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Showing posts from May, 2025

You have 30 minutes: Where would you hide a USB drive from the FBI?

We're bringing back something a lot of you told us you missed – the Weekend Open Forum. It's a chance to unwind a little, step away from the news cycle, and just chat, joke, and share your thoughts with the rest of the TechSpot community. We'll come back to it... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/7YW0eOs via

Parents: Check out these new parental controls for Nintendo Switch 2

As Nintendo gears up to launch the new Switch 2 , the gaming giant is also revamping its parental controls. Parents will be getting more control of in-game communications, necessitated by the console's brand new GameChat, an upcoming social feature for Switch 2 users that allows players to communicate directly using voice or video chat and share their screens as they play. For accounts under the age of 16, parents or guardians can approve and monitor a pre-selected friends list, reported the Verge, and additional features will be added to Nintendo's existing Parental Controls app , now compatible with Switch 2. SEE ALSO: Trump, stockholders, algorithms all coming for nonprofit kids' TV, incl. 'Sesame Street' Under the new controls, parents will have to grant permission to players if they want to begin a video chat, even with a pre-approved friend. And in addition to controlling friends lists, parents will be able to use the app to monitor GameChat history, ...

Unknown object in Milky Way found emitting both X-rays and radio waves

The celestial body, dubbed ASKAP J1832- 0911, was initially found by astronomers using the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), a radio telescope located in Australia. Another look using NASA's Chandra X-Ray telescope found the object also emitted X-rays in an unusual yet predictable pattern. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/eRgZ3Il via

Tinders new CEO wants to shed its hookup rep for Gen Z

It's no secret that singles have been disenchanted with dating apps lately. Users complain that apps are copying each other with similar features and encourage bad behavior like ghosting , and they're trying to branch out into IRL activities instead (even dungeon sound baths ). Tinder's upcoming CEO, Spencer Rascoff, seems well aware of these feelings. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal , Rascoff — currently CEO of Tinder's parent company, Match Group — said he wants to change the app and its reputation. SEE ALSO: Comparing AI features for Bumble, Hinge, and Tinder "Think of Tinder like a bar where people come together to meet new people," he told the Wall Street Journal . "We have to innovate to drive more people into our establishment, and that means renovating our bar." Rascoff told investors last month that Gen Z isn't into hookups , and Tinder needs to adapt to this reality, the Wall Street Journal reported. Young adu...

Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for just A$23

TL;DR: Upgrade your PC for just A$23 with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license , on sale through June 1. Do you have an old computer that could use a refresh? Upgrade its operating system and give it new life with Windows 11 Pro, now just A$23 (reg. A$310) through June 1. If you’ve got an older device lying around, you don’t need to shell out hundreds of dollars for a brand-new laptop. Just give it a new lease on life with this Windows 11 Pro upgrade. This new operating system is filled with features that can help you tackle both work and play. What’s new in Windows 11 Pro? Microsoft Windows 11 Pro was created with modern professionals in mind, but you don’t have to be tackling work to appreciate the new features. It offers a seamless interface that’s easy to navigate, snap layouts, improved voice typing, and a more powerful search experience everyone can benefit from. We should all be taking our cybersecurity more seriously, and Windows 11 Pro offers advanced security measur...

Thousands of Asus routers compromised by "ViciousTrap" backdoor

Analysts at GreyNoise have uncovered a mysterious backdoor-based campaign affecting more than 9,000 Asus routers. The unknown cybercriminals are exploiting security vulnerabilities – some of which have already been patched – while others have never been assigned proper tracking entries in the CVE database. The story is full of "unknowns,"... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/nPVDg67 via

These are the most common PINs you should absolutely avoid using

According to a recent analysis, one in 10 people use the same four-digit PIN to protect their smartphones and other personal digital devices. Reporters at ABC News reviewed 29 million PINs compiled in the Have I Been Pwned database and uncovered something that should concern both security experts and everyday users alike. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/cFunHbC via

Sun's unpredictable outbursts are forcing satellites back to Earth sooner

A 2.5-kilogram chunk of metal found on a Canadian farm in August 2024 has become a symbol of a growing dilemma in space exploration. The fragment – identified as part of a SpaceX Starlink satellite – highlights an unintended consequence of the satellite boom: the sun's unpredictable behavior is pulling... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/63YUNGf via

Texas forces Google and Apple to verify ages in app stores. Teen social media ban could be next.

