Self-hosting AI has quietly become part of my daily workflow. I already run multiple local LLMs through Ollama for writing, research, and quick experiments, mostly because I prefer control, privacy, and predictable performance over cloud tools. Over time, though, I realized something was missing. While local models were powerful, I was still doing too much manual work around them.

BMW's new class of EVs begins with the iX3 SUV, but you had to know it wouldn't end there. The company's engineers didn't spend all that time working up a completely redesigned and substantially more efficient EV platform just for one crossover, and now it's time for the second wave.Meet the new i3, which takes the same basic motor, battery, and electronics package that powers the iX3, plus the Neue Klasse's controversial styling cues, and applies it to a more familiar sedan shape, the sort of silhouette that BMW's reputation was largely built upon. It definitely looks a lot like the iX3, but with a slightly different intent. Sebastian K …Read the full story at The Verge.

Computing hardware has invaded every aspect of our lives under the pretext of making things easier or saving humans time spent doing repetitive chores. Everything from smart home hardware to containerized home labs could be classified as similar assists in that they reduce performative duties for us. We spend hundreds of dollars on the hardware that runs them, even if the software is FOSS. However, there's one important Windows automation tool sitting quietly in the System32 folder that's summarily ignored.

If you're on the hunt for something to elevate your Windows experience beyond the norm, you should definitely give PowerToys a shot. The app contains a ton of handy tools that should really be a part of the default Windows experience, and sometimes it feels like there are so many excellent apps that you end up 'losing' one you really like amongst the sea of tools.

Confirming recent rumors, Meta has revealed that it's shutting down Horizon Worlds, its online multiplayer virtual reality (VR) game.

Windows' built-in word processors are having a strange moment right now. First, we had Notepad and WordPad. Notepad focused on keeping things very simple, while WordPad was a little more advanced. Then, Microsoft erased WordPad from Windows 11, only to begin moving the features that were in WordPad over to Notepad. So, we've gone from a simple and an advanced word processor to a single simple word processor that's slowly becoming more advanced. Yeah, I'm not sure what's going on either.

The world of free VPNs can be really hit and miss. Some companies will use their position to harvest data from you to make a profit, while others will actually respect your privacy, but you kind of wonder how a business can give away such a service for nothing. As such, a free VPN from a reputable company is pretty much the best deal you can get, because the business actually has a reason not to betray its user base.

Hoto makes electric screwdrivers for different budgets. If you don’t want to spend much, you can get its most basic model, which we’ve recommended many times. That one comes with 25 bits, and has three levels of torque for $29.99 (usually $59.99). But if you want more power and versatility, its PixelDrive model might be the better option. It offers six levels of torque, plus two speed options: 80RPM for precision-oriented tasks, and a 200RPM setting for faster action. Hoto has knocked $20 off its price, and you can pick it up for $59.99 at Amazon.Hoto PixelDriveHoto’s latest electric screwdriver delivers an adjustable 6Nm of torque, along with a built-in pixelated display that lets you check the battery life and other info.Where to Buy: $79.99 $59.99 at AmazonThe PixelDrive also offers more bits than Hoto’s basic model (30 versus 25) and a bigger battery (2,000mAh versus 1,500). This model features a 360-degree LED light near the bit to illuminate where you need to screw or unscrew, and its display shows the battery level as well as your torque selection. While the carrying case included with the affordable Hoto electric model is already miles ahead of what’s included with most competing products, the stacking cylindrical bit case set included with the PixelDrive goes a step further. Its camera lens-inspired design should blend in a little more easily wherever you like to tinker.

Most PC builders don't put together a new system from scratch every few years. They upgrade one component at a time when they feel it has overstayed its welcome. For instance, you'll often find gamers sticking to their CPUs for up to a decade while going through two or even three GPUs during the same time. Individual upgrades are often tied to resolving a specific bottleneck in the system that you think is holding back everything else. It could be your graphics card, CPU, RAM, storage, or cooler. Knowing exactly what the biggest bottleneck is in your PC is key to making the most of a component upgrade. Otherwise, you're just acting on instinct, opening the door wide open for buyer's remorse. I'll talk about some of the most common single-part upgrades people make to their PCs, and how things don't always go according to plan.

We always have a moment in our lives when we are in a hurry to find a document, but it is buried somewhere in the Downloads folder, and we never get it in time. Searching for files across Downloads, Documents, and OneDrive folders is always a tedious task.

Home labs come in all sizes and shapes, and while you don't need a rack for a home lab, it really does help. I mean, we've all been there with hastily stacked network equipment balancing on an old PC turned into a server, but that level of chaos energy doesn't sustain itself.

What's better than a 3D print tracker? A 3D print tracker you made yourself, of course. If you make one yourself, you can always repair it manually if something breaks, and you can brainstorm new and fun ways to display the information you need while building upon the base you've already created.