Brian Fagioli

Sabrent has released the HB-STDK USB Type-C 3-Port Gaming Hub, designed specifically for use with Valve’s Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED systems. The hub features a compact design tailored to fit the portable gaming console, ensuring it doesn’t add unnecessary bulk while enhancing connectivity.

The device includes a USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 Type-C upstream connection that provides a speed of 5Gbps, along with dual USB-A downstream ports. It also has a Type-C port for power delivery (PD3.0), capable of charging the Steam Deck during use. These features aim to support various gaming and operating system setups, including non-standard and multi-boot configurations.

Continue reading →

Researchers on Google's Connectomics team have achieved the largest AI-assisted digital reconstruction of human brain tissue to date. Now, they are turning their attention to the mouse brain to further unravel the mysteries of neural connections.

The recent accomplishment involved mapping just 1 cubic millimeter of human brain tissue, a task that required an astounding 1.4 petabytes of data. This tiny section, equivalent to half a grain of rice, revealed unexpected structures within neurons. "We found some of the wires will wrap themselves into these giant knots," says Google Research Scientist Viren Jain. "We have no idea why -- nobody's ever seen it before."

Continue reading →

According to a new blog post, Linux Mint 22 is set to release this month, although the exact date remains uncertain. The BETA phase has been extended due to the need to address numerous critical bugs. So far, 109 bug reports have been submitted, with 53 still unresolved.

The development team has been working on issues such as AppArmor security changes causing application crashes, hardware acceleration playback libraries leading to Xorg crashes, and problems with Flatpak and Mintinstall.

Continue reading →

LIAN LI has introduced the EDGE series, a new line of power supplies specifically designed for vertical installation in dual-chamber PC cases. This series introduces a “T-shaped” form factor that optimizes space and improves cable management in modern PC builds.

The EDGE series features an outward-facing modular strip that simplifies wiring and keeps setups clean and organized. It also includes a built-in 4-port USB expansion hub, which reduces the need for additional cables by allowing RGB devices, fans, and controllers to connect directly without extra motherboard connections.

Continue reading →

Hatch Baby has issued a recall for approximately 919,400 power adapters sold with its Rest 1st Generation smart sound machines in the United States and an additional 44,352 units in Canada due to a shock hazard. The problem stems from the plastic housing of the AC power adapters which can detach when removed from the outlet, exposing the power prongs and creating a risk of electric shock.

The recalled adapters have the model number CYAP05 050100U and were sold exclusively with the Rest 1st Generation Sound Machine. These were not available for separate purchase. The affected adapters have a white rectangular plastic housing and feature labels such as "Jiangsu Chenyang Electron Co. LTD" and "Made in China." They were sold from January 2019 through September 2022 at various retailers including Hatch.co, Amazon, BuyBuyBaby, Target, Walmart, Nordstrom, Pottery Barn Kids, and BestBuy, with prices ranging from $60 to $200.

Continue reading →

Peppermint OS has announced updates to its lineup, introducing a new version called “Fully Loaded,” alongside its traditional lightweight Xfce desktop. The original Peppermint OS offers a minimalist interface and is available in 32-bit and 64-bit options, emphasizing efficiency and customization with only essential applications installed.

“Peppermint Fully Loaded” is designed for users who prefer a ready-to-use desktop. This version is pre-equipped with a full suite of applications including Firefox, GIMP, LibreOffice, and Thunderbird, aimed at providing a comprehensive user experience from the start. Additional tools like Btop++ for process monitoring, xDaily for system maintenance, and pfetch for system information are also included.

Continue reading →

OpenMandriva has released a new candidate version for its rolling release model, ROME 24.07. This update brings Plasma 6 as the default desktop environment, incorporating various new features and improvements.

This version ensures compatibility between Plasma 5 and Plasma 6 packages, allowing users to choose their preferred environment. It's important to note that ROME 24.07 and the upcoming OMLx Rock 5.1 will be the final versions to include the Plasma 5 desktop, indicating a future shift towards exclusive updates for Plasma 6.

Continue reading →

As fireworks light up the night sky this July 4, consider celebrating Independence Day by declaring your freedom from the tyranny of Windows 11 and switching to Linux. It's what George Washington would want you to do (probably). Even if you're not based in America, you should consider doing it anyway.

Linux, unlike Microsoft's OS which operates under corporate oversight and restrictive licenses, offers a liberating alternative. The open-source nature of it means users can modify, enhance, and distribute their software freely, avoiding the legal and financial constraints associated with proprietary systems. Most distros can be tried out live without needing to be installed, so if you can't get on with one, you can try another without risk.

