The recent shutdown of Pocket was the impetus I needed to develop a better solution. While I got some recommendations from various online communities, I wanted something more personal. Drawing on the knowledge I have developed so far, I quickly created a tool to save content for later reading, and it's way better than Pocket.

Virtualization is an essential tool for Linux users who want to test new distributions, run Windows software, or create safe spaces to experiment without risking their central system. While numerous virtualization platforms exist, many emphasize advanced features that can intimidate newcomers. Gnome-Boxes takes a different approach, focusing instead on accessibility and integration with the Linux desktop. By combining simplicity with strong performance, it makes virtualization less about configuration and more about getting work done quickly.

Netflix House Philadelphia. | Image: Netflix The first two Netflix House venues now have their grand opening dates. Netflix House Philadelphia will open on November 12th at King of Prussia Mall, and Netflix House Dallas will open on December 11th at Galleria Dallas.These real-world manifestations of Netflix’s intellectual property span “more than 100,000 square feet.” They’re free to enter, offering a mix of complimentary and paid experiences centered around shows like Wednesday, Squid Game, and Stranger Things:Take selfies with beloved characters like Queen Charlotte, enjoy screenings of hit movies like KPop Demon Hunters, have a meal and a cocktail at Netflix Bites or embark on an adventure with friends, channeling the One Piece crew. Misguided? Perhaps! But what else is America going to do with all those monuments to a bygone era of retail being abandoned across the country. If you build it, will they come?You can answer that question yourself by registering now for the waitlist to buy tickets to those paid experiences over at netflixhouse.com.

Sometimes you just want to make some batch templates. And in Windows 11, that can often be a painstaking hassle. It can also be tricky to do, depending on what file types you're trying to make templates in. There is always the slow way to use templates on Windows, by creating them one at a time in the specific program, and then duplicating the blank template file over and over to create all the batch files you need.

Repurposing old devices to a useful role brings me joy. I have a fairly old Sony speaker system lying around that has stood the test of time. It still works and sounds well, but only accepts AUX cable output, so I use my other Tribit speaker to play audio wirelessly. I use an old phone to play music on the Sony speaker, but getting up and changing tracks has become a chore. I have been exploring self-hosted services and Raspberry Pi operating systems for quite some time, but I hadn't considered updating my Hi-Fi speaker system to modern standards.

Maingear is primarily known for hand-built desktops, but the company has put out a laptop or two over the years. Last year's Maingear ML-16 was a sleek 16-inch gaming laptop designed for a balance of power and portability. While I was personally a fan of the design, according to Maingear reps, fans wanted something a bit bulkier, with more power.

Amazon’s 16GB Kindle Colorsoft is less than a month old, but it’s already on sale for $219.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Meanwhile, the new Colorsoft Kids — which includes a 12-month subscription to Amazon Kids Plus, a two-year extended warranty, and a cover-style case — has been discounted to $239.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Both ad-free e-readers feature a seven-inch color E Ink display, IPX8 waterproofing, and a battery that can last up to eight weeks on a single charge. Kindle Colorsoft (16GB)Where to Buy: $249.99 $219.99 at Amazon $249.99 $219.99 at Best Buy $249.99 $219.99 at TargetKindle Colorsoft KidsWhere to Buy: $269.99 $239.99 at Amazon $269.99 $239.99 at Best Buy $269.99 $239.99 at TargetThe 16GB Colorsoft is Amazon’s newest color e-reader, and it has many of the same features found on last year’s Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. It offers the same page turn speeds and works well when reading both monochrome and color books; however, like with the step-up model, the resolution drops from 300ppi to 150ppi when reading books in color, which was noticeable but not a dealbreaker in our testing. Viewing PDFs in color on the Signature Edition via the Send to Kindle service worked well enough, too, but transferring them from a computer via USB-C stripped their color. Overall, Amazon’s entry-level Colorsoft is the best color e-reader in its price range. If you love reading graphic novels or books with a lot of illustrations, you’ll get a much richer experience compared to reading the same titles on a monochrome Kindle (it also won’t irritate your eyes as much as staring at a phone or tablet screen). That being said, you do lose some features when stepping down from the Signature Edition, including support for wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light. The Signature Edition also has twice the storage (32GB) and supposedly an extra four weeks of battery life, though we haven’t used the entry-level model long enough to confirm the latter.

Smart homes are incredible when they work well, but undoubtedly a headache when they don't. Between internet-connected cameras, cloud relays, microphones, and a mixture of connectivity options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Thread, there's an element of risk when it comes to the level of convenience you can have. Before taking the plunge, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself first to appropriately design and roll out your own smart home in a safe and secure way.

As a tech blogger, I live my life in the cloud. My photos, documents, music, and practically everything are stored in that invisible digital space. The cloud powers my daily work, from quick searches to collaborating on projects. For years, I've embraced the convenience of instant access and seamless syncing. The idea of living without it seemed not only impractical but frankly, terrifying.

If you're like most people, you've probably realized that having storage space available on any device is an absolute must. Of course, it's also a good idea to back up your important information, which could be a huge amount if you're trying to save files from your phone, PC, tablet, and other sources.

This is the gaming monitor you need if you're on a budget. Not only are you getting impressive screen real estate, but it's also packed with performance, featuring a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and more. The best part is that it's now down to its lowest price yet, thanks to a special discount on Amazon that knocks it down to just $200. Grab it now before it's gone.

Capcom came out swinging for Gamescom this year, and Steam players are the big winners with massive discounts on some of their most popular series. We’ve rounded up seven of the best deals worth adding to your Steam library right now.