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Eye-watering price tag leaks for upcoming Asus Googlebook with 16 GB RAM and 8-core CPU
Courtesy of a leaked listing, we now have a fair idea of just how pricey the upcoming CX9406 Googlebook from Asus might be. Whether or not the new family of glorified Chromebooks live up to the hype remains to be seen.
A veteran political reporter shares the lessons she learned hearing from swing voters
As a political correspondent, NPR's Ashley Lopez regularly speaks to voters about their worries, and their dreams. But finding swing voters in swing states — the people who can decide elections — can be a difficult assignment. For this week’s Reporter’s Notebook, Lopez talks about her larger takeaways from working on NPR’s Swing Voter Project. This episode was produced by Kai McNamee.It was edited by Ben Swasey and Adam Raney.Our interim executive producer is Courtney Dorning.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
HP's new $599 MacBook Neo rival available with a 14-inch OLED display and over 40 hours battery life
The HP OmniBook 3 (14-hz0488nr) is available to order on Amazon and Best Buy. Like the MacBook Neo, the new 14-inch model comes with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, but it adds an OLED display, more ports, and a much larger battery for a much lower price.
Xbox Series X25 price and release date leaked
The Xbox Series X25 was unveiled during the Xbox Game Showcase back in June, and Microsoft is currently expected to reveal more details during Gamescom 2026. However, it looks like its price and release date have already leaked.
Sony CEO calls memory shortage timing "lucky" following PS5 console price increases
Despite criticism over PS5 price hikes, Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki is confident in PlayStation’s future. The memory shortage intensified when the company had already secured a large user base. The executive told The Wall Street Journal that he is content to profit from existing console owners.
GTA 6 gameplay and map leaks see DMCA strikes, as confidence grows in their legitimacy
A series of GTA 6 leaks has piqued the interest of Rockstar Games followers. Videos feature Jason playing basketball and driving haphazardly around Leonida streets. The studio has sent DMCA takedown notices to users sharing the alleged in-game footage and a leaked map.
Xbox announces 9 new games coming to Game Pass this month
Microsoft has revealed the next lineup of games that will be joining the Xbox Game Pass library this month. The list includes Vapor World: Over the Mind, BlazBlue Entropy Effect X, Relooted, and more.
Reporter's Notebook: Daylight saving time fight puts Senate up against a ticking clock
Trump urged Republican senators to release holds on the Sunshine Protection Act, but lawmakers from northern states raise concerns about dark mornings.
Acer intros new MacBook Neo rival with 120Hz display and Thunderbolt 4 ports
There's a new configuration available for the Acer Go Air, and this new MacBook Neo rival is powered by an Intel Wildcat Lake processor, the Core 5 320. It also sports a 120Hz display and Thunderbolt 4 ports. The launch price is CNY 5,499, about $815.
Patriots notebook: Christian Gonzalez misses team’s walkthrough practice
Picked up notes from Sunday's walkthrough practice.
