Nothing Projector One review: Compact, smart, and budget-friendly

Nothing Projector One review: Compact, smart, and budget-friendly

The Nothing Projector One is a compact and accessible way to watch movies on your wall, if you can live with 1080p and a bit of fan noise. Nothing Projector One Review: In use In this day and age, the consumption of high-resolution digital media is an everyday aspect of life. From television shows, to movies, clips, shorts, and video games. Gone are the days of large tube televisions, dim back-lit projector televisions, and low-resolution CRT monitors. The sources are also better quality, as you're no longer dealing with poor-quality videos from the earliest days of Internet media. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Quantum internet is possible using standard Internet protocol — University engineers send quantum signals over fiber lines without losing entanglement

Quantum internet is possible using standard Internet protocol — University engineers send quantum signals over fiber lines without losing entanglement

A recent experiment by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that quantum signals can be sent over standard internet protocol (IP). The research, done on the University's fiber network, uses a locomotive-style approach to pair a traditional light signal "engine" with quantum signal cargo and send quantum signals over the internet without observing the particles.

Sources: Google is set to face a modest EU antitrust fine over adtech practices, in an investigation triggered by a complaint by the European Publishers Council (Foo Yun Chee/Reuters)

Sources: Google is set to face a modest EU antitrust fine over adtech practices, in an investigation triggered by a complaint by the European Publishers Council (Foo Yun Chee/Reuters)

Foo Yun Chee / Reuters : Sources: Google is set to face a modest EU antitrust fine over adtech practices, in an investigation triggered by a complaint by the European Publishers Council —  Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) Google is set to face a modest EU antitrust fine in the coming weeks for allegedly anti-competitive practices …

