It's fair to say that VLC player is popular, as it has one download for just about every person on the planet. Of course the distribution isn't quite that even, those reading…
Calculator app has been around in macOS forever. Here's how to use its four modes in macOS Sequoia.
macOS's Calculator app.
Apple's Calculator app lives in the /Applications folder at the root of your Startup Disk. One of the simplest of all the macOS apps, it was also one of the first utilities shipped with Mac OS X when it was released in 2000.
In fact, the original Mac also shipped with a very simple Calculator app as a desk accessory.
Apple is donating to LA wildfire relief efforts and will let impacted Apple Card users postpone their payments.
Apple Card
Apple Card users residing in an area declared a natural disaster zone by FEMA may be eligible for delayed payments, as part of a program launched by Apple on Thursday. Eligible users can enroll in the program via the Messages app, where they must contact Apple Card Support.
As shared by Mark Gurman, those affected by the situation in Los Angeles can skip a payment in the month they enroll, and no interest will accumulate during this period. If an account is in good standing, it will remain current while it is enrolled in the program.
Apple has made the Apple TV+ show "Severance" available on the Roku Channel for a limited time to promote the second season.
An Apple TV+ teaser image for the second season of 'Severance'
The Apple TV+ workplace thriller "Severance" is arriving back on the service on January 17. As part of its promotion of the show, Apple is giving Roku owners an opportunity to catch up.
The entire first season of the show will be available on the Roku Channel as part of an "exclusive fan experience," from now until January 19. Included with the season, the channel will also preview the second season of the show and offer behind-the-scenes content, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.
The ultraportable M3 13-inch MacBook Air with an upgrade to the 10-core GPU is eligible for an exclusive $200 price cut for a limited time only.
This upgraded M3 MacBook Air is on sale for $999.
To take advantage of the $999 M3 MacBook Air deal on the 13-inch model with a 10-core GPU, head over to Apple Authorized Reseller B&H Photo and shop through the pricing links in this post from a laptop or desktop computer*.
Following the holidays, Apple has started up some Back to School promotions in a few countries, offering education customers a pair of AirPods 4.
AirPods 4th gen
While not the main Back to School period for sales, Apple is still offering bargains to customers in a few territories, as younger Apple users head back to the classroom.
Running from January 8 until March 13, customers of Apple's higher-education store can get a free pair of AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. Spotted by MacRumors, they are free with the purchase of a New MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or iMac.
At CES 2025, Bluetti, a leading name in clean energy solutions and this year's CES Innovation Award honoree, is generating buzz with the debut of its latest energy storage innovations, the Apex 300 Solar Generator and EnergyPro 6K Energy Storage System.
Bluetti has unveiled new, innovative products at CES 2025 - Image credit: Bluetti
Powered by Bluetti's cutting-edge Future Energy Tech System, the Apex 300 and EnergyPro 6K offer all-in-one power solutions for everyone, from weekend campers to small- and medium-sized homes, reducing reliance on the grid. These products are key players in Bluetti's Era 3.0 launch, marking a bold step in the company's strategy to refine and elevate its global brand.
As part of this new era, Bluetti introduces its groundbreaking product series: Elite, Apex, and EnergyPro, designed to help define exactly what a customer might need. The Bluetti Elite Series focuses on entry-level solutions aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and home backup battery users seeking energy independence.
At CES this week, MSI has a huge amount to showcase. We've already taken a look at laptops, now it is time to take a look at components, including everything from a new flagship dual-system chassis to new coolers, monitors and RTX 50 graphics cards.
Watch on YouTube below:
Timestamps:
00:00 RTX 5000 Series cards
03:53 Systems
04:33 Peripherials
05:00 MEG Maestro 900 PZ Series Modded PC
06:06 Motherboards / power supplies
07:39 Coolers
08:14 Monitors and Project Zero Builds
10:35 Gaming Desktop systems
11:25 CES Innovation awards
The new B860 and H810 motherboards cater to a wide range of users, from budget-conscious gamers to content creators and everyday users. While the B860 chipset stands out for performance enthusiasts with its PCIe 5.0 support, M.2 storage options, and memory overclocking capabilities, the H810 provides a more value-oriented solution for those seeking essential features. The “Project Zero” lineup is expanding with the new PZ series. These motherboards relocate most connectors to the rear, minimising cable clutter and creating a cleaner aesthetic. The MAG Z890 Tomahawk WIFI PZ (standard and White) and the PRO Z890-S WIFI PZ offer high-end features and stylish designs for those seeking performance and cleaner visuals.
Adding to the software side, MSI is announcing a collaboration with SignalRGB to create a new application that allows for synchronised and customisable RGB lighting control across multiple MSI motherboards. This user-friendly software simplifies RGB management by enabling users to configure all MSI products with RGB and ARGB in a single app.
