PowerToys is one of those apps that are easy to install and forget about. I only really started using it a while ago to boost my graphics work, and it was the right move. But, of course, PowerToys offers more than graphics-related features, so I’ve been exploring it a lot more and eventually figured out which tools are best suited to my PC workflows. I also love how nicely it plays with Windows – the OS I’ve been using my whole life.

Operating systems come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and just a few decades ago, it wasn't uncommon to run an operating system on a computer with a clock speed of a few hundred megahertz paired with RAM anywhere in the range of 4-512 kilobytes. Yet, nowadays, our computers can pack tens of gigabytes of RAM, with CPU speeds in the several thousands of megahertz. Tactility, an operating system for the ESP32, reminds us that those older constraints aren't as limiting as they may appear on the surface.

I've mentioned a few times before that one of the biggest hurdles for me to switch to Linux is not having access to Adobe Creative Cloud, and specifically things like Photoshop and Lightroom. I've tried some pretty creative solutions, including apps like WinApps and Wine, on top of trying alternatives like GIMP and RawTherapee. Unfortunately, virtualization and real-time translation don't work all that well for something this complex, and as I've mentioned before, free alternatives to Photoshop only remind me why paid options exist.

As a huge NotebookLM fan, when Spotify and Google announced a Wrapped AI Podcast last December, saying I was excited is probably an understatement. I was thrilled, and the first thing I did was rush to check it out...only to realize it wasn't available in my region. Unfortunately, the podcast was only available to Free and Premium Spotify users located across the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, and Sweden.

This week the Pew Research Center published a study about how parents managed screen time for their kids 12 and under. The results were not particularly surprising (or enlightening, if we're being honest). A full 90 percent of parents said their children watched TV, and 61 percent said their kids interact with smartphones at least on occasion. Somewhat surprisingly, only 50 percent said they let them play a game console of some kind. While 42 percent of respondents said they could do better managing their kids' screen time, 86 percent did say they had rules around screens, even if they didn't always stick to them. What you won't find in th …Read the full story at The Verge.

Upon first glance, you may imagine Network-Attached Storage servers as low-power devices armed with a couple of hard drives. But considering their vast utility when sharing files, creating redundant data sets, and serving media, there are tons of NAS configurations for you to choose from when buying (or building) a prebuilt storage server.

Remote desktop connections have many uses, whether it's for professional purposes or helping someone out. You've probably had to help a friend or family member over the internet at some point, and there's a very good chance you downloaded TeamViewer or AnyDesk to do it.

When Donald Trump's administration issued orders to send the National Guard into Portland, Oregon, a person in a frog balloon suit showed up at the city's ICE facility, where protesters had gathered. After the frog humped the air in front of a throng of federal law enforcement - many dressed in head-to-toe camo with military-grade helmets, gas masks, and riot shields - the feds slowly began to retreat. What else could they do? A soldier knows what to do when they encounter another soldier. But an air-humping frog? @theantifascistfrog this is the war ravaged city that Trump is talking about😂😂😂 crazy #iceoutofportland #portland #p …Read the full story at The Verge.

Apple’s Clips video editing app is no more. It debuted in 2017 as a way to stitch together videos with music, text, and filters with a clear focus on sharing to social media. Over the years Apple added AR features and more advanced video editing tools. But recently updates had slowed to a trickle. Apple finally decided to pull the plug though, removing Clips from the App Store. The company also updated its support page to state clearly that “the Clips app is no longer being updated, and will no longer be available for download for new users as of October 10, 2025.” If you’ve already downloaded the app you can continue to use it on iOS and iPadOS. But it might also be a good idea to save any videos directly to your Photos library. The support page lays out exactly how to do this, both with and without effects, so that if Clips ever stops working because of an OS update you wont lose your videos.

