Brian Fagioli

Apple Card is marking its five-year milestone with significant user engagement and recognition in the financial services sector. You see, Apple is boasting it has achieved over 12 million cardholders!

Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, expressed pride in the positive reception of Apple Card’s user-centric design. “Our focus on financial health has resonated with over 12 million customers, driving us to further enhance Apple Card’s capabilities,” Bailey stated.

Continue reading →

CORSAIR today launches the MP600 ELITE Gen4 x4 NVMe 1.4 M.2 solid state drive. This new SSD is designed for desktop PCs, laptops, and the Sony PlayStation 5 console. Initially available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, with a 4TB model slated for release in April, the series guarantees not only speed but also ample storage space.

The MP600 ELITE, built with high-density 3D TLC NAND, offers staggering sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,000MB/sec and 6,500MB/sec respectively. These speeds are complemented by random read and write speeds reaching 1,000K and 1,200K IOPS, ensuring top-tier performance for gaming, content creation, and hardware enthusiasts.

Continue reading →

KIOXIA has started offering samples of the Universal Flash Storage (UFS) Ver. 4.0 to manufacturers. This pioneering technology could redefine the performance parameters of various automotive systems, including telematics, infotainment, and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). KIOXIA's latest offering promises a substantial boost in data transfer speeds, with sequential read and write speeds reportedly surging by +100% and +40% respectively.

This enhanced performance is critical in harnessing the full potential of 5G connectivity, ensuring swifter system startups and a smoother user experience. KIOXIA, a trailblazer in UFS technology, continues to innovate with its UFS Ver. 4.0 devices. These devices, integrating the company’s proprietary BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory and a sophisticated controller, adhere to the JEDEC-standard package. The UFS 4.0 standard boasts impressive interface speeds, reaching up to 23.2 gigabits per second (Gbp/s) per lane, and is backward compatible with UFS 3.1.

Continue reading →

In a significant update for Linux enthusiasts, Budgie Desktop has today unveiled its latest iteration, Budgie 10.9, marking a new series with notable enhancements and forward-looking architectural changes. This new release gets a redesigned Bluetooth applet, initial steps towards Wayland compatibility, and the adoption of budgie-session for refined session management.

The Bluetooth applet in Budgie 10.9 has undergone a comprehensive redesign, now offering direct connectivity options for paired Bluetooth devices, including the ability to send files seamlessly. Users can also monitor battery life indicators, a feature that adds a layer of convenience to the desktop experience. This redesign signifies a departure from the gnome-bluetooth library, with Budgie now directly interfacing with BlueZ and UPower over D-Bus. This strategic move not only enhances Bluetooth functionalities but also simplifies maintenance and potentially allows certain Linux distributions to eliminate the older gnome-bluetooth from their repositories.

Continue reading →

In a significant development, Opera has warmly welcomed Apple's decision to open the iOS platform to alternative browser engines, a mandate stemming from the European Digital Markets Act (DMA). Seizing this opportunity, Opera is set to introduce Opera One, a browser that promises to redefine the browsing experience for iPhone and iPad users through its AI-powered capabilities and a robust engine.

The enforcement of the DMA in March 2024 is perceived by Opera as a pivotal moment that will enhance competition and offer iOS users a wider array of browser choices. Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera, shared his thoughts on this development:

Continue reading →

The EndeavourOS Galileo Neo Linux distribution is now available (ISO found here). This update primarily focuses on system stabilization and core package updates. While not introducing new features, the distribution emphasizes updates to the offline KDE Plasma option and the overall installation process, aiming to provide a solid foundation for both new installations and existing systems.

Galileo Neo comes equipped with the latest Linux kernel 6.7.1.arch1-1 and includes updates to key components such as Calamares 23.11.2.4-1, Firefox 122.0-1, Mesa 1:23.3.3-1, Xorg-server 21.1.11-1, and Nvidia-dkms 545.29.1.06-1. These updates are part of EndeavourOS’s commitment to keeping the system up-to-date and ensuring compatibility and performance.

Continue reading →

Puro Sounds Labs has launched the PuroQuiet Plus -- an upgraded version of the existing (non-Plus) PuroQuiet model. The new version enhances connectivity with a USB-C connector and introduces fresh color choices -- purple and teal. These wireless headphones (designed specifically for kids) can be purchased from Amazon here in six cool colors, priced at just $139.99.

The PuroQuiet Plus stands out with its high-quality aluminium build and plush, noise-isolating ear pads. It incorporates the Puro Balanced Response curve and digital signal processing (DSP) to limit volume and prevent ear damage, replicating the natural sound of a well-tuned listening room. This feature ensures music, movie dialogue, and game audio are crystal clear across the audio spectrum, reducing the need to raise the volume.

Continue reading →

After 11 months of rigorous development, Redcore Linux Hardened 2401, also known as “Tarazed,” is released -- you can download it here now. The new stable ISO, while retaining its familiar appearance, has undergone significant under-the-hood enhancements. It could be a great option for those wanting to ditch Windows 11.

