The Best of Big Download: October 4

Engadget
Samsung adds an entry-level series to its OLED TV range
Samsung is expanding its OLED TV range with an entry-level series. The S85D line starts at $1,700 for a 55-inch model.
Engadget
Apple's third-gen AirPods are back on sale for $140
Apple's third-generation AirPods are back down to a record-low price of $140.
Engadget
How to watch NASA's first Boeing Starliner crewed flight launch today
The Boeing Starliner should finally conduct a crewed flight to the ISS today after years of delays.
Engadget
Doctor Who is back, louder and more chaotic than before
'Doctor Who' hasn't watered itself down for its arrival on Disney+.
Engadget
Sony quickly backs down on Helldivers 2 PSN requirement for PC players
After creating a massive kerfuffle by forcing Helldivers 2 PC players to link their accounts to the PlayStation Network, Sony is backing down.
Engadget
The Morning After: The verdict on the Rabbit R1
The biggest news stories this morning: Nintendo blitzes GitHub with over 8,000 takedown requests, Parrots love video-chat, X is using Grok to publish AI-generated news summaries.
Engadget
The best air purifier for 2024
The best way to improve the air quality in your house is by letting in fresh air; when you can't open a window, these air purifiers we tested are the next best thing.
Engadget
Jack Dorsey says (on X) that he’s not on the Bluesky board anymore
In response to a user on X who asked 'are you still on the bsky board,' this weekend, Jack Dorsey said only, 'no.' The company has yet to confirm his departure, and Dorsey hasn't publicly provided any further information.
Engadget
Threads now lets you control who can quote your posts
Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri announced the update this weekend, saying he hopes it will “help keep Threads a more positive place.” Users can choose to turn off quotes entirely or limit them only to people they follow.
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Parrots in captivity seem to enjoy video-chatting with their friends on Messenger
A small study led by researchers at the University of Glasgow and Northeastern University compared parrots’ responses when given the option to video chat with other birds via Messenger versus watching pre-recorded videos.
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Google prohibits ads promoting websites and apps that generate deepfake porn
Google has updated its Inappropriate Content Policy to include language that expressly prohibits advertisers from promoting websites and services that generate deepfake pornography.
Engadget
X is using Grok to publish AI-generated news summaries
X is using Grok to publish AI-generated summaries of news and other topics that trend on the platform.
Engadget
Nintendo blitzes GitHub with over 8,000 emulator-related DMCA takedowns
Nintendo sent a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notice for over 8,000 GitHub repositories hosting code from the Yuzu Switch emulator, which the Zelda maker previously described as enabling “piracy at a colossal scale.”
Engadget
Helldivers 2 PC players suddenly have to link to a PSN account and they're not being chill about it
Helldivers 2 players have become frustrated after Sony suddenly required linking to a PSN account to play the game on PC. This was not necessary when the title launched in February.
Engadget
Redfall’s two DLC heroes are still MIA a year later
Microsoft may want to be more careful about leaving a trail of broken promises when games don’t go as planned. A year after Redfall landed with a thud, players are still waiting for the advertised post-launch DLC they already paid for.
Engadget
Instagram's 'Add Yours' sticker now lets you share songs
Instagram has released some new interactive stickers for use in Stories. One of these is a “Reveal” sticker that blurs content, so people have to DM the creator to get it unlocked.
Engadget
Apex Legends is getting a solo mode for the first time in five years
Apex Legends will have a solo mode for the first time in five years when the new season starts on May 7. Respawn said as recently as January it had no plans to bring back the single-player option.
Engadget
A four-pack of Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2 trackers is back on sale for $70
A bundle of Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2 Bluetooth trackers is back on sale for $70, matching the lowest price we've tracked.
Engadget
Research indicates that carbon dioxide removal plans will not be enough to meet Paris treaty goals
New research indicates a large “emissions gap” between what actions nations have committed to help remove carbon from the atmosphere and what’s required to meet Paris treaty goals.
Engadget
Rabbit R1 review: A $199 AI toy that fails at almost everything
The Rabbit R1 is a cute AI gadget, but at launch it’s riddled with issues and terrible battery life. When phones can handle similar AI tasks, the R1 doesn’t do enough to justify its existence.

The Best of Big Download: October 4 - 10

Latest Stories

Samsung adds an entry-level series to its OLED TV range

Apple's third-gen AirPods are back on sale for $140

How to watch NASA's first Boeing Starliner crewed flight launch today

Doctor Who is back, louder and more chaotic than before

Sony quickly backs down on Helldivers 2 PSN requirement for PC players

The Morning After: The verdict on the Rabbit R1

The best air purifier for 2024

Jack Dorsey says (on X) that he’s not on the Bluesky board anymore

Threads now lets you control who can quote your posts

Parrots in captivity seem to enjoy video-chatting with their friends on Messenger

Google prohibits ads promoting websites and apps that generate deepfake porn

X is using Grok to publish AI-generated news summaries

Nintendo blitzes GitHub with over 8,000 emulator-related DMCA takedowns

Helldivers 2 PC players suddenly have to link to a PSN account and they're not being chill about it

Redfall’s two DLC heroes are still MIA a year later

Instagram's 'Add Yours' sticker now lets you share songs

Apex Legends is getting a solo mode for the first time in five years

A four-pack of Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2 trackers is back on sale for $70

Research indicates that carbon dioxide removal plans will not be enough to meet Paris treaty goals

Rabbit R1 review: A $199 AI toy that fails at almost everything

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