The year's Steam Replay reveals 85% of Steam users in 2024 spent time playing games released in 2023 or earlierBeen there, done stat.Image credit: Valve News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Dec. 22, 2024 Just 15 percent of Steam players spent time with new releases - defined as games released in 2024 - this year.That's according to Steam itself, which gave us a little insight into the broader playing habits of its players as part of Steam Replay 2024.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Is Sony buying FromSoftware's parent company the next big games industry acquisition?Watch on YouTubeThis year, the recap not only shows you how many games you played and when, but also your favourite genres, the achievements you unlocked (the median was 13), the number of games played (for most, this is four), and your longest streak (the average was six days, apparently)."How many games did you play, and how does that compare to last year? Did you unlock a bunch of achievements? What about your longest streak? These fun numbers and more are in your Replay," Valve teases.You also get the chance to be humbled by the amount of time you spent with your most-played games of 2024, as well as a quick recap of any playtests you participated in, too.Interested? Head on over to the official Steam page for more.A 2021 antitrust dispute brought against Steam has now been expanded into a class action lawsuit.Initially, the case concerned just two companies - Wolfire Studios and Dark Catt Studios - but a court document recently showed the motion for class certification has been approved. This means the lawsuit now applies to "any developers, publishers, or individuals" who have honoured Steam's 30 percent cut on any and all purchases on or after 28th January 2017.

Apple is working on a new smart doorbell camera that uses Face ID to unlock your door, according to Bloombergs Mark Gurman in todays Power On newsletter. The camera could be released by the end of 2025 at the soonest, Gurman writes.The lock would work just like your iPhone, automatically unlocking your door when you or another resident looks at it. Like biometric login info on other Apple devices, the camera would be equipped with the companys Secure Enclave chip that stores and processes Face ID information separately from the rest of the systems hardware.RelatedGurman writes that this device will likely work with existing third-party HomeKit smart locks and that the company may also partner with a smart lock company to offer a complete system on day one. He expects the camera will make use of Apples in-house Proxima combination Wi-Fi / Bluetooth chip thats rumored for new HomePod Mini and Apple TV devices next year.This doorbell camera joins a broader collection of rumors surrounding a renewed Apple push into the smart home thats centered around Apple Intelligence. Those include another new smart home camera, a possible Apple-branded TV, and new smart home displays one a simple iPad-like device that magnetically attaches to wall mounts or speaker bases, while another display sits on the end of a robotic arm attached to a larger base.

A Ukrainian ground robot in testing.Via WarTranslatedA Ukrainian national guard brigade just orchestrated an all-robot combined-arms operation, mixing crawling and flying drones for an assault on Russian positions in Kharkiv Oblast in northern Ukraine.We are talking about dozens of units of robotic and unmanned equipment simultaneously on a small section of the front, a spokesperson for the 13th National Guard Brigade explained.It was an impressive technological featand a worrying sign of weakness on the part of overstretched Ukrainian forces. Unmanned ground vehicles in particular suffer profound limitations, and still cant fully replace human infantry.That the 13th National Guard Brigade even needed to replace all of the human beings in a ground assault speaks to how few people the brigade has compared to the Russian units its fighting. The 13th National Guard Brigade defends a five-mile stretch of the front line around the town of Hlyboke, just south of the Ukraine-Russia border. Its holding back a force of no fewer than four Russian regiments.Thats no more than 2,000 Ukrainians versus 6,000 or so Russians. The manpower ratio is roughly the same all along the 800-mile front line of Russias 34-month wider war on Ukraine. Russian troops still greatly outnumber Ukrainian troops, despite the Russians suffering around twice as many casualties as the Ukrainians since February 2022.The Ukrainian operation involved remote-controlled flying surveillance and minelaying drones, one-way explosive robots on the ground and in the air as well as gun-armed ground bots.In what amounted to a smaller-scale proof of concept for the recent combined-arms robot assault, a Ukrainian ground robot cleared a Russian trench in Kursk Oblast in western Russian back in September. Russia has attempted small-scale ground bot assaults of its own, but less successfully.The problem, of course, is that while robots are adept at surveilling and attacking, theyre terrible at holding. To hold ground, armies put infantry in trenches. They sit, watch, wait and call for reinforcements when the enemy attacks. Its tedious, taxing duty that requires constant vigilance.Constant vigilance is difficult when a human operator is remotely observing the battlefield through the sensors of a maintenance-hungry ground robot.Machines break down. And their radio datalinks are highly susceptible to enemy jamming, as the California think-tank RAND discovered when it gamed out a clash between hypothetical U.S. (Blue) and Russian (Red) army battalions partially equipped with armed ground drones. Blues ability to operate was degraded significantly by Reds jammers, RAND concluded.Its not clear the 13th National Guard Brigade even tried to hold the Russian positions it cleared in the all-robot attack.After nearly three years of war, Ukraine is arguably the worlds leader in military robotics. But the Ukrainians innovation is, in part, an answer to its desperationthat is, its struggles to recruit enough human soldiers to match the Russians person-for-person.MORE FROM FORBESCORRECTION (12/22): This article has been updated to note Kharkiv Oblast is located in northern Ukraine.

