We're getting close to a year since the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, which means it's almost time for the Galaxy S25 series to break coverand there have been plenty of leaks and rumors about what to expect. Nothing is confirmed yet, but here you'll find all of that speculation collected and cross-referenced.It looks as though we're going to get four models next year: The usual trio of the standard Galaxy S25, the Galaxy S25 Plus, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and then the added bonus of a new Galaxy S25 'Slim' model that goes for a thinner form factor (and may or may not end up replacing the Galaxy S24 FE).Samsung Galaxy S25: launch date and pricingConsidering the Galaxy S24 phones were launched on January 17, 2024, it's a safe bet that we'll see the Galaxy S25 replacements around a year later. Most well-placed sources, including South Korean outlet Financial News, are predicting an Unpacked event on Wednesday, January 22, 2025with a possible on-sale date of February 7.There's some debate about whether or not the Galaxy S25 Slim will appear at the same time as the other three models, or come out later in the year: It's possible we might get a January tease before a full launch several months down the line. Some tipsters have specified Q2 2025 for this handset (April, May, or June). This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. A promotional poster for Galaxy Unpacked January 2025 has leaked online, which makes reference to the January 22 date. It also looks like we can see the corners of four different phones there, backing up the idea that the Slim model is going to be showcased at this event even if it doesn't go on sale immediately.As for pricing, most of the leaks so far are predicting some kind of bump over the launch prices attached to the Galaxy S24 models (which started at $799 for the base model). This has been attributed to the cost of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, but there may be variations between countries.Samsung Galaxy S25: four different modelsThe Galaxy S25 series will start with the standard S25 model: While it will have that faster Snapdragon chip on the inside, on the outside, it doesn't look like much will change. The same 6.2-inch screen is expected, and there might be some tweaks to the camera lens design. Speaking of cameras, several sources say the Galaxy S25 will match the Galaxy S24 with a triple-lens 50MP+10MP+12MP rear camera setup with 3x optical zoom.It's much the same story with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plusthere won't be much in the way of upgrades over the Galaxy S24 Plus, apart from the faster silicon inside and a potential bump to 12GB of RAM. The general consensus is that the screen size will stay the same at 6.7 inches, while the rear camera will match the standard S25. We have seen some hands-on images for this handset leaked too. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. There's a bit more changing with the Galaxy 25 Ultra, apparently. It's rumored to have more rounded corners, tiny bezels, and an upgrade to the ultrawide camera that's part of the triple-lens setup on the back (from 12MP to 50MP). The screen size will remain the same at 6.8 inches, but we might see a 16GB option for the RAM, alongside the upgrade to the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.As for the new Galaxy S25 Slim model, based on the leaks that have emerged to date, we're looking at a phone that could be thinner than the rest with a high-end camera setup on the back that beats the standard Galaxy S25. It's not clear what else this handset is going to bring with it, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite should be the processor inside it.Samsung Galaxy S25: other specs and featuresIt doesn't look like the Galaxy S25 phones are going to be drastically different from the Galaxy S24 equivalents in a lot of areas: The rather slow charging speeds are apparently going to be the same again, while battery capacities might not be upgraded either (though internal optimizations may lead to better battery life).There have been some rumors spreading about the colors that are coming with the new phonesand it's mostly what we've seen before, plus some potential new additions. Blues, whites, and grays dominate, though it's not clear exactly what the differences will be from the Galaxy S24 series until we actually see them (the same color could be used but with a new name, for example). This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. It looks very probable that the final version of One UI 7.0 (Samsung's take on Android 15) will be pushed out alongside the Galaxy 25 phones. The software is currently in beta testing, andunsurprisinglycomes with a bunch of new AI features (including call transcriptions) as well as some tweaks to the interface design.All told, we already have a good idea of what's coming from Samsung with the Galaxy S25 series, although of course, nothing is confirmed until it actually is. While there aren't any dramatic upgrades in the pipeline, it would seem there are a few well-chosen tweaks on the wayas well as, perhaps, a fourth model.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.If youve been eyeing a smart speaker with spatial audio capabilities, the Sonos Era 300 is currently down to $359 (from $449), its lowest price ever according to price-trackers. Available in black or white, it features a unique design (shaped almost like an hourglass) that optimizes its multi-driver, multichannel audio setup. Inside, youll find six class-D amplifiers powering four tweeters and two woofers that fire in multiple directions (including upward for Dolby Atmos height audio) to deliver the advertised stereo sound. That said, placement is keyyoull need at least two feet of clearance from walls or ceilings to let the sound fully shine. Sonos Era 300 Wireless Speaker - White $359.00 at Amazon $449.00 Save $90.00 Get Deal Get Deal $359.00 at Amazon $449.00 Save $90.00 The physical controls for volume, playback, and track navigation are on top of the speaker for easy access. And if you're concerned about privacy, you'll also find a mute button to disable voice assistants (that is, Alexa or Sonos Voice; Google Assistant is not supported) and a switch on the back that completely cuts power to the mics. The Sonos app, known for its intuitive interface, gives you additional control over EQ settings like bass and treble, a loudness feature for better low-volume performance, and the ability to adjust Atmos height levels. Additionally, the apps Trueplay calibration adapts playback to your space, with different versions based on your device.The Era 300 is compatible with most major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal, and delivers room-filling sound with Dolby Atmos playback, adding a layer of spatial audio. However, as noted in this PCMag review, the directional effects are most noticeable when youre seated close to the speaker. From a more typical listening distance, the spatial impact is subtler, providing more of an enhancement over regular stereo sound than a fully immersive experience. For connectivity, the Era 300 supports both wifi and Bluetooth, along with Apple AirPlay 2, though Google Cast is noticeably missing.

