Out of Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, which one do you feel respects your library of old games more? If you ask me, I will always, hands-down, say that Microsoft has everyone else beat. I mean, the Xbox Series X and S still support some original Xbox games. Yes, the console that came out in 2001. That Xbox. That's akin to the PS5 reading PS2 disks, or popping your CD copy of Super Mario Sunshine for the GameCube into your Switch 2 (somehow).

I don't think I'm being too controversial when I say that Windows 11...hasn't gone down too well. Microsoft tried something new with this operating system, and from what I've seen, people are mostly dissatisfied with their experience with Windows 11.

Network-attached storage (NAS) often has finite resources without much wiggle room to upgrade internal parts. This is especially so with prebuilt enclosures from brands such as Synology and Asustor. That said, there are some ways you can improve the performance of the NAS without spending too much money. Before switching to a mostly DIY home lab setup, I made the most of my NAS enclosures through a few different ways, getting as much from each model as possible before outright replacing them.

When the Trump Organization launched the Trump Mobile wireless carrier, it also launched a flagship phone called the T1 Phone 8002 (gold version). One of the phone’s main selling points was that it was to be made in America. We figured that was unlikely to be true. And we were right: sometime in the last several days, the Trump Mobile site appears to have been scrubbed of all language indicating the phone is to be made in the USA. (Like, for instance, the huge banner on the homepage that says the T1 is “MADE IN THE USA.” Just to name one example.)Instead, the Trump Mobile website now includes what can only be described as vague, pro-American gestures in the direction of smartphone manufacturing. The T1’s new tagline is “Premium Performance. Proudly American.” Its website says the device is “designed with American values in mind” and there are “American hands behind every device.” Under Key Features, the first thing listed is “American-Proud Design.” None of this indicates, well, anything. It certainly doesn’t say the device is made in the USA, or even designed in the USA. There are just… some hands. In America.That’s not the only thing that appears to have changed about the phone since its launch last week. It was originally advertised to have a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen, but now the T1’s site says it’s 6.25 inches. The site used to list the phone as having 12GB of RAM, and now doesn’t list RAM at all. It’s not entirely clear what’s happening here — the Trump Organization hasn’t responded to a request for comment — but it looks like Trump Mobile may have switched suppliers for the T1. Whatever’s going on, it’s certainly another reason to doubt whether this phone is for real. (The badly photoshopped image of the phone hasn’t changed, though, so that’s something.)When Trump Mobile first launched, it was also promising the T1 Phone 8002 would ship in September. Now, the only timing I could find was “later this year.” Probably best not to hold your breath.

