Tech
Best TVs for 2026: Expert Tested and Reviewed
The Sony Bravia 8 II is a new flagship OLED.
With all of the TVs available today, and all of the technical terms and jargon associated with television technology, it can be tough to figure out what’s important. Here’s a quick guide to help cut through the confusion.
Picture quality: Broadly speaking, the type of display technology helps dictate how good a TV’s picture quality is, but OLED is typically the best display technology, and this is followed by LCD (including QLED, and Mini LED). OLED tends to have the best picture quality because it doesn’t need a backlight and every pixel can be either on or off, leading to great black levels. In comparison, each LED in a backlight looks after multiple pixels at a time so it isn’t as precise — it’s not yet 1:1. Among midrange models, look for a feature including full-array local dimming, mini-LED and 120Hz refresh rate, which (unlike some other extras) do help improve the picture in my experience. Additionally, If a TV uses Quantum Dots it often leads to better color performance, whether it’s an OLED or an LCD.
Screen size: Bigger is better in my book. I recommend a size of at least 43 inches for a bedroom TV and at least 55 inches for a living room or main TV — and 65 inches or larger is best. More so than any “feature,” stepping up in TV screen size is the best use of your money. One of the most common post-TV-purchase complaints I’ve heard is from people who didn’t go big enough. And I rarely hear people complain that their TV is too large. It’s worth adding that while TVs can get really big indeed, 4K resolution is sufficient for even the biggest models, and CNET doesn’t recommend any 8K TVs as they represent a poor comparative value.
Price: TVs range in price from $100 to more than $2,000. Smaller screens are cheer, well-known brands are more expensive and spending more money can also get you better image quality. Most entry-level TVs have a good enough picture for most people, but TVs last a long time, so it might be worth spending more to get a better picture. It’s also best to shop for a TV in the fall when prices are lower.
Sound quality: Every TV has some sort of built-in speaker, but in my twenty years of reviewing AV equipment the sound of modern TVs has been routinely terrible. While I do test the audio on each model, if you are serious about sound quality then buying a separate soundbar (from $100) or home theater system will instantly improve vital aspects such as speech and bass reproduction.
Smart TV: Among entry-level TVs the most important feature is what kind of smart TV system the TV uses, and while some are proprietary to each brand (Samsung and LG) some models do offer Roku and Google TV.
For more TV buying advice check outHow to Buy a TV.
Tech
Ansel Adams trust says AI-colorized version of his work was exhibited without permission – Engadget
The AI-generated version of ‘Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico’ was on display at AIPAD’s The Photogrhy show.
The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust released a statement this weekend condemning the unauthorized use of the photogrher’s name and work for the creation of an “AI-generated color version” of Adams’ “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico.” According to the trust, the piece was up for sale last month at the Association of International Photogrhy Art Dealers’ (AIPAD) The Photogrhy Show. The exhibit by Danziger Gallery “exploited Ansel’s name, reputation, and his most iconic image, while failing to identify any human artist responsible for its creation,” the statement says.
Interestingly, the trust didn’t take issue with the involvement of AI, noting that Adams “was remarkably prescient about—and excited by—the potential of computers to transform photogrhy.” The issue is that the exhibitor allegedly just straight up ripped off the artist’s work to make money off of it.
“The Trust was not consulted or notified before the work peared,” the Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust said. “Once alerted, we reached out to James Danziger in real time, notifying him of the Trust’s rights, and asking for the work to be removed. Correspondence shared with the Trust shows that, despite our formal notice, Mr. Danziger subsequently leveraged Ansel’s name, ‘Moonrise,’ and the AIPAD presentation while pursuing a proposed commercial AI colorization venture involving other artists’ estates.” The statement goes on to denounce the nonconsensual use of an artist’s name and work for commercial purposes, calling the incident “a gross failure of ethical and professional judgment.”
Tech
Nicolas Cage's 'Spider-Noir': How to Watch the Premiere on Prime Video
With new seasons of The Boys, Invincible and now Spider-Noir, Prime Video isn’t at all void of superhero shows in 2026. You can stream the new live-action Spidey series starring Nicolas Cage in just a few days.
In Spider-Noir, Cage plays Ben Reilly, an aging private investigator in 1930s New York who abandoned his superhero alter-ego after a tragedy, according to Prime Video. The show also stars Lamorne Morris as Robbie Robertson, a journalist and Ben’s best friend; Li Jun Li as nightclub singer Cat Hardy; Karen Rodriguez as Ben’s secretary, Janet; and Jack Huston, Brendan Gleeson and Abraham Popoola.
The new series is based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir, and it isn’t a spin-off of the animated Spider-Verse films, although Cage voiced Spider-Noir in 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse. You can stream the eight-episode season in either “Authentic Black & White” or “True-Hue Full Color.” Unsure what you prefer? Here are trailers for theformer andlatter versions to help you choose.
