The 2025 BAFTA game awards took place yesterday in London and were dominated by one of our favorite games this year, Astro Bot. The PlayStation 5 platformer took home prizes in five categories including Best Game, along with Animation, Audio Achievement, Family and Game Design. That's no surprise, considering the game's critical accolades and popularity with fans.
Astro Bot is the first fully-fledged and fully-priced version in the Astro universe. "With precise and responsive controls, adorable characters and an exciting variety of mechanics and environments, Astro Bot is easily one of the best games that Sony has every produced," wrote Engadget's Jessica Conditt. It beat out some strong competition in the Best Game category, including Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Helldivers 2, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Thank Goodness You're Here.
Still Wakes the Deep came in second with three BAFTAs: New Intellectual Property, and Performers in Supporting and Lead Roles. One of those winners, Scottish actor Karen Dunbar (playing Finlay), humorously declared in her acceptance speech that "I'm not even an actor, I'm a gynecologist!"
Other key winners of the evening included Balatro for Debut Game category, Thank Goodness You're Here for Best British Game, Helldivers 2 in the multiplayer and music categories, Neva for Artistic Achievement and Metaphor: ReFantazio for Narrative. For a complete list of winners check here and you can watch the entire ceremony below.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/bafta-game-awards-adorably-dominated-by-astro-bot-130012074.html?src=rss
Google has started rolling out the loss of pulse detection feature for Pixel Watch 3 devices in the US. The feature does exactly what it describes: It checks for your pulse when the watch is on your wrist and will call emergency services if it determines that your pulse has stopped. It debuted in several European countries last year when the watch launched, but it didn't get approval from the US Food and Drug Administration until February this year.
The feature uses concurrent passive algorithms to check for the presence of a pulse at the rate of once a second. If it detects the absence of a pulse, active sensors kick in to check for signals that could indicate false detections, such as if you're no longer wearing the watch. It's only then that the device will enter the Stage 1 alert phase, wherein it will send you a haptic notification asking you to tap a promp that says "I'm OK." If you're unresponsive, it will ramp up the alerts and add sounds, counting down to give you time to respond before it calls emergency services.
Google says the feature could save you in instances wherein every second matters, such as when you're having a cardiac or respiratory arrest, or when you've gotten poisoned. In cases like those, you can only get immediate help if someone is around to see them happen. That's not always possible: As Google explains, half of all loss of pulse events related to cardiac arrest are unwitnessed. With this feature, you could be attended to much more quickly if you do need help and prevent more permanent damage to your body.
Google
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/google-is-rolling-out-pixel-watch-3s-loss-of-pulse-detection-feature-in-the-us-120038008.html?src=rss
Drones have become an important tool in a creators bag of tricks, allowing them to capture aerial footage that elevates their videos. And nowadays, theyve become more accessible as video quality and features have dramatically improved while prices have dropped.Recent budget-friendly models include DJIs Neo and Flip drones, along with the HoverAir X1 Pro lineup, all under $500. If youve got more to spend, the options are similarly plentiful with drones like the DJI Mini 4 Pro and HoverAir X1 Pro Max. And for the price of a good mirrorless camera, you can get DJIs Mavic 3 Pro that offers awesome image quality, range and other features.Price is obviously key, but you also need to consider features like video quality, obstacle avoidance and tracking. To help you decide which one is best for you and your budget, weve assembled this guide to the best drones you can buy right now, complete with models aimed at novices, professionals and filmmakers.
The best drones for 2025
What to look for in a drone
Camera features
For this guide, we're looking only at drones that are basically flying cameras, so you want the best video and photo features possible. Bigger devices like DJIs Mavic 3 Pro or Air 3S carry relatively large sensors, offering superior picture quality for nighttime cityscapes or other low-light scenes. Smaller models like the Mini 4 Pro and HoverAir X1 Max use smaller camera sensors, so they arent as good in dim light.
