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The Federal Trade Commission has given up on trying to stop Meta from purchasing VR company Within. According to Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, the agency has voted to drop its administrative case against the company a few weeks after a federal court denied its request for a preliminary injunction to block the acquisition. 

The FTC originally filed antitrust lawsuits in federal court and its in-house court last year in an effort to prevent Meta from snapping up the company that developed the virtual reality workout app Supernatural. At the time, the commission accused Meta of "trying to buy its way to the top... instead of earning it on the merits." It said the company had the resources to enter "the VR fitness market by building its own app" and doing so would increase consumer choice and innovation. By buying Within, the FTC alleged Meta would stifle "future innovation and competitive rivalry."

US District Judge Edward Davila, who oversaw the federal case, ruled in favor of Meta. While he reportedly agreed that mergers that could potentially harm competition in the future should be blocked, he decided that the FTC failed to offer sufficient evidence showing how the Within acquisition would be detrimental to the market. He also said that while Meta has vast resources, it "did not have the available feasible means to enter the relevant market other than by acquisition."

Technically, Davila's ruling didn't have a direct effect on the administrative case. As The Journal notes, though, antitrust officials have previously dropped administrative lawsuits if the federal court denies an injunction. Now Meta can rest assured that when it completed its acquisition of Within on February 8th, the deal was truly final. 

"We’re excited that the Within team has joined Meta, and we’re eager to partner with this talented group in bringing the future of VR fitness to life,” a Meta spokesperson told Engadget.  

The FTC's withdrawal represents one of its most pertinent losses under the leadership of Lina Khan, who's known to be a prominent critic of Big Tech and a leading antitrust scholar. In December, the agency took on an even bigger challenge than this one when it filed an antitrust complaint to block Microsoft's planned $68.7 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard. "Microsoft would have both the means and motive to harm competition by manipulating Activision’s pricing, degrading Activision’s game quality or player experience on rival consoles and gaming services, changing the terms and timing of access to Activision’s content, or withholding content from competitors entirely, resulting in harm to consumers," the FTC said.

Just ahead of Mobile World Congress, HMD Global has announced a trio of Nokia phones, including the first one it built specifically with repairability in mind. The company has teamed up with iFixit to offer official repair guides and parts to help people fix issues such as a busted display, kaput battery or wonky charging port on the G22.

The device has a plastic rear casing made entirely of recycled materials, and comes with the promise of two years of Android updates, three years of security patches and a three-year warranty. The G22 is very much an entry-level phone — it has a Unisoc T606 CPU and tops out at 128GB of internal storage (though that's expandable via microSD). It has a 6.5-inch HD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. There's a 50MP camera, 2MP depth camera and 2MP macro sensor. The device supports 20W fast charging, though it runs on Android 12 rather than the latest OS.

HMD Global

The G22 embodies the drive HMD has been making to become more environmentally friendly. With other manufacturers such as Apple, Google and Samsung offering official repair guides and parts so consumers can resolve issues by themselves, it makes sense that smaller brands would do the same.

You'll be able to pick up a G22 in gray or blue starting on March 8th. It starts at £150 ($179) or you can snag one through HMD's Circular subscription service. To fix certain issues, you can snap up a Fit Kit (i.e., the tools) from iFixit for £5. A replacement battery will cost £23, a display £45 and a charging port £19.

HMD also announced the Nokia C32, an Android 13 phone with "stellar imaging algorithms" and a 50MP main camera. The company says it offers the best image quality of any C-series device to date. The C32 has an octa-core, 1.6Ghz CPU, up to 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage. There's a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a notch for the 8MP selfie camera. The £130 ($155) device will be available in charcoal, green and pink, and it will land in the UK this spring.

HMD Global

In addition, there's the Nokia C22. Like the other new models, it has IP52 splash and dust protection, a microSD slot and (HMD claims) a battery that can run for up to three days on a single charge. The C22 has a dual 13MP camera and a rugged metal chassis, along with Android 13, a 6.5-inch display and an octa-core, 1.6Ghz CPU. Internal storage tops out at 64GB. Again, this is a budget-friendly phone — it starts at £110 ($131). It comes in black and sand colorways and it will be available in the spring.

On top of all that, HMD wants to bring manufacturing to Europe. "In the first stage of this journey, the company is developing capabilities and processes to bring 5G Nokia device production to Europe in 2023," it said in a press release. The fact that the European Union is aiming to manufacture more chips in the region rather than relying on parts from Asia could make HMD's plan more viable. Making phones in Europe primarily for a European market falls in with HMD's environmentally friendly mission too.

