Brian Fagioli

If you're in the market to expand your storage without the headache of fiddling with internal SATA ports, the SABRENT 5-Bay USB-C Docking Station (DS-5R15) might just be your ticket to a hassle-free upgrade. This sleek device is all about flexibility and ease, allowing you to stack up to five 2.5-inch SATA HDDs or SSDs -- each up to a towering 15mm in height -- into your tech arsenal.

The true beauty of the DS-5R15 lies in its simplicity: tool-free, hot-swappable, and plug-and-play. That's right, no more screwdrivers, no more shutting down to add or swap out drives. It's as easy as a USB-C connection, with the added bonus of a robust 10Gbps transfer speed courtesy of USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 technology. And don't fret over power; this docking station comes with a 12V/3A external power supply to ensure fast, stable and reliable data transfers.

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Apple Music has crowned Taylor Swift as Artist of the Year for 2023, a testament to her unwavering popularity and the sheer volume of her streaming success. With a record-setting 65 songs on Apple Music's Global Daily Top 100 within just ten months, Swift's reach has proven more expansive than ever. Her heartfelt gratitude to fans underscores the symbiotic relationship that has fueled her stratospheric rise this year.

The significance of Swift's achievement is not just in the digital streams but also in the cultural moments she's created: from concert euphoria to the rebirth of older tracks as chart-toppers. The "Eras Tour" alone saw a 61 percent global increase in Swift's streams, solidifying her as a live performance powerhouse.

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As someone who has kept a close eye on the evolution of Linux distributions, I find the development journey of elementary OS particularly fascinating. With the next major release, elementary OS 8, on the horizon, the anticipation within the Linux community is palpable, and for good reason. The developers have shared the planned roadmap for the operating system.

The roadmap for elementary OS 8, while not tied to a fixed release date, suggests a release window post-April 2024, following the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS launch. The elementary team's philosophy is quality over haste, which means they will release OS 8 only when it meets their stringent standards. This meticulous approach is what endears users to elementary OS, as it often translates to a polished and stable computing experience.

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NETGEAR has broadened its product offerings tailored to small and mid-sized businesses with the introduction of the MS108TUP Smart Switch. The MS108TUP stands out with its Multi-Gigabit (2.5G) Ethernet ports and PoE++ support, ensuring that various devices operate at optimal performance levels without a hitch.

The MS108TUP joins forces with other NETGEAR products such as the PR60X Pro Router and the Pro WiFi Access Points. Managed via the Insight cloud platform, this lineup facilitates a cohesive network ecosystem that’s both scalable and user-friendly, particularly for businesses lacking on-site IT support.

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Twenty years after the debut of Fedora Core 1, Fedora Project commemorates this milestone with the release of Fedora Linux 39 (available here). This iteration brings forward a suite of enhancements and updates that solidify its stance as a versatile operating system for a multitude of platforms. At the heart of Fedora Workstation 39 is GNOME 45, which promises not only improved performance but a slew of user experience refinements.

GNOME 45 introduces new widgets and a redesigned Image Viewer application, boosting both aesthetics and functionality. The desktop environment has become more informative with a dynamic workspace indicator, giving users a clear view of their virtual desktop landscape. A new camera activity indicator, alongside the pre-existing privacy features, now notifies users when their camera is accessed.

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HyperX has unveiled its latest product -- the Clutch Gladiate RGB Gaming Controller. This new wired controller is not just a treat for the eyes with its transparent design and customizable full-body RGB lighting but also a precision controller designed to enhance the gaming experience for Xbox users.

Sean Peralta, HyperX's Director of Product Management, emphasizes that the Clutch Gladiate RGB is "crafted to provide players with an immersive gaming experience and extensive customization options." Peralta adds that the controller is, "Designed to cater to every gamer's unique preferences and style, it gives gamers complete control and elevates their gameplay to new heights."

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In an era where digital screens are as ubiquitous as the air we breathe, TCL Mobile is stepping up with a compelling proposition -- a tablet that's easy on the eyes without sacrificing performance. Enter the NXTPAPER 11, now hitting the digital shelves of TCL.com at a wallet-friendly $229.99.

TCL's NXTPAPER technology isn't just another incremental upgrade; it's a thoughtful response to our ever-increasing screen time. The NXTPAPER 11 tablet significantly cuts down harmful blue light exposure by up to 61 percent, a boon for the digital workforce and binge-watchers alike. With a matte finish and textured surface, this device ditches the glossy sheen of traditional tablets for an e-reader-like experience that's less taxing on the eyes.

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The LXQt team has officially unveiled LXQt 1.4.0, marking a significant step forward for the “Lightweight Qt Desktop Environment.” This release underscores the team's commitment to providing a sleek yet powerful user interface.