Field of view and minimum aperture are also important, with most drones typically having a wide-angle focal length, though a few others like the HoverAir X1 Max carry an ultrawide lens. Some models have multiple cameras including a wide and a zoom. As for aperture, lower numbers are better and allow for shooting in dim light. Most DJI models are solid in this regard, while the HoverAir models dont perform as well.
Video resolution and slow-mo are also essential camera capabilities. Most drones these days can shoot at 4K with a frame rate of at least 30 fps, though some offer 6K or even 8K at up to 30 fps. Higher-end models can shoot 4K at up to 120 fps, allowing you to slow down the action dramatically to create a cinematic look.
Other noteworthy features include log or HDR video that supports higher dynamic range, particularly in bright and sunny conditions. Finally, the cameras gimbal and stabilization are important factors to keep your footage looking as smooth as possible. Some drones have gimbals that can rotate the camera 90 degrees to give social media creators the maximum resolution for vertical formats.
Drone features: Speed, range, safety, battery life and obstacle detection
By and large, there are two types of camera drones to consider. The first are standard drones (usually with open propellers but not always) designed to fly outside and take scenic shots. Often theres nothing to stop the props from striking skin or objects, so they cant really be used indoors or around people. Some models like the DJI Neo and Flip have prop guards that better protect bystanders and property, as well as the drone itself.
Then there's first-person-view (FPV) camera drones, which often have propeller guards and are meant to be used both indoors or outside to capture exciting footage. Standard models dont need to go particularly fast as theyre mainly used to shoot fun videos for social media, but FPV drones need to move at high speeds to create excitement. Because of that speed, theyre also better in breezy conditions as they can fight gusts and return home more quickly. Acrobatic abilities (often promoted by the manufacturer in ads or packaging) are also important for FPV drones, as it allows the user to perform tricks and zip around obstacles.
Battery life is another important factor. The best drones boast a battery endurance of up to 45 minutes, while FPV drones like the Avata 2 can only fly for about half that time as they tend to be heavier and carry smaller batteries to reduce weight. As a general rule, a single battery isnt enough for any serious shooting so youd do well to buy your drone in a kit with a few batteries and a charger.
As for range, DJI tends to dominate in this area, with its latest models able to maintain a video signal at a distance up to 20km (12.4 miles). HoverAirs models are weaker with the top-end X1 Max model limited to just 1km (0.6 miles) when using the optional beacon system. DJI also offers multiple ways to control its drones including headsets, joystick-type controllers, motion detection controllers and smartphones.
The best drones have sensors to detect obstacles in all directions. Others are limited to only avoiding obstructions coming at them from the front and some only rely on the main camera to prevent crashes. Finally, if you want to have your drone follow you around automatically, youll need it to be able to track you around when youre vlogging, riding a bike or skiing, while also avoiding obstacles.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/best-drone-120046775.html?src=rss
As the Netherlands gears up for King's Day celebrations, retailer HEMA is addressing a perennial pain point at large events: the shortage of toilets, particularly for women. The brand has launched Thuistoilet (Home Toilet), transforming private residences across ten Dutch cities into a network of accessible bathrooms for orange-clad revelers.Participating residents receive a free kit containing bathroom essentials like cleaning supplies, air fresheners, tampons and The Good Roll's sustainable toilet paper. Those in need of a loo will be able to find their good samaritan via a map on HEMA's website; homes are also invited to display an official poster. Hosts are asked to provide access from 1 pm to 6 pm on King's Day, and maintain full control over access to their home.Tapping into people's innate desire to help others, Thuistoilet creates a framework for strangers to assist one another in addressing a practical need. Transforming a common constraint into an opportunity for doing good, HEMA and campaign developer Tosti Creative identified a feel-good, human solution that should boost both brand equity and community spirit on one of the nation's biggest holidays.