Best laptops for engineering students: Top 5 picks for power and portability

Best laptops for engineering students: Top 5 picks for power and portability

Engineering school isn’t for the faint of heart. You’re juggling heavy-duty software and unforgiving deadlines. So yeah, your laptop has to be powerful and reliable, but light enough to actually carry. It should run CAD and simulations easily, but still be light enough to toss in your bag between classes. A keyboard that doesn’t make your fingers scream, a screen that won’t kill your eyes, and solid battery life are all must-haves. Seriously, freaking out because you can’t find an outlet when your laptop’s about to die? No thanks. These picks have been tested to cover those bases, with something for every budget. Asus Zenbook 14 OLED – Best overall Pros Robust build quality Attractive OLED touchscreen Good CPU and integrated GPU performance Outstanding battery life Cons Uninspiring design Keyboard isn’t memorable Mediocre connectivity options Price When Reviewed: 1199 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Kaufland 2.339,00 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who should buy the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED? The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED tops our list thanks to a winning combination of power, portability, and solid battery life. The AMD Ryzen 7 chip inside (eight cores and 16 threads, by the way) can handle heavy stuff like CAD without slowing down, even if you’ve got a bunch of tabs open. The 14-inch 1920×1200 OLED touchscreen also looks fantastic and will make your diagrams and projects really stand out. One of the standout features is its battery life. It lasted over 16 hours in our standard battery test, so that means you can get through a full day of classes and not worry about scrambling for an outlet. The audio is also quite good and it should offer you good volume and clarity during remote lectures. Asus Zenbook 14 OLED: Further considerations The build quality’s pretty good, especially considering it’s just $850 right now. It’s also thin (0.59 inches) and light (2.82 pounds), by no means back-breaking. While the keyboard isn’t the best we’ve ever used due to the undersized keys, it’s totally fine for daily tasks. Read our full Asus ZenBook 14 OLED UM3402YA-KM452W review Acer Aspire Go 15 – Best budget option Pros Affordable Decent battery life Good display visibility Cons Cheap build Limited performance Price When Reviewed: 499 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Playox 458,00 € View Deal Easy Notebook 488,39 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who should buy the Acer Aspire Go 15? If you’re on a strict budget and need a straightforward laptop for note taking and running light coding software, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a fantastic choice. The Intel Core i3-N305 processor can easily run basic tasks like research, basic coding, and video streaming. You can also count on solid battery performance here, with up to 12 hours on a single charge. The port selection is pretty generous as well, offering USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI. Acer Aspire Go 15: Further considerations This Acer Aspire Go 15 laptop is made of all plastic, so it may feel a bit flimsy to some. There’s no backlit keyboard or fingerprint reader, either (if that matters to you). That said, for students doing just general coursework, this laptop will get the job done very affordably. Read our full Acer Aspire Go 15 AG15-31P-3957 review Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition – Best battery life Pros Over 24 hours of battery life (in our standard test) Solid build quality Snappy desktop performance 2-in-1 experience with pen Cons On the expensive side Lunar Lake’s low multithreaded performance is an issue for some workflows Price When Reviewed: 2.679 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Lenovo 2.679,00 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who should buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition? If you need a laptop that just won’t quit, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 is an excellent choice with its incredible battery life–PCWorld recorded up to 25 hours on a single charge. That means you can power through long study sessions without constantly searching for an outlet. Weighing just under three pounds, it’s actually pretty portable for a 2-in-1 device. The switch between laptop and tablet modes is truly seamless. This is great if you’re sketching out engineering diagrams or taking notes with the included Lenovo Yoga Pen. The keyboard is comfortable to use, and you’ve got the classic ThinkPad TrackPoint there if precision is your thing. The 14-inch 1920×1200 IPS touchscreen is also bright (500 nits) and has an anti-reflective coating, making it easy to see even when you’re outside in the elements. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition: Further considerations This laptop is a premium business machine and the price definitely reflects that ($2,336). But keep in mind that you’re paying for good build quality and a battery life that only a select few can match right now. Read our full Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition review Acer Nitro V 16 – Best for work and gaming on a budget Pros Solid performance Competitive price Dedicated button for quick performance mode switching Fast 165Hz display with good colors Cons Fully plastic build Mushy keyboard Weak battery life Price When Reviewed: 1199 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 999,99 € View Deal 1.299,00 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who should buy the Acer Nitro V 16? If you want something that can handle school and gaming without fuss, the Acer Nitro V 16 is a pretty sweet pick. It’s got a Ryzen 7 CPU and an RTX 4060 GPU, so most modern games run smooth on medium to high settings. Plus, if you’re into 3D modeling or any heavy graphics work, the GPU has got your back. The 