Since 2021, NASA's Perseverance rover has achieved a number of historic milestones, including sending back the first audio recordings from Mars. Now, nearly five years after landing on the Red Planet, it just achieved another feat. This past December, Perseverance successfully completed a route through a section of the Jezero crater plotted by Anthropic's Claude chatbot, marking the first time NASA has used a large language model to pilot the car-sized robot. Between December 8 and 10, Perseverance drove approximately 400 meters (about 437 yards) through a field of rocks on the Martian surface mapped out by Claude. As you might imagine, using an AI model to plot a course for Perseverance wasn't as simple as inputting a single prompt. As NASA explains, routing Perseverance is no easy task, even for a human. "Every rover drive needs to be carefully planned, lest the machine slide, tip, spin its wheels, or get beached," NASA said. "So ever since the rover landed, its human operators have painstakingly laid out waypoints they call it a 'breadcrumb trail' for it to follow, using a combination of images taken from space and the rovers onboard cameras." To get Claude to complete the task, NASA had to first provide Claude Code, Anthropic's programming agent, with the "years" of contextual data from the rover before the model could begin writing a route for Perseverance. Claude then went about the mapping process methodically, stringing together waypoints from ten-meter segments it would later critique and iterate on. This being NASA we're talking about, engineers from the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) made sure to double check the model's work before sending it to Perseverance. The JPL team ran Claude's waypoints through a simulation they use every day to confirm the accuracy of commands sent to the rover. In the end, NASA says it only had to make "minor changes" to Claude's route, with one tweak coming as a result of the fact the team had access to ground-level images Claude hadn't seen in its planning process. "The engineers estimate that using Claude in this way will cut the route-planning time in half, and make the journeys more consistent," NASA said. "Less time spent doing tedious manual planning and less time spent training allows the rovers operators to fit in even more drives, collect even more scientific data, and do even more analysis. It means, in short, that well learn much more about Mars."While the productivity gains offered by AI are often overstated, in the case of NASA, any tool that could allow its scientists to be more efficient is sure to be welcome. Over the summer, the agency lost about 4,000 employees accounting for about 20 percent of its workforce due to Trump administration cuts. Going into 2026, the president had proposed gutting the agency's science budget by nearly half before Congress ultimately rejected that plan in early January. Still, even with its funding preserved just below 2025 levels, the agency has a tough road ahead. It's being asked to return to the Moon with less than half the workforce it had during the height of the Apollo program. For Anthropic, meanwhile, this is a major feat. You may recall last spring Claude couldn't even beat Pokémon Red. In less than a year, the company's models have gone from struggling to navigate a simple 8-bit Game Boy game to successfully plotting a course for a rover on a distant planet. NASA is excited about the possibility of future collaborations, saying "autonomous AI systems could help probes explore ever more distant parts of the solar system."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/nasa-used-claude-to-plot-a-route-for-its-perseverance-rover-on-mars-203150701.html?src=rss
Americas once-promising EV transition may have taken a U-turn, but at least some in Hollywood are trying to do their part. Rivian partnered with Greys Anatomy to make a custom electric ambulance for the long-running series.The ambulance is a modified version of Rivians Commercial Van. The custom vanbulance serves a dual purpose: preventing on-set exhaust fumes (which could harm the cast and crew) and integrating a green storyline. As an added benefit, the elimination of engine noise brought a welcome quiet while cameras were rolling, Rivan wrote in a blog post.Among other modifications, it has rear double doors instead of a roll-up one.RivianThe vehicle includes some production-specific touches. Its walls and roof panels are removable, allowing cameras to reach angles required for interior shots. In addition, Rivian replaced the standard vans rear roll-up door with double doors while adding a side entry to the cargo area. The company also added custom lighting and an exterior wrap reading Seattle Emergency Response Services.The team consulted with the Huntington Beach Fire Department and the Los Angeles Fire Department to inform the interior layout. Their feedback was invaluable to understand how first responders actually use their vehicles, Rivian wrote.At least Hollywood's fictional worlds are transitioning to electric.RivianThe Hollywood Reporter notes that the electric ambulance debuted in the November 13, 2025, episode of Greys Anatomy. However, it was featured more prominently in Thursdays episode hence Rivian choosing this week to highlight it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/rivian-made-an-electric-ambulance-for-greys-anatomy-194358967.html?src=rss
