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Valve’s Steam Deck revolutionized PC gaming when it came out in 2022, popularizing the handheld gaming PC format. In 2026, it’s still got a great performance-to-price ratio, and is plenty relevant compared to more expensive and more finicky alternatives like the Asus Rog Xbox Ally X. But that doesn’t mean it’s fully stacked right out of the box. SteamOS presents a more intuitive pick-up-and-play experience than I’ve used on any other handheld gaming PC (or gaming PC in general, to be honest), but there are plenty of hacks and customizations you can use to make it truly yours.

Steam Deck’s desktop mode basically turns it into a mini PC

This one’s simple, but vastly increases what you can do with your Steam Deck. Yes, the Steam Deck’s biggest strength is that you can easily hop into games right from the home screen using the built-in controls, but did you know that you can also use it like a more traditional desktop?

To swap the device over to its built-in desktop mode, press the Steam button (the one on the device itself), then select Power. From there, select Switch to Desktop.

Bam, you’ll be taken right to a more traditional PC interface, and one that will look extra familiar to you if you’ve ever used Linux, the base operating system SteamOS is built on.

You’ll need desktop mode to enable a lot of the other hacks on this list, but it’s also great on its own. With it, you can install your favorite Linux productivity apps, or even just browse the web using Microsoft Edge, which comes pre-installed (you can install your browser of choice later). You can use the right trackpad, the thumbsticks, or the touchscreen to move the mouse cursor, and press Steam + X to bring up a keyboard, but you can also plug in an external accessory or dock using the USB-C port on top of the device, too. Play this right, and you can basically turn the Steam Deck into a full-fledged Mini PC, complete with a built-in screen.

To leave desktop mode and re-enter the Steam Deck’s default interface, click on the Return to Gaming mode icon in your desktop’s top left corner.

You can play games that aren’t from Steam

By default, the Steam Deck will show you games from your Steam Library, and that’s where the Store page will take you, too. That makes sense—Valve wants you to buy games from its store. But because the Steam Deck is essentially just a highly specialized mini PC, it won’t stop you from playing games from other PC gaming stores.

There are a few ways to do this, but by far, the most convenient one is Heroic Launcher. This allows you to install games from your Epic Game Store, Amazon, and GOG libraries by picking them from a handy, scrollable list.

Installing Heroic Game Launcher is easy. First, go to desktop mode, then click on the Discover store, which is the little shopping bag icon to the left of the folder icon. Search for Heroic, and install the app called Heroic (it’ll likely be the first entry, and will have an icon that looks like a shield with a sword in it).

Once it’s installed, open it, either by clicking the shortcut on your desktop or by searching for it using SteamOS’ version of the classic Windows Start menu (it’ll be to the far left of your taskbar, and will look like the Steam Deck logo).

From here, log into your various alternative game launcher accounts using the Log in button in the top left corner. After that, you could simply install your games and stop here, navigating to desktop mode and opening Heroic Launcher every time you want to play them. But let’s go one step further, so you can access them right from gaming mode (the Steam Deck’s default interface).

First, let’s try installing a game of your choice from the Library tab, to get used to the process. Select the game you want to install, then click Install. You may see the option to change the Install Path or change the “Wine” settings. The latter can help with compatibility, but you likely won’t need to mess with these. You may need to allow a C++ install to actually run certain games, but you can simply click “Install” on the pop-up that shows up when you try running these games to do this.

Once your game is installed, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select Add to Steam. This will add the game to your Steam library, so you can open it right from the handheld’s gaming mode.

You could also stop here, just adding games to Steam on a case-by-case basis. But for ultimate convenience, you can add Heroic Launcher itself to the Steam Deck’s gaming mode, to make accessing games in it easier. To do this, click the Steam shortcut on your desktop (or open it from the “Start” menu). From here, click the Add a game button in the bottom left corner, next to the plus sign. Click Add a Non-Steam Game, and in the list that pops up, find and click on Heroic Game Launcher. Click Add Selected Programs.

With this, you’ll be able to access Heroic Game Launcher from within gaming mode by navigating to Library > Non-Steam. This is also where any games you’ve added to Steam from Heroic Game Launcher will show up, and you can use these same steps to add and view other third-party apps within Steam too, even mainstays like Google Chrome. You’ll notice that the art for these might be a little barren. There are a few ways to fix this, but I’ll touch on my favorite below.

