Today’s highlights
- ExpressVPN is on sale: two-year/long-term plans listed as up to 81% off; Engadget notes the Advanced tier is $88 for 28 months (marked down from $392).
- Noble Audio launched the Sceptre, a pocket-sized USB-C Bluetooth transmitter aimed at higher-fidelity wireless audio.
- Spotify is rolling out an “About the Song” swipe feature to show context and stories about tracks.
- Streaming notes: NBC will re-air the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony tonight; Super Bowl LX (Patriots vs. Seahawks) will air on NBC and stream on Peacock (Feb. 8).
- Reported platform news: Apple is said to be planning support for third-party AI voice assistants in CarPlay; some Disney+ subscribers in parts of Europe have lost Dolby Vision/HDR features.
Key takeaways
- Deals: ExpressVPN’s limited-time pricing is the clearest immediate savings opportunity (up to 81% off).
- Gadgets: Noble Audio’s Sceptre may improve audio quality for wireless listening from USB-C devices.
- Subscriptions & streaming: check streaming codecs and availability if you rely on HDR (Disney+ issue); Super Bowl and Olympics rebroadcasts provide free/linear viewing options via NBC/Peacock links.
- Product features: Spotify and Apple platform updates may change how you interact with music and in-car assistants.
Deals to check
- ExpressVPN sale details: https://www.engadget.com/deals/save-up-to-81-percent-on-expressvpn-two-year-plans-right-now-180602273.html
Notable product & platform updates
- Noble Audio Sceptre (USB-C Bluetooth dongle): https://www.engadget.com/audio/noble-audio-has-released-a-usb-c-bluetooth-dongle-for-high-fidelity-transmission-191655786.html
- Spotify “About the Song”: https://www.engadget.com/audio/spotify-now-lets-you-swipe-on-songs-to-learn-more-about-them-164558366.html
- Apple CarPlay third-party AI reports: https://www.engadget.com/transportation/apple-will-reportedly-allow-third-party-ai-assistants-in-carplay-213432646.html
- Disney+ Dolby Vision loss in parts of Europe: https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/disney-loses-access-to-dolby-vision-in-some-european-countries-193930702.html
- Crypto.com CEO buys AI.com (and a Super Bowl ad): https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-cryptocom-guy-bought-aicom-and-a-super-bowl-ad-234325394.html
Streaming & viewing this weekend
- Olympics Opening Ceremony rebroadcast on NBC (tonight): https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-watch-the-opening-ceremony-at-the-2026-milan-cortina-winter-olympics-rebroadcast-tonight-143529231.html
- Super Bowl LX viewing/streaming (Patriots vs. Seahawks) on NBC and Peacock (Feb. 8): https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-stream-the-2026-super-bowl-for-free-this-weekend-patriots-vs-seahawks-time-where-to-watch-and-more-124512717.html
- Additional Super Bowl viewing guide: https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-watch-the-2026-super-bowl-on-nbc-patriots-vs-seahawks-channel-where-to-stream-start-time-and-more-175759402.html
Further reading / gift ideas
- Best tech gifts for $100 or less: https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-best-tech-gifts-for-100-or-less-from-apple-nintendo-google-and-others-130038608.html
Sources
- How to watch the Opening Ceremony (Engadget): https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-watch-the-opening-ceremony-at-the-2026-milan-cortina-winter-olympics-rebroadcast-tonight-143529231.html
- The Crypto.com guy bought AI.com: https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-cryptocom-guy-bought-aicom-and-a-super-bowl-ad-234325394.html
- Apple CarPlay third-party AI report: https://www.engadget.com/transportation/apple-will-reportedly-allow-third-party-ai-assistants-in-carplay-213432646.html
- Disney+ loses Dolby Vision in parts of Europe: https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/disney-loses-access-to-dolby-vision-in-some-european-countries-193930702.html
- Noble Audio Sceptre announcement: https://www.engadget.com/audio/noble-audio-has-released-a-usb-c-bluetooth-dongle-for-high-fidelity-transmission-191655786.html
- ExpressVPN sale: https://www.engadget.com/deals/save-up-to-81-percent-on-expressvpn-two-year-plans-right-now-180602273.html
- How to stream the Super Bowl for free (Engadget): https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-stream-the-2026-super-bowl-for-free-this-weekend-patriots-vs-seahawks-time-where-to-watch-and-more-124512717.html
- Super Bowl viewing guide: https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-watch-the-2026-super-bowl-on-nbc-patriots-vs-seahawks-channel-where-to-stream-start-time-and-more-175759402.html
- Best tech gifts for $100 or less: https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-best-tech-gifts-for-100-or-less-from-apple-nintendo-google-and-others-130038608.html
- Spotify “About the Song” feature: https://www.engadget.com/audio/spotify-now-lets-you-swipe-on-songs-to-learn-more-about-them-164558366.html
Not financial/professional advice