The Sundance documentary Ghost in the Machine boldly declares that the pursuit of artificial intelligence, and Silicon Valley itself, is rooted in eugenics. Director Valerie Veatch makes the case that the rise of techno-fascism from the likes of Elon Musk and Peter Thiel is a feature, not a bug. That may sound hyperbolic, but Ghost in the Machine, which is built around interviews with philosophers, AI researchers, historians and computer scientists, leaves little room for doubt.If you've been following the meteoric rise of AI, or Silicon Valley in general, Veatch's methodical deconstruction of the technology doesn't really unearth anything new. The film begins with the utter failure of Microsoft's Tay chatbot, which wasted no time in becoming a Hitler-loving white supremacist. It retreads the environmental impacts of AI datacenters, as well as the ways tech companies have relied on low-wage workers from Africa and elsewhere to improve their algorithms. But even I was surprised to learn that we can trace the impact of eugenics in tech all the way back to Karl Pearson, the mathematician who pioneered the field of statistics, and who also spent his life trying to quantify the differences between races. (Guess who he believed was superior.) His legacy was continued by William Shockley, a co-creator of the transistor, an avowed white supremacist who spent his later years espousing (now debunked) theories around IQ and racial differences. An early robot toy.Valerie Veatch for "Ghost in the Machine"As a Stanford engineering professor, Shockley fostered a culture of prioritizing white men over women and minorities, which ultimately shaped the way Silicon Valley looks today. His line of thinking could have had an influence on John McCarthy, the Stanford researcher who coined the term artificial intelligence in 1955, With roots like that, Elon Musk known to spout bigotry online, foster a reportedly racist work environment at Tesla and throw the occasionaly few Nazi salute looks less like an anomaly than part of a pattern. Ghost in the Machine asks a simple question: How can we trust men like this (and it's almost always men that look like Musk) with our future?Through its many interviews, which include the likes of AI researcher Dr. Emily Bender, historian Becca Lewis and media theorist Douglass Rushkoff, Ghost in the Machine paints the rise of AI as a fascistic project that aims to demean humans and establish the techno-elite as our de facto rulers. Given how much our lives are already dominated by gadgets and social networks from companies that have pioneered addictive engagement over user safety, it's easy to imagine history repeating itself with AI. Ghost in the Machine doesn't leave any room for considering potential benefits around AI, which could lead proponents of the technology to dismiss it as a hit-job. But we're currently at the apex of the AI hype cycle, after Big Tech has invested hundreds of billions of dollars on this technology, and after it has spent years shoving it down our throats without proving why its actually useful to many people. AI should be able to withstand a bit of criticism.Ghost in the Machine is available to view at the Sundance Film Festivals website and streaming apps from today through the end of Sunday, February 1st. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/sundance-doc-ghost-in-the-machine-draws-a-damning-line-between-ai-and-eugenics-180613367.html?src=rss
Like many other companies during Super Bowl season, Sonos is discounting its home theater gear. Today, you can save $130 on the Beam (Gen 2) soundbar, bringing its price down to $369. You'll also find deals on the flagship Arc Ultra Soundbar, Sonos subwoofers, and more.
The Sonos Beam is the company's sub-$500 soundbar. Engadget's pick for the best midrange model, the compact speaker has impressive sound for its size. Part of that is its Dolby Atmos support. Although the soundbar lacks upward-firing speakers, it uses software tricks to compensate. Audio timing and frequency adjustments make sound seem to come from the side or slightly above.
One of the biggest drawbacks is that the Beam only has one HDMI port. Regardless, that compromise may be easier to accept at Beam's current $369 than at its usual $499.
Several more home theater speakers are included in Sonos's sale. If you have a loftier budget for a soundbar, there's the Arc Ultra. Typically $1,099, it's now $899. The company's pair of subwoofers is included as well. You can get the Sub Mini for $399 (down from $499) or the Sub 4 for $759 (from $899).
Although they aren't explicitly sold as home theater products, the Era 100 ($179) and Era 300 ($379) are also included in the sale. The portable Move 2 isn't discounted individually, but you will find it in a couple of bundles. You can check out the sale page for the complete list.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/sonos-home-theater-gear-is-up-to-20-percent-off-ahead-of-super-bowl-lx-174053619.html?src=rss
When talking about the best VPNs, I frequently warn about the dangers of trusting free VPNs without verifying them. Although there are a few free VPNs worth recommending, many other free providers are ineffective, malicious or looking to profit off their users (or sometimes all three). Even the best free VPNs work a lot better once you subscribe and access their full service.This can be frustrating if you want to enjoy the benefits of a VPN but don't have the budget for yet another subscription. To help you out, I put together a list of the best paid VPN services you can get cheaply. Every name on the list comes with my full recommendation I'll never recommend a VPN that doesn't protect you, no matter how affordable.Before I get started, I want to define "cheap," since VPNs often bamboozle the customer with muddled pricing schemes. Most providers have long-term subscription plans with big discounts, and many of them compensate by making their monthly plans more expensive. On this list, I'll recommend services with cheap subscriptions for both the short and long term, plus one favorite that balances both.