The new MAG Coreliquid A15 liquid cooler combines high-performance cooling with a user-friendly design. The A15 series uses a redesigned copper base and the new CycloBlade 9 fans, improving performance compared to its previous AIO liquid coolers. For those who love a bit of bling, the A15 series features customisable ARGB Gen 2 LEDs controllable through MSI Center. MSI's focus on “EZ DIY” is evident in features like the Uni Bracket, EZ Connect, and EZ Conn-Design, simplifying the installation of the CPU cooler.
MSI is also introducing two new flagship power supplies: the MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 and MPG A1250GS PCIE5. Both models feature dual native 12VHPWR connectors for high-end GPUs and comply with the latest ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 standards. With 80 Plus, Cybenetics, and PPLP certifications, these PSUs have been tested to ensure they offer the performance, efficiency, and reliability that you want from high-end power supplies.
The star of the show is the MEG Maestro 900L PZ concept case, a revolutionary case inspired by stage displays. This modular chassis supports dual-system configurations (ATX and Mini-ITX), offering unparalleled flexibility and expandability. It can accommodate up to 16x 120mm fans or two 420mm radiators, ensuring exceptional cooling for even the most demanding systems. The modular motherboard tray can be rotated 90º for customised layouts, allowing for personalised builds.
If a pre-built desktop is what you are after, then the new MSI MEG VISION X AI combines next-level power with smart control, featuring the latest NVIDIA RTX 50 series graphics cards and Intel Core Ultra 200 processors. With its 13-inch AI HMI touchscreen, gamers can enjoy intuitive system control via the MSI AI app and voice interaction. This combination led to this system winning two CES Innovation Awards. For a smaller desktop system, the Cubi NUC AI+ 2M and NUC AI 1UM systems are available, packing Intel Core Ultra 200 CPUs and AI capabilities in a chassis that measures less than 1L.
On the monitor side, MSI is launching its latest generation QD-OLED displays. At 27-inches, the new MPG 272URX QD-OLED offers increased pixel density compared to the larger 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor that MSI released last year. This model comes equipped with a 5-layer tandem OLED panel featuring EL Gen 3 technology. This new material composition improves efficiency up to 30%. While increased pixel density and sharpness is nice, some of us like to have a bit more size, especially when dealing with 4K resolutions. That is where the MPG 322URX QD-OLED comes in, offering a larger 32-inch 4K QD-OLED display with 240Hz refresh rate for ultra smooth gaming.
The final monitor MSI is showcasing at CES this year is the new MPG 274URDFW E16M, which features a MIni-LED backlight with 1152 local dimming zones. The monitor also offers dual-mode technology, so you can switch between 4K/160Hz or 1080p/320Hz modes. That means you can have access to sharper graphics and more virtual space to work in the 4K mode, and then you can swap to 1080p to access even faster refresh rates for competitive games like Counter-Strike, Marvel Rivals, Call of Duty or Fortnite.
KitGuru Says: Do you have your eyes on any of MSI's new products for a new build or PC upgrade this year?
We always like to swing by and visit the big liquid cooling component makers at events like CES and Computex. This year, Leo spent some time with Alphacool, getting an early look at the new generation water blocks for RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 graphics cards.
Watch on YouTube below:
Alphacool has been working hard to get these blocks ready in time for Nvidia's launch this week. After getting dimension details for the RTX 5080 and 5090, the Alphacool team went back and completely redesigned its Core GPU block, optimising the distance between the cooler and components on the PCB, and simulating waterflow tests to verify the design works as intended. Alphacool has also paid special attention to the cooler base and nozzle to ensure the best possible cooling performance for enthusiasts looking to upgrade this year.
Alphacool continues to rely on pure brass fittings in the Core series to ensure the highest quality and safety. A Core emblem can be found above the jetplate and you will find chrome plating on the copper cooler instead of nickel plating. Chrome plating is more durable and appears significantly brighter and smoother than pure nickel plating. As always, a backplate is included with the Core GPU block, alongside a complete set of mounting materials, pre-cut thermal pads and extra thermal paste.
Alphacool Core block for RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 will support various models, including the MSI Suprim and MSI Gaming cards, Asus ROG Strix and TUF Gaming, Inno3D, Gainward and Palit.
Pricing for these blocks is set to land at €199.98, but if you want, you can get an Enterprise edition that comes with a slimmer 1-slot design for €299.98.
KitGuru Says: Are you planning on putting together a custom liquid cooling loop this year? Be sure to have a look at Alphacool's range, we've used a lot of their parts in our own custom builds.
Aside from being larger than the regular Maya, the ambidextrous Maya X also comes with LAMZU's latest tech: PixArt's PAW3950 sensor, Omron optical main button switches, LAMZU scroll wheel encoder, a 48 g lightweight build, and the 8K dongle included by default.
Following various announcements of new AMD Ryzen Z2-powered consoles over at CES 2025, reports emerged that MSI would also join the party by launching a Claw handheld using a Z2 APU.
