Brian Fagioli

For many years now, Linux users looking to block ads have needed to piece together a mixture of browser extensions, DNS-based filtering, and network-wide tools (such as Pi-hole). While these solutions certainly help, none of them offer complete system-wide protection.

Yeah, with Windows and macOS users having access to various tools for years, Linux users have mostly had to rely on workarounds. That’s where AdGuard for Linux comes in! Yes, folks, we finally have a dedicated ad blocker that works across all browsers and applications!

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Well, folks, ADATA has announced the SC730 -- a super-compact external solid state drive that features both USB-C and USB-A connectors. Weighing just 7.8g and measuring a mere 36mm in length, this SSD is smaller than many USB flash drives but delivers speeds up to 600MB/s.

The SC730’s dual-interface design means it works with everything from laptops and tablets to smartphones and gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox. ADATA is also highlighting its compatibility with iPhone 15 and newer models, letting users back up photos and videos directly without needing extra adapters.

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ViewSonic has just rolled out the ColorPro VP2788-5K, and this 27-inch monitor should absolutely be on your radar! The display features a 5K (5120x2880), plus a 99 percent DCI-P3 color gamut.

Mac users should love how well this monitor plays with macOS, offering what ViewSonic calls “Retina-like” sharpness. Of course, this isn’t just for Apple fans -- Windows users will get the same experience.

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TP-Link has launched a brand new compact travel router. The TL-WR3002X is equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and provides speeds up to 2,402 Mbps on 5GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4GHz.

It also has both a 2.5-gigabit WAN port and a gigabit LAN port for wired networking. Additionally, it features a USB 3.0 port and a microSD slot for file sharing and storage.

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CodeWeavers has just released CrossOver 25 for macOS and Linux, and it’s packed with some seriously awesome improvements. Thanks to Wine 10.0 bringing over 5,000 changes, this update should make running both Windows games and apps on non-Windows systems smoother than ever. Could this finally convince gamers to dump Microsoft's OS?

Let’s be honest, Windows 11 hasn’t exactly won over everyone. Between forced updates, hardware restrictions, and Microsoft’s annoying obsession with AI features (that most people don’t even want), it has left many gamers looking for alternatives. That’s where CrossOver 25 comes in.

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Today, Plugable launches two new super-cool products that should be useful in a laptop bag or collection of tech-tools. There is the USBC-E5000 5Gbps USB-C Ethernet Adapter and the TBT5-240W1M Thunderbolt 5 Cable.

The USBC-E5000 is a USB-C dongle that offers speeds up to 5Gbps. Of course, you will be limited by the maximum speed of the network to which you connect. In other words, you won’t magically get 5Gbps when connecting to a gigabit network.

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Firefox users running older versions of the web browser could be in for a really nasty surprise. On March 14, 2025, a critical root certificate will expire. And, if your browser isn’t updated to at least Firefox 128 (or ESR 115.13+ for those using the long-term support version) your add-ons will be disabled. Additionally, streaming services that require DRM may even stop working!

For anyone still using an outdated version on Windows, macOS, Linux, or Android, time is running out to avoid these annoyances. Even those sticking with older operating systems (such as Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, or macOS 10.12–10.14) need to at least update to ESR 115.13+ if they want to keep their add-ons and media playback working.

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Today, Dynabook introduces the Portégé Z40L-N, an ultra-light Windows 11 business laptop that combines AI-powered features, enterprise-grade security, and an absolutely gorgeous Dark Tech Blue magnesium alloy chassis. It even has a user-replaceable battery -- what a concept!

Despite its sleek body and sub-1kg weight, this Microsoft Copilot+ PC packs some impressive specifications -- Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors, Intel Arc Graphics, Wi-Fi 7, and a vibrant 14-inch 16:10 display. In other words, it is definitely not form over function.

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Today, BenQ launches a trio of new monitors in its EW Series. The company promises better visuals, built-in speakers, and eye-care tech compared to predecessors.

BenQ says these displays bring an elevated audio-visual experience with HDRi Gen2 Dynamic Contrast Adjustment to boost dark scenes and a wider color gamut. That’s great and all, but let’s be real, folks -- many people are just streaming things like YouTube or Netflix, where compression already messes with image quality. Are these features actually game-changers, or just nice-to-haves?

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YouTube is finally rolling out Premium Lite in the USA (coming soon to Thailand, Germany, and Australia). For the princely sum of $7.99 per month, Google is promising subscribers a mostly ad-free experience.

Although Premium Lite offers an official way to remove ads, it won't hide those baked directly into videos by creators. That’s right, even if you shell out for this plan, you’ll still have to sit through sponsored segments for VPNs, meal kits, and mobile games, because YouTube can’t really do anything about those. Quite frankly, that just doesn’t seem fair.

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Just yesterday, Apple unveiled a new iPad Air. Today, the iPhone-maker announces two new exciting computers -- the MacBook Air laptop with M4 chip and a refreshed Mac Studio desktop powered by M4 Max and M3 Ultra. With more performance, better AI integration, and longer battery life (for the laptop), these Mac machines might be the perfect option for those fed up with Windows 11 and looking for a smooth, hassle-free computing experience.

The MacBook Air keeps its fanless design but now supports two external displays when closed. It gets a 12MP Center Stage camera, starts with 16GB of memory, and introduces a new sky blue color. Apple claims it’s twice as fast as the M1 version, with up to 18 hours of battery life. The price drops to $999 -- $100 less than before!

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ExpressVPN has rolled out a much-needed update for Linux users, finally adding a graphical user interface (GUI) to its VPN app. Yes, folks, a GUI for Linux is only being rolled out in 2025! Better late than never, I suppose.

Until now, ExpressVPN users in Linux were stuck with a command-line interface (CLI), while Windows and macOS users enjoyed a more user-friendly experience. This update brings ExpressVPN more in line with competitors like Surfshark, which has long offered a Linux app with a GUI.

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Despite owning a fancy iPhone 16 Pro Max, I also have an iPad Air. Why? Well, even though my iPhone has a pretty big screen, sometimes I just want even bigger. Plus, I can use it when my iPhone is charging.

Why didn’t I go with an iPad Pro? Quite simply, Apple’s Pro tablets are too expensive for what I mostly use them for -- media consumption. Hell, I don’t need an expensive iPad Pro for watching TikTok on the toilet.

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Back in January, we told you about the all-new Smart Thermostat Essential from ecobee. Is it an innovative product? Not at all. However, this new thermostat doesn’t need to break new ground. Instead, it aims to offer a reliable experience at an affordable price. Quite frankly, that’s really all a homeowner wants from a thermostat these days.

ecobee promised the Smart Thermostat Essential would hit stores in March, and wouldn’t you know it, we are now in March. And so, staying true to its word, the affordable thermostat can be purchased immediately.

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Today, Xiaomi introduces its latest flagship devices -- the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro. The lineup also includes the Xiaomi 15 smartphone and Xiaomi Pad 7. Yes, there are Pro and non-Pro variants of both the smartphone and tablet.

Xiaomi says the 15 Ultra is designed with photography in mind, featuring a quad-camera system developed with Leica. The main camera includes a 1-inch 50MP Sony LYT-900 sensor with a variable ƒ/1.63-ƒ/4.0 aperture for improved light control and depth of field. It also uses a Leica Summilux optical lens with an 8P aspherical high-transmittance design and dual anti-reflection coating to reduce glare.

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