I started using n8n only a few months ago, and it’s safe to say it’s one of the most promising pieces of software I’ve used this year. I don’t know how to code and only have a working knowledge of Python, which has always limited the extent to which I can automate tasks. However, n8n, being a no-code automation platform, allows me to experiment and build workflows without writing a single line of code. The way it works is simple. You connect different platforms (called nodes) in a flow diagram, and once everything is set up, your workflow is ready to run. I’ve managed to automate quite a few things so far, and some of them have had a noticeable impact on my daily life.

If you want to take control over Windows' features, you could do a lot worse than giving Wintoys a try. It's a cool little third-party suite of stuff you can check out, and we recently named it something everyone should be using.

AMD is partnering with OpenAI to provide six gigawatts worth of processors for AI data centers, a move that challenges Nvidia’s AI chip market dominance. The five-year agreement aims to help OpenAI bolster its infrastructure to meet growing computational demands for AI applications like ChatGPT, starting with a gigawatt deployment of AMD Instinct MI450 GPUs in the second half of 2026, according to AMD’s press release.The financials of the deal have not been disclosed, but AMD said it expects the agreement to deliver “tens of billions of dollars in revenue” for the company. AMD’s stock price is up by 24 percent in pre-market trading following the partnership announcement on Monday.“We are thrilled to partner with OpenAI to deliver AI compute at massive scale,” AMD CEO Lisa Su said in the announcement. “This partnership brings the best of AMD and OpenAI together to create a true win-win enabling the world’s most ambitious AI buildout and advancing the entire AI ecosystem.”The agreement follows OpenAI announcing a “strategic partnership” with Nvidia last month that would enable the ChatGPT-maker to deploy at least 10 gigawatts of AI datacenters with Nvidia GPUs. The two companies have signed a letter of intent, but the deal isn’t finalized, and would also include Nvidia investing “up to $100 billion in OpenAI.” With Nvidia already leading the AI semiconductor industry, AMD’s deal with OpenAI will help it disrupt its rival’s market dominance.OpenAI previously said that Nvidia will be a “preferred strategic compute and networking partner” for building new AI datacenters, with AMD comparatively described as a “core strategic compute partner” in today’s announcement. AMD’s deal gives OpenAI the option to receive up to 160 million AMD shares, a roughly ten percent stake in the company, at a cent per share, “as specific milestones are achieved.”“This partnership is a major step in building the compute capacity needed to realize AI’s full potential,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. “AMD’s leadership in high-performance chips will enable us to accelerate progress and bring the benefits of advanced AI to everyone faster.”This story is developing….

The goal is to develop a similar AI-assistant experience to Siri, “but better.” OpenAI and designer Jony Ive are trying to solve a number of technical challenges before releasing their mysterious AI gadget, according to a Financial Times report. Two of the challenges include figuring out the palm-sized device’s “personality” and how often it should talk. “The concept is that you should have a friend who’s a computer who isn’t your weird AI girlfriend,” according to one source briefed on the plans. The report describes the device as lacking a screen and being “roughly the size of a smartphone” that can be either carried around by the user or placed on surfaces like a table or desk, mirroring similar details that leaked in May. It’s designed to communicate with users through a microphone, speaker, and camera — or multiple cameras, according to one FT source. This is the first of a family of devices being developed by Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, targeted for release sometime in late 2026 or early 2027.OpenAI is looking for ways to make the gadget “accessible but not intrusive,” according to the FT’s sources, with the aim of providing a similar experience to Apple’s digital voice assistant Siri, “but better.” The company is struggling to decide on the voice and mannerisms for the AI-powered device, and ensure that it knows when to engage with users and finish a conversation. One source in the report said OpenAI is taking an “always on” approach that gathers data throughout the day, rather than being activated by specific verbal prompts like Amazon’s Alexa-powered Echo devices.Privacy issues around the always-listening device and budgeting constraints for computing infrastructure must also be overcome, according to the report. “Amazon has the compute for an Alexa, so does Google [for its Home device], but OpenAI is struggling to get enough compute for ChatGPT, let alone an AI device,” a source close to Ive told the FT. “They need to fix that first.”

Well, that's another big Steam seasonal sale in the books. How did yours go? I didn't pick up a ton of titles this time around, but I still scored some nice discounts on games like The Roottrees Are Dead, so I'm still pleased.

