Why it matters: The rise of video game unions signals a shift as industry workers push for better conditions in response to long hours and job instability. Unions like ZeniMax Workers United now challenge major companies on issues like remote work and outsourcing, highlighting the growing demand for fair treatment in the gaming industry. Hundreds of Bethesda employees in Texas and Maryland walked off their jobs Wednesday morning to protest Microsoft's unwillingness to budge at the bargaining table. ZeniMax Workers United, one of the largest video game unions in the US, confirmed on X that workers are officially on strike.Formed and recognized in January 2023 by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), ZeniMax Worker United consists of about 300 quality assurance workers who have worked on games in the Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and Doom franchises. At the time, it was the largest union in the industry until Activision Quality Assurance United came along with 600 members a few months later.Negotiation details have been primarily private, but ZeniMax confirmed that Microsoft came to the bargaining table. Microsoft also confirmed the talks."We respect our employees' rights to express their point of view as they have done today," Microsoft spokesperson Becca Dougherty told Inverse via email. "We will continue to listen and address their concerns at the bargaining table."Despite the company's insistence that it is willing to negotiate, ZeniMax says the parent company has not answered any of the union's requests. Employees claim Microsoft is stonewalling them on remote work and outsourcing."They have continually given us their first proposal again and again, and it's become obvious that our different mobilization tactics have not worked," said union member Rhyanna Eichner, ZeniMax's quality assurance test lead. // Related StoriesThe union's specific grievances are that Microsoft's mandate requiring workers to spend at least two days at the office is not flexible enough. The Redmond giant has allegedly denied remote work requests, even when a doctor has recommended it. Eichner said the union has submitted an alternative remote work proposal but says Microsoft has not budged on its policy.The other core issue is that Microsoft has allegedly started outsourcing QA positions without a union agreement. ZeniMax Workers United is looking for a fair ratio of outsourced to full-time workers in its bargaining unit. Neither Microsoft nor the union has identified the outsourcing partners.Union members have agreed that the strike is necessary but shared differing optimism regarding the situation. Eichner said she was looking forward to the walkout, seeing it as a time to "come together" and bond. However, ZeniMax senior quality assurance tester Juniper Dowell does not feel as positive about striking."Striking isn't fun or ideal, but there's a satisfaction in having a concrete physical action we can do to fight for better work conditions," Dowell told Inverse. "Hopefully, we can convince them to stop dragging their feet and meet us at the table."The strike appears to be a shot across Microsoft's bow as it is scheduled to only last until 6:00 pm Central and Eastern times basically one workday. It will be interesting to see how Redmond executives respond to the surprise action.

The bleeding edge: In-memory processing is a fascinating concept for a new computer architecture that can compute operations within the system's memory. While hardware accommodating this type of processing is still in early development, researchers have already proposed a software approach that can effectively leverage the hardware. Israeli researchers have developed a new software "platform" to turn easily readable Python instructions into low-level machine code and execute it in RAM without going through the CPU. This new in-memory processing (PIM) architecture significantly improves code performance and will be instrumental in turning the PIM research efforts into a proper computer architecture.Professor Shahar Kvatinsky and his team at the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering have worked on PIM technology for quite some time. They are trying to solve the memory wall problem the need for two completely separate hardware components (CPU and RAM) to execute computing tasks.In a traditional PC architecture, the CPU executes programmed instructions stored in RAM. Finding a way to run the instructions at the RAM level would mitigate the "traffic jam" of data transferred between the processor and memory.Proper PIM computation could accelerate computer work in many fields, including AI, biotech, finance, and more. Hardware components to facilitate PIM operations are in development, with researchers working on new memory architectures and electronics. So far, little research has gone into computer programs that can work on PIM-enabled machines.Kvatinsky's team has proposed a concept called PyPIM, a portmanteau of Python and Processing-in-Memory. PyPIM's new interface and development libraries would convert traditional, high-level Python commands into low-level, PIM-enabled machine code that runs more efficiently on PIM hardware. // Related StoriesThe approach proposed by PyPIM could accelerate PIM adoption significantly, as programmers would not have to learn a new language. They would continue to code in Python as usual. The researchers created a hardware development simulator and a performance measurement tool so programmers could assess the performance improvements achieved with PIM. The study also proposed math and algorithmic tasks to show how PyPIM could improve computing performance.