This intriguing tidbit comes from CodeCommando (via VideoCardz), a leaker with a reliable track record for AMD and MSI-related leaks. Unfortunately, the leaker has remained tight-lipped about the details, only confirming the information without providing a specific timeframe or model details.
Currently, MSI's Claw AI+ handhelds exclusively utilise Intel's platforms (Core Ultra 100H and 200V series). This makes the Claw series the only gaming handheld lineup solely reliant on Intel processors, despite AMD's dominance in the handheld market with its Ryzen Z1 series.
AMD recently unveiled its next-generation Ryzen Z2 APUs at CES 2025, with confirmed designs for Lenovo's Legion Go devices. While MSI also launched its refreshed Claw AI+ series in December, these models are not expected to ship until mid-January.
KitGuru says: Is MSI planning to offer Intel and AMD options in its Claw lineup? Or could this be a sign of a strategic shift towards AMD for future handhelds?
Valve has made a significant move to expand the reach of SteamOS, officially licensing the operating system for third-party handheld gaming PCs. And leading the charge is Lenovo, with its newly announced Legion Go S.
This marks a major milestone for SteamOS, which was previously exclusive to Valve's own Steam Deck. While other manufacturers have expressed interest in using SteamOS, Lenovo is the first to officially partner with Valve and release a “Powered by SteamOS” device. Valve's licensing program allows manufacturers like Lenovo to pre-install SteamOS and utilise the “Powered by SteamOS” branding, ensuring a consistent and optimised user experience.
Besides the SteamOS Legion Go S, Lenovo also announced other two new Legion Go handhelds, all powered by AMD's Ryzen Z2 series APUs. These are the Legion Go S with Windows 11 and Ryzen Z2 Go, and the Legion Go 2 prototype powered by the Ryzen Z2 series and featuring an 8.8-inch OLED display and Windows 11.
Valve plans to release a beta version of SteamOS before the Legion Go S hits the market in May. This will allow users to test the operating system and provide feedback. While not officially part of Valve's CES announcement, GPD, another handheld PC manufacturer, has also revealed its intention to offer SteamOS on its devices.
KitGuru says: Do you think handheld manufacturers should follow Lenovo's footsteps and launch their own “Powered by SteamOS” handhelds?
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU is already flexing its muscles in a leaked Geekbench benchmark, giving us a glimpse of the performance leap it brings over the previous generation.
Just days after its official unveiling, the RTX 5080 Laptop GPU has appeared in an OpenCL test on Geekbench (via Benchleaks), courtesy of an Alienware 18 Area-51 gaming laptop. While OpenCL performance isn't a direct indicator of gaming prowess, it can give an idea of the capabilities of Nvidia's next-generation mobile GPU.
The benchmark confirms that the RTX 5080 Laptop GPU features 60 SMs (7680 CUDA cores) and 16 GB of GDDR7 memory, as previously rumoured. The GPU reportedly reached a maximum clock speed of 1.5 GHz during the test, although higher clocks are expected in optimised scenarios.
In the OpenCL test, the RTX 5080 Laptop GPU achieved a score of 190,326 points. This represents an 18% increase over the RTX 4080 Laptop GPU and even surpasses the RTX 4090 Laptop GPU by 6%, based on the official Geekbench chart. It's uncertain whether the benchmark was conducted with the latest drivers, meaning these numbers might not be final.
KitGuru says: Would you be happy if the Nvidia RTX Laptop GPU's generational uplift was the same 18% in games as it's in Geekbench's OpenCL test?
With the PlayStation 5 well into its mid-lifecycle, we have seen Sony begin to release an increasing number of custom accessory variants. Arriving in February, the ‘Midnight Black collection’ offers a matte black colourwave for all currently available PS5 accessories.
Announced via the PlayStation Blog, Sony officially detailed their latest suite of PS5 accessory colours, stating “The latest PS5 accessories get a new look with the Midnight Black Collection – bringing the galaxy-inspired Midnight Black colorway to the PlayStation Portal remote player, DualSense Edge wireless controller, Pulse Elite wireless headset, and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds.”
Set to drop on the 20th of February, the Midnight Black Collection joins the PS5’s previously-released all-black accessories (in particular the regular DualSense and PS5 covers) – allowing fans to fully deck out their systems with a matte black colour scheme.
Given just how popular the previously-released Midnight Black accessories were, it is interesting to see Sony taking so long to complete the collection.
That said, for those who have always been bothered by the PS5’s White and Black colour scheme, these latest additions will finally allow you to remove all sense of colour from your console/accessories if you so desire.
KitGuru says: What do you think of the latest Collection? Do you prefer it to the original colour scheme? Which custom controller has been your favourite so far? Let us know down below.
AMD's latest Ryzen AI Max chips probably wouldn't have existed without Apple, an AMD executive has admitted, thanks to the popularity of Apple Silicon.
AMD Ryzen AI Max - Image Credit: AMD
At CES, AMD introduced Ryzen AI Max chips, an upgraded version of its Ryzen AI architecture with up to 16 CPU cores and up to 40 AMD RDNA 3.5 graphics compute units, and a neural processing unit with up to 50 trillion operations per second.