When to stream Spider-Noir on Prime Video
Viewers in the US can watch the complete first season of Spider-Noir as early as 12 a.m. PT (3 a.m. ET) on Wednesday, May 27.
The default, ad-supported version of Prime Video comes with a Prime membership, which runs $15 per month or $139 per year. A standalone Prime Video subscription without Prime costs $9 per month. You can opt to pay anextra $5 per monthto remove commercials.
Other ways to watch Spider-Noir
If you want to watch Spider-Noir ahead of its Prime Video launch, you’ll also be able to tune into the first season via the MGM Plus linear broadcast channel (but not the MGM Plus streaming p) on Monday, May 25.
If you don’t have cable, you may be able to access the ad-free MGM Plus channel with a live TV streaming service such as Philo or YouTube TV, which offer an $8-per-month MGM Plus add-on. This route may be worth it to you if you want to watch Spider-Noir two days before its Prime Video drop.
Alamo Drafthouseis also screening the first two episodes in some locations on May 25, but as of this writing, I only spotted a handful of seats left in Raleigh and San Francisco. You can reserve a spot by purchasing a refundable food and beverage voucher.
Amazon recently rebranded its ad-free offering toPrime Video Ultra, effectively raising the price of commercial-free streaming by $2. Additionally, 4K UHD streaming is now exclusive to those paying the extra fee. Here’s more about the change and what to watch with your subscription.
Tech
Stop Making These 9 Mistakes With Your Exercise Bike
An exercise bike is a great tool if you’re looking to get cardio in at home or at the gym. However, if you don’t properly set it up or do too much too soon, it can ruin progress. Even if you’ve been cycling for years, it helps to get a refresher on the best cycling practices.
To make sure you’re using an exercise bike properly and doing the right workouts, I spoke with several cycling experts. They break down the common mistakes you’re likely making on an exercise bike and how to fix it.
One of the first lessons I learned when I started taking group cycling classes was that you need to properly adjust the seat height. Aviron coach and certified indoor cycling instructor John Steventon says the right seat height is key.
“[If the seat is] too low, they won’t be able to get full extension of the legs, often needing to cycle with their knees splayed outward to make room for them,” Steventon explains. This leads to a loss of potential power and a compressed and uncomfortable pedal stroke. “If the seat is too high, the rider will risk bouncing from side to side as they lean off the side of the saddle, trying to get the right extension of the legs.”
According to Matt Wilpers, the saddle should be positioned high enough that your knee is slightly bent and not locked.
Peloton instructor Matt Wilpers offers a couple of tips to keep in mind when setting up your seat. “When riding, bring your one foot to the bottom of the pedal stroke (6 o’clock),” he says. “The saddle should be positioned high enough that there is a slight bend in the knee so that the knee is soft and not locked.” This will prevent you from feeling cramped or having to reach for the bottom of the pedal stroke.
Steventon points out that how the foot sits on the pedal is important, too. “The center spindle that the pedal rotates around should be underneath the ball of the foot because I’ve seen people who ride on their toes, and people who ride on their heels — both reduce power and efficiency of the stroke.”
Wilpers advises trying the “heel test,” which is when you unclip the foot at 6 o’clock to see if your heel can touch the pedal when your leg is straight.
You don’t want the seat too far or too close to the handlebars.
Another factor to consider when setting up your exercise bike’s saddle is its distance from the handlebars. Wilpers says the goal here is to get the knee stacked over the pedal, especially when the pedal is at 3 o’clock. “I usually start with the saddle pushed toward the handlebars and then adjust accordingly when I ride,” he recommends. The problem is that when your seat is too far forward, your knees take on the pressure, and if it’s too far back, the stress lands on the heels.
Besides the seat, make sure the handlebars are at the right height. “In general, it’s recommended to keep the handlebars at the level of your saddle or just above,” says Wilpers. “Many competitive cyclists like their handlebars at or slightly below saddle height because it better optimizes both performance and aerodynamics when cycling outdoors.”
Make sure the handlebars are aligned with the saddle on your bike.
However, Wilpers says that in some cases, such as if you have back problems, raising your handlebars even further is advised.
If you’re eager to jump on your bike and get a quick workout in, chances are you’re skipping a warm-up or cool-down. Steventon says that if you want to get your body ready for your workout, spending 10 minutes increasing resistance and cadence before a longer or more intense ride will prime the muscles.
“Rather than slowly working up from 60 revolutions per minute to 110 rpm during the warmup, 30-second bursts at gradually higher reps in between 30 seconds of easy pedalling will allow the warmup to be effective without draining energy before the main workout,” he explains.