Although Amazon’s fall Prime Day event has come to an end, there are still some lingering discounts available. That means you have yet another chance to pick up an early gift for the holidays, or just something for yourself. Right now, for instance, Apple’s base AirPods 4 are sitting at their lowest price to date, as is Lego’s adorable Star Wars Grogu set. Meanwhile, if you’re looking to add smart lights to your space, a two-pack of Philips Hue smart LED bulbs is cheaper than ever. We’ve also rounded up a few more deals worth checking out below.Apple AirPods 4Where to Buy: $129 $89 at Amazon $129 $89 at Walmart $179 $118.98 at Amazon (with ANC)Right now, you can get the entry-level AirPods 4 for around $89 ($40 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Apple’s newer wireless earbuds are a solid option for first-time buyers, offering great sound, top-notch voice isolation for calls, and an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance. The open-ear design is comfortable to wear over long listening sessions; however, since they don’t seal in your ear, audio will constantly compete with outside noise in loud environments. The earbuds also lack the more advanced features found in the AirPods Pro 3, including active noise cancellation, adaptive audio, and conversation awareness.That being said, the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation — which are a nice upgrade over the standard model — are still matching their Prime Day low of $118.98 (about $60 off) at Amazon and Walmart. In addition to ANC, the step-up model offers several features found in the Pro model, including adaptive audio, conversation awareness, and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. And thanks to the recent release of iOS 26, they also support Apple’s live translation feature, letting you translate languages like English, Spanish, and German in real time.Read our AirPods 4 review.Lego Star Wars Grogu with Hover PramWhere to Buy: $99.99 $69.98 at Amazon $99.99 $69.98 at Walmart $99.99 at LegoLego’s Star Wars Grogu set is still available for $69.99 ($30 off), an all-time low, at Amazon and Walmart. The 1,048-piece kit features an adorable baby Grogu and his floating bassinet — which is pretty dang cute, even in Lego form. He can be displayed in or out of his carrier, and you can also pose his head and ears. He also features dial-operated arms, so you can put them down by his side or outstretched, like he’s ready for a hug. As a bonus, the set also includes a cookie and a Sorgan frog, plus an information plaque and a tiny Grogu minifig for display.The set comes with step-by-step instructions, or you can follow along in the Lego Builder app, which lets you zoom in and rotate 3D models.Philips Hue Smart 60W A19 LED Bulb (two-pack)Where to Buy: $89.98 $49.98 at The Home DepotRight now, you can grab a two-pack of Philips Hue A19 LED bulbs for an all-time low of $49.98 ($49 off) at The Home Depot. The Bluetooth-enabled, 800-lumen smart bulbs feature simple functionality and allow for full-spectrum color plus tunable white light. Out of the box, you can connect via Bluetooth using the Hue app to turn the lights on or off, dim, and pick scenes; they also work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.However, to really take advantage of the 60W-equivalent bulbs, you’ll need a Hue Bridge. This can expand control for advanced automations and away-from-home access. The bulbs support scenes for mood lighting, scheduling (including the ability to turn them on at sunset), and presence-based automations to turn on your entryway lights when you arrive home. You can even sync them with movies, video games, or music, allowing for a more immersive experience.More of this week’s best dealsThe Sonos Era 100 is still available for its Prime Day low of $179 ($20 off) from Amazon, Best Buy, and Sonos. The smart speaker is an excellent entry point into the Sonos ecosystem, with a compact design that’s easy to place on a bookshelf or kitchen counter. It delivers a richer sound than its predecessor, the Sonos One, and supports features like line-in and Bluetooth audio. It also comes equipped with two tweeters that enable proper left and right channel reproduction, and a larger midwoofer for more robust bass. Read our review.8BitDo’s Ultimate Bluetooth Controller is currently down to an all-time low of $44.99 ($25 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. Our editors love the controller’s simplicity, reliability, and performance across various platforms, including the Nintendo Switch 2 (and the original Switch), Windows PCs, and the Steam Deck. It features drift-free Hall effect joysticks and can connect via Bluetooth, a 2.4G adapter, or USB. It even comes with a convenient charging dock, making it easy to top off after every play session.The Ugreen Uno Charger is on sale for $34.49 ($15 off) at Amazon and Ugreen’s online storefront (with promo code UL15570), matching its Prime Day discount. The playful GaN charger resembles a tiny robot, complete with an LED display that shows different expressions to indicate charging status. It offers a max output of 65W, with two USB-C ports and one USB-A port for charging three devices simultaneously. It’s worth noting that the Uno Charger doesn’t support wireless charging, though.

If you’ve been in the 3D printing game for a while, you're familiar with the hobbyist arc that starts with a boatload of Benchys, moves on to articulated dragons, and then you discover the intoxicating world of practical prints. You print cable clips, headphone hangers, and a mountain of custom Skadis pegboard accessories. I went down that road and was impressed by how many prints help keep my desk in order, but then the excitement plateaus again, since there are only so many drawers, organizers, and cable managers you need.

Dreams of Another is like playing an art-filled dream. It's filled with unexpected events, disjointed acts, and hazy landscapes. Scenes end abruptly, and then you unexpectedly pick up the thread later on. You'll meet talking angel statues and fish that want to escape their home and swim to the ocean. But it's that same unstable, dreamlike quality that makes the game so memorable.In Dreams of Another, from PixelJunk developer Q-Games, you play as a pajama-clad man who is aptly referred to only as the Man in Pajamas. He wields a gun given to him by a man called the Wandering Soldier. In the opening sequence, the soldier realizes he is unable …Read the full story at The Verge.