Apple originally released its third-gen AirPods in 2021 for $179, but their retail price has since gone down by $10. Now, you can get a pair of the wireless earbuds for even less, since they're currently on sale at Amazon for $150, or $19 cheaper than their usual price these days. The tech giant completely redesigned the AirPods for the third-generation model, giving them a new look with reduced weight, a more tapered silhouette and a shorter stem than their predecessors. While they still don't have the Pro's silicone eartips, we found them more comfortable to wear than the older models. 

The earbuds come with Apple's redesigned in-ear detection system and use an optical sensor to detect whether you're truly wearing them. Since they're equipped with Apple's H1 chip, they're easy to pair with the company's devices and they have access to always-on, hands-free Siri. When we tested them out, we found their audio quality to be superior to older models', thanks to Apple pairing a custom driver with a high-dynamic-range amplifier for "rich consistent bass" and "crisp, clean" highs. The model is capable of dynamic head tracking, as well, and the sounds it generates are bigger and more immersive.

If you are looking for something even more affordable, though, Apple's second-gen AirPods are also currently on sale for $99 or $60 less than their usual price. They're not quite as advanced as their third-gen sibling, but they still come with improvements over the first AirPods and feature in-ear detection and automatic device switching.

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Nintendo has decided not to take part in this year's E3. "We approach our involvement in any event on a case-by-case basis and are always considering various ways to engage with our fans," Nintendo told Engadget in a statement. "Since this year’s E3 show didn’t fit into our plans, we have made the decision to not participate. However, we have been and continue to be a strong supporter of the ESA [Entertainment Software Association] and E3.”

Nintendo typically has a presence on the E3 showfloor and it has often run Treehouse broadcasts throughout the event in addition to a Direct. The company took part in the last proper edition of E3 in 2019, as well as the all-digital affair in 2021. There was no E3 in 2020 or 2022.

Earlier this month, IGN reported that Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony have all bowed out of E3 this year. Sony hasn't had a presence at the event since 2018, but neither it nor Microsoft have publicly confirmed plans for this year's edition. Regardless, Microsoft will host its big annual showcase in Los Angeles this summer. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer recently hinted it will take place around the same time as E3, which will run between June 13th and 16th.

There could always be a Nintendo Direct in mid-June as well, even if it's not officially connected to the expo. Meanwhile, word on the street is that PlayStation is planning a major showcase ahead of E3 after this week's so-so State of Play stream.

The absence of just one of the big three console manufacturers from E3 is a blow for the ESA, let alone all of them. Summer Game Fest is threatening to steal more of the stalwart event's thunder too. But hey, at least Ubisoft will be at E3.

Researchers are still discovering more about the Earth's center. A team at Australian National University (ANU) has found evidence of a new layer to the planet sitting within the inner core. This "innermost inner core" is an iron-nickel alloy ball that, as professor Hrvoje Tkalčić explains, is a "fossilized record" of Earth's ancient history. Until now, science had only recognized four layers (crust, mantle, outer core and inner core).

The scientists found the 'hidden' core by studying seismic waves that traveled back and forth across the Earth's entire diameter up to five times — previous studies only looked at single bounces. The earthquake waves probed places near the center at angles that suggested a different crystalline structure inside the innermost layer. Effectively, the alloy is skewing the travel times for the waves as they pass through.

The findings open up new ways to investigate the inner core, according to lead author Thanh-Son Phạm. ANU also believes the innermost inner core hints at a major event in Earth's past that had a "significant" impact on the planet's heart. As researchers explain to The Washington Post, it could also help explain the formation of the Earth's magnetic field. The field plays a major role in supporting life as it shields the Earth from harmful radiation and keeps water from drifting into space.

Those insights may help with studies of other worlds. Mars is believed to be a barren planet because it lost its magnetic field roughly four billion years ago, leaving no protection against solar winds and dust storms that carried away the atmosphere and oceans. Exoplanet hunters, meanwhile, could use the knowledge to search for habitable worlds. The presence of an Earth-like core structure isn't guaranteed to indicate survivability, but may play a role in narrowing down candidate planets.

It's a bit of a slow week for tech deals, but we've still found a handful of good prices on gadgets and gear we like. For instance, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5, our preferred smartwatch for Android users, is down to a new low of $220, while Apple's iPad Air is $99 off its MSRP at $500. Sony is running a sale on PS5 and PS4 exclusive games, and a handful of recommended SSDs and microSD cards are down to their best prices to date. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

The 40mm version of Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 is on sale for $220, which is only about $10 to $15 less than its typical street price in recent months but still represents an all-time low. We gave the Galaxy Watch 5 a review score of 85 last year, and it's currently the "best for Android users" pick in our guide to the best smartwatches. Its battery life could be better, but we dig its durable, minimalist design, crisp display and capable health tracking. Samsung's One UI interface is easy enough to navigate as well, and the company says it'll support the watch with software updates through 2026.

