Apple fans around the world had their eyes glued to the screen as the company held its big "Awe Dropping" event today. The company did not let up, revealing a ton of hardware like the Apple Watch Ultra and the AirPods Pro 3.

An iPhone Air with the MagSafe Battery attached. Apple's chunky old MagSafe Battery Pack was beloved by a subset of iPhone owners, and now the company is bringing it back and slimming it down for the iPhone Air.I took a first look at the battery pack this afternoon, and it has a significantly slimmer design than the old version. This version of the battery pack is thinner and longer, stretching as far across the back of the phone as it can before bumping into the camera bar. Slimming it down reduces the potential battery size, but it makes the pack more appropriately balanced with the phone as a result. The new model didn't feel goofy to hold in the same way that the thick old version di …Read the full story at The Verge.

I've been a PC hardware enthusiast most of my life, and part of the fun for me was putting the best CPUs into high-end motherboards and overclocking the snot out of them. Sometimes it was to eke a little more performance out of a laptop CPU when that was all I had to game with, other times it was to compete against my friends circle to see who was the best, and others it was simply for the thrill of seeing numbers go up and the PC boot and pass benchmark tests without issue.

The Apple Watch SE 3 starts at $249 and is available for preorder today. | Image: Apple The iPhone Air and the iPhone 17 fleet of phones took the spotlight during Apple’s “Awe dropping” event. If you weren’t tempted by the new phones, the fact that the entire Apple Watch lineup got refreshed might have been even bigger news to you. Soon, the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 will arrive, and each is bringing along some big upgrades, which we’ll get into a bit below.All three are available for preorder starting today, with the SE 3 starting at $249, the Series 11 starting at $399, and the Ultra 3 starting at $799. They’ll all ship on September 19th. We’ll update this post if any attractive carrier deals roll in.All three watches launch with watchOS 26, which includes the new Liquid Glass design, just like the new updates coming to most of Apple’s other devices on September 15th. The update also includes an AI-powered Workout Buddy to encourage you during exercise. Flicking your wrist up will clear your notifications. The watchOS 26 update will be released for older Apple Watch models (going back to Series 6, SE 2, and Ultra) on September 15th.We’ve gone hands-on with the upcoming Apple Watches — delivering impressions to the extent that it’s possible in a limited hands-on environment — but we’ll soon be getting each of them in for a full review. We also have initial impressions of the iPhone 17 line, including the iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, and the iPhone Air.Where to preorder the Apple Watch SE 3The Apple Watch SE 3 is the first update to Apple’s entry-level smartwatch line since 2022. It has the same S10 chip as the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3, and an always-on display that Apple says is four times more scratch resistant than the previous model. It supports Apple’s SOS and fall-detection features, plus an entirely new feature called Sleep Score, which analyzes the amount of time you spend in each sleep stage and gives you a score based on the overall quality of sleep. The Apple Watch SE 3 also supports sleep apnea detection.Apple says the SE 3’s charging speed is twice as fast as the previous Apple Watch SE, offering eight hours of battery life off a 15 minute charge. The cellular version of the Apple Watch SE 3 supports 5G for the first time. When you’re not connected to the internet, you can use on-device Siri to handle local requests.The Apple Watch SE 3 is available in two case sizes: 42mm and 44mm. The 42mm GPS model costs $249, and jumps up to $299 if you want cellular connectivity. The 44mm GPS model costs $299, and the cellular model costs $329. All models are available for preorder from Apple, and you can choose your size, color, and whether you want the GPS or cellular version from the same page.Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS; 42mm)Where to Buy: $249 at AppleWhere to preorder the Apple Watch Series 11The Apple Watch Series 11 may look the same as the Series 10 it’s replacing, but it has a 5G cellular modem for the first time. Its displays are the same size, but Apple says the glass it used is twice as scratch resistant. Its heart rate sensor can now measure how blood is flowing through your veins to detect hypertension in the background, a feature that’s currently waiting for clearance at the FDA. That feature is also going to be available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. It also supports the new Sleep Score feature. The Series 11’s battery life has been bumped to 24 hours, up from 18 hours.The Apple Watch Series 11 comes in two sizes: 42mm and 46mm. The 42mm GPS model costs $399, while the cellular version will set you back $429. The 46mm version costs $499, or $529 if you want the cellular model. All models are available for preorder from Apple, and you can choose your size, color, band type, and whether you want the GPS or cellular version from the same page.Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm; GPS)Where to Buy: $399 at AppleWhere to preorder the Apple Watch Ultra 3The refreshed Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a larger wide-angle OLED display that can ratchet its refresh rate down to 1Hz for a more responsive always-on display. The smartwatch’s case size hasn’t changed, but the display is slightly larger thanks to a reduction in bezel size. It lasts up to 48 hours per charge, and has the same new 5G modem as the rest of Apple’s upcoming smartwatches. It’s also gained support for satellite texting, which will allow you to send a message and enable Find My to share your location when Wi-Fi and cellular service aren’t available.The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available in one case size, 49mm, and you can preorder it from Apple for $799. Apple Watch Ultra 3Where to Buy: $799 at Apple