Casting A KillerThe Casting of Frank Stone was never meant to be GOTY material, but its underrated formula for crowd-pleasing collaborations is one I wish we saw more oftenTwo of the best modern horror game franchises collided this year in Supermassive Games' sideways look at the world of Dead by Daylight.Image credit: Behaviour Interactive Article by Rebecca Jones Guides Writer Published on Dec. 22, 2024 When I started writing up my shortlist of 2024 GOTY candidates earlier this autumn in an attempt to sort through a messy mixture of widely-agreed-upon hits I still needed to play and total heart picks I intended to go to bat for The Casting of Frank Stone easily cleared my personal top 10, quite clearly in the latter category.Admittedly, this game was never going to be a hard sell in my case. As far as I'm concerned, the horror output of Supermassive Games only comes in three flavours: "good", "great", and "amazing". Literally the only truly bad time I've ever had with one of their games was during the denouement of Little Hope, and even then, I got over it pretty quickly.And, while my actual playtime in Dead by Daylight is definitely eclipsed by the hours I've spent obsessively digging into the lore surrounding it, I think that's still sufficient to call myself a fan. So a Dead by Daylight story mode-style spin-off developed by Supermassive was, for me, the definition of a no-brainer.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. I didn't go in expecting anything earth-shattering just the promise of a Dead by Daylight story in the style of The Dark Pictures Anthology was already more than enough to win me over. But while Frank Stone somewhat predictably failed to set the world on fire when it released on September 3rd (meaning that we share a birthday, coincidentally, although I promise that's only made me a little biased in its favour), I was still pleasantly surprised by how much I rated it. It might be in my all-time Supermassive top three, honestly. Two of the protagonists, Linda and Chris, are basically gender-flipped expies of David Lynch and Sam Raimi, which is a fun touch. Here, we see what happens when not-Sam Raimi gets sucked into a portal. | Image credit: Behaviour InteractiveThe Casting of Frank Stone is both intriguing and grim. Charting the intertwined fates of five playable protagonists across three different time periods all connected by a historic series of killings in the town of Cedar Hills, Oregon, and the subsequent release of a no-budget student film inspired by the case just theorising as to what's really going on is enough to keep you on your toes for much of the game. It's got atmosphere in spades, and a decent amount of variety in its choose-your-own-adventure gameplay, but at its heart this is 100% one for the lore nerds, alright.Probably to its biggest detriment is the fact that The Casting of Frank Stone ends on a brutal narrative gut-punch that will only land if you're at least passingly familiar with the wider worldbuilding of Dead by Daylight. I don't think that this is a failure of the game, which I believe achieved exactly what it set out to do, and delivered a story that would hook fans of its parent series (pun absolutely intended). But when I think about how it came out and then went away again with relatively little fanfare, I suspect that this might be a big part as to why. Even a DbD novice can tell that this thing is bad news, but its full significance might not be clear unless you've at least read a few wiki pages on The Entity. | Image credit: Behaviour InteractiveNevertheless, in an entertainment industry increasingly dominated by cynical brand tie-ins between the biggest wallets on the one hand, and brutal copyright takedowns smothering small artists in petty disputes on the other, I don't mind telling you that I for one want to see more collaborations like The Casting of Frank Stone: just a couple of studios taking an opportunity to meet organically at the intersection of their specialities, to see what shenanigans result from the mashup. That sort of co-operation coming out of artistic compatibility ahead of financial incentive feels so rare that it's practically retro in and of itself.So, even if The Casting of Frank Stone wasn't for everyone, I'd love to see more games adopt its pattern going forward. And if your two favourite games just happen to be, say, Dead by Daylight and Until Dawn, then there's a good chance that it actually could be your tailor-made GOTY after all truthfully, it came rather close to being mine.

