For the last week or two, reports have been circulating that recent Windows 11 updates (specifically KB5063878 and KB5062660) were causing some SSDs using Phison controllers to fail. Tech influencers on YouTube and TikTok were quick to jump on the reports of corrupted data and disappearing drives, laying the blame squarely at Microsoft’s feet. We’re not saying any company is above lying to the public, and Microsoft has a history of rocky update rollouts, but both Microsoft and Phison claim they’ve been unable to recreate the issue.Phison said it was made aware of reports that the Windows update was causing drives to fail on August 18th and began investigating the issue. Then it issued a statement on August 27th saying that after running over 2,200 test cycles totaling more than 4,500 hours it was, “unable to reproduce the reported issue, and no partners or customers have reported that the issue affected their drives at this time.”Microsoft followed up just a few days later by saying that, “After thorough investigation, Microsoft has found no connection between the August 2025 Windows security update and the types of hard drive failures reported on social media.”This isn’t terribly surprising since the reports were fairly limited. A Japanese user on Twitter appears to be the first to suggest the Windows update was bricking SSDs and there were some in the comments claiming that they had experienced similar issues. But, there was little evidence to suggest it was widespread and it’s entirely possible that this is a localized problem related to a bad batch of drives. So it seems there’s little reason to believe the August 2025 Windows security update is going to fry your hard drive, no matter what some dude on TikTok says.

Verizon has confirmed to customers in stores and online that its network is having an issue on Saturday. Many people have been unable to connect and make or receive calls for hours, while DownDetector’s tracker peaked in the afternoon at around 3:30PM ET with more than 20,000 reports. Some customers report their service has continued to function throughout the day, so it’s unclear what the cause is exactly.Downdetector’s outage map showed hotspots in many cities, and Verizon didn’t specifically list affected areas. On X, the @VerizonSupport account confirmed the issue in response to customers’ questions, but didn’t have additional details on restoration or how widespread it is.Verizon’s Karen Schulz responded to our inquiry about the issue and confirmed the outage via email, saying, We are aware of a software issue impacting wireless service for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and we are working quickly to identify and solve the issue. Please visit our Check Network Status page for updates on service in your area. We know how much people rely on Verizon and apologize for any inconvenience. We appreciate your patience.If there’s any additional information or the situation changes, we will update this post.

Home Assistant has a reputation for primarily blinking your lights and automating your blinds, but that's not all it can do. While that's certainly fun, its capabilities go far beyond smart home automation, despite the name. Thanks to all of the software you can link up to it, too, its power can also be utilized by students looking to improve their organization. You can centralize classes, deadlines, chores, travel time, laundry, and notifications in one place, entirely local and private. Start with a phone, a calendar feed, and a simple dashboard, and you're already in a great place going into a new school year.

If you're fond of trying out multiple operating systems without the hassle, you're probably using virtualization regularly. Whether you use Hyper-V, VMWare Workstation, or VirtualBox, enabling virtualization in the BIOS isn't where it ends. To make the most of your virtual machines (VMs) and ensure you aren't crippling performance, you need to look at several other BIOS features and settings that can make a huge difference. These settings ensure your VMs get complete access to your GPU, NIC, and other devices.

Most note-taking apps promise structure, but at some point, they just add friction. I’ve probably tried about a dozen notes apps by now, and started wondering if they’re actually making the process more complicated. I lose track of things, databases get heavy, syncing gets weird, and exporting my own notes turns into a whole project. So, I thought back to what I used to do before all these apps — plain text files. Turns out, this old-school approach was simpler and more flexible once I gave it real structure.

There's a pleasing rhythm to cozy life sims. The virtual days pass, filled with chores of tending crops or running a business, punctuated by strange mysteries or evolving relationships. At their best, these games merge busywork with exploration and storytelling, in a way that makes them hard to step away from. Discounty, from developer Crinkle Cut Games, applies this idea to running a small-town supermarket. And while in many ways it can still be considered "cozy" like its contemporaries, it also comes with a bit of bite.Instead of starting up your own business from scratch, Discounty has you taking over a grocery franchise from your crank …Read the full story at The Verge.