AI needs science’s search history
“Actually, that’s where the gold is,” said Alasdair Russell, my graduate school friend who leads a pre-clinical genome editing group at Cambridge. He was talking about the winding road of science that is omitted from published papers. “When you’re discussing how to do the experiment, and why this way is better than another way, and what does the data really mean? I know what it shows, but what does it mean?” At RAAIS 2026, he described how his group has begun logging the twisting path of discovery as it happens, recording the verbal and written exchanges that normally disappear. Ideas become nodes in a living graph: they branch when a meeting produces two plausible experiments, merge when separate lines of evidence converge, and go dark when someone quietly stops pursuing them. In his implementation, one agent scores novelty, while another tries to learn “how scientists think and how they navigate through a complex world of data,” so that high-potential nodes can trigger deeper investigation. As frontier AI labs deploy agents toward scientific discovery, giving AI authentic scientific taste remains a trillion-dollar dilemma. The bottleneck is that the record we have kept for centuries of science might be insufficient to get us there. The experiments that never make the paper Peter Medawar, 1960 Nobel laureate and “father of transplantation,” asked in 1963 whether the scientific paper was a fraud, and answered yes: the form of the paper misrepresents the thinking that produced it. Sixty years on, the diagnosis is unchanged. A paper presents a clean progression from hypothesis to result to conclusion. Lost along the way are the unconventional theories, the abandoned or unaffordable methods, and the underwhelming and inconclusive data. It reads like a browser history with every dead end deleted: the ten open tabs, the four rephrased queries, the wrong turn down a subforum. All scrubbed, leaving one clean path from question to answer as the canonical path. What has changed since then is that the discarded material is now worth something. No high-impact journal wants these artifacts, but raw trial and error is the most likely source of the training data required to develop scientific intuition, or what researchers call taste. Earlier attempts to capture the discards were motivated by scientific integrity. The Journal of Negative Results in Biomedicine launched in 2002 to publish rigorous studies that disputed established models or exposed ineffective treatments. Its archive preserved negative conclusions after they had become papers, rather than the live alternatives and arguments that produced them. BioMed Central closed it in 2017, saying the mission had been served now that other journals publish null results. A less generous reading is that in fifteen years it published around 200 papers because almost nobody wants to read a negative result, let alone write one up when it will not count toward academic tenure. AI models are different. Even an uninteresting negative result can be useful, provided it is labeled. Earlier this year, Anthropic put a version of this to the test. The company pulled 129 decision points from real Claude Code sessions between January and March 2026, showed models the work up to a human detour, and asked what should happen next. Claude Mythos Preview beat the human choice 64% of the time, while Opus 4.5 managed 51%. The comparison was tilted toward the models because Anthropic deliberately chose moments where the human decision had room for improvement. On 127 further scenarios where the human action was already strong, the models improved on it only about 20% of the time. The study was possible because Anthropic’s researchers work inside a tool that logs by default. The reasoning, detours and outcome are produced in the same working environment. Biology has no equivalent. Its reasoning happens in hallways, at benches, in Slack threads and on whiteboards, while the outcome arrives weeks later somewhere else. The record has to emerge from the work itself. Ask scientists to reconstruct it afterwards and we’ll create another polished account. Subscribe A log is not a label Before any of this becomes training data, a negative result has to say what failed. The first paper published in the Journal of Negative Results in Biomedicine examined 234 negative studies across five leading medical journals. Only 30% discussed statistical power, and half clearly defined a primary outcome. Tell a model an experiment failed, without telling it whether the assay was underpowered, a reagent had degraded, or the hypothesis was simply wrong, and it will learn noise with confidence. Decision histories have a second missing label too. When a lab considers five experiments and runs one, only the chosen branch returns an outcome. The other four are experimental counterfactuals. Researchers call this the selective labels problem: the data reveal results only for the actions someone chose to take. Such a record can teach a model to imitate a lab’s taste, but it cannot establish that the taste was good. It also smuggles local constraints into general lessons. A lab that never ran cryo-EM because it did not own a microscope teaches a model that cryo-EM is rarely the right call. Alasdair’s nodes preserve the candidate set, which is the necessary first step. To be useful, each decision record needs six fields: The evidence available at that moment, and nothing that arrived later. The candidates considered, including the ones dismissed in a sentence. For each candidate: the expected result, the confidence attached to it, and the cost in time and money. The route chosen, and the reason. What happened next. How the evidence changed the scientist’s view. These must be timestamped before the outcome, because hindsight turns uncertainty into inevitability. Disagreement also