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EEOC sues Apple over alleged religious discrimination in VirginiaThe U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of failing to reasonably accommodate the religious observance of a long-time customer advisor at an Apple Store in Virginia who observed the Sabbath. The suit alleges Apple did not adequately consider the employee's religious obligations when addressing scheduling and job requirements.Filed Tuesday, the EEOC says the company’s actions amount to religious discrimination under federal law. The case highlights ongoing tensions between employer scheduling policies and employees’ religious practices.What to knowWho: EEOC v. AppleWhere: Apple Store in Virginia, USAWhen: Lawsuit filed Tuesday (reported August/September 2023 originally)Thoughts? Should employers be required to change schedules or duties to accommodate religious observance?

Microsoft hikes Game Pass Ultimate to $30/month — What you need to know Microsoft has rebranded some Game Pass tiers and raised prices on its premium plan. Here are the key points: Game Pass Ultimate now costs $30 per month (a 50% increase from $20). Microsoft has removed annual and quarterly billing options, making the monthly price the primary option. At $30/month, Game Pass Ultimate costs $360 per year, which is more than double the current PlayStation Plus Premium annual plan (~$160). Microsoft previously raised the Ultimate price from $17 to $20 in July 2024, so this latest change nearly doubles the cost in ~15 months. Microsoft is also increasing prices on Xbox Series X/S consoles in the US, and pre-orders for the ROG Xbox Ally handheld show the higher-end…

iRobot Roomba 104 — Prime Day Deal: $150 (40% off) Looking for a budget-friendly robot vacuum on sale? The iRobot Roomba 104 is currently a standout deal at about $150 (roughly 40% off). It’s an entry-level robovac that handles everyday cleaning with reliable hardware and useful smart features. Key specs LiDAR mapping for efficient navigation and obstacle avoidance Specialized anti-drop sensors to prevent stair falls Multi-surface brush + edge-sweeping brush included Approx. 200 minutes battery runtime per charge App control with scheduling and custom settings Voice assistant compatibility: Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant What it doesn’t do Does not mop — vacuum only No dedicated debris canister included Who it’s for Great as a gift or as an affordable upgrade to an older robovac. If you want basic, effective vacuuming with…

Baseus expands Nomos chargers with compact 67W 8-in-1 desk station Baseus has added a more compact model to its Nomos family: a slim 8-in-1 desk charging station that combines a 67W USB-C fast charger, a Qi2-certified 15W wireless pad and a multi-socket power strip. It’s aimed at users who want a tidy, flexible desktop charging setup without juggling multiple adapters and cables. Key features 67W USB-C high-speed charging (suitable for many laptops and fast-charging phones) Qi2-certified wireless charging pad, up to 15W Ports: 3 × USB-C, 1 × USB-A, 3 × AC outlets Ultra-slim design for desktop use and travel 1.5 m (≈5 ft) power cord and multiple safety protections (overvoltage, overcurrent, short-circuit, fire protection) Manufacturer warranty (varies by region) How it compares Following last year’s Nomos 140W station (which…

Microsoft updates Game Pass tiers and raises prices — what changed Microsoft recently announced changes to Xbox Game Pass: tier rebranding and price increases. Initial reports varied, so here’s a concise, verified summary and what it means for subscribers. Key changes (verified) Game Pass Ultimate: New confirmed price is $19.99/month (some earlier reports incorrectly stated $30/month). This increase took effect in September 2024. New tier — Game Pass Standard: Introduced at $14.99/month; it does not include day-one access to first-party titles. PC Game Pass: Increased from $9.99 to $11.99/month. Prepaid stacking limit: Microsoft capped prepaid stacking at 13 months. Price comparisons Game Pass Ultimate (monthly): $19.99 → annualized to ~$239.88. PlayStation Plus Premium (annual): around $159.99 — still cheaper on an annual plan in many regions. Hardware price notes Microsoft…

October Prime Day Laptop Deals — MacBooks, Windows laptops & Chromebooks Looking for a new laptop for work or play? October Prime Day has discounts across MacBooks, Windows machines and Chromebooks. Below are highlights and quick Amazon search links (affiliate tag included) so you can check current listings and prices. Note: prices fluctuate by seller and configuration. MacBooks Apple MacBook Air (15-inch, M4) — $1,078 (example deal). Search: MacBook Air 15 M4 on Amazon Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4) — $1,399. Search: MacBook Pro 14 M4 on Amazon Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M4) — $2,249. Search: MacBook Pro 16 M4 on Amazon Note: Apple M4 models may be new and not always directly listed on Amazon — use the search links above to see current availability. Windows laptops Dell 15…

Unistellar Envision — Smart binoculars that ID mountains & stars Unistellar introduced Envision, a pair of smart binoculars that overlay augmented-reality information onto the optical view to identify mountains, peaks, and stars. The company ran a successful crowdfunding effort and is offering pre-orders; deliveries are scheduled well into 2026. Key points Envision blends premium binocular optics with an AR microdisplay that projects contextual labels into the optical path (one-eye overlay). It uses inertial sensors, a compass and custom software to align the overlay and pulls topographic/cartographic data from a database based on location and viewing direction. Offline maps can be loaded in advance. Features demonstrated in prototypes: mountain/peak names, elevations, distances, and night mode that labels stars and constellations. Future updates will add trails, springs, lakes, nebulae, planets, comets, and…

Second‑Gen Kindle Scribe on Sale — Record‑Low Prices Amazon is discounting the second‑generation Kindle Scribe. The 16GB model is at a record‑low price (roughly $260–$300), and the 32GB and 64GB versions are also marked down. If you want a quick way to check current prices and buy, see the Amazon search link below (affiliate): Find Kindle Scribe on Amazon Why it’s worth considering 10.2‑inch E Ink display with front lights that auto‑adjust. Excellent reading and writing experience — widely reviewed positively (reviews scored the device highly for smooth performance and design). Sleek, slender build that doubles as an e‑reader and note‑taking tablet. What to know about the new models Amazon recently announced new Kindle Scribe models (Scribe 3 and the Colorsoft full‑color E Ink model). They’re expected to arrive “later…

Amazon launches Fire TV Stick 4K Select At its recent hardware event Amazon introduced the Fire TV Stick 4K Select — a lower-cost 4K streaming stick that expands the company’s Fire TV lineup. Key points: Price: €54.99 (pre-orders open; shipping starts mid‑October) Operating System: Runs Amazon’s new Vega OS (a move away from Android) Performance: Promises faster app loading and responsive playback Video: Supports 4K and Amazon lists HDR10+ playback Early reporting indicates the device is positioned as an affordable 4K option. Some third‑party coverage notes the new Vega OS may limit traditional Android app side‑loading and that advanced features like Dolby Vision or Wi‑Fi 6 may not be included on this model — Amazon markets it as a cost‑effective solution rather than a flagship device. If you want to…

California Jury Clears Uber in First 2016 Sexual-Assault Bellwether Case A California jury ruled that Uber is not legally responsible for a 2016 sexual assault alleged by a plaintiff identified as Jessica C. The jury found Uber was negligent in its safety practices but concluded that the negligence was not a "substantial factor" in causing the attack, clearing the company of liability in this bellwether trial. Key facts Plaintiff: Identified as Jessica C., who says she was 18 and a college student when the attack occurred during a 2016 Uber ride to San Jose airport. Allegations: The driver allegedly deviated from the route, groped and kissed the plaintiff, attempted to remove her pants, and assaulted her. The plaintiff testified she feared for her life and later developed PTSD and dropped…