Xbox Game Pass is getting a lot more expensive—up to 50 percent more expensive for the all-you-can-eat Ultimate tier—which is a problem for a service that appeals to players based on its relative affordability. It looks like Brad Chacos isn’t the only one cancelling before the higher prices hit, as the Game Pass website is straining under increased traffic.
Yesterday, posters on the Xbox…
I adore this $13 ethernet switch so much, I bought 3 of them
October 2, 2025
We all think of wireless when it comes to smart home and home entertainment—Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Bluetooth, Thread, Z-Wave, and what have you—but a surprising number of smart devices depend on good, old-fashioned wired ethernet for the best performance.
The Philips Hue…
Windows 11 version 25H2, the next major feature update for Microsoft’s operating system, started rolling out in waves on September 30. Despite being categorized as an “enablement update,” the scope of the changes is considerable. The basic architecture remains…
I’ve often considered that Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass is the best deal in gaming, if you’re looking to get a huge amount of variety and access for a small monthly fee. I might have to recalculate after the latest price hike. This morning Microsoft announced prices going up in the U.S. by quite a lot, rising from $19.99 to $29.99 USD for the all-you-can-play Ultimate package.
That still…
I find Kingston to be an amazing company. Not only does it produce outstanding bargain hardware, it also vends products that soar to the top of the charts. One example of the latter is the Fury Renegade G5 NVMe SSD. It’s not cheap, but it’s not prohibitively expensive…
Yes, round is still in when it comes to Amazon’s refreshed Echo smart speakers, with the high-end Echo Studio and the smaller Echo Dot both getting big Alexa+ makeovers at Amazon’s big fall hardware event in New York City.
Also on tap were new versions of Amazon’s Echo…
Amazon’s new OS for Fire TV players is a double-edged sword
October 1, 2025
Amazon is going in a new direction with its latest 4K Fire TV streaming stick, and it’s a direction that Fire TV sideloaders probably won’t like.
Making its debut during the company’s big fall hardware event in New York City on Tuesday and slated to ship in October, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select will rank as Amazon’s third 4K-capable streaming stick, alongside the Fire TV Stick 4K and the…
How to use CCleaner to free up PC storage and boost performance
September 30, 2025
CCleaner has long been a classic among Windows system optimizers, and next year the much-loved tool will celebrate its 20th anniversary.
It has such an enduring legacy and has been so popular that according to the provider, the freeware has now been downloaded almost three…
Arzopa Z3FC review: A portable monitor with a 180Hz refresh rate
September 30, 2025
Most portable monitors are meant for basic productivity, but that’s not always true. The Arzopa Z3FC is a large IPS LCD portable monitor with an 180Hz refresh rate that aims to be of use both for office productivity and gaming. It’s successful, but its launch price is an…
Baseus Security S1 Lite review: Solar powered, subscription-free
September 30, 2025
Baseus has been steadily pushing beyond its roots in phone chargers and accessories, and its latest move is to expand it’s smart security lineup with two solar-powered outdoor cameras: the Baseus S1 Lite (reviewed here) and the Baseus S2 (which we’ll cover at a later date).
The company pitches the Basues S1 Lite as a budget-friendly option designed for people who want affordable security…
