I used to think USB cables were simple. If the connector fits into my device, then surely the cable would work the same as every other one that looked identical. That assumption turned out to be completely wrong, and I only realized it after running into several frustrating problems with USB-C devices on my Windows 11 PC. One cable would charge my phone quickly, but transfer files slowly. Another worked perfectly with my external SSD, while a different cable caused random disconnects. I also had moments when a USB-C accessory refused to work properly, even though the cable fit physically without issue.

If your PC has been running off the main power supply, plugged into the wall, and nothing has gone wrong yet, don't assume everything will remain the same forever. This is not about erratic power supply or a one-off power cut; it's about a crucial layer of protection missing from your setup. Just because you haven't experienced a power surge yet doesn't mean you won't. Without some sort of surge protection between your PC and the main supply, you're leaving your sensitive components at the mercy of the weather. Your power supply might have the latest bells and whistles, but it's not enough. A surge protector or UPS is essential for keeping your expensive PC safe from power surges, fluctuations, and brownouts. Even if abnormal power doesn't kill your components, it can still affect the performance and stability of your PC.

Valve finally brought back the Steam Controller this year. The second-generation pad launched on May 4 at $99, with twin trackpads, magnetic TMR thumbsticks, four back grip buttons, and the little 2.4GHz puck that doubles as a charging dock. It sold out in under an hour, and by the afternoon, the $99 SKU was gone. People were experiencing transaction errors mid-purchase and eBay listings were already sitting at $230 to $250. Valve has since opened a reservation queue, but if you missed the first drop, you're now waiting in line.

Federal prosecutors charged a Google employee with fraud after he allegedly made $1.2 million on Polymarket bets related to Search-related trends in 2025, as reported earlier by ABC News. In their now-unsealed complaint, prosecutors allege that Michele Spagnuolo "knew the outcome of these wagers before the trading public did because he had accessed Google's confidential, commercially valuable internal data." Spagnuolo was arrested in New York on Wednesday but released on a $2.25 million bond, ABC News reports. He is charged with commodities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.Spagnuolo made bets on Polymarket under the username AlphaRa …Read the full story at The Verge.

Well, tech fans, it's that time of the year again. Huge names have descended upon this year's Computex to show off everything they've been working on, and MSI is no different. The company has taken to the stage to present their newest products, and it's especially good news for people who want to be more productive on their PCs.

After announcing tests of premium subscriptions for Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp earlier this year, TechCrunch and Bloomberg report that Meta is launching a global rollout over the next few weeks and is also starting to test subscriptions for Meta AI. With the new offerings, Meta joins many other tech companies in changing up its subscription plans to bring in new revenues following substantial AI investments - Google, for example, recently lowered the price of its most expensive subscription and threw in YouTube Premium.Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus will cost $3.99 per month, while WhatsApp Plus will cost $2.99 per month. Instagram Pl …Read the full story at The Verge.

Ferrari fans don’t like the design of the new Luce EV, an electric four-door sedan that just doesn’t look like the Ferraris of old.It was designed with help from Jony Ive’s LoveFrom, but what worked for Ive at Apple isn’t working for Ferrari. The Luce’s launch immediately preceded a stock drop that even an appearance by the Pope hasn’t been able to turn around so far. Lamborghini CEO talks EVs vs. hybrids after the Ferrari Luce launch. This Ferrari should have been a Volkswagen Luce x Leo. ‘If I were to say what I think, I would be hurting Ferrari.’ Ferrari’s stock plummets after disappointing Luce unveil. Jony Ive’s Ferrari looks nothing like a Ferrari Ferrari reveals its first EV, with design help from Jony Ive Here’s what the Ferrari Luce’s buttons, switches, and knobs sound like. Ferrari’s first EV will have an interior designed by Jony Ive Ferrari exposes the guts of its upcoming 1000hp EV Ferrari’s first EV spotted making fake Ferrari sounds.

Installing a program or app on your computer is one of the most common and natural uses for our computers. At the very least, you've probably had to download a web browser to replace the built-in Microsoft Edge, or something like VLC Media Player that actually works with all your media files.

I've always been skeptical about frame generation, so much so that for the first couple of years, I didn't even bother testing it on my RTX 4090 outside of benchmark runs. Sure, it was impressive to see the FPS counter almost double while monitoring in MSI Afterburner, but games never felt like they were actually running at those frame rates. I couldn't get past how my inputs always felt a little bit off, but I now know that's because I was judging frame generation almost entirely through the fast-paced shooters I play most often.

I don't think the biggest benefit of AI tools existing is the fact that you can ask a question and get a response within seconds. Or that you can generate an image of your younger self with a single sentence. Or that you can create a slide deck that would have previously taken you weeks to build within an afternoon. Those things are useful, sure, and a few of them still feel like magic. But they're all surface-level wins, and I think they're simply faster versions of things we already knew how to do.

Halide Mark III isn’t free, but you can try it out for a week before buying. | Image: Lux Optics After first being announced in December 2024, Lux Optics has finally released the latest version of its Halide camera app for the iPhone and iPad. The Halide Mark III app's most compelling feature is a new film simulation engine and a collection of five new Looks that can be applied to photos as they're taken. Co-developed with Cullen Kelly, a "renowned Hollywood colorist," the different looks are tailored for landscape photography, portraits, and cityscapes, plus a black-and-white option with extra film grain.Halide Mark III is available now through the App Store for a one-time purchase price of $59.99, or as part of a $19.99/year subscri …Read the full story at The Verge.

If you want an iPad that’s more powerful than the entry-level model but less expensive than the iPad Pro, the latest iPad Air is the one to buy, and it’s down to one its best prices to date. The 11-inch Air with 128GB of storage and Wi-Fi connectivity is available at Amazon starting at $519.99 ($79 off). If you want a larger screen, the base 13-inch Air has dropped to a new low price of $699 ($100 off), also at Amazon.13-inch iPad Air M4 Where to Buy: $799 $699.99 at Amazon (128GB, Wi-Fi) $899 $789.99 at Amazon (256GB, Wi-Fi) $1099 $1019 at Amazon (512GB, Wi-Fi)11-inch iPad Air (2026)Where to Buy: $599 $519.99 at Amazon (128GB, Wi-Fi) $699 $609.99 at Amazon (256GB, Wi-Fi) $899 $839 at Amazon (512GB, Wi-Fi)No matter which size you choose, the new iPad Air is noticeably faster than the base iPad thanks to its M4 processor and a bump up to 12GB of RAM. While it falls short of the M5-powered iPad Pros in terms of raw performance and its super-thin design, the Air is sufficient for lighter creative work and some gaming. This model also boasts Apple Intelligence and support for the latest Apple Pencil Pro. Apple also made a handful of smaller upgrades in the now-discounted iPad Air, like the N1 wireless networking chip that supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. It’s also compatible with Thread, making it easier to control smart lights, locks, and other compatible smart home devices directly from your tablet. It was already a good value, and now it’s a better one at this price if you’re shopping for a new iPad.Read our M4-powered iPad Air review.