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)A few months ago, the Switch finally received Pizza Tower, an indie action platformer thats gotten a lot of praise for how well it channels Nintendos long-dormant Wario Land series. Yet developer Tour de Pizza wasnt the only team inspired by Wario. Summitspheres Antonblast is a wild and wonderful action platformer that feels like it could actually be the next Wario Land game if it came with a different coat of paint; its combination of speed, precision, and smart level design makes for a truly thrilling experience thats only let down by its issues with stable performance.Antonblast stars the titular Dynamite Anton, whose angry, red-skinned appearance leaves Satan feeling envious and insecure about his status as the reddest being of them all. So, in a petty act of retaliation, he sends his minions to Antons apartment to steal what he cherishes most: the Spirits that he kept around his living space. Enraged, Anton grabs his hammer and sets out on a quest to reclaim what was stolen and to give Satan a piece of his mind.Play through any given level here and the inspiration it takes from Wario Land 4 is immediately clear. Anton (or his roommate, Annie, if you prefer) tears through levels like a virtually unstoppable force of nature, smashing boxes and blowing up enemies as he bounces around with his hammer and powers through obstacles with his Clutch charge ability. There are plenty of side paths to explore and collectibles to snap up along the way, but the ultimate goal is to get to the bomb at the end of the level so you can start Happy Hour. Once triggered, a countdown clock begins, and you only have a few minutes to run all the way back through the level with the Spirit you collected. These mad dashes to safety are a real thrill, as you often are forced to take an alternate path back to the beginning and usually leave an enormous path of destruction in your wake on the trip back.Simply beating a level isnt enough to get the full experience, however, not even if you took your time to scrub it for all its collectibles. After beating each one, you unlock a time attack and combo chain mode for the level, and this is where the exceptional level design really comes into focus.For Time Attack, each level gives you a tight par time to achieve that demands you master level layouts and understand the nuances of Antons moveset to optimise your attempts. Combo Chain works much the same, but here youre tasked with maintaining an unbroken combo by strategically smashing boxes and blowing up enemies, all without any health pickups to help you out. We enjoyed what these two modes brought to the table, as they force you to engage with each level in a different way each time and add greater challenge and replayability to an already great platformer.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Even if you just stick to the minimum content to clear the base story, Antonblast displays a remarkable amount of variety across its relatively brief run. It should only take you about 10 hours to clear (maybe double that if you do everything), but it makes the most of that time by constantly introducing new ideas and level concepts along the way.One level has a power-up that essentially turns you into Taz the Tasmanian Devil, utterly obliterating everything in your path as you turn into a chaotic whirlwind. Another stage introduces a blazing-fast animal buddy shark that Anton can ride on land or sea, giving new traversal options as he hangs on for dear life. This is the kind of game that keeps things moving, and its commitment to introducing new ideas and building levels around them keeps it feeling constantly fresh.As for its visual presentation, Antonblast is clearly inspired by the likes of old Newgrounds-style Flash animations and 90s Nickelodeon shows. Theres a twisted and somewhat dreamlike quality to the colourful worlds you terrorise on your journey, and all the characters and animations have a very Looney Tunes-esque vibe with their exaggerated movements. At just about any moment on-screen, theres something bound to be exploding, screaming, or collapsing, and with this underscored by the vibration feature of the Joy-Con it leads to a very lively visual experience. But its the attention to little details that really sells the art style, such as the long trail of As that follows a terrified enemy you just sent careening into a brick wall.The audio keeps up with the madness of the action with a pop and jazz-infused soundtrack that maintains a high energy level throughout. And we especially appreciate the frequent cartoonish sound effects to punctuate Antons destructive actionsthings like the crashing plane sound used when Anton does a body slam from a high jump help to keep the goofy atmosphere front and centre.One downside is that the performance nearly cant keep up with the constant action. There are plenty of moments where the screen is positively soaked in explosions, poker chips, and screaming enemies, which leads to a noticeable drop in the frame rate. These drops dont have a massive direct effect on your ability to control Anton, but they still certainly cheapen the experience enough to be disappointing. Weve seen reports of crashing issues and some softlock bugs encountered by other players over the launch period, too. Weve been assured by the developers that a performance improvement patch targeting these issues has already been submitted to Nintendo, but just be warned that the current version available at launch is rather rough around the edgesyou may want to wait for the fixes.