Signify has announced price increases for its Philips Hue smart lighting and accessories starting on July 1st due to US tariffs. As for how much the products will go up in price, that hasn’t been confirmed, but the Hue Wall Washer that was recently launched is 10 percent more expensive than its price in the EU, which may offer an indication of what to expect. If you’ve been meaning to try Philips Hue smart bulbs, or add to your existing collection, this may be your last chance to snag products before the prices go up. Philips Hue Smart 75W A19 LED BulbThe Philips Hue we recommend for most people is its A19 color ambiance bulb with an E26 base, which is perfect for lamps and standard light fixtures of many kinds. It can be set to various shades of white, cool to warm, or to any color you’d like. In terms of brightness, it can achieve an impressive 1,100 peak lumens. You can use the bulb with or without the Hue Bridge. It’s also available in a multipack with two, four, or six bulbs.Where to Buy: $54.99 $47.99 at Amazon $54.99 $47.99 at Best BuyPhilips Hue Smart 100W A21 LED BulbThis 100W A21 lightbulb has the same color-changing features as its lower-powered counterpart, but will provide more light with a peak of 1,600 lumens. While the bulb’s common E26 base is the same as the 75W model, the bulb itself is larger, which means it may not fit in lamps with narrow shades. It’s also available in a four pack.Where to Buy: $64.99 $54.99 at Amazon $64.99 at Best BuyPhilips Hue Indoor 10 Ft Smart LED Solo Lightstrip Base KitThe Hue Indoor Lightstrip is a thin, adhesive-backed strip that can provide up to 1,700 lumens of light beneath cabinets and counters, or to other places to provide an elegant look. It’s available in 10, 16, and 33-foot sizes, and can be cut to any length. Where to Buy: $69.99 $49.99 at Amazon $69.99 at Best BuyPhilips Hue Smart Light Starter Kit This starter kit contains four 75W A19-sized E26 color ambiance bulbs plus a Philips Hue Bridge. The bridge allows you to group and fully automate your smart lights and accessories. Up to 50 devices can be connected simultaneously, but the hub must be wired into your Wi-Fi router or ethernet switch with an ethernet cable. Where to Buy: $159.99 at Amazon Check price at Best BuyPhilips Hue Smart Play Light Bar Base KitThe Light Bar is a standalone fixture that can add ambience to your home theater setup or gaming PC rig. It can be set up vertically or horizontally, or attached to the back of a monitor or TV using the included clips and double-sided tape. It’s also offered in a two-pack.Where to Buy: $89.99 at Amazon $89.99 $68 at WalmartPhilips Hue Go Smart Portable Table LampThis 13.78-inch tall, rechargeable table lamp comes with a wireless charging stand and has a color ambiance lightbulb preinstalled. It can be controlled by pushing a button on top in addition to smart assistants, and the Hue app. The lamp can last up to 48 hours per charge, and has an IP54 rating, so it shouldn’t get damaged when splashed with water. You can also get a pair of lamps as a bundle. Where to Buy: $159.99 $113 at Amazon $159.99 at Best BuyPhilips Hue Gradient Signe Floor LampIf you want a brighter lamp for a bigger space, this intriguing 57.40-inch tall option throws up to 2,500 lumens of light from its long, skinny strip. It’s built into a wide base that prevents it from easily tipping over. A shorter model more appropriate for a table or desk is also available. Where to Buy: $329.99 $263.99 at Amazon $329.99 $263.99 at Best BuyPhilips Hue Smart Recessed DownlightThis four-pack of recessed lights can throw down 1,100 lumens of light each and can fit into five- or six-inch enclosures. Alternatively, you can purchase just a single recessed light, or a six pack. You can also get a six-pack that fits into four-inch enclosures. Where to Buy: $229.99 $187.96 at Amazon $219.99 at WalmartPhilips Hue Smart 40W B39 E12 Bulb (two pack)These smaller candelabra bulbs are appropriate for small lamps or light fixtures with tight shades. Each soft warm white bulb can throw off up to 450 lumens of light each. These bulbs are also available in a four pack. Where to Buy: $34.99 $32.32 at Amazon $34.99 at Philips HuePhilips Hue BR30 LED Smart Light BulbsThis two-pack of BR35 (E26 base) bulbs have a larger top to diffuse light over a wider area than either an A19 or A21 bulb can, and these may be a better look if you’re replacing downlights with a four-inch enclosure. It’s also available in a single or four pack. Where to Buy: $99.99 $71.99 at Amazon $71.99 at Walmart

The Social Network is finally getting a sequel courtesy of Sony.Deadline reports that Sony is moving forward with The Social Network Part II, a “follow-up” to David Fincher’s 2010 feature about how TheFacebook went on to become one of the most singularly influential websites in internet history and made Mark Zuckerberg a billionaire in the process. Though Fincher is not attached to the new movie, Aaron Sorkin — who wrote the first — is coming back to write and direct Part II. No production timelines or casting announcements have been made, but Sorkin will produce the project alongside Todd Black, Peter Rice, and Stuart Besser.While much of The Social Network was based on Ben Mezrich’s The Accidental Billionaires, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Part II will draw inspiration from The Facebook Files, The Wall Street Journal‘s article series that explored the myriad societal harms Facebook has caused over the years. Last year, Sorkin teased that he’d been contemplating a sequel to The Social Network that might dig into the way Facebook helped foment the rage that culminated in an attempted coup on January 6th, 2021.It sounds like that idea has evolved a full-blown picture that Sony wants to make, and given how much more of a juggernaut Facebook has become in recent years, Sorkin’s decision to go a bigger with Part II is probably a good move.