has to survive. Averaging three scientists into one clean rationale reproduces exactly the information loss we are trying to fix. But there is an obvious failure mode here. Once decisions are logged and scored, people log for the record post-facto. Anyone who has watched an electronic lab notebook fill up with retrospective tidying knows how quickly a research tool becomes a compliance exercise. A record that costs a scientist ten minutes of honest reflection per decision is worth far more than one that costs an hour of performance. A publication initiative called Registered Reports offers a useful starting point. Here, researchers submit their rationale, methods and analysis plan for peer review before the data exist, and the journal commits in principle to publish if they follow the approved plan. Nature has now expanded the format across every field it covers. This approach to paper writing timestamps intent before the outcome, but it freezes one plan. A useful search history must also preserve how the plan changed, which alternatives were rejected, when, and on what evidence. Subscribe Run the runner-up Autonomous labs show what happens when decisions and outcomes are connected in a loop. Liverpool’s mobile robotic chemist ran 688 experiments over eight days in a ten-variable formulation space. A batched Bayesian search used each result to choose the next experiments and found photocatalyst mixtures six times more active than the starting formulations. Every completed experiment changed what the system did next. The robot optimized within a goal and search space that humans had already chosen. It did not decide which scientific question mattered. So what this work demonstrates is narrower, but still useful: a search history pays off when the options return standardized outcomes quickly. Open-ended biology is harder because branches can take weeks and the discarded alternatives may never be run. Some exploration therefore has to be bought. Where two branches are plausible and the stakes justify the cost, a lab should sometimes run the runner-up. Otherwise the record captures what today’s scientists usually chose and stays silent on what they systematically overlooked. A funder could ring-fence a small fraction of a grant for the branch not taken, provided that the decision record and the outcome are both deposited. That costs money, but so does having every lab rediscover the same abandoned path. Test whether taste transfers When it comes time to evaluate if our new AI system exhibits taste, the comparison should run across laboratories and fields. At selected decision points in a live research campaign, we should freeze the six fields: the evidence, the candidates, expected results, confidence, costs and the choice made. Experts then rank the options before the outcomes are known, and those outcomes are checked independently later. We could give models one of two diets - papers alone, or papers plus decision histories - and ask them to rank the next experiment on unfamiliar projects. Then, we score information gained per dollar and week, calibration, and how quickly weak branches are abandoned. If histories improve choices only inside the lab that produced them, they amount to useful organizational memory. If they improve choices on unfamiliar problems elsewhere, Alasdair’s group will have captured something science has never managed to write down: a transferable record of taste. Until that happens, a scientific search history is a promising record, not yet a training set.
New Insta360 X6 leaks confirm pricing with specs before global launch
New Insta360 X6 leaks have revealed pricing information and official specifications. Shared by a major retailer, the leaks confirm that the Insta360 X6 will cost significantly more than the Insta360 X5 in North America. Insta360 hopes to offset this $150 increase with major upgrades, though.
Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 console and Pro Controller leaked
Nintendo is reportedly planning to launch a new limited-edition Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 console and a matching Pro Controller to celebrate the series' 40th anniversary. And a new leak has now given us our first look at the hardware.
Eagles notebook: Jalen Hurts sees some rage in Dontayvion Wicks
In the latest Eagles notebook, Jalen Hurts praises Dontayvion Wicks, don’t sleep on a backup LB and more.
Entertainment Notebook: Pointe-à-Callière marks the 325th anniversary of the signing of the Great Peace of Montreal
The Montreal Ukrainian Festival returns August 29 to September 27 with a renewed program of cultural events, united under this year's theme: "Heritage of Generations." Inspired by the connection between
Entertainment Notebook: Montreal Ukrainian Festival Returns; The Great Peace of Montreal and more
The Montreal Ukrainian Festival returns August 29 to September 27 with a renewed program of cultural events, united under this year's theme: "Heritage of Generations." Inspired by the connection between
Minimal Phone 2: first look reveals an OLED display, improved QWERTY keyboard, and 5G support
The Minimal Phone 2 has appeared in an official teaser video that shows off its new design and a couple of features. The compact phone still sports a QWERTY keyboard but now has an OLED display and an aluminum body.
Windows 11's built-in Weather app wastes more than 1 GB of RAM
A new report shows Windows 11's built-in Weather app can consume more than 1 GB of RAM. By comparison, Apple's native Weather app on macOS uses roughly five times less memory under similar conditions.
Small Business Technology News This Week: AI Shopping Searches Surges, Thryv And Wix Partner, Gemini Notebook Gets An Upgrade
AI adoption is accelerating across commerce and industry, as new partnerships and tools help businesses improve sales, cash flow, productivity and efficiency.
High school sports notebook: Kim Niedbala resigns as the football coach, AD at Union
Kim Niedbala and his wife decided recently to move to eastern Pennsylvania for job opportunities. And just like that, Union lost its football coach, athletic...
Sony WH-1000XM4C price and release date leaked
According to a new leak, the Sony WH-1000XM4C will launch next month, in September, with a €249.99 price tag. At the moment, it's unknown if it is intended to be a refreshed version of the original model or a "Lite" edition.
Sony’s new PS5 Pro beta update automatically enables PSSR 2.0 for every game
Sony’s latest PS5 system software beta enables PSSR 2.0 by default across all PS5 Pro games, promising sharper visuals and fewer frame-rate drops without requiring manual setup.
Patriots training camp notebook: Walkthrough provides look at depth chart
The Patriots held their 10th training practice on Wednesday, August 5.
Huawei launches MateBook Fold (2026) with 18-inch foldable OLED display and Kirin X90 Plus chip
Huawei has officially unveiled the second-generation MateBook Fold Ultimate Design. The premium foldable laptop features an 18-inch dual-layer OLED display, the new Kirin X90 Plus processor, HarmonyOS 6.1, and support for a new AI-powered M-Pencil stylus.
Patriots training camp notebook: Gabe Jacas increases participation level
The Patriots held their eighth training practice on Monday, August 3.
The first-gen Kindle Scribe is a big e-reader and digital notebook that’s $150 refurbished
The deal lasts through August 8th.
Eagles training camp notebook: Welcoming King James to Philly
In the latest Eagles training camp notebook: Welcoming LeBron James, Howie Roseman’s history of trades and more.
Entertainment Notebook: New film The Floaters focuses on Jewish summer camp; Idol Drag Queen to perform
I received an advance screener of the new motion picture The Floaters, which follows struggling musician Nomi (Jackie Tohm) who accepts a last-resort job from her overachiever best friend Mara
Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra: Weird camera designs and higher prices tipped
We’re halfway between the Galaxy S26 launch and the next big Galaxy Unpacked event and the rumors surrounding the Galaxy S27 series expected in January or February 2027 are starting to heat up. For the first time, four Galaxy S27 phones are set to hit the market at the same time, the top-of-the-line Galaxy S27 Ultra might not only get more expensive, it may also feature a weird camera design if you ask the wrong people.
Microsoft to optimize Windows 11 for PCs with 8GB of RAM
Microsoft is preparing Windows 11 optimizations designed to improve performance on PCs with 8GB of RAM, targeting high idle memory use. The updates will roll out gradually, with broader improvements expected by the end of 2026.
Patriots training camp notebook: Drake Maye stacks another strong practice
The Patriots held their sixth training practice on Friday, July 31.
Google Pixel 11 Pro teaser video highlights Pixel Glow
The Google Pixel 11 will be available for pre-order starting August 12. In its latest teaser video, Google is once again inviting viewers to the launch event, highlighting the Pixel Glow RGB LED lighting. The Pixel 11 Pro is being promoted as the "next obvious move" after Google services.
Framework Laptop 13 Pro review: A repairable notebook at the top of the class
The Framework 13 Pro is a class-leading Windows laptop that, right now, is just a little too pricey.
New thin Huawei laptop undercuts MacBook Neo by a wide margin in weight
The Huawei MateBook Pro S has been officially showcased, and it's set to launch alongside other new products on August 05, 2026. Ahead of the full unveiling, the brand has confirmed that this thin laptop will weigh around 1.5x less than the MacBook Neo.
Galaxy S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra owners report severe battery drain and overheating issues after July update
Several Galaxy S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra users are facing battery drain and overheating issues after installing the latest July security patch. For some users, the charging speeds have also slowed down.
Despite all the upgrades, Galaxy S27 Ultra will likely miss out in two key areas
Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S27 series in February next year with a host of improvements across the board. The Galaxy S27 Ultra and the Galaxy S27 Pro will get the most attention, but it looks like they will still miss out on faster RAM and storage.
Oppo Find X9 Ultra fails to top DxOMark camera charts despite two 200 MP Hasselblad cameras
On paper, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra offers one of the most impressive camera systems on the market, as Oppo has equipped it with two 200-megapixel cameras developed in collaboration with the experts at Hasselblad. However, the DxOMark camera analysis reveals several issues that prevent the flagship from claiming the top spot.
Framework Laptop 13 Pro review: The king of repairability is back
After five full years with the same Laptop 13.5 model, Framework has finally developed a successor worthy of the "Pro" name. The much-needed update doubles down on everything that made the original so special while addressing many of the common concerns.
Roundtable: How Science Journalism Residencies Can Shape Careers at All Stages
Science journalism residencies give writers the chance to embed at a research institution for several months or longer.[/lead] Akin to a sabbatical, these residencies are a chance to step off the treadmill of one’s career to learn something new, immerse in the day-to-day of science, launch a project, or make a big move. Here, several writers discuss their recent experiences with residences—including how these programs can be accessible to writers at many stages of their careers.
Sony promoting vinyl player enrages critics opposing end of physical PS5 game discs
Sony plans to reduce PS5 disc production in 2028, but still manufactures vinyl record players. A social media post about a turntable irked gamers already upset over the decision. They claim that, like with music, demand for the physical game format will continue for the foreseeable future.
New 16-inch laptop receives wider international release with cheaper starting price and OLED display
Asus has released one of its new 16-inch laptops in more countries. Over 35% cheaper than its original configuration, the new Zenbook A16 is lighter than the version we reviewed earlier this year.
The unexpected cost of tariffs for some small business owners
When President Trump invokes tariffs - he promises they’ll benefit Americans. But the experience of some small business owners tells a different story. For this week's Reporter's Notebook, Host Debbie Elliott speaks with NPR Business Correspondent Alina Selyukh about what she learned about the unexpected costs small businesses are shouldering.For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Gabriel Sanchez. Our director is Erika Ryan.It was edited by Emily Kopp and Adam Raney.Our interim executive producer is Courtney Dorning.
Patriots Training Camp notebook: Right to business on Day 1
News, notes, and observations from the first day of New England Patriots training camp in 2026, including the return of some key players.
Lenovo launches new Legion magnetic keyboard with 8,000mAh battery, 8K polling rate, and all-aluminum design
Lenovo has launched the Legion R7 RT75 magnetic keyboard in China. Featuring all the latest features like rapid trigger and SOCD, the new 75% keeb packs a massive 8,000 mAh battery, an 8K polling rate, and a built-in display in an all-aluminum frame.
Motorola reveals tablet with 5G connectivity and 12.1-inch display
After revealing details about the Moto Pad 70 Groove, Motorola has unveiled the standard Moto Pad 70 for the Indian market. The company has confirmed its launch date and key specifications.
Framework launches world's first mini-ITX desktop PC with Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 495 and 192 GB RAM
Framework has previewed the latest iteration of the Framework Desktop PC at AMD's Advancing AI event. The Framework Desktop is a small 4.1-litre mini-ITX PC that is powered by the Ryzen AI Max "Halo" APUs. The newest iteration brings the Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 495.
Lenovo reveals more about its new lightweight Legion gaming handheld
A fresh set of teasers for the Legion C700 has emerged, and through them, Lenovo has shared more details about the gaming handheld. It’s set to be lightweight and feature a thin chassis.
Samsung's New Foldables Come With Gemini Notebook Pre-Installed
Google and Samsung have revealed the Gemini-powered AI tools coming to the new Galaxy foldables and smartwatches.
Motorola tablet with 9 JBL speakers confirmed to feature 12.1-inch display
The Moto Pad 70 Groove is set to launch in India. Previously, the company revealed its design and confirmed that it will feature a nine-speaker JBL audio system. Now, the latest teaser reveals details about the tablet’s display and battery.
Garmin CIRQA leaks in four colors with outdated sensor
Shortly before the launch of the Garmin CIRQA, leaked images reveal not only the design but also all four colors and even the sensor module. Garmin appears to be using a slightly older sensor to keep costs down.
As Budget Cuts Loom, French Theater Turns Up the Political Heat
This year’s Avignon Festival has transformed into a staging ground for protests, defiant new works and some early 2027 presidential campaigning.
Entertainment Notebook: Gopnik’s one-man show coming to the Segal; Brave the Waves;evenko Foundation
The Segal Centre for Performing Arts has booked Adam Gopnik to present his acclaimed one-man show, Adam Gopnik's New York. Produced by Steve Martin and James L. Nederlander, the show
Garmin CIRQA to launch at a significantly lower price than expected, according to Garmin’s official database
The price of the Garmin CIRQA has been announced. According to more or less official sources, it will be significantly cheaper than initially reported. Nevertheless, the price that has now been disclosed is, of course, not to be equated with the street price.
I replaced my notebook with an AI pen for a month
No, you may not borrow my AI pen — here's why I think you should get your own
One lucky guy was officially allowed to leak the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
Although an Instagram Story didn’t provide the very first glimpse, it did offer the first official look at the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, which will be unveiled next week during the Galaxy Unpacked launch event. One of the BTS members was allowed to go ahead and "leak" the device in full glory.
Asus releases new gaming laptop globally with Mini LED display and more powerful processor
Asus has finally released one of its long-awaited gaming laptops globally. Now available with a 1,200-nit Mini LED display, the ROG Strix G18 also features a more powerful processor and a refined design to improve ergonomics.
Chansky's Notebook: The Cost of Business
UNC has released its salary structure for the 2026-27 men's basketball season, and by comparison, it has to be a game of wait and see.
LG TVs and monitors said to surveil users and install bloatware without asking
Anyone who owns an LG smart TV must inform all guests and family members that they are being monitored – this is required by LG’s current terms of use. Meanwhile, LG monitors install potential malware and surveillance software on a connected Windows computer.
Has the World Cup Turned Me Into … a Sports Guy?
The pleasures of watching the TV show of the summer as a bandwagon fan.
Exclusive : Diagnostics log confirms iPhone 18 Pro Max camera specs ahead of launch
An ISP diagnostics log, part of the trove of internal Tata Electronics files leaked in June by the World Leaks ransomware group, confirms several previously rumored iPhone 18 Pro Max camera specs ahead of Apple's official announcement.
Lenovo launches new 16-inch gaming laptop with Inkjet-printed OLED and 240Hz
Lenovo has unveiled the Legion R9000P with what it says is the world's first gaming laptop to feature an inkjet-printed OLED display. Also with a 240Hz refresh rate, the new 16-inch laptop could cost less than competing models in the market.
Google continues its renaming streak by turning NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook
Google said users can soon access their notebooks through AI Mode in Search.
NotebookLM is now Gemini Notebook, with 3.5 + Antigravity upgrade coming to AI Pro
Google announced today that NotebookLM is now called “Gemini Notebook” and previewed upcoming features that users can soon expect.
An Invitation to Scribble in the Margins of The Best Science Stories and How They Work
The Open Notebook's new book The Best Science Stories and How They Work: A Collection with Commentary officially launches on July 21, 2026. You're invited to scribble in the margins!
I use NotebookLM every day, and these are my 5 favorite tips and tricks
I've been using NotebookLM for a long time. Here are some features and tips that genuinely save me time and make my work easier.
Dining critic's notebook: The best recent dishes in Pittsburgh
I’ve spent the past few weeks revisiting established favorites and diving deep into the restaurants at Station Square. (Keep your eyes peeled for...
Entertainment Notebook: Artemis II — The Screening; Bourassa Quartet; The Big Top; Tight Lettuce & Engelbert
The Montreal Science Centre has introduced a special screening dedicated to Artemis II, the historic mission that marked the return of crewed flights to the Moon and enabled Canadian Jeremy
Special Microsoft Flight Simulator controller is coming to Xbox
So far, the Echo Aviation Controller has only been available for PC, where it supports Microsoft Flight Simulator and other titles. It can also be used on Mac for Laminar Research's X-Plane. A new model with console support is expected to follow soon.
