Brian Fagioli

MLS Season Pass returns to Apple TV for 30th season but do Americans really care?

Major League Soccer is back on Apple TV, and if you’re one of the people who actually follows the league, you can once again stream every match with no blackouts through MLS Season Pass. Starting today, fans in over 100 countries can subscribe, unlocking access to all regular-season games, the MLS All-Star Game, and even the playoffs. Exciting, right?

The 2025 season kicks off on February 22, marking year three of Apple’s 10-year deal with MLS. This season also introduces the league’s latest expansion team, San Diego FC, because apparently, North America just can’t get enough soccer teams. Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior VP of Services, hyped up the service, saying, “MLS Season Pass delivers fans exactly what they want.” That may be true for soccer diehards, but let’s be honest -- MLS is nowhere near the NFL, NBA, or even MLB in terms of mainstream appeal.

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First NRTL-certified rugged case for Microsoft Surface Pro 10 brings extreme protection for hazardous environments

The Joy Factory has introduced the aXtion Extreme MP, a rugged case designed specifically for the Surface Pro 10. What makes it stand out? It’s the first case for Microsoft’s tablet to receive certification from a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) for hazardous locations. That means it’s built to handle extreme conditions while keeping the device safe.

This case isn’t just about toughness -- it’s designed for frontline workers in industries like oil and gas, utilities, and manufacturing. With Class I and II hazardous location certifications, it meets North American safety standards for environments with flammable gases and combustible dust. On top of that, it’s been tested to meet MIL-STD-810H durability standards and boasts an IP68 waterproof rating.

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Sony appoints Hideaki Nishino as new PlayStation CEO effective April 2025

PlayStation logo

Big changes are coming to PlayStation, and Sony just made it official. Hideaki Nishino will take over as President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) starting April 1, 2025. This move isn’t exactly out of left field -- Sony hinted at a shift back in May 2024 when it split SIE into two business groups. Nishino got put in charge of the Platform Business Group, while Hermen Hulst took over the Studio Business Group. Now, Nishino is getting the top job, with Hulst still running first-party game development and reporting to him.

Meanwhile, Hiroki Totoki is stepping down as Chairman of SIE, but don’t worry -- he’s not going anywhere. He’s still the President, COO, and CFO of Sony Group Corporation. Lin Tao, currently an SVP handling finance, strategy, and development at SIE, is also moving up. She’s taking over as CFO of Sony Group Corporation, though Sony hasn’t said who will replace her at SIE just yet.

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System76 Meerkat mini PC, upgraded with Intel Core Ultra, is perfect for Linux, Windows 11, and Plex servers

System76’s Meerkat mini PC has long been a go-to for Linux enthusiasts, and its latest upgrade with Intel Core Ultra processors makes it even more exciting. While I haven’t had the chance to get my hands on one yet, the specs and features suggest this upgraded compact PC is well-suited for a wide range of tasks, including running Linux, serving as a Plex server, or even handling Windows 11.

The Meerkat now supports up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, which offers 16 cores -- a jump from the 12 cores in its predecessor. System76 also upgraded the RAM, now 62 percent faster, promising better performance for multitasking and resource-intensive applications like 3D printing or virtualization. Designed primarily for Linux, it comes preloaded with either Pop!_OS or Ubuntu, but it also has the capability to run Windows 11 for those who need it.

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Owlet360 pairs with Dream Sock to give parents real-time baby health insights

Owlet has launched a new subscription service called Owlet360, designed to help parents get a clearer picture of their baby’s health and development. While the core safety features, such as live vitals monitoring and real-time alerts, remain free, Owlet360 goes beyond by offering tools to track trends, compare data, and provide deeper context about a baby’s well-being.

Let’s face it, parenting today is a lot different than it was back in the day. Boomers? They’d toss the baby in a crib, shut the door, and hope for the best. It was survival of the fittest back then. But today’s parents? They’ve got technology on their side. And Owlet360 is here to make parenting a little less stressful and a lot more informed.

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Google gives Pebble smartwatches a second life with GitHub source code release

In an unexpected yet exciting move, Google has released the source code for the Pebble smartwatch operating system on GitHub. This release is a big deal for the Pebble faithful, especially the Rebble community, which has worked tirelessly to keep these iconic wearables functional since Pebble closed up shop back in 2016.

Pebble’s story is one of innovation and community. The brand shot to fame through its record-breaking Kickstarter campaigns, with its first project becoming the most-funded on the platform at the time. Its follow-up, Pebble Time, also smashed records and still holds the spot as the second-most-funded Kickstarter project ever.

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Sick of Microsoft Windows? Solus 4.7 could finally get you to switch to Linux

If you’re tired of Microsoft’s bloated Windows operating system, and you are looking for a fresh alternative, Solus 4.7 could be the Linux distro for you. Code-named “Endurance,” this new release (download here) is chock full of updated software, improved hardware support, and polished desktop environments. The name “Endurance” is not random, either -- it was deliberately chosen to reflect the team’s promise to deliver consistent updates and a reliable experience.

