Toyota is bringing the C-HR back to the US as an all-electric crossover

Toyota has announced the return of the C-HR to the United States, but this time as an all-electric model built on its e-TNGA platform. The crossover electric vehicle will now be the second Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) model sold by Toyota in the United States, along with the new bZ, which was also announced this week.

The reimagined C-HR will offer up to 290 miles of range and will offer crossover utility with 60/40-fold-flat seats and over 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.

The C-HR will lean toward performance in some aspects, sporting 338 horsepower, standard all-wheel drive, and a 0 to 60 time of around five seconds. The wheel will also feature paddle shifters that control the regenerative braking.

Like the recently announced bZ, the C-HR will come equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug type, first developed at Tesla and now open source to other EV manufacturers. In the press release for the vehicle, Toyota said the NACS-equipped vehicle would allow it “access to thousands of DC charging stations nationwide,” though it does not specify if this means access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.

The C-HR will be available in SE and XSE trims, though both will feature a 14-inch touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster, power liftgate, wireless phone chargers, and Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 driver assistance system.

Toyota expects the C-HR to arrive at US dealerships in 2026, though further specifics, including pricing, have not been announced.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/toyota-is-bringing-the-c-hr-back-to-the-us-as-an-all-electric-crossover-170728601.html?src=rss 

Max, which was once HBO, reverts to HBO Max

Warner Bros. Discovery announced today that its streaming service is undergoing yet another branding change. This would mark its second name change in three years, and even more if you count the days of HBO’s subscriber-exclusive streamer. The streamer previously known as HBO Max (2018–2022), then as Max (2022–2025), will henceforth be known as… checks notes …HBO Max, again.

The rebrand will take place this summer and is part of a push by Warner Bros. Discovery to grow subscriber counts globally. The company’s statement shares its belief that returning the HBO branding to the Max streaming service will help signal to its customers the type of quality content they can expect from their subscription. The new (see: old) name makes more pointed use of the brand’s iconic name. It reads in part: “This evolution has also been influenced by changing consumer needs, and the fact that no consumer today is saying they want more content, but most consumers are saying they want better content.”

Bullish on the brand power of HBO, Zaslav said, “The powerful growth we have seen in our global streaming service is built around the quality of our programming. Today, we are bringing back HBO, the brand that represents the highest quality in media, to further accelerate that growth in the years ahead.”

Warner Bros. Discovery reported earnings last week and mentioned the Max platform nearly 30 times in its nine-page letter to shareholders, touting subscriber and profitability milestones. The company clearly sees HBO Max as a core component to future growth, and HBO as the most valuable branding asset in its expanded portfolio since AT&T’s merger with Discovery, Inc. in 2022. Look, as long as you keep making White Lotus, I don’t care what you call it.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/max-which-was-once-hbo-reverts-to-hbo-max-154149241.html?src=rss 

Uber introduces Ride Shares, a rush hour version of Pool

Uber is introducing a few new options for riders that it claims will save you money. These choices include Route Share, which can only be described as if Uber Pool and buses had a love child (though Uber has already tried to reinvent shuttle buses a few times). It offers pickups in certain spots “along busy corridors” every 20 minutes — though only during weekday rush hours. 

Basically, you can save “up to” 50 percent off UberX by treating Uber like a bus, walking to a pickup location and then getting dropped off at another designated spot near your destination. The Pool bit is that there might be up to two other riders with you. 

Route Share will let you book a seat between seven days and 10 minutes before you need it. The option is now available from 6AM to 10AM and 4PM to 8PM on weekdays in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, and Baltimore, with more cities coming. 

Uber

Uber is also rolling out two different ride passes, a price lock and a prepaid option. The price lock pass lets you pay $3 to reserve a set cost for a specific ride. It seems to be pretty low risk, as if the ride ends up being cheaper when you use it, Uber won’t charge you the difference. You can use a price lock pass on up to 10 different routes each month. This pass is now available in cities like Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami and San Francisco — but should roll out to the rest of the US soon. 

Then there’s the prepaid pass, which lets you pay for multiple trips at a time. So, say you take an Uber to work or your partners place regularly, you can buy a set of trips along that route. The passes will work for 30 days or up to $50 in savings, whichever you hit first. You do have to buy either five, 10, 15 or 20 rides at a time, so Uber gets a guarantee you’ll use their service and you get a discount in return. Both types of passes will also be available on teen accounts this fall. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-introduces-ride-shares-a-rush-hour-version-of-pool-161059289.html?src=rss 

One year of Peacock Premium is on sale for only $25

A full year of Peacock Premium is on sale right now for $25 as part of a Memorial Day promotion. This is $55 off the typical price of $80. Just enter SPRINGSAVINGS at checkout. The promotion is live until May 30. This is the ad-supported version.

