Former Meta lobbyist Niamh Sweeney appointed DPC commissioner — concerns over independence Niamh Sweeney, who previously led European public policy for WhatsApp and served as head of Irish public policy at Facebook, has been appointed as a commissioner at Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC). The appointment has drawn criticism from privacy campaigners who warn of potential conflicts of interest given her previous work for Meta. Key facts Appointment: Sweeney joins Des Hogan and Dale Sutherland as an active commissioner at the DPC. Background: Six years at Meta, including roles at WhatsApp and Facebook. Official comment: Ireland's Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said three commissioners will now lead and manage the DPC as its responsibilities grow. Criticism and context Privacy advocates and campaigners have raised concerns about the DPC's track record…

Ice beta optimized for macOS Tahoe — new beta available Good news for users of the free menu‑bar manager Ice. Developer Jordan Baird has published a version of Ice better optimized for macOS Tahoe. Note that this is still an early beta — the project is actively developed and the Tahoe support is experimental. What is Ice? Ice is a free, open‑source menu‑bar manager for macOS that lets you hide, show, and organize menu‑bar icons with advanced behaviors (hover/click/scroll reveal, hotkeys, drag‑and‑drop arrangement, custom appearance, and more). Where to get it GitHub (repo & releases): https://github.com/jordanbaird/Ice Official site: https://icemenubar.app Download (pay-what-you-want / optional donation) on Gumroad: https://jordanbaird.gumroad.com/l/ice Homebrew cask (macOS >= 14): https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/jordanbaird-ice Notes This release is an early beta for macOS Tahoe — expect rough edges and report issues…

October Prime Day: Early deals to shop now (Oct 7-8) Amazon's October Prime Day is on Oct 7-8, but many strong discounts are already live. Below are Engadget's top picks and quick buy links so you can shop early. Affiliate search links point to Amazon (US). Apple MagSafe charger (25W, 2m) — $35 (29% off). Qi2.2-certified, 2m cable for flexible use. Buy: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Apple+MagSafe+charger+25W+2m&tag=f1rede-20 Apple iPad Air (11-inch, M3) — $449 ($150 off). Faster M3 chip; solid productivity pick. Buy: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Apple+iPad+Air+M3&tag=f1rede-20 Apple Mac mini (M4) — $499 ($100 off). Compact desktop with M4 and 16GB RAM in base model. Buy: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Apple+Mac+mini+M4&tag=f1rede-20 Anker 622 5K magnetic power bank — $28 (42% off). Thin, magnetic, built-in stand. Buy: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Anker+622+5K+magnetic+power+bank&tag=f1rede-20 8BitDo Pro 2 controller — $40 (34% off). Works with Switch 2, Steam Deck,…

China Ends Antitrust Probe into Google's Android Amid US–China Trade Talks China has reportedly closed its antitrust investigation into Google’s Android operating system, a move that comes as Beijing and Washington engage in high‑level trade discussions covering issues such as TikTok, tariffs and broader tech cooperation. Key points: Beijing’s probe focused on Android’s ubiquity and whether it harmed Chinese phone makers that use the OS. Google’s core consumer services (Search, Gmail, YouTube, Maps) remain blocked in China, but the company still generates revenue there via cloud services and ad sales targeted at overseas audiences. The decision to ease up on Google comes amid continued regulatory pressure on other U.S. tech firms — notably NVIDIA. Recent measures include restrictions on H20 GPU sales, discouragement or bans on purchases of region‑specific chips…

Samsung starts showing ads on Family Hub refrigerators in US pilot Samsung has begun rolling out a software update that displays ads and promotions on the idle Cover Screen of its Family Hub refrigerators in the US as part of a pilot program. The company says this is intended to "enhance everyday value for our home appliance customers." What happens Ads and promotions appear on the Cover Screen when the fridge is idle (not in Art Mode or photo album). Specific ads can be dismissed and won’t reappear while the campaign runs. Samsung says ads won’t show when Art Mode or a photo album is active. What’s unclear There is no confirmed way to fully opt out of ads during the pilot. It’s not clear which models (if any) are…

Paramount+: 50% Off Annual Subscriptions Through Sep 18 Paramount+ is running a limited-time promotion: 50% off annual subscriptions through September 18. The deal requires full upfront payment for a 12-month plan. Pricing (US) Essential (with ads): $30/year (regularly $60) Premium (no ads + Showtime catalog): $60/year (regularly $120) Who can get it The offer is available to both new and returning subscribers in the United States. It requires paying for the full year in advance; month-to-month subscriptions remain at standard rates. What’s included Premium subscribers get access to the Showtime catalog (examples: Yellowjackets, Dexter: Resurrection). Paramount+ carries many popular series, including Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks, live sports (like NFL on CBS), and a growing library of original programming. Important caveats The discount is promotional…

Recent German reports claimed the Starling Hub has been withdrawn from sale due to US customs policy. I checked official and legal sources: What Starling says Starling’s own post explains their prices rose (from $99 to $129) because of increased import costs and tariffs — it does not state the product has been discontinued. See: Starling Home: Why have our prices gone up. US policy context The US suspended the de minimis import exemption, affecting low-value shipments and increasing customs costs for many products. This change can lead to higher retail prices for imported hardware. See: White & Case: US suspends de minimis entry. Bottom line Current evidence points to a price increase caused by tariffs and import policy changes, not a confirmed discontinuation of the Starling Hub. I could…

Flick Shot Rogues — The turn-based flick-shooter that's oddly addictive Platform: PC (Steam). Developer: Butter By The Fish. Release: launched on Steam during the recent Next Fest period. Quick summary Flick Shot Rogues is a pirate-themed, turn-based roguelite where you "flick" your characters like discs to hit enemies, trigger relic effects and chain reactions. Runs feature interchangeable heroes, relics with elemental effects, and levels that reward planning and bank-shot plays. Each level includes standard enemies on red discs and tougher foes on yellow discs that must be defeated to clear the wave. Why it stands out Tactile, snooker-like aiming and physics that make turn-based combat feel more active. Build variety through relics and upgrades — chainable effects lead to satisfying combos. Short-to-moderate run length (around an hour) that still feels…

iPhone 17 & Co.: Shipping notifications arriving gradually — what to check Reports from several outlets indicate that shipping notifications for some iPhone 17 series models are arriving later than expected for a portion of customers. The delays appear concentrated on high-demand configurations (notably certain iPhone 17 Pro Max colors and higher-capacity models), while many standard models remain on track for the originally quoted delivery dates. What we know Some customers report delays of about 1–3 weeks for specific iPhone 17 Pro Max configurations. Most iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Air orders still match Apple’s initial delivery estimates. Availability for in-store pickup on launch day may still be possible at select Apple Store locations. What to do now Check your official Apple order status: https://www.apple.com/shop/orderstatus. Review emails and the…

Nothing Ear 3 — Super Mic, specs, price & launch Nothing has unveiled the Ear 3, a $179 pair of true wireless earbuds that add a striking new gimmick: the "Super Mic" — a pair of mics built into the charging case to act like a handheld/beamforming microphone for clearer calls. Key specs Price & launch: $179 — launched Sept 18, 2025 Drivers: redesigned 12mm dynamic drivers for stronger bass and clearer trebles Mics: 3 directional mics per bud + bone conduction VPU; Super Mic inside case ANC & audio: active noise cancellation (claimed >25 dB reduction) but mixed results in real-world use Battery: ~5.5 hours with ANC (buds) + ~22 hours from case; 5-minute charge ≈ 1 hour playback (no ANC) Design: improved stem angle, internal venting, recycled aluminum/plastic…