If you've got an old laptop lying around, you may be looking at ways to repurpose those old laptop parts. Most laptop components are tricky to repurpose, but the laptop's lithium-ion battery can easily be used for a DIY project. You may also have some spare laptop batteries lying around if you've replaced your laptop's battery once it gets old. While an old, used battery may no longer be enough to power your laptop for a usable amount of time, it probably has enough life left to power something a bit smaller.

Apple's hotly anticipated event was full of news about updates to the AirPods, Apple Watch, iPhones, and more. But during the presentation, which was considerably shorter than usual at just an hour and 15 minutes, there was one notable buzzword missing from a good chunk of the fanfare: AI. Although CEO Tim Cook said during the livestream that the company was "taking the biggest leap ever for iPhone," there were only cursory mentions of Apple Intelligence during the new iPhone unveiling. Yes, the phones represent "advancements in Apple silicon, hardware, and software," per Apple, meaning they're better for gaming, photos, speed, battery l …Read the full story at The Verge.

Sage is looking sharp. Apple's big fall event just wrapped up, and we rushed out of the Steve Jobs Theater to get our hands on the latest iPhones. Here's a look at the new iPhone 17, Apple's base model this year, which is joined by the thinner iPhone Air and beefier iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max - there's no Plus this time around.The first place to start is the rear camera. Not because a lot has changed here, but rather because it hasn't: while the iPhone 17 Pro and Air have both adopted new horizontal camera "plateaus," the regular 17 has the same two vertically stacked lenses as last year. That means this is the only iPhone 17 that actually looks like the iPhone 1 …Read the full story at The Verge.

Leaked images potentially give us a closer look at the Powerbeats Fit and its color-matched charging case. Apple teased the upcoming Powerbeats Fit last month, and now renders and specifications for the sporty wireless earbuds have appeared online that give us a closer look at what to expect. According to trusted leaker Evan Blass, the new Beats earbuds will be available in four colorways — orange, gray, black, and pink — and provide up to 30 hours of battery life, or “7 hours per bud on one charge” without popping them back in the charging case.The images of the Powerbeats Fit shared by Blass look similar to the $200 Beats Fit Pro earbuds that Apple launched in 2021, and they have several features in common. Both are powered by Apple’s H1 chip, have the same reported battery life, carry an IPX4 resistance to water splashes and sweat, and include a transparency mode and active noise cancellation. Leaks suggest that the Powerbeats Fit provides four ear customizable ear tip sizes instead of three, however.The leaks don’t provide any information about price, wireless charging support, or case size. Apple is expected to announce some fitness-related upgrades for the AirPods Pro at today’s iPhone 17 event, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, so it would be odd for the Cupertino company to launch the Powerbeats Fit during the same show. The trailer that Apple released in August does say the new Beats will arrive in “Fall 2025” though, so we’ll have to wait and see.