All four editions of Solus comes with updated core apps, including Firefox 134.0.2, LibreOffice 24.8.4.2, and Thunderbird 128.6.0. Multimedia playback is to the desktop environment you choose. For example, Budgie and GNOME editions ship with Rhythmbox and Celluloid, while Plasma users get Elisa and Haruna, and Xfce uses Parole.

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CORSAIR EX400U USB4 SSD is a pocket-sized storage powerhouse

CORSAIR has introduced the EX400U USB4 External SSD, a portable storage device designed to deliver fast data transfer speeds while being compact enough to carry anywhere. With sequential read speeds of up to 4,000MB/sec and write speeds reaching 3,600MB/sec, the EX400U is perfect for tasks like video editing, transferring large files, or managing demanding projects.

Taking advantage of USB4’s high bandwidth, the EX400U offers excellent performance while remaining compatible with USB 3.x Type-C and Thunderbolt 4. Whether you’re on a PC, Mac, or iOS device, it’s a plug-and-play solution that doesn’t require complex setups. The included USB Type-C cable handles both power and data, making it even easier to use.

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Why Surfshark is the best affordable VPN for protecting your privacy

Surfshark has quickly become my go-to VPN, and it’s easy to see why it stands out from the crowd. Whether I’m on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, or iOS, this VPN ensures all my devices are fully protected. That kind of cross-platform support is exactly what I need in a service. Believe it or not, it even works with Apple TV! And yes, the Linux version has a nice user interface.

One of the biggest perks of Surfshark is how budget-friendly it is. You can score it for under $3 a month, which is an absolute steal. Many VPNs charge a premium for features that Surfshark offers at a fraction of the cost. It’s proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get reliable online protection.

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Vivaldi 7.1 brings privacy-focused features to Windows, Mac, and Linux

Vivaldi has made version 7.1 of its web browser available for download here. This version introduces many powerful new features for those seeking a more private and customizable browsing experience. With its focus on user control and independence, Vivaldi 7.1 should be an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable alternative to Chrome.

One cool new feature is the new weather widget, which provides real-time forecasts directly on your dashboard. This hub, which was introduced in Vivaldi 7.0, integrates tools like mail, calendar, and RSS feeds into one convenient location. The weather widget adds another layer of functionality, giving users quick access to forecasts without leaving their browser.

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Kensington launches security mount for Apple’s M4 Mac mini

Kensington has released a cool new product for fans of Apple’s diminutive desktop -- the Security Mount for the Mac mini equipped with M4 and M4 Pro chips. This mount is designed to help users securely install and protect the compact computer, making it suitable for home, office, and shared workspaces.

The Mac mini’s recent redesign incorporates Apple’s silicon into a smaller 5x5-inch form factor -- a space-efficient design. While the reduced size saves desk space, it also introduces potential security concerns, which the Kensington Security Mount aims to address. The worry is, someone could easily walk off with it before someone notices.

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MSI introduces Strike 600 mechanical keyboard designed for quiet performance

MSI has announced the Strike 600, a mechanical keyboard aimed at providing a quieter typing and gaming experience while offering durability and customizable features. The keyboard is targeted at gamers, professionals, and content creators looking for a balance between functionality and style.

The Strike 600 features Kailh Midnight Pro Silent Tactile switches, which are designed to reduce noise to levels below 35 decibels. These switches offer a tactile bump for a responsive feel, with a pre-travel distance of 1.9mm and a total travel distance of 3.7mm. MSI states that the switches are built to last, with a lifespan of up to 70 million keystrokes.

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LibreELEC 12.0.2, the Linux distribution for Kodi, gets feature-packed Omega 21.2 update

LibreELEC, the lightweight Linux distribution designed exclusively to run Kodi, has released version 12.0.2. This latest update brings Kodi (Omega) 21.2 along with several notable changes and improvements. However, users running 64-bit ARM SoC devices like the Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 should pay close attention to the transition from ‘arm’ to ‘aarch64’ userspace.

Due to this switch, manual updates through LibreELEC settings won’t show version 12.0 releases on these devices, as there are no matching arm images available. To update, users will need to manually place a LibreELEC 12 file into /storage/.update and reboot.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25+, and S25 redefine Android flagship phones with AI and cutting-edge specs

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series has officially arrived, offering a trio of flagship smartphones: the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra. Packed with innovative AI features, premium hardware, and the latest version of Android, the devices will offer a blend of performance, personalization, and security.

Here’s a detailed look at what each model brings to the table.

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Acer unveils new Chromebooks and TravelMate laptops for education

Acer is strengthening its presence in the education sector with an expanded lineup of Chromebooks and TravelMate laptops designed specifically for K-12 students and educators. These new devices bring a combination of rugged construction, productivity-enhancing features, and environmental sustainability to classrooms worldwide.

The expanded range offers solutions that cater to the varied needs of educational institutions, from traditional clamshell laptops to flexible convertibles and tablets. Each model is built to provide reliability in demanding school environments while ensuring students have access to the tools they need for learning. Acer is aiming to meet the challenges faced by students and teachers in both classroom and remote settings.

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