Engadget's best of 2025

Jon-Paul Vasta highlights how AI is becoming a crucial ally for small businesses as they navigate the challenges of 2025. Many owners feel overwhelmed with year-end pressures, but AI tools can streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and ultimately help these businesses thrive. This shift is significant because it empowers small enterprises to compete more effectively in a rapidly changing market, ensuring they can meet customer demands without burning out.

Tonight, baseball fans can catch Game 5 of the 2025 MLB World Series featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. With the rise of streaming services, viewers can easily watch the game without a traditional cable subscription. This matchup is crucial as it could determine the championship winner, making it a must-see event for sports enthusiasts.

Mark Zuckerberg recently announced that Threads has reached an impressive 150 million daily active users, a significant increase from over 100 million in December 2024. This growth highlights the platform's rising popularity and engagement. Additionally, Meta has begun rolling out ads globally within the Threads feed, with plans to introduce video ads soon. This move not only enhances the monetization strategy for Meta but also indicates the platform's potential to compete more aggressively in the social media landscape.

With Black Friday just around the corner, savvy shoppers can already snag some fantastic PlayStation deals. This early access to discounts not only helps gamers save money but also allows them to get their hands on the latest games and accessories ahead of the holiday rush. It's a great opportunity for both seasoned players and newcomers to enhance their gaming experience.

As AI-generated content becomes increasingly prevalent, the need for effective detection tools is more important than ever. In 2025, several AI content detectors stand out for their reliability and accuracy, helping users discern between human and machine-generated text. This is crucial for maintaining authenticity in various fields, from education to journalism, ensuring that the integrity of information remains intact.

In 2024, the tech industry in the U.S. faced significant challenges as at least 95,000 workers were laid off, according to Crunchbase News. This trend of mass job cuts is expected to continue into 2025, raising concerns about the stability of the tech sector and the impact on the economy. Understanding these layoffs is crucial as they reflect broader market conditions and can influence job seekers and investors alike.

The article discusses the evolution of Laravel API development, highlighting best practices for 2025. It emphasizes the importance of creating robust APIs that address common issues like inconsistent responses and security vulnerabilities. With insights drawn from years of experience in building SaaS products, the author provides valuable guidance for developers looking to enhance their API skills. This is significant as it not only helps developers improve their projects but also contributes to the overall quality and security of web applications.

Get ready for the holiday season with some fantastic early Black Friday deals under $100! This year, you can find a variety of giftable gadgets that won't break the bank, allowing you to stick to your budget while still giving great presents. With sales already happening, it's a perfect time to snag some bargains before the official Black Friday rush.

Rode has announced that its latest wireless microphones are now compatible with digital cameras, a significant upgrade for content creators and filmmakers. This development is exciting because it enhances audio quality and flexibility, allowing users to capture professional-grade sound without the hassle of cables. As the demand for high-quality audio in video production continues to grow, Rode's innovation positions it as a leader in the industry, making it easier for creators to elevate their work.

The article discusses the importance of depth charts in college football, particularly for teams like Penn State and Texas. These charts are essential for fans and analysts as they provide crucial updates on player statuses, including injuries and performance changes. The dynamic nature of these charts makes it vital to have tools that can automate and analyze them effectively, enhancing the experience for fans and fantasy players alike.

In a recent update to his article on dynamically allocating 2D arrays in C, Paul J. Lucas reveals a much simpler method for achieving this task. This new approach not only simplifies the process but also enhances efficiency, making it easier for programmers to manage memory in their applications. Understanding these techniques is crucial for developers looking to optimize their code and improve performance, especially in resource-constrained environments.

The Tri-Glyph Protocol explores the intricate relationship between mythic symbols and the challenges faced by artificial intelligence systems, particularly in terms of signal collapse and metadata drift. By examining the roles of Chim Lạc, Kitsune, and Anansi, the article sheds light on how these concepts can inform our understanding of AI vulnerabilities. This discussion is crucial as it highlights the need for robust defenses in AI/ML technologies, ensuring they can withstand adversarial attacks and maintain integrity.

In a recent article, developer Jaideep Parashar shares his innovative approach to creating AI prompts and frameworks by utilizing GitHub as a centralized library hub. This method not only enhances accessibility for developers but also promotes reusability, making it easier for others to build upon his work. This is significant as it fosters collaboration and efficiency in the AI development community, encouraging more developers to engage with AI technologies.

Jon-Paul Vasta highlights how AI is becoming a crucial ally for small businesses as they navigate the challenges of 2025. Many owners feel overwhelmed with year-end pressures, but AI tools can streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and ultimately help these businesses thrive. This shift is significant because it empowers small enterprises to compete more effectively in a rapidly changing market, ensuring they can meet customer demands without burning out.