May the Fourth be with us all on this Star Wars Day. While things have been relatively quiet with the multimedia gold mine that is Star Wars, with just some murmurs about upcoming movies (The Mandalorian and Grogu excluded), a lone live-action show on the horizon, and a long way to the release of the Fate of the Old Republic game, it’s nevertheless a day to celebrate the franchise. And by that, I mean it’s time to save money on some Star Wars goodies.
Technology
Police agencies turn to virtual reality to improve split-second decision-making
Police agents train with virtual reality
Police departments across the country are turning to virtual reality training to help officers make quick decisions in high-pressure and potentially dangerous situations.
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AURORA, Colo. – Police departments across the country are turning to virtual reality training to help officers make split-second decisions in difficult, and sometimes dangerous, situations.
The goal is to help officers respond quickly and safely to any call, according to tech company Axon, and more than 1,500 police agencies across the United States and Canada are now using Axon’s virtual reality training program to make that happen.
Recruits at the Aurora Police Department in Colorado are among those training with the technology.
“You get to be actually in the scene, move around, just feel for everything,” recruit Jose Vazquez Duran said.
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Police departments across the U.S. and Canada are increasingly adopting virtual reality training programs to better prepare officers for real-life, high-pressure situations. (Kennedy Hayes/FOX News)
Fellow recruit Tyler Frick described it as “Almost like… a 3D Movie. Except this is exactly what we are going to be doing when we graduate the academy.”
Aurora PD uses Axon’s virtual reality program to prepare recruits for scenarios including de-escalation, Taser use and other high-stress interactions.
“It’s filmed with live actors who are re-enacting scenarios. And we have a lot of content there focused on a wide range of topics, from mental health to people who are experiencing drug overdose or encountering domestic violence,” said Thi Luu, vice president and general manager of Axon Virtual Reality.
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In Aurora, Colorado, police recruits are training with VR to prepare for real-life scenarios, including de-escalation, Taser use and other high-stress interactions. (Kennedy Hayes/FOX News)
The Aurora Police Department has used Axon’s virtual reality training program for three years. Officials say the technology keeps getting more advanced and easier to use, which helps free up other resources.
“Really helps on manpower for my staff, the training staff, when we can have, you know, 10 or 15 recruits all doing the exact same scenario at the same time. That means we are getting the most out of our training hours and having well-trained, well-rounded officers is really important,” said Aurora Police Sgt. Faith Goodrich.
Axon said the artificial intelligence in its newest training program can adjust how virtual suspects act – making them friendly, aggressive or anything in between. They can answer questions, talk back or even refuse to cooperate, just like in real life.
Every session is different, depending on how officers handle the situation.
Police recruits interact with virtual reality to sharpen their skills. (Kennedy Hayes/ FOX News)
A study from PwC found that virtual reality can speed up officer training and boost confidence in applying new skills compared with classroom-trained counterparts.
According to the study, VR learners showed a four times faster training rate and a 275% boost in confidence when applying learned skills compared to their classroom-trained counterparts.
Whether you celebrate Star Wars Day by hosting a movie marathon, or you just have a mild appreciation for the franchise, the power of the force will compel you to buy everythi — whoa, sorry about that. We’ve rounded up deals on video games, Lego kits, movies, and more. If you’re buying for a superfan, Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy are all offering deals on all sorts of Star Wars merchandise, from toys and Band-Aids to water bottles.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is steeply discounted at multiple retailers for all platforms right now. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X physical editions are down to $19.99 (previously around $30) at Best Buy, GameStop, and Walmart, while the game costs just $10.75 on Steam. Sadly, the digital console versions are still full price at $69.99.
$11
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the captivating sequel to 2019’s Fallen Order, one that continues the story of Cal Kestis and his little droid, BD-1. It’s an action-adventure game blending elements of games like Tomb Raider, Metroid, and God of War with Dark Souls — except you’re a Jedi with a lightsaber. Read our review.
Fans of third-person Star Wars games have had plenty to feast on the past couple of years, with Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws being another one worth checking out, especially now that it’s cheaper than usual. You can grab the physical version on PS5 and Xbox Series X for $20.99 (previously $29.99) at Best Buy, or for $19.93 at Walmart. The more recent Nintendo Switch 2 version is also going for $35.97 (about $42 off) at Amazon, though it has recently sold for about $5 less.
$20
Star Wars Outlaws is an original open-world adventure set in the vast universe of the iconic film series. It stars Kay Vess, a protagonist looking to steal from criminal overlords to gain her freedom. Read our review.
$28
Sometimes, you want your Star Wars fandom to be low-key, noticeable just to super fans. Thankfully, Owala’s limited edition FreeSip bottles come in a slew of hues modeled after the signature looks of Boba Fett, Darth Vader, and the iconic Imperial stormtrooper.
