Author: alex

Apple AirTag 4‑pack on sale for $70 Amazon currently has a 4‑pack of Apple AirTags for around $70, down from the usual ~$99 — one of the better discounts we've seen outside major sales events. Why Apple users should care Ultra‑wideband Precision Finding (on iPhones under ~5 years old) lets you pinpoint items precisely — e.g., between a couch and a loveseat. The global Find My network (leveraging millions of Apple devices) helps locate items over longer distances, like a misplaced bag in a café. Simple coin‑sized design and seamless integration with the Find My app; AirTags can emit a loud chime to help you find things nearby. Limitations No built‑in keyring — you’ll likely need to buy a holder or keyring accessory separately. Works best in the Apple ecosystem;…

Double Fine’s "Keeper" — launches Oct 17, 2025 Double Fine, the studio behind Psychonauts, is releasing Keeper on October 17, 2025. Keeper is a surreal, wordless puzzle-adventure that puts you in control of a sentient, walking lighthouse accompanied by a curious bird named Twig. Platforms & availability Xbox Series X|S PC (Steam & Microsoft Store / Xbox Cloud) Available day-one on Xbox Game Pass What to expect Unique premise: play as an awakened lighthouse that uses its beam to interact with the world. Wordless, cinematic storytelling focused on exploration, puzzles and transformation. Surreal, drippy-art style with environments inspired by hiking and nature (concept by art director Lee Petty). Gameplay revolves around the lighthouse beam, manipulating creatures and objects, time-based interactions, and location-based abilities rather than a Metroidvania skill tree. Minimal…

Amazon Back-to-School: Kids Kindle & Echo models discounted Amazon is running Back-to-School promotions that include discounts on kid-focused versions of its devices: Kindle Kids, Echo (kids editions) and Fire HD Kids tablets. These models typically add durable designs, age-appropriate content and parental controls—making them popular choices for families preparing for the school year. Featured kids devices Kindle Kids — Kid-friendly Kindle e-readers with parental controls and a protective cover. Search options: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Kindle%20Kids&tag=f1rede-20 Echo Dot Kids — Echo Dot models with kid-safe features, content and (in some bundles) a colorful Echo Glow night light. Search options: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Echo%20Dot%20Kids&tag=f1rede-20 Fire HD Kids — Durable tablets built for children with robust parental controls and content subscriptions. Search options: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Fire%20HD%208%20Kids%20Pro%20Tablet&tag=f1rede-20 Echo Show Kids — Display-equipped Echo Show models tailored for younger users. Search options: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Echo%20Show%205%20Kids&tag=f1rede-20…

Dyson Labor Day Deals: 360 Vis Nav $500 & V15s Detect Submarine $800 Dyson’s Labor Day sale includes big discounts on home-cleaning gear. Highlights: Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum — 50% off and down to $500. Known for industry-leading suction and excellent obstacle avoidance (cameras + LEDs). Large dustbin, but no self-emptying base and it’s not a mop. At $500 this becomes a much stronger value. Dyson V15s Detect Submarine (cordless stick) — now $800 (about $200 off). Features HEPA filtration and advanced wet-cleaning capabilities, suitable for carpets and hard floors. Quick notes: The 360 Vis Nav stands out for suction power and navigation but lacks auto-empty and mopping functions. If you want to check availability or shop, use these Amazon searches (affiliate): Search Dyson 360 Vis Nav on…

Verily Shutters Medical Device Division, Lays Off Staff — Refocuses on AI & Data Alphabet’s life-sciences arm Verily has closed its medical-device division and laid off staff as part of a strategic shift to concentrate on precision health, data and AI, according to an internal memo reported by news outlets. CEO Stephen Gillett highlighted Verily’s contributions — for example, the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor and the Stargazer VNRC screening program — but said the company will now prioritize its core mission in data and AI-driven healthcare. Key points: Verily is discontinuing manufacturing of medical devices and will no longer support those products going forward. The exact number of employees affected was not disclosed in the memo. The move aligns with Alphabet’s broader shift toward AI and data infrastructure following…

