Arm devices in the home lab aren't novel by any stretch; we've been experimenting with SBCs like the Raspberry Pi, development boards, or other embedded platforms for use as tiny servers for over a decade at this point. The appeal is clear: it's a small, embedded, silent operating computer that's suited well for home server tasks, but there were always small issues that often stopped them from being fully-fledged servers.

A keyboard perfect for barside writing. As a writer, I take the tools of my trade relatively seriously. I’m not crazy enough to drop $3,600 on a keyboard, but I also find typing on a MacBook for extended periods of time deeply unsatisfying — and distracting. So this spring, I started looking into distraction-free writing setups, which included an e-reader / writer and a mechanical keyboard. I started with the Boox Palma 2 because its E Ink screen and limited connectivity could make it a solid distraction-free solution if paired with a good keyboard. After a lot of research, the keyboard I settled on was the NuPhy Air60 V2, with the company’s heaviest tactile Moss switches and the gorgeous NuFolio case in “nostalgic tan,” which is really more of a bold yellow. Now, I am no connoisseur of mechanical keyboards, but I find the Air60 V2 to be delightful to type on. Its low-profile keys don’t have the same travel and feedback as my regular keyboard or my vintage IBM Model M, but it is still an enormous improvement over my MacBook’s scissor switch keyboard. The Moss switches offer decent-enough thock, but they’re not so loud that I would avoid using the keyboard in public. It might be a bit much for a quiet cafe, but I’ve sat and worked on articles and short stories while seated at a bar and definitely didn’t feel self-conscious about it.The ability to pair it with three devices means I can move the NuPhy between my personal laptop, my work laptop, and the Boox with ease. It also comes with a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, but I’ve had little need for it.I frequently bring the Air60 with me to get some writing done on quiet nights when I’m bartending. (Come see me at Flagship Brewery Tuesdays and Thursdays.) If I need to use my laptop, the Air60 is designed to fit perfectly over a MacBook keyboard while leaving easy access to the trackpad. But more often I’ll bring the Palma 2. The NuFolio acts as a stand as well as a keyboard cover, and the Palma’s flip case hangs perfectly over the top, creating a nice little self-contained writing setup that is ideal when I don’t want (or need) access to the internet. I even turn to it at home sometimes. When I decided to start writing fiction again for the first time in nearly 20 years, I installed Obsidian on the Palma and, paired with the Air60, it became my go-to. As someone who frequently relies on timers to stay on task, I found the NuPhy and Palma a panacea for my attention struggles. Part of that is because I actually look forward to typing on the Air60. The feel, the sound, even the color scheme are all deeply satisfying in a way that no laptop keyboard could ever be.It’s not a perfect solution. The 64-key layout is great for portability, but it can be a bit cramped — I make a few more errors typing on the Air60 than I do on a more generous keyboard. And its shallow angle can be a bit uncomfortable for extended periods of sitting at a desk. But it’s actually perfect with a standing desk (or a bar) or even while resting in your lap.I wasn’t sure that the NuPhy was going to be a wise use of my limited funds when I bought it earlier this year (I was just over a year deep into unemployment and relying on diminishing freelance assignments). But nine months later, it’s become an indispensable part of my writing routine.NuPhy Air60 V2Where to Buy: $119.95 at NuPhy (Moss) $148.95 at NuPhy (Moss with cover) $129.99 $107.95 at Amazon (Cowberry – with coupon)

When you're building a gaming PC, it might feel logical to buy "gaming" components. However, just like there's no such thing as a "gaming" motherboard or "gaming" RAM, you don't need to fall into the trap of "gaming" SSDs. What determines the suitability of a PC component for gaming workloads is the underlying specs, not what the manufacturer decides to call it. So, just like a CPU or GPU can be used in both gaming and non-gaming PCs, regular SSDs lacking any "gaming" branding work just like any other drive in a gaming PC. You don't even need the fastest SSDs with fancy features; you just need to get the basics right.