Autonomous vehicle technology and electrification startups were once the darlings of the VC and corporate world. The two technologies promised billions of dollars in revenue and a new pathway for automakers to make money beyond building and selling cars.Those VC-money-printing days have been over for AVs for a while now, with a few exceptions like Waymo and Wayve. But as 2024 kicked off, there was still a lingering EV buzz in the air, albeit quieter than before.Now, as 2024 draws to a close, its safe to say that buzz is more of a whisper, with several EV startups faltering and automakers readjusting their investment plans.EV demand started softening in 2023, and even though sales volume has overall increased, the pace of growth has been far below what was expected. In 2024, automakers responded. Ford pivoted its plans, which included abandoning a plan to make an all-electric three-row SUV and opting instead to power those future vehicles with hybrid powertrains. GM, which had already pulled back EV spending in 2023, made more moves in 2024, most recently offloading its stake in the nearly completed Ultium Cells battery cell plant in Lansing, Michigan, to its joint venture partner LG Energy Solution. Stellantis and Mercedes paused plans on EV battery factories.Toyotas often-criticized approach to go slow on EVs and continue to prioritize gas and hybrid vehicles now looks like the smart move.The results werent great for EV startups either.Meanwhile, AVs had their hypey moment in the VC sun a few years ago before reality hit: It turns out driverless cars are hard, the business model isnt proven, and those backers might not have the patience for a long-term pre-revenue bet.A first wave of consolidation swept through the sector in 2019 and 2020. Some AV (and EV) startups merged with special purpose acquisition companies in search of the public-market capital necessary to commercialize their tech. Others stuck with big-name automaker backers. There were setbacks for both strategies in 2022 and 2023, prompting a last scramble for survival: the pivot.AV startups that were once focused on opportunities in driverless cars tried applying their tech to warehouses, mining, and agriculture. But it turns out those areas were already hopping with competition. Others stuck to their original mission, but turned into dual-use companies because defense tech is so very hot these days.In short, 2024 was the year when the weaker startups bid farewell and corporate entities took a hard look at what they were spending on and said time to move on.Apple car projectApple not-so-secret car project, we didnt even know ya. And yet, we all felt the loss. Perhaps because we have been hearing about the promise and vague plans for an Apple electric and autonomous (maybe) car for so long a decade since the first plans leaked. Apple made it official in 2024: the car project was canceled.I cant wait for 2025 and the breaking news scoop that this project is on again.ArrivalThis EV startup, which wanted to use microfactories to manufacture its commercial electric vans and buses, was once valued more than $13 billion and backed by Hyundai and UPS. The company went public in 2021 via a SPAC and by 2023 was in trouble even with a $300 million lifeline meant to turn the business around. Less than a year later, Arrival announced its U.K. division was entering administration, the countrys version of bankruptcy.Parting shot: Troubled EV startup Canoo, bought some of Arrivals assets after its bankruptcy filing.CakeEbikes and e-motorcycles had a moment during the Covid pandemic, but that didnt guarantee survival. In February, Swedish company Cake filed for bankruptcy. The company, best known for making high-design bikes, was apparently in the midst of a funding round. The withdrawal of an investor tipped its fate in the wrong direction. In the weeks that followed, a Florida man who owns a retail shop bought the majority of its U.S. inventory.Cake did get a second life however. The company emerged from bankruptcy and was acquired by Norwegian auto dealer, Brages Holding AS.Cruise robotaxiCruise is technically not dead. The self-driving vehicle company will live on, its parent company GM says, but its not clear exactly what shape itll take. But GM is no longer fundingthe commercial robotaxi program, which was Cruises focus. The decision blindsided Cruise employees, including top executives.This decision is just beginning to ripple through the organization. Expect a lot more news about Cruise and GMs plans for automated driving in 2025.FiskerWhere do we begin? The year didnt start off well for Fisker as the EV startup struggled to meet internal sales goals and its Ocean SUV was investigated by federal safety regulators over complaints on brake loss. It got worse from there with more federal probes, layoffs, a suspension from the New York Stock Exchange, and eventually bankruptcy by June. Heres a timeline of events. Be sure to read some of reporter Sean OKanes coverage, including Inside EV startup Fiskers collapse: how the company crumbled under its founders whims.Ghost AutonomyGhost Autonomy, an autonomous driving software startup, shut down in February. The startup, founded in 2017 as Ghost Locomotion, had gone through a few pivots. It had ultimately raised $220 million before closing for good.LiliumLilium, the electric vertical takeoff and landing startup, shut down in October after running out of money. Heres an astonishing figure to consider. The company had raised more than $1 billion from investors before going public in 2021 on the Nasdaq Exchange via a reverse merger with a blank-check company, SPAC Qell.There is still interest in electric aircraft startups. In the past several months, a German startup called Vaeridion thats developing short haul electric aircraft closed a 14 million euros Series A round, Archer raised $430 million to build defense aircraft, and Toyota made a $500 million investment into Joby Aviation.However, it is not clear, blue, and 22 for this sector. Turbulence ahead.NorthvoltSwedish battery manufacturer Northvolt announced in November it was filing for bankruptcy in the U.S. and its co-founder and CEO Peter Carlson resigned. The company was an investor favorite, raising $14.26 billion, according to PitchBook, including a $1.2 billion round in 2023 to expand operations in North America.Phantom AutoThe California startup, which had developed a teleoperation platform that allowed a remote driver, sometimes located thousands of miles away, to operate a vehicle if needed, shut down in March. The company had raised a total of $95 million from a mix of backers, including angel investors and early-stage VCs such as Bessemer Venture Partners and Maniv Mobility, private equity firm InfraBridge and strategic investors such as ArcBest and ConGlobal.

