Best budgeting apps of 2025: tested alternatives to Mint With Mint shut down in March 2024, many users have been searching for a reliable replacement. Engadget tested several top budgeting apps in 2025 to find which ones best aggregate accounts, track spending, monitor credit and support financial goals — and which offer the best value. The review looked at a shortlist of apps that can import multiple bank accounts (via Plaid), provide budgeting tools, show net worth and include goal‑setting features. Pricing, UX polish and cross‑platform availability (iOS, Android, web) were also key factors in determining recommendations. Key findings Many apps use Plaid to connect bank accounts — Plaid is widely supported but has had privacy concerns in the past, so check permissions when linking accounts. Free tiers are increasingly…

Fairphone updates Fairbuds XL: improved sound and stronger sustainability credentials Fairphone has released an updated Fairbuds XL with a focus on both audio improvements and greener, more repairable construction. The 2025 model debuts premium 40mm dynamic drivers, stronger N52 magnets for enhanced bass, and a refined paper‑based speaker membrane aimed at clearer mids and highs. Sound quality is said to be noticeably cleaner than the previous generation, with improved bass control and sharper mid/high detail. Active noise cancellation appears unchanged but remains effective for everyday use, and a new automatic power‑off after 30 minutes is a small but welcome convenience. Design, materials and repairability Materials: 100% fair‑mined cobalt, copper and silver (via mining credits); 100% recycled rare earths in the magnets; over 90% recycled aluminum and 80% recycled plastics. Sustainability…

Analogue 3D “Funtastic” limited editions revive translucent N64 nostalgia Analogue has announced Funtastic limited‑edition colorways for its Analogue 3D console, heavily inspired by Nintendo's translucent N64 models from the late 1990s. The run includes eight see‑through colors, a $299.99 price tag and a Dec. 10 on‑sale date, with the company promising 48‑hour shipping for guaranteed delivery before Christmas. The Funtastic consoles are designed to match the look and feel of the original N64 translucent variants and pair with separately sold 8BitDo controllers priced at about $45. Analogue says the special editions are produced in highly limited quantities, and the company will also restock traditional colors on the same date (those will ship in January). Why collectors and retro gamers care Strong nostalgia pull: translucent shells mimic the iconic N64 Funtastic…

Netflix launches Best Guess Live — a weekday HQ Trivia–style mobile game show Netflix is bringing back the appointment-viewing, interactive game-show format with Best Guess Live — a weekday mobile game show that premieres on the streamer as a live experience. Hosted by Howie Mandel and Hunter March, the show will run Monday through Friday at 8PM ET / 5PM PT and promises "thousands of dollars" in prize money for fast, repeat players. The format leans on quick multiple-choice questions and rewards speed and frequency, echoing the popularity of HQ Trivia in the late 2010s. Netflix hasn’t disclosed exact prize pools or mechanics yet, but says the new show is part of its push into live programming and lightweight interactive experiences. Key details Hosts: Howie Mandel and Hunter March. Schedule:…

Russet 1.2 expands offline on-device AI with games, health data and automations Russet, the offline AI app built to run on Apple Intelligence on iPhone, iPad and Mac, has added several notable features while keeping its core promise: all processing stays local to the device. The 1.2 update brings playable mini‑games, access to on‑device health data, and new automation capabilities — useful additions for users who want AI helpers without cloud upload. The update keeps Russet’s privacy-first approach: according to the developer, neither text nor personal data are sent to external servers. That makes the app attractive if you want AI assistance that uses your device’s data (like health metrics) without sharing it off‑device. The changes also underline the growing capability of on‑device AI powered by Apple Intelligence. What’s new…

Why your Mac takes time to be ready — and how to clean startup items Many users notice a delay between turning on a Mac and when it becomes fully usable. Often the slowdown isn't the core OS but apps and services that auto‑start in the background. Knowing where macOS stores these entries — and how "apps", "agents" and "daemons" differ — lets you remove or disable what you don’t need and speed up startup times. Below are the main places to check and safe steps to tidy up your Mac’s startup process. Where auto‑start items live Login Items — user apps that launch at login: System Settings (or System Preferences) → Users & Groups → Login Items (or Settings → General → Login Items on newer macOS versions). LaunchAgents…

Blink adds AI-generated video descriptions to its cameras — beta rolling out Nov 17 Amazon’s budget smart‑home brand Blink is introducing AI‑generated video descriptions for motion clips recorded by its doorbells and cameras. The feature — called Blink Video Descriptions — launches in beta on Nov. 17 and will provide concise text summaries of captured motion to help subscribers decide which clips deserve a closer look. Video descriptions are similar to a feature already available on Amazon’s Ring cameras: short, automated captions that summarize what the camera saw so you can quickly triage alerts without watching full clips. Key details Availability: Beta rollout begins Nov. 17 for Blink subscribers. Cost: Requires a Blink subscription — $4 per month or $40 per year. Compatibility: Supported on existing Blink doorbells and cameras,…

Pixel Watch 4 drops to $300 — lowest price yet Cyber Monday may be over, but the Google Pixel Watch 4 is still on sale for $300 (down from $350) — the lowest price we've seen since launch. If you use a Pixel phone, the Pixel Watch 4 remains our top pick for Android users thanks to its display, fitness features and repairable design. The watch launched in October and earned high marks for a bright curved display (up to 3,000 nits peak), faster recharge, dual‑frequency GPS and improved health and fitness tracking. It also uses a more repairable case that can be unscrewed for display or battery replacement, a notable plus for longevity. Why this deal matters Price: $300, down from $350 — a meaningful discount on a premium…

Atoll 1.2 brings interactive controls to the MacBook notch The open‑source project Atoll (previously known as DynamicIsland) has released version 1.2, expanding the notch area of modern MacBooks into an interactive control surface. The update focuses on richer media controls, clearer system indicators and small utilities that live directly in the notch area for quick access. Atoll aims to make the notch more useful by surfacing controls and information where your eyes already go. Version 1.2 improves the user interface and interaction flow, and includes internal technical refinements to make the experience smoother and more responsive. Highlights in v1.2 Media controls: Play/pause, skip and volume adjustments accessible from the notch overlay. System indicators: Quick glanceable displays for battery, network and other status info. Mini tools: Small utilities (timers, quick toggles,…

Switch TV ON 2.0: Redesigned interface and technical overhaul for iPhone The iPhone app Switch TV ON has received a major update with the release of version 2.0. The new release focuses on a refreshed user interface, improved navigation and a range of internal technical improvements aimed at making the app faster and easier to use. Switch TV ON remains targeted at users who want to search for films and series without advertising interruptions. The update refines the browsing experience and streamlines common tasks so users can find ad‑free viewing options more quickly. What's new in 2.0 Redesigned UI: Cleaner layout and updated visuals for easier browsing. Improved navigation: Smoother flow between search, filters and results. Technical enhancements: Under‑the‑hood fixes and performance optimizations. Continued focus on ad‑free content discovery for…