The chips, offering tons of performance in various ways in one focused component, has considerable echoes to the way Apple Silicon works. During the launch, AMD VP Joe Macri hinted that Apple Silicon helped with getting the product made and out the door, reportsEngadget.
Apple has responded to a lawsuit over its iPhone 15 camera technology, asking a court to strike claims based on a pre-trial agreement between it and a Boston-based camera maker.
Cameras on the iPhone 15 Pro Max
In September, Apple was the target of a patent infringement lawsuit from SiOnyx, for allegedly encroaching on patents for full-color night vision imaging sensors.
At the time, it was claimed that Apple had infringed on the patents, referred to as "Pixel Isolation Elements, Devices, and Associated Methods," discussing improvements to photosensitive devices. By using silicon-based photonics, the complaint said that companies could create smaller, lower-cost, and higher-performance photonic devices for imaging purposes.
Back in October of last year, Capcom officially confirmed that their latest and greatest Resident Evil entry – Resident Evil 4 Remake – had reached a new sales milestone of 8 million copies. Just a few months later, the game has managed to hit another major milestone – now sitting at over 9 million copies sold.
Making the announcement on Twitter, the official Capcom page celebrated this latest milestone, saying “To you, the 9 million-plus agents, Happy New Year and thank you for your support. RE4 Team.”
While only officially announced recently, this 9 million figure was actually achieved back in late December of last year (more specifically the 19th) and so it’s possible that the game is now nearing the all-important 10 million sales milestone.
For context, 9 million copies sold puts Resident Evil 4 Remake as one of Capcom’s best-selling games of all time, currently resting at 10th place between Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (8.8 million) and Resident Evil 3 Remake (9.2 million).
As stated however, given the slightly outdated nature of the figures released, RE4 Remake could easily already be the 7th-best selling Capcom game of all time – beating out RE6 (9.3 million) and RE5 (9.4 million).
When all is said and done, Resident Evil 4 Remake could crack Capcom’s top 5 best-selling games ever, though it would have to surpass Iceborne’s 14 million copies to do so.
We will have to wait and see – but given how RE4 Remake is less than two years old at this point, there is plenty of time left to achieve this target.
KitGuru says: Are you one of the 9 million players? How does it compare to the 2005 original? Will it beat out RE2 Remake to become the best-selling Resident Evil game of all time? Let us know your thoughts down below.
At CES today, we stopped by one of two MSI booths to check out all of the latest laptops. Of particular interest are the latest generation of gaming laptops sporting RTX 50 GPUs, which will be available starting in March.
Watch on YouTube below:
Timestamps:
00:00 Titan 18 HX Ai
01:10 Raider 18
01:45 Stealth 18
02:09 Vector 16 / 17 HX
02:27 MSI Ai Robot
02:58 Crosshair, Stealth & Raider laptops
03:44 Pulse 16/A17
04:02 Katana 15/17
04:27 Claw 7 and 8 Ai+
05:26 Dragon Edition Norse Myth
06:23 Other laptops
The flagship laptop from MSI is of course the latest Titan. The new MSI Titan 18 HX leverages an Intel Core Ultra 9 HX series processor and RTX 50 series graphics, up to an RTX 5090. With a total of 270W of peak performance to work with, you should manage to achieve true desktop replacement level performance in a portable package. Advanced vapor chamber cooling and dedicated SSD thermal design allows for sustained peak performance.
The MSI Raider and Vector series laptops are all getting an upgrade too, with up to Ryzen 9000HX or Intel Core Ultra 200HX series processors and RTX 50 graphics. MSI Stealth laptops will have the option of an AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processor or Intel Core Ultra 200HX CPU and are CoPilot+ certified.
MSI is introducing a brand-new line of laptops this year too. The MSI Venture and Venture Pro series laptops are aimed at business and productivity, offering screen sizes up to 17-inches, powerful CPU options and, in the Venture Pro models, you will also have the option of a discrete GPU. MSI has also created an exclusive battery boost feature for these laptops, which aims to deliver up to 5 hours of extra battery life.
Last year, MSI entered the handheld gaming market with the MSI Claw. At CES this year, we get a look at the latest model, the Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+. These systems are engineered to sit in the natural contours of the hand, allowing for comfortable use for all hand sizes. MSI has redesigned the analog sticks, D-Pad, bumpers and hall-effect triggers too for smoother operation and accuracy. The MSI Center M software has also been refined for seamless device management. As this is a Windows handheld powered by Intel Core Ultra, it also has CoPilot+ capabilities. Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports allow you to dock the handheld and hook up multiple monitors.
KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up a new laptop in 2025? Will you be looking to pick up one of MSI's latest models?
Following its explosive popularity in the wake of 2017’s Monster Hunter World, hype for the upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds has been at an all-time high, with last year’s beta seeing around half a million concurrent players on Steam alone. Ahead of the game’s launch next month, Capcom have confirmed that a second playtest is on its way.