Install plugins to customize your experience

By default, SteamOS is pretty snappy and easy to navigate, but fans have taken it upon themselves to make various plugins to help you customize it further. You’ll find these in a program called Decky Loader.

Unlike Heroic Launcher, Decky Loader needs to be installed from a browser. Enter desktop mode, open your browser of choice (Edge is the default), then navigate to decky.xyz. From here, click Download in the top-right corner. Find the install file, either from your browser or the Steam Deck’s File Manager (the folder icon in the taskbar) under Downloads. Double click on it, and then proceed with the installation. For the most stable experience, choose the recommended install option.

Now, to actually use Decky Loader, go back to gaming mode and press the physical three-dot button on your Steam Deck (I’ll refer to that as the “quick settings button” for the rest of this article). Scroll down to the Decky Loader menu, which looks like a plug. Here’s where you can start toying with your plugins.

You’ve got a number of options here, so let’s navigate through where to find plugins and what some of my favorites are. First, select the icon that looks like a market stall (in the top-right corner), and from here, you’ll see all available plugins.

By default, these will be arranged alphabetically, but I have the best luck by navigating to “Sort” and selecting “Most Downloaded First.” This will put the most popular plugins up top. Some of my favorites include CSS Loader, which allows you to change your Steam Deck’s look and theme, and Animation Changer, which allows you to change what animations your Steam Deck plays when it boots or suspends. Download whatever strikes your fancy, and access them through the plug menu when pressing the quick settings button.

Note that, sometimes, installing a new Steam Deck system update might break your plugins. To fix them, navigate to the plug menu and click the cog in the top-right corner, then select “Plugins” and reinstall the ones that have updates. You might also need to update Decky Loader itself, in the General menu on the same page. And if you’re not seeing the plug menu, you’ll need to exit back out to desktop, reinstall Decky Loader using the install file you grabbed earlier, and restart.

Let’s close with an example, and an answer for how to get artwork for your Non-Steam games. In the Decky store, grab the SteamGridDB plugin. Now, with it installed, go to any of your installed Steam games and click the Start button (the three horizontal lines above the right thumbstick). From the menu that pops up, select Change Artwork. You’ll see a number of community-made options that will change how the game’s various icons and posters will show up across your Steam Deck. This will work with almost any game in your library—most have art uploaded to the database this plug-in pulls from—and some non-game programs, too. Most importantly, it will allow you to easily add art to games that don’t have it by default, like Non-Steam games.

Get yourself a dock

The Steam Deck might be a handheld, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it like a regular desktop pc, too. I’ve already covered how to access desktop mode on the Steam Deck, but if you want to go the extra mile and use it on the big screen, you’ll probably want a dock.

You’ve got a few options for this. I use the unofficial JSAUX dock, mostly because I bought mine before the official Steam Deck dock came out. For firmware support from Valve, you’re going to want the more expensive official Steam Deck dock, but this will merely increase stability—it’s not required.

Credit: Valve

Whatever you pick, you’ll just want to ensure it has either a DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1 connection (ensure your TV or monitor supports these, too), since those will support high resolutions and fast refresh rates. A built-in ethernet port is also nice, so you can have a wired internet connection, as are extra USB ports.

With a dock, you’ll be able to connect your Steam Deck to a big screen using the USB-C port at the top and the appropriate HDMI or DisplayPort cables for your dock. You’ll also be able to connect as many accessories as your dock will allow. And some docks come with handy bonuses. For instance, storage company Sabrent sells a Steam Deck dock with room for an M.2 SSD, for expanded external storage. JSAUX sells one too, although I can’t speak to it, since it’s not the model I have.

Once you have your dock and it’s all set up, just turn on your Steam Deck and set your TV or monitor to the right input, and you should able to play on the big screen, just like with a standard PC. Note that, depending on your screen’s resolution, you might want to take advantage of manually setting per-game screen resolutions (available in the cog menu after selecting any game, under General > Game Resolution), as some games might need to be set to a lower resolution to run at full speed if connected to a 4K TV. Or, you could set a global max resolution for games by pressing the Steam button and navigating to Settings > Display > Advanced > Maximum Game Resolution.

You can also take advantage of the Steam Deck’s built-in FSR upscaling to help make games look better when running at lower resolutions, by pressing the quick settings button, selecting the lightning bolt icon (this will take you to the Steam Deck’s performance settings), and scrolling down to Scaling Filter. Select Sharp to start upscaling the way I usually do, but there are other filters and modes for you to play with to find the right settings for you, too.

