Author: alex

iPhone 17 likely eSIM-only in Germany — what to expect Apple appears set to remove the physical SIM tray from iPhone 17 models in additional countries, with Germany and many EU markets listed among those expected to switch to eSIM-only devices. This continues the trend Apple began in the U.S. with the iPhone 14. Key points Reports indicate Apple is preparing for broader eSIM adoption ahead of the iPhone 17 launch (reportedly Sept 9, 2025). Apple-authorized reseller staff across EU countries are said to be receiving eSIM training, signaling a coordinated rollout. The ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air model is likely to ship without a SIM tray; other 17-series models may also drop the tray in most countries except where regulations require a physical SIM (notably China). Benefits Apple cites: simpler…

MenuBarUSB — Small macOS menu-bar app to view connected USB devices MenuBarUSB is a lightweight, free macOS utility by Rafael Neuwirth Swierczynski that places a simple indicator in your menu bar showing how many USB devices are currently connected. It’s designed for users who want a quick overview of USB connections without opening System Information. Features Displays number of connected USB devices in the macOS menu bar Simple, minimal UI — quick at-a-glance info Open-source and free (source on GitHub) Where to get it Official source & downloads: https://github.com/rafaelSwi/MenuBarUSB Alternative download/overview: Softpedia — MenuBarUSB Install notes The GitHub repository contains source code and instructions. The app can be run from a compiled binary or built from source; some users install similar tools via Homebrew if taps are available. Alternatives &…

Mortal Kombat II delayed to May 15, 2026 — Karl Urban returns Warner Bros. and New Line have pushed Mortal Kombat II from its original October release to May 15, 2026. The studio says the move is about giving the tournament “a new time and place, worthy of its spectacle.” Quick summary New release date: May 15, 2026 Star: Karl Urban returns as Johnny Cage Reason: Avoid a crowded October box office and maximize the sequel’s potential in a spring debut Marketing buzz: Red-band trailer reportedly amassed 106 million views in 24 hours What we know The trailer focuses heavily on Johnny Cage joining the fight-to-the-death tournament to save Earthrealm. The strong trailer performance and positive research screenings are likely factors in the studio’s decision to reschedule the film for…

NordVPN: Up to 77% off two-year plans — Deal summary NordVPN is currently offering deep discounts on its two-year plans, including three extra months for free on the two-year commitment. Prices NordVPN Plus (2 years): $108 for the contract + 3 months free (~73% off). Includes Threat Protection Pro, password manager, ad & tracker blocker. NordVPN Prime (2 years): $189 for the contract + 3 months free (~77% off). Adds encrypted cloud storage or NordProtect identity-theft protection and dark-web monitoring. Key features Threat Protection Pro (anti-malware) Password manager Ad & tracker blocker Encrypted cloud storage (Prime) / NordProtect identity theft monitoring (Prime) Notes Independent reviews report strong download speeds, a large server network and useful security features; some users find the interface inconsistent across platforms. Threat Protection Pro is highlighted…

Escape from Tarkov to arrive on Steam — Steam page 'available soon' Summary: Battlestate Games head Nikita Buyanov confirmed on X that Escape from Tarkov's Steam page "will be available soon," and reiterated the game's 1.0 release date of November 15, 2025. The move out of perpetual beta and onto Steam has raised questions from longtime players about whether they'll need to rebuy the game and how the studio plans to tackle cheating. What was announced Nikita Buyanov confirmed the Steam page for Escape from Tarkov is coming soon. Earlier announcements set the game's 1.0 launch for Nov 15, 2025, and Battlestate has said it plans console ports after the full release. Edition controversy Recently Battlestate unveiled the Unheard Edition (priced at $250), which includes a new PvE mode. This…

Stardew Valley 1.7 Confirmed — Barone Reassures Haunted Chocolatier Won't Be Delayed Eric Barone (ConcernedApe) announced a new Stardew Valley update — version 1.7 — during the Symphony of Seasons concert in Seattle and later confirmed the news on X. No release date or content details have been shared yet, but Barone reassured fans that "this will not hinder Haunted Chocolatier development." What we know 1.7 was revealed live at the Symphony of Seasons concert and confirmed on Barone's X account. No release window or detailed content list has been provided. Barone stated that work on 1.7 "will not hinder Haunted Chocolatier" — his next standalone title. Given the numbered update, 1.7 is expected to be more than a small patch, possibly similar in scope to the previous 1.6 update…

Best Labor Day Tech Deals 2025 — Top Picks and Where to Buy Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer, but it’s also a great time to save on tech. Engadget’s roundup highlights notable discounts across laptops, tablets, headphones, robot vacuums and more. Below are our top picks with quick notes and direct Amazon search links (affiliate tag included). Top deals Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) — $799Thin, light and long battery life. Search on Amazon: MacBook Air M4 on Amazon Apple iPad (11-inch, A16) — $299Solid performance and 128GB base storage. Search on Amazon: iPad 11" A16 on Amazon Apple iPad Air (11-inch, M3) — $449More color-rich display and stronger performance. Search on Amazon: iPad Air 11" M3 on Amazon Sony WH-CH520 headphones — $38Good sound and…

AI Search — This Week's Top AI Highlights Welcome to the AI Search newsletter. Below are the top highlights and how we handle sourcing and links. What we do Curate the top AI stories of the week with short summaries. Cross-check items with web research for accuracy when needed. Remove direct RSS source links from social posts; keep only important news links. Do not tweet stories that are purely about a publisher's own website or reviews of that website (e.g., posts about Engadget itself). Product links and affiliate policy If a story references a product available on Amazon, we include an Amazon search link with our affiliate tag. Example format: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=searchterm&tag=f1rede-20 Replace searchterm with the product name (spaces replaced by + or URL-encoded). How we post One tweet per news…

MasterClass Labor Day Sale — 50% Off Annual Memberships MasterClass is running a Labor Day promotion offering 50% off the first year of its annual memberships. That brings the monthly-equivalent prices to: Standard: $5/month (billed annually) Plus: $8/month (billed annually) Premium: $10/month (billed annually) These translate to roughly $60, $96, and $120 per year after the discount. MasterClass bills annually, so be sure to check the total annual charge before you buy. What you get: Hundreds of video classes taught by experts (each class typically has ~20 lessons at ~10 minutes each) In-depth downloadable workbooks for most classes Original series like Business Rebels and Skin Health Featured instructors include James Patterson (writing), Thomas Keller (cooking) and Steph Curry (basketball), among many others. Official promotion link: https://www.masterclass.com/promotion Quick tips: The discount…

Labor Day Deal: Apple AirTag 4‑Pack for about $70 Apple's AirTag 4‑pack is currently available for roughly $70 — one of the best prices we've seen this year. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, this is a strong buy. Why it's useful for Apple users Precision Finding (UWB): Works with supported iPhones for directional, room‑level locating. Find My network: Uses other Apple devices to help locate lost items even beyond Bluetooth range. Simple design & setup: Coin‑sized tracker, quick pairing with iPhone and ring/chime sound to help you locate items. Limitations No built‑in keyring — you'll need a holder or accessory to attach it to keys/bags. Best experience requires Apple devices; Android users don’t get Precision Finding and have limited functionality. Alternatives for Android users Chipolo: Search Chipolo on…