You can now use "natural language" to search in both Apple Music and Apple TV. The subtle change is part of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, tvOS 18.12, and macOS Sequoia 15.2, all of which came out this week. The feature "lets you describe what youre looking for using any combination of categories like genres, moods, actors, decades, and more," according to Apple.This sounds great in theory, but how does it work in real life? I'd say it's probably not going to change your life but is fine overall. One tip before I jump in: the auto-populated results that show up as you type don't use this feature, meaning you need to actually hit the Search button on your deviceFor example: I asked for an "unsettling office drama," basically setting Apple up to recommend its show Severance(which is amazing). And it kind of worked: there was a British drama that's not set in an office followed by Severance. The results also included The Morning Show, which... I guess kind of fits. Credit: Justin Pot Maybe more hilariously: I typed "sitcoms like The Office" and was recommended the (original) British version of the show, which makes sense. That's followed by Friends, which is pretty different, if similarly bingeable, and Parks and Recreation, which is different in tone but has some writers and the mockumentary format in common. Results also included The Big Bang Theory, which is inexcusable, and Mythic Quest, which honestly should be higher.So, yeah, a mixed bag for abstract questionsit kind of works but has questionable taste. It works a lot more accurately if you search for movies by a specific director or shows featuring a certain actor.The feature also works in Apple Music. I searched for artists "similar to Billie Eilish" and the top recommendation was Olivia Rodrigo, which I'd question a little bit, but Eilish's brother and collaborator FINEAS also showed up which is fair enough. Credit: Justin Pot I also searched for "Indie Christmas Albums" and got Sufjan Steven's classic Songs For Christmas, which make sense, and Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas, which does not. So, as with TV, the results are mixed. It's nothing if not interesting, though. Give it a shot if you have a TV or Music subscription.

