Why I'll Never Buy an Asus Laptop Again
(ycombinator.com)
When I first bought my ASUS VivoBook K15 OLED, I was excited. It looked beautiful, felt solid, and the OLED display was stunning. On paper, it seemed like a great value for the price — a laptop that could handle my work, my creative projects, and casual use without breaking a sweat. I was optimistic. Maybe even a little proud of the purchase.
When I first bought my ASUS VivoBook K15 OLED, I was excited. It looked beautiful, felt solid, and the OLED display was stunning. On paper, it seemed like a great value for the price — a laptop that could handle my work, my creative projects, and casual use without breaking a sweat. I was optimistic. Maybe even a little proud of the purchase.
Synology could bring "certified drive" requirements to more NAS devices
(arstechnica.com)
Synology, maker of network-attached storage (NAS) devices, will seemingly remove advanced features from its Plus devices that are not using hard drives provided by, or certified by, Synology itself, starting with its 2025 lineup.
Synology, maker of network-attached storage (NAS) devices, will seemingly remove advanced features from its Plus devices that are not using hard drives provided by, or certified by, Synology itself, starting with its 2025 lineup.
Best printer 2025: just buy a Brother laser printer, the winner is clear
(theverge.com)
Buying any random Brother laser printer will let you print things without thinking about it too much
Buying any random Brother laser printer will let you print things without thinking about it too much
Brother refutes "false claims" that it bricked printers using third-party ink
(arstechnica.com)
Brother laser printers are popular recommendations for people seeking a printer with none of the nonsense. By nonsense, we mean printers suddenly bricking features, like scanning or printing, if users install third-party cartridges.
Brother laser printers are popular recommendations for people seeking a printer with none of the nonsense. By nonsense, we mean printers suddenly bricking features, like scanning or printing, if users install third-party cartridges.
Many Americans still don't understand how easily IoT devices can get bricked
(arstechnica.com)
Many Americans still don’t understand how easily IoT devices can get bricked
Many Americans still don’t understand how easily IoT devices can get bricked
Bambu Labs' 3D Printer 'Authorization' Update Beta Sparks Concerns
(theverge.com)
Bambu Lab, the company behind my favorite 3D printers, has given itself one hell of a week.
Bambu Lab, the company behind my favorite 3D printers, has given itself one hell of a week.
USB-C gets a bit more universal as the EU's mandate goes into effect
(arstechnica.com)
"It's time for THE charger," the European Commission posted to X on December 28, 2024. While the sentiment only applies to one continent (and not all of it) and only certain devices, the Common Charger Directive now in effect in the European Union suggests that far fewer gadgets will foist barrels, USB-micro, or proprietary plugs onto their owners.
"It's time for THE charger," the European Commission posted to X on December 28, 2024. While the sentiment only applies to one continent (and not all of it) and only certain devices, the Common Charger Directive now in effect in the European Union suggests that far fewer gadgets will foist barrels, USB-micro, or proprietary plugs onto their owners.
Apple reviving its discontinued AirPort router has never looked more likely
(9to5mac.com)
Once upon a time, Apple made Wi-Fi routers called AirPorts. But the company abandoned the router scene with its last AirPort discontinued in 2018. Now, a slew of recent rumors provide hope that a new AirPort could be on the way.
Once upon a time, Apple made Wi-Fi routers called AirPorts. But the company abandoned the router scene with its last AirPort discontinued in 2018. Now, a slew of recent rumors provide hope that a new AirPort could be on the way.
YouTube TV is hiking prices again after denying "erroneous" report days ago
(arstechnica.com)
YouTube TV, now one of the country's leading cable (or cable-ish) television providers, is starting to act like it. The service told customers in an email this morning that prices are going up in the new year, from $73 per month for the Base Plan to $83 on January 13, 2025—just days after suggesting that wasn't happening.
YouTube TV, now one of the country's leading cable (or cable-ish) television providers, is starting to act like it. The service told customers in an email this morning that prices are going up in the new year, from $73 per month for the Base Plan to $83 on January 13, 2025—just days after suggesting that wasn't happening.
Why Am I Paying a Premium Price for a Google Pixel Phone Filled with Ads?
(ycombinator.com)
I really don’t understand what I’m paying the premium price for with my Google Pixel. The constant ads, especially in apps like YouTube, are incredibly frustrating. I expected a smooth, ad-free experience, but instead, I’m bombarded with ads at every turn. The same or even better hardware is available at a much lower price, without these interruptions. So, what exactly am I paying extra for?
I really don’t understand what I’m paying the premium price for with my Google Pixel. The constant ads, especially in apps like YouTube, are incredibly frustrating. I expected a smooth, ad-free experience, but instead, I’m bombarded with ads at every turn. The same or even better hardware is available at a much lower price, without these interruptions. So, what exactly am I paying extra for?
Apple's mouse is so bad that Tim Cook prefers using a different brand for work
(glassalmanac.com)
In the world of sleek tech design, Apple’s Magic Mouse stands out for its minimalist aesthetic. But when it comes to practical use, even Apple CEO Tim Cook seems to admit that beauty doesn’t always equal functionality. His recent revelation about his preferred work setup has sparked discussions about the compromises Apple’s flagship mouse might bring to the table.
In the world of sleek tech design, Apple’s Magic Mouse stands out for its minimalist aesthetic. But when it comes to practical use, even Apple CEO Tim Cook seems to admit that beauty doesn’t always equal functionality. His recent revelation about his preferred work setup has sparked discussions about the compromises Apple’s flagship mouse might bring to the table.
The Broken Promise of USB-C: We'll Never Get a Universal Cable
(theatlantic.com)
We’ll never get a universal cable.
We’ll never get a universal cable.
Apple put the Magic Mouse's charging port on the bottom, again
(theverge.com)
Apple’s new USB-C-equipped Magic Mouse somehow still has the charging port on the bottom.
Apple’s new USB-C-equipped Magic Mouse somehow still has the charging port on the bottom.
Phone 16 Pro Demand Has Been Lower Than Expected, Analyst Says
(macrumors.com)
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said demand for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max has been "lower than expected" since the devices became available to pre-order in the U.S. and dozens of other countries on Friday.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said demand for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max has been "lower than expected" since the devices became available to pre-order in the U.S. and dozens of other countries on Friday.
Apple will charge more to swap your iPhone 16 Pro battery
(theverge.com)
Apple has hiked the price of its battery repair service for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Now, it will cost $119 to get your battery replaced in either phone — a $20 jump over its older fee.
Apple has hiked the price of its battery repair service for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Now, it will cost $119 to get your battery replaced in either phone — a $20 jump over its older fee.
The $129 AirPods 4 Have Features the $549 AirPods Max Don't
(wired.com)
If Apple wanted to bury the fact it’s leaving its most expensive headphones as the least technically capable in its lineup, it didn’t do a very good job.
If Apple wanted to bury the fact it’s leaving its most expensive headphones as the least technically capable in its lineup, it didn’t do a very good job.