N e w s C e n t r a l
The best password manager for 2025
<p>Think about your digital footprint. How many accounts have you created online since you first started using the internet? How many of those use the same passwords, so you have an easier time logging in? It’s a habit we’ve all fallen into, but it greatly weakens our ability to stay secure online. Just one password leak can compromise dozens of accounts. Password managers can help you break that habit. It’ll do the tedious work of creating and storing various passwords to up your security posture without testing your memorization skills.<br /><br />But there are dozens of password managers available now — that’s why we tested out nine of the best password managers available now to help you choose the right one for your needs. <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=29d07367-7ffa-4e05-9a7f-c1dd19430630&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=a649d9d6-10c3-35af-94c2-dfe91925156a&featureId=text-link&merchantName=1Password&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovLzFwYXNzd29yZC5jb20vIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJhNjQ5ZDlkNi0xMGMzLTM1YWYtOTRjMi1kZmU5MTkyNTE1NmEiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vMXBhc3N3b3JkLmNvbS8ifQ&signature=AQAAAWTbwy220pZpsUB5Ssw5Bzrh4CL8sBamqXqQ5kEv98x3&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2F1password.com%2F">1Password</a> remains our top pick for the best password manager, thanks to its zero-knowledge policy, numerous security features and general ease of use, but there are other top password managers out there to consider as well.</p> <h2 id="jump-link-table-of-contents">Table of contents</h2> <ul> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-best-password-managers-for-2025">Best password managers for 2025</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-">Are password managers safe?</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-are-password-managers-worth-it">Are password managers worth it?</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-how-we-tested-password-managers">How we tested password managers</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-other-password-managers-we-tested">Other password managers we tested</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-password-manager-faqs">Password manager FAQs</a></p></li> </ul> <h2 id="jump-link-best-password-managers-for-2025">Best password managers for 2025</h2> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <h2 id="jump-link-are-password-managers-worth-it">Are password managers worth it?</h2> <p>You likely already use a password manager, even if you wouldn’t think to call it that. Most phones and web browsers include a log of saved credentials on the device, like the “passwords” keychain in the settings of an iPhone. That means you’ve probably seen the benefits of not having to memorize a large number of passwords or even type them out already.</p> <span id="end-legacy-contents"></span> <p>While that’s a great way in, the downfall of these built-in options are that they tend to be device specific. If you rely on an Apple password manager, for example, that works if you’re totally in the Apple ecosystem — but you become limited once you get an Android tablet, Lujo Bauer, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and of computer science, at Carnegie Mellon University, said. If you use different devices for work and personal use and want a secure option for sharing passwords with others, or just don’t want to be tied to one brand forever, a third-party password manager is usually worth it.</p> <h2 id="jump-link-how-we-tested-password-managers">How we tested password managers</h2> <p>We tested password managers by downloading the apps for each of the nine contenders on iPhone, Android, Safari, Chrome and Firefox. That helped us better understand what platforms each manager was available on, and see how support differs across operating systems and browsers.</p> <p>As we got set up with each, we took note of ease of use and how they iterated on the basic features of autofill and password generators. Nearly all password managers have these features, but some place limits on how much you can store while others give more control over creating easy-to-type yet complex passwords. From there, we looked at extra features like data-breach monitoring to understand which managers offered the most for your money.</p> <p>Finally, we reviewed publicly available information about security specs for each. This includes LastPass, which more experts are shying away from recommending after the recent breach. For the sake of this review, we’ve decided not to recommend LastPass at this time as fallout from the breach still comes to light (The company <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/lastpass-engineer-breach-security-roundup/">disclosed a second incident earlier in 2024 </a>where an unauthorized attack accessed the company’s cloud storage, including sensitive data. Since then, hackers have <a href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/lastpass-breach-linked-to-theft-of-44-million-in-crypto/">stolen more than $4.4 million</a> in cryptocurrency using private keys and other information stored in LastPass vaults.)</p> <p>These are the password managers we tested:</p> <ul> <li><p><a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=29d07367-7ffa-4e05-9a7f-c1dd19430630&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=1Password&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiIyOWQwNzM2Ny03ZmZhLTRlMDUtOWE3Zi1jMWRkMTk0MzA2MzAiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly8xcGFzc3dvcmQuY29tLyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiYTY0OWQ5ZDYtMTBjMy0zNWFmLTk0YzItZGZlOTE5MjUxNTZhIn0&signature=AQAAAedaFskljJO_nkmkybdzZwHxi54DX1OYVqiYqmgVWc-l&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2F1password.com%2F">1Password</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=4a567016-57fd-42ff-9497-6b31b5e02642&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=LastPass&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiI0YTU2NzAxNi01N2ZkLTQyZmYtOTQ5Ny02YjMxYjVlMDI2NDIiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGFzdHBhc3MuY29tLyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiYTY0OWQ5ZDYtMTBjMy0zNWFmLTk0YzItZGZlOTE5MjUxNTZhIn0&signature=AQAAARUxclm_QfTK0YNXnEiTcVaTUqctLb2EB9MVtaTUI3yG&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lastpass.com%2F">LastPass</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://bitwarden.com/">Bitwarden</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=05a8faef-22e0-48ab-a365-0cc59778dc54&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Dashlane&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiIwNWE4ZmFlZi0yMmUwLTQ4YWItYTM2NS0wY2M1OTc3OGRjNTQiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGFzaGxhbmUuY29tLyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiYTY0OWQ5ZDYtMTBjMy0zNWFmLTk0YzItZGZlOTE5MjUxNTZhIn0&signature=AQAAATgyIRk0s8jpy1K1ohYYrEeJBH8EG2HW8Y3B-l7cs7a-&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dashlane.com%2F">Dashlane</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f97fc99a-d04e-4e9c-b1e3-0bda0d13544b&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Keeper&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiJmOTdmYzk5YS1kMDRlLTRlOWMtYjFlMy0wYmRhMGQxMzU0NGIiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cua2VlcGVyc2VjdXJpdHkuY29tLyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiYTY0OWQ5ZDYtMTBjMy0zNWFmLTk0YzItZGZlOTE5MjUxNTZhIn0&signature=AQAAATagnPUDavwM7vNp3EMHBzMGgPTwHStvKr2uslYBnc_i&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.keepersecurity.com%2F">Keeper</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL25vcmRwYXNzLmNvbS8iLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImE2NDlkOWQ2LTEwYzMtMzVhZi05NGMyLWRmZTkxOTI1MTU2YSJ9&signature=AQAAAXc3dvFt_FBTUl4eh8nwWwcOj_8uRtp4H_WvfMoCusWk&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fnordpass.com%2F">NordPass</a></p></li> <li><p><a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=1984b86a-ab9d-4fe7-bd34-2e51a93b582d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=a649d9d6-10c3-35af-94c2-dfe91925156a&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Enpass&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5lbnBhc3MuaW8vIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJhNjQ5ZDlkNi0xMGMzLTM1YWYtOTRjMi1kZmU5MTkyNTE1NmEiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmVucGFzcy5pby8ifQ&signature=AQAAAUdGdd54lg6vhoeLYF2IwKhpui2-c_NAmIs_jYt0xSbl&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.enpass.io%2F">Enpass</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL215Lm5vcnRvbi5jb20vZXh0c3BhL3Bhc3N3b3JkbWFuYWdlciIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiYTY0OWQ5ZDYtMTBjMy0zNWFmLTk0YzItZGZlOTE5MjUxNTZhIn0&signature=AQAAAWsN1q8IXBPU6hicsqTfsyaKAXp5TK7I6YbWqIudcDr6&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmy.norton.com%2Fextspa%2Fpasswordmanager">Norton password manager</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL2xvZ21lb25jZS5jb20vIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJhNjQ5ZDlkNi0xMGMzLTM1YWYtOTRjMi1kZmU5MTkyNTE1NmEifQ&signature=AQAAAR7AFD-nCuscZsY2B0g8D6XKA2e4UzrodET28_ZSzBBN&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Flogmeonce.com%2F">LogMeOnce</a></p></li> </ul> <h2 id="jump-link-other-password-managers-we-tested">Other password managers we tested</h2> <h3 id="jump-link-lastpass">LastPass</h3> <p>For a while, security experts considered <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=4a567016-57fd-42ff-9497-6b31b5e02642&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=a649d9d6-10c3-35af-94c2-dfe91925156a&featureId=text-link&merchantName=LastPass&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5sYXN0cGFzcy5jb20vIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJhNjQ5ZDlkNi0xMGMzLTM1YWYtOTRjMi1kZmU5MTkyNTE1NmEiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lmxhc3RwYXNzLmNvbS8ifQ&signature=AQAAATThsXR7PHSdbB3XODwV65I5oEH9yTMkOWNfGDwiL556&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lastpass.com%2F">LastPass</a> a solid choice for a password manager. It’s easy to use, has a slew of helpful extra features and its free version gives you a lot. But we decided not to include <a href="https://www.engadget.com/the-lastpass-hack-was-worse-than-the-company-first-reported-000501559.html">LastPass</a> in our top picks because of the <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/lastpass-engineer-breach-security-roundup/">high profile</a> <a href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/lastpass-breach-linked-to-theft-of-44-million-in-crypto/">data breaches</a> it has experienced over the past couple of years.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-keeper">Keeper</h3> <p><a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f97fc99a-d04e-4e9c-b1e3-0bda0d13544b&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=a649d9d6-10c3-35af-94c2-dfe91925156a&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Keeper&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rZWVwZXJzZWN1cml0eS5jb20vIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJhNjQ5ZDlkNi0xMGMzLTM1YWYtOTRjMi1kZmU5MTkyNTE1NmEiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtlZXBlcnNlY3VyaXR5LmNvbS8ifQ&signature=AQAAAYROyY3MW6KC9b5KWd7Zdv-uAAtJ4X45JnbUzRjp9WVg&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.keepersecurity.com%2F">Keeper</a> met a lot of the basic criteria we tested for, like autofill options and cross-platform availability. We liked its family plan options, too, that can keep your whole household secure. There's even a self-destruct feature that deletes local data after five incorrect login attempts, should your device be lost or stolen (the cloud-based data remains untouched). But we didn’t think its extra features, like the encrypted messaging app, added much value.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-enpass">Enpass</h3> <p><a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=1984b86a-ab9d-4fe7-bd34-2e51a93b582d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=a649d9d6-10c3-35af-94c2-dfe91925156a&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Enpass&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5lbnBhc3MuaW8vIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJhNjQ5ZDlkNi0xMGMzLTM1YWYtOTRjMi1kZmU5MTkyNTE1NmEiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmVucGFzcy5pby8ifQ&signature=AQAAAUdGdd54lg6vhoeLYF2IwKhpui2-c_NAmIs_jYt0xSbl&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.enpass.io%2F">Enpass</a> works well as an affordable password manager. That includes an inflation-beating “lifetime” access pass instead of a monthly payment for users really committed to the service. Still, it was confusing to set up across devices and because Enpass stores data locally, as opposed to in the cloud, we struggled to get started with it on mobile.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-norton">Norton</h3> <p>A familiar name in security, we were excited to test out <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=02faf16c-8eea-4114-a20e-7db1c0f119c0&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=a649d9d6-10c3-35af-94c2-dfe91925156a&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Norton&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL215Lm5vcnRvbi5jb20vZXh0c3BhL3Bhc3N3b3JkbWFuYWdlciIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiYTY0OWQ5ZDYtMTBjMy0zNWFmLTk0YzItZGZlOTE5MjUxNTZhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL215Lm5vcnRvbi5jb20vZXh0c3BhL3Bhc3N3b3JkbWFuYWdlciJ9&signature=AQAAAZDOM01YnJd2jReNQrt8_BVKP8rC-AAncgLkaLTd3gcE&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmy.norton.com%2Fextspa%2Fpasswordmanager">Norton’s password manager</a>. While it’s free, its features seem underdeveloped. It lacked password sharing, account recovery and complex form-filing tools that come standard in many of the other password managers we tested.