Retro Recomendo: Sleep
Retro Recomendo’s latest issue curates six evergreen sleep aids, ranging from a free brown‑noise app to a Philips sunrise alarm clock. The recommendations emphasize low‑cost, high‑impact tools such as moldable silicone earplugs, 9‑minute NSDR audio tracks, and ultra‑cheap LED nightlights. It also highlights Costco’s value‑priced mattresses with full delivery and setup services. Together, these tips aim to improve sleep quality without major expense.
Apple’s Liquid Glass Redesign Linked to Record-Low 45% Adoption Rate
Apple’s iOS 26 rollout introduced the “Liquid Glass” design system, a glossy, transparency‑heavy UI that has drawn sharp criticism. Adoption has stalled at 45 %, the lowest level in the company’s history, reflecting widespread user dissatisfaction. Critics argue the redesign sacrifices readability...
Massive 38% Off: Get the Powerful ACEMAGIC K1 Intel Core I5-12600H Mini PC for Only $359.99
The ACEMAGIC K1 Mini PC, powered by an Intel Core i5‑12600H, 16 GB DDR4 RAM, and a 512 GB SSD, now sells for $359.99 after a 38% discount and an extra promo code. Its hybrid‑core processor reaches 4.5 GHz and supports triple 4K...
What Google Isn’t Telling You About the Pixel 11 Pro XL
Google unveiled the Pixel 11 Pro XL, its newest flagship aimed at challenging Apple’s premium phones. The device introduces a 3D facial recognition system powered by Project Tuscana, paired with a fingerprint sensor for dual biometric security. Under the hood...
Turn a Broken Phone Into a DeX-Powered 1440p Mini PC for Under $100
A broken Samsung Galaxy S20 FE can be transformed into a DeX‑powered mini PC for under $100. By housing the phone in a modified Raspberry Pi case, adding a USB‑C to HDMI adapter, docking station, and active cooling, the setup delivers a...
7 Things I Can’t Wait to See at Next Week’s Biggest Phone Launch
Samsung’s Unpacked event on February 25 will unveil the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which sports noticeably thinner bezels, a flatter frame and a refined color palette. The flagship’s camera strategy pivots to a wider‑aperture 5× telephoto lens and a new image‑processing...
AMD Seemingly Stops Driver Updates for Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor
AMD has apparently ceased driver updates for its 2023‑era Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU used in handheld consoles, leaving devices like the ASUS ROG Ally on drivers dating back to August 2025. The pause affects OEMs such as Lenovo and ASUS, which must validate drivers against...
This $119 Camera Won’t Let You See Your Photos
The Flashback ONE35 V2 is a $119 retro‑style digital camera that eliminates instant previews, limiting users to 27 shots and a 24‑hour post‑transfer delay. It upgrades to a 13‑megapixel sensor with improved low‑light performance and adds four built‑in film simulations....
Makeblock mBot2 Rover Robotics Kit Features Encoders for Accurate Motor Control
Makeblock’s mBot2 Rover Kit combines a rugged anodized‑aluminum chassis with the CyberPi ESP32‑based controller, delivering wireless connectivity, built‑in sensors, and motor encoders for precise motion. The kit supports both block‑based and Python programming via the mBlock platform, allowing learners from...
AOC Q27G4ZD Expands Gaming Series with 280 Hz QD-OLED and up to 1000 Nits Peak Brightness
The episode reviews AOC's new Q27G4ZD gaming monitor, a 27‑inch QD‑OLED panel that sits between the brand's 240 Hz and 360 Hz models with a 280 Hz refresh rate and QHD (2560×1440) resolution. It highlights the third‑generation QD‑OLED technology delivering 0.03 ms response, up...
Suspected New Onn 4K Pro and Onn Streaming Stick From Walmart Pass Through FCC Approval
Walmart’s Onn brand is set to receive two new streaming devices after FCC filings identified a second‑generation 4K Pro set‑top box and a refreshed streaming stick. The 4K Pro (model JS620K4) upgrades to 32 GB storage, 3 GB RAM, Wi‑Fi 6 and adds...
Bankers Complain that Apple Has a Tight Grip on Mobile Payments
Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay dominate Canada’s mobile payments, capturing roughly 90% of phone‑based transactions. The Canadian market, valued at about $1.39 billion in 2024, is forecast to surge to $20.48 billion by 2030. Major banks such as RBC, Scotiabank...