Social media platform Instagram has been around since 2010 yet it still doesn't have a dedicated iPad app. In fact, the last we heard about the network's interest in tablets was back in 2022, when Insta head Adam Mosseri said there simply weren't enough iPad users to merit developing a native app. A baffling standpoint, but one that could finally be changing.
A current employee of the service spoke anonymously to The Information recently and said that in this, the year 2025, Instagram is at last working on an iPad app. As of now, the only way to use Instagram on an iPad is a zoomed-in version of the company's iPhone app. Most businesses realized a decade ago that repurposing a phone app isn't a great user experience since the aspect ratio is so different on a tablet. That's particularly noticeable when your service is all about photo and video content.
The sudden interest in iPad may be part of Instagram's broader efforts to fight for social media dominance as the popular video platform TikTok faces a potential ban in the US. The Information also reported that Instagram recently hosted an early preview of an upcoming Edits app for video-editing, which would compete with CapCut, a rival service also owned by ByteDance and at risk of falling within the TikTok ban.
Mosseri has also spoken about plans to improve Instagram's capabilities in content search. "You can imagine, whatever you use Instagram for, itd be great to be able to find that more easily," he said on an episode of the Build Your Tribe podcast. "But also for creators it should allow content to resurface so that you dont get all the value in those first 24 or 48 hours."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/the-year-is-2025-and-instagram-is-reportedly-working-on-an-ipad-app-223942933.html?src=rss
The Guardian reported that the UK's Ministry of Justice has been developing an algorithm designed to identify people who could become killers. Initially dubbed the "homicide prediction project," this tool used data from UK police forces, possibly including victims and witnesses as well as suspects.
Civil liberty watchdog Statewatch discovered the program through Freedom of Information Act requests. Based on the documents acquired by the group, Statewatch claimed that the program developed its prediction tool based on police data about between 100,000 and 500,000 people. Different categories of information shared with the Ministry of Justice appeared to also cover sensitive topics such as mental health, addiction, suicide and disability.
"Time and again, research shows that algorithmic systems for predicting crime are inherently flawed," Statewatch researcher Sofia Lyall said. "This latest model, which uses data from our institutionally racist police and Home Office, will reinforce and magnify the structural discrimination underpinning the criminal legal system."
"This project is being conducted for research purposes only. It has been designed using existing data held by HM Prison and Probation Service and police forces on convicted offenders to help us better understand the risk of people on probation going on to commit serious violence. A report will be published in due course," a representative from the MOJ told The Guardian.
Law enforcement has long had a questionable relationship with AI tools. From AI being used to create police reports (bad idea) to misusing programs like ShotSpotter (another bad idea) to adopting tech that poses privacy threats to citizens (also a bad idea), history is not on the side of these being well-implemented technologies.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/uk-is-going-full-minority-report-with-murder-prediction-research-214254968.html?src=rss
Razer laptops are now among the latest collateral damage of President Donald Trump's tariffs. Days after Nintendo paused Switch 2 pre-orders, The Verge reported that Razer has paused direct sales of devices like the Blade 16 gaming laptop in the US.
The Blade 16's product page, which recently included a pre-order link, now only offers a measly "Notify me" button. In addition, its configurator page, which allowed you to choose a graphics card, processor and other specs as recently as a few days ago, now draws a 404 error. You can still pre-order it in Europe and other regions.
Razer's laptop product page for US customers now only includes live order links for items like skins, docks and cooling pads.
Razer
Although Razer hasn't publicly linked the pause to Trump's tariffs, it isn't hard to connect the two. The levies are scheduled to kick in at 12:01AM ET tonight, dramatically affecting companies that build products in or source parts from countries like China and Taiwan. Tariffs are a tax on imported foreign goods, and businesses often pass the higher cost to consumers. Economists have estimated that consumers will pay an extra $3,800 annually due to Trump's policy and that was before Trump announced additional tariffs on China, totaling a staggering 104 percent.