Diving into the changelog, Redcore 2401 aligns itself with Gentoo Linux's testing tree as of January 21, 2024. It offers a versatile kernel lineup including the default linux kernel v6.6.13 LTS, and older versions v6.1 LTS and v5.15 LTS in its repositories. The distribution boasts a robust toolchain featuring glibc v2.37, gcc v13.2.0, and rust v1.74.1.

Continue reading →

Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation has unveiled the rugged PENTAX WG-90 digital camera, set to hit the market in early February. And yes, in a world full of smartphones, standalone cameras still exist! The camera's robust design ensures it is waterproof up to 46 feet (14 meters), shockproof from falls up to five feet (1.6 meters), and freeze-proof down to 14°F (-10°C).

The PENTAX WG-90 is equipped with a high-performance, five-times optical zoom lens, covering a focal length range from 5mm to 25mm (approximately 28mm to 140mm in 35mm format). The camera's 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, paired with a top-tier imaging engine, pushes boundaries with a maximum sensitivity of ISO 6400, promising super-high-resolution images.

Continue reading →

SteelSeries has launched an extremely rare (and expensive) keyboard -- the Apex Pro Mini: Limited-Edition White x Gold. Limited to a quantity of just 250, it features beautiful white and gold colors. Adding to its exclusivity, the keyboards are all uniquely numbered, adding to its collectibility.

This keyboard stands out with its stunning design, marrying beauty with technological innovation. It provides a unique typing experience that is both energizing and satisfying. The keyboard features a brass weight plate and a precision-milled CNC aluminum bottom case, adding significant weight and enhancing its luxurious feel.

Continue reading →

In a groundbreaking announcement, New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, has issued a Health Commissioner’s Advisory, paralleling past actions taken against tobacco and firearms. This advisory identifies the unchecked use of social media as a public health hazard, spotlighting the alarming rise in mental health crises among the city's youth.

The situation in NYC is dire, with a staggering increase in feelings of hopelessness among high school students, up by over 42% between 2011 and 2021. Moreover, suicidal thoughts have surged by more than 34%. The data is even more troubling for marginalized groups such as Black, Latino, female, and LGBTQ+ youth, who face disproportionately high rates of despair.

Continue reading →

MSI has annnounced its newest networking product -- the AXE5400 Wi-Fi 6E USB adapter. This device is designed to provide an easy solution for upgrading existing Windows 11 desktops and laptops to connect with the latest 6GHz network through a simple USB interface.

The AXE5400 WiFi USB adapter is notable for its compatibility with three frequency bands, offering speeds of 2402Mbps on both 6GHz and 5GHz bands, and 574Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. This range of frequencies is intended to accommodate various networking needs and enhance user experience in terms of internet speed.

Continue reading →

In a significant development for the Linux community, Mozilla has announced the release of a new Firefox package, specifically designed for Ubuntu, Debian, and other Debian-based distributions. Linux, celebrated for its open-source nature and as a robust alternative to conventional operating systems, is now set to offer an even more refined browsing experience with this latest update from Mozilla.

This new Firefox package is meticulously crafted to be adaptable and secure, addressing the complex needs of modern internet users. Mozilla has focused on enhancing the browser's sandbox implementations, a crucial aspect for online security. While maintaining compatibility with Snap and Flatpak, the new native package is an additional advantage for Linux enthusiasts. Moreover, Firefox continues to be available in various formats, including Mozilla’s own .tar.bz2 builds, catering to a wide range of preferences within the Linux community.

Continue reading →

Samsung has officially launched the 990 EVO solid state drive. This SSD stands out for its versatility, ensuring compatibility with both PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2 interfaces. This feature guarantees optimal performance in a wide array of systems, catering to both current and future computing demands.

Compared to its predecessor, the 970 EVO Plus SSD, the 990 EVO offers a significant performance improvement of up to 43 percent. This enhancement means users can access data in nearly half the time, leading to reduced loading times and more efficient computing. The drive boasts sequential read speeds of up to 5,000 MB/s and write speeds of up to 4,200 MB/s. Its random read and write speeds have also seen an upgrade, reaching up to 700K and 800K IOPS, respectively.

Continue reading →

As the NFL season culminates in the highly anticipated Super Bowl, football enthusiasts are gearing up for an immersive viewing experience. The wait for the perfect TV to elevate your Super Bowl Sunday is over, thanks to TCL's timely big screen TV deals. Known for their partnership with the NFL, TCL is offering sports fans an amazing opportunity to witness every thrilling play in stunning detail.

TCL's latest promotion, available now through February 11, showcases a range of TVs designed to bring the stadium atmosphere right into your living room. Leading the pack is the colossal 98” S5 model, priced under $2,000 for a limited two-week period. With its 4K ultra HD resolution and expansive screen, 33 percent larger than an 85” TV, the S5 promises to be a game-changer for your home theater setup.

Continue reading →