“Open Beta Test 2 is your second chance to try out the evolved hunting experience in Monster Hunter Wilds, this time featuring an additional monster! Following the first Open Beta Test, the development team have been reading all of the feedback and requests we've received, and are working hard to improve the quality of the game for launch.”
No exact date has been shared regarding when the beta will go live, though it will take place at some point next month, prior to launch.
Given just how popular the first test was, it will be interesting to see whether the upcoming beta surpasses the former’s peak concurrent player count – especially as it will take place within week’s of the game’s official release. Regardless, it is safe to assume that when it does arrive, Monster Hunter Wilds will break a ton of records for Capcom. We won’t have to wait long to find out.
KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to Monster Hunter Wilds? Will you partake in the upcoming test, or will you wait for the full release? Let us know down below.
With 2025 well underway, we have started to see an increasing number of leaks detailing Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2. Though we have yet to hear anything official from Nintendo themselves, a new leak claims to give fans a first look at the system’s – admittedly simplistic – logo.
As shared by known Nintendo leaker Necro Felipe via BlueSky, the official logo for Nintendo’s upcoming Switch successor has now been revealed – confirming that the system will indeed be called the Switch 2.
It seems as though the company does not want to create another Wii-to-WiiU type situation, and so the number 2 appears to be the most prominent part of the logo itself, leaving no room for confusion.
The Switch 2 is easily one of Nintendo’s most important console releases in its history, and so it will be interesting to see exactly how they choose to talk about and push the upcoming system. We won’t have to wait too much longer to find out.
KitGuru says: Are you excited for the Switch 2? What do you think of the logo? Does it give us any indication of what to expect from the upcoming console? Let us know your thoughts down below.
2018 was a massive year for Bethesda Game Studios, with the team not only showing off Starfield for the first time during their E3 presentation, but also giving fans their first teaser for The Elder Scrolls VI. Unfortunately, this momentous occasion is now well over 6 years old – longer than the period between the 2011 launch of Skyrim and the official teaser for TESVI.
With the official – and only – teaser trailer for The Elder Scrolls VI now being over 2400 days old, the ever-elusive TESVI has now surpassed the amount of time between the release of Skyrim and said TESVI announcement.
This figure is especially shocking given just how long the wait felt at the time between Skyrim’s release in November 2011 and the 2018 teaser for TESVI.
Of course, since the release of the teaser, BGS have launched a couple major projects – namely their joint venture with Fallout 76, but more notably the 2023 release of Starfield.
Given just how long it’s been taking for Bethesda Game Studios to release new titles, it’s likely that Skyrim will be well over 15 years old by the time we even hear about The Elder Scrolls VI in any notable manner. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another 6 years though.
KitGuru says: Are you surprised by just how long ago the teaser for TESVI released? What’s your most optimistic time frame for a possible release date? Will Bethesda squeeze out another Skyrim re-release before TESVI arrives? Let us know your thoughts down below.
Late last year, we reported on a leak which claimed that Microsoft’s xCloud game streaming app would finally be coming to LG TVs in the not-too-distant future. Microsoft has now officially confirmed that the app is set to arrive at some point later this year.
“Today, we’re excited to announce our collaboration with LG Electronics to bring the Xbox app to their new LG Smart TVs later this year. This means Game Pass Ultimate members will be able to play their games directly from the Xbox app on supported LG Smart TVs via Xbox Cloud Gaming. This gives players even more choice in how they enjoy their favorite games.”
It is currently unknown exactly just how many of LG's TVs will be supported, but given the fact that they all run on the same operating system – WebOS – hopefully the app should function across its full suite of Smart TVs, both past and present.
LG continues to be one of the biggest sellers of TVs every year, and so it makes sense for Microsoft to want to bring its xCloud streaming service to the platform – especially as the likes of Samsung TVs already support the app.
KitGuru says: Do you care about xCloud game streaming? Would you stream certain games/genres? Will the streaming tech ever be good enough for full-time use? Let us know your thoughts down below.
On New Year's Eve, Mike Shapiro posted his first tweet in over four years. It was a video post where he, in his G-Man character's voice and pacing, announced that "the…
Taking a break from the AI powered AI news from the AI enhanced CES 2025, here's something to make you somewhat nervous when driving. A security researcher has discovered a flaw in…
Dell has decided to abandon their XPS, Inspiron, and Latitude brands, adopting a new naming convention that is perhaps more than just a little reminiscent of Apple. Introducing Dell's Dell, Dell Pro,…
Apple will be announcing the first-quarter results for 2025 on January 30. Here's what to expect from what should be a blockbuster financial release.
Apple CEO Tim Cook
Apple's Q1 2025 financial results will be released on Thursday, January 30, a short time ahead of the analyst and investor conference call at 5p.m. Eastern.