Raspberry Pi Imager has always been the easiest way to get a fresh OS onto a microSD card, yet the experience sometimes felt a little buried in menus and assumptions. Version 2.0 changes that in a meaningful way. It introduces a redesigned workflow that guides you through setup with more clarity, better explanations, and a cleaner interface that suits beginners and power users alike. The update is more than a visual refresh because it makes the path from download to a bootable Raspberry Pi much clearer.

Have you given Warframe a try? I actually gave it a go for the first time earlier this year, despite it being around for 12 years now. It's a ton of fun, and it's one of those games that just get better the more you play it. By the time I hit the Warframe: 1999 expansion, I was pretty much sold on always being a player.

Instead of adding more and more tools to my existing workflow, I’m always looking for new ways to make the ones I already use work better. There are always hidden features and ways to squeeze more value out of the tools I already rely on. The tool I use most these days in my daily workflow is NotebookLM.

I've been on the home-server and home lab bandwagon for several years now. I like the control, privacy, and flexibility that come with it, but over the years, I've realized that many of the most popular self-hosting tools might not be the best for me. They can be too heavy in terms of services needed to keep them up and running, or just in terms of features. Often, they are just overkill compared to what I need them for — case in point: NextCloud. So, when I discovered NextExplorer, it felt like exactly what I'd been looking for. A simple, functional, self-hosted app that offers an equally simple and clean web interface.

Amazon Prime members may be eligible for free same-day delivery. | Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Let’s face it, the same thing happens year after year. Things get busy with work, school, and life in general until you’re suddenly up against the clock as you race your gifts to your local post office, FedEx store, or UPS location. We’ve all been there, but we’d like to help as you plan your next move and begin sending out your holiday packages.If you intend to send your gifts via traditional mail this year, we’ve compiled the domestic shipping deadlines for various carriers and major retailers, so you can plan ahead and ensure your packages arrive before the holidays. Hopefully, it will help you avoid some unwanted stress — well, assuming that’s even possible this time of year.Final day to shipShips via this serviceDecember 19thUPS 3 Day SelectDecember 22ndUPS 2nd Day AirDecember 23rdUPS Next Day AirWith UPS, you have until Tuesday, December 23rd, to ship via Next Day Air and have your package arrive by Wednesday, December 24th. Packages shipped via Next Day Air after the 23rd won’t arrive until after Christmas. Monday, December 22nd, is the last day to ship via 2nd Day Air if you want your package to arrive by December 24th. You can opt for UPS’s 3 Day Select option until Friday, December 19th, to have it arrive by the 22nd. If you plan to ship your packages before then, you should be fine opting for the standard pickup and delivery service.See more details regarding UPS shipping deadlines here.Final day to shipShips via this serviceDecember 20thFedEx Express SaverDecember 22ndFedEx 2Day and 2Day AMDecember 24thFedEx SameDayFedEx says the cutoff for its SameDay delivery is Wednesday, December 24th, but it’s risky to ship packages that late, as even the slightest delay could result in them arriving after Christmas. However, if you ship it by Monday, December 22nd, you can choose either of the two-day shipping methods. And if you manage to get it to FedEx by Saturday, December 20th, you can go with the Express Saver option for a more reasonable shipping fee.See more details regarding FedEx shipping deadlines here.Final day to shipShips via this serviceDecember 17thFirst-Class MailDecember 17thUSPS Ground AdvantageDecember 18thPriority MailDecember 20thPriority Mail ExpressSaturday, December 20th, is the final day to send packages (to arrive by Christmas Eve) via USPS Priority Mail Express, while the cutoff