Brian Fagioli

Apple has launched a beta feature called Share Item Location in iOS 18.2, allowing users to share the location of an AirTag or Find My network accessory with third parties. This update is designed to simplify the process of locating misplaced items, particularly when traveling. Users can generate a secure link in the Find My app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac, which can then be shared. The recipient can access an interactive map that shows the item’s location and updates automatically. The shared link expires after seven days or when the item is recovered, maintaining privacy and security.

“Find My is an essential tool for users around the world to keep track of and find their belongings,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “The Find My network and AirTag have proven to be a powerful combination for users while traveling, providing invaluable location information when bags have been misplaced or mishandled. With Share Item Location, we’re excited to give users a new way to easily share this information directly with third parties like airlines, all while protecting their privacy.”

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Logitech is making it easier for consumers to access refurbished devices with the expansion of its Certified Refurbished program. Now, customers in North America and Europe can purchase a wide range of products, including mice, keyboards, tablet accessories, gaming gear from Logitech G, and Bluetooth speakers through Logitech’s eBay Refurbished brand store and its own websites.

The company is tapping into a growing trend as more consumers seek out high-quality refurbished products. The appeal of these devices lies in their cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits, offering users a way to own premium technology while contributing to waste reduction.

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The Debian project has announced its latest point release for Debian Linux 12, codenamed “bookworm,” marking the eighth update to this stable distribution. This 12.8 update primarily addresses security issues and fixes various critical bugs, enhancing the reliability and security of the system. Importantly, this release is not a new version but an update to existing packages within Debian 12. Users who routinely update via security.debian.org will notice only minimal changes, as most updates are rolled into this point release.

There is no need to replace existing installation media for bookworm; a simple upgrade through an up-to-date Debian mirror suffices to bring systems to the latest versions. The new installation images reflecting these updates will soon be available at Debian’s standard download sites.

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Back in the day, when personal computers were first making their way into homes, buying a desktop was often a massive investment. The price tags on those early machines were no joke, especially in the ’80s and ’90s. Dropping a couple of thousand dollars on a beige box humming with potential was considered normal. Fast forward to today, and times have certainly changed -- computers, including the powerful M-series Mac minis, have become more affordable, while flagship smartphones have skyrocketed in price.

I recently bought Apple’s new base-model M4 Mac mini, which set me back $500 with the education discount ($600 regularly). For those keeping tabs, that’s for a fully functional, highly efficient desktop computer. Not too long ago, such a price would have barely covered the cost of an average, bare-bones PC tower. This particular Mac mini runs circles around most mainstream computers from just a few years ago, delivering top-notch performance at a budget-friendly price.

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SHARGE has introduced the ICEMAG 2 MagSafe power bank (soon available here). It includes a new active cooling system (a fan) and an aluminum backplate to support effective heat management and maintain charging performance. It supports 15W Qi2 wireless charging, aimed at delivering faster speeds compared to traditional MagSafe batteries and improving on the previous ICEMAG model.

Visually, the ICEMAG 2 features a transparent design with RGB lighting for added aesthetic appeal. The power bank also includes a foldable kickstand, allowing for hands-free use and adjustable viewing angles.

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Belkin just expanded its Apple Vision Pro accessories line-up, adding a head strap and a travel bag to its offerings. These new accessories are designed to make the Apple Vision Pro experience even more seamless and versatile.

The head strap for Apple Vision Pro aims to provide users with enhanced comfort and stability. With an ergonomic, adjustable design, the strap features reinforced seams, a locking mechanism, and multiple stabilization points, ensuring the Vision Pro stays secure and comfortable on a wide range of head sizes. This makes extended use of Apple’s spatial computing device a lot more manageable.

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AOC has introduced the AGON PRO AG346UCD, a 34-inch curved monitor designed for gaming and content creation. Part of the AGON Pro Series, this model features a QD-OLED display with a 3440x1440 resolution, a 175Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms GtG response time.

The QD-OLED panel supports HDR400 True Black, offering enhanced color accuracy, deeper blacks, and vibrant highlights. NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility is included to minimize screen tearing and stuttering during gameplay. The ergonomic design allows for tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, enhancing user comfort during long sessions.

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NVIDIA’s upcoming changes to its GeForce NOW service might come as a disappointment to many gamers, particularly with the introduction of a 100-hour monthly playtime cap for the Performance and Ultimate memberships. Starting in 2025, members will face this limit, which seems like a step backward for a service that has marketed itself as offering seamless and unrestricted cloud gaming. For those accustomed to extensive play sessions, this change could be a serious drawback, raising questions about the true value of the paid tiers.