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-logmeonce">LogMeOnce</h3> <p><a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f9f050f9-a958-4a6f-aab1-962909ebd0fb&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=a649d9d6-10c3-35af-94c2-dfe91925156a&featureId=text-link&merchantName=LogMeOnce&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL2xvZ21lb25jZS5jb20vIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJhNjQ5ZDlkNi0xMGMzLTM1YWYtOTRjMi1kZmU5MTkyNTE1NmEiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbG9nbWVvbmNlLmNvbS8ifQ&signature=AQAAAYaIsuYnVEPrZKbjLIr6q7B6OD6I-R75-qiCOwdkFbPz&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Flogmeonce.com%2F">LogMeOnce</a> comes with a wide range of premium tiers, from professional to family, that include different levels of storage and features. But when we tested, it lacked some basic cross-platform availability that other password managers had already, like compatibility with Mac and Safari.</p> <h2 id="jump-link-password-manager-faqs">Password manager FAQs</h2> <h3 id="jump-link-why-use-a-password-manager">Why use a password manager?</h3> <p>Using a password manager can enhance your online security. They store all of your complex passwords and autofill them as needed, so that you can have unique, good passwords across the web without remembering each of them yourself. In many cases, unique passwords are your first defense against attack, and a reliable manager makes it easier to keep track of them all.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-are-password-managers-safe">Are password managers safe?</h3> <p>It seems counterintuitive to store all your sensitive information in one place. One hack could mean you lose it all to an attacker and struggle for months or even years to rebuild your online presence, not to mention you may have to cancel credit cards and other accounts. But most experts in the field agree that password managers are a generally secure and safe way to keep track of your personal data, and the benefits of strong, complex passwords outweigh the possible risks.</p> <p>The mechanics of keeping those passwords safe differs slightly from provider to provider. Generally, you have a lengthy, complex “master password” that safeguards the rest of your information. In some cases, you might also get a “security key” to enter when you log in to new devices. This is a random string of letters, numbers and symbols that the company will send you at sign up. Only you know this key, and because it’s stored locally on your device or printed out on paper, it’s harder for hackers to find.</p> <p>These multiple layers of security make it difficult for an attacker to get into your vault even if your password manager provider experiences a breach. But the company should also follow a few security basics. A “zero-knowledge” policy means that the company keeps none of your data on file, so in the event of an attack, there’s nothing for hackers to find. Regular health reports like pentests and security audits are essential for keeping companies up to par on best practices, and other efforts like bug bounty programs or hosting on an open source website encourage constant vigilance for security flaws. Most password managers now also offer some level of encryption falling under the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). AES 256-bit is the strongest, because there are the most number of possible combinations, but AES 128-bit or 192-bit are still good.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-how-do-password-managers-work">How do password managers work?</h3> <p>Think of password managers like virtual safe deposit boxes. They hold your valuables, in this case usually online credentials, in a section of the vault only accessible to you by security key or a master password. Most of these services have autofill features that make it convenient to log in to any site without needing to remember every password you have, and they keep your credit card information close for impulse purchases.</p> <p>But given that passwords are one of the <a href="https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/choosing-and-protecting-passwords">top ways to keep your online identity secure</a>, the real value of password managers is staying safe online. “It's just not possible without a password manager to have unique, long and hard-to-guess passwords,” Florian Schaub, an associate professor of information and of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, said.</p> <p>Common guidance states that secure passwords should be unique, with the longest number of characters allowed and uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. This is the exact opposite of using one password everywhere, with minor variations depending on a site’s requirements. Think of how many online accounts and sites you have credentials for — it’s an impossible task to remember it all without somewhere to store passwords safely (especially in instances when you need to create a new password for any given account). Password managers are more readily accessible and offer the benefit of filling in those long passwords for you.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-who-are-password-managers-for">Who are password managers for?</h3> <p>Given their universal benefit, pretty much everyone could use a password manager. They’re not just for the tech-savvy people or businesses anymore because so much sensitive information ends up online behind passwords, from our bank accounts to our Netflix watch history.</p> <p>That’s the other perk of password managers: safe password sharing. Families, friends or roommates can use them to safely access joint accounts. Texting a password to someone isn’t secure, and you can help your family break the habit by starting to use one yourself, Lisa Plaggemier, executive director at National Cyber Security Alliance, said. Streaming is the obvious use case, but consider the shared bills, file storage and other sites you share access with the people around you as well.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-what-if-i-forget-my-master-password">What if I forget my master password?</h3> <p>Forgetting a master password won’t necessarily lock you out for good, but the recovery process varies from provider to provider. Some services give you a “security key” at sign up to enter when you log into new devices. It can also be used to securely recover your account because it’s a random string of keys stored locally that only you have access to. Other services, however, have no way to recover your vault. So creating a master password that you won’t forget is important.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-how-can-i-make-a-good-master-password">How can I make a good master password?</h3> <p>A good master password should be unique, with the longest number of characters allowed and uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Experts often recommended thinking of it like a “passphrase” instead of a “password” to make it easier to remember. For example, you can take a sentence like “My name is Bob Smith” and change it to “Myn@m3isB0b5m!th” to turn it into a secure master password that you won’t forget.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-what-are-passkeys">What are passkeys?</h3> <p>A passkey is a sort of digital identification that's interlocked to your account on a given app or website. While that sounds like a password, there’s an important distinction: Passkeys are bilateral authenticators that have two separate components: a private key stored locally on your device and a public key belonging to the website or application. When logging in with a passkey, these two keys pair and give you access to your account. You can read more about <a href="https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/passwords-vs-passkeys-what-you-need-to-know-175322074.html">passwords versus passkeys</a> here.</p> <h2 id="jump-link-recent-updates">Recent updates</h2> <p><strong>April 2025:</strong> Updated for timeliness and to ensure our top picks were still current.</p> <p><strong>October 28 2024, 5:15PM ET:</strong> This story has been updated to note that Keeper's "self-destruct" security feature only deletes local content when engaged, but maintains data on a subscriber's cloud-based account. </p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/best-password-manager-134639599.html?src=rss
Source: www.engadget.com
Reception: Positive
The best SSDs for PS5 in 2025
<p>If your PlayStation 5 library is starting to burst at the seams, upgrading with one of the best SSDs for your PlayStation 5 can make a huge difference. Modern PS5 games are massive, and while the console’s internal storage is speedy, it fills up fast — especially if you're juggling big titles like Call of Duty, Spider-Man 2, or Final Fantasy XVI. A compatible SSD gives you more space without sacrificing load times or performance, so you can spend less time managing your library and more time gaming.<br /><br />Many SSDs are easy to install and perform just as fast as the PS5’s built-in storage. You’ll want to look for drives that meet Sony’s specs, including Gen4 speeds and a built-in heatsink (or the ability to add one). Whether you’re after tons of storage for your digital collection or just want a performance boost for next-gen titles, we’ve rounded up the top SSD options to suit every need and budget.</p> <p><strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://www.engadget.com/best-ssds-140014262.html">These are the best SSDs in 2025</a></p> <span id="end-legacy-contents"></span> <h2 id="jump-link-table-of-contents">Table of contents</h2> <ul> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-best-ssds-for-ps5-in-2025">Best SSDs for PS5 in 2025</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-how-we-test-ps5-ssds">How we test PS5 SSDs</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-ps5-ssd-faqs">PS5 SSD FAQs</a></p></li> </ul> <h2 id="jump-link-best-ssds-for-ps5-in-2025">Best SSDs for PS5 in 2025</h2> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <h2 id="jump-link-how-we-test-ps5-ssds">How we test PS5 SSDs</h2> <p>I’ve tested most of the SSDs recommended on this list, either for PS5 or computer use. I also bought and used our top pick in my own PS5.</p> <h2 id="jump-link-ps5-ssd-faqs">PS5 SSD FAQs</h2> <h3 id="jump-link-how-much-ps5-storage-do-i-need">How much PS5 storage do I need?</h3> <p>The PlayStation 5 and <a href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/playstation-5-pro-review-a-superpowered-700-console-for-gamers-who-wont-buy-a-pc-110056410.html">PlayStation 5 Pro</a> can accept internal drives with between 250GB and 8TB of storage capacity. If you already own a PS5, chances are you have a reasonable idea of how much storage you need for your game library. If you’re buying an SSD with a new PS5 or PS5 Pro, or buying for someone else, it’s more difficult to tell what you might need for a high-performance experience.</p> <p>PS5 games are smaller on average than their PS4 equivalents, typically taking up between 30GB and 100GB, with some notable (and very popular) exceptions. If you’re a fan of the Call of Duty series, installing <a href="https://www.engadget.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-6-kicks-it-back-to-the-90s-on-october-25-182038777.html"><em>Black Ops 6</em></a><em> </em>and <em>Warzone 2.0</em> can eat up to 240GB. In other words, a full Call of Duty install will take up more than one-third of the PS5’s internal storage. If you’re not a CoD fan, though, chances are you’ll be good to store between six to 10 games on a regular PS5 internally before running into problems.</p> <p>You also need to consider your internet speed. If you live in an area with slow broadband, the “you can just download it again” rationale doesn’t really work. At my old home, a 100GB download took me around eight hours, during which time it was difficult to simultaneously watch Twitch or, say, publish articles about upgrading PS5 SSDs. Keeping games around on the off-chance you’ll want to play them at some point makes sense.</p> <figure> <img alt="Sony PlayStation 5 gaming console." src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2020-11/341eb080-1ec1-11eb-bffb-88f330aaaf35" /> <figcaption></figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Aaron Souppouris / Engadget </div> </figure> <p>Off the bat, there's basically no point in going for a 250GB PS5 SSD. Economically, 250GB drives aren’t that much cheaper than 500GB ones — and practically, that really isn’t a lot of space for modern games to live on. 500GB drives can be a decent option, but after years of declining prices, I think the sweet spot for most people is to opt for a high-capacity 1TB or 2TB drive, which should run you at most $200. The latter will more than double the PS5 Pro’s storage without breaking the bank.</p> <p>Unless you’re rolling in cash and want to flex, 4TB and 8TB models should mostly be avoided, as you’ll end up paying more per gigabyte than you would with a 1TB or 2TB drive.