Nothing Reinvents Its Glyph Notification Lights Again, This Time for the Phone (4a)
Nothing is set to launch its mid‑range Phone 4a, featuring a revamped Glyph Bar with six square lights and nine individually controllable mini‑LEDs that are 40% brighter than earlier A‑series versions. The new notification system replaces the previous strip‑based designs and...
Raspberry Pi RP2350 Microcontroller Overclocked to Run at More than 5X Original Frequency
The Raspberry Pi RP2350, launched in 2024 with dual Cortex‑M33 and Hazard3 RISC‑V cores capped at 150 MHz, has been pushed far beyond its spec. By disabling the internal regulator, raising voltage to 2.95 V and applying aggressive cooling, engineers achieved up to...
Firewalla Orange Review: A Pocket-Sized Firewall That Followed Me to Tokyo
The Firewalla Orange is a 244‑gram, pocket‑sized firewall that turns any untrusted Wi‑Fi into a protected network in about ten minutes. In real‑world tests it delivered 1.72 Gbps wired throughput and 151 Mbps hotel Wi‑Fi speed while applying IPS, ad‑blocking and VPN...
Mesa KosmicKrisp Driver Is Coming To iOS, More Performance & Vulkan 1.4 Expected
LunarG’s KosmicKrist driver, now merged into Mesa, brings a native Vulkan‑on‑Metal implementation for Apple Silicon. After proving its macOS capabilities, the team announced a roadmap that includes iOS support, performance optimizations, and Vulkan 1.4 conformance. Funding from Google aims to boost...
What Power Banks Do You Use & Why?
Japan’s transport ministry will ban power‑bank use on all flights starting April 2026, prompting airlines to adjust safety protocols. China has extended its 30‑day visa‑free program to UK and Canadian passport holders through the end of 2026, easing travel barriers. Meanwhile,...
Cycplus R200 Smart Indoor Bike Trainer Review
The Cycplus R200 smart indoor bike trainer delivers direct‑drive performance at a £350‑£365 price point, matching the power accuracy of far pricier models with ±1% precision. Its solid H‑frame and responsive electromagnetic resistance provide a stable, quiet ride that feels...
Pison Perform Review After 515 Tests: This Wearable Tracks Brain Health, Reaction Time, & Decision Speed
Pison Perform is a wrist‑worn wearable that uses medical‑grade electroneurography (ENG) to capture brain‑derived signals and deliver daily scores on reaction time, inhibition control, and sustained focus. After six months of testing, the reviewer recorded a 41.5 ms readiness gain and...
Connected 591: Find Your Lost Stephen
The latest 512 Pixels podcast episode, "Connected 591: Find Your Lost Stephen," looks ahead to Apple’s March 4, 2026 event, reviews the iOS 26.4 Beta 1 release, and imagines an AI‑powered pendant wearable. Host Stephen Hackett also highlights new 512 Pixels merchandise, including shirts and...
Secure the Chips, Absorb the Costs, and Grab More Market Share
Analyst Mark Newman raised Apple’s price target amid rising memory‑chip costs, noting that component inflation could lift iPhone prices by up to 15 %. Despite higher production expenses, Apple’s strong ecosystem and execution are expected to protect earnings. The analyst also...
Creality K2 Pro Combo, 3D Printers Continue to Evolve
The episode reviews Creality's K2 Pro Combo 3D printer, highlighting its high-speed capabilities of 600 mm/s and 30 mm/s² acceleration, along with an enclosed heated chamber that reaches 65 °C and a bed that heats to 120 °C. It notes the printer's ability to...
Valve Steam Deck Mistakes to Avoid for a Simpler, Smoother Setup
Poladr0id’s guide warns Steam Deck owners that over‑customising the handheld can destabilise the system and diminish enjoyment. The author stresses that a few purposeful tweaks—like controller remapping—outperform a clutter of plugins. Cheap accessories such as low‑grade chargers and cases often...
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Release Date, Price, and Final Leaks
Samsung announced the Galaxy S26 series, debuting on Feb 25, 2026, with three models: S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. The Ultra flagship features a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a 6.9‑inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at 120 Hz, up to 16 GB...
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 & Ultra 2: The ‘Dual-Chip’ Upgrade That Changes Everything
Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 in July, introducing a dual‑chip 3‑in‑1 bioactive sensor and AI‑driven health analytics. The Watch 9 targets mainstream users seeking reliable performance, while the Ultra 2 aims at premium fitness enthusiasts...
