Brian Fagioli

Kick off this Memorial Day weekend by replacing Windows 11 with NixOS 25.05

Memorial Day weekend is finally here! Most folks are obviously thinking about barbecues, beach trips, and most importantly, honoring members of the military that lost their lives defending this great nation.

However, there’s another way to celebrate freedom -- ditching Windows 11 for Linux. Yes, you can install something that actually respects your control and privacy. NixOS 25.05 “Warbler” has just landed (read full release notes here), and it’s a perfect excuse to finally make the switch.

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Trump tells Apple: Make iPhones in America or face 25 percent tariff

President Donald Trump is putting Apple on notice. In a strongly worded message posted to Truth Social, Trump made it clear that he expects iPhones sold in the United States to be made in the United States. If not, he says Apple should face a 25 percent tariff.

“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S. Thank your for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote.

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Arch Linux-based SteamOS 3.7.8 update brings Plasma 6, better battery controls, and Legion Go S support

Valve has officially pushed SteamOS 3.7.8 to the Stable channel, and it’s a hefty one. After months of development in the beta lane, the refreshed version of the Arch-based operating system is finally ready for primetime. This release brings a number of notable enhancements to Steam Deck users and expands support for a growing family of AMD-powered handheld gaming PCs, including Lenovo’s awesome new Legion Go S.

One of the more welcomed changes is the jump to the Linux 6.11 kernel and Mesa graphics stack update, helping to squeeze out more performance and compatibility with newer hardware. But perhaps more impactful for everyday users is the switch to KDE Plasma 6.2.5 in desktop mode, marking a major visual and functional upgrade over the older Plasma 5 environment. This should make the Steam Deck’s desktop experience feel far more modern and snappy.

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TCL FLIP 4 5G flip phone helps you escape smartphone overload

Are you tired of staring at screens all day? Looking to unplug, unwind, and maybe even spend more time enjoying real life? Well, TCL thinks it has just the solution with its newly released FLIP 4 5G. This back-to-basics phone delivers just enough functionality to keep you connected without dragging you into an endless scroll.

Old-school flip phones are clearly making a comeback, and it’s not just about nostalgia. You see, a growing number of people are ditching smartphones in favor of simpler devices that reduce distractions. The FLIP 4 5G fits right into that trend, offering a modern take on the classic clamshell design, complete with 5G connectivity, a long-lasting battery, and essential features like calling, texting, music playback, and even access to some basic Google apps.

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Mozilla is shutting down Pocket

In a surprising move that will frustrate longtime fans, Mozilla has announced it will shut down Pocket on July 8, 2025. The once-popular “read-it-later” service, which helped users save and organize web content for later reading, will no longer function as normal after that date. While existing users can continue saving and reading articles until July, the service will switch to export-only mode afterward, with all user data permanently deleted on October 8.

Mozilla, which acquired Pocket in 2017, says it’s closing the platform due to changes in how people browse and consume content. The company wants to focus its resources on tools that better align with modern online habits. Despite shutting Pocket down, Mozilla will continue offering curated content through other channels like Firefox’s New Tab experience and a newly branded email newsletter.

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PNY microSD Express card brings fast storage to Nintendo Switch 2

PNY has released a new microSD Express Flash Memory Card, and it is designed for portable gaming. In particular, this card is targeting the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

This new card uses PCIe Gen3 x1 microSD Express technology to deliver read speeds of up to 890MB/s and write speeds reaching 750MB/s. That makes it potentially more than four times faster than older UHS-I cards, which could make a difference when it comes to downloading games or reducing load times.

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Signal declares war on Microsoft Recall with screenshot blocking on Windows 11

Signal has officially had enough, folks. You see, the privacy-first messaging app is going on the offensive, declaring war on Microsoft’s invasive Recall feature by enabling a new “Screen security” setting by default on Windows 11. This move is designed to block Microsoft’s AI-powered screenshot tool from capturing your private chats.

If you aren’t aware, Recall was first unveiled a year ago as part of Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC push. The feature quietly took screenshots of everything happening on your computer, every few seconds, storing them in a searchable timeline. Microsoft claimed it would help users “remember” what they’ve done. Critics called it creepy. Security experts called it dangerous. The backlash was so fierce that Microsoft pulled the feature before launch.

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Hulu + Live TV loses another channel

Hulu + Live TV subscribers are about to lose yet another channel, and this time, it’s not just another licensing shuffle. The Vevo Features Channel is going away, but not because Hulu chose to drop it. Instead, Vevo itself is shutting the whole thing down.