The new iPhone Air starts at $999. | Image: The Verge Apple announced its new iPhone 17 lineup during its “Awe dropping” event on Tuesday. As expected, the company introduced the iPhone 17, the flagship iPhone 17 Pro, and a bigger iPhone 17 Pro Max. There’s also a new addition to the lineup this year: the slimmed-down iPhone Air, which features a 6.5-inch ProMotion display and measures at just 5.6mm thick.Beyond the Air’s slimmer design, Apple’s latest iPhone lineup features a number of notable updates. The standard iPhone 17 now features a larger 6.3-inch with ProMotion and an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Meanwhile, the Pro model has returned to an aluminum build, while adding the biggest battery of any iPhone yet. The iPhone Air and Pro models have a lot in common, including having a “plateau” bump on the back, which Apple says creates additional space for internal components, including a larger battery.The iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and Air start at $799, $1,099, $1,199, and $999, respectively, with preorders beginning Friday, September 12th, and shipments set to arrive the following Friday, September 19. Below, you’ll find more information about each new device, along with where you can place a preorder. We’ll update this post as carrier promotions roll in.Where to preorder the iPhone AirThe iPhone Air finally made its debut after months of rumors. It’s Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever at 5.6mm thick, and features a 6.5-inch ProMotion display and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Apple says the design is its “most durable” yet, with a ceramic shield that encloses a titanium frame on both sides (also found in the iPhone 17 Pro). The device also sports a single 48MP fusion camera, along with an A19 Pro processor and Apple’s in-house C1X modem. Despite its thinner design, Apple says the Air features “all-day battery life,” with up to 27 hours of video playback, or 40 hours when the $99 iPhone Air MagSafe battery is attached.You’ll be able to preorder the iPhone Air at Apple alongside the other models on Friday, September 12th, with the launch set to follow on Friday, September 19th. The Air starts at $999 with 256GB of storage, and goes all the way up to $1,399 for the 1TB model.iPhone AirThe iPhone Air is Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet at 5.6mm, featuring a 6.5-inch ProMotion display, a 48MP fusion camera, and an 18MP front camera with Center Stage support. It also boasts the most Apple-designed chips in an iPhone: the A19 Pro, N1, and C1X.Where to Buy: $999 at Apple (256GB) $1199 at Apple (512GB) $1399 at Apple (1TB)Where to preorder the iPhone 17The iPhone 17 is Apple’s latest entry-level smartphone. Like last year’s release, it borrows many of its best features from the previous-generation Pro line, including a larger 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion display. The device also features a new A19 processor and a dual-camera system that includes a dual 48MP fusion camera system that has a main camera and an ultra-wide camera. A new 18MP Center Stage front camera features a square sensor, allowing users to take high-quality landscape mode selfies without having to rotate their phone.The phone is available in five colors (black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white) and features a starting storage of 256GB. The iPhone 17 is set to launch on Friday, September 19th, with preorders beginning Friday, September 12th at Apple for $799 with 256GB of storage or $999 with 512GB of storage.iPhone 17The standard iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch ProMotion display that can reach 3,000 nits of peak brightness, an A19 chip, and a 48MP dual camera system. It also features an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera with a square sensor, allowing users to take landscape selfies while holding the device vertically. Where to Buy: $799 at Apple (256GB) $999 at Apple (512GB)Where to preorder the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro MaxThe iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max look different than last year’s pro models. While they keep the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, Apple has made a few tweaks to the design. One of the first things you’ll probably notice is the plateau camera bump on the back, which houses a trio of 48MP fusion cameras. Both devices also boast an upgraded 18MP selfie camera with support for Center Stage, and a more powerful A19 Pro processor inside. The Pro models feature larger batteries than before, too, with the 17 Pro Max delivering the best battery life ever in an iPhone, according to Apple.The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max launch alongside the non-pro models on Friday, September 19th. The smaller Pro starts at $1,099 with 256GB of storage, while the 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 with 256GB of storage, with preorders beginning Friday, September 12th. For the first time ever, Apple is offering a 2TB configuration of the 17 Pro Max for $1,999. You can nab a preorder for the 17 Pro from Apple; the 17 Pro Max is also available for preorder at Apple.iPhone 17 ProThe iPhone 17 Pro features a 6.3-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, and it’s powered by an A19 Pro chip. It features a 48MP triple camera system, plus a new “plateau” bar on the back, which Apple says creates additional space for internal components, including a larger battery.Where to Buy: $1099 at Apple (256GB) $1299 at Apple (512GB) $1499 at Apple (1TB)iPhone 17 Pro MaxThe larger iPhone 17 Pro Max sports a 6.9-inch OLED screen and the best battery life ever in an iPhone. It has most of the same features as the smaller iPhone 17 Pro, though, but offers storage up to 2TB — a first in the iPhone line.Where to Buy: $1199 at Apple (256GB) $1399 at Apple (512GB) $1999 at Apple (2TB)

You kids and your Switches and your Switch 2s and your mobile phones with Clash of Clans. Why, back in my day, we had to make-do with Game Boys, which you couldn't play if the room was even just a little bit dark. In fact, some of us had to make do with games you played using a clickwheel on an iPod. No analog sticks, no shoulder buttons, and definitely no screenshot buttons; it's just you, a wheel, and the teeny-tiny iPod screen.

Windows and macOS may be more common in the general populace, but the operating system rabbit hole goes pretty deep. You’ve got the Linux ecosystem, which houses everything from useful general-purpose and beginner-friendly OSes to completely insane distros that, surprisingly, have their own utility. Then there’s the alternative OS scene, where you’ll find a ton of options that are equal parts ingenious, intimidating, and quirky.

My home labbing journey started a couple of years ago with my introduction to TrueNAS, a simple installation on my rather meek old PC, packing a Ryzen 7 3700X, an Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti, and 24GB of RAM. Despite the underwhelming specs, it got the job done as a gateway to the world of home labbing, and could host a litany of software like my reverse proxy, Home Assistant, and Nextcloud. When I eventually moved to a new, Proxmox-based server, I moved TrueNAS over too... to a virtual instance.