Texas has signed into law its online child safety bill, a sweeping measure that mandates Apple and Google must verify user ages and secure parental approval before minors can download apps or make in-app purchases. The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. At the core of this conflict is a broader battle over who bears responsibility for age verification. Apple and Google have clashed with app makers such as Meta, Snap, and Match Group, the parent company of Tinder and Hinge, as state-level legislation on digital safety continues to multiply. Texas joins nine other states, including Utah, that have passed child-focused online safety laws, according to the Age Verification Providers Association . SEE ALSO: What the Supreme Court hearing about age verification could mean for you It's a major win for the Texas Legislature, which is also advancing a more controversial measure: a statewide ban on social media accounts for anyone under 18 . For Apple and Google, it...

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - does it live up to the hype?

The debut title from Sandfall Interactive is set in a surreal, painterly world where a chosen group must stop a mysterious ritual that erases people from existence each year. Though a bit short, Clair Obscur delivers a unique narrative, stunning visuals, and a classic RPG experience with serious Game of the Year ambitions. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/cCjYKn8 via

Space Cadet Pinball returns, now on Android

Miss the satisfying clack of Space Cadet Pinball? The iconic 3D Pinball game bundled with Windows 95 through XP is back, now on Android. This port is the result of a reverse-engineered open-source project, and it's completely free with no ads. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/f0Cux7l via

Modder develops a new solution to bring the Commodore 64 into the HDMI era

SideProjectsLab (SPL) has developed HD-64, a hardware module that provides fully digital HDMI output to the classic Commodore 64. The legendary home computer lacks any native digital video output. Instead, its original VIC-II chip handles composite video output for display on a TV. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/DsBIPw6 via

Gaming Keyboards That Punch Above Their Weight: Redragon Eclipse K720 Pro and K686 Pro SE Anime Review

When it comes to budget peripherals , many people have negative preconceptions. While the old idiom "you get what you pay for" often rings true, there are still some genuine bargains to be found. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/VKBaLFG via

The CIA used a Star Wars fan site to secretly communicate with spies

This bizarre piece of intel comes courtesy of Ciro Santilli, an independent researcher with a knack for rooting around the dusty corners of the web, who spoke to 404media. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/uZM1PTU via

Most online games are now dead, Stop Killing Games proponents say

The Stop Killing Games campaign recently marked its one-year anniversary. In that time, many games with online functionality have been completely removed from the market. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/hpvNBjo via

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for May 26, 2025

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times ' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe. With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it. So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, May 25, 2025: Across Endangers The answer is Risks . "Bloomin'" item at Outback Steakhouse The answer is Onion . Up the ___ (plentifully) The answer is Wazoo. Lived (in) The answer is Dwelt. "You wanted to see me because...?" The answer is Yes. Down Rambunctious T...

A galaxy from 11 billion years ago just reappeared in a shocking way

When NASA 's Hubble Space Telescope snapped a picture of an elliptical galaxy, it caught something else in the frame: A bright, red arc of light wrapped around it.  That glowing curve isn't the sign of a broken telescope, but in fact another galaxy — about 19.5 billion light-years from Earth in space . It's much farther than the elliptical galaxy, seen as the central dot in the image at the top of this story, roughly 2.7 billion light-years away.  The strange, bent shape of the extremely remote galaxy, called HerS 020941.1+001557, is caused by a quirk of nature called " gravitational lensing ," something predicted in Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity over a century ago. But the gravitational lensing here displays a special type of phenomenon, known as an Einstein ring.  SEE ALSO: Hubble spots a roaming black hole light-years from where it belongs The Hubble Space Telescope reveals a strange natural phenomenon among a galaxy trio image...

