Author: alex

Deal: Baseus Picogo 5K magnetic power bank — $36 (record low) Magnetic power banks are ideal for carrying extra juice without bulk, and Baseus’ Picogo 5K is currently at a record-low price of $36. The compact 5,000mAh battery is Qi2-certified, includes a built-in stand and a soft silicone finish for a secure grip — a handy companion for iPhone users on the go. In our testing the Picogo 5K delivered a 43% charge to an iPhone 15 in about 42 minutes (bringing it to ≈91%), and supports MagSafe-style alignment. Note: to reach the full 15W Qi2 speed you’ll need an iPhone 13 or later. Key specs Capacity: 5,000mAh — compact for daily carry Wireless: Qi2-certified magnetic charging (MagSafe-compatible) Extras: built-in kickstand, soft silicone exterior, curved design Performance: ~43% charge to…

Vampire Survivors adds free Balatro expansion: Ante Chamber Vampire Survivors has released a free expansion called Ante Chamber, inspired by the indie card game Balatro. The update introduces a new card‑themed stage, new characters (including the joker Jimbo), Balatro‑style power‑ups and weapons, and online co‑op on supported platforms. The expansion is available to download now on Steam, Android, iOS, PS4 and PS5. It will arrive on Nintendo Switch and the Epic Games Store on October 31. Xbox players were expected to get the update at the same time, but the studio said builds for Xbox One and Series X/S missed certification and will follow as soon as they clear it. What’s new in Ante Chamber New stage: Ante Chamber — a playing‑card themed map with Balatro references. New characters: including…

YouTube strengthens rules on violent gaming scenes and gambling-style content (effective Nov 17) YouTube will implement stricter policies starting November 17 to better police graphic in-game violence and gambling-style videos. Key changes include age‑restricting gaming videos that show realistic human characters in scenes of torture or mass violence, and broadening gambling restrictions to cover digital items like NFTs and game skins. The platform will assess the prominence and cumulative duration of graphic scenes when deciding whether to apply an age check. Age‑restricted videos will be unavailable to viewers under 18 and to users who are not signed into a Google account. Creators can avoid restrictions by blurring or trimming violent segments before the deadline. New gambling rules YouTube will no longer allow videos that direct viewers to uncertified online gambling…

O2 bundles six months of ChatGPT Plus for new customers starting Nov 5 German carrier O2 (Telefónica) is expanding its cooperation with OpenAI: from November 5, new contract customers will receive six months of ChatGPT Plus access for free when they sign up. Telefónica says this makes O2 the first German network operator to integrate the AI service directly into a mobile offering. The promotion applies to new customers who activate qualifying contracts from the start date. While Telefónica highlights the novelty of bundling ChatGPT Plus with mobile plans, customers should review the exact terms and eligible plans on O2’s website — offers like this can be limited by plan type, region or other conditions. What to watch Start date: Nov 5 — check activation deadlines and whether the free…

Cameo sues OpenAI over Sora’s “Cameo” feature — trademark clash and deepfake concerns Cameo, the platform that connects customers with paid celebrity video messages, has filed a trademark lawsuit against OpenAI over the name “Cameo” used for a feature in OpenAI’s Sora app. The complaint alleges trademark infringement and claims OpenAI’s use of the term — and its offering of AI‑generated celebrity likenesses — will confuse consumers and dilute Cameo’s brand. The suit says OpenAI’s Sora app has offered AI‑generated “cameos” that recreate celebrities’ likenesses, citing examples such as Mark Cuban and Jake Paul. OpenAI has responded that no company can claim exclusive ownership of the common word “cameo” and is reviewing the complaint. Key points Trademark claim: Cameo argues OpenAI knowingly used a federally registered trademark and that consumers…

Twelve South brings PowerBug and PowerCord to EU outlets Accessory maker Twelve South has released EU versions of two popular chargers: the PowerBug, a compact MagSafe‑compatible wall charger that turns a standard outlet into a magnetic charging station, and the PowerCord, a power adapter with a permanently attached USB‑C cable. Both are now designed to fit European sockets and bring Twelve South’s desktop‑friendly charging options to customers in Germany and other EU markets. The EU PowerBug mounts directly to the wall outlet and provides a magnetic surface that holds and charges MagSafe‑compatible iPhones and accessories, making it useful for bedside, kitchen or office setups where a tidy, hands‑free charging spot is desirable. The PowerCord offers a simple plug‑and‑charge experience with an integrated USB‑C cable—helpful for minimalists who don’t want loose…

MacWhisper 13.0 lands with new "Liquid Glass" UI and multi-transcription support MacWhisper has reached version 13.0, a substantial update that brings both visual and functional improvements to the Mac transcription app. The headline change is a fully reworked user interface designed to better align with Apple’s contemporary "Liquid Glass" aesthetics, offering a cleaner, more readable presentation. On the workflow side, users can now open multiple transcriptions simultaneously, making it easier to compare, edit or manage several transcripts in parallel. The update also reorganizes the app’s layout and navigation to improve clarity and streamline common tasks. Key changes in MacWhisper 13.0 Completely redesigned UI to match Apple’s Liquid Glass design language for improved visual integration and readability. Support for opening multiple transcriptions at once for side‑by‑side review and faster editing. Restructured…

iOS 26.1 Release Candidate released to developers and public beta testers Apple has made the iOS 26.1 Release Candidate (RC) available to registered developers and participants in the public beta program. A Release Candidate usually signals that Apple considers the build close to final — the general public release often follows within days if no critical issues are found. If you’re enrolled in Apple’s developer or public beta programs, you can install the RC via Settings > General > Software Update. As always, back up your device before installing beta or RC software to avoid data loss. What to expect The RC typically contains bug fixes, performance improvements and minor feature tweaks compared to the previous beta — Apple publishes detailed release notes in the Software Update screen and the…

Amazon launches Echo Dot Max and the new Echo Studio — audio upgrades arrive today Amazon has begun selling two new Echo speakers today: the Echo Dot Max and an updated Echo Studio. According to the announcement, both models emphasize improved audio performance alongside general updates. Meanwhile, the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 are expected to arrive later, around mid‑November. The Dot Max and Studio are positioned for users who prioritize sound quality in their smart‑home setups. Amazon’s recent Echo refreshes continue to blend voice assistant features with better acoustics and design tweaks to suit living rooms and home audio setups. What to expect Echo Dot Max: A larger Dot variant aimed at stronger, fuller sound while keeping smart assistant features. New Echo Studio: An updated Studio model…

1X NEO: $20K humanoid home robot arrives with teleoperation trade‑offs California startup 1X has opened preorders for NEO, a humanoid home robot designed to handle everyday chores like opening doors, fetching items and toggling lights. NEO will ship next year with limited autonomous abilities, and owners can control it via app or voice commands for basic tasks. Crucially, 1X says the robot will learn from human teleoperators during its early deployments. Buyers who accept delivery must agree that remote operators may see inside their homes through NEO’s cameras to teach and refine the AI. 1X offers privacy controls such as owner approval for teleoperation, blurred people, and user‑defined no‑go zones. Key details Availability: Preorders open now with a $200 deposit; deliveries begin next year. Pricing: Early‑access purchase priced at $20,000;…