$21
The best price we’ve seen in more than a year is happening at Amazon. The discounted set includes the original film on 4K Blu-ray, as well as a 1080p Blu-ray and digital copy.
Moving on to toys, Lego is offering deals on select Star Wars sets through May 6th for those who have a free Lego Insiders account. You can get similar prices at Amazon, though you’ll be missing out on some free gifts you’ll get with select purchases (not to mention extra loyalty points). Orders of $40 or more for Lego Star Wars sets will include a miniature Razor Crest, which is a $5 value. If you buy more than $160 worth of Lego gear, you’ll get the 278-piece Darksaber set (a $30 value).
- Getting into the limited-time deals, the 1,138-piece C-3PO with articulating arms and a movable head is currently on sale for $111.99 ($28 off) at Amazon and Lego’s online storefront (for Insiders). It includes a C-3PO minifigure, too, and was designed for ages 18 and up.
- The 700-piece, brick-built Star Wars logo for ages 18 and up is great for displaying on a shelf, and it’s down to $47.99 for Lego Insiders. Alternatively, you can grab it for $2 more at Amazon.
- Lego and Amazon are both offering the same price on The Mandalorian Helmet, a 584-piece set aimed at ages 18 and up. It’s $55.99 for Lego Insiders, or you can get it for the same price at Amazon. If you’re really into Mando, check out the new Lego-exclusive N-1 Starfighter set, which just launched. Through May 6th, the $249.99 set includes a free lenticular display inspired by the upcoming movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu.
There are several other Lego Star Wars sets available for less than usual, even though they don’t include freebies like the ones above. The classic 525-piece AT-AT walker is down to $51.99 ($13 off) at Amazon and Target, which is a new low price. If you or a loved one is into Ahsoka, you can also get a set that includes the Ghost and Phantom II ships, plus a set of five Ahsoka minifigures, for $111.99 (was $159.99) at Amazon.
$144
The Dark Falcon set is a 1,579-piece kit that lets them re-create the dark version of the Millennium Falcon, complete with a removable cockpit, bunk beds, and even a throne. The set also includes minifigures like Darth Jar Jar, Beach Luke, and Bounty Hunter C-3PO.
If you have $70 to spend on an Amazon smart speaker, we recommend the new-ish Echo Dot Max because it offers great sound quality. But our recommendation changes if you’re a Star Wars fan. Amazon still sells its fifth-gen Echo Dot speaker with a Grogu stand for $71.98. While a deal compared to buying the speaker and stand separately (it’d be about $80), the sale price isn’t new for Star Wars Day.
If you’d prefer your Grogu-skinned Echo Dot not to have eyes, Amazon sells a stand that’s all ears with an Echo Dot for $67.98.
While there are no deals on the 4K Blu-ray set of Andor’s first season (it’s still around $50, with its second season still streaming exclusively on Disney Plus), you can save on a cute little holiday ornament of protagonist Cassian Andor brandishing a blaster. It’s going for $15.99 ($16 off) at Amazon and Hallmark.
A couple of years ago, we surfaced some Nanoleaf multi-panel kits that, when assembled, put a cute Grogu (I mean, “Baby Gu,” since this isn’t a licensed product) on your wall. The prices have come down on both the big and small bundles, letting you pick the one that best suits your budget and room size. The company’s 17-panel “Small Baby Gu” kit is on sale for $199.98 (originally $249.99), while the 53-panel set, which allows for a more detailed recreation of our little green friend, is available for $499.98 directly from Nanoleaf (originally $674.92).
The company is offering several other unlicensed Star Wars-inspired kits on sale today, too. And, just in case you weren’t aware, you can change the colors or layout of the Nanoleaf panels at will. When you aren’t feeling the Star Wars look, just rearrange them as you see fit.
$225
Nanoleaf’s light panels come in distinct shapes that make it easy to connect them in a variety of fun patterns. The panels support up to 16 billion colors and a number of lighting scenes, which can react to music, touch, and your monitor. This set is designed to depict Grogu’s head.
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China has stepped in and stopped Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook and Instagram, from acquiring the AI startup Manus, a Singapore-based company that builds AI agents capable of performing complex tasks. The deal, reportedly worth about $2 billion, had already been moving forward.
China’s National Development and Reform Commission said it was prohibiting the foreign acquisition of Manus and required all parties to withdraw from the deal. The decision followed a regulatory review that began earlier this year.