In BriefPosted:8:44 AM PST December 22, 2024Image Credits:RingApple might be working on a smart doorbellTheres been a lot of reporting in recent months around Apples efforts to expand its footprint in customers homes with in-development products like a wall-mounted smart home hub. According to a new report in Bloomberg, that strategy could also include a smart doorbell.This doorbell would use Apples FaceID technology to scan peoples faces as they approach the door, then connect wirelessly to a deadbolt lock and automatically unlock for residents of the home.The doorbell is reportedly in the early stages of development and wouldnt come to market before the end of 2025 at the earliest. It might work with third-party locks that are compatible with Apples HomeKit, or Apple might launch with a specific lock maker.Bloomberg notes that while a smart doorbell with FaceID would allow Apple to compete with products like Amazon Ring, it would also make the brand vulnerable to new risks, particularly if the system was blamed for home break-ins.Topics

Power stations are the latest trend in portable energy solutions. If you haven't come across one yet, imagine a power bank, but on a bigger -- scale-- much bigger. These incredible devices are equipped with USB ports, 12V outlets, and AC power outlets to power pretty much anything.Whether you're heading out for a camping adventure, need to power tools without a nearby outlet, or want to keep your devices running during a blackout, a power station ensures you'll always have reliable energy at your fingertips. It's the ultimate companion for your outdoor escapades and emergency situations alike.While power stations are fantastic, many setups can be extremely expensive -- sometimes several thousand dollars. If your budget doesn't extend to four digits, fear not -- there are fantastic power stations that you can pick up for a lot less.Also:The best portable power stations you can buy: Expert testedWhat's the best cheap portable power station right now?I've tested more than 100 different portable power stations to find out which are the best of the best. My favorite cheap power station is the EcoFlow River 2: it's under $200, it can push out up to 600W of power, and it can connect to a cheap solar panel, transforming it into an affordable solar generator. Read on for the rest of my tested picks for the best cheap power stations you can buy. Sort by All The best cheap portable power stations of 2024 Show less View now at Amazon While there's a time and a place for massive power stations, sometimes I want something I can grab and go, throw into a car or truck, and take with me camping or on jobs.The EcoFlow River 2 fits the bill perfectly. It's solid and well made, as I've come to expect from EcoFlow, and it's perfect for those times when you want power but don't want a huge amount of it.This has been my go-to portable power station, as it's great to throw into the footwell of a vehicle to act like a rather big power bank. Reviewers on Amazon also say they love this model for its portability and low price -- it's the perfect entry-level power station available.EcoFlow River 2tech specs: Capacity:256Wh |Power:300 watts/600 watts surge |Weight:7.7 pounds |Connectivity:6 outletsOutputsAC Output2x USB-A12V Output AC outputs 5 Total capacity 5 USB ports 5 Max output 5 Pros Most inexpensive option Lightweight LCD screen Cons Buttons a little small for gloved use EcoFlow River 2 Best cheap portable power station overall 2 / 5 Score While there's a time and a place for massive power stations, sometimes I want something I can grab and go, throw into a car or truck, and take with me camping or on jobs.The EcoFlow River 2 fits the bill perfectly. It's solid and well made, as I've come to expect from EcoFlow, and it's perfect for those times when you want power but don't want a huge amount of it.This has been my go-to portable power station, as it's great to throw into the footwell of a vehicle to act like a rather big power bank. Reviewers on Amazon also say they love this model for its portability and low price -- it's the perfect entry-level power station available.EcoFlow River 2tech specs: Capacity:256Wh |Power:300 watts/600 watts surge |Weight:7.7 pounds |Connectivity:6 outletsOutputsAC Output2x USB-A12V Output Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Portable power stations can get pretty pricey, but this one from Bluetti retails at $449, making it a great budget pick. It's a powerful unit, capable of 1,000W output for regular loads, increasing to 2,000W for resistive loads, such as heaters and hair dryers. I took this unit on a road trip, and found that it has enough capacity to meet the needs of a small group for several days. I've relied on it to charge my smartphone, cameras, drones, and laptops efficiently.Plus, it charges quickly, especially when utilizing its turbocharging feature. In our lab testing, the AC70 took only 33 minutes to charge a device to 80% battery in turbo.Charging the station from a car's 12V outlet is particularly efficient for keeping the unit charged, as long as the battery is not too drained.Verified customers on Bluetti's website praised the AC70, with most reviewers saying they bought it for camping and were pleased with the experience of using it for this purpose.Bluetti AC70tech specs: Capacity:768Wh |Power:1000 