PayPal outage and fraud warnings — what you need to knowLast weekend PayPal experienced a temporary disruption that caused delayed transactions for some accounts. According to reports, the incident affected payment processing and checkout services; PayPal has since indicated the issue is resolved.At the same time, security firm Parallel has increased warnings about fraud on online marketplaces. Attackers are reported to use tactics such as test payments, fake payment links and QR codes to trick users into revealing account details or authorizing unwanted transfers.What to doVerify any payment links or QR codes before scanning or clicking—don’t rely solely on unexpected messages.Be cautious of "test" payments or requests to confirm small transactions; verify the sender first.Monitor your PayPal account activity and recent transactions for anything unusual.Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your…

Base 3.0: New Version of the SQLite Editor for macOS Menial Ltd. has released Base 3.0, a major update to its macOS SQLite editor. The release (Aug 16, 2025) brings expanded SQLite support, performance improvements and quality-of-life enhancements for users who prefer a GUI over the command line. What's new Support for multiple attached databases Advanced SQLite features: WITHOUT ROWID tables, STRICT tables, partial indexes with WHERE clauses, named table constraints, generated columns Improved SQL editor: better syntax highlighting and autocomplete Faster import/export and general performance improvements Base 3 is a separate app from Base 2; Base 2 no longer receives updates Details Release date: August 16, 2025 Requires: macOS 15 (Sequoia) or newer Pricing: Free download; advanced features unlocked with a one-time license (approx. £29.99) Links and downloads: Official…

Best iPhone 16 & iPhone 16 Pro Cases (2025): Top Picks and FAQs The best iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases do more than protect — they can add MagSafe compatibility, extra grip, built-in stands, or a premium look. Whether you want slim & stylish, rugged protection, or something with a kickstand, choose a case based on how you use your phone daily. Top case categories & suggested brands OtterBox / Heavy protection OtterBox Defender Series — Search on Amazon OtterBox Symmetry Series — Search on Amazon OtterBox Commuter Series — Search on Amazon MagSafe-compatible slim cases Apple Clear/MagSafe Case — Search on Amazon Spigen Thin Fit MagSafe — Search on Amazon Totallee Thin MagSafe — Search on Amazon Silicone cases Apple Silicone Case with MagSafe — Search on…

Tot 2.0 by The Iconfactory — What’s New The Iconfactory has released Tot 2.0, an update to its minimalist notes app for macOS, iOS (iPhone & iPad) and Apple Watch. The new version focuses on improved text organization and usability while keeping Tot’s simple, tiny-text companion approach. Key Features in 2.0 Automatic indenting: When you indent a line (Tab) the next line auto‑indents to the same level for faster hierarchical lists. Custom smart bullets: Create checkable to‑do items with customizable symbols or emoji. Assign up to eight custom bullet pairs to Quick Key slots. Text dividers: Four divider styles in two weights to visually separate sections. Automatic iOS backups: Your notes can now be backed up automatically on iOS devices. UI improvements: Adaptive Mac dock icons, improved iOS keyboard and…

Toniebox 2 debuts with Tonieplay — screen-free interactive audio for kids Tonies has launched the Toniebox 2, an upgraded version of its popular child-focused audio player, and introduced Tonieplay, a new suite of interactive, screen‑free audio games. The system continues to use collectible Tonie figures (NFC) to trigger stories, songs and now interactive experiences. Key features Interactive Tonieplay games for audio-first play without screens Expanded target age: roughly 1–9+ years New smart bedtime and wake-up functions Improved hardware and software refinements over the original Toniebox Availability Launch window: September 2025 in DACH, UK, France and Australia/New Zealand; October 2025 for North America. Where to learn more or buy Official product info: tonies.com — How it works Search on Amazon (US affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Toniebox+2&tag=f1rede-20 This post summarizes the official launch and related…