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The Mac Mini is still mighty, just not as cheap
Apple has released new Mac Mini models featuring the M6 and M5 Pro chips, representing a significant performance upgrade over the previous M4 generation. However, the launch is accompanied by a substantial price increase: the base model has risen from $599 to $899, which represents a $300 real-world jump when accounting for discontinued storage configurations.…
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The long dream of the Googlebook
Google has launched Googlebook OS, a new operating system that consolidates its two separate platforms—ChromeOS for laptops and Android for phones and other devices—into a unified system. This represents a significant strategic reversal, with Google now believing that quality hardware and laptops remain essential, particularly as AI demands more computational power. The shift contradicts earlier…
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Google unveils Android laptops designed to unite phones and computers
Google is launching Googlebooks, a new range of Android-based laptops designed to combine Chromebook familiarity with closer integration with Android phones. The devices aim to make phones and computers feel like one system, with features such as casting phone apps directly to the laptop, while Gemini AI is built into the operating system. Five models…
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Trade-in vs selling: Which is the better option for your old phone?
When upgrading to a new phone, your old device retains significant value that shouldn’t be discarded. The article compares two main methods of offloading a used phone: trading it in at retailers or manufacturers, or selling it privately through platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Each approach involves different trade-offs between convenience, financial return, and…
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Apple software workaround helps iPhone 18 Pro Max bypass battery shipping rules
Apple has introduced a firmware-based workaround allowing the iPhone 18 Pro Max to avoid international shipping restrictions for single-cell batteries exceeding 20Wh. The software initially limits the battery’s capacity below that threshold, then automatically removes the restriction when the phone is first activated, restoring its full rated capacity. The battery is rated at approximately 21.75Wh…
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What to consider when buying an Ethernet switch for your home network
An Ethernet switch is a straightforward way to add wired connections when a home router lacks enough ports, without replacing the router or affecting effective Wi-Fi coverage. Buyers should choose a model that matches their current network while allowing for future devices, rather than simply selecting the switch with the highest specifications. Port counts must…
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Old Android tablets can run Android Auto with Open Headunit
An old Android tablet can be repurposed as an Android Auto display using the Open Headunit app, allowing drivers to navigate, control their phone and play media on a larger, car-friendly screen. This could be particularly useful for vehicles without built-in Android Auto, although the setup requires technical configuration and a suitable way to connect…
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The Best Productivity Setups for Freelancers Working Around Sheffield
The article offers practical productivity advice for freelancers working in and around Sheffield. It argues that choosing the right environment, improving digital security and reducing distractions can help independent workers stay focused and manage their time more effectively. Suggestions include using co-working spaces such as Work Station and Union St for demanding work, cafés for…
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iPhone 18 Pro teardown finds advanced aperture offers limited gains
iFixit’s teardown of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max reveals Apple’s new variable aperture lens, featuring a magnetically-controlled iris with six microscopically-thin overlapping blades that regulate light reaching the sensor. Whilst the engineering represents an impressive feat of precision, fitting the mechanism into the same footprint as its predecessor, testing has found the…
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Android signage failure leaves Amsterdam hotel lifts displaying error
An Android-based digital signage app called LOTA stopped working in the lifts at Amsterdam’s Mövenpick hotel during rainy weather and a 24-hour public transport strike. The incident attracted attention because the malfunctioning display appeared to add to the city’s wider transport disruption, though there is no evidence the software failure was connected to the strike.…