</p> <p>While the 825GB PS5 only provides 667GB of storage, that’s largely due to storage being reserved for the operating system and caching. If you install a 1TB PS5 SSD, you'll have, within a margin of error, 1TB of storage available for games. Out of the box, the PS5 Pro offers 1.86TB of storage for games, though you can eke out more if you delete the pre-installed Astro’s Playroom (gasp).</p> <p>Since neither the PS5 Slim nor PS5 Pro feature updated CPU architecture, all of our recommendations will work with whatever PS5 model you own.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-can-you-play-ps5-games-on-an-external-ssd">Can you play PS5 games on an external SSD?</h3> <p>External hard drives tend to cost less than internal SSD counterparts (and there’s a good chance you might own one already). Unfortunately, there are restrictions on what you can do with them. An external SSD connects to your PS5 via USB, and is only suitable for playing PlayStation 4 games, or storing PS5 titles. That’s useful if you have anything but the best high-speed internet — it’s faster to move a PS5 game out of “cold storage” on an external drive than it is to re-download it — or want to keep your PS4 library on hand.</p> <p>Due to the limitations here, you don’t need the highest-performing model, although you should opt for SSDs over HDDs for improved transfer speeds and load times. Any basic portable drive from a reputable brand will do, with the Crucial X9 Pro and Samsung T7 being options we’ve tried and can recommend.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-which-ssd-cards-are-compatible-with-the-ps5">Which SSD cards are compatible with the PS5?</h3> <p>The <a href="https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps5-install-m2-ssd/">official answer</a> to this question is an “M.2 Socket 3 (Key M) Gen4 x4 NVME SSD.” But even within that seemingly specific description, there are additional factors to consider. The main requirements Sony has laid out for compatibility come down to speed, cooling and physical dimensions.</p> <p>For speed, Sony says drives should be able to handle sequential reads at 5,500MB/s. Early testing showed that the PS5 would accept drives as slow as 4,800MB/s, and that games that tap into the SSD regularly — such as <a href="https://www.engadget.com/ratchet-clank-rift-apart-review-interview-ps5-151025038.html"><em>Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart</em></a> — would cause no issues. Pretty much the only thing the PS5 will outright reject is one that doesn't match the Gen4 x4 spec.</p> <p>In our opinion, though, using a drive slower than the specification is a risk that, if you don’t already have that drive lying around, is not worth taking. Just because we haven’t found issues yet doesn’t mean there won’t be games that could be problematic in the future. The price difference between these marginally slower Gen4 drives and the ones that meet Sony’s spec isn’t huge, and you might as well cover all your bases.</p> <p>Slightly more complicated than speed is cooling and size. Most new SSDs are going to be just fine; the PS5 can fit 22mm-wide SSDs of virtually any length (30mm, 40mm, 60mm, 80mm or 110mm, to be precise). The vast majority of drives you find will be 22mm wide and 80mm long, so no problem there.</p> <p>It should be noted that the system can fit a 25mm-wide drive, but that width must include the cooling solution. Speaking of, Sony says SSDs require “effective heat dissipation with a cooling structure, such as a heatsink.” The maximum height supported by Sony’s slot is 11.25mm, of which only 2.45mm can be “below” the drive.</p> <p>This previously meant some of the most popular heatsinked Gen4 SSDs, including Corsair’s MP600 Pro LP, would not fit within the PS5’s storage expansion slot. Since Engadget first published this guide in 2021, most NVMe makers, including Samsung, have come out with PlayStation-specific models that meet those requirements. That said, if you want to save some money, bare drives are often cheaper and it’s trivial to find a cooling solution that will work for the PS5.</p> <p>The only component in an NVMe SSD that really requires cooling is the controller, which without a heatsink will happily sear a (very small) steak. Most SSDs have chips on only one side, but even on double-sided SSDs, the controller is likely to be on top, as manufacturers know it needs to be positioned there to better dissipate heat.</p> <p>So, head to your PC component seller of choice and pick up basically anything that meets the recommended dimensions. A good search term is “laptop NVME heatsink,” as these will be designed to fit in the confines of gaming laptops, which are even more restrictive than a PS5. They’re also typically cheaper than the ones labeled as “PS5 heatsinks.”</p> <p>One recommendation is this <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=e75133dc-8c16-459b-9bf8-6f3892cd7c77&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&custData=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&signature=AQAAAY9FyGa7x_7G84BPrDei8of9iQY078tZcoIJFnYRi5zW&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHeatsink-Copper-Copper%2525EF%2525BC%25258C-Silicone-Thermal%2Fdp%2FB07QNRP9HK">$6 copper heatsink</a>, which attaches to the PS5 SSD with sticky thermal interface material. It works just fine, and in performing stress tests on a PC, we couldn’t find anything metal that didn’t keep temperatures under control. When you’re searching, just make sure the solution you go for measures no more than 25mm wide or 8mm tall (including the thermal interface material) and has a simple method of installation that’s not going to cause any headaches.</p> <p>One last thing: When shopping for a PS5 NVMe, there’s no reason to buy a Gen5 model over a more affordable Gen4 model. As things stand, Sony’s console can’t take advantage of the new standard, and though Gen5 drives are backward compatible, they’re more expensive than their Gen4 counterparts. Just buy the fastest and highest-capacity Gen4 model you can afford.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-how-to-install-an-ssd-into-your-ps5">How to install an SSD into your PS5</h3> <p>If you need guidance on <a href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/how-to-install-a-ps5-ssd-130010846.html">how to install your new NVMe into your PS5</a> or PS5 Pro, we have a separate guide detailing all the steps here. Installation is pretty straightforward, but our how-to can help you if you're stuck. Just make note: Before attempting to add more storage via a PS5 SSD, ensure that you have <a href="https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps5/system-software/">Sony’s latest software installed</a>.</p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/best-ssd-for-ps5-130004175.html?src=rss
Source: www.engadget.com
Reception: Positive
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has cut 90 percent of its employees
<p>The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been reduced to a skeleton crew. The department, which was created to oversee banks and financial institutions, has cut about <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-doge-cfpb-elon-musk-456b747c367fccbcf3b74d2893cd1a35"><ins>1,500 jobs</ins></a>, leaving about 200 employees and reducing the agency by about 90 percent.</p> <p>In addition to cutting most of the staff, Chief Legal Officer Mark Paoletta sent a <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://x.com/schwartzbWSJ/status/1912633869255188512"><ins>memo</ins></a> detailing the changed priorities for the CFPB. The bureau has been ordered to deprioritize subjects including consumer data, digital payments, medical debt and student loans. Mortgages will now be the leading topic for remaining employees.</p> <span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><p>SInce it was created in 2010, this department has pursued actions against financial and tech institutions accused of deceptive or abusive practices, with cases involving firms such as <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/2015-05-19-paypal-credit-abusive-15-million-cfpb.html"><ins>PayPal</ins></a> and <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/cfpb-fines-block-175m-over-cash-apps-lax-fraud-controls-210749768.html"><ins>Block</ins></a>, which created Cash App. It was also slated to provide oversight of the providers of <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-us-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-will-now-regulate-apple-pay-venmo-and-others-132129928.html"><ins>digital wallets and payment apps</ins></a>.</p> <p>However, since the start of 2025, the CFPB has <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/cfpb-drops-zelle-lawsuit-in-latest-reversal-under-trump-administration-204639032.html"><ins>abandoned</ins></a> multiple cases it had launched under President Joe Biden's administration. The Office of Management and Budget's Acting Director Russell Vought had signaled that the bureau's days may be numbered when he ordered all of its "supervision and examination activity" <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-acting-cfpb-chief-halts-all-supervision-companies-2025-02-09/"><ins>to stop</ins></a> in February.</p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-has-cut-90-percent-of-its-employees-225239056.html?src=rss
Source: www.engadget.com
Reception: Positive
The Pacific Rim prequel series has reportedly found a home at Amazon
<p>A live-action <em>Pacific Rim </em>TV series is in-development at Amazon, <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/pacific-rim-tv-series-legendary-eric-heisserer-amazon-1236371706/">according to <em>Variety</em></a>. News of the project was first shared in 2024, when <em>Variety</em> reported that <em>Arrival </em>screenwriter Eric Heisserer was attached <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a-pacific-rim-prequel-series-is-being-developed-by-the-scriptwriter-of-bird-box-110043597.html">to develop and write the show</a>.</p> <p>The new series will apparently be a prequel to Guillermo Del Toro's original <em>Pacific Rim</em>, a movie about Kaiju-fighting giant mechs and the humans that pilot them. Legendary, which produced <em>Pacific Rim</em>, is also backing the series alongside Amazon MGM. The studio appears to be using the same strategy with <em>Pacific Rim </em>that worked with its Godzilla-and-King-Kong-starring "MonsterVerse" franchise. <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/apples-monarch-legacy-of-monsters-trailer-pits-kurt-russell-against-godzilla-154145455.html"><em>Monarch: Legacy of Monsters </em></a>streamed on Apple TV+ in 2023, and acted as both a prequel and sequel to the "MonsterVerse" films.</p> <span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><p>Heisserer has plenty of experience adapting existing material. His <em>Arrival </em>script converted an experimental second-person short story into a (relatively) thoughtful blockbuster, and his work on Netflix's <em>Shadow and Bone</em> found a clever way to interweave the first book in Leigh Bardugo's series with characters from a later duology. <em>Pacific Rim </em>seems a lot more straightforward in comparison.</p> <p>There's yet to be an official announcement from Amazon, or any dates for when we can expect the series to be available, but there has been quite a bit of new <em>Pacific Rim</em> material since the first film came out in 2013. The live-action sequel <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/2017-10-06-pacific-rim-uprising-trailer.html"><em>Pacific Rim Uprising</em></a><em> </em>was released in 2018 and Netflix put out its anime sequel, <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/2019-07-04-netflix-pacific-rim-anime-2020.html"><em>Pacific Rim: The Black</em></a><em>, </em>in 2021.</p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-pacific-rim-prequel-series-has-reportedly-found-a-home-at-amazon-213245776.html?src=rss
Source: www.engadget.com
Reception: Positive
The best live TV streaming services to cut cable in 2025