date for packages to be delivered before Christmas via standard Priority Mail is Thursday, December 18th. First-Class Mail packages and those you intend to send via USPS Ground Advantage, meanwhile, must be sent by Wednesday, December 17th, if you want them to arrive in time for Christmas.See more details regarding USPS shipping deadlines here.Amazon holiday shipping deadlinesIf you subscribe to Amazon Prime and live in an eligible ZIP code in the US, you can get Same-Day Delivery on certain items through December 24th. You’ll need to meet the “minimum threshold” of eligible items in your cart; however, the exact threshold varies by location (see here for more details). Same-Day Delivery costs up to $2.99 per order for Prime members whose orders fall under the threshold, or up to $12.99 for non-Prime customers.Prime members can get One-Day Delivery for eligible products through December 23rd with no minimum purchase amount or Two-Day Delivery through December 22nd.If you’re a Prime member in select US cities, you can take advantage of two-hour grocery delivery through December 24th.Shipping times and prices may vary depending on the product type, size, and whether it’s shipping directly from Amazon or a third-party seller, so make sure to check the expected arrival date at checkout, then choose accordingly.Best Buy holiday shipping deadlinesIf you’re a My Best Buy Plus or Total subscriber, you can get free two-day shipping with no minimum order size. However, those without a premium subscription must meet the $35 order threshold (before taxes but after coupons), and only certain items are available for next-day and standard shipping.Free next-day delivery is available on select items through December 23rd if you order by 10:30AM local time.You can get free same-day delivery if you order your package on December 24th, as long as you place your order by 12PM local time.If you order online by 5PM local time on Christmas Eve, you’ll also be eligible for in-store pickup until 7PM.Keep in mind that Best Buy’s shipment and arrival dates vary depending on the type of item you’re purchasing. Major appliances, for instance, may take longer to be delivered than smaller, more conventional electronics.Walmart holiday shipping deadlinesWalmart offers free standard shipping on orders of $35 sold directly from Walmart. You must place orders by 12:30PM local time on December 23rd to receive the package in time for Christmas, however. Next-day shipping is also available in some areas.Walmart also offers free next-day and two-day shipping to Walmart Plus subscribers with no order minimum. However, the arrival date of your package may vary depending on whether Walmart or a third-party seller is shipping your item.The retailer offers same-day pickup and delivery on orders placed by 12PM local time on December 24th.You can also have the package delivered to you in as little as one hour on Christmas Eve if you order by 5PM local time and pay a $10 Express Delivery fee.Target holiday shipping deadlinesTarget stores will be open until midnight through December 23rd and 8PM local time on Christmas Eve, though it’s wise to get pickup orders and same-day shipping orders in by December 23rd to be on the safe side.Orders placed by 6PM local time on Christmas Eve are eligible for in-store pickup until 8PM.Those with a Target Circle card can receive free two-day shipping on many items from the retailer’s website, and same-day delivery on orders placed by 3PM local time on Christmas Eve. Next-day delivery is available in 35 cities, too, but the order cutoff time varies by location.Many (but not all) orders over $35 are eligible for free shipping, even if you don’t have a Target Circle card or Circle 360 membership. It’s determined by the item’s location and your ZIP code.As with Walmart and Amazon, be aware that items shipped or sold by third-party retailers at Target may result in longer lead times. Product listings usually spell out your options for pickup, same-day delivery, and standard shipping — complete with estimated availability times — before you add them to your cart.Update, December 13th: Updated shipping deadlines and other related information pertaining to the 2025 holiday season.

