Author: alex

AWS US‑EAST‑1 Outage: DNS/DynamoDB Failure Causes Widespread Downtime On a crisp October morning, a significant outage in Amazon Web Services' US‑EAST‑1 region (Northern Virginia) caused widespread disruptions across websites, apps, games and services that depend on AWS. The issue — traced to DNS resolution problems with the DynamoDB API — led to many services losing access to stored data for several hours. Key timeline highlights: ~3:11 AM ET: AWS reported increased error rates and latencies in US‑EAST‑1. ~5:01 AM ET: AWS identified a DNS resolution issue affecting the DynamoDB API. ~6:35 AM ET: AWS said the DNS issue was fully mitigated and most services were succeeding normally. Later updates: EC2 instance launches remained affected; AWS recommended avoiding tying new deployments to specific Availability Zones to give EC2 flexibility while recovery…

Windows 10 End of Support: How to Protect Your PC and When to Replace It Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10. While your machine will keep running, security updates and feature fixes are no longer guaranteed — but there is a free method to obtain Extended Security Updates (ESU) that extends official patches until mid-October 2026. If your PC is showing its age (slow performance, noisy fans, poor battery life), now is a good time to consider a replacement. Even if your device meets minimum requirements for a free Windows 11 upgrade, newer Copilot+ AI features (like Windows Recall and Studio Effects) may require hardware released within roughly the last year. Quick replacement picks Surface Laptop 13.8" — Lightweight, long battery life, Snapdragon-powered options for exceptional mobility. (Surface…

Menu Drop: Send files via AirDrop straight from your Mac menu bar Sindre Sorhus, the prolific macOS developer, has released a new app called Menu Drop that streamlines AirDrop transfers. Instead of opening a Finder window and using the sidebar, Menu Drop provides a menu-bar interface to send files and links quickly and with fewer clicks. Why it matters: Send files & links without opening Finder windows or navigating the sidebar. Reduces steps and clicks for users who frequently use AirDrop. Lightweight, focused utility that fills a common macOS workflow gap. How it works: after installing Menu Drop, you can use a menu-bar icon to drop files or links and select an AirDrop recipient directly — removing the extra Finder detours many users find tedious. For more context, see Sindre…

Monarch Money: 50% off annual plan for new users — use code MONARCHVIP Monarch Money is currently offering new users a 50% discount on its annual subscription. Normally priced at $100/year, the annual plan drops to $50 when you sign up on the web and enter code MONARCHVIP at checkout. This promo is only valid for new accounts, cannot be combined with other offers, and is not redeemable through the mobile app. The app focuses on detailed, customizable budgeting and net-worth tracking. On the main dashboard you can view your net worth, recent transactions, spending versus the previous month, income-to-date, upcoming bills, investments and financial goals. Theres also a month-in-review page that summarizes monthly activity and net-worth changes over time. Highlights: Customizable categories, granular reporting, net-worth tracking, month-in-review and goal…

Eufy C35: 4-camera set returns at launch price (€299) with €80 coupon Eufy has relaunched the C35 camera bundle — a package that includes four cameras and a HomeBase — and introduced a significant launch discount. An €80 coupon on the Amazon product page brings the price down to €299 for the full set, making it an attractive option for shoppers seeking local-storage security solutions. Last week the set briefly disappeared from sale after initial listings, but it is now available again on Amazon with the coupon active. If you want to view the offer or buy the set, check the Amazon listing here: Eufy C35 on Amazon (search). Quick overview: What’s included: 4 cameras + HomeBase (as advertised on the listing). Launch price after coupon: €299 (coupon saves €80).…

Apple TV+ and Peacock Launch $15/month Bundle (Ad‑Supported) Apple and NBC have teamed up to offer a combined Apple TV+ + Peacock bundle priced at $15 per month for the ad-supported tier. The ad-free option is $20 per month. Given standalone prices (Apple TV+ at $13/month and Peacock starting at $11/month), the bundle represents a noticeable monthly saving for subscribers. Key details: Bundle price (ad-supported): $15/month Ad-free bundle price: $20/month (standalone ad-free Peacock costs $17/month) Apple One subscribers receive a 35% discount on Peacock Premium Plus plans The combined catalog brings Apple TV+ originals like Severance, For All Mankind and Ted Lasso together with Peacock staples such as The Office, Poker Face and the new spinoff The Paper. For fans of comedy and network hits, this bundle offers broader access…

AWS outage and dns0.eu shutdown disrupt internet access Today many users reported problems accessing online services and the broader internet. Two separate issues were identified: a widespread AWS (Amazon Web Services) outage that affected cloud-hosted services earlier in the morning, and the abrupt cessation of the DNS provider dns0.eu overnight. AWS has indicated that most service disruptions have been resolved, but some regions or customers may still see residual effects. dns0.eu appears to have stopped operations suddenly, which can cause name-resolution failures for sites and services that relied on it. What happened: AWS experienced a major outage impacting cloud services this morning. DNS impact: dns0.eu reportedly went offline overnight, causing DNS resolution issues for dependent services. Current status: Amazon’s issues are largely fixed according to the status dashboard, but DNS…

Beats Powerbeats Fit: A Polished, Workout-Ready Refresh Beats has released the Powerbeats Fit, a subtle but thoughtful update to the Beats Fit Pro that keeps the core features users liked while improving comfort and portability. Priced at $200, the new buds focus on fit tweaks, a smaller charging case, and fresh color options aimed at active users. The upgrades are modest but practical: Beats increased wingtip flexibility by about 20% for a more secure, easier-to-wear fit, and the charging case is around 17% smaller, making it simpler to carry. The earbuds still include the H1 chip for seamless Apple integration, active noise cancellation (ANC), Transparency mode, and Find My support. Key specs and notes: Price: $200 Battery: Up to 7 hours per charge (6 with ANC on); up to 30…

Apple AirTag 4‑Pack Drops to $65 — Record Low Deal If you missed Amazon's fall Prime Day, a new price cut still gives shoppers a great chance to save: a four-pack of Apple AirTags is currently available for $65 (about 34% off the regular price). For Apple users, AirTags remain one of the easiest and most integrated Bluetooth trackers on the market. AirTags are small, disc-shaped trackers you can slip into wallets, backpacks or luggage. Their locations appear in the Find My app by leveraging Apple’s broad network of iPhones and other devices that can detect the AirTag’s Bluetooth signal — though tracking requires the tag to be within range of participating devices. Key features: Find My network compatibility for wide-area locating. Built-in speaker to play a sound when trying…

Geeky Advent Calendars for 2025: LEGO, Pokémon, Funko Pop & More Advent calendars have moved beyond chocolates — for 2025 many brands offer themed countdowns packed with collectibles, mini-builds and novelty items perfect for fans. From LEGO and Pokémon to Funko Pop and Star Wars, there's a calendar for nearly every fandom. Highlights: LEGO: mini builds and seasonal sets for display. Pokémon: cards and small collectibles for collectors. Funko Pop: mini figures behind each door. Star Wars & other franchises: micro-sets and themed trinkets. STEM/science options: kits and educational surprises for kids and adults. These calendars are ideal for decorating desks, adding cheer to game shelves, or gifting to fans. Prices and item types vary by brand; many retailers begin listing holiday calendars in mid-to-late year — watch for early…