Author: alex

Best Gaming Keyboards — Summary & Picks Summary of a recent Engadget roundup of the best gaming keyboards: the guide prioritizes mechanical keyboards (especially TKL and smaller layouts), favors linear or analog-style switches for gaming responsiveness, and values solid build quality, PBT keycaps, hot‑swappability, and useful companion software. Wooting’s 80HE is named the top overall pick for its analog control. The guide covers options for compact builds, wireless setups, budget models, and high‑end magnetic/Hall‑effect keyboards. What to look for Mechanical vs non‑mechanical: Mechanical switches are preferred for durability and feel. Size: Tenkeyless (TKL) or smaller to keep your mouse close and reduce arm strain. Switches: Linear (red) for many gamers; Hall effect and optical switches offer analog features and custom actuation. Keycaps & build: Double‑shot PBT keycaps, stiff frames, stable…

AI roundup: Claude memory, ChatGPT developer mode & Microsoft’s plansThis week’s Apple event focused on new iPhones, but major AI advances came from other vendors. Highlights:Claude (Anthropic): Introduced persistent memory to remember user context across sessions.ChatGPT (OpenAI): Rolled out a developer mode to make integrations and testing easier.Microsoft: Shared plans to expand AI integration across its services and enterprise offerings.Apple’s own AI (Apple Intelligence) was more reserved during the event.For more details, see the linked coverage.

tado° limits REST API access — what you need to know Munich-based smart-home maker tado° will impose API rate limits starting this autumn, affecting third-party integrations (eg. Home Assistant, openHAB) that previously accessed many features through an effectively open REST API. Key points New daily query caps: ~100 requests/day without tado° Auto-Assist, and ~20,000 requests/day with Auto-Assist. Target date: rollout begins this autumn (2025). Impact: automations and integrations that poll devices frequently (thermostats, radiator valves, geofencing-based rules) may need redesign or may hit limits. Sources & further reading Home Assistant community thread (mail copy & discussion): community.home-assistant.io Related GitHub discussion (openHAB): github.com Home Assistant integration page for tado: home-assistant.io What users and integrators can do Reduce polling frequency and rely on events where possible. Move to official integrations or local…

Apple expands privacy portal: 20 data categories available for download Apple now lets users request downloads of their personal data across 20 distinct categories via its privacy portal. The change expands user access to information stored by Apple and restructures the "Data & Privacy" overview to make requests easier to manage. What’s included The portal offers data in downloadable formats. Examples of categories you can expect include: Photos & Calendar Contacts & Mail App and device information Purchase, order and subscription history Usage and diagnostics data Marketing preferences and account info Note: exact contents depend on your account and Apple’s data minimization/encryption practices; not all services will provide the same depth of data. How to request your data Go to privacy.apple.com Sign in with your Apple ID Select the categories…

Blackmagic Camera 3.0 — What’s new and why mobile filmmakers should care Blackmagic Design has released Blackmagic Camera 3.0 for iOS (and Android), landing on September 10, 2025. This update brings significant new features aimed at improving mobile filmmaking workflows and parity with pro camera controls. Highlights Clip syncing to controller: Remote syncing of clips from phones to the controller for smoother multi-device workflows. Reorganized toolbar & quick access: Redesigned navigation plus quick-tap access to presets, slate, camera controls and three programmable function buttons. Lens & zoom tools: Single-lens, zoom controls and new dolly-zoom options. Advanced FPS & time options: Enhanced FPS controls including off-speed and time-lapse modes. Camera light & histograms: New camera light controls and expandable histograms for better exposure monitoring. Built-in LUTs: Apple Log, Rec.709, Rec.2020, P3…

Resistance against "Chat Control" grows — 500+ researchers warn EU More than 500 researchers from 34 countries have signed an open letter urging EU governments to reject the proposed "Chat Control" regulation. They warn that the plan — which would require automated, suspicionless scanning of private messages, including end-to-end encrypted chats — is technically infeasible and threatens fundamental rights such as privacy and the confidentiality of communications. Key points Signatories: 500+ cryptographers, security and privacy researchers from 34 countries. Main concerns: Technical infeasibility of scanning end-to-end encrypted communications without breaking encryption; creation of a mass-surveillance system; threat to privacy, data protection and freedom of expression. Political context: Germany is reported to oppose the proposal; the EU interior ministers are due to decide soon. Why this matters Mandating universal message scanning…

Microsoft & OpenAI: MOU for the "next phase" — what’s changing? Microsoft and OpenAI issued a joint statement announcing they have signed a non‑binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the "next phase" of their partnership. A definitive agreement is still being finalized, and many specifics remain undisclosed. Key points MOU status: Non‑binding; parties are finalizing terms and have not released full details. AGI‑access clause: Reports say the new agreement may modify the clause that limits Microsoft’s access to OpenAI’s most powerful models if OpenAI’s board judges the company has reached AGI — but the MOU itself does not publicly confirm the exact change. Nonprofit equity stake: Coverage indicates OpenAI will give an equity stake worth at least ~$100 billion to its nonprofit overseer, enabling the nonprofit to retain control as…

Google Maps mobile outage — Sep 11, 2025 Google Maps' mobile apps (Android and iOS) experienced an outage on Sep 11, 2025 that prevented maps, listings and directions from fully loading for many users. Some users reported error messages such as "Cannot reach server." The web version of Maps remained operational. Timeline 3:34 PM ET — Google reported it was investigating an issue with the Maps SDK and Navigation SDK. ~5:22 PM ET — Google reported mitigation work was underway and saw indications of recovery. ~5:52 PM ET — Google said the issue was partially resolved but could not give an ETA for full resolution. 6:27 PM ET — Google announced the issue was resolved. It said an internal investigation will follow and an incident analysis will be published. Impact…

Video Games Weekly — Esports, unions, and big game news Welcome to a roundup based on the latest Video Games Weekly newsletter. Highlights: a heated controversy around FlyQuest top laner Bwipo, Diablo developers voting to unionize, release/date news for 007 First Light and Yooka‑Replaylee, a new Stardew Valley update, Silksong launch notes, and more. Key pieces Bwipo suspension and esports gender segregation FlyQuest suspended top laner Gabriël “Bwipo” Rau after sexist livestream comments about women and competitive play. The episode sparked a broader discussion about why mainstream esports remain overwhelmingly male and under‑resourced for women, femmes and nonbinary players. More info: PCGamesN — FlyQuest suspends Bwipo for sexist comments Diablo team votes to unionize Over 450 developers on Blizzard’s Diablo team voted to form a union with the Communications Workers…

Google Maps mobile outage — Sept 11, 2025 On September 11, 2025, many Android and iOS users reported a Google Maps mobile outage where maps failed to fully load, listings didn’t appear and directions were not provided. Some users saw errors such as “Cannot reach server.” Over 4,000 reports appeared on outage trackers during the incident. What was affected Mobile: Android & iOS apps — unable to fully load maps, show listings or provide directions. Web/Desktop: Not affected — the web version of Google Maps continued to function normally. Timeline (local times shown in reports) ~3:34 PM ET — Google noted an investigation into issues with Maps SDK and Navigation SDK on its Status Dashboard. ~5:22 PM ET — Google reported mitigation work underway and "indications of recovery." ~5:52 PM…