Ride-share companies scored a victory in the California Supreme Court, allowing them to continue classifying gig workers as independent contractors rather than employees. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and other gig-economy companies invested around $200 million in the passage of Proposition 22, which voters approved in 2020. The state’s highest court rejected a legal challenge from a… Continue reading California Supreme Court upholds classification of gig workers as independent contractors
Author: Engadget Online News
Video game performers will strike over AI concerns
The SAG-AFTRA union today called for a strike against several major video game publishers after failing to reach an accord over AI use. The action will take effect at 12:01 am on July 26. “We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members,” SAG-AFTRA… Continue reading Video game performers will strike over AI concerns
Overwatch 2 may test a return to six-player teams
Blizzard has provided an update that will be music to the ears of many Overwatch 2 fans. The publisher plans to experiment with a range of team compositions beyond the role-locked 5v5 format that the game currently has. That includes a potential revival of six-player teams from the original Overwatch. “The community has, juuuust once… Continue reading Overwatch 2 may test a return to six-player teams
Stalker 2 has been delayed (again) until November 20
The long-anticipated Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has been delayed yet again, this time until November 20. It was supposed to come out on September 5. This is just the latest delay in a development cycle that stretches all the way back to 2010. That’s 14 years. The longest delay in gaming history is Duke… Continue reading Stalker 2 has been delayed (again) until November 20
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review: AirPods clones that actually deliver
There’s no way around it: Samsung copied Apple in multiple ways on its Galaxy Buds 3 ($180) and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro ($250). Not only do the physical designs echo the third-gen AirPods and AirPods Pro, respectively, but Samsung also mirrored a few features, too. The Galaxy Buds offer Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Adaptive… Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review: AirPods clones that actually deliver
Google gives free Gemini users access to its faster, lighter 1.5 Flash AI model
Google is making its Gemini AI faster and more efficient across the board. You now have access to 1.5 Flash, its generative AI model designed to be able to generate responses more quickly and efficiently, even if you’re not paying for Gemini Advanced. The company says you’ll notice improvements in latency, as well as the… Continue reading Google gives free Gemini users access to its faster, lighter 1.5 Flash AI model
Chill painting game Été beautifully captures summertime in Montreal
There’s nothing quite like a summer in Montreal. After several brutal winter months, the city bursts to life and its residents make the very most of the warmer weather. Été (French for “summer”) is a relaxing slice-of-life game that deftly captures the essence of Montreal at this time of year, warts and all. You play… Continue reading Chill painting game Été beautifully captures summertime in Montreal
Max’s SharePlay feature for iOS is now available to all ad-free subscribers
Back when Max was still known as HBO Max, it released a redesigned app that added SharePlay for Apple devices, but only in the US. Now, the streaming service is rolling out the feature to all its users around the world. SharePlay is now available to all Max users paying for Ad-Free and Ultimate Ad-Free… Continue reading Max’s SharePlay feature for iOS is now available to all ad-free subscribers
NBA TV rights go to ESPN, NBC and Amazon as TNT is rejected
The NBA and WNBA have inked deals for where games will be aired and streamed for the next eleven years. The NBA deals run from the 2025-2026 season through the 2035-2036 season. For the WNBA, the agreement covers the 2026 through 2036 seasons. Pro basketball has been an ESPN mainstay for years and that will… Continue reading NBA TV rights go to ESPN, NBC and Amazon as TNT is rejected
World of Warcraft workers unlock ‘form a union’ achievement
World of Warcraft (WoW) artists, designers, engineers, producers, quality assurance (QA) testers and other game developers have unionized. The staff of more than 500 workers voted to unionize the Blizzard Entertainment studio with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) creating the World of Warcraft Gamemakers Guild, according to an X post from the union’s official… Continue reading World of Warcraft workers unlock ‘form a union’ achievement