Smartphones Before Smartphones: How PDAs Gave Us a Taste of the Future

Summary Long before smartphones, people were slipping computers in their pockets in the form of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Never heard of these impressive little precursors to the smartphone? Well, now’s the perfect time to learn about this interesting little bit of mobile tech history. The Dawn of the PDA Era Before the era of the touchscreen we call smartphones, there were these humble devices that you could easily palm—pun intended....

August 14, 2025 · 5 min · 1036 words · Brendan Ayala

Soon, QDEL Screens Could Perfect What OLED Couldn't

Summary At the moment, OLED is the best consumer-grade display technology on the market. But soon, this could change! Enter QDEL—a display technology that uses self-emitting quantum dots to produce an image on par or better than what’s possible with OLED. What Is QDEL, and How Does It Work? QDEL, an abbreviation for “quantum dot electroluminescent,” is also known as “QD-EL” and “nanoLED.” The tech is based on self-emitting quantum dots, which differ from quantum dots seen in QD-OLED and QLED displays in that they emit their own light, thus the self-emitting part in “self-emitting quantum dots....

August 14, 2025 · 5 min · 948 words · Benjamin Miller

The 34-Year-Old AmigaOS 3 Just Got a Surprise Update

Hyperion Entertainment just released the third-ever update for AmigaOS 3.2. This update, available to registered customers, introduces a mess of bugfixes and cosmetic improvements for compatible systems. Released in 2021, AmigaOS 3.2 is a upgraded take on 1991’s AmigaOS 3.1. It’s designed for classic 68K Amiga hardware and, unlike the “Amiga-like: AROS or MorphOS platforms, it utilizes original AmigaOS source code. The 3.2.3 update introduces an improved ReAction toolkit and enhanced TextEditor customization, plus bugfixes for DiskDoctor and HDToolbox, among other things....

August 14, 2025 · 3 min · 505 words · Dillon Potts

The Best Last Minute Holiday Gifts in 2024

Forgot to pick up a gift for someone? These last-minute gifts will help you save face. Netflix Gift Card Everyone can do with a few months of a streaming service for free, and Netflix is the best of them (and the service that never goes on sale). Blue Bottle Coffee Almost everyone loves coffee, but it can be difficult to please a discerning drinker. This subscription service won’t be at the door on Christmas, but pick their favorite roast and the wait will be worth it....

August 14, 2025 · 3 min · 508 words · Thomas Maddox

The Best Robot Lawn Mowers of 2023

If you find yard work difficult or are simply tired of doing it, a robot lawn mower can make the job much easier. The best robot lawn mowers can provide an even cut without supervision, even if your lawn is uneven or on an incline. Husqvarna Automower 450XH What to Look for in a Robot Lawn Mower in 2023 Though they don’t get the same attention asrobot vacuumsorsmart thermostats, robot lawn mowers are some of the coolest smart home gadgets on the market....

August 14, 2025 · 9 min · 1726 words · Jerry Willis

The Best Tablet Stands of 2023

The best tablet stands let you interact with your tablets creatively, whether drawing, relaxing, livestreaming, or even lying in bed. Different stands offer a variety of helpful features, such as adjustable necks and 360-degree rotations support for extra flexibility. SAMHOUSING Tablet Stand What to Look For In a Tablet Stand in 2023 Tablet stands come in different shapes and form factors. And with so many options, it can be hard to choose....

August 14, 2025 · 10 min · 1984 words · Kevin Bray

These 3 Windows Settings Are Hurting Your Game FPS

Quick Links Low FPS in games often results from a poor internet connection or your system configuration. However, certain Windows settings, such as Hyper-V, can also prevent your computer from delivering the best FPS in games. Here are those Windows settings and how you can disable them to boost FPS in games. 1Memory Integrity and Virtual Machine Platform (VMP) Memory Integrityis an important Windows feature that ensures your computer remains protected against malicious code and unsigned drivers....

August 14, 2025 · 5 min · 1012 words · Virginia Parker

This Is What Live Update Notifications in Android 16 Look Like

Quick Links Android 16 is right on schedule for an early release this Summer, and one of the most notable new features is called “Progress-centric Notifications.” This is Android’s version of Live Activities on iPhone–here’s how it looks. What are Live Updates on Android? “Progress-centric Notifications”–also known as “Live Updates” or “Live Info”–are special notifications that can update in real-time for ongoing activities. The obvious use-case for this is things like Doordash orders, Uber rides, and Google Map navigation....

August 14, 2025 · 4 min · 734 words · Megan Rose

TP-Link’s New Wi-Fi 7 Routers Have Tri-Band 10Gbps for $250

TP-Link announced at Computex 2025 multiple new routers, growing its collection of Wi-Fi 7 networking gear. It includes routers ready for 10-gig internet connections, something on the horizon in certain US cities. All of the routers TP-Link announced include tri-band coverage using the Wi-Fi 7 standard. While most of them are mesh routers, there’s a standalone unit, the Archer BE9700. It carries the third 6Ghz band with its six positionable antennae and beamforming capabilities....

August 14, 2025 · 3 min · 506 words · Patrick Simon

What Is a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)?

Quick Links Summary A digital audio workstation (DAW) is software that lets you record, edit, mix, and master audio on your computer with the same ease as editing a document. Not just for musicians, these powerful tools are useful for creators of all types, as long as it involves audio. If you’ve looked into producing music, podcasts, or other audio projects, you’ve likely heard talk of digital audio workstations. So what are these tools, who are they meant for, and how do you know which one you should use?...

August 14, 2025 · 5 min · 926 words · Bryan Mcguire

What Is ChatGPT Plus?

Summary By now, millions of people have tried ChatGPT, but there’s an even more advanced version of this disruptive AI service known as ChatGPT Plus. The Plus version can do some pretty wild things, but is it worth it for you? What Is ChatGPT Plus? The ChatGPT Plus subscription service is an optional paid tier that provides consistent access to ChatGPT, even during peak demand times. A ChatGPT Plus subscription also gives users priority access to new features and enhancements before they are released to the public....

August 14, 2025 · 4 min · 730 words · Lindsey Tran

What Is the RedNote App, and Why Are TikTok Users Flocking to It?

Quick Links With TikTok facing a ban in the US, many Americans have started using the RedNote app as an alternative. But what is the RedNote app, and how does it compare to TikTok? What Is RedNote? The first thing you need to know is that RedNote is not the official name of the app that is attracting American TikTok users. The app’s official name is Xiaohongshu, which means little red book in Chinese....

August 14, 2025 · 6 min · 1195 words · Richard Schultz

Why I Love the Most Controversial Control Scheme in Video Games

Summary Ever sinceStreet Fighter IIentered arcades in 1991, motion inputs have been a defining part of the fighting game genre. Not everyone loves the complexity of motion inputs, and many people have turned off the genre altogether because of them, but there’s a reason they’ve stuck around for so long. What Makes Motion Inputs So Divisive? If you’ve ever played a traditional fighting game, you’ve almost certainly dealt with motion inputs....

August 14, 2025 · 9 min · 1713 words · Michael White