Continue reading →

Kioxia has announced the start of sample shipments for its new 2Tb Quad-Level-Cell (QLC) memory devices, leveraging its eighth-generation BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory technology. This release represents the highest capacity offering within the industry to date, aimed at addressing the needs of AI and other high-demand applications.

The 2Tb QLC product features a bit density that is approximately 2.3 times higher and a write power efficiency around 70 percent greater than Kioxia's previous fifth-generation QLC device. It includes a 16-die stacked architecture within a compact package size of 11.5 x 13.5mm and a height of 1.5mm, achieving a total capacity of 4TB.

Continue reading →

YEYIAN GAMING has announced the release of the AVANCE Series 25" FHD 240Hz gaming monitor (buy here now). This new addition to YEYIAN's product lineup offers a high refresh rate, fast response time, and enhanced color accuracy, designed to improve the gaming experience. Priced at $139.99, there is currently a $10 clickable coupon.

The AVANCE Series monitor is engineered to provide smooth gameplay through its 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, which help to minimize motion blur and ghosting. It also features a 92 percent sRGB color gamut that displays a wide range of colors for greater visual fidelity.

Continue reading →

Sabrent has launched the Rocket V60 microSDXC Memory Card, designed for photographers, videographers, and digital creators who require high-speed, reliable storage solutions. This memory card supports up to 8K video recording, ensuring smooth capture of high-resolution images and videos, making it suitable for both professional and hobbyist use.

The Rocket V60 offers a capacity of up to 512GB and complies with the V60 standard, which guarantees a minimum write speed of 60MB/s. This feature is essential for uninterrupted 8K video recording. The card also satisfies the A1 standard, ensuring high input/output operations per second (IOPS) for efficient performance across various file types.

Continue reading →

Canonical has introduced Firefighting Support, a service specifically designed for organizations that manage their own infrastructure but require expert assistance for troubleshooting Ubuntu systems. This service, billed annually per node, provides rapid response times and comprehensive support, including Ubuntu Pro.

Firefighting Support ensures that customers receive help from Canonical Managed Solutions engineers within an hour of reporting a high-severity issue, facilitated through video calls. This service also includes Ubuntu Pro + Support, offering 24/7 assistance for selected products without additional fees, ensuring continuous and reliable support.

Continue reading →

Nitrux 3.5.1 "nm" is now available here, delivering an updated, streamlined Linux distribution with a substantial reduction in its ISO file size and a host of performance improvements. This release positions itself as a viable alternative for those currently using Windows 11, offering greater flexibility in hardware support and a strong emphasis on user privacy -- a notable contrast to the often-critiqued privacy policies of Windows.

Key updates in Nitrux 3.5.1 include the latest software such as Firefox version 127.0.2 and updated drivers for NVIDIA and AMD, enhancing graphic performance across a variety of hardware. Additionally, the MESA 3D Graphics Library has been bumped to version 24.1.2. Notably, the OS is powered by the Linux kernel 6.9.7-1 (Liquorix), which enhances its compatibility and performance across various hardware platforms.

Continue reading →

Today, Sabrent launches the HB-C4WP USB-C 3-Port Hub with USB PD 3.0. This hub features one high-speed 5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1x1) USB-A port specifically designed to handle power-intensive devices like external storage drives. Additionally, it includes two 480Mbps (USB 2.0) USB-A ports, perfect for connecting essential peripherals such as keyboards and mice.

Beyond simple connectivity, this hub excels with its power delivery capabilities. The USB-C port on the HB-C4WP supports power delivery (PD 3.0) up to 100W, allowing it to charge high-power devices like laptops, ultrabooks, and gaming systems such as the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, alongside smartphones and tablets. This feature is particularly useful for users looking to charge their devices and expand their connectivity at the same time.

Continue reading →

Linux Mint has announced the Beta release of its latest version, Linux Mint 22, codenamed "Wilma." This version is a long-term support release, promising updates until 2029. Linux Mint 22 introduces a ton of enhancements and new features aimed at improving user experience and efficiency on the desktop.

Linux Mint 22 has improved its installation process to better localize the system while conserving disk space. Extra language packages are now removed post-installation, reducing the system's footprint. Additionally, for users installing the system with an internet connection, language packs for the selected language are automatically downloaded. Key languages such as English, German, Spanish, and French, among others, are included on the ISO, negating the need for an internet connection for their installation.

Continue reading →