<p>After testing the major live TV streaming services and comparing what you get for the price, we still think it’s a better deal than paying for cable — but the gulf between the two options is narrowing. Now that many of the major providers go for more than $80 per month, it’s not the amazing deal it once was.<br /><br />Still, live TV streaming plans have no contract, offer relatively simpler pricing and don’t need special equipment beyond a smart TV and an internet connection, which you likely already have. There are a handful of major players and, after testing them all, we found <a href="https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/">YouTube TV</a> to be the most well-rounded. But other services have their advantages, too, depending on what you want to watch. So if you’re ready to join the cord-cutters out there, here are the best live TV streaming services according to our hands-on testing.</p> <h2 id="jump-link-table-of-contents">Table of contents</h2> <ul> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-best-live-tv-streaming-services-for-2025">Best live TV streaming services for 2025</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-best-free-live-tv-streaming-services-for-2025">Best free live TV streaming services for 2025</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-what-to-look-for-in-a-live-tv-streaming-service">What to look for in a live TV streaming service</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-how-we-tested">How we tested</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-live-tv-streaming-faqs">Live TV Streaming FAQs</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-recent-updates">Recent updates</a></p></li> </ul> <h2 id="jump-link-best-live-tv-streaming-services-for-2025">Best live TV streaming services for 2025</h2> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-table-of-contents">Back to top</a></p> <span id="end-legacy-contents"></span> <h2 id="jump-link-best-free-live-tv-streaming-services-for-2025">Best free live TV streaming services for 2025</h2> <p>There are plenty of ways to get free TV these days. To start, many standard streaming apps have added live components to their lineups. You’re paying for the service, so it’s not technically “free,” but you can get a dose of live TV without spending more than necessary. Peacock includes some regional NBC stations, and notably access to the 2024 Summer <a href="https://www.engadget.com/peacocks-2024-paris-olympics-coverage-includes-enhanced-multiview-options-190047120.html">Olympic Games</a>. Paramount+ subscribers can watch on-air CBS programming. The standard Hulu app has a live ABC news channel and Max <a href="https://www.engadget.com/a-live-cnn-streaming-channel-is-coming-to-max-in-september-141316706.html">now includes</a> a live CNN outlet with its service, along with cable-like <a href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/streaming-is-just-tv-all-over-again-165115834.html">linear channels</a>.</p> <p>The smart TV operating system (OS) you use likely provides free live content too: Amazon’s Fire TV interface has a live tab and Roku’s built-in <a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f3574a52-3bcf-4a37-83ee-65836ac78115&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Roku&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5yb2t1LmNvbS93aGF0cy1vbi90aGUtcm9rdS1jaGFubmVsIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiI1MGViMzRkYi1jMGZjLTRiZmItYWI0MS0xY2JlOTdmYWZmZDgiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnJva3UuY29tL3doYXRzLW9uL3RoZS1yb2t1LWNoYW5uZWwifQ&signature=AQAAAZBySIi8oQ7DlJJm5e8o1CC284MW-_AeB7ls29bMlyi6&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.roku.com%2Fwhats-on%2Fthe-roku-channel&refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.engadget.com%2Fentertainment%2Fstreaming%2Fbest-live-tv-streaming-service-133000410.html&uuid=bZ8vat5VNQqvKfbh64605&amcid=amcid-18816049363b0p4">Roku Channel</a> includes hundreds of live channels at no extra cost. The same goes for <a href="https://www.samsungtvplus.com/us/about">Samsung TV Plus</a>, which added <a href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/samsungs-fast-tv-plus-service-is-going-all-in-on-k-dramas-203821372.html">a trove of K-dramas</a> to its free live and on-demand lineup in 2024. The PBS app offers local live streams of its channels — even <a href="https://www.engadget.com/nasa-is-launching-a-free-streaming-service-with-live-shows-and-original-series-150128180.html">NASA</a> has a free streaming service with live coverage.</p> <p>But for a full suite of live TV networks, and don’t want to sign up for <em>any</em> paid service, there are a number of free ad-supported TV services that have live TV. Even cable company DirecTV has joined the crowd with <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=fd7207b2-1b6a-4385-aa15-2f04784de078&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=DIRECTV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5kaXJlY3R2LmNvbS9teWZyZWUtZGlyZWN0di8iLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjUwZWIzNGRiLWMwZmMtNGJmYi1hYjQxLTFjYmU5N2ZhZmZkOCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGlyZWN0di5jb20vbXlmcmVlLWRpcmVjdHYvIn0&signature=AQAAARy8jjkg4o0KOvGsOVsCPTp2QcB6OCmCTClKSNu70vND&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.directv.com%2Fmyfree-directv%2F">MyFree</a>, though we haven’t had a chance to test that one yet. Here's the best of what we tried:</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-table-of-contents">Back to top</a></p> <h2 id="jump-link-what-to-look-for-in-a-live-tv-streaming-service">What to look for in a live TV streaming service</h2> <h3 id="jump-link-how-to-stream-live-tv"><strong>How to stream live TV</strong></h3> <p>Streaming live TV is a lot like using Netflix. You get access through apps on your phone, tablet, smart TV or <a href="https://www.engadget.com/best-streaming-devices-media-players-123021395.html">streaming device</a> and the signal arrives over the internet. A faster and more stable connection tends to give you a better experience. Most live TV apps require you to sign up and pay via a web browser. After that, you can activate the app on all of your devices.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-monthly-price"><strong>Monthly Price</strong></h3> <p>When I started testing these cord-cutting alternatives, I was struck by the price difference between live TV and a <a href="https://www.engadget.com/best-video-streaming-services-133000093.html">standard video streaming app</a>. Where the latter cost between $5 and $20 per month, most live TV services hit the $80 mark and can go higher than $200 with additional perks, channel packages and premium extras. The higher starting price is mostly due to the cost of providing multiple networks — particularly sports and local stations. And, in the past year or so, every service except Sling has raised base plan prices.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-local-channels"><strong>Local channels</strong></h3> <p>Only two of the services I tried don’t include full local channel coverage for subscribers and one of those makes no effort to carry sports at all. That would be Philo and, as you might guess, it’s the cheapest. The next most affordable option, Sling, only carries three local stations — and only in larger markets — but it still manages to include some of the top sports channels.</p> <p>When you sign up with any provider that handles local TV, you’ll enter your zip code, ensuring you get your area’s broadcast affiliates for ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. Of course, you can also get those stations for free. Nearly all modern television sets support a radio frequency (RF) connection, also known as the coaxial port, which means if you buy an <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&custData=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&signature=AQAAAYFrBzybV7JrmQ6EI0-2SiNJpVRVKi5fSnmf_a2Xkzyj&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAntenna-Outdoor-Reception-Supports-Channels%2Fdp%2FB0D9NZTGLF">HD antenna</a>, you’ll receive locally broadcast stations like ABC, CBS, PBS, FOX and NBC. And since the signal is digital, reception is much improved over the staticky rabbit-ears era.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-live-sports-coverage"><strong>Live sports coverage</strong></h3> <p>One reality that spun my head was the sheer number and iterations of sports networks in existence. Trying to figure out which network will carry the match-up you want to see can be tricky. I found that Google makes it a little easier for sports fans by listing out <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=upcoming+nfl+games">upcoming games</a> (just swap in NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and so on in the search bar). When you click an event, the “TV & streaming” button will tell you which network is covering it.</p> <p>That just leaves figuring out if your chosen service carries the RSNs (regional sports networks) you want. Unfortunately, even with add-ons and extra packages, some providers simply don’t have certain channels in their lineups. It would take a lawyer to understand the ins and outs of <a href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/disney-cuts-directv-customers-access-to-abc-espn-and-more-123047594.html">streaming rights negotiations</a>, and networks leave and return to live TV carriers all the time. That said, most major sporting events in the US are covered by ESPN, Fox Sports, TNT, USA and local affiliates.</p> <p>I should also point out that traditional streaming services have started adding live sports to their lineups. <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=cbef8901-c2f3-4af7-b1b7-e2c3afcffd7a&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Peacock+TV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5wZWFjb2NrdHYuY29tLyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5wZWFjb2NrdHYuY29tLyJ9&signature=AQAAAYnRVh_g_jgVhSp7LBrtJVkcMpZ3bn_n25jQbBiVS3P6&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.peacocktv.com%2F">Peacock</a> carries <a href="https://www.engadget.com/peacock-ui-update-183247828.html">live</a> Premier League matches, <a href="https://www.engadget.com/peacocks-nfl-wild-card-game-broke-streaming-records-103503762.html">Sunday Night Football</a> games and aired the 2024 <a href="https://www.engadget.com/peacocks-2024-paris-olympics-coverage-includes-enhanced-multiview-options-190047120.html">Olympic Games</a> from Paris. <a href="https://www.engadget.com/amazon-prime-x-ray-replays-thursday-night-football-173723667.html">Thursday Night Football</a> as well as <a href="https://www.engadget.com/nba-tv-rights-go-to-espn-nbc-and-amazon-as-tnt-is-rejected-230811550.html">NBA and WNBA games</a> are on Amazon Prime and <a href="https://www.engadget.com/netflix-will-stream-its-first-nfl-games-on-christmas-day-163407396.html">Christmas Day Football</a> aired on Netflix. Max (<a href="https://www.engadget.com/max-hbo-max-rebrand-analysis-194800553.html">formerly</a> HBO Max) now airs select, regular season games from the NHL, MLB, NCAA and NBA with a <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=c7892fca-8328-4299-9c5b-59b5f841f383&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=HBO+Max&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5tYXguY29tL3Nwb3J0cyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5tYXguY29tL3Nwb3J0cyJ9&signature=AQAAAQCZgn6baeynelQxEfT2qSrDKqg9h4OrJTFFtD2T_7Yp&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.max.com%2Fsports">$10-per-month add-on</a>. You can watch <a href="https://engadget.com/apple-tvs-mls-season-pass-subscriptions-have-doubled-since-messis-arrival-in-the-us-150221673.html">MLS games</a> with an add-on through the Apple TV app, and Apple TV+ includes some <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N1cHBvcnQuYXBwbGUuY29tL2VuLXVzLzExODU5MyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N1cHBvcnQuYXBwbGUuY29tL2VuLXVzLzExODU5MyJ9&signature=AQAAASzl96DfdmeoIeLdx5R5oqzMqHKSBpGcyGdJ1JbrVQS0&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.apple.com%2Fen-us%2F118593">MLB games</a>. Roku users can watch the just-added <a href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/roku-is-launching-the-roku-sports-channel-on-august-12-130041121.html">free sports channel</a> and those who subscribe to <a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=b0d3a482-802c-4eb1-9616-94f7490562f7&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Paramount+Plus&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5wYXJhbW91bnRwbHVzLmNvbS9jb2xsZWN0aW9ucy9zcG9ydHMtaHViLyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5wYXJhbW91bnRwbHVzLmNvbS9jb2xsZWN0aW9ucy9zcG9ydHMtaHViLyJ9&signature=AQAAAVJdPRa4HXjHcuYt_3dGNw7WU26Xx_QP3oxJ6qthqRtD&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paramountplus.com%2Fcollections%2Fsports-hub%2F&refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.engadget.com%2Fentertainment%2Fstreaming%2Fbest-live-tv-streaming-service-133000410.html&uuid=7B3AgkG1zEFmgIRd93983&amcid=amcid-19181944778bwjt">Paramount Plus</a> can see many of the matches aired on CBS Sports, including live NFL games. This year, even the Super Bowl was live-streamed for free on <a href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/tubi-will-livestream-the-2025-super-bowl-for-free-in-4k-232831563.html">Tubi</a>. While all of these alternatives may not cover as much ground as live TV streamers, they could end up being cheaper avenues to the sports you want.</p> <p>And if sports is all you’re after, there are sports-only plans that are a touch cheaper too. While the promised sports streaming service from ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. called Venu was <a href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/rip-to-the-entirely-hypothetical-streaming-service-venu-sports-180532990.html">cancelled</a> early this year, shortly after, DirecTV<a href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/directv-is-launching-its-first-sports-only-subscription-144553549.html"> announced</a> a $70-per-month, sports-only streaming package called <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=23abf927-2e2d-407e-9b56-ba09999b12f8&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=streamtvdirectv&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N0cmVhbXR2LmRpcmVjdHYuY29tL3Nob3AvbXlzcG9ydHMtcGFja2FnZSIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N0cmVhbXR2LmRpcmVjdHYuY29tL3Nob3AvbXlzcG9ydHMtcGFja2FnZSJ9&signature=AQAAAXjti6GAhFFF36moSNnW2MpcpAu_Hg30blPD-Sc2EwZ7&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fstreamtv.directv.com%2Fshop%2Fmysports-package">MySports</a> and Comcast now has a <a href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/comcasts-sports-and-news-streaming-bundle-starts-at-70-monthly-203017976.html">sports and news bundle</a> for the same price (as long as you're an Xfinity customer with auto-pay, otherwise it's more expensive).