Peacock is a decent platform and made our list of the best streaming services. It doesn’t get the attention of Netflix or Disney+, but it’s home to several nifty original shows. There’s the AI-adjacent tomfoolery of Mrs. Davis and the Rian Johnson-made whodunnit Poker Face. It also airs several video game adaptations, like Knuckles and the surprisingly-decent Twisted Metal.

The big draw here, however, is likely the long-awaited spinoff of The Office, which is called The Paper. That one premieres in September and is a Peacock exclusive. The platform also signed an 11-year agreement with the NBA and that goes into effect this fall. The mobile app could be getting minigames and short-form vertical videos (like TikTok) in the near future.

The Scranton documentary crew is heading to Toledo. #ThePaper arrives this September on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/Mzmbw7TBzF

— Peacock (@peacock) May 12, 2025

There’s one caveat. This subscription will automatically renew for $80 after the year runs out. Stay on top of scheduling if you want to cancel before then.

Check out our coverage of the best streaming deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-year-of-peacock-premium-is-on-sale-for-only-25-163231474.html?src=rss 

The best early Memorial Day tech deals: Save on gear from Apple, Amazon, Dyson and others

It might surprise you, but Memorial Day can be a great time to shop for tech. In years past, we’ve seen solid Memorial Day sales on all manner of gadgets including many of our favorite tablets, headphones, charging accessories, robot vacuums and more. That’s on top of all the seasonal items that usually gets discounted at this time like smart grills and grilling gear, pizza ovens and outdoor tech.

If you’re on the market for any of those things, now’s a good time to shop. And like most seasonal holidays as of late, you don’t have to rush to make your purchase. Memorial Day deals are live now, and there’s a good chance they’ll be available until the holiday weekend has passed. Below, we’ve collected all of the best Memorial Day sales on tech we could find for 2025, and we’ll continue to update this post with the latest offers.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Amazon Prime Day, though. The biggest iteration of the online retailer’s annual shopping event typically happens in July, and Amazon confirmed it will be back again this year (although official dates remain unknown). Tech is usually heavily discounted on Prime Day for Prime members, so if you’re unsure about a purchase, you could take the chance and wait a little while longer to see if that pair of earbuds you’ve been eyeing drops even further in price during Prime Day. If not, Memorial Day offers the next best opportunity this time of year to save on gadgets and gear.

Best Memorial Day tech sales: Top deals

Best Memorial Day tech deals

Beats Studio Pro for $170 (51 percent off): The latest version of the Beats Studio Pro have much-improved sound quality along with good voice performance and Transparency mode. While these are wireless headphones, you can also connect a USB-C cable to them to use them as wired headphones, too.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for $200 (20 percent off): The new Powerbeats Pro 2 have a comfortable design, improved sound quality and bass performance and heart rate sensors on board that make them good workout companions. However, you’ll only be able to get that heart rate data if you have these buds paired to an iOS device.

Anker 321 MagGo battery pack for $22 (15 percent off): This 5K magnetic charging brick can attach magnetically to the backs of compatible smartphones, including iPhones, and includes built-in technology that monitors temperatures for a safer charge. It’ll work with MagSafe cases as well.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids for $140 (22 percent off): This is the same, latest Kindle Paperwhite, just customized a bit for kids. You’ll get the waterproof ereader in this bundle along with a protective case, a two-year warranty and six months of Amazon Kids+ for free.

Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras, 5 camera system for $200 (50 percent off): This pack-up includes give weather-resistant Blink Outdoor 4 cameras plus a Sync Module 2 to connect them all. These are some of our favorite security cameras thanks to their wireless design, accurate and speedy motion alerts and the ability to save footage locally when you use a thumb drive with the Sync Module 2.

Dyson Supersonic hair dryer for $330 ($100 off): This is the original Dyson Supersonic hair dryer that has been super popular since its debut. It includes five attachments for drying and styling, and it’s billed as a fast dryer that protects hair from heat damage.

iRobot Combo Essential robot vacuum for $150 ($125 off): This is a great entry-level robot vacuum that has the added convenience of being a mopping machine, too. It’ll suck up dirt, debris and pet hair while it vacuums, and you can use the included water reservoir when you want to mop hard floors.

Tineco Pure ONE S11 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner for $140 ($60 off with coupon): Our top budget pick among the best cordless vacuums, this Tineco machine offers good suction and a relatively lightweight design at a great price. It also includes the company’s iLoop smart sensor, which will auto-adjust suction power as you clean.

Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum for $280 (20 percent off): This is a slightly cheaper version of one of our favorite cordless stick vacuums and it comes with a self-emptying base. This Shark stick vacuum has good suction power, can easily convert to a hand vacuum and it docks neatly on its auto-empty base station that traps over 99 percent of dust and allergens.

Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Robot Vacuum and Mop for $700 (30 percent off): A version of one of our favorite robot vacuums, this Shark machine can vacuum and mop floors for you. Its self-emptying base station holds up to 30 days worth of debris, and it has a refill tank for the mopping reservoir as well.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-early-memorial-day-tech-deals-save-on-gear-from-apple-amazon-dyson-and-others-144526098.html?src=rss 

Letterboxd will launch a curated online rental service for films

There’s about to be a new online movie rental site in town. Letterboxd is introducing a transactional video-on-demand service for its users, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The social media platform for movie lovers announced the news during the Cannes Film Festival. 

The Letterboxd Video Store will have curated rental categories such as up-and-coming filmmakers, under-appreciated movies and more on demand. There will also be areas that highlight the movies premiering at different film festivals, many of which will be available for a set amount of time. Plus, the rental service could offer some movies that only have a limited distribution, getting them in front of a wider audience. 

Letterboxd pitches its Video Store it as a natural next step for the company. “Every day, we see members recommending films to each other, adding to their watchlists and hungry to discover more,” Letterboxd CEO Matthew Buchanan stated. “Letterboxd Video Store is our way of delivering for those film lovers, creating a dedicated space for films that deserve an audience.”  

However, while we know it should be coming, that’s about all the logistical information we have. Letterboxd has yet to release pricing, launch dates or countries where rentals will be available. These finer points should all arrive in the upcoming months. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/letterboxd-will-launch-a-curated-online-rental-service-for-films-145056220.html?src=rss 

Marvel’s Ironheart series now has a trailer

Marvel’s long-awaited Ironheart series premieres June 24 on Disney+. We also finally have a legitimate trailer, which looks gritty and fun. This should come as no surprise, as Black Panther and Sinners director Ryan Coogler is on board as an executive producer.

The show follows Riri Williams, who was first introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She’s a mechanical genius in the vein of Tony Stark who also builds her own armored suit. Iron Man. Ironheart. Get it? In the comics, it’s an AI version of Stark that suggests the name, but we doubt Robert Downey Jr’s new contract extends to vocal work on a Disney+ series.

The footage suggests a season-long battle against an underrated villain in the comics called The Hood, who is a magic user with loose connections to the Dr. Strange villain Dormammu. We can look forward to plenty of tech vs. magic tomfoolery.

Ironheart stars Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Alden Ehrenreich, Lyric Ross and Anji White, among others. Chinaka Hodge is the head writer, who penned scripts for Snowpiercer and Mike Flanagan’s The Midnight Club.

We get three episodes on June 24, followed by installments each Tuesday. Ironheart runs for six episodes. The show’s followed by the premiere of the animated anthology series Eyes of Wakanda on August 6.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/marvels-ironheart-series-now-has-a-trailer-152824616.html?src=rss 

Lorde’s 2025 Tour Tickets: See Presale Details, Prices & More

Seven years after her ‘Melodrama World Tour’ concluded, Lorde is touring the globe again. Find out when you can get tickets and how much money they cost.

Seven years after her ‘Melodrama World Tour’ concluded, Lorde is touring the globe again. Find out when you can get tickets and how much money they cost. 

The next Mario movie may share its name with an SNES classic

We already know that Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto are working away on the sequel to the absurdly successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Now we might also know its title, even if we aren’t supposed to.

According to The Verge, NBCUniversal (parent company of Illumination via Universal Pictures) name-dropped the upcoming movie in a press release regarding its 2025 and 2026 content slate, before swiftly removing it. Super Mario World was reportedly included in a section that listed a number of films that will stream on Peacock following their theatrical release in the next year.

Other films mentioned include M3gan 2.0, Nobody 2, The Bad Guys 2 and the upcoming live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. The original post also listed the next Shrek and Minion movies, but like Super Mario World, they’re absent from the amended version.

Of course, there’s always a possibility that NBCUniversal used the wrong name, or that Super Mario World is just a working title. But it does seem like an obvious choice. For one, the “World” part suggests a larger-scale adventure for Nintendo’s mustachioed mascot this time around, and (spoilers for the first film) the post-credits scene in The Super Mario Bros. Movie hinted at Yoshi’s involvement in the sequel. Nobody who owned a Super Nintendo Entertainment System in the ‘90s will need reminding which game the little green dinosaur made his debut in.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar called “a fun but safe Mushroom Kingdom romp” when it released in 2023, made over $1.36 billion at the global box office, and is currently the highest-grossing movie based on a video game of all time. A release date of April 3, 2026 was confirmed last year for the officially as-yet untitled sequel.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-next-mario-movie-may-share-its-name-with-an-snes-classic-141146941.html?src=rss 

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