I know, it’s “studied the blade,” but you got it, right? Handheld makers are throwing paint at the wall to see what sticks. They apparently can't compete with the Steam Deck on price, so they're trying giant handhelds, 3D handhelds, more familiar and comfortable handhelds, and premium handhelds with Switch-like detachable controllers that double as mice. Many now cost $1,000 or more.But boutique brand GPD has taken premium handhelds to a new extreme. With the GPD Win 5, I can confirm it's created the most powerful handheld ever - by sacrificing a big chunk of the portability that makes handhelds attractive to begin with. With prices ranging from $1,600 to $2,200, it's too rich for me, but I'm be …Read the full story at The Verge.

Like everyone else, I've always relied on the built-in management interface of my Synology NAS. It only makes sense since that's how Synology intended you to use it. It performed the basics well enough, featuring an easy-to-use desktop-style design, the ability to spin up Docker containers, manage shared folders, and monitor storage health. Basically, it could do everything I expect from a NAS interface. However, lately, nearly all my apps and services are accessed via Docker containers running on the NAS.

Elgato's Stream Deck isn't meant for everyone, but it's one of the most widely adopted devices in recent years, especially among streamers, content creators, and productivity enthusiasts. Stream Deck's growing popularity also led to other players entering the space to compete with Corsair and giving users more choices. However, these aren't the only options, as it's pretty simple to build your own Stream Deck-like device if you have a Raspberry Pi.

For years, Nextcloud was my default self-hosted cloud solution. It promised freedom and control, but over time, I ran into several issues: sluggish performance, bloated experience, and an endless stream of minor bugs. I felt stuck in a trade-off between control and usability – until I finally made the leap to OpenCloud.

I seldom pay attention to basic file explorer actions, such as copying and moving files or folders. As long as the transfer completes without errors, I'm content with the results. Back in 2013, I used to install TeraCopy on every new Windows 7 or 8 installation. Still, I gradually stopped doing so as file transfers became more graphical and reliable with the newer Windows OS versions. However, Windows has had a built-in advanced copy tool for nearly three decades, which I’ve surprisingly overlooked in my last fifteen years of interaction with Windows computers.

For sharing large files at home, I look no further than using the SMB (Server Message Block) protocol on my machines. I was okay with transferring GBs worth of several ISOs of operating systems, specific drivers for legacy peripherals, and media files. Over the years, this simple SMB setup just worked. Swapping SSDs for HDDs and using CAT 7 patch cables were the only upgrades I made.

A frame from a Sora 2-generated video. Sora now lets you rein in your AI doubles, giving you more say on how and where deepfake versions of you make an appearance on the app. The update lands as OpenAI hurries to show it actually cares about its users’ concerns as an all-too-predictable tsunami of AI slop threatens to take over the internet. The new controls are part of a broader batch of weekend updates meant to stabilize Sora and manage the chaos brewing in its feed. Sora is essentially “a TikTok for deepfakes,” a place to make 10-second videos of pretty much anything, including AI-generated versions of yourself or others (voice included). OpenAI calls these virtual appearances “cameos.” Critics call them a looming misinformation disaster. Bill Peebles, who heads the Sora team at OpenAI, said users can now restrict how AI-generated versions of themselves can be used in the app. For example, you could prevent your AI self from appearing in videos involving politics, stop it from saying certain words, or — if you hate mustard — stop it from showing up anywhere near the hellish condiment. OpenAI staffer Thomas Dimson said users can also add preferences for their virtual doubles, such as, for example, making them “wear a “#1 Ketchup Fan” ball cap in every video.”   The safeguards are welcome, but history of AI-powered bots like ChatGPT and Claude offering up tips on explosives, cybercrime, or bioweapons suggests someone, somewhere will probably figure out a way around them. People already have skirted one of Sora’s other safety features, a feeble watermark. Peebles said the company is also “working on” improving that. Peebles said Sora will continue “to hillclimb on making restrictions even more robust,” and “will add new ways for you to stay in control” in the future. In the week since the app launched, Sora has been complicit in filling the internet with AI-generated slop. The loose cameo controls — pretty much a yes or no to groups like mutuals, people you approve, or “everyone” — were a particular problem. The unwitting star of the platform, none other than OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, illustrated the danger, appearing in a variety of mocking videos that show him stealing, rapping, or even grilling a dead Pikachu.