Make emulating games from older systems easy

Aside from playing PC games, you can also use the Steam Deck to emulate games from older systems, too. While you could install emulators yourself (programs that are legal, as long as they don’t come with copyrighted software), industrious fans have created a tool to make installing all the emulators you could possibly need on your Steam Deck way simpler.

It’s called Emudeck, and installing it as as simple as going to desktop mode, opening a browser to emudeck.com, clicking the Download button in the top-right corner, selecting steamOS, and running the install file from either your browser or the Downloads tab in the File Manager.

Honestly, there are a lot of install options you can select here—too many to list. If you’re new to emulation, I suggest selecting Easy Mode, which will get you set up with EmuDeck’s recommended settings. These should work for most people, but if you want to customize things like aspect ratios, filters, and which emulators you install, choose Custom Mode.

Go through the install process, and then to find your emulators, either open Emulation Station (or the alternative frontend you installed using Custom Mode) in gaming mode under Library > Non-Steam Games, or Steam ROM Manager by opening it in the “Start” menu.

As for actually getting games onto your device, you’re generally on your own there: It relies on your collection of retro games and methods for getting files from it. However, many of the same steps outlined in this article will apply.

Make the Steam Deck’s fan quieter

If your Steam Deck’s fan is too loud, you don’t have to just accept it. You’ve actually got multiple steps to control it, including one easy official toggle and one more advanced fan-made option.

Let’s start with the official toggle. If your fan is too loud, press the Steam button on your device, then select System and scroll all the way down until you see Enable updated fan control. Toggle that on to make your fan quieter, but note that doing so could reduce performance, as your system won’t handle heat as well (if this is already toggled, you can actually toggle it off to gain a potential performance boost).

Credit: NGnius

For more detailed control, install Decky Loader using the “Install plugins” hack on this list. Then, install the Fantastic plugin. This will allow you to set a custom fan curve for your Steam Deck, which will change the fan speed based on your Steam Deck’s current temperature. Simply open the plug-in and tap on the curve under the FAN menu to adjust it to your liking.

Adjust the power draw for better battery life

Not every game needs your Steam Deck’s full power. If you’re playing a more lightweight title, considering lowering your Steam Deck’s performance to save some battery life.

To do this, press the quick settings button and select the lighting bolt icon to access the performance menu. From here, you can adjust the TDP Limit to lower how much power your Steam Deck is allowed to use. By default, it’s set to 15 Watts, but on some lightweight games, I’ve been able to get away with 8 watts or less. Play around to find the right power-to-performance balance for you, depending on your game.

While you’re here, you can also set a Manual GPU Clock, which will lower your GPU’s performance, and could also help you gain more battery life. Similarly, you can set your screen’s refresh rate, which will reduce how many frame your system will be able to display per second, but could similarly extend your playtime.

Get a Steam Deck for cheap

Ever since Valve discontinued the Steam Deck LCD, the base price for the Steam Deck has been $550. Not bad for an OLED screen and all this device can do, but much more expensive than the former $400 starting price.

However, Valve will sometimes drop new batches of “certified refurbished” Steam Decks on its store page. These can go for as low as $279, and while these drops are rare, it’s a hefty discount if you can find it.

Valve is your best bet to get a refurbished Steam Deck without any issues, but if you absolutely need one and can’t wait for the next drop, you can try a third-party program. GameStop also sells its own refurbished Steam Decks, although at time of writing, stock is also low there.

Refurbished Steam Decks are probably worth keeping an eye out for, but don’t plan on getting one if you really want a Steam Deck now.

Get Steam beta updates

Valve is constantly iterating SteamOS, but it can take a while for new features to reach the general public. If you can’t wait to get the next big SteamOS update, though, you can easily sign up for beta features. To do so, press the Steam button, then navigate to Settings > System > Beta Participation. From here, join either the Beta or Preview update channels.

These will let you get new SteamOS features more quickly, although they can introduce instability. Still, if you’re fine with tinkering, this will let you get your hands on features like display-off downloads more quickly.

Make your Steam Deck more colorful

Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

Finally, let’s make that screen look a little more vibrant. This can be especially helpful if you’re like me, and you have one of those discontinued LCD Steam Decks.

This used to be limited to a fan-made plugin, but Valve has now added official support for adjusting your Steam Deck’s color settings. To access this, press the Steam button, and navigate to Settings > Display. From here, click Adjust Display Colors. You’ll be taken to a menu where you can adjust the device’s color temperature and vibrance, and see the results on a demo image right up top.

