Canon Powershot V1 review: A powerful compact camera capable of capturing incredible video

After nearly disappearing as a category, compact cameras are making a comeback. Fujifilm’s X100 VI became a star on the photography side, thanks to its good looks and trendy film emulations. And DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 captivated content creators with its motorized subject tracking and a gimbal that smooths harsh camera moves.

Now, Canon has jumped back into compacts with the PowerShot V1, a vlogging-centric model that follows the six-year-old G7X Mark III. It’s designed to outshine rivals with a large 1.4-inch 22-megapixel sensor, and boasts other impressive features like optical stabilization and 4K supersampled video. At the same time, this camera is surprisingly solid when it comes to photography.

The V1’s 16-50mm lens is nice and wide but it’s slow compared to its main rival, Sony’s ZV-1 II. And where Fujifilm’s X100 VI is svelte and pretty, the PowerShot V1 is plain and a bit chonky. Still, none of that detracts from the fact that this is a powerful compact camera capable of capturing incredible video and images, especially in low light, and should suit many creators.

Design and handling

Instead of going retro like Fujifilm, Canon chose a more functional approach to the PowerShot V1’s design. It’s relatively thick at 2.1 inches, a bit bigger than the X100 VI if you don’t include the lens, but it’s slightly lighter at 15.03 oz with a battery. By comparison, Sony’s ZV-1 II is just 10.3 ounces and 1.84 inches thick.

The PowerShot V1 bears some resemblance to Canon's G7X III that has become massively popular of late, but is thicker due to the built-in fan and power zoom lever. Unlike the G7X III, the V1 lacks a popup flash unfortunately, but does have a hotshoe for external flashes. Canon also moved the record button from the back to a more practical position on top.

The grip is small, but the rubberized surface makes it easy to hold, especially when vlogging. Controls are sufficient for a compact, but I’d prefer at least one dial on the top to change settings. It would also be nice if the camera was a bit more pocketable like Sony’s ZV-1 II. The buttons and dials are responsive, but they do feel a bit cheap next to Canon’s mirrorless models. In short, the PowerShot V1 offers solid handling but isn’t a looker like Fuji’s offerings.

Steve Dent for Engadget

Another nice change is a new fully articulating screen, replacing the previous model’s pop-up display. That makes vlogging and photography easier, as you can see the screen when holding the camera high, low or toward you. My only complaint is that it’s a bit too dim when used in bright sunlight. And you can’t just look through the electronic viewfinder to get a clearer view, because there isn’t one on the PowerShot V1.

This camera has decent battery life for a compact at 400 shots or about 75 minutes of 4K 30p shooting on a charge. Other notable features include mic and headphone inputs along with a microHDMI and USB-C (charging and data transfer) ports, plus a single SD UHS-II card slot.

Vlogging and content creation

The ‘V’ in PowerShot V1 stands for vlogging, so let’s talk about that next. To best serve in that capacity, it uses a wide 16-50mm equivalent lens so you can always fit your face into the frame, even in cropped mode. However, that zoom range can also be limiting for capturing closeups or B-roll.

Video specs are top-notch for a compact, with sharp, supersampled 4K 30p video that uses the full sensor width or 4K 60p video with a 1.4x crop. On top of that, you can capture 10-bit video when using Canon’s C-Log 3 or HDR formats.That’s better than Sony’s ZV-1 II, which only offers 4K 30p and S-Log video with no 10-bit option. However, DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 surpasses both models with uncropped 4K at up to 120 fps, while also offering 10-bit D-LogM or HDR video.

With its large sensor, the PowerShot V1 offers sharp video and accurate, natural color rendering with Canon’s usual excellence in skin tones. Shooting in C-Log3 10-bit boosts dynamic range considerably in sunny or contrasty scenes, while giving you more latitude to adjust video in post. And when you need to shoot indoors or at night, the camera outperforms compact rivals, displaying lower noise at high ISO settings.

Steve Dent for Engadget

The disadvantage of a larger sensor is that rolling shutter that can warp video is more pronounced than on Sony’s 1-inch ZV-1 II at the 4K 30p setting. If that’s a concern, the cropped 4K 60p setting reduces the problem since it samples a smaller portion of the sensor.

Overheating isn’t an issue with this camera either, thanks to the built-in fan. I never saw any sign of a heat-related shutdown when using the PowerShot V1 with the temperature threshold setting at “high.”