University of Arizona scientists unveil breakthrough petahertz-speed transistor

A team of scientists has unveiled a breakthrough that could one day propel computers to operate at speeds millions of times faster than today's most advanced processors. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/a67VoQg via

Russia is still swimming in new Intel and AMD chips thanks to sanction "workarounds"

Russia's official customs data suggests the country's once-thriving market for US-made processors has nearly disappeared. Figures from the Federal Customs Service (FCS), reported by Russian publication Kommersant, show Intel CPU imports fell by 95 percent last year compared to the previous year. By comparison, AMD shipments dropped by 81 percent.... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/3ho8NFJ via

Trump warns Apple and Samsung that 25% smartphone tariffs could land in June

In a Friday morning Truth social post, President Donald Trump threatened to levy a 25 percent tariff on iPhones if Tim Cook didn't move manufacturing to the United States. It turns out the situation is a little more complicated than that. While speaking to the media later that day, Trump clarified that the tariff would apply to any company selling foreign-made phones in the U.S., not just Apple. The president said the new 25% smartphone tariff could arrive by the end of June, per Bloomberg . He also made sure to single out Samsung, the second-most popular smartphone brand in the U.S. market. This broader approach makes a bit more sense than the initial threat against Apple, as it was unclear how the Trump administration planned to place tariffs on one single company's products. Even so, it wasn't the first time Trump made a tariff threat against a specific company, and it may not be the last. Besides Apple, President Trump previously threatened to target toymaker Matt...

Experimental Micron PCIe 6.0 SSD hits a massive 30.25 GB/s, but it's not ready for your rig yet

It all sounds great, as long as you're not expecting to pop one into your gaming rig anytime soon. Dubbed the Micron 9650 Pro, the SSD is still very much in the test-bench phase. It was spotted by Tom's Hardware at Computex 2025, housed in a chunky metal enclosure and... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/VwoDieZ via

Nintendo Switch 2 supports third-party USB mice, too

The Nintendo Switch 2 isn't done surprising us in the weeks leading up to its June 5 launch. In a developer-commentated YouTube clip for the Switch 2 version of Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening CE (via Engadget ), producer Michi Ryu confirmed something we didn't already know about the hotly anticipated new Nintendo console: It has USB mouse support on top of the ability to use a Joy-Con controller as a mouse . According to Ryu, you can plug a USB mouse into the Switch 2 during gameplay in Nobunaga's Ambition, and the game will seamlessly recognize it, giving the USB mouse control priority over the Joy-Con. SEE ALSO: MicroSD Express Cards are a must-have Switch 2 accessory — if you can find one in stock To be clear, this is just one game. There has been no word yet about any other Switch 2 games supporting USB mice, but the fact that one game can do it means any game can potentially do it in the future. It's worth pointing out you could technically do thi...

Valve adds official SteamOS support for non-Steam Deck handhelds in huge update

Planning on picking up a Lenovo Legion Go S and don't like Windows? Valve has a solution for you. A big new update to SteamOS , the operating system powering handheld Steam Deck gaming devices around the world, dropped this week, and it brought with it the ability to install the specialized OS on competing devices. Valve notes on its support website that right now the only non-Steam Deck device with official support is the Legion Go S, launching later this month, but the company is "working on broadening support." SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorder guide: Track latest restocks, see our first-hand impressions It's worth pointing out that you could technically install SteamOS on alternative devices before, but it required some awkward workarounds. This more than likely wouldn't have been a smooth, seamless experience like it should be now for Legion Go S users. Interestingly, Valve pointed out in the patch notes that it has "improved support...

German court takes a stand against manipulative cookie banners

Lower Saxony Data Protection Officer Denis Lehmkemper has won a legal battle in his push for fairer digital privacy practices in Germany. The Hanover Administrative Court ruled that websites must display a clearly visible "reject all" button on cookie banners if they offer an "accept all" option. The recently unsealed... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/4jKi2XL via

How to watch the American Music Awards without cable

The best ways to watch the AMAs at a glance: BEST FOR WATCHING LIVE Paramount+ with Showtime free 7-day trial, then $119.99 per year (save 23%) Get Deal RUNNER-UP FOR WATCHING LIVE YouTube TV free 7-day trial, then $59.99 per month for your first 2 months Get Deal BEST FOR WATCHING LATER Paramount+ Essential free 7-day trial, then $59.99 per year (save 37%) Get Deal ANOTHER WAY TO WATCH LIVE Fubo TV free 7-day trial, then $64.99 for your first month Get Deal The 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs) — aka the world's largest fan-voted music awards show — returns on Monday, May 26. Live from Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the awards will not only honor the most popular songs and artists of the year, but also our country's troops in celebration of Memorial Day . It's sure to be a talent-filled evening packaged with grand performances and tributes. Plus, of course, some major winners and upsets. Here's everything you need t...