Apple has yet to announce a foldable iPhone, but after years of speculation, the outlines of what’s often referred to as the iPhone Fold are starting to come into focus. Multiple analysts and leakers now agree that Apple is targeting a late-2026 launch window for its first foldable phone, positioning it as a premium flagship rather than a niche experiment.

As with all pre-launch Apple products, nothing here is official. Plans can change, features can be dropped and timelines can slip. Still, recent reports paint the clearest picture yet of how Apple might approach a foldable iPhone and how it plans to differentiate itself from rivals like Samsung and Google.

Below is a roundup of the most credible iPhone Fold rumors so far, covering its possible release timing, design, display technology, cameras and price. We’ll continue to update this post as more rumors and details become available.

When could the iPhone Fold launch?

Rumors of a foldable iPhone date back as far as 2017, but more recent reporting suggests Apple has finally locked onto a realistic window. Most sources now point to fall 2026, likely alongside the iPhone 18 lineup.

Mark Gurman has gone back and forth on timing, initially suggesting Apple could launch “as early as 2026,” before later writing that the device would ship at the end of 2026 and sell primarily in 2027. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also repeatedly cited the second half of 2026 as Apple’s target.

Some reports still claim the project could slip into 2027 if Apple runs into manufacturing or durability issues, particularly around the hinge or display. Given Apple’s history of delaying products that it feels aren’t ready, that remains a real possibility.

What will the iPhone Fold look like?

Current consensus suggests Apple has settled on a book-style foldable design, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, rather than a clamshell flip phone.

When unfolded, the iPhone Fold is expected to resemble a small tablet like the iPad mini (8.3 inches). Based on the rumor mill, though, the iPhone Fold may be a touch smaller, with an internal display measuring around 7.7 to 7.8 inches. When closed, it should function like a conventional smartphone, with an outer display in the 5.5-inch range.

CAD leaks and alleged case-maker molds suggest the device may be shorter and wider than a standard iPhone when folded, creating a squarer footprint that better matches the aspect ratio of the inner display. Several reports have also pointed to the iPhone Air as a potential preview of Apple’s foldable design work, with its unusually thin chassis widely interpreted as a look at what one half of a future foldable iPhone could resemble.

If that theory holds, it could help explain the Fold’s rumored dimensions. Thickness is expected to land between roughly 4.5 and 5.6mm when unfolded, putting it in a similar range to the iPhone Air, and just over 9 to 11mm when folded, depending on the final hinge design and internal layering.

Engadget

Display and the crease question

The display is arguably the biggest challenge for any foldable phone, and it’s an area where Apple appears to have invested years of development.

Multiple reports say Apple will rely on Samsung Display as its primary supplier. At CES 2026, Samsung showcased a new crease-less foldable OLED panel, which several sources — including Bloomberg — suggested could be the same technology Apple plans to use.

According to these reports, the panel combines a flexible OLED with a laser-drilled metal support plate that disperses stress when folding. The goal is a display with a nearly invisible crease, something Apple reportedly considers essential before entering the foldable market.

If Apple does use this panel, it would mark a notable improvement over current foldables, which still show visible creasing under certain lighting conditions.

Cameras and biometrics

Camera rumors suggest Apple is planning a four-camera setup. That may include:

• Two rear cameras (main and ultra-wide, both rumored at 48MP)

• One punch-hole camera on the outer display

• One under-display camera on the inner screen

Several sources claim Apple will avoid Face ID entirely on the iPhone Fold. Instead, it’s expected to rely on Touch ID built into the power button, similar to recent iPad models. This would allow Apple to keep both displays free of notches or Dynamic Island cutouts.

Under-display camera technology has historically produced lower image quality, but a rumored 24MP sensor would be a significant step up compared to existing foldables, which typically use much lower-resolution sensors.

iPhone Fold’s hinge and materials

The hinge is another area where Apple may diverge from competitors. Multiple reports claim Apple will use Liquidmetal, which is a long-standing trade name for a metallic glass alloy the company has previously used in smaller components. While often referred to as “liquid metal” or “Liquid Metal” in reports, Liquidmetal is the branding Apple has historically associated with the material.

Liquidmetal is said to be stronger and more resistant to deformation than titanium, while remaining relatively lightweight. If accurate, this could help improve long-term durability and reduce wear on the foldable display.