There are way too many online services and subscriptions to keep track of these days, but the flip side is theres a tool for just about everything. Time is just about up to get a physical gift shipped in time for the holidays, so below weve pulled together some of our favorite digital gifts and subscriptions, including time-tested video, music and gaming services as well as tools to clear your mental space and learn new skills. There are also a few subscriptions that provide ongoing, IRL deliveries, if you think your giftee will appreciate the nostalgic charm of a physical object. Gaming subscriptions Game consoles are certainly among the most popular gift ideas this time of year. If you know someone whos been so good that theyre getting a new Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S, one of these subscriptions will make their shiny toy immediately playable out of the box. A $20/month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription offers hundreds of games from all periods of Xbox history that can be played on the Xbox or PC; many of them can be streamed to phones and tablets as well. It also includes EA Play, which opens up access to even more games. Perhaps the best part of Xbox Game Pass, though, is that it offers access to first-party Xbox Game Studios titles the day they become available, like Starfield, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the just-released Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Nintendo has two tiers of its Switch Online plan. The basic $20 / year plan unlocks online play, more than 100 Game Boy, NES and Super NES games, cloud backups of your saved games as well as the occasional special offers. The $50 expansion pack adds a collection of N64, Game Boy Advance and Sega Genesis games as well as some DLC for games like Mario Kart 8, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Splatoon 2. Finally, Sonys PlayStation Plus plan comes in three tiers, but the middle Extra plan ($15/month or $135/year) is probably best for most gamers. In addition to cloud storage for saves, online multiplayer support and a couple of free games for your library every month, you get access to the PlayStation Plus catalog, which includes more than 400 PS4 and PS5 games. There are a number of heavy hitters here, including The Last of Us Part I, Ghost of Tsushima, Death Stranding, Resident Evil 3, Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Returnal alongside lower-profile hits and indie games such as Dave the Diver, Animal Well, Return to Monkey Island and Humanity. If you know someone who loves older games though, the Premium tier ($18/month or $160/year) adds a bunch of titles from the PS1, PS2 and PS3 catalogs as well as perks like game trials and PS5 game streaming from the cloud. Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-subscription-gifts-to-send-to-your-loved-ones-this-christmas-including-the-disney-bundle-masterclass-and-more-141830362.html?src=rss

Honda and Nissan have officially confirmed rumors that they're pursuing a merger, the companies wrote in a joint press release. Each would continue to operate under its own brand, but with a new joint holding company as parent. If Nissan-controlled Mitsubishi also came on board, the combined group would become the world's third largest automaker by sales volume and have a net worth of up to $50 billion."Today marks a pivotal moment as we begin discussions on business integration that has the potential to shape our future," said Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida.Integration talks are still preliminary, but the companies are pressing forward. "We are still at the stage of starting our review and we have not decided on a business integration yet," said Honda director Toshihiro Mibe. However, he added that the companies aim "to find a direction for the possibility of business integration by the end of January 2025." After that, they hope to have a "definitive agreement" concerning business integration by June 2025. Approval must come from each company's shareholders and is subject to Nissan executing a turnaround.Nissan and Honda previously announced plans to work together on EV components and software development, but the joint company would be far more integrated. According to the press release, the plan includes: standardizing vehicle platforms; unifying research and development teams; and optimizing manufacturing systems and facilities. All of that is usually designed to cut costs, so it could spell significant layoffs in Japan and elsewhere.Nissan's Titan pickup lineupNissanThough the two companies sell comparable vehicles like Nissan's Rogue and the Honda CR-V, some synergy seems possible. Nissan sells large pickup trucks and SUVs in the US that Honda doesn't offer and also has more experience in EVs and plug-in electric vehicles. On the other side, Honda has relatively stable financials while Nissan has been struggling in the market, particularly at home.Of course, Nissan is already in the Renault-Nissan-Misubishi Alliance. Nissan and Renault hold a 15 percent voting stake in the other, and all three sold a combined 10.6 million vehicles worldwide in 2017, more than any other light vehicle manufacturer at the time. The Alliance is also one of the largest EV makers in the world, with over 1 million units sold since 2009. If Nissan and Honda merged, it's not clear what would become of the Alliance.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/nissan-and-honda-officially-announce-plans-to-merge-143834962.html?src=rss