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China blocks foreign takeover of AI startup Manus, halting Meta’s reported $2 billion deal amid rising tech tensions. (Photo by Anna Barclay/Getty Images)
Why China blocked the Meta Manus acquisition
China did not spell out every detail or specifically name Meta Platforms, but the direction is clear. Officials are focused on keeping advanced AI technology and talent from moving overseas. AI is now treated as a strategic asset, similar to critical infrastructure.
Regulators also pointed to rules around cross-border deals. Any transfer involving tech, data or investment must comply with Chinese law. Even though Manus operates out of Singapore, its Chinese roots gave Beijing grounds to intervene.
Timing may also matter. The decision comes just ahead of a planned meeting in May between Donald Trump and China’s president, Xi Jinping, adding pressure to an already tense relationship.
Why the China Meta AI deal matters globally
This move fits into a bigger pattern. The U.S. and China are competing for leadership in artificial intelligence, and both sides are tightening control. China’s decision sends a message. It will step in when it sees sensitive technology or expertise leaving the country’s orbit.
That could make future deals harder. U.S. tech companies may think twice before trying to acquire startups with ties to China, even if those companies are based elsewhere.
At the same time, the U.S. has its own restrictions. Export controls and investment limits already shape how companies work across borders. What we are seeing now is a more direct clash over who controls the future of AI.
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Meta’s push into AI agents hits a setback after China halts Manus acquisition. (Anna Barclay/Getty Images)
Impact on Meta’s AI plans after Manus deal collapse
For Meta Platforms, this is more than a missed deal. The company has been pushing into AI agents. These systems go beyond chatbots and can take action on your behalf. That includes tasks like managing schedules, analyzing data or even building software.
Manus was expected to help accelerate that push. Losing access could slow development or force Meta to look for other acquisitions.
Manus did not respond to CyberGuy’s request for comment. Its website still says it is now part of Meta, suggesting the deal had already gone through before regulators stepped in. Meta said the transaction complied with applicable laws and that it expects an appropriate resolution to the inquiry.
Still, the outcome shows how unpredictable global tech deals have become.
What this means to you
So how does this affect you, and why should you care? Well, despite it being a high-level tech deal, it still affects the apps you use, your data and how quickly new technology reaches you.
First, it can shape the tools on your phone and computer. When deals like this get blocked, companies may take longer to roll out new features. Some tools may never make it to the U.S.
Next, it affects how your data is handled. Governments are paying closer attention to where data goes and who controls it. That can lead to tighter rules around apps and services you rely on every day.
It can also change how much choice you have. When fewer deals go through, companies build more on their own. That can mean fewer options or tools that do not work well across platforms. Over time, these decisions can influence how fast AI improves and who controls the technology behind it.
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WHITE HOUSE MEETS AI FIRM ANTHROPIC AMID POLITICAL TENSIONS, PENTAGON DISPUTE
Beijing intervenes to stop Meta’s acquisition of Singapore-based AI firm with Chinese roots. (Photo by Anna Barclay/Getty Images)
Kurt’s key takeaways
This situation goes beyond one blocked deal. It shows how artificial intelligence has moved into the center of global strategy. Governments are no longer watching from the sidelines. They are setting limits and deciding who gets access to what. For companies like Meta, the path forward may require new partnerships or different strategies. For everyone else, it means the AI tools we use will increasingly reflect political decisions as much as technical progress.
If governments control who builds AI, how much control should you have over the tools you use every day? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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If you’re looking to pick up a pair of open-ear headphones for yourself — or your mom — Shokz is running a Mother’s Day sale. Now through May 10th, the company’s best pair of bone conduction headphones, the OpenRun Pro 2, are available from Amazon, Best Buy, and Shokz for around $139.95 ($40 off), their lowest price of the year. If you purchase direct, you’ll also receive a free waist bag (a $29.99 value).
While traditional headphones tend to block out the world, open-style headphones provide a safer alternative, letting you listen to music and podcasts while remaining vigilant. After testing the OpenRun Pro 2, The Verge’s Victoria Song said using them felt “like the stars finally aligning.” Unlike many open-ear headphones, they don’t skimp on bass or clarity thanks to a dedicated air conduction speaker, though they still won’t rival a traditional pair of in-ears when it comes to sound quality. Still, they’re more comfortable than earlier Shokz models, with flexible ear hooks and a lightweight neckband that creates a secure, natural fit, even for those who wear glasses.
The fact that the Pro 2 vibrate significantly less than other models is another highlight, as is battery life. They offer up to 12 hours on a single charge, which was enough for us to go nearly a week without plugging them in (they charge incredibly fast via USB-C, too). They also include AI-powered noise cancellation for calls (though results were mixed in our testing) and an IP55 rating, making them well-suited for both sweaty workouts and outdoor use.
Other Shokz deals to consider
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