Leaks from Jon Prosser also reference a metal plate beneath the display that works in tandem with the hinge to minimize creasing — a claim that aligns with reporting from Korean and Chinese supply-chain sources.

Battery and other components 

Battery life is another potential differentiator. According to Ming-Chi Kuo and multiple Asian supply-chain reports, Apple is testing high-density battery cells in the 5,000 to 5,800mAh range.

That would make it the largest battery ever used in an iPhone, and competitive with (or larger than) batteries in current Android foldables. The device is also expected to use a future A-series chip and Apple’s in-house modem.

Price

None of this will come cheap, that’s for certain. Nearly every report agrees that the iPhone Fold will be Apple’s most expensive iPhone ever.

Estimates currently place the price between $2,000 and $2,500 in the US. Bloomberg has said the price will be “at least $2,000,” while other analysts have narrowed the likely range to around $2,100 and $2,300. That positions the iPhone Fold well above the iPhone Pro Max and closer to Apple’s high-end Macs and iPads.

Despite years of rumors, there’s still plenty that remains unclear. Apple hasn’t confirmed the name “iPhone Fold,” final dimensions, software features or how iOS would adapt to a folding form factor. Durability, repairability and long-term reliability are also open questions. For now, the safest assumption is that Apple is taking its time and that many of these details could still change before launch.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/iphone-fold-rumors-everything-we-know-so-far-including-the-leaked-design-130000516.html?src=rss

Sony A7 series camera launches are eagerly anticipated by camera lovers, as those models are typically a showcase for the company’s latest imaging tech. The new A7 V is a great example of that: it’s equipped with Sony’s new 33-megapixel partially-stacked sensor — the most advanced in any midrange full-frame mirrorless model.

The A7 V’s resolution is higher than rivals like Panasonic’s S1 II and the Nikon Z6 III in this category while matching Canon’s R6 III. However, Sony trumps the latter with a faster sensor that promises lower rolling shutter distortion in electronic mode. Sony also boasts that it offers the highest dynamic range of any of its cameras to date. 

Unlike Canon with the R6 III, Sony didn’t bend over backwards to accommodate creators, though. Video resolution is limited to 4K, and the A7 V lacks any RAW video capability, compared to 7K and RAW for Canon’s latest model. All of that means the A7 V may be great for some buyers, but fall short for others.

Design and handling

Like other recent Sony cameras, I didn’t find the A7 V comfortable to hold for long periods of time. That’s because the grip, while deep, is a bit short and too small for large hands. At the same time, it has harder exterior materials than Canon’s cameras and is a bit heavier than the A7 IV at 1.53 pounds (698 grams) compared to 1.45 pounds (653 grams) for its predecessor. 

The handling makes up for the lack of comfort, though. It has two dials for the primary controls (shutter speed and aperture), along with a third for exposure compensation. There’s a dual dial with a shooting mode on top and video/photo/S&Q below, plus a rear joystick, rear dial and nine buttons. The main controls fell nicely to my hands, which made camera control a cinch. 

The A7 V has the same well-organized menu system as other recent Sony models and it’s easy to customize dials, buttons and quick menus to your liking. Overall, Sony’s menus are now among the best, and functions are easier to access than on Canon’s R6 III, for example.

The 3.69-million dot EVF display is relatively sharp and on par with the R6 III, but falls short of 5.76-million-dot EVF on the significantly cheaper Nikon Z6 III. The 3.2-inch rear display fully articulates as before, but it also tilts now, so I was able to easily shoot from high and low angles. It’s also slightly bigger and has 2.1 million dots, up from 1.65 million dots on the A7 IV. 

The A7 V has a dual-slot card system with two SD UHS II slots and a faster CFexpress Type A slot. However, Type A CFexpress cards are less than half as fast as the CFexpress B cards used in other cameras. The A7 V includes a full-sized HDMI port for external display, 3.5mm mic and headphone ports, and two USB-C ports — one for charging and one for 10Gbps data transfers. Battery life is decent with up to 630 shots on a charge or 100 minutes of continuous 4K 30 fps capture. The camera isn’t constrained much by temperature limits, as I was able to shoot 4K 30p video for 90 minutes straight with no issues. 

Performance

The 33MP partially-stacked sensor has made a big difference in the A7 V’s speed and autofocus accuracy. It can now hit 30 fps blackout-free RAW burst speeds with the electronic shutter (with autofocus and auto exposure enabled), compared to an anemic 10 fps with the A7 IV. That makes it a surprisingly good choice for sports and wildlife photography, or just shooting fast-moving kids or pets. Speeds drop to 10 fps in mechanical shutter mode, which is on par for this category.