Best cheap VPNs for 2026
Other VPNs we tested with good deals
A couple of VPNs have decent pricing options attached to worthy services but weren't quite strong enough to make the list. Both these services get my hearty recommendation; they're just hard to justify as "cheap."
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN recently switched to a multi-tier pricing model. The Basic pricing tier gets you complete VPN service but doesn't include the full set of features. The best price on that is $78.18 for 28 months, which works out to $2.79 per month. Although that sounds great, it's more expensive than both Surfshark and CyberGhost at the same duration and renews at the even higher price of $99.95 per year ($8.33 per month).
Still, as I wrote in my full ExpressVPN review, it's an outstanding service overall. Thanks to its sensible app layouts and focus on doing simple tasks well, I find it especially good for introducing beginners to what a VPN can do.
NordVPN
NordVPN is another provider that I gave a relatively positive review. I really like its boundary-pushing features, especially the various types of highly specialized servers. Its pricing isn't bad, exactly, but even the Basic level is more expensive than just about everyone else at every duration. NordVPN's fast download speeds and wide server network make it worthwhile for lots of users, but it's hard to recommend to people on a budget.
What to look for in a good cheap VPN
Looking for an affordable VPN is the same as looking for any kind of VPN; it just requires more care. The worst VPNs usually present themselves as free, but there's also a fair number of mediocre options that think low prices have to mean a mediocre service. If you want to use a VPN but don't have much extra cash, take some additional care in a few areas of your search.
First, don't subscribe to a VPN or even download any of its apps if you haven't verified its security. To do that, start by checking what experts have to say about it. If a VPN is truly unsafe, chances are high that somebody has already sounded the alarm. You can also check the list of protocols the VPN offers. If it's anything other than OpenVPN, WireGuard or IKEv2, do a deep dive to make sure it's using worthwhile encryption.
If you've verified that the VPN isn't a virus, check to see if it has a free trial or a guaranteed money-back period. This will give you some risk-free time to do hands-on tests. Our article on how we test VPNs includes several tests you can run on your own computer, phone or tablet. Check the VPN's speed, make sure it has the server locations you need and look for anything that might be leaking your real IP address.
Read the VPN's privacy policy and make sure you're comfortable with how much information it saves. Some VPNs emphasize privacy more than others. Finally, before your free trial or refund period expires, make sure to double-check on the pricing structure of the VPN you're choosing it's possible that it will only be cheap for the first subscription period.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/best-cheap-vpn-170000957.html?src=rss
Fallouts second season is coming to a close, and its been well worth the wait. But if a reluctance to add yet another subscription to your streaming rotation means you havent watched Amazons surprisingly excellent adaptation yet, you might be interested to know that the company is currently releasing season one for free on the Prime Video YouTube channel.
Whether driven by Amazon wanting even more people to watch what has become one of its biggest TV success stories, or a move that speaks to how few people are actually signed up for Prime Video, its good news for anyone who hasnt seen the show yet. Fallouts first season did a great job of taking everything thats great about the long-running post-apocalyptic RPG series and weaving it into a wildly entertaining live-action show, elevated by excellent performances from Ella Purnell as a hopelessly naive but endearingly optimistic vault-dweller, and Walton Goggins as the Ghoul.
Amazon is currently adding a new episode each day ahead of next weeks season two finale, presumably hoping a whole new set of fans hop straight into that once theyre done. But heres the catch: you only have until February 11 to watch the whole lot. After that, the show will be for Prime Video subscribers only once again.