The change takes effect on June 26, 2025. Hulu initially emailed subscribers to say the channel would no longer be available, but didn’t offer much context. That changed after a tweet from Hulu confirmed the real reason: “Sorry for any disappointment! Is this regarding Vevo Features? If so, we’re no longer able to offer the channel as it’s being shut down by Vevo.”

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OpenAI spends billions to buy Jony Ive's io as Sam Altman bets big on design-led future

OpenAI is officially buying Jony Ive’s hardware startup, io, for more than $6 billion. Yes, you read that right. The folks behind ChatGPT are now writing checks to bring legendary design talent and a brand-new product lab into their orbit.

Sam Altman and Jony Ive have apparently been quietly plotting this partnership for years, according to their announcement. What started as casual brainstorming and a bit of creative daydreaming apparently turned into “tangible designs” that both parties think could change the way we interact with computers.

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Logitech G522 LIGHTSPEED headset launches with RGB and long battery life

Logitech G has introduced its latest gaming headset. The “G522 LIGHTSPEED,” as it is called, is a new entry in the company’s G5 Series. This headset can be used both wired and wireless.

The G522 features 40mm PRO-G audio drivers built from biocellulose, delivering synchronized 48kHz/24-bit audio. These specs aim to offer detailed sound reproduction with low distortion, intended to help players pick up on in-game audio cues such as footsteps and reloading sounds. On the communication front, the headset includes a detachable omnidirectional microphone rated at 48kHz/16-bit.

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Happy 25th Birthday, SD memory card!

Happy birthday, SD card. It’s been 25 years since the launch of the original SD memory card back in 2000, and somehow, it’s still going strong. While plenty of storage formats have come and gone, the SD card has quietly kept doing its job -- storing our photos, videos, music, and games without much fuss.

The SD Association is celebrating this big milestone by reminding everyone just how far things have come. In those 25 years, over 12 billion SD and microSD cards have been sold. That’s not a typo. 12 billion. From point-and-shoot cameras to smartphones and gaming handhelds, these little cards have shown up everywhere.

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TP-Link launches new Wi-Fi 7 gear for inside and outside your home

TP-Link has launched new Wi-Fi 7 gear designed for users who want stronger wireless both indoors and out. The networking company just pulled the curtain back on several new products, including what it claims is the world’s first outdoor Wi-Fi 7 mesh system built specifically for home use.

At the top of the pile is the Deco BE68. This 3-pack mesh system promises wireless speeds up to 14Gbps and can cover a massive 8,100 square feet. That’s a whole lot of bandwidth and range for families with tons of connected devices.

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Is Google AI Ultra worth $250 a month or is the price completely tone deaf?

Google has officially launched Google AI Ultra, a high-end subscription plan that unlocks the company’s most powerful AI tools. It’s being pitched as the best way to experience everything Google AI has to offer. Sure, maybe it is, but at $249.99 per month, it’s hard not to question the timing.

Look, with inflation still hitting wallets and layoffs continuing across industries, launching a $250 monthly plan feels completely disconnected from reality. Google’s positioning it as a VIP pass for filmmakers, researchers, and creatives. But let’s be honest, folks, that’s a very steep price in today’s economy.

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Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 arrives with AI assistant and post-quantum security

Red Hat has just taken the wraps off Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, and honestly, there’s a lot for the Linux community to get excited about. You see, this new version brings some real substance, pushing enterprise Linux in directions that truly matter for today’s IT world.

First and foremost, there's Lightspeed -- the new AI-powered assistant baked right into RHEL 10. Instead of spending all day searching for answers or poking through documentation, admins can simply ask questions directly from the command line and get real-time help. This is the kind of smart, hands-on support that can actually make life easier, especially for those just getting started or managing sprawling environments.

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Marshall Heston 120 TV soundbar brings Dolby Atmos and iconic design to home audio

Marshall has announced its first-ever TV soundbar, the Heston 120. Marshall says it’s engineered for both music and TV, refusing to settle for the usual compromise most soundbars offer. Dolby Atmos and DTS-X are both on board, with 11 drivers positioned to bounce sound around your space.

You’ll find plenty of modern features packed inside. HDMI eARC support is here, along with HDMI passthrough for extra flexibility. The Heston 120 also supports Wi-Fi connections via Google Cast, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect. Bluetooth is on deck, too, and even old-school analog fans get RCA input support, so vintage music gear isn’t left out.

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