Autofocus is a crucial feature for vlogging and the PowerShot V1 competes well against Sony’s ZV-1 II, thanks to its upgraded processor. It stays locked even on fast-moving subjects and the eye- and face-detection, along with subject detection for animals and vehicles, all work well.

Where the ZV-1 II only offers electronic video stabilization, the PowerShot V1 marries 5-stop optical stabilization with electronic stabilization. That means you can shoot smooth handheld video without any impact on image quality, or enable e-stabilization for walking or other challenging scenarios. However, neither camera holds a candle in that regard to DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3, which has a built-in 3-axis gimbal.

Audio is also a plus on the PowerShot V1, as it offers both mic and headphone jacks, while the ZV-1 II lacks a headphone port. Canon’s model also has a decent built-in stereo mic and comes with a hotshoe-attached wind muff.

Photography

Steve Dent for Engadget

Despite the vlogging emphasis, the PowerShot V1 is highly capable for photos as well. In fact, it excels in both image quality and speed thanks to the unique 22.4MP, 1.4-inch sensor and Canon’s latest Digic X image processor to power autofocus and AI functions.

You can fire off bursts at up to 30 fps in electronic mode, and a very rapid 15 fps with the mechanical shutter (and yes, it has a mechanical shutter which is rare for a compact). That makes it one of the fastest compacts available. By comparison, the X100 VI can hit 25 fps speeds while the ZV-1 II is limited to 15 fps speeds. The Osmo Pocket 3, meanwhile, can take photos but is really designed almost exclusively for video.

The PowerShot V1’s high speeds are backed up by Canon’s Dual Pixel II focus system that delivers sharp photos the majority of the time, powered by the company’s latest AI tech for face- and eye-detection. As with other recent models, the camera also offers AI subject detection for animals, vehicles, airplanes and more.

The PowerShot V1 trumps Sony’s ZV-1 II with its built-in 5-stop optical stabilization to reduce blur. That enabled me to take shots down to an eighth, and sometimes even a quarter of a second, to blur backgrounds while keeping the foreground sharp.

The trouble with most compact cameras is that they can take nice photos in well-lit conditions but start to fall down in low light. That’s not the case with the PowerShot V1. The larger 1.4-inch sensor is very close in size to Micro Four Thirds, so it delivers clean images up to ISO 6400, with manageable noise even as high as ISO 12800.

The beauty of Canon cameras is that you get great-looking images straight out of the camera with no fuss, particularly with skin tones — a great boon for beginners. JPEG images have a good balance of sharpening and noise reduction, while RAW photos boost dynamic range in tricky shooting conditions and give you more room to play around when editing in Lightroom.

Wrap-up

Steve Dent for Engadget

I can see what Canon was going for with the $900 PowerShot V1. It effectively beats out its main compact vlogging rival, Sony’s ZV-1 II, by offering a larger sensor, optical stabilization and more video options for around the same price. And it appeals to hybrid shooters more than DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 as it can better handle photography chores while also capturing higher-quality video.

The problem is that it’s still primarily a vlogging camera and a lot of content creators have abandoned this type of compact model in favor of the Osmo Pocket 3. That’s because the Pocket 3 offers unique features like motorized camera tracking and a superior three-axis gimbal. It also pairs with DJI’s popular Mic 2 and Mic mini wireless microphones, which is another big advantage. At the same time, the PowerShot V1 has a pretty basic design, so it may not appeal to buyers looking for something prettier like the X100 VI.

At the end of the day, the PowerShot V1 is bound to be a hit because it delivers when it comes to video and photo quality — especially given the current popularity of the now-ancient G7X III. In fact, I’d recommend it over Sony’s ZV-1 II, particularly if you’re looking for a hybrid camera that pulls double duty.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/canon-powershot-v1-review-a-powerful-compact-camera-capable-of-capturing-incredible-video-163009584.html?src=rss

The 14 best gifts for moms

We don’t speak for all moms, but a brief and unscientific survey has confirmed one gift most moms will love across the board: Time. Unspoken for, unstructured, zero-obligation time. While we couldn’t find extra hours on sale anywhere online, we did find some gadgets and gizmos that help save time and others that make precious down time more enjoyable. Our recommendations include some of the gifts we’ve given to the moms in our own lives as well as what the moms on staff would want for themselves. Most have a tech bent, because we are who we are, but all should appeal to any mom who wants to make the most of their time.

Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-gifts-for-moms-130044386.html?src=rss

Nintendo Switch update adds Virtual Game Cards and Switch 2 cloud transfer support

Those who have been fortunate enough to lock in a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order will surely be counting down the days until the console arrives on June 5. Nintendo is laying the groundwork for its upcoming system with an update for the original Switch that adds support for a few key features.

One that you can start using right now is the Virtual Game Cards function. This lets you lend digital games to friends and family members who are on the same Nintendo Family Account. Nintendo says the aim here is to make it as easy to share digital games with your loved ones as letting them borrow a physical game card. A key catch here is that you need to connect to another Switch system locally to borrow a game. The Switch 2 will support this feature as well.

Next up, Nintendo has enabled cloud transfers for those who are moving to the Switch 2. Once you've updated your Switch software to version 20.0.0, in the System section of the settings, you should see a “System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2” option. This will let you transfer all your data to a Switch 2 locally once you have the latest console in your possession.

There's also the ability to send all of your transfer data to the cloud now. That could come in useful for you're planning to sell your Nintendo Switch to help fund a purchase of a new system. You'd be able to do that immediately to help you prepare to buy your Switch 2. The main downside is that uploading transfer data to the cloud will reset the Switch to its factory settings, so maybe don't do that just yet if you're still planning to play it for the next month (or until you get your Switch 2).

Nintendo will store the data on its servers for one year. You can either complete the transfer to a Switch 2 in that time or cancel it and download the data back onto a Switch.

The latest Switch system update adds support for one other key feature. It's called GameShare, and it enables local wireless multiplayer across several Switch systems. Only one person needs to own a copy of a compatible game to do this. You can't do anything with GameShare yet, however. You'll only be able to share games from a Switch 2, but you'll be able to do so to Switch, Switch Lite and other Switch 2 units.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-update-adds-virtual-game-cards-and-switch-2-cloud-transfer-support-160057826.html?src=rss

Snap is seemingly rethinking that 'simplified' app

A Snapchat redesign test appears to have stalled after power users seemingly disliked the "simplified" layout.

The new version of Snapchat intended "to help new and casual users" navigate the app, according to Snap’s Q1 investor letter, released on April 29. As reported by TechCrunch, the overhauled app removed the Snap Map and Stories tabs. A proposed new three-tab navigation bar focused on chat, the camera and Spotlight (Snapchat’s answer to TikTok.) The report doesn’t specify how long the testing phase went on for or how widespread it was.

For now at least, Snap is seemingly reconsidering. "Our most engaged Snapchatters consistently demonstrated a preference for a five-tab layout," the company wrote in that same investor letter. While it does not specifically say it's ending tests of the simplified version, Snap notes it has "begun testing a refined five-tab interface that combines the best of both approaches." Engadget reached out to Snap for comment on if this layout is no longer being deployed to users. We’ll update this article if we receive a response.

Snap has a pretty rough track record where redesigns are concerned. In 2017 the company tried to reorient its flagship app around separating friend-related posts from media content; in the year that followed, Snapchat lost three million daily users in the space of three months. At that time there were also well-documented issues with the Android version of the app.

The latest earnings report revealed that Snap lost one million users in North America in Q1, down to 99 million from 100 million in the previous quarter. Despite this, the global Snapchat community grew to 460 million in Q1, an increase of 7 million daily active users quarter-over-quarter.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/snap-is-seemingly-rethinking-that-simplified-app-154628101.html?src=rss

Our favorite budget earbuds are back on sale for $45

The Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds are on sale for just $45 via Amazon. This represents a discount of 44 percent, as the typical price is $80. This particular deal only applies to the blue and white models, but other colors are on sale for $50. Also, the sale only works for Prime members, but there’s a similar deal straight from the company.

These topped our list of the best budget wireless earbuds. The built-in ANC is actually very good, especially when compared to other budget-friendly earbuds. We also enjoyed the sound, which we found to be pleasant and warm. There’s multi-device connectivity and wireless charging support.

The fit is comfortable, which isn’t always the case with earbuds, and the battery life is decent. We got around eight hours per charge in our testing, though the included charging case supplies 40 hours or so. The IPX4 water resistance rating is average, but does let the earbuds survive light rain and sweat.