16-inch 1920×1200 screen with a 165Hz refresh rate also makes faster paced games look super smooth too. Acer Nitro V 16: Further considerations Design-wise, it leans into a gamer aesthetic with its orange backlit keys and noticeable branding but it’s not overly flashy. Still, it might not suit everyone’s taste. As you might expect from a gaming rig, the battery life doesn’t last too long–around four hours on average. The keys also feel somewhat mushy. Read our full Acer Nitro V 16 ANV16-41-R961 review Microsoft Surface Pro (2025) – Best ultraportable Pros Compact and well-built Good office performance All Copilot Plus features available Good battery life Cons Narrow screen to work on No HDR support No charger included Price When Reviewed: 979 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €979 View Deal €1080 View Deal €1199 View Deal €908.24 View Deal 979,00 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who should buy the Microsoft Surface Pro (2025)? If you’re an engineering student with a jam-packed schedule, often needing to run from class to class, the Surface Pro 2025 is so lightweight (just a little over a pound) you’ll hardly notice its presence. Inside this laptop you’ll find a Snapdragon X Plus chip and Intel Arc 130V graphics, so you can expect it to deliver a quiet, fanless experience (perfect for working in libraries and lecture halls) and it should handle basic coding and homework just fine. The 12-inch 2196×1464 screen offers sharp colors and touchscreen capabilities, allowing you to draw and take notes with the (optical) Slim Pen. Microsoft Surface Pro (2025): Further considerations Though we really vibe with the high-resolution display, it’s a bit small if you’re the kind of person that has many windows open at once. Battery life is also all over the place, ranging from two to three hours under heavy loads to 19 hours with light usage. You’re also limited to just two USB-C ports, so you’ll probably want to pick up a dock or hub. Read our full Microsoft Surface Pro 2025 review Other notable laptops we’ve tested A few laptops just missed the top spots but are still worth checking out. The Dell 14 Premium ($2,049.99) looks great and handles everyday work like a champ, though the battery isn’t amazing and it’s missing some older ports you might need. The Lenovo Legion 5i 15IRX10 ($1,199) is a powerhouse for gaming with a gorgeous 15.1-inch 1600p OLED display and solid performance, but Lenovo’s pricing can be a little confusing. And, if you’re on a budget, the Asus Chromebook CX15 ($159) gets the job done for basic tasks and schoolwork, even if it’s not lightning fast. How we test laptops The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web-based tests. For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops . Why you should trust PCWorld for laptop reviews and buying advice It’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget. Who curated this article? Hi, I’m Ashley Biancuzzo , and I oversee all laptop and Chromebook coverage at PCWorld. While you’ll see me review Chromebooks on occasion, I’m also really into the broader world of consumer tech. I spend a lot of time writing and thinking about where laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term trends. When I’m not deep in the world of tech, you’ll probably find me gaming, getting lost in a good book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound, Allen. How to choose the best laptop for engineering students The following are important questions to ask before making a purchase. How much power do you need? You’ll need a good amount of power. Engineering classes usually have you running some pretty heavy stuff like CAD, MATLAB, SolidWorks, and simulations. That stuff can slow your laptop down if it’s not up to the task, especially if you’ve got a bunch of apps open. A Core i5 or Ryzen 5 will get you through most of it, but if you want things to run smoother, a Core i7 or Ryzen 7 is where it’s at (so long as your wallet agrees). Is RAM important? For sure. You’ll be using code editors, compilers, simulation tools, sometimes all at once. RAM keeps your laptop from freezing up when you’ve got a ton going on. 8GB might work if you’re just starting out, but 16GB is way better—especially later on when your classes get more intense. How much storage should you get? You’ll collect a ton of files–project folders, software installs, maybe some video editing or game dev work depending on your focus. We’d say go for at least 512GB SSD so you’re not constantly clearing space. If you can get 1TB, do it. It’s faster and gives you more breathing room for whatever your classes (or side hobbies) throw at you. FAQ 1. What is the best laptop for engineering students? If you’re an engineering student who needs something light, fast, and reliable for coding or writing papers (plus a great screen and battery), the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is a dang fine pick. 2. What is the best budget laptop for engineering students? If you’re on a tight budget and just need a no-fuss laptop for lighter coding programs, the Acer Aspire Go 15 gets the job done for under $500. 3. Is battery life important for engineering students? Heck yeah! Long battery life means you can power through those long nights at the school library. 4. What’s the ideal screen size for an engineering laptop? We’d say the best screen size is anywhere from 13- to 15-inches. It can’t be too cumbersome otherwise it’ll get too difficult to carry around. Related content PCWorld laptop reviews What’s new when shopping for a laptop in 2025? 8 things to keep in mind When PC vendors tell you what’s going on with tariffs, pay attention How to try a new laptop at home before you commit to buying it How to properly wipe your laptop data before getting rid of it 4 eco-friendly ways to get rid of a laptop Battery life on gaming laptops doesn’t have to suck anymore Best laptops for college students 2025: Top picks and expert advice Best gaming laptops under $1,000: Expert picks that won’t break the bank

