Artificial Intelligence software is more popular than ever, and cloud-based AI systems feature the most powerful models. OpenAI's GPT-5, X's Grok 4, Anthropic's Claude 4, Meta's Llama 3, and Google's Gemini 2.5 are all massive large language models used for a variety of purposes, including text and image generation, document summaries, and conversation partners. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read more...]

Before the time when Nintendo dominated the console space in the 80s, and long before the console wars of the 90s took over the world, video games had a different industry leader. Atari was the company that captured the attention and minds of young people who played games at home or in the arcades, and it was a force to be reckoned with. The Atari 2600 is one of the most important video game … [Read more...]

As a perpetually absent-minded person, I've always loved the thought of a smart home that could automate the tasks I always forget. It's a nice thought, but the state of the smart home means that several large companies control the bulk of it, and no one company makes enough devices to use those in your home exclusively. I've got Home Assistant set up to fill the gaps between functionality and … [Read more...]

My gaming PC isn't exactly up-to-date, considering I have a 5-year-old graphics card and an AM4 processor. The temptation to upgrade my hardware has been there since the RTX 40 series launched, but I've managed to keep it at bay. Strictly speaking, my PC doesn't need hardware upgrades — it's just that it doesn't feel as high-end as it used to three years ago. To address that complaint, however, … [Read more...]

Intel is making its XeSS GPU tech hardware-agnostic, similar to AMD's FSR. This will bring Intel's XeSS super sampling, frame gen, and Xe low latency to AMD and Nvidia GPUs. Intel has made its GPU tech available in the XeSS 2.1 SDK, which brings the Xe Framework to any GPU that supports Shader Model 6.4 or newer, meaning the Nvidia GeForce GTX 10-series and AMD Radeon RX 5000 series onward. Intel … [Read more...]

Though the NotebookLM team is constantly adding new features and updates, the tool is far from perfect. Some tasks still take longer than they should, which isn’t surprising for a fairly new, niche tool compared with AI giants like ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read more...]

Knowing where your data lives is the first step towards securing your digital presence. That sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised by how many people ignore that advice. Not on a corporate server in an undisclosed location, not being shuttled between CDNs, but right here on your own server. For years, I, like most others, have embraced the convenience of cloud-first tools for the promise of … [Read more...]

The ESP32 is one of the most versatile microcontrollers out there, capable of Wi-Fi connectivity and, in the case of the original ESP32, full-on Bluetooth, too. However, nearly every ESP32 device can at least do Bluetooth Low Energy, allowing them to capture data from a wide range of smart devices. However, with a custom Home Assistant integration and ESPHome, we can turn a few ESP32s into a way … [Read more...]

A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Federal Trade Commission’s investigation into left-leaning advocacy group Media Matters. Back in 2023, Media Matters published research showing ads from major companies had appeared alongside antisemitic and other offensive content on Elon Musk-owned X. When major advertisers subsequently pulled back from the platform, X sued Media … [Read more...]

The library of games for the Nintendo 64 includes a number of popular releases and niche titles that people really enjoyed playing. Some of my favorite memories of the N64 come from games that weren't massive hits, but were still incredibly fun to experience. Whether someone was a fan of single-player or multiplayer games, there was always something intriguing to play on the console in one way or … [Read more...]

The inner workings of Windows 11 can sometimes be a mystery to a lot of people, and it's easy to ignore the fact that some of the features enabled by default can actually hurt your experience. One of these features that you might not know about is called memory compression, and while it's generally a good thing, there's a chance it could be hampering your PC's performance. Source: … [Read more...]

Do A.I. chatbots packaged inside cute-looking plushies offer a viable alternative to screen time for kids? That’s how the companies selling these A.I.-powered kiddie companions are marketing them, but The New York Times’ Amanda Hess has some reservations. She recounts a demonstration in which Grem, one of the offerings from startup Curio, tried to bond with her. (Curio also sells a plushie named … [Read more...]

Following a wave of lawsuits alleging that Roblox doesn't provide a safe environment for its underage users, the gaming platform made a series of sweeping updates to its policies. To address recent concerns, Roblox published a post on its website detailing these major changes, including restricting all unrated experiences, which is what Roblox calls its user-generated games, to the developer or … [Read more...]

During summer, your PC feels the heat just as much as you do. When the ambient temperature is high, your fans and coolers work harder to make sure your components don't overheat. Even a properly ventilated PC can run hotter and noisier than usual, and in some cases, the higher room temperature is enough to cause thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. I experienced this firsthand while … [Read more...]

After years of relying on Microsoft 365 as the default for productivity, I’m finally making a change – and I’m not looking back. Lately, Microsoft 365 has become a bloated, frustrating experience. From a lack of meaningful innovation and a clunky user interface to sketchy AI features and ever-increasing subscription costs, I have had enough. So, after a long and sometimes painful search, I’m … [Read more...]

RGB lighting in PC hardware is ubiquitous. It's almost impossible to eliminate it from a new build, unless you're pretty intentional with your component choice. Many PC users love it, while others just consider it a confusing mess. And while it's mostly a tool to enhance your PC's esthetics, RGB can also be put to practical uses. For instance, it helps me use my PC at night, monitor system temps … [Read more...]

As Microsoft ends support for Windows 10, many PC owners are searching for alternatives that don’t require buying a new machine. Linux often enters the conversation because it’s free, secure, and works well on older hardware. Among the options, some distros are designed to look and act like Windows to make the switch feel seamless. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read more...]

Previously, you could rely on creative software tools, knowing they served as a way to digitize your creative ideas. These days, many of these tools have now implemented AI features that can take your creative seedlings and turn them into AI-based monsters. I’m tired of AI features popping up in every software I use and prompting me to rely on switching to AI instead of my own creative abilities. … [Read more...]

Audio and desktop PCs have a long history of not playing well together. Most PCs get okay audio, but your average desktop doesn't have great sound-system tuning, which leaves you having to do the heavy lifting yourself. If you're running the latest audio drivers for your sound system, you might need to look into a hardware solution for your audio issues, especially if you know your soundbar, … [Read more...]

For the most part of the 21st century, Sega has been synonymous with a blue, attitude-filled hedgehog, but there was a time when the company wasn't just a game publisher. It was a titanic brand, going toe-to-toe with Nintendo during the '80s and the '90s, and even outpacing them (for a while, at least). Source: xda-developers.com … [Read more...]