Labor Day weekend has finally arrived, and after a week of early discounts trickling in, the sales are now in full swing. From big-screen OLED TVs and outdoor gear to back-to-school essentials like the latest MacBook Air, we rounded up a guide of almost 100 deals we think are worth your time and money.But we get it. In times of tariffs and inflation, spending a couple a hundred dollars on a new gadget isn’t always feasible, and many of the sales we wrote about in our larger Labor Day deals roundup may not feel accessible. Luckily, some of the best deals cost under $100. To make them easier to find, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorites, which include everything from the latest Kindle, the entry-level AirPods, and Google TV Streamer (4K) to games and smart security devices.AirPods 4Apple’s AirPods 4 are the latest update to the company’s base-model wireless earbuds. The hard, plastic buds feature improved audio over the third-gen model, along with deep iOS integration and spatial audio with head tracking. Read our review.Where to Buy: $129 $89.99 at Amazon $129 $89.99 at Walmart $179 $138.99 at Amazon (with ANC)Kindle (2024)Amazon’s most recent entry-level Kindle features a 6-inch, 300ppi display, support for USB-C charging, and up to six weeks of battery life. It’s also brighter than previous models and offers noticeably faster performance.Where to Buy: $109.99 $89.99 at Amazon $109.99 $89.99 at Best Buy $109.99 $89.99 at TargetBeats Pill (2024)The latest Beats Pill offers improved sound, USB-C, and native support for both iOS and Android features, including their respective Find My networks and voice assistants. It also bests the previous model with double the battery life and IP67 water resistance. Read our review.Where to Buy: $149.95 $99 at Amazon $149.95 $99.95 at Walmart $149.99 $99.99 at TargetThe Legend of Zelda: Link’s AwakeningThe Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening brings back the classic adventure from the original GameBoy to experience on the Nintendo Switch with an extremely cute art style. Read our review.Where to Buy: $59.99 $39.99 at Best Buy $59.99 $49 at Walmart $59.99 $50.48 at AmazonGoogle TV Streamer (4K)Google’s terrific TV Streamer (4K) is the company’s best attempt at a streaming device yet, with built-in ethernet, an excellent interface, and smart home compatibility with both Matter and Thread. Read our review.Where to Buy: $99.99 $84 at Amazon $99.99 $84 at Walmart $99.99 $84.99 at Best BuyBeats Studio Buds PlusThe Beats Studio Buds Plus sport an eye-catching translucent option and build upon the original with improved sound, better voice quality, and more effective ANC. They also include swappable silicon ear tips and support for native iOS and Android features. Read our review.Where to Buy: $169.95 $84.95 at Woot $169.95 $129.95 at Amazon $169.95 $129.99 at Best BuyBlink Video Doorbell (second-gen-en) with Sync Module CoreBlink’s second-gen Video Doorbell records 1080p video in a 1:1 aspect ratio to show their entire body. It comes with a Sync Module that acts as a hub and helps extend its battery life to roughly two years.Where to Buy: $69.99 $39.99 at Amazon $69.99 $39.99 at Best Buy $69.99 $39.99 at TargetEcho Show 5 (third-gen)The newest Echo Show 5 is just as small as its predecessor, but it features updated microphones and a speaker system that delivers double the bass and clearer sound quality.Where to Buy: $89.99 $64.99 at Amazon $89.99 $64.99 at Best Buy $89.99 $64.99 at TargetMario & Luigi: Brothership In this turn-based RPG, the Mario brothers sail across islands on a quest to return to the Mushroom Kingdom, fighting bosses along the way. It’s a lighthearted Nintendo Switch game full of clever gameplay, charm, and humor. Read our review.Where to Buy: $59.99 $39.99 at Best Buy $59.99 $39.9 at WalmartStar Wars Jedi: SurvivorStar Wars Jedi: Survivor is the captivating sequel to 2019’s Fallen Order, one that continues the story of Cal Kestis and his little droid, BD-1. It’s an action-adventure game blending elements of games like Tomb Raider, Metroid, and God of War with Dark Souls — except you’re a Jedi with a lightsaber. Read our review.Where to Buy: $69.99 $19.99 at Amazon (Xbox Series X) $69.99 $19.99 at Best Buy (PS5)Logitech G Pro X SuperlightLogitech’s G Pro X Superlight was one of its lightest gaming mice up you could buy until the release of the pricier Superlight 2. It remains a great mouse, complete with a 25,600 DPI Hero sensor and a clean, minimalist design that features a single LED for displaying the battery level.Where to Buy: $159.99 $98.6 at Amazon (white) $159.99 $98.99 at Best Buy (white)Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)The 2023 Amazon Fire HD 10 sports a 10.1-inch, 1080p display and 3GB of RAM, which is plenty if you’re streaming or browsing. It’s lighter than the last-gen model, too, and comes with support for both the Made for Amazon Stylus Pen and Amazon’s handwriting recognition technology.Where to Buy: $139.99 $89.99 at Amazon (32GB, with ads) $179.99 $99.99 at Amazon (64GB, with ads) $154.99 $104.99 at Amazon (32GB, without ads)LifeStraw Peak Series StrawLifeStraw’s redesigned Peak Series Straw features a durable, leakproof design that’s great for backcountry treks. It can remove unwanted viruses, bacteria, and microplastics as you drink — just like the base model — but benefits from an increased flow rate and more premium materials.Where to Buy: $24.95 $18.69 at REI $24.95 $18.71 at Amazon $24.95 $18.71 at LifeStrawMpowerd Luci Solar String Lights: ColorMpowerd’s solar-powered string lights are perfect for camping or a backyard shindig. The 18-foot string can display six colors and last up to 15 hours on a single charge; the case also doubles as a charger, allowing you to top off your phone in a pinch.Where to Buy: $54.95 $32.93 at REI $54.95 $32.97 at AmazonAnker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, Dock Stand)Anker’s MagGo Wireless Charging Station features a MagSafe charging stand, a Qi wireless charging pad, and an Apple Watch charger. It should charge all three devices at their top speed simultaneously, and comes with a 40W USB-C power adapter and cable.Where to Buy: $89.99 $69.99 at Amazon (with Prime) $89.99 $69.99 at Anker (with code WSPDV2QWE69S)Elgato Stream Deck NeoThe Stream Deck Neo is a compact macro controller with eight LCD keys, which can be programmed to carry out various shortcuts on your computer. It also features a small information display and two capacitive buttons, allowing you to quickly navigate pages upon pages of macros.Where to Buy: $99.99 $79.99 at Amazon $99.99 $79.99 at Best Buy $99.99 $79.99 at ElgatoRing Battery Doorbell (2024)The 1080p camera on Ring’s latest Battery Doorbell has improved color night vision and a taller, head-to-toe field-of-view for package detection than the previous model. It also features better battery life and push-pin dismounting.Where to Buy: $99.99 $54.99 at Amazon $99.99 $54.99 at Best Buy $99.99 $54.99 at TargetKelty Low LoveseatThe Kelty Low Loveseat is a sturdy, low-profile camp chair built for two. It features a steel frame, a padded seat, and extra-large cup holders for your drinks or gear. It also includes a padded roll-tote storage bag, making it easy to transport when it’s folded down.Where to Buy: $129.95 $97.39 at REI $129.95 $97.46 at BackcountrySea to Summit Hanging Toiletry BagSea to Summit’s small toiletry bag lets you keep all of your essentials close at hand for weekend getaways. It features a water–resistant fabric and a convenient hanging hook, along with internal mesh pockets so you can quickly find whatever it is you need.Where to Buy: $49.95 $37.39 at REI $49.95 $37.39 at Amazon $49.95 at Sea to SummitBlink Outdoor 4The 1080p Blink Outdoor 4 security camera offers support for motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio. There’s the option of local recording with the bundled Sync Module 2 (the newer Sync Module XR is out, but we haven’t tested it yet), and unlike the third-gen model, it supports person detection and has a wider field of view.Where to Buy: $99.99 $44.99 at Amazon $179.99 $89.99 at Amazon (two-pack) $259.99 at Amazon (three-pack)

