Best power banks for 2025 — summary and buying guide I tested 55+ portable battery packs over three years. These days power banks are better than ever — from Qi2-enabled magnetic slabs for wireless phone refills to heavy bricks that can revive a laptop. If you travel or often forget to top up your phone, a good power bank can be a lifesaver. Quick highlights Tested: 55+ banks across sizes (5,000mAh to 27,000mAh) and types (MagSafe/Qi2, USB-C PD, AC-capable bricks). Real-world efficiency: expect ~60% of listed mAh delivered to devices (e.g., a 10,000mAh bank gives ~5,800mAh). Wireless improved: Qi2 magnetic charging now practical (15W; newer phones support 25W in some models). Flying: TSA allows external batteries ≤100Wh in carry-on only — don’t check power banks. What to look for Capacity:…

Roland TR-1000: Hybrid Follow-up to the TR-808/909 Roland has introduced the TR-1000, a high-end hybrid drum machine that blends the analog grit of the legendary TR-808 and TR-909 with modern digital features. The new unit targets producers who want classic punch and advanced digital workflow in one box. Key specs Analog voices: True analog circuitry inspired by the TR-808/909. Digital engines & sampling: Modern digital synthesis engines plus a sampler with 2,000+ factory samples and user sample import. Sequencer: Redesigned sequencer with performance features (probability, motion recording, off-grid steps). Storage: ~46GB internal storage for factory and user content. Effects: Multiple analog-style and digital effects (filters, drive, reverb, delay, compression, etc.). Connectivity: Extensive I/O — MIDI, USB-C multichannel audio/MIDI, individual outputs, CV/Gate, DIN sync, foot controls. Price & availability: Reported price…

Amazon updates Kindle Scribe: now with color screen and productivity upgrades Amazon has refreshed the Kindle Scribe family with three new models — two updated monochrome Scribes and the brand-new Kindle Scribe Colorsoft with an 11" color E Ink display. The line is positioned more toward productivity: reading, annotating and editing documents. Key features First color Kindle Scribe (11" color E Ink) enabling color highlights and full-color drawing — useful for PDFs, textbooks and magazines. Sleeker, thinner design and lighter weight compared with prior Scribe models. Faster performance with a newer processor and reduced writing latency. Improved frontlight system and a more paper-like screen texture. New software features including cloud integrations (Google Drive, OneDrive), Quick Notes and AI-powered note summarization. Pricing & availability Reported prices start around $429 for the…

Sora 2: OpenAI’s new text-to-video model brings realistic physics OpenAI has released Sora 2, a significant upgrade to its text-to-video generator focused on more realistic physics and natural motion. According to reports, Sora 2 reduces unnatural jumps and artifacts in motion-heavy scenes — for example, sports clips where balls and bodies follow more plausible trajectories and interactions. Key improvements Realistic physics and motion: Better handling of motion, collisions and temporal consistency across frames. Higher fidelity & longer clips: Cleaner frames, sharper details and support for longer short-form videos. Editing & controls: Improved editing possibilities such as targeted re-renders and object adjustments. Safety & provenance: Stronger watermarking and metadata to track AI-generated content; new consent/likeness controls. Availability The Sora iOS app is initially invite-only in select regions, with plans to expand…

Disney+: Price increase and new October releases Disney+ has implemented a price increase in Germany. The new baseline price is €6.99/month for the "Standard with ads" plan. The ad-free subscription now costs €10.99/month, and the Premium plan is €15.99/month. In addition to the price change, Disney+ rolled out new videos for October. Quick summary Standard with ads: €6.99/month Ad-free: €10.99/month Premium: €15.99/month Are these changes worth it for you? Share your thoughts in the comments. More info: Disney+ Source: news roundup (originally reported on ifun.de)

Disney issues cease-and-desist to Character.AI over franchised characters Disney has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Character.AI, demanding removal of chatbots that replicate characters from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The letter, reported by Engadget, accuses Character.AI of copyright infringement and raises alarms that some chatbots were used in sexually exploitative or otherwise harmful ways in conversations with minors. Quote from the letter: "Character.ai's infringing chatbots are known, in some cases, to be sexually exploitive and otherwise harmful and dangerous to children, offending Disney's consumers and extraordinarily damaging Disney's reputation and goodwill." Character.AI has faced prior scrutiny over user safety, including reports that two teenagers who discussed suicide with the platform's chatbots later took their own lives. The company has been contacted by the Federal Trade Commission…

Best E‑Ink Tablets (summary) I've been a longtime pen-and-paper fan and tested nearly a dozen E‑Ink tablets to see how well they combine the tactile satisfaction of notebooks with digital convenience. E‑Ink tablets offer eye‑friendly displays, paper‑like writing, and a more distraction‑free experience than typical LCD tablets. Editor's note — Amazon announcement The original piece included an editor's note mentioning a revamped Kindle Scribe family ("Kindle Scribe 3" and "Kindle Scribe Colorsoft"). I checked available sources and wasn't able to fully confirm all details. For shopping or the latest product pages, search on Amazon: Kindle Scribe on Amazon. Are E‑Ink tablets worth it? E‑Ink tablets are most worthwhile for a select group: people who prefer an e‑paper look/feel, want a paper‑like writing experience, or need a distraction‑free device. They often…

Leaked 13-inch M5 iPad Pro Unboxing — What We Know An unboxing video from a known leaker has revealed what appears to be a 13-inch iPad Pro with Apple’s M5 chip. The footage (originally reported by tech outlets) shows a Space Black 256GB unit and includes benchmark, software and manufacturing details that suggest a near-term launch. Key details from the leak Model: 13-inch iPad Pro, Space Black, 256GB Chip: Apple M5 — Geekbench 6 shown in the video reports ~12% higher multi-core CPU performance and roughly ~36% faster GPU vs. the previous generation. Memory: The leak suggests 12GB RAM on the 256GB model (current 256GB models shipped with 8GB). Software: Device runs iPadOS 26 (as visible in the footage). Design: Exterior appears largely unchanged (single rear camera, four speakers, Smart…

Amazon Fall 2025 Hardware: Echo, Kindle, Fire TV, Blink & Ring — Full Rundown Amazon held its fall hardware event and announced a wide range of refreshed products — all with deep Alexa+ integration. Highlights include new Echo speakers and shows, color writing Kindles, Fire TV updates, plus upgraded Blink and Ring cameras. Below is a concise breakdown of the key announcements and links to learn more. Echo speakers - Echo Dot Max ($100): Much more bass and adaptive sound; designed to pair into Alexa Home Theater setups. Buy/see more: Echo Dot Max on Amazon - Echo Studio ($220): Smaller chassis, spatial audio and Dolby Atmos support. Buy/see more: Echo Studio on Amazon Alexa Home Theater Connect up to five Echo Studio or Echo Dot Max speakers to a compatible…

Amazon Echo Dot Max and Next-Gen Echo Studio: Hands-on Overview Amazon revealed two new Echo speakers at its NYC event: the Echo Dot Max and a redesigned, spherical Echo Studio. Both are available for preorder and are scheduled to ship on October 29. Pricing & Availability Echo Dot Max — $99.99 (preorder, ships Oct 29) Echo Studio (next-gen) — $219.99 (preorder, ships Oct 29) Quick Specs & Highlights Echo Dot Max: two-way speaker (woofer + custom tweeter), ~3x bass response vs standard Dot, redesigned internal airspace for stronger low end. Echo Studio (2025): new spherical design, ~40% smaller footprint than previous Studio, three full-range drivers + woofer, supports Dolby Atmos and spatial audio. Alexa Home Theater mode: can turn up to five Dot Max or Studio units into a surround…