Category: Uncategorized

Deutschlandticket: Price increase to €63/month from 2026 On a special conference in Munich, the transport ministers of Germany's federal states agreed that the Deutschlandticket will increase from €58 to €63 per month, effective 1 January 2026. The formal decision still needs to be confirmed in the Bundesrat. Key points New price: €63/month, effective 1 Jan 2026. From 2027, prices are planned to be adjusted via a cost index taking into account factors such as wages and energy costs to provide more predictability. Bund and Länder will each provide about €1.5 billion annually to help finance the scheme, as ticket revenues alone are not cost-covering. The increase is part of a broader effort to secure sustainable financing for the subsidised nationwide ticket. Context and implications The Deutschlandticket—introduced as an affordable monthly…

Notepad AI runs locally on CoPilot+ PCs; Paint & Snipping Tool get improvements Microsoft is rolling out a local-AI feature for CoPilot+ PCs that lets Notepad perform its AI writing functions (summarize, write, rewrite) on-device without requiring a CoPilot Pro or Microsoft 365 subscription. The feature is currently being made available to Windows Insider beta testers and — for now — is offered in English. Other updates in the latest Insider builds include: Paint: You can now save projects via File > Save as project (.paint) to pick up edits later, and there’s an opacity slider for pencil and brush tools. Snipping Tool: A new quick markup option appears in the capture toolbar so you can scribble on screenshots before saving. All updates are rolling out in the Canary and…

Samorost 2 free on iOS — Epic giveaway (Road Redemption not a mobile freebie) Good news: Samorost 2, the charming point-and-click adventure from Amanita Design (released 2009), is available to grab for iOS right now via the current Epic giveaway. You can download it on the App Store here: Samorost 2 on the App Store. Quick facts: Samorost 2 — Release: 2009. Platforms: PC, iOS, Android. A surreal, exploration-focused puzzle adventure praised for atmosphere and design. Road Redemption — Release: 2017. Platforms: PC and consoles. There is no official iOS release and it is not listed as a mobile freebie in this giveaway. Official/related links: Samorost 2 (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/app/id324127104 Road Redemption (Epic/PC store page): https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/p/road-redemption General coverage of current Epic freebies (example): PC Gamer — Epic Games Store free…

Former Meta lobbyist Niamh Sweeney appointed DPC commissioner — concerns over independence Niamh Sweeney, who previously led European public policy for WhatsApp and served as head of Irish public policy at Facebook, has been appointed as a commissioner at Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC). The appointment has drawn criticism from privacy campaigners who warn of potential conflicts of interest given her previous work for Meta. Key facts Appointment: Sweeney joins Des Hogan and Dale Sutherland as an active commissioner at the DPC. Background: Six years at Meta, including roles at WhatsApp and Facebook. Official comment: Ireland's Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said three commissioners will now lead and manage the DPC as its responsibilities grow. Criticism and context Privacy advocates and campaigners have raised concerns about the DPC's track record…

Ice beta optimized for macOS Tahoe — new beta available Good news for users of the free menu‑bar manager Ice. Developer Jordan Baird has published a version of Ice better optimized for macOS Tahoe. Note that this is still an early beta — the project is actively developed and the Tahoe support is experimental. What is Ice? Ice is a free, open‑source menu‑bar manager for macOS that lets you hide, show, and organize menu‑bar icons with advanced behaviors (hover/click/scroll reveal, hotkeys, drag‑and‑drop arrangement, custom appearance, and more). Where to get it GitHub (repo & releases): https://github.com/jordanbaird/Ice Official site: https://icemenubar.app Download (pay-what-you-want / optional donation) on Gumroad: https://jordanbaird.gumroad.com/l/ice Homebrew cask (macOS >= 14): https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/jordanbaird-ice Notes This release is an early beta for macOS Tahoe — expect rough edges and report issues…

October Prime Day: Early deals to shop now (Oct 7-8) Amazon's October Prime Day is on Oct 7-8, but many strong discounts are already live. Below are Engadget's top picks and quick buy links so you can shop early. Affiliate search links point to Amazon (US). Apple MagSafe charger (25W, 2m) — $35 (29% off). Qi2.2-certified, 2m cable for flexible use. Buy: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Apple+MagSafe+charger+25W+2m&tag=f1rede-20 Apple iPad Air (11-inch, M3) — $449 ($150 off). Faster M3 chip; solid productivity pick. Buy: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Apple+iPad+Air+M3&tag=f1rede-20 Apple Mac mini (M4) — $499 ($100 off). Compact desktop with M4 and 16GB RAM in base model. Buy: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Apple+Mac+mini+M4&tag=f1rede-20 Anker 622 5K magnetic power bank — $28 (42% off). Thin, magnetic, built-in stand. Buy: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Anker+622+5K+magnetic+power+bank&tag=f1rede-20 8BitDo Pro 2 controller — $40 (34% off). Works with Switch 2, Steam Deck,…

China Ends Antitrust Probe into Google's Android Amid US–China Trade Talks China has reportedly closed its antitrust investigation into Google’s Android operating system, a move that comes as Beijing and Washington engage in high‑level trade discussions covering issues such as TikTok, tariffs and broader tech cooperation. Key points: Beijing’s probe focused on Android’s ubiquity and whether it harmed Chinese phone makers that use the OS. Google’s core consumer services (Search, Gmail, YouTube, Maps) remain blocked in China, but the company still generates revenue there via cloud services and ad sales targeted at overseas audiences. The decision to ease up on Google comes amid continued regulatory pressure on other U.S. tech firms — notably NVIDIA. Recent measures include restrictions on H20 GPU sales, discouragement or bans on purchases of region‑specific chips…

Samsung starts showing ads on Family Hub refrigerators in US pilot Samsung has begun rolling out a software update that displays ads and promotions on the idle Cover Screen of its Family Hub refrigerators in the US as part of a pilot program. The company says this is intended to "enhance everyday value for our home appliance customers." What happens Ads and promotions appear on the Cover Screen when the fridge is idle (not in Art Mode or photo album). Specific ads can be dismissed and won’t reappear while the campaign runs. Samsung says ads won’t show when Art Mode or a photo album is active. What’s unclear There is no confirmed way to fully opt out of ads during the pilot. It’s not clear which models (if any) are…

Paramount+: 50% Off Annual Subscriptions Through Sep 18 Paramount+ is running a limited-time promotion: 50% off annual subscriptions through September 18. The deal requires full upfront payment for a 12-month plan. Pricing (US) Essential (with ads): $30/year (regularly $60) Premium (no ads + Showtime catalog): $60/year (regularly $120) Who can get it The offer is available to both new and returning subscribers in the United States. It requires paying for the full year in advance; month-to-month subscriptions remain at standard rates. What’s included Premium subscribers get access to the Showtime catalog (examples: Yellowjackets, Dexter: Resurrection). Paramount+ carries many popular series, including Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks, live sports (like NFL on CBS), and a growing library of original programming. Important caveats The discount is promotional…

Recent German reports claimed the Starling Hub has been withdrawn from sale due to US customs policy. I checked official and legal sources: What Starling says Starling’s own post explains their prices rose (from $99 to $129) because of increased import costs and tariffs — it does not state the product has been discontinued. See: Starling Home: Why have our prices gone up. US policy context The US suspended the de minimis import exemption, affecting low-value shipments and increasing customs costs for many products. This change can lead to higher retail prices for imported hardware. See: White & Case: US suspends de minimis entry. Bottom line Current evidence points to a price increase caused by tariffs and import policy changes, not a confirmed discontinuation of the Starling Hub. I could…