This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on smartphones and digital imagery — real or otherwise — follow Allison Johnson. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. Remember the early days of AI image generation? …
AI image generators are getting better by getting worse Read More »
Let’s face it, the same thing happens year after year. Things get busy with work, school, and life in general until you’re suddenly up against the clock as you race your gifts to your local post office, FedEx store, or UPS location. We’ve all been there, but we’d like to help as you plan your …
Here are the shipping deadlines to get your holiday gifts on time Read More »
Sektori is an old-school twin-stick shooter. Created by a former developer at Returnal studio Housemarque, it puts you in the role of a little ship that blasts through swarms of enemies, and you have to weave through them to get upgrades to help you survive. Often, my runs end after less than a couple minutes, …
Sektori is psychedelic, tough as nails, and worth the pain Read More »
Many modern monitors come with built-in USB hubs. These hubs don’t just provide extra ports, they can transfer data at high speed and supply devices with power. These are often USB 3.0 or even USB 3.2 Gen1/Gen2 ports, offering transfer rates of up to five or 10 Gbps, which is ideal for fast external SSDs …
Your monitor’s USB ports are hiding secret powers Read More »
Windows 11 comes with numerous applications by default that offer little added value for many users — but still take up memory, clutter the Start menu, and start additional background processes. This so-called bloatware includes pre-installed tools, trial versions, games, or optional components that enter the system without being requested. The result: more entries in …
Sick of Windows 11’s bloat? These open-source tools fix it Read More »
Framework is a unique company, offering modular laptops designed for easy repairs and near-infinite upgrades. But it’s also a small company, much more susceptible to market changes brought on by things like capricious tariffs. Though it’s tried to insulate itself from skyrocketing RAM prices brought on by “AI” datacenter demand, something had to give. And …
Framework raises laptop RAM prices 50% as brutal memory crunch grinds on Read More »
I recently made the switch to Gemini on my Google smart speakers and displays, and for the most part, I’m liking it. Gemini is chatty without being a blabbermouth, and it capably controls my smart home while also delivering detailed weather reports and answers to my other queries. So far, I’m impressed. But there’s one Google Assistant feature that I miss: Continued Conversation, which allowed the Assistant to briefly …
I switched to Gemini for Home. Here’s the Google Assistant feature I miss Read More »
For seven years I’ve been collecting the best PC games every year that don’t need a graphics card, tracking down games for those of us with older computers or laptops. And I love doing it so much (and there are just so many freakin’ games out there) that I decided ten new games a year …
The best PC games of 2025 (that don’t need a graphics card) Read More »
The PEGI rating for Assassins Creed Black Flag: Resynced (image source: PEGI) A briefly published PEGI 18+ rating for “Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag: Resynced” has reignited speculation that Ubisoft is preparing a full remake of its 2013 pirate epic, potentially dropping the modern-day storyline in favor of expanded Golden Age of Piracy content. While …
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Expanded carrier screening: Is it worth it? Carrier screening tests would-be parents for hidden genetic mutations that might affect their children. It initially involved testing for specific genes in at-risk populations. Expanded carrier …
The Download: expanded carrier screening, and how Southeast Asia plans to get to space Read More »