Meta is re-training its AI so it won't discuss self-harm or have romantic conversations with teens

Meta is re-training its AI so it won't discuss self-harm or have romantic conversations with teens

Meta is re-training its AI and adding new protections to keep teen users from discussing harmful topics with the company's chatbots. The company says it's adding new "guardrails as an extra precaution" to prevent teens from discussing self harm, disordered eating and suicide with Meta AI. Meta will also stop teens from accessing user-generated chatbot characters that might engage in inappropriate conversations. The changes, which were first reported by TechCrunch , come after numerous reports have called attention to alarming interactions between Meta AI and teens. Earlier this month, Reuters reported on an internal Meta policy document that said the company's AI chatbots were permitted to have "sensual" conversations with underage users. Meta later said that language was "erroneous and inconsistent with our policies" and had been removed. Yesterday, The Washington Post reported on a study that found Meta AI was able to "coach teen accounts on suicide, self-harm and eating disorders." Meta is now stepping up its internal "guardrails" so those types of interactions should no longer be possible for teens on Instagram and Facebook. “We built protections for teens into our AI products from the start, including designing them to respond safely to prompts about self-harm, suicide, and disordered eating," Meta spokesperson Stephanie Otway told Engadget in a statement. "As our community grows and technology evolves, we’re continually learning about how young people may interact with these tools and strengthening our protections accordingly. As we continue to refine our systems, we’re adding more guardrails as an extra precaution — including training our AIs not to engage with teens on these topics, but to guide them to expert resources, and limiting teen access to a select group of AI characters for now." Notably, the new protections are described as being in place "for now," as Meta is apparently still working on more permanent measures to address growing concerns around teen safety and its AI. "These updates are already in progress, and we will continue to adapt our approach to help ensure teens have safe, age-appropriate experiences with AI,” Otway said. The new protections will be rolling out over the next few weeks and apply to all teen users using Meta AI in English-speaking countries. Meta's policies have also caught the attention of lawmakers and other officials, with Senator Josh Hawley recently telling the company he planned to launch an investigation over its handling of such interactions. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has also indicated he wants to investigate Meta for allegedly misleading children about mental health claims made by its chatbots. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-re-training-its-ai-so-it-wont-discuss-self-harm-or-have-romantic-conversations-with-teens-182418587.html?src=rss