The Nex Playground is a compact, cube-shaped console that’s currently on sale for $50 off. | Image: The Verge The Nex Playground is apparently one of the hottest consoles this holiday season thanks to its kid-friendly games and fun, motion-controlled gameplay. And now through December 14th, the cube-shaped console is on sale for its Black Friday low of around $199 ($50 off) at Amazon. There are some other great deals still available you might have missed this week, too, including a sizable discount on the new Google Pixel Buds 2A and Genki’s Moonbase Charging Station, which looks straight out of Star Wars.Nex PlaygroundWhere to Buy: $250 $199 at AmazonThe Nex Playground easily connects to your TV and provides a clever interactive solution that encourages you and your family to move around. A built-in camera and AI software track your movements with precision, so you are the controller. The cube-shaped console comes with five games (Fruit Ninja, Starri, Party Fowl, Go Keeper, and Whack-a-Mole Deluxe), but there are a ton of others you can download; however, a three-month subscription ($49) or an annual Play Pass ($89) is required to enjoy the full catalog and seasonal drops.Genki Moonbase Charging StationWhere to Buy: $139.99 at Genki $139.99 $89.99 at AmazonGenki’s Moonbase features a sleek retro-futuristic design, and it’s currently down to an all-time low of $89.99 ($50 off) at Amazon. The power strip features three AC plugs (1,250W max power) and four USB-C ports that can deliver up to 240W of total power; a single USB-C port, meanwhile, can go up to 140W with the right cable, though one isn’t included with your purchase. The strip also features a non-removable, 1.5-meter braided cable, making it easy to reach the nearest outlet.Each AC plug is spaced far enough apart to accommodate larger power adapters, but the main selling point here is a touch-sensitive button that lets you cycle through colors and toggle the charging station’s lights on and off. All in all, the Moonbase is a powerful power strip that looks cool and lets you charge up to seven devices simultaneously.Pixel Buds 2aWhere to Buy: $129 $99 at Amazon $129 $99 at Best Buy $129 $99 at TargetGoogle recently launched a holiday sale that runs through December 24th, with many items matching the pricing we saw during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. One of the standout deals is the Pixel Buds 2A, which have returned to their all-time low of $99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store.The Pixel Buds 2A are Google’s latest, most affordable pair of wireless earbuds, but they don’t skimp on features. They offer active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode, along with excellent sound for the price. They also provide hands-free Gemini support, allowing you to quickly get directions, brainstorm ideas, and summarize messages. The earbuds offer up to 10 hours of listening time with ANC disabled and carry an IP54 rating, too, which isn’t great but should provide at least some protection against rain and sweat.A few more deals to check outApple’s M4-powered MacBook Air 13 is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy starting at $749 ($250 off), which is just a few dollars shy of its Black Friday low. However, if you purchase it at Best Buy, you’ll also get a free $25 gift card. The slim laptop offers an impressive combination of performance and battery life, with double the base RAM of its predecessor (16GB versus 8GB) and two Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C ports. It’s still relatively limited with 256GB of base storage, but it remains one of the best laptops available, especially with the current discount. Read our review.Hoto’s new PixelDrive electric screwdriver is on sale for the first time at Amazon, where you can snag it for $59.99 ($20 off). The cordless PixelDrive is great for small- to medium-sized projects, whether you’re assembling electronics or putting together furniture. It features up to 6Nm of torque, along with a single multi-function button that allows you to change the screwdriver’s direction, switch to an 80RPM precision mode for delicate tasks, or boost up to 200RPM with one finger. It also has a built-in pixelated display, so you can quickly check the battery life and see which of the six torque levels you’re using.The Lego Super Mario Goombas’ Playground set is as adorable as it sounds, and it’s currently down to $8.99 ($6 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The set comes in at a relatively light 171 pieces, which you can use to build three Goomba figurines, a tree trunk, and a seesaw. Each Goomba has its own evil (but cute) expression, and they can stack on top of each other to make a small Goomba tower. There’s even a lever on the back of the tree trunk that can make a Goomba pop out, so you can play a round of peekaboo before placing the set on a desk or bookshelf.

2025 has not been a good year for purchasing PC hardware. Near the start of the year, we saw people dash to snap up as many RTX 50s as they can to resell to gamers and AI enthusiasts alike. Now, the ever-ravenous AI market has turned its gaze onto RAM, buying up sticks left and right. It has gotten to the point where one of the first businesses to sell DDR RAM to consumers, Crucial, has gone business-only to take advantage of the huge corporate demand.

Sektori is an old-school twin-stick shooter. Created by a former developer at Returnal studio Housemarque, it puts you in the role of a little ship that blasts through swarms of enemies, and you have to weave through them to get upgrades to help you survive. Often, my runs end after less than a couple minutes, like a retro arcade game. But creator Kimmo Lahtinen brilliantly weaves modern ideas from roguelikes with pulsing visuals and music that make Sektori a mesmerizing experience.A key part of what makes Sektori good is how it puts you into a flow state. "Sektori is a place, a form of being, a method of transformation," reads the descrip …Read the full story at The Verge.

Framework hasn't had the best of years. After the US tariffs caused some havoc with individual component parts, the company had to raise its prices to match. After all, given the modular design of Framework systems, there's no easy way to mitigate the rising cost of an individual component other than to simply have it cost the consumer more.