At the heart of this release is the transition to Qt 5.15, the final Long-Term Support (LTS) version of Qt5. This change sets the foundation for the upcoming journey towards Qt6, with the LXQt team expressing a robust resolve to embrace Qt6 in the subsequent release, even if it necessitates a delay.

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Transcend has unveiled its new series of industrial-grade DDR5 5600 DRAM modules, which will soon be available for purchase here. Aligning with JEDEC standards, these advanced modules are packed with essential features like low power consumption, high speeds, minimal latency, and outstanding durability. They are designed to significantly enhance the capabilities of today's data centers, AI servers, network and communication systems, and more.

At the core of Transcend's DDR5 DRAM modules are major-grade DRAM chips, pushing the speed to an impressive up to 5600 MT/s. The design includes two independent 32-bit channels which substantially broaden the bandwidth, leading to improved memory access efficiency and shorter loading times for users. DDR5's standout feature is its low operating voltage of 1.1V, which is instrumental in cutting down overall power wastage. This feature is further enriched by an on-board power management IC (PMIC) that smartly regulates power distribution, enhancing energy conversion and elevating overall energy efficiency.

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Apple has just revealed its new store, Apple MixC Wenzhou, making its first entry in the bustling city of Wenzhou and adding a fourth store in China's Zhejiang province. This new spot shows off Apple's commitment to being accessible and eco-friendly. With designs that are easy for everyone to use and plant-based materials, Apple MixC Wenzhou aims to be a welcoming place for all visitors.

Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail, expressed her excitement, “We’re thrilled to reach more customers with the opening of Apple MixC Wenzhou, and we take pride in the strong bonds we’ve formed with communities in China.”

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Today, PNY announces a fresh addition to its flash drive lineup -- the Elite-X Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 1. Despite its petite size, this flash drive offers a massive storage capacity of up to 256GB, alongside read speeds that go up to 200MB/s and write speeds reaching 100MB/s.

The Elite-X Type-C features a slender design that sits snugly in USB-C ports, eliminating the need for an adapter. The design ensures that while the drive is plugged in, other ports remain accessible, taking up minimal space. A thoughtfully included sliding cover guards the Type-C connector when it’s off-duty, shielding your precious data from potential damage or loss.

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Today marks the unveiling of Nitrux 3.1.0, codenamed “fx,” a release that shows Linux is the future of personal computing -- not Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 12. With the primary focus on updated packages, this release bids to bring a refreshing user experience. The immediate availability of Nitrux 3.1.0 is indeed a call for enthusiasts to delve into the updated software packages, bug fixes, and performance enhancements.

The codename "fx" for this release, though seemingly not referring to anything in particular, adds a cool touch to the versioning. The Nitrux team remains modest in their claims, emphasizing that despite the advancements, Nitrux 3.1.0 doesn’t brand itself as impervious to security threats, hence welcoming suggestions on GitHub to fortify the distribution further.

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Lexar has just launched its latest product, the high-performance NM790 with Heatsink M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe SSD. No, it is not technically a new SSD -- it is just the existing NM790 but with a heatsink bolted on for improved cooling.

The NM790 with Heatsink offers read speeds of up to 7400MB/s and write speeds reaching 6500MB/s, marking a performance that is 2x swifter than the PCIe Gen 3 SSDs. This SSD doesn’t just stop at providing remarkable speed, it brings in an integrated heatsink to the table, ensuring your gaming rigs remain cool under the pressure of intense gaming sessions.

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Duracell, the brand we’ve entrusted to keep our gadgets going, has unveiled its latest innovation -- the M150 Portable Power Station. I absolutely adore the classic “Coppertop” design. It looks like a giant disposable battery, y’all!

The M150’s 150 watt capacity makes it an indispensable companion for your laptops, smartphones, and other electronic devices. Imagine being at a tailgate and still having the luxury to charge your phone, or sitting in a remote work spot without the stress of finding a power outlet.

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Silicon Power is launching two new portable solid state drives with a USB flash drive form factor. Called "DS72" and "MS70," these diminutive SSDs are targeting creators and mobile professionals. They boast of fast read and write speeds courtesy of the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, which is excellent for handling large files, high-resolution media, and demanding software applications. Notably, these drives can transfer a 30-minute 4K video in under 28 seconds.

The DS72 is notable for its read and write speeds of up to 1,050MB/s and 850MB/s respectively, and its storage capacity of up to 1TB. A distinctive feature is its inclusion of both Type-A and Type-C connectors, which allows for a range of user scenarios. For example, sharing a presentation between a MacBook and a Windows laptop using the Type-C connector, or accessing files on a public computer through a Type-A port, becomes straightforward. This is a useful feature for photographers and videographers who often need to transfer high-resolution media between different devices. Mobile professionals using various devices will find the DS72 handy as it reduces the need for multiple adapters or cables.

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