And that isn't the the only Fallout freebie up for grabs right now. Between now and February 5, Bethesdas MMORPG, Fallout 76, is free-to-play on Xbox and PC, while PlayStation players have until February 4. Fallout 76 first launched in 2018, and as a fully multiplayer-focused game it represented a new direction for the series. It was, to put it bluntly, a bit of a mess for quite a while, but Bethesda has never abandoned the title or its player-base, and if you have Fallout on the brain, this is the perfect opportunity to see how its looking in 2026.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-first-season-of-amazons-fallout-show-is-now-free-on-youtube-162920615.html?src=rss
Grammy winner Bad Bunny, seen here accepting his award for Best Música Urbana Album for Un Verano Sin Ti in 2023, is nominated again this year. (Timothy Norris/FilmMagic)
Timothy Norris via Getty Images
The 2026 Grammy Awards honor music's biggest achievements of the year, and some of the biggest stars on the planet are nominated this year. Kendrick Lamar leads the way with nine nominations, including for Record and Song of the Year for "luther," his collaboration with SZA. Other top nominees this year include Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff, and Cirkut with seven nominations apiece, and Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and Leon Thomas, who have six. The 2026 Grammy Awards will be hosted by comedian Trevor Noah, who also happens to be a nominee this year in the Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling category.
The 2026 Grammys will take place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and the broadcast will air this Sunday, Feb. 1, at 8PM ET/5PM PT on CBS, streaming live on Paramount+ (for Premium subscribers only). The 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony where the majority of the Grammys are actually awarded will take place earlier that same day, from 3:30PM ET/12:30PM PT, and streams live free on YouTube.
Heres how to watch the 2026 Grammy Awards live this Sunday.
When are the 2026 Grammy Awards?
The 68th Grammy Awards will be held this Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.
Grammys start time
The Grammy Awards live TV broadcast begins at 8PM ET/5PM PT. It's scheduled to run until 11:30PM ET.
Prior to the main broadcast, the 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony (this is where you can watch the awards for categories like Musical Theater, Americana, Reggae, Metal, Gospel and more) will take place from 3:30PM ET/12:30PM PT. The Grammys Premiere Ceremony will stream live for free at live.GRAMMY.com and on YouTube.
Grammy Awards TV channel
The 68th Grammy Awards will air on CBS and stream live on Paramount+ for Premium subscribers. The awards show will also be available the following day on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers.
How to watch the Grammys without cable
How to watch the 2026 Grammys free
Who is performing at the 2026 Grammy Awards?
Among this year's Grammy's performers are Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Album of the Year nominees Clipse and Pharrell Williams, and every Best New Artist nominee, including Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, SOMBR, and The Marías.
This year's In Memorium honoring artists we've lost this year will include a musical tribute from Reba McEntire, Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson, a performance from Ms. Lauryn Hill in honor of D'Angelo and Roberta Flack, and an Ozzy Osbourne tribute from artists like Post Malone, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan, and Slash.
Who is hosting the Grammys this year?
Trevor Noah will return to host the Grammys for the sixth and final year.
Who is presenting at the 2026 Grammys?
While the full list of Grammys presenters has yet to be released, we do know that Harry Styles and Doechii will be presenting.
Grammy Awards new categories
This years Grammys will see the return of the award for Best Album Cover (after 53 years!). This year, the category of Best Country Album will now be split into two awards: Best Contemporary Country Album and Best Traditional Country Album.
Grammys eligibility window
The 2026 Grammy Awards will recognize music released from August 31, 2024 to August 30, 2025.
2026 Grammy nominations
Here are the nominees for the 68th Grammy Awards.
Album of the Year
Bad Bunny Debí Tirar Más Fotos
Justin Bieber Swag
Sabrina Carpenter Mans Best Friend
Clipse, Pusha T & Malice Let God Sort Em Out
Lady Gaga Mayhem
Kendrick Lamar GNX
Leon Thomas Mutt
Tyler, the Creator Chromakopia
Record of the Year
Bad Bunny DtMF
Sabrina Carpenter Manchild
Doechii Anxiety
Billie Eilish Wildflower
Lady Gaga Abracadabra
Kendrick Lamar feat. SZA Luther
Chappell Roan The Subway
Song of the Year
Lady Gaga Abracadabra
Doechii Anxiety
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars APT.
Bad Bunny DtMF
HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI) Golden
Kendrick Lamar feat. SZA Luther
Sabrina Carpenter Manchild
Billie Eilish Wildflower
Best New Artist
Olivia Dean
KATSEYE
The Marías
Addison Rae
sombr
Leon Thomas
Alex Warren
Lola Young
Best Pop Solo Performance
Justin Bieber Daisies
Sabrina Carpenter Manchild
Lady Gaga Disease
Chappell Roan The Subway
Lola Young Messy
Best Pop Vocal Album
Justin Bieber Swag
Sabrina Carpenter Mans Best Friend
Miley Cyrus Something Beautiful
Lady Gaga Mayhem
Teddy Swims Ive Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)
Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver Sable, Fable
The Cure Songs of a Lost World
Tyler, the Creator Dont Tap the Glass
Wet Leg Moisturizer
Hayley Williams Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party
Best Rock Album
Deftones Private Music
HAIM I Quit
Linkin Park From Zero
Turnstile Never Enough
YUNGBLUD Idols
Best Rap Album
Clipse, Pusha T & Malice Let God Sort Em Out
GloRilla Glorious
JID God Does Like Ugly
Kendrick Lamar GNX
Tyler, the Creator Chromakopia
Best R&B Album
GIVON Beloved
Coco Jones Why Not More?
