October 12, 2021

Sometimes it feels like we live in the future. Think about it; you probably carry around a pocket-sized device that essentially acts as a magical portal to far-off lands, connecting you people and places even on the other side of the world. You might even have the kind of home you can talk to, and it listens and follows your commands!

But despite our technological advances that can feel like living in the Star Trek universe, the truth is we have a long way to go before we get into the really great stuff. Take Amazon’s Astro robot, for instance. Here we have one of the first “personal robot” offerings that should evoke Rosie from The Jetsons. But it’s not even close. Amazon got this one wrong—really wrong. Don’t believe me? We’ll tell you all about it in the top story.

Other Highlights:

• It’s Christmas shopping time, and we gathered the very best laptops you can buy for your family (or for yourself!).
• Google TV just picked up some great new features!
• ..and more!

-Josh

Amazon’s Astro could have offered us a glimpse into the future. It could have been something life-changing. Instead, its obvious flaws are being put under the spotlight before it has even been released. This is probably down to two things: Astro came into the world far too early, and far too cheaply. Read More »

A laptop makes it easy to lounge on your couch while paying bills, work remotely in a coffee shop, or binge your favorite TV show under your warm comforter. Ultimately, laptops are extremely versatile, useful, and make a great addition to your day-to-day life. Read More »

After several delays and production halts, it looks like GM has finally begun replacing recalled Chevy Bolt EV batteries. In September, we learned that replacement battery packs could be available in October rather than late November, and now, according to Ars Technica, GM has started reaching out to owners and scheduling replacement services to get vehicles safely back on the road. Read More »

If you’ve been looking to get a new portable MacBook Air with the power of Apple’s new M1 chip, or even a pair of Apple’s famous yet overpriced AirPods Max, you’ll want to buy it today at Amazon. Both devices are seeing big discounts between $100 to $150 off, so don’t delay. Read More »

Today Google announced several exciting new changes to help make Google TV more personal and easier to use for everyone in the house. From personal profiles built around the TV content you watch the most to at-a-glance cards in Ambient mode with game scores, news, music, and more. Read More »

Sure, you can spring for premium earbuds and over-ear headphones, but if you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly (or if you want to have an inexpensive pair you won’t need to cry over in the event something happens to it), these simple wired headphones from Sennheiser will get the job done. There is an inline button smart remote for playing and pausing audio and taking calls. The headphones also come with four sizes of adaptive ear tips so you can easily find the best fit for your ears. They’re available in black, red, and white.

Get it at Amazon →

In 1973, Xerox introduced the Alto, a pioneering research computer that set the stage for the modern PC with use of a bitmapped graphical interface, a mouse, and local networking. Thanks to an emulator, you can simulate an Alto in your browser. But first, let’s look at why the Alto was special. Read More »

Virtual reality prices are down, and the quality of games is up, so it’s a great time to jump in if you’ve been holding off on taking the plunge. While we aren’t quite in The Matrix yet, modern VR headsets are shockingly good. Here’s the best VR headset you can buy right now. Read More »

Good coffee is delicious and helps us power through our day, but sometimes, your java can suddenly taste a bit lackluster. There are a few reasons why this happens. If your coffee has gone from tasty to meh, here’s what you can do about it. Read More »