Apple’s next-generation CarPlay is splitting the auto world down the middle. Several automakers are eagerly lining up to adopt the newly immersive CarPlay Ultra, which takes over more screens and includes embedded vehicle features like speedometers, heating and cooling, and radio functions. Others are flatly refusing to allow it, while the rest are taking a wait-and-see approach. All this comes courtesy of a report in the Financial Times, which previews Apple’s rough road ahead as it pushes adoption for its splashy, more demanding phone projection system. As The Verge reported back in 2022, when Apple first revealed its more expansive CarPlay, most automakers were hesitant to commit to letting CarPlay gobble up all the screens in their cars. And unsurprisingly many are still wary of handing over too much real estate to the tech giant. Here’s where each of the automakers currently stands on CarPlay Ultra:AdoptedPlanning to adoptUnsure/still evaluatingNo plans to adoptActively blockingAston MartinPorscheFordAudiGeneral MotorsHyundaiNissanMercedes-BenzKiaInfinitiVolvoGenesisJaguar-Land RoverPolestarRenaultBMWWe’re still missing some big ones, like Volkswagen and Toyota, two of the biggest automakers in the world. I’ve reached out to both and will update this post if I hear back. CarPlay Ultra is a huge challenge for the auto industry. Multiple surveys show that customers love it, frequently use it over their car’s embedded systems, and would be less likely to buy a future vehicle that didn’t allow CarPlay. But automakers are spending huge sums of money on developing next-generation software systems that allow over-the-air updates and address their customers’ appetite for more digital services. And they’re reluctant to just let Apple slap their own software on top of that. Sources tell the Financial Times that automakers are eager to set clear standards about data sharing with Apple before agreeing to allow CarPlay Ultra.

You might find it kind of sad to put a hard-earned gadget into a protective case. To me, it's freeing. Using a case relieves me of the worry that it will accumulate tons of little scratches. So, I wasted no time testing cases on the new Nintendo Switch 2, and it didn't take long for me to find one that I think is the best.I tried several types of cases on the Switch 2. I tested flimsy shells that snap or slide onto the Switch 2 to provide a simple, aesthetically pleasing barrier from scratches to the console and its Joy-Cons. I also tried slim cases that have one job: to protect the console when it isn't in use.I just listed my high standards for form-fitting cases made to fit the Switch 2 while it's in use. However, the bar for slim zip-up/clasp cases is lower. They just need to protect the console and, ideally, provide some extra value, like a pocket for cables or cartridge storage.As for my favorite case, I didn't want to make any major compromises; I wanted one that's just as good for handheld mode as when docked, which is why I think the Dbrand Killswitch is the best model overall. I published a full review of the Killswitch, but the skinny is that while it's perhaps mo …Read the full story at The Verge.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and a nonprofit privacy rights group have called on several states to investigate why “hundreds” of data brokers haven’t registered with state consumer protection agencies in accordance with local laws. An analysis done in collaboration with Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) found that many data brokers have failed to register in all of the four states with laws that require it, preventing consumers in some states from learning what kinds of information these brokers collect and how to opt out. These findings could be explained by variations in the definition of a data broker, but they may indicate some brokers are breaking the law.Data brokers are companies that collect and sell troves of personal information about people, including their names, addresses, phone numbers, financial information, and more. Consumers have little control over this information, posing serious privacy concerns, and attempts to address these concerns at a federal level have mostly failed. Last month, LexisNexis Risk Solutions disclosed a data breach that may have revealed the names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and contact information for over 364,000 people.Four states — California, Texas, Oregon, and Vermont — do attempt to regulate these companies by requiring them to register with consumer protection agencies and share details about what kind of data they collect. Consumers in California, for example, can use the online database to search for different data brokers registered in the state, see contact information, and find steps on how to opt out of data collection. Meanwhile, in Texas, data brokers must follow certain security measures designed to protect consumers’ information.In letters to the states’ attorneys general, the EFF and PRC say they “uncovered a troubling pattern” after scraping data broker registries in California, Texas, Oregon, and Vermont. They found that many data brokers didn’t consistently register their businesses across all four states. The number of data brokers that appeared on one registry but not another includes 524 in Texas, 475 in Oregon, 309 in Vermont, and 291 in California.As noted by the EFF, differences in how each state defines a data broker could explain some of these discrepancies. It’s also possible some brokers don’t collect data from people in all these states — although the industry typically casts a wide net. Conversely, the EFF also says this analysis wouldn’t include the data brokers that “disregard state laws by failing to register in any state.” The EFF and PRC suggest that California, Texas, Oregon, and Vermont look into the companies that failed to register across other states, writing that their findings “could indicate a systematic failure of compliance” in each state. They add that an investigation and enforcement actions could “send a powerful signal” regarding a state’s commitment to privacy.For now, state-level regulation is Americans’ main source of protection against data brokers. Last year, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) aimed to clamp down on the industry with a rule that would ban brokers from selling your Social Security number, but the Donald Trump-appointed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later scrapped these plans.