Some warm-up exercises Wilpers recommends include:
If you skip a warm-up or cool-down, you’re missing out on some important steps.
The cool-down shouldn’t be neglected either. “In some cases, after a particularly hard workout, stopping suddenly can cause the blood to pool in the legs, and the cyclist may get dizzy,” warns Steventon. He recommends spending 5 minutes slowing your cadence to help the muscles keep pumping blood and oxygen as you ease out of the strain of the main workout.
You should also stretch the muscles used during a ride, such as your hamstrings, quads, hip flexors and calves. “Triceps, shoulders and wrists shouldn’t be ignored either,” Steventon says. “These muscles are soaking up the mass of the upper body, bouncing up and down, left and right on the handlebars.”
If you’re riding a bike with a screen, the screen’s position can sometimes lead to neck pain. In those circumstances, Steventon recommends gentle neck stretches to ease off the tension after a workout.
If you don’t have a general workout program or structure, you may be using your bike inefficiently. It’s important to make sure that you’re riding with intention if you want to get the most out of it. “Everyone has the same three training variables to manipulate in order to get what they want out of their training: frequency, duration and intensity,” Wilpers says.
Frequency relates to how often you work out, since it’s important to have a consistent riding schedule. “Cycling is great because it’s low impact, meaning it’s easier to recover from it and therefore you can ride more often without much fear of injury,” Wilpers says.
Once you have a riding schedule established, you can focus on duration. This is when you start increasing the length of your sessions.
Finally, once you’ve become comfortable with your bike, you can increase the intensity to improve your fitness. Steventon says more experienced riders are cable of putting in four to five workouts a week.
“The importance of foundation building zone 2 heart rate [exercise performed at 60% to 70% of your maximum heart rate] during longer rides is the same for all riders, but with three more workouts to play with,” Steventon explains. “They can add in some tempo and sprint interval workouts too, pushing the cardio harder, and working at a mix of cadence and resistance through these workouts.”
Below are different ways you can structure your workout depending on your goals:
You should have a plan, whether cycling is your main form of cardio or your choice of cross-training.
If cycling is your main focus, Wilpers recommends riding three to five days per week, with one to two intense days, one long day and the remainder as easier rides. Aim to ride for 30 minutes to 2 hours or longer.
If you’re prioritizing strength training but want to include cycling as your preferred form of cardio, Steventon and Wilpers advise aiming for two to three sessions at a zone 2 heart rate for 20 to 45 minutes.
You can also use an exercise bike for cross-training. This could be ideal for runners or other athletes who want a hybrid workout schedule during the week. Steventon says, “Cross-training utilization of cycling can be a very effective way to keep cardio topped up without the impact problems of constantly running.” Wilpers recommends cross-training once or twice per week for 20 to 45 minutes, as long as you’re healthy.
If you have injuries or certain aches from running, you can shift your training to cycling two to four times per week for 20- to 45-minute sessions. Steventon recommends that runners cycle whenever their bodies need to recover from running. “Long, slow rides will keep your fitness foundation strong, with harder sprint intervals tping into VO2 max improvements,” Steventon says. VO2 max is the maximum rate at which your body consumes oxygen during exercise.
Riding distracted is just as bad as doing too much during a ride.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when riding an exercise bike is either doing too much too soon or coasting while distracted. “Many people seem to think that unless they wake up sore, nothing was accomplished, and on the other end of the spectrum, I see people just pedaling and texting,” says Wilpers.
When riding, remember to focus on the workout at hand. Distractions like texting or answering emails can get in the way of making progress. “Have a purpose and plan before getting on the bike so that your time is structured,” Wilpers suggests. “This will help you stay focused and get the most out of your time.”
Steventon notes that the best way to use a bike or any fitness machine is to mix up the intensities to avoid hitting a plateau. “Long, slow rides, short sprint intervals and tempo rides (moderately hard ride) including hard, long intervals will improve the mitochondria-building, zone 2, foundation end of fitness, while the shorter sprints will help improve the VO2 max end, and the tempo rides are where mental resilience is built,” he says.
Wearing the right cycling shoes can improve your riding experience. Depending on the bike, you may need specific cycling shoes, like carbon-fiber cleats, road bike shoes, clip-in shoes, mountain bike shoes or even everyday shoes.
When choosing a cycling shoe, you want to make sure it’s comfortable because they don’t come che. Steventon recommends mountain bike shoes if you aren’t sure what to pick. “These are a little bit more flexible and have recessed cleats, making it a lot easier to move around, providing stability in situations where ‘off bike’ moves like squats or weights are included in a cycling class.”
The right shoes can improve your cycling experience.
Wilpers favors clip-in cycling shoes because they’re stiff and lead to better energy transfer from the body to the bike. However, the shoe you pick will depend on the type of bike you’re using, and most importantly, you want the shoe to fit well.