Claude 4.5 vs GPT 5.2 vs Gemini 3 Pro : Different Coding Workflows Explored
The guide pits Claude 4.5, GPT 5.2, and Gemini 3 Pro against each other across pricing, coding depth, web‑design quality, and workflow integration. Claude 4.5 delivers the most detailed outputs and fastest long‑running tasks but at a premium price. GPT 5.2 balances affordability with customization, offering...
IPadOS 26.4 Beta 1: Game-Changing Features You Need to Know
Apple unveiled iPadOS 26.4 Beta 1, delivering a suite of customization and productivity upgrades across core apps. The update adds an App Exposé shortcut with smoother animations, reorganizes the Wallpaper Gallery into downloadable collections, and refreshes the Music app with dynamic backgrounds and...
Combine Google Gemini 3 & NotebookLM for Superpower Productivity
Google Gemini, a multimodal large‑language model, now integrates with Notebook LM’s citation‑rich knowledge bases. The partnership grounds Gemini’s creative outputs in verifiable sources, dramatically reducing hallucinations. Users can cross‑reference multiple notebooks, enabling seamless research, content creation, and personalized AI assistants. This...
This Smart Ring Pays You Crypto for Working Out
CUDIS unveiled its second‑generation Sporty Series smart ring, a 3‑gram titanium device that tracks over 30 sports, offers AI‑driven health coaching, and pays users in $CUDIS cryptocurrency for meeting wellness goals. The ring features interchangeable silicone bands in 12 colors...
7 Smart Home Devices You Need to Know About in 2026
The 2026 smart‑home rollout showcases seven ready‑to‑ship devices that move beyond simple connectivity toward genuine utility. Highlights include Lockin V7 Max’s battery‑free infrared charging lock, Roborock Saros Z70 vacuum with an object‑clearing arm, and Amazon Alexa+’s generative‑AI voice assistant that...
Japan To Ban Power Bank Use Inflight From April 2026
Japan’s transport ministry will ban the use and charging of power banks on all domestic and international flights operating to, from, or within Japan starting April 2026. Passengers may still bring up to two power banks, each capped at 160...
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One More Spitball Idea for Apple’s March 4 Media Event ‘Experience’: Immersive F1 on Vision Pro?
The FIA has published the official start times for the 2026 Formula 1 season, a 24‑race calendar that runs from the Australian Grand Prix in early March to the Abu Dhabi finale in early December. The schedule spans five continents and introduces...
Smashing Security Podcast #455: Face Off: Meta’s Glasses and America’s Internet Kill Switch
In episode 455 of the Smashing Security podcast, host Graham Cluley and journalist James Ball examine the growing threat of tech sovereignty, questioning whether the United States could effectively shut down Europe’s internet by leveraging Gmail, cloud services, and critical infrastructure. They also...
System76 Preparing To Introduce Redesigned Thelio Hardware
System76 announced a ground‑up redesign of its Thelio desktop and workstation chassis, signaling the next generation of its Linux‑focused hardware line. CEO Carl Richell highlighted ten months of engineering, more than 16,000 durability tests, and over 250 hours of thermal...
Linux 7.0 Brings Several Enhancements For Modern Laptops
Linux 7.0’s merge window delivered a suite of x86 platform‑driver updates aimed at modern laptops. The AMD Platform Management Framework now surfaces detailed Ryzen AI NPU metrics, while ASUS, HP, and Lenovo WMI drivers gain enhanced backlight, fan, and hardware‑monitoring controls....
Apple in Europe: How Many iPhone Switchers Are Addressable in the Near Term?
Apple’s Q4 2025 results reveal Europe generated $38.1 billion in net sales, a 12.7 % year‑over‑year rise that now makes the continent a larger revenue source than Greater China. The growth stems largely from the iPhone 17 lineup, yet Apple’s earnings calls continue to...
Did You Hear That? Smart Glasses, AI Voice Recorders and Workplace Recordings
Employers now face a wave of discreet recording tools—from Ray‑Ban Meta smart glasses to AI‑powered voice recorders like Plaud and auto‑joining meeting bots that generate searchable transcripts. Connecticut’s one‑party consent rule for in‑person conversations and stricter electronic‑monitoring statutes mean many...