Ledisi The Crown
Teyana Taylor Escape Room
Leon Thomas Mutt
Best Contemporary Country Album
Kelsea Ballerini Patterns
Tyler Childers Snipe Hunter
Eric Church Evangeline vs. The Machine
Jelly Roll Beautifully Broken
Miranda Lambert Postcards From Texas
Best Traditional Country Album
Charley Crockett Dollar a Day
Lukas Nelson American Romance
Willie Nelson Oh What a Beautiful World
Margo Price Hard Headed Woman
Zach Top Aint In It for My Health
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Dan Auerbach
Cirkut
Dijon
Blake Mills
Sounwave
Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical
Amy Allen
Edgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
Tobias Jesso Jr.
See the full list at Grammy.com.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-watch-the-2026-grammy-awards-tv-channel-start-time-where-to-stream-nominations-list-and-more-150015179.html?src=rss
Somehow, we live in a world where people can bet on practically anything using sites like Polymarket and Kalshi. In this episode, Devindra and Engadget Senior Reporter Karissa Bell dive into the world of prediction markets. How did we get here? And is endless betting having an effect on the real world? Also, we chat about the new American version of TikTok, which stumbled during its first weekend with a litany of errors and reported censorship.Subscribe!iTunesSpotifyPocket CastsStitcherGoogle PodcastsTopicsWhos going to buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Tri-fold for $2900? 1:18Tesla is killing off the Model X and S lines to focus on its Optimus robot moonshot 6:46Amazon plans to cut 16,000 jobs and close its grocery stores in another round of restructuring 10:45Most of the UK will lose access to Pornhub in a fight over age verification and privacy 21:16Internal messages from Meta about Instagram being a drug for teens could be bombshell evidence at trial 26:59What are prediction markets and why are they suddenly so popular? 32:11As TikTok US stumbles, users ask is it server problems or censorship? 46:55Around Engadget 59:11Pop culture picks 1:01:23 CreditsHosts: Devindra Hardawar and Karissa BellProducer: Ben EllmanMusic: Dale North and Terrence OBrienThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/engadget-podcast-what-do-prediction-markets-like-kalshi-cost-us-143113799.html?src=rss
Apple has yet to announce a foldable iPhone, but after years of speculation, the outlines of whats often referred to as the iPhone Fold are starting to come into focus. Multiple analysts and leakers now agree that Apple is targeting a late-2026 launch window for its first foldable phone, positioning it as a premium flagship rather than a niche experiment.As with all pre-launch Apple products, nothing here is official. Plans can change, features can be dropped and timelines can slip. Still, recent reports paint the clearest picture yet of how Apple might approach a foldable iPhone and how it plans to differentiate itself from rivals like Samsung and Google.Below is a roundup of the most credible iPhone Fold rumors so far, covering its possible release timing, design, display technology, cameras and price. Well continue to update this post as more rumors and details become available.When could the iPhone Fold launch?Rumors of a foldable iPhone date back as far as 2017, but more recent reporting suggests Apple has finally locked onto a realistic window. Most sources now point to fall 2026, likely alongside the iPhone 18 lineup.Mark Gurman has gone back and forth on timing, initially suggesting Apple could launch as early as 2026, before later writing that the device would ship at the end of 2026 and sell primarily in 2027. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also repeatedly cited the second half of 2026 as Apples target.Some reports still claim the project could slip into 2027 if Apple runs into manufacturing or durability issues, particularly around the hinge or display. Given Apples history of delaying products that it feels arent ready, that remains a real possibility.What will the iPhone Fold look like?Current consensus suggests Apple has settled on a book-style foldable design, similar to Samsungs Galaxy Z Fold series, rather than a clamshell flip phone.When unfolded, the iPhone Fold is expected to resemble a small tablet like the iPad mini (8.3 inches). Based on the rumor mill, though, the iPhone Fold may be a touch smaller, with an internal display measuring around 7.7 to 7.8 inches. When closed, it should function like a conventional smartphone, with an outer display in the 5.5-inch range.CAD leaks and alleged case-maker molds suggest the device may be shorter and wider than a standard iPhone when folded, creating a squarer footprint that better matches the aspect ratio of the inner display. Several reports have also pointed to the iPhone Air as a potential preview of Apples foldable design work, with its unusually thin chassis widely interpreted as a look at what one half of a future foldable iPhone could resemble.If that theory holds, it could help explain the Folds rumored dimensions. Thickness is expected to land