Engadget News + Next

The companies, products and trends that fared the best over the last 12 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

-In its worst-case-scenario model, the IDC predicts PC shipments could shrink by up to 8.9 percent in 2026 because of the high cost of memory. -Meta has acquired an AI startup called Manus — known for its custom research and website-building agents — in a deal valued at more than $2 billion. It's reportedly one of the largest acquisitions yet involving a startup nurtured in China's AI ecosystem. -Samsung will have two new inexpensive mobile devices arriving on the US market next month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The two-armed, five-fingered robot named CLOiD is supposed to help with tasks around the home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

-Considering the caliber of President Trump's other appointees, Jared Isaacman is probably the best candidate for the job. Outside of being a successful entrepreneur, he has flown fighter jets and been to space twice as part of the Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn private missions. -Michał Kiciński, co-founder of CD Projekt, has acquired total ownership of the DRM-free video game storefront GOG. The digital video game platform was started by CD Projekt in 2008 with a stated mission to preserve "Good Old Games" (hence the GOG acronym). -Ubisoft had to shut down Rainbow Six Siege's servers and roll back transactions, a situation that came from a widespread breach that left various players with billions of in-game credits, ultra-rare skins of weapons, and banned accounts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CEO Sam Altman posted about the role on X, saying the models 'are starting to present some real challenges.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices