Author: alex

Engadget Podcast — Pixel 10 Blowout & Gamescom Highlights This week’s Engadget podcast (hosts: Devindra Hardawar & Sam Rutherford) covers Google’s full Pixel 10 lineup and several Gamescom 2025 announcements. Key topics Pixel 10 & Pixel 10 Pro (+ Fold) — Google unveiled its Pixel 10 series. Official product pages will appear on Google Store when available. Quick Amazon search: Google Pixel 10 (Amazon search). Pro Res Zoom — Pixel 10 Pro promises up to 100x virtual zoom with AI assist, per podcast discussion. Pixel Watch 4 — Brighter screen and satellite connectivity mentioned; check Amazon search: Pixel Watch 4 (Amazon search). ROG Xbox Ally (Gamescom) — ASUS and Xbox announced an Xbox-focused ROG Ally handheld. Official details: Xbox announcement and ASUS ROG article. Amazon search: ROG Xbox Ally (Amazon…

Anker 20W USB‑C charger (with cable) — €9.99 deal in GermanyAnker is offering its compact 20W USB‑C wall charger (includes USB‑C cable) for €9.99 in Germany for at least the white variant. The charger is also sold in black, green and purple. While 20W is now the lower end for USB‑C charging, it remains suitable for many smartphones and everyday charging needs.Key detailsModel (reported): Anker 20W wall charger (2‑port, often listed as A2348)Ports: USB‑C (up to 20W) + USB‑A (up to ~18W; shared output when both used)Cable: USB‑C to USB‑C included (approx. 1.5 m)Colors: black, white, green, purpleSale price: €9.99 (white variant on Amazon.de reported); typical price around €17.99Notes20W is fine for topping up phones and some smaller devices, but larger devices or fast‑charging needs may benefit from higher‑wattage chargers.Where…

Serious accusations against Apple’s Fitness VP Jay BlahnikA German report (ifun.de) says Jay Blahnik, Apple’s vice president for Fitness Technologies, is facing serious allegations from current and former team members. They describe his behavior as abusive and inappropriate, and report that over the past three years more than ten employees took extended sick leave or time off due to working with him.Key pointsAccused: Jay Blahnik, VP for Fitness Technologies at Apple (employed since 2013)Allegations: outbursts, inappropriate and overbearing behaviorImpact: 10+ employees reportedly took extended sick leave or time off in the past three yearsThis post summarizes the report; readers should consult the original article for full details. Source: ifun.de

Best E‑Readers for 2025 — Quick Guide & Picks After testing about a dozen e‑readers, our top pick for most readers is the Kobo Clara Colour. For a low-cost, easy entry into ebooks the base-model Kindle is solid. If you want a device that does more than just display books (apps, stylus input, audiobooks), consider Boox models. Why e‑readers? E‑Ink screens mimic paper, reduce eye strain, read well in sunlight and use far less power than tablets — often lasting weeks on a single charge. Color E‑Ink adds a color filter on top of the black/white microcapsules; color clarity is lower (≈150 dpi) while black/white text remains crisp (≈300 dpi). Top recommendations Kobo Clara Colour — Best overall for most people. Color E‑Ink, compact, good value. Official Kobo page •…

Regenschirm: More Than Just a Rain App Regenschirm, developed by Niels Lohmann, is a free iOS app delivering highly precise rain radar and weather warnings tailored primarily for users in Germany. The app is ad‑free, contains no tracking and requires no in‑app purchases or subscriptions. Using data from the German Weather Service (DWD) and other public sources, Regenschirm predicts rain down to the minute for the next 60 minutes and offers detailed radar views. Recent updates expanded the app’s feature set to include wind maps, pollen counts, air quality (AQI), UV index, heat warnings, and soil moisture metrics that help highlight drought conditions. Other features: Multi‑location support with quick switching Apple Watch support with complications Notifications for severe weather and minute‑precise rain warnings Privacy‑focused: no tracking System requirements: iOS /…

UniFi Network 9.4 — simplifies configuration and optimization Ubiquiti has released UniFi Network 9.4, a major update introducing Object-Oriented Networking (OON) to simplify management of larger UniFi installations. OON lets you create objects (devices, groups or rule sets) to centrally manage firewall rules, routing, VPN access, QoS and client controls — making complex policies easier to apply and maintain. Key highlights Object-Oriented Networking (OON): Create reusable objects for devices, groups and policies to streamline access control, micro-segmentation, firewall rules, VPN and QoS. Expanded IPv6 support: Improved handling of IPv6 addressing and routing. Multicast management: Better performance and handling for multicast use-cases (casting, printers, etc.). New ISP metrics & flow visibility: Enhanced dashboard insights for ISP status and real-time traffic flows. Performance improvements: Backend upgrades for greater responsiveness and scalability in…

Meta poaches Apple AI exec Frank Chu — overview and context Reports (Bloomberg summarized by 9to5Mac, WebProNews and others) say Frank Chu, a senior Apple AI executive who led teams for cloud infrastructure, model training and search, has left Apple to join Meta’s Superintelligence Labs. This move is part of a wider wave of Apple AI talent moving to Meta in recent weeks. Key points Frank Chu joined Meta’s Superintelligence Labs to work on AI infrastructure. He is reportedly the sixth Apple AI researcher to join Meta in about seven weeks. Meta continues to hire top AI talent even as it signals hiring slowdowns in other areas. This trend highlights intense competition for AI talent between Big Tech firms. Recent hires (reported) Ruoming Pang — previously at Apple (reported large…

Best Noise-Canceling Headphones — 2025 Summary & Buyer's Guide Whether you work in a noisy office, commute on a packed train, or need to focus at home, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. The best models block distractions while delivering strong sound and all-day comfort. How to choose Design Over-ear headphones are most effective for ANC because they fully cover your ears. Look for memory-foam ear cups, an adjustable headband, and lightweight materials for long sessions. Type of noise cancellation Hybrid ANC uses both internal and external microphones to cancel more noise at a steady level. Adaptive ANC adjusts dynamically to changing environments and performs better with wind. For top performance, choose hybrid or adaptive ANC. Customization Many headphones offer adjustable ANC levels or presets…

Best Noise-Canceling Headphones — Summary & Buying Guide (2025) Whether you work in a noisy office, commute on a packed train, or need to focus at home, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. The best models block distractions while delivering strong sound and all-day comfort. How to choose Design Over-ear headphones are most effective for ANC because they fully cover your ears. Look for memory-foam ear cups, an adjustable headband, and lightweight materials if you’ll wear them for long sessions. Color options vary if aesthetics matter. Type of noise cancellation Hybrid ANC uses both internal and external microphones to cancel more noise at a steady level. Adaptive ANC adjusts cancellation dynamically to changing environments and performs better with wind. For top performance, look for hybrid…

Best Noise-Canceling Headphones — Summary & Buying Guide (2025) Whether you work in a noisy office, commute on a packed train, or need to focus at home, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. The best models block distractions while delivering strong sound and all-day comfort. How to choose Design Over-ear headphones are most effective for ANC because they fully cover your ears. Look for memory-foam ear cups, an adjustable headband, and lightweight materials if you’ll wear them for long sessions. Type of noise cancellation Hybrid ANC uses both internal and external microphones to cancel more noise at a steady level. Adaptive ANC adjusts cancellation dynamically to changing environments and performs better with wind. For top performance, look for hybrid or adaptive ANC systems. Customization Many…