between roughly 4.5 and 5.6mm when unfolded, putting it in a similar range to the iPhone Air, and just over 9 to 11mm when folded, depending on the final hinge design and internal layering.iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone AirEngadgetDisplay and the crease questionThe display is arguably the biggest challenge for any foldable phone, and its an area where Apple appears to have invested years of development.Multiple reports say Apple will rely on Samsung Display as its primary supplier. At CES 2026, Samsung showcased a new crease-less foldable OLED panel, which several sources including Bloomberg suggested could be the same technology Apple plans to use.According to these reports, the panel combines a flexible OLED with a laser-drilled metal support plate that disperses stress when folding. The goal is a display with a nearly invisible crease, something Apple reportedly considers essential before entering the foldable market.If Apple does use this panel, it would mark a notable improvement over current foldables, which still show visible creasing under certain lighting conditions.Cameras and biometricsCamera rumors suggest Apple is planning a four-camera setup. That may include:Two rear cameras (main and ultra-wide, both rumored at 48MP)One punch-hole camera on the outer displayOne under-display camera on the inner screenSeveral sources claim Apple will avoid Face ID entirely on the iPhone Fold. Instead, its expected to rely on Touch ID built into the power button, similar to recent iPad models. This would allow Apple to keep both displays free of notches or Dynamic Island cutouts.Under-display camera technology has historically produced lower image quality, but a rumored 24MP sensor would be a significant step up compared to existing foldables, which typically use much lower-resolution sensors.iPhone Folds hinge and materialsThe hinge is another area where Apple may diverge from competitors. Multiple reports claim Apple will use Liquidmetal, which is a long-standing trade name for a metallic glass alloy the company has previously used in smaller components. While often referred to as liquid metal or Liquid Metal in reports, Liquidmetal is the branding Apple has historically associated with the material.Liquidmetal is said to be stronger and more resistant to deformation than titanium, while remaining relatively lightweight. If accurate, this could help improve long-term durability and reduce wear on the foldable display.Leaks from Jon Prosser also reference a metal plte beneath the display that works in tandem with the hinge to minimize creasing a claim that aligns with reporting from Korean and Chinese supply-chain sources.Battery and other components Battery life is another potential differentiator. According to Ming-Chi Kuo and multiple Asian supply-chain reports, Apple is testing high-density battery cells in the 5,000 to 5,800mAh range.That would make it the largest battery ever used in an iPhone, and competitive with (or larger than) batteries in current Android foldables. The device is also expected to use a future A-series chip and Apples in-house modem.PriceNone of this will come cheap, thats for certain. Nearly every report agrees that the iPhone Fold will be Apples most expensive iPhone ever.Estimates currently place the price between $2,000 and $2,500 in the US. Bloomberg has said the price will be at least $2,000, while other analysts have narrowed the likely range to around $2,100 and $2,300. That positions the iPhone Fold well above the iPhone Pro Max and closer to Apples high-end Macs and iPads.Despite years of rumors, theres still plenty that remains unclear. Apple hasnt confirmed the name iPhone Fold, final dimensions, software features or how iOS would adapt to a folding form factor. Durability, repairability and long-term reliability are also open questions. For now, the safest assumption is that Apple is taking its time and that many of these details could still change before launch. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/iphone-fold-rumors-everything-we-know-so-far-including-the-leaked-design-130000516.html?src=rss
Sony A7 series camera launches are eagerly anticipated by camera lovers, as those models are typically a showcase for the companys latest imaging tech. The new A7 V is a great example of that: its equipped with Sony's new 33-megapixel partially-stacked sensor the most advanced in any midrange full-frame mirrorless model.
The A7 Vs resolution is higher than rivals like Panasonics S1 II and the Nikon Z6 III in this category while matching Canons R6 III. However, Sony trumps the latter with a faster sensor that promises lower rolling shutter distortion in electronic mode. Sony also boasts that it offers the highest dynamic range of any of its cameras to date.
Unlike Canon with the R6 III, Sony didnt bend over backwards to accommodate creators, though. Video resolution is limited to 4K, and the A7 V lacks any RAW video capability, compared to 7K and RAW for Canons latest model. All of that means the A7 V may be great for some buyers, but fall short for others.