If youre in the market for a new Mac (or Apple display), theres a lot of choice ahead of you. Maybe youre interested in a lightweight MacBook Air from the selection of the best MacBooks or maybe one of the desktop Macs. Either way, theres a wide variety of Apple products on offer, including some external desktop monitors.Below youll find the latest information on each model, including if its a good time to buy and when the next one up is coming.Recommended VideosChris Hagan / Digital TrendsThe MacBook Pro represents the high-end of Apples MacBook lineup, and it was updated it in October 2024. This revamp brought the M4 chip series to the flagship laptop, including the M4, the M4 Pro, and the M4 Max.RelatedHowever, it was much more than just a chip update, as Apple increased the memory capacity at every level (including double the starting RAM of the previous MacBook Pro). Theres a black color option for the entry-level M4 MacBook Pro, a brighter display with a nano-texture option, an improved webcam, more ports with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, plus longer battery life. And lets not forget the mini-LED display that can range up to 1,600 nits of peak HDR brightness and 1,000 of SDR brightness.Given the recent update, we wouldnt expect a new MacBook Pro until at least fall 2025, which would fit in with Apples rumored plans to update this laptop on a regular, annual basis. This new model is likely to be a modest upgrade, with a much larger refresh rumored for 2026. This could get an OLED display and a thinner chassis, while Apple also is expected to bring out a foldable MacBook at some point in the coming years.Luke Larsen / Digital TrendsApples slimmest laptop received its most recent changes in March 2024 when Apple launched the M3 MacBook Air. The M3 chip brings hardware-accelerated ray tracing and better performance compared to the previous MacBook Air, as well as better microphones and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. Thats wrapped up in Apples thinnest and lightest laptop chassis, along with a 500-nit display and comfortable keyboard.The MacBook Air is the next Mac in line for an update, with a new version expected to launch in spring 2025. While we can be certain that this will come with the M4 chip, theres not a lot else we know for sure about it. There are murmurings that Apple is working on an OLED MacBook Air, but this isnt due to launch for a few years.Chris Hagan / Digital TrendsIn October 2024, Apple gave the Mac mini its most significant overhaul in 14 years. The devices case was completely redesigned to take on the appearance of a downsized Mac Studio, with a footprint about half the size of the previous model. Apple skipped the M3 chip entirely and upgraded the Mac mini from the M2 to the M4 and M4 Pro chips, which has resulted in an impressive performance leap. Elsewhere, the memory capacity has been increased at every tier, theres support for up to three external displays, theres a new port arrangement that features Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro model, and you get two USB-C ports on the front of the computer (the USB-A ports have been removed).Apple wont bring out another Mac mini until fall 2025 at the earliest. Theres not much in the way of rumors for future Mac mini models, but well update this page as soon as we hear more.Caleb Denison / Digital TrendsIn October 2024, the iMac became the first Apple computer to get the M4 chip (following the iPad Pro in May 2024). Aside from the speedy new chip, you can now buy it in a new range of colors, with increased memory bandwidth, more starting memory, an improved webcam, as well as Apples nano-texture glass option that cuts down on reflections and glare (this was previously only available on the Pro Display XDR and the iPad Pro).As with several other M4 Macs, the iMacs next update is likely to arrive around fall 2025. There is talk that Apple is working on a larger iMac, perhaps with a 30-inch or 32-inch display and mini-LED tech, and this might debut alongside the next iMac in 2025. That said, this project has reportedly been delayed many times, so dont bet the house on it arriving any time soon.Mark Coppock / Digital TrendsThe latest update to the Mac Studio arrived in June 2023. Today, it comes with