IFA 2025: What to expect from Samsung, Acer, Lenovo and more

IFA 2025: What to expect from Samsung, Acer, Lenovo and more

IFA, Europe's answer to the CES, kicks off on September 5 in Berlin, Germany. The show likely won't be the biggest source of news in September — Apple's iPhone launch event is officially happening on September 9 — but it is usually home to its fair share of announcements. IFA 2024 featured new "AI PCs" from ASUS and Dell, including the first Inspiron laptop with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus chip. There were plenty of more unusual ideas, too: Honor used the show to introduce a laptop with a detachable webcam , for example. Based on the companies that are confirmed to have presence at the show, similar themes will be woven through IFA 2025. AI and features enabled by it will likely be everywhere, especially in home appliances. Laptops, whether they're running Intel's Panther Lake chips or something Arm-based, are sure to be in the mix. And smart glasses will likely continue to be a going concern. Below are the companies who are confirmed to be holding events at the show, and what we think they might announce. Samsung Samsung With the Galaxy S25, Galaxy Z foldables and Galaxy Watch 8 in the rear view, there aren't many personal electronics Samsung has left to announce this year. That could be why the company's IFA press conference seems focused on the smart home. Samsung's IFA presentation , dubbed "AI Home: Future Living, Now" is supposed to be focused on the company's home appliances. Specifically, Samsung says it will "highlight the transformative potential of AI in the home." Samsung already showed off how AI plays into its new Bespoke AI home appliances at CES 2025, so it's possible the company could have new additions to the lineup. It'll hopefully also share when its Ballie robot will be available for purchase. We also know for a fact that Samsung is hosting a virtual Unpacked event on September 4, which could point to some other products the company will show off at IFA 2025. All signs point to the next Unpacked being about tablets and midrange phones. Samsung is rumored to be announcing both the Galaxy Tab S11 and S11 Ultra, which will carry over the general look and feel of the company's past tablets with a few important tweaks, according to WinFuture . Besides battery improvements and Android 16, the biggest change Samsung is reportedly making is using a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chip in the tablets rather than its own Exynos models or something from Qualcomm. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is considered the top of the line, so opting for MediaTek could raise questions about performance, but we'll have to use the tablets to know for sure. Samsung is also rumored to be announcing the Galaxy S25 FE at the event. It becomes less clear by the year what "FE" or "Fan Edition" means, but the Galaxy S25 FE is expected to have some meaningful improvements over the Galaxy S24 FE. Alongside a Samsung-designed Exynos chip, the S25 FE is rumored to feature an improved 12MP selfie camera and a 4,900mAh battery with 45W charging, according to SamMobile . Acer Sam Rutherford for Engadget Like Samsung, Acer is hosting its own press conference at IFA 2025. The company's description of the event is frustratingly vague, but does suggest announcements focused on both productivity and gaming. At IFA 2024, Acer introduced multiple Copilot+PCs, including updates to the company's Swift and Aspire lines with the latest Intel Core Ultra chips and Windows AI features. Updates to both lineups seem highly likely at IFA 2025. Don't be surprised if Acer shows off some more concept devices, too. The company's Acer Project DualPlay , a laptop with a detachable game controller, was a big hit at last year's show, and something the company is bound to top. When it comes to handheld gaming PCs, Acer's detailed its plans to sell three different sizes of handheld , the Acer Nitro Blaze 11, Blaze 8 and Blaze 7, but yet to release them all globally. It might make sense to use IFA 2025 to finalize that and tease whatever it's working on next. Lenovo Sam Rutherford for Engadget When it comes to Lenovo, the company has a tried and true playbook for events like IFA. It demoes a slew of new laptops, updates its non-foldable Motorola phones and introduces one or two absolutely bizarre concept devices. The pattern seems like it'll repeat for IFA 2025 . If the stars of last year's show were a 16-inch Legion gaming laptop and an "Auto Twist" concept that swivels with a voice command, this year Lenovo's looking at a different kind of rotation. Leaker Evan Blass shared images at what looks like a new concept laptop with a display that can be rotated into portrait orientation. Blass also shared images of three new Moto phones, and two new Lenovo tablets. Lenovo has a habit of showing off concept devices at trade shows, some of which are precursors to shipping products -- a la the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 w/ rollable display -- while others will never see the light of day. At next week's IFA/Innovation Week, that concept will be a… pic.twitter.com/PMIJdowgHG — Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 28, 2025 Lenovo has a new handheld PC of its own to announce, too. The company released the Lenovo Legion Go S earlier this year, and now it's reportedly ready to announce the Lenovo Legion Go 2. The new handheld is rumored to feature a new AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, the same detachable, Switch-style controllers and more RAM. If Lenovo announces the handheld, it'll likely be the most powerful handheld gaming PC available for purchase, with a price tag to match. ...but most eyes will probably be on the second-generation Legion Go (whose doppelganger, the Steam-powered Legion Go S, was revealed earlier this year at MWC). pic.twitter.com/G03WzvODBj — Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 29, 2025 Hisense Hisense According to the event description for Hisense's IFA 2025 press conference , the company plans to "further upgrade its RGB-MiniLED TV with powerful hardware improvements and AI-driven software." Hisense introduced the 116-inch UX RGB-MiniLED TV back in July, what the company claims is the first mass-produced television with dedicated red, green and blue LEDs. The approach lets the TV reach a peak brightness of 8,000 nits, among other benefits. Detailing how much the TV will cost, and what kind of features its "Hi-View AI Engine X" chip will power makes sense. Don't be surprised if Hisense also takes time to talk about the even bigger 136-inch MX MicroLED TV it announced at CES 2025, too. Anker Valentina Palladino for Engadget With Google fully embracing Qi2 charging on its Pixel 10 phones , there's never been a better time for Anker to announce new Qi2 chargers. Given that the company's IFA press conference is supposed to feature "major product launches that bring intelligence into everyday life," it seems like AI features are a safe bet. That likely means Anker's Eufy or Soundcore brands could be the real focus. Maybe the company has new AI improvements for its Eufy robot vacuums, or audio improvements for its Soundcore headphones? We'll have to wait for IFA to start to find out. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ifa-2025-what-to-expect-from-samsung-acer-lenovo-and-more-181825489.html?src=rss