Engadget

@Engadget https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fd29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net%2Fimages%2Fuser-uploaded%2FReady-Player-Me-avatars.jpg&resize=1400%2C787&client=19f2b5e49a271b2bde77&signature=a37046e515641406995e9fddc8ceafc55aeb9b47 Netflix is acquiring Estonian startup Ready Player Me, a company creating "cross-game avatar tech" that allows players to bring their digital personas with them to different games, the company's CEO Timmu Tõke shared in a LinkedIn post. The acquisition is part of Netflix's new games strategy, which puts an emphasis on approachable multiplayer titles and adaptations of the streaming service's IP.Ready Player Me's team of around 20 employees will be incorporated into Netflix's staff, TechCrunch writes, though Tõke is the only one of the startup's four founders who will continue on after the acquisition. Neither company has shared when the avatar tech will be incorporated into Netflix's games or what games will support the feature when they do. Besides designing its avatar system to be easy for developers to implement in their games, Ready Player Me's big pitch for their system is using AI to automatically redesign avatars for different games' art styles and "automatically fit assets to any avatar rig or topology without manual work."Netflix has taken multiple different approaches to games in the last few years, but lately, the company has actively retreated from AAA development and its more ambitious projects. Other than the premiere of its take on HQ Trivia, Netflix's last few game announcements of 2025 were focused on a collection of streamable party games, and a partnership with FIFA to release a new soccer sim in 2026. All of those projects could support avatars in one form or another, now Netflix just needs to decide how.This article originally appeared on Engadget at

Engadget

Netflix is acquiring game avatar maker Ready Player Me

Netflix has acquired a startup that creates tools to create digital avatars that can be used across different games.

Engadget

Netflix is acquiring game avatar maker Ready Player Me

Netflix has acquired a startup that creates tools to create digital avatars that can be used across different games.

@Engadget https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fos%2Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2F2025-12%2Fef2e63b0-dd12-11f0-bf67-578319329ec3&resize=1400%2C787&client=19f2b5e49a271b2bde77&signature=f0df25cd7e2518fc9043cd00c8c28d43c87f46c7 It looks like the holidays aren't a bad time to shop for a VPN subscription. ExpressVPN, Engadget's pick for the best premium provider, currently has a less premium price. This deal gives you two years of the Advanced plan (with a bonus of four free months) for only $101. When it isn't on sale, the same subscription would cost $392. Engadget's VPN guru, Sam Chapman, praised ExpressVPN's service. He described it as "high-performing" and having "very few flaws." The service received high marks for its speeds, easy-to-use interface and global network availability. The only significant mark against it was its relatively high standard pricing. But with this holiday sale, that criticism is (temporarily) null and void. ExpressVPN recently switched to a multi-tier pricing structure. (That previously mentioned Advanced plan is the mid-range one.) There's a cheaper Basic plan that allows 10 simultaneous devices (compared to the Advanced plan's 12) and doesn't include perks like a password manager. You can also choose the highest-priced Pro plan. It allows for 14 simultaneous devices and adds several extras. You can compare plans on ExpressVPN's website. When buying a two-year plan, the Basic tier is available for $2.79 per month (78 percent off). The Advanced plan is $3.59 per month (74 percent off). And the Pro plan is $5.99 per month (70 percent off). All three include the bonus of four additional months, giving you 28 total. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at

Engadget

Get up to 78 percent off ExpressVPN two-year plans for the holidays

Two years of the Advanced tier (with four bonus months) only costs $101.

Engadget

Get up to 78 percent off ExpressVPN two-year plans for the holidays

Two years of the Advanced tier (with four bonus months) only costs $101.

@Engadget https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fos%2Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2F2025-06%2Fe5269b30-541e-11f0-bffa-d131c5d3181a&resize=1400%2C871&client=19f2b5e49a271b2bde77&signature=7784ec4ff9f964869e47209f329f80eaa5ed9edb Anker has issued its second recall this month for several power bank models sold around the world, as MacRumors has reported. If you'll recall, its previous recall that launched earlier this month focused on the Anker PowerCore 10000 power bank model A1263, which were sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31st, 2022 in the United States. The company found that the lithium-ion battery it used for the model has a risk of overheating that could then lead to the power bank melting, producing smoke and, ultimately, catching fire. Now, Anker has issued a global recall for multiple products sold in several markets around the world. Those products are the Anker Power Bank (10K, 22.5W) Model A1257, Anker Power Bank (20,000mAh, 22.5W, Built-In USB-C Cable) Model A1647, Anker MagGo Power Bank (10,000mAh, 7.5W) Model A1652, Anker Zolo Power Bank (20K, 30W, Built-In USB-C and Lightning Cable) Model A1681 and Anker Zolo Power Bank (20K, 30W, Built-In USB-C Cable) Model A1689. The company said that it implemented a series of enhanced quality assurance protocols earlier this year, all of which were designed to detect manufacturing issues. It found that those particular models use lithium-ion battery cells from a single vendor, which are at risk of overheating and causing fire. The company said that the chances of malfunction are minimal, but it launched the recall out of an abundance of caution anyway and is advising customers to stop using affected models. You can check if your device is affected on the recall's official page where you can enter its serial number. A proof of purchase will be required to be qualified for the program, but if you can provide the requirements needed, you can choose between a replacement or a gift card that you can use on Anker's website. This article originally appeared on Engadget at

Engadget

Anker issues another recall for multiple power banks that pose fire safety risk

Anker has issued a global recall for multiple products sold in several markets around the world.

Engadget

Anker issues another recall for multiple power banks that pose fire safety risk

Anker has issued a global recall for multiple products sold in several markets around the world.

@Engadget https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fos%2Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2F2025-04%2F858054f0-1b02-11f0-bdf2-328b6a0f0131&resize=1400%2C788&client=19f2b5e49a271b2bde77&signature=752115c8ebe3ec78d6e47ce82e64a83ba3023cb5 Sony is jacking up PlayStation Plus prices in Canada. In an email to Engadget's Kris Holt, the company said the increase would apply to subscribers' first payments on or after June 24. The price hikes are now live on the PS Plus website for new Canadian subscribers. They vary depending on the tier and billing period but range from 12 to 22 percent higher than they were yesterday. The new Canadian prices for PS Plus Premium are CA$25 monthly (up from $21), $69 for three months (from $60) and — yikes — $225 for a year (from $190). Meanwhile, Extra members will now pay $21 monthly (from $18), $56 for three months (from $50) and $190 annually (from $155). Finally, Essential subscribers' prices go up to $14 monthly (from $12), $35 for three months (from $30) and $110 annually (from $95). Sony Other countries saw (previously announced) price increases go into effect on Wednesday. These include — deep breath — Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. So far, we haven't seen or heard of any US or UK price increases. The company didn't mention the elephant in the room — tariffs — in its email, instead justifying the price increase in vague terms. "This is necessary to enable us to continue bringing you high-quality games and benefits," it stated. But in a blog post last week announcing similar rate hikes in other countries, Sony perhaps hinted at the "T" word. "Like many businesses around the world, we continue to be impacted by global market conditions and will be adjusting our local prices for PlayStation Plus," Game Services Director Adam Michel wrote.This article originally appeared on Engadget at

Engadget

Sony raises PlayStation Plus prices in Canada

The Great White North joins other countries that saw rate hikes today.

Engadget

Sony raises PlayStation Plus prices in Canada

The Great White North joins other countries that saw rate hikes today.