The call will feature CEO Tim Cook explaining the financial details from the results, but he will have a new person on the call with him. Former CEO Luca Maestri bid farewell in October's earnings call, with Kevan Parekh set to take his seat in the quarterly call.
While affected customers await their $20, Apple has shared a statement on how it handles user data in regard to Siri, reaffirming that voice recordings aren't being used to sell you Air Jordans.
Apple isn't using Siri data for ad revenue
Apple released Siri in 2011 as the first built-in smart assistant for smartphones. From that moment through to today, the company has asserted that users maintain absolute privacy while using the digital assistant.
However, it wouldn't be the United States if stories about contractors hearing conversations via Siri recordings didn't turn into a class action lawsuit. Despite the frivolity of the lawsuit, based around users claiming Apple was selling voice recordings to ad agencies so they would see ads for shoes, it ultimately ended in a settlement.
A judge in Brazil believes that Apple and Google distributing an app called FaceApp in their respective app stores is enough to charge them for the app's blatant disregard for user privacy.
FaceApp is a popular app for manipulating photos with filters
Chances are you've heard of FaceApp, and if you haven't, you've at least seen the results of the creepy manipulation of users' faces on social media. The app lets users alter photos to extreme extents, from changing skin tone and lip size to aging a person.
According to a report from UOLshared by9to5Mac, Apple and Google have been fined about $3.1 million in Brazil after allowing FaceApp to be distributed on their app stores. Even though Apple and Google aren't responsible for the development of the app, its availability in Brazil is, and it is allegedly violating the law.
Code in the latest iOS 18.3 developer beta indicates that Apple is working on an entirely new system application, one dedicated to event scheduling. Here's what we know about it.
Apple's Calendar app doesn't have a great invite system
On Tuesday, Apple released the second developer beta of iOS 18.3. While the update itself didn't introduce any noteworthy features, it appears the software contains references to an as-of-yet unreleased internal application.
Originally discovered by 9to5mac, the app is known as "Invites." The website claims it originally found evidence of this app in an iOS 18.2 beta, but that all references to it were removed with the release version of iOS 18.2. Now, the "Invites" app has apparently resurfaced with Tuesday's iOS 18.3 developer beta.
The entry price into a Mac just got cheaper with this upgraded closeout M2 Mac mini falling to $499 for a limited time only.
Grab exclusive blowout savings on Apple's M2 Mac mini.
Apple's Mac mini desktop computer is well regarded among budget-friendly consumers looking for an affordable entry point into the macOS ecosystem. And this week B&H is offering AppleInsider readers an exclusive discount on a closeout M2 spec* with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, bringing the price down to just $499.
Some users were experiencing issues with Apple Cash as a result of an outage confirmed by Apple on Wednesday.
Apple Cash is currently experiencing an outage.
The company's System Status page indicated that there was an ongoing issue with Apple Cash, with users not being able to send or receive funds. Other Apple-branded services, such as the iOSApp Store, iCloud, and Apple Pay appear to be functioning normally. The issue first occurred at 10:01 a.m. Eastern Time and is was resolved at 5:18 p.m. Eastern Time.
Users took to social media to complain about Apple Cash not functioning. Apple Cash is a popular payment service, similar to CashApp, Venmo, and Zelle, but under the Apple umbrella.
Satechi's SM3 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth keyboard is its first full-size version, offering many of the key features of the smaller predecessor, the SM1.
During CES 2024, Satechi introduced the SM1 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard. For 2025, it's introducing a bigger version.
The SM3 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard is Satechi's first full-size mechanical keyboard. It offers a very similar spec list to its stablemate, the SM1, including the use of low-profile brown switches and a rechargeable battery, but it's a lot bigger.
Apple is expanding its presence in the Evergreen State, signing a direct lease for nearly 193,000 square feet of office space in South Lake Union.
Image Credit: Discover South Lake Union
The deal, rumored since 2019, has finally materialized. Initially, it was speculated that Apple would purchase roughly 630,000 square feet of office space.
That's a far cry from the nearly 193,000-square-foot deal the Cupertino tech giant actually signed. However, it still marks the largest new office space least since 2019, according toKomonews.
The Royal Kludge RK S85 is an interesting take on the tenkeyless (TKL) form factor, providing you with 85 keys in addition to a large rotary wheel and a full-color LCD screen. It offers extensive customization over RGB back/side-lighting and hybrid wireless connectivity, with software support to further enhance the user experience, all for under $100.
At CES 2025, Corsair announced its new Frame 4000D mid-ATX PC case, the first chassis to feature the company's new Modular Case System. Building on the success of the popular 4000 series, the frame 4000D offers unparalleled more customisation options, allowing PC enthusiasts to create truly a personalised build that better fits their preferred aesthetics.
This new case introduces a modular approach to PC building, enabling users to easily swap components, upgrade panels, and tailor their system to their exact preferences. Whether you're a seasoned modder or a first-time builder, the Frame 4000D provides a flexible and adaptable platform for your system.