watts/2000 watts surge |Weight:22.5 pounds |Connectivity:7 outletsOutputs2x AC Output2x USB-A2x USB-C12V Output Pros Turbocharge feature Comfortable handle Clear, easy to read display Cons Some of the more advanced features are only available by using the app Portable power stations can get pretty pricey, but this one from Bluetti retails at $449, making it a great budget pick. It's a powerful unit, capable of 1,000W output for regular loads, increasing to 2,000W for resistive loads, such as heaters and hair dryers. I took this unit on a road trip, and found that it has enough capacity to meet the needs of a small group for several days. I've relied on it to charge my smartphone, cameras, drones, and laptops efficiently.Plus, it charges quickly, especially when utilizing its turbocharging feature. In our lab testing, the AC70 took only 33 minutes to charge a device to 80% battery in turbo.Charging the station from a car's 12V outlet is particularly efficient for keeping the unit charged, as long as the battery is not too drained.Verified customers on Bluetti's website praised the AC70, with most reviewers saying they bought it for camping and were pleased with the experience of using it for this purpose.Bluetti AC70tech specs: Capacity:768Wh |Power:1000 watts/2000 watts surge |Weight:22.5 pounds |Connectivity:7 outletsOutputs2x AC Output2x USB-A2x USB-C12V Output Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less Jackery is a name that's been in the power station game for over a decade, and having tested many of the company's products, I don't have any problem recommending them.The Jackery 500 is perfect for road trips where you want AC power. It's no bigger than a basketball, it can be charged from a car's 12V output, and weighing in at just a hair over 13 pounds, it's not going to break your back moving it about.Jackery Explorer 500tech specs: Capacity: 518Wh |Power:500 watts/1000 watts surge |Weight: 13.3 pounds |Connectivity:7 outletsOutputsAC Output3x USB-A2x DC output12V Output Pros Lightweight Easy to charge up from a car's 12V output Cons Only one AC outlet Jackery is a name that's been in the power station game for over a decade, and having tested many of the company's products, I don't have any problem recommending them.The Jackery 500 is perfect for road trips where you want AC power. It's no bigger than a basketball, it can be charged from a car's 12V output, and weighing in at just a hair over 13 pounds, it's not going to break your back moving it about.Jackery Explorer 500tech specs: Capacity: 518Wh |Power:500 watts/1000 watts surge |Weight: 13.3 pounds |Connectivity:7 outletsOutputsAC Output3x USB-A2x DC output12V Output Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Anker has been in the power bank market since the dawn of the gadgets, and it's no surprise to find that the company makes quality power stations.If you want a small, easy to carry power station to run low-current mains devices -- such as laptops, chargers, CPAP machines, and so on -- then the Anker 521 is a great choice.This is an inexpensive, lightweight, yet incredibly well-built power station, and I love the fact that this one can be recharged using USB-C.Anker 521tech specs: Capacity:256Wh |Power:300 watts/600 watts surge |Weight: 8.2 pounds |Connectivity:6 outletsOutputs2x AC Output2x USB-AUSB-C12V Output Pros Lightweight Handy light on the front Can be fast-charged when using the AC adapter and USB-C together Cons No direct AC charging, requires the AC adapter Anker has been in the power bank market since the dawn of the gadgets, and it's no surprise to find that the company makes quality power stations.If you want a small, easy to carry power station to run low-current mains devices -- such as laptops, chargers, CPAP machines, and so on -- then the Anker 521 is a great choice.This is an inexpensive, lightweight, yet incredibly well-built power station, and I love the fact that this one can be recharged using USB-C.Anker 521tech specs: Capacity:256Wh |Power:300 watts/600 watts surge |Weight: 8.2 pounds |Connectivity:6 outletsOutputs2x AC Output2x USB-AUSB-C12V Output Read More Show Expert Take Show less Which is the right cheap power station for you? Any of these portable power stations are great options to provide you with power when you need it -- it ultimately comes down to the power output you need, how many and which ports you prefer, and what price you're willing to spend. Choose thischeap portable power stationIf you wantEcoFlow River 2 A cheap, super-portable power station. This one has everything you need, and comes in at under $200. Bluetti AC70 A big power station available for a low price. If you want a lot of battery capacity, this is the one for you. Jackery Explorer 500 A power station that's no bigger than a basketball and ideal for road trips. It's small enough to seatbelt into a spare seat or put in the trunk with the rest of your camping gear. Anker 521 A great power station for those who want to charge their laptop when out and about. It's small, lightweight, can be charged using USB-C, and is highly portable. Show more Factors to consider when choosing the best cheap portable power station Even less expensive power stations are still an investment, both in money and in the physical space they take up, so you need to be sure that you're buying something that works for