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PayPal applies to become a US bank — filings with the FDIC and Utah PayPal has submitted applications to form a U.S. bank, filing with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions (UDFI). The move would establish "PayPal Bank" (chartered in Utah if approved) and allow the company to offer interest‑bearing savings accounts and other banking services. The company says it has provided more than $30 billion in loans and working capital to over 420,000 business accounts globally and frames the bank application as a way to improve access to capital for small businesses. PayPal already operates as a bank in Europe (Luxembourg), but a U.S. charter would broaden its ability to take deposits and offer bank products directly. Why PayPal wants a bank…

Best subscription box gifts for 2025 — gifts that keep on giving Subscription boxes remain one of the most enduring gift ideas — you buy once and the surprises keep arriving for months. Engadget’s 2025 roundup highlights curated monthly boxes across categories: gadgets, books, snacks, collectibles and hands-on projects, making them ideal for recipients who love discovery. These services are especially good as presents because they combine tangible items with themed curation, and many offer gift options or short-term plans so you can tailor the commitment to your budget. Types of boxes to consider Gadget & tech: Small electronics, accessories and quirky tech toys for tinkerers and early adopters. Books: Curated reads with extras like bookmarks, author notes or themed swag. Snacks & food: International treats, artisanal snacks or themed…

Best subscription box gifts for 2025 — gifts that keep on giving Subscription boxes remain one of the most enduring gift ideas — you buy once and the surprises keep arriving for months. Engadget’s 2025 roundup highlights curated boxes across categories: gadgets, books, snacks, collectibles and hands‑on projects, so you can match a theme to the recipient’s interests. These services are especially good as presents because they combine discovery with tangible items and often offer gift options or short‑term plans for one‑time giving. Below are the main types of boxes and tips to choose the right one. Types of subscription boxes Gadget & tech: Small electronics, accessories and quirky tech toys for tinkerers and early adopters. Books: Curated reads with extras like bookmarks, author notes or themed swag. Snacks &…

Best subscription box gifts for 2025 — gifts that keep on giving Subscription boxes remain one of the easiest ways to give a gift that keeps delighting all year. Engadget’s 2025 roundup highlights curated monthly boxes across categories — gadgets, books, snacks, collectibles and hands-on projects — so you can match a theme to the recipient’s interests. These services are especially good gifts because one purchase turns into repeated surprises. Many boxes offer one-off gift options, short-term subscriptions, or multi-month plans, letting you tailor the commitment to your budget and the recipient’s tastes. Categories covered Gadget & tech boxes: Small electronics, accessories and quirky tech toys for tinkerers and early adopters. Book boxes: Curated reads with extras like bookmarks, author notes or themed goodies. Snack & food boxes: International treats,…

Best subscription box gifts for 2025 — gifts that keep giving all year Subscription boxes are one of those gifts that keep delivering joy long after the holidays. Engadget’s 2025 roundup collects curated boxes across categories—gadgets, books, snacks, collectibles and hands‑on projects—so there’s something for hobbyists, curious minds and comfort seekers alike. Each box on the list blends discovery with tangible items, often themed around a passion or interest. They’re great for gifting because you make one decision up front and recipients get repeated surprises delivered over weeks or months. Types of subscription boxes highlighted Gadget & tech boxes: Small electronics, accessories and quirky tech toys for tinkerers. Book boxes: Curated reads with extras like author notes, bookmarks or themed goodies. Snack & food boxes: International treats or gourmet selections…

PayPal applies to become a US bank — filings submitted to FDIC and Utah regulator PayPal has filed applications to form PayPal Bank in the United States, submitting paperwork to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions (UDFI). If approved, the bank would be chartered in Utah; PayPal already operates as a bank in Europe (Luxembourg). The company positions the move as a way to better support small businesses. PayPal says it has provided over $30 billion in loans and working capital to more than 420,000 business accounts globally, and wants a US banking charter to strengthen capital access and operational efficiency. What PayPal plans to offer Interest‑bearing savings accounts for customers. Easier access to capital and lending services tailored to small businesses. A…

Fallout Season 2 review: Viva New Vegas — crass, clever, and surprisingly strong Fallout Season 2 returns December 16 on Prime Video and shifts its setting to the irradiated neon of New Vegas. Early episodes (reviewed: first six of eight) show the series leaning into darker humor, coarse charm and the chemistry between Lucy and The Ghoul — a pairing that continues to drive the show. The season follows Lucy’s quest for her father while branching into multiple storylines: existential crises inside vaults, expanded Brotherhood of Steel politics, and new factions that enrich the world without slowing pacing. The journey to New Vegas doesn’t feel like filler — the show keeps the momentum so the delayed arrival in episode four still plays well. What works Character chemistry: Ella Purnell’s Lucy…

Avatar: Fire and Ash review — big spectacle, limited innovation James Cameron’s latest, Avatar: Fire and Ash, delivers the franchise’s signature scale and action but largely fails to break new ground. Where previous entries leaned on technical milestones, this film offers familiar visual techniques and high‑energy set pieces rather than a clear technical or narrative leap. The story revisits familiar beats: Jake Sully and his family are again defending Pandora from human exploitation, while old foes and new tribal conflicts play out in often predictable ways. New antagonists like the Ash People add some texture, but the plot frequently slides into routine blockbuster tropes and repeats themes audiences have seen before. On the technical side, Cameron continues to use virtual‑camera workflows and high‑frame‑rate footage, but Fire and Ash doesn’t advance…

Simple Music: a kid-friendly iOS app for music and audiobooks — testers invited Simple Music is an upcoming iOS app aimed specifically at families with children. Berlin developer Daniel Kuhl built the app to address common problems parents face with mainstream music and radio services — notably advertising, open catalogs that aren’t child-appropriate, and a lack of built-in protections for younger listeners. The app focuses on a curated, ad-free listening experience and stronger parental controls so children can enjoy music and audiobooks independently without exposing them to inappropriate content. The developer is currently inviting users to test the app (likely via TestFlight or a similar beta system) to help refine features and safety measures before a wider release. Key features and goals Curated content: Music and audiobooks selected for age-appropriateness…

KnockKnock 4 expands macOS security checks with automated scans and auto‑start KnockKnock 4 has been released, bringing a noticeable expansion to the open‑source macOS security utility that helps users identify persistent components on their systems. The update adds automated scanning, an option to launch KnockKnock automatically at login, and several new areas of inspection to better surface installed launch items, agents and other always‑running components. The app is aimed at users who want transparency about what stays resident on their Mac. KnockKnock reports items that run at startup or remain active in the background — a useful capability for spotting unwanted software, questionable kernel extensions or other persistent artifacts. What’s new in KnockKnock 4 Automated scans: Runs checks on a schedule or at sign‑in to help you keep continuous visibility…