The Frame 4000D features Corsair's InfiniRail fan mounting system, which supports larger fans (up to 200mm in the front and 140mm in the roof), offering more cooling options. With support for two 360mm radiators and multiple mounting locations, the case offers ample thermal headroom for high-performance systems. An integrated GPU anti-sag bracket keeps your graphics card securely in place, preventing sagging. The Frame 4000D also gets more internal space compared to the original 4000D, accommodating the latest graphics cards and cooling solutions. The inner side panel can be used as a cable cover for a clean aesthetic or removed to accommodate additional fans.
The Frame 4000D offers versatile storage options with removable drive trays that can accommodate two 3.5-inch HDDs or up to four 2.5-inch SSDs. For seamless integration with Corsair's iCue Link ecosystem, the case includes cable hooks, tie-downs, and a dedicated mounting pocket for the iCue Link system hub. The front I/O panel features two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports and a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port. For even greater customisation, the I/O panel itself is replaceable, allowing for future upgrades and different configurations.
Available in black or white, the Frame 4000D offers a clean and modern aesthetic that complements any build. Interchangeable front panels are also available in various materials and designs, allowing for further personalisation. The case can be purchased with or without fans, with options for standard RS120 PWM fans or RS120 ARGB PWM fans for those who want customisable lighting effects. The fan-less options go for £79.99/€99.90/$94.99, while the model with the standard RS120 PWM fans costs £108.29/€127.59/$99.99. Lastly, the model with RS120 ARGB PWM fans costs £99.99/€119.90/$109.99.
KitGuru says: Do you think the Frame 4000D will be a good successor to the popular 4000D Airflow?
MSI is making a splash at CES 2025 with a range of exciting new products, including liquid coolers, power supplies, and a groundbreaking concept case that redefines PC building.
The new MAG Coreliquid A15 liquid cooler combines high-performance cooling with a user-friendly design. The A15 series uses a redesigned copper base and the new CycloBlade 9 fans, improving performance compared to its previous AIO liquid coolers. For those who love a bit of bling, the A15 series features customisable ARGB Gen 2 LEDs controllable through MSI Center. MSI's focus on “EZ DIY” is evident in features like the Uni Bracket, EZ Connect, and EZ Conn-Design, simplifying the installation of the CPU cooler. Lastly, it comes with an adjustable offset kit specifically designed for Intel Core Ultra CPUs to address heat source offsets for optimal cooling.
MSI is also introducing two new flagship power supplies: the MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 and MPG A1250GS PCIE5. Both models feature dual native 12VHPWR connectors for high-end GPUs and comply with the latest ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 standards. With 80 Plus, Cybenetics, and PPLP certifications, these PSUs have been tested to ensure they offer the performance, efficiency, and reliability that you want from high-end power supplies.
The star of the show is the MEG Maestro 900L PZ concept case, a revolutionary case inspired by stage displays. This modular chassis supports dual-system configurations (ATX and Mini-ITX), offering unparalleled flexibility and expandability. It can accommodate up to 16x 120mm fans or two 420mm radiators, ensuring exceptional cooling for even the most demanding systems. The modular motherboard tray can be rotated 90º for customised layouts, allowing for personalised builds.
KitGuru says: Interested in any of MSI's new PC components announced at CES 2025?
Dell Alienware is continuing to expand its lineup of QD-OLED monitors with the AW2725Q, a 27-inch 4K display similar to those recently announced at CES 2025 by MSI, Asus, and Gigabyte. Moreover, the monitor got a CES 2025 Innovation Award Honoree award.
The AW2725Q features Alienware's new AW30 design language, a tribute to the company's upcoming 30th anniversary. This sleek and futuristic design incorporates improved cable management, 360-degree ventilation, and a compact base. The monitor uses a QD-OLED panel with a 4K resolution, achieving an impressive pixel density of 166 PPI. Whether you're exploring game worlds or creating digital art, the AW2725Q ensures that every detail is rendered with clarity. But the AW2725Q isn't just about pixel density, as it also boasts a 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.03 ms response time, delivering incredibly smooth and responsive gameplay.
With DCI-P3 99% colour coverage and Delta E < 2 colour accuracy, this VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400-certified monitor produces vibrant and lifelike colours. A theoretically infinite contrast ratio and Dolby Vision HDR support further enhance the visual experience, with deep blacks and stunning highlights. A redesigned OSD and full support for Alienware Command Center 6.6 provide a user-friendly interface for customising monitor settings. HDMI 2.1 FRL enables 4K 240 Hz gaming with VRR and Auto Low Latency Mode, while HDMI 2.1 FRL eARC allows for high-fidelity audio output with Dolby Atmos-certified speakers.
To ensure longevity, the AW2725Q incorporates an AI-powered burn-in reduction system and an anti-burn-in graphite film. Alienware also offers a three-year warranty that includes coverage for burn-in. The Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW2725Q) is priced at $899.99 and will be available in China on January 22nd, 2025, US and APJ in March 2025, and EMEA in April 2025.