M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips, huge amounts of memory, wide support for its external displays, as well as compatibility with high-impedance headphones, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. Its a highly capable computer inside a very compact chassis, making it ideal for high-end workloads even if you dont have a lot of desk space.Apple has skipped the M3 generation in the Mac Studio, so its next update should bring the M4 Max and M4 Ultra chips alongside a significant increase in performance. Reports have suggested that the M4 Ultra will have 32 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores, double the core counts you can find in the MacBook Pros M4 Max chip.Brittany Hose-Small / AFP via Getty ImagesLike the Mac Studio, the Mac Pro received its most recent update in June 2023. This was a sizable change for Apples most powerful Mac, as it was the first time it came outfitted with Apple silicon chips (in this case, the M2 Ultra). Buying this model today gets you the most modular (and expensive) Mac on the market, including support for PCIe expansion, huge amounts of memory, massive support for external displays, and high-end CPU and GPU performance.Looking ahead, the M4 Ultra is a certainty, and this is expected to arrive in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. There are rumors that this might result in the Mac Pro getting a maximum memory capacity of 512GB, up from the current 192GB.Theres also the question of the Mac Pros design. The current chassis was designed for the 2019 model, which featured Intel chips that ran hot, as well as expandable, discrete graphics cards. Thats no longer the case, and its arguable that the Mac Pro doesnt need to be as large or as focused on cooling as it currently is now that it uses Apple silicon chips. There arent many rumors that Apple will soon redesign the Mac Pros chassis, so dont expect that to come next year, but dont be surprised if its somewhere on the horizon.AppleThe 27-inch Studio Display is Apples more accessible monitor (at least compared to the Pro Display XDR, anyway). It comes with a 5K resolution and 600 nits of brightness, an internal A13 Bionic chip that handles Center Stage and Spatial Audio, a nano-texture glass option that cuts down on reflections and glare, one Thunderbolt 3 slot and three USB-C ports, plus two different stand options.Theres a bit of confusion surrounding the date we can expect a new version of the Studio Display. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes we could see it in 2025 or 2024 (the latter date being very unlikely now), whereas display industry expert Ross Young thinks Apple has suspended its plans for a Studio Display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. Aside from that, not much else is known about what we might see in the next Studio Display.Julian Chokkattu / Digital TrendsWe first saw the Pro Display XDR in 2019, when it launched alongside the then-redesigned Mac Pro. Its Apples most capable monitor, and it comes with a 32-inch 6K screen, up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness (for HDR content only), 576 local dimming zones, a nano-texture glass option, one Thunderbolt 3 and three USB-C ports, and two stand options.Out of all the products in this article, the Pro Display XDR has gone the longest without an update, as it hasnt been changed since it launched in 2019. Seeing as it was released in tandem with the Mac Pro, wed expect the same to happen this time around, and with the Mac Pro slated for a 2025 refresh, the Pro Display XDR might be updated at the same time. Rumors have suggested that it will get an onboard chip just like the Studio Display, which should bring a few more software features to the table. Other than that, not much else is known at this point.Editors Recommendations