NZXT H2 Flow Mini Tower Review – Small, but More Airy than Expected!
NZXT’s H2 Flow Mini‑ITX tower targets the high‑performance small‑form‑factor market with a compact 20.7 L chassis that prioritises airflow and liquid‑cooling readiness. The case features a distinctive hybrid side panel—tempered glass above a fine mesh intake—creating separate fresh‑air and exhaust zones....
The Pokemon Pinball Machine Is Finally Real
Stern Pinball and The Pokémon Company have launched the first official Pokémon pinball machine, available in Pro ($6,999), Premium ($9,699) and Limited Edition ($12,999, 750 units). The game features four habitats, an animated Poké Ball, voice‑overs and an app‑linked collection system....
Apple Adds Video Experience to Apple Podcasts
Apple announced that its Podcasts app will support full video podcasts using HTTP Live Streaming technology, rolling out in spring 2024. The update adds a seamless viewing experience alongside existing audio features such as playback speed controls, automatic chapter creation...
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide Just Leaked: Goodbye Narrow Screen, Hello 16:10
Leaked One UI 9 animations suggest Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 will abandon the narrow tall screens of earlier models. The outer display is expected to switch to a 16:10 aspect ratio while the inner screen moves to 9:7, delivering a wider,...
The Ray-Ban Meta Killer? Samsung Smart Galaxy Glasses Launching in 2026
Samsung announced its first‑generation Smart Galaxy Glasses, slated for a 2026 release, with two variants—SMO2000P and SMO200J—targeting both enthusiasts and casual users. The glasses run on Android XR, feature a Qualcomm AR1 chipset, a 12‑megapixel camera, and a 155 mAh battery,...
Wago Enters Smart Homes with Eight Matter Devices
Wago, a leader in industrial electrical engineering, has entered the smart‑home market with eight Matter‑certified devices that offer both Wi‑Fi and Thread connectivity. The dual‑protocol lineup includes Home Relay 6A/16A, a dimmer and a blind controller, all built to industrial‑grade UL...
Don’t Buy an iPad Pro: The M4 iPad Air Is Coming Sooner Than You Think
Apple confirmed a 2026 iPad Air refresh powered by the new M4 chip, slated for a spring launch in February or March. The device will keep the familiar 11‑inch and 13‑inch aluminum chassis, preserving compatibility with the Magic Keyboard and...
NVIDIA RTX Steam Machine Build : AMD GPUs Run SteamOS More Smoothly
Iceberg Tech’s guide walks through building a compact Linux‑gaming PC using the ASRock DeskMeet X600 case paired with an NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU. While the RTX 5060 brings DLSS performance, the article highlights persistent driver instability on Linux, making AMD GPUs a...
Apple Pushes Back Siri 2.0: Why iOS 26.4 Is Losing Its Biggest Feature
Apple has postponed the highly anticipated Siri 2.0 upgrade, opting to exclude it from the iOS 26.4 release. Instead, the update concentrates on security patches, modest performance tweaks, and fixes for persistent Wi‑Fi connectivity problems. The decision follows lingering issues...
AirPods Pro 4: The Secret “Vision” Feature Apple Didn’t Want You to Know
Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch AirPods Pro 4 with built‑in cameras, a move that could fuse spatial audio with real‑time augmented reality. The camera‑enabled earbuds aim to deliver immersive navigation, interactive AR apps, and new ways to engage with...
Ugreen’s New Power Bank Listens and Charges
Ugreen unveiled the MagFlow AI Voice Recording Magnetic Power Bank at CES 2026, combining a 10,000 mAh magnetic wireless charger with an AI‑powered voice recorder that can translate and summarize audio. The device retains familiar features such as a digital display...
Encrypted RCS Messaging Support Lands in Apple’s iOS 26.4 Developer Build
Apple introduced end‑to‑end encrypted Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging in the iOS 26.4 developer beta, extending the feature to iPadOS, macOS and watchOS in future updates. The encryption is currently limited to iPhone‑to‑iPhone conversations and depends on carrier support, with a...
Samsung Bespoke AI Wants to Run Your Whole Kitchen
Samsung unveiled its Bespoke AI kitchen lineup at KBIS 2026, featuring camera‑enabled Family Hub refrigerators, AI‑powered ovens and Bixby‑driven voice control, all linked through the SmartThings platform. The AI Vision system can recognize up to 37 fresh items and 50 packaged...