</p> <h3 id="jump-link-traditional-cable-networks"><strong>Traditional cable networks</strong></h3> <p>Dozens of linear programming networks were once only available with cable TV, like Bravo, BET, Food Network, HGTV, CNN, Lifetime, SYFY and MTV. If you only subscribe to, say, Netflix or Apple TV+, you won’t have access to those. But as with sports, standard streamers are starting to incorporate this content into their offerings. After the Warner Bros. merger, Max incorporated some content from HGTV, Discovery and TLC. Peacock has Bravo and Hallmark shows, and Paramount+ has material from Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central.</p> <p>Other channels like AMC+ have stand-alone apps. The <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=e3296106-c693-4525-ba0e-6b65767ea99e&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Discovery%2B&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5kaXNjb3ZlcnlwbHVzLmNvbS8iLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjUwZWIzNGRiLWMwZmMtNGJmYi1hYjQxLTFjYmU5N2ZhZmZkOCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGlzY292ZXJ5cGx1cy5jb20vIn0&signature=AQAAAXazZwOAuUzjiAAyIuqwqeh0wDkrnetJMWu8rK4iL_fI&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discoveryplus.com%2F">Discovery+</a> app gives you 15 channels ad-free for $9 per month (or with ads for $5 monthly). And a service called <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=7b9bb3b3-1213-42b3-a8ff-5489551a532e&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Frndly+TV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3RyeS5mcm5kbHl0di5jb20vIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiI1MGViMzRkYi1jMGZjLTRiZmItYWI0MS0xY2JlOTdmYWZmZDgiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vdHJ5LmZybmRseXR2LmNvbS8ifQ&signature=AQAAAQKpOfgGIQeWLXowiNcsf3wA5UScImpEywueEVIJ0Q4Q&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Ftry.frndlytv.com%2F">Frndly TV</a> starts at a mere $7 per month and streams A&E, Lifetime, Game Show Network, Outdoor Channel and about 35 others. Of course, most live TV streaming options will deliver more sizable lists of cable networks, but just note that you may already be paying for some of them — and if all you need is a certain channel, you could get it cheaper by subscribing directly.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-on-demand-streaming"><strong>On-demand streaming</strong></h3> <p>Most live TV subscriptions include access to a selection of video-on-demand (VOD) content, like you would get with a traditional streaming service. Much of this content is made up of the movies and TV series that have recently aired on your subscribed networks. This typically doesn’t cover live events and news programming, but I was able to watch specific episodes of ongoing shows like Top Chef or BET’s Diarra from Detroit. Just search the on-demand library for the program, pick an episode and hit play.</p> <p>Partnerships, like Hulu’s relationship with Disney, and add-ons, such as bundling Max with your YouTube TV subscription or Starz with your Sling plan, will let you watch even larger libraries of on-demand content. But again, if VOD is all you’re after, paying for those networks directly instead of through a live TV plan will be far cheaper.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-digital-video-recordings-dvr-limits"><strong>Digital video recordings (DVR) limits</strong></h3> <p>Every option I tried offers some cloud DVR storage without needing a separate physical device. You’ll either get unlimited storage for recordings that expires after nine months or a year, or you’ll get a set number of hours (between 50 and 1,000) that you can keep indefinitely. Typically, all you need to do is designate what ongoing TV series you want to record and the DVR component will do all the hard work of saving subsequent episodes for you to watch later. You can do the same thing with sports events.</p> <p>Aside from being able to watch whenever it’s most convenient, you can also fast-forward through commercials in recorded content. In contrast, you can’t skip them on live TV or VOD.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-simultaneous-streams-and-profiles-per-account"><strong>Simultaneous streams and profiles per account</strong></h3> <p>Each plan gives you a certain number of simultaneous streams, aka how many screens can play content at the same time. And while most providers will let you travel with your subscription, there are usually location restrictions that require you to sign in from your home IP address periodically. Stream allowances range from one at a time to unlimited screens (or as many as your ISP’s bandwidth can handle). Some plans require add-ons to get more screens.</p> <p>Most services also let you set up a few profiles so I was able to give different people in my family the ability to build their own watch histories and libraries, set their favorite channels and get individual recommendations.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-picture-in-picture-mode-and-multiview"><strong>Picture-in-picture mode and multiview</strong></h3> <p>Picture-in-picture (PiP) usually refers to shrinking a video window on a mobile device or computer browser so you can watch it while using other apps. Sling, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Philo, DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV all have PiP modes on computers and mobile devices. Another feature, multiview, lets you view multiple live sports games at once on your TV screen. YouTube TV and FuboTV are the only live TV streamers that let you do this. With YouTube TV, you can select up to four views from a few preset selection of streams. FuboTV offers the same feature, but only if you're using an Apple TV or Roku streaming device.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-4k-live-streams"><strong>4K live streams</strong></h3> <p>Right now, just FuboTV, YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream offer 4K live streams — but with caveats. YouTube TV requires a <a href="https://support.google.com/youtubetv/answer/10383365?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid">$20-per-month add-on</a>, after which you’ll only be able to watch certain live content in 4K. DirecTV Stream has <a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=fd7207b2-1b6a-4385-aa15-2f04784de078&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=DIRECTV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5kaXJlY3R2LmNvbS9zdXBwb3J0L2FydGljbGUvMDAwMDkzNTEzIzp-OnRleHQ9TGl2ZSUyMDRLJTIwc3RyZWFtaW5nJTIwY2hhbm5lbHMlM0EsTElWRTRLMiklMjAlRTIlODAlOTMlMjBvY2Nhc2lvbmFsJTIwbGl2ZSUyMHNwb3J0aW5nJTIwZXZlbnRzIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiI1MGViMzRkYi1jMGZjLTRiZmItYWI0MS0xY2JlOTdmYWZmZDgiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRpcmVjdHYuY29tL3N1cHBvcnQvYXJ0aWNsZS8wMDAwOTM1MTMjOn46dGV4dD1MaXZlJTIwNEslMjBzdHJlYW1pbmclMjBjaGFubmVscyUzQSxMSVZFNEsyKSUyMCVFMiU4MCU5MyUyMG9jY2FzaW9uYWwlMjBsaXZlJTIwc3BvcnRpbmclMjBldmVudHMifQ&signature=AQAAAfBOZeOCs_mDWZxqAtOv4p2bzWJin4372k1YbK5zuEsQ&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.directv.com%2Fsupport%2Farticle%2F000093513%23%3A%7E%3Atext%3DLive%25204K%2520streaming%2520channels%253A%2CLIVE4K2%29%2520%25E2%2580%2593%2520occasional%2520live%2520sporting%2520events&refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.engadget.com%2Fentertainment%2Fstreaming%2Fbest-live-tv-streaming-service-133000410.html&uuid=Q0o4SanNgVn6m64I97983&amcid=amcid-19181944780h3tx">three channels</a> that show live 4K content — one with shows and original series, and two with occasional sporting events. You don’t have to pay extra for these but you do need to have either DirecTV’s Gemini receiver, or a device from Fire TV, Apple TV or Roku. You’ll need those same streaming devices to watch the <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=34c77505-6db4-4664-9320-2c38b4122d5e&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Sling+TV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zbGluZy5jb20vd2hhdHNvbi9zcG9ydHMvZ2VuZXJhbC1zcG9ydHMvbGl2ZS1zcG9ydHMtc2NoZWR1bGVzLXNsaW5nLXR2IzRrLXNwb3J0cy1vbi1zbGluZy0xIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiI1MGViMzRkYi1jMGZjLTRiZmItYWI0MS0xY2JlOTdmYWZmZDgiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNsaW5nLmNvbS93aGF0c29uL3Nwb3J0cy9nZW5lcmFsLXNwb3J0cy9saXZlLXNwb3J0cy1zY2hlZHVsZXMtc2xpbmctdHYjNGstc3BvcnRzLW9uLXNsaW5nLTEifQ&signature=AQAAAVY_dHhP9i0fmVsymYxGHTamd7M9wBxJv4tOkBNiDZc7&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2Fwhatson%2Fsports%2Fgeneral-sports%2Flive-sports-schedules-sling-tv%234k-sports-on-sling-1">select 4K programming</a> on Sling as well. FuboTV shows <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=9a941868-c063-4b44-9207-896f1fb5891e&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=FuboTV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N1cHBvcnQuZnViby50di9oYy9lbi11cy9hcnRpY2xlcy8zNjAwMTE0ODMwMTEtV2hhdC1ldmVudHMtaW4tNEstSERSLWFyZS1jb21pbmctdXAtb24tRnVibyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N1cHBvcnQuZnViby50di9oYy9lbi11cy9hcnRpY2xlcy8zNjAwMTE0ODMwMTEtV2hhdC1ldmVudHMtaW4tNEstSERSLWFyZS1jb21pbmctdXAtb24tRnVibyJ9&signature=AQAAAdyaCYkoejpZKzL8_nB7PYkC6nB5m7Kg10_zjLAK7Ig-&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.fubo.tv%2Fhc%2Fen-us%2Farticles%2F360011483011-What-events-in-4K-HDR-are-coming-up-on-Fubo">certain live events</a> in 4K but access is limited to the Elite and Premier packages, not the base-level Pro plan.</p> <p>Of course, watching any 4K content also requires equipment that can handle it: a 4K smart TV or 4K streaming device paired with a cord and screen that can handle 4K resolution.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-tiers-packages-and-add-ons"><strong>Tiers, packages and add-ons</strong></h3> <p>Comparing price-to-offering ratios is a task for a spreadsheet. I… made three. The base plans range from $28 to $85 per month. From there, you can add packages, which are usually groups of live TV channels bundled by themes like news, sports, entertainment or international content. Premium VOD extras like Max, AMC+ and Starz are also available. Add-ons cost an extra $5 to $20 each per month and simply show up in the guide where you find the rest of your live TV. This is where streaming can quickly get expensive, pushing an $80 subscription to $200 monthly, depending on what you choose.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-how-to-stream-live-tv-for-free"><strong>How to stream live TV for free</strong></h3> <p>I also downloaded and tried out a few apps that offer free ad-supported TV (<a href="https://www.engadget.com/youtube-is-testing-a-hub-of-free-cable-style-channels-192518784.html">FAST</a>) including <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2dwL3ZpZGVvL3NwbGFzaC9mcmVldmVlX2ZpbmR1cz90YWc9Z2RndDBjLTIwIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiI1MGViMzRkYi1jMGZjLTRiZmItYWI0MS0xY2JlOTdmYWZmZDgiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFtYXpvbi5jb20vZ3AvdmlkZW8vc3BsYXNoL2ZyZWV2ZWVfZmluZHVzIiwiZHluYW1pY0NlbnRyYWxUcmFja2luZ0lkIjp0cnVlLCJzaXRlSWQiOiJ1cy1lbmdhZGdldCIsInBhZ2VJZCI6IjFwLWF1dG9saW5rIiwiZmVhdHVyZUlkIjoidGV4dC1saW5rIn0&signature=AQAAARSjkmnkz3GBqaCsuITtxGWZbLEL7-4c9Dq2bCDEJlxS&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fvideo%2Fsplash%2Ffreevee_findus">Freevee</a>, <a href="https://tubitv.com/">Tubi</a>, <a href="https://pluto.tv/welcome">PlutoTV</a> and <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=34c77505-6db4-4664-9320-2c38b4122d5e&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Sling+TV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zbGluZy5jb20vZnJlZXN0cmVhbSIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zbGluZy5jb20vZnJlZXN0cmVhbSJ9&signature=AQAAAaPq6YMd5yy0gvP1qP9zpcespJW1yApZRTBDFv6_MD1C&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2Ffreestream">Sling Freestream</a>. These let you drop in and watch a more limited selection of live networks at zero cost. Most don’t even require an email address, let alone a credit card. And if you have a Roku device, an Amazon Fire TV or Stick, a Samsung TV, a Chromecast device or a Google TV, you already have access to hundreds of live channels via the <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f3574a52-3bcf-4a37-83ee-65836ac78115&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Roku&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5yb2t1LmNvbS93aGF0cy1vbi90aGUtcm9rdS1jaGFubmVsIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiI1MGViMzRkYi1jMGZjLTRiZmItYWI0MS0xY2JlOTdmYWZmZDgiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnJva3UuY29tL3doYXRzLW9uL3RoZS1yb2t1LWNoYW5uZWwifQ&signature=AQAAAZBySIi8oQ7DlJJm5e8o1CC284MW-_AeB7ls29bMlyi6&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.roku.com%2Fwhats-on%2Fthe-roku-channel">Roku Channel</a>, the live tab in Fire TV, through the <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f85e63cd-e13c-4f9d-991c-9fbaadede3ac&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Samsung+Electronics&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYW1zdW5nLmNvbS91cy90ZWxldmlzaW9ucy1ob21lLXRoZWF0ZXIvdHZzL3R2cGx1cy8iLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjUwZWIzNGRiLWMwZmMtNGJmYi1hYjQxLTFjYmU5N2ZhZmZkOCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Ftc3VuZy5jb20vdXMvdGVsZXZpc2lvbnMtaG9tZS10aGVhdGVyL3R2cy90dnBsdXMvIn0&signature=AQAAAQTq3W71bZeSplBcUeq6-nXwpHNBmbk8CAOnHFEdZbVP&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.samsung.com%2Fus%2Ftelevisions-home-theater%2Ftvs%2Ftvplus%2F">Samsung TV Plus</a> app or through <a href="https://tv.google/">Google TV</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-table-of-contents">Back to top</a></p> <h2 id="jump-link-how-we-tested">How we tested</h2> <p>When I begin testing for a guide, I research the most popular and well-reviewed players in the category and narrow down which are worth trying. For the paid plans, just six services dominate so I tried them all. There are considerably more free live TV contenders so I tested the four most popular. After getting accounts set up using my laptop, I downloaded the apps on a Samsung smart TV running the latest version of Tizen OS. I counted the local stations and regional sports coverage, and noted how many of the <a href="https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/most-watched-channels-2024-tv-network-ratings-1236259845/">top cable networks</a> were available. I then weighed the prices, base packages and available add-ons.