Todays viewers have more options than ever when it comes to choosing a streaming platform. Whether youre in the market for new exclusive shows, access to live TV, or a library that has your comfort shows available, you no longer have to compromise. Of course, with so many excellent options available, narrowing things down to just one streaming provider can be a difficult task.If youve managed to narrow it down to Disney+ or Hulu, weve got all the details you need to make an informed choice. Both of these services are super popular and deliver a wide VOD library, along with excellent exclusive programs you can only get from them. Disney+ has access to all things Marvel, and Star Wars, along with all the movies from the Disney vault. Alternatively, Hulu has focused more on beefing up the TV programs in their VOD library and has released amazing original shows like Only Murders in the Building.Recommended VideosSo which one is right for you Disney+ or Hulu? We can help.RelatedA streaming service can have a gigantic library, but if it doesnt have the shows youwant to watch, then its not the right service for you, is it? That means the first challenge is figuring out whether Hulu or Disney+ has more content that you want to watch.Jen Karner / Digital TrendsHulus library puts a significant emphasis on TV, meaning youll be able to find tons of great shows from familiar favorites, to new exclusives. Networks and cable channels like NBC, FOX, ABC, and others put new episodes of many of their shows on Hulu the day after they air. Hulu has also been making big gains in original content, thanks to critically acclaimed projects likeThe Handmaids Tale,Shogun, andThe Bear.Alternatively, Disney+ is the streaming home of all things Disney. This includes the likes of Star Wars, National Geographic, Pixar, and Marvel, along with the vault of movies from Disney itself. Its the best place for new Disney movies, along with exclusive shows like Agatha All Along, andStar Wars: Ahsoka. If you have kids, there is also a wealth of kid-friendly content here, including favorites from years ago.Its also worth remembering that Disney owns both Hulu and Disney+, which means your best option is to bundle these services together and get access to everything at once. In fact, if you do this youll be able to access Hulu content on Disney+, making it easy to install just one app and access twice the content. Bundling Hulu with Disney+ is also the best way to access Hulu + Live TV and ensure you never miss an episode of your favorite programs.Phil Nickinson / Digital TrendsDisney+s pricing structure is pretty easy if youre only interested in one service. It costs $16 a month, or $160 a year to stream without ads. If ads dont bug you, you can snag the service for just $10 a month.Hulu is a little bit trickier, but only because they have more options. Their ad-supported tier is $10 a month, or $100 per year, while the ad-free tier will run you $19 each month. However, its worth remembering that there are still a few programs that will run ads before or after programs, even if youre on the ad-free plan. There is also Hulu + Live TV. If you dont care about streaming anything from the VOD library at all, you can snag Hulu + Live TV for $82 per month. If you want Hulus VOD library and live streaming, thats where the bundles comes in.Hulu is now fully owned by Disney, which means there are all kinds of sweet deals for bundling the two services together. A bundle is also the only way to get Hulu + Live TV and access to the VOD library.DisneyWhether you bundle the services through Hulu or Disney+ is definitely dependent on what you actually want. If you definitely want Hulu + Live TV, then youll need to bundle on the Hulu side of things. You can get Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ (with ads) and ESPN+(with ads) for $83 each month. You can remove ads on just Disney+ for $88 per month, or on Disney+ and Hulu for $96 per month.If Hulu + Live TV isnt a priority for you, then youll want to bundle through Disney+. The Disney Duo Basic Bundle will run you $11 per month, and gets you access to the ad-supported tier of both Hulu and Disney. For $20 per month, you can bundle the two services without ads on the Disney Duo Premium Bundle. Disney also offers several bundles that include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, as well as bundle options that include the Max streaming service (formerly HBO Max). Its all about knowing what you want, and picking the bundle that works best for you.While picking one service or the other might be hard, we suggest bundling Disney+ and Hulu. If you opt for the ad-free tier of the Disney Duo Bundle, youre only paying an additional $1 each month for a second streaming service. If you dont want to deal