Apple is working on the next generation of AirPods Pro, and they may have some new health features, according to Bloombergs Mark Gurman although its a rumor we heard before, back in 2021.The company has reportedly started testing features like temperature sensing and heart rate monitoring for the earbuds. Apple has found that the Apple Watch still does the latter better, but the AirPods arent terribly far off in their readings.The company may have also revived its idea of putting cameras into AirPods, a rumor weve heard a few times over the last year. But itll still probably be years before any camera-equipped AirPods appear. Mat SmithGet this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest tech stories you missedApple is reportedly working on a Face ID smart doorbell systemOur favorite books we read in 2024The 7 best white elephant gifts that are worth stealingIntel Arc B580 reviewThe new king of $250 GPUs (for now).EngadgetIntels Arc B580 is a rarity: A $250 GPU that delivers solid 1080p and 1440p gaming, even with a bit of ray tracing. Faster than a Radeon 7600 and RTX 4060 from the dominant GPU players, and Intels XeSS upscaling works well, even if its not as well supported as DLSS 3. According to our review, its a clear win for Intel until we see whats new from AMD.Continue reading.James Bond (the movie franchise, not the spy) may be in deep jeopardy.The Broccoli family is not happy with Amazon.The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon and Barbara Broccoli, the producer who inherited the franchise from her father and film producer Albert Cubby Broccoli, are in the middle of a fight thats halted production on the next Bond film. Apparently, Barbara doesnt trust Amazon with her familys famous film franchise.Broccoli was quoted telling some of her friends that the people who run Amazons media empire are fing idiots. When Amazon purchased MGM, executives started thinking of ways to expand the Bond film franchise to other mediums like a Moneypenny spinoff series for Prime Video or a separate spy film or TV show in the Bond universe. Broccoli refused to let any of these projects go forward. She also took umbrage with Amazon entertainment executive Jennifer Salkes use of the word content to describe new James Bond projects. (I love that.)Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121512095.html?src=rss

Sophos patched three flaws it found in its firewall, including two critical issues.

Fresh speculation on the performance of the claimed RX 9070 XT might disappoint PC gamers, though.

FlowerStorm has significant overlaps with the defunct Rockstar2FA, warns Sophos.

Two weeks after its stock was suspended from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), The Container Store has become the latest embattled retailer to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Heres the latest update and what you need to know:Whats going on?Texas-based The Container Store Group, the specialty retailers parent company, announced over the weekend that it is seeking to improve its financial picture through a recapitalization transaction, which it says at least 90% of its lenders have signed on to support. The company expects to get $40 million in new funding through the agreement, in addition to $45 million in debt reduction, all in the hopes of strengthening its balance sheet.As part of the process, the company has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 protection in the bankruptcy courts. The Container Store expects the process will take about 35 days, during which time it will undergo a reorganization. Why is The Container Store filing for bankruptcy? This move is not a surprise. The company has been in a precarious financial position for quite some time, reporting a net loss of $30.8 million during the 26 weeks ended September 28, 2024, and a net loss of $35.5 million during the same period a year earlier.Amid a sagging share price in May, The Container Store suspended its financial guidance and launched a strategic review of its finances with help from J.P. Morgan Securities, saying it would explore alternatives to the public markets. And earlier this month, the NYSE said it would delist The Container Store stock (NYSE: TCS) from the exchange for failing to meet its minimum required market cap.The Container Store says it will be a private company once it emerges from bankruptcy.Will The Container Store close any locations?So far, the company hasnt announced any store closures as part of the Chapter 11 process and, in fact, The Container Store insists that none of this will have any impact on in-store services or online operations.The Container Store is here to stay, CEO Satish Malhotra said in a statement. Our strategy is sound, and we believe the steps we are taking today will allow us to continue to advance our business, deepen customer relationships, expand our reach, and strengthen our capabilities.Its also worth noting that The Container Stores physical footprint hasnt changed all that much in at least the past year. As of September, it said it had 103 locations nationwide, compared to 98 locations in September 2023.This is in contrast to many struggling retailers that have sought to significantly reduce their physical presence this year with waves of store closures, from department store chains like Macys to major pharmacies like Walgreens.Why does this sound familiar? Retail bankruptcies have been in the news a lot lately. Just last week, discount chain Big Lots announced that it was going out of business after filing for bankruptcy protection earlier this year. And over the weekend, Party City abruptly announced that it will wind down operations and file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for a second time.But unlike some of those more dramatic examples, The Container Store maintains that it will be poised for future success once it wades through the bankruptcy process. How will this impact The Container Store Employees? According to the company, employees should see no change in [their] daily work, responsibilities, or reporting structure because of this announcement. It further stated that employees should feel confident that their paychecks, benefits, and retirement plans will not be impacted.