Top deals
- ExpressVPN: two-year plans up to 81% off; the Advanced tier is listed at $88 for 28 months (marked down from about $392 for that period). (Source: Engadget)
Subscriptions & streaming
- Netflix: adapting the board game Ticket to Ride and planning its first live MMA stream (Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano) on May 16 — more sport and IP-driven content for subscribers.
- Snapchat: rolling out creator subscriptions, another path for creators to monetize directly from fans.
- Nintendo: Virtual Boy app now available on Switch and Switch 2 via Nintendo Classics — requires Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership to access launch titles.
Consumer tech & security
- Samsung: teased mobile AI photography tools ahead of Unpacked, signaling more on-device AI camera features soon.
- Texas AG lawsuit: Texas is suing TP-Link over alleged deceptive security claims and purported ties enabling access by Chinese hacking groups — a consideration for router buyers.
- YouTube outage: a widespread outage affected thousands of users in the US and other countries on Feb 18, a reminder to have alternatives for critical workflows.
- WordPress: added a persistent AI assistant for editing and media creation, expanding AI tooling for site owners.
Gaming & value
- Xbox Game Pass: new additions include Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — continued heavy-hitter support that boosts Game Pass value for players.
- Entertainment: first full trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu released; Netflix continues investing in varied content types.
Key takeaways
- Biggest immediate deal: ExpressVPN two-year discounts (up to 81% off).
- Subscription value: Game Pass additions and Nintendo Classics content can justify active subscriptions if you use those platforms.
- Security note: TP-Link lawsuit and service outages (YouTube) highlight the need to vet hardware and have redundancy for critical services.
Sources
- https://www.engadget.com/deals/save-up-to-81-percent-on-expressvpn-two-year-plans-right-now-180602273.html?src=rss
- https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendos-virtual-boy-app-is-now-available-to-download-150705800.html?src=rss
- https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/kingdom-come-deliverance-2-and-the-witcher-3-are-coming-to-game-pass-163624685.html?src=rss
- https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-teases-mobile-ai-photography-tools-ahead-of-unpacked-233000358.html?src=rss
- https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/texas-ag-sues-tp-link-over-purported-connection-to-china-193802258.html?src=rss
- https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/youtube-is-down-for-thousands-of-users-in-the-us-020718165.html?src=rss
- https://www.engadget.com/ai/wordpress-adds-an-ai-assistant-174719676.html?src=rss
- https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/netflix-is-adapting-the-board-game-ticket-to-ride-180505164.html?src=rss
- https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-is-streaming-its-first-mma-fight-on-may-16-165702479.html?src=rss
- https://www.engadget.com/social-media/snapchat-is-rolling-out-creator-subscriptions-152114731.html?src=rss
- https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-first-full-trailer-for-the-mandalorian-and-grogu-is-here-164244117.html?src=rss
Disclaimer: Not financial/professional advice.