</p> <p>I then looked at how the programming was organized in each app’s UI and judged how easy everything was to navigate, from the top navigation to the settings. To test the search function, I searched for the same few TV shows on BET, Food Network, HGTV and Comedy Central, since all six providers carry those channels. I noted how helpful the searches were and how quickly they got me to season 6, episode 13 of <em>Home Town</em>.</p> <p>I used DVR to record entire series and single movies and watched VOD shows, making sure to test the pause and scan functions. On each service with sports, I searched for the same four upcoming NHL, NBA, MLS and NCAA basketball matches and used the record option to save the games and play them back a day or two later. Finally, I noted any extra perks or irritating quirks.</p> <p><strong>All live TV streaming services we’ve tested:</strong></p> <ul> <li><p><a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=b250d7a0-0e4e-4332-bc87-bf6e669b0564&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Philo&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiJiMjUwZDdhMC0wZTRlLTQzMzItYmM4Ny1iZjZlNjY5YjA1NjQiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucGhpbG8uY29tL2xvZ2luL3N1YnNjcmliZSIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4In0&signature=AQAAAabIVZR19dFPFnrkXwC-HZhqdthhzjQEXtk-uUzjcKrv&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.philo.com%2Flogin%2Fsubscribe">Philo</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=34c77505-6db4-4664-9320-2c38b4122d5e&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Sling+TV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiIzNGM3NzUwNS02ZGI0LTQ2NjQtOTMyMC0yYzM4YjQxMjJkNWUiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2xpbmcuY29tLyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4In0&signature=AQAAAQuX1x-8Li1Y3BleLw5tlSNrUlv0th9PPvhRuDrLsSQD&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2F">Sling</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/">YouTube TV</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=ca19dea0-e7ad-4f54-beed-6302bce56589&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Hulu&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiJjYTE5ZGVhMC1lN2FkLTRmNTQtYmVlZC02MzAyYmNlNTY1ODkiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaHVsdS5jb20vbGl2ZS10diIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4In0&signature=AQAAASOsz4gSX7PSfobz14RykoXuU9OPnxuKEPPXAKT0mdHs&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hulu.com%2Flive-tv">Hulu + Live TV</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=fd7207b2-1b6a-4385-aa15-2f04784de078&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=DIRECTV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiJmZDcyMDdiMi0xYjZhLTQzODUtYWExNS0yZjA0Nzg0ZGUwNzgiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGlyZWN0di5jb20vc3RyZWFtLyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4In0&signature=AQAAAZCwHkjcdTHbgJbx0h8bZZ50xk2YCKyUPzrRoo-1iCLq&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.directv.com%2Fstream%2F">DirecTV Stream</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=9a941868-c063-4b44-9207-896f1fb5891e&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=FuboTV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiI5YTk0MTg2OC1jMDYzLTRiNDQtOTIwNy04OTZmMWZiNTg5MWUiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5mdWJvLnR2L3dlbGNvbWU_aXJhZD0zNDM3NDcmaXJtcD0yNTM2MjE3JnBhcnRuZXJwcm9wZXJ0eWlkPTMxNDI4MjMmc3ViSWQzPXhpZDpmcjE2NzQyNTQ5ODIwMDhiaGIiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjUwZWIzNGRiLWMwZmMtNGJmYi1hYjQxLTFjYmU5N2ZhZmZkOCJ9&signature=AQAAAbfV5QVpXnp6Zv4vvSRE-0I6_ukuICBOH21I_DjeUyw3&gcReferrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Fwelcome%3Firad%3D343747%26irmp%3D2536217%26partnerpropertyid%3D3142823%26subId3%3Dxid%3Afr1674254982008bhb">FuboTV</a></p></li> <li><p><a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2dwL3ZpZGVvL3NwbGFzaC9mcmVldmVlX2ZpbmR1cz90YWc9Z2RndDBjLTIwIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiI1MGViMzRkYi1jMGZjLTRiZmItYWI0MS0xY2JlOTdmYWZmZDgiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFtYXpvbi5jb20vZ3AvdmlkZW8vc3BsYXNoL2ZyZWV2ZWVfZmluZHVzIiwiZHluYW1pY0NlbnRyYWxUcmFja2luZ0lkIjp0cnVlLCJzaXRlSWQiOiJ1cy1lbmdhZGdldCIsInBhZ2VJZCI6IjFwLWF1dG9saW5rIiwiZmVhdHVyZUlkIjoidGV4dC1saW5rIn0&signature=AQAAARSjkmnkz3GBqaCsuITtxGWZbLEL7-4c9Dq2bCDEJlxS&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fvideo%2Fsplash%2Ffreevee_findus">Freevee</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://tubitv.com/">Tubi</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://pluto.tv/">PlutoTV</a></p></li> <li><p><a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=34c77505-6db4-4664-9320-2c38b4122d5e&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Sling+TV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zbGluZy5jb20vZnJlZXN0cmVhbSIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zbGluZy5jb20vZnJlZXN0cmVhbSJ9&signature=AQAAAaPq6YMd5yy0gvP1qP9zpcespJW1yApZRTBDFv6_MD1C&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2Ffreestream">Sling Freestream</a></p></li> <li><p><a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=5cf66e44-0330-4ae6-8b44-6d2fe8acb745&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=50eb34db-c0fc-4bfb-ab41-1cbe97faffd8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=plex&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5wbGV4LnR2LyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNTBlYjM0ZGItYzBmYy00YmZiLWFiNDEtMWNiZTk3ZmFmZmQ4Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5wbGV4LnR2LyJ9&signature=AQAAAVcKd0GG7zVeIuEUnsKd-HnQnCkpp00kxCBCH_iipIUl&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.plex.tv%2F">Plex</a></p></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-table-of-contents">Back to top</a></p> <h2 id="jump-link-live-tv-streaming-faqs">Live TV Streaming FAQs</h2> <h3 id="jump-link-what-is-live-streaming"><strong>What is live streaming?</strong></h3> <p>Streaming simply refers to video content that is delivered to your screen over the internet. <em>Live</em> streaming can be split into two categories: linear programming and simultaneous transmission. That first one is similar to what you get with cable or broadcast TV, with channels that play a constant flow of movies and shows (sort of what TV looked like before Netflix). Simultaneous streaming lets you watch live events (like a basketball game) or a program (like the evening news) as they happen.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-what-is-the-difference-between-streaming-and-live-streaming"><strong>What is the difference between streaming and live streaming?</strong></h3> <p>Standard streaming, the most popular example being Netflix, lets you pick what you want to watch from a menu of choices. It’s also referred to as “video on demand.” Live streaming refers to sports and news events that you can stream as they happen in real time. It also refers to channels that show a continuous, linear flow of programming.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-what-streaming-service-is-best-for-live-tv"><strong>What streaming service is best for live TV?</strong></h3> <p>FuboTV does the best job of letting you organize live channels to help you find just what you want to watch. The interface is uncluttered and when you search for something, the UI clearly tells you whether something is live now or on-demand. YouTube TV also does a good job making that info clear. Both have just over 100 live channels on offer.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-what-is-the-most-cost-effective-tv-streaming-service"><strong>What is the most cost effective TV streaming service?</strong></h3> <p>Free TV streaming services like PlutoTV, Plex, Tubi and FreeVee show plenty of ad-supported TV shows and movies without charging you anything. Of course, they won’t have the same channels or content that more premium subscriptions have. Ultimately it depends on what you want to watch and finding the service that can supply that to you in the most streamlined form so you’re not paying for stuff you don’t need.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-is-it-cheaper-to-have-cable-or-streaming"><strong>Is it cheaper to have cable or streaming?</strong></h3> <p>A basic cable package used to be more expensive than the base-level live TV streaming service. But now that nearly all major providers have raised their prices to over $75 per month, that’s no longer the case. And with add-ons and other premiums, you can easily pay over $200 a month for either cable or a live TV streaming service.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-what-streaming-service-has-all-the-tv-channels"><strong>What streaming service has all the TV channels?</strong></h3> <p>No service that we tested had every available channel. Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV Stream carry the the highest number of the top rated channels, <a href="https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/most-watched-channels-2024-tv-network-ratings-1236259845/">according to Neilsen</a>. Hulu’s service also gets you Disney+ fare, which you can’t get elsewhere. FuboTV has the most sports channels and YouTube TV gives you the widest selection of add-ons.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-what-is-the-most-popular-live-tv-streaming-platform"><strong>What is the most popular live TV streaming platform?</strong></h3> <p>YouTube TV has the most paying customers. According to 2024's <a href="https://blog.youtube/inside-youtube/2024-letter-from-neal/">letter</a> from the CEO, the service has over eight million subscribers. Disney’s 2024 third quarter <a href="https://deadline.com/2024/11/disney-earnings-inside-out-2-deadpool-wolverine-disney-hulu-streaming-theme-parks-1236176347/">earnings</a> put the Hulu + Live TV viewer count at 4.6 million. Sling’s <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sling-tv-slips-below-2-135658433.html">customer count dipped</a> from two million to about 1.9 million in 2024 and FuboTV grew its subscriber list to <a href="https://ir.fubo.tv/news/news-details/2024/Fubo-Closed-Q3-2024-With-21-Year-over-Year-Revenue-Growth-and-1.613M-Subscribers-in-North-America/default.aspx">1.6 million</a>.</p> <h3 id="jump-link-how-safe-are-free-streaming-services-and-websites"><strong>How safe are free streaming services and websites?</strong></h3> <p>You may have heard certain sites that provide free content can be dangerous, leading to stolen info and/or exposing you to malware. That’s likely in reference to certain peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and file-sharing sites that let people download free movies and series — which can come bundled with malicious code.</p> <p>But if you’re talking about the free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) services listed here, from providers like PlutoTV, Tubi and Freevee, they are just as safe as any other streaming service. Since you sometimes don’t even have to provide your email address or credit card info, they can even be more anonymous than apps that require login credentials.</p> <p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-table-of-contents">Back to top</a></p> <h2 id="jump-link-recent-updates"><strong>Recent updates</strong></h2> <p><strong>January 31, 2025</strong>: Added information about which streaming service would live-stream the Super Bowl, including Tubi’s free option. Updated Fubo’s pricing. Added details about DirectTV Stream’s sports-only package and Comcast’s sports and news bundle.</p> <p><strong>January 16, 2025</strong>: Included higher prices for Sling’s Orange and Blue plans. Noted the demise of the never-launched Venu sports streaming service and mentioned the inclusion of DirecTV’s new sports package.</p> <p><strong>December 31, 2024</strong>: Noted increased pricing for YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV and DirecTV. Updated information for 4K streaming capabilities and requirements for multiple services. Reported on the upcoming shut down of Amazon’s Freevee service and the addition of DirecTV’s free service.</p> <p><strong>August 6, 2024</strong>: Updated with the addition of Plex as a free live TV streaming recommendation and mentioned the additional free channels Philo is now including with the free version of its service. Added pricing information for ESPN's new sports-only streaming service, Venu. </p> <p><strong>June 12, 2024</strong>: Updated with more information about 4K live streaming, picture-in-picture and multiview modes, as well as video on-demand options. We expanded our recommendations around free live TV streaming services and added a FAQ query about the safety of free streaming services and clarified the difference between standard and live streaming. More traditional streaming services have added live and sports components, so we revised that section accordingly.</p> <p><a href="https://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-table-of-contents">Back to top</a></p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming-service-133000410.html?src=rss