The mic quality is fine, but doesn’t handle sibilant sounds too well and can lose your voice in noisy areas. In other words, these aren’t the best earbuds for phone calls, though they work in a pinch. They also don’t have an auto-pause feature.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-budget-earbuds-are-back-on-sale-for-45-152016314.html?src=rss

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders latest updates: Console remains sold out at GameStop, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others

While Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are technically open, you may have a tough time grabbing the new console before it's June 5 release date if you haven't secured one already. After an extended delay from the device's original April 9 pre-order date, Nintendo finally opened up pre-orders in the US and Canada on April 24. A couple of (technically messy) hours later, stock at third-party retailers such as Walmart, Target and Best Buy promptly sold out. GameStop opened up its pre-orders later that morning and quickly met the same fate, later confirming that its online stock had dried up as well. 

Some users were reportedly able to pre-order through Walmart as recently as Saturday, April 26, but as of our most recent update, the retailer has taken down one of its Switch 2 pages entirely. Another listing is still live but out of stock. As we write this, none of the other aforementioned retailers are accepting pre-orders either.

We'll update this post if that changes, but right now the only other retailer confirmed to accept pre-orders is Nintendo itself. That said, the console maker will only offer the Switch 2 through an invite system, for which it began accepting registrations on April 2. The first wave of those invites will go out on May 8, though the company updated its pre-order page last week to say that some people may not receive their pre-order email until after the June 5 launch date. 

How to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2

As noted above, third-party retailers like Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and Target opened their pre-orders on April 24 as scheduled. Best Buy's, Walmart's and Target's pre-orders opened at midnight, while GameStop's in-person and online pre-orders started at 11am ET. However, all of those retailers have either sold out of their stock or currently list the console as "coming soon." 

We expect the Switch 2 to be available from Amazon some time in the future, but links are not live on that site yet, and there's been no indication as to when that might change. Other membership-based retailers like Costco and Sam's Club have posted Switch 2 listings as well, though it doesn't appear as if those stores will accept pre-orders. Newegg has also added a Switch 2 page but isn't offering an option to buy just yet.

At this point, we recommend signing up via Nintendo's website if you haven't already. It's free to register and you'll eventually get an email that will allow you to order the console, even if you have to wait until after the June 5 launch day. However, Nintendo says it will prioritize invites "on a first-come, first-served basis" to those who've paid for its Switch Online service for at least 12 months and logged at least 50 hours of total Switch gameplay time. (You'll also need to have opted into sharing gameplay data with Nintendo, which you can confirm in your account's privacy settings.) So if you're just registering with Nintendo today, don't be surprised if your invite doesn't arrive until some time after the initial May 8 batch. 

In any event, if you're desperate to catch a restock, it's a good idea to create accounts with each of the retailers above and ensure all of your shipping and billing info is correct. Downloading each store's mobile app and signing up for notifications may help too, though that could get annoying fairly quickly. We'll continue to update this post as time goes on with the latest Switch 2 pre-order information.

Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2

Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle

*As of 11:00am ET on Wednesday, April 30, Amazon has not listed either Switch 2 console package for sale. We will update this article with direct links if they arrive; until then, we're linking to the site's Nintendo-focused hub.

How to pre-order Switch 2 accessories and games

Naturally, the Switch 2 has a number of accessories and new games that you can buy separately. While Nintendo didn't adjusted the console's pricing when announcing its new pre-order date, it did raise the cost of several accessories. The new Switch 2 camera, for one, now costs $55 instead of its original $50; the new Switch 2 Pro Controller costs $85 instead of $80; an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers will set you back $95 instead of $90, while the official Joy-Con Charging Grip is going for $40 instead of $35. You can check out Nintendo's official statement from April 18 for all of the accessory price adjustments. 

Broadly speaking, most of these accessories are still up for grabs at one or two retailers as of our latest update, but stock has become spottier since the initial pre-order date. Upcoming first-party games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, meanwhile, remain widely available.

Mario Kart World for $80

Donkey Kong Bananza for $70

Samsung microSD Express Card – 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2 for $60

Joy-Con 2 bundle for $95

Switch 2 Pro Controller for $85

Switch 2 camera for $55

Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera for $60

Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip for $40

Joy-Con 2 Wheels (set of 2) for $25

Switch 2 all-in-one carrying case for $85

*As of 11:00am ET on Wednesday, April 30, Amazon has not listed any first-party Switch 2 accessories or games for sale. We will update this article with direct links if they arrive; until then, we're linking to the site's Nintendo-focused hub.

More Switch 2 details

We knew from the teaser trailer for the Switch 2 that Nintendo's new hardware would be bigger and would have a new approach to the detachable Joy-Cons. The new Joy-Con 2 have a new C button, mouse controls and a built-in gyroscope for tilt control. The console has a built-in mic to support a new feature called GameChat that will let you communicate with friends in-game. The device is indeed a bit larger, with a 7.9-inch LCD screen that supports a 120Hz refresh rate (with VRR), HDR10 and a 1080p resolution.