Steve Dent for Engadget

Rolling shutter distortion is only an issue when shooting super fast subjects like airplane propellers or golf swings. And unlike Canon’s R6 III and other rivals, the A7 V maintains full 14-bit RAW quality during electronic shutter bursts instead of dropping to 12-bit RAW, which allows for higher dynamic range.

As you’d expect with Sony, autofocus is fast and extremely accurate, delivering the best in-focus hit rate of any camera in this price range. When tracking moving subjects like bikes, birds or kids, I rarely saw a blurry shot. This applied even in tricky lighting and chaotic situations with multiple subjects. The A7 V also nailed auto exposure and auto white balance, even when I shot at dusk with a mix of indoor and outdoor lighting.

Sony’s latest AI features make it easy to track nearly anything. Face, eye and body tracking are supported for people, and you can also follow animals, birds, insects, cars, trains and airplanes. The AI has been trained to track people in any position, even if they’re partially obscured or disappear in the frame. This proved to be convenient when I shot street photos in crowds with a specific subject in mind. 

This does bring up one sore point with the A7 V. When using third-party lenses, the burst rate speeds drop from 30 fps to 15 fps. In addition, you may not be able to use some lenses at all in AF-C (continuous) mode without applying a firmware update.  

In-body stabilization is improved significantly over the A7 IV from 5.5 to 7.5 stops with compatible lenses, but falls short of all rivals that hit at least eight stops. Still, I was comfortably able to shoot at shutter speeds as low as a half second handheld without any camera blur. 

Image quality

Photo quality is where the A7 V shines. Dynamic range is superior to rival cameras, both in the real world and specialized testing. This is due to Sony’s latest dual gain output tech that combines two ISO levels at once integrated with the new 33MP partially-stacked sensor (when using the mechanical shutter). 

I noticed this when taking photos at twilight in several of Paris’ squares. After shooting a statue against a bright sky, I was able to extract noise-free shadow detail from RAW files and easily adjust bright areas. When shooting ducks in water that reflected a bright sky, I saw similarly high levels of detail in both dark and bright picture areas. There is one thing to keep in mind, though: As Photons to Photos noted, there’s a slight drop in dynamic range below ISO 1,000 when using the electronic shutter.

Should you need even more detail and dynamic range, Sony’s new Composite RAW feature that’s borrowed from the A9 III combines four, eight, 16, or 32 RAW images to reduce noise and improve image quality. I used it to photograph some high-contrast scenes on a sunny Paris day and it dramatically reduced noise, but isn’t a good option for moving subjects.

Steve Dent for Engadget

JPEGs look great straight out of the camera with excellent detail, though noise reduction can be a bit excessive at high ISOs. Sony’s color science has improved over the last model, so colors are accurate and the magenta-hue issues seem to be largely resolved. However,I still find Canon’s cameras capture more accurate skin tones.

The A7 V is a low-light marvel, with relatively noise-free photos all the way up to ISO 12,800 and usable shots at ISO 25,600. What’s remarkable is that the A7 V beats all its 24MP rivals in this regard, despite the nearly 50 percent higher resolution. 

Sony added a new “Compressed RAW HQ” mode with the A7 V, designed to deliver better compressed RAW quality while keeping files smaller than “Lossless RAW.” Note that this new mode is not currently supported by Adobe Lightroom, so I’d avoid using it for now. 

Video

Sony

Two or three years ago, the A7 V would have been fine for video but not in 2026. While all its rivals are embracing internal RAW video at 6K or 7K, Sony is sticking with 10-bit 4K MP4 at up to 60 fps, or 4K 120 with an APS-C crop. The video is oversampled from a 7K sensor size so it’s very sharp though, and S-Log3 is available to boost dynamic range. 

Sony likely thinks that creators using this camera will mostly shoot 4K MP4 (as I do), so it didn’t feel that RAW was a must. However, users who do need the benefits of RAW — like minimal degradation when editing, flexible white balance and improved dynamic range — can’t even do external RAW capture. The 4K max resolution and lack of open gate 3:2 is also a downside for creators who like to reframe shots in post or output to social media. 