Design and handling
Like other recent Sony cameras, I didnt find the A7 V comfortable to hold for long periods of time. Thats because the grip, while deep, is a bit short and too small for large hands. At the same time, it has harder exterior materials than Canons cameras and is a bit heavier than the A7 IV at 1.53 pounds (698 grams) compared to 1.45 pounds (653 grams) for its predecessor.
The handling makes up for the lack of comfort, though. It has two dials for the primary controls (shutter speed and aperture), along with a third for exposure compensation. Theres a dual dial with a shooting mode on top and video/photo/S&Q below, plus a rear joystick, rear dial and nine buttons. The main controls fell nicely to my hands, which made camera control a cinch.
The A7 V has the same well-organized menu system as other recent Sony models and it's easy to customize dials, buttons and quick menus to your liking. Overall, Sonys menus are now among the best, and functions are easier to access than on Canons R6 III, for example.
The 3.69-million dot EVF display is relatively sharp and on par with the R6 III, but falls short of 5.76-million-dot EVF on the significantly cheaper Nikon Z6 III. The 3.2-inch rear display fully articulates as before, but it also tilts now, so I was able to easily shoot from high and low angles. Its also slightly bigger and has 2.1 million dots, up from 1.65 million dots on the A7 IV.
The A7 V has a dual-slot card system with two SD UHS II slots and a faster CFexpress Type A slot. However, Type A CFexpress cards are less than half as fast as the CFexpress B cards used in other cameras. The A7 V includes a full-sized HDMI port for external display, 3.5mm mic and headphone ports, and two USB-C ports one for charging and one for 10Gbps data transfers. Battery life is decent with up to 630 shots on a charge or 100 minutes of continuous 4K 30 fps capture. The camera isnt constrained much by temperature limits, as I was able to shoot 4K 30p video for 90 minutes straight with no issues.
Performance
The 33MP partially-stacked sensor has made a big difference in the A7 Vs speed and autofocus accuracy. It can now hit 30 fps blackout-free RAW burst speeds with the electronic shutter (with autofocus and auto exposure enabled), compared to an anemic 10 fps with the A7 IV. That makes it a surprisingly good choice for sports and wildlife photography, or just shooting fast-moving kids or pets. Speeds drop to 10 fps in mechanical shutter mode, which is on par for this category.
ISO 6400, f/2.8, 1/40th
Steve Dent for Engadget
Rolling shutter distortion is only an issue when shooting super fast subjects like airplane propellers or golf swings. And unlike Canons R6 III and other rivals, the A7 V maintains full 14-bit RAW quality during electronic shutter bursts instead of dropping to 12-bit RAW, which allows for higher dynamic range.
As youd expect with Sony, autofocus is fast and extremely accurate, delivering the best in-focus hit rate of any camera in this price range. When tracking moving subjects like bikes, birds or kids, I rarely saw a blurry shot. This applied even in tricky lighting and chaotic situations with multiple subjects. The A7 V also nailed auto exposure and auto white balance, even when I shot at dusk with a mix of indoor and outdoor lighting.
Sonys latest AI features make it easy to track nearly anything. Face, eye and body tracking are supported for people, and you can also follow animals, birds, insects, cars, trains and airplanes. The AI has been trained to track people in any position, even if theyre partially obscured or disappear in the frame. This proved to be convenient when I shot street photos in crowds with a specific subject in mind.
This does bring up one sore point with the A7 V. When using third-party lenses, the burst rate speeds drop from 30 fps to 15 fps. In addition, you may not be able to use some lenses at all in AF-C (continuous) mode without applying a firmware update.
In-body stabilization is improved significantly over the A7 IV from 5.5 to 7.5 stops with compatible lenses, but falls short of all rivals that hit at least eight stops. Still, I was comfortably able to shoot at shutter speeds as low as a half second handheld without any camera blur.
Image quality
Photo quality is where the A7 V shines. Dynamic range is superior to rival cameras, both in the real world and specialized testing. This is due to Sonys latest dual gain output tech that combines two ISO levels at once integrated with the new 33MP partially-stacked sensor (when using the mechanical shutter).
I noticed this when taking photos at twilight in several of Paris squares. After shooting a statue against a bright sky, I was able to extract noise-free shadow detail from RAW files and easily adjust bright areas. When shooting ducks in water that reflected a bright sky, I saw similarly high levels of detail in both darkand bright picture areas. There is one thing to keep in mind, though: As Photons to Photos noted, theres a slight drop in dynamic range below ISO 1,000 when using the electronic shutter.