with ads then its only $4 more each month to access the entire VOD libraries of both Hulu and Disney+. As far as deals go, they dont get much better than that. Its also worth noting that the Disney Duo Premium Bundle is the only plan from Disney+ that didnt go up in October.Jen Karner / Digital TrendsWeve got good news when it comes to supported devices. If you have a phone, tablet, computer, streaming box, or video game console, you should be able to watch both Hulu and Disney+ without any issues. Both services are very popular, which means theyre supported by almost every video-streaming device. Its worth checking each services compatibility list before signing up (Hulus is here, and Disney+s is here), but unless your hardware is extremely old or significantly outdated, you should be good to go.Screenshot Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital TrendsBoth Disney+ and Hulu look great, and are fairly intuitive to use. They both use categories, with tiles for each program, making it easy to scroll through the options when youre looking for something to watch. Youll find featured shows and movies at the top of the screen, and filtering by category is a breeze. Both providers also have hubs for specific content, to try and make it easier to find the shows you want to watch. However, with both streamers, you can also expect to find obscure treasures if you go scrolling through the entire library.When it comes to accessibility, both streamers are about even. They both have limited compatibility with screen readers, audio description tracks, and access to subtitles. While Hulu hasnt rolled out subtitles across the board, Disney+ has put an emphasis on delivering subtitles on as many programs as possible. You can find details on which accessibility features are compatible with Hulu on its website, and with Disney+ on its website.Jen Karner / Digital TrendsDisney+ and Hulu both have access to 4K Ultra HD resolution programming. The caveat here, is that youll need a TV or streaming box capable of displaying in 4K. On Hulu, 4K is mostly limited to their Hulu Originals, but it can be spotted by the 4K badge on shows and movies. Disney+, on the other hand, offers 4K Ultra HD with HDR on a bunch of content including some older movies, like the original Star Wars trilogy. In both cases, youll be able to see the video quality of any program on its associated tile.As for audio quality, Hulu has limited stereo sound for the vast majority of its content, although the same shows are available in 5.1 surround sound elsewhere. Disney+ takes the win again with a growing library of content in 5.1 surround sound, Dolby Atmos, and, on certain devices, IMAX Enhanced sound with DTS:X. Once again, its dependent entirely on the program youre looking at, and youll be able to see the audio quality in the program tile.Disney hasnt made picking between Hulu and Disney+ an easy proposition. Both of these streaming platforms are super popular, available for a similar price, and have great libraries to go scrolling through. Disney+ has access to all things Disney, plus blockbuster movies like Marvel, and exclusive new shows in the Star Wars universe. Meanwhile Hulu has all the great TV you might be missing from cutting the cord, from old favorites to new exclusive like The Bear. Phil Nickinson / Digital TrendsWhile choosing between the two might be difficult, its ultimately unnecessary. With a bundle you can snag access to both Disney+ and Hulu for just $20. Thats only $4 more per month than the ad-free tier of Disney+ alone, and its well worth the small bump in price. Whichever way you decide to go, theres plenty here to watch.Editors Recommendations

The prediction-market startup accused the Biden administration of retaliation for calling the election for Donald Trump.

The worlds richest man has been pushing for allies to get roles in new administration.

The singer combines archival recordings and contemporary sessions to collaborate with relatives past and present on this 3-LP set that finds her digging into her roots and tracing musical evolutions across the generations.

An exhibition at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts focuses on photographers from the European nation who ended up in the U.S., where many of them forged brilliant careers.

