 16e. But now Google is hitting back with the Pixel 9a and from what I’ve seen, it looks like a way better deal.

From the front, the 9a looks a lot like the standard Pixel 9. Its screen is the same size at 6.3 inches across, while also offering a 120Hz refresh rate and a surprisingly strong 2,700 nits of peak brightness. On the inside, the 9a packs a Tensor G4 chip, just like you get on its more expensive siblings, along with other handy features including an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and Google’s standard seven years of OS updates, feature drops and security patches.

But Google did something a bit surprising by giving the 9a a 5,100mAh battery, which is technically the biggest power pack in any member of the Pixel 9 family. That includes the Pixel 9 Pro XL (5,060mAh), though only by just a tiny bit. Regardless, Google says this gives the 9a the best longevity of any Pixel on sale today.

If you flip the phone around, there are some other changes such as a new iris purple hue, which joins the existing peony, porcelain and obsidian color options. But the thing that jumps out the most is the lack of a camera bar, which has been present on practically all of Google’s phones dating back to the Pixel 6. Instead, you get a simple window that sits almost flush against the back of the device — a window which Google says was inspired by the shape of a water drop.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Unfortunately, you don’t get a dedicated optical zoom (though it does support up to 8x digital SuperRes zoom). There is a 48MP main sensor that is similar, but slightly different to the one used on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and a 13MP sensor for its ultra-wide cam. The 9a also includes a built-in AI macro focus feature so you can get really close to things, on top of support for tons of Pixel-specific camera tools like Add Me, Best Take, Magic Editor and more.

Notably, because it’s powered by the Tensor G4, the 9a has access to all of the same AI features available on the rest of the Pixel 9 line. This includes Gemini Live Video, the Pixel Recorder app, and Pixel Studio not to mention security and safety offerings like Google VPN, car crash detection and so on. Sadly, I only had a brief time with the phone so we weren’t able to test out many of its new features.

Google seems to be feeling pretty confident about this phone, with the company saying that it will have the best cameras on any handset under $500. That’s a pretty big claim, but it’s not entirely outlandish as Google’s camera processing has been top-notch for quite some time. And with a starting price of $499, the Pixel 9a is skating in right under that line.

So what’s the catch — all this for $300 less than a regular Pixel 9? From what I’ve seen so far, the biggest differences between the standard Pixel 9 and the 9a are that Google hasn’t improved the latter’s 23-watt wired or 7.5-watt wireless charging speeds, both of which are rather slow compared to a full-priced flagship. You also get less RAM, with the 9a featuring 8GB instead of 12GB. And while the 9a has Gorilla Glass covering its screen in front, around back there’s a plastic panel made from around 85 percent recycled materials. But again, for three Benjamins less than the standard model, those are compromises I’m mostly willing to put up with.

The Google Pixel 9a will be available sometime in April starting at $499 with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage (the 256GB model is an optional upgrade). Purchases include free three-month subscriptions for Google One and YouTube Premium along with a six-month trial for Fitbit Premium.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-google-pixel-9a-might-be-the-new-midrange-smartphone-king-140021156.html?src=rss

Google officially introduces the Pixel 9a for $499

Google has followed up an ocean’s worth of leaks with the official announcement of its Pixel 9a smartphone, which will retail for $499. Possibly the biggest change to the new A-series model is in its appearance, with the removal of the camera bar on the back of the phone. In the 9a, the camera housing is “slightly domed,” sitting nearly flush with the rest of the frame, giving this midrange model a sleeker appearance. There are also new colors for this series — a pale purple dubbed Iris and a vibrant pink named Peony — joining the usual Porcelain and Obsidian options. (The peony option is similar to that on the pricier Pixel 9.)

The Pixel 9a is also getting a chip upgrade, moving up to Google’s Tensor G4 processor from the G3 that was in Google’s excellent Pixel 8a. Performance in the 8a was already quite good, so expect even smoother control with the G4. As with the 8a, the 9a is equipped with 8GB of RAM and comes with either 128GB or 256GB of storage. The new A-series also promises up to “30+ hour battery life.”

Cameras were a big reason why we liked the Pixel 8a, naming it our top pick for a midrange smartphone. The housing is different in the 9a, but it’s also got slightly different specs inside. The rear dual cameras in the 9a offer 48MP wide and 13MP ultrawide lenses, while the front is equipped with a 13MP selfie camera; the 8a had 64MP wide in the rear camera. It’ll support AI-powered features such as Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Best Take and Photo Unblur. Google is bringing the Macro Focus option to the A-series for the first time for photos with lots of close-up details. There’s also Night Sight to help improve your nocturnal photography.

The 9a will be available in the US and Canada in North America, as well as numerous other countries in Europe and the Asia Pacific region. Pre-orders will open in April, with no further detail on availability.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-officially-introduces-the-pixel-9a-for-499-140028722.html?src=rss