Dbrand will send replacement Killswitch Joy-Con Grips for the Switch 2 to buyers after admitting it had a “spectacularly terrible response” to complaints that the controllers could detach from the console if held a certain way while the grips were on. The company is currently working on tweaks to the grips as well.A few days ago, some owners of the case noticed that the Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers could pop off if you had the case and grips on and held the console primarily by a Joy-Con. This short video helps illustrate the issue.View LinkOn Sunday, Dbrand posted a more than 4,000-word response on Reddit titled “Killswitch Joy-Con Detachment Update” where it said that “nobody routinely holds their Switch 2 like this.” Dbrand argued that the detachment only happened when all three of the following conditions were met:You are specifically holding onto the console from only the Joy-Cons, in such a way that your fingers are making no supportive contact with the main console, andyou are holding the Switch 2 with only one hand, andyour Switch 2 is held more parallel to the ground than not.Part of the issue is that the Killswitch case’s Joy-Con grips wrap around the inner part of the Joy-Con, creating a small lip. “By adding those lips, particularly the ones on the interior face of the Joy-Cons, we filled the ‘air gap’ between the Joy-Cons and the Main Case,” Dbrand said. This means that it’s easier for the Joy-Con to create leverage against the main tablet part of the console so that detachment can occur “when held under a very specific set of conditions.”In some “particularly severe instances of detachment” highlighted on Reddit by Dbrand, the company also believed the Joy-Con grips had “an inner attachment lip that’s a hair thicker than desired.” Dbrand said that it had adjusted its tolerance guidelines for mass production to “filter out any Joy-Cons that cross that ‘lip is 0.12mm too thick’ threshold.”For users who were worried that they were having issues, Dbrand asked them to reach out to support and “describe the regular use scenario that is resulting in detachment” and the company would get them replacement grips in July.More than one commenter pointed out that Dbrand’s post echoed Steve Jobs and Apple’s famous response to iPhone 4 antenna issues caused by a way people could hold their phones. And yesterday, Dbrand published a new post where it said it would “try out a new communication strategy where we both say fewer words and devote less of them to blaming you” and offered to send everyone, “whether or not you’re experiencing this issue,” a replacement set of Joy-Con Grips.“As easy as it is to boil our original post down to ‘you’re holding it wrong,’ what we’re sober to now is the point that you should be allowed to hold it however the fuck you want, without detachment occurring,” Dbrand said. “We get it. Please continue dunking on us for the next six to eight months for reincarnating Steve Jobs.”Dbrand is working on two new versions of the grips: one with “an even thinner retaining lip compared to the ‘good’ stock we’ve already shipped” and one with a new retaining lip design that the company says “fully resolves the detachment issue.” However, that second option won’t be ready for a “mass production trial” until July 10th, and “at that point,” Dbrand will be able to tell if it will be using the first or second options for replacements.Dbrand says to expect its next update on July 10th.

The level of noise emanating from my earliest PCs would have put my PS4 to shame, but I'm much more sensitive to the decibel levels of my main rig now. This is why I made it a point to eliminate as many sources of noise from my PC as possible without encountering other problems. It started with limiting the number of hard drives and switching to an AIO cooler, followed by upgrading to larger fans and using a CPU that doesn't need heavy-duty cooling. My PC is now quite silent during most workloads.

If you are always looking for an edge, a way to squeeze more out of your day, and complete that growing to-do list, you are not alone. For me, the secret weapon lies in niche Docker containers. While everyone talks about the big-name tools, I have discovered a few unsung heroes in the Docker ecosystem that have transformed my workflow. These aren’t your typical web servers or databases. I have hand-picked specialized, often overlooked containers designed to tackle productivity bottlenecks.