When docked, you'll be able to play at up to 4K on your TV, and Nintendo says it improved the consoles internal speakers as well. The new dock also has a built-in fan to keep the console cool and help maintain performance during long play sessions. The Switch 2 has dual USB-C ports for charging, and the base storage amount has increased to 256GB. The Switch 2's storage can be expanded like the previous model, but it'll only work with newer microSD Express cards. As seen in the recent 20.0.0 update to the original Switch, the upcoming console will also utilize Nintendo's new Virtual Game Card system for lending digital games across systems, as well as a GameShare feature that lets you share select titles locally with just one copy of a game.

Tariffs and the Nintendo Switch 2

During its most recent Direct presentation at the start of April, Nintendo showed off more of the Switch 2 than it ever had before. That included the reveal of the April 9 pre-order opening date, in addition to the original $450 starting price. Shortly after, President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on China and other countries, prompting Nintendo to delay pre-orders in the US and Canada.

In a reversal, President Trump later announced a 90-day pause on steep tariffs affecting 75 countries, but also announced that the tariff imposed on China will go up even further (right now, it sits at 145 percent).

We now know that the original $450 price for the Switch 2 will remain the same in the US and Canada, but based on its official statement, it appears Nintendo is leaving the door open for potential future price increases.

We also know that Nintendo started moving some of its Switch console manufacturing to Vietnam in 2019. The increased tariff for Vietnam was set to be 46 percent, but that appears to be on hold for now in favor of a 10 percent tariff that’s now in effect for the 90-day pause period.

It has been speculated that Nintendo will boost production of Switch 2 consoles in Vietnam so it can stay on schedule, even if it sells the console at a loss in the short term. It appears the company will have to seriously ramp up production to keep up with Switch 2 demand: according to Nintendo, 2.2 million people entered the pre-order lottery in Japan alone, which is far more devices than it is expected to deliver in that region on launch day.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-pre-orders-latest-updates-console-remains-sold-out-at-gamestop-walmart-target-best-buy-and-others-140931858.html?src=rss

Apple's new iPad A16 is down to its best price yet

Those looking to upgrade from an aging tablet to a new iPad could do much worse than the new iPad A16. We already consider it the best budget iPad at its standard going rate, but currently it's on sale for $299 at Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. That's the lowest price we've tracked and $50 off Apple's MSRP. Note that this deal applies to the entry-level configuration, which includes 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM, and covers all four of the device's color options.

Apple released the iPad A16 back in March, and we've since named it the budget pick in our iPad buying guide. It's not quite as refined or powerful as the iPad Air, as it's a bit slower for more involved tasks, and its non-laminated display has a harder time fending off glare. That said, it costs significantly less, and it's still more than enough tablet for the things most people do with an iPad. We gave it a score of 84 in our review.

Apple didn't increase the price of this latest base iPad compared to the previous model, but it added 2GB of RAM, doubled the storage space and slotted in a more powerful chipset that's fast enough for most common tasks, including moderate gaming and lighter media editing. However, the iPad doesn't support Apple Intelligence — which may be a positive or negative, depending on your feelings about generative AI.

The build quality is still as solid as ever, while the battery lasts around 10 hours on a charge, depending on the tasks you carry out with it. On the downside, the accessory situation isn't ideal. It only supports the more basic USB-C and first-gen Apple Pencils, neither of which can charge wirelessly when you magnetically attach them to the tablet's side — instead, you'll need a USB-C cable and/or USB-C to Lightning adapter to juice those up. The Magic Keyboard support isn't great either, as the model that works with this base iPad is tough to stabilize on your lap.

Still, if the accessory fussiness doesn't bother you, this might be the right iPad for your needs. Sure, the iPad Air and Pro lineups have more powerful chipsets, but if all you're looking for is an iPad to watch some movies on while you're flying or to read the news without breaking the bank, this should be the way to go.

Check out our coverage of the best Apple 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/deals/apples-new-ipad-a16-is-down-to-its-best-price-yet-143619949.html?src=rss

Spotify lets EA Sports FC players stream music during gameplay

Spotify is getting into gameplay — kind of — through a partnership with EA Sports. The music streaming platform has teamed up with the sports video game maker to give users integrated streaming access while playing EA Sports FC 25

This partnership should allow players on the PS5 and Xbox Series X or S to access Spotify music, podcasts and audiobooks. The only catch? It's currently a pilot program and only available to users in Australia and Saudi Arabia. Oh and it's exclusive to Spotify Premium subscribers. 