Inching toward usefulness IBM boosts the amount of computation you can get done on quantum hardware Incremental improvements across the hardware and software stacks add up. John Timmer Nov 13, 2024 5:42 pm | 5 Credit: IBM Credit: IBM Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreThere's a general consensus that we won't be able to consistently perform sophisticated quantum calculations without the development of error-corrected quantum computing, which is unlikely to arrive until the end of the decade. It's still an open question, however, whether we could perform limited but useful calculations at an earlier point. IBM is one of the companies that's betting the answer is yes, and on Wednesday, it announced a series of developments aimed at making that possible.On their own, none of the changes being announced are revolutionary. But collectively, changes across the hardware and software stacks have produced much more efficient and less error-prone operations. The net result is a system that supports the most complicated calculations yet on IBM's hardware, leaving the company optimistic that its users will find some calculations where quantum hardware provides an advantage.Better hardware and softwareIBM's early efforts in the quantum computing space saw it ramp up the qubit count rapidly, being one of the first companies to reach the 1,000 qubit count. However, each of those qubits had an error rate that ensured that any algorithms that tried to use all of these qubits in a single calculation would inevitably trigger one. Since then, the company's focus has been on improving the performance of smaller processors. Wednesday's announcement was based on the introduction of the second version of its Heron processor, which has 133 qubits. That's still beyond the capability of simulations on classical computers, should it be able to operate with sufficiently low errors.IBM VP Jay Gambetta told Ars that Revision 2 of Heron focused on getting rid of what are called TLS (two-level system) errors. "If you see this sort of defect, which can be a dipole or just some electronic structure that is caught on the surface, that is what we believe is limiting the coherence of our devices," Gambetta said. This happens because the defects can resonate at a frequency that interacts with a nearby qubit, causing the qubit to drop out of the quantum state needed to participate in calculations (called a loss of coherence).By making small adjustments to the frequency that the qubits are operating at, it's possible to avoid these problems. This can be done when the Heron chip is being calibrated before it's opened for general use.Separately, the company has done a rewrite of the software that controls the system during operations. "After learning from the community, seeing how to run larger circuits, [we were able to] almost better define what it should be and rewrite the whole stack towards that," Gambetta said. The result is a dramatic speed-up. "Something that took 122 hours now is down to a couple of hours," he told Ars.Since people are paying for time on this hardware, that's good for customers now. However, it could also pay off in the longer run, as some errors can occur randomly, so less time spent on a calculation can mean fewer errors.Deeper computationsDespite all those improvements, errors are still likely during any significant calculations. While it continues to work toward developing error-corrected qubits, IBM is focusing on what it calls error mitigation, which it first detailed last year. As we described it then:"The researchers turned to a method where they intentionally amplified and then measured the processor's noise at different levels. These measurements are used to estimate a function that produces similar output to the actual measurements. That function can then have its noise set to zero to produce an estimate of what the processor would do without any noise at all."The problem here is that using the function is computationally difficult, and the difficulty increases with the qubit count. So, while it's still easier to do error mitigation calculations than simulate the quantum computer's behavior on the same hardware, there's still the risk of it becoming computationally intractable. But IBM has also taken the time to optimize that, too. "They've got algorithmic improvements, and the method that uses tensor methods [now] uses the GPU," Gambetta told Ars. "So I think it's a combination of both."That doesn't mean the computational challenge of error mitigation goes away, but it does allow the method to be used with somewhat larger quantum circuits before things become unworkable.Combining all these techniques, IBM has used this setup to model a simple quantum system called an Ising model. And it produced reasonable results after performing 5,000 individual quantum operations called gates. "I think the official metric is something like if you want to estimate an observable with 10 percent accuracy, we've shown that we can get all the techniques working to 5,000 gates now," Gambetta told Ars.That's good enough that researchers are starting to use the hardware to simulate the electronic structure of some simple chemicals, such as iron-sulfur compounds. And Gambetta viewed that as an indication that quantum computing is becoming a viable scientific tool.But he was quick to say that this doesn't mean we're at the point where quantum computers can clearly and consistently outperform classical hardware. "The question of advantagewhich is when is the method of running it with quantum circuits is the best method, over all possible classical methodsis a very hard scientific question that we need to get algorithmic researchers and domain experts to answer," Gambetta said. "When quantum's going to replace classical, you've got to beat the best possible classical method with the quantum method, and that [needs] an iteration in science. You try a different quantum method, [then] you advance the classical method. And we're not there yet. I think that will happen in the next couple of years, but that's an iterative process."John TimmerSenior Science EditorJohn TimmerSenior Science Editor John is Ars Technica's science editor. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. When physically separated from his keyboard, he tends to seek out a bicycle, or a scenic location for communing with his hiking boots. 5 Comments Prev story