With that all said, you can capture high-quality 10-bit 4K 60 fps video with the A7 V. The S-Log3 Cine/S-Log 3 option and high data rate 4:2:2 HS video provide flexibility in post, letting you easily correct over- or under-exposed video or tweak colors. As with photos, color accuracy is nearly on par with Panasonic and other rivals. Shooting in low-light is a breeze, especially when you know that noise levels will be minimal even at high ISO speeds. 

Sony has some extra video tricks like focus breathing compensation that eliminates zooming when focusing from a near to a far subject. And the A7 V comes with a new AI Auto Framing mode, which recognizes and crops in on humans, keeping them centered in the frame. I was able to keep subjects centered (while stabilizing the shot) as long as I didn’t move the camera excessively.

Autofocus is just as excellent for video as photos, with the same level of speed and accuracy. AI-powered autofocus supports all the same modes (people, animals, etc.) and usually nails focus of human or animal eyes, like when I captured footage of some ducks and dogs. 

Video stabilization is also very good, just behind Panasonic’s S1 II and ahead of the Canon R6 III. In regular optical-only mode, it removes shaking from handheld video without too much movement. When you engage the “Active” mode, it adds electronic stabilization with a small crop for panning or tilting, and “Dynamic Active” lets you walk with surprisingly smooth results. Rolling shutter is rarely an issue for most types of shooting, including walking, unless you really whip the camera around. The lack of rolling shutter skew also makes it easier to apply stabilization in post with Adobe Premiere or DaVinci Resolve.

Wrap-up

Steve Dent for Engadget

The A7 V is an incredible camera for photography, with speeds, autofocus accuracy and image quality ahead of rivals, including the Canon R6 III, Panasonic S1 II and Nikon Z6 III.However, Sony isn’t keeping up with those models for video. The A7 V is missing RAW, native resolution and open gate capture, all of which can be found on the aforementioned cameras. That makes it hard to recommend for serious video users or creators who use full-frame open gate to export high-quality vertical video. 

There’s one intangible, though. I enjoyed taking pictures with the A7 V more than other cameras I’ve tested lately because of the AF accuracy and image results. For anyone who wants a fast, reliable and easy-to-use camera for photography, I can’t recommend it enough. For video creators, though, I’d look at Canon’s R6 III, the Panasonic S1 II, or if you’re on a budget, Nikon’s Z6 III.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/sony-a7-v-review-awesome-speed-and-photo-quality-130000592.html?src=rss

The Chinese government has given DeepSeek its approval to purchase NVIDIA’s H200 AI chips, according to Reuters. ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent have also reportedly received permission from Beijing to buy a total of 400,000 H200 GPUs. Reuters says Chinese authorities are still finalizing the conditions they’re imposing on the companies to be able to proceed with their orders, so it may take a while before they’re able to receive their shipments. In addition, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang told reporters that his company has yet to receive orders from the aforementioned firms and that he believed China is still finalizing their licenses.

In December 2025, the US government allowed NVIDIA to sell its second-best H200 processors to vetted Chinese companies in addition to its H20 model in exchange for a 25 percent tariff on those sales. China previously dissuaded local companies from purchasing NVIDIA’s H20 chips, but it recently agreed to import hundreds of thousands of H200 units after Huang’s visit to the country. While Chinese companies are striving to rely on local manufacturers, such as Huawei and Baidu, for AI chips, NVIDIA’s technology is still more advanced. The H200 is only second to NVIDIA’s B200 and is around six times more powerful than the H20.

China’s National Development and Reform Commission is the agency in charge of determining the conditions Chinese companies have to meet in order to buy H200 units. Stateside, DeepSeek’s purchase could lead to questions from authorities. As Reuters notes, a lawmaker has just accused NVIDIA of helping DeepSeek develop AI models that were subsequently used by the Chinese military.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/deepseek-reportedly-gets-chinas-approval-to-buy-nvidias-h200-ai-chips-130000933.html?src=rss

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Variety: In the future, studios that use synthetic actors in place of humans might have to pay a royalty into a union fund. That’s one of the ideas kicking around as SAG-AFTRA prepares to sit down with the studios on Feb. 9. Artificial intelligence was central to the 2023 actors strike, and it’s only gotten more urgent since. Social media is awash in slop, while user-made videos of Leia and Elsa are soon to debut on Disney+. And then there’s Tilly Norwood — the digital creation that crystallized AI fears last fall. Though SAG-AFTRA won some AI protections in the strike, it can’t stop Tilly and her ilk from taking actors’ jobs. As negotiations with studios begin early ahead of the June contract deadline, AI remains the most existential concern. Actors are also pushing to revisit streaming residuals, arguing that current “success bonuses” fall far short of the rerun-based income that once sustained middle-class careers. They also note the strain caused from long streaming hiatuses, exclusivity clauses, and self-taped auditions.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

You might not have heard of the Nex Playground, but it’s a tiny gaming system built entirely around Kinect-like games. With its camera and computer vision processing, the $249 Nex Playground can track up to four players as effectively as Microsoft’s old Xbox motion tracker, according to Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar.

