-
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.…
-
Google unveils Android-focused laptops designed to work closely with phones
Google is positioning its new Googlebook laptops as the Android equivalent of Apple’s MacBook–iPhone ecosystem. The devices are designed to work closely with Android phones, allowing users to continue apps across devices, access phone files, run mobile apps on the laptop and manage notifications centrally. The first five models, from Lenovo, Dell, HP, Acer and…
-
The Steam Frame’s first post-launch update speeds up charging and ungarbles a mic bug
Valve’s first SteamOS update for the Steam Frame improves charging speeds, fixes a garbled-microphone issue and makes controller tracking smoother. The faster charging is particularly significant because the headset’s standalone battery lasts only about an hour when playing Half-Life: Alyx. SteamOS 0.3.0 can recharge the Frame substantially faster when it is switched off or sleeping,…
-
ShinyHunters hijacks Clop’s leak site and demands eight-figure payment
Rival cybercrime group ShinyHunters hijacked Clop’s dark-web leak site and demanded an eight-figure payment, turning the extortionist into a victim. The incident matters because ShinyHunters claims it accessed Clop’s wider infrastructure and may expose companies that paid ransoms, potentially causing further reputational and operational damage. ShinyHunters says the dispute stems from Clop’s exploitation of an…
-
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…
-
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…
-
How to use an iPad as a second screen for your Mac or Windows PC
An iPad can serve as a portable second screen for a Mac or Windows PC, giving users extra workspace while travelling or working away from home. Apple’s Sidecar is the simplest option for Mac users, while third-party apps provide alternatives for Windows users and can add features such as Apple Pencil support. Sidecar requires a…
-
Apple tests Siri-powered smart display ahead of possible launch
Apple is developing a smart display device, internally codenamed J490, that is currently undergoing extensive testing in employees’ homes and may launch later this year. This marks Apple’s long-awaited entry into the smart display market, a segment dominated by Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub, and represents a significant shift as the device would…
-
NASA awards SpaceX $946m for three more ISS missions
NASA has added $946 million to SpaceX’s commercial crew contract for three further Crew Dragon missions to the International Space Station, helping secure astronaut access while Boeing’s Starliner programme remains uncertain. The deal covers Crew-15 through Crew-17 and related launch, support, cargo, recovery and emergency-lifeboat services, raising SpaceX’s contract value to $5.92 billion. The missions…
-
UK confidence slips to three-year low amid rate and jobs worries
UK consumer confidence fell to 42.7 in September from 42.9 in August, reflecting growing concerns about higher interest rates, mortgage costs, living expenses and job security. The deterioration comes ahead of John Healey’s budget, where tax rises are reportedly being considered as government borrowing costs increase amid Middle East tensions. More than half of 1,500…