Farewell, Freevee Amazon ends free ad-supported streaming service after Prime Video with ads debuts Selling subscriptions to Prime Video with ads is more lucrative for Amazon. Scharon Harding Nov 13, 2024 3:56 pm | 15 A shot from the Freevee original series Bosch: Legacy. Credit: Amazon Freevee/YouTube A shot from the Freevee original series Bosch: Legacy. Credit: Amazon Freevee/YouTube Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreAmazon is shutting down Freevee, its free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service, as it heightens focus on selling ads on its Prime Video subscription service.Amazon, which has owned IMDb since 1998, launched Freevee as IMDb Freedive in 2019. The service let people watch movies and shows, including Freevee originals, on demand without a subscription fee. Amazon's streaming offering was also previously known as IMDb TV and rebranded to Amazon Freevee in 2022.According to a report from Deadline this week, Freevee is being phased out over the coming weeks, but a firm closing date hasnt been shared publicly.Explaining the move to Deadline, an Amazon spokesperson said:To deliver a simpler viewing experience for customers, we have decided to phase out Freevee branding. There will be no change to the content available for Prime members, and a vast offering of free streaming content will still be accessible for non-Prime members, including select Originals from Amazon MGM Studios, a variety of licensed movies and series, and a broad library of FAST Channels all available on Prime Video.The shutdown also means that producers can no longer pitch shows to Freevee as Freevee originals, and any pending deals for such projects have been cancelled, Deadline reported.Freevee shows still available for freeFreevee original shows include Jury Duty, with James Marsden, Judy Justice, with Judge Judy Sheindlin, and Bosch:Legacy, a continuation of the Prime Video original series Bosch. The Freevee originals are expected to be available to watch on Prime Video after Freevee closes. People won't need a Prime Video or Prime subscription in order to watch these shows. As of this writing, I was also able to play some Freevee original movies without logging in to a Prime Video or Prime account. Prime Video has also made some Prime Video originals, like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, available under a Freevee section in Prime Video where people can watch for free if they log in to an Amazon (Prime Video or Prime subscriptions not required) account. Before this week's announcement, Prime Video and Freevee were already sharing some content.Bloomberg reported this week that some Freevee shows will remain free to watch due to contractual prohibitions. Its unclear what might happen to such Freevee original content after said contractual obligations conclude.Freevee became redundant, confusingAmazon's FAST service seemed redundant after Amazon launched the Prime Video ad tier in January. With the subscription tier making money from subscription fees and ads shown on Prime Video with ads, it made little sense for Amazon to continue with Freevee, which only has the latter revenue stream.Pushing people from streaming off of Freevee to Prime Video could help Amazon attract people to Prime Video or Amazon's e-commerce site and simplify tracking what people are streaming. Meanwhile, Amazon plans to show more ads on Prime Video in 2025 than it did this year.Two anonymous sources told advertising trade publication Adweek in February that the two services were confusing subscribers and ad buyers. At the time, the publication claimed that Amazon was laying the groundwork" to kill Freevee "for months. It cited two anonymous people familiar with the matter who pointed to moves like Amazon shifting Freevee technical workers to working on the Prime Video ads infrastructure and Amazon laying off Freevee marketing and strategy employees. In February, Amazon denied that it was ending Freevee, saying it was "an important streaming offering providing both Prime and non-Prime customers thousands of hit movies, shows, and originals, all for free, per Adweek.Freevees demise comes as streaming providers try navigating a booming market where profits remain elusive and ad businesses are still developing. Some industry stakeholders and analysts are expecting more consolidation in the streaming industry as competition intensifies and streamers get increasingly picky about constantly rising subscription fees.The end of Freevee also marks another product in the Amazon graveyard. Other products that Amazon has killed since 2023 includeAstro for Business robots, Amazon Halo fitness trackers, theAlexa Built-in smartphone app, and the Amazon Drive file storage service.Scharon HardingSenior Product ReviewerScharon HardingSenior Product Reviewer Scharon is Ars Technicas Senior Product Reviewer writing news, reviews, and analysis on consumer technology, including laptops, mechanical keyboards, and monitors. Shes based in Brooklyn. 15 Comments Prev story