KitGuru says: With so many 27-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors coming out right now, it might be hard to choose the best model. Most models are very similar, with small differences here and there. In the end, pricing will be most likely the decisive factor.
Delidding your CPU has a number of benefits, mostly related to better cooling, but the process can be a tricky task. Thermal Grizzly is looking to make it easier with their new 1851 Delid-Die-Mate Heater, a tool designed to assist in removing the heat spreader from Intel Core 200 CPUs.
Delidding processors based on the Intel Arrow Lake architecture (Core Ultra, Pentium) carries a higher risk compared to older Intel CPUs. This is likely due to structural factors such as the size of the CPU die and the fact that the CPU die consists of multiple smaller dies, known as “tiles.” To minimise the risk during delidding, the CPU should be heated to approximately 165°C / 330°F to soften the indium solder. The Intel 1851 Delid-Die-Mate Heater V1 is a PTFE-made housing for the Intel 1851 Delid-Die-Mate V1 delidding tool. The heating elements are powered via a USB Type-C connection, and the temperature can be monitored through an external OLED display. You will need to supply your own USB power supply through, and you'll need one capable of at least 65W.
The control unit of the Intel 1851 Delid-Die-Mate Heater V1 can be adjusted and controlled using three buttons. The preset temperature of 165°C can be increased or decreased as needed. The heating element can be turned on or off at any time. When the target temperature is reached, the heating element automatically turns off. For safety, the heating element always turns off after 30 minutes.
If you are intending to delid a Core Ultra 200 CPU, and you are using Thermal Grizzly's tools, be sure to watch their video guide to avoid errors during the process. After all, this process does void your manufacturer's warranty on the CPU.
KitGuru Says: The de-lidding process can be a stressful one, so make sure you arm yourself with some tools to make the job easier.
Asus has unleashed a wave of new motherboards based on AMD's B850 and B840 chipsets, offering a compelling blend of performance, features, and value for Ryzen users. In addition, it also announced two new high-end X870E motherboards, including the ROG Crosshair X870E Apex and Crosshair X870E Extreme motherboards.
The B850 chipset takes center stage, focusing on performance and connectivity. Asus's B850 motherboards pack features like PCIe 5.0 support for graphics cards and SSDs, WiFi 7, and support for high-speed DDR5 memory kits. They also simplify the building process with tool-free M.2 installation, easy troubleshooting tools, and quick graphics card release mechanisms.
The ROG Strix B850 series leads the pack with plenty of features and a gaming design. The flagship B850 model, the ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi, boasts an 8-layer PCB, a robust 16+2+2 power phase VRM, and support for AI Overclocking. It also includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot with the Asus PCIe Q-Release Slim mechanism for easy graphics card upgrades. Compared to its predecessor (B650E-E), the B850-E Gaming WiFi adds another PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and a 5G Ethernet connector. It also features a USB4 connector for lightning-fast external storage connectivity and a rear-panel USB 20Gbps Type-C port with 30W Power Delivery for fast charging.
The ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi offers a similar feature set but drops the USB4 port and some of the higher-end connectivity options, making it a more affordable alternative. The ROG Strix B850-A Gaming WiFi stands out with its white and silver aesthetics, while the ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi packs impressive features into a compact Mini-ITX form factor.
Moving on to the TUF Gaming B850, this series prioritises durability and essential gaming features. The TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi offers a full-featured ATX design with PCIe 5.0 support, WiFi 7, and a range of user-friendly features. The TUF Gaming B850M-Plus WiFi and TUF Gaming B850M-Plus provide microATX options for smaller builds.
For users who don't need overclocking or PCIe 5.0 support, the B840 chipset offers a more budget-friendly option. Asus's B840 motherboards, all part of the Prime series, provide a solid foundation for systems with integrated graphics or less demanding workloads. The Prime B840-Plus WiFi offers a full-sized ATX design with WiFi 6E and a 2.5G Ethernet connector, while the Prime B840M-A WiFi and Prime B840M-A provide microATX alternatives.
Users seeking a high-end X870E motherboard for their AMD CPU will have two new alternatives available this year. The first is the recently launched ROG Crosshair X870E Apex, an overclocking-focused motherboard designed to set world records. The ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme is also in the works, and more information will be available as it approaches its release date in Q1.
Asus has also updated its BIOS interface with a 1080p resolution and a new Q-Dashboard that visually maps out the motherboard's components and connections, making it easier for beginners to understand their system. To further help configure your system, Asus AI Advisor software provides helpful guidance and answers to common questions about BIOS settings and system optimisation.
KitGuru says: Interested in any of the new Asus 800-series motherboards?
HEDD Audio provides an alternative take to the more analytical sound from the innovative HEDDphone TWO with the brand new HEDDphone TWO GT, which uses rarely seen AMT drivers in a warmer, more musical tuning while retaining excellent detail retrieval in the same innovative and premium chassis from before.
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