you. This means juggling a number of factors.Weight: Bigger isn't always better here. Is the portable power station going to be wheeled from room to room are you going to be moving it from your vehicle to your camp? Do you want something that you cold carry in a backpack for a day?Battery capacity: If you plan of powering a home from your power station then you want as much battery capacity as you can afford, but for off-grid adventures it's important to bear in mind that there's a penalty here that comes in the form of weight.Cost: Some of units cost several thousand dollars, while others are a couple of hundred.Charging: How do you plan on charging your power station? Are you mostly going to be using AC power from an outlet or do you want the independence of solar?Battery Chemistry: Lithium-ion (Li-ion) is the traditional battery technology, but the newer lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) are safer and have a much longer lifespan.Warranty: Portable power stations are expensive, so I want manufactures to back their products with multi-year warranties.Safety: Every unit I've tested has been subjected to numerous tests, from running for extended periods to check thermal management, to overloading them to see how they handle loads that are too much for them. Show more How I test portable power stations At the core of this list is a lot of extensive testing of dozens of power stations. I regularly undertake trips that see me off-grid, either for camping or to carry out photography, videography, and drone work, and at these times, I rely on having access to a reliable power source. This is a great opportunity to test power stations under real-world conditions.I also test them at home, both using them to run household appliances, and carry out testing on battery capacity, charge and discharge times, and how they handle overloading.Finally, every unit is safety tested to make sure that it is safe for prolonged, heavy use. Show more FAQs on portable power stations What counts as a "cheap" power station? Finding a balance between affordability and quality in power stations can be challenging, especially with some models priced significantly above $500. However, setting a budget around the $500 mark is a reasonable starting point for those looking to invest in a portable power station without stretching their finances too thin.Some of these power stations are brought down below that $500 mark thanks to deals -- but be aware that these deals come and go, so if you're interested in a particular power station, grab it sooner rather than later. Show more How long will a portable power station last? Manufacturers typically offer different runtimes for things like lamps, refrigerators, CPAP machines and so on, but if you want to work this out for yourself you can need two figures.First, you need the power rating of the device you plan on running, which can usually be found on a label on the device, and is measured in Watts (W). You also need to know the capacity of the power station, measured in Watt hours (Wh), which should be printed somewhere on the device.Let's say you have a device that consumes 300W and a power station that has a capacity of 768Wh, you can get a ballpark runtime for the device using the following equation:(768 x 0.85)/300 = 2.2 hoursNote that the capacity of the power station is multiplied by 0.85 to account for efficiency losses. Show more What is the difference between a power bank and a portable power station? Four main things separate portable power stations and power banks:Capacity: While power banks are perfect for topping up a smartphone or tablet, a power station can be used to charge up devices multiple times because of the vastly bigger battery capacity.Size and weight: Power banks are something you can normally slip into a pocket, while power stations are things you lug about or wheel about from room to room.Outlets: While power banks feature USB ports, most power stations also have AC outlets for powering powered devices.Charging: While power banks are normally charged using a USB charger, power stations can be charged from a number of sources, such as main power, solar, and vehicle 12V outlets. Show more Other portable power stations we recommend Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

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Sam Altman (C), US entrepreneur, investor, programmer, and founder and CEO of artificial ... [+] intelligence company OpenAI, and the company's co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever (R), speak together at Tel Aviv University in Tel Aviv on June 5, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesIsraels AI startup activity is two to four times greater than that observed in the United States or Europe, highlighting the unparalleled density of its AI sector. AI startups constitute 30% of Israels tech landscape, accounting for up to 40% of funding rounds and securing 47% of total investments, according to a recent report from Startup Nation Central or SNC.The 2024 Stanford AI Index, ranked Israel first globally in terms of AI talent concentration and fifth in relative AI skill penetration rate between 2015 and 2023, surpassing the global average by 1.63 times across similar occupations. Israel stands at the forefront of global AI innovation, driven by an exceptional ecosystem