PlayStation 5 first-party game sale

Sony has kicked off a sale on several of its own PS5 and PS4 games. The discounts are available at multiple retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy and Sony's PlayStation Direct shop. Among the highlights, the racing sim Gran Turismo 7 is down to $40, which is $5 above its all-time low but still a $30 discount for those looking to try out its new AI opponents or VR support. (The PS4 version is down to $30.) The PS5 remake of The Last of Us is $20 off for those enjoying its TV adaptation, while both the original PS4 remaster and the brutal sequel are available for $10.

Beyond that, the lush open-world game Horizon Forbidden West is down to a low of $40 (or $30 for the PS4 copy, which includes a free PS5 upgrade). The friendly action game Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, the haunting roguelike Returnal and the remade PS3 classic Demon's Souls are each $30; Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales and the remastered dual pack Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection are down to $20; and both God of War and the idiosyncratic Death Stranding are available for $10. There are more deals apart from those, but either way Sony says this sale will run through March 5.

Anker 715 Charger

Anker's 715 Charger is a 65W USB-C charger with a highly compact design that should be suitable for travel. It only has one port, but it has enough power to charge most phones, tablets and even some laptops at their maximum rate. The device is back down to $35 at Amazon, which is a price we've seen a few times before but still comes in $15 below the charger's typical going rate. This deal is also available at Anker's online store, but you'll need to use the code WS7DOOUANO at checkout there.

Samsung Evo Select microSD card

Samsung's Evo Select is a U3-, V30-rated microSD card that should be more than fast enough for 4K video on a GoPro or game storage on a Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck. It's also backed by a 10-year limited warranty. The 128GB and 512GB versions of the card are still available for $13.49 and $45, respectively, both of which match the lowest prices we've tracked. 

Samsung 980 Pro SSD

In other Samsung storage deals, the 1TB version of company's 980 Pro SSD is available for an all-time low of $100. That's about $20 below the drive's average going rate in recent months. If you need more space, the 2TB model is also on sale for a low of $160. Not everyone needs to pay up for a high-performing NVMe 4.0 drive like this, but for higher-performing builds or expanding the storage of a PlayStation 5, it'll work well. If you do buy for a PS5, just make sure you pair the drive with a heatsink first. (You can also buy a version of this SSD with an integrated heatsink for $10 to $20 more, depending on how much capacity you need.) You'll also want to make sure the SSD's firmware is up-to-date: Various users have reported higher-than-usual failure rates with specific Samsung drives, including the 2TB 980 Pro here, but the company looks to have fixed the issue with a recent update. 

Crucial MX500 SSD (1TB)

You wouldn't buy a 2.5-inch SATA SSD like the Crucial MX500 for fast storage performance on a new PC, but if you're looking to upgrade an older computer that came with a slower HDD installed by default, it can still provide a noticeable boost. The MX500 itself is the top SATA pick in our guide to the best SSDs, and right now its 1TB model is on sale for an all-time low of $52. Typically, the drive retails closer to $65. If you need more space, the 2TB model is down to $120, while the 4TB model is available for $240. Those prices are $8 and $2 off the two models' respective all-time lows.

Apple iPad Air

Apple's iPad Air is back down to $500 at Amazon, which is $20 more than its all-time low but still roughly $30 below its typical street price and $100 below Apple's MSRP. You should see the full discount at checkout. We gave this 10.9-inch tablet a review score of 90 last year, and we generally consider it the best iPad for most people. While it lacks the 120Hz refresh rate or top-end M2 chip of the iPad Pro, it still gets you a modern design, more than enough power, the usual 10-ish hours of battery life and support for Apple's best accessories, all at a more affordable price. 

Bose Portable Smart Speaker

We highlight the aptly named Bose Portable Smart Speaker in our guide to the best portable Bluetooth speakers, and right now the device is down to $319. That's $20 more than its all-time low but still about $45 below its typical street price and $80 below Bose's MSRP. While there are certainly cheaper options out there, this wireless speaker still gets you a travel-friendly, IPX4-rated design (complete with a built-in carrying handle), impressive bass for its size, AirPlay 2 functionality and support for both Alexa and the Google Assistant. Think of it like a smaller rival to the Sonos Move. Bose rates the speaker's battery life at up to 12 hours, too, though that will be lower if you regularly stream over WiFi. 

Beats Fit Pro

Beats rolled out a handful of new finishes for its workout-friendly Fit Pro earphones this week, and a couple of them — the "coral pink" and "volt yellow" colorways — are already on sale for $170. That's $30 off Beats' MSRP. We've seen prior versions of the Fit Pro drop as low as $145, so this deal isn't an all-time low, but if you like the look of these colors specifically, you can save a few bucks all the same. The Fit Pro themselves are the "best for workouts" pick in our best wireless earbuds guide and earned a review score of 87 back in late 2021. While their active noise cancellation can't match what you'd get from Apple's AirPods Pro, they pack many of that pair's conveniences in a sportier design.