Should you need even more detail and dynamic range, Sonys new Composite RAW feature thats borrowed from the A9 III combines four, eight, 16, or 32 RAW images to reduce noise and improve image quality. I used it to photograph some high-contrast scenes on a sunny Paris day and it dramatically reduced noise, but isnt a good option for moving subjects.
Sony's A7 V has plenty of manual controls for easy operation
Steve Dent for Engadget
JPEGs look great straight out of the camera with excellent detail, though noise reduction can be a bit excessive at high ISOs. Sonys color science has improved over the last model, so colors are accurate and the magenta-hue issues seem to be largely resolved. However,I still find Canons cameras capture more accurate skin tones.
The A7 V is a low-light marvel, with relatively noise-free photos all the way up to ISO 12,800 and usable shots at ISO 25,600. Whats remarkable is that the A7 V beats all its 24MP rivals in this regard, despite the nearly 50 percent higher resolution.
Sony added a new Compressed RAW HQ mode with the A7 V, designed to deliver better compressed RAW quality while keeping files smaller than Lossless RAW. Note that this new mode is not currently supported by Adobe Lightroom, so Id avoid using it for now.
Video
Sony's A7 V can take sharp video but doesn't stand up against rivals.
Sony
Two or three years ago, the A7 V would have been fine for video but not in 2026. While all its rivals are embracing internal RAW video at 6K or 7K, Sony is sticking with 10-bit 4K MP4 at up to 60 fps, or 4K 120 with an APS-C crop. The video is oversampled from a 7K sensor size so its very sharp though, and S-Log3 is available to boost dynamic range.
Sony likely thinks that creators using this camera will mostly shoot 4K MP4 (as I do), so it didnt feel that RAW was a must. However, users who do need the benefits of RAW like minimal degradation when editing, flexible white balance and improved dynamic range cant even do external RAW capture. The 4K max resolution and lack of open gate 3:2 is also a downside for creators who like to reframe shots in post or output to social media.
With that all said, you can capture high-quality 10-bit 4K 60 fps video with the A7 V. The S-Log3 Cine/S-Log 3 option and high data rate 4:2:2 HS video provide flexibility in post, letting you easily correct over- or under-exposed video or tweak colors. As with photos, color accuracy is nearly on par with Panasonic and other rivals. Shooting in low-light is a breeze, especially when you know that noise levels will be minimal even at high ISO speeds.
Sony has some extra video tricks like focus breathing compensation that eliminates zooming when focusing from a near to a far subject. And the A7 V comes with a new AI Auto Framing mode, which recognizes and crops in on humans, keeping them centered in the frame. I was able to keep subjects centered (while stabilizing the shot) as long as I didnt move the camera excessively.
Autofocus is just as excellent for video as photos, with the same level of speed and accuracy. AI-powered autofocus supports all the same modes (people, animals, etc.) and usually nails focus of human or animal eyes, like when I captured footage of some ducks and dogs.
Video stabilization is also very good, just behind Panasonics S1 II and ahead of the Canon R6 III. In regular optical-only mode, it removes shaking from handheld video without too much movement. When you engage the Active mode, it adds electronic stabilization with a small crop for panning or tilting, and Dynamic Active lets you walk with surprisingly smooth results. Rolling shutter is rarely an issue for most types of shooting, including walking, unless you really whip the camera around. The lack of rolling shutter skew also makes it easier to apply stabilization in post with Adobe Premiere or DaVinci Resolve.
Wrap-up
ISO 800, f/2.8, 1/500th
Steve Dent for Engadget
The A7 V is an incredible camera for photography, with speeds, autofocus accuracy and image quality ahead of rivals, including the Canon R6 III, Panasonic S1 II and Nikon Z6 III.However, Sony isnt keeping up with those models for video. The A7 V is missing RAW, native resolution and open gate capture, all of which can be found on the aforementioned cameras. That makes it hard to recommend for serious video users or creators who use full-frame open gate to export high-quality vertical video.
Theres one intangible, though. I enjoyed taking pictures with the A7 V more than other cameras Ive tested lately because of the AF accuracy and image results. For anyone who wants a fast, reliable and easy-to-use camera for photography, I cant recommend it enough. For video creators, though, Id look at Canons R6 III, the Panasonic S1 II, or if youre on a budget, Nikons Z6 III.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/sony-a7-v-review-awesome-speed-and-photo-quality-130000592.html?src=rss