NEX

The hardware is cute and well-designed, there are plenty of games, and it works offline. The only issue is the ongoing subscription needed to access most games. Check out our full review to learn more.

— Mat Smith

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Tesla is killing off its Model S and X cars to make robots

Even if demand for Optimus is still unknown.

Tesla

Tesla is going to wrap up production of its Model S and X EVs next quarter, CEO Elon Musk has announced. It’s less of a major shift for the company than it sounds: The newer Model 3 and Y now make up the bulk of the company’s sales. Tesla delivered over 1.5 million Model 3 and Y vehicles but sold under 450,000 Model S and X units. Musk added that Tesla’s long-term goal is to manufacture 1 million Optimus robots in the current Model S and X production space.

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Snap makes its AR glasses into a separate business

It’ll still be under the umbrella of Snap.

Snap’s augmented reality glasses business will now be its own company called Specs Inc. It’ll still be fully owned by Snap, though. The company has been trying to figure out ways to raise outside money for its AR glasses to better compete with Meta, which has a lot more money to spend on development. Earlier this week, Mark Zuckerberg said his Reality Labs will (eventually) stop losing so much money as it doubles down on AI glasses and shifts away from virtual reality. According to the Meta boss, the company’s smart glasses sales “more than tripled” in 2025.

How can Snap’s Specs match the might of Meta? Well, its next pair will apparently be lighter, smaller and more capable than its older smartglass model, which was pretty dev-focused.   One request: make them not look awful.  

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The best TV deals ahead of Super Bowl 2026

Maybe it’s time for an upgrade.

Hosting a Super Bowl party? Maybe you’ve been thinking about replacing an aging set, or you’re itching for a full refresh of your home theater setup — either way, if you’re looking for a good deal on a new TV, we’ve got you covered. TV prices steadily decrease after a new model comes out. The 2026 TV models were announced at CES and are expected to arrive this year, making now a good time to look for discounts on 2025 sets. Aside from the holiday shopping season, this is one of the best times of the year to save on a TV — it’s like the manufacturers know there’s a Super Bowl.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-the-nex-playground-channels-the-spirit-of-xboxs-kinect-121500965.html?src=rss

Welcome to Edition 8.27 of the Rocket Report! If all goes well this weekend, NASA will complete a wet dress rehearsal test of the Space Launch System rocket in Florida. This is the final key test, in which the rocket is fueled and brought to within seconds of engine ignition, before the liftoff of the Artemis II mission. This is set to occur no earlier than February 6. Ars will have full coverage of the test this weekend.

As always, we welcome reader submissions, and if you don’t want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar.

Why did the UK abandon Orbex? European Spaceflight explores the recent announcement that British launch company Orbex is preparing to sell the business to The Exploration Company in close cooperation with the UK government. This represents a reversal from early 2025, when the United Kingdom appeared prepared to back Orbex as a means of using British rockets to launch British satellites into space. Now the government is prepared to walk away. So what happened? “There are still too many unknowns to count, and the story is far from told,” the publication states.

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It took Android devicemakers a very long time to commit to long-term update support. Samsung and Google have only recently decided to offer seven years of updates for their flagship Android devices, but a decade ago, you were lucky to get more than one or two updates on even the most expensive Android phones and tablets. How is it, then, that an Android-powered set-top box from 2015 is still going strong?

Nvidia released the first Shield Android TV in 2015, and according to the company’s senior VP of hardware engineering, Andrew Bell, supporting these devices has been a labor of love. And the team at Nvidia still loves the Shield. Bell assures us that Nvidia has never given up, even when it looked like support for the Shield was waning, and it doesn’t plan to stop any time soon.

The soul of Shield

Gaming has been central to Nvidia since its start, and that focus gave rise to the Shield. “Pretty much everybody who worked at Nvidia in the early days really wanted to make a game console,” said Bell, who has worked at the company for 25 years.

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