Author: alex

Best Nintendo Switch 2 Games (2025) The Nintendo Switch 2 didn’t launch with a huge slate of must-play exclusives, but a few months in there are already solid Switch 2-only titles, improved original Switch games, and strong third-party ports making the new hardware worth a look. Notable Switch 2 exclusives & enhanced titles Mario Kart World — A major new Mario Kart entry with expansive courses and fresh modes. Donkey Kong Bananza — Highly praised DK adventure built for the Switch 2. Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition — A Switch 2-optimized version of the hit RPG, with performance improvements. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment — Action-packed Warriors entry running very well on Switch 2. Upcoming to watch Metroid Prime 4 — One of the most anticipated exclusives; release expected later in…

Germany pushes to exclude Big Tech from EU FiDA — what’s at stake? According to reporting originating with the Financial Times, Germany is leading efforts within the EU to block major U.S. tech companies — Apple, Meta, Google and Amazon — from accessing the European Financial Data Access (FiDA) system. Supporters say the move protects banks, promotes EU digital sovereignty and helps build an EU-centered financial-data ecosystem. Critics warn it could reduce consumer choice and raise trade tensions. What is FiDA? FiDA (Financial Data Access) is the EU’s planned extension of open-banking rules designed to let third parties access financial data from banks and insurers — with customer consent — to foster innovation in finance and give consumers more control. Why Germany wants exclusion Protect incumbent banks and EU fintechs…

ChatGPT gets Instant Checkout: direct purchases in chat (powered by Stripe) OpenAI is shifting ChatGPT from a reactive assistant toward a more active platform that can surface content, recommendations and now direct shopping options. After launching ChatGPT Pulse (daily personalized updates), OpenAI has introduced Instant Checkout, which lets users buy products directly inside the chat without leaving the interface. What Instant Checkout does Enables purchases inside ChatGPT conversations — users can complete checkout flows presented by the assistant. Built on Stripe’s payments infrastructure and the new Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), which standardizes AI-driven commerce interactions. Uses a scoped Shared Payment Token (SPT) so merchants don’t receive a user’s raw payment credentials, improving payment privacy. Partners and rollout Initial rollout (US) includes Etsy merchants, with plans to expand to many Shopify…

Logitech MX Master 4 — The New Reference for Productivity Mice Logitech has announced the MX Master 4, the latest flagship in its MX Master line aimed at professional users who want finer control and faster workflows. The MX Master 4 introduces several headline features: Haptic feedback: The first MX-series mouse to include adjustable tactile vibrations for scrolling, navigation and selections, offering a more tactile and precise feel. Actions Ring: A new ring control around the thumb area that can be customized in Logi Options+ to trigger shortcuts and actions quickly. Logi Bolt receiver: Improved wireless reliability and security via the Bolt receiver and updated wireless design. Other improvements: Quieter clicks, stain-resistant materials, and long battery life (Logitech quotes around 70 days typical use). Price and availability: Logitech launched the…

Best Smart Scales for 2025 — Guide & Top Picks A smart scale does more than show your weight. It measures body fat, muscle mass, water percentage and more, then syncs data to your phone so you can track trends over time. The right scale provides insights and helps you stay consistent — but choose features that fit your routine. Table of contents Smart scale safety Best smart scales for 2025 What to look for in a smart scale How we tested and which smart scales we tested Smart scales FAQs Smart scale safety Weighing yourself can be helpful, but avoid defining self-worth by the number. Muscle can increase weight even as you get leaner. Some scales provide extra metrics (like visceral fat) that give a fuller picture. Dr. Anne…

Logitech MX Master 4 — Hands-on summary and verdict Logitech’s MX Master 4 arrives as an incremental but meaningful update to the MX Master line. Priced around $120 and shipping in October, it keeps the core strengths of the MX Master 3S while adding a few new tricks aimed at productivity users. What’s new Haptic feedback: A small, customizable haptic motor in the thumb rest provides subtle vibration for confirmations (device switching, Actions Ring, low battery, precise alignment). Adjustable in Logitech Options+ and can be disabled. Actions Ring: App-aware overlay for shortcuts, summoned via the side panel with haptic confirmation. Finish and durability: The top swaps the older rubbery coating for a lightly textured plastic (thumb rest still rubber). This should reduce peeling complaints from older models. Hardware tweaks: Slightly…

AnyTalk: On-device dictation, transcription & summarization (Free app) AnyTalk’s new iPhone capabilities let you dictate, transcribe and summarize spoken content fully on-device. Unlike many services, audio recordings and generated text are not uploaded to external servers — everything is processed locally to protect your privacy. Key features Dictation and real-time transcription Automatic summarization of recordings All processing happens on the device — audio and transcripts stay private Free to use Also a secure messaging app with end-to-end encryption and local sync Why it matters On-device speech processing reduces privacy risks from cloud-based transcription and is ideal for meeting minutes, lecture notes, interviews or capturing spontaneous ideas without sending sensitive audio to third parties. Where to get it Official site: https://anytalkapp.com/en/ App Store: AnyTalk on the App Store Privacy notes According…

Logitech to Disable POP Buttons and Hub on Oct 15, 2025 — What This Means Logitech has informed owners that the POP Buttons and the accompanying POP Hub will stop functioning on October 15, 2025. After that date the buttons and hub will no longer be supported and will lose their smart-home functionality. Key points End-of-support date: October 15, 2025. Impact: POP Buttons and the POP Hub will cease to operate as smart controls for automations and remote actions. Notice: Users reportedly received short advance notice via email. Official Logitech announcement page for this specific EOL was not found; community reports and user discussions corroborate the date and impact. Sources & further reading Community discussion confirming end-of-life: Hubitat community thread Logitech POP product lines (related products still sold): Logitech POP…

Meta introduces "Vibes" — AI-generated video feed in Meta AI app Meta has added a new feature called Vibes to the Meta AI app: a central short-form video feed for AI-generated clips and user-created videos. The feed surfaces AI-made content you can discover, remix and personalize (styles, backgrounds, outfits, effects) and adapts recommendations based on your usage. Key points Dedicated video area inside the Meta AI app and accessible via meta.ai. Focus on discoverability and remixing of AI-generated content — appears similar to short-form feeds like Reels or TikTok but centered on AI creations. Available on iOS and Android; Meta highlights integration with its AI experiences and devices. Community sharing, conversational prompts, and personalization tools are emphasized; moderation and privacy details are not yet deeply detailed in announcements. Why it…

Apple releases macOS 26.0.1 (Tahoe) and other OS updates Apple has released macOS 26.0.1 (Tahoe), a point update that delivers important bug fixes and security updates. Notably, the update resolves an issue that prevented some Macs — especially certain Mac Studio models with the M3 Ultra chip — from upgrading to macOS Tahoe. Apple also pushed out 26.0.1 updates for iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS. What’s fixed Fixes an upgrade-blocking issue affecting some Mac Studio M3 Ultra models, allowing them to install macOS Tahoe. Important bug fixes and security updates across macOS (no new features). Companion 26.0.1 updates for iOS/iPadOS/watchOS/tvOS/visionOS addressing device-specific bugs and stability issues. Details & official notes Official Apple support article: macOS 26.0.1 Update — Apple Support Additional reporting: AppleInsider: OS 26.0.1 updates How to update…