of startups, academia, and strategic support from both local and multinational players, says Avi Hasson, CEO of Startup Nation Central.Hasson highlights the unique vertical focus of Israeli AI startups. They have developed sector-specific AI solutions, using industry-specific data and expertise. A key metric that sets Israel apart is its focus on applied AI solutions in areas like cybersecurity, health tech, and agriculture, which positions it as a leader in practical AI applications with over 2,000 startups developing the next era of AI applications, writes Arik Kol, Head of Nvidia Inception Startups Program at Nvidia Israel, in his preface to the SNC report.Nvidia has over 4,000 employees in Israel, including a substantial AI research team, working closely with Israeli universities to form the companys 2nd largest R&D center outside of the U.S. Nvidia is one of more than 400 multinational corporations that have established R&D operations in Israel. From 2014 to 2023, top multinational corporations acquired one Israeli AI startup for every four American AI acquisitions, showcasing Israels strong global appeal.Israels AI ecosystem stands out as a global innovator with its unique combination of applied AI focus, cross-industry expertise, and a thriving network of academia, startups, and multinational corporations, writes Nvidias Kol. The AI development centers of Microsoft and Google focus on machine learning and natural language processing, Amazons AWS center drives AI integration within cloud services, Metas pursues AI-driven communications, and Apples Israeli R&D centers work on AI-powered features, including facial recognition.MORE FOR YOUThese R&D centers of the largest tech companies sometimes grow out of the acquisition of an Israeli startup but also often serve as the breeding grounds for new startups with founders moving from the horizontal AI of Big Tech to a vertical focus. This applied AI focus is based on unique Israeli experience and expertise in various economic sectors. For example, the vast amount of healthcare data digitized by Israels healthcare providers over the last 30 years has served as the launching pad for healthcare-focused AI startups: Precision medicine startup Promise Bio has recently emerged from stealth with an UMass Memorial Health, the largest not-for-profit health care system in central Massachusetts, recently reported that within four months of adopting AEYE-DS, the AI-based autonomous diagnostic screening system developed by AEYE Health, diabetic retinopathy screening adherence increased from 29% to 49%, and the average screening time in the hospitals primary care workflow fell by 75%. Ballad Health, the leading healthcare provider in the Appalachian Highlands has deployed MedAware's AI-based medication safety monitoring platform, embedding it within the workflow of its Epic electronic medical record or EMR system. As a result, Ballad Health expects that thousands of patients will be safer from adverse drug events.Other areas of focus for practical AI solutions from Israeli startups include cybersecurity (e.g., 7AI, an agentic security platform), climate tech (e.g., FireDome, detecting and suppressing wildfires), and fintech (e.g., Next Insurance, insurance for small businesses). In addition to specific domain expertise, some of these vertically focused startups rely on data that is unique to their target market and application. In a recent event organized by UpWest, a Palo Alto-based VC investing in Israeli startups, Nadav Cohen observed: Data can be a powerful differentiator, especially if youve got data that isnt accessible to the public or being used by big companies to train their models. Cohen is co-founder & CTO of Imubit (AI for process control) and Research Director of the Foundations of Deep Learning Lab at Tel Aviv University.While the majority of Israeli AI startups target a specific economic sector, a few have emerged as leaders of horizontal AI solutions. Hailo, for example, is in the hot AI chips business and has successfully developed AI processors uniquely designed to run high-performance AI models on edge devices. Another Israeli startup that plays in the big leagues is AI21, developer of an innovative foundation model that competes with OpenAI, Google, and others for the attention of enterprises.The impact of Israeli AI startups, whether vertical or horizontal, is felt way beyond Israel. Certainly in the U.S., their most important market, but also right in their Middle Eastern neighborhood. For example, Integrated Data Intelligence, an Abu Dhabi-basaed subsidiary of OurCrowd, a global investment platform and Israels most active VC, has recently onboarded the first cohort of customers for DANNA, its proprietary investment AI copilot.Jonathan Medved, CEO of OurCrowd, describes the specific leadership role of Israeli startups in the global AI landscape, given the sky-high cost of current AI technology: Israels tech advantage lies in its roots in the military, where young engineers are imbued with the culture of doing more with less Faced with immediate threats to their family and community, they learn to cut corners and move fast because the stakes are so high Israeli startups have started to figure out significant optimization and cost efficiencies, with major price reductions that will allow AI to scale and reach its promise.