Best in class creasefree display: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra hands-on video leaked
A Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, apparently straight out of the factory, is being examined from multiple angles including, for the first time, while actually turned on. A leaked hands-on video suggests an almost completely crease-free display in Samsungs upcoming foldable, according to another leaker, this can also be expected from its more compact iPhone Ultra competitor.
Microsoft loses lawsuit after blocking hacked Xbox account with digital games
One gamer took extreme measures to restore access to his compromised Xbox account. The Brazilian user filed a lawsuit against Microsoft after it refused to unfreeze his digital library. A court ruled in the plaintiff’s favor, and the decline of physical games could lead to more legal challenges.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced playable build leaks before release date
With the Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced release date on July 9th, some pirates are already setting sail. A playable build is spreading, unlocking secrets not divulged in Ubisoft’s trailers. The Denuvo game is the latest in a series of targets to have its DRM bypassed.
50% PlayStation Plus discounts offered to fans canceling over end of physical games
Facing criticism over a shift to digital games, Sony has made an overture to discontented supporters. Gamers threatening to cancel subscriptions may receive a PlayStation Plus price cut. Some PS Plus Extra and Premium members have secured 3-12 months of service at steep discounts.
HP OmniBook X Flip 14 review: Flexible performance with AMD Zen 5
The new OmniBook X Flip 14 is even more impressive than the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 with more CPU performance, more ports, and a revised keyboard and look. However, most SKUs are limited to just a 60 Hz touchscreen despite the ~$1500 asking price.
Science news blues
The hemorrhage of local journalists nationwide continues, according to the Local Journalist Index 2026, a project of Rebuilding Local News and Muck Rack.
Valve shares official 3D print files to let users build their own Steam Machine e-ink faceplate
The e-ink faceplate was first shown off alongside the Steam hardware announcement last year, and Valve has now shared the files and instructions for those who want to make one on their own.
Steam Machine alternative with Ryzen 9 available for under $850
Positioned as an alternative to the Steam Machine, the Aoostar GODY is a compact gaming PC now available outside its domestic Chinese market. The system pairs a powerful AMD processor with a dedicated graphics card.
NotebookLM adding Short Video Overviews with Nano Banana 2 Lite
Google today announced Nano Banana 2 Lite and preview availability of Gemini Omni Flash, as well as NotebookLM Short Video Overviews.
RedMagic officially confirms global launch of flagship OLED tablet
RedMagic has confirmed the Astra 2 as its next flagship gaming tablet. The device will arrive as the international version of the China-bound RedMagic Gaming Tablet 5 Pro, which is confirmed to feature a 185Hz OLED display and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
Galaxy Z's days are apparently numbered: Accessories point to a very unusual name for Samsung's iPhone Ultra competitor
At first, it was called the Galaxy Z Wide Fold or the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, then—according to generally reliable sources—simply the Galaxy Z Fold8. Now a fourth name has surfaced for the compact and wider iPhone Ultra alternative, that Samsung will unveil on July 22 alongside the updated Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. However, as authentic as these images seem to be, there are doubts.
Belkin launches new 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 dock with 140W charging and triple 4K display support
Belkin has launched a 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Dock in China priced at 2,299 yuan (approximately $338). The Belkin dock ships with a 180W adapter and 1m cable and delivers 140W USB Power Delivery over a single Thunderbolt 5 connection, with bandwidth scaling from 80Gbps to 120Gbps for high-resolution display use. Belkin briefly listed the dock on its global website at $350 before removing the page, hinting at a global launch.
So many colorful Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 bands leaked ahead of launch
Anyone opting for the new Galaxy Watch9 or the redesigned Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 after July 22 will be spoiled for choice. Lots and lots of watch bands in different styles and colors will be available from Samsung at launch, as roughly 60 images leaked in advance shows.
Apple A20 Pro motherboard leak hints at notable memory and packaging upgrades
A leaked package layout of Apple's A20 Pro hints at several notable upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro series. The next-gen SoC is said to feature a wider 96-bit memory interface, a redesigned packaging approach for improved thermals, and a larger Neural Processing Unit (NPU).