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Don't think you have to pay full price to get the Beats Fit Pro in new colors. Amazon is already selling the true wireless earbuds in Coral Pink and Volt Yellow for $170, or $30 off. The discount doesn't apply to Tidal Blue, alas, but this still means you can get vibrant hues for less than you'd pay for 'safer' options.

The new Beats Fit Pro variants are functionally identical to the originals, but that's not a bad thing — they're still our favorite wireless earbuds for workouts. The comfy, stable fit and sweat resistance make them well-suited to the gym. Solid active noise cancellation (ANC) helps you tune out the rest of the world. And importantly, their sound quality is better than you might expect. You'll get Beats' signature bass, but it's balanced and doesn't overpower higher-frequency elements, Toss in six hours of listening per charge with ANC enabled and these are buds you can use throughout the day.

You may still want to consider other earbuds, such as the AirPods Pro if you find them on sale. There's no wireless charging on the Beats Fit Pro, and the ANC is stronger on Apple's higher-end models. And while Beats' Android support is robust, you may want to look at options like the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro or Pixel Buds Pro if you want something particularly Android-friendly. If those aren't obstacles, though, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better value.

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Somehow, Dead Space is one of the freshest games of 2023. The original hit literal store shelves in 2008 and the remake, which landed in January, doesn't change the game's fundamental mechanics. The remake is a downright treat to play; it's terrifying, fast-paced and expertly balanced. Dead Space's core loop is focused, and this only highlights how chaotic many AAA games are today.

Built-in limitations of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 era were critical in helping developers narrow their focus and innovate, and this generation spawned a litany of iconic franchises, including Dead Space, Dark Souls, Dishonored, Red Dead Redemption, Portal, Alan Wake and Arkham. Meanwhile, developers in the ninth console generation are grappling with an abundance of technological possibility, founded on the power and fidelity provided by modern gaming hardware. This has resulted in a litany of chaotic blandness from many AAA studios in recent years. In a creative industry unlimited by its tools, the most powerful mechanic is restraint. 

Dive deeper into this conversation in the below video.

The AI news just won’t stop! This week, Cherlynn and Devindra discuss the latest on Bing AI – Microsoft is loosening up some recent restrictions, following reports of its bad behavior – as well as the rise of ChatGPT stories on the Kindle store. Spotify is also launching its own AI DJ, starring the digitized voice of one of its current hosts. In other news, we discuss Microsoft’s recent agreements with NVIDIA and Nintendo, which could warm regulators towards approving its Activision Blizzard acquisition.

Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcasts, the Morning After and Engadget News!

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• After the Microsoft and Google announcements, AI is suddenly everywhere – 1:17

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• Glucose monitoring on the Apple Watch could be coming soon – 28:16

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United Launch Alliance has a target date for its Vulcan Centaur rocket's inaugural flight: May 4th, 2023. Company chief Tory Bruno has announced the four-day launch window starting on May 4th in a call with reporters, where he explained the factors that prompted the company to come up with the schedule. 

According to Parabolic Arc, the primary "pacing item" for the launch is Blue Origin's BE-4 engine, which will power the rocket's first stage. The companies are still working on its qualifications, since they found some inconsistencies among the ones ULA has tested. While the performance variation wasn't huge, the ULA wants to make sure it's not a symptom of a bigger issue. 

ULA still also has to conduct a series tests for the heavy-lift launch vehicle, including a wet dress rehearsal, wherein it will be fully loaded with propellants and has to complete a practice countdown. Finally, Vulcan Centaur's main payload, Astrobotic Technology's Peregrine lunar lander, needs to head to space within a specific window of time each month to be able to fly its desired trajectory to the moon. 

Vulcan Centaur was supposed to have its maiden flight in 2022, but Astrobotic asked ULA to delay its launch to give it more time to finish the NASA-funded lunar lander. Bruno said Astrobotic has just finished testing the Peregrine and will soon be making final preparations before shipping it to the rocket's launch location at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

In addition to the lunar lander, the rocket will also carry two prototype satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper constellation to space. The demo satellites' deployment will give Amazon the opportunity gather real-world data to be able to finalize the design and operation plans for its broadband satellite system. 

If Vulcan Centaur successfully flies for the first time on May 4th, it will mark the beginning of a new era for ULA. It plans to eventually replace the Delta IV Heavy and Atlas rockets with the Vulcan Centaur once it's done with its remaining launch obligations.