Apple Mac mini M4: Early Black Friday deal drops 16GB/256GB to $499 Apple’s Mac mini with the M4 chip is on sale ahead of Black Friday: the 16GB RAM / 256GB SSD model has been reduced from $599 to $499 — a $100 saving and near its all‑time low. Other discounted configurations include 16GB/512GB for $690 (was $799) and 24GB/512GB for $890 (was $999). The Mac mini M4 earned high marks in reviews for packing considerable performance into a compact, quiet desktop. Notable hardware changes include front‑facing USB‑C and headphone ports and a base configuration that starts with 16GB of RAM, making it a stronger out‑of‑the‑box option than prior minis. Current sale highlights 16GB / 256GB: $499 (down from $599) 16GB / 512GB: $690 (down from $799) 24GB / 512GB:…

Heineken to power Lisbon brewery with a 100 MWh heat battery — steam from stored solar Heineken is building a 100 MWh heat battery at its Lisbon brewery to generate high‑temperature steam using stored heat and renewable electricity. The Rondo Heat Battery (RHB) will use refractory bricks to store thermal energy captured from onsite solar and grid renewables supplied by EDP, then release it as steam — a process expected to deliver 7 MW of continuous steam when completed. The system will replace gas‑fired boilers for steam generation and is scheduled to go live in April 2027. Heineken says the heat battery will allow the brewery to run 24/7 on renewable energy and help the company move toward its net‑zero goal by 2040 while supporting Portugal’s emissions‑reduction targets. How the…

Best mesh Wi‑Fi systems for 2025: what to buy and what to skip Mesh Wi‑Fi systems are one of the most effective upgrades for homes that struggle with dead zones, buffering or dropped calls. Instead of relying on a single router, a mesh network uses multiple nodes to blanket your home with a single seamless network name, improving reliability and roaming between rooms. Our 2025 guide highlights why Wi‑Fi 6E is currently the best choice for most households: it adds the uncluttered 6GHz band for higher throughput and lower interference. Wi‑Fi 7 exists, but it nd supported hardware re still early and expensive for the average home. Key buying criteria Wi‑Fi standard: Prefer Wi‑Fi 6E for future‑proofing and better real‑world speeds; only consider Wi‑Fi 7 if you need bleeding‑edge features…

ISDT 8‑port USB charger deal: compact multi‑charger for busy desks Looking for a simple way to power hubs, speakers, desk lights and other USB accessories? The ISDT multi‑charger with eight USB ports is currently on sale and aims to solve that clutter by offering multiple USB‑A and USB‑C outputs in a compact package. This kind of charger is handy for home offices and workstations where many accessories need constant power. Rather than juggling several wall adapters, an 8‑port charger can centralize power and free up outlets. Key use cases Powering USB hubs, lamps and speakers without multiple wall bricks. Charging phones, tablets and small devices simultaneously. Reducing cable clutter at a desk or entertainment center. What to check before buying Per‑port power: Confirm the wattage or PD support per port…

SleepBar: Comfortable sleep‑timer controls for Mac SleepBar is a lightweight Mac app that helps users control their computer's sleep mode with precision and ease. Instead of navigating system settings or creating complex scripts, SleepBar offers quick timers, schedules and shortcuts so you can put your Mac to sleep automatically at the times you choose. The app targets people who regularly need consistent sleep behavior — for example when using a Mac for media playback, scheduled downloads, or power‑saving routines. SleepBar simplifies these flows with a straightforward interface and options designed for recurring use. Key features Quick timers: Start a countdown to sleep with a single click. Schedules: Create recurring sleep rules tied to specific times or days. Shortcuts & automation: Integrates with macOS shortcuts or other automation tools for hands‑free…

Canon EOS R6 III: 32.5MP, 40fps burst and 7K RAW — a hybrid powerhouse Canon has expanded its mid‑range full‑frame lineup with the EOS R6 III, a significant upgrade over the R6 II thanks to a higher‑resolution 32.5MP sensor, much faster burst rates and substantially improved video specs. The camera targets hybrid shooters who need both fast stills and pro‑grade video. The R6 III delivers up to 40 fps burst with the electronic shutter (12 fps mechanical), supports 20 frames of pre‑shooting, and brings Canon’s proven Dual Pixel AF with updated AI tracking. It claims reliable low‑light AF down to -6 EV and includes subject detection for people, animals and vehicles. Main specs & highlights Sensor: 32.5MP full‑frame (higher resolution than R6 II). Shooting speed: 40 fps (electronic), 12 fps…

Apple reportedly to pay Google ~$1B/year to power parts of the new Siri Recent reporting indicates Apple plans to pay Google roughly $1 billion per year for a customized version of Google’s Gemini model to power key components of its redesigned Siri. That Google‑derived model would run on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute and handle Siri’s summarizer and planner functions — systems that synthesize information and sequence multi‑step tasks. Apple reportedly intends the Gemini layer as a temporary boost: the company is said to be developing its own very large cloud model (around one trillion parameters) to replace Google’s tech once it reaches production readiness. The arrangement would let Apple accelerate Siri’s capabilities while it builds out its in‑house models. What’s changing for Siri Role of Gemini: Summarization and planning duties…

Apple reportedly to pay Google ~$1B/year to power parts of the new Siri Recent reporting indicates Apple plans to pay Google roughly $1 billion per year for a customized version of Google’s Gemini model to power key components of its redesigned Siri. That Google‑derived model would run on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute and handle Siri’s summarizer and planner functions — the systems that synthesize information and sequence multi‑step tasks. Apple reportedly intends the Gemini layer as a temporary boost: the company is said to be developing its own very large cloud model (around one trillion parameters) to replace Google’s tech as soon as it’s ready. The arrangement would let Apple accelerate Siri’s capabilities while it builds out its in‑house models. What’s changing for Siri Role of Gemini: Summarization and planning…

Daily AI Brief — Anthropic/Claude updates and OpenAI (Nov 5, 2025) Here’s a concise roundup of the latest AI news for Nov 5, 2025, with a focus on Anthropic’s Claude family and OpenAI. This summary pulls together product updates, enterprise deals, security findings and the current public posture of OpenAI. Anthropic / Claude — key items Sonnet 4.5 & model improvements: Anthropic recently rolled out updates to its Sonnet series (including Sonnet 4.5), improving capabilities for enterprise and developer use — refinements aimed at safety and task performance. Enterprise adoption expands: Major firms, including financial services companies and system integrators like Cognizant, are adopting Claude for workflows ranging from client support to code modernization and internal AI tooling. Google Cloud partnership deepens: Anthropic is expanding use of Google Cloud TPUs…

Apple to power new Siri with a custom version of Google’s Gemini — $1B deal and plans for its own 1T‑parameter model Bloomberg reports Apple is finalizing plans to use a customized version of Google’s Gemini to power its upgraded Siri, with the company reportedly paying about $1 billion per year for the technology. Gemini will run on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers and take on key roles such as Siri’s summarizer and planner — functions that synthesize information and coordinate complex tasks. Apple will still use some in‑house models, but the Gemini integration is aimed at boosting Siri’s ability to execute multi‑step requests and manage app tasks. The deal is said to be largely behind the scenes; Apple does not plan to advertise the Google partnership and intends to…