Author: alex

Spotify Free Users Gain On-Demand Playback in Personalized Playlists Spotify has rolled out an update allowing free-tier users to play any track on-demand — but with a key caveat: this on-demand playback currently applies only within a set of personalized playlists (reported as 15 curated playlists tailored to each user). Previously, free accounts were limited to shuffle play for most content. What changed Free users can select and play any song on-demand inside select personalized playlists. The feature is rolling out globally. Limitations that remain Ads are still present on the free tier. Skip limits and other free-tier restrictions remain in place outside the specified playlists. High-fidelity audio, offline downloads and ad-free listening remain Premium features. Sources & further reading Major outlets reporting on the change include TIME and Music…

NAVEE launches XT5, N65i II, ST5 & GT5 at IFA Berlin — targeting German ABE Chinese e-scooter maker NAVEE showcased a refreshed lineup at IFA Berlin: the XT5, N65i II, ST5 and GT5. The company highlights stronger motors, improved suspension and extended ranges aimed at European commuting — with intentions to obtain Germany's Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis (ABE) approvals for road use. Highlights & specs (selected) N65i — 600W motor (peak 1000W), up to ~65 km range (manufacturer figures), ~25 mph top speed, dual suspension, tubeless 10.5" tires, integrated turn indicators and NAVEE app support. N65i II — upgraded battery (≈46.8V 10.2Ah), manufacturer claims up to ~70 km range at 15 km/h; refined for longer commutes. XT5 Ultra — high-power option with dual ~2200W motors and reported ranges up to ~90 km;…

Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter: Pocket 60W Bursts for Fast iPhone Charging Apple's new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter is a compact charger that uses the USB Power Delivery 3.2 AVS (adjustable voltage supply) protocol to deliver short 60W bursts — designed primarily to speed‑charge the iPhone 17 series. It keeps a very small footprint with fold‑down prongs, making it easy to carry compared with many 60W+ chargers. Key points Protocol: USB PD 3.2 AVS — allows the charger to provide device‑specific voltages and short high‑wattage bursts. Burst power: Can reach up to ~60W for a limited time (reported tester value ≈18 minutes), after which it operates at its nominal 40W. Designed for: iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air for faster top‑ups (Apple cites ~50% in ~20–30 minutes when paired…

8BitDo Pro 2 + Travel Case: $40 for Prime Members (Pro 3 discounted too) It’s been just over a month since 8BitDo launched the Pro 3, but the Pro 2 is still a great pick — especially now that Prime members can grab the 8BitDo Pro 2 wireless Bluetooth controller + travel case for $40 (was $60). That 34% discount addresses the biggest gripe about the Pro 2: portability without a case. Note: this Pro 2 deal is available to Amazon Prime members only. Why consider the Pro 2 Excellent PlayStation-style mobile controller (launched 2021) — still highly recommended for mobile gaming. Works well with Android and iOS; extensive customization via mobile app. Comfortable design and multiple color options. Compatible with the new Nintendo Switch 2. Prefer the newer model?…

Apple Watch Ultra 2 — Refurbished & Discounted as Ultra 3 Launches Coinciding with the launch of the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple has started listing the previous-generation Apple Watch Ultra 2 in its official Refurbished Store — and several listings show notable price reductions. While Apple labels these units as refurbished (returns or demo units), the timing suggests this could also be a clearance move to make room for the new model. Key points: Apple Watch Ultra 2 now available in Apple's Refurbished Store with reduced prices. Black models have been spotted at lower prices — availability may vary by region. Refurbished units are certified by Apple and include warranty; they may be returns or demo units. Thinking about buying? Compare options on Apple’s refurbished store: Apple Refurbished Apple…

Budget Flow 3.0.0 — Major redesign, bulk edits & Apple Intelligence scanning The finance app Budget Flow has been updated to version 3.0.0, rolling out a major redesign and several productivity features across Apple platforms (iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch). What's new in 3.0.0 New look: A modern "liquid glass" design refresh across apps. Bulk transaction editing: Edit multiple transactions at once for faster cleanup. Receipt scanning: Enhanced receipt capture and automatic parsing using Apple Intelligence. Platform optimisations: Lock screen widgets, Home screen widgets, keyboard shortcuts on Mac, watch complications, Siri shortcuts and more. iCloud sync & privacy: Secure iCloud synchronization, local-first storage, no mandatory account or login. Availability & pricing Budget Flow is available on macOS, iOS, iPadOS and watchOS. The app is free to download with optional…

Streaming Sweeps the Emmys: Apple TV+, HBO Max & Netflix Score Big Streaming platforms dominated the Primetime Emmys, shutting out network TV in most major filmed categories. Apple TV+ was the big winner with seven Emmys — including major awards for both The Studio and Severance. Apple TV+ The Studio — Outstanding Comedy Series Seth Rogen — Outstanding Lead Actor (also part of the team who won Outstanding Directing with Evan Goldberg and Outstanding Writing) Severance — Acting wins for Britt Lower (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series) and Tramell Tillman (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series) Rogen joked during his acceptance: "I've never won anything in my life. When I was a kid I bought a used bowling trophy." HBO Max The Pitt — Outstanding Drama Series…

iPhone 2025: Apple's Repair Prices Largely Stable Apple has updated its official iPhone repair and service price list to include the newest models (iPhone 17 and iPhone Air). The update keeps most standard repair fees steady but introduces a few model-specific changes. Key points Standard repairs such as battery replacements remain largely unchanged for 2025. Back-glass repair costs were reduced (reported example: down from $199 to $159 for some models) thanks to improvements in the device chassis that simplify replacements. Screen-repair prices for some new models rose slightly; combined screen + back-glass repairs may be more expensive on certain configurations. AppleCare+ still offers the best value for frequent incidents — and continues to cover battery replacement if capacity falls below 80%. Example prices (reported) - Battery replacement (selected Pro/Air models):…

Best Mint Alternatives — Quicken Simplifi Tops the List (Guide Summary) It’s been over a year since Intuit shut down Mint. After testing the most popular replacements, my top pick remains Quicken Simplifi for its clean UI, solid income & bill detection, and affordable pricing. Quick summary Winner: Quicken Simplifi — simple, fast onboarding, good account connections (including Fidelity), co-management options, strong budgeting tools. Missing Zillow integration for home values (manual entry required). Other strong options: Monarch Money (deep granularity, Zillow + car valuation integration), Copilot Money (best-looking, strong visuals & AI-powered categorization — iOS only for now), NerdWallet (free w/ ads, includes credit score), YNAB (zero-based budgeting, steeper learning curve), PocketGuard (now paid, after-bills focus). Notable features & tips Most apps use Plaid (and alternatives like MX/Finicity) to link…

macOS 26 “Tahoe” is available — back up before updating Apple has released macOS 26 “Tahoe” today alongside iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. The update brings Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” design across devices, adding translucent UI elements, refreshed sidebars and toolbars, and visual depth to improve focus and aesthetics. Key features Liquid Glass design: Transparent surfaces that reflect and refract content to create depth. Updated sidebars & toolbars: More consistent interface across apps and platforms. Control Center & customization: New layout options and personalization for folders and system controls. Compatibility & rollout: Available now; check Apple’s OS page for supported Macs and update instructions. Before you update Always make a full backup before upgrading major OS versions. Use Time Machine or a cloned drive to ensure you can restore if…