If you're a PC gaming enthusiast, you've probably spent countless hours researching and arguing about performance bottlenecks and how you can combat them. Choosing the right combination of CPU and GPU is certainly important if you don't want to waste money, though one could argue it's also a fruitless pursuit. Hardware bottlenecks are, for the most part, unavoidable, and you can only minimize them.

Recently, I looked back at some of my articles and realized that it's only been a little over two months since I wrote about trying Linux for the first time. In that short span of time, I've become a certified Linux fan, and I now find it funny to think about how I was so scared of using it before. I truly believed that using Linux would just be harder and too difficult to get used to.

While playing one of the endless Backrooms games over the last weekend, I had the in-game handheld camera focused on one of the monstrous entities, and wondered out loud to my friend, "what if we were watching this on, like, a '90s VHS tape or something?" The idea held weight, so I went through the interwebs to find an app that would let me do just that.

Building out a home lab with Raspberry Pi boards is a rewarding project, and it often sparks the urge to replicate enterprise-style infrastructure. High-availability setups, with redundant nodes, load balancers, and clustering, seem impressive. It’s easy to think that if enterprise IT runs this way, you should do the same at home. However, on hobbyist hardware found in a home lab, the costs quickly outweigh the benefits, and the end result is rarely worth the effort.

It's the clash of the titans this holiday season, with Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 going head-to-head with October and November releases, respectively. The FPS space has clearly not been this exciting in years, and with two of gaming's most bankable franchises ready for a dogfight come Q4, I have to say, things do look better for Battlefield this time around.