Razer's pause follows the halting of Switch 2 US pre-orders as Nintendo gauges the situation and ponders its next move. Similarly, Framework stopped selling some of its laptops in the US, and Reuters reported on Tuesday that memory chipmaker Micron plans to add a surcharge to some products. Expect the "Liberation Day" hits to keep coming as tonight's official beginning of the biggest US tax hike since 1968 approaches.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/razer-laptops-are-the-latest-trump-tariff-casualty-204844654.html?src=rss
The US Department of Justice has disbanded its unit focused on prosecuting cryptocurrency scams. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the end of the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team in a memo sent on Monday, Reuters reported.
When the NCET launched, its focus was prosecuting cryptocurrency used in money laundering, fraud and theft. In recent years, the Department of Justice secured several high-profile wins in cases involving Binance, Tornado Cash and Bitfinex. However, the dissolution of NCET marks the latest government move to implement the current administration's crypto-friendly attitude.
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at encouraging the creation of blockchain networks. Blanche cited this as his rationale, and ordered the department's cryptocurrency efforts to focus on "individuals who victimize digital asset investors, or those who use digital assets in furtherance of criminal offenses such as terrorism, narcotics and human trafficking, organized crime, hacking, and cartel and gang financing." Any investigations that run counter to this agenda "should be closed."
The US Securities and Exchange Commission has also been walking back its regulation of cryptocurrency, such as ending an enforcement case against Coinbase. However, cryptocurrency remains a risky endeavor, with theft still rampant at the individual and national levels. Additionally, the Trump family already has a vested interest in encouraging crypto operations, claiming a majority of revenue from World Liberty Financial's token sales.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/doj-to-disband-its-cryptocurrency-enforcement-unit-200347077.html?src=rss
If you've been waiting for the right time to try Apple TV+, now may be your best shot. You can snag three months of access to one of our favorite streaming services for only $9.
Apple TV+ includes highly rated original series like Ted Lasso, Severance, Slow Horses, For All Mankind, Foundation and Silo, alongside new arrivals The Studio and Dope Thief. Apple's films include the 2022 Best Picture winner CODA, as well as Blitz, Killers of the Flower Moon and Tetris.
Apple's shows won 10 Emmy Awards in 2024, including a Slow Horses victory for outstanding writing in a drama series. Although its films weren't up for anything at this year's Oscars, it received 13 nominations in 2024, including Best Picture nods for Killers of the Flower Moon and Napoleon.
Three months of Apple TV+ for $9 is available through April 24. Both new and qualified returning subscribers (which mostly means you aren't billed through your cellular provider or another third party) are eligible. If you don't want to pay full price ($10 monthly) after three months, remember to cancel before the renewal date.
Check out our coverage of the best streaming deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/three-months-of-apple-tv-is-on-sale-for-only-9-right-now-193009233.html?src=rss
Fans of murderous clicking aliens have a lot to look forward to this year, with not one, but two different Predator titles debuting in 2025. Both projects are being helmed by Dan Trachtenberg, who proved his Predator chops directing the excellent Prey, and is now providing a compelling new chapter for the franchise.
First up is Predator: Killer of Killers, an animated miniseries that will arrive on Hulu on June 6. That anthology dropped a first look trailer today and it's a taste of classic Predator action as the beast hunts down warriors across three different time periods. There are Viking raiders, samurai in feudal Japan and pilots from World War II. I imagine things end badly for the humans in every era.
In a delightful casting choice for 80s action movie appreciators, Killer of Killers includes voice work by Michael Biehn. That means he joins the elite roster of actors who have crossed paths with the trinity of Aliens, Terminators and Predators. Well done, sir.
The second project is a feature film titled Predator: Badlands. This is a sequel to Prey and stars Elle Fanning. But in a twist on the usual formula, the human star isn't trying to kill the Predator, but manages to team up with it. Predator: Badlands will have a theatrical release on November 7.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/watch-the-trailer-for-animated-anthology-predator-killer-of-killers-182933911.html?src=rss