Steventon says everyday gym sneakers are acceptable, but that they may not be the best option. “The pedal efficiency may be compromised even with toe clips that hold these shoes in place on the pedal,” he explains, pointing out that because these shoes tend to be soft-soled, it can be uncomfortable to use for long periods of time.
Wilpers notes that some cycling shoe brands are much narrower than others, so it depends on your needs and comfort. “Lastly, I think it’s worth noting that a good set of road cycling shoes can cost hundreds of dollars, but these shoes typically last up to five years,” he says.
Usually, when you stop an exercise bike, you’re either pressing down the emergency brake or using the resistance knob to slow it down. “Trying to suddenly stop the flywheel or unclip feet while the heavy flywheel still wants to turn has great potential for injury,” warns Steventon. “Always use the resistance knob or emergency brake to slow things down properly, and wait until the flywheel has stopped before unclipping.”
If you aren’t properly braking, you risk injuring yourself.
It’s easy to forget that you need to do maintenance and clean your bike every so often. Wilpers reminds us that all bikes need to be cleaned and maintained. “Cyclists are known for constantly cleaning and occasionally replacing parts on their bikes because this is what it takes to keep your bike working great for many years,” he explains.
Keeping your bike in good condition is important if you want it to last a long time.
One thing people often overlook is adjusting their bike settings annually. “Think about how much your body can change in a year,” explains Wilpers. “You may get stronger, weaker, heavier, lighter, tighter, more flexible and so on.” By adhering to bike settings, you’ll not only have a more comfortable ride but also one that’s customized to your changing needs.
Tech
Google is currently struggling to define words like disregard, stop and ignore – Engadget
The search engine’s definitions have been replaced with AI Overviews.
Google pears to be running into some hiccups after the company began rolling out its updated, and even more AI-focused search experience at I/O 2026. Currently, searching for the words “disregard,” “stop” or “ignore” on Google no longer displays a snippet with a definition, and instead offers an AI Overview and a lot of blank space. Because users have complained about the issue on social media, and publications like TechCrunch and Macrumors have reported on it, even if you don’t get a definition, you might still get a collection of links to articles documenting the issue before the traditional list of links.
Multiple members of Engadget’s staff were able to recreate the strange AI Overview responses with their own personal Google searches. In Incognito Mode, Google responded correctly once by displaying its usual snippet with the definition, and failed a second time by once again responding with an AI Overview. Links to online dictionaries still pear under these incorrect results, but you have to scroll past an AI Overview or a grid of articles to actually get to them.
Engadget has contacted Google for more information about this issue and its attempts to fix it. We’ll update this article if we hear back .
In the grand scheme of things, Google not automatically displaying a definition isn’t as bad as recommending people put glue on pizza, one of the issues the company dealt with when it first launched AI Overviews. It might even be good for Merriam-Webster’s web traffic. What the issue does highlight is the awkward transition Google is currently undergoing, as it moves from the ultimate referrer of other websites into all-in-one AI assistant.
Tech
NASA is opening up bids for who will run the Jet Propulsion Laboratory – Engadget
The current contract with Caltech ends in 2028.
NASA is opening up bids for who will run the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) once the contract with Caltech expires in 2028. This is a pretty big deal, as Caltech has run the program since its founding in 1936. The JPL actually predates NASA by over two decades.
This doesn’t mean that Caltech is getting shut out. It just means that NASA is looking into other options. The agency issued a notice to solicit responses from any interested parties, as “the rid growth of the US space economy indicates there may now be a viable competitive market.”
NASA says “conducting a competition for this contract” will enable the agency to “assess the potential benefits of alternative management proaches.” This includes “opportunities to enhance mission performance, innovation and overall cost and operational efficiency.”
It also said this is part of a “broader governmentwide and agency effort to find efficiencies.” The Trump administration has put NASA in its crosshairs in recent months, asking Congress to cut the agency’s budget by 23 percent.
These cuts would also directly impact the JPL. It’s possible NASA is looking for a new management partner with deep pockets. Funding the space agency accounts for around 0.35 percent of the $7 trillion federal budget and, after all, we live in a serious time where every penny counts.
Who could end up managing the JBL if not Caltech? This contract would be worth at least $30 billion and potential bidders could include other universities with strong aerospace engineering backgrounds, but also contractors like Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
This project is technically classified as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC.) These projects are typically managed by not-for-profit entities like universities, or a charitable arm of an existing corporation. However, it’s 2026 and nothing really matters anymore so who knows how this will shake out.
The space agency says it’s starting the search for a new partner long before the contract ends in 2028 so as to ensure project continuity. Laboratory operations shouldn’t be impacted, no matter what hpens by 2028.
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