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Motorola launches Indigenous Collections app for language and cultural preservation
Motorola has launched a free Android app called Indigenous Collections, developed with members of the Rainy Lake Ojibwe community to document and preserve the Ojibwe language, along with associated stories, landmarks and family knowledge. The initiative matters because it offers a modern, accessible tool for safeguarding an indigenous language and cultural heritage that might otherwise…
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Your old Google Pixel smartphone could be repurposed in a data center
Researchers at the University of San Diego, working with Google, are exploring whether discarded Google Pixel smartphones can be repurposed into low-cost computing clusters for schools, as part of a project to cut e-waste. Rather than being thrown away, old phones’ motherboards are stripped of their displays, batteries and casings and combined into a “phone…
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Apple debuts monthly leasing scheme for iPhone and Mac
Apple has launched “Apple Upgrade” in the US, a new leasing scheme covering the iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple Watch that lets customers pay a monthly fee and either keep the device at the end of the term, pay it off early, or move on to a newer model. The move marks a shift in…
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Smart rings are looking like my kind of AI gadget
David Pierce, editor-at-large at The Verge, argues that smart rings could become the standout AI gadget, outshining rivals like smart glasses and AI pins, thanks to advances in dictation technology that let users speak to their devices with remarkable accuracy. He was particularly struck by a demo of Sandbar’s forthcoming Stream ring, which uses a…
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I put the Razer Blade 18 against the fastest gaming laptop I’ve tested, and the top dog nearly folded
GamesRadar+ hardware writer Aleksha McLoughlin pitted the Razer Blade 18, a large-screen gaming laptop, against what they describe as the fastest gaming laptop they have personally tested, finding that the newcomer pushed the previous benchmark leader close to its limits. The comparison matters for anyone weighing up premium 18-inch gaming laptops, as it suggests Razer’s…
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2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric first drive: A long-range triumph with a few cabin quirks
Mercedes-Benz’s new electric C-Class has arrived, entering a soft market for both EVs and sedans in the US, but Engadget’s first drive found it a marked improvement on the brand’s earlier electric efforts, particularly on range. The C 400 4Matic offers dual-motor all-wheel drive with more power than the current petrol AMG C43, marking a…
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What’s the difference between USB 3.0 & 2.0 and which should you use?
USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports look almost identical but differ significantly in speed and capability, which matters for anyone deciding where to plug in peripherals like external drives or webcams. Using the wrong port won’t stop a device working, thanks to backwards compatibility, but it can noticeably limit performance, particularly for faster devices such…
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Best wireless headphones for 2026
Engadget has published its 2026 guide to the best wireless over-ear headphones, based on hands-on testing across price ranges and use cases. The guide is aimed at readers seeking comfort and immersive sound rather than portability, distinguishing this category from the outlet’s separate guides to earbuds, gaming headsets and budget options. The top overall pick…
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Is your iPhone stuck in SOS mode? Here’s how to fix it
Apple’s support resources outline what to do when an iPhone displays the “SOS” or “SOS only” symbol, indicating limited connectivity that restricts users to emergency calls rather than normal cellular service. This matters because the symbol can appear unexpectedly, even outside remote or off-grid areas, leaving users unable to make regular calls or send texts…
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Pupils in first borough to ban smartphones in schools are happier and better behaved say heads
Head teachers in the first London borough to introduce a ban on smartphones in schools have reported that pupils are happier and better behaved as a result. The move reflects growing concern among educators and parents about the impact of smartphone and social media use on children’s mental health, attention spans and classroom conduct, and…