Latest from Engadget
Engadget
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Engadget
Great, Grok is in cars now too
Just a day after the xAI team issued a comprehensive apology and explanation about why its chatbot was spreading antisemitic rhetoric, Tesla updated its software for its cars to include the supposedly fixed Grok. According to Tesla, all new vehicles delivered on or after July 12 will have Grok available in-car. There's no additional subscription cost, but Tesla is limiting Grok's availability to models in the US for now. For older models to run Grok, it requires a Tesla with an AMD processor, the latest software update of 2025.26, and either a stable Wi-Fi connection or Tesla's $9.99 Premium Connectivity subscription. It's worth noting that Grok will simply be an AI chatbot you can ask questions to, but won't be able to interface with the car itself. In other words, Grok can't help you set up directions to your destination, lower the music's volume or control the car's temperature. Instead, it can offer excruciatingly cringe-inducing responses under its "Unhinged" personality, as seen in an X post from Tesla. While Tesla has incorporated the chatbot into its newly delivered cars, the company still faces safety concerns with its Full Self-Driving system, which uses mostly cameras and AI. Tesla added that Grok may become available to more of its vehicles with over-the-air software updates in the future, but noted that "Grok availability is subject to change or end at any time." Like when Grok went "MechaHitler" only a few days ago and had to be disabled.
Engadget
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Summer Games Done Quick 2025 raises $2.4 million for Doctors Without Borders
Another weeklong round-the-clock spree of speedrunning video games has come to a close, with Summer Games Done Quick raising $2,436,614 for Doctors Without Borders. Held in Minneapolis, the event saw 37,776 donations, with the highest contribution being a solo $61,200 donation. This year, 2,600 in-person attendees got to experience a hectic relay race pitting two teams of four against each other to complete a Super Mario Maker 2 level and a full playthrough of Donkey Kong Jungle Beat in less than an hour while using one of the most unique controllers ever made, the DK Bongos. The crowd is just as important during these speedruns, and that proved true with a particularly electric crowd during the AEW Fight Night Forever run that finished in around 40 minutes. If you didn't happen to catch it live, GamesDoneQuick's Twitch channel has every run archived so you can relive the fun. The organization's next event, Flame Fatales, will feature an all-women and femmes speedrunning showcase from September 7 to 14. After that, GamesDoneQuick will launch its brand new Games Done Queer event from October 31 to November 2.
Engadget
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Engadget
EA is reportedly hitting the brakes on the Need for Speed franchise
The Need for Speed franchise could be making its last laps — at least for the time being. Matthew Everingham, a photographer who frequently contributed to car culture website Speedhunters , said in social media posts that Electronic Arts has "shelved Need for Speed" and is "quietly parking" the series. Speedhunters , which was funded by EA and was last updated in April of this year, will also reportedly cease operations for now. EA hasn't released an official statement on the fate of the Need for Speed franchise, but several internal decisions point to an uncertain future. Earlier this month, the publisher announced that it would shut down online servers for the cult classic Need for Speed Rivals on October 7. Before that, the developer behind Need for Speed, Criterion Games, shifted most of its employees to focus on the Battlefield franchise, leaving only a "core group" to continue working on the racing series in 2023. However, Battlefield head Vince Zampella told EuroGamer earlier this year that the rest of that Need for Speed team would be "joining their colleagues working on Battlefield." The longstanding franchise dates back to 1994 when the first title, The Need for Speed , was released on the original PlayStation and Sega Saturn consoles. Since then, the series pumped out more than 20 games, with the most recent being Need for Speed Unbound. Released in December 2022, the latest title in the franchise is currently sitting at a Mixed rating with more than 40,000 reviews on Steam.
Engadget
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
It's the last day to get two months of Paramount+ access for only $2
Another hot streaming deal is here to match the summer heat. This time is comes from Paramount+, which is offering a two-month subscription for only $2. Put another way, you'll pay $1 per month for your first two months — but the deal is only valid through today, July 13. The kicker for this deal is that is applies to two subscription tiers: you can either choose the ad-supported Essential plan or the ad-free Premium plan and the deal price remains the same. That means new subscribers will save $14 on the standard price of the Essential tier, or $24 on the price of the Premium plan. This deal also works for the Essential plan. $2 at Paramount Paramount+ is a decent service and made our list of the best streaming platforms. It started as a home for all things Star Trek, but that particular bonus is shrinking all of the time. It was recently announced that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will end after a truncated season five, leaving just the forthcoming Starfleet Academy . The third season of Strange New Worlds premieres on July 17. It also hosts original programming like the Sonic-adjacent Knuckles TV show and the dad-friendly Tulsa King . Paramount owns CBS, so subscribers can also access much of that network's programming. This includes stuff like The Amazing Rac e, Blue Bloods and several CSI entries. Keep in mind that subscriptions will auto-renew if you forget to cancel. Set a reminder to kick in at the end of the second month if you want to avoid that. Check out our coverage of the best streaming deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
Engadget
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
The Cult of the Lamb comic is coming back with the Schism Special this fall
Oni Press/Massive Monster/Devolver Digital We're officially getting more of the Cult of the Lamb comic expansion. Following last year's miniseries, which built on the game's existing lore and injected some real emotional depth, writer Alex Paknadel and artist Troy Little are returning to the story of the Lamb and their followers in a one-shot 48-page issue that's due out in the fall from Oni Press. Cult of the Lamb: Schism Special #1 will be available on October 29 for $8, with covers by Troy Little and Peach Momoko, alongside a foil variant for $10. Schism Special picks up after the emotional events at the end of the first story arc. Per Oni Press: In the aftermath of their first and closest follower's sacrifice, Lamb continues the bloody quest to defeat the Bishops of the Old Faith, but they lack the conviction to tend their growing flock back at the cult. More potential followers are rescued by the day, but with no one to indoctrinate them, Lamb's power stagnates and The One Who Waits becomes weary of his earthly vessel's resistance to the full power and responsibility of the Red Crown. When famine strikes the cult, a challenger to Lamb's mantle emerges, and a new struggle begins… I genuinely can't wait to dive back into this story (even though it broke my heart a little) after being pleasantly surprised by how good the comics turned out to be. They've done a great job so far of honoring the game's tone, serving up both cuteness and brutality, and at this point, I'll pretty much take all the Cult of the Lamb content I can get.