Astronomers confirm rare retrograde planet orbiting between two stars

Astronomers have discovered a remarkable planetary system that challenges long-held assumptions about where planets can survive. Known as ν (nu) Octantis, the system hosts a giant planet locked in a gravitational tug-of-war between two stars – a configuration once deemed nearly impossible. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/0YwtAV3 via

Doom: The Dark Ages hits 3 million players, but is the success real?

Bethesda took time out of its busy schedule this week to take a victory lap over Doom: The Dark Ages, which has reached 3 million players since its May 15 release. The publisher claimed the game hit that milestone seven times faster than Doom Eternal, making it the most successful... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/3B9wCvI via

Adobe will auto-switch paid subscribers to pricier AI plans next month

Adobe has announced sweeping changes to its Creative Cloud subscription plans, introducing a new pricing structure that will take effect in North America next month. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/Th6y0JA via

Microsoft Build 2025 keynote: Everything announced, in 14 minutes

Watch CEO Satya Nadella unveil all the biggest product moves, including Copilot and Azure updates, developer tools, and more, from Seattle. from Mashable https://ift.tt/t0KVIRe https://ift.tt/281zTZ9

Microsoft brings the MS-DOS text editor back from the dead, sort of

Microsoft is reviving the classic MS-DOS Edit utility with a new open-source text editor built for Windows 11. Microsoft developers designed it to provide a native command-line interface (CLI) option. While 32-bit versions of Windows included the legacy 16-bit MS-DOS version, 64-bit editions lacked any built-in CLI tool. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/i2wSKYc via

Cherry reveals inductive switch breakthrough for next-gen keyboards, new MX models

German keyboard maker Cherry has unveiled a "bold new chapter" in its history at Computex 2025, headlined by the debut of its first inductive switch and three new additions to its MX mechanical lineup. The announcements mark a clear push to modernize its catalog with improved durability, efficiency, and typing... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/ZQn4i0b via

Dell embraces silicon diversity in AI server hardware at Dell Technologies World

Choice is a beautiful thing. That's especially true for companies building products to meet the diverse needs of a wide range of customers. So, it's no surprise to see Dell Technologies embrace this mindset in its latest hardware offerings, unveiled at the Dell Technologies World event. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/sZXGKUH via

You can sign up for Googles AI coding tool Jules right now

Google just rolled out a product that might make coding a lot easier. Google introduced Jules, its AI coding tool, in December in Google Labs . Today, Jules is available to everyone and everywhere the Gemini model is available, without a waitlist. SEE ALSO: Here's everything AI coming to Google Gmail "Just submit a task, and Jules takes care of the rest — fixing bugs, making updates. It integrates with GitHub and works on its own," Tulsee Doshi, the senior director and product lead for Gemini Models, said at Google I/O 2025 . "Jules can tackle complex tasks in large codebases that used to take hours, like updating an older version of Node.js. It can plan the steps, modify files, and more in minutes." According to a Google blog post , Jules is an "asynchronous, agentic coding assistant that integrates directly with your existing repositories. It clones your codebase into a secure Google Cloud virtual machine (VM), understands the full context of y...

Heres everything AI coming to Google Gmail

At Google I/O , the company unveiled a major push to infuse AI deeper into Gmail. The tech giant is promising users that the change will translate to less time spent writing emails and more time doing literally anything else. With the help of Gemini, Google’s flagship AI model, Gmail is moving from a helpful assistant to a full-on writing partner, scheduler, and inbox manager. Here are all the new Gemini-powered features coming this summer to Gmail. Smart replies Credit: Google Google’s first big update is personalized smart replies. Unlike the canned one-liners we’re used to (“Sounds good,” “Thanks!”), this new system draws context from your inbox and Google Drive. It adapts to your tone — whether you’re casual or formal — and pulls in relevant details, so replies feel more natural. In a demo, a dog groomer named Stephanie replies to customers without typing a word. Gemini generates answers in her voice, grabs appointment details from past messages, and inserts pricing from h...