While NVIDIA claims that 94 percent of current users won’t be impacted by the cap, it’s a shift that feels restrictive and may leave the more dedicated gamers feeling constrained. For those who push beyond the 100-hour mark, the company offers the option to buy 15 extra hours at $2.99 for the Performance tier and $5.99 for the Ultimate tier -- essentially putting a meter on premium gaming.

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PNY has expanded its flash memory lineup with the release of the PRO Elite Prime and Performance Prime product lines. The PRO Elite Prime microSD flash cards and Performance Prime microSD card reader are designed for users needing high-capacity storage and fast transfer speeds.

The PRO Elite Prime microSD cards offer capacities from 64GB up to 1.5TB, featuring read speeds of up to 200MB/s and write speeds up to 150MB/s. Classified as Class 10 U3 V30, these cards support 4K Ultra HD video recording and are optimized with an A2 rating for app performance. The cards are suitable for a variety of devices, including cameras, drones, and mobile devices.

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Plugable has launched its new USB-C multiport hub, the USBC-9IN1E, designed for professionals and hybrid workers seeking expanded connectivity and efficient power management. This 9-in-1 hub features 140W power delivery pass-through (125W to the host), making it suitable for high-performance laptops, including the latest Apple MacBooks.

The USBC-9IN1E supports PD 3.1 EPR for up to 140W (28V 5A) power delivery, allowing devices to stay powered during use. The hub includes a 10Gbps USB-C data port, HDMI 2.0 with 4K 60Hz support, SD and MicroSD UHS-II card slots, two 10Gbps USB ports (one with BC 1.2 charging), a USB 2.0 port, and Gigabit Ethernet.

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Today marks the official launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro, Sony’s most powerful console to date. Previously announced and now available for purchase here, the PS5 Pro is designed to appeal to dedicated gamers and developers looking for enhanced performance and advanced gaming technology. And yes, it will make the perfect Christmas gift for the gamer in your life.

The PS5 Pro features a huge upgrade in its GPU, with 67 percent more Compute Units compared to the original PS5 and 28 percent faster memory, resulting in up to 45 percent faster rendering. This enables smoother gameplay and improved responsiveness. The console also boasts advanced ray tracing capabilities, allowing for more realistic light reflections and refractions, performing at double or triple the speeds of the current PS5 model.

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The Linux kernel is at the heart of countless operating systems, powering everything from smartphones to servers. At the center of its development for decades has been Linus Torvalds, a name synonymous with the project itself. But what would happen to the Linux kernel if Linus Torvalds were to suddenly pass away?

First, it’s crucial to recognize that while Torvalds is the most prominent figure in Linux development, the kernel itself is the product of a vast, global community of developers and maintainers. Over the years, Torvalds has overseen the direction and quality of the kernel, ensuring the code adheres to stringent standards and that the development process runs smoothly. However, he is not the only contributor by any stretch. Thousands of developers worldwide contribute code, bug fixes, and improvements to the project.

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Donald Trump has secured victory in the 2024 presidential election, marking one of the most remarkable comebacks in modern political history. As the news of his win reverberated across the globe, the tech industry’s most influential figures extended their congratulations and expressed their readiness to collaborate with his administration. The re-election of Trump has once again drawn the spotlight on how the tech world and Washington will navigate their sometimes contentious, yet undeniably interdependent relationship.

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, kept his message concise and hopeful. Taking to X, Altman wrote, “congrats to President Trump. I wish for his huge success in the job.” Known for his deep engagement with AI development and its societal implications, Altman’s well-wishing struck a tone of cautious optimism, perhaps hinting at the tech industry’s hope for balanced and forward-thinking governance in areas like artificial intelligence and regulatory policy.

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Frontgrade Technologies has introduced 18GB DDR4 memory, the highest density available for satellites and spacecraft. The company has started shipping prototypes to customers. This memory is designed to enhance reliability and performance in satellite payloads that need to manage large amounts of data efficiently within size- and power-constrained systems.

Frontgrade’s DDR4 memory is engineered with individual reset signals for each die, which helps mitigate the impact of single event functional interrupts (SEFIs) during flight and supports continuous satellite operation. The memory is compatible with leading FPGAs and microprocessors.

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Corsair has introduced its MP700 ELITE series PCIe 5.0 SSD. This new drive offers notable speeds and reliability at a more accessible price point.

The MP700 ELITE delivers sequential read speeds of up to 10,000MB/sec and write speeds up to 8,500MB/sec, powered by the PCIe 5.0 x4 controller. This performance enhancement supports faster system booting, quicker game loading, and smoother file transfers.

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