Major blow for MacBook Ultra: Apple said to cancel M6 Pro and M6 Max
The Apple MacBook Ultra will either be released with the older Apple M5 Max, or its launch will be significantly delayed. This is because Apple is said to have halted development of the Apple M6 Pro and M6 Max in order to focus on the M7 series instead, which is expected to offer significantly stronger AI performance.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 redesign leaked in high quality official press renders
One of the most well-known leakers came out of his retirement just to show us the partially adapted design of the Galaxy Watch Ultra successor in form of high-quality official render images. The ultimate Samsung smartwatch definitely adopts elements of the Galaxy Watch Classic8, some specs have also been confirmed.
Microsoft releases smaller Surface Pro with cheaper price and 90 Hz display
Microsoft has released a new Surface Pro 2-in-1. Smaller than the new Surface Pro 12 that features a 13-inch display, the updated Surface Pro 12-inch features a 90 Hz display and a Snapdragon X Plus chipset, but only 8 GB of RAM.
Microsoft releases new 13-inch laptop globally with cheaper starting price
Microsoft has released a new version of its Surface Laptop 13-inch. Sold globally, the updated Surface Laptop 13-inch is much cheaper than Microsoft's existing models. Sadly, the device achieves a $200 saving by returning to 8 GB of RAM.
A Yankee Notebook: The evolution of language and politics in America
A nostalgic reflection on the changing language and events of the past, comparing them to current attitudes and political rhetoric.
Intel's Arc G3 Extreme changes the handheld game - MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Review
Notebookcheck review of the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ with Intel Arc G3 Extreme SoC, Arc B390 graphics and 32 GB RAM.
Acer and ASUS resume PC shipments in Germany after Nokia HEVC patent dispute
Acer and ASUS are shipping affected notebooks and desktop PCs in Germany again, following months of restrictions linked to a Nokia video coding patent dispute.
Apple's first Ultras are coming: 20 new products in 2026–2027 according to Bloomberg
Apple's new CEO John Ternus will begin his tenure in September with a wave of new products that will bring Apple fans many exciting new releases. Well-known Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman has listed the most important new products coming our way after the summer break, including the first ones potentially bearing the “Ultra” moniker.
RedMagic reveals new Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 rival with OLED display
The RedMagic Gaming Tablet 5 Pro has been revealed, and it's the company's answer to the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5. This Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 pad with OLED display is set to launch in China on June 30, 2026.
Apple reveals why watchOS 27 will be limited to Apple Watch Ultra 2 and newer models
While watchOS 26 could still be installed on the Apple Watch Series 6, watchOS 27 doesn't even run on the Apple Watch Ultra. Apple explains the reasons behind this decision, and, unsurprisingly, AI is responsible for the shorter software support period.
Reporter's Notebook: How Trump's surprise move on DNI confirmation upended key Senate deal on FISA
Trump blindsided senators by forcing cancelation of Jay Clayton's DNI hearing and linking FISA renewal to the president's SAVE America Act.
Asus releases new gaming laptop globally with 1,600 nit Mini LED display and 175 W GPU
Asus has finally released an ultra-premium gaming laptop globally. With up to 320 W of power under full load, the ROG Strix Scar 18 2026 also contains a 4K and 240 Hz Mini LED display that spans 18-inches with 1,600 nits peak brightness at its disposal.
iPhone Ultra final design shared by Apple’s nemesis
Despite the ongoing legal battle, leaker Jon Prosser has been active in sharing leaks and renders for upcoming iPhone models. His latest could very well be the final version of the iPhone Ultra.
Steam Machine reviews may be underway as two new Geekbench listings surface
Valve's Steam Machine was once again spotted on Geekbench with two separate listings, suggesting that reviews may be underway.
Lenovo quietly launches new tablet with big JBL speaker and 120Hz display
The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 was silently announced through iF Design in February 2026. Now, the company has listed the tablet for sale. This 12.1-inch pad with a large JBL speaker starts at €429.01 in the EU.
Reporter’s Notebook: The politics of love
The month of June plays a recurring role in my life, which is odd given that my birthday is in July. For example, storied (and sometimes infamous) Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd died on June 28, 2010. In a way, the death of Byrd was the catalyst for meeting Jessica, who would become my […]