Source: www.engadget.com
Reception: Positive
The Xbox Spring Sale is live
<p>Xbox's <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=67071605-d4df-494e-8d9c-c9c236b8bb38&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=2ed18c9e-8d48-4fa6-a51d-26e62b5080de&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Microsoft&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9icm93c2Uvc3ByaW5nLXNhbGUiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjJlZDE4YzllLThkNDgtNGZhNi1hNTFkLTI2ZTYyYjUwODBkZSIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueGJveC5jb20vZW4tVVMvZ2FtZXMvYnJvd3NlL3NwcmluZy1zYWxlIn0&signature=AQAAAdy1Nr5qfeJhS7-iQDnE5LSFRaE14-FkIG3-DCrJMcOa&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-US%2Fgames%2Fbrowse%2Fspring-sale">Spring Sale</a> is live, with big discounts on old and new classics and plenty of forgotten gems. But the deals aren't limited to Xbox console games; there's plenty on tap for PC, too. (You can filter by platform under the "Play with" option in the sidebar.)</p> <p>Some of the standouts in the Xbox sale include 75 percent off <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=67071605-d4df-494e-8d9c-c9c236b8bb38&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=2ed18c9e-8d48-4fa6-a51d-26e62b5080de&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Microsoft&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9yZWQtZGVhZC1yZWRlbXB0aW9uLTIvOU4yWkRON05XUUtWLzAwMTAiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjJlZDE4YzllLThkNDgtNGZhNi1hNTFkLTI2ZTYyYjUwODBkZSIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueGJveC5jb20vZW4tVVMvZ2FtZXMvc3RvcmUvcmVkLWRlYWQtcmVkZW1wdGlvbi0yLzlOMlpETjdOV1FLVi8wMDEwIn0&signature=AQAAAblh4YDZ11prKsyyegrhuowxbbyryr1zGFjt9Qwk7BoO&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-US%2Fgames%2Fstore%2Fred-dead-redemption-2%2F9N2ZDN7NWQKV%2F0010"><em>Red Dead Redemption 2</em></a> (a mere $15 for the 2018 masterpiece), <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=67071605-d4df-494e-8d9c-c9c236b8bb38&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=2ed18c9e-8d48-4fa6-a51d-26e62b5080de&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Microsoft&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9lbGRlbi1yaW5nLzlQM0ozMkNUWExSWi8wMDEwIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiIyZWQxOGM5ZS04ZDQ4LTRmYTYtYTUxZC0yNmU2MmI1MDgwZGUiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lnhib3guY29tL2VuLVVTL2dhbWVzL3N0b3JlL2VsZGVuLXJpbmcvOVAzSjMyQ1RYTFJaLzAwMTAifQ&signature=AQAAAedY43-DC8uO8TEFBFR75nqUzqhplW5YxPutnqfKULxM&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-US%2Fgames%2Fstore%2Felden-ring%2F9P3J32CTXLRZ%2F0010"><em>Elden Ring</em></a> ($36) and 20 percent off <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=67071605-d4df-494e-8d9c-c9c236b8bb38&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=2ed18c9e-8d48-4fa6-a51d-26e62b5080de&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Microsoft&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9iYWxkdXJzLWdhdGUtMy85TkQ1OExRVEcwOVQvMDAxMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMmVkMThjOWUtOGQ0OC00ZmE2LWE1MWQtMjZlNjJiNTA4MGRlIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9iYWxkdXJzLWdhdGUtMy85TkQ1OExRVEcwOVQvMDAxMCJ9&signature=AQAAAeiGyjt3l20Kw9Xj980CS56WLqytVhEDhyQ146AucnXn&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-US%2Fgames%2Fstore%2Fbaldurs-gate-3%2F9ND58LQTG09T%2F0010"><em>Baldur's Gate 3</em></a> ($56). Also available are <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/subnautica/BX3S1Q5DVHRD/0001"><em>Subnautica</em></a> ($9.89), the feline adventure <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/stray/9NMPDQ2NRX34/0010"><em>Stray</em></a> ($18) and <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=67071605-d4df-494e-8d9c-c9c236b8bb38&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=2ed18c9e-8d48-4fa6-a51d-26e62b5080de&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Microsoft&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9hbGFuLXdha2UtMi1kZWx1eGUtZWRpdGlvbi85TlA0MlJHN0xCR0wvMDAxMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMmVkMThjOWUtOGQ0OC00ZmE2LWE1MWQtMjZlNjJiNTA4MGRlIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9hbGFuLXdha2UtMi1kZWx1eGUtZWRpdGlvbi85TlA0MlJHN0xCR0wvMDAxMCJ9&signature=AQAAAYeHX1JPTizPFry4AADIQUwMnMjeP7gQNEpdVl4q0YOj&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-US%2Fgames%2Fstore%2Falan-wake-2-deluxe-edition%2F9NP42RG7LBGL%2F0010"><em>Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition</em></a> ($40).</p> <span id="end-legacy-contents"></span> <p>If you're one of the two gamers who don't already own it, you can even snag <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=67071605-d4df-494e-8d9c-c9c236b8bb38&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=2ed18c9e-8d48-4fa6-a51d-26e62b5080de&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Microsoft&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9ncmFuZC10aGVmdC1hdXRvLXYteGJveC1zZXJpZXMteHMvOU5YTUJUQjAyWlNGLzAwMTAiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjJlZDE4YzllLThkNDgtNGZhNi1hNTFkLTI2ZTYyYjUwODBkZSIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueGJveC5jb20vZW4tVVMvZ2FtZXMvc3RvcmUvZ3JhbmQtdGhlZnQtYXV0by12LXhib3gtc2VyaWVzLXhzLzlOWE1CVEIwMlpTRi8wMDEwIn0&signature=AQAAATAHoY7Yy8geVi2cpxN2mMNALxEXgxm5Um6ZVZe1pjqL&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-US%2Fgames%2Fstore%2Fgrand-theft-auto-v-xbox-series-xs%2F9NXMBTB02ZSF%2F0010"><em>Grand Theft Auto V</em></a> for a mere $20. (Even if you have the 2013 mega-hit on another platform, this is the enhanced version for Xbox Series X/S.)</p> <figure> <img alt="Gameplay screen from Cuphead" src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-04/d9e5c100-1bbc-11f0-befc-7f9d274fe340" style="height: 1080px; width: 1920px;" /> <figcaption> <em>Cuphead</em> </figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> StudioMDHR </div> </figure> <p>A few more worth checking out include the <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=67071605-d4df-494e-8d9c-c9c236b8bb38&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=2ed18c9e-8d48-4fa6-a51d-26e62b5080de&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Microsoft&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9jdXBoZWFkLXRoZS1kZWxpY2lvdXMtbGFzdC1jb3Vyc2UvOU5CMDExNUM5V05NLzAwMTAiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjJlZDE4YzllLThkNDgtNGZhNi1hNTFkLTI2ZTYyYjUwODBkZSIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueGJveC5jb20vZW4tVVMvZ2FtZXMvc3RvcmUvY3VwaGVhZC10aGUtZGVsaWNpb3VzLWxhc3QtY291cnNlLzlOQjAxMTVDOVdOTS8wMDEwIn0&signature=AQAAAe-CVicx6q_AvzwZvwvz-Oipoyke-r2XGIpGhy0PBjSL&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-US%2Fgames%2Fstore%2Fcuphead-the-delicious-last-course%2F9NB0115C9WNM%2F0010"><em>Cuphead & The Delicious Last Course</em></a> bundle ($18.89), <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=67071605-d4df-494e-8d9c-c9c236b8bb38&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=2ed18c9e-8d48-4fa6-a51d-26e62b5080de&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Microsoft&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9ib3JkZXJsYW5kcy0zL0MzNE5CMEYxQjVXUS8wMDAxIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiIyZWQxOGM5ZS04ZDQ4LTRmYTYtYTUxZC0yNmU2MmI1MDgwZGUiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lnhib3guY29tL2VuLVVTL2dhbWVzL3N0b3JlL2JvcmRlcmxhbmRzLTMvQzM0TkIwRjFCNVdRLzAwMDEifQ&signature=AQAAARPmF9qCwFL1nqKMeXfuP9qUY1D3W4YPobgrMt_oxo3V&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-US%2Fgames%2Fstore%2Fborderlands-3%2FC34NB0F1B5WQ%2F0001"><em>Borderlands 3</em></a> ($6), <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=67071605-d4df-494e-8d9c-c9c236b8bb38&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=2ed18c9e-8d48-4fa6-a51d-26e62b5080de&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Microsoft&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9ob2d3YXJ0cy1sZWdhY3ktZGlnaXRhbC1kZWx1eGUtZWRpdGlvbi85TVcxMEdYMTQwTjEvMDAxMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMmVkMThjOWUtOGQ0OC00ZmE2LWE1MWQtMjZlNjJiNTA4MGRlIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9ob2d3YXJ0cy1sZWdhY3ktZGlnaXRhbC1kZWx1eGUtZWRpdGlvbi85TVcxMEdYMTQwTjEvMDAxMCJ9&signature=AQAAAUKGsraf3DKlNN-1B-kqQ1-aG6psn3UlN8p6gCug-y20&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-US%2Fgames%2Fstore%2Fhogwarts-legacy-digital-deluxe-edition%2F9MW10GX140N1%2F0010"><em>Hogwarts Legacy: Digital Deluxe Edition</em></a> ($20) and the stealth sandbox <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=67071605-d4df-494e-8d9c-c9c236b8bb38&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=2ed18c9e-8d48-4fa6-a51d-26e62b5080de&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Microsoft&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9oaXRtYW4td29ybGQtb2YtYXNzYXNzaW5hdGlvbi85Tk44Mk5IOTQ5RDUvMDAxMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMmVkMThjOWUtOGQ0OC00ZmE2LWE1MWQtMjZlNjJiNTA4MGRlIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9oaXRtYW4td29ybGQtb2YtYXNzYXNzaW5hdGlvbi85Tk44Mk5IOTQ5RDUvMDAxMCJ9&signature=AQAAAR7ETeppFvMH3dyc5JXABHhhNr7PDi1vPB3-Zgph4dFn&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-US%2Fgames%2Fstore%2Fhitman-world-of-assassination%2F9NN82NH949D5%2F0010"><em>Hitman World of Assassination</em></a> ($28).</p> <p>You can check out <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=67071605-d4df-494e-8d9c-c9c236b8bb38&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=2ed18c9e-8d48-4fa6-a51d-26e62b5080de&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Microsoft&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi1VUy9nYW1lcy9icm93c2Uvc3ByaW5nLXNhbGUiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjJlZDE4YzllLThkNDgtNGZhNi1hNTFkLTI2ZTYyYjUwODBkZSIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueGJveC5jb20vZW4tVVMvZ2FtZXMvYnJvd3NlL3NwcmluZy1zYWxlIn0&signature=AQAAAdy1Nr5qfeJhS7-iQDnE5LSFRaE14-FkIG3-DCrJMcOa&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-US%2Fgames%2Fbrowse%2Fspring-sale">the entire Xbox Spring Sale</a> for much more. It lasts until April 30, so you have time for a deep dive before it ends.</p> <p> </p> <p></p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/the-xbox-spring-sale-is-live-185646088.html?src=rss
Source: www.engadget.com
Reception: Positive
New Jersey AG sues Discord over alleged child safety failures
<p>New Jersey's Attorney General Matthew Platkin is <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.njoag.gov/ag-platkin-sues-messaging-app-discord-for-unlawful-practices-that-expose-nj-kids-to-child-predators-and-violent-sexual-content/">suing Discord</a> over the chat company's child safety features. The lawsuit claims that Discord has "misled parents about the efficacy of its safety controls and obscured the risks children faced when using the application."</p> <p>The Office of the Attorney General and the state's Division of Consumer Affairs concluded that Discord violated New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act after a multiyear investigation into the company. The details of the lawsuit are currently sealed, but Platkin's announcement suggests a few ways he plans to argue Discord's approach may have endangered children. He says the app uses default settings that "allow users to receive friend requests from anyone on the app" and that it makes it simple to create an account when you're under 13. According to Platkin, Discord "only requires individuals to enter their date of birth to establish their age when creating an account."</p> <span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><p>When ask for comment, Discord offered the following statement:</p> <blockquote><p>Discord is proud of our continuous efforts and investments in features and tools that help make Discord safer. Given our engagement with the Attorney General's office, we are surprised by the announcement that New Jersey has filed an action against Discord today. We dispute the claims in the lawsuit and look forward to defending the action in court.</p></blockquote> <p>Discord has introduced multiple features over the years with the express purpose of protecting younger users. Following <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/discord-still-has-a-child-safety-issue-085304790.html">a report</a> that detailed 35 cases involving Discord in which adults were prosecuted on charges like "kidnapping, grooming or sexual assault," the company introduced its <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/new-family-center-tool-gives-parents-better-insight-into-their-teens-discord-usage-150014579.html">Family Center</a> tool, which lets adults track what their children do on the app. <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/discords-latest-teen-safety-blitz-starts-with-content-filters-and-automated-warnings-150031569.html">Teen Safety Assist</a>, also introduced in 2023, added automatic content filters and a new warning system for people who violate the apps guidelines. In 2025, Discord launched a nonprofit coalition called <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/roblox-discord-openai-and-google-found-new-child-safety-group-194445241.html">Roost</a> with the express purpose of developing open-source child safety tools.</p> <p>Discord, like other social platforms, has faced scrutiny before, and the pressure seems like it's only going to increase. Back in 2024, California lawmakers proposed the idea of blocking children's <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/proposed-california-bill-would-let-parents-block-algorithmic-social-feeds-for-children-220132956.html">access to algorithmic social feeds</a>, and just this year Utah passed an <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/utah-just-became-the-first-state-in-the-country-to-pass-an-age-verification-law-for-app-stores-225846117.html">age verification law for app stores</a>, a decidedly blunt way to try and guarantee child safety.</p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/new-jersey-ag-sues-discord-over-alleged-child-safety-failures-184501604.html?src=rss
