The video game Valorant, a fast-paced team-based shooter, has recently become a testing ground for a promising new direction in artificial intelligence research. The game’s developers at Riot Games (a Tencent subsidiary) are using 3D-native AI models to prototype new characters, scenes, and storylines, according to a researcher familiar with the company’s efforts who spoke…
Spend any time at all researching outdoor gear, whether it’s a new tent or a new rain jacket, and you’ll quickly find yourself awash in a confusing array of jargon. Silnylon, polyurethane, X-Pac, cuben fiber, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)—what are these things? What none of them are is perfect. Each has its own weight,…
Main theme: Consumer Reports has been the destination for unbiased car reviews since 1936. But did you know that we anonymously buy every vehicle we test—some 50 cars, trucks, and SUVs each year? In this episode, hosts Tanya Christian and Brian Vines get a crash course in car buying from our senior autos reporter, Keith…
Although the new Bolt’s exterior looks very similar to the old Bolt EUV, Chevy says that the new Bolt will now share most of the same underlying technology as the latest generation of GM EVs, including the Equinox EV. Those upgrades give the updated model fast charging capabilities that the prior Bolt lacked, as well…
Patio coolers are larger-capacity coolers on wheels that can be kept outside throughout the summer season. CR has reviewed small coolers and wine fridges and regularly tests full-sized refrigerators, so we decided to evaluate outdoor cooler carts, too. After setting up three patio coolers in our lab, recording the temperature inside each cooler for 26…
Best 2-in-1 Chargers Photograph: Simon Hill Photograph: Simon Hill Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Zens Nightstand Charger Pro 2 With a weighty base, an adjustable Qi2/MagSafe charging pad, and a fold-out Apple Watch charger around the back, this Zens 2-in-1 is ideal for folks with an iPhone and Apple Watch. The Apple Watch pad…
Meteorologists who have spent the past few days monitoring the rapid development of Hurricane Melissa in the Atlantic Ocean are sounding the alarm about the storm, which is set to make landfall in Jamaica today as a Category 5 hurricane. The sustained—and growing—intensity of the storm is remarkable, experts say, and has the makings of…
For example, people who remove their hearing aids frequently and might drop the case, those who might get caught in the rain, and those who find themselves in situations where there’s excessive dust or extreme temperatures might need a case designed to handle those conditions, like the Phirunty case I recommend below. A CR market…
If I were buying a camera today, this is the body I would get, travel or otherwise. The A7C R is one of the smallest full-frame, interchangeable-lens cameras on the market. This is why it’s our top pick for travelers in our guide to the Best Mirrorless Cameras. The 61-MP sensor offers amazing detail and…
Unlike Elon Musk with his list of broken promises, the stats don’t lie. Tesla has lost the title of the world’s largest maker of EVs to Chinese automaker BYD. The signs have been there for a while, with BYD besting Tesla sales in Europe a number of times during 2025. Now it’s official on a…