Applicable players will see a new Spotify tab in the main menu section and can log into their accounts there. They can then access Spotify from the set-up or pause menus — so they will have to interrupt gameplay to choose a song. The latter is also where gamers can skip or pick a new track. These tracks will show up as a small icon at the top of the screen. 

Players can opt out of the game's default audio in favor of their Spotify playlist. However, Spotify cautions that "certain music" won't be available right now. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotify-lets-ea-sports-fc-players-stream-music-during-gameplay-140733183.html?src=rss

The upcoming Sea of Stars expansion Throes of the Watchmaker arrives on May 20

The free story DLC for Sea of Stars, the excellent Chrono Trigger-inspired indie RPG, will be available to download starting May 20. You might fear that a free expansion is going to be light on content, but the new Throes of the Watchmaker quest clocks in at eight hours. It’s a substantial add-on for those who have rolled credits on the main campaign, which you’ll need to do before the quest unlocks.

The DLC reunites the main game’s protagonists Zale and Valere, who journey into a miniature clockwork world designed by the titular Watchmaker. His magical invention is threatened by an ominous cursed carnival, and it’s up to the now experienced Solstice Warriors to save the day.

As well as a brand new area to explore, the expansion introduces a new playable character in Artificer, a laser-wielding robotic sharpshooter who joins the party on their quest to save the land of Horloge. And to really drive home the circus theme of the piece, Zale swaps his sword for juggling balls, while Valere becomes an acrobat. There are new combat abilities and combos to master for each character, tied together by a progression loop that is separate from the main game.

Sea of Stars composer Eric W. Brown returns for the DLC with an all-new score that includes additional original songs from co-composer Yasunori Mitsuda of Chrono Trigger fame.

Sea of Stars made a huge splash when it arrived back in August 2023. Heavily inspired by SNES-era RPGs, it cleverly takes the best bits of the genre — gorgeous pixel art, a proper overworld map, memorable music — while doing away with the more controversial ‘90s tropes, like grinding and random battles. The turn-based combat system incorporates Mario & Luigi-style timed button inputs, and allows you to reduce the damage received from incoming attacks by breaking “locks” with specific attacks of your own.

Throes of the Watchmaker is the second Sea of Stars DLC add-on, following the (also free) Dawn of Equinox update, which added local co-op and combat refinements. The full game is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, and costs $35.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-upcoming-sea-of-stars-expansion-throes-of-the-watchmaker-arrives-on-may-20-140025090.html?src=rss

Trump temporarily eases car tariffs following automaker complaints

US automakers will get some relief from US President Donald Trump's tariffs, according to a new White House fact sheet. Prior to his new executive order, manufacturers had to pay a 25 percent tariff on any parts used in any US-assembled vehicles. Now, they'll be able to deduct up to an amount equal to 3.75 percent of the price of a new US made car until April 30, 2026, and 2.5 percent until April 30, 2027. In addition, automakers will only be required to pay tariffs on steel or auto parts (not both as before), depending on which is higher. 

The new rules reportedly came at the request of manufacturers, who said they need time to move parts production to the US. "We just wanted to help them during this little transition, short term. We didn’t want to penalize them," Trump told reporters. 

The 3.75 percent figures was reached by multiplying 15 percent of imported parts that make up a vehicle's sale price by the current 25 percent import tax. So if a $40,000 car had $6,000 or 15 percent of imported parts, the manufacturer would effectively pay no tariffs, but any higher percentage of foreign parts would result in some tariff being paid. The White House said the rebates wouldn't cost taxpayers anything since they'd come out of tariffs collected.

The White House pointed out that the US trade deficit on auto parts was $93.5 billion in 2024. A large chunk of those ($19.5 billion worth) came from Canada, and large numbers of US vehicles are also built in that country. However, the reason that US automakers manufacture cars and car parts in Canada is because it's cheaper, largely because of the high cost of employee healthcare in the US. So, even if automakers manufacture more parts in the US, car prices are still likely to go up. 

The average price for a new vehicle in the US was $47,462 last month, according to The Associated Press. One noted analyst predicted that the original 25 percent tariffs could add $4,711 to the cost of a vehicle, while also boosting the cost of ownership and maintenance. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/trump-temporarily-eases-car-tariffs-following-automaker-complaints-130011086.html?src=rss