Source: www.engadget.com
Reception: Positive
Mario Kart World Direct: Rewatch nearly 17 minutes of Switch 2 gameplay
<p>We already knew that Mario Kart World was being released alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5 for a whopping $80 (or bundled with the Switch 2 hardware at a slight discount). But this morning, the latest Nintendo Direct gave us nearly 17 minutes of Mario Kart World gameplay. There are plenty of callbacks to classic Mario Kart modes (Balloon Battle Mode), mixed in with all-new options (Knockout Tour). Want the full download? Watch the replay below, and read our full summary of the latest <a href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/mario-kart-world-for-switch-2-borrows-forzas-rewind-feature-160818661.html">Mario Kart World</a> reveal, as well as our <a href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/mario-kart-world-hands-on-the-perfect-launch-game-for-the-switch-2-130003924.html">hands-on impressions of the game</a> from earlier this month.</p> <div id="88c6d9a27eb149e4b74bddd87a71ec11"></div> <p>The original story follows. </p> <span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><hr /> <p>There’s yet another Nintendo Direct coming our way, which is the third in less than a month. This one is entirely focused on the <a href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/mario-kart-world-hands-on-the-perfect-launch-game-for-the-switch-2-130003924.html">upcoming Switch 2 launch title</a> <em>Mario Kart World</em>. It starts at 9AM ET and <a href="https://www.nintendo.com/us/nintendo-direct/4-17-2025/">should last around 15 minutes</a>.</p> <p>It’s livestreaming on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq4uCJDwO9U">Nintendo’s YouTube page</a>, but mega-fans can also open up that recently-launched <a href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-today-app-will-provide-updates-on-games-events-and-the-switch-2-150808151.html">Nintendo Today! app</a> to follow along. We are embedding the YouTube link, so feel free to keep this tab open.</p> <p>We have no idea what information Nintendo is going to spring on us as part of this Direct presentation. The company has already released a ton of info about <em>Mario Kart World</em>. It’s an open-world racer that can accommodate 24 plays at the same time.</p> <p>However, there are still a couple of unknowns. Most of these involve the open-world aspect. Are there any rewards for exploration? Are there secret tracks that can only be unlocked by finding them? Can the same be said for unlockable characters? Again, we don’t know, but hope springs eternal.</p> <p>There’s also the $80 elephant in the room. The exorbitant retail price of <em>Mario Kart World</em> <a href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/is-the-450-nintendo-switch-2-too-expensive-195750206.html?src=rss">has sent many fans</a> into a tailspin. That’s a whole lot of money, and Nintendo only recently-released its first-ever $70 game. There’s a minuscule chance that the company will throw us a bone and knock $10 off the asking price, but this is highly unlikely <a href="https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-111618899.html">given current</a> <a href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/trump-announces-90-day-pause-on-tariffs-excluding-china-195630212.html">economic uncertainty</a>. At the very least, we could get some new data regarding the preorder date for US customers. </p> <p><strong>Update, April 17 2025, 2:30PM ET: </strong>This story was updated after its original publication to include a brief summary of the announcements and link to additional relevant coverage of the game.</p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/mario-kart-world-direct-rewatch-nearly-17-minutes-of-switch-2-gameplay-184825781.html?src=rss
Source: www.engadget.com
Reception: Positive
Twisted Metal season two crashes onto Peacock on July 31
<p>The TV adaptation of the video game <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=cbef8901-c2f3-4af7-b1b7-e2c3afcffd7a&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=e9ca5e4f-47f2-4d55-915c-33c4ce1a2b2b&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Peacock+TV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5wZWFjb2NrdHYuY29tL3N0cmVhbS10di90d2lzdGVkLW1ldGFsIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJlOWNhNWU0Zi00N2YyLTRkNTUtOTE1Yy0zM2M0Y2UxYTJiMmIiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnBlYWNvY2t0di5jb20vc3RyZWFtLXR2L3R3aXN0ZWQtbWV0YWwifQ&signature=AQAAAYM-DxNlpv2SfbFROAxMCpWZo2R1ZADYoJ_M7-zXfD2w&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.peacocktv.com%2Fstream-tv%2Ftwisted-metal"><em>Twisted Metal</em></a> is coming back for a second season <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjqr33IAtS0">on July 31</a>. Just like the first season, this won’t be a weekly release. All of the episodes will be available on <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=cbef8901-c2f3-4af7-b1b7-e2c3afcffd7a&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=e9ca5e4f-47f2-4d55-915c-33c4ce1a2b2b&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Peacock+TV&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5wZWFjb2NrdHYuY29tLyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZTljYTVlNGYtNDdmMi00ZDU1LTkxNWMtMzNjNGNlMWEyYjJiIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5wZWFjb2NrdHYuY29tLyJ9&signature=AQAAAc74uuVtI6UMVKI32WQ8T7rR7aHRGGavUWbMIWxPRRBG&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.peacocktv.com%2F">Peacock</a> on that date.</p> <p>The first season was surprisingly decent, and occasionally hilarious. One thing we didn’t see in that batch of episodes, however, was the titular tournament. The show is rectifying that, as the second season looks to revolve entirely around the <a href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-twisted-metal-season-two-trailer-finally-shows-off-the-titular-tournament-180609928.html">Twisted Metal demolition derby</a>.</p> <span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><div id="b8ad3064664a400eaca0b7ab5db2d6f1"></div> <p>Co-leads Anthony Mackie and Stephanie Beatriz are both returning. Will Arnett will also once again voice the killer clown Sweet Tooth. Anthony Carrigan, from the HBO show <em>Barry</em>, is on deck as the iconic derby host Calypso. The show’s creators include folks from <em>Cobra Kai</em> and the Deadpool film franchise.</p> <p>Like I said up top, the first season <a href="https://www.engadget.com/twisted-metal-trailer-basks-in-post-apocalyptic-extravagance-211534351.html">was surprisingly fun</a>. It’s a fast-paced action-comedy set in a post-apocalyptic version of the US. It’s more goofy than grimdark, so think <em>Fallout </em>and not <em>The Last of Us</em>.</p> <div id="8e5e89f65b084ea09baf2e9d372c6685"></div> <p>Twisted Metal joins other modern TV adaptations of video games, like <em>Knuckles</em>, <em>The Last of Us</em>, <em>Arcane</em> and <em>Castlevania: Nocturne</em>. Video game adaptations have also been ruling the box office these past few years, with <em>A Minecraft Movie</em> and <em>The Super Mario Bros. Movie</em> both <a href="https://www.vulture.com/article/a-minecraft-movie-box-office-records.html">breaking records</a>.</p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/twisted-metal-season-two-crashes-onto-peacock-on-july-31-182717907.html?src=rss
Source: www.engadget.com
Reception: Positive
Playdate Season Two includes an action arcade game from Into The Breach studio Subset
<p>The long-awaited <a href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/panic-will-showcase-the-second-season-of-playdate-games-on-april-17-181556782.html"><ins>second season of weekly Playdate game drops</ins></a> commences on May 29. During a showcase on Thursday, Panic revealed that players will get two fresh games on their console every seven days for six weeks. It's also promising a surprise of some kind. Unlike the first season of games that's included with every <a href="https://www.engadget.com/playdate-revisited-two-years-with-the-little-yellow-inspiration-machine-125517060.html"><ins>Playdate</ins></a>, you'll need to pay extra for this one. Playdate Season Two will run you $39. You can pre-order now through the Playdate Catalog.</p> <p>Part of the allure of Playdate's seasons is that the games are a bit of a mystery, so you never quite know what you're going to get in your weekly drops. To that end, Panic didn't go super in depth into all 12 during the showcase, instead opting to shine a spotlight on four of them. One of the games will be of particular interest to <em>FTL: Faster Than Light </em>and <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2018-02-27-into-the-breach-subset-games-ftl-sequel-gameplay-video.html"><em><ins>Into The Breach</ins></em></a><em> </em>fans.</p> <span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><div id="613c382694294eeabf88c723d8fc02d7"><div style="width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"></div></div> <p>Subset Games, the studio behind those hits, has made a brand new game for the Playdate. It's an arcade action game called <em>Fulcrum Defender</em>. You'll use the crank to aim and shoot at waves of enemies as you try to survive. Subset co-founder Jay Ma says the enemies will progressively become more complex and you'll need to have good aim and choose upgrades wisely to keep your run going.</p> <p>Antonio "Fáyer" Uribe, one of the folks behind last year's well-received <em>Arco </em>(which Panic published), teamed up with <em>Flinthook </em>designer Dom2D to make <em>Dig! Dig! Dino!</em>. This is a relaxing puzzle game in which you'll be digging for dinosaur bones and treasure. Sell the booty and you can unlock upgrades to help you dig deeper for more bones and artifacts.</p> <p>The maker of Playdate titles <em>Life’s Too Short </em>and <em>Time From Earth</em> is back with another game that will be part of Season Two. It's a remake of the classic point-and-click adventure <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2008-01-03-virtually-overlooked-shadowgate.html"><em><ins>Shadowgate</ins></em></a> for the diminutive console. Pixel Ghost says it took the best parts of the previous versions to make <em>Shadowgate PD</em>, which includes new music, art and features.</p> <div id="70c0dc6be1b64a3a933a8974e22a03c2"><div style="width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"></div></div> <p>The fourth game that was featured in the showcase is <em>Taria & Como</em>, a puzzle platformer that's based around swinging instead of jumping (that reminds me a little of the wonderful <em>Grapple Dogs</em>). You'll take on the role of Taria, a girl with a prosthetic leg who sets out to find her sister, Como. JuVee Productions, Viola Davis' production company, collaborated with Popseed Studio on this project.</p> <p>"A few years ago, my friend’s son was diagnosed with Tourette’s, and I began to think about what sort of stories he’d grow up with. As a disabled person, I’ve seen the same tropes recycled — pity case, inspiration, disability as a superpower, magical cures,"<em> Taria & Como</em> creator Kip Henderson said in a statement. "Disability is complex, and we’re more than the inspirational fodder for able-bodied people. <em>Taria & Como</em> is the story I wish I had growing up."</p> <p>In addition to the Playdate Season Two details, Panic revealed a new cover for the console to go alongside the purple, blue and <a href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/i-like-this-ridiculous-playdate-pizza-case-so-much-i-bought-a-playdate-213610781.html"><ins>pizza</ins></a> ones. This one is yellow to match the hardware and it costs $34. The price of the console itself <a href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-diminutive-playdate-console-is-getting-a-price-increase-to-229-on-march-25-120004199.html"><ins>recently jumped up to $229</ins></a>, but you might be able to snag an official refurbished model for the system's original price of $179.</p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playdate-season-two-includes-an-action-arcade-game-from-into-the-breach-studio-subset-181438605.html?src=rss
Source: www.engadget.com
Reception: Positive